Week 1 in the Field and Catching up with Virtual MTC

Hi Everyone -

Stealing the idea from other families we know, we are going to post Elder Hedrick's general letters on a blog.  That way, anybody who wants to can check in and see how his mission is going.  Also, after he's done, he'll have a good record of his mission.  I also may add a little commentary for some background from time to time.  Here is Zac's first letter from Kansas as well as two letters he wrote while he was doing the virtual Missionary Training Center online from home.  

A little background from this week:

Elder Hedrick left Sacramento on Tuesday June 21.  We got him to the airport at about 7 and said our tearful goodbyes.  Because of limited flights, he was scheduled to overshoot Wichita by flying to Atlanta and then catching a flight back to Wichita.  One other new missionary, Elder James from Placerville, was on the same flight.  However, due to thunderstorms in Atlanta, they circled the airport for an hour before detouring to Savannah, GA.  They were not allowed off the plane and waited for 2 hours on the tarmac while the plane refueled.  They then flew back to Atlanta but missed their connection to Wichita and met up with a new sister missionary also stuck in Atlanta.  

They had to get rooms at a nearby hotel and catch a shuttle and a few hours of sleep before heading back to the airport.  With no direct flight on Delta that day to Wichita, they then flew to Minneapolis before finally catching a flight back to Wichita.  So Elder Hedrick along with two other missionaries arrived safely just about a day late.  Here are his letter's so far:

 

7-27-2020

Hello everyone! 

 

My first week is almost over. A lot of fun stuff. So in my mission we can teach over Zoom and do service at members houses.  We have one non-member we are teaching. And it is great to be able to connect with the members and get to know them and teach them. Kansas humidity is so much fun; it feels like the air is oatmeal. My comp was supposed to go to Russia so he practices Russian.  He's a great guy. 

 

I am missing my friend and family. I am so grateful to know that families can be together forever. And we have Heavenly Father to thank for that. I hope you all have a good week coming up. 

 

Love,

 

Elder Hedrick 

7-11-2020

Hello family and friends! 

 

I hope everyone is having a great day! This week is a little less stressful. I am starting to get into the rhythm of things. I got my flight information so it just makes it a little more real. It is all happening so fast and slow at the same time if that makes sense? I love my district and teachers. We are cruising through "Preach my Gospel" just doing our 6-8 hour zoom classes a day like rock stars! 

 

My whole district is gonna get together sometime soon, with the exception of the three of us that don't live in Utah. My companion lives in Hawaii so there is a little bit of a time difference but we make do. We also do these things called TRC so we teach either non-members or actors online, and we're not supposed to ask if they are a member or an actor. I have done three so far and all of them have gone good.  My companion and I are learning together and improving each time! 

 

Well, I guess I will end by saying I love you all. And Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost love you as well. I invite all of you to think about the blessings you see in your life from Heavenly Father. Even with all the craziness in the world, Heavenly Father still loves you and is watching out for you! 

 

Love you more than tongue can tell, 

 

~ Elder Hedrick 

7-4-2020

 Hello friends and family! 

My first week of online MTC has gone interestingly. I have enjoyed it and have loved my teachers and all the people I’ve met. There are some wonderful Elders and Sisters earnestly waiting to enter the mission field! 

I’m not gonna lie - I have felt stressed a little, and the stress comes and goes.  I was reading in the book of Ether chapter 12, verse 27 - “And if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” This scripture helped me understand that I am learning everyday and that it’s a process. Diamonds are made from coal, but before they become diamonds they have to go through intense heat and pressure. Right now I am feeling the heat and pressure. 

I want to conclude with my testimony. I know that what I am doing is exciting, scary, and true. I know that if I follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit I will become an adequate instrument for the lord. And I will be able to share the truthfulness of the restored gospel brought back to the earth by the prophet Joseph Smith given from Heavenly Father. This is an exciting work that needs to be done during these exciting times! 

Love you more than tongue can tell,

~ Elder Hedrick