Weekly Update~ "Truly Good Without Guile"

Dear Family and Friends,

Mission Leader Conference

There is nothing I respect more than when people are "truly good without guile" as President Uchtdorf put it in one of his recent conference addresses. I've had the opportunity to serve around many such people. There is so much power in someone that has a quiet confidence, that shies from center stage, that doesn't need to make their presence known, that pushes recognition to someone else. The Savior was one of such people. In Moses 3:1-2, the difference in motives between the Savior and Satan is apparent in the "I"s and "Thy"s. I've come to realize these motives for serving are what set apart a good missionary from an incredible missionary. A few transfers ago, I had a quote written in my planner that goes like this: "If heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, if they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night, then what did motivate their climb? What did companions never feel? Was it fear or prized sublime? Did obligation feed their zeal? Each heights by great men reached above is motivated out of love." In MLC last week, Elder Grant mentioned that humility comes from understanding that as a child of God, you are no greater nor lesser than another of God's children. I struggle mightily at this. I sometimes unrighteously place myself above another because of certain gifts or talents I possess that others lack, but then to balance it out, I look at the great examples all around me and beat myself up, wishing I was more like them. It is these thoughts of self-righteousness that cause me to forget that mission or other forms of service are not about me. It's interesting to look back and see how the Lord has slowly walked me through and picked out my weaknesses one by one and given me the opportunities, people, and experiences to make them stronger. My goal these next few months is to strengthen as many peoples' faith in Christ as possible, and as a result, receive additional ordinances of salvation. Whether that be partaking of the sacrament, receive an advancement in the Priesthood, or making preparations in receiving temple blessings. As I focus more on the individual, I hope to truly lose myself in taking up my cross.

Interview with Pres. Collings

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. Because sometimes birthdays make you the center of attention, I made an effort not to tell anyone. It was the best birthday ever in the full time service of my God.

RJ's Birthday

I love you all,

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "Prayer and Fasting…Tools of Power"

Elder RJ and Timothy an Investigator's Son

New Tradition- Tuesday Pie Night!

Dear Family and Friends,

This week Elder Tesch and I had another very effective week. Last Wednesday, we had one of the best Zone Development Meetings of my mission. The focus of the meeting was building companionship unity and utilizing prayer and fasting for our benefit. Elder Robinson gave us a great training on how to improve our prayers. He told us that missionary work is easy as we pray with faith and trust in Christ to help us in the work. He told us how we need to improve on meeting the standards of excellence each week by finding seven new investigators. As we pray every morning with that goal in mind, and pray specifically that we will find at least one new investigator, or better yet, a new family, we will have no problem in accomplishing that goal. He promised that praying with real intent really does work and shared a few experiences from his time serving in Ethiopia to back it up. Every day since then, Elder Tesch and I have applied this counsel and we have found so much success in doing so. My testimony has grown not only in praying with faith, but also in fasting. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to fast for the first Sunday of the month. Elder Tesch and I obviously had our goals in mind as we opened our fast and we decided to go on splits with Emmanuel and Steven, two of our RC's. Emma and I went up to teach one of the referrals we received from Francis and followed up with her. We extended a baptism date with her last time and she accepted and found that she prayed and feels everything we had taught her was true. She also introduced us to her husband, Tom who we taught as well and he accepted the message we shared with him. After, Emma and I went to Esther, who was a referral from Andrew. She went to church for the first time yesterday so I spent some time answering some questions she had from the classes in church and taught her the Plan of Salvation which turned out really well. Elder Tesch went and contacted 3 of our street contacts, taught all of them, and set return appointments. 2 of those individuals were a husband and wife. As of now, we are currently teaching 5 families consisting of husbands wives and kids and 3 of them are progressing. The fast we had definitely played a role in the success we had yesterday and I always talk about it, but it is so neat to be able to see the Lord's hand work right before my eyes.

We were able to have a few other cool and fun experiences this week as well

• On Friday, Elder Tesch, Andrew, and I took David to the Nile Hospital in Jinja. It was a long day full of travel and we didn't end up seeing the doctor because a bus full of 11 patients pulled into the hospital to see the eye doctor right before we got there. However, It was a wonderful experience for me because I was able to give back to a man who I love dearly and who has done so much for us and who deserves nothing but the best. Being able to walk with him holding my hand around town reminded me of when I was able to walk with my Grandpa Melendez the last few years of his life when it was more difficult for him to walk. He used to grab onto one of my shoulders and I would walk side-by-side with him at his pace until we got where we needed to go. It brought back tender memories and I was very grateful for it. President Chatfield gave us permission to take him again on Wednesday so stay tuned for that. 

  

  Taking David to the Hospital

• On Thursday evening, we had dinner with the volunteers from Help International staying in Lugazi. It was super fun to be able to talk to them and hang out with them for a bit! Tanner and Cayden, both from Lone Peak are coming on exchanges with us tomorrow as well!
• On Saturday, we had the branch Mormon Helping Hands project at the Kawolo Hospital. We had a great turnout and since I've been in Lugazi, it was the most well-organized activity I've seen so far. It was just evidence to me that this branch is growing even more and I was so proud of the leadership and everyone who participated and put forth an effort to make it possible. 

  

  Mormon Helping Hands

  

  Representing Lone Peak!

  
  

  

  Preperation Day Breakfast

  

  "I was sitting on the floor and saw this guy run under Elder Tesch's Desk,
  I ran away as fast as I could and let the other guys take care of it.
  I guess I am afraid of Rats!!!"

I love you all so much!
Love Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "Highlights of the Week!"

Decorated House

Baseball Injury

Newest Little Investigator

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas from Uganda and from the Lugazi district!

This week was frustrating, yet rewarding. I know that all the frustrations and trials experienced are made up through Jesus Christ and his atonement. That thought has brought me comfort, especially during this time of the year when we get the opportunity to celebrate His birth. Some of the highlights this week include:

• My district and I were able to provide service for numerous people in the branch boundaries. On Tuesday morning, we walked about an hour to a member's garden in the village and we were able to help her with her garden. It was tiring, but so worth it. Also, I was able to continue helping out with the local baseball team here in Lugazi. Again, there's nothing better than doing what I love for the benefit of others. It makes me happy being able to make these kids happy by sharing with them one of my passions other than the gospel (Haha). This week they made me hit, and the first pitch I saw, I fouled into my ankle and it started bleeding and swelling. Good times. 
• Elder Dowdle and I have been able to receive a good number of referrals this week. Our prayers have been answered as we've been finding more families to teach. It's funny how many sets of brothers we've been able to teach lately. It's definitely an answer to prayers in another way because the branch is in need of more priesthood holders.
• We had 4 baptisms that we had planned for this week, but all of them fell through. I was discouraged but, if I've learned anything on my mission, it's that this work I get to take part in is the Lord's work and he is in charge of it all. I know he has a plan for these people here and everything is going to work out. As I continue to do my job and allow myself to be molded into an instrument in the Lord's hands, I know everything will take care of itself.

   I wanted to share a few thoughts from my studies and things I've been pondering. 

First, I just wanted to further express my gratitude for the Book of Mormon. It truly does answer ALL questions, including questions of the soul. It outlines the Plan of Salvation and answers where we come from, why we're here on Earth, and where we're going. Elder Dowdle shared with me an experience he had in seminary this week. He told me a story about his seminary teacher and his experience with the Book of Mormon. Basically, what I got from it is that even though the Book of Mormon doesn't contain the answers to our questions directly in the words we read, it invites the Spirit which allows us to receive revelation and promptings that impact us. 

  Second, because I'm a missionary, this Christmas season I cant give gifts like I was normally able to back at home. Rather, I am able to give people an even better gift: my testimony and teachings about the restored gospel. Elder Dowdle and I have been focusing on bearing our testimonies as much as possible to our investigators, recent converts, and other members. My hope is that they are able to feel the love we have for them as well as the love our Savior has for them as children of God.

  This Christmas, I just wanted to briefly share my testimony that I know without a doubt that this Church is true. I'm thankful for the Savior and his Atonement. The Atonement isn't only for sinners, it's for everyone who are seeking to improve themselves on a daily basis. I know he truly is the Son of God and he came in this world to be an example to us on how to be perfect even as he was. I know that this Jesus Christ established his church and it was re-established through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that through him, the Book of Mormon was brought forth and that whoever pursues reading it, pondering it's message, and praying to know of it's truthfulness will receive an answer through the power of the Holy Ghost. I know that through this chruch, families can be together forever.

I love you all and wish you a very merry Chirstmas,

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "It's Begining to Look a lot Like Christmas!"

RJ- "I'm Going to Wear a Christmas Tie Every Day This Month!"

P-Day Golf

RJ and Village Kids

Public Bathroom

Family and Friends,

This week was a pretty normal, uneventful week.  But, we did have a great turn out at church this week.  The branch is still new. We get about 60 people at church. we're still trying to grow it.  The area we serve in Lugazi is much closer to church, so we don't have to walk too far. We try to proselyte close to the church so its easier for investigators to come to church.   And we have 3 baptisms planned next week! 

  

 Yesterday, I got a package from my family full of Christmas decorations, Advent Calendar, Gingerbread House Kit, a Christmas Tree, Stockings and a "Twelve Days of Christmas".   We were able to decorate the house which brought the Christmas Spirit a bit more!  My district and I loved it!! My family got so many "shout-outs" on how awesome they are;) It made me so happy, i feel like its finally Christmas now!

   It's hard for it to feel like Christmas when its 80 degrees outside every day.  But, it's allowed me to try and focus on the true meaning of our celebrations this time of year. For me personally, I've been trying to find little ways to serve my companion and my district.  At my home every year during the month of December we do "Manger Elves", where we do small acts of service for each other.  I've thought about it so much these last few weeks as well as our other family's traditions. By doing things for my Companion Elder Dowlde and the District, like make his bed and do the dishes etc. helps a lot.  I miss the little things.  So, by doing small things like that it makes me still feel like part of the family, it makes me happy. 

    I just wanted to express briefly my appreciation for my companion, Elder Dowdle. Yesterday, I got sick again and I was feeling super frustrated because we had a lot of people to see last night. I didn't think we'd be able to see them. We decided that we would go on an exchange and I rested at a member's house while he and another went and taught the remaining lessons for the week. I'm grateful for him and his desire to work hard and am lucky to have the opportunity to serve with him.

I hope you are all finding opportunities to serve others in preparation for this Christmas!

Love,

 Elder Hazen