the gift of tongues

hey fam its good to hear from ya like always. it sounds like you had a fun 24th and a good summer break but it is coming to an end. the mission is incredible as always. we had a little hard week but not too bad. 

First off we had the baptism of vanessa. it was so so awesome. she is so cute and was so happy to be baptized. also along with her we had a baptism of a 8 year old who we found there family and reactivated them. so that was way cool. it was awesome to see 2 young kids get baptized and see their families come back to church. i dont know what is better, a baptism or getting a family that hasnt come to church for years, back to church. well we got to see both and it was one of the coolest things of my life. 

yesterday i had the opportunity to confirm vanessa secilia pereira valdivia a member of the church of jesus christ of later day saints. i was really nervous cause i had to do it in front of the whole church and i didnt really know what i was going to say and also i had to talk in a form called the "tu" form which is how you do blessings and prayers. and i am not very good at that type of spanish, so i was really scared. and so i prayed and prayed that i would be able to have the gift of tongues and say what i was suppost to say. but it was incredible cause right when i layed my hands on her head, my fear vanished and i totally forgot where i was. i seriously felt like a pillar from heaven opened up and Heavenly Father was putting the words in my mouth. the spanish flowed out of my mouth like i have never been able to do in my life. suddenly i said amen and opened my eyes and realized that i was in the church again. it was so cool and i cant remember what i said but the members said they understood every single word. it was one of the coolest things of my life. it was one of thoes days that makes every single hard day worth it. i love the mission!!!!

so the part that has made this week really hard is my new comp. it has been so awesome cause i have grown so much this week. i have been the senior comp this week. i have planned, led the sector and talked to all the people. it has been awesome i have grown so much in the last week. but it has been really hard because my new comp, elder viraldo, (he is a gringo) isnt the most obedient missionary... there are some things that he doesnt like to do and he isnt very strict to the mission schedule. so it has been hard cause i have to push him to do stuff and i have to work and work and make up for the slack that he leaves me. also his spanish isnt very good so that makes things a lot harder. he has a year and a half in the mission and is getting kinda trunky. but it is all good, i am just trying to be a good example and work my hardest so that we can see more success in this next change. 

but ya besides that nothing else is going on here. this morning we got to go bowling again and that was fun. i totally dominated all the other missionaries, but since i am so humble i am not going to brag... haha ok ill brag a little but thats ok no one is perfect :) haha also for shopping we went to this store that is call lider. it is kinda like a walmart but not nearly as good. but i was so happy cause i found some sweet things. i found these betty crocker double chocolate chip cookies, some of the pearl potatoes, and you would never guess, RANCH!!! well it is light ranch but thats close enough. i am sure i wont even be able to tell the difference. but i am way excited. this week should be awesome. 

mom, ya it is kinda cold here but winter is almost over so that is good. its not too cold so dont worry i am still doing well. also there is this member in this ward and her daughter is in brussels and she wants me to get the address of ryan to see if they are close so if you could send that would be awesome. 

here is a list of stuff i need but try not to spend too much sending it i wouldnt want you guys to starve just to send me a package. 

• razors for my gillette fusion (5 blades)
• american money
• pics of lyndsie
• pics of the rest of the fam (if you have them)
• a candy bar or two and maybe a watermellon sour patch :)
• anything else you think your fav son might need :)

ya well i better go but i hope you guys are doing well. i love ya tons. tell gma lam that i have gotten her emails but i hardly ever have time so i will try to write her when i can. also tell gma hall that i am sorry. i have been trying for the last 3 weeks to send her letter and i finally sent it today. so it should get there in like 2 weeks or something like that. but tell her thanx for all her letters. (it is really hard to send handwritten letters here) i love you all tons and have a great awesome week. the church is true. DONT YOU EVER FORGET IT!!!

love 

elder hall