Lahr / Offenburg - Week 6

Hi All!

This week has been really just fantastic. We were just absolutely on fire this week. We set a record for lessons in our area this week. We now have 4 baptismal dates in our area as well, and we're really hoping we can reach all of them. The 4 are M, M, R, and N. I love Frau N. She's a lady from Columbia and she moved here to Germany a long time ago. But, her husband, who is German, and she are now divorced. We met her on the street, and she's just going through some really hard times. She was so prepared to meet with us though. It's amazing to see the people the Lord prepares. Before our 2nd lesson with her, she had watched the Restoration video online and listened to a talk from President Monson. She loves the church, she's now been 2 times, and her date is the 4th of April. In between conference sessions. (: M is April 11, and M and R are both on the 28th of March. Keep praying for me! I feel so many prayers for me every day. It's incredible. We also found 3 new investigators this week, and 2 by dooring, which is less used in our mission! It was awesome. 

But, the coolest part is yet to come. Last Monday night, after emails, we got a call from President Kohler for 2 referrals in our area. They are both 16 year old girls, who are best friends and went on an exchange program in Michigan, and lived with their uncle, who happens to be the Bishop. While they were there, they became so in touch with the gospel, and learned all of the discussions. They received permission from their parents to be baptized when they returned. Well, they got home last Monday night from their trip, and we have been praying for them constantly. I got in touch with the Bishop last Friday and he reported to me that the families are taking it pretty hard to see their girls change so much. We're really praying for the softening of the families hearts before we contact them again. If you could just add them in your prayers that would be awesome!!
Elder Mohn is transferring to Ellwegan (Stuttgart Zone) for his last 6 weeks. He will be with another Elder that is also going home next transfer. I'm staying in Offenburg, working with Elder Howarth this transfer. He and Elder Killpack were MTC comps. He'll be way fun to work with. He's DL this transfer as well.  We just got news that Elder Bednar is coming to our mission on April 25. I'm so excited to see him in person. In the last couple months, he has become one of my favorites. The whole mission will be coming together for it. It's going to be so cool. I cannot wait! He's going to be awesome.

I love you all, and I hope you have a great week. 

Love, 

Elder Sam Hadfield

Friedrichstrasse 26

77654 Offenburg

Germany

Coming home from shopping

Lahr / Offenburg - Week 5

This week was super awesome. We had an amazing mission tour on Wednesday, where a member of the Seventy came to speak to us. It was Elder Patrick Kearon. He's the guy that gave the scorpion talk in Priesthood Session a few years back. It was sure amazing to be around him. He loves the missionaries! He is a convert of quite some time now, so he just has the utmost respect for the work of salvation. Elder Kearon was just incredible. He just stood up on the stand and cried looking out at all of us. He is such a powerful speaker. We honestly just had an open conversation with him and it was super awesome. I don't know how to explain it! Sister Kohler talked about being obedient and President talked about creating free-standing obilisque's. Not sure how that's spelled. I'll have to explain that to you when I have some time. It's a really cool concept. Then we just talked with Elder Kearon for a long time. It sure was powerful. He talked about what an investigator needs to feel. Then he talked about how he felt. (: It was just great. 

Mission Tour - Elder Edvinsson (MTC Companion), Elder Hadfield, Elder Henry and Elder Seidl

Other than mission tour, our week was good. M has some trouble with tithing. He's making about 200$ a month, which makes it very hard. He told us he would never pay it. Then, we came back later in the week, and he said he is getting a pay raise in a few months that will allow him to pay tithing and he's excited to do it. (; That was wonderful to see. R is doing well. We don't yet know how we'll get him to church. We'll have to find a way. 

Elder Mohn goes home on April 10. I don't know if I'll still be with him or not. It is such that there are 4 elders in our area, and there will only be 2 for next transfer which begins the 27th. Who knows? My guess is that Elder Howarth and I will be working together. He is super cool. I'd be happy either way.

Elder Jeremy Tyler Mohn and Samuel Phillip Hadfield - Offenburg / Lahr - February 2015

Looks like Elder Mohn has them all exercising!

Elder Mohn sent this picture to his mother - Just wanted her to know they're eating well!

This week in Germany there has been a holiday pretty much all week. People, even 50 year old men, get dressed up as animals and wander the streets. We keep running into like 50 year old cows. And all of them are drunk. They stay out until 4 in the morning most of the time. And their goal is to wander the streets and wake up everyone on that street. So it gets pretty loud at 3 in the morning. Yawn...

On Saturday, we had the chance to go to the temple with a member in our branch. He's the 2nd counselor, and a really funny guy. We did 2 sessions. The temple is in such a location that there is several, several languages. So they have sessions switching off between German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Russian. We went through in German in a German session the first time, then in English through a French session. It was very interesting. 

Elder Mohn, Elder Hadfield - Bern Switzerland Temple

Elder Hadfield - Bern Switzerland Temple

The temple is a 2 hour drive there and back, but absolutely the most amazing experience. I love the temple. I was able to go through in German, and afterwards in English. I feel such a loving prescence in the House of the Lord! It's unmistakable. If any of you ever wonder why you keep pushing on, or if there is light at the end of the tunnel, just wait until you can go to the temple. The temple has the greatest feeling of peace and comfort there is on earth. Hearts are softened, questions answered, and love shared within the walls of the temple. What an amazing experience. I hope all of you will prepare to go to the temple and experience your own happiness and love there. As a representative of Jesus Christ, I testify that this gospel is true. There is nothing I would rather be doing than proclaiming it in the language of German. I know that there is a chance for each of us to change our lives for the better, and I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ, and that through Him, that change we all want to make, and that happiness we all want to feel, is possible. Thank you for all your support and everything you do for me! 

Love,

Elder Sam Hadfield

Friedrichstrasse 26

77654 Offenburg

Germany

Lahr / Offenburg - Week 4

Hi everybody! 

I hope you are all doing well. To give you a quick rundown, we set another baptismal date this week with a blind man and I really felt the authority in this one! It was only our first appointment with him! I'm excited to say that the man we had a baptism date with before, M, is doing great. We had a Word of Wisdom lesson with him this week and he argued with us for a while. So, we had nothing more to say, so we asked him if he'd live it. He said, "Yup, of course!" What the heck, M? Ha ha, but he really has a problem with smoking, and he's been really sick, so he hasn't been able to smoke. Keep praying for him! 

Now, here is where I need your help. I am sure you all remember the story of R! He was a huge miracle that has happened on my mission. He is 2 weeks away from his baptism and getting cold feet. Then, I just received this email from him:

“Hey Guys,

i will be truly honest with you, like always. I won´t follow this path any more. But i don´t say this without a reason. There are so many reasons. In the last weeks a lot happens. Let my explain. But first, all i will say, that this are my own thoughts and i won´t offend you. You are amazing and i so glad, that i met you!.

Turn back time. In the fourth chapter of Nephi kills Laban. There was a big doubt and a question mark in my mind, because of this cruel action. I understand, why he did this and Laban got a second chance. I understand the chapter. But then there was this assassinations in paris. People who truly believe in a book by god kill other people, because "god" told them to do this. Now you would come and say: okay, but we believe, that only our Believes are the right one and all others aren´t true. And that is a huge problem for me. I started this spiritual journey to get more informations about your church. But i won´t believe, that i just pray the right things and others aren´t.

Next problem is the word of wisdom. There are things in it like drink no tea. But i won´t drink no tea. If i ill, i will drink tea. From a medical side, there are helpful. You say, that life is a journey full of tests, but i don´t think to lay down in bed and being sick, this would be a test to truly believe in god.

A third and never spoken problem is the fact, that i won´t get the highest kingdom, i totally looking forward go get the middle one. And thats not all. It´s a honour to get the priesthood. But i won´t it. I also don´t want to go and say to other people: hey, i believe the right things and you didn´t. People should do the same as me. Just go and inform about their believes and what they truly want in their lifes. Not the other way.

Another big problem is chastity. Like i said in the email before, i can´t follow this commandment. It´s a total censorship for my work. And i can´t accept that fact.

Like i said in the beginning, i started this journey to know more about your church. And i got this informations. It was a truly inspiring and spiritual journey. You bring me back to god. I believe in gods work. You gave me the opportunity to go away from alcohol and this is great. I often got ask, why i won`t drink and on the last party i could see, why i shouldn´t drink.

But my path isn´t over with the religion at all. I will go back to my own church. Maybe, i´m not ready jet. But who knows.

Thank you for all!

R

I know that he is ready and just a little nervous. I am asking you, if you possibly can, to just send a short testimony or something inspiring to my email, so I can forward them to R next week! I think it would really help him on his path. Thanks for all you guys do! It would be great if you could help me out! Have a good week,

Elder Sam Hadfield

Friedrichstrasse 26

77654 Offenburg

Germany

Lahr / Offenburg - Week 3

Family and Friends, How are you all?

I'll tell you a little about Elder Mohn. He's from Arizona and he's a really funny kid. I enjoy working with him. We like the same sort of stuff. We keep going through Brian Regan and Jim Gaffigan comedy routines. It's great fun. Hahah. I can talk to him about anything. He really loves to work out. He's lost over 50 pounds on his mission. He set that goal and achieved it. He's doing it every morning, so I'm in!

Hey Mom, about those pictures you keep asking for...It's very hard to find a computer here with an SD Port or with a cable plug in. Hahaha so yeah.. Sorry. I'll get on it soon!  :)

It has sure been a good week here. Things were rough starting out here, and they are getting better! Last week, in our visits with President Kohler, we set a mission goal to get 38 baptisms before the end of the quarter. That's approximately ½ of a baptism per area! Which means every district will get a baptism, plus an extra one for each of the zone leaders. 

During our district meeting on Tuesday, we decided our district would be responsible for setting 6 baptism dates, and achieving 2 of those baptisms. On Thursday and Friday, we had an Austausch (exchange) with the Zone Leaders. It was a whole lot of fun. I was with Elder Jensen for the day. He's from St. George and played basketball at Snow Canyon. He is a fantastic missionary. I respect him a lot. We were just getting to know each other a little bit and we made it a bunch of fun. 

We had an appointment with a man named M. He is a 60 year old man, life-long smoker, and has met with the missionaries for 3 years now. His biggest concern from the first 2 lessons Elder Mohn and I had taught was that he had already been baptized and didn't want to do it again. I had prepared a lesson with scriptures from the Bible and the Book of Mormon to show him that doch (on the contrary), he needs to get baptized again. I went in ready to lay down the hammer! We said our opening prayer, and we had given him 2 Nephi 31 to read, but he wanted to start at the beginning, so he had read something else. We read 2 Nephi 31 together, and discussed it for about 2 minutes. I looked at him and said, "M, you're a man with great faith, and you're trying to do better every day, so your next step is baptism. You need to be baptized." He looked at me and said, "Yes, you're right. Can I be baptized on the 7th of March?" Yes, M, that wouldn't be a problem. (: It was amazing. 

Just shows that when we go by the Spirit then we have the ultimate power and authority of our calling given to us. I loved it! I know it's true. Everything we are doing, it is true. I love this calling as a missionary. Though it is sometimes very hard, I know that there is nothing that would make me happier. There is nothing that has brought more joy to my life than being a missionary!

Have a good week everybody, I would love to hear from you! 

Elder Sam Hadfield

Friedrichstrasse 26

77654 Offenburg
Germany

Lahr / Offenburg - Week 2

Last week was one of the most difficult weeks of my life. I received a new area, and a new companion. I felt like I was leaving home all over again. I left the branch I had grown to love, the people that I had taught, and the friendships I had made. It was extremely hard, and I thought quite a while about why I am out here, and what I am doing. 

I was struggling for a couple days, specifically Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday morning we went to President's training and interviews in Singen, about a 2 hour train ride from my area. We showed up and were chatting with the other missionaries when someone said, "Elder Hadfield, there's a package for you here!" I looked and saw Sister Byington's name on the package and was really intrigued. What in the world was Sister Byington sending me a package for? I learned that my package had been delayed for quite some time in the German Post system's center. They were going through the package and what not to make sure it was safe. I went through the training and my interview, and put my package in my bag and we went back to our apartment. Once we were back to the apartment, I opened the package and immediately realized it was a Christmas package! I pulled out the ties and hats to begin with and had a good laugh. I pulled out the candy and the bleach pen that would immediately be used on my white shirt I wore that day.

But then, what I pulled out next was one of the most precious things to my heart, and something I will never forget. I turned the package over and out fell several letters. Letters from the Primary children, young men and young women, and my leaders who I look up to as Priesthood men. I remember crying tears of such great joy. I had been praying and praying and felt like I was receiving no answers and no love. It was frustrating. As I read those letters from the people whom I love, I received answers to my prayers. I felt more loved than I have in a long time. I felt the love of my ward members wrapped around me like the Savior's arms. It is amazing to see the ways the Lord works. He would let a Christmas package be delayed for two weeks or more, so it could get to me the day I most needed it. I realized what an inspired idea this was and grateful Klarise followed through. I'm grateful to you more than I can express. I want to share my love with you along with my testimony that I know that missionary work is the most rewarding work on this earth. I could not be happier doing what I am doing. I know the Lord loves each one of us and is looking out for us, even if we don't feel He is. I know this Church is true. I love sharing that each and everyday. As His special representative, I bear that witness. Thank you for being tools in the Lord's hands! I love you.

Elder Sam Hadfield

Friedrichstrasse 26

77654 Offenburg

Germany

Things to Remember When You're Transferred – From Dad January 25, 2015

1. It's okay to miss the area you left.  As you connect with members and investigators in an area, you learn to love them and to feel the love Heavenly Father has for them.  That makes it hard to leave and say goodbye.  When you said goodbye to us, you knew there would be a reunion.  With some of these people on your mission, there's an uncertainty about whether you will see them again.  That makes the goodbyes even harder.  It's okay to miss them and even to mourn a little bit when you say goodbye. 

2. The mission president's keys allow him to receive revelation about where Heavenly Father wants you to serve.  That's the way Heavenly Father gets you in the right spot at the right time to meet the people whose lives you need to touch.  When we trust in the keys the mission president uses to do transfers, we are trusting in Heavenly Father's ability to get us where he needs us.  That means, in addition to a sadness about saying goodbye, there is also an excited anticipation for the new opportunities Heavenly Father has for you. 

3. Every area needs building.  So, when you arrive you will sense immediately how much there is to do.  This does not mean the missionaries who left didn't do a good job.  It means there is always more work to do to build Heavenly Father's kingdom.  Don't let the fact there is a lot of work to do discourage you.  It doesn't have to all be done the first day in this new area.  Take it one thing at a time.  Step by step you will be able to better establish the Church in this new area.  Your goal should be to leave that area stronger than when you arrived.  I served in 4 areas on my mission and it seemed to me we were starting over in each area.  That might have been more about me because I was new and starting over there. 

4. Don't let what you've heard about an area be your only source about what that area is all about.  Area's get reputations just like people get reputations.  Sometimes our reputations are not deserved, and neither is an area's.  And sometimes our reputation may be well-founded but it holds us back from being able to change, and so can an area's reputation.  Go in ready to see this new area with a new perspective.  Respect the information you receive from missionaries who have been there.  Their experience certainly counts for something.  But don't be afraid to look at things differently.  If the area is going to grow in ways it hasn't before, it will probably require new and better ways of working and changing the perception about that area. 

5. Each area has it's strengths and weaknesses, just like we do as people.  Spend most of your time being grateful for the strengths.  Heavenly Father sent you there to have experiences you will never forget and those experiences will be etched in your mind in the scenes from that area.  So, be grateful for the time Heavenly Father has given you to learn to love that area and the people in it. 

6. Everywhere you go, lift and build.  Heavenly Father sent you to build the kingdom.  The way you build something is to be positive, to recognize the positive in others and in your circumstances there.  Help people to see how good they are as children of Heavenly Father and how much better they can be if they give themselves fully to the Savior. 

7. It seems that going to a new area, not knowing anyone, can lead to feelings of loneliness.  This can lead to feelings of homesickness.  The cure for that is to deepen your friendship with your companion and the members.  If you can remember to smile and laugh - even if it's not your true feeling, deep down, it may brighten your entire day/week/month.

8. Remember that you can do hard things.  You were called to go do hard things.  Heavenly Father will stand by your side through those hard things.  And the hard things will teach you incredible lessons.  Don't be afraid to face hard things.  Square your shoulders and do your best.  President Hinckley's Dad's advice is timeless, "Forget yourself and go to work."  As you get to work, you discover the good and the things you can do to make it better.  As you work on those things, you will feel better and better about this new place Heavenly Father has given you to serve. 

9. If suggestions 1-8 don't work, then drop your pants and slide on the ice.  In other words, don't lose your sense of humor.