UN AÑO?!?! COMO PUEDE SER?!?!

Buenos Dias! 

Sorry for the delay! I am sure my mother wasn´t the only one who was a little worried that she hadn´t heard from me! We went to San Miguel del Monte on monday (Froze our colas(tails) off!) and then missed the train and a bus, so we didn`t get back till late and couldn´t email. Then yesterday we had lots of set appointments, and I couldn´t bring myself to cancel them! So we just now, wednesday morning are getting the chance to email! 

I gotta start out by saying thanks to everyone who participated in the one year video, and especially to my mom for putting it all together. Needless to say I sat for a good ten minutes crying watching and reading all of the little signs and looking at all the pictures from the friends and family that I love so much! If you haven´t had a chance to check it out here is the link! 

http://youtu.be/PP_EpTlVtzw

So of course I gotta talk about what it feels like to be at the half way point of my mission. Truth to be told this week, I guess you could say I have sort of been in the one year crisis, that is some small way every missionary goes through. There are two different crisis's though. One is the, ``oh crud, how am I going to survive another year of this!´´ and the other is, ``This is passing so fast I don´t know how I am going to do it all with only one year left!´´ I would happen to be in the second of the two. Honestly these last 4 weeks with Elder Mortensen have just flown by. It easily easily has been the fastest transfer of my mission. I can´t believe we are already in the middle of week 5! Time is passing by a hundred times faster now then it was at the beginning of my mission, and it felt fast at that moment as well! 

I have decided that this will be a year of obedience. It will be the year that I give all of my heart, might, mind, and strength to the Lord. That I will finally become and reach the person that I want to be. For all of my mission it has been, of I still have forever to change these things, and to be who I want to become, but now it has come to the point where I can see the end, and I just hope that I can achieve what I want to.

The Lord has made many changes in my heart in the last twelve months, and now it is time that I dedicate the next twelve months, to helping to change the hearts of others. I am going to do all that I can to consecrate my life, my thoughts, and my actions to the Lord, so that when I am back here in one year writing my final email, I can say that I gave my all, and that my work here in Argentina is done.

I am so grateful for the testimony that I have gained over the last year, as I have watched the Lord´s hand work in the lives of these people who I have grown to love so much. If there is a lesson I have learned while I have been here, is how to love the people. It is a marvelous work to be in, and to be able to talk with people for 20 minute share my testimony, and just feel a love for them as if I had known them all my life. 

I also know the importance of the family. The importance of having good parents, and trying to do everything we can to help out our families. How thankful I am to be here in Argentina, to be able to be a servant of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know with out a single doubt in my heart, that this is His gospel. And I thank my Heavenly Father every single day for this great opportunity that I have to be here, and for the blessings in my life, even when I don´t  deserve them. I thank each and everyone of you for a years worth of prayers, on my behalf and I ask that you please stick with me for another year, and continue to pray for all of the missionaries who are out serving. I love you all more then a simple letter, or words on a page could describe, and I love my Savior, and am eternally indebted to Him for the sacrifice He made for me. 

Con Muchisimo Amor, 

Elder Hall   

Buenas Tardes!

Buenas Tardes Queridos, 

Well we have had a good week this week! Thankfully without robberies, or any other crazy event! Honestly this week went by super fast, faster then normal, and I find that I enjoy every day just a  little bit more with Elder Mortensen. He is finally starting to come out of his shell, and we are getting along good.

This weekend we have been super busy, on saturday we helped build a house all day, which consisted of digging 15  post holes that were each at least three feet deep. Well lets just say this is just one of the many times I have heard my dad´s voice pass through my head saying, ¨One day you will thank me for this¨ (as he hands me a shovel...) Well I gotta say this was one of those days, I was glad I knew how to work a shovel. I was working with three other missionaries, and well they were trying, but it isn´t the same as someone who actually knows how to shovel! hahaha I guess thats what happens when your inheritance is just a pile of rocks, its just kinda there in my blood!  And then this morning we went back to help, put the roof on! It was a pretty neat experiences, and I learned some interesting ways to build things argentine style, that we will see how they work when I get back to the states!

I think this week was a big week of learning for me. Finally after almost a year of being in the mission I understand a whole lot better my purpose as a missionary. Since we started the new pilot program we have been working with the inactive members a lot more, and because of this we have had to listen to alot more problems, and just lots of not very uplifting things. I will be honest there have been lots of times where I have felt drowned by the problems of others, and something that Elder Torres was always trying to tell me is that we are here to help people come unto Christ through Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. He told me that there was lots of times, because of the love, and the desire I had to help the people out that I lost sight of that and some times would give to much counsel on what the people should do. (Obviously not bad counsel, but it is just something that I guess I was used to doing with friends that I did it hear.) Well now I have realized that I shouldn´t be getting so bogged down by other peoples problems, that there is alot of things that I can´t control, and I just need to focus in on my purpose as a missionary, and for any other problem they need to talk with the bishop, or seek other means of help. 

Since I realized this I have felt a great relief in my life, and I know that it is a lesson that the Lord has wanted me to learn for a while. I also know that that is part of the reason why I was put with Elder Torres the last transfer, and I am thankful to be able to relax, and just know that as a missionary, and as a human being I can only invite people to come unto Christ, and if they are not willing to put in their part, it is their loss. (Kinda sounds cold, but it is the truth!) 

Bruno and Tatiana Morales are progressing very well, and if all goes right they will have their baptismal interviews this next friday, and the following saturday should be baptized. Such an amazing family, that I grow to love more and more each time we teach them! Overall things are great here in the mission, just trying to use each day to its fullest! Hope all is well at home, love you all! :) 

Elder Hall 

Buenos Dias! :)

Well as you all can see today is a little different because it is Tuesday not Monday when we are emailing! We had some crazy happenings yesterday that kept us from writing.

(And now I turn into Brother Wilson  story mode (and all of you who know him will understand what I am talking about!)) So there we were....playing soccer with some of the other elders! I had just gotten done taking one for the team playing goalie, and so I stepped out for just a sec, and I checked the phone and I saw a bunch of missed calls from our neighbor. So I called her back and she asked if we had left our door wide open. Obviously I said no we locked everything and were in Ezeiza. So she told us that it looked like some one had broke in...

So we imediately left Ezeiza, and when we got back sure enough some one had jumped the outer fence, and kicked our door in (or used something to open it!) they stole 200 us dollars that I had just gotten for my birthday, and about 900 argentine pesos (about $90), and then my camera that had all of the pictures from my mission on it. They went into our bedroom, and stole 1,100 pesos from my companion, and about 70 US Dollars. So ya we kinda lost a  lot of money! The good thing is that they didnt take our debit cards, and steal anything else. Our neighbor is police, and he had investigators there who were able to find two finger prints so we will see what all happens! The owners is going to put an outer door, that is just like a protected screen door so they can´t break in again, and so that is good! I am pretty relaxed, it happens from time to time! And I know the Lord is watching out for us and protecting us! 

We have had a super busy week, and we have been working hard! The great thing is my companion is a good teacher, and can speak pretty well so he is a big help, and we are seeing progress in our investigators, and  we have been finding quite a few new families to teach! So it is awesome to see progress here in Spegazzini. 

I want to thank everyone for their prayers for our investigators, and for the families we visit. Everything is going well and I just love the people here. Ya sure there the punks who will come in and rob you blind, but there are some amazing people in this country that I just love being with. I have never had the experience of knowing people for such a short time, and just being so comfortable to say that I love them as if they were part of my family. Its a wonderful blessing to be a missionary, and as each week passes and I get closer and closer the ¨one year mark¨and I don´t know what to think! I just know I still have alot to do! 

Les amo muchísimo! :) 

Elder Hall 

Buen Día a Todos! :)

Buenos Días Amigos y Familia! 

We got on a little bit earlier this week, because the zone leaders found a bowling alley down here, so we are headed bowling this afternoon for a zone activity! 

Well we have had a good week! On tuesday afternoon I received my hijo Elder Ryan Mortensen from Redlands, California! He turns 19 next month, and graduated the same year as me. The only difference is that he did a year of college, and I left straight for my mission! He is the oldest of his family. He has 2 sisters, and a little brother. He is a pretty cool guy, and speaks alot of spanish! So it is pretty awesome (and a heck of a lot easier for me!) Obviously he is still learning but very soon he will be talking good, and understanding, if only I could get him to have a little patience with himself! 

We had a pretty good week, looking for lots of new investigators, and trying to find new people to teach! We were blessed to make a few good contacts, and are going to start teaching some new people this week, and hopefully find some more people who are waiting to hear the message of the Restored Gospel! 

I have a favor to ask to all of my friends and family. This weekend we had somethings happen with some of our investigators, and less active families that was pretty hard for us as missionaries and for the families. I just ask that if you all could specifically keep The Morales, and the Silva families in your prayers. I can´t talk to much about what happened, because I don´t have the time, but I just ask that you keep them in your prayers. 

As I get closer and closer to my year mark I realize truly how much more I have to change to be able to become the person I want and to give all I have and put it in the Lord´s hands. I am starting to feel, that now that I am almost half way done with my mission that there isn´t enough time left to get done all I want to. I am trying my best to be a hundred percent obedient, and just really letting go of all of the stuff of the world, and putting my whole heart, and effort into the work! 

I hope you all know how much I love ya, and how much I think about you all. Your in my prayers, and I am so thankful for the prayers that are said in my behalf. I hope everyone has a great week! :) 

Elder Hall 

All of the anxious parents waiting for our hijos, and hijas! (Funny thing my MTC companion Elder Durham received his hijo this transfer too!) 

My hijo is about twice the size of me!! haha

 Just a little bit of bowling for Pday! 

Elder Lopez, Elder Wilson, Elder Nicoll, Elder Mortensen, and Elder Beers! Lots of fun with these guys! 

Right before bowling this afternoon! 

Voy a ser un Papá!, 11 Months, & an Amazing Miracle!

Buenas Tardes Amigos y Familia,

Well today is a pretty crazy day, and really this week in general has been crazy, but really great. Like the email says today is my 11 month mark, and for those of you who aren´t quite sure what, ´´voy a ser un papá´ means, it means that I am going to be a dad (in missionary terms) This next transfer I am going to have the opportunity to train a new missionary. As of right now I still don´t know who he is, or where he is from, but tomorrow at 2 in the afternoon I have to go to the mission home to pick up my hijo! :) 

We found out wednesday night. So wednesday we are finishing with the day at it is about 8:50, (We are supposed to be in the apartment at 9, unless we are in a lesson then it is 9:30) and we went to the carnicería (butcher shop) to buy something to make for dinner. Well we know the guy pretty well, so he asks us to help him with his computer. So we went and were helping him, and inside there was music playing and it wasn´t super loud, but it was noticeable. And then the phone rings and it is president... So I answer and president asks me in kinda of a funny voice, ¨Umm Elder Hall have you guys finished for the day yet?¨ So I explained, and he just laughed but I am not gonna lie it kinda scares ya when President calls and you aren´t where you are supposed to be! :) 

So we get back to the pension, and I called President back, and he told me that we were going to be having some changes in my companionship, even though Elder Torres and I had both asked to stay together for two transfers. He told me that the Lord had called me to be a trainer, and that it was very likely I would be receiving a new American! (YIKES, talk about scared...) He asked me what I thought and I told him, ¨Well if that´s what the Lord wants you know I will do it.¨ And his response was, ¨Oh Elder Hall the Lord wants it!¨ So I had to laugh and accept my new assignment. Elder Torres headed off to Avellaneda as a Zone Leader. It was hard to say good bye to such a good friend, especially because we were only companions for a short time, but it was a transfer that was a lot of fun, and that we worked hard, and learned alot. We both ended our companionship on a great note, both excited for this new step in the mission! 

We ended up not having our baptisms this weekend, it was a mutual decision between us, and our investigators that they should wait just a little bit longer to be able to learn more, and go to church a few more times before they make such a big commitment. We had an AMAZING experience though with them sunday morning. Tatiana (19), and her dad Daniel came to church together. Daniel is a member, but Tatiana is investigating. Daniel has 2 herniated disks in his back, and there are lots of times that the pain is so bad he can´t even walk. Well friday night was a horrible night, and saturday he couldn´t even get out of bed. Then sunday he felt a little better, and at least could barely walk, so they came to church. Well in the middle of sacrament meeting (which is the last hour here.) the pain just hit him, and they had to leave. Well it was all he could do to not cry out in pain, and he could BARELY move his feet enough to walk. Luckily a guy in the ward took them to their house in his car, and we went with them to help. Well we get to the house, and he sits down, and we offered to give him a Priesthood Blessing of Health, he told us of course. 

So we gave him the blessing, and then left. Well when we went back later that day, he was sitting in his chair, and when we walked in he smiled, and I asked how he was feeling. I am not even going to lie, this guy jumped up out of his chair and said, ¨Look at me! I am better then ever!¨and he shook his hips, and danced around! He then began to tell us, that he went and layed down after we gave him the blessing, and after about an hour and a half, he said he heard a little voice that said, ¨Levántate. levántate!(Which is get up, get up!)¨ He said he didn´t believe at first but he sat up very slow and the got out of bed, and about 15 minutes later he went out to the plaza, running, and doing exercises because he felt so good. My companion and I just sat there with our mouths hanging wide open... 

It is a perfect example of the miracles that God truly can do, when we excersise our faith in Him, and obey His commandments. I know that if this brother had not gone to church that day, and excersiced his faith, he would still be in pain. I am so grateful for the Priesthood, and the ability that God gives us to bless people through this Holy Power. It truly was a miracle, and even now I am awestruck. I don´t know what will happen with this hermano, if he was healed for good, or just the pain for a little while until he can have an operation, but I do know that on Sunday I saw the power of God work through the hands of two of His Priesthood holders, to bless and take the pain away from this brother who is trying to do all he can to help his family. 

Last night was the first time that we were able to have a discussion with all of the family, and even Tatiana´s boyfriend. I know that the Lord used this blessing to help soften the hearts of this family, and I only hope that we will be able to teach them all. 

How amazing it truly is to be able to use my priesthood in a way that helps other people. Now please don´t get me wrong, I am not trying to be prideful in any way, more then anything I am just so humbled at the many experiences that I have had, and the opportunities the Lord has given me to honor and use His Holy Priesthood. I know that is something that is real and exists, I know that at one point the rightful Priesthood Keys, or the authority to use the Priesthood was lost after the death of the Apostles of Christ, but I am so thankful that those Keys, and the rightful Authority of God was restored once again to this earth. That there has been an uninterrupted chain of Priesthood Leadership in the Church since it was restored in the times of Joseph Smith. For anyone who would like to learn more about this I encourage you to go to: http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/restoration

I know that these things are true, I have seen them before my eyes, and I have felt the spirit touch my heart. I am so thankful to be in the mission, and for this new chapter! It is pretty crazy to think that tomorrow I will be in charge of helping a new missionary, and giving him the best experience, and just helping him to adjust to missionary life! But I am excited! :) Hope everyone has a great week! :) 

Elder Hall 

Buenas Tardes!

Hola amigos! 

Hope all is well at home! Luckily this week was pretty tranquilo as we say here! Nothing to unusual just lots of work, and lots of beautiful weather! It has been warm, and there has been sunshine, and honestly a week of perfect weather! 

We are pretty excited because this week, we should be having two baptisms. Tatiana (19 years old) and Bruno (9 years old) Morales. They are pretty awesome and some of the fruits of the pilot program that we have been doing here. Their parents are less active members, that the dad at least is attending now, and Tatiana has changed alot. It is amazing to see how fast she has gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and the change that she has expressed in her life. It just makes me feel happy to know that I really am helping people, that I am not just some crazy mormon who is out knocking doors in the cold rain in a foreign country. That honestly and truly (how do you like that phrase mom? (something my dad has always said that my mom doesn´t like!)) I am playing a role in helping these people come unto Christ. All while I am learning, growing, and becoming a better person. I know that so far the life that has changed the most in my mission is my own life. I know that the day after tomorrow I am going to be a better husband, father, and person in general because of the little things that I am learning everyday. 

My advice to anyone who wants a better relationship within their family, that wants a stronger conviction that Jesus Christ died for us, and that he lives today, for anyone who wants to be a better example for their kids, or friends, all you need to do is pray, study the scriptures, and go to church. These three simple things are the cure all for any problem. Try it, I promise it will only change things for the better. Love you all! 

Elder Hall 

 From last week right before we got soaked!

 It probably seems like we live going to birthday parties, but this family is like my family, they all have summer birthdays! 

I think I have finally met someone with worse luck then me!