11-16-2020
Hey!
November 9, 2020
Hi everyone!
So this week was definitely a month! Went by like a snail stuck in tar that was shot in the face by a tranquilizer dart. Lol. But it was still a good one - not a high member lesson count so sad day. We taught Mike and Dan. Dan is still on track for the 28th of November to be baptized and confirmed! Yay!
We had Zone conference this week, and it was amazing. My mission president said to us, "How can we fail? It's Impossible." He was referring to the prophet and 12 apostles constantly praying for our missionary efforts. The ZLs and STLs gave an amazing training.
Also, God lives. My companion, who I love - he's amazing, he snores a bit. Last night he was keeping me up with it. I said a prayer, and I asked the Lord to help me get the rest I need. When I finished my prayers, within a couple seconds he shifted to his back and stopped snoring. God is in the details of our lives; you just need to ask sometimes.
Ok here’s my spiritual thought. "Mountains to Climb" by President Eyring is a conference talk that I highly recommend. I listened to it, and when I was done, I asked the Lord for mountains to climb, and surely enough He gave them to me. Lol. Our opposition and hard times make us into what the Lord wants us to become. 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.” I know that when we trust in the Lord’s time and endure the hard things of this life faithfully, we will be blessed and comforted by our Heavenly Father and his ministering angels.
Love you all!
Elder Hedrick
Nov. 2, 2020
Hello everyone!
I hope you all had a spooky Halloween!! Out of curiosity, how did you all celebrate it due to this Covid craziness? Did you guys all throw candy 6 feet apart?
I had a wonderful Halloween! I went to Mike's house with the rest of my district and carved pumpkins! I was wearing my Bassett hound pants as my costume! It was so much fun! Then Halloween morning we were told we can't go into members homes anymore, but it was nice for the whole 6 days that we could - lol, I can a least say I've been in 3 homes now!
Dan is still on track for baptism on November 28th! He's a champion giving up coffee slowly but surely! We love Dan - please pray for him!!! Mike is Mike - Catholic and stubborn, but we love him! Pray for him as well!
Here’s my spiritual thought:
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin,
1. God picks you from the patch and brings you in. (John 15:16)
2. Then washes all the dirt off of you.
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
3.He then opens you up and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. (Romans 6:6)
4. Then He carves you a new smiling face. (Psalm 71:23)
5. And then He puts his light inside you to shine for all the world to see!
(Matthew 5:16)
Be a pumpkin on a hill with the light of Christ and let all that see you see your shining light!
Love you all, hope your Halloween was
fa-BOO-lous!
Elder Hedrick
This week was fantastic! So much happened! But let's talk about the most important and exciting things first. And then we can see how much time we have left and if I want to write more or not.
First, Elder Newman is great! He is a good elder and I enjoy working with him. In fact, he is starting to teach me some of the uke! I am upping my musical instrument skills! Eventually, we will be able to go get my own and we can go sing Christmas carols and play the uke at doorsteps together.
Second, Dan is back on date! We have prayed so much for him, and we truly feel now is the time for Dan. We had a wonderful lesson with him and helped him get back on date! Pray pray pray for Dan. November 28th is the day!
And last but not least, we have finally moved into phase two for missionaries here in the great KWM. We are allowed to go into all home for lessons! Sadly, we can’t eat in homes, because the mask can't come off. BUT STILL! I AM SO HAPPY WE CAN BE WITH THE MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS WHOM WE LOVE IN PERSON!! YAYAY!
Read psalms 46:10
Well friends I love you all, I hope you have a wonderful week!
Elder Hedrick
Ps. Today was the first snowfall of winter!!
October 19, 2020
Hello everyone!
First and foremost I have a new companion! Elder Newman - he is awesome! And not gonna lie, I'm a little scared running the area because that’s what I have to do because I have been in the area longer and know it better. It's going ok though; I'm surviving!
Yeah, so it's a lot of introductions with Elder Newman and the ward members.
Also side note, missionaries can't get political, and this is not to sound political. I think Covid is terrible. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with how it’s being handled, but I just think it’s terrible. The book of Psalms says the following: Psalms 139: 22 – “I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.” I hate Covid with a "perfect hatred", I truly do. I can't wait for the day I can burn my masks!!! I pray for those who have lost love ones and those how are at the front lines fighting this virus.
Teaching update: Dan is off date for the 31st. He will probably be baptized sometime in November. He's working on some stuff, but he's doing great. Mike is moving along on a slow path of conversion, and we did service at his house this week like we do every week. Jordan and Malachi are not getting back to us, but we have two referrals line up! So that's exciting!
Well, here’s a spiritual thought because Psalms 139: 22 probably isn't super uplifting. Sticking with the theme of Covid, let's talk about hand sanitizer. In 3 Nephi 11: 29, Christ says, "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” So as our society is disinfecting every germ, we should also not be spreading hate or contention. We need to sanitize and disinfect our words - especially on social media. I am guilty of this before my mission for sure. When we reactively post things that are controversial on sensitive matters, it will cause contention. President Nelson has asked us to gather Israel, and when we cause any contention, we are scattering Israel.
I invite everyone (including myself after my mission) to only post uplifting things that provide hope and are filled with love. We need to love mercy. As you love mercy and not participate in anything that creates contention, I promise that you will become more like the savior Jesus Christ.
Love you all!
Elder Hedrick
Your friend Elder Hedrick is.......... staying!!! I'll be in Manhattan for at least another six weeks! My companion will be leaving sadly. My district is being shook up. I have a friend in my district who is going to become a sister training leader and she is will do great! It is crazy that I have been here for 3 months already. I love Manhattan!!
Update on our teaching pool: OUR FRIEND DAN IS ON DATE FOR BAPTISM!!! So he is going to be baptized on the 31st of October! I'm so excited for him! Our friend Malachi is hit or miss, and we will have to pass him off eventually because he's not in our area. Mike...well he's Mike stubborn and Catholic, but I love him. He is a great guy. Also, Jordan is doing well as he's getting his PHD at K State. He is super busy.
This week we have done a lot of Facebook finding and service like yard work. We also have helped at a food bank. It's so much fun! The people are great there!
Well, everyone please read a conference talk that stood out to you this week. Don't just listen or watch. Print it out or read it on your phone. Ponder it in your heart and apply it to your life. Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and take action. I promise as you do this, you will become more like Him. To quote Elder Renlund "Don't you love it?" Don't you love becoming more like the Savior?
Love you all!
Elder Hedrick
Hello everyone!
Conference weekend!! Loved it so so much! Elder Holland’s talk hit home for me! So did President Nelson's! It was fun watching with other missionaries. The first session we watched with our friend Mike outside of his house.
Transfers are coming up, and I hope that I stay here in the little apple of Manhattan. I love it here! My district is amazing. Our teaching pool is growing now! We are moving, and I don't want to leave.
Well, here’s my spiritual thought. Read "Remember Lot's Wife" by Elder Holland in his BYU devotional. It is amazing about not looking back at your painful past.
Love you all,
Elder Hedrick
March 15, 2021 Hello people of earth! It has been another week in Topeka, Kansas aka the city with a huge dog food factory and world's ...
