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