Miracles at the End of the Year! 12/30/13

Dear peoples that I love and care about. How was your Christmas? I bet it wasn't as fun as mine, especially when Brixen told me that she has a new My Little Pony! HA beat that! But truly I do hope you all enjoyed your break so far, and the precious special time with you families. They are a great blessing in all of our lives.

   Well a couple of really cool things happened this week. About Monday Elder Norman and I were out and our lesson dropped. I had the distinct impression to go talk to a man who I have know for quit a while out here. I have known him because he always calls me over to talk to me when I finish my running in the morning. I have always brought up the gospel (so has Elder Nelson, the AP right now) and he didn't want anything to do with it. Well as we went over that night he invited us onto his pourch. We sat and small talked for a minute then very expertly went into our discussion, starting with a prayer ( you know that was the spirit because I couldn't have done it that expertly on my own......even though I might be pretty good). As we started he held up his and and asked us to stop. My faith wavered for a small moment. He got up and went inside with out another word. Only to appear back in the door way just a few seconds later, with a pen and a piece of paper. He sat down  and asked us to continue. He then wrote down everything that we said. He took very specific notes on everything. WOW! Once finished he asked us to come back and talk with his whole family. Without even extending the commitment to come to church he said he would be there Sunday with his family and he was!!!!! He quickly accepted the commitment to be baptized and said that his family would be too on that day. We later came to find out that his family were debating whether or not to go to the Baptist's church or to come to ours and our appearance that night he took as a sign from God. I am still is sheer awe. I told Elder Nelson and he had me repeat myself because he didn't believe it at first either, that's how hard hearted this man was. Key word was! We can all change and God is working on us daily! Just trust him he knows best.

   Well to complete the story to date: Sunday came around, I was on trade off, but as I walked into the church for the meeting after ours. And here came out the Cambell family just glowing.......They loved church a whole heap according to several of the members, myself, and what my comp said. More than that, we had 3 others come! Making our progressing investigators for the week at 4!!!! Not only that, we also had 5 less actives back! Just between Elder Norman and I!! It was a nice change. Miracles don't usually come all at once but as a process just like the sunrise, little by little. So yesterday was a blast just for that simple fact alone. At the end of church though Elder Humphries and I were sitting around while someone was signing his journal. ( transfer calls he is leaving but I am the same for at least one more transfer) I went up and played t he piano. Well here came three sisters from the branch. Bam! They thrusted some music in front of me they wanted to sing. It took me off guard but they were nice so I played. They sang and sang and sang some more! What is even weirder they sounded really good. It surprised me but I was just happy to be playing the piano. I love that instrument so much I can not even begin to describe my feelings. Maybe I'll learn to play the guitar while I am out here as well. hmmmmm.....what do you all think about that one?? We will see.

   Well I will send some pics here soon so I hope you all like them. Again thanks for all the letters, emails, cards, packages and love you all send. It help a lot more than you know. Most of them are perfectly timed right when I am feeling down. How you all do it I do not know but I am sure grateful you have a gift for that kind of stuff. So, thank you.

    Aunt Carolyn in Kentucky: Thank you for all your thoughtful letters. Thank you for the cash too. It really helps and I can't say thank you in the way I feel. Your words are always a boost and whether you know it or not, sometimes they have answers to questions I have been searching for. So thank you again! You are awesome. Hopefully one day I can thank you in person like this kind of stuff should be done. I love you. 

    Have a good week! I hope you all enjoy New Year's Eve. I sure will in 88 degree whether. But I love and care about every single one of you. I pray very very hard for each one of you every night. Thank you for all you do and who you are. You are all and example to me and my heros. I love you all.

 Elder Henderson

No Snow for Christmas 12/23/13

Well another week has come and passed us by in the twinkling of an eye.
Weird......I still feel like it has been just a couple of days since seeing you all. I think that that is mostly because there is zero change out here. A nice blessing from God.

   

This week was a lot of fun! Elder Norman and I have done a lot of work considering that we had two less days of work than normal, with the mission dinner and the big Christmas Devotional. (Do any of you know an Elder Cornish?? He spoke.) Any way we combined the whole mission and we got over a 1000 people in attendance. Pretty cool huh. The place was jammed packed. So it was cool.

  

 I can't really think of any cool stories this week. It went by too fast. I can't even remember what I did on Friday.......hmmmmmm that needs fixing. But yeah. Sunday was a little bit of a disappointment. We had 10 people this week.......ug so much work we do for what? But I played  really well on the piano. I love playing that thing!!! I have gotten really good, the Lord has really blessed me. You know sometimes it is very hard to see if you have progressed at all. I always wonder if I am progressing. If God is happy with the effort that I have given so far. Hmmmmm......I guess I will just have to wait to find out. 

    

Christmas down here is NOT Christmas. There are almost zero lights. There is not Christmas music. And most importantly there is NO SNOW! Yes for those of you that don't know I really do miss the snow. Anyway, Merry Christmas though because I know that it is Christmas back at home!!! 

Remember a couple of things this season. First, you Lord and Savior was born. That's the whole reason that we celebrate Christmas. Not for Santa, although that would be cool! Christ did what he did because he loved each one of you. So this Christmas what can you do to show him you love him. Second, Christmas gifts are really cool but, the most meaningful gifts come from the heart and take time. The gifts I remember the most are the times that my parents took time just to hang with me. So What can you do this season to spend some more time with those you love. For this is truly what Christmas is all about! I know that our Saviour lives. He cares and he will do all he can to get you to come back to him. The question remains will you take his out stretched hand? I know that this is the only true church. I know this with every fiber of my soul. And I know that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of my God. This is where my testimony started, so if you want more faith, spiritual strength, whatever read, ponder, pray. I know that book is true. I know it and I can not deny it. I love you all. Until we meet again keep the faith,

Elder Henderson

Disapointing Week 12/16/13

Well just another week closer to Christmas. I just can't wait to see all of your faces. I am so excited I can't stand it!!!! Any way, this week was well disappointing. Yesterday we had 19 people at church........we have over 200 members. I guess it is the Christmas season so they are probably all with family. But we did have one investigator there with 4 less actives back!!! Yes score for the white man! I had the privilege of giving a talk on missionary work. I just love to give talks because I learn so much in the process! I also got the chance to play again in sacrament. Well I guess you could say that it's my calling but yeah.....Anyway let's just say that Christmas songs are probably the hardest songs to learn/sight read. I never would have expected that. But I have learned so much from playing every week! Mom that music you sent me is sick!!!! I have learn just about three songs of it and it sounds amazing! I can't wait to share it with you when I come home.

   Well this week was a little bit slower seeing that we had 3 back to back to back drop out days. Mostly because of the rain. It rained quite a bit this week. That reminds me! We were sitting with a less active on Tuesday when the rain started to pour. It got so loud that we couldn't hear what the other was saying so we just sat for a while. (It usually passes over with in an hour) But as we sat a lightning strike hit the ground not even 50 feet away! I could literately taste the electricity in the air. It was the loudest thunder I have ever heard! I couldn't hear for a minute or so.........sssssooooooooo awesome! Gosh I love the weather here sometimes!

   Well we did a lot of service this week in an attempt to gain more trust from the members and help them to do more missionary work. We picked out three members that were the strongest ward missionaries and we started there. Well it turned out pretty good. I feel like it really motivated them to trust us and help us with the work. But we got a couple of sweet pictures of us 20 some odd feet in the air chopping branches with a machete. But yeah there isn't a lot to tell. 

    I miss you all very much and I love to get all of your emails! They are just the boost I need to continue into another week. So thank you. Enjoy the coming week and the coming break! Enjoy the snow and I'll enjoy the 88 degree weather. 

   Elder Nathan Allen, Elder Gregg Allen, and Sister Tiffiney Henderson I love hearing your stories it makes me smile to know that I am apart of such an awesome family!! Keep up the good work! I pray for all of you every single day. No regrets leave it all on the field. 

    Take care everyone! Until next week.

Elder Henderson

Sunrise in Spanish Town

Service with a machette

Painting with the McCallas

Elders Henderson and Norman

40 day email fast done!! 12-9-13

Well with this last week goes my 40 day fast. I have so much to report but I don't think I will have time to report it all, too much has happened. I am also so very grateful to all of you for all your kind letters. Thank you, I hope you all received mine with out delay. 

    I guess I better start with what I learned and experienced. First and for most I realized exactly how much I depend on my family. They give me hope and courage to go on. I can't really explain the feelings that I have for you all. Even though I did miss talking to you all I did learn that the Savior always comes through. There were times when I was depressed and very low but, as I spoke to my God he spoke back. He gave me strength, courage, and a glimmer of hope. Even if I remember nothing else about this trial/experience I will remember the conversations that I had with Heavenly Father, yes conversations. He really does respond, and sometimes he responds with more than just a feeling. It was at those times of extreme anguish that I was pushed to my limit, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I learned more about who I am in those 40 days than I have in the last 5 years of my life. Trust me I do not want to do that again but the lessons learned are the most valuable lessons I have learned in my life. Even if you younger ones (and older ones) don't have a testimony that he responds, I promise you he does. You just aren't looking hard enough. If you are in a trial now I invite you to pray. Something so simple but, it has more power than you know, much more power. 

   Well to give an update on the investigators here in Spanish Town. Sister Harrison was baptised three weeks ago. Theo is supposed to be baptized in two weeks. Sister Shaw was supposed to be baptized this week but that will have to be pushed back. Joseph Grant is supposed to be baptized next week. We also have picked up Brother Harrison, Romy, Rohan, Isaac, Andre, Kemar, Brother Morris, Immaneul, Mark Lee, Dwane, Devon, and Kino. Plus some others but those are the ones we are focusing on right now. (Dad your prayers have been answered, all males). The branch here is really flourishing, in fact we had the church camera crew come here yesterday and take footage of sacrament meeting. They are doing a documentary of the growth of the church in Jamaica. Guess what else?! Elder Norman and I have a part in the film. Something like 10 seconds long, but still that's 10 seconds right??!!? So keep an eye out for that. Anyway, we had a really cool experience Saturday.

   We watched the Restoration (full version). As we watched the Spirit filled the room stronger and stronger with that familiar charity and compassion. I think I could taste it it was so strong actually. As the movie progressed people off the street came walking into the meeting until we had people standing outside because there wasn't enough room in Sister Harrison's house. People we didn't even know. It was because the Spirit was pouring out of the house and into the street. Once the video finished we stood. As I bore my testimony of the truth the Spirit took it to the peoples hearts. I watched as grown men cried. It was the most powerful testimony I have ever uttered. Elder Norman did the same. After his powerful testimony Sister Harrison bore her's (we didn't even ask her too). I watched as new people who I have never seen before spoke to themselves that this was true. We concluded with a prayer and all of them asked us to come back and that they would be at church tomorrow. I could not believe it. The Lord really does have his hand in our work.

    There are so many other experiences that I have had here that are similar but I don't have the time to write them or share them. I am just pleased to be a tool in the Lord's hands and I am watching as he is bringing forth a stake here in Jamaica. I just wonder sometimes on why people wont decided quicker to be baptized. I don't understand why I am not catching hypothermia because I am in the font all day. Gosh! But that being said I have watched as my area has grown. President has straight out told me that our area is the model area. That blew my mind because there is still so much more we still need to happen here. Oh well back to the grind stone. 

   Well Christmas is coming so very soon. I can't wait to talk to you momma, daddy, kids. I hope that you are all having a wonderful Christmas season. How's the snow? Is is sosooooooooo cold? Guess What!?! Nothing (brixen) No I am still at 88 degrees. Yeah I miss the snow. Oh well.

   So I have a question for all who read this, but especially Dad. Why did the prophets pray to Jesus in the old testimate and in the Book of Mormon? (Alma 36; Lehi does it too; it is all over) I have come to the conclusion that is must do something with the Atonement but I don't have the time to study it out. (too many investigators) So Dad you are a scholar with the Old Testimate why do they do that? So that's my thought today. Anyway, I love you all. Amber Welcome home. I hope this all finds you in good health. 

Your missionary in Jamaica,

Elder Henderson

Elder Norman (new companion), Elder Henderson, Elder Matthewson

Scott, Rachel, Elder Norman

Drinking from a coconut

The Jamaican sky

Beauty of Spanish Town

Banana Tree

Beauty of Spanish Town - Jamaican Apple Tree

Another month gone already 11/11/13

Another month gone......will someone care to share the secret of getting time to slow down? Gosh I'm with Elder Allen it is going by too fast. I hope you all had a great week this week. I love getting all of your letters and emails. They benefit me a lot more than you realize. Thank you.

    So this week was an outstanding week! We had 3 people at church, investigators. And another 3 people return from less activity! Yes you heard me right. The investigators that came to church were as follows: Theo, Sister Harrison, and Joseph Grant. Theo of course is probably the most elect guy I know and have met. So here is what happened with him this week. So last week he came to church and right after church he received a job that he desperately needed to support his family. Not only that but he didn't stop doing the things God has commanded he continued. We were supposed to go see him Tuesday. We called Shawn (a member who is fellow shipping Theo) to see if he wanted to come with us to the lesson, this was his response. "Na mon, he ain't going to be at the lesson." (us) "Why not!?! What happened?" "Institute is tonight, we are headed there now." All I could do was sit in wonderment and awe and shake my head.....wow. We will continue the story. Thursdaywe went to see him again. This time we got to see him. We talked, and found out that the chapter we had left with him to read he had read it twice. He had several questions but he didn't want us to answer them. Sounds kinda weird huh? Well he wanted to solve the questions by himself with the Lord. So he started reading from the beginning. Sick. Saturday we went to see him again. It was pouring, pretty badly. We stopped at his house (rain won't stop us). He was outside washing his cloths. He invited us in, and after a careful evaluation we decided to help him wash his cloths, (yes, by hand) in the pouring rain. :) It was a wonderful expierence. We got to talk to him about everything, meaning his back round and hobbies and stuff. This guy has quit the story, I will have to share it another time though. Theo often calls us his best friends. I can't describe the feeling of love I have for that man. I have gotten the chance to sit and watch God work miracles in his life! Not only that but it was a miracle that we met him. (This is cool, I was just thinking about this the other day) So my first or second week out here Elder Mathewson had this impression to go to a Sisters house. She wasn't home because there was a funeral. Well I just stopped this lady on the street and we ended up getting her information. We taught this lady a couple of times. She wasn't really progressing but we felt impressed to continue to teach her. We decided that we should bring Sister Wright to the next lesson. Well when we got over there to teach her she wasn't home. Sister Wright being awesome talked to Theo who is staying there. And well you know most of the story from there. I still can't believe it. If everything goes according to plan we should have 3 baptisms before I talk to you all next.

   Well Sunday was a great day. I played 29, 190 and 284. Yesterday I got a glimpse of how much God has changed me and made me stronger. I played better than I ever have before in my life. It was such a blessing. I am so thankful for what God does in my everyday life. 

   So there is something important I need to tell all of you. I won't be emailing any of you for the next 40 days. I will write letters, in fact there are some on the way now. This is because I am looking to consecrate my work even further than it is. I will be going on a 40 fast, so to speak. So don't feel bad if you don't receive an email in the next month. I will explain myself more after I am finished. Mom yes I can do this according to the rules. I have spend many days now contemplating this very thing. I am not doing this to get away from anything. I am doing this so that I can simply rely solely on the Lord for my strength. He will provide a way and the strength I need, and you need. Don't worry it won't be a long time.

   Dad, thank you for your kind email! I did get the packages! They were and are wonderful it was a huge boost to my day.....my week.....no more like my month. Thank you! One thing though.....I need more talks I am almost finished. Sorry like I said I am going through material really fast. Not only that I am retaining the things I read. Look at my blessing, that is why. Also, I was reading in D and C 132 verse 26. There are 5 saving ordinances. But there should be 6 steps for you. 1. baptism 2. receive the holy ghost 3. priesthood 4. endowments 5. marriage. 6. being sealed my the holy spirit of promise. The sixth step is, according to our old mission president, president Hendricks (he was a temple president) is preformed by the Savior himself. You will receive a call from the Prophet when that is to happen, to come to the temple. So in short work for that assured exaltation. (What are your thoughts on that? and on D and C 132 verse 26?)

   Mom thank you too for your kindness. I really do love you and the time you took out of your schedule for me to help me out. Thank you. I hope that you will be okay for the next little while. Guess what!? You'll speak to me after I am done with my fast, so be of good cheer. 

   Carter, I am glad to hear that you are having a better time at school. The friend thing, I would suggest to put yourself in situations where you can get to know other people. Sit by someone new, learn to be social. You are a stud! I am excited and grateful to get emails from you every week.

   Joshua bro. I love that snowman! I made me laugh pretty good. Way to be! Hmmmmm....so the snow has already fallen. Well continue to run. You have much more equipment in the house to continue your training than I have out here. Like in my pictures I only have bands and cinder blocks. I would recomend you use the ladder everyday. So keep it up, just a little bit everyday.

    Nikayle, I love you princess. You are awesome. I didn't hear from you or Mom this week but I am sure it is because you are just having a blast!! How did softball end up? How is Mr. J? I sure loved him as a teacher he is great.

    Siri!!!!!! How are you beautiful? I miss you! How is school? What about gymnastics? Are you having fun without me? I am sure you are! Remember you are a daughter of God live accordingly. I love you.

    Brixen, little one, guess what?!........Nothing. hahaha aw I miss those times! I hope you are finding joy at home while Siri is gone. So do you and Mom play much? What do you do? How was Halloween? Did you get a lot of candy? Any way know that God loves you. You are his daughter. I love you too.

    I know that this letter is a lot longer than I have been writing but I think you can figure out why I made it a little bit longer. The Lord is very merciful to all. His grace is sufficient for all of us. He paid our debt, and we must show our appreciation by living all of his commandments. For that will determine weather we choose to stay with Jesus and Heavenly Father in the Celestial world or if we choose to leave and stay in a lower kingdom. I know that he lives. God is present now more than ever before, in our lives. We must take a moment to ponder and thank him for all that he does for us. I know more assuredly now than ever before that the Book of Mormon is true. It is true and I will stand as a witness of that until I die. When I go before God at the judgement bar, I want to be able to say that I proclaimed his gospel to the best of my ability. I love you all very much and I miss you all very much, two years may seem like a long time, but the more I am out here the more I realize that it is just time. It will pass, very quickly. Two years is not enough time for me, or any of us for that matter, to complete all that God has given us to do. So don't waste a moment. For those of you who are struggling to find the faith to do the things that God commands, you can lean on my testimony until you gain a testimony of your own. This is the only true church, but don't believe me. Ask Heavenly Father and see for yourself. He will answer, if you act in faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Henderson

November is gone! 11-4-13

Another month gone......will someone care to share the secret of getting time to slow down? Gosh I'm with Elder Allen - it is going by too fast. I hope you all had a great week this week. I love getting all of your letters and emails. They benefit me a lot more than you realize. Thank you.

    

So this week was an outstanding week! We had 3 people at church, investigators. And another 3 people return from less activity! Yes you heard me right. The investigators that came to church were as follows: Theo, Sister Harrison, and Joseph Grant. Theo of course is probably the most elect guy I know and have met. So here is what happened with him this week. So last week he came to church and right after church he received a job that he desperately needed to support his family. Not only that but he didn't stop doing the things God has commanded he continued. We were supposed to go see him Tuesday. We called Shawn (a member who is fellow shipping Theo) to see if he wanted to come with us to the lesson, this was his response. "Na mon, he ain't going to be at the lesson." (us) "Why not!?! What happened?" "Institute is tonight, we are headed there now." All I could do was sit in wonderment and awe and shake my head.....wow. We will continue the story. Thursday we went to see him again. This time we got to see him. We talked, and found out that the chapter we had left with him to read he had read it twice. He had several questions but he didn't want us to answer them. Sounds kinda weird huh? Well he wanted to solve the questions by himself with the Lord. So he started reading from the beginning. Sick. Saturday we went to see him again. It was pouring, pretty badly. We stopped at his house (rain won't stop us). He was outside washing his cloths. He invited us in, and after a careful evaluation we decided to help him wash his cloths, (yes, by hand) in the pouring rain. :) It was a wonderful expierence. We got to talk to him about everything, meaning his background and hobbies and stuff. This guy has quite the story, I will have to share it another time though. Theo often calls us his best friends. I can't describe the feeling of love I have for that man. I have gotten the chance to sit and watch God work miracles in his life! 

Not only that but it was a miracle that we met him. (This is cool, I was just thinking about this the other day) So my first or second week out here Elder Mathewson had this impression to go to a Sisters house. She wasn't home because there was a funeral. Well I just stopped this lady on the street and we ended up getting her information. We taught this lady a couple of times. She wasn't really progressing but we felt impressed to continue to teach her. We decided that we should bring Sister Wright to the next lesson. Well when we got over there to teach her she wasn't home. Sister Wright, being awesome, talked to Theo who is staying there. And well you know most of the story from there. I still can't believe it. If everything goes according to plan we should have 3 baptisms before I talk to you all next.

  

Well Sunday was a great day. I played 29, 190 and 284. Yesterday I got a glimpse of how much God has changed me and made me stronger. I played better than I ever have before in my life. It was such a blessing. I am so thankful for what God does in my everyday life. 

   

So there is something important I need to tell all of you. I won't be emailing any of you for the next 40 days. I will write letters, in fact there are some on the way now. This is because I am looking to consecrate my work even further than it is. I will be going on a 40 fast, so to speak. So don't feel bad if you don't receive an email in the next month. I will explain myself more after I am finished. Mom, yes I can do this according to the rules. I have spent many days now contemplating this very thing. I am not doing this to get away from anything. I am doing this so that I can simply rely solely on the Lord for my strength. He will provide a way and the strength I need, and you need. Don't worry it won't be a long time.

  

Dad, thank you for your kind email! I did get the packages! They were and are wonderful it was a huge boost to my day.....my week.....no more like my month. Thank you! One thing though.....I need more talks I am almost finished. Sorry like I said I am going through material really fast. Not only that I am retaining the things I read. Look at my blessing, that is why. Also, I was reading in D and C 132 verse 26. There are 5 saving ordinances. But there should be 6 steps for you. 1. baptism 2. receive the holy ghost 3. priesthood 4. endowments 5. marriage. 6. being sealed my the holy spirit of promise. The sixth step is, according to our old mission president, president Hendricks (he was a temple president) is preformed by the Savior himself. You will receive a call from the Prophet when that is to happen, to come to the temple. So in short work for that assured exaltation. (What are your thoughts on that? and on D and C 132 verse 26?)

   

Mom thank you too for your kindness. I really do love you and the time you took out of your schedule for me to help me out. Thank you. I hope that you will be okay for the next little while. Guess what!? You'll speak to me after I am done with my fast, so be of good cheer. 

   

Carter, I am glad to hear that you are having a better time at school. The friend thing, I would suggest to put yourself in situations where you can get to know other people. Sit by someone new, learn to be social. You are a stud! I am excited and grateful to get emails from you every week.

   

Joshua bro. I love that snowman! It made me laugh pretty good. Way to be! Hmmmmm....so the snow has already fallen. Well continue to run. You have much more equipment in the house to continue your training than I have out here. Like in my pictures I only have bands and cinder blocks. I would recomend you use the ladder everyday. So keep it up, just a little bit everyday.

    

Nikayle, I love you princess. You are awesome. I didn't hear from you or Mom this week but I am sure it is because you are just having a blast!! How did softball end up? How is Mr. J? I sure loved him as a teacher he is great.

    

Siri!!!!!! How are you beautiful? I miss you! How is school? What about gymnastics? Are you having fun without me? I am sure you are! Remember you are a daughter of God - live accordingly. I love you.

    

Brixen, little one, guess what?!........Nothing. hahaha aw I miss those times! I hope you are finding joy at home while Siri is gone. So do you and Mom play much? What do you do? How was Halloween? Did you get a lot of candy? Any way know that God loves you. You are his daughter. I love you too.

    

I know that this letter is a lot longer than I have been writing but I think you can figure out why I made it a little bit longer. The Lord is very merciful to all. His grace is sufficient for all of us. He paid our debt, and we must show our appreciation by living all of his commandments. For that will determine whether we choose to stay with Jesus and Heavenly Father in the Celestial world or if we choose to leave and stay in a lower kingdom. I know that he lives. God is present now more than ever before, in our lives. We must take a moment to ponder and thank him for all that he does for us. I know more assuredly now than ever before that the Book of Mormon is true. It is true and I will stand as a witness of that until I die. When I go before God at the judgement bar, I want to be able to say that I proclaimed his gospel to the best of my ability. I love you all very much and I miss you all very much, two years may seem like a long time, but the more I am out here the more I realize that it is just time. It will pass, very quickly. Two years is not enough time for me, or any of us for that matter, to complete all that God has given us to do. So don't waste a moment. For those of you who are struggling to find the faith to do the things that God commands, you can lean on my testimony until you gain a testimony of your own. This is the only true church, but don't believe me. Ask Heavenly Father and see for yourself. He will answer, if you act in faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Henderson

My Favorite Week So Far 10/28/13

Well another week has flown by.....would any of you please tell the time to slow down? It would be nice. So to give you a little taste of Jamaica. It is sunny everyday. Some days it will rain a little bit. The people here are so kind and loving. The food here is fantastic, I love it to death. I enjoy the sun rises and sun sets they are probably the most beautiful ones I have ever seen especially the sun rises...........OH YEAH i FORGOT IT'S STILL 90+ DEGREES!!!!! AAAAhhhhhhh where is winter?!? I just love to sweat everyday all day no matter what I am doing, even in the cold shower I sweat. Oh well there must be a price paid for so much beauty.

   So this week was probably my most favorite week so far here in the mission field. We have 3 investigators come to church, 4 Less actives come, and my boy Jean-Dee McCalla gave his farewell talk. It was awesome. I also got the chance to play the hymns again. I hope I am getting better....even if I mess up quite a bit. For example, I was playing hymn 27 and during the third verse my mind wondered on me. That is never good. I started thinking about, who knows what, and before I realized it I stopped playing completely. I quickly evaluated the dire situation, and started playing again.....wrong part of the song.....oh no.....I just started playing from the start and it happened to be where everyone was. haha Small mercy from God, but it was fun. 

    To tell you a little more about our investigators. I will start with Theo aka Alfredo Wilson. (He was one who came to church). Theo absolutly loved church. He described it "I felt welcome, completely welcome. I don't do well with crouds but I was okay there.....I felt overjoyed like if you place a glass of water underneath the tap and it over flows..." So awesome!!! During church he got an answer to his prayers, multiple actually. When we first talked with Theo he told us on how he was engaged and was struggling to find a job. He had a sincere desire to simply provide. He explained further saying that he had been cast out from his family and that he had been out of work for a really long time. You could just tell how humble this man was. He told us of many nights he spent on his knees praying for help and strength. Well at church during priesthood quorum a man stood up and said, "is anyone looking for a job? I need to hire someone effective immediately..." Can you imagine his joy? I can't but I could see it. He had a smile from ear to ear as he went up to talk to the man after church. Awesome. Later we went to see him to follow up on how church was and have a lesson. He was still smiling. He said "How do I keep this feeling?" We said "Be baptized." "I have to be baptized then. When can I be baptized?" What!?!?! I was just like wow. God has prepared this man so much it's amazing. I sure hope that he continues down this road, it will bring him many more blessings than a job. He is only scratching the surface.

    You know before this experience we had to drop a lot of investigators because they were not keeping their commitments. For example, Cindy said to us "I won't come unless I have fare for the taxi" I explained to her how I run the distance every week and how my 95 year old grandfather walked to church with me several times when I was younger. She said that it didn't matter that God understands that we sin......Hey doesn't that sound familiar? Try 2 Nephi 28 (I think verse 7-9) Gosh I didn't realize that that scripture would come to pass so literately. In this instance anyway (Dad don't worry I know there are many more meanings to that scripture). It is just amazing how stupid people are. They constantly want better and beg for it but they wont help themselves. Too bad I can't help if you won't help yourself. 

    Dad I am sending you a letter with some of my thoughts on the things I am studying. I don't have time to really digest your whole email so I am hoping that you can teach me as we write back and forth. I just wish I could get up with you and study every morning. Mom I got 2 of the packages the other one is in the office. Thank you so much!!! I couldn't stop smiling...even to talk. I loved the whole thing. Tell grandma thank you too.

    Tell the Swinson's that I got their letters as well and that I loved them. I really liked the talk about refinement. Any talks that people like I would love to read them. I love reading them.

    Well that's all for now. Or that I can think of. So, take care all. I love each one of you. I look up to each one of you. You are my heros. Nikayle keep up the good solid work. Your awesome! Siri, Sorry to hear you were sick but I am glad you are better. Continue to enjoy school. Brixen of course I will love you decorations!!! I love all of your drawings......sssshhhhh I'll let you in on a secret. You drawings always make a tear come to my eye because of your thoughtfulness. You are one bright light in this dark night of turmoil. I love you.

Elder Henderson

This is how I work out.... the hard way!

A frog we found.

What should we name him?

Well, Hello Again! 10/22/13

Well hello again!!!! I am very grateful for all your letters this week. I love every single one of them. I just wish I had more time to read them all. Grandma thanks for your kind letters and also the Swinson's I enjoyed their letter and talk they sent about being refined. I will defiantly try to put that to use. 

   Well this week was full of ups and downs. I had a bit of a harder week. I get to watch all these miracles that go on around me and it seems like no one else notices them. How is that possible? It is very frustrating. So this last week we had two people lined up to be baptized this coming Saturday. Andre and Sister Harrison. Elder Mathewson and I felt like they were ready, they are ready, except they didn't come to church!!!!!! GGGGrrrrrr.......WHY IS THAT SO HARD? One Sunday left and they  couldn't push through. It was very discouraging for me. I have watched the Lord bless these two in so many ways and when one thing comes up it all goes to pot. Oh well I can understand some of it. For one Sister Harrison lost her sister which is understandable why she  would be upset. So I am trying not to get too down. We will just have to be patient. Oh man do I struggle with that! Just something else the Lord has shown me that I need to work on. 

   So throughout the week like I said we have had many miracles. On Wednesday, Elder Mathewson's tire blew out so we were on foot the whole day......it rained the whole day. Not only rained but poured. I was so wet I felt like I was swimming. The puddles were up to my knees in places on the streets. But we pushed onward because rain will not stop the Lord's work it will go on. Anyway we went and saw everyone in our area. No one would meet with us, so we went to a cook shop and ate some dinner (to try and cheer ourselves up). It was cold on the way home. (still raining of course) But I started to sing some hymns. As I sung about being in the Lord's army and such I felt an overwhelming feeling of love come over me. It warmed me from head to toe. Not only that the rain stopped. Like completely as we were singing. As we approached the house it was about8:15. We talked about going in for the night but I said lets go to one more persons house. Well guess what happened when we went to Jay's house?!?! Nothing......he wasn't home. As we headed back for the night I saw a movement in the street. (the power was out, again, so I could really see it.) As we got closer I noticed it was a crab!!!! The crab took off, they are really quit fast! But me being me, I caught up to it and started pulling a karate kid. (With the arms and everything) I kicked that crab all over the street like a soccer ball. I accidentally kicked off it's leg so I stopped. Then a brilliant thought came to mind. I was going to cook that 2 lbs crab, and that's what I did. I picked it up and took it home. I threw it in a pot with casian seasoning. I have never had crab before but, that crab was delicious!!! Even the other Elder's thought so. I am going to cook a lot more crab in the future. So the Lord even blessed me with a yummy crab to eat when I was feeling down. It helps to know that the Lord always has your back. He is always there, and he cares. He really does. 

    One more experience that I will share with you is the day after. We had Zone meeting and we were challenged to "turn the members into the missionaries". Elder Mathewson and I had already started doing that but we made plans accordingly for that weekend to talk to them more about it. As we left (we were still on foot) and headed to our appointments on the day we ran into 4 of the strongest members in our area.  I think the Lord wasn't happy with how we planned so he helped us out a bit. What a miracle! We weren't even going to go into their areas. WOW. It humbled me, always act right away on promptings and counsel. The Lord doesn't like a slothful servant. DO NOT EVER BE SLOTHFUL! There is simply too much to do. Don't worry I had a long talk with God that night asking for forgiveness. 

    Like I said earlier this week was challenging for me. It tested me, it still is. It made me wonder if my faith is really growing. If I am becoming the man that I need to become. If I truly am doing and becoming a missionary for the rest of my life. I have a lot to ponder about. The problem is I don't have any time to ponder about them because I have too much to do. Mostly because I play the piano on Sunday and when other missionaries get a break I must be practicing so I can play. Man I wish for just a moment to myself. 

    Well I will be writing some personal emails. I love you all keep up the good work. Remember that the Lord has revealed that the members are the missionaries and the missionaries are just there to help. GET TO WORK! There is a lot to do. Always know he is there and he cares. Till next week remember I am in Jamaica, a tropical island, you are in the cold right now but I am enjoying 88 degree weather. I love you :)

Elder Henderson

 Elder Henderson and Matthewson  "cutting yard"  

Elder Christiansen and Elder Henderson after running to the church

Eating crab in Spanish Town

Lots of Investigators 10-14-13

Well hi everyone. I miss all your warm faces so much. I love hearing from you and all your thoughts on the gospel and what is going on in your personal lives. You are all a blessing to me. I love you all. 

   So everyone wants to know about my investigators. Well here you go. Sister McCalla is a good lady. She is completely engaged in the work, just like everyone should be. She is doing the preaching of the word of God. Then when she has questions on how to teach something or needs a Book of Mormon she asks us. That's how it is supposed to be now. The trick is getting the members involved. You all must do better, I must do better. God is hastening his work and missionaries are guides. The preaching is supposed to be done by you. But I know you all are doing just that! We have an investigator named Andre Harrison. When we first met him he could hardly read. Well we gave him a Book of Mormon 3 weeks ago. And what happened was amazing. Every time we met with him, I noticed he could read better. Now he is almost done with Mosiah! A kid who can't really read. WOW! Not only that he can now read fluently! We are told by an apostle that all problems we have in this world can be solved in the scriptures. Just pick them up!!! He is supposed to be baptized next week. I hope he comes to church. (That's that hardest part out here. Everyone is so lazy they won't walk to church. So I ran the 3.25 miles to church today in 22 minutes, so people can no longer complain.) We have another investigator Sister Harrison (aunt to andre). She was supposed to be baptized this week but, she missed church. Her Sister died Saturday so I understand why she was feeling bad and didn't come. But we went and talked to her and she said that she is having an easier time with it than when her son died back in August because she now knows the plan of Salvation. So sick!!! Well I would love to tell you more about investigators but I have so many that we can't visit all of them. So I'll tell you about two more. Kenisha, we found her on a prompting to go to a members house. She wasn't home so stopped her as she walked down the street. (I seem to do that a lot. It gets me in trouble because it makes us late to appointments sometimes.) But when we went and saw her the other day. She said the she already knew everything we said was true. WHAT?! How? She had been praying for the last few months for someone to help her with her studies. So yeah, she is in progress and if we can get her to church she will be awesome! The other one is Joseph Grant. We went to meet with Joseph the other day for the first time. Well come to find out that he had already read: True to the Faith, all the pamphlets. He wanted more so he got in touch with us. We took him a Book of Mormon. As soon as he got it he stopped paying attention to us and read. Even during my prayer. hahaha He was sure excited about it. I just love it!!!!

    This week has been a good week. I am finally adjusting. The work is becoming fun for me. But once again 22 months is forever long....until I look back over the last 8 weeks. Hahaha SO I LOVE JAMAICA. It's a blast!!!! 

    Mom tell Grandma and the Swinsons that I got their letters today. I loved them they were very inspirational. Especially the talk that was sent. I also am very grateful for the patriarcle blessings of Grandma and Grandpa. They in lightened me quit a bit.

   Dad we are teaching at least 6 men right now. They just progress slower than women. You know they have that attitute that they know everything. BUT, God is softening their hearts. It's a blessing to me to watch.

   Carter I love to hear from you. It's okay that this week was boring. Just make the next one fun!!! Key word make. You have the choice. Keep going and keep telling me how things are going and if I can help you in any way.

   Joshua I got half your email. But way to be on soccer!!!! You are a stud! How's piano going? Mine is going well!!! I practice atleast 15 minutes a day because I have to play every sunday. Yesterday I played hymn 1, 105, 169, and 152. I was so nervous but God helped me play them very well. Mom asked how President Britton knew I played. He walked in on me as I played before church.....Note to self make sure the door is locked next time....Just kidding. I am glad I have the opportunity to play to strengthen my talent.

   Nikayle I believe you have a birthday coming up. What do you want from Jamaica? I'll try to find it okay? Keep your studies in the Book of Mormon up it will be a blessing to you.

   Siri same with you! What would you like? I am glad to hear you are taking Gymnastics! You'll be fabulous and beautiful at the same time! You are my hero.

   Brixen I miss you too little one. I wish I could come home and just hold you and never let go. When I am feeling a little down I remember your smile and that makes me smile. I will always be your BEST friend. 3 more months till I'll speak to you okay?

   I would encourage everyone reading this to make preparations in going on a mission! It will bless you in more ways than you can imagination. It has blessed me in more ways than I can write. Please, God has given us everything. Do you know the real reason for a mission? It's not for the people you will serve and bring into the gospel. (maybe a little) The mission is mainly for the missionary. Especially with the way that the work is heading turning things over to the members. MAKE PREPARATIONS NOW! I love you all. Till next week be strong and smile because your son, brother, and friend is thinking about you then........I hit a pot hole and fall on my face. Again I wish you all the best of luck. 

Elder Henderson

P.S. I'm sending some pictures

cut my own hair. 

  sunrises are the best here.

   here we are.

  another beauty of a morning.

Ups and Downs 10/7/13

So I am going to do something different today. I am going to write first then read the emails and give answers to questions. So yeah we will see how this goes.

   Well this week has been full of ups and downs. Last Monday after I wrote you I got kind of depressed because 22 months is a long stinking time. It still seems like a long time looking ahead but looking back it is going fast....kinda. But in the short time I have been out here I have grown in enormous ways! My piano ability is just shooting out of this world. I have been putting in anywhere from 30-60 minutes of practice a day to try and be ready for next Sunday. I have learned five hymns that I can play with someone singing. WOW, I didn't think I could do that!! You also wouldn't believe how fast I am going through the material you sent me. I have finished all the talks given by the Quorum of the 12 in my room, I have read "My Heritage", I am over 100 pages into Jesus the Christ, I am almost finished with Doctrine and Covenants, I am also about half way through the Book of Mormon (the one I am going through marking all things to do with my question). I have a thirst for learning that I have never had before. It's like this void that I can't fill. It drives me nuts coming into this store and seeing all the books and books that I can't read!!! GRRRRRR.......Why couldn't I have discovered this sooner? Dad I am still studying the talk Elder McConkie gave about personal revaluation. It's taken me most of the transfer and I still have so much more to go. I can quote scripture after scripture where it says we are entitled to see our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face in THIS LIFE. It has been blowing my mind! But I'll send all the notes home when I have finished my study. I already filled out a whole notebook of thoughts, impressions, scriptures, cross references, etc. I think you would like what I have found and I am excited to share it with you. My physical skill and abilities have waned in areas and in others grown. Like my speed has decreased but my endurance has increased by far. hahaha I'll have a lot of work to do when I get home. But I know the Lord will bless me as I strive to do as he says. Also I never thought that I could function on 6-7 hours of rest every night and still be in a good mood. I have struggled with being angry this week but I feel like it's because I wasn't trying to enjoy myself. It's okay to have fun while you work, so the last few days I have really focused on that and it has turned this week around. So yeah that's a little taste of what I have been doing and what I have learned.

   This last weekend was conference.....I am mad as I'll get out!!! I can't wait 6 months for another one.....I have nothing to look forward too.....I enjoyed that conference more than I have ever enjoyed a conference before. I took over 10 pages of notes over the 5 sessions. I can't wait till we get the October Ensign so I can read them all over again. There was so many things I learned I can't write them all but I will share a little bit. An under lying message in every talk given was that fact that we need to LOVE. That got me thinking, love is the force that drives everyone one to do anything. It is either a love for a task we are doing, a love for the person who asks us to do the task, or a love of the reward at the end of the task. There in lies true happiness is a love of all three. I invite all of you to reevaluate your lives and motives. We must all increase our love in some way shape or forum. My love in all these categories have increased and it will still increase as I serve. I often times find myself dreading the day that I have to leave Spanish Town because, well Spanish Town in where it's at!! I would love to spend my whole mission here!!!! I can't wait for the day that I can show you how awesome this place is here. The mission is a wonderful experience you grow so much in such a short time. You learn so much in a short time. I would invite all who read this to prepare to go on a mission. It should be expected for women to come out on a mission because we also learned in conference that the persecution that we had in the beginning of the church we have avoided, but that will not last. We need a stronger generation of men and women, where is a better place to prepare for the rest of your life than in the mission field?? Prepare now!!! There is so much more I want to share with you on the topic of conference but I simply don't have my notes or the time to share it all. Sorry....:/ 

    Dad I got your letter this week...well half of it. I haven't read it because I am waiting for the other half of it. I love letters that I receive from you. YOU are my hero, I would love to hear on what you are studying in the scriptures, some insights you have on verses.

    Mom I haven't received the package yet but I am waiting expectantly. I love your cooking and miss it every single day. There are recipes here that you would love and I'll bring them back for your collection that I want one day. Okay? Dibs no battle. Sorry Cater I win.

   Carter keep being a stud. You need to grow more before you get out here. Don't wait go to work!!!!

   Same with you Joshua, you have a long ways to go before you come out here. Be diligent in all you do and watch the Lord help you.

   Nikayle decide now that you will serve a mission!!! You need to experience this okay? I love you princess, you are beautiful keep it up.

   Siri you little stinker!!! Are you having fun?? I am and you better be too because you are always so much fun to hang around. Keep being obedient okay?

   Brixen guess what?!?!?! Nothing hahaha. That never gets old. You keep making everyone laugh okay? Good. I can't come home for a while but I will come home with honor. I love you. 

   We have had several awesome lessons this week. I don't know what is going on but the Spirit has been incredibly strong recently. You can tell the investigators can feel it because they will break down in tears, or look around wondering what that is, or stuff along those lines. The work is picking up pace and I feel grateful to be apart of it! Every missionary out here insists that I will be a prophet and that I am the most well prepared missionary of all time. They assure me that I will serve off island and that I will be an AP. I'm not sure if I like all that attention, it's not good. Plus it kind of overwhelms me with all that is expected of me. That credit goes to all of you. Mom, Dad you have shaped me so far into who I am. I thank you for all you have given me and I plan to continue all those things you encouraged me to do. But from here on out it will be the Lord who will shape me into who I need and must become so I can stand tall when the storm hits that the apostles talked about yesterday. Keep going I am with you in spirit and you are always in my heart.

   Well I'm going to try and read some emails now so see you next week. God be with all of you till I see you again.

  Love,

Elder Henderson

Another Pday in Paradise 9/30/13

Wow this week seemed to go by fast!! I am really trying to focus on the investigators and that has helped the days go by a lot faster! But unfortunately I still come home utterly and completely wasted. Just yesterday I was feeling even more wasted because it was fast Sunday and I just felt like giving up. We watched a clip about missionary work in church. Elder Ering was the main speaker he said something very profound, he said "every time my body begs for relief from the day to day tasks I look at how the Saviors body must have begged for relief right before and after Gethsemane. I then have the motivation to press on ward." These word were a comfort to me and they turned my whole day around. This mission is HARD!!!! I was reading the verse in 2 Nephi 27 (i think) where it says wo to those at ease in Zion. Salvation is not easy. It never was! It wasn't easy for the greatest of all. If we want salvation we must pay a price. But don't look at the price because that's not what matters. What matters is the gift we get from it. 

   Dad no I haven't received your letters yet. I guess it takes quite a while for them to come here to Jamaica, just like packages. But I am extremely excited to get them. I am hungry for knowledge and I can't seem to fill this void or pit. I am constantly wanting more. I read the scriptures while I eat and stuff like that. There is hardly ever a spare moment for me. But it's not enough. So I look forward  very much to the time when I get to read them. 

   Mom I will take a video of the apartment and everything. I have been taking pictures of the sun rises here because when I run they are absolutely beautiful. It reminds me of you. One problem though I have no way to charge Nikayle's camera sooooo yeah I'll use it as long as possible. And yes they actually say that to us. They are very blunt here and they have no problem telling us everything they think and every whoredom they have committed. I guess it's just the culture. I look forward to the packages!!! I can't wait! 

   Carter I'm glad to hear that you finally sighted your gun way to go!!! Have you spent some time in the Book of Mormon recently?? I hope so there is so much there you need to get started right now!!!!! Enjoy the time you have with Dad and ask him as many questions as you can. He is absolutely brilliant!

   Joshua, Way to be little man!!!! I'm happy to hear about your game. Your always getting better and that's how it needs to stay throughout your life. Your story about your teacher made me and Elder Mathewson laugh. You are a trouble maker, but a funny one....reminds me of well me when I was younger. My advice to you is to fill your time with wholesome activities. Practice and set aside time to every day outside of your team's practice. Read from the Book of Mormon everyday!!!! You must do this understand??

   Nikayle, Way to go on your game!!!! You are always getting better every time I hear from you. Keep it up!!! Same goes for you fill your day with whole some activities. Keep being the sweet princess you are. I love you.

   Siri, Little one, I am starving too!!!!! I want to eat so much but there simply isn't enough of the food. It's ok you'll get used to it. A missionary huh? For Halloween? Sick!!! But you should plan to be one for real ok? You would be flipping awesome at it!

   Brixen, guess what?! NOTHING! HAHAHA gotcha. :) No I won't come home this Halloween or the next but I will soon come home. And I can't wait for that period of time to pass.

   Okay so for me this week......Well first things first it is finally raining outside!!!!!!! YES! There are rivers in the streets and it's flipping awesome. The Jamaican's hate the rain but I love to ride in it. It cools everything down. I was given a key board so I could practice piano and well the branch president found out and called me into his office yesterday. He asked that I play in sacrament, every single week......Wow it's not like I have enough to do. But I'm sure it's for the best. So I did play yesterday hymn 29, 194, and 239. I had to learn hymn 194 in like 10 minutes but it turned out alright. I practice 15 minutes before every meal. Hopefully I'll be prepared for next sacrament meeting. 

   There have been several experiences through out the week. I can't write them all down so I'll just write a few of them. I finally got a yard name (aka nickname) people around here are calling me likle tree or Little Tree. (I tell them I am Elder Henderson but that does help much.) They think I am huge or something along those lines. I guess working out is helping. :) My companion and the Zone Leaders who live with us keep telling me I am going to go to Caymon or the Bahamas because only the best missionaries are sent there or something. They also say that I will be the youngest AP ever in this mission.............I don't think they know who they are talking too. I am not suited for that job, there are many more that are better prepared than I. (Although I think it would be fun to go off island). There's only one thing I know and that is this. I don't care what anyone thinks of me, or what I am doing. I don't do it for them. I do it because I only want to do what My Father in Heaven wants me to do.

   So on Tuesday we were seeing another investigator and on the way home a different investigator called out to us. We went over and she recited how she just lost her brother that day. It killed my heart. She asked for a blessing for her and her boy (he's 1ish). I had the privalage of blessing the little boy, and Elder Mathewson the Mom. I was prompted to heal the boy in the blessing for he had some sort of mental illness but I wasn't sure at the time so I brushed it off. As I concluded the blessing the little boy looked right at me as if pleading for release. I haunted me, I couldn't get my mind off it. As we finished and turned and rode away my mind still had that image of the little boy looking right through me pleading. I slammed on my breaks I said a quick prayer if I was supposed to go back and heal the boy to which I got a resounding yes. It was very powerful feeling. Elder Mathewson was wondering what was going on and he had trouble keeping up with me as I raced back to the house where this Mother and boy lived. I went to the door and asked her to bring her son back out here. I blessed that little boy to be heal, completely healed and to grow up as a normal boy. When I finished the blessing she asked me, with tears in her eyes, why. I simple said I didn't finish what Heavenly Father asked me to do when I was here a few minutes before. We saw the kid a few days later and well his body was a little bit better looking (he was super skinny) but he was now mentally sound. 

   I don't understand why the Lord is asking a stinking 18 year old punk to do these things! He could be asking Elder Mathewson who is much more prepared and worthy but he asked me. Why me? It was a very humbling experience. From that experience I decided to never again be afraid to tell someone something in a blessing. I have got to be very frustrating to the Lord, but I am grateful he puts up with me. 

   Now please don't take this story the wrong way. I am not trying to say how great I am. I am simply telling you what has been done and said. I love you all. Never ever ever do something that you will regret. Only do what the Lord wants you to do and everything will work out. I promise! Remember Salvation was never easy, we must pay a price. And when your body screams for relief look to the Savior who will strengthen you and help you as he has done for me every single day! I love you all, you all are always in my prayers. Keep the faith.

Elder Henderson

Maybe I'll Just Stay Forever 9/23/13

Well you wanted to know several things so I'll answer them. Yes there are 5 elders living in our house. It's a little cramped haha but a lot of fun. We live with the zone leaders so on Mondays we have a car to go places. They are training too so that's why there are 5 of us. There are 2 branches in my area. I am in the 2nd branch. We meet in a normal building. We have a stove that runs on propane that we refill every 3 weeks or so. Yes we have a shower that is super ghetto and it only sprays cold water. We mostly get referrals, but when we are riding our bikes we stop and talk to people so we are always over flowing with people to see. People here love to talk about Christ so it is easy to set up appointments. 

Well another week has come and gone. I think the weeks are starting to go faster. I will often times catch myself thinking that 22 1/2 months is a long time and my thoughts are toward home. But I am really trying to turn my will over to the Lord and as I do he makes the day go by even faster. Something I have discovered too is that as we turn our will over to the Lord he makes us way more than we could ever make ourselves. I look over the last month or so and I can see how much I have grown, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and in every way. So turn your will and desires over to the Lord hold nothing from him, and in turn he will make you much more than you could ever hope to be. I love you all I know he will protect you as you follow his commandments.

   

Well this week there isn't much to tell. Sunday was extremely disappointing, we only had 1 investigator there. But on the bright side she is getting baptized this coming Saturday. So we are ecstatic about that! Our other two who were supposed to be baptized on Saturday, we had to change the date for them because they DIDN'T SHOW UP!!!! GGGGRRRRRR..........oh well. We will just have to try harder this week. 

   

Oh and there is a story that I actually discovered. A few weeks ago we visited a family for a dinner appointment. (the McClean family) We ate and one of the daughters Joann came up to us before we left and asked for a blessing; she wasn't feeling very good at all, she didn't look very good at all. She asked me to be voice. I gave the blessing and I kind of forgot about it. But yesterday we went back to the same house and she recounted the story. She said that after we left they got in the car to take her to the doctor when they got to the doctors she no longer was sick. No trace of the sickness. I feel very humbled and fortunate to have been a tool in the Lords hands to bless one of his children. 

   

Yesterday was kinda different because Elder Mathewson had a super bad pain in his kidney. We went to the doctor and he said he thought it was a kidney stone but to have it X-rayed. So that is on the list to do today. I also am wondering dad, my face is a little swollen and I have a few spots all over my body that itch. I think it's an allergic reaction but I don't know to what. It hasn't gone away either over the last 4 days. Should I keep waiting? What do I do?

  

 Well I thought since I don't have a lot to write home about I will try to attach some pics. So you can see who I'm with, what I'm eating, etc. Mom by the way I am always hungry, like for real I don't think I've been full since I've gotten here but maybe that's good for me. At least I won't get fat right? hahahaha I discovered something this week that blew my mind. So my companion, Elder Mathewson, turns 21 this next month right before conference. He was talking about how we were told by an apostle of the Lord that we should be married a year after we return home. It hit me like a ton of bricks, when I am Elder Mathewson's age I am supposed to be married. UUUUHHHhhhhh.......what?!? come again?!? Yes married, I now have a bigger desire to stay out here forever. Don't worry I don't think about that hardly at all but when I feel hopeless I think of that and I feel much better. I am not even close to being ready. Oh well I got 22 months to love life then.....game over. I don't think I'm mature enough to hold that responsibility. Yeah enough of that dark though. ;) Just kidding

   

Please send longer emails I like to know what you are doing just as much as you like to hear from me. I love you all and I think you are all awesome. I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you next week. Stay strong and live the commandments of God, no matter what the cost. God will bless you all. You are all in my prayers everyday, all day, day and night. Keep the faith.

Elder Henderson

 chicken foot soup                                  

 district                                                     

hey! everyone loves me!                        

treat overload                                          

a cute visitor. wish we could keep him.