Turkey Week 11/25/13

Hey so first thing is first. I have a question straight  up for Season! I am going to send pictures of my Mission President and his wife. So as the Zone Leaders we are in charge of getting them presents, They are pretty well off and we wanted to be original butttt... I thought of a cool idea. My sister Season is really good at caricatures! Soooo... I was wondering if you Season would be able to draw caricatures of my Mission President and his wife:)))) It would be so awesome! Like big heads in a suit and stuff. That would be the best Christmas present for me! Because I am like working hard and serving and stuff. So I will send the pictures of their faces attached with this email. Send to 5931 96th st w. Bloomington, Mn for this is the Mission Home address and if my name is on it they will forward it. If you could put it in a big envelope or something like the bubble ones prob like 8x11 or bigger I am not sure the cardstock style paper, that would be sosososososososososo cool. Anyways:) Oh our Christmas Conference is December 5th! So if I could get it by then that would be soooo awesome.  Pre Dec 5th. 

          Well I am doing well. Me and Elder Alpert had 2 exchanges this week, 1 Monday night. I stayed in the area no gps or anything just bossed it up 4th day in the area. Taught a lady but she wasn't interested in further meeting and also set up an apointment and stuff. Then we taught a reactivating family. We are gonna make Temple vision boards of their faces and help them get to the Temple. The Rannings. Super funny couple. Gave Sister Ranning a blessing she had eye sight surgery. Me and Elder Alpert did a lot of finding. Including a young bf/gf from Kenya. A cambodian bf/gf combo who are like 35 but look 20. They are Buddhist currently but they like us alot. We taught a teenage girl who really like the restoration but was under. So it was good week. We worked with a Micronesian family. Islanders possibly Tongans, Sizumu Lowary, his 9 year old son wants to get baptized .. So they said they wanna start coming to church and get Baptized! We were super excited they came to Church. 

        So busy I wish I could remember everything. Hey dad I wrote in my journal  6 times this transfer check that out!! Things are going really well. Just going to lots of District meetings. accountabilities. Numbers night. Set Zone goals just so much stuff and then take on a full proselyting schedule. It seems to work out though cause we spend 1 hour of finding and get an investigator and teach a lesson. I kinda throw down. Elder Alpert is a way good teacher and a good finder as well.  Today we are helping some Sisters on the college campus. Me and Elder Alpert both served in Mankato on college campus and I went to Dinkytown sometimes. Well our Zone did pretty decent this week. We have lots of people getting Baptized. Two families. December will be a huge month. And we are gonna Baptize a person as well it will be so awesome! Well let me know of anything I missed. I am doing welll. Thanksgiving we might have 3 dinners. Our new Cambodian friends. PM the Matsons with recent convert Angelo (17)  who might go to outpatient. And one with  Sister Robinson. Oh ya church I went to church we have this Muslim investigator from Iran, I thought he would know Bahram, I guess I was stereotyping when I asked him that.

 Also we sent a message to our Zone from the Australian Sister in our Zone, It was Like Dingo Ate my Baby!  It was awesome. We sent it to the Zone and she is a little mad. 

Well love ya all so much!!!

-Elder Hall

President Jordan and Sister Clements

Love Burnsville and working hard. 11/18/13

 Man, 

       I am going to be so tired! We spent a lot of the first day planning out exchanges and events  like District meetings and stuff going on on a big map calendar. We also do a lot of calls our phone gets wrecked in a day the battery at least. We also do a lot of paperwork and goalsetting and working with Missionaries. Last night was number night we did training evaluations for all the trainers in the Zone and reported the numbers of key indicators and Baptism date sets. We were up til like exactly 10:30 then went to bed got up, didn't exercise, did more stuff, faxed all the paper work in. We didn't get to plan Sunday night either. Elder Alpert says we never do cause of all the stuff Sunday night. We did make a Zone goal to have 7 date sets going into December. That is pretty decent,  we have 9 right now and 4 get baptized in November.  Yep here in Burnseville. Headed down last Wednesday and even forgot 1 suit and stuff which Bro. Malinka non-member drove to the Mission home. President texted us and said 1/2 of Elder Hall's wardrobe is at the Mission office come and get it! We are right next to Bloomington which is nice. It has been a crazy week. A lot of Zone leader stuff. We have 12 zones in the mission. Ours is the 3rd biggest. So it is a lot of work. We have calls all the time and do a lot of Zl stuff. So when we go out we have to make it count. It is good though because my companion is good. Elder Alpert. From Moorpark California. He was excited when he heard that my Dad served there. I also told him about kraproom (Moorpark spelled backwards) but he already knew that. He is a good Missionary he is 1 transfer (6 weeks ahead of me) he was Elder Cluff's first trainer and also Companions with Elder Pinsent from Canada as well. My MTC companion. Last night and this morning he was cracking down on these people who wanted to go outta their area for lunch, so he was smacking it down. I think we will compliment each other good. I am not very good at that stuff. I have met everyone in the Zone, a bunch from Cali, two Elders from Kaysville. Talked about Cherry Hills, it was good. 

         

Burnseville. There is some good work going on here, we should have a Baptism or 2 in December. A partmember 11 year old girl. And maybe an ex muslim guy. So it is looking good. I am glad to be back in the city. Haven't learned the area too well yet cause of the Zl stuff, but it looks good. It is really nice! The nicest part of Minnesota I have seen. Oh a  guy in our ward Dave Dickson, he played for the Vikings for 12 years. He was on the O-line. He is huge. That was cool. Also this member almost rage quit the church he didn't get picked up to go to the Temple. Bro M he is like 69 and Melody his wife is a  investigator. But he was waiting for 3 hours in his Church clothes to get picked up to take his names to the Temple and didn't get a ride. He was understandably upset. But we had a lesson he was still mad but it was good for him. He ended up going to Stake Conference and receiving the Melchezidek Priesthood. Whoo. 

I went to the Lakeville Stake Conference as well, so I got two. We got to hit up the Adult session as well cause it was Missionary oriented. Just like St. Cloud. I went on an exchange Saturday in Farmington with a young Missionary. He was pretty intraverted. I think Missions are good for young kids like 18, but they come out pretty intraverted, or just not used to real life. That is the biggest difference I have noticed. They don't know what is coming as much as maybe they could. Burnseville Ward is awesome.  There is actually an ex missionary of the MMM Koti Palinetai who served in Princeton and Burnseville that lives in the Ward now. So we talk about Princeton. 

  I am doing well. I have a good companion. He is part Jewish/ Mexican. He is pretty funny!  He is good at the guitar  and kinda skinny. His dad is Jewish, He is workin hard. We are gonna work hard and do awesome things. We have a gym at our apartments. I am gonna get ripped. Just watch. I am loving it here. Hope it doesn't go by too fast. It is a 5 week transfer. I think me and Elder Alpert will be together for 2 transfers but idk. I am kinda overwhelmed with all the stuff we do I wouldn't be able to take over esp after 5 weeks. But pray for me i am trying really hard. Love ya!!

-Elder hall

Burnsville near Apple Valley, Here I come! 11/11/13

Transfers, I am going to Burnsville Minnesota.  I will write more about it in a second but it is right next to Applevalley and part of it might be in my area I will at least go there for sure. So send me al and patty's info!!


        It is going to be a weekend at Bernie's if ya know what I Mean! So i am getting transferred to Burnsville, Mn. Which is just barely below Minneapolis and under the Minnesota river. 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. I should be in this area about 6 months that's just a guess but that is what I think. I am going to be a Zone Leader. Weird. But it should be good. I hope I get to see Al and Patty, if you send me their information like number and address! that would be sweet. Any other Minnesota friends in Burnsville? Hit me up. It has 61,000 people in it. I am pretty excited. It should be like almost really urban suburbs. YAY, I have missed black people a lot. Elder Tubbs new companion is gonna be Elder Brown no clue. I think they are both young. They will do good. Gave him his posterity belt to hand down the generations. My new companion is Elder Alpert. He has been companions with 2 of mine. Pinsent and Cluff. We should get along well, he is pretty funny I guess. Our Zone seems pretty decent sized. I thought it would be smaller but while I am looking at it lets see, this Zone has 24 missionaries including us in the Zone. So it will be good. 

         It has been a great week! It is kinda sad we taught a bunch of new people. Had some awesome moments. Always hard to leave an area even in the stixx. I have learned so much about Ward structure here. The Ward is awesome. It was the best Sunday since I have been here. You could just feel the love of the Ward. I am gonna miss the Junckers a lot! They arent in our Ward anymore anyways. Special assignment to a Branch. A lot of changes always come with transfers but I have come to learn that change is good, even necessary or it would defy the Atonement of Christ. We are here to change. 

 

           We had 4 investigators come to Church. That was pretty sweet. Debi, Joe and Rinehart, and last but definately not least, Gilbert. Gilbert is the Bomb. He was on drugs for most of his life. He is late 50s. Looking for change in his life. So this is how we tracted into him. (edit for the kids) (Mom is editing now) Taught him and his girlfriend the restoration. We said hey we can get you a shirt for church if you want cause he said he would come. He was like- not my thing. We were like whatever. We got him a ride to church and picked him up with a member he had jeans and a tank top on, the tank top read" bad a**", from that point I was excited. He was super nervous cause everyone was in suits and stuff and was like guys you should have told me. But a lot of people talked to him and when he got to the chapel he kind of calmed down and felt the spirit. But he talked to me literally all sacrament. I was teaching him about our church and stuff but he talked a lot. He said he wanted change in his life cause he has messed up big. The only time he didn't talk to me was when i bore my testimony cause it was my last Sunday there. I kinda knew.  But He said he recognized the Bishop whom he had never met before. It was kinda crazy.  He has a tentative Baptism date for Dec 28th.  In gospel principles he was getting heat flashes cause he has hepatitus c. It was awesome. It is crazy how I have learned to love everyone. Elder Tubbs is gonna have a awesome time teaching him.  We are going tonight bringing him suits, pants, ties, and shirts, and we are gonna teach him. Last night at 1am he sent a hilarious text, it was really heartfelt and said I love and respect you guys for helping me change my life. That is the watered watered watered down version.  But he is awesome. I love Gilbert ,hahah. 

             So transfers are wednesday, Sister hatch (in princeton ward) has a 32 year old companion. Guy from finland staying. And Burnside newish elder in buffalo is staying and is the new Dl.  Things are going well. Whooo! Burnsville. love you guys.  --Elder Hall. write me. 

Worked on a Farm Grandpa 11/14/13

Hey Everyone!

           It has been a good week. Mission tour is tomorow. Elder Godoy is coming of the Quorum of the 70. That will be a good Conference. My last mission Tour:(. This week we had Zone Training and Interviews. It was the last week of the month so we did bike a lot. Maybe 20 miles 1 day, it was pretty rainy too. Our Ward had a special Halloween trunk-or-treat activity, and Halloween itself. Also we got to go to a play and work on a farm. Stay tuned for the details!

         Interviews were great, I had a really good interview with President and got to talk with him it helped me out a lot. I have been worried about a few things lately. Just wanting success to happen and a lot more going on. He gave some good advice. That was good, it was in St. Cloud. Nothing special some planning and quality teaching trainings, President taught about the doctrine of the trinity being false. 

           Trunk-or-treat was good. We passed out some candy and I interviewed  the Sisters investigator for Baptism. and that made things interesting. I missed the rest of the party. I don't care but it was long. It was the first time, I didn't pass anyone but I didn't feel too strongly about some things, but I didn't know how an investigator could bounce back from something like that. I talked to the Mission President and he reaffirmed things. Gave some advice. He didn't like that he couldn't get baptized. It was the worst members and the Bishop got involved and members were giving me advice, blah it was dumb. I was really worried that the investigator would just hate it and quit. But he got interviewed again by a member of the Mission Presidency and passed. They talked and the 2nd counselor felt he was ready. It was just a really stressful weekend.  But it's over and I am bouncin in a week! 

              Halloween went out teaching! Normal night. Passed out some candy before our member picked us up to take us teaching. Gave double for anyone who could guess my Nepali name tag. Went to Debbie's and played LDS jeopardy. So that was my Halloween. That was pretty much it. It wasn't very bumping in Princeton on Halloween. Sad. I miss doughnuts and hot chocolate. Well not literally those would kill me. Speaking of which I think I maybe lost a couple of pounds. I was a little healthier.  

            At interviews I got permission to go to a play that was about pie baking it was a comedy , a members non member daughter was in it. So that was fun. Don't get to see plays often.  A member just told us to try teaching her husband!  We will get on that. He comes to church already. So we will see. I need to be more bold! Ah missionary stuff. The play was fun and funny. Some people had their lines memorized some people didn't, some people forgot, it was really funny. The play was at a Church, in Bock Minnesota- population 115. Funny stuff. 

             We worked on a farm. Shoveled poop out of a barn. Caught some geese. Built a fence and did some stuff, the Sisters helped out too. We went to the adult session of Stake Conference. Very missionary themed. Got back WAY late.... Stake Conference yesterday and it was at a college auditorium! Crazy. It was cool. Thats my week. Love ya hit me up. 

-eldehallamander

Halloween and Never Judge10/28/13

       Hello everyone. It has been a little of a chilly week, my Comp still has no coat but he will live.  Part of that agency. Just kidding we will get him one this week. So had the last District meeting of the transfer on Tuesday. That went well. Getting ready to pack up and go in about 2 weeks so get ready for that!!!! Don't go anywhere, stay tuned. I say Minneapolis but idk. I like it though, I know a lot of the people in the Ward. Oh this week we did 15 hours of service. Blitzed with the Sisters and Elk Rivers areas as well. It was pretty nuts. Our area got shafted but ya gotta do what ya gotta do ya know? I interviewed Elk Rivers investigator for Baptism. She was way cool, a 39 year old lady who looked like 20. She said she had a 16 year old child, I was like whoah. Her name is sister iiashfhasjkfhasjkfhkjsd  so wanna know something funny?

                                     Well I will tell ya we actually we aren't supposed to tell you the names of the people we are working with:)   I figured out President told us to say like for Sister Pinckey please tell our family Sister P. But, I have never done that why start now.

                                       Sister Tessa H. . . (763)489-1439 jk that number is fake. But that is her name. She wants to get baptized on the 2nd. This week it will be cool. 

                                        The Sisters in our ward have a guy named Charlie. . . who wants to get baptized. He is awesome he looks like Santa. He is set for the 9th!  I interview him this week. We went to the Elders Quorum activty with him. He was hucking full court bball shots and played this bean bag game and having a blast. Hook, line, and sinker. 

                                         We are working with Rienhart . . .who said the 16th of November works for him. He is married to a member. We will see. 

                                           Joe . . . is in the hospital, COPD. I don't know what that is but he can't breathe good. Debi played piano at church, she made some mistakes and she is super hard on herself. Her calling is stressing her out more than she feels like she is serving others. Other people to talk about to be continued when they come to church or something. Our mission had an all time high of 252 to church. That is pretty cool. Halloween this week. What is everyone's costumes?? There is a trunk-or-treat activity at the Church on Wednesday that will be fun. We will proselyte on Halloween. We have members coming out with us! 65 ish though. Plus if you live in the country no one trick or treats out there.  We have a Zone Training and interviews on Wednesday in St. Cloud. Stake Conference this weekend. We are going to all sessions. Should be good. Hopefully really Missionary oriented.

                        We went to the Sisters area to work on Thursday. Sister Hatch had the flu all week. We also went to Elk River Friday-Saturday. Me and Elder Sieler ended up stopping by a potential of prior missionaries and talked to a guy named Rob. He was skinny shirtless and had tons of tattoos. He said he had about 30 Bibles. I think he was 30. His dad died a month ago and it has been rough. Today he is off of parole/probation/everything. He has been in and out of jail for 10 months. He was really open, genuine and appreciative. It was cool to be there and taught me to never judge anyone. Sister J. . . was telling us about her son who is in our Bishopric now. He is around 35 I think. We were talking about him. I guess i went to ricks college went off the deep end out there. Got into drugs and they didn't see him for about 2 1/2 years. Then his friends mom called them and said if you ever wanna see your son come and get him now. So Brother J . . . flew down. Picked him up he was high didn't know what was going on and took him to Minnesota. Brought him back when he sobered up he was mad. He stayed there for a while and went to school. Then he was gone 1 day for another 4 months. He would show up randomly.  There car got a busted tire so they took one of a car on the street and got caught. They went to jail, and the parents sent them fair to come home and stuff on a bus. SO they did. So lots of stuff happened. He met his now wife. She straightened him out. She converted. He has a succesful siding company and is in our Bishopric. He is awesome. Playing him in horse sometime. But she said that during that time her home teacher said that all that wouldnt have happened if they did their family scripture study and prayer. They have been on a senior Mission. She was a Seminary teacher. They are driving 120 miles to Church every Sunday on assignment from the Stake to a Branch. They are obviously active. So you should never judge, people will change! The bishopric guy is their only active child out of 3. so you never know. 

                    Anyways, Isn't Season going to have a child soon. In like a week right. Well let me know if that story developes. I am excited to have 2 nephews. I will be the first to know I bet! cause everyone always tells me secrets now that I am on a mission. 

                Well tell me about all of your Halloween holiday and how it goes and what you are up to!  Love ya HALLEROONSKIS! 

 -Elder hall

20 ways to work with members! Snowing, learned to Juggel behind my back. 10/21/13

Hi everyone,

       It started snowing yesterday so it is a little colder and it is snowing right now. So I have asked Elder Tubbs if he has a coat ever since he has been here and he has this thing that is like a windbreaker style no hoody. Ha and no gloves. He thought he was gonna be fine with that stuff. So we are gonna find some sweet stuff at thrift places. Ha but he just pulls it out and wears it it is pretty funny. I was like dude you gotta get something warm. Cause there is no places to shop in our area so he might be in trouble. It isn't that cold but we don't run the heater in our apartment. At least yet and he gets cold when it is 67. So he is done for this winter. But last winter was pretty long so I think I am used to it. Things are going well. Debi wasn't able to completely quit but she is doing wayyy awesome!!!!! We set a date with Rinehart  for the 16th of November. So hopefully he nails that. We have some Baptismal interviews in the District this week so that will be pretty cool.

       We had the Zone Leaders blitz our area this week so we had a relatively successful week as far as stuff we did. Found a lot of people. Taught a lot of restorations this week. We are really focusing on working with the members. Our Bishop was like you guys need to be finding through the members, spend your time with the members. We don't need to do it that much, but it is important. That is what I talked about this week at District meeting. So we made 20 ways to work with members. I challenged all the Ward to horse! Ha. We showed it in Ward council. Bishop Izzo emailed President about us just going out members alot basically and he said President didn't necessarily love the idea. He said we as the Missionaries still need to find. I think that's cause like 42% of our Baptisms right now are coming from Missionary finding. We do a lot of it. We teach people everywhere. Our mission is pretty good at that just talking to people and teaching them right there. We got some good stuff set up this week. Me and Elder Matteson (zone leader) found a lady named Jerica who is really interested in religion and she almost came to church. We are meeting with her again on Wednesday and bringing a really cool lady from the Ward with us.

         So things are going really positive. Just in time for me to get going:( But I love the cities! Pray hard. We have some Halloween activities going on soon that we can capatilize on and a burgers and brothers thing on Saturday.

         This week I learned how to juggle behind my back. It is pretty sweet. I can do it 9 times in a row and I am working on more! So that is pretty cool. Just staying really busy. Do you know what they call a nose with no body. -Nobody knows. This guy just told that to my companion. He is super goofy he tells us random jokes when we go to the library. Ha one time in the Temple in the wating room this Temple (provo)  guy told us a joke... it was crazy. So I have since learned who J. Golden is. He was a General Authority who was notorious for swearing. In fact he hated the people of St. George. And I guess Spencer W. Kimball is notorious for a slogan- Do It! or something. Idk . But the joke was what do you get when you cross J. Golden and Spencer w. Kimball. I was like idk what. He said "Do it Damn it!" it was pretty funny. There are lots of J Golden jokes. Edit that mom! just kidding don't, i think its funny. But I am doing good. Oh we lost our phone last night but then we found it. It almost made numbers night pretty interesting. Today we are gonna play some volleyball in 30 minutes with some less actives at the church. It should be fun! we had district pday last week and we all made Tie Dye Shirts. It is gonna get cold but i have a few more long John G's so i think I am good. Any creative idea's for halloween missionary work? But I am doing good. Always busy ! I am really starting to like this ward a lot. They are cool. but the churhc is everywhere! That is a cool thing about stateside missions. You get to see a lot of leadership and mentors to help you out. Like our bishop, high priest leader, His son 2nd counselor of the bishopric, ward mission leader, and lots of people are all just awesome! I am doing well. Have a happy october. I hear wany is going to a kegger party on halloween. Might want tostop that. drugs and stuff. 

 

-Love Elder Hall 

Painting bike and shoes LEGIT! 10/14/13

Well funny week!

          So to clear things up, I am in the Princeton Ward. Sister Curtis who served in the mission office in the LA mission with Dad is in the Elk River Ward. The Missionaries in our District The Elk River set, live with her. So I have been to her home 3 times on exchanges and the last time I asked where she served her mission and put it together.  I asked who her Mission President was and she said President Garret. So then I knew cause that was Dad's first Mission President. BUT there is also Ward Missionaries in the Princeton Ward. They were going to Utah on a trip and to Saratoga Springs. For family visit.  I said, "Hey can you drop stuff off at Thanksgiving Point for me"? So they were kind enough to do it. SO different people. But that was kind of awkward. That was nice of them to take my stuff!  Glad you guys are doing good. Hey, I did send a letter. Just to Thanksgiving Point box. I haven't had the St. George address or couldn't find it until this email today. 9/14/2013. So just mixin it up. Enjoy those letters! Well Debi didn't come to church. We had a terrible lesson with her. Then a good lesson where we all fasted and she said alright I am quitting smoking tomorow. But she didn't come to church. The Sisters just committed a part member 60 year old Santa looking guy named Charlie to Baptism on Nov 2nd. I gave him a big hug on Sunday. It has been a good week. We set a goal with 16 member presents as a District and we got 17! We made shirts today it was District p-day. Fun stuff. Made tie die shirts. B-ball. Lotsa pizza. Volleyball. Jenga. Lots of stuff. Now we are emailing. I get to teach the Nepali couple. Garuna and Pravin tonight they are making Roti and Curry. Sick. Going on exchange to buffalo for that. Well in our area... We taught some new people. A boy named Elijah 12 years old friends with a member on his football team. Wants to come to mutual and church and stuff he is a cool kid. Some other people we will see if they pan out. Oh this new family came out of the woodworks. The Larson's. Mom is a member she has a boyfriend. He told us he was searching. Hopefully Elder Tubbs sees them tonight. District meeting tomorow. Just trying really hard to accomplish things. Our Bishop wants us to work with the members. But referals are like nutso annoying the majority of Baptisms come from missionary finding. We will see. I hugged 5 people this week . That is new, someone committed me to do it cause I commit missionaries to do lots of things. So that is what I did. Things are good. Man that old bike, I am painting it black. It's gonna be LEGIT! Hahaha And my shoes that I have worn to Church since I was 15, yeah I got white paint on them. So they were kinda like disobedient to wear. But I painted 'em black. We had a good week. Oh, it was leadership too! Man. Our Zone leaders are sooo cockky. It is pretty funny. I am only in the Zone for 4 more weeks, so whatever. They actually work in our area with us this week on Wednesday. I saw a lot of Missionaries at Leadership. It is interesting. Most of the Leaders have a lot of confidence, but are also really cocky. We are really an obedient Mission but we are prideful! The weather is cold. Elder Tubbs is cold everywhere. its not cold but I put on a coat a few times. Rainy today. 50's this last week. Some 60s and 70's. It waited til Thanksgiving to snow and stick last year. That would be sweet if it did that again too. I am doing good. Working hard. Tired all the time but loving it.

 

Love

-Elder Hall

Hit by a car! 10/7/13

General Conference-

      Man so many have asked me what my favorite talk was, and I will tell ya! Elder Dube's Talk. I love how everyone supported the prophets statement that the missionaries and the members must work together. He was really bold in that talk. He came to our mission with elder Holland. That was a sweet talk. There were some interesting one's. Like the EXCLAMATION POINT talk that was pretty interesting. Idk why there are catch phrases and stuff, all in all it was a pretty good conferences. Interesting topics, depression, council of the disposition of the tithes, and stuff like that. The best part was the theme about members and missionaries working together. I like how the night after the conference the member supposed to come out with us joint teaching. A once every 3 month commitment bails on us. So my invitation to you all is this. Do the things that you felt inspired to do. Watching general conference alone won't change your life. Do something about it. Then the blessings of the lord will come to you. Be ye not hearers of the word only but doers also! ya mean.

       So i made german apple pancakes. They looked kinda weird then i set em out and they looked weirder and shriveled. Sad. I just needed another pan mostly. But I made corn bread and apple pie. The sisters brought taco stuff. It was cool. Although we weren't able to get anyone to come to conference. That was lame. We did find 2 unconventional families last week. That sandra drug dealer and daughter combo. Who we see today. Also we were knocking this street. and this lady let us right in. We taught her and her grandson the restoration real quick cause her sleepy 40 year old son was leaving. We are goingback over today. It is always good to find new people.

         Ha so i got hit by a CAR THIS WEEK! on my bike. It wasn't bad at all but i was riding through on a green on the cross walk and he was looking to the left for an opening. I saw him go for it. and He saw me and braked pretty hard i braked too. He barely hit me. Just made me put my foot down. I was fine. But I couldn't remember the rules, we have to call president or the vehicle coordinator for every accident. And sister clements. I tried sister clements she didn't answer. I just got the guys info. He felt way bad. He was nice. My bike just got like a scratch. No damage really. So that was exciting. Then right after that we taught the grandma lady the resto . So that was cool. Priesthood session online. Did you guys still go to churches? I just figured out the woman did something for general conference... haha.

          Well tomorow i go to bloomington for leadership conference. I am excited cause a ton of my friends are leaders. Some people in the Nsp district. Elder Shreestha is a zone leader. Elder Smith is a DL. Elder Ware is a Dl he was just barely transferred out of the district. Our whole zone got changed. It is crazy. Only us and elk river saw no changes. out of 12 teams! crazy. St. Cloud zone is kind of stinkin. We have a new zone leader and elder Bollinger. They are like demanding things left and right. It is interesting. They should just carry IMO. Our district is in a slump too. It is kind of hard out here. I don't know what to do. Any advice? So our pday is shot this will be short. We have 3 appointments during pday hours.   I am doing well. I love from hearing about you all. Good Night, and good luck!

Didn't think i knew that did ya dad. I watch documentaries!

love ya,

Elder Hall

General Conference and Hit by a CAR! 10/7/13

General Conference-

      Man so many have asked me what my favorite talk was, and I will tell ya! Elder Dube's Talk. I love how everyone supported the Prophets statement that the missionaries and the members must work together. He was really bold in that talk. He came to our mission with Elder Holland. That was a sweet talk. There were some interesting one's. Like the EXCLAMATION POINT talk that was pretty interesting. Idk why there are catch phrases and stuff, all in all it was a pretty good Conferences. Interesting topics, depression, council of the disposition of the tithes, and stuff like that. The best part was the theme about members and missionaries working together. I like how the night after the conference the member supposed to come out with us joint teaching. A once every 3 month commitment bails on us. So my invitation to you all is this. Do the things that you felt inspired to do. Watching General Conference alone won't change your life. Do something about it. Then the blessings of the Lord will come to you. Be ye not hearers of the word only but doers also! Ya mean. AMEN.

       So I made the traditional family German apple pancakes. They looked kinda weird then I set 'em out and they looked weirder and shriveled. Sad. I just needed another pan mostly. But I made corn bread and apple pie. The Sisters brought taco stuff. It was cool. Although we weren't able to get anyone to come to Conference. That was lame. We did find 2 unconventional families last week. Mainly Sandra and daughter combo. Who we see again today. Also we were knocking this street and a lady let us right in. We taught her and her Grandson the Restoration real quick cause her sleepy 40 year old son was leaving. We are goingback over today. It is always good to find new people.

         Ha so I got hit by a CAR THIS WEEK! On my bike. It wasn't bad at all but I was riding through on a green on the cross walk and he was looking to the left for an opening. I saw him go for it. and He saw me and braked pretty hard,  I braked too. He barely hit me. Just made me put my foot down. I was fine. But I couldn't remember the rules, we have to call President or the vehicle coordinator for every accident. And Sister Clements. I tried Sister Clements, she didn't answer. I just got the guys info. He felt way bad. He was nice. My bike just got like a scratch. No damage really. So that was exciting. Then right after that we taught the new investigator Grandma lady the Restoration . So that was cool. Priesthood session online. Did you guys still go to churches? I just figured out the Woman did something good for General Conference... haha.

          Well tomorrow I go to Bloomington for Leadership Conference. I am excited cause a ton of my friends are Leaders. Some people in the Nsp District, Elder Shreestha is a Zone Leader. Elder Smith is a DL. Elder Ware is a DL. he was just barely transferred out of the District. Our whole Zone got changed. It is crazy. Only us and Elk River saw no changes. Out of 12 teams! Crazy. St. Cloud Zone is kind of stinkin. We have a new Zone Leader and Elder Bollinger. They are like demanding things left and right. It is interesting. They should just carry IMO. Our District is in a slump too. It is kind of hard out here. I don't know what to do. Any advice? So our p-day is shot this will be short. We have 3 appointments during p-day hours.   I am doing well. I love from hearing about you all. Good Night, and good luck!

Didn't think I knew that did ya Dad. I watch documentaries!

love ya,

Elder Hall

Conference Family update from Mom 10/17/13

Hi Elder Konnor,

Dad said to keep this short.  Ha Ha Ha.

I loved Conference, what great council and loving guidance from our leaders.  How open and sad President Monson was about his wife.  I love him so much.  How does President Monson arrive at just the right place to give blessings, I can think of 12 examples of people who really needed him, and he was there.  Wow, I think I figured out the Scripture, take my yoke upon you, for my burden is light.  In the past I thought, "Christ your burden is not light"!  But now I know that through great faith and obedience comes the ability to use Gods power his Priesthood power.  And yoked with Christ, how could the pull be hard?  

Well funny things to remember from 2013 October Conference.  The fly on the man from Australia.  That fly did not leave him alone.  It landed on the microphone and started at him.  It flew in front of his face.  Landing on his face a couple times.  Once he seated it away making it look like he was just moving his hand for speaking emphasis.  I say well done to carry on.

Another funny thing was at the Perry's for the last session of Conference.  I tickled Taylor's back, I love that she is in Jr. High and still plops down next to me to get her back tickled.  What a bright and beautiful girl.  Skyler asked us if we were Hungry and could she get us something to eat.  I can't get over how aware of others our beautiful Skyler is.  And Myles was so cute.  He had quietly watched conference now for many hours and had the wiggles.  He picked up an American flag and marched to the song WE ARE AS THE ARMIES OF HELAMAN.  Myles sat on Skyler's face- many times.  As Skyler laughed and laughed.  Myles snuck behind the living room purple couch brought in for extra seating and silently pulled Taylor's blanket away.  To save money the Perry's traded in one car for a Honda mini van.  I think it is really nice and more practical for all the car pools Summer is doing and will have to do.  Summer was sad.  Bryson is next, he will trade his monster Truck.

Eleanor had a Birthday party this weekend.  She wanted to see Elephants, so Season made all these darling Elephant snacks.  And they went to the SanDiego Zoo.  Cute Photos.  Eleanor's Birthday is not until the 23 but Season is due the first week of November and thinks she will come early, so she did not want to miss a party for Eleanor.  Lucy loved the rattlesnake.  Ha Ha.

Also, Starr brought over her new boyfriend, I loved him.  He was tall (6'2"), funny, kind and a BYU fan.  Starr seemed to really like him and feel comfortable around him.  He even brought us treats.

So all is well at home.  How are you?  Anything funny this week?  We all love you and are all very proud of you.  Sounds like the Church is trying to get the BOM in all languages, hopefully Nepali, right.

I am so stinking proud of you and the wonderful patient leadership skill you have.  I am very proud of your raps for the Lord.  I think you are awesome and capable of anything you set your determined mind to do.  I am so grateful you are giving some of your young and energetic years to the Lords precious work.  I heard all about that message the last two days.  May the Holy Ghost be your constant companion and may your ask continually for the Lords help as you take his yoke upon you.  He will stand by your side and pull any direction you decide to go.  I love you deeply, and I know how much you love your family and our Father in Heaven.  Have a wonderful week.  Take the messages of Conference with renewed energy and go.

Love Always MOM

Give em Heaven in Princeton. 9/30/13

    Princeton 6 more weeks. 4 1/2 in princeton son!  It will be good we coould get Debi Baptized and maybe some other people. No transfer for me. Some people in our District got transfered but it will be good. So that is that. It is the last week of the month. It was the first week in a while that we were in our area the whole week. But we had no miles. We probably biked like 60 miles this week. One day Elder Tubbs got 3 flats. Idk why I changed em all out except the last one, I gave up on that one. Idk if it is from the tire or what. His tire is really loose it almost slides on the wheel, idk if that does anything. But biked like a banshee- it was pretty sweet. Um, no one came to church. It was kind of a downer week. Although as our joint teacher fell through last night and we didn't know what to do, we ended up tracting the rest of the night. We found this really cool chill girl named Alisha who we taught the restoration and she said yes to be baptized if she found out it was true. We are going back over on Wednesday. She said she would read the Book of Mormon and also go to Conference. We played some football with these one dudes during our dinner Saturday. Some pick up football that was fun. Got my clothes a little dirty. But baylife. We also talked to some ex drug dealers. One is a member but I think he was still drug dealing when he got baptized. Tom, 25 year old. Met up with him and talked for a while. Then a lady we met before named Sandra was at the library. She is in Minnesota on parole and getting her life back together. She has custody of her daughter. She got caught with possesion of marijuana, for like 2 ounces when she had 12 pounds she was with a youngster in shotgun (not sure what the purpose of a youngster is), the big timer was in the back, and they were dealing to the youngster's grandma. Pretty cool lingo. She took the blame for it all, anyways she is trying to change her life, we are gonna bring her some stuff for her apt. So it has been one of those weeks. But we had that last hour miracle so that was cool. We will go at em this week. We will give em Heaven. Ya Rourke goes home in a week then I am done for. Not too much with me. Still DL still training, still in Princeton. It is fun..... Um these people named the Curtis's in the Ward are going to Utah. I have aquired a lot of stuff. I am gonna send it with them to give them to you guys at Thanksgiving Point. They are staying in Saratoga Springs. That will be really helpful. Looking forward to Conference. Have fun eating pancakes. Sharwan you better watch it.  Love yaaaa, write me. Mom and Dad letters inc. back to this style of email. Saves like 10 minutes. Nuff saidddd love you all. 

Sir Mix A Lot Rap turned into Elder Mix A Lot:) 9/23/13

Dear Family and friends... just kidding I don't have friends to send this to!

          You get a good looking email today. Man you are so lucky. Some families are really lucky to have a spiritual child that probably brings his journal to the library when he emails to share all of the experiences that he had this week. Well, I haven't written in my journal since I have been in Princeton so don't expect that! (I am busy is the reason mostly:)  ) But you guys happen to have the Brother/son of Konnor Hall, and this is just how I do things. I will give you guys an Introductory Paragraph. I will most likely talk about the places that I have been this week, and who I was with.  One of the paragraphs will probably be random stuff (This i would consider the most important of the three). The last paragraph is what is going on in the area with me and my companion, (this might be equally as important as number two, just for this week).

         So this week has been pretty good. Monday of last week was pday and I can't remember what we did. Actually I played a little bit of basketball during it. Oh ya, our carpet got replaced. Cause it was freaking grosse. So we had to be gone all day during that. Move all of our couches, desks, dressers (the Princeton apartment has a lot of crap) out on Saturday night and take it back in Monday night. So we did that all Monday. That was pretty fun. So no proselyting Monday night cause we moved in and organized our furniture. Then Tuesday was... decent we found a cool lady from Mexico whose name is Beanay, the spelling I have absolutely no clue. Pronounced BNA. Kinda funny. She is a new investigator whom we taught the restoration and invited to be baptized. She is really nice and we are bringing a Spanish Book of Mormon to her tomorow. That is pretty cool she was the last house of the street that we were gonna hit up. One of those stories. So if she gets baptized it will be nuts. I actually don't have many stories like that. I thought every door was gonna be like one more knock Elder! Then people would just be getting baptized left and right. Elder Holland said the biggest problem we should have as missionaries should be from getting pneuomonia from the Baptismal font. We should be tapping out after a few hours of baptism. We are gonna have to step it up. We have an average of 4 Baptisms per missionary on their Mission. President Clements is invoking a lot of change and we have gone from like 20-30 baptisms a month to 53 projected in September. He is a really smart guy. He is a little tired from what I observed on Thursday as he didn't eat lunch at our Training and could just tell he was tired. He is really giving it his all- which is a great example for me. 

Wednesday we did studies and did some service for debi about the house filled some holes with puddi and stuff. Then we went to Bloomington with an exchange with the Assistants to the President. Which was very conveniently planned, Ha Ha. Princeton is 30 miles from St. Cloud and Bloomington is about 100 ish. So with a trip to St. Cloud on the following day (Thursday) they really hooked us up. But it was good. Although me and Elder Mcdonough didn't teach, I think Elder Tubbs and Elder Neely did. It wasn't the best exchange Elder Mcdonough was kinda tired but it was good. He is a good Elder. We got there at 3:30 and left at 6:30 to go to St. Cloud for our training with our Zone and Pres. Clements. also Sister Clements. Zone training isn't a big deal like Zone conference. Lunch is provided at Zone conference, Zone training is just tiny as heck. We had a quick interview then exchanged with Buffalo Elders. I went to Buffalo and Elder Ware, Buffalo Elder (0bviously..), went to Princeton. They saw a less active and taught Debi. They set a Baptism date with her. She still has to get over smoking but she said yes to October 26th. She played the piano at Church yesterday. It is her calling. A part member we teach named Rinehart who has come to Sacrament 20 times also got a calling yesterday. Gospel Principles Class President. Well actually co- pres with him and his wife. Bishop is sly cause we wanted him to come to all of the Church meetings, so he did that. They came all 3 hours and it was sweet. Things are going well. Our teaching was down but not too bad. We only had 4 days basically in our area. A team in the District didn't do anything. For numbers they got 0's on everything. It was pretty bad.

          Things with me are going good. I have been trying really hard to eat healthy . Replaced a good amount of meals with shakes. Even ran on Saturday morning, 2 1/2 miles. Smoked my Comp who weighs 45 pounds less then me. So I don't know if that is a good thing or not. Eating tons of spinach shakes. Healthy ... ish meals and whatever I get fed. My problem is I can eat so much now. And excercise so little. Hopefully I will play some ball today and burn off some steam.  Man transfers are next week. So a week from now you will know if I am staying. It seems like a just a little bit ago I was just like Ahh I am staying dang it. Three months is a good amount of time in Princeton for me. It is a good starting area I think. Get your sticks area out of the way early! Ha, I bet you guys are like Konnor needs to have a better attitude and get over being in the stix. My attitude is great and I work as hard as I would any other area.. It really is just a lot harder out here and I am still not used to it. Like 4,500 people compared to 120,000 people areas are totally different. Princeton is one of the smallest places in the mish. Good Ward and everything I would just rather work in a place with a condensed Ward and more people. My friends are all home but Rourke who comes home in October. Chris sent me a picture maybe I will send it to you guys. Hope things are going well. Not sure what is going on with all of you. Usually only moms update... which is skewed probably towards mom's agenda so send me the real update. Via that paper, son. I'm all about the paper. Email's I forget about. Happy birthday this month Mom. I know it is September something I just don't remember when. Ha sorry:)  Love ya your a good Mom. Brysons or Ben's is the same month. Happy birthday to you too. Sorry I don't remember. Oh well. Last week was pretty bad with thinking about music and friends and basketball. I got pretty distracted. It is that being out a year thing. Ha I was eating a banana and spinach at Zone training and President was just chilling in the hallway with us. Everyone was eathing healthy like apples and yogurt and stuff. President was like man you are the healthiest zone in the mission what is the deal. I was like we are all sick of being fat! I told them how the AP's weigh you before your exchange cause they like the surprise on people's face. They get all mad- and say that scare is off. But I weigh 190!! It is bad. I need some of it- the scare.  I would like to be a strong, 175 I think that would be a good weight for me... but idk. I left at 162. Ya math that one! That is a 56 pound gain if I keep it up the rest of my mission. So that is a fun statistic. So a challenge to everyone but Bryson:) If you can beat me running a mile when I get home then I owe you something.

         So we made a miracle cause that is what we do as Missionaries. We make it to normal songs and sing it or rap miracles in. We did ours to I like Big butts by Sir-Mix-a-Lot. Well it was pretty much just me. The song went like this. "I like date sets and I cannot lie. The Elders qourumn can't deny. When an Investigator shows some really great faith and she wants to set the date, she said yes!  We're bringing Elder Ware in! Getting baptized by the priesthood of Aaron! It just makes me wanna exclaim Oooh Sister Pinckey you wanna go get Baptized? Date set, date set, date set, date set, October 26th. So Elders.. YA? (high voice) Elders... Ya(highvoice) Do your gators have no dates? Well ask em ask em ask em ask em show the lord your faith.  By Elders mix-a-lot

         It was pretty funny. I always try to do something funny like that. I did an eminem song one time. Things are going well and I am loving things. That was my week . Hope yours was good. Oh I got a postcard from Elder Mumford and it had people skiing on it. He said I saw this and it reminded me of all the things you can't do. And he sent me a little postcard. How nice of him:)  Love ya

Shakes:) New Carpet:) 9/16/13

           So this week went ok. I am starting to try to lose weight.  I have been replacing meals with Dads shake and drinking tons of water. I made a shake today with a banana and the powder but it had spinach in it. It wasn't as good as the normal banana one but probably healthier. I was in Elk River earlier in the week. Went on an exchange with Elder Sieler and picked up a Montana accent! He has a pretty good one it is funny. He was actually Elder Weatherfords mtc companion so we talked about that a little bit. It was good. There area is hard, I was being really bold with people on the exchange and nothing came out of it. They don't teach much in Elk River and that has gotta change. I don't know what the key is there. We also had New missionary training Wednesday where we had the fun opportunity to wake up early and drive down to Bloomington and do that. It was good all the trainers and their companions were there. I got to see some people I knew. Elder Crandall is a pretty legit hmong missionary. He is going home that is the last time I see him! It was good. We were there for forever though. I love missionary work so much, I don't think I like missionaries that much. There are some funny one's. It is just interesting. Some very sheltered new Missionaries.
          Ohhh funny story. We were at this park last night and we talked to these guys who were my age they actually reminded me of my friends. They were pretty funny. We were just talking to them about stuff. Found out they drank every weekend. A few of em had kids. One of em was going to Jail for a year in October for stealing 5g worth of stuff. Then they said, man sorry we are probably tainting you guys or something. Elder Tubbs was like, well actually I used to be pretty wild and rebellious, and he was dead serious, and the guy who was going to prison was like oh I am sure!  We all started laughing. I was laughing pretty because He thought he did some crazy stuff. He told em how he threw this little TV off of a bridge in the middle of nowhere and then they threw rocks at it when it was on the ground. The guy who was going to prison was like... pretty crazy. It was super funny. Elder Tubbs is the guy who you could tell he is mormon if he was in normal clothes. His favorite word is goodness. So that was really funny. So we are going around a ton cause this week we have exchanges with the Assistants in Bloomington. The next day we go to a training up in St. Cloud. Which is lame. Bloomington is like twice as far from St. Cloud as Princeton. ... Ap's... Hopefully it will be good. We are wrecked for on miles. Hey how the heck do you get a tubeless stem out of my wheel. My tire went flat so I went to put a tube in and I don't know how to get the old stem out. The Sisters in the District set a date with a 12 year old last night. I got Debi an Ecig laniard so she will always have it with her. 
          Oh man Wednesday we got a call from the landlord she said new carpets were coming monday and that everything had to be out. We have so much crap in our apartment. So we did that Saturday morning with 2 guys from the Ward. We had to literally get everything of the carpet so our closet shelfs are filled and our kitchen has tons of stuff in it. We get to move everything back in tonight. But our carpet is nasty, it is as old as the apartment so the new carpet will be worth it hopefully. So that is pretty fun. We have taught some new people and had some cool experiences happen. Taught an older lady the Restoration while helping her do a puzzle. She was really Catholic. We also taught a Restoration to a really sincere lady who has had 9 back surgeries because she had domestic abuse after the first one. We see her tomorow. She was cool. I am not sure what to do, hey transfers are in 2 weeks! Wish me luck. I'm training but ya never know! Well that is it with me. Wbu? guys?

Bikes jacked:( Friends going home. 9/9/13

 My friends are home. It is kind of surreal. I am doing well. We had District p-day. Played some cards b-ball and went to space aliens.  A good kinda expensive restaurant, alien themed. We even got a pic with the alien! Haha. I got a haircut really short. I like it:) We also went to some outlets. I hate going to the Nike outlet I love Nike stuff! It was fun though. I am going on exchanges to Elk River tonight. Debi tried quitting smoking this week but its been hard for her. We made a rap about it that was a knock off of an Eminem song. . We went on a 2 day exchange with the Zone leader in St. Cloud it was a good exchange. Elder Tubs comp and Elder Saunders Zl got their bikes jacked. We were upset but we went and played b-ball when we got back Elder Tubs bike was back missing his seat and seat post and light. That was it though. His was brand new so that was good. It was locked to the rack . It worked out OK. Saunders didn't get his but his bike was junk. Man I just got a weird feeling reading my friends emails, they are all home. They sent their last emails where they are sad. 1 year left for me. Man them talking about school and stuff- I have no idea what I am gonna do. I never wanna go back ha. I hope I can stay out here in the Mission field longer. And go back to Nepali work. That was the happiest time of my life, I think. I really learned to love people. I will ask for it or something. I don't know what I am gonna do when I get back, I might do slcc or something simple. Work and pay tuition. I think I need to do it. So idk, Dad hook me up with that sports dude. I love sports. Thanks so much I gotta be quick. Emails are always rushed so write me if you have time I will write a handletter back to everyone I get. This week We go to the new Missionary training last time I trained I didn't get far enough to that point so this is good, I get to go! Ha it will be good. Always a revelatory experience. I love you all. Starr got promoted, she is a really good person she deserves it! She is really good with people. Sharwan went to college. Colby idk what he does, I don't even know where he lives!  Write me send me updates. The Perry kids wrote me and it was just them! So I know if they can do it- so can you. I love you all. Sorry this email stinks but deal with it! I love you all. I am going through the time in my mission that will make a big difference I have learned a lot in 1 year, but I have 1 year left and that's a good amount of time. How I use it will be big. I am in different positions too, so it is interesting. It just gets harder but it is good for me. A nap every now and then would be nice. Peace bros!

Hot week, good week. 9/2/13

My week. Um- it was pretty good! Today we actually did a ton of service even though it was pday the Sisters in the Ward I guess got a call about people moving so we moved some people this morning and I guess they weren't members but knew a lot of people from Iowa or something and were big into geneology. So we moved them at 8 am. Then we went to Sis Kenfield's house in Cambridge and she wanted us to help build a flower bed thing with brick lining around her tree. So we did it. I am tired. DL training is super tiring. I got to bed right at 10:30 pm last night after doing numbers and evaluations and calls! It's pretty glamorous... not. We also had a District meeting in Princeton and I was out of money so we did potluck that was pretty fun. E. Lepannon made some Finish pancakes (crepes) and I made curry and rice and everyone just brought random stuff. We taught Debi and Joe this week once each. Joe is 78 farmer dude and he is awesome. He just smokes a lot. He is also taking his own pace. Debi is just wavering on 
D&C 89 a little bit.  We taught and talked to a few new people like last night a really friendly lady named Susan, who is a single mom has a 15 year old daughter and loves God but hasn't done too much as far as religion lately, like worked a lot and stuff. We taught her and her daughter the restoration and it was crazy she talked for forever! They said we could come back. I invited 'em to Baptism which they said no but it was good I guess. She was obssesed with you can have church anywhere. She said, this meeting right now is church. Then me and Brother Foede the member replied, you need the sacrament and someone to bless it! She was like but you could do that at a park- if you wanted. It was funny. We did a decent amount of less active work and taught 9 non-member lessions and 5 Less actives. We are supposed to strive to hit 20 together while training so we can get used to a lot of teaching. 14 is decent. especially in the stix. One time in the trio in Nepali we had 16 member presents. 16 lessons with a member there, that was really good. 

Do you guys remember when I went out with that missionary from Brazil when I was 16. That was one of the weirdest experiences ever. This mom he wanted to teach got evicted, we went to Wendy's twice. He didn't know English super well. His lefts and rights were mixed up. We never taught anyone and it was during transfer day, so his comp went to Lehi and he stayed in Alpine and his new comp came from St. George so I had to wait at night with him until his new comp got there. It was past 9:30 pm which is when we are supposed to be in and he wouldn't let me go in where they stayed so he just sat there in our car. Weirdest thing ever. That didn't help me understand Missionary work at all.

 Things are going well. We did tons of service this week. Bro Miller our Ward Mission leader had a little party that Joe and Debi went to and that we went to. Just some food at his house and stuff. It is cool today like 55 degrees. It was like in the 90's all week and super humid. So Tuesday all we did was go bike to Debis and paint a bunch of stuff for her. Then after dinner helped a member that last minute called us to move them. It was so hot when we were painting I was outside and literally nonstop beads of sweat were coming from my face. It was pretty good. I miss the dry heat but the worst of it is over it has been a cool dry summer. Not looking forward to winter! Things are going well. We go on a 48 hour exchange with the Zone leaders this week. They do 48 hour exchanges instead of day ones cause of the new Missionary. It is a lot of time. 2 day exchanges. We both go to St. Cloud so we are blitzing the area. I continue to see little miracles all the time. Luckily my arms are pretty tan. I even have a gnarly ring tan line. The rest of me is butt white. So I have something to work with going into the cooler seasons! Hope things are going well with you guys. Love ya! 

-Elder HALL

Letter from Mom Fight ON! 8/26/13

Konnor Hall,

I wanted to send you my learning and thoughts for the week, sorry it is long:)

A safe return to the Gospel.  A great return to happiness, and sealing an eternal family and return to the presence of God.  Forgiveness has three parts.  1.  Learning to forgive others freely. 70 X 7 or until we reach perfection.  2.  Seek the forgiveness of others.  3.  FORGIVE YOURSELF.  Forgive is a wonderful word, we take something which belongs to us and we give it away.  The prefix 'for' is an amplifier asking us to get that thing far from us, throw it quickly.  

Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves for many reasons.  It is really our gift for it lightens our load and quickens our pace.  We are happier when our minds and hearts are clear and full of love for Gods children.  And when we freely forgive and do not hold a grudge, God forgives us freely.  How wonderful this principle is, how refreshing like the morning shower is for the outside a spirit of continual forgiveness is cleansing for the spirit.  

I learned 

1.  The Savior forgives us upon Earth and not just in the Final Judgement.  Forgiveness is an ongoing Process.

2.  In forgiveness we see the redeeming power of the Atonement applied.

3.  The Lord recognizes our righteous efforts!!!

4.  Weak things become strong unto us, and by the Strength of Jesus Christ, we are made able to do that which we could never do alone.

5.  Church leaders are counseled to show confidence in striving individuals and not be judgmental.  Treating setbacks as a temporary and understandable setback.

President Monson counseled.  "We need to bear in mind that people can change.  They can put behind them bad habits.  They can repent from transgressions. . . We can help them to overcome their shortcomings.  We MUST develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.  

Konnor I have had this gift of Discernment come over me the first time I was called to be YW President.  I was 22 and scared, also I did not know a person in the Wellington Utah Ward we had just moved into.  I expressed my concerns in a silent prayer as I sat in the back of the YW room the week before it would be announced to the small group of YW that I was the new leader.  And God opened up my understanding.  As I looked at the back side of each girl, I saw what Heavenly Father knew they his beloved daughters, would become.  I was overwhelmed with gratitude, and knew a little better how God works with his and sees his children.  God is VERY Good at what He does, He is working for each of us to become immortal and eternal beings by his side.  He does not intend to loose one child.  Heavenly Father is patient and kind as we stumble and fall.  He lovingly picks us up if we ask for his help.  

Konnor I know you are working hard.  And It makes me proud that you are a person not pulled down by others who do not work as hard.  You are a person who can set high goals and teach others to work and spend their time on God's errand.  We can only know what to do when we make it a matter of righteous sincere prayer.  I know the Man God sees in you Elder Hall.  It is a leader with tremendous capability and capacity to influence the children of men through sports for the rest of your earthly life.  You have much preparation and much to look forward to.  Right now you are developing the people skills to make this all possible as you are on an errand for God.  

I hope you know how much you are loved.

Wanny leaves for BYU Hawaii next Wednesday.  WOW.  She is planning and preparing everything.  Wanny has worked very hard and stayed focused for this opportunity, and I know she is on path.  

It is Grandma Lois's birthday on Wednesday, so please send her a letter:)  She is so nice, and has not missed anything, but getting going is extremely difficult for her with her stiff joints.  Lois handles pain and infirmity better than anyone I know.  What a joyous example dear Lois is to us her beloved family.

Pray for your Dad his shoulder worsens, and he can not sleep.  His pain is effecting his ability to work:(

I love you so much.  Keep fighting the fight for the souls of man.  Even if you can teach one principle or ask one good question which will make good people understand there is path to live eternally with their beloved families, without the Gospel of Jesus Christ and working through all the ordinances, this will not be possible.

Fight on.  Love with the unconditional love our Savior has for you Konnor.  When in a difficult situation just think the Savior loves this person so much, can I do less?  

I miss you.  I thought of you all week as I saw missionaries in Provo at Education Week.  What a time to be a part of this great work, you are the examples and light of the world.  Thank you Konnor.

Love Always MOM!

Konnor to Mom,

Good old education week. Sounds cool. I actually sent Grandma a letter a few weeks ago just catching up with her. She sent me a birthday card. Tell her I love her!!  And give her a special hug for each one of her grandkids. She has a lot of grandkids going on missions and on missions. . . .  She must be a really good Grandma. She would be surprised at what it is like now a days. So would you actually but the bad will get worse and the righteous will get better. I am terribly unqualified to train. But I will try. I like just being normal District Leader a lot better. That has been one of my favorite parts out here. A lot of success in our District is happening!

Hot 80 degrees with humidity 115:) 8/26/13

Konnor Hall	8/26/13

         It has been a good week! really hot! I think it is like 115 with the humidity at about 80 degrees. So sweaty. My companion just graduated high school from American fork he is the same age as sharwan. It is crazy. Elder Tubbs from AF he is funny. He is a good guy, knows the scriptures decently and stuff. This week we went to transfer meeting Elder Boynton left then i tracted all day in Bloomington. That is what the trainers do while they wait for their companions cause they get interviewed by the President and have first day stuff that they do. Then at 5:30 we have dinner with all the new missionaries. A young women named Kendra Curtis came out to the mission this last Wednesday and she is brand new. So I saw her at the mission home. Ate pizza with her and caught up a little bit. It is super weird cause we almost had a thing once! Plus she is way pretty. I am not trunky or anything just telling you it is an interesting situation but it was good to see her she is in a different Zone no worries. Plus, I am not sister guy. I'll send a picture of meeting up or something next week I forgot my camera this week. A member drove us to the Mission home I'll day. He is a stud and saved us like 150 miles. My boy. We had a good first week. Not too much going on but we taught some lessons and some less-actives. Elder Tubbs even invited 2 ladies to Baptism. So hopefully more of where that came from coming soon. Can't believe Wany goes to BYUH in two days. I don't know what you are doing sending her there! Lindsay Lohan threw a party there a few years ago and partied with the BYU-H kids! Ha that part is true but that is a good school and exciting Sharwan will be a great student.

            I also went and traveled around this weekend. 1 team in our district had this lady Sister Larsen whose family is all members and she wanted to be Baptized.  That was in Elk River, she was a good lady about 40 she kept saying man your so young your like my sons age. I guess he is 22. Wait til she see's all of the Baptism Interviews coming from 18 year olds. It was a good interview though. She is getting a second one to talk with our Mission Presidency or someone in it for that. Her Baptism will be Saturday.

             I also interviewed a guy named Brady who lives in Buffalo, MN. He is 20 and he is really cool. He is dating and is engaged to a member. He had a sincere testimony of everything. We had a good interview and he is already inviting people to Church, WOW. He is getting married in October and Baptized this Saturday as well. He is pretty awesome and will be a great member. So awesome things and miracles are happening. Us or the Sisters need to get someone Baptized. Cause Princeton needs some miracles! It is plowing through the weeds in this area but we will figure it out! gonna do some La work too. Joe is an old guy 78 that we teach. He has a good  testimony. He smokes like a banshee. So we are helping him quit. Debi is procrastinating her repentance she has an outstanding testimony. Her Faith is low and she is struggling quitting, she gets stressed and lets that get the best of her. Rine  is a part member as well but young maybe 25, he comes to only Sacrament meeting every Sunday and we meet with him every other week.  Things are going well. I played basketball and did some drills that were way too freaking hard today. I am out of shape. start sending me excercise programs or diets! I love you all. I am grateful for you guys. Society is so crazy. I am kinda crazy but keep it up! Ya I will write you back every letter! Thats a promise! See ya in 1!

 

 

         -Elder Hall