Mar. 24, 2014 Here am I

March 24, 2014

Feliz Cumpleanos: My Awesome & Amazing Bro. JACOB!, My cute cousin Jayce, & Ashton!

 

La Familia Jamón! (Since that is what they all call me here)
- dad before you read the bible story.. Can you guess which one it is?-
JACOB!!! ELDER Hammond! I AM DYING! I am SOOOO HAPPY! Mother! Are you just dying? ECUADOR! Ahhhhh. I am so sad I missed the opening, but I WAS THERE IN SPIRIT! On Thursday I felt a sudden boost of energy, I just know it was when you all opened Jacobs call right then! I! Was! There!! Spanish buddies!! Ah I am so excited!

Well, this week, we were blessed with a lot of eating citas,
exchanges, and well, a lot of area book.

Lunes- We went to la Familia Gomez. I love that family so much! I love
seeing them progress in the gospel. They are preparing now to go to
the temple.

Martes- We were in exchanges. Hermana Russon came with me and Hermana Michael got to go down to the city with Hermana Felt! Lucky girl! We were blessed to have two eating citas right in a row. The first was with la Hermana Jimenez. She is going through a really hard time right now in her life. We shared a Mormon message and testified.
Then we went straight to another eating cita with Hermana Barrios. We
showed her a Mormon message and she told us some of the hard trials
she has been and going through. It's really interesting as a
missionary because I have noticed that every single person we talk to
has challenges, trials, problems, in every form possible. With all of
these people I feel like I am passing through some of their hard
trials with them. I do not think I can express this feeling over an
email, but I know that as a representative of Jesus Christ we feel
some of the heart ache and the affliction that people go through. I
think it's because The Lord brings us low to that persons level, so
that He can pick us and the person up together. It's amazing how you
feel the Saviors love for people the more you serve and try to help
them grasp the iron rod.

Miercoles- well, confession, because of our car reck Monday we had to
do paper work and take the car in the shop all day, so sadly that was
our day... Had some good contacting time with the car fixer guy!

Jueves- this is weekly planning day! I have realized that weekly
planning really is inspired and can be a very spiritual experience.
Hermana Michael and I really tried to prepare well for this day so
that we could plan for the next week and do the things The Lord would
have us do. Because right now we are His time. We had one of the best
planning sessions, it was very effective, and we know we did all we
could. Now it's up to The Lord and he will guide us, and lead us to
people he wants us to meet. Planning is one of the many keys to
missionary work, without planning, there is no teaching, find,
inviting, reactivity....etc. which means there is no one coming closer
to Christ. Then we had a cita in Wisconsin! With the familia Resendiz,
they are such a cute little familia! It was so fun! The mom holds a
Zumba class, and man I was dying because she totally invited us to
join! And I was like..... If you do it on Mondays.. We are totally
coming! Is there anything better than Mexican Zumba? Besides the
gospel and tortillas... I think not!

Viernes- we had a cita this day with Hermana Monge and her familia.
It's sad when you have eaten 8 tacos and this is your conversation in
the car with your companion.."Man, are you kinda hungry? Yeah, I could
eat some food. Only 8 tacos? Yeah I could eat more." This was Hermana
Michael and I. It's great. That's when you know that your tummy had
enlarged quite a bit. But we love our members and we love eating their
food because they love giving us food. I have a hard time going into
this home because of how humble it is.

Sabado- we went to Hebron, and did a little something called, Spirit
Walking. Haha, no meaning we go up to the house and knock and try to
find Mexicans and plant seeds.this area has no members in it, and so
that's why Hermana Michael and I need to go find people who need the
gospel. So we went knocking and found this one home and the lady let
us in, she was an English speaker but nonetheless we taught the first.
It was the most interesting thing because Hermana Michael and I never
have taught together in English. I noticed that I started getting kind
of nervous because this was my first language, there were no excuses!
I kept praying that I could just teach in English, but I was just
struggling to find my words, then the Spirit spoke to my mind saying,
"Hermana Hammond, the spirit speaks every language," then I prayed in
my mind that I could have the gift of tongues, to be able to teach by
the Spirit, and so that the Spirit could speak through my mouth and
touch her heart. It was a good lesson and we left and called the
Sisters up and gave them a great referral.

Domingo- well, because we have been so busy we haven't had time to put
the area book in the IPad, and so we were repenting this day to put it
in. We have a massive area book, meaning this next week we have to
really work hard and out it in because the church wants it done by
next Sunday, so we are really working on that. It's really really hard
for both of us because we would rather be teaching, finding, tracking,
reactivating... Etc.. But this is what our mission has been called to
do!

Well, I have learned a lot this week. I have learned that this mission
is really hard for me, it's not quite the mission I expected, it
involves a lot of driving, technology, eating, and corn fields. But, I
know this is where the Lords needs me to learn how to work like a
consecrated missionary. Everyday we strive to be worthy to follow the
promptings of the Spirit and be guided to people to who need to be
found!
This week I read the story of Samuel. Did you guess it dad?.. Who am I
joking.. Of course you did. Anyways, It is very short, but it's
message is very profound. The Lord calls Samuel a couple of times and
after some prophetic council, Samuel at a very young age, says to The
Lord, "Speak, for thy servant heareth." This simple phrase really hit
me this week. My theme for this next week is the same as Samuels. I
want to be worthy and ready for when the Spirit speaks to me I can
say, "Here am I, speak, for thy servant heareth." I want to be that
servant who always hears the call of The Lord, and not only that, I
want to be that servant who acts on the call of The Lord. We may be
always willing to hear, but are we willing to act? As a literal
servant of Jesus Christ it is crucial that we not only hear the voice
of the spirit but that we act on it.
Will we be willing to answer to the call, errand, or impression of The
Lord the same way Samuel did and say, "Here am I"? This is my question
for you, and for myself. I hope that one day I will be as Samuel and
answer and act the same way Samuel did, and when He needs Hermana
Hammond I will say, "Here am I, speak, for thy servant heareth."

Le amo mi familia!
Con amor
Hermana Hammond
Super pumped for Jacob! I feel like I am more excited than all of you put together! Three spanish speakers in the house. Mom you better brush up on your spanish! Jacob will be beating us both when he gets home! I love you!

                                                          Woodstock!!

 

Mar. 17, 2014 "lift up your heart, and be glad, and look."

Mar. 17, 2014
Feliz Cumpleanos: Meg, Kirsten & cute London!!

Mi Familia Bonita!
WHAT?  I HAVE BEEN ON A MISSION FOR 6 MONTHS! Time is flying over here!
Mission SLOW DOWN!
Okay- so we have exchanges tonight so we aren't going to see the green
lake, but that just means I get to write all of you! This week has
been a good one! And we ate, a ton...

Oh, and right before this, I got in my first car collision, but no worries;) wasnt our fault, no one's hurt, and we might have got a new investigator for the sisters (english) missionaries:)

Martes- this day was an interesting day, we set out for our adventure. To Harvard like every Tuesday usually, and we were going to
try this one family, and the Spirit spoke to Hna Michael and I and
said,"do not go into that home", and at first I just thought it was me
being like wow the devil is tempting us from trying this awesome
family from joining the gospel. Then the closer we got to the house
the stronger the feeling was, the spirit was telling me, "that home is
dangerous, do not go into that house." Then Hna Michael just said, (as
we were about to get out of the car),"hey Hna Hammond, I feel funny
about this house." And I was like, "Hna so do I, we need to leave
right this minute." So we did. Then, we parked a ways a way and were
about to go to the food Pantry cause that was our backup plan, when
the spirit spoke to both of us again saying, "you need to get out of
Harvard, now!" And both of us were like, "huh do you feel like we need
to leave..." So we started driving back towards home.

 

 The spirit spoke to us again saying, "Hebron." And I was like Hermana, "I think
we need to be in Hebron today." Which Hebron is a TINY town of 1,000
people, it's at the border of Wisconsin, and smells like cows. I
thought I was in Rigby. We have been told by tons of missionaries that
there are NO Mexicans in Hebron, but we went anyway. At first we
started knocking, giving out pass along cards and asking if people
knew of any Mexicans around, and then we went to the one store in the
whole city, which was.... subway... And we were like, there's gotta be
a Mexican in there, well, there wasn't, but we asked the worker if he
knew were any lived, and he was like... "Yeah! Right across the
street!" So, we went, and knocked some doors, and the last door we
knocked, they were Mexican. The mom had taken the lesson before in
Texas, and her daughter was AWESOME, she's15 years old. It was really
cool! This is the first Mexican any missionary has found in Hebron, not
only that, but they told us that they had family and friends in
Hebron, meaning, that's where we are going to be for the next while,
trying to light up the gospel in This little town! I know the spirit
lead us here, and honestly Hna Michael and I dont know what would have
happened had we stayed in Harvard, there wasn't a shooting or a natural
disaster. But I learned that if you plan and work and be obedient, to
the best you can, then The Lord can bless you, and he can change your
course to what he wants you to do. But it's after ALL you can do on
your part!

Miercoles- this day we had 3 eating citas, but I honestly love all the
members so of course it was vale la pena! (Expression in Spanish
meaning, it was all worth it, like worth the pain!) first one was with
Hna Barrios, we ate a lot a lot, she's a divorced single woman who is
so awesome, we showed her the Mormon message called, "Hijas de Dios."
She started crying because she's had such a hard life, and we
testified that she has a great purpose on this earth, that she is a
daughter of God, and to "siga adelante." Or in English...."keep moving
forward, that's how winning is done!" -minus the end part.

Then right after we had a cita with Hna Jimenez, this was a hard cita
for me, because while she was cooking our plate of hot dogs, (when I
say plate, I mean tray) the cat got up on the table, let out all
it's nasty fur all over the food, and then we got to eat it. This lady
has literally no money, but it's really cool because she knows (like
out whole branch does) that they are richly blessed when they feed the
missionaries. She's also a single lady with a hard life, and so we
shared the same Mormon Message. We testified that Christ knows all of
our temptations, afflictions, trials, and challenges, and to siga
adelante with Jesucristo. She loved our message, and how lucky are we
that The Lord let us be the instruments that got to see a child of
His, come a little closer to Him. Ah, so cool.
Then we had another eating cita with the familia Garcia. They are an
awesome familia, and sadly she cooks really good food, but by this
time we were so so full, we were praying and praying to ..just keep
eating just keep eating, what do we do, we eat, eat.." Jaja. Because
of the longness in this letter, and because of time, I will shorten,
but we shared a message after eating a lot of food, and then had to
hurry and drive to Woodstock for a lesson with Kelvin and Joshuel. It
was such a fun lesson, because well, children are the best to teach.
(They are recent converts) they have SO MUCH FAITH! We taught them the
first lesson again, and they were like when does Jose Smith come. They
LOVE Jose Smith. It's the coolest thing ever!

Jueves- planning day! We also had a cita with la Hermana Alcantar, she
is one of the strongest members in the branch, she is SO cool. She has
the coolest testimony, and a hard life. We shared with her the first
lesson in 3 minutes and then challenged her to do the same with her
friends. It was so cool, because she is already the coolest.

Viernes- we had a zone conference this day. It was really good! I
don't have too much time to tell you all what happened. But I learned
a lot, there is ALWAYS something we can do to be more obedient. We try
to always be obedient because I know that's how we show our love to
The Lord. Then right after zone conference we had to hurry fast and
get to a cita with Hna Monge. An eating cita of course, this is the
lady who was really sick awhile ago, but she's feeling a lot better.
 I was praying really hard because when we walked into her very
humble home, she was like, HERMANAS! Then she was like I have a fever,
but don't worry I made you food. I literally can't watch her make
food, or I'd throw up, but, with A LOT of silent prayer, I ate it.
Then, I realized how selfish I was being. I thought of this song,"to
love another person is to see the face of God." I know that Jesus
touched all sorts of dirty people, people with diseases, sickness, and
sin. And the second that that popped into my head, on the way out the
door I gave her one more big extra kiss right on the cheek, because she is
a daughter of God who needs a lot of love. And I can give her that
love.

 Then, we volunteered for a member in the English ward for service and went to
the school and painted children's faces. Our district did it for a
school fair for service, actually a lot of parents asked who we were!
Sometimes we just need to get people to know and see the tag! Even
though it's a tiny seed, it's something!

Sabado- we had yet another cita, what's a cita without food right?!
With Hno Lemus. He is a great man, who is very less active, but loves
the missionaries! He was offended that we hadn't come over in awhile,
so we had to make amends, so we just kept eating and complimenting his
salsa, which actually wasn't too hard because it was really good,
after four tamales and the normal Mexican stuff we shared a message on
our purpose here, he liked it. Out here I have learned that people
really do get very offended and because of grudges won't come back to
church, and it breaks my heart because I am like, AH DON'T YOU WANNA
LIVE IN THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM!" It kills me.

Domingo- we had church and it was great, then we tried to find that
family in Hebron with Claudia Camacho (15 year old in our branch) (we
thought it'd be a perfect match up!) sadly they weren't home, but we
aren't giving up on them! Then we went to the Familia Camacho for
dinner! It was really good. Then we shared a message, and it was
great! They are such a cool familia, they have a son on a mission, and
they are really strong members!

Well, it's been a great week with our members and finding, and
teaching, and testifying, the latter being my favorite. I have
realized this theme for the week being, "Find the will of God.... And
do it." Sometimes actually a lot, my mind gets so centered on making
sure we work work work, this week I learned that sometimes we plan and
we do all we can, then we need to listen for a brief moment to make
sure this is in line with Gods plan. Eye single to the glory of God!
Because of this theme I decided to read the story of Enoch, in the
Pearl of Great Price. And so I did! (Close enough to a bible story
right!?)
First Enoch says, "why have I found favor in thy sight, I am but a
lad, and all the people hate me." Just like sometimes I feel like, all
the people out here don't want to hear our message and they hate the
Mormon missionaries. But nonetheless Enoch went and did, and cried
repentance unto the people. Because Enoch went and did the will of The
Lord, his mouth was not only filled by God, not only were Enoch's
words justified, but "So great was the faith of Enoch that he led the
people of God, and their armies came to battle...and he spake the word
of The Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even
according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of
their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the
wilderness; and all nations feared greatly so powerful was the word of
Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given
him." Enoch was basically a boss! So cool! If we just do the will of
The Lord he will magnify us! We all have weaknesses, but I know that
when we act on the faith we have, and just go do the will of The Lord,
he will help us.
A couple pages later The Lord says to Enoch, "Lift up your heart, and
be glad, and look." We need to just look to the Savior, in all that we
do.
In every cita I have ever had on my mission, every single one, the
focus is the Savior. I know that if we look to him, he can guide us
back home to Heavenly Father.

Well familia, it's been a great week for work! A great week for
testifying! I hope you all find something that The Lord wants you
personally to do. Find the will of The Lord, and even though at first
it might be scary, just like at first Enoch was scared, if you just do
it The Lord will magnify you, and he will help you. And then of course
never forget,"lift up your heart, and be glad, and look."

Love you familia!
La Hermana Hammond     
                                     We had to give up our planners!!!!

 

This is us at the gym!

 

 

Mar. 10, 2014 May we stand

Mar. 10, 2014 May we stand
Feliz cumpleanos: Cookie

Mi Familia Amoroso!
WAHOO! JACOB SENT THE PAPERS IN!! I AM DYING OVER HERE!!

Wow! Okay for some reason it has been such a long week, and then it
just feels like I just wrote you like yesterday... Oh missions!
Hermana Michael and I were just talking about how nothing bad or
dramaful happened just a long week in the mission field. Other great
news is... We have 10/5 eating appts (meaning 10 eating apts in 5 days)
And yes there is one day with three appts one right after the other in
one day. We will be literally rolling into every cita this week
because we are getting fed so much. It's grand. Actually in all
honestly please pray for us, I don't know how we are going to do it...
Good thing... Members love us... Bad thing.... Our bodies... It's
great. Here the tortillas run like water, 5 usually a cita, that's 50
this week alone. Yeah, please pray real hard. (Read Hna Michaels blog,
it's much funnier than I)


Martes- we had a cita with la Familia Jimenez, Sori cooks the BEST
food. Oh my goodness, it was so good. I loved it I want you all to
come down here to try it, holy cow it's the best! Tuesdays are always
Food Pantry day. We go and volunteer at the Food Pantry in Harvard.
It's great, there aren't too many Mexicans, but it helps us do
service. People know who we are, and the people Who work there LOVE
us! They are all old people, and they are the best, half of the old
people try to feed us chocolate with liquor and the other half
are like, "over my dead body your feeding the sisters some liquor" and
then we all laugh, it's so fun! I love everyone there!

Miercoles- Today we had a cita with the Gomez family again, that was
great:)... She fed us mole... And Hna Michael and I almost died, but
we did it! We also had a cita with Barbara and Aaron, we found out
that Arik is probably being deported because he didn't have papers. We
are praying that he has his Book of Mormon, please pray for him. We
are so sad, I know that the missionaries will find him in Mexico,
because he knows the gospel is true, he does:) Arik is such a special
person! He will be baptized, I know it!

Jueves- well it was planning day but funny story I was saying a
prayer, and in that prayer I said, "Por favor bendice la familia
Colón que ellos pueden tener corazones abrigos." (I meant to say
corazones abiertos) Mom you can translate.... Ha hilarious!!

Viernes- well this day Hna Michael and I both got sick, there is an
ear and cold infection going around in the branch and we definitely
got the cold. We did some work but then both of us were feeling really
sick so we had to go to bed early, we felt so bad. Going to bed sick
on the mission is like the worst thing ever.

Sabado- On Saturday we had a cita with la familia Colon, and the
Elders had their baptism:) (the people who got married) it was so
cool! Presidente Garcia asked us Hermanas to go help with towel duty.
We got to be watching her from inside the font door (the best place to
be) to put a towel over her. When she came out, she just started
crying, and we all hugged and she just kept saying, "I'm clean, I'm
clean... Everything is gone... I'm clean!" It was such a special
moment for us. We all started crying, what a cool thing it is to see
someone who is so excited and ready to be clean. To see some one who
is already using the atonement in their life. It's one of the most
amazing things in my life. How lucky am I who got to witness this life
changing moment for this special person. I love it! It's really the
best thing ever!

Domingo- we had church and then we had a cita with la familia Camacho.
They are a great family here in the ward. Oh, and this family was using
some Thai sauce with the food and then they made me sing the Thai
national anthem... Dad I still remember it, I thought you'd be proud
of me:) Then literally right after that we had a cita with la familia
Sites, he's the 2nd counselor, and we ate a lot of food. So much food.
But it was a great day! The Sites son is going to BYU-I, Sam Sites,
from Woodstock IL, look for him dad:) it was a great day though, we
felt the spirit and ate a lot of food, is there anything
better????... yeah probably not eating food. Jaja.

Well this week, I have learned so much. I was reading some quotes I
wrote down in the CCM, and I came across this one this week which
says, "Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on
your face, but with great purpose in your heart." By Gordon B
Hinckley. I love this quote because that sums up a mission very well,
when we go with purpose and with happy hearts we show The Lord that we
care and that we are working with all of our heart, might, mind, and
strength.
I also read the story of Daniel this week. What a cool guy Daniel was,
from first seeing the vision of the stone cut out of the mountain to
getting thrown in the lions den. The coolest part to me was when the
king makes the proclamation for the people to not pray it says, "Now
when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house;
and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled
upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before
his God, as he did aforetime." He prayed so that ALL could see him. I
think one of the reasons Daniel was saved was because of his boldness
in keeping the commandments of God. He was not afraid or not ashamed.
I am realizing that this world is getting more wicked and more wicked.
I hope that we can all be like Daniel, when the world rebukes the ones
that pray, may we be ones who pray so that all can see. May we stand up
and not be afraid of what the world says, or thinks. Go Daniel! With
the thought of the week!

Well, my family, I love you! I miss you! PS I won't be
writing too much next week because we are going to the city for St, Patricks
day, apparently they dye the lake green! Super cool right! I will
still check in, but I just wanna warn you now:) I love you tons tons
tons! I am thinking of you all!

Jacob... you let me know soon as that call comes... I am dying.. I have my guesses:) hehehe
Haylee..I wish I could be there so bad fri. night! My prayers are with you!

Con amor!

la Hermana Hammond

Lil Fernanda

 

March 3, 2014Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield, but I come to thee in the name of The Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel

Mar. 3, 2014

Feliz Cumpleanos: Scott! Also, welcome home Elder Kidd!!

Mi querida familia,

Wow, it has been quite the hectic week, but also a great one!  I
have never eaten so much food in my life. We got fed 7/7 days this
week. It was horribly horrible/awesome. It means the branch loves us,
but our tummies suffered a little.

Lunes- we went to a members home and she fed us the BEST food I have
ever eaten. This family LOVES missionaries and this sister is one of
our investigators, Monse. I literally have never had such good food,
they are known throughout the mission about their good food.

Martes- oh this day, was horrible, but great of course! We went to
another members (less-active) home and she accidentally signed our
calendar instead of the Elders! So she served us like she serves
the Elders. We had to eat a ton, literally. (I'll send you a picture)
the bowls of soup she gave were SERVING bowls, you serve like 8 people
with one bowl and she gave us SECONDS and 2 huge plates of rice, and a
salad, and bananas and TONS of just cheese and on top of that TONS AND
TONS of tortillas. We about died, but we later found out that the
woman doesn't like Hermanas because she gets offended that they don't
like her food, but I am here to say that WE ATE EVERYTHING, and she
loves us.... Vale la pena! We also had a lesson with a woman who is
Pentecostal and she didn't like our message very much, but it was an
interesting lesson.

Miercoles- we had district meeting and that was great, and we did our
usual studies and then this day we had an eating cita with la familia
Gomez, (their cute little Alex) I love going over to their
home, they are such strong converts! They are getting sealed in the
temple this summer. Super exciting! We also ate lots of food at their
home, a lot of rice and a lot of chicken and tortillas and a ton of
beans.

Jueves- We were with Hna Barrios, here is a quote from my
journal, "well Hna Michael and I had dinner with Hna Barrios we ate beans,
we have had so many beans, so many beans, and we can't forget the
torillas, so many torillas." And then we gathered stuff for the
wedding. Which man familia, planning for the wedding was quite
horrible, I'll be honest. But everyone loved it. Don't worry I'll
explain more!

Viernes- we had an eating cita with Hna Alcantar, she is one of the
most active members in our branch, she is an amazing woman! And she
fed us a lot! Yay for more food! Then we started setting up for the
wedding and only 2 members came to help us, we were all a bit grumpy
(meaning me, but I really tried not to show it haha) and we didn't
even get close to half way done, can I just say now.... I am never
having my wedding in the church, I'm sorry mom and dad.. Never:) haha

Sabado- We were at the church ALL day, literally setting up, but
you'll be happy to hear that We can all pull off a $50 wedding, and I
thought it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen but when the branch
came they thought it was the prettiest thing ever and the bride loved
it and even got emotional. It was so sweet. This was the Elders
investigators, and now this coming Saturday they are getting baptized.
The wedding was SO fun, it was SO SOO SOOO hard for me not to dance, in
our branch we have a DJ so he came and set everything up for free
and man, can I just say Mexicans have THE BEST parties?! It was
incredible! It was SOOO fun! (Don't worry I have videos) they dance,
and they play FUN games and EVERYONE joins in! It was SO fun! Oh and
the branch really did help out on  the food, everyone brought their
BEST OF THEIR BEST food, so it was THE BEST thing ever! It was SOO
fun! Ah, it killed me that I couldn't dance, they were doing the
salsa, the rumba, samba, the bachata, ahhhhh I was dying! But it was
fun to watch everyone have a good time, and I was on camera duty! Haha
also the branch did amazing job cleaning up, EVERYONE helped, it was
awesome! All of us missionaries were exhausted though haha, but it was
a success:) it was definitely a day full of service!

Domingo- Sundays are always great! I loved it! Church was wonderful.
 Hno Juan gave us food and that was nice. We finished
weekly planning and returning stuff from the wedding.

Well familia, NEVER EVER plan your wedding two days before the
wedding, just don't.  The cake was beautiful and we had help also from
the English sisters, they got help from the English woman and
someone made her a cake and a the flower thing (I don't remember what
it's called right now, the flower bunch the bride has) and they helped
us a ton! They were their setting up with us the whole time! SO SWEET!
We had a good time though, I'll say we had some good bonding time!

Stuff I learned this week- well, first I must say in el Libro de Mormon
I finished the part of Teancum for the first time! And I thought of
you my familia! Then I thought of Jacob acting it it all out, and then
I thought, I still want a shirt with a T for Teancum. But anyway, I
was reading in the bible for my weekly bible story and I just opened
to the story of David and Goliath! At first I was like, ummm, I really
know this story, and then I was like, well I've never actually read
the story for myself. So it was decided.
I read in Samuel 17 and I just love the part where David says, "is
there not a cause..." (To fight Goliath of Gath) And he's talking to
his brothers who are criticizing him telling him he's just doing this
for attention, and then I found this quote, "I declare with all my
soul- there is a cause, it is a cause worth giving ones life for. It
is the cause of righteousness. It is a cause that every person in this
church should rally to as he declares war on Satan and his legions!"
-Victor L. Brown
Is there a cause for this army of missionaries to go forth? There is a
cause! To rescue ALL of the souls of Gods children!
Then I just love when David tells  Goliath of Gath, "thou comest to
me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield, but I come to
thee in the name of The Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel,
whom thou hast defied!..... The Lord has delivered thee unto me...
That all of the faith may know there is a God in Israel....and The
Lord saveth not with the sword and spear, for the battle IS the
Lords!"
The Lord will win this battle my family! Our numbers are small, and
the people serving the army are very inadequate, this is the Lords
army, and he will win. And "all that are in the faith may know there
IS a God in Israel"...."and that The Lord saveth not with the sword
and spear, but the battle IS the lords!" Wow! It's amazing!
I learn SO much everyday out here! So I just want to share a little
bit of what I learn and relearn and relearn!

Well transfers came and I am staying here in Woodstock with
Hermana Michael! It's the first time I will have a companion for more
than one transfer! Kinda crazy! But we are excited, and we are ready
to hit the pavement running even harder here! I love you all! Thank
you for all the support I miss you and love you SOO very much!

Love love love!
La Hermana Hammond

                                     Here is the wedding we decorated!!!

 

This is all of the food from thursday we ate!!

                                    This is my distrito!!

 

                                    Jacob this one's for you!!!

                                    I love my crazy district!!

                                 
                                      This is at the Boda! We couldn't dance- but it was still fun!!  Mexicans know how to have fun!!!

Sound system!