Week 16: Depart Satan (Hastings)

Man it felt like a quick week been busy but wouldn't want it any other way!

Well I guess I'll get right into it. Our friend Luke is something special to say the least. We've seen him several times since Friday and it's do flipping wild. So he basically thinks he's possessed by the devil and so is his house/neighborhood. He also thinks his neighbors are witches...wild I know. We went over on Monday and literally cast out demons. It was a new experience to say the least. We also cast out demons from his home and gave him a priesthood blessing. He won't even sleep in his home and left the town to get away and is now camping in the middle of nowhere to try and get away from Satan basically. How's that for an experience for you?

Do you remember the lady who stopped us in the street about a month ago named Zoe? Well we finally got to meet with her after several cancelled appointment and she's sooooo solid. She wants to be baptized is now preparing to be baptized on June 30th! She's so great and I'm so excited for her. I knew she was solid from the day we met her, but it took over a month for anything to finally happen! Better later than never though that's for sure.

This week is harvest week... the last one of the England London south mission ever! Crazy to think about. It's such a big push week because this is probably the last week to find people that could he baptized before the close of the mission on July 1st so it's a wild week!

It should be a fun next couple days. Elder Rhee and Kápolnási came into town last night and are spending preparation day with us. Tonight we are going to Tunbridge Wells to do sport contacting with the sisters like we did last week. Afterwards we'll head to Maidstone and spend the night there because we have district meeting there on Thursday. After that we'll be headed to Croyden for exchange with the zone leaders which should be lit! It's the closest thing to London I'll get so far, so should be fun.

Nothing but good times here in the hood of Hastings. One of my favorite parts about this place is now that the weather is getting better every single guy takes there shirts off...old and young, skinny and fat. It's quite the views it provides a great laugh. Gotta love this place and all the weirdos here. Definitely something I'll remember for the rest of my life haha.

Well that's really it for me since it was a short week. Anyways, I love you all and hope you're having a fantastic week and are enjoying the start of summer! Until next week


With love,
Elder Hruby

Week 15: Split (Hastings)

It's been a while! These whole extra two days without a preparation day make it a long week! Nonetheless it was another fantastic week here in the motherland of Hastings!

Thursday last week we had a district meeting in Hastings. The new senior couple arrived and they came to our meeting so we got to meet them and get to know them some more which was sick! They're from Utah of course and are just your standard Utah senior couple haha! We did some service in the evening helping brother Hobbs build his summer house. It was some good guy time since his wife was out of town. We did what dad would do after and basically raided the pantry and ate whatever there was. When we left he gave us a huge bag of pancake mix which was sooooo sick!

Friday was filled with more service. We've been doing so much lately it's unreal. We went back to good ol sister Brown's Friday morning. She made us a sweet lunch and then we trimmed some hedges for her. Afterwards we went straight to our friend Soraya's house where we did more service. We were burning all of these branches and pretty sure I have lung cancer from all the smile I inhaled during it! Friday night we had a wars activity where we played giant scrabble. It was pretty lit!

Saturday we did... you guessed it more service! We went to a lady who recently moved into the ward. We dug out some flipping huge tree stumps. We were having a great time swinging away with am axe. I was dripping sweat and I loved it. Definitely woke up sore the next day though. We had a teach with a new friend named Brenda on the pier this evening. It went really well and she's so ready to accept the gospel! We'll see her again Saturday!

On Sunday we were able to catch the super nice bus to church for free again! It's so awesome having that! Church was good as always! We went to a members house afterwards for what we thought was going to lunch. They ended up taking us to a castle first and then dinner was ready for a couple hours later. Literally your typical DA in England. Not mad though it was a great time.

Monday we taught our friend Oli on the sea front again. Still not much progress. We've almost taught him everything but he doesn't want to commit to anything which is frustrating! He'll come with time. We did some more service Monday night haha. We trimmed more hedges and my allergies went crazy. I was dying and was sneezing out of control! A good day though.

Tuesday we had two teaches but they basically took the whole day... we met with a guy named Matt and he talked the whole time. It took 3 flipping hours... 3 hours! It was ridiculous. We then booked it to another teach out in the boonies with a guy named Luke. He reminds me of the guy from the movie split! It was weird but he's on date for June 23rd now! It's a weird situation. He might be possessed by the devil or something so we might be seeing him tonight to give him a blessing and cast out demons! Should be fun!

Wednesday was spent in Orpington at our DLC meeting. It was pretty good! Very cool to be apart of! After the meeting we went and met the fest of our district in Tunbridge wells to do some sport contacting! We played basketball for like 2 hours it was sick and got 2 new friends out of it for the sisters! A great day!

Thursday was spent all day in Oxshott at presidents house for the last interviews there. A very long day bit it was fun being there for the last time!

Today is just the standard p day enjoying life! We went and have sister Brown's friend a blessing because she's sick and have just been looking at charity shops! Looking forward to a short week this next week! Hope all is Well!

Favorite thing from my reading this week would have to be Abinadi! He's such a stud and doesn't care what anyone thinks. He's completely alone yet does what the Lord asks of him. Sometimes it feels as if we're alone, but in reality He is always there. Whenever I get down I just think "Abinadi had it way harder!" Just keep that in mind next time you don't want to keep going!

Have a great rest of the weekend and I love you all!

With love,
Elder Hruby

Week 14: Another 6 Weeks (Hastings)

Well you can't complain about mothers day week that's for sure. We've had a pretty great week of weather as well, so not too shabby of a week If I do say so myself.

We had a sick district meeting last thursday on the top of a hill next to an old castle! The weather was great and the view was even better. It looked over the town and the sea, so that was pretty neat! We also went over to good ol sister browns house to help out in the garden. After she took us out to eat which was freaking amazing as always. Love that woman and how kind she is. She actually just got told she has early stages of Alzheimer's which is pretty sad but she's just the nicest old lady!

Friday we met with our friend Oli on the seafront and talked about the commandments. We talked about keeping the Sabbath day holy which will be interesting since he plays football only on Sundays, so we'll see what happens with that in the future. In the evening we met with our young friends Alex and Oliver in the park. They actually brought two others friends as well and we talked in the park for about an hour. They just asked a bunch of questions the whole time, but it was still really good. After the lesson was over Alex and Oliver were saying how they didn't want to come to church and didn't see the point. I made a deal with them that if I jumped across this pretty big stream they would come. They were all for it considering they were thinking I would fall in... not gonna like so did I but you gotta do what you gotta do to get people to church. I'm happy to say I cleared it, but definitely though I tore my acl when I landed, but all worth it.

Saturday was a pretty normal day. To start the day off we got a call from President Gubler and he told us that we would both be in Hastings for another transfer! Elder Tollestrup was also made district leader which will be pretty fun to get to experience some new things! We had a teach with this guy named Marvin who's pretty legit. He seemed really interested and wanted to think about committing to a baptismal date because he said once he commits to something he's all in, so that's exciting! We had dinner at a members house and then he came on a teach with us. The member is very educated in the history of the book of Mormon and wrote a massive book on ancient America and how it proves the book of Mormon to be true. This guy we taught us very stubborn and wants physical evidence about the book of Mormon. They basically bashed the whole time and was quite the experience to say the least.

On Sunday Alex and Oliver were true to there word and came to church! They are still very set in their views with science still which is tough but they'll come around eventually. We had a munch and Mingle after church which are always the best! Then the greatest part of the day
... skyping my amazing family man was it the best thing ever! Missed all those good looking faces! No better way to spend mothers day and Megan's birthday than by seeing both their beautiful faces!

On Monday we went and did some more service for our friend Soraya! Pulled soooo man thorny bushes out and was bleeding all over, but hey I'm just out here serving gods children!

Tuesday was a fun day. We went to lunch with some members at this carver place again which is so delicious. It's kinda like a buffet a little bit and makes me quite full which is hard to do. We then took a train to Tunbridge Wells to do some district finding. After we got some ice cream and then headed back home. Twas a beautiful warm day outside!
Today has been a lazy day so far. Just your standard shopping and emtailing so far! Can't complain about lazy days they are quite nice. Actually as the day went on this guy named Luke literally came up to us on the street and wanted to meet and gave us all his contact information! Talk about a sweet miracle! Bless up to the big Man!

Thought of the week front the blitz... comes from Jacob 4:10 "Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works."

Too often we are telling the lord what to give us or how we want him to act, but in reality it's his way and we should be asking how we can do his will or how he would like us to do certain things! It's something we all can improve on especially myself.

Well another week in the books! It looks like it's going to be clear skies and sunny here for the next week or so, so I already know it's going to be a great week! I appreciate all the love and support from you ALL! Have a wonderful week and enjoy the finals for me


With love,
Elder Hruby

Week 13: This is the Weirdest Place (Hastings)

What an eventful week it was here in the hood! Gotta love this place!

Thursday was a very early morning. We woke up at 5:15 to head out to Oxshott for interviews at presidents house. After the 3 hour journey we had a really good time at their home. We had some good food and it's always fun being around all the missionaries in our zone. After a fun spiritual day we made the journey back home and headed straight to the chapel for the youth activity! It was lit...literally. sister Evans, the young womans President, made a cake for elder Tollestrups birthday and we played games!

Friday was a crazy day! Elder Aguiar, one of our AP's, came on exchange with us! It was sweeeetttt. We found 8 new friends in one day! We met this guy named Alex who wanted us to tell him everything on the street. After about an hour we set up another appointment for Saturday at 5 A.m..... he said he wanted to prove a point and if we were serious we would be there!

Fast forward to Saturday. We woke up at 4:45 and ran to the park to meet him. We got there and started talking and then his friend showed up and we taught both of them! They're both 19 so it was sick just talking to some guys my age. They both accepted dates for June 9th! It was quite a long day because we were so tired from that and Thursday, but worth it. We also did some service again for a lady named Soraya who we are really trying to work with. She loves to talk and that's all that really happens...we work she talks.

On Sunday Soraya and Alex came to church! Oli came but got too nervous and took a nap under a tree out front instead. After a very weird testimony meeting we went out front and taught Alex and Oli some more. They are very into science and want physical proof but we'll get there.

On Monday we went to our ward mission leader house to help out for a little bit in his garden...or so we thought. We ended up helping him for the entire day! It took spook long, but luckily it was so warm and sunny out! It's been beautiful weather here!! Monday night we had a DA at the Hobbs, who are the most normal people here, and had a BBQ out in the back garden. It was sooooo yummy and nice out! A great day to be outside!

On Tuesday we met with the other Oli on the seafront and taught him. He's not really taking it seriously which Is hard but we'll still trying. Hopefully he'll be able to figure it out soon that he needs this. We had another DA at the Meachams house and had another BBQ out back! After that they took us to ward council which was actually normal for once. 

Today we did some shopping and got haircuts. Now we're playing basketball on the beach with our district enjoying the sun while it lasts!

Week 1 of the blitz is in the books! One of my favorite things so far is seeing all the warnings given about the coming of Christ and how all of those prophecies were fulfilled! It's crazy how specific the prophecies were and the people were warned! Now the struggles of 2 Nephi begin, but if we can make it through this together it's smooth sailing haha!

I'm looking forward to skyping on Sunday!!!!!!!!! I love you all and miss you guys sooo much! Hope you're enjoying the amazing weather back home and the sanity of America!

With love,
Elder Hruby

***Ben sent an additional email about an hour later at the end of his P-day.......He said they were taking a group picture with all the missionaries that had been playing volleyball when a big bus drove by and threw large amounts of ketchup all over them.  He said, "best day of my life".....will make for a super story for forever. 

Week 12: The Blitz (Hastings)

Well it's back to the cold and rainy ways of England. Summer lasted about 5 days, but it was good while it lasted! Another week of the life of a missionary...

Thursday we had a district meeting in Tunbridge wells and it was a good time as always. We all brought food to have for lunch and elder T and I made the world's largest nachos. It was something to be proud of that's for sure!

Friday and Saturday were those typical missionary days you would think of. Lots of contacting in the streets and walking around to try and knock some doors. Not much success but the grind don't stop! Just keep chugging along.

Sunday was great as always. It's always nice getting to be around members and feeling the love. We taught one of our eternigators named Judy who always comes to church. That freaking woman... she literally refers to herself as "we" when talking about the church. Like flip you talk like that, believe mostly what we say, yet won't be baptized man she's frustrating! One of these days she will be though! We then had a visit with out friend Soraya after church with our ward mission leader. They talked basically the whole time so we didn't even really get to teach which was weird, but we are hopeful that as we continue to work in her garden she'll have a desire to learn more!

Monday was so cold, windy, and rainy!!! Man it was nippy! We had accounting, did some studies and recorded a teach for our friend Oli... that night we headed to Maidstone for EXCHANGE!!! let the party begin!

Tuesday I started my exchange with the Elder Kápolnási... I freaking love that guy. He's the one from Hungary and we get along so well. He's so freaking funny and tells me all about his apostate companions and all the crazy things he's seen on his mission. He's such a good guy though and has had some tough companions in the past. A real stud. It's always so much fun working with him and teaching. We taught a lady named sue at her door for 45 minutes and it was so good. Hopefully she'll continue to want to learn more in the future!! We also celebrated Elder T and Momma's birthday this day! We had a pizza hut buffet... diabetes. After the day was over we watched a church movie and all cuddled up together and ate popcorn. Man we got a sick group of elders in our district. A very good day!

Now I'm currently sitting in a store called moss bros which has sooooo many good looking suits. Man it's killing me looking at all of them. I think I found my new weakness...

Now what you've all been waiting for... the BLITZ!!! Okay are you ready?!

President Packer once taught that if we really want to know EXACTLY what the last days will be like preparatory to the Savior’s second coming, and how we can survive those days, we should read the Book of Mormon.

Begin your study May 1st, and read right through to the end of the book. That’s less than 9 pages a day to finish! As you read these chapters describing how we can survive the final days before Christ’s coming, look for:

-Warnings
- Invitations
- Promised blessings

Learning to recognize these three things will be critical for our survival in these last days.

The majority of these things won't be found until you get to Alma 26 through the end, but I'm confident there are signs, warning, and promised blessings to be found throughout.

I hope you will all join in with me to create your own survival guide for the times to come! I look forward to sharing insights with you as the weeks go on! I love you all and let the study begin!!

With love,
Elder Hruby