Hello everyone another week has gone by and I literally feel like I just finished typing last week's letter. But another week and another lesson.
There's so much more to being a missionary than waking up and inviting people to church and getting baptisms. Anyone can do that and in some areas it's insanely easy. Just like being a God for Hercules meant more than being famous, there's more to missionary work than numbers of baptisms. Now not everyone likes hearing that and people who normally aren't doing their best and aren't seeing results love to say it, but in the Hayes area I have learned that being a good missionary and getting good numbers does not go hand in hand. To be a good missionary I'm learning it's important to focus on what I am becoming. As I am striving to become more like Christ, I am becoming a better missionary. When I close my heart and just do the work I may get numbers but I will have diminished the purpose of being on a mission.
This area is truly blessed! We were away from the work at meetings for 2 days of it and still made 27 new friends. We even put someone on date for baptism. I wasn't calling anyone out in the paragraph above, but I realized this week that some areas really are just blessed no matter the missionary. So it's important to think beyond the numbers and think about what kind of missionary and person I am becoming.
I miss America. I also miss North Dakota, but the spirit is so strong here, I learned this week that The London England mission is the first mission ever so that's pretty cool.
This week we received two new elders in our flat with us to help with the work. They are awesome, but it's a lot easier to be obedient with just you and your companion, at least it is for me. There is no one to put blame on if something doesn't get done. I'm learning to get better still. Let's talk about the week now
Monday- Elder Pete's last p-day in Hayes so we did whatever he wanted. We finished the day playing pickleball where I met Jacob. He's 17 and we struck up a conversation and now he wants to come to church. We got his number and I taught him the restoration. He's truly a good kid.
Tuesday- Transfers. We took Elder Petersen's things to Hyde Park and I saw my MTC zone leader Elder Arrington! He's so awesome! I miss that guy. He has 10 months left which is just crazy! After that I went on an exchange with Elder Poli while Elder Moss went to a meeting. What an exchange haha! We didn't do much since we were in Hyde park.
Wednesday- We went back to Hyde Park because I didn't get the orientation, so we spent a day there and got to meet the new missionaries. One of them is Elder Rashad and he's in my flat!
Thursday- We helped Sister Warburton remove a fence and it made me miss construction haha!
Friday- I taught this guy named Lou and he's awesome! I started by teaching him the gospel of Jesus Christ and he was bored and asked for something interesting. So I taught him the restoration and it was super awesome! He's goes back home to India for 6 weeks but when he comes back he will come to church.
Saturday- Christmas is everywhere! I'll take a video this week but the street we find on is completely decked out. It's so cool!
Sunday 
- I invited a man named John Williams to church. He goes by JC and man it was the worst day ever! I was so stressed. It was the primary program. He came in late, no problem he sits by me. Half way through the meeting he gets up and sits by other people, no problem. Then he started raising his hand (I think in praise) during sacrament, a little weird but it's OK. Then he STANDS UP AND T POSES. I am mortified. He also introduced himself to people during the meeting and yelled hallelujah during bishop's testimony while bishop was crying. It was so stressful! But after that, by some miracle, another friend we invited to church asked to be baptized before her birthday, which is December 7th so we are aiming for the first.
- I invited a man named John Williams to church. He goes by JC and man it was the worst day ever! I was so stressed. It was the primary program. He came in late, no problem he sits by me. Half way through the meeting he gets up and sits by other people, no problem. Then he started raising his hand (I think in praise) during sacrament, a little weird but it's OK. Then he STANDS UP AND T POSES. I am mortified. He also introduced himself to people during the meeting and yelled hallelujah during bishop's testimony while bishop was crying. It was so stressful! But after that, by some miracle, another friend we invited to church asked to be baptized before her birthday, which is December 7th so we are aiming for the first.
All in all it was a good week! I miss America! But I love teaching the gospel. Love all you guys!
Your favorite,
Elder Hixon
