Christmas, Missionary Style!!

This is more of a recap of Christmas, missionary style, but it came today, hence the title!!

Christmas Eve in the mission field was an odd sensation...  Not doing any of the things you've always done before, and not being with your family is really different...but I've been having a great time nonetheless.  Christmas Eve was our prep day so Elder Davidson and I did some fun things like go to the mall, and then went to the church where we played music on the piano for the rest of the day. (I was able to write a new song that I really like.)     

Elder Davidson and I spent the night at Elder Sloan's and his companion's apartment in Dartmouth, and we opened presents there.  We had a conference call with President Leavitt and all the missionaries in our mission, so I was able to give a shout out to Elder Nzojibwami!  Then we had a brunch over at the Pinsent's house.  We had a lot of fun eating waffles, talking, playing music and singing.  In the afternoon we had dinner at the Kenny's home.  They made "Newfie Jigs" which is a traditional Newfoundland dinner of turkey, salted beef, potatoes, cabbage, vegggies, pea-pudding, and a few other things.  Then we had dinner-dinner at the Hatton's...another huge meal that was SO good!!

In the evening I got to Skype with my family!  It was so good to see everyone and be able to talk face-to-face.  The rest of the evening was spent with the Porter family.  Christmas in the field is very different, but I've loved it, and the members really made me feel at home.  (That makes THIS mom feel very happy!!)

On the 27th E. Davidson and I got to go to a temple session for someone from Bathurst who was receiving their endowment.  When I walked into the temple, lo and behold, there was Elder Nzojibwami standing in white!  I was so happy to see him!!   We had a great reunion and then had an awesome session!  Afterwards, President informed us that E. Nzojibwami would be staying with me for 2 days!!!  We had so much fun together with our companions.  That same day I was driving and hit some black ice.  We spun 360 degrees, but then I was able to straighten things out and we just kept driving.  Crazy experience!

It was great being able to spend the two days together and to get to teach together.  It was really sad to have to say goodbye, but maybe we'll get to catch up and teach together again!
We had a good district meeting where we discussed a big talent show we're putting on in March.  It's looking to be a huge community event and not just a church thing.  I also got to practice a musical number that I performed in church on Sunday.  Sister Bird accompanies me and does VERY well.  Her daughter was going to school at Tuacahn this last semester and is back now.  Turns out she knew Tino Smith really well...small world!!

Well, that's about all for now.  Thank you for everything you sent me for Christmas, and everything everyone else sent me as well!!  It was a great Christmas in the mission field!!

Love you all!

Love,
Elder Hunt

Getting Ready for Christmas!

On the 18th we had a dinner with a family who had a little girl named Nikki.  She reminded me so much of my nice, Nikki and how much I miss her cute, perfect face!


We had our big Christmas zone conference on the 19th (Wednesday) in Halifax.  It was good to see a lot of the Elders I've developed friendships with, but also a little sad because none of the Elders that were in the MTC with me were there.  I can't wait for the day when I see them again, especially Elder Nzojibwami.  I love that man like my brothers!

At the zone conference, we had a good training by President Leavitt, then we had a "white elephant" gift exchange.


I ended up with a giant (torso size) glass dolphin!  I loved it because Erika's and my thing is dolphins.  So, kind of ironic.





Then President Leavit took us out to eat at Swiss Chalet.  We came back and had a talent show.  I played one of the songs that I wrote for the piano...everyone seemed to like it.  I played a bit on my violin as well.  I got my Christmas package from my family as well.

Being on my mission hasn't caused me to be way homesick, but I'm just realizing the true blessing that family is and how much I cherish those relationships.  I would give all the presents in the world away if it meant I could spend Christmas with my family.

President Leavitt got this cool shirt!!

I'm getting to do a bit with my music which is kind of cool because my patriarchal blessing talks about using my talents to help others show theirs as well, and I think that's what I'm doing when I accompany people.  I'm playing the piano for the song "Mary, Did You Know" and Porter Nelson is going to be singing it.  He has such a good voice, so it sound great!  I really love accompanying, and can see why my mom does it and enjoys it so much.

I had a pretty rough day on Friday.  Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged and feel like you're not doing a very good job as a missionary, and sometimes you feel very alone and lonely.  I'm glad I don't usually have those feelings.

We had lunch at the Hampsons and talked about prayer.  It's always nice to be there.

The nativity pageant put on by the church is really cool.  And it has been COLD the last few nights we've been there!  Brrrrr!!  I gave my hat to someone who forgot theirs, so I wrapped my scarf up and over my head like an Israeli woman.  I'm sure it looked pretty strange!

Well, Elder Davidson and I love seeing our Christmas packages sitting on our table and we can hardly wait to open them!  We have lots of plans for Christmas day, AND I get to skype with my family in the evening!! It will be a great day!!

That's all for now!!  Love you!

Elder Hunt

Almost Christmas in Canada!

Found a bit of "St. George" in Nova Scotia!!

So this week was another steady-goin' week. 

I had a pretty cool experience with this guy named Mike. We were over teaching him a lesson, and when we were walking out the door, I felt prompted to tell him to read 2 Nephi 32. At that time, I had NO IDEA what was in that chapter...but I told him to read it anyway. I went and looked it up after the fact, and it talks all about receiving an answer that the Book of Mormon is true through the feelings of the Holy Ghost. Which was exactly what we were trying to help him understand at the time. So just a small example of the spirit working, and it's a pretty cool thing to see.

Clockwise:  Elder Hunt loves the Canadian Rugby ball he
received; found a cool looking Christmas display
at a part-member family's house; didn't win the
"UGLY SWEATER" contest; bought a unique gift for
his trainer, Elder Deems; and makes really good
breakfasts, like french toast with cinnamon syrup
and whipped cream!!  

I've been doing a lot of cooking. Elder Davidson and I like to eat good, so I've been making a lot of things... Meatloaf, burritos, stir-fry, chicken, steak, etc. One day some oil was burning some smoke into the apartment though, and our fire-alarm went sounding off, and we had no idea how to turn it off for like 5 minutes...worst moment ever! Thankfully the firetruck didn't come or anything...so that's always a plus.

(Mom, there is plenty more things that happened this week...but i forgot my little paper that i write all of those things down on, so that I remember what to write...so i will write the rest of those tomorrow morning to you!) sorry!!  (He knows his mother too well!!)

So for now, that's all I can remember...but i'll write more tomorrow! (:

Love you!

LOVE this face!!

Moose Meat in the Mission Field???

Good Morning!!

This week has been good. Tough because we haven't been able to see too much success, but we are working to build our teaching pool and have more people to find. (AND it's COLD!)

So I got a Canada rugby ball sent to me (Thanks, Kent!?!?).... safe to say I haven't slept a single night without it so far. Makes me feel at home (:  (Elder Hunt mentioned that he was going to be teaching his district how to play touch rugby on their pday.  I hope no one gets hurt!!!)   
(And they are obviously COLD...what with the blue faces and all!  Actually, Elder Davidson got carried away playing with some of his camera functions!!  I hope they get back to normal, SOON!)

We went over to Bill & Linda Thompson's house to have a lesson with them, and Bill cooked us up some fresh moose meat that his neighbor had just hunted. It was so good! There's no going back to normal meat after eating that. He also had these ice cubes that were made out of frozen wheat grass juice....yeah...those ones weren't so good. Smelled just like fresh cut grass.

Bruce and Sue Hampson with Elder Hunt...almost like
being there myself!!  *_*

 We had our Cole Harbour Ward Christmas party this weekend too. It was a huge success and really came together well as the entire ward put in the effort. Decorations were amazing, the food was fantastic, and the music was great. (other than the one that us Elder's did...) I accompanied the other elders on the piano as they sang Silent Night.

We're not terribly cold in our apartment!

But things are going good overall. 

It's weird actually BEING a missionary now and looking back/ remembering the times in your life when these were the days everyone talked about and that you thought about in the future...and now, I'm actually out here doing it. It's a pretty neat feeling.

Elder Davidson is getting into the work good. I hope I am training him well and that he learns at least one thing from me. He's legit though; we get along really well and have some fun times.

Hey Chap! Have YOU read the Book of Mormon?

Hey Senor!  Have you read the Book of Mormon?!?!

Pretty cool Maple Leaf!!

Let me get back to you on that question . . . 

Ohhhh, I get this one!!  But the hammer
in the background is a bit scary!  *_*

Love and miss you all!

Love Elder Hunt

ELDER HUNT: FIRST-TIME TRAINER!!

Hello once again,

So this week just cruised by. It was transfer week, so things were a little bit hectic in getting switched around with new companions, area's, etc. I now have my new Elder, Elder Davidson. He's a pretty sweet elder from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. So he's pretty used to all of the cold that we've been getting this week. (Walked outside one day and it was -7, not including the 20mph wind chill....brrrzzzz!)

FIVE "Generations" PIC

Elder Biddulph, Elder Unger, Elder Deem, Elder Hunt, Elder Davidson

(Elder Hunt mentioned that during transfers he got to take one of his MTC district elders [Elder Diodati], upper left, to the airport when he flew up to Newfoundland.  Dallin loves getting to see some of his old MTC buddies!!)

But Elder Davidson and I are adjusting to each other, and settling in nicely. He's not afraid to get out and teach, so that's great. I'll learn just as much from him as he learns from me, so it will be a great companionship.

The Christmas Devotional  was last night. We watched it broadcast at the church with a few members there. I love listening to the First Presidency speak. They all have such strong testimonies and you can feel the spirit when they talk.  President Eyring's talk especially touched my heart. As he told his story about his family and mother sitting on the piano, with the kids singing hymns and Christmas tunes, It really brought me back to my own memories. 

I have that same amazing example in my mother. Maybe she didn't realize it at the time, but by gathering around the piano and singing songs, she helped to create some of my fondest memories. (I had always HOPED that the music in our home would have a big impact on our children.  I'm so grateful for a husband who loves music too, and was always a part of our family music time!)  I still miss those Sunday nights where we'd all get together and sing hymns, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and many other tunes.  

I've realized that the things we come to miss are those things that have changed our lives. It's those little things that make all the difference, and I'm so grateful to Dad and Mom for providing a home and a life where we could do those things that truly matter. I wouldn't have it any other way, because those gifts I've received from my parents and family, I will carry with me throughout this life, and into the next. (Elder Hunt and Amelia Bruce [flutist] played Be Still My Soul for a baptism last week.  He said it went really well, but during the 3rd verse a HUGE flashback to Denzel's funeral hit him and "it was not fun."  I let him know I understood those feelings very well.  But I also was accompanying Natalee last Sunday evening, playing a Christmas song that Dallin used to always play {Coventry Carole], and I had a HUGE flashback of DALLIN and it made me really smile...as well as miss him!!)

So it's been a good week, and the missionary work continues to move forward. Especially with the Christmas season, everyone is so much more willing to listen and learn. I love it.

That's all for now! I love you all!

Love Elder Hunt