Hola | week 70

Happy Monday!

I'm glad you guys are doing well! Super bowl was a blow out eh. It has been a long time since I've seen a football game haha. Some big news with the ward split! We have been talking about that for a long time now. How big is Rocklin 1st ward now? Im kind of split too haha Its going to be weird coming back to a different ward. Tell all the ward members that I send my love and think of them all the time. I was so blessed to grow up in Rocklin 1st ward. How did everyone react to all the changes? How are all the new callings going to work now?

Well we had change calls last night and...… I'm staying in palmita haha. My companion has a change which was really suprising for all of us. I'm going to get my new companion on Wednesday at the change conference. I think there is a chance I'm going to be with a zone leader that already has some time so we will see! I'm pretty excited because it gives me an opportunity to reset and work harder. This is going to be my sixth change here as a Zone Leader and It is a blessing because I have been able to get to know all the stake leaders and most of the members of this stake. 

This last week of the change was CRAZY! haha We were running around all week. On Tuesday we had leadership meeting with President Watts. I always learn so much from him and the other Zone leaders. President and Hermana Watts both shared their testimonies about the Book of Mormon. Powerful. On Wednesday we prepared a report on the zone for Stake mission correlation with President Watts and the Stake Presidency. We spent most of the night there looking at how we can improve the work in Palmita. On thursday I had the oppourtunity to do divisions with Elder B, he came to my area. We had a really cool experiece walking to an appointment in the evening we were passing by a members house when we saw Hermana M walking in. She just halted in front of the door. As we walked up to say hi she was crying. She just looked at us and started crying really hard. We immediately went inside with her and she asked us for a blessing. She has been having a really difficult last couple weeks. Her mom is in the hospital and her grandmother just passed away. She is also the relief society president and teaches seminary. The spirit guided the blessing and we talked with her for a little bit afterward. Just another example when Heavenly Father has put us in the right place at the right time. I dont know how many times this has happened in my mission with members, investigators and missionaries. God knows his children and he will always send help. Many times he sends other people to bless and help us. For this reason it is so important that first we have the spirit and second we serve those around us. We do not know if we are answering someones prayer. Friday was eventful too I was visiting with some Elders in our zone at our weekly planning session we do every friday. One of the Elders in the zone has been sick for a long time and hasnt gotten better. We have sent him to doctors and done tons of tests. I decided to talk to Hermana Watts and we decided to take him to the hospital. Since me and my companion are the only ones who can have a cell phone here I went with him to keep President updated. So I spent most of the day with him in the hospital. The doctors still could not find out what has been wrong and we left without any answers. But they gave him some new medicine. We are praying he gets better soon! Whew! Been running around all week haha.

Alot of the missionaries here have changes! They are going to open two new zones outside of the Capital which should be really exciting.

Im excited to begin a new change and take things to the next level. I feel like im in the prime of my mission and I have to take advantage of each and every day. I have seen alot of changes in my life and the lives of others. The Lord is hastening his work and It is a huge blessing I have to be able to serve him in this special time. I remember in the letter i received with my call it says missionaries are blessed to feel "greater joy that you have yet experienced". These words are true. To me there is nothing better than contacting people and sharing the gospel that has blessed my entire life and my family. God lets us experience this joy in our missions when we serve with all our heart mind and strength.

I love this work and I love you all. Thanks for your support. Have a great week and Keep Smiling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Hughes