Truely a Gift for a Mother's Heart

The Spirit of Christmas

If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees—alone or with loved ones—give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments. He will take you by the hand and His promises will be kept.(President Howard W. Hunter)

Elder Greenhalgh is Moving!

Sister Howard from Hamilton MT called to let the family know that Elder Greenhalgh is moving to MISSOULA MT, possible tomorrow, 22 NOV 08. We will pass on reflections of Hamilton and impressions of Missoula as they are received. Wadsworth sport fans will appreciate the name of the local university team...:)

"...send me some HEINI's cheese, please!"

The last few weeks Elder Greenhalgh has been asking for treats from home. He really wanted cheese from Heini's, so his parents made the trip to Bunker Hill and had cheese shipped to Montana. The order included the infamous Green Moon Cheese but we're betting the Heini's Cheese Fudge will be the first to be sampled:)

Wow, this year has gone fast, I cannot believe that it has been 10 months since I got to Cody! On the night of New Years Eve, we played Monopoly in the basement of the other Elders' place. I can't believe it has been almost a year ago now! WILD! Well anyways, Everything is going good. We are going to be having transfers this weekend, I'm not sure whats going to happen, I'll let you know next week....

Wasn't general conference awesome? GREATER KANSAS CITY AREA?!?!?!?! Wow.... notice... he didn't say Kansas... just the great kansas city area.... theres this little town called Independence on the Missouri side of Kansas City:)

Here is a cool lesson. Too many times, I just kinda "go do stuff" without really asking the Lord what he wants me to do. I am afraid that I won't be able to hear what He wants me to hear, and I"ll miss the opportunites that He has set up for me to do. I asked Elder Geren to give a talk on Humility in District Meeting yesterday. He did, and during it, he read out of Preach My Gospel, a part about Humility. It said, in a nut shell, when we humble ourselves, we have confidence that we will be able to do what the Lord asks us to do. If I truly humble myself, and ask the Lord to use me as an instrument, I WILL ALWAYS KNOW THE THINGS THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO, I won't have to worry. He will know that I'm sincere, and will let me know what to do, and I will be able to have confidence that it is from Him.... He knows a whole lot more than I do.

I love Him a lot... He does so much for me, and as often as I am completely grateful for what He does, He always gives me more and loves me more. It is the most comforting thing to know that we aren't making up these feelings of comfort or "strength beyond our own". Opportunities like this confirm to me that He is there, HE truly is making us feel these ways, He wants to truly guide us.
I have a testimony of that, I've learned this week something that is eternally significant for me. The times that I doubt, and can't just force myself to understand or feel hopeful that I'll "feel it" 100%.... all I need to do is be more grateful. It humbles me. It helps me see that He is out there. He is more powerful than me, or my intellect. All intellegence bows to the majesty that is Our Father.

I hope you guys have a fantastic week.

Love,
Elder Greenhalgh

Recent Family Happenings

August was a special month for the Greenhalgh family and involved some of those things Missionaries worry about as they enter the Mission Field, ie, "what will happen to the family while I'm gone?"

One 13 August, Elder Greenhalgh's Grandfather passed away in Utah. The two of them had become very close the past few years and each looked forward to Temple work following Elder Greenhalgh's release in 2009. Grandpa cound't wait any longer. Elder Greenhalgh was informed of the death by his Mission President and forward the following email to his parents:

"President Fisher called me this morning and let me know what happened. It was such a relief to be able to stop and think about the situation and rely on God for consolation. He provided. I felt a calm cover me after a few tears and thinking about Grandpa, but that calm took over and provided me with the comfort I needed. I know he is still around:) Not too worried about that. It was a comfort to know that people came to welcome him."

On a happier note, Elder Greenhalgh's mother was baptised on 24 August...just one of the many blessings our family has been given during our son's mission.

23 JULY 2008

Hey!

Hamilton is good:) I'm excited to be able to do some work here. I'm sure the Lord is going to bless us... I feel good about it here... it is going to be a lot of work, but I'm ready for it:) Leaving Kalispell, I have to admit, was harder than leaving home. I couldn't stop crying. I put my entire heart into the area. I love everyone, everyone. I loved the work there. I loved my investigators, I loved my companion. It was just super hard to leave. Kalispell will always be a special place to me, especially when I can go back and visit all the people I know so well.

Hamilton will be amazing. I have no doubt there. It all comes down to the eternal truth of "you only get out of something, what you put into it". I intend to put my all into this area, and just focus on the work... it is all that matters. I am glad that I got to leave Kalispell when I did though. It was time. I wasn't as effective as I could be in a new area. I was a becoming a member of the ward by that point, people were calling me by my first name, or "Brother Greenhalgh" you know you need to leave when that happens.

My new companion is awesome! He will definitely be an amazing missionary! He has been out for almost 2 months now. His name is Elder Liljenquist(silent J). He is from Orlando Florida... EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI! He is my third companion from that side of the country.(Elder Kitchen and Elder Barlow were the others) Elder Kitchen is going home tomorrow:( pretty sad, but I'm excited for him, he should be doing awesome at BYU in no time.

I'm in love with the mission and I'm so excited for you Mom, everyone in Kalispell is too!

Love you guys!

Have a good week
Elder Greenhalgh