Everyone needs their faith strengthened!

Family,                                                                                   

   We had a great week i don’t have any time to e-mail this week, sorry maybe i can later in the week. We are very busy, things are going well. Lots of changes and I am learning so much. My faith has been increased a lot this last week. I love the scriptures they are awesome, and it is just amazing how much we can learn from them. Mom you mentioned that your missionary work is struggling, but missionary work is not only with non-members. It can include less-active AND active members. Everyone needs their faith strengthened. I remember how you and Dad always had desires to invite a new family over for dinner, or a family you don’t yet know very well, that is missionary work. And we should be strengthening the members of our wards often, apart from the work we do in our callings. I love you all so much. Keep up the good work.

Life is Good!

Family,                                                                                               

  Well I know it’s been a while since I last e-mailed you but I don’t even know what is going on. We have been so busy lately, and it’s not going to stop until Nov 15 (That is the day I am coming home now). Ya President Snow is awesome! How he has taught me so much in the last 2 weeks or whatever it has been. He has really opened my view of the gospel and of missionary work afresh. He is a pretty intense person, I don’t believe he does anything half-way. But he is also himself, he likes to have a good time and be a little goofy, I love that about him. He is a very spiritual man and very obedient but also very much real with his personality. He knows a lot about missions and has toured around 100 of them while serving as a Seventy, so he came in here and made a lot of changes, I mean a lot. It’s almost a different mission already. That has been really interesting, it was something I didn’t expect and thought I would have a tough time with, but I have learned that it is not up to me to decide what is right and wrong, but we can go to the Lord, He makes known unto us His will and what is truth. I have felt that, I have learned a lot because of Gods teaching through changing times. I thank Garrett for giving me some great advice on what it’s like to get a new mission President, He said, "expect change, it’s refreshing". I have found that to be very true, it has been a great blessing to me and will be to all of the missionaries.

  I guess you know about Elder Fisher that is so funny that he came to the shop already. Wow I was sad to see him go. I love that kid! He is one of the best men I know, he's up there with the men of my own family. He has taught me a lot. I have been extremely blessed to have served with him and become good friends with him, I’m glad you got to meet him. He said that he thought my family was really awesome after meeting you and he wants to hang out. Dad you should call him up to help you unload worms, no but seriously. His number is 678-520-3977, really do call him. He will probably come help and it would be so funny cuz I use to tell him that he could come help us one time when we do that.

  I’m glad you were able to see the Satterfield’s too, and that you were able to understand as I do what wonderful examples of devotion to Christ, his gospel and his church they are! I love those people so much. I miss them as well, and consider them angels that God sent to me on my mission. They will forever be people that I look to for guidance and direction. We will have to set something up where we can all meet them together.

  I know I didn’t get to say much about Grandmas passing but it has been interesting to know that she can now see what I am doing. She is probably helping me and prompting me to be better and I’m sure she is doing the same work I am, just on the other side. I loved her so much, and I think that it was such a blessing that I was able to spend so much time around her the two summers before my mission. She was a very humble lady. She knew who she was, and she was always so kind to me. Never in a visit to her house did she not try to make me some food, even though she couldn't hardly make her own food. I will miss her. Tell Grandpa that he was a perfect husband, for a perfect Wife, she always spoke highly of Grandpa. 

   Elder Fisher and I had a special experience last Monday. He had no idea but Melaine set up her Patriarchal Blessing so that Fisher could be there with her when she got it. So last Monday we were very lucky to be able to be with her when she received her Patriarchal Blessing. God knows his children for sure. Melanie is an Elect person. Man I am blown away. She has been a member like 3 months and she does more work in our little singles ward than any person in any ward I have ever been in, and I’m not exaggerating or being at all boastful, that is the honest pure truth. She has more faith than anyone I have ever seen that isn’t one of my Grandparents. I can’t wait for yall to meet her. She is coming out to Rexburg at the beginning of August. 

   Other than that Life is good. Oh my new companion is Elder Forbush, I have wanted to serve with him for a long time. He is from St. Anthony, he is awesome. He goes home about a month after I do. I love you all!!

Elder Hendrix

Speak by the Spirit

Family,

  Sorry I have not written too much. We have been very busy. Send Grandpa my love and thanks for his prayers on my behalf. We truly lost a treasure of our lives with Grandma, I hope that we all continue to learn from her example as we stud her history and life. I am thankful that I was able to get to know her before I left, the spirit prompted me to do that and I am thankful to God for telling me that, and preparing those opportunities for me. I am thankful for Amazing parents who taught us the importance of getting to know her and Grandpa, I feel like we all knew grandma personally, and it was in large part because of the examples of Mom and Dad. Well I love you so much. And I will ask God if grandma can help me today....I will need it.

   I will write more about President Snow another time. But that guy is AMAZING, i feel like I am in the presence of and apostle with him, no joke! Today we are having a Zone Leader Council (in 30 min) and the plan for the meeting is for Fisher, Me, Him and his wife to all sit in front of the Zone Leaders and have them ask questions the entire meeting, and we all are only allowed to speak when the spirit tells us what to say.  It is a 6 hour meeting. Oh boy it will be interesting. Love you!

Hendrix Family

Hendrix Family,

  You guys are awesome.  Thanks so much for the picture of Grandma and Dad, that is an awesome picture. I am bummed that i missed out on the family reunion, and painting the house. I am so grateful for those who put together the reunion for grandma and grandpa I know that it means a lot to grandma, we talked about stuff like that when i was working at smith creek. I don't think very many people know how much she appreciated that, she always talked about how nobody wanted to be together or spend time with her. Tell grandpa to tell her i love her if you can, and tell grandpa that I love him as well. It is bitter sweet for me, many times i was around grandma i felt so bad for her being in such bad health so i'm sure she will be feeling better than she has in a long time. mom said she is sleeping with no pain right now. But on the other hand i will miss her so much, i loved walking into her house and hearing her say "who is that" i will always remember the feel of her soft wrinkly cheeks when you gave her a kiss. Thanks for spending time with her, she loved that so much, and it made her days easier. She was always so funny, she just look right with that smile in the picture you attached. Thanks I love you guys so much!!

Elder Hendrix

Ps: Ya know I really need some heavenly help right now and grandma being on the other side may turn out to be pretty timely

letter from Scott & Heather

Hey Jeff! 

Thanks for writing us that great letter, it sounds like you have some awesome things going on, and have met many wonderful people.  We'll be thinking of you and praying for you as you transition the new Mission Presidency. 

Things are good with us- Scott is doing an amazing job at his advertising agency internship.  I don't know if he told you but he's actually at the top agency in Utah, so it's a very cool opportunity.  He works very hard and puts in extra hours sometimes to help get projects done.  I can tell they are very happy to have his help. 

I am still very much loving my job as a publicist, I get to work with wonderful people and I love getting a discount at Deseret Book :) 

Nope...no kids yet!  We are surrounded by adorable nieces and nephews though who make us very excited for the day when it is our turn to have our own.

Yesterday Scott and I joined my family in the Bountiful Temple as my brother Luke received his endowment.  It was special to be there with him.  He leaves for his mission to Montreal, Canada in a few weeks.  He will get to speak French, which is cool because my other brother Jeremy served in France.  I'm sure they'll have fun speaking to each other.

Well, I hope you are well and that you will have extra strength to go through this President change.  I'm sure they'll all be relying on you heavily.  I look forward to hearing how it goes! 

Love you!
Heather

Heather said it pretty well, she's so great!  I'm reminded of talking with Grandpa Hendrix when he use to tell me to marry a girl like Grandma - and i'm so glad I did.  Our hearts are heavy thinking about Grandma today.  I'm so grateful that I took the opportunity to get to know her more out at the ranch and for the family reunion we had last year and for the opportunity we had a few months ago to paint her house.  I've thought a lot about your comment in the email you wrote us last week about all the family members who are on the other side helping us along.  I know she will be there for us too. 

When we were there in March painting their house I went through some old boxes and found a great picture of Grandma and Dad (i've attached it to this email).  I hope you know we are praying for you because we know of your special bond with her.  I know that the comforter can bring you comfort.  I love you so much.

At this point she is still in the hospital and they are trying to keep her until her kids can arrive.  Elaine was in Florida for a school trip.  Things can change quickly so when you get this it might be a different story.  I hope you are able to call Dad and talk to him for a bit   I wish I could convey how deeply we hurt for you and wish to bear your burden at this time.  We love you with all my heart.  Smile a Grandma smile!

Love Scott & Heather

Heavy Heart

Family,                                                                                   

   Wow that is heavy about Grandma. What a great lady!! There are few people in this world that I love like Grandma Hendrix. My heart does hurt to know that I may never see her again, but she is probably glad to meet the Lord as she surely will! Scott wrote me and we have been talking about the spirit of Elijah and the Sealing power, and weather she is on the earth or in the spirit world I believe she will be helping us and teaching us and watching out for us. I do count one of my greatest blessings that I had a couple summers to spend so much time around her because I came to know who she was and how experiences in her life shaped who she was. I think one of her greatest characteristics was humility, she never wanted to put anyone out. She thought about others, she always asked me what she could do for me, I’ll pray for her. 

   We have had a good week, nothing to special happened we are trying to prepare as much as we can for Pres. Snow, who will be here on Saturday afternoon. I have spent a lot of time reading in the book of Mormon this last week, and It is just a pure truth that The Book of Mormon will draw you nearer to God. I love that book, if you aren't reading it every day, i encourage you to start now. I love you all, sorry I don’t have much time. I love you, have a great day!

Elder Hendrix

Happy Fathers Day!

Family,                                                                                               

  Well we had an interesting week. We have been preparing for Pres. Harding and his family to come to our mission. But bad news he just had emergency surgery and won't be coming until a couple months after he was regularly going to begin his mission (July 1). But the Satterfields are leaving on July 1......so that poses a problem. We will have an interim mission president until Pres. Harding comes (probably Sept or Oct). His name is Lowell M. Snow, he was just released from the 2nd quorum of 70, and has been a mission president twice, Mississippi and Temple Square. It was quite a shock, and we are not sure how it is all going to go down, but we know it will turn out for the best.

   Saturday I went down to Columbus with Elder Wiberg to attend the baptismal service of Sis. H, and her daughter Brooklyn. She asked us to speak on the Holy Ghost. It was really cool to see her family all united together has members of the Lords church. Bro. H shared a cool experience with one of the Elders who is serving there right now. He said that he pulled out his patriarchal blessing and read it for the first time in years and for the first time realized that it talked about his family all becoming united in the gospel. There were specific events predicted in his patriarchal blessing that unfolded right before his eyes with his family joining the church. The Elder he was talking with explained to him how these blessings were fulfilled- by living righteously and keeping the covenants he made, the Lord kept up his end of the promise as well. Bro Hatch connected the dots and cried some tears of Gratitude. This is totally the work of God. I read a cool scripture the other day, John 4:34. Christ tells his disciples that his "meat" or what gives him life, joy or spiritual support is to do "[the fathers] will", and to do "his work". On my mission it has been very easy to forget that my mission is really not mine, it is his mission and his work. He is doing the work, not a missionary, we are simply the tools in his hands. It is the same for us in our church callings, or our family callings, which are the most important (ie Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Grandmother or Grandfather). We do not raise children for us, they are not ours, they are His. Thanks to you Mom and Dad, for doing the fathers will and his work in raising us, we know whom you serve, thank you! Especially to you this fathers day Dad, Thank You for being a real Man, and a faithful obedient, hardworking and humble priesthood leader of our home. You have been an effective tool for the Lord in my life, and thousands of others,  and at some point even millions of others. Thank You!! I love you all!

Elder Hendrix