Christmas Festivities! -December 14th, 2015

Hey guys! 

This week was pretty busy! 

We started off by having our mission Christmas party on Wednesday. It was awesome! First we had a Christmas devotional by President and Sister Hanks. It was amazing and the spirit was so strong. After that we had an awesome Christmas dinner filled with ham, steak, mashed potatoes, and a bunch of other great stuff! We then had a talent show haha! It actually was filled with a bunch of awesome talent and was so much fun! Then after our talent show we got to watch a regular movie! It's a tradition in this mission that during the Christmas party each year, we get to watch a regular movie all together. Last year they all watched Frozen and this year we watched Big Hero Six! Everybody loved it, especially the sisters. I had already seen it but it was still fun to watch again. 

Then for the next couple of days we were working at the annual Huntsville Christmas Festival! The festival is ran by the church and has gotten very popular throughout the years. People from all over come to this festival, member and non-member, to experience the festivities. The festival consists of an amazing concert, a live nativity, a display of Christmas trees and display nativities, and a Christmas video. It's such an awesome holiday activity and is really good exposure for the church. So basically we were just there helping out in any way and talking to everybody. We weren't allowed to proselyte, which is okay, so we basically just went around talking to everybody for hours on end haha! It was a lot of fun and I loved it! The spirit was and has been so strong this whole week! 

So basically our whole week was filled with the spirit of Christmas and I loved it! 

Then a couple days ago we got transfer calls! Let me start out by saying that this past couple months have been amazing in Monte Sano/Huntsville and I've drawn so close to so many people here. My first area and it has felt like home since I've gotten here. Sadly though, I will be leaving this Wednesday and am being transferred to somewhere else in Alabama! So Sunday was filled with goodbyes to a lot of people that I have grown close to. I'm kind of torn to be honest! I'm sad to be leaving and sad that I don't get to spend Christmas in Huntsville with people that I'm close to but I'm also so excited to experience a new area of Alabama and meet a bunch of new people and missionaries! It will be a new experience that's for sure! 

Shout out to my Momma for waiting all day to hear about whether I'm leaving or not haha:) I kept her waiting for this email and she was a trooper!

Anyways, I'm excited for all the new experiences this week has to hold! I'll probably shoot y'all a quick email in the middle of the week to let you know my new address and where I'll be serving. 

Until next week and Happy Holidays! 

Love,
Elder Honn

Pic: A birthday party with some of the elders for our zone leader, Elder Faustin! 

Tracting, Tracting, More Tracting and the Temple! -December 7th, 2015

Hey everyone! 

This week not a whole lot happened! Just like the subject says, we spent most of our week tracting and trying to find people to teach. Which is what most of this transfer has been... but this week it felt like that's all we did! But that's okay, its what you've gotta do to find the people that are prepared here in Alabama! 

Other than that, this week we had the immense privileged of attending the Birmingham temple again. You guys, I love the temple so much. Its beautiful and always such an amazing experience. I would challenge any of you that are able to attend the temple, to go as often as you can. I promise that it will bless your life and help bring you closer to Christ. It's the biggest blessing that I get to attend the temple every couple months and I'm so grateful for it! I'll attach some pictures from the trip:)

Back to tracting, we had quite a few funny experiences this week while knocking doors! 

In Alabama there's a thing where people will yell through their doors and not even open the doors haha! And the phrase that is usually said is "Who it is??" haha It's just hilarious how it normally goes down! So we'll knock on the door and they'll say "Who it is??" and we'll be like "the missionaries!" and they'll be like "who?" and we'll say it again then in the end they'll just end up opening the door because its almost impossible to talk through a door... obviously... 

Then another weird experience is we were tracting and knocked on a door and the person answered and we talked to them and they weren't super nice and declined our invitation to teach them. But as we were walking away, the guy shouted "Hey! Y'all want some candy?" and obviously at first I was a little sketched out haha! But I was like um sure... so we went back and he pulls out this random bag of candy that was unopened and said it was leftovers from Halloween...haha so we took it! And for a while we were tracting and my companion was just holding a big bag of candy... it looked pretty weird so I was decided we were going to use this candy to get into a door and teach somebody! And we did! haha we knocked on the door of a lady and I told her about the candy and she told us she was a teacher at an Elementary school and would love the candy! So she let us in and we gave her a message (she turned out being baptist) and also gave her the bag of candy for her students! Haha it was awesome and we probably wouldn't have gotten into her home if it wasn't for the candy. 

Anyways, those were just a few of the funny experiences we've had while tracting! I've learned to really enjoy tracting solely because of the funny experiences that we have haha!

Anyways, sorry this email wan't full of spiritual experiences but I hope you enjoyed hearing about a couple of interesting experiences we had while tracting this week:) 

I hope you all have a great week and I'll talk to y'all next Monday! 

Love,

Elder Honn

A Week Full of Thanksgiving -November 30th, 2015

Hey everyone!

This week was pretty busy! Obviously it was Thanksgiving as well! Our Thanksgiving was great. We ate at a members home with a bunch of families in our ward, it was a party. It was kind of hectic, and we were late.... so I didn't get to take pictures but it wasn't really anything too crazy! Basically just a Thanksgiving pot luck! All the food was delicious and everyone loaded us down with leftovers! At one point we had four pies at our apartment.... 

And for the rest of the week we basically just ate nothing but leftovers, by ourselves and with members. So the title of this letter applies in two ways! A week full of thanksgiving dinner and a week full of thanks giving. This week, just like most Thanksgivings, we had the opportunity to really think about and be grateful for all our many blessing. And this year particularly it really struck me just how blessed I am and just how blessed a lot of us are. While on my mission, I've seen and experienced a lot of different aspects of life and been around people that have close to nothing. It hit me hard how good I have it and how good a lot of us have it, and how even if times are hard for some of us, there is always somebody out there that has it worse.

I think that because of that, no matter what, we should always try to be grateful for all that we have and all our many blessings and also try to be mindful and acknowledge all our blessing. And not only during Thanksgiving. Doing so will not only show gratitude to our Father in Heaven but also helps us all to be happier and remain humble. President Monson said in a talk titled "The Divine Gift of Gratitude"; "My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."So that's something that i'll be working on and something that I would challenge you all to apply to your lives as well because I know that It will bless our lives immensely and help us grow closer to Him.

On a different note, this upcoming week is Faith's birthday so a Happy Birthday shout out to her! A while ago she asked me a couple of questions and asked if I could answer them in my weekly email. I thought I'd save them for today and dedicate a portion of my email to her:) 

Basically she just wanted me to kind of take some time and talk about the people here in Alabama. Currently I'm around an area of Alabama called Huntsville. And in Huntsville, because of the Arsenal and the Nasa center. There's a lot of people from all around the country/world living in and around Huntsville.  Because of that there has been a lot of modernization that is different from the rest of Alabama. A lot of people say that Huntsville is just basically Utah in the south... So what I'm trying to get at is that Huntsville area isn't really like the rest of Alabama. So my experiences with "true Alabamians" has been a little limited. But I have definitely had them! Haha

 

Just like everywhere else, there are all types of people. There are the stereotypical red necks that drive huge trucks and chew tobacco but there are also the typical southern families that sit on their porch swing and are extremely welcoming and show a lot of hospitality. And at the same time there are a lot of just "normal" people, quite a few from Utah, that aren't really southern at all!  It just all depends! 

Random funny things about the people in Alabama...For some reason in the south, some black people will pronounce the letter "t" like a "c" in words. So for example we asked a guy for directions a while back and he told us "Oh man, its just scraight down the screet for a mile, you can't miss it!" haha so funny stuff like that make the people here pretty unique. 

Southern Hospitality can be a very real thing though. Again depending on the person. But here in Alabama, its not unusual to greet/talk to random people and even help each other out in some way. I've had a lot of experiences where we'll be tracting and somebody will let us in, offer us food and water, let us sit and relax in their homes but not want to hear about the gospel because they are already strong in their own faith. But at the same time be so kind and show so much hospitality to us, its a beautiful thing. 

Well that's all I can really think of to tell you about the people! Faith, I hope you enjoyed it and that you have a fantastic birthday, cause you deserve it! Love you:)

And to everyone else, make sure to wish her a happy birthday if you see her around and make her feel loved! 

I hope you all have a great week! Until next time! 

Love,

Elder Honn

Pics: The first is of one of my zone leaders. His name is Elder Faustin and he was born in Burundi, Africa! We had an exchange this week and were able to do a lot of awesome work! 

The second is of a very stuffed Elder Larson post Thanksgiving! (sorry for the blurriness) haha too bad we couldn't take a post thanksgiving nap! 

I apologize that I'm not present in the pictures this week, i'll try to get some for y'all for next week!

Our Potential as God's Children -November 23rd, 2015

Hey everyone! 

This week was an interesting one! Sadly, not a whole ton of amazing stuff happened so I'll just touch on the most amazing experience of the week.

On Thursday we got to have zone conference! Which is when all the zones around the north of Alabama come together and receive training and guidance from a leader of some sort. We had the immense blessing to have Elder Edward Dube of the Seventy and his wife come and spend the day with us. And not only that but also our amazing mission president and his wife came and taught us. So the whole day was full of amazing talks, lessons and discussions that really strengthened my testimony and taught me so much. 

One of my favorite talks that was given was from President Hanks. He spoke about our potential as God's children. He talked about how sometimes, in this life, we forget exactly who we are. He said we're not just children of our earthly parents, but children of our Heavenly Father and as such have a limitless potential. We all have the potential to do amazing things in this life. As God's children we have so much capability for good, each and every one of us. And sometimes its easy to forget just how important and how powerful each of us truly are. I really loved this and it really brought me so much confidence to be reminded of such an amazing blessing that we all have. Never forget that you really are a child of God and as such can change and affect this world in so many ways for the better

I'm exhausted so I'm sorry this weeks email wasn't the longest but I promise that next weeks will be better!

I hope you all have a great week and a fantastic Thanksgiving!

Love, 

Elder Honn

Starting Fresh -November 16th, 2015

Hey everyone! I hope y'all had a good week!

Mine was pretty busy and we had a lot going on. On Wednesday we drove down to Birmingham for transfer meeting. It was a great meeting and I received my new companion! His name is Elder Larson, and he's from Colorado! He enjoys long walks on the beach and getting caught in the rain...haha nah just messing! He's actually a super smart kid and loves computers. He's more on the quiet side (polar opposite of my previous companion haha) but he can do this awesome British accent that is one of the best I've ever heard! Because he's a bit more on the quiet side, its given me the opportunity to take the lead quite a bit more than I was expecting, so its been an adjustment that's for sure! 

Because of the business of covering two areas last transfer, we didn't have a whole ton of investigators in Monte Sano so we've pretty much decided to just start fresh. Which means tracting and store contacting and a whole lot of it! Fun stuff! 

It's starting to get colder here in Alabama, and let me tell you, the humidity makes it feel soooo much colder than it actually is. It was only 30 degrees one night while we were tracting and I was wanting to die... So basically, I'm currently very grateful that we have a car in our area and don't have to bike! Cause dang, that would be rough! This winter is also suppose to be one of the coldest in a looong time... so we'll see how that goes haha! I also heard that it snowed in Idaho already! That's just crazy... Maybe y'all will get to have a white Christmas! That would be pretty awesome. 

My message for you all this week comes from Proverbs 3:5-6, and I won't quote it so that you all have to go read it in your scriptures;) If you don't already know it... But I challenge you all to read it and try to apply it as much as you can into your daily lives. When we do apply it in our lives, it truly gives us so much peace and comfort. And already in my mission, i've been able to apply the principle in my work and it truly does bless our lives immensely. Especially in an ever changing world, where so many horrible things are happening, the principle taught in these verses will bring happiness and light into your life. 

I love you all and know that you're all in my prayers. 

Talk to y'all next week! 

Love,
Elder Honn

This picture is of a street sign that I've been meaning to take a picture with since I got here. Ladies and gents, I give you England Street, Alabama haha! In this picture we have my three homes represented! I'm wearing this awesome Boise state sweat shirt that I found at Unclaimed Baggage, obviously the street sign representing England, and it's all in my current home which is Alabama! It just all worked out so perfectly:)

  

The Best Weeks are the Busiest! -November 9th, 2015

Hey everyone! Like the subject of this email says, this week was super busy and it was great! Covering two areas and having two companions has been so much fun! We've been working super hard and been having tons of fun at the same time. The only downside is that we're all just exhausted! But we'll be returning back to normal Wednesday after transfers. 

As far as transfers go, we received our call from the ap's on Saturday night! The news is that Elder Anderson will be leaving, Elder Fulton will be going back to his area and will be training a new missionary, and I will be staying in Monte Sano for at least one more transfer and will receive a new companion! So this Wednesday we'll be driving down to Birmingham for transfer meeting.! I'm really excited to take over and lead the missionary work in this area and learn and grow with a new companion. 

Since we're been covering both areas, this week we've had the opportunity to teach a lot of people and do a lot of amazing things together. The lord definitely acknowledges our hard work and sacrifices and blesses us accordingly. We've been so busy and exhausted all week but we've all just been so happy. Its been a true testimony builder to me that truly when you forget yourself and dedicate your life to Him, you find the most happiness. 

Saturday was especially a great day. It feels weird that i'm nineteen and I guess this is the point where you stop wanting to grow up! haha but on a more serious note, I'd just like to thank everyone for all the birthday present and cards that were sent. It meant the world to me and made my day so great! All the love and support that I was shown made my day a very special one. 

We spent the day in scottsboro, Alabama because i was on the tail end of an exchange. So that morning we had the cupcakes with all the missionaries i'm closest to (picture below) then went out to eat at Paynes, and then went to Unclaimed baggage. Holy cow, unclaimed baggage was having a ski sale so it was packed like no other. It felt like black friday! And you know what it means when there are lots of people? Lots of people to talk to about the gospel! haha so we talked to a lot of people and I even talked to a guy that was a Manchester United fan and was wearing a team sweatshirt! It was awesome. After that we had a dinner appointment with a family that i've been pretty close to since i got here and they made us this awesome meal and got this awesome cake for me with my name on it (picture below). All in all it was a fantastic day and my first birthday in the mission was one to remember. 

On Sunday we were also able to teach Sam and her boyfriend again. They just got this new sounds system and projector for movies and football games so they wanted to show us that. Instead of watching football and other things we sprung on the opportunity to use this new setup they have to our advantage and do something spiritual with it. So we watched some of our favorite bible videos and it was really awesome, the spirit was super strong and Sam loved the videos. So we'll see where this goes:) 

Anyways, sorry this email was kind of all over the place today, i'm just a bit rushed... But i hope you guys enjoyed it!

I look forward to this week and all it has to bring. I also look forward to next Monday and introducing you to my new companion! Until then, I hope you all have a great week! 

Love,

Elder Honn

The Weather Sano Trio! -November 2nd, 2015

Whats up everyone! This week was crazy and do I have some news for you! As of this last Tuesday, I am now in a trio! Which means that instead of having two missionaries in our companionship, we now have three. And that's not all! Since Tuesday we've also been covering and working in two areas! Which has been crazy! 

So basically this is all happening because a missionary went home in our zone ( I don't know why) and so his companion that was left in the Weatherly area joined our companionship and so now we cover Monte Sano area and Weatherly area! Its been pure craziness! 

Since we're working both areas we have investigators and appointments in both areas so the first day we spent a lot of time planning everything out and figuring out how to make it all work. And its been working pretty well so far, we just do a lot of driving... which is fine as long as the Lords work is getting done! Which it definitely is! 

Our new companions name is Elder Fulton, he's from Utah and he's just awesome! He'll be in a couple of he pictures at the end of this letter. Its been so much fun being in a trio and Elder Fulton has added an awesome new freshness to our companionship and i'm so grateful for this opportunity we have to work together as a trio and cover both areas. Even if i have been living out of a suitcase for the past week haha! 

Anyways, this week was also Halloween (obviously) and it was a lot of fun! On Wednesday we had a tri-ward trunk or treat and it was a lot of fun! We decorated our car with the sisters and the Zone leaders and handed out candy to all the crazy kids. We actually used the webbing and spiders that you guys sent me a couple weeks ago to decorate the trunk! Ill include a picture! It looked awesome! 

On Friday night, we went to a members house and carved pumpkins with them and then roasted bratwurst and s'mores around a fire! It was so much fun and ill include some pics of the pumpkins!

Then on Saturday we were able to teach a couple that were Messianic Jews. Kind of a contradiction but their religion is their religion and I respect that. Anyways, we taught them and had an awesome discussion with them and it was their Sabbath so we got to do the prayer to close the Sabbath with them! It was such a cool experience and the spirit was so strong while we both discussed our thoughts and beliefs. 

On Halloween all the missionaries were told to not be out of their apartments past seven unless at a members house, so we went to a members house that was having a party for all the missionaries in our zone. We had chili, s'mores and hot chocolate and played a bunch of games and did origami haha! It was a lot of fun and the members were so awesome. 

Then on Sunday, because we cover two areas, we went to two sets of three hour church.... Which was a little tiring but awesome! We also forgot about daylight savings so we woke up at 5:30 thinking it was 6:30 and got to the church at 7:20 thinking that it was 8:20.... so we sat in the church for an extra hour before anyone even showed up! The one day we could've slept an extra hour and we missed it! Ahhh! But whatever, i'm over it...not really but that's okay.

After church we had two lessons with potentials and ate dinner at a members house! And now its Monday and we have a full week of work ahead of us and i'm so excited! 

I hope you all stayed safe this weekend, had a lot of fun, and ate a bunch of candy! Transfer calls are this Saturday, on my birthday, so next monday i'll let you guys know whats happening this next transfer! 

I hope you have a great week! I love you all so much!

Sincerely, 

Elder Honn

p.s. We made the jello brain with the mold you guys sent and it was awesome! The rest of the pictures will just be from the Halloween weekend!:)