January 31, 2011

Dear Family,

   Mom sorry I had to be so stern with you, I might have missed it somehow.  Thanks Lisa for sending them to me too.  Ok so guess what.....Yesterday was the best day of my mission, NO Question! So first of all it was Sunday, There is this Less active family who I have fallen in love with, they are just such a great family there are 7 kids and I just have never seen such love and closeness before, even in our family! So they have only been members for like 6 years or so, but for the last year they haven't been going because of some drama stuff in the ward they just don't feel comfortable in church, I hate drama!  Any way ever since I have been here we have been challenging them to get back to church and guess what....Yesterday was the day! I was super happy for them. Then after church we went to an apointment that we had with a guy that lives in our apartment complex, to be honest he didnt seem that interested. But when we went his wife sat down with us and she was so interested she asked all of the right questions, and answered everything right too, she was really excited about the book of mormon. When we gave it to her she was looking at it like it was a thousand dollars, the spirit was so strong as we recited the first vision and she said she felt "like wheightless", It was so cool, the first vision always brings the spirit.  Then like an hour later we ran into a guy right outside our apartment, his girlfriend lives above us.  We started talking and he was really interested and he too asked all of the right questions, so we got his number and we are going to give him a call on Tuesday.  Then we got text from one of our investigators who had a question about what Elder Stricklin had her read (Alma 32, so inspired!!) He answered her question and she got all excited and started talking about how it is exactly what she needed ect. pretty much she knows the church is true and we have taught her one lesson.  SoIi was really really greatful yesterday, just recieved way more than I deserve from the LORD, He truly directs the work, the spirit testifies to that fact everyday. Our whole week was like this, we picked up 4 new investigators (we now have 11 total), and all of them are such great people searching for truth and happiness, and darned if the restored gospel of Jesus Christ isn't the perfect answer.  I want to tell you about all of them but I just dont have time, next week I will.  Keep looking for oppurtunites to do missionary work, pray for help and someone to be put in your path or put you in thiers, if you do I promise the LORD will answer your prayers.  I Love you all very very much! Follow the Prophet, and the apostles words everyday, look for ways you can change your lives according to what they have said in recent confrences.

 

Elder Hendrix

January 24, 2011

Family,

  Now i have a challenge for my family.  We have the greatest gift in the whole world, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and if we dont Share that gift we will  be held accountable to the lord and we will be filled with auful guilt. On the other hand if we share it we will feel the Love of Christ and Divine joy.  I think it would be so cool if  our family made it a goal that each one of the families in our family, helped in bringing someone into the Gospel. It starts by making a friend, that friend will see in you, they will ask you about it. That special thing they will see is the Gospel light and peace, you dont have to start out by teaching them the gospel they will see it in you. when the time is right reffer them to the missionaries or ask them if they would be interested in learning about the gospel and have them taught in your home.  I can promise you that there is someone being prepared, wether you know them now or not, that will accept the gospel, i promise.  Pray for the LORD to guid and bless you, he will.  Think about how great that would be if everyone of our families was actiously engaged in the LORDs work.  Dad it starts with you, your the example and Mom you too.

  Another thing you all need to do is to read the pull out in the Janurary Ensign, about Mormon.org and go on their and set up a Profile. The prophet is asking us too do it, so it is a commandment, right?  i love you all!!

 

 

Elder Hendrix

Julie,

  You are awsome. How are you doing in school? Tell me about your friends, new ones, and old ones. What kind of fun things are you doing?  Make sure Darren doesnt have any girlfriends! Are you helping mom and dad do family home evening? Ask dad to read the scriptures to you every night, and when he isnt home or if he is asleep on the couch ask mom to read them with you. Pray and ask hevenly father if the Book of Mormon is true. And always be nice to your friends, ask them what they want to play it will make them happy and you will have more fun. I love you Julie!!

January 17, 2011

Family,

   Mother...if you don't send me Garrett, Ryan, and Angies E-mail next week, i will not e-mail you back, i love you but i love them too and want to communicate with them. Ok so sounds like everything is good as expected.  I'm grateful that Elder Golden came to our stake conference, and that he was inspirational!  Julie...I live in an apartment, but last Wed and Thur i stayed in a house with a member. I like my apartment.  My new companion is Elder Stricklin from Oregon, he is really awesome, he is the new district leader also.  I was a little sad when Elder Larsen left, i came to love him, but already i can tell that Elder Stricklin and i will get along great and get a lot of work done.  The work is exploding, we have so many potential referrals its absolutely ridiculous. We have 4 progressing investigators right now (that means they are keeping commitments and appointments). Christian you all know about, we haven't seen him for way too long, but he went to youth conference last Saturday with his friend/fellowshiper, so that's great hopefully we see him this week.  Then Kasheem he is awesome, hasn't started the book of Mormon but came to church yesterday and i know he will read it soon. When we met him for the first time he told us about all of these different events in his life that were totally preparing him for us (he didn't know that but we do). one thing was: this lady he didn't even know, some completely random lady, said to him "you need to read Isaiah 53" when he told me this i was blown away because like two days earlier i was reading Mosiah 14, and it really hit me hard and stuck out to me. After i read it i looked at the chapter heading and it said. "compare Isaiah 53", its the same exact chapter. when i showed him this he was blown away too. Ill keep y'all updated on that.  Then the Poole family, they are in their 30's and have 3 little boys. like a month ago we talked to Brother Poole outside his house for like 30 min and he invited us to come back.  we have met with them 3 times and sis Poole is pretty interested Bro Poole not as much, but I have a good feeling about them.  There are tons of sweet families in the ward that we are working with, and i could go on and on but i don't have time. Dang there was some other stuff i wanted to say but i cant.  Love you all, do missionary work!!!!!

Elder Hendrix

1-11-11 (finally an e-mail!!!!)

Family,

  HEY! I want Garrett, Angie, and Ryan's E-mail, I have Monica's. (as long as they can e-mail other missionaries)  Sorry I haven't E-mailed you for so long last Monday the Library was closed and Yesterday it was closed due to this crazy weather.  We had an ice storm, so there is just 2 inches of ice everywhere.  You know when it snows, then gets warm during the day the snow melts, and then it freezes over night? That is what an ice storm leaves behind its weird, its a solid sheet of ice it makes the roads terrible.  We had to stay inside all day yesterday but it was fun anyway.  If you know what Bryces Olsen's address is will you tell me so I can send him a letter.  My address is 1504 saddle creek drive McDonough GA 30253, but don't send me anything to that address President Satterfield wants all mail to go through the mission office.  What is That guys name that grandma and grandpa know, the baptist preacher?  Mom thank you so much for sharing what you learned, I love that stuff always share those spiritual learning experiences!  I'm excited y'all are working out good at golds gym. we live next to a golds gym and the other day we were driving by and the G and O were out. It read LDS GYM, and an lds guy owns it, we didn't get a picture which was a mistake.  That is so crazy that Elder Coons met Nanette and Jared. He is a cool guy, He was a real spiritual guy I could tell that he loved teaching people and bringing the spirit into their lives.  I'm really glad that he sent you a letter, that is fun and yes I have a great trainer. I'm kinda bumbed that he is leaving tomorrow, I've grown to love and respect him.  We are teaching a family with 3 little boys the boys and dad are really into BMX and Motor cross. We have only taught them 2 times and its been kinda slow, but last wed we taught them and it went so well. I know that they could use our message because they really want to find something that will help them raise their family right, there is nothing better than the Restored Gospel for that. I think they are gonna really progress and I'm super hopeful they will decide to join the church.  I love you all and this week was so great.

PS: Mom a lady by the name of LaRonda Shoemaker added you on facebook, she is awesome. The Shoemakers are my favorite family.

January 3rd, 2011

NO LETTER :(
Mom waited, and waited, and waited then on Thursday, Jan 6th We received a Christmas card from Elder Hendrix. I'll try to scan the picture and put it on this blog, wish me luck!!?
Also On the 6th we received a card from Nanette (Jeff's Aunt)
The note said she had run into an old friend of theirs, a young man they had taught in Sunday school a few years back who had just returned from the Georgia Atlanta Mission a week ago.  Nanette said he couldn't say enough good things about Elder Hendrix and then he wrote us a note to send with her card.

To Elder Hendrix's Mom
   My  name is Elder Coons and I just got home from the Georgia Atlanta Mission (GAM) this week.
   I had the opportunity to meet your son, and was bragging about him to your relatives the Stevensons.
I want to let you know Elder Hendrix seems to be one of the sharpest missionaries I have ever met. He walks with confidence and the spirit, literally glows. Thank you for paying the price to spiritually prepare your son to serve in Gods Army.
He has one of the best missionaries as his trainer and is in good hands
God Bless
From Elder Seth Coons