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! 

Good, but kinda sad week!

Buenas Tardes Queridos!

Well another week has come and gone, and I have to say this is a week that I will remember for all of my mission! First of all The 2014 FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament has been going on for the last month, it only happens every four years and it is HUGE here! And if you didn´t know last night was the finals, it was Argentina verses Germany. Unfortunately Germany won, but still the excitement that everyone has had, has been pretty cool! And it has been pretty crazy! I think I have seen more Argentine Flags, in the last few weeks then I have, and will see in all of my mission combined! Luckily the area I am in is really kicked back so it hasn´t gotten to crazy and we haven´t had to be worried! I will be glad to not have to worry about the games, and to be able to teach all the time, there is no one in the streets and no one opens the door during a game! 

Besides that this has been a pretty sad weekend. On friday night, at one in the morning our neighbor (Hermana Elizabeth, a member of the church) came pounding on the door, telling us that one of the sisters in the ward was really sick, and that she was transfered to a hospital in Capital, and the doctors didn´t think she was going to make it. The sister who was sick has a daughter just older then me, and a son just younger, and she is separated from her husband, and they don´t have to much contact with him. Well we called this bishop, (mind you this is at about 1:30 in the morning) well he was already up, because some one had told him. So in the morning we talked with Hermana Elizabeth, and she didn´t know anything except for the kids had headed back home to get some rest and were going to go back at 2 in the afternoon, because that was when the dr. was going to give a report. About an hour after they left their mom passed away. We didn´t find out until later that afternoon, and then that night we went to the viewing, to try adn give some support to the kids, and to some of the members. Then sunday morning before church there was a small service for her, and then they had the burial. 

I am not going to lie, it was a situation that was very hard for me. To watch two kids, one just older, and one just younger lose their mom. It was hard for me to be in an environment with everyone crying, and just to have that sadness, and it was strange because I found myself wanting more then anything a hug from my mom. I don´t think I have quite had a feeling like that since being in the mission, and as I had this strong sense of urgency and need for that kind of support the thought crossed my mind, you are going to get to hug your mom in another year, he will never have that again. And my heart almost broke. We went home, and as I layed in bed I can´t lie I layed there crying and just praying that these two kids would be able to make it through this trial. 

I have heard people say, ¨I have the gospel in my life, I am prepared if something were to happen to one of my parents.¨Well I can say that isn´t true for me. I am at the most spiritually strong point of my life, and I know for a fact I am not prepared for something like that. We can have the strongest testimony in the world, we can know that one day we will see our loved ones again, but it doesn´t take away the fact that they are not there in that moment. This experience also gave me time to think about how grateful I  am to have the gospel in my life, as hard as situations like these are with the knowledge we have, I seriously could not imagine the pain that would come with out having these teachings. 

In moments like these, I am just thankful for the power of prayer, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Although it was sad, I always had the comforting assurance that this was all part of God´s plan, and that he truly is here for us when we need him. My only hope and prayer is that these two kids, are able to feel the same as me, only much stronger! 

Other then this is was a very good week, and I just am so grateful for all that I have, for the blessings in my life, and for this time that I have to be a missionary! It is flying by faster than I can even process it all! Hope everyone has a great week! Love you all! 

Weekly Update :)

Buenas Tardes! :) 

Well this week has been a good week, and a fast week, and a really cold week! It has been raining the last three days, and there has been lots of wind, and cold temperatures! So I have been a missionary popsicle these last few days! haha Today we are in San Miguel del Monte, as a zone. We were out by the lake, and we grilled hamburgers, and played soccer, and volleyball. We lucked out, and had a day of sunshine so we are all enjoying it! 

 This week has been a good week as far as missionary work goes. We are teaching a family that the parents are less-active members and none of their kids are members, and this week we had some really great spiritual lessons, and the best part is that part of the family attended church this sunday. We also had some other less-active families that we have been working with that showed up on sunday, and it is so rewarding to be able to see these families remember what it is like to have God in their lives, and just to help them get back on track. We had the opportunity to fast yesterday, and one of the sisters that honestly her, and her family, are like my family here in this area, fasted for the first time, and she got up and bore her testimony at church, and WOW it was one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever heard. I will be honest I very rarely cry anymore, and yesterday I was crying as she told her story. I was very humbled to be able to have played a tiny role in helping this sister. 

One of the things that I am starting to notice is my ability to teach is really starting to improve. It is amazing how much more you can help people when you understand what the heck they are saying! I gotta say my spanish has improved a lot and I am getting pretty fluent, and suave (smooth) now don´t get me wrong I dont sound latin by any means but I can communicate what I want to say, and almost always can understand what the people want to say. I mean I guess I should after over ten months of eating, living, and breathing in spanish. (Funny side note, last night I woke my companion up because I was talking in my sleep about ideas to teach a family (all while dreaming) and I was talking in spanish. So it is getting pretty natural!) haha 

Overall things are going great, my companion is amazing, we have lots of work, and I am enjoying every moment of the mission. I just can´t believe that next month I will hit my year mark! Time sure does fly when you are having fun! :) Have a great week everyone! 

Elder Hall 

 And this is what happens when you take a bus while Argentina is playing in the world cup! NO ONE IS OUT! hahaha 

 Only my companion shaves the fuzz balls off of his sweater! hahahaha I love Elder Torres, I am always laughing with this guy! 

Hermana Mills and I, grilling up some burgers for the zone! Only they forgot a spatula so we used a throwing knife, and well we had to use rubbing alcohol to start the coals! #estilomisional #missionarystyle

19 years old, and 10 months in the Mission! SEMANA GRANDE!

Buenas Tardes mi querido familia, y amigos! 

Well this week was a good week, and a big week here in the mission! On friday I turned 19 years old, and on saturday I hit 10 months in the mission! I think it gets faster, and faster every month! And well its pretty obvious that this has been the fastest year of my life! It is crazy to think that if they hadn´t changed the age for missionaries to serve, I would just be getting ready to leave! And here I am almost a year into things! 

Thursday was an interesting day as well, we were going to leave early to go to take out money that my companions family had sent him from western union and after we prayed and were getting ready to head out the door, I tried to turn the key to open the door, and it didn´t budge. SO I sat there playing with it until I realized the door wasn´t going to open! I told my companion, and he started trying to open it. So I go to the window, and it was in this moment I realize all of the windows in argentina have big thick metal bars on them, and that the only way out was through the door. So as I am trying this, my companion breaks out the hammer and starts banging on the lock. We called the neighbor, and she didn´t answer so we had to bang on the walls, to wake her up, to try and open it from the outside! Well that didn´t work either. So after about 45 minutes of trying this, our new neighbor (who just happens to be a police officer) walks by to leave for work, Elizabeth explained the situation, and before we know it he is kicking the door in! hahaha so after like 6 super kicks, he snaps the outer metal part of the door, and we were free! Definetly not what we were expecting when we woke up in the morning! (The only downside is we lost an entires day work, because we had to wait on the owner to come, and he showed up at 6 in the evening, when he told us 12, and then 4!) 

My birthday was good, and it was just nice, to feel that really there are people here who care about me! :) But the best part of the week, was that on sunday, we had three less-active members who came, and this past week, we have had alot of success finding people to teach, and contacting in-active members. We are starting to see growth here in Spegazzini, and I am so thankful. The Lord is opening the hearts of these people, and it is such an amazing experience to be able to be an instruement in his hands, and help these people return to Him. I truly have one of the best jobs in the world, and the thought that every month that passes by, I have less and less time to commit to the Savior makes me a little sad. I honestly didn´t think I would hit the point where I would be sad, that time is passing by so quickly, but I have realized, and every day realize just a little bit more how short two years really is! 

I hope you all have a great week! Know that I love you all, and as always you are in my prayers! 

Elder Hall 

 I realized I hadn´t sent a picture of my new companion! Meet Elder Torres! 

 here is the door afterwards! 

 It was quite the adventure!

 My birthday breakfast! (Thanks to the sister next door, and the fact that her daughter´s birthday was the night before!), and the breakfast of my poor companion who was sick all day! 

 !st birthday party with the Diaz Family! They are in-actives that invited us to eat dinner with them Friday, and in a small ward gossip gets around, so they found it was my birthday, and surprised me with a cake! :) 

 Second Birthday Party! 

 It was a fun night :)

 I LOVE this family! La Familia Sosa, La Hermana Elizabeth, Rodrigo (14), Victoria (9), and Carlitos (5)! They are so great, and are our neighbors! They threw my birthday party, and are like another part of my family here in Spegazzini!

 On Saturday night I received an email from La Hermana Elizabeth pictured about with these 2 pictures attached of Elder Hall!  She also sent a nice little note to me after I replied with a thank you for taking care of him and it said: Thank you very much, I look after your child as if he were part of our family he brought a great blessing to my home that we love. So blessed to have others who love him and take care of him when I can't! 

Hola Amigos :)

Hey Everybody! 

I hope everything is going good at home! :) I had an amazing week! My new companion Elder Torres is awesome! We have had so much fun together, and have worked super hard! It has been one of the best weeks I have had, in a long time! I just hope this next week is as good! On Friday I turn 19, and then on Saturday I complete 10 months here in the mission! This year definitely has been the fastest of my life! And I seriously can´t believe that we are already at the end of June! I don´t know where time goes! 

This week though was a great week here in Spegazzini. I am pretty sure Elder Torres was just what Spegazzini, and I needed to help get things moving around here. It was a week full of mini-miracles, that added up to one amazing week. We have about ten families assigned to us from the leaders here, and Elder Chuliver, and I only were able to get in touch with a few of them, well this week we were able to get in touch with almost all of them, and had some really great lessons! 

The other thing that was pretty crazy was, Elder Torres told me that he wanted to knock on the door of this random house, so we knocked on the door, and a lady answered, and asked us if we were the missionaries from Mar del Plata, (a town really far from here!), we said know and asked her what she was talking about. Well she told us that her daughter, and son in law are members, and that in few weeks, they are coming to the temple to get sealed, (married for eternity) and that they were going to send the missionaries to visit her. Now here is the crazy part... this was the day before. Then later that night we received a message from the offices with her name, and address to go and visit her! It was just a testimony to me, that God works faster then men! And that when we are willing to work, he will use us, to find the people that are looking for the gospel!  

Overall things are going really good here in good ole Argentina, and I am so happy to be in the mission. I know that is has been, and will be one of the most important, and best decisions of my life. Thanks for all of the prayers, letters, emails, and everything. It really means the world to me! Have a great week! 

Elder Hall

 We had a good lunch that my companion and I made the other day! Rice, Fried Eggs, and a hamburger patty! haha :) 

Buenas Tardes! New Transfer =New Companion!

(email from 616/14)

Buenas Tardes Amigos y Familia! 

Well this morning I said goodbye to my companion Elder Chuliver, and said hello (or better said, Hola) to my new companion Elder Israel Torres, from Santiago, Chile. He is 19 years old, and has been in the mission for a little over a year. He seems to be a super nice guy, and I have heard from numerous people that he is a great missionary, who is funny and loves to work hard. I am super happy, I just have a feeling that I am really going to enjoy my time with him, and that we are going to see a lot happen here in Spegazzini! 

I will be honest transfers are a little bit of a scary thing, because you never know what is going to happen, but honestly every single time there is a change, I know that it is from God. I have learned so much from all of my companions, and from the people in each area. I have only been here six weeks, and I know my mission would not mena the same thing to me, with out this short time, even in the grand scheme of the full two years. It is just a testimony to me that the Lord, really does place us with companions, and in areas for a reason!

On friday we had the opportunity to attend a conference with Elder Viñas who is the 2nd Counselor of the South America South Area, and a member of the first quorum of the 70. He has served as a general authority for the church all over the world, for quite some time, and it was an amazing experience to be taught by him. The knowledge about the gospel that this man had, was amazing he quoted like 500 scriptures from the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants without a second thought, and then explained them all in ways that even our mission president was caught pretty caught up in it! (And he studied doctrine for the church for like 8 years!) One of the biggest things he stressed was about the Atonement of Christ and that whenever there was a problem with someone in the church, it was because they didn´t understand the atonement. If someone doesn´t go to church, they don´t understand Christ´s sacrifice, if they don´t want to obey the commandments, they don´t realize the importance of what Christ did, for EVERY single compaint, problem, sin, anything that goes wrong (gospely speaking) it is because some one did not understand that Christ died for them, and that it is only thru Him, and His atoning sacrifice that we can be forgiven. It is something I think we all could think about, do I understand the sacrifice that Christ made for me? Am I honoring, and thanking Him, by my words, thoughts, and actions? What can I do to better apply the Atonement to my life, and to understand it more fully? All of these are questions that I am regularly asking my self, and I know our lives, and our families, will be  better if we ask, and follow up on these questions. 

Yesterday was Father´s Day here, and (I am almost 99 percent sure it was in the states as well! haha), and since I couldn´t call my real dad, I called Elder Garcia, (mi papá en la misión (AKA my trainer)!) It was great to get to talk with him for a little while, it is hard for me to believe that I know have the time that he had, when I got into the mission! And that he only has three more transfers left in the mission! I am thankful for the great friend he is to me, and I know for a fact we will be friends for a very long time! Of course I also spent a good amount of time thinking about my Dad, and the man that he is. I am so thankful for my dad,and the example that he has always given me, and truly for all that he has done for me. I am also thankful for my grandpa, and my papa for the men that they are, and for the ways they continue to show me how to live my life. I know that I would not be here in the mission, or be half the guy that I am now, with out the help of these great men, and I only hope that in the future I will be able to be as good of a dad, and grandpa as they all are to me!  

Overall things are going great! I also want to thank as a general thank you to all those who have sent birthday cards, and letters in the mail, you all will have a personal reply headed your way! :) Love you all! 

Elder Hall 

 Saying goodbye to one of the families! haha lot of fun actually! This was a little bit after Argentina won their game, in the World Cup last night! 

 And this is what they did to me! It hurt, but I was laughing so hard! 

It was raining and I tried to help a sister put a tv antenna up. (And yes that is a potato, apparently they use them to help attract signal, it didn´t work...haha)