Traveling

Alex is traveling to Rio today!  Next update 10/7.

Bittersweet Week

Oi tudos!

 

I'm sorry that this post will be so brief. I have a very busy day and want to get everything done this P-Day that I can to prepare for Brazil!!

 

I think I've worn my yellow Mormon Helping Hands shirt this last week more than I have white shirts and ties. We have been assigned to help with flood relief. We spent all weekend helping clean one home in Berthoud. When the missionaries first got there, the basement was flooded with up to 9 feet of water and mud. After emptying that out bucket by bucket, we disposed of everything. Drywall, carpet, valuables. You could tell it was a really nice home by the layout. It is such a tragedy to see all the people who have been affected and how so many people have lost everything. It's certainly humbling to be here right now and helps me realize how important it is to serve God and His children. I hope that this helps the people of Colorado to turn to what's truly important here on this Earth and to know that Heavenly Father is right there to bring happiness in this life.

 

Next time you'll hear from me, I'll be in Rio de Janiero! I can't believe the time is coming, and so fast. I almost don't want to leave... I am going to miss Colorado and the people here so much. But regardless, I am happy to serve the Lord where, how, and when He wants me.

 

How great is my calling!

Elder Hamilton

Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Centennial Ward - Greeley, Colorado

 

 

 

Have you heard the news?!

Oi!

Have you heard the news? Northern Colorado is flooding! It's crazy here right now. Last I heard, there were reported 5 deaths and over 400 missing. Houses, bridges, buildings, etc are being overtaken by water, and people are being evacuated from Boulder, Eden, Estice Park and East Greeley. We are currently safe from the flooding but are prepared to evacuate to Wyoming if necessary. We will be spreading happiness by helping with flood relief the rest of the week.

 

The next transfer is coming up so fast, and the past couple weeks, I have been really anxious about my visa. Friday morning, I finally got to the point that I accepted and am ready to spend another transfer in the Fort Collins Mission. I got a phone call later that afternoon from President Brown. I thought it was weird that he was calling and my heart sank when he said he had some sad news... but relieved when he clarified it was sad for him, he told me that my Visa had been approved!!! I fly out of Denver on September 30th and start the next transfer in Rio on October 1st (a happy birthday present for mom.) How quickly things change!

 

 

I am so grateful for God's timing and great plan for me. I have had so many experiences and met people that have helped prepare me for Brazil. It's surprising how many people here have served in Brazil, lived in Brazil, or even are from Brazil. But most importantly, my mission in Colorado has so greatly prepared me spiritually for the rest of my mission and the rest of my life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is crucial to our happiness and salvation. That is something I might have not realized, or at least quickly enough, had I gone straight to Rio. I love the people here and what I've been a part of in Greeley.  It will be a bitter-sweet departure.

Elder Hamilton

Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Centennial Ward - Greeley, Colorado

Count Your Blessings

Bom dia!

Sorry folks, but this week's email is going to be quite short. It's honestly been a rough week - full of dropped appointments, struggling to hold onto investigators, and just being the last person most people want to see at their front door. While is been a hard and disappointing week, I have been blessed with experiences that have taught me so much and helped me be a more humble person.

Last night made the week's challenges worthwhile and helped me realize how blessed I am right now. We received a referral from the Severence Ward missionaries for a woman named Deb Artle. She goes to a family history class every Wednesday at the stake center and lost contact with the missionaries in early April. After failing to get ahold of her on the phone, we thought we would drop by. She came to the door and was so happy to see "her boys". It was awesome to hear her family history stories - she is related to Joseph Smith! She talked about her family and the rough life she has had. But the greatest thing about talking to her was seeing how grateful of a person she is. Despite the trials and challenges she's had, she has always been able to find reasons to be grateful and to thank the Lord. I am so grateful to know Deb Artle and work with her and help her come even closer to Christ. As I look back, I see so many tender mercies God has granted me. And he does so because he loves and wants the best for me. As I take the time to show gratitude to Him, he pours blessings and helps me realize how much he loves all of his children. There is SO MUCH to be grateful for, and it is through gratitude that we will receive the blessings our Heavenly Father has in store for us.


Eu sou grato por minha familia e meus amigos e todas coisas!!

Pic: Check out who Elder Miller is related to!

Elder Hamilton

Crazy Week

This has been quite a crazy week! Even though it was slower than I hoped, I wouldn't take it back. It's amazing all the people I get to meet and learn from on my mission.

 

Audrey's baptism was this Saturday!! (we had to push it back a week in order to teach her the necessary lessons and have a baptismal interview, but it certainly all worked out for her for the best.) She was baptized by one of our recent converts, Daniel Gomez. It's awesome to see how quickly he has embraced the Gospel and follow the Savior. However, he pulled Audrey under the water with so much confidence and force, she came out saying "Ouch!" It was a funny moment, but her baptism experience was as incredible as she could've asked for.

 

I've been so blessed on my mission to see so many people be baptized and embrace the Gospel. However, I've really come to realize that not all miracles end in this pattern. We had an interesting experience the other night while contacting refferals. We knocked on a door that was answered by a man in his mid 20's. He wanted to talk to us and had many of questions. His wife is a member, but she doesn't go to church anymore and hates the missionaries. He had us step into his garage and talk with him so his wife wouldn't know we were there. His in-laws are members and have treated him poorly and given him some bad impressions of the church. It was great to bear testimony and help him realize the purpose for the Gospel. While he feels unable to accept the Gospel or learn more in his family situation, I know that we were able to help him come closer to Christ through what we had to offer. It is such a blessing to share my testimony on a daily basis, and while not everyone is ready or willing to accept the Gospel, I know I've made a positive impact with what I have to offer.
 

Elder Alexander James Hamilton

Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Centennial Ward - Greeley, Colorado

 

 

 

Breaking Ground

Oi tudos!

 

This is going to be an exciting transfer. I have a new companheiro now! His name is Elder Miller. He is from Chester, Idaho and has been out just over 8 months. He is an awesome guy and has the greatest hunting stories. I've been taking lead in most of the work lately while Elder Miller is trying to get familiar with the area and people. It's stretching me quite a bit, but I am certainly enjoying the adventure!

 

This Saturday was the Fort Collins temple groundbreaking. Elder Rasband presided and dedicated the site, and it was a great event to be a part of. It is certainly turning heads in this area and opening the door for people to receive the Gospel.

 

We've been doing more tracting and referral searching, looking for new investigators. We have met some awesome people and look forward to teaching some new faces and families. We found a golden family! Their names are Saber and Arafina. They are from Africa and have lived in Colorado for about a year now. They have the cutest baby girl who has been born as long as I've been in Colorado. We invited them to church, and they excitingly accepted our offer. So yesterday when we waited for them to show up, it was quite disappointing that they didn't show up... When we went to visit them later in the afternoon to follow up with them, we found out they actually went to church! They just attended the wrong sacrament meeting. They loved the sacrament meeting and all the nice people they met at church. They are already considering baptism!! I've been so blessed with the people I've met and had the opportunity to share the Gospel with. As I've been able to meet with Saber and Arafina I've realized that I have something special and personal to offer them. My Heavenly Father has truly blessed me by putting me in the right place with the right people. God's way is the way!

 

Eu sei que meu redentor vive!

 

Picture - Elder Miller & I (like my homemade haircut?!)

 

Elder Alexander James Hamilton

Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Centennial Ward - Greeley, Colorado

 

 

One Down

Bom dia!

Well, it's official: I'm through the first transfer of my mission! That was quick. (I know that I always talk about how fast time is going, but it really is!)


It was an interesting week with transfers. I don't know if I've mentioned my living situation or not, so I'll go ahead. I've been living in Sister Miller's basement, an older woman in the Centennial Ward. Along with Elder Maciel and I, we have been with the Greeley Zone Leaders: Elder Hanks and Elder Householder. On Tuesday, Elder Householder was called to be an Assistant to the President. He left on Wednesday, and Elder Hanks, Elder Maciel, and I worked through the rest of the week in a trio serving both the Centennial and University Young Single Adult wards. Elder Maciel was assigned to be the new Greeley Zone Leader. I am staying in Centennial (yay!) and will meet my new companion in Loveland today. The change is bitterseet for me. I am SO excited for Elder Maciel's assignment and know he will do great things. I will miss having him as a companion, but I am so happy to continue to live with him and Elder Hanks. I'm excited to meet my new companion and for the great work and adventures ahead serving in Centennial!

Here are some happenings of the week:

1) I cut my hair. By myself! Call me a true elder.

2) I don't have a driver door handle on my car. Last p-day, I chased after some elders who were trying to drive off with my car. While trying to stop them, I accidently ripped the door handle off. Everything is all right now and insurance is going to cover a new handle, but people know not to mess with me :)

The work in Greeley is expanding. There will be a new district in the zone and seven additional missionaries, making there 37 missionaries in the Greeley Zone. We have some great missionaries coming into the zone and good wave of new missionaries as well. We have some great work ahead, and I am so grateful to be apart of it.

I love having the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. It brings such joy to my life, and it is a privilege to see the miracles it brings into others' lives.

A gente se vê!

Elder Alexander James Hamilton
Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Centennial Ward - Greeley, Colorado