SAYING GOODBYE...and HELLO!!

Dear Family,

Probably the hardest part of this week was saying goodbye to so many people I have developed such good relationships with:  The Peters (Sister Peters and her "I hate you!" way of saying I love you!), Bro. Boisvert, Macdonalds, Carters, Storme' Peters, Brother Lee, Searboyers, the Marshalls (I'm going to really miss them!!)  It has been an incredible eight months and it is hard to say goodbye.

 

 

 

  

   

Elder Skinner and I both bought a gallon of chocolate milk since we love it so much.  It took it with us on our last road trip to finish out our incredible companionship.  I've absolutely loved it.


On Wednesday we woke up early and drove to Moncton.  It was so good to see so many of the other missionaries I haven't seen in awhile.  Elder Sloan was there, and Sister Nelson and I got to talk for awhile, then we all departed our various ways.  Elder Tusa and I drove out to PEI after crossing a MASSIVE bridge, arriving in Summerside.

All of the dirt here is red so it reminds me a lot of home.  However, our apartment looked like a bomb hit it, so we cleaned and organized all afternoon.  In the evening we went to a less-active member's house to visit.

As far as this area goes, I'm the district leader over the whole island.  There are 4 elders and 6 sisters, and 1 senior couple...and my companion is Elder Tusa!  I love that he gets my "poly" words and expressions!

It's windy ALL the time here, which really drops the temperature, so it's cold.  We met with Sister Drew and Sister Comfort to do some planning.  It's my first time working with Sisters, but I think it will be really good.  Summerside is much bigger than Houlton, so that's good.

On Saturday we stopped by a new investigator's house.  His name is Gary.  He had been working on his house, but he told us how he'd been reading the Book of Mormon every day and has actually read about seven chapters in Alma so far.  And his newly-wed wife expressed some interest, which apparently she hadn't done before.  We also made some other contacts and have some appointments set for next week.


We spent some time working on our area book and getting things organized.  We actually tore it apart because it was in pretty bad shape.  We were talking to Sister Thatcher (senior missionary in the mission office) and she jokingly said:  "Elder Hunt, for the rest of your mission, we're going to transfer you to every area.  You'll have a couple weeks at each one so you can clean/organize the apartment and area books!"  I guess I have a reputation for being pretty organized.



On Sunday we picked up the Summerside Sisters and went to watch the Stake Conference broadcast in Charlottetown, that was coming from Fredericton, New Brunswick.  The conference was good in spite of a few technical difficulties along the way.  I met a few of the members while we were there so that helps me in settling in.  We had lunch at a members house, along with the Sisters.  We went to the Veizche family's home and had some delicious nachos.

The rest of the day we contacted people, but didn't have too much luck.  It has been a hectic, whirlwind week.  One moment I'm in the States, and the next I'm back in Canada, trying to re-adjust to the culture and differences.  I love the island so far though, and couldn't ask for a better situation!!

Love,
Elder Hunt

GETTING TRANSFERRED. . . TO PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND!!!

Dear Family,
Well, I guess you get the exciting news first!  I'm getting transferred to PEI on Thursday.  Wow!  I thought I'd be in Houlton at least one more month.  But instead, I'm headed to Summerside, Prince Edward Island.(By the way, Mom, can you change my address on the blog, please?)  So, I'm going to be companions with Elder Tusa, my big Samoan Australian brother!!  I found out about the transfer Sunday morning, so when I broke the news to the branch there were a lot of emotional people.  I've been here a long time and have developed really great relationships with everyone.  It was emotional for me, too, just knowing that I'm leaving.   I know I'll love it wherever I go, but Houlton sure holds a special place in my heart!

Soooo, news about the rest of the week...last prep day we went with Bro. Wilinson out to the Robertsons, where we ran a couple of chainsaws and took down about 12 trees.  It was a good service project and then Robertsons fed us as well.

Tuesday was District Meeting, which went really well.  Elder Corbett and I went on exchanges.  Later I went with Elder Hadley to the Caribou Chorale Society and participated with them.  We sang lots of Christmas songs and it was a great feeling to sing again.  It gave me flashbacks of when I was in Madrigals at SCHS.  We were able to talk to a lot of people there, and it was a great finding opportunity.  It seemed everyone loved us, and they even put us on the front row!!

On Wednesday we were in Woodstock working, and had dinner with the Seaboyers.  The turkey pot pie was really good, especially since were had been fasting...  After dinner we had our scripture study class in Woodstock, which was great, once again, and the members expressed their real appreciation for us and these classes.  Also, today was Elder Nzojibwami's birthday, so we texted him a nice little message.  He's doing very well as assistant to President Leavitt, and we all love him as our leader!

Thursday evening we had a great experience with our evening work.  We had planned last week to go to the rec center in the evening, because Houlton basically shuts down at 5 o'clock at night and people go to bed at six!  So, we went to the rec center and played ball with about 20 guys.  We got to talk to a lot of them about the church, and one is best friends with a member in Houlton.  It was a really good opportunity and MUCH more effective than knocking on doors in the evening.

On Friday, Elder Skinner and I were sitting in our apartment when we heard the biggest bang and crack at our front window.  I had a mini-heart attack!  It was so loud and abrupt, I thought it was a bolt of lightning, or something.  I ran over to check, and laying on the ground below our window was a massive partridge bird!  The bird hit our window so hard that it left a full body grease mark and feathers on the window...weird!!

Later in the day we drove to Halifax for our temple trip.  We drove in a small car that was making for some interesting aches and pains in my knee, but it was fine.  Elder Skinner and I stayed with Elders Gross and Jarvis...we made up a potential Olympic team:  Elder Gross is a pro boxer, Elder Jarvis is a BYU track & field star, Elder Skinner is a Wyoming track & field stud, and I'm the rugger.  Fun times!!  (AND it was Erika's birthday...I hope she had a great day!)

Saturday we attended an endowment session at the Halifax Temple.  This was the very first time I saw the new temple film...wow!!  Attending the temple really brought some much-needed spiritual nourishment!



   

(Molly O'connell was the one wearing a sweatshirt with the hood not on her head / Emma O'connell is the one grabbing her face / Faith Morrow had her head in the pillow)

On the return drive we drove with a youth group in a 15 seater van.  It was a pretty "lively" six hour drive home.  We were detained at the border for 90 minutes due to a youth having some paperwork problems.  Finally made it to our apartment, but realized right after the van drove off that we didn't have our phone or my DL binder...yep, left it in the van!! Oh well...just made the day that much more interesting!

And now I'm preparing for my move to Summerside.  Kind of crazy.  Next time I have a chance to email, I'll be on the island!!  Oh, by the way, a member took me shopping today and bought me a REALLY warm coat so I won't freeze in PEI.  This was a HUGE blessing.  I am so grateful!!

That's all for now.  I love you all very much!!  Don't forget to write to me!!!  I love hearing from everyone!!

Love,
Elder Hunt

Brother and Sister Marshall with Elder Hunt

Elder Hunt with the Carter Family

Elder Skinner, Janice, Elder Hunt

  

Ethan Carter

Cuisine Adventures and Other Stuff!!

Dear Family,
A mission sure helps you grow in so many ways and I'm learning so much that I want to implement back home.
We did splits this week with the Presque Isle elders (Gibbs and Urick).  It's interesting to see how different missionaries are, and then to find ways to help them with their individual challenges.  At one point Elder Urick and I went to a Wesleyan church in Presque Isle and it was a really good experience.  It was a men's Bible Study group and there were eight of us there.  They were discussing "travelling evangelists" (missionaries!), and then we showed up.  For more than half of the time the group talked about Mormon's they knew throughout their life and what great people they were; what we as missionaries do; the Book of Mormon; etc.  We got talking about service and so I quoted Mosiah 2:17 for them, talking about when we in the service of others, we are only in the service of our God.  They loved it, and that got a good discussion going about the Book of Mormon, and how we use it with the Bible.  At one point they offered us a cup of coffee, so we explained the Word of Wisdom and how we choose not to drink it.  It was a great night, and might cause some to consider more carefully seeking more learning and instruction from the missionaries.

I also had a "cuisine adventure."  An investigator had made dinner for us, and when we arrived she asked if I liked haddock...saying, "I hope so, because I made FISH CHOWDER!!"  She had no idea the entire time we ate, of my extreme dislike for fish...even when she insisted I have a SECOND bowl!!  My stomach was churning, but I just took some deep breaths and was able to finish AND teach the discussion.  After that we rushed over to a second dinner appointment, and it didn't mix too well with the fish chowder.  But you do what needs to be done, and we had a great scripture study group that evening!!

We've had some great progress teaching Mike and he's doing well.  I won't go into all the details, but it sure is an incredible experience to watch someone learn and understand concepts that they had never before considered, or grasped.  It's amazing to watch his countenance change as he gains greater understanding!

One day this week we were doing some service with a group of brethren when we got a phone call from a gal who had seen our ad in the newspaper offering to do service for anyone who might need it.  We went over later and did some banking around her house to insulate it for the winter.  As we worked, we began discussing religion.  She broke down crying at one point as she talked about her sister who had died a couple years earlier.  She wasn't sure what happens after death, and she really enjoyed hearing about the plan of salvation.  She is now a new investigator, and it was really exciting to see how our service blessed her, and us, in finding someone who is ready to hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It sure is amazing how some things can be SO great in the mission field...serving people, teaching and testifying of Christ, being involved in the work of Salvation, and helping the branch members get inspired in helping with this great work; and then the flip side of how frustrating and challenging a mission can be at times, too.  Oh well.  I choose to be positive and not look too much at the bad stuff.  I guess it's just a very real part of life!

I hope you're all doing good.  And don't forget to wish Erika a happy birthday on October 18th!!  :)

Love,
Elder Hunt

General Conference Week

Dear Family,

Some good things happened this week:  handed out flyers around town for General Conference; taught some great lessons...on the Plan of Salvation to a woman who had never heard about life BEFORE earth. Also taught a gal about Priesthood Authority, and she really understood it when we explained it.  Had an experience teaching a less-active member who has had some very important callings during his life, but has been less-active now for many years.  It's been a good reminder to me that a testimony needs constant nourishing, otherwise it will diminish and can even die. So, if there was something I'd like to say to my "future self," I'd say "Read your scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, say your prayers -- both personal and family -- and always be faithful in attending church.  Never let anything else get in the way of fulfilling your responsibilities in the church."

We held several scripture study classes that seem to always go extremely well.  I love teaching them and helping members have a better understanding of the gospel.   One night this week we had dinner with the Carters, and they made Navajo Tacos.  Talk about a trip down Memory Lane...remembering the many great dinners we had back home with Navajo Tacos!

And can I just say I LOVED GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!  I am so grateful for the Gospel and for the inspired words of our leaders.  One of my many favorite talks was President Monson's when he quoted part of a poem:  "Good timber doesn't grow with ease...the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."  (Wow, Elder Hunt...we must be related!!  I put that quote on the window this week!!)

Late Sunday evening it seemed like all of Houlton had shut down and everyone had gone to bed, but it wasn't time for us to be in yet, so Elder Skinner and I talked about where to go.  We decided on a particular street, went to the house we felt impressed to, and sure enough, there was a woman there who talked with us for an hour and now wants to learn more.  What a great reminder it was for us to keep doing what we're supposed to be doing and seek the guidance of the Spirit!!

Well, that's it for this week.  Hope you like the other pictures!  Some incredible Fall pictures, and gotta love the moose head!!  HUGE!

Love,

Elder Hunt

THE WEEK AT A GLANCE!!

Hi Family,

This is going to be pretty brief, but I'll do my best:

Monday -- Got the apartment cleaned up for the ZL's were coming in the evening...but turns out they didn't because of a problem at the border...oh, and there was a  husband and wife murdered in their house here.  Pretty disturbing for this small town.  But they did catch the guy.  (And we had dinner with the Wilkinsons...another fun, adventurous night!)

Tuesday -- I worked with Elder Campbell (ZL) all day which was a lot of fun.  We got along great.  While we were out we ran into some hunters who had shot a big moose earlier in the morning.  It was huge!!

Wednesday -- I was really sick to my stomach when I woke up.  But after awhile Bro Robertson picked us up and we went and did service sawing a few trees and hauling them down.  We worked in Woodstock for the day and the four lessons we had lined up all fell through for one reason or another.  Made for a long day.  But we had dinner with the Seaboyers and then had another great scripture class in Houlton.

Thursday -- We had our Skype interviews with President Leavitt and discussed things about the area, how long I've been here, transfers, etc.  It was really good to visit with him.  This evening we had another scripture study and there were about 12 people there.   The spirit is always so strong there.  Elder Skinner and I have way too much fun together.  It's been a huge blessing to serve together.

Friday -- We had weekly planning then had a lesson with Mike.  He's moving to Massachusetts pretty soon so we won't get to baptize him here, but he will be well-prepared for the missionaries there.  In the evening we were trying to think of finding ideas, since Houlton shuts down after 6:00 p.m.  We went to the high school where a varsity soccer game was being played.  We talked to some people there and it was a good place to find people!

Saturday -- This was a pretty rough day.  The work was rather slow, and I was having a lot of thoughts about Denzel, remembering his life, his funeral, the morning I found out he had died...there was so much.  I'll just say this was one of the hardest and saddest moments of my mission.  I have a firm testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ...thank goodness, because a mission can be really hard!!

Sunday -- We had Fast Sunday due to General Conference next week...Mike was at Testimony Meeting, which was great.  THEN the rest of the day was spent walking for miles in this heat spell, while fasting...and it wasn't a great combo.  However, at the end of the day I got to call Linda Thompson and Sheila Jordan (converts from Eastern Passage area).  They are both doing really well and it has been a year since their baptism.  They are planning to go to the temple to receive their endowments and, hopefully, I'll be able to go when they do.  It's an incredible feeling to know they are doing so good and that it was someone I was able to help since being on my mission.  It's great!


The Fall colors are starting to come out and it's beautiful.  I love you all so much!  Sometimes I just miss being home, but I also know I'm where I'm supposed to be.

Love,
Elder Hunt