Just when you think you have it figured out!

 Hudson has been in the mission field for 7 months.  He felt like he had a bit of it figured out then, WHAM!  He was told otherwise.  Apparently when Elder and Sister Judd (the housing coordinators) told the sisters they could use the queen beds, they were giving false information.  So much for trusting adults that have the calling of fixing housing issues.  

The nice driving coordinator in the mission who lives by the famous country singers, has been released.  He, if you remember, didn't think miles mattered so Hudson felt like he should have the same opinion.  Wrong again!  The new driving coordinator has been reviewing old readings from the car and saw Hudson went 62 in a 45 back in February.  Hudson says the system dings him when the speed changes from a higher number to a lower number.  He feels if he slams on the break when he reaches the 45 he will be rear ended.  I guess he needs to start slowing before the speed limit changes.  The driving coordinator told Hudson that he is known as having a lead foot back in Salt Lake and headquarters feels his driving privilege's should be revoked.  I don't know how many of you have driven with Hudson, but speed isn't really his thing.  I can't even imagine what would happen if Chevy were in one of the chipped cars.  The lesson learned is all humans have opinions, but the rules are the rules and that is what you are expected to adhere to.

Needless to say after two reprimanding calls, moving queen beds back to the sisters apartment, not having any miles to drive anywhere on PDay and a day full of rain.  PDay stunk!  Hudson and Elder Norton got in a few hands of monopoly deal and Hudson spent some time admiring his new Nike shoes from China.  He is hoping all this doesn't make President Weaver angry enough to break up He and Elder Norton next week at transfers.  They both really want to be in Lafayette on May 15 for Connie's baptism.  Another rule that upsets Hudson, not having a say in where you live and who you live with.  Oh, the hard life of a missionary.

(Hudson email week 32)

Hey Gang, my Pday has been a bit rough. I guess we weren't supposed to have our queen beds... even after the housing coordinators asked the sisters why they werent using them. So we got a reprimanding text from Pres and we had to move them out...😥 if only he was a large lad. Then right after, the driving coordinator called about a speeding accident that happened in February, after the call he asked if the car was performing well, and I told him it was good and drove fast. 😂😂

 Thankfully my weeks been a lot better then just today. 

The sisters had a baptism and I had the privilege of doing Nicole's confirmation, not only that but I was able to play amazing grace for the service (it's her favorite song)😂 it was a really awesome baptismal service.

 Connie is progressing, shes serious about baptism and has gone a week without drinking! Shes doing so well, Buck is also moving really close to baptism.

 We had interviews with President, they went really well always learn so much, I always come with a doctrinal question for him, its crazy how much 1 person can know

Hudson's interior decorating, from the outside

 Hudson got around the MASS and ordered a pair of shoes from China.  Hopefully no one finds out about this infraction.

Can I Phone a Friend?

Hudson was preparing to head to Gallatin early in the morning for zone conference.  He said they had spent a lot of time at Connie's again this week.  Hudson used her tractor to spray a pasture for weeds.  He phoned a friend to ask about some particulars.  It took 3 tries to get his old boss from the weed department here in Idaho to pick up on his Tennessee number.  Aaron Hull finally answered very gruffly with a, "who is this."  They had a quick chat and Hudson got his questions answered.  The birds were out in the field pecking around almost immediately.  He hopes they don't die from ingesting the spray?

Hudson is looking forward to the sister missionaries baptism on Saturday.  President Gilday will be doing the baptizing.  Hudson says he will be standing in the confirmation circle.  Only the tall heavy equipment operator will be getting baptized, as the other lady that can't walk well, isn't legally married to the man she lives with.

Hudson states Connie has been more forthcoming on her alcohol use.  She admits she likes to drink to "forget the problems of the world."  Hudson also says she continues attending her old church.  She has friends there and it doesn't hurt they pay her $50 a service to play the organ.  They have put her on date to be baptized on May 15 (Hudson's birthday!).  He isn't too optimistic it will happen.

Hudson Email Week 31

Mom's Facebook Messenger to Hudson, " Are you going to send an email?"

Hudson's Facebook Messenger to Mom, "No."

Hudson played Vincent while Connie sang along this week, and Elder Norton got it all on video.

Amazon Delivery

Hudson called at the end of Ellie's choir melodrama.  I missed him the first time, but he knew to keep trying.  He is in Gallatin on a split, drinking hot cocoa when he called.  I told him "oh no" you have a package on your porch.  He said, "my sheets, nah they are already in the washer."  He had gotten them before he left.  I felt bad he wasn't going to get to use them right away.  Amazon delivery was two days later then promised.  GRRR.  While shopping at Wal-Mart, Elder Norton was going to buy a set.  They left the store and had forgotten.  I'm glad they were a bit forgetful.

Hudson attended a primary activity with about 20 kids.  He says only 10 come to church on Sunday.  A new family is moving in to the branch however and they have 5 kids!  He and Elder Norton are helping them unload tomorrow.

I sent Hudson some ideas of how he can help Connie on her road to giving up alcohol.  It is a hard situation for a missionary to deal with.  In a young mans mind it seems as easy as "just don't do it".  We hope the best for her.  Hudson said the fence they have put up is wooden post with wire stapled to it.  Not barbed, he didn't know why.  The post hole digger went into the soft ground lickety-split.  He said they only hit rocks a couple of times and was nothing like digging in Franklin.  Old Tom has become aggressive and Hudson is understanding why he was being held in solitary confinement.  He feels like he could kill that bird now, if the need arises of course.  

He also said it is getting beautifully green there.  Very picturesque of  how he imagined Tennessee.  He has not seen a single sprinkler head.  When he tells people he moved pipe on his grandpa's farm, they don't understand the concept.

He says everyone in the branch has a road bike.  They always bring it up in the discussion somewhere.  It makes him think he might need one someday.  But, he is feeling a bit nostalgic anyway.  He is missing his fish tank and his car Monica.  He might have a hard time going back to her, after driving a 2020 Chevy Equinox the last 3 months!  

🙈🙉🙊🌊🌊🌊 (Hudson Email Week 30)

 Hey y'all, not a lot this week, we finally got Connie's fence up, well 1 of the fences, the other is still in the process. After we had a pretty heated conversation but late last night she sent us a text admitting she was addicted to her beer so something good came of it🤷‍♂️

The more I work out there the more I want my own hobby farm, everyone here in the south has one, I think I'll just start with chickens though. 

We had a good lesson with Buck, we've been working on him and Connie the whole time I've been here and a lot longer before then but he finally said he was for sure going to be baptized and he wants to be a full time member, but he doesnt know when. He says he's still thinking of his date and praying for a confirmation. We had Brother Green with us and he helped share his conversion story it was a good lesson. But afterwards brother Green said he thinks he's searching for his late wifes confirmation. Basically Buck didn't make a lot of decisions by himself and with his wife not here to Okay it, he's struggling to make a final verdict. Soooo our next lesson will be all about temples and eternal families😂

In other news, I finally got a hair cut during our primary activity, it's been almost 2 transfers since I got one, it's been growing 😳

Gallatin has got their baptism this saturday, it was Elder Nortons first baptismal interview as DL, I think it went well she's getting baptized, but that's this saturday and we will be in attendance

The sisters on the other hand have 2 next week!!!! One of them is a woman that's a heavy equipment operator and I think taller than me! It's super exciting all around, we just need Buck to finally pick a date and we can join the fun.

The lady I mentioned previously, I randomly messaged her on facebook, my new approach to talk to people is just sending gifs and she was one of the few that responded, we had a fun little gif conversation and then she said she recognized from church yesterday and it totally dawned on me it was her. 

After that we had a lot more wholesome conversation about her baptism and how excited she is. Watching these people make this decision and the peace it brings to their life is amazing and such a testimony builder. Maybe it's because Brother Greene was talking about his baptismal experience, but I've noticed how much of a difference just the choice  and idea of wanting to be baptized brings peace and comfort into these people's life. It changes them for the better completely, people who were the grumpiest and most upset at life, are now the happiest and most carefree people you'll meet.

1. Idolatry to the tenth degree

2. Gatorboi

3. President Weaver Motivation

Holy Trinity, who knew?

 My call with Hudson started with a missionary lesson for ME, taught by my favorite missionary.  I did not know that 47 of the 50 largest Christian religions believe in the Holy Trinity.  That is the belief that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are all one being.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, United Pentecostal Church International and Jehovah Witness are the three that believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost being separate beings.   

--In Trinitarian doctrine, God exists as three persons but is one being, having a single divine nature.^[82] The members of the Trinity are co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action, and will. As stated in the Athanasian Creed, the Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated, and all three are eternal without beginning.^[83] "The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" are not names for different parts of God, but one name for God^[84] because three persons exist in God as one entity.^[85] They cannot be separate from one another. Each person is understood as having the identical essence or nature, not merely similar natures--

Hudson tells me that the religions that believe in the Holy Trinity do not think the LDS church is Christian, because we believe Jesus Christ and Satan are brothers.  That lowers Jesus Christ status and thus makes us not Christian.  Interesting.  Hudson has also come to "despise" the word "saved".  The religions Hudson is teaching amongst feel if they have had 1 spiritual experience they will go to heaven.  Despite whatever they might do the rest of their life.  Heavenly father might scold them for murdering, but if they believe in him they will live with him in death.  They feel the LDS thought of repentance and enduring to the end is essentially buying our way to heaven and that won't work.  The different religions in Tennessee also support each other as Hudson put it, "there are many paths up the mountain."  That is why they do not care what church you go to, just that you love God.  Hudson said on the way to their church multiple churches created a gigantic concrete cross.  He also says most houses have a cross on their lawn.  Some are metal, others plastic and some even have lights on them
that glow at night.

Hudson says the insects are blooming!  He tells me carpenter bees are a big problem.  They eat away wood.  People will hang traps on their decks.  It has a wood house for them to fly in, to eat and then they drop in a mason jar and die.  He also talks about murder hornets.  People tell him it is time for the locusts to arrive as well.  The people in Tennessee tell him any grasshopper that flies is actually a locust.  The internet did not truly clarify if that was true for me.

Hudson has come to crave spicy chicken but he says it gives him excruciating heart burn.  He also scored two queen beds from the sisters apartment.  It used to be the senior couples apartment and the sisters were sleeping on the twins in the other room.  Enter two, tall, strong missionaries and the beds were moved to their apartment.  The drawback is there is no queen bedding.  Hudson is using his twin flat sheet spread under him and his twin blanket on top.  He says the bad part is if he rolls around a lot he wakes up on the bare mattress.  I suggested buying sheets.  He tells me he does not have enough money in his budget.  He also does not know how long he will be using a queen bed and does not want to travel with queen sheets for the next 18 months.  I shudder every time I think of him sleeping on a used mattress with no sheets.  Yuck!  I of course immediately ordered him 2 queen sheet sets from Amazon and shipped them to his apartment.  I will not complain if he leaves them for the next lucky missionary that gets a queen bed.

Hudson and Elder Norton have created a "vibe" room in the study room.  Hudson took it upon himself to thumbtack his vinyl collection to the wall.  It looks awesome, but all those holes in an apartment, oh son.  While we were talking he got an email from a man that he is teaching.  He was confirming their appointment for discussion 6 and he said he had a lot to tell Hudson.  It was fun to see the gleam of joy in his eye.  He is hopeful to bring people to the church.

Hudson at his conference watch party at the church

Transfer Week (Hudson Email Week 29)

We were able to finally have our transfers after a brief Covid scare. Our whole district stayed the same except Elder Ekins left, (he was in Gallatin) and he actually went back to Lawrenceburg! What a wonderful place 

 We had a big conference watch party at the church, it was mostly members but we got Connie there too. The whole day saturday she was asking where God was during the holocaust, and then Elder Renlund gave his talk on the Rwandan genocide, timing was impeccable, also a temple in Smithfield😳😳 wuttt?

 Nothings been too crazy here recently, a lot of time at Connie's farm, all of our people are progressing but slowly, Buck's right there 

 Last night we had the wackest lesson. We went out to nicole's, the church is putting her up in a motel till she can get a house. She had a friend who was wanting to be baptized and join the church and that's where the lesson was supposed to go but we think she just wants the support from the church, it sucks and made me upset. We were there teaching nicole and april (the wannabe freeloader) couldnt join our lesson cause her friends were there and we saw her just walking around the motel the whole time we were teaching nicole. And then her "friend" just walked up and started bashing about how the sabbath is on Saturday because paul started on saturday and the whole leap year thing, he claimed to be a bible scholar too but he didnt even know ephesians 4:5 👎👎 

Our lesson with nicole and sonney 

 

So we just didnt our lesson with nicole and her motel neighbor is this guy named sunny. He was so drunk and his eyes were all red but he had the bubbliest personality. He sat in on our lesson and he was just playing with his dog. He started talking about the movie pets, he named every different type of animal in it and after each one he would giggle. He was also spraying peppermint all over the place to kill the spiders

 

Last day with Elder Ekins 

Obi wan on the back porch protecting us from murder hornets