You Think UTAH is Cold?!?!?! Think Again!!

Dear Family,

So I heard about the snow and cold weather you’ve been having lately.  I think it arrived here in the Maritimes, but a lot colder!!  It was -15 degrees all day on Thursday, and with the windchill factor it was about -30!!  I was all bundled up and still froze!  I think I had temporary frostbite, but  thawed out.  Throughout the day we found some neat old planes and took some pictures with them.  All day was spent trying to contact people in the freezing cold…with no real success.  L

 

 
     

Friday we helped set up for the Branch Christmas Dinner at the church after we had our correlation meeting and lunch.  There was a lot of prep work and then we shoveled all the snow outside the church.  These temperatures are NOT healthy…

The Christmas party went really well and was a huge success!  The food was good and so was the entertainment.  I met the family the sisters are teaching and they are great!

 

Saturday was another bitingly cold day and, it was worse because some of our appointments fell through.  It sure can be hard sometimes when there are difficult things to deal with…and trying to see the bright side…and look for the positive things…AND have it so BITTER COLD!!  I have been amazed at how exhausting it can be.  Oh well, we keep going, and working hard, rather than hardly working, right?!!

 

 

     

And then Sunday we got hit with ANOTHER storm!!  It was so bad that we only had Sacrament Meeting…the rest of our meetings were cancelled. 


When people were leaving church there were a few mishaps…one car got stuck; right after that another SUV slid off the road into a deep ditch, which took a tow truck to get it out. 

The day was really stormy so we did stuff inside…before we got bundled up like some Eskimos, and trekked our way through the snow to visit Jean at the care center.  She’s doing good, is talking more and remember more since I first started visiting her.

Afterwards we hiked through snow up to our knees for about half a mile before reaching the Tibbitts apartment, where they warmed us up.  I love all the storminess and have always been fascinated with extreme weather stuff.  Now, if I can just defrost a bit. . .

Love,

Elder Hunt

Another Week In The Life of a Mormon Missionary. . .

Dear Family,

So I told you last week about the interview that was done on us.  After we emailed home and everything on Monday, we went to the Credit Union Place (where we workout each morning) and the lady at the front desk said, “You made the front page!”  Sure enough, there we were on the front page of the Journal Pioneer.  The newspaper story really helped to get us recognized by lots of people.  It was really good.

Tuesday I was sick.  End of story.

Wednesday we woke up to tons of snow.  There was so much snow that schools, businesses and everything was shut down.  It worked out well because it gave me time to continue getting over being sick, and helped with getting Elder Tusa packed for his transfer. 

 AND I got a package from mom.  It was my “I Run With Denz” shirt, which was great!

Thursday we packed up the car with all of Elder Tusa’s stuff and made the drive off the island.  We made it to the Moncton Chapel where there was a large group of about 30 missionaries involved in transfers.  It was great to see people, but it was so sad to say good-bye to Elder Tusa.  We really have become such brothers.  This was one of the hardest good-byes since I’ve been on my mission.  Luckily we’ll get to see each other in about two weeks for the Christmas Zone Conference.

  

My new companion, Elder Urick, and I made the drive back to PEI, but ended up getting lost, and found ourselves in Nova Scotia!  So, we turned around and found the right way back to the island!  Elder Urick is from a farm in Montana, and he finishes his mission a few months before me. 

Friday we were out contacting after doing our weekly planning (and rehearsing some for some of the musical numbers we’ll be performing on Sunday.) So we were knocking on doors on Maddix Crescent when we knocked on a door that no one answered.  Elder Urick made a comment about  there’s gotta be SOMEONE elect around this area.   I promptly told him that there’s someone elect in every area…we just need to find them.  Two doors later a woman answered the door and invited us in after our explanation of who we were.  We could immediately tell she has been very prepared to receive the gospel.   It was a great experience!!

On Saturday our investigator got called in to work, so she couldn't keep the appointment we had set with her.   But she asked to reschedule with us before we could even make the suggestion.  That’s really great!  In the evening we went to the Nativity Pageant and one of our investigators came too.

   

So far I’m really enjoying being companions with Elder Urick.  He has a subtle sarcasm that is hilarious.  We get along well and I feel like good things are happening in Summerside.   When Elder Urick spoke in Church on Sunday, he gave A REALLY good talk …especially since it’s only his third talk ever, as he has only been a convert to the church for about 3 years.   

After church we went to visit Jean Costain at the care center.  Once again, many old folks came out to listen.    When I finally got up to leave,  one of the old ladies beckoned me over to her and asked in halting works… “Will. . . you. . . marry. . . me???”  That’s the first time I've been proposed to on my mission!!

We also got to watch the Christmas Devotional Sunday night.  It was excellent and I loved how they incorporated technology with it.  The message of the Spirit of Christmas hit me hard as I saw Temple Square, with the Christmas lights, and began to  miss it, since that was “home” for me.  Holidays on a mission can be tough because you miss frineds and family. . . but it’s also an amazing blessing as new friends/family are created in the areas where you serve.  Summerside is a special place to me, and I love the people here!!

And I love all of you, too!!

Love,

Elder Hunt

Elder Tusa's Getting Transferred...:(

Hello Family!

Tuesday we held our District meeting over Skype.  The Summerside missionaries met at Elder and Sister Tibbitts apartment, and they made us a big breakfast with French toast, sausage, eggs, and juice.  It was delicious and really appreciated!!! 

Later, our zone leaders came up for an exchange with us.  It was great to see Elder West again and we had a really good talk.  We had a great lesson with our investigator family, the Adams.  There was a little time left that night, and it’s easy to think “Well, let’s just head home…” but instead, we went to contact a referral…who happened to walk out of his apartment right when we got there.  And we were able to set up a lesson with him….always amazing to see God’s hand in our missionary work.

On Wednesday we did a bunch of service out at the Simmons.  Finished nailing up their wooden nativity set, tied up their raspberry plants, repaired the white wood fence, and cut down a bunch of bushes and trees.  It was really wet and windy so we were grateful to go inside when we were done.  They had lunch all made for us: Seafood chowder, with shrimp, scallops, clams, and all kinds of fish.  (Yes, you can all stop laughing now, seeing as you know how much I have a hard time with seafood!!)  I ate the entire bowl and I got more used to it after the first bad few bites!  I’m getting quite a bit of seafood here on PEI and it’s not my favorite, but at least I don’t throw-up anymore!

 

On Thursday we had an appointment with a news reporter.  We talked for an hour about why we decided to serve a mission, and a lot of other stuff.  We were pretty amazed to see it our picture and the article made the front page of the newspaper!  http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2013-11-29/article-3524494/Spreading-the-word%2C-learning-the-world/1  (This is a really good write-up!)

Also, we did a lot of contacting by phone.  We were surprised at how many people set appointments for us to come over.  Also, the sister missionaries had their investigator family accept being baptized and have set a date.  It really is great being in an area with other missionaries close by, and to share in their joy and successes, too.

We had our weekly planning at the Tibbitts, and afterwards, Sister Tibbitts came walking into the room crying.  She had just received the transfer call, so we knew Elder Tusa would be leaving.    We’ll get the official word on Sunday…

In the evening there was a massive Christmas parade in Summerside.  It was freezing outside, but there were loads of people lining Main Street.  We were able to talk to a few people.  One guy, from another church, was in the parade, handing out flyers.  He ran up to hand me one, saw my missionary name badge and yelled, “Jesus Christ IS the way!!”  It was pretty funny, AND I agreed with him!!

On Saturday we did a lot of contacting.  I’m gonna SERIOUSLY freeze in a couple of months, if it’s this cold already and I’m dying!!  I love being a district leader in this district.  It really is a blessing to get to do call nights with these missionaries, and hear of their insights and the learning and growth that is taking place.  AND there are the most incredible sunsets here.  It gets dark early (4:30 p.m.), but this place is so scenic; it’s incredible!

Sunday is always a great day!  There was a ton of snow, so we shoveled the church first thing, then checked our transfer letters.  Sure enough, Elder Tusa is transferring to Moncton, New Brunswick.  He gets to serve with Elder Sloan (lucky!!) and I’ll be getting Elder Urick as my companion.  Sunday afternoon Elder Tusa and I played our duets (violin & guitar) at Wedgewood Manor.  We started playing and a LOT of people rolled in to listen.  I have a special love for elderly people and always enjoy helping them however I can.  One man even brought out his very old, very NICE violin.  He let me play it for the rest of our songs.  

Afterwards the Tibbitts had all the missionaries over for dinner as a going-away dinner for Elder Tusa.  We took lots of pictures of our Summerside “family,” and we’re all sad to see Elder Tusa leave.  I will miss him and all the good times we’ve had.

   

  

That about covers things for this week.  Sounds like you all had a great Thanksgiving!  I love and miss you a ton!!  Don't forget about me clear out in Prince Edward Island...freezing, but loving it!!

Love,
Elder Hunt

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Prince Edward Island!!!

  

Dear Family,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING THIS WEEK!!!  Hope you all have a fun time!  Eat some pie and turkey for me, okay!?!?!

Here's how some of the week went:

On Wednesday we went to the Summerset Manor to provide service.  We got many of the old folks living there to come for our musical performance.  I accompanied many hymns on the piano while everyone sang.  Elder Tusa and I played a duet of Love Is Spoken Here on the guitar and violin.  I played Danny Boy as well as Sarabande on the violin.  Sister Drew sang Hallelujah and was accompanied by Elder Tusa on the guitar.  Sister Comfort sang along at different times, and was able to talk with a lot of the people.  It was a fun and good opportunity for us.  

One old guy got up and started dancing when I played Bumble Boogie on the piano!

Later in the day we did some service for the Simmons.  We moved their nativity into place, but it was SO cold.  It was only -3 degrees, but it felt like -25 with the 80 km winds!!    Later in the evening we had a really great meeting with Gary, our investigator.  We discussed the steps of repentance, and baptism.  He has such a great desire to do these things, but he's also worried about leaving his old church.  He is doing well, and is recognizing the spirit.

It's very interesting to share the gospel with people.  So many times they share a lot of the difficulties of their past, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives them so much peace and understanding.  

Ohhhhh, on Saturday we were just leaving the church building after doing some weekly planning and just after we walked out I realized I had left the keys in the church...which was now locked.  Soooo, we were out walking all over Summerside to contact people.  The best part was that it was cold, really windy and hard snow was pelting us in the face the whole day!!  Sometimes it can be really hard to stay positive, but I'm working on it!

We had a good day at church on Sunday and a lot of the talks were very helpful to me.  Afterwards, we went and visited an older lady named Jean.  She is the sweetest lady and I love visiting her each Sunday at the care center she's at.  Her daughter left a loaf of homemade bread and strawberry jam for us to take home.  That was really a tender mercy from the Lord.  As I ate it, it tasted just like it would've back home...so I did a little reminiscing and it was nice.  

Last, but not least, Mom told me about the video from my knee surgery getting a lot of attention lately.  That's kind of crazy!!  Who would have thought???

I love you all.  Sure miss you and wish I could be there to share Thanksgiving Day with all of you.  Oh well, I know this is where I'm supposed to be, and I'm definitely learning a lot as I go through different experiences.  Think of me if you have a Turkey Bowl game!!

Love,

Elder Hunt