No Greater Joy

Well this week has been a whirlwind of emotions. It started out amazing. We had some great lessons with all of our investigators and things were really looking up. I was excited about this upcoming transfer because there were big things happening in the zone. Well on Saturday we got our transfer calls and I got transferred.... I was so surprised and a little frustrated at the same time. My companion Elder Lusk just went home so I was supposed to be getting a new companion to be a zone leader with me here in El Dorado but they transferred me and put in 2 new Zone Leaders there. That is super rare because when you put 2 new zone leaders in they have no idea with what is going on in the zone or in each companionship and so it is hard to help them or lead them. But it happened. The hardest part was saying goodbye to Brother and Sister Anderson, the people we were living with. They honestly felt like my parents when I was there and I loved both of them sooo much.

I am now serving in the Carmichael 1st ward and the College Oak YSA ward in the Carmichael zone. If you remember that is where I spent the first 8 months of my mission, In the Carmichael zone. I started in the Del Campo ward. It feels good to be back here. I am more excited about my new companion, Elder Ravsten. He is from Farmersville Texas which is about an hour east of Little Elm. He is awesome. I am so excited to be companions with him. This will definitely be a fun transfer.

So some other crazy news that happened this week was my trainer, Elder Toki went home. It was crazy to see him going home and it was sad to see him go. I loved him so much. He was one of my favorite companions. I look forward to hanging out with him when I get back. It also made me realize how fast time flies. I now only have 6 months left of my mission. That is crazy to think about.

The most special experience that happened this week was visiting our recent converts Anna and Daria Atriaseva. They are the russian family. I have loved working with them more than anyone. They have brought so much joy to me as I have seen them grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was so hard to leave them and say goodbye. After I left Anna sent me this text message. "You and Caden have become a very important part of my life. You opened the gate to the house of the Lord... My baptism was unforgettable!

But I want to thank you , Landon, so much for your Holy Spirit, for your help, for your lessons,  for spending so much time with us, for understanding my "perfect " English . And thank you so so much for your hugs. You are an amazing person,  doing a great job. You're one of those people that I'll remember all my life. Love you so much! I hope everything will be fine in Carmichael!"  That moment was one of the greatest moments of my mission. That is what a mission is all about. I cannot describe the joy I felt in that experience. There is no greater joy than seeing someone change their life through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend in the El Dorado zone.

Love,

Elder Hallmark.

My new companion, Elder Ravsten and I.

Elder Toki, right before he went home and also my MTC companion Elder Young Yen.

 

Me and The preciado's. They are in the Green Valley ward and before every missionary leaves they give them a UCLA hat and make them take a picture in the UCLA poncho. lol. He says it gives every missionary something to aspire to. Because he graduated from UCLA. He also calls in the University of Championship Level Athletes. I don't know about all that because I'm a pretty big USC fan but I gave him his moment. haha. 

 This is the last pic I took with the andersons right before I left. I love them so much.