Week 8 - Nashville, GA

Dear Family,

I had an absolute blast this week!  So this week the Easter initiative was set in the works called “Because He Lives”.  There is a short video about Easter to learn more about Jesus this Easter season.  On April fifth the Church will be the sole advertiser on YouTube.  So I am excited for that and General Conference!

This week we were invited to two of our member’s birthday parties, both on the same day.  So we went to one party and he took us mud bogging, which is basically driving through the mud and trying to get dirty.  That was a unique experience for sure!  We quickly showered and got dressed and went to the other birthday party, which was kind of a glow in the dark dance theme.

We also had some awesome miracles happen this week!  We have been working with a family since I have been in this area.  Yesterday they finally came to church, along with three of our investigators!  Everyone needs the gospel and when we focus on sharing it and placing our trust in the Savior, our fears and troubles melt away and is replaced with reassurance and the spirit.

I love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Hinrichs

Bacon Chicken Waffles!

Mud Bogging

Glow in the dark birthday party

 

Neighbor burning a field

Week 7 - Nashville, GA

Dear Family,

I had a blast this week!  Monday I did get to go fishing at the member’s pond.

 

We caught lots of Bream, which is a pan fish.  On Saturday we had our Ward Skeet Shoot.  Elder Hatch and I didn't get to participate, due to mission rules, but it was still a blast.  We had a great turn out!  We figured if they love the church or not, almost everyone down here loves their guns as much as church, so this would be a good activity to get people back.  Sure enough there were less active people at church yesterday that we saw at the skeet shoot!

 

But we are still trying to work with a guy in our ward to help him progress.  All of our conversations always comes back to reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it.  Most concerns about the gospel always come back to the primary answers: read your scriptures, go to church, and pray.  I would honestly say almost all if not all life problems can be fixed or if not helped by doing just those.

The gospel in our lives is, just like the scriptures say, like a tree.  If we nourish it, the tree grows and grows stronger.  But all things that go into a tree always go back down to its roots.  If the roots are strong, the tree can stand most things, if not it just falls over.  Satan wants to trick us to make us think that we can have the fruit of our tree with no effort, but just like a tree growth takes time and there is a time and season for everything.  Also we all need to be strong and tall trees so we can show all the other trees just how high they can grow with the Savior’s help.  Always look up toward Heaven because that is the only way a tree grows.

I love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Hinrichs

 Fishing for Bream Fish

 

 Our Ward Skeet Shoot

Week 6 - Nashville, GA

Dear Family,

What an eventful week!  So last week was a rainy week in Nashville.  On Tuesday we went out to see this guy who lived on this short dirt road.  Well because of the rain it was muddy.  We made it to the man’s house and he wasn't home.  So we went to make a u-turn and sure enough we got stuck. For the next two and a half hours I pushed the car in the hot sun and the stinky mud while Elder Hatch drove that car back and forth, which only availed to getting us more stuck.  Finally one of the neighbors came out and helped us.  He was a big guy with a scruffy beard, he didn't fit into his shorts so they were undone in the front and only held up by his belt, big beer belly, and had a thick southern accent.  After some digging, a hydraulic jack, and a good old two by four he helped us get out of the mud.  And proceeded to make fun of us for being the city folk we are. He said he wasn't interested in our message, so we greatly thanked him for the help and left.

Now he also told us before we left that we would have to take off every tire and wash the mud out of the rims.  So we cleaned all the tires, thought we had everything in order, drove the car around a little and it made this terrible scraping noise.  That day we had scheduled to go out to an investigator’s pond who invited us to go fishing and have a fish fry after, which is pretty much my dream investigator.  So needless to say I was a little angry at that moment because the car had to break right before we had to go.  I was worried I would have to cancel yet another time of fishing because we would need to take the car to get fixed.  I tried my best to remain positive and faithful throughout the whole ordeal.  

Just as promised in the scriptures, you do not receive a witness until after the trial of your faith.  I was sitting in personal study and I said a prayer and turned to a random page in the Book of Mormon.  I can't quote it exactly but it said "I know these things trouble thy heart at this time, and let me tell you of these things that it might ease thy troubles."  I received a witness from the spirit that Heavenly Father heard me, knows me individually, and cares about me.  I just felt peaceful and full of the spirit after that.

Then a member named Brother Karst, who has helped us out time and time again, said he would come over and take a look at it.  He came over and within five minutes he had it fixed.  I know today that Heavenly Father cares about us and loves us more than we can fully comprehend.  It is a love never to be forgotten and one that needs to be shared, especially in today's times.  I love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Hinrichs

 Elder Hatch in our apartment

Week 5 - Nashville, GA

Dear Family,

I have had a wonderful week in Nashville!  This week my companion and I have been seeing miracles!  Elder Hatch and I sat down together this week and with determination we said we wanted to set this area on fire.  Both of us have been trying to keep ourselves as obedient to the mission rules as possible and the blessings have followed!  I have had many moving experiences from the Spirit this week.  Heavenly Father has been able to work through us and inspire us to see people.  The results have been nonstop work and appointments!  I love doing missionary work and love being busy from the time I rise up ‘til the time my head hits the pillow!

We are starting our Book of Mormon class this Wednesday and we have a lot of people that are excited about it.  We even have investigators and less active members that are planning on coming because they said it would be an easy way for them to transition into our church.  We also met a guy this week whose sister is a member in Tennessee and he invited us to go out fishing at his pond this weekend!  I finally get to use my fishing skills for missionary work!  I am loving this area so much!!  I love you all more though!

Love,

Elder Hinrichs

Week 4 - Nashville, GA

Dear Family,

I am going to be staying in Nashville with Elder Hatch!  We didn't get long to say goodbye to Elder Morgan on Sunday afternoon.  I am super happy that I get to stay here with Elder Hatch!  Both of us are very determined and ready to get this area boosted!  This week we are laying the ground work to start a Book of Mormon class on Wednesday nights.  I have seen it be successful in other areas.

This week I have been focusing a lot on how to pray and develop a relationship with Heavenly Father.  Prayer is communicating with an all-powerful and all-knowing being that loves you dearly.  I realized I needed to talk to him as I would a person and expect to receive an answer back.  As I have taken the time and effort to do so, and pay careful attention to what I feel, I have been blessed to understand what prayer is and how it works.

Thank you for all that you do for me!  I love you all so much!!

Love,

Elder Hinrichs