Week 3 in Brooksville

This week was crazy! We had an exchange with the Hudson Elders. I

had a chance to go with Elder Acres. On the exchange we met some

amazing families. We were able to follow up with two of them later in

the week. On of these families is from the Dominican Republic and

doesn't speak English very well. They saw us walking up to our garage

and signaled us in. They had two chairs that they grabbed and almost

demanded that we sit down. We taught them the Restoration as their

daughter translated. The parents knew members back in the Dominican

Republic and loved the temple. They said they're willing to change

they just want to experience church first. The spirit was so strong it

was amazing! The Brooksville Ward had a youth Fireside where they

discussed the power of missionary work and how easy it truly is. We

aren't converting others we simply invite in a non threatening way.

The spirit was so strong. It's been awesome bringing some of those

priests out to the lessons. Also, I don't think I mentioned this but

one of the Bishopbric members wives is from Corvallis. She spent most

of her life in Gresham. They are awesome! We had a chance to speak

with them at the Ward Halloween activity this past weekend. Lots of

good things have been happening. The Lord is truly hastening his work!

I love the gospel so much! I love and miss you! I hope things continue

to go well!!!

Elder Hale

Week 2 in Brooksville

The photo didn't do this sunset justice.

The photos are awesome!! This past week was awesome. Of course we had

Elder Costa at the beginning of the week. Then this past weekend we

had Elder McArther visit for the Odessa Stake Conference. He is in the

words of my companion "a scripture wizard". It was awesome. During the

adult session he called some couples and individuals up and had a

panel with them. It was all centered on the sabbath day and how it's

different for everyone. It was super spiritual. The non member family

that was supposed to come to Stake Conference sadly didn't make it. We

had some good lessons with them this past week. They have some things

they're going to need to overcome so it could take some time. We did

however have a recent convert family come. Their unbaptized daughter

was also they're. They are amazing!

One crazy miracle this week happened when we were just sitting in the

car figuring out a next destination and we had a man come out of no

where and approach the car. He figured we were Jehovah's Witness. We

explained who we were and he was excited to learn more. We gave him a

pamphlet and set up to see him later in the week. Crazy how the Lord

works sometimes haha.

Well I hope you have a fantastic week!! Love you!

Week 1 in Brooksville

 Sandhill crane!!! They're close to 4ft tall!

The last week in Sarasota was good. Transfers happened Wednesday so we

said goodbye to Patrick Xibos, the Jacques, Jamali and several others

before then. I've been up in Brooksville since then. My companions

name is Elder Carter. He is awesome! He was also trained in South

Tampa, he only has a couple transfers left and he's been serving in

this area as long as I was in Brooksville so no idea how long we will

get to serve together. The Zone is almost half the size of Sarasota.

It's crazy! There are some great missionaries here and the work is

going crazy up here! There's a couple families we are working with in

Brooksville. One is the Browns, they're a family of four. We will be

seeing them tonight. One of the others we met with yesterday, we spoke

with the father. He's awesome! During our lesson we read from the Book

of Mormon. He was explaining during it that he's set on being baptized

and really wants to make sure his family understands too. His wife was

ill so I haven't had a chance to meet her quite yet. There's several

others who are progressing. It's crazy! I went on exchange here

earlier on the mission and got to meet an investigator some

missionaries were working with. Since then he was baptized and we got

to stop by earlier this past week. It was awesome to see him again!

There are a lot of priest age young men here. We got one of them out

to a lesson this past week. We are excited to work with the priests.

There's a lot wanting to be involved with the work.

This week we had Zone Conference on Monday. Elder Claudio R.M. Costa

and his wife came. They are awesome!!! He shared a lot of stories that

have given me a greater desire to go out and work! There's so many out

there just waiting for the gospel! After Zone Conference we had a

brief leadership training meeting. The spirit was just as strong if

not stronger as Elder and sister Costa testified and shared their love

with us. It was such a huge blessing to have them here. I hope we can

apply the things we heard and as a result see more enter the waters of

baptism.

 The address here in Brooksville is 14295 Herring Hollow, Spring Hill,

FL 34609.

Next weeks schedule will be back to normal with preparation day on

Monday. I hope you have a great week!! Love you!!!

Week 30 in Sarasota

 Last District Meeting of the transfer

Ready to serve!

Conference was amazing! We watched one of the sessions at the Jacques

home and went to Brother Browders the former WML. It was a blast!! We

went to a couple other homes too. For priesthood Patrick, the man who

was baptized in Venice drove all the way to the Stake center for the

session. It was awesome! Justin Jacques drove us there. There weren't

too many there because of how big the Stake is and the Stake is still

sending a lot of help down to Naples. We did not see President Eyring.

Our stake was at a different site then the rest of the missionaries

and members so we missed him. Oh well what can you do? We will be

having a general authority coming soon for an upcoming Zone

Conference. Not sure when preparation day will be quite yet. It just

depends on transfers. There have been some amazing miracles since we

have been able to get out and work. We have loved it!! One happened

with a senior who was cleaning his neighbors yard. He was explaining

how he's had these doctrinal questions and really liked the Plan of

Salvation. He wants us to come back and teach his family. Elder Farr

was teaching the neighbor that hired him during all that. He also

wants us to come back. It was a crazy day!!

We just found out I'm going to be transferred to Brooksville to serve

as a Zone Leader up there in the Odessa Stake. I'll be with Elder

Carter. It's going to be fun! Definitely going to miss all the people

here but good for change. I will have my new address for you next

week. Zone Conference is going to be Monday so I will be having my

preparation day on Tuesday. I hope all is going well!! Have a great

day!!!! Love you!