Sending love

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe you are turning 24....It is really a curse you have, you know, looking as young as you do.  I have a picture that Melissa took of us right before the mission and it is the first picture in the book that I show members and the first thing they say, 'You have a pretty girlfriend!'  Me: 'That's my mom.'  Them: 'WHAT?!'  Me: 'I know right.'      You see mom?  You are getting compliments at every eating appointment I have. 

This week was good!  We visited a couple of district meetings and also went on exchange with the Dahlem Elders.  Elder Lloyd has a bunch of friends from the Air Force who came and visited Berlin and we all went out to dinner and got a pizza, which was a METER in diameter.  Safe to say we destroyed that thing.  It was a lot of fun to get to know them.  We invited them to church and one of them came!  They aren't members of the church but they are great people.  One young lady came to church and enjoyed it. 

What else...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

I hope you are taking naps dad...taking rests everyonce in a while is good to :)  Okay, I'm sorry!  Thank you for all that you do and the many times you have helped me in life.  I wouldn't be where I am today, if you weren't the uncomparably great example that you arrayed for me.  Although we had times of hardships, your love broke those walls.  No matter what happened to me in life, I always knew that my father loved me and that meant and means more to me than you know.  I notice everyday how I mirror you, even though we are seperated by thousands of kilometers.  You showed me everything I know.  For that I am eternally grateful because without that, I wouldn't be here.  You have helped me to this point without force but with compassion and love.  I work hard to make you proud.  I love you dad and am grateful for your teachings. 

I love you all!

Elder Hays

The work is going good

The work is going good.  N*** got the gift of the Holy Ghost on sunday and I also gave a talk on the Restoration and talked for too long of course.  I just stood up and talked and bore testimony of the Restoration and shed a few tears.  IT REALLY IS SO COOL.  THE CHURCH IS JUST TRUE.  Elder Lloyd and I just watch these videos about the church and Joseph and we just look at each other and say, 'the church is just TRUE.'  We can't prove it wrong if we wanted to.  I love it.  I invite you to ponder the blessings of the Restoration.  What do we have now that they don't have? 

I just read this chapter in the Book of Mormon.  Alma chapter 5.  For right now it is my favorite chapter but I am still reading and learning so my favorite changes but for today it is my favorite.  It just lays it all on the table and I love that he does it in the form of questions!  It allows you to ponder and think about what you need to do to prepare to meet God.  I know that a lot of people won't actually read so I will put it here.  
(Jacob 1:19)

14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually‍ been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change‍ in your hearts? 15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created‍ you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised‍ in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged‍ according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?
16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?
17 Or do ye imagine‍ to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you?
18 Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance‍ of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?
19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image‍ of God engraven upon your countenances?
20 I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects‍ to the devil?
21 I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments‍ are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified‍ until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.
22 And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood‍ and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what will these things testify against you?
23 Behold will they not testify‍ that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty‍ of all manner of wickedness?
24 Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white?
25 I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a liar from the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the kingdom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children‍ of the kingdom of the devil.
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change‍ of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song‍ of redeeming love, I would ask, can‍ ye feel so now?

I give testimony that this is all true.  It is the word of God and it pierces the heart.

Oh yeah...President Dyches came to visit us from the Seventy and I talked to him a lot about my future!  For some reason I always get the time to talk with the Seventy's when they visit.  He told me that I should go to BYU for the rest of my undergraduate work and I have been praying about it for a while now and so if I can get in I will go to BYU.

I love you
Elder Hays

Happy 21st Birthday - 6 months left!

N*** was baptized!  He is great and has been meeting with missionaries for YEARS.  Elder Guccione's (My trainer) first area was Neukölln and he taught him as well!  It is such a blessing that we were able to see this great step.  He has been coming to church for the last 3 years every week and loves it all so he will be a great active member.  During the time when N*** and Manuel were getting changed, Elder Lloyd and I taught the first lesson to the people waiting.  There were about 10 people there visiting the baptism and we thought it to be a good idea.  We taught it in about 5 or so minutes and bore hard testimony of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I felt the spirit so strong and knew that the spirit was touching the hearts of the audience.  Right after our testimonies, we watched the church's video about the first vision.  It was a really spiritual moment for me and also for the people there. 

We had our Mission Leadership council this last week and talked a lot about the change that needs to come about in our mission to help others progress.  Like I mentioned last week,
we are reading the Book of Mormon together and really enjoying it.  We as zone leaders are on the phone at night just helping and following up with missionaries to help them get the most out of their studies.  If we really understand the Doctrine of Christ, we would really have the pure desire to take the happy message to the world and have no fear whatsoever. 

I have learned a lot this week about my Father in Heaven.  I have felt the spirit so strong just this whole week and I am so grateful for these opportunities.  They only come to those who seek and desire for them.  We on earth are here, really to please God.  That was the goal of Jesus Christ, not to please man but His Father.  As we try to live in accordance to His divine Doctrine, we will be able to help others to realize this as well.  It is important to have a balance.  Spiritual, physical, and social.  Gordan B. Hinckley in my opinion was the perfect example for that :)  May we use the tools and abilities that our Father has given us to improve our own state and the state of others.  Don't let them go to waste because if they aren't used, they will be taken from us.  As we walk the path of rightousness, we will gain more knowledge, truth, and peace.  AND JOY.  Where are our eyes pointed?  Let Heaven guide us.  We have the tools to work out our salvation; let's use them to our full potential.  If you don't know where to start, read that blessing that a Partriarch gave you all those years ago.  Set goals.  Work hard.  Have joy :) 

Happy 21st Birthday Elder Hays!!!

Quote of the day...'It's your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude in life.'  -Dave Dean.

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes!  I love you all and good job Erika on graduating! 

Love, Elder Hays

hahahaha

It was so funny.  The other day I went on exchanges with a missionary serving in Brandenburg who is about to go home.  We both came to my area to work here in Neukölln, we get out of the underground train and the first words that come out of his mouth were, 'Are we still in Germany?'  It was so great...I love my area but we are not in Germany haha.

 

So N**** will be baptized on Sunday!  We are really excited for him to make this step and I am grateful that Elder Lloyd and I were able to help him get there.  There were many missionaries who have played a part in his conversion and that is amazing to see where he now is. 

 

We are meeting this week as zone leaders with President Dykes from the 70 Presidency.  It will be interesting to report on our zone's progress and weaknesses.  I am really excited to see exactly what we need to improve from his point of view. 

 

This last week has been full of meetings and visiting other district meetings, exchanges with other missionaries and of course work :)  We had more success this week than last week which is always an energy booster but I have never been more tired in my life.  I feel like we are on the phone a ton and have little time to focus on our own area.  It is okay because I know the position and what I am expected to do so I will give my all and do more that what is expected of me.  President Kosak talked about that and I really liked it.  Just going beyond what you are expected to do and to blaze a path of example to others. 

 

We are reading the Book of Mormon together as a mission right now and plan on being finished by the end of August.  Wanna do it with us?  I have now read the Book of Mormon 3 times on my mission from beginning to end and have come to the conclusion that it is STILL true.  I can't wait for my next conformation.  I love studying the bible as well.  It is full of information that many don't see but the more you read it and the more you pray for inspiration, the more you will understand and pull out.  Joseph Smith said that the book of Revelations was one of the most plain and simple books or something and I don't know if I can understand it like that yet but it is getting easier! 

 

I am loving my mission.  Going hard but doing it smart.  Pure joy :)

 

I sent some pictures of places we have visited and other random things and thank you for sending the information mom!  It's perfect. 

 

I hope you are all doing well and know that I am :) 

 

Love, Elder Hays

Check Point Charlie

Hard Work

So first off I have a question...could you email me pictures of you two (my parents), my grandparents and great grandparents on both sides?  Not of them together but seperate pictures of them and maybe just a short 2 paragraph memory of them?  A story or something?  We have been asked to prepare a booklet with information and pictures of them all.  Thanks!

 

So we now have 9 baptismal dates in our zone!  It is so cool!  We had a GREAT zone training meeting on Wednesday where Elder Lloyd and myself taught about how to teach and not just talk to people on the street.  The Sister training leaders taught about the doctrine of Christ and how it motivates us to do every thing with missionary work.  Then we had another motivational talk.  It was really great. 

 

Elder Lloyd and I have made out 2 baptismal dates in our area in the last 2 weeks and one of them is on the 31st of May!  We are really excited for him because he is really strong in faith.  We had a great Sunday yesterday and I am getting to know the members a little bit better so it is good.  I am really excited to work with all of the young people in the ward.  I have really learned to love the teenagers here in Germany because they really go through a lot of crap here. 

 

I am doing well, stressed, busy but happy :)  I swear, the more you work and harder you work, the more happier you will be.  That is what President Kimball said, is that work is the medicine of all doubts and sorrow.  HIT THE PAVEMENT AND GO.  Thank you Grandpa for following up on that though. 

 

For P-Day today we are going to checkpoint Charlie and a Jewish Museum.  It will be a lot of fun and I am really excited to see it.  

 

I love you all and thank you for all of your prayers. 

 

Love, Elder Hays.

New Area - Neukölln New Companion - Elder Lloyd

But Mother's day is over now so no more celebrating.  Just kidding!  It sounded like you were all doing well and healthy!  That is super good to hear.  You all looked so grown up!  (Mom didn't). 

That will be the last time that we skype so we will see you soon!  I can't wait. 

We had a really good week in the Zone.  We made out 5 baptismal dates in the last week and we are really progressing.  We have a Zone Training Meeting on Wednesday which we are looking forward to and are excited for.  Today is P-day and we are going to see a couple of things in Berlin and also we are having interviews with President.

I am getting settled in here in Neukölln super well and had a great time at church yesterday.  The ward is super good and the Ward Mission Leader is even better.

I feel like I told you everything yesterday but just want to wish you a Happy Mother's Day mom.  I hope you had a special day because you are a special person!  Special special. After we got done skyping at the Schneider's home we got to have some cake and got to talk.  It was a good day.

Well!  I love you all and am grateful for your prayers!

Love,

Elder Hays

Elder Breitenstein waited at the train station to say goodbye before he had his Exit Interview.

New Companion, Elder Lloyd 

Baptism and a transfer

My time here in Pinneberg is over.  I have been TRANSFERED.  I didn't tell anybody about it until they announced it in Sacrament Meeting and the whole ward gasped.  I got super super close to the people here and I will send some pictures along with this email.  I felt apart of the family here and got a lot of hugs yesterday.  We are still visiting a couple of other people today who I wanted to see before I leave and then it is off to my new area!  It's crazy.  

I gave my testimony in sacrament meeting about the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Everytime that I study about this great man of God and the divinity of his mission, I cry like a little baby.  Before church on Sunday I watched the Joseph Smith movie and just bawled throughout.  I love the Prophet and am grateful for his dedication to his Savior.  

Well I was transfered to Berlin.  The area of Neukölln.  I will be the Zone Leader there in Berlin and am super excited.  I had a really hard day yesterday because of a bunch of things that I found out and things that people had shared with me but I am looking to the future and am excited.  

R****** got baptized yesterday :)  It was a great experience for us all.  Elder Liddiard baptized her and I got to just enjoy the whole thing.  She was so prepared and was very careful to identify her feelings.  She felt the Holy Ghost from day one, quit smoking after 40 years of it and made this wonderful covenant with her Heavenly Father.  I am happy that I was able to see her do it.  

I cut my own hair last week so today Sister Turner is coming to 'fix' it. haha  I thought I was really good at it but I guess I got a little lazy with the trimmers.  

ALLES GUTE ZUM GEBURTSTAG ERIKA!!!!!!

The big 18 now.  Crazy.  I swear you were 4 yesterday.  

I am doing well and enjoying my mission:)  I think that's it, not just working hard and going all out and doing what your supposed to but enjoying it.  Looking at the small things, taking life step for step.  Climbing a tree in your suit because it makes you giggle.  Oh missionaries.  

I love you all!  I think the best time to skype would be at 8 o'clock your time or so.  So you can get to church and stuff.  I hope that is okay.  You will have to send me your skype name again so I can find you and call you.  

Can't wait to see you all!  This will be the last skype session before I see you for REALS!  

Elder Liddiard:)

Saying Goodbye to great people in Pinneberg

Coordinating outfits with Sister Rassmussen

Love, Elder Hays