Cold as Rain

     Hello Everyone!

     I've made it into the field! Finally I'm here serving the wonderful people of Scottsdale Arizona! I arrived on Wednesday after a crazy night in Mexico and at airports. I got assigned my companion the next day and his name is Elder Wojahn (Vo-yawn.) He's an incredible missionary that I feel I will be able to learn a lot from.
     I taught my first three lessons yesterday, two completely in Spanish, and they were amazing. The Lord truly gives the gift of tongues and the gift of the spirit. I love the people here and I've only been here for two days. The members here have so much strength and there is soo much work to be done here. I'm in a wonderful little ward (that I cannot disclose for safety) but it's incredible here.
     The day I got here it was poring rain and 56 degrees. It's been freezing cold here in AZ of all places. Matt's theory of global cooling is coming true!
     Getting here I had a ton of meetings. I tried my hardest to stay awake. President and Sister Sweeney fed us really really well with homemade food and snacks. It was all amazing. The next day we had more meetings, a drivers test, transfer meeting, and three lessons.
     I taught a family with an investigating daughter and a mother who grew up catholic but doesn't want organized religion in her life. I bore my testimony of the book of Mormon and taught her the history and purpose of it. The spirit was incredibly strong and she teared up. We have a baptism date for her daughter.
     We taught another boy with a baptism date and his friend who's a member. We played volley ball in his mutual afterwards. We taught another man off the street in his home about faith.
     Things are amazing here! I cannot wait to get more investigators. The Lord has a lot in store for the people here I can feel it! I will update you next week with pictures hopefully!
     I love you all so very much! I miss you all. If you want to send me an email my email is austin.hodges@myldsmail.net   now, I cannot promise you that I will respond personally as I don't have much time, but I will read it and I will be grateful! Thank you for your support. I can feel your prayers and love. Thank you for your fasting about missionary work. There is so much to be done. Please please Brothers and Sisters of the 6th ward, help the missionaries as much as you can! Get them as many referrals as possible, and offer to attend lessons with investigators. Learn as much about missionary work as you can. The work is just as much yours as it is mine.
     I love you all. The church is true. The Lord lives. I promise you this.

-Elder Hodges