Thank You for Being a Friend

My best friends! Bland and Keesler. 

Wow. This is it. My last letter home. 

Over two years ago I embarked on a journey to preach the gospel in the mythical land of Portland, Oregon. I thought I was going to meet people and change their lives forever. Little did I know that they would change mine too. I’ve spent two years trying to do as Jesus would do: loving, teaching, serving, inspiring, protecting His people. I didn’t expect that these people would return the favor and love, teach, serve, inspire, and protect me. 

There was an invisible bond holding us close together, as if we all had a common thread woven into our souls. And we did. We are family. Every person is a child of our Heavenly Father, therefore making us all brothers and sisters. Sometimes they grow up under the same roof with the same last name. Other times they are knit together in worship in a chapel. And sometimes they are connected in a quiet moment on the streets of Portland. With all of these circumstances the same can be concluded: we are a heavenly family.

I am grateful for my heavenly family. Im grateful for the ones anxiously awaiting me in Utah, for my dear friends I have served with, and for all the ones here in Portland. You all have a piece of my heart that I will forever cherish. 

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the one and only true church on the earth. It was established by Him, the Man by whom this very church is named. It was once again reestablished by a prophet in these latter days, Joseph Smith. We are privileged to be called upon by our Master to gather His children this one last time before His coming, where He will rule and reign in glory and majesty. This is the greatest cause on earth. I am honored to have served my Savior this short period of time. I have truly come to know Him. He is my dearest friend, my closest confidant. I love Him. 

So to end this time in true Elder Hall fashion, let me finish with a favorite tune.

Thank you for being a friend,

Travel down the road and back again.

Your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant!

And if you threw a party,

Invited everyone you knew.

You would see the biggest gift would be from me,

And the card attached would say:

Thank you for being a friend!

I love you all! 

Elder Hall 

Elder Bennett and I 

My district

Mine and Sister Acton’s “funeral”

Trying to be cool at the Woodside’s 

My best pal, Starlord! I’m gonna miss that ball of fur

Our 3 pounds of fresh blueberries we picked. 

4th on the Farm

Hey everybody! This last week was my absolute favorite holiday, the 4th of July! We had a pretty good time with tons of adventure this week! The email might be short, but I’ve got some good pictures!

Our ward had a 4th of July breakfast and it was pretty cool! We had a WWII vet tell war stories. I was the parking attendant. There’s a pic of that action below!

On the night of the 4th we didn’t get invited anywhere and Steve Waite wasn’t doing anything, so we wrangled up some guys and went and bucked hay to country music and fireworks! We ended the night with some good ol’ American milkshakes and of course some more fireworks! At the end of the day we moved just over 600 bales!

We helped my good friend Abraham clean out his pool the other day, I was designated tadpole catcher. It was a pretty good adventure!

We saw a mudding competition on Saturday and stopped to watch! It was pretty sweet. 

I can’t believe this is my last full week! Just 9 more days and I’ll be back in good old Pleasant Grove. Can’t wait! Have a wonderful week everyone!

Love,

Elder Hall

Hello Dolly!

Hello Dolly!

Hey everyone! I’m so sorry for not writing last week! Sometimes you just lose track of time and pday is over before you know it. We have had a really fun last two weeks! Lots of service and neat people.

We’ve been doing a ton of service for the Sherwood Center for the Arts! It’s been a party! We have helped set up for several parties, award ceremonies, and even the annual Sherwood Wine Festival. Man, that was a PARTY. 

This week was the theater’s run of Hello Dolly! Because it’s all volunteer and the chair of the theater is a Mormon in our ward, we got to help build, paint, and assemble the set for the show! Not only that, we got to be ushers/alcohol monitors. It was a ton of fun being with all the theater people, it reminded me of all my friends back home! We got to see the show and meet literally every person that attended. It was pretty neat!

We also did a lot of hauling hay for our little Ann and for the Waites in the ward! We moved roughly 300 bales over the week and let me tell you, that is exhausting work! It was a good time though.

Of course last Monday was my favorite holiday, Half Christmas!! We celebrated as a zone with a White elephant exchange, Christmas carols, sweaters, the whole nine yards! It was a memory that will last a lifetime!

On Thursday we had zone conference (my last one!) and it was pretty good. I got to see my dear friends from the Woodhaven ward! It was kind of weird bearing my departing testimony. This mission has changed me forever. I love it.

So last Sunday a member brought his roommate/best friend to church! His name is Winter and he was actually coming as a requirement for a religion class he’s taking. By the end of third hour he was actually interested in learning more about the gospel and ended up accepting a Book of Mormon! We have a meeting with him this week and hopefully he starts progressing!

Well, I hope you all have a great week! Enjoy my ALL TIME FAVORITE holiday, the 4th of July!! I love you all! 

Love,

Elder Hall 

Zone Conference

Half Christmas!

The hay rig

Spring Cleaning

My Father's Day tie from church

Hey everyone! It’s officially summer here in Oregon! School is finally out for all the kiddos here and people are always outside. I’m excited for the summertime! We didn’t have a ton happen this week, but here’s the scoop!

Tuesday was district meeting, and I decided it needed to be Indiana Jones themed. So I borrowed a whip from someone and Elder Bennett and I caught 4 live snakes to bring! It was a memorable district meeting!

We did a lot of service this week, cutting down trees and helping with some spring cleaning. It was a lot of fun! 

On Sunday we had dinner with the Doyel family and they have a few friends that want to learn more about the gospel! We are meeting with them soon hopefully!

I also had the privilege to administer two priesthood blessings yesterday. I am always so humbled when I get to be an instrument on behalf of the Lord. It is such an incredible blessing for all parties involved. I love this gospel!

Have a good week everyone!

Love,

Elder Hall 

Trimming a tree

Adventures in Sherwood

Me and Elder Bennett

Hey everyone! It’s been a wild week full of adventures! My new companion is Elder Bennett from Ogden, Utah. He’s a good guy and I’m excited for this last transfer!

We had a lot of adventures this week, from lassoing alpacas, building bonfires, and working security at the Cruisin’ Sherwood. We had a really fun week!

I’m sorry this is so short, I don’t have much time! Just know that I’m alive and well. I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Hall 

Elder DeMille, Sister Parker, Josh, and I

Cooking chicken on my new grill I got for free!

Lassoing Kuzco the alpaca!

Working security at the Cruisin’ Sherwood

A bonfire we made

Let it Begin

Blender dash with Wallace

Hey everyone! This is going to be super short this week, mostly because it’s only been 4 days since i last wrote and I really don’t have much that’s new. Although, I did get a haircut and I caught a cold!

Starting on Wednesday is my last transfer as a missionary! I can’t believe this time has finally arrived. I will be spending these last six weeks in the Sherwood ward! Elder DeMille sadly has been transferred so I will receive a new companion. We don’t find out who it is until tomorrow, but I’m excited to finish out my mission!!

The highlight was Saturday we all volunteered at the Blender Dash! It was one of those races that is full of chalk, bubbles, mud, hay, zombies, etc. We were in charge of throwing colored chalk at small children in the middle of the forest. It was pretty fun I won’t lie, even though my clothes are all stained pink. Haha it was a good time!

Also, we shaved an alpaca this week too. His name was Fabio and he put up a pretty good fight!

I was heartbroken to hear about the passing of my sweet Bonnie Jo Crockett. She was an incredible woman that holds a very special place in my heart. I’m so thankful she is finally reunited with her sweetheart! Thank you Rich and Bonnie for showing me that love can truly endure forever. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

With Love,

Elder Hall 

Workin' Hard or Hardly Workin'

Memorial Day in Sherwood

Hey everybody! It's been a great 10 days! I haven't written until today because we got to go to the temple this morning! It was a great session and a beautiful morning. Only one more time there until I go home! It's kind of crazy.

Well, the last 10 days have been full of adventure! We've been doing a lot of service and just plain old missionary work. Myriam is doing awesome, and we are excited to help her get to the temple soon! 

It was an exciting day on Saturday, I got the stitches out of my thumb! It's still pretty tender, but I'm grateful it is healing quickly and without issues.

We also shaved some farm dogs this week and that was really disgusting and I never want to do it again. Don't worry, we took pictures! 

I'm sorry this isn't a huge email, just know that I'm doing well, I love you all, and I can't wait for this next month and a half to go by! I know this gospel is true, and Jesus Christ is real! Have an awesome week!

With Love,

Elder Hall

Beautiful evening!

Shaving Patch the dog with Ann

Shaving Zina the dog with Ann

Doing work in the shirt and tie

   

Me and DeMille  

                                    Baby goat

Sherwood District

Ditchin' the stitchin'

Filled with Light

Myriam's baptism!

Hey everyone!! It was an incredible week here in Sherwood! This won’t be the longest email, but know that we are so happy!

We did a good amount of service for members in the ward this week! We helped install a sprinkler system for one member and cleaned out some flower beds for another. BJ and Barb made us fresh sushi that was incredible! We had a lot of fun talking to all of our incredible members this week.

The highlight of this week was on Saturday! My good friend Myriam got baptized! Her testimony is so strong. She is so ready to face the world as a member of the true church of Jesus Christ! The service was beautiful and full of the spirit. It was such a neat experience and an honor to be a part of her journey! 

I’m grateful for this opportunity to be out here serving. This gospel has filled my soul with light and joy! I love you all, have a great week!

Elder Hall 

Stitches

Hey everyone! Happy Mother’s Day yesterday! It was QUITE the eventful day! I’ll get to that, but first I want to tell you about our week!

Tuesday morning Elder Goncalves and I went over to Anne’s and shoed her horses. It was a learning experience for me, but I enjoyed it a lot! It was pretty cool!

Wednesday morning Amy called us needing some help. We ended up helping her at her new apartment for the whole morning. We went and got lunch and an ice cream after and it was so fun! We are seriously just two peas in a pod. That night we were visiting BJ and Barb and Barb said she needed an ice cream, so we went and got ice cream again! Haha it was great.

Friday morning Abraham called us and needed help with his garage door opener. Man, that was a process but we got it working! My experience helping my dad out on the various houses we’ve renovated came in handy!

On Saturday we got a call from some members asking us to come help shave their llama! I was in charge of wrestling said llama to the ground. I did a pretty good job until it got up with me on it. I took a little ride on the llama! Haha it was awesome.

Our investigator Myriam is doing awesome! We are so excited for her baptism this Saturday! We had two awesome lessons with her this week. She had a great baptismal interview and she is just so prepared for her baptism! I am so proud of her and so honored I get to play a small part in her journey. May 19th, here we come!

The call home was amazing! I miss my family so much. I am IN LOVE with Anna, Penny, Jayne, and Jasper! They are all so big! I am so excited to see them in July! I have seriously missed being with all of my siblings. You guys will forever be my best friends! I love you! I have an angel mother that watches over and loves me more than I can comprehend. I LOVE YOU MOM!!!

Yesterday was a day of milestones for me! 22 months, last call home, and first time getting stitches! Hahaha I can explain. So, yesterday morning I decide to eat an apple for breakfast. The apple I had was extremely large, so I decided to cut it up first. Well, I whip out my very nice and very sharp pocket knife to do the job. It turns out that knife cuts very well! It went straight through my apple and straight into my right thumb! Man, that thing bled like crazy. After dousing it in super glue, it finally stopped bleeding. I called the mission nurse and she told me to go to instacare. So away we went, a few hours before church! 

Well, the doctor came in, glanced at my thumb and said, “Yeah that needs stitches.” They decided to numb me up in the thumb which was the MOST PAINFUL THING IN MY LIFE. Getting a needle stuck into your thumb’s nerves is not fun! It put me down for the count. I finally got over the nausea and they stitched me up. Five stitches and I’m good as new!! Hahaha it was a pretty eventful day! Now I can’t do very much for the next 10 days as it heals. Pray for my thumb!

I love you all, I know God lives, and this is His restored gospel! Have an amazing week!

With Love,

Elder Hall

           

Getting stitched up!

     

    

The boys with Nutmeg the Llama!

                                                                                

Me and Spirit the horse.

Setting Dates and Building Goat Pens

Elder DeMille, Bashi Bushman, and I

Hey everyone! It’s been quite the week! We had a great time here in Sherwood ward. I’m excited to tell you the updates about our awesome area! We’ve had a great week!

On Tuesday we had a lesson with our awesome investigator Myriam! She’s from Michigan and moved out here to start a new life. She’s been coming to church for the last two months, and she’s loved reading the Book of Mormon! We set a date with her for May 19th! We are so pumped for her!

I finished building the goat pen at Anne’s this week, and I’m so relieved. Those goats are so much happier now! They finally have a place to run and play. It’s awesome!

We had a great zone conference this week. I love this mission!! I’m going to miss it so much!

Well I’m sorry this is short, but I’m exhausted and honestly not a ton happened this week! I promise that next week will be even better! I love you all, I know the gospel is true!

Love,

Elder Hall 

   

An awesome sign I found                                Throwin back to transfer day with my boys!

New glasses!!

A Pickle Over Your Shoulder

Me and Elder DeMille!

Hello from my birth town of Sherwood!! It’s a little surreal that I’m back in the town I started my mission in! I’ve already seen so many people that I love and have missed so much (Shoutout to my girl Amy!). It was a fun week filled with lots of new adventures.

My new companion is named Elder DeMille! He’s from Layton, Utah (man, two Layton-ites right in a row) and he’s been out for 5 months now. He’s a little on the quieter side, but a ton of fun. We get along really well already and I’m excited for this new transfer!

The first night I was here we went straight to my dear friend Amy Livingston’s house. I didn’t tell her I was coming, and it was a glorious reunion!! We haven’t skipped a beat. 

I met my newest set of grandparents on Thursday! BJ and Barb Slepski are an older couple that got baptized about two years ago. They are AWESOME. BJ and I talked fishing the whole night! It was so fun and I’m looking forward to spending more time with them.

We’ve been helping out at an elderly lady’s farm this week and it’s been quite the adventure! We feed her 8 horses: Isabella, Duke, Cherry, Lawny, Spirit, Tapestry, Sandy, and Lady. Then we rough up her 4 dogs a little bit: Rocky, Zina, Patch, and Cody. We also are working with her 6 goats: Lightning, Espresso, Cocoa, Mocha, Mary, and Serenity. Cocoa and Mocha are only two weeks old, so we spend time with them helping them to get accustomed to humans. Cocoa is very skittish, but has warmed up to me well. He’s a fun little goat!

I’m the district leader down here for the Sherwood district and we had a pretty successful district meeting on Friday! I think this will be a really fun transfer. We went as a district this morning and did Zumba with all of the moms at the church and it was hysterical!! Mom, I’ll have you know I’ve found my passion and calling in life. I’m a natural at this Zumba thing! Hahahaha jk not even close. It confirmed that I left my dancing skills in my 4th grade ballroom class. 

Now for the subject line. We were at dinner on Friday night with the Bushman family! It was so fun! Their little 10 year old boy Bashi was giving us a comedy night and we laughed our heads off! I don’t even know how it came up, but by the end of dinner, Bashi had created a new tradition to do with us. You had to spill a little soda, and then throw a pickle over your shoulder for good luck. It was hilarious!! So, now when you’re in need of a little luck, just spill a little soda and throw a pickle over your shoulder. 

I met the future president of Venezuela this week as well! Abraham Benitez is one amazing man! We spent some time the other night getting to know him and his family. He is legitimately running for President in Venezuela next year. He showed us his website, his official signs and logos, and his debate notes for a debate coming up in August. He is a very good man centered in the gospel and already a good friend!

We ended this week with dinner at the Pierce home. Man, we laughed pretty good there too! Brother Pierce was a huge Kenneth Cope fan back in the day and we had a blast trying to imitate good old Kenneth and some of his greatest hits. The next time I hear His Hands I don’t know if I will be able to keep it together! Hahaha what a fun evening. 

You know, even with all of these fun experiences, this week still held its challenges. I’m so grateful for the Book of Mormon and loving family members that follow promptings. I know the gospel is true, and I’m so grateful to be a missionary in Oregon! This is the Lord’s work! I love you all, have an awesome week!

With Love,

Elder Hall

We saw wild turtles! It was amazing!!

My last pday with my Beav West peeps