Gathering Scattered Israel

You know when the sun comes out here in England I'll never be able to complain. Life is jolly and the work is going well. Easter was amazing and we had stake conference this weekend. We also had interviews this weekend which are always great. I always love being around the Checketts so much. They are the best. They spoke at our stake conference and one of the things they said really hit me. We have over 250 missionaries in our mission from over 53 countries. Also we're currently teaching people from Poland, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, India, and others. We are teaching the world. One of the things we always say in our mission is "Our privilege is to participate in the literal gathering of Israel and to testify the book of Mormon is the instrument, and the holy temple the place by which the gathering will be fulfilled."

We are really gathering Scattered Israel in this mission and especially In our own area. God truly is hastening his work and it's amazing to be a part of. Our friend Anna, from Poland, is progressing really well! She finished the BoM in literally 2 weeks which is so crazy. She is already moving into the Doctrine and Covenants. She is really starting to feel something as she prays which is amazing considering she hasn't prayed in years.

I have been studying the Atonement a lot lately and the talk given by Tad. R Callister in General Conference really hit me. The Atonement is so complex, yet so simple. It really is such a gift that Christ has given us to be able to find forgiveness so easily. It really does just take a broken heart and a contrite spirit. It also has helped me understand how lucky I am to have such an amazing family. Truly do got the best fam I could ever ask for.

Honestly being a missionary is great and I love my area, companion, and all aspects of it. So many great things are happening while I have been here and they will only continue to happen. The church is true and that is something I have come to know, not believe, but know. I love you all and enjoy the sunshine.

Welcome to Zimbabwe

The weeks are just flying by! We're already in the last week of this transfer. We'll find out Sunday morning what's going to happen with moves so pray that Elder Jacobs and I stay together

The best part of this week was our friend Farai. Monday night last week while we were headed back home after Pday I had a strong feeling we should stop by a lady named Farai who we haven't seen in a couple weeks. We did and she was happy we did and asked to come back the next night. So, we taught her Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On Thursday we taught her with our two recent concerts Alice and James!! Wow such a cool experience.

We have a lot of members in our ward from Zimbabwe which is where she's from. We knew if we could get her to church it would be game over. We were telling all of those members about her and that we were really hoping she would come. They told us if we could get her there they would take care of the rest. We'll she came like 20 minute late, but better late than never. After sacrament meeting they all just swarmed her like crazy! We literally just sat back and watched as they all came up to her and started speaking their language with her! She texted us after and was just telling us how much she loved it and all the members. Now we just gotta hope it keeps going that well and that she'll get baptised at the end of this month

We had an exchange this week and I was with Elder Jaipaul from Guyana. What a funny guy he is. It was a great time! Othe than that we had some meetings and then a baptism in Enfield which was great! Our zone is doing some great things.

It was mothers day here so just wanna give a quick shout out to the world's best mom as well as the cutest mom! She's just the best isn't she?! I sure do love that woman and all that she's done for me and constantly supporting me in all I do in my life. Would not be where I am without her and sure wouldn't have as many laughs as I do. I love you momma Hruby and can't imagine life without such a cool lady and hip momma. You da real MVP!

Wow, So Wild

You know it was such a crazy quick week, but honestly can't really think what happened cause I'm just shook right now. After we went to the gym this morning we headed to the Chapel to send off some reports we have to do and the Chapel was broken into and one of the windows was just shattered. The church was just torn up and trashed. I never thought I would experience anything like this on my mission. We had to call the police and now currently waiting for the the police to arrive. So Wild. So that's how my day has been going so far. Some people are just messed up.

On another note it was a great week. We had two exchanges and they were a great time. On Wednesday I was with Elder Perillo from Brazil and he's such a good man. So humble and loves to work. On Friday I was with Elder Regnier from Canada. Again such a humble man and always wanting to learn and improve. We had a crazy miracle Friday night. We went tracting at the uni houses and the second house we knocked on this 19 year old kid named Philip answered. We were just telling him what we do and he was like yeah I'm free right now, so we went in right then and taught him. We talked about the restoration and now he's preparing for baptism on May 5th. It was the first time on my mission that I've gotten into someone's home like that and taught them so that was pretty neat.

We played some footy Saturday morning with Alice and Dylan as well as Dylans sister. It was a great time! I'm actually decent at football now so that's kinda neat. The weather was beautiful as well so no complaints at all.

Literally Elder Jacobs and I were waking and we were just like man we're so lucky. We have a great area and we get to be Companions we each other. And we were just talking about how like we've already been around each other for over 7 months and it feels like you're hanging out with one of your buddies. Definitely been lucky that's for sure.

James is doing great. We're not trying to find a day to get him to the temple which he is super excited for as are we! Also Alice spoke in wars conference yesterday which was so cool. Wow she's such a solid convert. Like honestly one of the best talks I've ever heard in church my whole life and it came from someone who's been a member just a little over a month.

Honestly so cool getting to see the changes that happen in people's lives through the gospel. The church is true that's for sure!

Also just currently in a crime scene where they're dusting for finger prints so that's neat. We shall see what happens!

Love you all!

It's Been A While

It's been a while since I actually sat down and wrote a proper email for you all so I figure it was overdue. You know in missions there's a lot of the same things that happen each week as well as crazy things. This week I just wanted to tell you about some great people and my thoughts about my mission lately. First off, before my mission I was terrified of having a companion I didn't get along with. I had never truly fasted for something but in the months leading up to leaving I constantly fasted for that and that prayer has been answered. Each companion I've had has taught me a lot and I've loved every single one of them. Not to mention a couple of weeks ago transfers happened and I'm now with one of my good friends in the mission who I've already served around for 6 months before, Elder Jacobs. I love this man and it truly is just like living with a buddy from back home. Second, the people I have met so far have changed my life. More importantly the 3 latest people (Lorraine, Alice, and James) I've seen change their lives and find a new joy. I know these individuals were specifically prepared just for me at this time in their lives. Seeing the joy come into their lives gives me so much happiness and makes it all worth it. I love them so much and all the others I've taught and baptised as well throughout my mission. These people are going to raise families in the gospel and affect generations to come and it's just so exciting to get to see it all happen. Third, I love my mission. I'm at the point where this is just my life now and I'm happy with that. Don't get me wrong I miss my family and football like crazy, but these people I get to meet and interact with on a daily basis is something so unique that most people won't get to experience. I didn't know a lot before my mission but the things I'm learning and the testimony I'm gaining will last me the rest of my life. God doesn't change the world but he changes man and changed man can change the world. I've definitely been changed throughout my time here and I've seen the change come into others lives because of that. I remember last year at this time sitting In Hastings dreading my life and dreading waking up in the morning and looking forward to the day being over, but that was a kid who was selfish and thought he knew everything. Now I see a man who is still selfish but selfish in the way of loving being a missionary because it helps me grow and become better and learn more. I honestly love my Savior so much. I'm still learning and growing each day and I'm not where I wanna be or where I want my relationship to be with him, but little by little it's getting there. Good thing I still got a ways to go! I know this church is true and I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. And the most important thing I know is that I will be with the coolest family in the world for eternity. I love them with everything in me and couldn't ask for anything better. They are my motivation each and every day. I love you all and keep being the great people you are. Ps I thought I would add in Lorraine, Alice, and James

Week 51: Sendin It (St. Albans)

This was one of the quickest weeks of my mission. Busy busy busy!

We had the Harlow elders over for exchange on Tuesday and I was with the Japanese legend elder Takahashi. We had a great time and he even made me some nice fried rice 🤤🤤 we also did some family history with Alice to get her ready to go to the temple with her on Friday

Wednesday was such a grind. All of our appointments flogged us so we literally spent all day in the streets. Found lots of people just hope we'll meet with them

On Thursday we went to a funeral at the Chapel for a lady who passed away in December. It was a really good service and lots of testimonies on the plan of salvation. Really we are so lucky to have the knowledge of the life after this one! We also taught this guy named James who I found earlier in the week just on the street. He's a 19 year old uni student from Kenya. He's literally such a lad. We taught him Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. He also came to church on Sunday and loved it. After we taught him Saturday about the plan of salvation he texted us and said he felt the spirit because he just felt so good and peaceful! So, basically James is awesome and pray for him. He's working towards March 16th for baptism we also had dinner with Alice and a couple from our ward. It was a great valentines day!

Friday we had another exchange and just sent it all day with finding. I was with Elder Graff from utah and it was another great time seeing lots of miracles.

Saturday we played some football in the morning, ate lunch with a member, taught our boy James who is sick, and had dinner with another remember. Twas a great day!

Sundays are always stressful but amazing. James came to church and loved it. He's so solid and such a great kid.

And now today got to call home and see my favorite people. I sure do love revelation!! Also I won't have pday until next Thursday due to meetings just an FYI if anybody cares. Can't wait for another great week serving the Lord! Love you all so much!!!

Elder Hruby

Week 50: ALICEEEEEE (St. Albans)

Was another busy but good week here in Hatfield/St Albans! Everyday when we get back to the flat at night I collapse in bed and I'm out until the dreadful alarm sounds at 5:55 every morning. My comp tries talking to me I guess but then he realised I'm already asleep haha. I value every minute I can get of sleeping. I have learned to value sleeping so much and wow it's such a great thing. My body hates me everyday for what I do and it's constantly letting me know. I feel like an 80 year old man and won't be surprised if I need both ankle and hip surgery when I get home. It's a grind!

On a different note... Alice got baptised this weekend!!!! Wow she's so sick and literally could be relief society president like next week and would kill it. She's only 22 but wow she's such a beast. We're definitely gonna take her out teaching with us. She's a lad that's for sure. The baptism was great and getting comfirmed on Sunday was so great as well.

We also had another baptism in our zone on Sunday as well! It came out of nowhere. Like the elders hadn't even planned on having one this week but the lady late in the week was like let's do it this Sunday, so we drove over and interviewed her and she got dunked yesterday! It was sick.

We were supposed to have AP exchanges on Wednesday, but due to some issues and schedule changes the AP's called us Tuesday night and told us they weren't happening so that stunk. Especially because we didn't plan anything for Wednesday so that was a grind but wasn't too bad. Got a lot of time in our area that's for sure.

Sick miralce of the week. We taught a girl a couple weeks ago and her friend Jess sat in on the lesson. Well on Friday we get a text from Jess asking if it was "the mormon boys". Anyways she wanted to come check out church and see how it was. After church she went with us and the USA to a lunch at a members home to celebrate Alice's baptism and Jess got on with everyone. So sick!!!

I talk to about a million uni students everyday and two girls even asked if I was busy on valentines day this week. I'm pretty sure they really wanted to feel Christ love for them on that day so you're dang right we're gonna meet up with them and help them feel that love! It's always a great time talking to people my age and being able to connect that way.

Got another full week with two different companuonships coming to our area for exchanges so it'll be a great time. Busy and hard are good and I'm definitely getting both of those. Exciting things to come! Love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!!

Week 49: The Grind (St. Albans)

It was another exhausting but good week. At this rate I'll probably either come home balding or with gray hair, but we'll see. Literally a million things always happening. Lots of meetings and grinding on the streets. Elder Sabin of the area Seventy was here with his wife for our zone conferences. We took the train into London on Thursday morning for the world's longest meeting/zone conference. Literally was a walking zombie after it. Elder Sabin shared some great insights, but my favourite would have to be "stretch don't stress". A lot of times in missionary work things happen that we can't control but we can't let them get us down. We can only do so much and people still have their agency.

With that being said I was able to go back to Cambridge on Sunday for Lorraines baptism. Keeley was supposed to get baptised as well but blocked us and haven't heard from her and it broke my heart. Fortunately Lorraine still got baptised and it was so amazing! She's so incredible. Her kids love it so much and they can't wait to get baptised as well.

We also have a baptism this upcoming Saturday with our friend named Alice. She's so amazing. She's 22 and the most solid person ever. She's one of those people who could totally serve a mission and kill it. She's so funny and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to teach her and see her grow.

Literally so busy and starting to feel it haha. I got pretty sick this week just from exhaustion and running on fumes but eventually my body will adjust haha. At least I hope so! I'm loving the journey and all the crazy things that go on with being here. I love my saviour and have loved my mission. I have learnt so much and can't wait to continue to know my saviour and grown in my own faith. I love you all so much and keep on being great!