Cortez 8-19-2008

Dear Beloved Family,

So I've come to the end of my first transfer and Wow, what an experience. I already feel like I've grown so much. I know that I am a better person. I will admit that a mission isn't always fun. It has been tough for me at times to live with a companion especially one who can rub you the wrong way. However a mission has changed me a little bit in that respect. It is not always easy and I have specifically prayed for help in that area many times. I know that I will continue to improve as I strive to do so. Another tough part of a mission is that people go home. I said good-bye today to an Elder who for sure would have been in my circle of friends. I think I told you about him before. He's the mormon Zach Widner. I wish that he wasn't going home but his two years are up and he is outta here. I'm sure that I will continue to make friends for life out here. Missionary work really seems to bond people together.

My work ethic has improved drastically in these last six weeks. That is another major change I have made in my life. However, it is not always easy to work hard. Luckily, I have a companion who does work hard which has made it easier, but then there are days when it is hard to find motivation. These are generally due to people cancelling appointments or dropping us completely. Missionary work can be extremely disheartening at times, for the short time I have been out I have experienced this a few times and it is never fun. But those times when someone is genuinely interested and willing to make a change in their lives make every hard time worth it. I have not had the opportunity to have one of our investigators baptised but I know that when one of them does make that choice and enters into those waters it will be one of the best days of my life.

Another tough aspect of my mission so far is developing a relationship with our investigators and the members of our ward. This is because the missionary that was here right before me was a very good missionary and lots of people really liked him. For me to just come in and replace him was very tough for a lot of people especially some of our investigators. But, I have been gaining their trust and I do think that they are starting to genuinely like me, this is part of the reason why I'm excited I get to say here in Cortez for another transfer.

I just read through this letter and Wow it sounds like I'm just complaining. I want you to know that I do love my mission so much. And I think that these tough times that happen make the good things that much better. I love this gospel so much and I wonder every day how I got so lucky to have it just set in my lap like I did. It is such a blessing in our life and I look back now and realize how much it has blessed our awesome family. Keep following the Gospel, listen to the counsel of our prophet, read the scriptures, pray pray pray, and don't take this wonderful blessing that we have for granted. I love you all very much. Good-bye for now. The church is true.

Your loving son/brother,
Elder Hullinger