My joy is full (Miguel's Missionary Moment}

Two years ago 2014 sounded so far away.  

Sometimes I would struggle daily with the missing.  

Yesterday in the midst of that great hug,

 two years disappeared.  

My heart is complete and my joy is full.

Last email {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

I've been absent here...sorry about that.  I got a very short email home from my Missionary this morning.  It was 2 John 1:12 and that reads, "Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full."

We see him in 34 hours, but who's counting....

Missionary Countdown!!

One more month!!

Boy this is going to go slow!!

Letter's from Georgia {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

For Mother's Day I got to FaceTime with this guy...So excited to see his face and talk to him...only 44 more days, but who's counting

I also received a letter this week from someone I don't even know.  It was from a woman, a mama, in Sugar Hill, Georgia, that know my son.  Such a sweet letter and so timely for mama's day...

Here it was it said,

"Hi my name is **** I am in the Sugar Hill Ward where your son is currently serving.  As a mother who has an almost 18 year old son, I want to thank you for all you've done to help your son become who he is today.

He has been helping my son with his Eagle Project for the last couple of weeks.  Your son is sic a hard worker and is such a great example to my son of being a great missionary.  Our son has gone out with him tracking and my husband and I appreciate what a fine young man you have raised.

I felt inspired to write you this letter to thank you for your sacrifice of sharing your son with us.  Sometimes being a mom is very hard but know this...you have raised a son who loves the Lord, his fellowman and knows the church is true."

And, that, my dear blogging friends, is a letter to be treasured always.  

of Death and Struggles {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

July 2013 with Elder Loertscher

"April 21, 2014

Well hey!

These past two weeks have been kind of interesting.  One of my favorite missionary Companions passed away, really one of my best friends.  I had a week of hearing from members in old areas, missionaries telling me again, and it just kept coming up. It weighed heavy for a while, but  I know Christ lives and I know we will all live again. 

It has just been a contrasting week. John, an investigator we have, has been doing so great and we have had so many spiritual experiences this week with him. Last Sunday he skipped work and got fired because he wanted to be able to come to church.  He is just such a sincere guy. But, sadly, he couldn't make it this week because his new job called him in and he said he didn't want to lose another one right away.  He shouldn't have to work Sundays usually.  He is super elect! 

I think with watching John change through Christ and hearing about Elder Loertscher's death that my testimony of Christ has really been strengthened these past couple weeks. I know my Savior lives, I know guilt and regret can be changed, and I now know death shall have no sting. I'm am so grateful for this gospel! As we all should be!

Hamer out!"

Missionary Countdown!!

Two more months!!

Holy Cow!!

A Baptism and a Dog Bite {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

March 17, 2014

Well another week down! No big deal met with three General Authorities in a week! Elder Cook, Elder Piper and Elder Kapiska! It was sweet! Elder Cook spoke a ton about faith, and I had actually been praying that he would! So it was so cool that he did, and that was on Saturday! On Thursday we had zone Conference with Elder Kapiska and had a six hour question and answer session.  It was so crazy! I learned so much.  I cant even remember it all without my notes! The next day I got to go to another three hour meeting with him and all the other Zone Leaders! So a lot of meetings this week, but it was sweet!! This Friday we have a baptism, Loraine is so legit. 

Elder Hamer

March 24, 2014

This week was pretty sweet!! Loraines's baptism was awesome! Her son came and he was in tears as he gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  It is always a good baptism when it only takes one time under the water! but it was awesome, and we had a great turn out from the ward as well.  The visiting and home teachers came and introduced themselves after the baptism so everything is going great! But, outside of that we had to drop a lot of investigators so we are pretty much starting over on finding! Last night we did find and teach a family a first discussion so we are definitely finding but just finding people who are willing to progress is hard. We talked to the bishop about where we should go and he directed us to an area that I am looking forward to a lot this week. 

Oh and I got bit in the face by a member's dIg!!! It freaking sucked!  I was petting it, and it just turned and got me in the face, and I bled.  it was super annoying.  I wanted to punch it.   It's tooth went into my cheek.  It was the worst dog experience I have ever had out here and it was a little dog!!! But thats all i got!

Hamer out!!!

Missionary Countdown!!

Three months and counting!!
Miguel's homecoming date 
has been adjusted by two days.
See you June 24th!!

Miguel's Missionary Moment

"Well this week has been pretty sweet!!! We had 32 total lessons!! So this week has been great! There were a lot of lessons and new investigators. We didn't reach our focus of 4 people at church, we only had one.  Three of our other investigators told us the morning of that they weren't coming. We did have the one investigator, though, come who we were having a hard time getting her there, and she loved it. This week we found several promising people and Loraine is still going strong. She missed church because she was really sick so we went by and gave her a blessing. 

Things are really picking up for us. I honestly have no time today.  I gotta go.  Sorry mom!!

Elder Hamer!"

Basketball and Missionary Work {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

March 3, 2014

"This week was pretty great, we had a lot of teaching and we taught a total of 34 lessons.  Loraine has decided to be baptized on the 22nd! She had been praying about the date and she wanted to do it, but her member son thought it was to soon. One day she called us and the first thing she said was "I'm getting baptized on the 22nd." It was sweet!  She loved church again and is on track.  We have talked a lot about opposition and she says she is getting it but she recognizes it so that is great! We also had a girl named Desiree come to church.  She is the 19 year old daughter of  a less active member. I haven't taught her yet because I have been on exchange both times.  She is praying about baptism.  We have a bunch of other people we are teaching.  There is a guy named David we took on a church tour, but he got called into work right before church.  Hopefully he will be there next week.   

Some crazy stuff went down this week!! I went to a Pentecostal church on Sunday.  It was crazy because they didn't teach any type of doctrine.  They talked more about the tacos they would be selling after church more than Jesus! It was just so different to me! People were collapsing and yelling and like climbing over pews and blessing people! I felt no spirit at all!! It was way fun to watch, though! Also we totally played basketball with some kids 2 on 8.  They were little kids it was so funny. They were like talking crap before we started playing.  Also Elder Rindlisbacher is a stud here is a picture to prove it. 

Hamer out!!"

Sugar Hill, Georgia and {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

Source

February 17, 2014

"So this week has been up and down. Last week we had a lot of good things happen but the snow kind of slowed us up a bit. It gave us an opportunity to do a lot of service and to teach a lot of first lessons.  The investigators we had were pretty hard to meet with because of the snow. Westly came to a baptism this weekend, and he then decided he didn't want to be baptized.  He doesn't want to commit to one church,  but he reads the Book of Mormon like crazy.  I don't really get it. He knows the Book of Mormon is true, but he just cant wrap his head around the Church being true because of it! So it looks like we are going to be dropping him, and honestly nothing much else happened that stands out this week.

I am getting transferred to the Sugar Hill area as a Zone Leader.  I'll be in a sort of management position over other missionaries,  but whatever.  At least I get a car now!! That's all I got!

Hamer out!"

February 24, 2014

"Well this week has been really crazy! So dang busy! I really have like no time today.  I just unpacked and found out today we have to move, so i have to re pack! Awesome right???? But this week was sweet.  We taught 12 lessons to investigators with members present, and we have a ton of cool stuff.  But I will copy what I emailed to the mission president. but I don't have like any time today for a long email. 

This week has been really awesome.  I love the Sugar Hill ward already. Elder Rindlishbacher is awesome. We get a long great, and I feel we teach really well together. But this week we taught 12 lessons! It was sweet. We also had a lady come to church named Loran, and she loved it.  She couldn't stop talking about how great it was, and we taught her that day and she is praying about a baptismal date. We are also teaching a family of 6 tonight all of which are all baptismal age and the mother said she has been thinking about baptism a lot lately. It has been a very good experience. 

Sorry so short!!

Hamer out!"

Missionary Countdown!

See you in four months, Miguel!!!

Updates and UGA {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

February 10, 2014

"Hey

"This week has been pretty awesome. We got back in contact with Dorsey!  He called us and said he is ready to change and how much he wants it and how while we weren't visiting him he had been trying to apply the things we taught him and how well it went. We went over last night and read 2 Nephi 4 with him and he really had his first true connection with the scriptures. We talked about how even Nephi a prophet had struggles, but he didn't get down he just continued to follow God and trust him. It was a great lesson.

We also have been teaching a guy named Westly, and we challenged him last time about baptism, and he said he would pray about it. Then he called last night at like 10:15 and said he didn't want to get baptized because of things he likes to do and we don't do. But then he said he should probably get baptized in our church and how its on him not us for him choosing not to. I challenged him to read Mosiah chapter 3, and at 11:00 pm last night, he called and woke us up and asked how soon he could get baptized. We said the 22nd, and we are going to talk more about it with him on Tuesday!

We also found a family of 3, Montine, Zyon, and Ndya. They are pretty sweet. Zyon is 13 and he was super engaged in our lesson, and I think if he keeps interested he will bring his 11 year old sister and his great grandma, Montine, with him. We had a great lesson with all three of them, and we are going back on Tuesday, We will be extending a baptismal date to them. We are also teaching Laura still and she has been doing really well. She said every time she reads the Book of Mormon it rings true to her and we are hoping to extend a date this week to her, as well!

HMMMMMMMM what else?!?!?! Oh today we are going on a full tour of UGA's Stadium.  A member is on the grounds crew, and he is taking us through everything even the locker rooms it is gonna be so sick!!!!! but yeah thats about it! 

Hamer Out

Mosiah 5:12 "I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you."

Get on your knees, Get the help of God, Get up, and Go. {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

February 3, 2014

"Hey...........

So this week has been kind of slow with Tuesday and Wednesday being snowy and icy.   Basically, all of our appointments for the week fell through because of the weather. But most of them rescheduled.  Jon, our top investigator, dropped us. She came out and said that she wouldn't come to church and wouldn't be baptized and isn't interested in us coming anymore.  It was a complete surprise. She was going to invite her Chinese speaking husband to meet with us and the member that spoke Chinese, but I think he made her stop meeting with us. Another lady named Laura, was an investigator in the past, we started teaching her. We challenged her to pray about what we taught and we stopped by and she said she got an answer but wouldn't tell us her answer. Instead she just talked about how if what we share is true than it changes everything. I felt so strongly she got a yes it was true.

We built this sweet snow man and some little black kid jacked it.  I saw him with it and I walked up and was like "That's a nice snow man did you make it?" and he was like "yeah I did" then I was like "Are you sure?", and he is like "well my friend mostly made it but I helped", and I was like "are you sure?", then he was like "my friend made it."  I was like "bro this is my snowman!" It was sooooooo funny. but that's all I got!!!

Elder Hamer!

Get on your knees, Get the help of God, Get up, and Go."
(Miguel's special message to me above)

Nerf guns, roaches and teaching {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

January 27, 2014

"Hey!

This week has been up and down, it has kinda been that way the last 2 weeks.  We had to drop one of our top investigators, Dorsey, he just wasn't progressing and it was time to move on. We are still teaching the Chinese lady named Jon.  She keeps every commitment she accepts but, we are struggling to get her to church.  She is apprehensive because of her English, but her English is great! Tonight we are going over with a member that speaks Chinese and he is going to invite her over to his home. We are going to extend a baptismal date again.  The last time she said she wasn't ready yet, but I feel she may be ready now. 

We are also teaching a lady named Lora, and she was a former investigator we contacted.  There was no drop reason in the area book, I guess she just slipped through the cracks. We had a really good lesson with her, she said the last time she had met with the missionaries she asked God about what she should do, and she felt she got the answer of obedience. We are also meeting with her tonight and we are going to extend another date to her. We ran out of time last lesson because she kept asking questions, which is great!  There is also an investigator named Westly we have been working with, and he has been reading the Book of Mormon everyday but he kind of doesn't understand there is only one church.  We go over tomorrow.  Last time we had a pretty bold lesson about "one lord, one faith, one baptism." He was going to pray about it. This week we had put a family on date but then they just disappeared.  We got in contact with the wife/girlfriend we don't quite know, turns out the man was kicked out but she is willing to listen.  So now we are going to teach her and her two kids in a couple days. 

I have never been in an area where people have so many distractions or with people who lose focus so fast.  It is pretty hard to keep people going even with daily contact.  I have been praying a lot for what I can do and haven't figured it out yet. I think mostly we just need to pray for those that are ready to progress and have a true desire.  I have been doing that for the past week and I have felt a lot better about the people we have found. BUT on another note...

Our apartment has a roach problem and it is being treated but it brings the bigger roachs out so we have been hunting them with nerf guns every night it has been uber fun! I hunt in my Georgia onezie so I can have protection. haha We think it is because one of our neighbors is like a pack rat..... so yeah gross! but this cool black guy told me I was chosen last night. haha then I told him I was ordained, oh and for Stake Conference here the entire South East region received a broadcast from Elder Nelson about hastening the work it was pretty awesome!! but ummmmmmm life is good!

Hamer out!"

Mosiah 4: 9 "Believe in ^aGod; believe that he is, and that he ^bcreated all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all^cwisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not ^dcomprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."

Hold to the Rod {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

Source:  Elder Jones

January 20, 2014

"Hey!

Tough week! For real! 

We have had a lot of disappointments this week but that usually means we are doing something right! Satan is just trying to salt my game!!! But really we had that guy, Cedric, who came to church and had read like 50% of the Book of Mormon, and we taught him. It went well and we were going back 2 days later and he missed the appointment and called the member we were with and said he couldn't take two 20 year olds seriously.  He didn't think he could learn from us!!! Well that hurt my feelings! The Lord says you should be submissive as a child, and that he will call upon the weak to thrash the earth with his word! So that's my venting it made me sad. Then we had to drop Dorsey because he wasn't progressing, and it seemed like no matter what we said he just ignored it even when the spirit was there! So there are my sad things this week. Other than that this week has been pretty long.  

In 1 Nephi 8, in the vision of the tree of life there are two groups one hung on to the rod of iron continually and stead fast, and the other clung to the rod but fell away after they tasted of the tree! We always have to be using the scriptures not just when we have doubts or trials but when we do not! I thought that was cool!!!"

Hamer out