Elder Jonathan Nat Hoopes: November 2010

10/22/10

I loved conference. It's so much better in the mission field I must say. The only thing that bites is the time difference. We watched both morning sessions live but @ 6 pm here and watched Priesthood and the Saturday evening session on Sunday as well. And we missed the last session on Sunday :( It was funny because when President Monson said 5 new temples everyone held their breath until he didn't mention a temple in France! Ha it stinks but there will be one here when the saints are ready. I had a lot of favorites! I loved Elder Scott's talk but I especially liked all the messages from the Presidency. Uchkdorf and Eyring are always so great and The Prohphet, well he's the voice of God on the earth! I loved conference.

And frankly with time- this is how I think about it when I feel like there is no end. I think it out in seasons. And in Arizona it's easy. Just think you've got two cold seasons and one and a half hot seasons left! That makes it easier for me. Here and in Oregon though it's cold and grey for the most part. We actually might be on the same latitude now that I think about it. Anyway, I can only imagine what he's (Elder Patrick Duff) is going through. I was worried to go into a situation like his. He got what we call "white washed" and so that means he has NO INFORMATION at all. He has to build trust with members who are probably not too great because the other missionaries before got white washed out, suggesting they weren't doing what they should've with the work. Going in after missionaries who are white washed out is one of the harder things for missionaries. Also you have to find all new investigators because usually white washed elders prior to them probably didn't keep a good record. Order makes work happen and then putting a tough companion on top of that in the middle of grey skies, rain, and cold is tough. I commend him on his strength and I admire his courage.

Work here in good ole Blois is amazing. Miracles happen everyday! I'm sure you've been hearing the stories but yeah it's great. I don't know if my mom emails you them or not but I'll keep trying to send email updates and blog updates. We right now have hopefully 3 Baptismal Dates and over ten progressing investigators and this week we hope to have between 9-13 investigators at church! This work is incredible and the members here are outstanding! The Lord is blessing us so so much and He is truly at the helm of this work. I can testify of that. I can testify of prayers being answered and miracles happening daily. I love this work and this gospel.

Avec tout mon cunour,

-Elder Jonathan Hoopes

ps- On a side note I've lost 20 lbs since I entered the MTC! Cool right?!