Merry Christmas!

Hey Everyone!

So this week was pretty good!! Definitly coulda been better but its all good!! We had a ton of people from the ward sign up for lessons and they all cancelled so it was pretty slow!

We did have some good things happen tho! We got a couple refferals! One from the YSA Elders and another from Sister Oswald's grandma haha!! My companions went to the YSA refferal and had no luck! But I went with a member and we hit up the other refferal and she was thee sweetest old lady ever!! After G-ma of course!! But we went to her house and knocked on the door and there was like 8 grandmas gathered together playing bingo!! They were pretty happy!! Then two young good looking men walk in and they just get even happier!! haha jk but we were able to show her the 'He is the Gift" video and she just loved it!!! She's super Catholic but loves the Mormon church and thought they did a very good job on the video!! She also noticed my Book of Mormon chillin on the table and she asked what that was so we gave it to her and taught her about the Book of Mormon!! I was able to bear my testimony it was really cool!

As for Lazarre our French African investigator who was supposed to get baptised this week... he has been flaking on us the past couple weeks and we cannot get a hold of him ever so that's frustrating but it's all good! We're gonna get him weather he likes it or not!! haha

Other then that my week was good! We had our mission christmas party that was good!

Hope ya'll have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Scripture

LUKE 2 1-11

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Love,

       Elder Hess

As Kyle mentioned a couple of weeks ago....two of the Sister missionaries that went out at the same time that he did, have gone home....18 months have flown by!  Sister Anderson posted some of her missionary pictures on Facebook.  We were lucky enough to come across them. 

1st 30 missionaries to arrive in the California Irvine Mission

Saying goodbye to Sister Oswald

Cuddling with Sister Anderson's tiger

2014 Mission Christmas Party!

"Hi Melissa, I took this photo tonight when the missionaries came by to visit.  Elder Hess says he loves you and is excited to talk to you on Christmas!  Thanks for sharing him with us."  Dee Jones

Slump Bustin!

Hey!!

So this week was pretty weird just cause half our MTC family is home now!! Makes me feel like I'm mission age old even tho I'm still 19 haha but it's all good!

This week was so slow!! It was lame!! Like half our lessons bailed on us! So we started Sunday with only 13 lessons... but end it with 20 so we ended pretty strong!!

So latley I feel like I've been going through a slump! Like I've been going 1 for 10 at the plate just like in highschool.  I Feel like I'm not doing enough I've felt like I've been super dissobedient just like in a huge slump and have been freaking out trying to get out of it! So I decided to go slump busting!! (in a good way) so a couple mornings ago I woke up and read the talk "missionary work and the atonement"- By Elder Holland... and it answered so many questions and concerns I had.  One of which being.. why isnt missionary work easy? why aint we seeing success? why am I not happy? Then it simply said afterwards.. "missionary work ain't easy cause salvation isn't a cheap experience" sometimes we have to go through Gethsemane and on to Calvary to find happiness in the work and success!! This talk really hit me hard this week!

So after my studies that morning I had the impression to do a little more to take it to the next level.  So that whole morning and most of the day I texted about 60 Potentials and Formers in our phone to try and set up a lesson.  I went about this with the mind set of "hey if I don't get a text back or I don't set up an appointment... at least I tried"!  After all 60 texts... on the last person I texted we got a response and set up an appointment!!! Totally worth it!! Her name is Terri she might be crazy but at least we get to meet with her!!

That was pretty much my week! I hope everyone is having a good Christmas! I know I am!! Love you all!!

Elder Hess

Scripture.

1st Nephi 19:9

 9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit‍ upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness‍ and his long-suffering‍ towards the children of men.

Hanging out on Transfer Day!

Hey!!

So it's about that time!! All the Sisters that came out with us are going home in like 2 days!! That's so crazy!! Sister Oswald was the coolest one and could ball hard so she made the subject line haha!

So this week is transfers and I'm staying with my companions so it will pretty interesting! We're getting a full time car so that's nice cause we're going hard and our ward is progressing!! We have about 3 baptisms this transfer so I'm pretty stoked!!

So we picked up some more investigators!! This week it was a family of like 5 so that's pretty exciting!! They should be getting baptized soon! They're a solid Mexican family haha!

We went to Eric Malcome's house.  He is our black rapper investigator. He is not the brightest probably cause he is permanently fried! The dude is pretty dumb but it's all good!! So it was really hard not to bash with him and throw down but I didn't and it was cool cause the spirit was actually there and that was just because we didn't bash! haha

I dont really know what else to say! haha We just ate at a place in Irvine for Elder Buftons Birthday and I ate some Octopus and it was pretty good! Bet you never thought I'd eat something like that huh haha!! Well that's about it!! 

Scripture

Doctrine and Covenants 67:13

13 Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherfore; continue in patience until ye are perfected.

Love, Elder Hess

I ate Octopus and I liked it!

Happy Birthday Elder Bufton

Hey Everyone!!

So this week was a pretty good week! I finally got to hit the golf course again! For free!! I started the front nine rough but started well on the back nine with a birdie and a coupls pars! Pretty good! haha now on to the important stuff!

So Thanksgiving was pretty good! We didn't get to play in the turkey bowl cause we had district meeting!! But it's all good, we ate at the Webbers house and it was pretty good!!

This last Thursday Elder Stevens and I built a new fence for the Jensen family (Who are from Tremonton) and that was pretty good! It was fun and good to do some hard work! But I tell ya diggin the Cement out of the ground where the poles stick in suck! It took forever!! But while Elder Stevens and I did that Elder Davis was going hard in the paint on splits with Brother Brennen (who speaks french) and they went to our 2 new investigators who are from West Africa (so they're black) but moved from France and taught them the first lesson and set 2 Baptismal dates for Dec. 13!!! So we have 3 Baptisms this month hopefully!! So that was pretty sweet!!

Later that week from Friday night to Saturday night I got to go back to the Celestial kingdom!! MISSION VIEJO 1st ward!! AHHH YAAA... it was so sick going back to my family ward!! We went and chilled with Cathrine and my boy Mark! That was sick!! Then went to Diane's house!! That was fun as well!! Then Elder Despain and I had an intersting Experience. We were going to this potentials house that they had previously found and we knocked a couple times and a bunch of college kids opened the door!!..DRUNK!! So they asked us if we wanted to party with them... so what was my replay?? Heck ya we'll party with you! haha so we chilled there for a while and they offer us a drink and said we had non alcoholic beverages too! Luckily the Spirit had my back and told me no so I told them I was good and didn't need one! But Elder Despain said he wanted a ginger ale so instead of bringing him out a can they brought it out in a red solo cup!! haha long story short he may or may not have been a little tipsy haha!! Good memories for sure!!

Alright that was my week! Here is my Thanksgiving message!!

Psalm 100

Serve the Lord with gladness, all who are His people—Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

A Psalm of praise.

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord‍ with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord‍ he is‍ God: it is‍ he that‍ hath made‍ us, and not we ourselves; we are‍ his people, and the sheep‍ of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and‍ into his courts‍ with praise: be thankful unto him, and‍ bless his name.

5 For the Lord is‍ good; his mercy is‍ everlasting; and his truth endureth‍ to all generations.

LOVE YOU GUYS!!
ELDER HESS

Building a fence for the Jensen's...Elder Hess & Elder Stevens

Elder Davis - Elder Hess - Elder Stevens

Dropped a coconut from my apartment balcony...enjoying a little fun!

Catherine sent us a text, "We got to hang out with Elder Hess today!  He took down our Christmas stuff which is funny because he took it down and put it away last year too.  We had lunch, played pit, and had a lesson.  It was great!  So glad to have Elder Hess home in the MV1 for the day!  We had a fun day.  And then we went to a baptism later that afternoon.  FYI...he has really grown up alot the last few months.  He was talking alot to my husband about church stuff and Mark sait it was the most he had ever heard him talk serious before.  Elder Hess is doing good.  We were really blessed yesterday.  On Thanksgiving we went around and said what we are thankful for and my husband said a few things and he mentioned he was thankful for Elder Hess.  Because Hess was the one that befriended Mark over March Madness last year and he became open to Mormons coming over and he went to church for the first time 3 weeks ago.  So it was neat to have Mark's favorite mishie come back for a visit right after Mark said he was thankful for Kyle.  It was so great!"

Picture was sent to me via text by a ward member.  Their son had just returned from a mission and the Elders went to visit them.

Thanksgiving 2015 at the Webber's

Hey everyone!

So this week was pretty interesting! We do mission wide 24 hour exchanges and I went with a greenie named Elder Fowler who is on a trial mission.  It was super weird cause he's not endowed or anything like that so I didn't know what to do haha but it was a good exchange.  Me and him are very very different, he's a professional opera singer... I can't sing.... I play sports... He don't know what they are haha. Just very different he has some disabilities as well but it was a very good exchange! We were able to meet with our investigator who we haven't seen in forever.  We got in and Elder Fowler was able to extend the baptismal invite and he said yes!! So Evan Talley is getting Baptized next month!!!

I learned a pretty valuable lesson with Elder Fowler. That is... there is nothing we can't do even if we have a dissability or going through some hard trials or socially unwanted or whatever it may be.  If we're doing God's Will "we can do all things" and he is going to be there to "bare us up"!

This work that we're ALL called to do as members of the church is real! The Lord is hastening his work and we all need to ask ourselves... Are we going to keep pace?  We determine the level of our discipleship each day we wake up! The work isn't done untill the great Jehova says it's finished.  Let us all endure to the end and help our Father in Heaven " bring to pass the imortality and eternal life of man"

Scipture of the week....

3 Nephi 15:9

9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.

Love you all and thanks for everything!! Happy Thanksgiving!

Elder Hess

Hey everyone!!

This week was super awesome! Chad's baptism was a huge success...with a pretty cool miracle to go along with it!  So he had his original date for the 15th of November, he had his interview with President Ellis and passed everything.  He was good to go.  But... his member grandparents thought it was too fast, he wasn't ready and even said he was already a celestrial being cause of his dissabilities and he don't really even need to be baptised.  Plus... they were going on a cruise and everything and won't be back till December 6th.  So Elder Stevens and Brother Chamberlin left the home with the date still set for December 6th. That next day Brother Chamberlin gets a text from Brent (Chad's returning less active dad) saying if Chad wants to get baptised and he's ready then he has my "full Support"... So Brent had an interview with Bishop Baker and was found worthy to Baptize his son Chad that next day! So it was pretty awesome. I've never seen The Atonement of Jesus Christ play such a big role and change a heart so fully my whole mission then I saw with Chad! It was truly a miracle and now Chad is super solid!!

So he's probably the second best thing that happend to me this week (After the baptism).. So Elder Stevens' insulin pump broke and he needed a new one sent ASAP.  So we called on Monday and he got a new one on Tuesday!  We had to go to Irvine to pick it up!! That's not the miracle.  The miracle was we paid a little visit to......... JIMMY JOHNS!!!!!!  It was the greatest lunch hour of my mission hands down!! haha :) Oh and Elder Stevens got his pump and is doing well! After his blood suger was above 600 but its all good haha!

That was pretty much my week!

Scripture

Doctrine and Covenants 76:69

69 These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.

Doctrine and Covenants 138:4

4 That through his atonement, and by obedience to the principles of the gospel, mankind might be saved.

Love you all!!

Elder Hess

Elder Stevens/Brent (Chad's Dad)/Chad/Elder Hess/Elder Davis

Hey!

So this week has been pretty weird sense we had our P-day on Wednesday! But... it was still really good! We were able to see some miracles and it's been pretty awesome!

So on Thursday we were at the church printing off stuff about to go on splits with our ward mission leader and this 19 year old kid who is part of a member family who is not a member who has been through a ton he has high functioning asbergers and autism, anxiety, he was addicted to serious drugs been in jail just everything you could think of! Well he walks in the church and was like I just got a job but I don't have money for gas can I get 5 bucks. So our ward mission leader is super into missionary work he just loves it! He says to him i'll give you 5 bucks if you give us 15 mins of your time (don't know if that's a good thing to do) but he said ya so we sat down with him! He expressed to us the desire to change his life and build a relationship with God and so we taught him the lesson.  It went great and he's getting baptised this Saturday!!

This is kinda more of a funny story not really a miracle but we have this black investigator who is a rapper.. we went over to visit him last week and he was plastered drunk!! He was so far gone it was hilarious! We walk up to his door and he's rapping the words "Your momma looks like yoda I think shes got ebola, she better jump over a boulder while shes sippin on your soda!" Probably the greatest song I've ever heard!... NAHT!! But he was so unteachable! he was smoking a non lit cigarette he was biting off the ends of them then asking where the other half of it went, it was probably the greatest time of my life! He's so thug its retarded! haha

That was pretty much my eventful week haha

Scripture...

Moroni 7:26

26 And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.

Love you guys!!

Elder Hess!

Ryan's Confirmation Day!

“I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast! I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I wont look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I now live by faith, lean on his presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set. my gait is fast, and my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear! I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, or let up, until i have stayed up stored up, and paid up of the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till I know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be Clear.” –Henry B. Eyring

Multi-zone Training Conference

CIM multi-zone training conference with Elder Wilford Andersen of the second quorum of the seventy and his wife, Sister Kathleen Andersen

I'm Back!!!!!

Hey!

So I'm back in Mission Viejo...but in the Las Flores ward.  So I'm pretty much in the rich part of Mission Viejo. I'm with Elder Stevens and we are training Elder Davis. They're both pretty cool cats but its defiantly awkward... but it's all good!

My ward is pretty sweet! Our bishop is the CFO of Oakley so we get stuff for cheap! And I don't really know the rest of the ward yet!

Saturday was Ryan's baptism and that was pretty sweet his non member parents were able to attend and they loved it! They cried the majority of the time so the spirit was super strong then that night Ryan spoke in stake conference.  It was good to spend the day in Irvine again! I got to see Sister Bell and have dinner with her so it was pretty awesome!!

Not much to say this week but im sure I'll have something next week! I'm on a time limit now so I got to go!

Love ya!!

Elder Hess

 

Elder Davis/Elder Stevens/Elder Hess

 

Waiting for Transfer Meeting to begin....Elder Bufton & Elder Hess

Elder Hess and Elder Rivera

Golden Plunger Award

Golden Plunger Award Winners!  Winners received an extra $5.00 on the their mission accounts.

Leaving Irvine!

Dave ... Texas Investigator

Elder Hess and Gordan Cutler

Elder Rivera/Ryan/Elder Hess

Fred's Baptism

Irvine Bishop and his family

Sister Bell/Elder Hess

Ryan/Elder Hess

Turner Family

Stokes Family

Ryan/ Elder Hess/ Adam

Ryan and his Girl Friend's Family

Hey Everyone!

So another week has come and gone! It’s going by way too fast! I feel like I just got to Irvine and now... IM LEAVING!!  It’s crazy how fast that 7.5 months have gone by! Irvine has been a great area to be in both in Northwood and in Oak Creek! I’ve worked really hard for success in these two areas and once we get a baptism I get transferred! Seems about right! haha but it’s all good! I’m excited to come back on Saturday for Ryan’s baptism!

This week has been pretty good! I was able to go to dinner with Brother Cutler.  That was pretty neat!  It’s good to see old faces!  I also talked to Brother Campbell on the phone that night! That was pretty cool haha!

Saturday we had the baptism of Fred in the WB2 ward.  He was the guy who came to church and we taught him the first lesson and set the date with him and passed him off at the same time!! It was a really good service…he has a strong testimony! 

That night we had a stake Trunk or Treat that was pretty fun!  Us as missionaries had to help out with it which means we had to do everything but it was good!

Also that night was transfer calls and I’m finally getting kicked out! But it’s all good cause I hope I go to the beach for the holidays! Here’s to hoping!!

Then Sunday we taught Ryan the law of chastity with this girlfriend there! You know me! I  made it as awkward as possible! young love! haha but ya that’s pretty much it! He’s getting baptized on Saturday!!

Scripture of the Week!

Section 4

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to his father, Joseph Smith Sr., at Harmony, Pennsylvania, February 1829.

1-4, Valiant service saves the Lord’s ministers; 5-6, Godly attributes qualify them for the ministry; 7, The things of God must be sought after.

1.       Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2.      Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

3.      Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

4.      For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

5.      And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

6.      Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

7.      Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  Amen.

Love you all!

Elder Hess

Missionaries helping with a Trunk or Treating activity at the Irvine Stake Center!

We get so excited when we actually receive a letter from Kyle.  Even this letter made us excited....we growled and then we laughed!  We love this kid!  His fun personality shines through even when he's miles away! 

Brother Cutler from our home ward travelled for work to Irvine, California....Look who he ran into!
 Elder Rivera and Elder Hess

Life is a beach....I'm just playing in the sand!

Hey!!

So this week was pretty good we had a lot of cool things happen! 

So I went on exchanges with one of our zone leaders Elder Moffatt!   It was mediocre at best.  He’s a little weird but it’s all good!

We were able to see some pretty cool things happen! We have the Irvine spectrum in our area and that’s like a gated complex with like 2 other gates inside so it’s impossible to get in but I’m Elder Hess so I got in and it was really hard!  But something pretty cool happend!  As we were going to a less active member she had her very pregnant sister there who needed help getting something to her car cause she obviously can’t lift it.  So her sister’s like 2 year old daughter was asleep and she didn’t want to wake her up so they were in a bind but we knocked on the door right when she was about to wake her kid so we saved the day it was pretty cool!

We got to go to Sister Pa'us house this week cause I owed her for not seeing her before I left!  So we went over and made her day!  Then she gave me a pretty sick lay! She’s pretty awesome!

We also taught Ryan three times this week with his girlfriend ha it was pretty good.  He’s solid! We have gotten pretty close I love that kid!! I’m excited for his baptism which got moved to Nov 1! The cool thing is… he is also talking about his conversion in stake conference so it’s gonna be so sick! 

Scripture!

Alma 38:11

11 See that ye are lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.

Love you!

Elder Hess

Splashtober

Hey! 

So this week was pretty good!! Me and my boy Elder Bufton shot a 71 yesterday which is pretty good! ha I feel like this wouldn't be a true weekly letter without a golf update!

Well we had some pretty sick stuff go down this week!

We had a zone training this week that was pretty cool.  They tried to get us fired up again so our zone training was going back in time to the MTC! We watched the videos of us opening our mission calls (thanks mom… NAHT) then they actually gave us our new mission call with the amount of time we have left so you would think mine would say 9 months right?? Wrong!!! They decided to be funny and say I’ve been called to serve another 24 months! I was the only one they did that to!  But it was still really good none the less! 

The cool part of the week though is we picked up a new investigator! His name is Ryan Quiggle.  He is 16 years old and his girlfriend is in our ward so it just makes sense ha ha! He has a cool story. He attends seminary every day.  He has taken the lessons before but never gotten the confirmation. So his seminary teacher invited the class to get on their knees that night and pray to know if the church is true and he took the teachers challenge and did it!  Later that night Ryan called his seminary teacher up and told him that he took the challenge and that he got the confirmation and that the church was true so the seminary teacher told him he needs to get baptized! So last week they got in touch with us and we have taught him three lessons already actually just got done teaching him today and ya he’s getting baptized on... OCTOBER 25TH!! So it’s pretty exciting he’s so solid!

So ya that was my week! 

Scripture!

Alma 34:9

9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

Love Y’all!!!!  Elder Hess

 

Zone Training

Greenie from Ogden/Elder Hancock/Elder Hess

 

Dinner at Outback Steakhouse after the Priesthood Session of Conference

Hey Everyone!

This Week was pretty awesome! Our zone set a goal for 10,000 contacts for the month of October so its gonna be sick! We changed October to SPLASHTOBER! So needless to say its gonna be wild!

So conference was pretty awesome! I think the talk that stood out to me the most was definately Richard G Scott! I feel like he was getting irritated with everyone cause we all know what we should be doing and yet I don't think we are! I mean I'm not perfect and I struggle all the time but it was still pretty solid!

All the talks were awesome! But the best part was... After Priesthood session A group of 10 elders went to Outback steak house and went hard! We planned on getting alot of food! So the bill came out to be like 400$ plus and a member was sitting in the booth next to us and the waiter comes over and says the gentleman over there just payed for all you! So that was probably the greatest miracle of the day! haha

Another miracle we saw this week is a highschool kid named Ryan who lives in our area but not a member.  But he attends seminary daily and loves it! He called his seminary teacher up and told him straight up that he prayed to know if this church was true and the Lord told him yes so he is now gonna get in contact with us and we're gonna teach him and baptize him so it's pretty awesome!

That was pretty much the bulk of my week! Love yall!!

Scripture! 

PSALMS 118:8

8: It is better to put trust in the lord then to put confidence in man.

Love,

            Elder Hess