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'