Vidalia - Week 15

Dear Family,

I had a really great week!  This week I have really been able to discover a lot about myself spiritually.  I honestly couldn't express how huge all of our spiritual potential really is and how absolutely real it is.  Brother Gibson has been a big part in helping me find that out for myself.  He is a really deeply spiritual and intelligent man, and it has been amazing from how much I have learned from him.  I went fishing and caught a catfish just for Matthew!  Funny part was that there were some catfish that I saw that were like three feet long!  But it was great!  The other picture is the sign that the Vidalia church puts up every year for Easter.

We usually leave the apartment at 10:00 am.  We are mostly working with investigators or potential investigators, and trying to knock doors here and there.  We are trying to focus on retaining investigators now, but it has been a little tough.  None of our investigators really progressed in the past week, but we definitely tried.  This week was just a good week though.  The weather is super nice and I am just enjoying it!  Love y'all!

Love,                                                                               

Elder Hinrichs

Vidalia LDS Church Building at Easter

Elder Hinrichs with a catfish.

Vidalia - Week 14

Dear Family,

Happy Easter!  I had a pretty good week!  We were fed a lot by the members this week, and it was delicious!  I have learned a lot this week about the Savior, and myself.  The more you analyze the whole Atonement and learn about some of the history and facts about the matter, it is very symbolic, and has so much more powerful message.

Ever since I left the MTC I made it a goal to eat healthier so I can truly give the Lord all my strength. Other than what members feed me, I have cut out all white breads from my diet, increased in the amount of fruits and vegetables, taking plenty of supplemental pills, and eating a healthier variety of meats.  Which has allowed me to cook more and further improve my skill set.  Yep, I probably surprised you with that.  The most interesting thing I have eaten was the spiciest chili I have ever eaten in my life!  

We switch off with the car with the other Elders and ride our bikes every other day.  Everything in Vidalia is pretty small so it isn't too hard to bike there.  That does mean some days I just have to put on my rain coat and walk in the rain.

Our investigators are not progressing this week, because none of them came to church, not even for Easter.

Thank you so much.  I love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Hinrichs

P.S.  I would like to challenge you all to watch The District to get a good idea of what missionary work is like.  Also I would encourage you all to get a copy of preach my gospel, and look at the inspired principles that it contains, and try to apply them to your lives.  And, watch the joy that sharing the gospel will bring into your lives.

Vidalia - Week 13

Dear Family,

I had a pretty good week this week.  It involved a lot of biking and my legs are a little bit tired, but luckily I'm used to it from track, so it isn't too bad.  Last Monday I got sick.  My stomach was swirling, I had the chills, and I was super tired.  I slept all day, I think I may have just physically hit my limit so my body made me rest.  But I am all better now and working just as hard as ever.

We usually get a tornado warning once or twice a month, but nothing ever happens.  I'm sure if there was a real tornado we would hear about it, and we would probably just stay inside.  But if there is just a warning, we still got out and proselyte.  Honestly, the water moccasin was more dangerous, because we were close to it and couldn't see it at first.  I don't think they will chase you but we chose not to find that one out the hard way.

We sat down with the Vallins and both of them want to go to the temple and get Patriarchal Blessings.  It was a really great lesson and it is exciting to see them grow in the gospel.  We were able to get Karen to conference, but only one session.  She really liked it, and likes the gospel, but still won't give up smoking, even if it is causing here major health problems.

This week we focused on finding new investigators.  We did find a lady named Melissa that is a really good investigator.  She feeds us snacks every time we go over, and she said that our religion just makes sense.  She also couldn't believe that we were so young, and going out to share the gospel.

We mostly just find our investigators by knocking or we just happen to run into them.  But most of them haven't made it past the plan of salvation yet.  I love y'all so much!

Love,

 

Elder Hinrichs

Vidalia - Week 12

Dear Family,

 

Thank you so so much for the package!  The vitamins are working great!  Conference was also great! I loved Elder Holland's talk!  He always does a fantastic job and they are all so powerful!  I also really liked Elder Oaks talk in Priesthood session.  All of them were really good.  I got to watch all the sessions at the church.  We actually got one of our investigators to one of the sessions!

I went fishing with Randy at a different pond this time.  I caught 9 bass!  And, Elder Young caught a 7 pound bass!  It was really awesome!  We also found a water moccasin right by the shore, so it added to the action as well!
 

Some of our current investigators are Karen, Timothy, Tavaris, William, Cookie, and Deryl.

 

Elder Harris and I are doing alright.  We got a tornado warning today on our phone, and I thought it was ironic because of the talks in conference.  

Love y’all so much!

Love Elder Hinrichs

                               Randy, Elder Young & 7 lb. Bass, & Elder Harris

                                       A venomous Water Moccasin Snake

                                                          Vidalia Sunrise

                                             The Lord really knows Bridger!