My Life Will Never Be The Same

This week was the perfect ending to my mission. Not even the writers of Remember the Titans could have written a script as good as the way this last week played out. We had a new missionary come with us on Wednesday that Elder Lao is training. His name is Elder Ferguson and he is a stud. It was really neat to have a new missionary with me the last week. I saw so many things that I did as a new missionary, and I can't wait for all the experiences that he will have.

     On Saturday was the day of the baptism and everything turned out perfectly. President and Sister Forbes came out to watch and it actually started on time! Honestly the first time on my mission. Tsheej, Tais Paj Lis Lauj, and Tswb Vaj all gave the most amazing testimonies. The room was so full of the Spirit. After the baptism they asked me to speak in sacrament meeting so I ran home and wrote my talk for an hour. Then the coolest woman in Minnesota named Phanida, took all the missionaries, the newly baptized members, and a few other members as well out to Hmong village and we had a huge feast. On Sunday, we had the chance to confirm the three new members and the Holy Ghost was so powerful. I love being able to confirm others, because you know without a doubt that the Holy Ghost is there. Also, I gave my farewell talk as well as the branch President's son Ty gave his farewell talk for his mission. It was a really powerful sacrament meeting. After church our branch mission leader threw a big going away party at his house for me. A ton of members came and they made me give a speech. As I stood there with all of the members together, the only think I could think about was a quote that I had heard earlier in my mission, "Heaven isn't heavenly without the people that you love." I felt so much love for each of them and I told them that my mission would have been for nothing unless it was for the people. I really can't describe how much I love this branch. I spent 18 months of my mission here, working, teaching, and serving. Now that it is over, I can say that I would have not chosen anyplace else to serve but Minnesota. I was so overwhelmed by the love that I felt from all of the members. My life will never be the same because of the 2 years of work they did for me.

     Thanks for all the support all of you have given to me throughout these last two years. My mission has been so much more than I thought it would be when I started. But I know that the best times of my life are still in front of me, and they always will be. I know the church is true, that this is Christ's church. God lives. He will answer our prayers. Love y'all.     

If God Loves You, He Will Push You

 Sorry that I didn't get a chance to write last week or this Monday. We had mission conference this Tuesday so we were busy Monday getting ready for that whole schmeel. It was awesome, got some revelation that blew my mind. 

     Here is an update on my life. Went to a Twins Baseball game and they won 7-3. Pretty sweet. Our investigator Jasmine just had her interview this morning and she passed.  Her baptism will be this Sunday at 8 so I'm pretty pumped. The ex-marine guy that we are teaching has a lesson set up tonight at 7 so hopefully we can help him come to know that the Book of Mormon is true. Tony Bass, an eternigator finally quit smoking so hopefully we can see him baptized in the next couple weeks. All is well. 

     So... Mission Conference. Elder Clarke who is in the 1st quorum of the seventy came and trained on the sabbath day. We had all the missionaries in the whole mission there which is around 235. I had the chance to conduct the meeting and I can honestly say I don't know if there is anything more powerful than sitting in the front of a chapel as 235 missionaries sing the hymn Lead Kindly Light. A moment that I won't soon forget. 

     Here are the things of revelation that I picked out of the meeting:

 "If God loves you, He will push you."

  We teach people that we can become like God, if we tell ourselves that we can't find people to teach and baptize, we are selling ourselves way to short. 

  Lastly, to be humble. Had an experience at the meeting that really humbled me. Because of the busyness of the meeting and the things that had to get done I forgot to eat that day and it was around 1:30. We had been it the meeting since about 10:30 and all I could think about was eating. I was thinking to myself, "Man this meeting would probably be a lot more enlightening if I could have some food." Right after I thought that, Elder Clarke told all of us how, there are many weekends that he has to go without taking the sacrament. When he said that I realized that I was complaining about the littlest thing and that there is always someone who has bigger challenges. May not seem like the biggest thing but it was a good lesson for me.

 That's all for now though. Good luck and have a good week.

Pictures: Elder Crapo and I in the stands. 

Me and Elder Blanch getting Pysched UP!

Elder Crapo getting searched in security because he had a pocket knife. Classic Idaho Boy

"You Wanna Pepsi?"

 This week was exciting and had a lot of ups and downs for sure. President surprised the mission with a transfer in the middle of the transfer. He made changes to about thirty missionaries so the majority of Tuesday and Wednesday was spent figuring that out. We ended up taking a 7 hour road trip to Wisconsin and then to the southern part of Minnesota. We stopped in Wisconsin for some cheese curd burgers which blew my mind and also probably a few arteries in my heart but it was worth it.

     We have been teaching a part member couple for the last two weeks and the husband has set a date for May 9th. They have both been off smoking for the last couple days and they quit at the same time so there has been a lot of stress for the both of them. It is crazy the stuff people do when they are breaking a bad habit. They are doing really well though and they are super fun to teach. They are Georgia and they love fried chicken, basketball, and singing like baptists so there is never a dull moment with them.

     Had a cool experience last night. We were on our way to a dinner appointment and felt like we needed to stop by a less active real quick who is Spanish. When we got there the less active wasn't there but her grandparents who are super active were both there. Luckily Elder King speaks Spanish so they talked and found out that the wife had cancer. She still hadn't received a blessing and so we offered one. When her husband gave the first part of the blessing in Spanish it was so spiritual and he started balling and then after Elder King finished the blessing they were both crying. It was a really neat moment and then after they got a hold of themselves the wife looked up at me with this big smile and said in broken english, "You wanna Pepsi?" I laughed so hard. 

     So yeah things are going well and the people here are super cool so I love it. Have a good week.

look out boys... I'm gettin good

                                                       

The Last Moments of My Hmong Ministry

     Hey Fam. Sorry that I missed the e-mail this last Monday but things are getting real busy. From now on my P-Days will be a little sporadic but I still should be able to send an e-mail every week. Big News. I got transferred. Usually in the mission President sends out the transfers to our e-mail on Monday morning but this Sunday morning he called and let me know that I will be serving in Bloomington now. They told me that I had a couple hours to pack and that they were picking me up that night so I went to church came home and then left. Pretty nervous to be out of the Hmong work but I am super excited for the challenge and opportunity in front of me. 

     Couple updates on the last moments of my Hmong ministry and then I'll let you know what's going on here. Nalee got BAPTIZED! It was a super cool baptismal service and her testimony was super boss. Then after her baptism she asked me to confirm her and it was one of the most spiritual moments on Sunday when we gave her the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Especially because it was Libby and James' birthday. I was thinking about them a lot and just how awesome the both of them are. During Nalee's blessing. I promised her that she would have her character changed to become more like Christ as she followed the Holy Ghost and as I did that I thought about all the great qualities that James and Libby possess and how Christlike the both of them are. Nalee was one of my favorite investigators on my mission and I really hope that she continues to stay strong.

     Things out here in Bloomington are pretty cool. I have learned in these first few days, that I still have a lot to learn. I really look forward to the next few months though and the challenge that lies ahead. My companion Elder King is a really cool guy. He used to be a Spanish missionary so he knows what is like to have to leave the culture behind and start teaching mikas people which should be really helpful. He is from Vernal Utah. Loves Murica, shooting guns, and sports so we should do just fine.

     SHOUTOUT to my SISTER

   You are the coolest little sister in the world. Every time mom and dad talk about you they only say how great you are doing in school and how everybody loves you a ton. Happy tenth (haha didn't think you were getting baptized again this time) b-day. Even though you are still super young I am amazed at how much you help everyone and how much you love others. All of your letters and little crafts that you send me are super nice. I especially loved the picture of the bald eagle and the I love USA picture. You are the bomb. Happy Birthday Libs.

Elder Henrie & Elder King

That's All I Ask

It's been in the upper thirties and even got up to 40 this last week so Elder Morrow and I busted out the short sleeves again and did a ton of biking. Also we have seen the sun for more than 4 hours every day so it's pretty great up north. That is sweet about all the people receiving mission calls. Super pumped for them all. Also if you see President Clements tell him that I am grateful for what he did and I can still answer yes to Alma 5:26. 

     Dad, the baptism that we have planned for the 21st is actually in Feb not this month but yeah it is going well. Also super good news about that family of 7 that we met. They were supposed to go out to Chicago to take their son to America's got talent because he is a boss at singing but there car wasn't working and so this week they came to church. At the end of church they walked up and said, "Yeah we love it here and we'll be coming every Sunday from now on." Boom super cool. They have had such great fellowship from the members and so that has been really neat to see. This week we set a date for all of them on Feb 28th so pray hard for that one.

      On Saturday we had the annual Elders Quorum Activity of going ice fishing and it was so much fun. We had some investigators and less actives that we have working with come and the good part was that they showed up at church yesterday too. We played football on the ice and it was so intense. The ice was super thick but all the snow was cleared off so you could see through to the water. Crazy stuff.\

     Glad things are going well and that Tanner's interview went well. Have tons of fun at the wedding and J Dub, you totally need to pull the SuperDuperWallyWooperAlleyOoperBounce on the dance floor as tribute to me. That's all I ask. Thanks everyone for your letters. Peace

                                                                   -Elder Henrie

Me with a huge machine thingy!

The crew!

I Saw A Ton Of Miracles

Fist of all, Happy Birthday to the classiest mom this world has to offer. In light of the last 19 years of you being my mother, I wrote you this poem

                                              Dear Mom

                                     You truly are the bomb

                      You wiped my boogers and picked up my socks

                      Even dragged me out of bed well past 12 o'clock.

                    Words can't describe your cooking it's tremendous

                             By golly mom I think your stupendous

                         Ya done taught me well and told me the way

                       To be a good little lad and my respects I must pay

                          Your the best in the world oh mother dear.

                   Best luck to your goals and dreams in this your 35th year

       

    This week was awesome and Elder Morrow and I saw a ton of miracles. He is doing awesome and picking up all the stuff he needs to do way fast which is nice. Me and him really get along and he actually went to the same school as Bray back in Heber which is cool.

     We have been teaching this guy named Mong for the past two weeks and his wife Nag (That's literally how you spell it in Hmong. Hilarious I know) and they finally made a huge breakthrough. Mong was raised going to church and has struggled to find out if Joseph Smith is a prophet or not. We took him on a church tour and took one of the priests from the branch teaching with us. Before we took him into the chapel the priest challenged Mong to read the first vision to himself and then to pray and ask God about it. We all sat in silence for about three minutes and then he turns to us and says, "So when I read the words, I felt really good. When I prayed about if Joseph Smith was a prophet and if this was the only church that is true on the earth I felt really good again. Then I started to think about all the reasons that I couldn't join the church and that feeling went away."

     We had him read Moroni 10:5 and then invited him to be baptized. He said yes and then added that he wanted to have his wife baptized as well. The best part though was when he said that he didn't know if he would be baptized that night, the next day, or in a month, or even next year. We were sitting there in silence and then I started nudging Elder Morrow's knee (guess I forgot to tell him about setting dates, whoops) and then Elder Morrow comitted him to the 21st of Feb. Super excited for him and his fam.

     But love ya all and happy marriage to Tanner and Misa and Happy B-Day mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      

Pic: Selfie for mom     

          

Happy New Year

  We had transfers this past week and I know have my first son. Elder Morrow. He is an absolute stud. He is from Utah and used to go to Wasatch high school. He loves basketball, football, and pretty much every other sport. I am super excited to have him. He works hard and he wants to be here so it will be awesome to get to train him. It's a lot different than what I'm used having a brand new companion but it is really fun too. He has a ton of faith which has been really good for our investigators and for myself too. 

     On one of the first nights that he got here we had a really fun experience. We went to stop at a gas station because Elder Gardiner had to go and while Elder Morrow and I were waiting this Hmong guy walked in and he was shivering because it was so cold and he had a coat that was super thin. We started talking to him and found out that he is from Laos and has only been here for 3 months. He has two young babies and a young wife. Right now he doesn't have work and he is just living with Hmong people that he meets while walking around and then they kick him out after a little while and then he goes and find somebody else to live with. As I was talking with him I just felt the Spirit so strong and was filled for so much love for the man. I told him that I wasn't letting him leave the gas station unless he traded me coats first. He said no at first and then I told him that we had like 5 extras back at our appartment. So he traded me coats and then my companion gave him his hat. He put them on and had a smile from ear to ear. He just kept saying thank you over and over. He was so grateful for what we had done that honestly I almost started cying because I realized how lucky I have it and how hard some others do. While all this was going on a couple of guys were yelling at the cashier because he couldn't understand what they were saying (for some reason they thaught that would help,) because he was behind a glass window. Looking back on it I realized how different my life was from those guys who were around my age. Even though we were in the same gas station only a few feet apart and nearly the same age, I was standing there feeling as happy as I ever could feeling the Spirit while they were getting frustrated at a cashier because he couldn't understand what flavor of Swisher Sweets they wanted to smoke. It is amazing the difference that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will make in our life. So get out there and start living it this next year, there is nothing greater or more fun, then living life as a disciple of Christ. Love y'all and have a happy New Year.

My First Week in Minneapolis Went Awesome

     This last week was pretty awesome because I got a combination of Thanksgiving and Hmong New Years. Hmong people throw some awesome parties and the New Years Party is the granddaddy of them all. They have this huge celebration that lasts for 3 days in downtown St. Paul and we set up a booth at the party. We found some awesome investigators through and look forward to seeing what happens with their progress. At the new years party they have a talent show, breakdancing competition, a huge market place, tons of crazy old hmong games, and other random stuff. So that's how we celebrated thanksgiving. It was great because their was 8 of us their and everyone wanted to talk to us because we were white guys wearing Hmong clothes that could speak Hmong. We even got pictures with a bunch of their famous actors and got pictures on the red carpet. I was laughing so hard when they were taking pictures. So yeah it was good times. Also we had the annual branch turkey bowl. When the football game started it was -1. It was cold but also super fun.

     My first week in Minneapolis went awesome. Elder Gardiner is my new companion and he is a stud. He is super obedient and really wants to be here and I couldn't ask for anything else so I am excited. He is from Cali and has been out on his mission for 6 months now.

     This week we got a referral from the mission office for a lady named M. We went to visit her and found out that she was learning from the missionaries in Wisconsin and has already been taught all the lessons. She moved up here because she was having struggles with her family down there and was looking for a fresh start. Our very first lesson with her was really powerful and we comitted her to baptism on Dec. 27th. She is working on overcoming smoking but she has such a great desire to change which should really help. It would be pretty awesome to have a Christmas miracle go through and also she has a cousin in the branch that is rooting for her as well so things are looking great.

     Hope you all have a wonderful week. 

-Elder Henrie

The Slaughterhouse

 Hey everybody it's labor day so looks lik a short email on my end. Here is what I did last week.

1. Killed a pig and gutted it.

2. Converted an ex convict (That was more the Spirit but I got to watch.)

3. Said goodbye to a bunch of missionaries that I grew up in the mission with :(

4. Watched a couple get sealed in the temple. Unfortunately a few hours after the sealing the mother had a miscarriage. Saddest thing ever

5. Found out Elder Moss is getting transfered out to Eau Claire and Elder Hardy will be back with me. Really bittersweet moment because Elder Moss and I had such great success together and so I'm pretty sad he's leaving but Elder Hardy is one of my best friends because we served out in Eau Claire so I'm glad to be back serving with him   #FeelingTorn hahaha

 

Love you all and have a good week.

"Nobody Disrespects My Elders!"

     This week was another fun one. Luckily everything ended up working out with T and he had a super great testimony at his baptism. He had done some things that he wasn't super proud of while serving in the army and he talked about all the forgiveness that he felt from Jesus and it was really spiritual stuff. It was pretty funny though because he is super afraid to talk in front of people so after he finished Elder Moss and I were joking with him because he's not afraid to get shot at but he doesn't like speaking in front of like 30 people. Pretty strange.

      Our investigator V that we have been teaching for the past four months finally had a break through this past week which was really neet. We toulk him to President's Fireside which is a meeting where recent converts from all over Minnesota come and share there conversion stories. While he was there he said he felt the Spirit so strong and said he felt like he had finally found his home. Also he told us that a few days before a bunch of his friends were bagging on us saying that we were lieing to him and apparently he started yelling at them and then said, "Nobody disrespects my Elders," and then walked off. So awesome. We had a less active that drove us down to the meeting and after we dropped V off the less active named C and us had the coolest talk.

     C is one of my favorite guys in the whole branch and we sometimes go over to his house in the mornings to work out with him. It has been really hard for him these past couple months because his family was trying to force him to do a Hmong wedding (basically where you get really drunk, pay a dowry to the wife's family, and then bow to them for an hour) but he stood up to them and did the American way. They all got so mad at him and the wife's  family doesn't respect him anymore and it has been hard on his wife. But as we were sitting in the car he just talked about that even though he hasn't been able to make it to church that he still knows this is true and that there is nothing his family can do to take that away. I was so pumped when I heard him say that. It is cool to see the Hmong people when even though everything in the world is against them, they rise above all of it and do what's right. Hopefully C can keep going and come back.

     And dad, as for my studies this last week. I think the thing that stuck out to me the most was patience. I've felt that one of the most important things for me to learn on my mission is to be patient. I guess the work really kind of takes care of itself most of the time but we need to be patient on the Lord and wait for things to be done in His time not ours. I love President Monsen's talk, "Patience-A Heavenly Virtue"

      But that's all for now and I'm glad Sun Valley was fun. Tell Libby that I think her bucket list is super awesome, especially the part about paying for someone in the drivethru. But TTFN and have a great week.

 

        -Muaj Zoo

    

Pictures: Elder Moss and I were on a nighttime stroll and decided to get this awesome picture.

Cool/Super Miracles

   Elder Moss and I have had some really cool/super weird miracles happen to us this week. First the power steering went out on our car and so we have been on bikes for about a week now. Turns out God has a great sense of humor and decided to let it pour raindrops the size of baseballs for three days strait. It turned out to be a pretty sweet blessing though because God led us to some amazing people.

      During our nightly planning on Thursday we had this feeling that we needed to bike like five miles north and see this one random lady named V who a member had given us and address and number too but we had never been able to contact her. Both of us just looked at each other and started laughing because we knew it was going to pour the whole way there. As we get to the house their are no cars there and when we knock on the door nobody answered. As we are walking back to our bikes we see a van pull up and a woman of around 40 gets out with the biggest smile on her face. We help carry the groceries in and than sat down outside under some trees to get to know her more (didn't have the rule of 3). The first question that we asked was, "What is the most difficult part of being a single mother of 6 kids?" The tears began to flow. She opened up her story to us and we could both feel her pain. Without teaching any part of the Restoration we then told her ,"V the way to be healed of the pains that you are feeling and the stress that comes from being a single mother is through baptism." The Spirit filled us all and you could see in her face. We then asked her if she would be baptized and she responded without hesitation. We then went on to teach one of the most Spirit filled Restoration lessons I have had on my mission. It truly was God's hand in each of the three of our lives that led us to that miracle. We can't wait to continue working with this great family. Her kids are so cool and they are all so prepared.

     The second miracle we had was with a young couple named T&J. T is a member and J is not. They were culturally married about a year ago and T just started coming back to church and brought J. Elder Moss and I had a lesson planned with them at 8 last night but at seven we felt that we needed to go stop by a set of Elders appartment (which is pretty weird because 6-9 is the best time to be out) but we went anyways. When we got there Elder J opened the door and he asked "What are you doing here?" We then answered, "Same question." They told us that they had both just had a really hard week and that they just didn't feel like they could go and and work so we decided to go on a one hour exchange and I took Elder J to teach T&J and Elder Moss took the other Elder to go tracting. Before the lesson I didn't tell Elder J anything about what we were going to teach or anything about our investigators. We get in there and to make a long story short they are both now planning to be married on the 26th of July and J will be baptized on August 2nd. It was so great to see the Elder's face when we walked out of that lesson. He had a smile from ear to ear. I truly felt like God had allowed Elder Moss and I to be instruments in His hands to help these two Elders out. The best feeling ever. Have a super good week. Bye.

   -Elder Henrie

We Really Are Just a Couple of Teenage Kids

     Super Cool week this week for Elder Moss and I. We had transfers today but luckily he and I are staying together. I was praying for that one. We had the baptism of our investigator named B this past Saturday and was confirmed yesterday. It is always so spiritual when one of your investigators is confirmed. I think it's because you know that the Spirit has to be there and you feel it so strong. Really a neat experience. B was one of the coolest miracles on my mission so far. He drove up from Colorado the same day that Elder Moss and I drove into St.Paul and we met him one day later. When B got to Minnesota, he was a smoker, a drinker, and deeply rooted in his Shaman past. It was amazing to see the change in him in only 5 weeks. The Lord truly can do his own work.

     We had the coolest lesson yesterday with a couple of really funny moments that I wanted to tell you about. We taught a married woman named Y in her 20's a restoration on her doorstep on Friday and we were going back last night to teach her and her husband named P. As we sat in with them we learned that P's parents had been in a divorce and that he had felt so much pain from that in his life and also that one of his fears is that he and his wife will end up traveling down the same road. The initial conversation led to him asking, "So what makes your church so different then ours?" My mouth almost started watering at that moment. I truly felt like a spiritual hunter. We then taught him a beautifully constructed Restoration lesson and towards the end the Spirit was filling the room. I felt an overwhelming sense of love for this man and his wife. He had a question on priesthood authority when we proceeded to answer him like this P could your wife and you go in the woods out back and have her baptize you. He stopped for a second and then said of course not she doesn't have the authority, (I smiled so big when he said that), "P, there are one of two options here, seeing as two teenage white boys just walked into your house and made you completely rethink your entire life, either we are the best 2 lyers the world has ever seen, or this message is true." We then paused for about ten seconds and then watched as the Spirit hit him right in the face. It was so strong you could see it. We then said this, "P we promise you in the name of the Lord that as you are baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by someone holding the priesthood authority of God and then receive the Holy Ghost, the pain of your parents divorce will be lifted through the suffering and pain of Christ and you will be able to make correct choices to lead you and your wife to an eternity of happiness and life with God." Needless to say he accepted and can't wait for church on Sunday. Also after he said the closing prayer he told us all about how he and his wife were discussing why there are so many different churches on the earth and how they really felt like there was something missing in all the churches they had been to. It was one of the greatest lessons on my mission. I love the power of the Spirit and the peace that it brings to others lives. After the lesson Elder Moss and I walked outside and just couldn't help but burst out laughing. It is just the funniest thing to watch stubborn people get slapped by the Spirit and then humble themselves and come unto God. We really are just a couple of teenage kids walking around with blue books and ties, but what is great is when the investigator realizes that we are called of God to help them find the truth.

     Dad my bike is actually doing good honest. For reals promise with a cherry on top. I love you all and I hope that you are having a great time back in SLC. Have a great week.

                                        -Elder Henrie

P.S. Mom and dad you should follow Elder Ballard's advice and call up the missionaries and ask them to bring some investigators to your home so they can be taught their. If you do that, you can count it as my birthday present/Christmas present for the rest of my life. Love ya.

B is on the left. Love this guy

Big Test of Our Faith

This week was a pretty big test of our faith. But in ended up being a great learning experience and also we had so many miracles. All three of our investigators with a date set this week went through crazy huge trials but in the end all of them came out with much stronger testimonies and with an even greater desire to follow Christ.

     The one that is on my mind the most right now, and is probably the coolest miracle on my mission is a man named V. V is a 25 year old man that has been out of prison for about 5 months now. He is homeless and has been disowned by his family and most of his friends. He bikes everywhere around town and has the most positive outlook on life that I have ever seen. Since the time that we have met him, he has changed so much. When we met him, he had an addiction to drugs, he smoked tobacco, and was a pretty big time alcoholic. We taught him the word of wisdom and he gave everything up that day and has now been clean for three weeks tomorrow. We taught him yesterday at the park and he told me one of the most inspiring stories that they should literally make a movie out of it. So the day after V got out of jail he went back to his families house to find all of his stuff thrown out on the curb. So he picks up his bike, his backpack and just starts living on the street. He slept at his friends house for the first week but has been sleeping at the park the last couple because he doesn't want to be a burden to anyone. HAHA such a cool guy. So anyways he starts meeting with us and coming to church and within the first three weeks of coming to church he won a ton of money at the casino (before we taught him about gambling) finds an awesome job, gets into college, and finds a super good deal on an appartment that he is moving into on July 1. He has an awesome testimony of the Book of Mormon and now his goal in life is to share the gospel with others and to try and repair all the wrongs that he's done by giving back to the community. He is such a cool guy and he takes us out for food like every week now because in his own words, "When I help my good Christian brothers I know God will make everything all right." It has been so cool to watch his testimony grow these past few weeks and his love of the Savior grow.

     Something way cool this last week too is that it is my companion's birthday tomorrow so we have been throwing super huge awesome Hmong parties out in St. Paul. (JK) But we actually did throw him a suprise party this Saturday and it was way cool to see all of the members share how grateful they were for the work that he has done since he has been here. He is a great missionary and it will be a sad day to see him go home. He goes home in like three months and we have grown to be really good friends. Also we got to go golfing this morning with one of our investigators in the pouring rain. Our investigator wanted to take a raincheck because I guess they aren't quite as determined out in Minnesota as the Henrie fam is back in Utah to just finish all 18 no matter what the weather.

     Things are going super well and no dad I don't need a new bike. A lot of the missionaries have gotten there bikes stolen but nobody wants to steal mine because it looks like it should be in a junkyard (way better than a warranty.) Mom I couldn't tell if you were serious about the whole Sister missionary thing but no they get the same ammount of time. Tanner good luck on getting into Medschool and whatnot. :)

          -Love Elder Muaj Zoo Vwj

Kuv zoo siab tshaj plaws tias Vajtswv pom zoo kuv tuaj lub xeem Minnesota thiaj li pab kuv cov kwv tij hnov txog Nws txoj moo zoo

  Thought these were fake. WHATTT?

 Don't know why but this picture makes me look like I'm literally 13. ROFL

McLovin Minnesota

I Am Very Passionate About This

Nyob Zoo mi cov kwv tij. What's up. It sounds like things in Spain were super cool. It sounds like Uncle Scott and Aunt Ruthanne are doing awesome leading their missionaries to be dilligent and obedient. There is no better kind of missionary in my opinion. This past week was probably one of the coolest weeks ever. I don't know what is going on in St.Paul but the Spirit is defintely being poured out on the people here. When Elder Moss and I got back into the branch we saw that things had really gone downhill. We had lost around 30 members and honestly there was just a bad spirit in the branch and everyone just seemed down. We had an experience a few days ago that after it happened, we just looked at each other and said, "We are changing this." Ever since then I don't know if I have ever been more bold with people in my life. These are not the exact words that Elder Moss and I used but it went something like this while speaking with investigators and less actives, "This is the church of Christ, there is no other church on this earth that is true... pause... you can find out know or at the day when your standing in front of God but it would probably be good for you to read the book of Mormon pray about it, and ask God if Joseph Smith was a prophet." After we said this to people they would say what makes you so sure, then Elder Moss and I would say, we have a witness from the Holy Spirit of God that this is true, it doesn't matter what our neighbors, what the church on the corner of the street, or what some completely false internet site says because God already told us that this is true. Then usually they sit there for a minute and say well I can't see it so I don't believe it, then Elder Moss and I will proceed to hold up the Book of Mormon and say nothing. It is so sad when people will not open there eyes and see the evidence of their faith. I don't know if you can tell but I am very passionate about this and we have actually had some really cool miracles. We had a young girl of about 15 walk up to us in sacrament and she handed us the Book of Mormon we let her borrow (she has her own) and she said I read Moroni chapter 10. I have prayed about it, and I know that it is true, I'm sorry I ever doubted. That was a very great moment, it's times like that which really just put the biggest smile on your face.

      The area is going great. From the recent exchange with Elder Hicken and Elder Alpert (the assistants) my sights have been raised so much higher. Elder Moss and I have been very bold in word of wisdom lessons this week and the result was 4 successful word of wisdom lessons and over 75$ of sin literally flushed down the toilet.(pictures to follow) B is one of our recent date sets and is progressing very well. He and his fiance will be getting married this upcoming Saturday. So exciting. Also a 25 year old man named V has now been clean for over a week and is a date set for June 14th. He is changing is life completely around. He found a job, is working to buy a car, and is even applying for college. The change in his life is remarkable. He just got out of prison for some pretty bad stuff but he is not on probation or parole which makes him good to go. Also the young boy K is set up for June 7th so please pray for him with all your heart. I finally learned his whole life's story the other day and I wanted to cry. I don't know if I've met someone with a sadder life. But when he said "I know that following the commandments of God makes me happy and I know that this is the Church of God." I understood that there is such great hope for this young man.

       That's about all for this week but I love you all so much. Keep the faith and don't forget to do one act of missionary work this week. That's where the true joy is.

 Love Elder Henrie

Picture #1 box of cigarette filters $9.43 One pound bag of tobacco $23.99 Dumping it down the toilet... Priceless

Picture #2 Guess you shouldn't try and pour it all out at once. And yes that is a cigarette tucked behind my ear for swag not for smoking

Picture #3 The whole haul

I Have Decided To Write You A Poem

     Mom your the best. And in order to show my deep appreciation for all of the diapers you've changed, all the dinners you've made, and all the dragons you've slayed, I have decided to write you this poem.

   MOTHER DEAREST

My mother and I we're a long way from home

She's chillin in Spain and I'm with Hmong's eatin toad

I used to run amuk in the streets of San D!

But my mother taught me right, things like WWJD

She's wiped boogars changed diapers even healed the man cold

No greater woman can be found not in the whole wide world

She cool and she's funny quite a doll I'd say

Mother Dearest hope you had, a rather lovely Mother's Day

Love you all and I hope you had a great last week. Mom I chose this picture because I feel like you've raised me to be a true stripling warrior and this is the only thing related to that that I could find at all.

Love,

  Me

Off To Wisconsin

   That's right everyone, I am off to Wisconsin. Transfers was posted today and I found out that I will be serving in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. When I found out this morning I was so shocked but I also felt that it is right for me. My companion's name is Elder Hardy and he was serving in the Hmong branch with me for 2 transfers so I already know him pretty well. He is a really good missionary and also way funny so I am excited. I am sad to be leaving the Hmong branch here because of all the success that Elder Meyer and I had but I think that it will also be such a great opportunity for me. Elder Hardy and I will be opening up a new area and doing full Hmong work which will be really fun. There was a thriving Hmong branch out in Eau Claire around ten years ago but I guess it fell apart. There is a lot of Hmong people there so I am sure it will be an exciting experience.

    Things went really well this past week and there was so many eye opening experiences when I just had to stop and say to myself, "I can't believe that just happened." For some reason when you're on a mission the Lord kind of makes you forget that your only 18 years old and your serving as a marriage counselor, depression therapist, english teacher, and many other callings as well. I don't know how missionaries have the capacity to do it all but I guess through the Spirit anything is possible. The one experience that made me think all of this was a lady named P. She is the mom of our investigators A&E who are the 12 and 13 year old boys who were going to get baptized a few weeks ago but their mom said no. A little background on P. She is 35 has 7 kids, smokes, her husband beats her, fully shaman, put up one of her kids for adoption, 3 other kids live with her in laws, 2 kids under 4, and unemployed. Needless to say there was quite the mountain in front of us as we walked into her appartment to check up on how she was doing. As we sat down she expressed to us that she now feels as though there is nowhere for her to go in life. The in laws were not letting her see her kids anymore and she had to continue living with her 2nd husband even though he was abusive because she had no other way to pay for the 2 younger kids food. (this is why I mentioned how inadequate I feel as an 18 year old trying to solve other people's problems.) I decided to ask her, Are you worried that you and your family will not be able to be together again because of all the problems you are facing? She said yes. My companion said, " What affect will this have on your children growing up without their mother?" She looked so sad and couldn't really give an answer. We then testified to her that Christ is there to lead her and that through His teachings she and her family could be together forever. We read 2 Nep 32:3 which says Feast upon the words of Christ for the words of Christ will show you all things which you should do. We then asked her how could Christ's words help lead her and her family to happiness? She bore a powerful testimony of her own about Christ and His love for her and her family. I then realized what a missionary is there to do. He is not there to bear his own testimony but rather to help investigators testify themselves of how the gospel can bless them. Bearing a testimony is an act of faith and faith always leads to repentence. After she bore her testimony the Spirit was so strong in that little brokendown appartment. At that moment she knew that this was the way. We invited her to begin learning from the missionaries and she accepted with a smile on her face. The mother who just a few weeks earlier had told my companion and I that there was NO WAY! her sons were getting baptized, is now on that path herself. What a miracle.

     Mom tell Steve Gasik's family that I love him. I will never forget that he taught me the 5 P's. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. A principle that is very true in missionary work. I really loved him and always loved to hear his stories about the air force and his testimony at young men's camps. Also his son Steven is a huge example to me. Tell Suzy these exact words, "Vid-E, you are an absolute stud and I know the people of Montreal are about to get hit by a wave of awesomeness. Get ready for the best 18 months of your entire life." To Dallas Heiner- "You are the bees knees. I will never forget all the awesome times we had. The people of Guatemala are lucky to have a man like you."

     I am glad everyone is doing well back home and that Youth Conference went well. There are so many heros still alive today. I get to be with them everyday of my life as I watch missionaries sacrifice nearly everything to bless the lives of complete strangers. Tanner... Happy Birthday you crazy awesome brother. Tell James Batman says hi and tell Libby that I want to be in her Nature Club. Love you all and all is well.

                                      Elder Henrie

Sorry Dad I forgot to tell you. I cant use names. President's rules.

Elder Meyer and I in a hail storm

 

The Corner of Marshall and Kent Street. Yeah I know best place ever. I am going to live here when I'm older.

 

The daughter of our investigator J. She is the funniest little girl ever.

God Really Does Know Each of Us

   First of all before I say anything else. Major shoutout to the BIG BRO for getting into Stanford. That is super awesome and I am way proud (not suprised) and they are lucky to have you.

     Super amazing week this week. To answer your question dad. T did get baptized. She is the wife of the young man in the picture who is baptizing her. It was one of the most spiritual experiences. Honestly the day of the baptism was pretty stressful because we didn't have any jumpsuits and we didn't have the church reserved and all of these people who had planned to help out didn't show up. (I figure this is kind of what a wedding is like and once it's over your happy.) But everything ended up working out find and when she was baptized it was probably one of the happiest moments of my life. She had been investigating the church for about 6 months. It was so amazing to see the change in the 4 weeks that Elder Meyer and I taught her. I really don't know how it happened. She turned from this super shy girl who didn't want to get baptized because of her parents into the most outgoing girl who has one of the strongest testimonies of Jesus Christ that I have heard. She grew up in Thailand and came to America when she was a young teenager. Her family was very devout Buddhist and did not want anything to do with Christianity. Her story of all the miracles that had to happen in order for her to be able to know the gospel and feel the blessings of the Atonement was such a faith builder that God really does know each of us and is closely involved in each of our lives.

    This Sunday was also really neat when we confirmed her a member of the Church and also gave her the Holy Ghost. As we were confirming her it felt like the Spirit just filled my whole soul and that it was literally moving from all of us to her. Super wierd feeling but also powerful and unforgettable.

     The miracle that I want to tell you about this week is about a man named V. We met him in the strangest way possible. Elder Meyer and I were running for our bus (as usual) and there was a man standing in the sidewalk blocking our way. Because of that we ended up missing our bus because we literally ran into him. God works in mysterious ways what can I say. We ended up talking to him for a few minutes and set up an appointment for us to go meet him at his house a few days later. We went to see him and found out quickly that he had quite the mountain to climb. He has struggled with depression his whole life and because of that has drinking, smoking, and other obeidience to commandment issues. He is probably one of my favorite people on the whole earth. He is the most happy jolly guy and can really make anyone smile. The hard part is when he hits one of his depression episodes. It has been so interesting and has built my love for this man so much. I have seen what he could be with the gospel in his life and know that he has the ability to overcome all of his trials. He wants to change but has so much in his life that is trying to pull him down. But we ran into him Tuesday, taught him on Thursday, came to church on Sunday and he'll be a changed man in just a few more Saturdays, a true blessing from the Lord.

      Mom-to answer some of your questions. Day to day life=eat preach sleep. How do I cook=cans of chicken noodle soup and oatmeal. How do I organize my day=daily planning every night. How do I get around= bike walk or bus if its snowing or really far.

      Dad- I honestly have no idea why I thought Libby was getting baptized this year. I totally remember when her Bowen and that other girl got baptized and Tanner had to speak at it. But yes, I have never been more tired in my whole entire life which I guess is probably a good sign. One of the things I have noticed though is that as a missionary falling asleep at 10:30 is like blinking, you don't even have to try.

     Love all of you and congrats to JW. I know he'll make the right choice though and go to the U because the Utes have the greatest college football team known to man. Tell Trevin that I'm proud of him and he will be a great missionary. I know the church is true and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. If it wasn't I wouldn't be here. Christ lives and walks with us daily. Sib ntsib dua kuv tsev neeg. Kuv hlub nej sawv daws. Kuv hais tej yam no los ntawm Yexus Khetos lub npe zoo. Amees. (Note from Erin:  On Google Translate, this translates to:
Goodbye my family. I love all of you. I say these things of Jesus Christ. Amen.)                      
Elder Muaj Zoo Vwj

"Elder Henrie, turn around..."

     Nyob kuv cov kwv tij sawv daws!

  I hope all is well back in Utah. I just read moms letter and I  found out that I will have been a missionary for 6 months... EW. Word to the wise mom. After a man says he feels like he's short on time. Don't remind him he's short on time. JK I love you you're the best but that is kind of scary. Things are going really well as of late and I am getting really excited for the baptism of T this Saturday. She really is one of the funniest coolest people I have met and she has an amazing story. Her whole family is Buddhist and is super opposed to her being baptized but she has such a strong testimony and really knows that this church is true. Also her husband has come back to being active in the church and will be baptizing her which will be a super neat sight. I will have pictures this next weak of them.

     This whole Fast for 40 days thing has turned out to be pretty sweet. The Spirit has been so strong in the work and I have had the opportunity to see miracles that I thought you only saw in movies. There are sometimes when your a missionary when you just have to stop and say to yourself, did that really just happen. The two miracles that I want to share with you this week the people involved both have the same name. We will call them T#2 and T#3.

     One of my favorite experiences on my mission was with a young man named T#2. T#2 is being faced with a lot of family opposition and can't decide what to do because he knows that the church is true. As we taught him on his stairwell this past thursday the most amazing thing happened. The Spirit was amazingly strong and both Elder Meyer and I knew that he had gained a witness that the church was true. We decided to seize on that. We told him that after our lesson we wanted him to walk up to his father and tell him that he knew that our church was true through the power of the Holy Ghost and to tell his father that he would continue meeting with the missionaries. At first he stared at us completely shocked and so we just sat there and watched him and let the Spirit do its work. We sat in silence for about a minute and a half while he twiddled his thumbs and stared at the ground. As he did so I thought of Peter as he kept his eye on Christ and when he looked down he fell. This is exactly what was going on in my head as I watched. I thought I might be crazy but I just tried to keep my faith. Finally after what seemed like forever he looked up at us with a different and new light in his eyes and he said "OK." It was one of the biggest testimony builders on my mission of the power of the Spirit. I will never forget the look on Elder Meyer's face when we walked out and I'm sure I had the same look on mine. Super awesome.

    The other miracle is with T#3 and S. We had a baptism this past Friday at 7:30 for three investigators in Minneapolis and it was really cool to see but anyways after the meeting we had a neat thing happen. Elder Meyer and I were talking with some members after the baptism when all of a sudden 2 people walked in from outside (This was at 9. Who walks into a church at 9 at night.) They asked to use the bathroom and we showed them where it was and then went outside because it was time for us to go home and we didn't really think of it. For some reason we got caught up outside and didn't leave for a few minutes but I can't remember why. The young couple came back out and we started talking for a little bit. We said goodbye and then started walking to the car. When we were about 10 feet from the car all of a sudden I had the thought to stop so I did. Then I had this voice in my head say Elder Henrie, turn around and sprint after that couple as fast as you can. And when that happens you don't ask questions you just start running. So I started sprinting after them and Elder Meyer didn't say anything he just started sprinting too. We run and catch up to them and say, "Sorry we forgot to tell you this but God has a plan for the both of you and your new young family. He needs you to hear it and we'd love to send some missionaries to your house so that you can know this plan for yourselves." They accepted and we referred them to the English Elders. I have no idea what happened to them but I have a feeling that I will know someday.

     So yeah that's it for this week and I love all of you. Dad and Mom I know you will do awesome at youth conference. Also Tanner you might be able to bench more when I get back but I bet I can sprint faster. All of these buses I have to catch each day are making me think I should have done cross country back in high school. Libby I hope you are getting pumped for your baptism next month and it doesn't suprise me that you are talking it up in school. JW. Hope all is good with the boys. Tell Jessi hi for me.

    Love Elder Muaj Zoo Vwj

P.S. Shoutout to Moose and James for being awesome. Tell James Batman will be sending him a letter soon.

P.P.S. Pictures 1 one of the og's (original gangsters. That's really what they call them in Hmong if they are an old guy.) 2 snowman 3 crazy snowman from Doctor Who