Dear family and friends!This has been maybe the craziest week of my mission so far! And by far the strangest, schedule wise. So, as you all know, Elder Boehme has left to Dundee to be the zone leader. It also turns out that he is training a new missionary! That wednesday we went to Glasgow Queen Street Station and I met my new companion, Elder Christensen.
Elder Christensen is just coming from Irvine, and he's been out for 4 and 1/2 months, so we are both fairly new and young missionaries. I am actually older than him, but he is my senior companion. He is very excited to work in Cumbernauld, and due to a month period where he and his previous trainer, Elder Clement, did nothing but finding every day, he has a strong love of door chapping. So we spent a few days chapping and introducing him to investigators. AND THEN THINGS GOT EVEN CRAZIER. On Saturday night, Elder Van Den Bron and Elder Sewell gave me a call and Elder Van Den Bron asks me ''Elder Hunter, do you know anything about the choir situation?''
''What?'' ''Oh, I'm guessing that means no. You will not be in your area next week.'' At this point, my heart sunk. I thought I wasn't going to be in Cumbernauld anymore. Then Elder Van Den Bron tells me that I am going to be touring Scotland in a Missionary Concert Christmas Choir all of this week! He also told me I needed to be packed up and at Queen's Street Station at 4:00 p.m. the next day. There were so many emotions and thoughts running through me. I was (a bit still now, but I've prayed and felt ok about it) a bit nervous about leaving Elder Christenson to watch over Cumbernauld in my absence, because he doesn't know the area very well. I was also super excited about running all over Scotland to sing! So on Sunday, I packed up and headed to the mission home. It has been great here! I have made many friends, including Elder Hewitson, who can play the piano by ear like myself, and Elder Barney, who plays the piano very well and is a great friend. It turns out that I will be playing the recorder and singing with 5 other elders ''O Come O Come Emmanuel'', and singing in the other songs. That is why this email has been very short.
In most important news, Joe is now off the drink, and is a progressing investigator of the Church! Woohoo!!! It was also great because we were working at the Charity Shop, and we met this young woman named Terry, and we were talking to her about missionary work, and Stephen said ''You should meet the missionaries. It really helps!'' (Or something to that effect) It was a great week, and Elder Christenson and I found a new man named Martin to teach together. He seems really interested, and we left a Book of Mormon with him to read. Elder Christenson is very focused on the Restoration, the Book of Mormon, and, as he loves to exclaim, ''BAPTISM!!!'' Anyways, I definitely will tell you more about it next week, but I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! I'm really sorry I didn't get to write more. I know the Church is true. I know the Lord sends the weak, humble, and simple missionaries to do His work. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, and I share this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love,
Elder Devin Jay Hunter
P.S. Kirk out!
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Dear Family, Friends, Acquaintances, and All You People Who Got Lost On the Internet and Are Reading My Blog At Random,
A lot of changes are happening right now! It is pretty crazy what is going on. And I might say that every week, but that is because it is true! So we are hopefully teaching Mary and Ryan for the 1st time tonight FOR REAL! That's the hope. We've had a bit of trouble meeting her when she's in, or feeling well, or having a joint teach there. But tonight Brother Cattell, our ward mission leader, is going with us!
I think this Sunday was the longest time I ever spent with an investigator! We picked up Stephen Beattie to go to Church at about 9:15, and it was a good three hours of Church. Stephen ended up downloading the Gospel Library on his phone so he could read the scriptures whenever he wants to. After Church ended at 1:00, Bishop had a few errands to run, and Stephen was supposed to come right over after Church for a meal, and he was our only ride to his house, so we ended up at the Church for about an hour and a half. In that time, I shared with him my talent of playing songs by request on the piano. He loved it! Then, by the time, we all got down to Bishop's house (it was two trips of about 20 minutes each I think), had dinner, shared a message, and Sister Black (Bishop's wife) dropped us off in Abronhill, it was 5:30. So we spent about 8 hours with Stephen! We all were a bit shattered after that.
As far as Nick and Lee go, we haven't been able to get a hold of them, and we are still praying for them. It was super exciting, because John MacCormick called us this morning, and left a voice mail that said he was sorry he hadn't gotten back to us for a while, and he thanked us for our concern, and asked us to call him back! YIPPEEEEEE!!!
As for this upcoming week, I have some really big news... I'm staying in Cumbernauld! And Elder Boehme is moving to Dundee to be a Zone Leader with Elder Neilson, a now-former Assistant to the President! He is such a great leader and hard worker, and I am glad to see him moving to leadership positions so quickly. As for me and Cumbernauld, we will be receiving Elder Christenson, who's been out for 4 and a half months and looks like a pretty happy guy in the ''facebook''! Elder Boehme and I decided to start a tradition for moves' call night, which has officially taken on the name of ''Fortnightly Fortnight''. :) It basically looks a lot like this:
Elder Boehme and I built a fort and slept in it. It was super fun! Read 1 Nephi 2:15, it's talking about Elder Boehme. It is a truly humbling and sorrowful experience to see Elder Boehme go. We have become such great friends, and I have grown a lot because of him. I know that Elder Christenson will have a lot to teach me as well, but it's hard letting another companion go, especially since he is my first in-the-field companion. I will be leading out the area of Cumbernauld, and I hope to be able to gain the trust of the ward more as I work hard to bring souls to the knowledge of their Redeemer and eternal salvation. I know great things are going to happen here after this transfer.
Last Thursday I had a very Spiritual and testimony-building experience. As we were praying before we left the flat, I specifically prayed and asked Heavenly Father if He would send us someone new to teach. That morning, our appointment fell through with an Indian man named Ali who we have not yet taught, and so we chapped 5 aside on both sides, and when we came to the bottom of the close, a young man was looking through his door and we had a short conversation at the door, after which he invited us in! We taught him about the Restoration and invited him to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if God is there. His name is Jay Smith, and Elder Boehme connected very well with him. They were both fans of Iron Maiden and other bands, and his brothers had many similarities with Jay. I also learned that Jay and I are both fans of Doctor Who! He is super prepared, and he is 19 years of age, just as we are.
There are some great things going on in Cumbernauld, and I will make sure to tell you about Elder Christenson next week! I love you, and I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. I know He leads the work. I know there are people pulling for us on the other side of the veil. I love you, and thank you so much for the continuing letters and love and support and stuffs that I get from you! Stay strong in the gospel, and as Stefan would say, Peace my brothers (and sisters)
Love,
Elder Devin Jay Hunter
P.S. Kirk out!
A lot of changes are happening right now! It is pretty crazy what is going on. And I might say that every week, but that is because it is true! So we are hopefully teaching Mary and Ryan for the 1st time tonight FOR REAL! That's the hope. We've had a bit of trouble meeting her when she's in, or feeling well, or having a joint teach there. But tonight Brother Cattell, our ward mission leader, is going with us!
I think this Sunday was the longest time I ever spent with an investigator! We picked up Stephen Beattie to go to Church at about 9:15, and it was a good three hours of Church. Stephen ended up downloading the Gospel Library on his phone so he could read the scriptures whenever he wants to. After Church ended at 1:00, Bishop had a few errands to run, and Stephen was supposed to come right over after Church for a meal, and he was our only ride to his house, so we ended up at the Church for about an hour and a half. In that time, I shared with him my talent of playing songs by request on the piano. He loved it! Then, by the time, we all got down to Bishop's house (it was two trips of about 20 minutes each I think), had dinner, shared a message, and Sister Black (Bishop's wife) dropped us off in Abronhill, it was 5:30. So we spent about 8 hours with Stephen! We all were a bit shattered after that.
As far as Nick and Lee go, we haven't been able to get a hold of them, and we are still praying for them. It was super exciting, because John MacCormick called us this morning, and left a voice mail that said he was sorry he hadn't gotten back to us for a while, and he thanked us for our concern, and asked us to call him back! YIPPEEEEEE!!!
As for this upcoming week, I have some really big news... I'm staying in Cumbernauld! And Elder Boehme is moving to Dundee to be a Zone Leader with Elder Neilson, a now-former Assistant to the President! He is such a great leader and hard worker, and I am glad to see him moving to leadership positions so quickly. As for me and Cumbernauld, we will be receiving Elder Christenson, who's been out for 4 and a half months and looks like a pretty happy guy in the ''facebook''! Elder Boehme and I decided to start a tradition for moves' call night, which has officially taken on the name of ''Fortnightly Fortnight''. :) It basically looks a lot like this:
Elder Boehme and I built a fort and slept in it. It was super fun! Read 1 Nephi 2:15, it's talking about Elder Boehme. It is a truly humbling and sorrowful experience to see Elder Boehme go. We have become such great friends, and I have grown a lot because of him. I know that Elder Christenson will have a lot to teach me as well, but it's hard letting another companion go, especially since he is my first in-the-field companion. I will be leading out the area of Cumbernauld, and I hope to be able to gain the trust of the ward more as I work hard to bring souls to the knowledge of their Redeemer and eternal salvation. I know great things are going to happen here after this transfer.
Last Thursday I had a very Spiritual and testimony-building experience. As we were praying before we left the flat, I specifically prayed and asked Heavenly Father if He would send us someone new to teach. That morning, our appointment fell through with an Indian man named Ali who we have not yet taught, and so we chapped 5 aside on both sides, and when we came to the bottom of the close, a young man was looking through his door and we had a short conversation at the door, after which he invited us in! We taught him about the Restoration and invited him to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if God is there. His name is Jay Smith, and Elder Boehme connected very well with him. They were both fans of Iron Maiden and other bands, and his brothers had many similarities with Jay. I also learned that Jay and I are both fans of Doctor Who! He is super prepared, and he is 19 years of age, just as we are.
There are some great things going on in Cumbernauld, and I will make sure to tell you about Elder Christenson next week! I love you, and I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. I know He leads the work. I know there are people pulling for us on the other side of the veil. I love you, and thank you so much for the continuing letters and love and support and stuffs that I get from you! Stay strong in the gospel, and as Stefan would say, Peace my brothers (and sisters)
Love,
Elder Devin Jay Hunter
P.S. Kirk out!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Dear family and friends,
It has been quite a crazy week, like usual!
Our friend Joe Lochrie was having trouble with drinking again and depressive thoughts, so we invited him to Games Night at the Church on Friday, and he actually went to it! He had a great time, and felt very relaxed in the building and with the people. He connected well with Brother McGuinness because of their shared drinking past, but Brother McGuinness was able to share with Joe how he overcame the addiction and how he became a member of the Church. It was very good for both of them! Brother McGuinness is showing much more activity again, but we just need to maintain his progress and continue to support him and inspire him to keep getting better! Then, to our surprise, Joe was able to make it to Church on Sunday! He asked me if he could bear his testimony, and I told him what a testimony is, and why we share it. So he bore his testimony of the happiness of the people in the Church, and I know he feels the Spirit there! He wants to be baptized, and to know that the Book of Mormon is true, so we need to help him stop smoking and drinking. It was a miracle without a doubt and testified to me of the power of the Spirit. We'll continue to teach him!
We are planning on teaching Mary and Ryan tonight, and we're going to teach them the Restoration by cups and answer their questions. I hope we can instil in them a desire to learn and that they continue to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. They are such an awesome family! Oh yeah, so we met them last week, and had a FANTASTIC conversation with Mary. She has a few doubts about tithing and a few other concerns, but she would love to share the doctrine of temples because it is beautiful to her. Then she called Decklan (her 6 year old son) to meet us, and he is really intelligent and lots of fun! Then she called Ryan (her 11 year old son) to meet us at the door, and he had some good questions for us. We taught them the hand signs for the Ten Commandments, and they quite enjoyed that as well! So they invited us over for tonight! Craig is still having some doubts about us, and seems to have some enmity towards us, but we hope to overcome that as he sees the blessings that the gospel brings to his family members' lives. Nick and Lee are still on track to be baptized on January 25th, and we gave them baptismal calendars to help them see their progress. They are also super prepared, and I hope that they will be able to come to Church next week!
We also met Stephen again, and we invited him to be baptized on February 22nd. He is still moving forward, and I have faith that he will continue to grow in his desire to learn and be baptized.
We are almost done with the groceries that my mom sent us! This week we will be getting more groceries for 2 weeks time, because moves' call will be this Sunday. I have a feeling that Elder Boehme will be leaving, so I might be training or receive a new companion this next transfer! We will see. :) I have learned so much from him, and it has been a humbling and fantastic opportunity to work with him and come to know him and about his righteous desires and his life. The Christmas Season has started! Which means, time to go caroling! :) (Depending on the willingness of my next companion, should I have one...) Thank you for writing me! I love to hear from all of you every week! It is a blessing and rekindles the flame to go out and work every week! I know that the gospel is true. I know the Spirit can help us know the truth of all things. I love the Lord. I love serving him. ALWAYS pray and don't feint.
How is everyone?
Love,
Elder Devin jay Hunter
P.S. Kirk out!
P.P.S. How was Thanksgiving?
It has been quite a crazy week, like usual!
Our friend Joe Lochrie was having trouble with drinking again and depressive thoughts, so we invited him to Games Night at the Church on Friday, and he actually went to it! He had a great time, and felt very relaxed in the building and with the people. He connected well with Brother McGuinness because of their shared drinking past, but Brother McGuinness was able to share with Joe how he overcame the addiction and how he became a member of the Church. It was very good for both of them! Brother McGuinness is showing much more activity again, but we just need to maintain his progress and continue to support him and inspire him to keep getting better! Then, to our surprise, Joe was able to make it to Church on Sunday! He asked me if he could bear his testimony, and I told him what a testimony is, and why we share it. So he bore his testimony of the happiness of the people in the Church, and I know he feels the Spirit there! He wants to be baptized, and to know that the Book of Mormon is true, so we need to help him stop smoking and drinking. It was a miracle without a doubt and testified to me of the power of the Spirit. We'll continue to teach him!
We are planning on teaching Mary and Ryan tonight, and we're going to teach them the Restoration by cups and answer their questions. I hope we can instil in them a desire to learn and that they continue to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. They are such an awesome family! Oh yeah, so we met them last week, and had a FANTASTIC conversation with Mary. She has a few doubts about tithing and a few other concerns, but she would love to share the doctrine of temples because it is beautiful to her. Then she called Decklan (her 6 year old son) to meet us, and he is really intelligent and lots of fun! Then she called Ryan (her 11 year old son) to meet us at the door, and he had some good questions for us. We taught them the hand signs for the Ten Commandments, and they quite enjoyed that as well! So they invited us over for tonight! Craig is still having some doubts about us, and seems to have some enmity towards us, but we hope to overcome that as he sees the blessings that the gospel brings to his family members' lives. Nick and Lee are still on track to be baptized on January 25th, and we gave them baptismal calendars to help them see their progress. They are also super prepared, and I hope that they will be able to come to Church next week!
We also met Stephen again, and we invited him to be baptized on February 22nd. He is still moving forward, and I have faith that he will continue to grow in his desire to learn and be baptized.
We are almost done with the groceries that my mom sent us! This week we will be getting more groceries for 2 weeks time, because moves' call will be this Sunday. I have a feeling that Elder Boehme will be leaving, so I might be training or receive a new companion this next transfer! We will see. :) I have learned so much from him, and it has been a humbling and fantastic opportunity to work with him and come to know him and about his righteous desires and his life. The Christmas Season has started! Which means, time to go caroling! :) (Depending on the willingness of my next companion, should I have one...) Thank you for writing me! I love to hear from all of you every week! It is a blessing and rekindles the flame to go out and work every week! I know that the gospel is true. I know the Spirit can help us know the truth of all things. I love the Lord. I love serving him. ALWAYS pray and don't feint.
How is everyone?
Love,
Elder Devin jay Hunter
P.S. Kirk out!
P.P.S. How was Thanksgiving?
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