Week 6 Aug. 26th, 2019

Everyday has been an adventure in my mission, each with different levels of intensity, but all still fun and exciting. There have been little things, such as meeting a drunk guy in a park who is named "Bob, spelled B-O-B but without the Z." Then we had an intense experience when were teaching a lady who got a full body of goosebumps when we read the first sentence of Nephi chapter 8. She kept interrupting our reading to tell us that she had goosebumps-which allowed us to teach about the Holy Ghost and how you can have it at all times when you're baptized. 
I played some basketball with a college student who has Down Syndrome, we found a giant teddy bear and named it Pablo, and we even got to go to a downtown car show. It was super fun, not only to see all of those cars, but to meet a bunch of people. I have learned so much at each stage of my mission (granted I've only been out a couple weeks) There is always more to learn- not only as a missionary-but as a member of the church. There is more to the gospel than meets the eye. The lessons you learn stay with you and give you new perspectives that you wouldn't otherwise think about.
I find it easier and easier to love those we teach as I go, I get more attached to investigators and also to the members of the church in our ward. There is one family in particular, the Biglers, who have 7 children and have had us over for dinner the past two Sundays. They have a 16 year old son who goes out and teaches with us all the time. It's super awesome that he is preparing so early for missionary work, but also that he has a desire to do so. As a 16 year old, I wasn't really even thinking about being a missionary, but I wish I had been. I have been struggling with feeling underprepared the last couple days but I think I am finally getting over it. I love everyone and am grateful for all of the continued support.

                                                 Lots of Love,

                                                        Elder Henry

Week 5 Aug 19

Very exciting weekend! My week was pretty average, we did find another 17 people on top of our 20 and 19 from the previous weeks. I went on a lot of exchanges this week and had a lot of fun going to different areas and experiencing different companions. Some highlights of the week were the disco light room in a member's house that I stayed at one night for exchanges. Another highlight was getting some free merchandise from the local college for doing service for them. They gave me and my companion apparel which was super awesome! One final highlight was that I met and heard from one of the twelve apostles! Elder Gary E. Stevenson came to my mission and shared some of his knowledge and insight as an apostle which was just super spiritual!!!! It was so cool to meet him and be able to have the spirit so present in the chapel of the stake center in Coeur d' Alene. He talked about things that we as young missionaries might not have experienced, and helped to give better understanding as to how to aid those around us. He was very casual which made him very personable and he was just a super cool guy as well. Hope all is well for everyone reading these! Love you all and I'll send something out next week!

                                       Lots of love,

                                                   Elder Henry

week 4 (Monday Aug. 12)

Our week has been crazy, we found another 19 people that are new. We also had a barbeque with K and J, they both play baseball for the local college. We are teaching them the discussions, and going to have them come to church next week- which we are super excited about. I learn more and more everyday about so many things, especially life. There are so many sad things that I've seen, like 14 year olds with tobacco addictions and suicidal thoughts and actions. But I did a lot of fun things this week like medieval combat training. We almost witnessed a fight, witnessed a drug deal and a person snorting cocaine. We talked with people who believe that dinosaurs still exist and had an encounter with bigfoot- just some crazy crazy stuff. But I live and love every moment of my mission. I also had a role play session with my companion as he slept and an in-depth conversation about learning techniques, none of which he remembers because he was sleep talking- it was pretty sweet. We, as a companionship also are going through and inviting more and more people to church and hopefully going through to find all kinds of cool miracles. Love everyone and I'll see you next week! 

Week One in the Mission field

Greetings from the field!
Lately, it has been weird with all of the awkward p-days. I should have had four but only had three. I really was at the MTC for three weeks but I've also been in the field for only three days so it's just a weird schedule. But holy cow! The trip from the MTC was awesome and it was great to get out of the confinement of the "prison"and get some real food that doesn't destroy your stomach. The flight was awesome, I got upgraded to comfort plus on the flight and we landed smoothly and had a good day. I stayed at a members' house that night after having an amazing home-cooked meal and knocked on some doors that were miracles. We visited one lady who had been thinking earlier that day how she needed to get in contact with her missionaries again even though we weren't assigned to that area. My first companion (and trainer), Elder Samuel Caudillo, and I met and set up return appointments with 20 new people in the last 3 days! (Elder Caudillo is the #3 ranked boxer in the nation at the 123 weight class, it's great to have someone to exercise with.) We fire each other up and we go crazy! We have met all kinds of people and made a whole bunch of memories in three days- Like the millionaire who's having us over for enchiladas in his giant Japanese inspired house. We met a couple islanders from Hawaii and Saipan. We are going to play baseball with them at their college, bless their season and meet the whole team next week. We also get each other fired up to run everywhere and make sure we are efficient in everything we do. I have seen so many miracles and blessings and it has been amazing! I wish I could tell all my stories and explain everything but there is far too much in just three days. It has been a true blessing. Until next week!

                                    Lots of love!

                                              Elder Henry.

Week 2 at the MTC (July 25th, 2019)

 hey there everyone!

     So this experience has been crazy! (Not only with how different the life style is from what I'm used to) The people here and relationships that you make are solely with people who are between the ages of 18 and 25 so I've met like 200 people that are all just similar ages and it's super cool. The food here is good sometimes but you can't expect crazy quality from people who have to feed 2000 people a day. I have 14 best friends that I've made and I see them 12 hours a day and we hangout and have classes together and eat and study as an entire group which is super fun. They are going all over the states and some even to Australia! (Which is where I wanted to go) there is such a vast set of skills and talents as well as languages that spread around here and it's an environment that would be impossible to replicate, the spirit is always present and you can feel it. There are so many people that have different gifts, but some struggle in the same aspects. For me to be able to help those around me that are struggling with things I've been blessed with gives me more confidence and satisfaction to know that I can be of aid to those around me. I love to serve and I can't wait to be leaving into the actual field in a couple days now. 

                                             With lots of love, Elder Henry