Don't pass the Samaritan on the way to Jericho

 

Hello everyone, 

It has been another week here in Kaw Valley, Kansas. It has started to get colder again, and I think we should be getting snow sometime soon. I still live with 3 crazy Elders, and they are all doing amazing. Our teaching pool is growing. We now have Alex and Julie and a young couple, and they are excited to learn. We have Tamera, bless her heart, she is kind but she has really bad stress and anxiety so please keep her in your prayers. Also, the little girl in my old ward in Manhattan is doing much better now, so thank you for the prayers.

We had exchanges this week with our district leader who we live with. So an exchange is when missionaries swap companions for the day and work with one of the young mission leaders. Elder Forbush is my district leader, and we had a great time on exchanges. We went to knock a couple doors that were previously interested in North Topeka. For those of you that don't know North Topeka, it's a really sketchy place. But we weren't mugged or shot so that's good. 

On the exchange we're driving back from sketchy North Topeka and this woman’s car was broken down with a bad flat tire. My District Leader pulled over, and we asked her if she needed help, and she said no. She told us she had someone coming, but she really appreciated us asking. Elder Forbush, my district leader, did something I wouldn't have done -  pull over and check on this woman. He taught me right then and there never to pass someone in need - don't pass the Samaritan on the way to Jericho. 

A quote I read this week by Reyna I. Aburto goes as follows, "When it comes to healing, don’t we all need Him desperately? Are we not all beggars? Let us follow the Savior’s path and increase our compassion." I love this quote. It reminds me not to deny or pass people; we're all children of Heavenly Father and we have so many opportunities to help one another. I'm glad we didn't just pass the woman on the side of the road. Always remember the worth of a soul in the sight of God; then helping others in need will come naturally. 

Love you all, 

Elder Hedrick

Difficult Days

 

Hello Everyone, 

This week has been a week. So basically I'm in a ward with 6 missionaries in it. The Kaw Valley sisters, the Kaw Valley Elders A, and the Kaw Valley Elders B. I'm Kaw Valley Elders B. Basically this area was made up of both the other two areas and the old Kaw Valley B sisters area. Long story short, our teaching pool is weak. We have a lot of heroin addicts and old, sexist men that we are teaching. So yeah, we are trying to find on Facebook, but Facebook is putting us in jail because we have been trying to friend more people. 

It's fun/interesting living with three guys. I don't have brothers, and before this area I just lived with my companion. There are a lot of laughs here. I would like to say there’s never a dull moment, but I'd be lying if I said that. Also my heart sucks; I got diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome a couple months ago and yeah. So trying to figure things out with doctors in California is like trying to stuff a turkey through a beaker and getting teeth pulled at the same time. 

I'm praying for Topeka and the people here, that's for sure. I'm trying to give my all. It's not always sunshine and rainbows, I'll tell you that. I can't wait for the Covid vaccine to work miracles. It is so difficult being asked to do this work in these circumstances. I just try to remember Isaiah 40: 31 - “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” It's hard when we don't know the timing of the Lord. 

Also, a family in my old ward in Manhattan has a little girl who has meningitis and is seriously sick and has lost almost all of her vision. Please please pray for her!! 

Here is a spiritual thought for you all from famous author A.A. Milne. This story reminds me of how to love and show compassion for those around us. 

"Today was a Difficult Day," said Pooh.

There was a pause.

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Piglet.

"No," said Pooh after a bit. "No, I don't think I do."

"That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.

"What are you doing?" asked Pooh.

"Nothing, really," said Piglet. "Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.

"But goodness," continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you. And I'll always be here for you, Pooh."

And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs...he thought that his best friend had never been more right."

• A.A. Milne

Sending thoughts to those having a Difficult Day today, and hope you have your own Piglet to sit beside you.

Love you all, 

Elder Hedrick

Kaw Valley

 

January 11, 2021

Greetings, 

 

So this has been a week. I'm in Kaw Valley in Topeka, Kansas. It's a change for sure. Saying goodbye to the little apple was difficult - not gonna lie. But you know life goes on, and so must the show. My new area is beautiful, and the people are nice here. 

 

I live with four Elders, and they're all great. It's strange – the sisters live right across from us. We can see into their kitchen when we stand in our kitchen. My new companion is Elder Unsell.  He's amazing; he's been out for 3 months, and his original assignment was to the islands of Barbados. Saying goodbye to Elder Newman was tough. 

 

Facebook is working out. We've found some people here with potential, and back in Manhattan we found Carly aka the best Facebook person ever found, but the work moves forward here in Kaw Valley. 

 

Spiritual thought: 

(It's been a hard week, so it's your turn to send me a spiritual thought please:)

 

Love, 

 

Elder Hedrick 

Bye bye L'il Apple! Miss you in the saddest fashion!

Hello everyone!  

 

The transfer doc has dropped, and Elder Hedrick is….. leaving the Little Apple. It's been one heck of a ride. I've been here for six months, and I have fallen in love with the people here. But I'll go where I'm needed; like I say last week, "Goodbyes make my throat hurt.” We have worked so hard this transfer and built up a teaching pool, and now we actually have one. I testify that Facebook finding works!! My companion is also transferring out.  So we are writing good notes for the next people working our area. 

My companion dislocated his shoulder rough housing with me. (I say an angel protected me like Nephi hehehe.) But yeah, I had to pop it back in. There's a first time for everything. But this week has been good; we've taught a lot and contacted many doors. So it's exciting and busy. I'm sad to say goodbye, but I'm happy for my time here.  

Spiritual thought:  

"Why can't sorrow be so kind 

As to hide away and stay confined? 

And leave us only thoughts of bliss, 

Of joyful things to reminisce." 

 - unknown  

I'm glad for my memories here. I'm gonna be homesick for Manhattan, just like I'm homesick for Fair Oaks. Wherever you go, remember that all the people there are special. Talk to everyone - the stranger the better. We're all sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents. Please remember that. Don't let the worldly places you go leave their mark on you when you were sent here to leave the mark of Christ's light on the place you go. I love you all so much. I love Manhattan and am sad to turn this page on my mission because I know Manhattan won't be there. But I'm excited – the best is yet to be!  

Love you all,  

Elder Hedrick 

Goodbyes Always Make My Throat Hurt

 

Dec. 28, 2020

Hello everyone! 

This has been a mixed week. Miracles have happened and some struggles. Our miracles are the following:

Miracles 

• We found a lady named Carly on Facebook, and she seems really open to the gospel and has been researching the church and likes it a lot. And we had a lesson with her!!!
• Found another guy on Facebook whose name is Tanner who seems like he has some potential. 
• Got a referral for a guy named Kaden, and he really wants to be baptized. 
• Dan is committing to 3 cups of coffee.
• We met with this lady named Lea who we met over Facebook on our prayer page. (We’ll have to pass her at some point.)

Struggles 

• We (the whole district) had a miscommunication with Mike and his wife about Christmas dinner. They were mad at us. Mike is ok now, but Roxanna is still mad at us. 
• Emanuel hasn't responded to us. 
• Zelda said we could call, so we called, and she was like, "Please don't call."
• Toilet paper and dish/laundry soap is no longer reimbursable! 
• 30-minutes of calls home have officially been stopped by the mission department (we can still call on P-Day though). 
• No, "temporary" COVID mission restrictions have NOT changed.

So yeah there have been some highs and lows this past week. Christmas was nice. We woke up super early and went on a hike. It was 9 degrees Fahrenheit outside but felt like 0 degrees because of the humidity. Gotta love the Kansas weather. Apparently, lots of snow this next week. So yeah exciting *nervous laughing*. 

Things are good in Manhattan though; transfers are on January 6th. Now that Christmas is done, it's something on my mind. Hey, maybe I'll stay in Manhattan for a fifth transfer. Who knows - 6 months in my baby area? I love it here. It's sad to see my original district leave one by one. Elder Clark, Sister Nydegger, and myself are the last 3 standing from the original district here. Basically, missions are full of goodbyes and hellos. But all goodbye still makes my throat choke up.

It's hard to turn the page on a chapter when you know a certain character won't be in the story anymore. But then I think to myself the words of Winnie the Pooh, "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Oh boy is it hard to say goodbyes especially when you make friends with people and places. Regardless, Heavenly Father and His Angels are constantly with me. It's just sometimes hard to remember that. 

Here is my spiritual thought: 

John 15: 

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Friends are amazing people to lean on when we don't feel strong. Family is with you through it all - good and bad; they are your rock. Friends are our ministering angels sent from heaven to help us throughout a certain time in our lives. 

Christ is not only our older brother, He is also our friend. Our families can be our friends. People that lift you up and encourage you to be better are your friends. Keep them close and pick them wisely.

No one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls

 

December 21, 2020

Well well well,  

 

Let's start this email off right… JOKES!  

Q: How much did Santa's sleigh cost? 

A: Nothing, it was on the house!  

 

Q: What subject did Rudolph's grade go down in?  

A: History!  

 

I know! I know! Cheesy! We're knocking grey dots (people previously interested) and finding new people.  We're expecting miracles. So we found a new person named Emanuel from knocking grey dots! And I also found this lady named Carly over Facebook that is so elect.  She has been researching the church and has been watching saints unscripted on YouTube!  Also, Dan is praying for a new baptismal date! So pretty good week with all of that. However, our friend Mike's mom died. He is sad so keep him in your prayers.  

But things here have been good. We had exchanges with our Zone leaders! Only two hours outside. I was with Elder West. I absolutely love that Elder! He is like this wise Master Jedi. We had a fun time. He just praised me and bought me a lemonade. I felt like a little kid, but hey, sometimes it's nice to just feel loved and appreciated.  

 

Also, on Christmas we can gather as a district, and we're supposed to do service. Um… president everything is closed on that day lol. But okay, I don't ask questions, I just work here. Also, my district is doing a secret Santa, and I picked sister O'Dell, So I'm on top of picking out dolphin stuff and Nutella for her! Lol.  

 

Well, it's that time, spiritual thought! Yay!  

 

Spiritual thought: 

Have you ever felt something so powerfully or something so spiritually strong that words can't even articulate the feelings? In 3 Nephi chapter 17 is says "16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father; 

17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father."  

 

I often wonder what Angelic words Christ used with the Father at that moment. We know he blesses the little one and angel's come to minister to them, the Heavens literally being opened. What a powerful thing they experienced that day.  

 

I invite you to think of things in your life you can pray about and listen to the feelings from the Holy Ghost. I know that feelings come and that sometimes, oftentimes we can't use the tongue to describe our feelings. May this Christmas season burn in our hearts and let us feel united through the Holy Spirit.  

Merry Christmas!  

Love Elder Hedrick