Monday, January 30, 2012

Columbus, GA

Family,
Well the Lord did not answer my prayers this week, at least according to my will. I got transferred I am now in Columbus GA, in the Flat Rock ward. My companion is Elder Wiberg, He's from Utah and he has been out on his mission for just about 18 months. He’s solid, very obedient and really really smart. He's like a math genius or something; I think I’m going to learn a lot from him, I already have. We have a great ward they are pretty helpful with missionary work. Columbus is home town to Fort Benning, it’s the Army’s main base for training basic infantry and Rangers, so most of the ward is military which is good and bad. It’s good because they are young families and they have a lot of friends that are still trying to find out what they believe, so they are open. It’s bad because people only live in the area for no more than about 3 years, lots of people moving in and out. We don’t have a ton of people we are working with right now, but we have some really solid ones. We are teaching the H family, the Dad hasn’t been to church since he was 16, he knows it’s true and wants to get back into church with his wife; His wife is really interested she grew up catholic. We are working with another family, the S family. She is a member, he is not and he is very religious and spiritual, but doesn't have a ton of knowledge. But he is really interested in the Book of Mormon. There is another guy, St... who wants to join the church and has been coming every week for 2 months now. He just got out of Prison so he can’t be baptized for a while, but he is awesome, a complete change has been made in his life I guess. Other than that I don’t know much. Just grateful for a new opportunity, and I love the Gospel. I love you all. Do more missionary work!

Elder Hendrix

Monday, January 23, 2012

finally another letter!

Family,
I’m alive, sorry about last week, it was a holiday and the Library was closed so we couldn’t e-mail. A couple quick things, I need a new journal. I know you’re surprised I actually write in my journal. Also
President Satterfield wants us to read "Increase in learning" by Elder Bednar. Thanks. Oh ya first of all, how come I didn’t get any updates on the worldly things that I shouldn't care about, like how my Niners
were in the NFC championship? I already knew we have a good brother in the Branch who keeps me up to date.
That is awesome Miles is going to France. I wonder if the temple will be finished while he is there. That will be a tough mission. Mom do you remember the Hanekamps from my first area, he was the bishop.
His son is in the Paris Mission, so tell Miles to look for him. Garrett gets home in a few weeks right?
We had a stellar week. It was accompanied by some serious fears about leaving this area, I feel like I will be transferred. I love this place and the people we have worked with and brought to church and the Kids we baptized, and the people we are working with right now. We find out today what happens, but with all of that said I know that the Lord Knows much better than I do, where I need to be! We are teaching
some awesome people. One couple who are not married yet, but are engaged are doing so well reading the Book of Mormon and they have felt that it is true. They are just awesome people, they love us and
we love them. They didn’t come to church yesterday so we are a little worried about that. His name is Q and hers is K, they have 3 little ones and one on the way. They are good people really looking to change their lives, and they are feeling the spirit more and more in their lives. It is so fun to teach people with open hearts.
We also started teaching a 9 year old girl named Ashlyn (anyone named Ashlyn is way awesome). Her dad has been a member his whole life but hasn’t been active for most of his life (His parents are like the most solid members in the Branch) His wife, Ashlyn’s step mom, just recently got baptized, so the family has been coming back to church the past probably 9 months. We have been working with them since I came here. They are super awesome and are some of my favorite people I’ve met on my mission, it’s been very awesome to see the family doing so well. Ashlyn’s dad is going to baptize her and he is now coming out with us to teach people. Good stuff. Also I told you about a man in our branch who isn’t treated very well because he is kinda weird, well he still is coming out to church, in fact he said the opening prayer in sacrament meeting! I know that that opportunity meant the WORLD to him! His prayer was so good so heartfelt and so Him. I was in the foyer and didn’t know he had been asked to pray, when I heard his voice and his prayer I really did get emotional, I love that man and all that serving him has taught me. Anyway I hope I get to stay here. We just got a new branch presidency and a new Branch mission leader the last two Sundays, and I know that the work here is going to explode!! I bet this branch will be a ward in the next 5 years. Our new Branch President is so so so awesome! The work is moving great I love you all so much, you’re the best!

Elder Hendrix

Monday, January 9, 2012

Short and Sweet

Family,
Sorry no time, we are doing great, the Lord is pouring out his spirit upon us so much, it’s great. Fasting is the real deal. The scriptures are soo cool. and the church is truly the Church of Jesus Christ!!!!

E Hendrix

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy New Year!

Family,
Happy New Year. I think that now since its 2012 missionary work is going to get really interesting with all of the hype around the world ending in December. It was way fun to talk to yall on Christmas. My new year’s resolution is to read from the scriptures more, especially from the Book of Mormon. Mom you’re awesome, love your new year’s resolution. Sounds like everyone had a good holiday season and the future is looking pretty exciting. We had a good week. We had a ton of appointments with people who are really progressing and who we were really excited to teach this week, but almost everyone fell through, but we kept a good attitude and continued to work hard and we were able to find new people to teach and met some of our goals that we were really wanting to achieve. My testimony was strengthened this week for sure. I have especially been thinking about how we learn gospel truths through the spirit and not by being convinced or by our own wisdom. And if we put our trust in God we will be supported in our trials. We felt that it was a trial that all of the people who really needed our message were canceling our appointments but we trusted that God was in it and he provided means for us to accomplish his purposes and find strength. My companion is awesome; he is wise beyond his days as a missionary. I love being a missionary and I love the Lord, he is truly with us always. I love you all keep up the Great work!!

Elder Hendrix