Elder Haggarton is doing wonderful! Here is an overview of his letters and emails starting where we left off in the last post:
Email 7/25/2011-
Elder Haggarton is talking about how much he misses Arizona. Even the heat. He says that people in Washington are complaining of the 75ยบ weather being too hot! He talks about having patience with companions and how his brother Michael's advice about that is right on. He sounds like he is handling everything really well and said nothing too exciting has happened that week.
Letter 7/28/2011-
Elder Haggarton talks about the struggle of feeling the spirit to do something and working with your companion and trying to help him understand that you feel a certain way about something and feel the need to do something. The thing that is very discouraging to him is when people approach them with comments about anti mormonism and are very negative towards them about what they are doing. He knows that is satan but it definitely drives the spirit away he says. He talks about how he is getting more confident with talking to people and letting the spirit guide him. He saw a man walking toward them and didn't think that he would talk to him but when the man got within range, Elder Haggarton just started talking and he described his words as coming out "bold". He said another man who was super tall, shirtless, darker skinned, and pony tail was talking to them. He was telling the Elders that he was looking for Jesus and Elder Haggarton said, "Hey well we are the guys to talk to because this is his church." He said he didn't even skip a beat and that the guy actually took a book of mormon and their information. He says that they live on a casino road and the death rate is one per week. He said there is a lot of fat people and cats. Funny! "But it's good missionary work."
Email 8/8/2011-
Every time he gets rejected he says D&C 68:8-9 in his head for comfort. He especially loves verse 9. "I am trying harder and harder to be more like Christ and to think and do the things he would say. " " I can definitely feel the Spirit work every day. The lord will help if we have faith and do our part. The gospel works." He got a transfer call and is anxious to be transfered.
Email 8/15/2011-
Elder Haggarton got transfered to the Arlington 3rd ward in Arlington! He said it's kind of like Queen Creek, AZ in a way. He said his new companion is just like him and is actually good friends with one of his friends in Utah (Where his comp is from). They had been working in a giant megaplex of homes called Gleneagle. He said the district he is in now couldn't get any cooler. They have a baptism lined up in a few weeks and they are really excited for it.
Email 8/22/2011-
He says they have 2&1/2 people on date for baptism. Haha! The 1/2 is because one of the people is moving and the missionaries there are going to get that one. The work is moving slow sometimes but he is still enjoying his mission and loves the weather!
Email 8/28/2011-
Elder L. Tom Perry came and spoke to Elder Haggarton in his mission conference! He says how wonderful it was and "I was the second missionary to shake his hand because I was in the front row." HAHA. And he ends that story by saying that there is the most beautiful soccer field there so he needs his cleats. HAHA again.
Email 9/4/2011-
Elder Haggarton finally got to play soccer the other day. He played with his District Leader and had lots of fun. They are hardly getting fed by the members but and they are having to be creative on how to feed themselves!
My favorite saying Elder Haggarton has said so far is at the bottom of this post. Enjoy the pictures!
"I love this mission and I'm so excited about the knowledge I'm gaining. Nothing is more important to me right now than trying to be like Christ in teaching by example. I dont even care I was called to a so so mission. I'm just happy that its changing my life."
