Well, I was going to do a Q&A
Week this week, but my mom has been VERY busy with my amazing sister who is
leaving for a mission in Hawaii!!! So, apparently last weeks letter hasn't been
posted quite yet. Mom, I'd prefer you be busy with Rachel….So, the Q&A week
has been postponed!
So, this week was pretty awesome. We
taught some great lessons, found some awesome people and Had some incredible
stuff happen, too!!! First off, Operation: Arise and Build is going amazingly!
Everyone is just tearing it up! I have NEVER seen the mission work like this! Our mission President is an inspired
man! Miracle after miracle story
after story. It's amazing to be a part of. This is a very exciting time to be a
missionary.
A highlight of the week for me is our half mission conference. We had
it on Friday, and ours consisted of the Ashburn, Centreville, Oakton and McLean
zones. We found out a couple days before (in complete confidence) that Elder
Larry Echohawk was coming to our half mission conference! Elder P and I were
the "hosting" Zone Leaders since the conference was at our stake
center, so we had to get there early to set everything up. There were some maintenance
guys there working on the A.C., so we found out that our conference was going
to happen in a 55 degree room.... oh yeah.... haha
Before I dive into the way cool
parts of the conference, just one quick, funny story. We told President Riggs
about the A.C. situation, and he was really worried about the room being that
cold. So, he got up and announced that it was permissible for Elders to give
their suit coats to Sisters. The entire place literally gasped, usually that's
a BIG no-no, but President wanted to make sure the Sisters were comfy, so we
got them all taken care of. My coat went to a sister by the name of Hermana Ward.
Later in the conference, when Elder Echohawk showed up about half of the elders
were coatless.... When the presiding authority (President Riggs until Elder
Echohawk showed up) is still wearing their coat, the proper etiquette is to
keep yours on.... So, here's these rebel elders standing there coatless... haha
Then the closing song came, and Hermana Ward goes up to the stand to conduct
the music.... still wearing my coat.... with my nametag on it.... Elder
Echohawk arrived late, so missed the announcement that that was acceptable
today, so who KNOWS what he was thinking then as this sister missionary goes
and conducts the music with my coat on... haha Well, at least it was funny when
if happened. I appreciate all those who humored me with courtesy laughs and the
time to read this.... :D
Some really cool other stuff was
said, too, but I just wanted to share one thing in particular that Elder
Echohawk said: "God has a divine plan for each of you in this life, and
now is the time to figure it out. Right here, when you're on your missions,
when you're so close to the Spirit, this is the time to find out what His plan
for you is, because by the time you're home, it's time to put that plan into
action." That hit me hard. I've always had a strong testimony that God has
a divine plan for each of us…including me, but I keep putting off thinking
about it so I could focus on my mission more. But now, hearing from a general
authority to pray about it now (obviously not at the expense of missionary
work) was something new to me... It's interesting how often you get called to
repentance (or as I prefer to put it, get called to change) on your mission. I
used to hate change, but now I embrace every call that we get. It's fantastic
to be in such a great place to change an improve myself to become more of who
the Lord would have me be.
This week, we had stake conference,
too and we got a new Stake Presidency, which means Elder P and I get to
"train up" a new Stake President, as President Riggs says it. haha.
I'm kind of nervous, but very excited :)
Well, until next week! Hope you all
have a fantastic week! And Rachel! Have soooo much fun in the MTC! I'll be in touch
with you soon :) Love you!
-Elder Hodgson
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