week #6 weekly goals in the Gospel!

Week four in the Great Ohio Columbus Mission! What an exciting week. I
feel bad that my emails have been short recently, but the servers have
been down, so it sucked. Hopefully they are fixed for good now!
Anyways, I wish to speak a little more in this letter than I have in
the past, and I hope to continue getting better at relating my
experiences throughout my mission. It's important, not only to keep
you all updated, but it really shows if I'm even remembering what's
happening out here.

We had our Follow-Up Zone Conference meeting on Wednesday, where we
reported our results from our goals that we set the week before. I
will say that Elder Yeh had a couple of rough days (Friday and
Saturday) due to several reasons: we lacked focus, we weren't focused,
and since the weather was super nice, everyone on campus was drunk
before 3 pm. The last few days were great though. We went on exchanges
(we exchange companions with leaders in our Zone and District at least
once a transfer for a 24 hour period. We still do work the same, just
switching up companions) on Tuesday. Elder Yeh went with our District
Leader, Elder Segle (Seagull is how you say it) and I went with Elder
Segle's companions, Elder Halverson. This turned out to really help us
reach all of our goals, and it really helped me becoming better at
contacting people. When we contact on OSU, we walk with, or stop and
talk to people. A contact is someone we share a gospel principle with,
regardless of getting their number or not. Elder Halverson and I
contacted 48 people on Tuesday, which is A LOT.

The goals previously talked about brought up a great pattern for us.
This pattern is to set a vision, set goals, and then make plans to
help achieve those goals. This can be used throughout our missions,
but throughout life as well. In D&C 9:7-9, Joseph Smith is given
revelation of this pattern. We can't just expect God to give answers,
let alone results for things that we haven't even prepared for. Often
times we expect a pizza to show to our door without: 1) deciding what
kind of pizza 2) soda? Desert? 3) we need to call the darn pizza
place! 4) we then need to be ready to pay the price for what we order
(this isn't a negative thing, there just requires effort behind this).
I am guilty of it too, which is why I'm grateful I'm learning how
important it is to follow this council and make my plans, and ask the
Lord of they are what I am supposed to be following.

After all the contacting we did, we now have about ten new
investigators that all have lessons planned with us for this week or
next, so we will be doing a lot more teaching than contacting this
week (thank goodness). One of them we had a lesson with earlier this
week. He's a Christian, and is wondering why God would give us more
than a Bible. It was hard not to bash with him, but we did it, and
were able to put him on his heels a bit. In John 6 we are told, by
Christ himself, that he is "the bread of life" and we are to "partake
of him" if we want to have eternal life. This can be seen as the
sacrament, but also feasting upon His words. In 2 Nephi 32:3 we are
commanded to feast upon the words of Christ. We explained this to him,
and extended the invitation of reading the Book of Mormon and
fulfilling his calling as a Christian, a disciple of Christ, to feast
upon the words Christ gave to us. He accepted and let his guard down
to let the Spirit speak to him, which was an amazing thing to see.

I want to say thank you to everyone for the support, the prayers, the
letters, the emails, everything. You are all amazing and I wouldn't be
where I am at without you. It's humbled me so much to know that my
serving a mission is not for me, but the people here that God has
prepared for me. I have already seen how I have, and can help those
that need it.

I want to mention that if there is anything that anyone needs prayers
or fasting for, please contact me. As a missionary I am here to
strengthen the church. This includes everyone, not just new
investigators and members here.

Oh, and just so you all know, my P-Day will be on Tuesday next week,
and I won't be able to email much. We are going to the temple as a
district and zone, and I'll be gone most of the day.

I love you all and please have a great week! Hope this email has been
better than my last couple.

Week #5 Strengthening our testimonies!

I can honestly say that each week is getting better and better, but
going faster and faster. It's crazy how fast time flies. The days go
quick when we work how we have been. We talk to just about everyone we
see on campus, we are trying to teach at least two or three lessons a
day, and we still have someone on date for a baptism. I go to bed
exhausted and wake up ready for another day.

I really appreciate all the letters and packages that have been sent.
It really is cool to come back home at night and check our mailbox and
there be stuff in it. I love hearing from everyone, even though I
can't always reply back.

Sunday's have been my favorite because of how great of a release it is
and how many great people are in the ward. The members here are so
willing to feed us, even though they are mostly full time college
students. They are always willing to help us out with our lessons,
update us on activities, and they try so hard to help us out with our
work and getting us referrals. It makes it easy to serve wards that
serve us.

One thing I've learned since being out here is how important it is to
take your studies seriously. We need to strengthen our testimonies and
build our foundations before we can expect to help others build upon
and start theirs. I can feel my testimony growing each and every
moment that I am focused on the Spirit and the people that I am here
to serve.

I miss all of you and I'm sorry that my emails aren't that great, but
they will get better I promise. Nothing super life changing happened
this week, but I can see why I am needed here, and I'm beginning to
see how I can help the people here.

Week #4 First invitation to baptism!

Week two in the good old OSU! So blessed to be here. I unfortunately
don't have a lot of time to write this week, so this one will be
short. We had a few meetings we have today for our Zone.

Happenings this week: Elder Yeh and I had a great time on Thursday
making dumplings for a ward activity. Since he's from Taiwan, he knows
legit Asian cuisine. I've got the recipe, and let me say that they are
AMAZING. We celebrated Chinese New Year, as there are a lot of
Oriental people around here. It's actually quite cool.

We invited the first person (for me at least) to be baptized. Alan has
been struggling to find the truth of what he really believes, but we
committed to get him ready by the 12th of March to begin the most life
changing thing he can do in his life. He desires it, and the Spirit
was so strong while we were able to meet with him. We are excited for
this young man and everything he's trying to do; he's such a good kid.

Sunday's have become my favorite. I get to sit in on two full sessions
of church. It's relaxing, and very spiritually edifying, which is what
I love feeling. Contacting people on campus is difficult, as we don't
really knock on doors, but just stop people and talk to them for a few
minutes to set up a follow up appointment.

I know I said it last week, but again, I am seeing how much change is
occurring since being out here. I've already grown so much, and it
gets me so excited for the next two years. It's amazing what this
Gospel has done for me, and can do for everyone.

One of the scriptures that hit home for me this week would have to be
D&C 9:7-9. It tells us exactly what we have to do to get the answers
we are looking for in life. God wants us to exercise our agency, he
wants us to choose. He also wants to guide us. I know that as we do
our best to make the right decisions in our lives, and follow up those
choices and plans with God, we can go far in life. I'm convinced that
any two people can accomplish anything in this world, as long as one
of the, is the Lord.

I leave this with you, and all of my love (as it was just Valentine's Day).

Week #3 First week in Ohio!

I can't believe I'm in Ohio! I don't even know where to start! Since I

landed, we were picked up, taken to President Daine's

house, where we were treated to an amazing briscuit dinner, and very

very comfortable beds. After resting for the night we woke up and were

taken to a church next to the temple. We had a little bit of training

and were paired up with our trainers/companions.

My companion is amazing! His name is Elder Yeh. He is from Taiwan and

is hilarious. We have had so many funny moments already. We get along

great and he is teaching me so much. The adjustment has been great so

far. I'm so grateful for what he's teaching me. A lot of it is

learning the "why" of everything here. It all has to start with why I

am doing what I'm doing here. Why people need to hear our message. It

truly has changed and enhanced my vision, as well as strengthened my

testimony.

A little about my area. I am placed on campus at OSU. I should be here

for my first 13 weeks. It's so different being here too. It's a unique

area on our mission. We cover the two YSA wards that meet here on

campus. We also have 10 missionaries (6 elders and 4 sisters) to cover

the entire area. It is a huge campus though. Our schedule is different

here, as far as proselyting times go, and times for weekly planning.

So our "area" covers everyone in the ward, but pretty much every young

single adult in our mission meets here at the institute building on

campus (it's where we have church as well), but we don't have cars or

bikes in this specific area. So if we want to meet with them we have

to find rides. It's cool getting to ride the buses everywhere though!

Elder Yeh and I were able to give two blessings to two of the recent

converts around here, and both times the Spirit was so strong. It was

absolutely amazing to be able to see the change in people. I can't

wait to begin to really put my foot in the door here as a missionary.

My apartment address is:

1210 chambers rd apartment 312b 

Columbus Ohio 43212

For anyone who wants to write letters or packages.

I miss and love you all, but the Gospel is such a blessing, and I can

see what my purpose is here. I am responsible for teaching the people

here, befriending them, and inviting them to come closer to Christ,

not matter who they are. I can't wait to see the relationships I can

build, and how strong we can all make this church before we leave.

I will send more pictures next week. I need to figure out how to get

the pictures off my camera on to my iPad.

Love you all!!!

Elder Hartley

Elder Yeh

Safely arrived in Columbus Ohio!

I can't email too much but I want you all to know I'm in Ohio and very safe. Was fed very well by the mission President and his wife. Couldn't be happier. I love you all and I will email you on Monday:)
God Speed!

-- another email that came in right afterwards --

Oh, and btw, there is a Facebook page for our mission. I personally won't reply but there will be a ton of stuff you can see going on in the entire mission. Search: The Great Ohio Columbus Mission-President Daines.
Love you all!!!

Trenton arrived safely in Columbus!

Week #2 Leaving the MTC and heading for Columbus OH!

It is crazy how time flies here! I can't believe that I will be on a plane to Columbus, Ohio! This last week has been so spiritually edifying. I'll apologize again right now for not sending pictures, but I will send them when I get out to Columbus. I will also have a few videos, if they can load, to send of my companion, Elder Chavez, playing the piano. He is a mad man when he's shredding some gnar on the ivories. He's a musical genius!

My teachers were the best. Sister Wyatt and Sister Thomson are amazing, and I know that through them and the Spirit I have been able to grow sooo much. We had the opportunity to teach a couple of investigators in preparation for being out in the field, and that was amazing. 

This mission is easily the best decision I have ever made, and I know that this is where I am meant to be. I know there will be tough days, even horrible days, but nothing will be better, or make it all more worth it than if I can help those I come into to contact with come closer to Christ. 

Matthew O. Richardson, the new VP at BYU for Advancement, gave a devotional on Sunday. We have had several since being here, and all of them have been great, but he said something that stuck with me so well. I am responsible for what goes on during my mission, and I should strive to be a REAL missionary. No half efforts, no sleeping in, no misconduct. I represent Christ, and I should do so with honor and pride in His name. This mission will not be the best two year of my life, there is no way that it could be! I have so much to look forward to. These two years, however, will be the best two years FOR my life. It will prepare me to become the man that I am striving, and working so hard to become.

Whenever I have felt doubt, God knows just how to pick me up. The other Elders and Sisters in my district have helped me so much in realizing things about myself, within myself. I owe everyone here for who I am becoming, and I hope that I have helped them, or changed them in some degree the ways the have me.

Time is so short here and I feel like it is so difficult to email everyone, so if I don't get to you I am genuinely sorry. I will try to do certain people every other week or so just so everyone feels me love for them.

A few scriptures that have really touched me recently are D&C 6:22-24, all of section 62, and 121:7-8. They have really helped me put my doubts away, and forget myself in this wonderful work of which I am blessed to be apart of. I am learning to be less selfish, not think of myself, but look outwards, and become more like Christ. This is my wish for everyone that I know and love, and I am doing the best I can to lead by example. 

I love you all so very much, and I hope that my emails are detailed enough to fill you on what I am doing, how I am doing, and the ways that I am progressing. If you have any ideas or things you want to know about, please email me and let me know so I can add more or take out things that aren't as interesting.

'Til we meet again... God be with you 'til we meet again.

NOTE from Jason: Got a few other pictures from Stacey and so I'm posting them. :)

Kamill and Trenton

Trenton

Trenton and Dalton