Amazing Week!!

Hi Family,
You know when something really, really cool happens...but you can't really talk about it for awhile?  Well, that's this week!!  Ask Mom about it...she knows!  But there was a lot of other good stuff too, so I'll try to explain this week the best I can.

President Leavitt spent a few days with us and that was amazing.  We were able to meet with a lot of different people and teach them, in a bunch of separate lessons.  When we had a few "spare" minutes, we stopped in at the big Catholic cathedral and met with the Priest there.  While President Leavitt was talking with him, I asked permission to play the organ in the huge church.  I played "How Great Thou Art" and it sounded amazing with the beautiful acoustics!

I really enjoyed all of the opportunities to learn from President Leavitt, as we taught side by side.  He has given me so many insights into our missionary work, but also life skills and things that will help me the rest of my life.  He is a great role model for me, especially as he listens to inspiration and follows the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

One of the days we were together we drove to Gander to get President acquainted with that area.  I pointed out the big Salvation Army Church there.  He had never been inside one before...so we went.  We visited with the secretary until the Captain (pastor) arrived.  We had a great visit with him and then we headed over to our dinner appointment at the Parkes' home.  We had a meeting after dinner with the members in Gander.  There is no branch there because there are so few members, but we had a good discussion on things that can be done to change that.  They call themselves a "twig" since they are too small to be a branch.

One evening we had an activity at the church, where we taught everyone how to get up to the pulpit, stand there, and be able to speak.  So many are deathly afraid to get up in front of people and bear their testimony.  But it was a good activity and very helpful!

Did you know that Paul (in the New Testament) uses sports analogies to get his point across at times?  Read Corinthians to see what I'm talking about!  :)  He really taught to the people's frame of mind and understanding.

Rosie is preparing for her baptism next Saturday (my birthday!) and I am so excited for her.  It will be a very memorable birthday!

It's going to be a rather busy and crazy week next week.  We leave for St. Johns on Monday and getting things ready for the baptism, etc.  It's coo how light it is here.  We just had the summer solstice so we have a major amount of daytime light since we're so far north.  It gets light about 4:30 a.m. and is still a little light at 10:30 p.m.  It's pretty cool.

Well, that all for this week.  I'm excited to hear when Amelia has her baby!  Keep me posted!!  And tell Dezmond "happy birthday!" from his Uncle Dallin!!

Love,
Elder Hunt

Personal Scripture Study...Lovin' It!!!

Dear Family,
First off, I'm loving my study time in the mission field.  I love the scriptures, the hymns, and the church books I'm able to study.  Lately, I've been reading about Paul and his conversion and ministry.  His story is quite intense and reminds me a lot of "Pirates of the Carribbean!"  There is so much adventure and great lessons taught.  For part of my studies I've also been writing about my mission experience, from start to finish, including what I've learned from each companion and experiences that have taught me Christ-like attributes.  I don't think there's any other part of the day that I enjoy more than the time I have to study!  (And I'm reading a hymn each night before I go to bed and that has been really cool, too!)

However, I do enjoy our lessons with our investigators, and I love teaching the gospel!  We met with Rosie this week and had a great lesson about the ten commandments.  Afterwards we surprised her with a belated birthday cake since we were out of town the day of her birthday.

Later in the week we traveled to Gander.  We met with a few people and also did some contacting.  It is sad to see people who don't care about God or anything in life.  They live their lives day-to-day without a single thought of God or plans for the future.  For instance, we were led to a woman who's sister was told the day before that she has cancer.  And then she said to us, "I don't need religion right now...I'll do it later."  I am so grateful to have had the Gospel in my life since birth!  Christ's example, and following it, is what makes the difference between a happy life and a miserable one.

Driving back from Grand Fall there was a big car wreck and five ambulances went flying past us.  It made me appreciate even more the safety we are always blessed with as missionaries.

We had a great second lesson with a new investigator named Crystal.  She is so humble and has been prepared for the Gospel to come into her life.  It is so exciting to be a part of bringing this blessing to her!

We went to the Youth Center after doing a lot of contacting, and got all of the kids off their bums and outside to play some sports.  They were very impressed that I could throw a decent spiral football.  It was a lot of fun, and many of them want help to quit smoking, so we'll be starting a class there next week!

Later in the week we had a short lesson with Rosie.  During the lesson she randomly said, "I've been off coffee and tea now for a month!"  This was a surprise since we hadn't taught her the Word of Wisdom yet!!

The bugs are getting so thick out here they could probably carry me away!!  For some reason the bug bites I get out here are much worse than the ones I get back in Utah.

Father's Day was really good out here and it made me think a lot about Dad and about what kind of father I'll be someday.  Dad is the most incredible example to in in so many ways.  I've learned most from the things that I've observed him doing, and there have been countless times where he probably didn't know I was watching.  He set the example for ma as he always sat at the breakfast table, reading his scriptures, and he always did it before anything else.  He also led us each morning as we gathered bright and early for family scripture study.  One of the biggest lessons I've learned in my life is to be able to put first things first, and prioritize correctly, and my dad helped me to learn that from a young age.  The Gospel and our family have always come first for him, and I couldn't be more proud to have a dad who is so close to perfection, yet so humble.  He is truly an incredible servant of the Lord.

I love you Dad!!  And everyone else, too!!

Love,
Elder Hunt

HOW DID MOM GET TWO WEEKS BEHIND???

(Can I just say how glad I'll be when Elder Hunt gets home...so I can stop feeling the stress of updating his blog each week!!!  *_*    And since I'm commenting on here...we were gone for a week to Palisade Lake, and NO, I didn't take my computer with me!!!  We got back on Thursday, I turned around and went to SLC for some meetings over the weekend...and now it's suddenly FRIDAY, a week later!!  That's how I got two weeks behind!!   And one last thing!  Can I also say, "WAHOOO!!!!!"  We have Elder Hunt's travel itinerary for his return on August 15th!!  Amazing!!!  Okay, now I'm done commenting!  On with news from Elder Hunt!)

Hi Family,
Obviously my mother is overworked and underpaid, so I'll cut her some slack and just let you look at pictures!!  Actually, the work is going really well in spite of the long distances we have to travel.  We had a great zone conference with Elder Snow...we also watched the Canada-wide broadcast with President Eyring, Elder Holland, Elder Perkins, and Sister Burton.  They were amazing and motivating!!  I hope you enjoy the pictures!  There are some incredibly beautiful places up here on the Rock!!

Love,
Elder Hunt

LOVE this...talk about a "snow door!!"  *_*