Errand of the Lord - 1/25/2011

So, transfers were yesterday and Elder Landeen took off to Twin Falls. My new companion's name is Elder D'Jay Threet, From Gilbert, AZ. And no, he isn't black, he's a little white guy, just like me. We actually served right next to each other in Rupert. I was in the Rupert West area while he was in the Rupert area. Since our district had only our two companionships, we saw each other all the time. So, it's pretty cool to be with someone who I know and am friends with. He's been out 22 months, so he goes home way soon. He's hilarious. It'll be good times for these next six weeks. Knowing that he leaves after this transfer means that I'll be here for 3 more months. I love this area, so that's more than fine with me. We've only been comps for a day or so, but we already had a crazy experience.

Today, we went to go e-mail at a library in Boise while there was a meeting for missionaries who are going to be training greenies. Unfortunately, we drove all the way to this library and ALL the computers were taken. We started searching the upper floor looking for some when I see this guy that I SWEAR was a member I knew from a previous area. He locks eyes with me and smiles, so now I'm even more sure. I give him a big smile and handshake and make fun of the hoodie he's wearing by saying "Man! You're brave for wearing that [Oregon] Ducks hoodie here in [BSU] Bronco territory!" He laughed and then said, "Yeah, you're right! So, hey I've heard a lot about your church and I really want to know more. I bought this old journal one day at a thrift store and it had these scripture references that I'd never seen before, so I figured out where they were from and now I know that the Book of Mormon is true."

Needless to say, we about passed out right there on the spot. I got a Mormon.org pass-along card and gave it to him with the missionaries' number for that area. He name was Shawn. I wish so much now that I had given him my e-mail so I'd know when he meets with the missionaries. Hopefully I'll be able to know when something happens.

That situation made me think of a scripture "there are many yet on the earth...who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it." Shawn had been trying to find people to help him know what he needed to do to continue to learn about the Gospel. Heavenly Father made Elder Threet and I to decide to go e-mail at a library neither of us had ever before been to, that was 3 miles out of our way and that we'd end up on the 3rd floor looking for a computer. It's amazing how that works. We left that library not having e-mailed, but having done what God had sent us to that library to do.

Now, some people may say "Eh, that's just a coincidence." I know better than that. I've seen too many things happen in these past 18 months that are just too miraculous to be mere coincidence. I'd encourage each of you to look for the Lord's hand in your lives. At the small, everyday miracles, yes, MIRACLES, that happen all around you as you go about your routine. I can promise as you look for them, you'll find them and find increased happiness along with it.

Once again, thanks to all my friends who support me in everything. Thanks to my Mom and Dad who help encourage me and have always been my heroes as well as great examples. Also a big thanks to my sister, who not only makes this blog possible by posting what I e-mail her (You can still thank her for it, though!) but also is an example of hard work, love and charity. My family is awesome.

Thanks again,

Elder Hops

Letter - 1/18/2011

This weekend I had more baptisms in a day than I ever have before. My last most being the Pollock family in Star (3). But this weekend we had four! The Searles family was baptized, as well as Caiden LaMantia, who was baptized by his father, Rich, who JUST got the priesthood.

The LaMantia boy's baptism was amazing and was also a first for me. I have never baptized or witnessed the baptism of or HEARD of someone being baptized with a cast on. After consulting a physician, we applied a layer of Glad Press 'n Seal™ and then put on a plastic bag and THEN duct taped the junk out of his arm where bag meets skin. It must've hurt to take that sucker off. But, all was successful, his arm stayed dry and he is now the newest member of the Banbury ward.

The Searles baptism was also one of the best baptisms I think I've ever been to (but it seems like every successive baptism is one of the best I've ever been to...) It was cool to see Josh and his two boys, Cane and Camryn, enter into the water and covenant with God that they're going to try their best to follow Jesus Christ's example. The mom, Amber, is going to be baptized shortly, she had a few things she had to work through first. But what's cool is that Josh will be able to baptize her! It was a really cool service, with a lot of emotional points. I was talking to Josh beforehand and he told me he didn't sleep the night before because he was so excited. I said, "It's kind of like Christmas, eh?"

"Yeah, but...a little better." He answered.

That's why you go on a mission. When you meet people like Josh Searles or Rich LaMantia who have had plenty of things go on in their lives that have put them through the ringer and see their lives improve and change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ...there's just no substitute for seeing that change. And no adequate words. Seeing how scriptures bring comfort to those who thought there was no turning back, no forgiveness is indescribable.

Passages like "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." or "...saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Healing and hope is the message Jesus Christ's Gospel has for all of us. If we repent by turning away from our sins and trying our best to forsake them and replace them with better habits, Heavenly Father will bless us, every time.

Thanks everyone, for your support! See you in the summer!


Forever thankful,

- Elder Hops

Happy Hollerdays! 12/28/2010

So, yesterday, I cleaned a goose.
Now that I've got that out of the way, I can tell you about the rest of the week.

Christmas was awesome, due in large part to all of you who sent me ornaments, letters and other miscellaneous goodies. I am very indebted to all of you for your support and love. It's the fuel that makes this marathon a lot easier to run. I'm going to upload the pictures of all the ornaments very soon, I just don't have to time to do it right now.

But again, thank you.

Most of Christmas Day was spent going around to different families and just crashing...I mean, joining their celebrations. There were a lot of different traditions. It's neat to see what so many different families do so that one day, when I have a family, I can draw from those experiences for my own traditions. They ranged from eating on the floor to playing a series of "Minute to Win It" games (which, as most of YOU probably know, is some kind of game show) to playing Christmas carols on handmade chimes.
I did, of course, miss my own family's traditions, such as singing Silent Night on Christmas Eve in front of our nativity scene and then singing Joy to the World on Christmas Morning and placing baby Jesus in the manger. I also, on a side note, really missed the Rosser's famous Christmas Eve Breakfast. No country ham this year!

Bottom line: Christmas is awesome, families are awesome and my Grandaddy's trash is awesome (it's a Hopkins thing).

Just another day in the perfect place. And if you don't believe me, read the sign:
I hope everyone else's Christmas was equally as wonderful.

Until next time!

- ZDT Hops

The Light of the World - 12/21/2010

We all know Christmas is a time of celebration. A time where we celebrate as an entire world, whether our beliefs are Christian or not. Whether we get lost in the commercialization of the season or recognize the true meaning isn't really what's pertinent. The fact is: it's Christmas, and everybody knows it. Some look at this holiday as a time of giving and sharing and selflessness. Others look at it as a time of rebirth and new beginnings as another year comes to a close. But this year, I'm looking at Christmas in a different light. In fact, light is exactly what this season is all about for me.

As He is often referred to, Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. I've kept that in mind a lot this past month as I've read scriptures concerning His coming and His birth. The first scripture I ran into was the testimony of Simeon in Luke's account of the Savior's life. Simeon had been promised by God that "he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ."(Luke 2:26) When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, Simeon at once knew, through the power of the Holy Ghost, that their Baby was that promised Messiah.

As Luke states: "Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.'" (Luke 2:28-32, emphasis added)

So, even in His infancy, Christ was known as a light to the world. I pondered this more as I read of the account in Matthew of the Three Wise Men who came to Herod, the king, asking "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matt. 2:2) Herod, thinking only of his throne, told the Magi to find the Child and then return to tell him, under the false pretense that he, too, wished to worship this new King. In reality, Herod thought only of protecting his crown and sought to destroy this King of which they had spoken. We find in the scriptures later, however, that these Wise Men were warned through divine intervention not to return, and the life of Jesus was spared. Continues Matthew: "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." (Matt. 2:9-10)

The Christmas Star. It plays a larger role than many people know. As we already have seen, men from a distant land in the East were told of Christ's birth through the sign of the star. But they were not the only ones who recieved this sign.

Across an ocean, in the Americas, prophets had prophecied of the coming of a Messiah, even Jesus Christ. These prophecies are recorded in an ancient record of scripture called The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. One of the prophets who testified of Christ's coming was named Samuel. Five years prior to the Savior's birth, Samuel stood on a city wall and prophecied of his coming.

The historian Helaman records: "And now it came to pass that Samuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy...unto them: 'Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.

'And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.

'Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.

'And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.'" (Helaman 14:1-5)

Again, the sign of the Christmas Star, as prophecied by other prophets, in addition to those in the Old World.

The believers who lived on the American continent held fast to the words spoken by Samuel, looking forward to that day with great anticipation. After five years had past, those who did not believe hatched a plan to rid themselves of what they felt were a race of people blinded by foolish beliefs and the traditions of their fathers, even the believers of Christ.

"Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet." (3 Nephi 1:9)

The leader of the church, named Nephi, heard of these plans and, as you can imagine, was grieved for the plight of the people of Christ. He went and prayed unto the Lord all day and pleaded with Him on behalf of His people, asking for deliverance from this awful fate the unbelievers had put upon them. As he prayed, the voice of the Lord came unto him saying:

"Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets." (3 Nephi 1:13)

As the time approached that the wicked had set apart and they began to approach the believers, to put them to death, a miraculous thing occured.

"It came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.

And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.

And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.

And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word." (3 Nephi 1:15,19-21, emphasis added)

The Lord fulfilled His promise to His people, saving them from their imminent death and changing their apprehensions to rejoicings. The Star had been shone. The sign had been given. The Redeemer had entered the world.

How appropriate was the sign of His coming: The lack of nighttime. The vanquishing of darkness. Christ, as that light, proves that darkness cannot prevail where He is. This was also emphasized in the sign the people of the Americas were given of His death:

"But behold, as I said unto you concerning another sign, a sign of his death, behold, in that day that he shall suffer death the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his light unto you; and also the moon and the stars; and there shall be no light upon the face of this land, even from the time that he shall suffer death, for the space of three days, to the time that he shall rise again from the dead." (Helaman 14:20)

When Christ died, darkness came for three days. The people of this continent were in terrible anguish, not able to see anything, stars, moon or sun, for three long days. It seemed that darkness had prevailed. Evil had triumphed. The Savior was dead. But, after that three day period that He was in the tomb, He rose again! The Easter Ressurection occured. Light came back to the Earth. Jesus Christ had conquered death. He had overcome the world. No longer would light ever have power over darkness again.

I know that Jesus Christ is that light. He can make difficult things easy. He can make burdens light. In the words of Isaiah: "Surely, he hath bourne our griefs, and carried our sorrows...he was wounded for our trangressions, bruised for our iniquities...and with his stripes, we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5) We can always turn to Christ.

I love this symbolism of light. The light of his birth, the darkness of His death and then, finally, the triumph of everlasting light that is Jesus Christ. We will never be alone. Satan and his legions can never triumph. In the words of Paul: "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:37) Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love us. As John 3:16 states: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." We CAN have everlasting life through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Through Him, our families can be together forever.

That we remember the true meaning of Christmas is my hope this season.

Thank you all so much for your love and support.

Always,

- ZDT Hops

A (Missionary) Child is Born! 12/14/2010

Lots of news here today! First things first! ELDER LANDEEN AND I HAVE A GREENIE! His name is Elder Jacob Morris from Palmdale, California!
We got a call last week from President telling us he was going to try having Zone Leaders train new missionaries and we're one of the first. This means I am now a Zone Leader/District Leader/Trainer. Or ZDT Hops. Haha it's awesome. We literally got Elder Morris an hour ago, so we don't know too much about him, but I can tell he's going to be the MAN!

Next in line: IDAHO JUST GOT IT'S FIRST CHICK-FIL-A! So OF COURSE I had to buy a gallon of Chick-Fil-A Lemonade. It is THE BEST EVER. I can't tell everyone how excited I am at this development. There is a lack of good chicken out here. People think KFC is good. I know, they're severely misguided, but we'll forgive them for their ignorance.

So, lately, there has been something happening in Boise and the surrounding area that sounds a lot like a 1950s horror movie. It's...the Inversion! The Inversion is essentially when the clouds go from above the city to IN the city. It's pretty much foggy all the time. It's actually really cool. I feel like I live in Russia or something because we haven't seen the sun in a week or so. Which is lame, because now I can't wear any of my 15 pairs of fake Ray-Bans. Weak.

This past week, we met a family named the Searles. Josh (Dad), Amber (Mom), Cain (11), Cameron (9) and their little, crazy red-headed girl, Jasmine (2). They asked us to come over because Josh had recently been injured at work and wanted a blessing. He heard from one of his LDS friends that the missionaries gave blessings so he called us. Turns out, it was no minor accident; he had been working on concrete with a concrete chainsaw and it flipped up and hit him in the chest. AND HE LIVED. He told us he felt like God was trying to tell him to go to church, which I thought was an awesome observation to get out of taking a chainsaw to the chest. So, we taught them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then invited them to go to church and be baptized. They said yes on both accounts, although mom was a little skeptical about coming to church (she has agoraphobia...and if you don't know what that is, look it up...and listen to the song by the same name by Incubus.) But Sunday rolled around and they ALL came. It was amazing. Jasmine, who had never really been apart from her mommy, went to Nursery with NO complaints, the boys ran off down the hall trying to find the classrooms they'd be in for Primary Sunday School and Josh and Amber had a great time in Gospel Principles, the Sunday School for people who are just being introduced to church for the first time. They even participated in the discussions in class and attended the 3rd Hour meetings. So awesome.

I don't have a lot of time right now, so I'm going to save my Christmas message for next week. Know that I love you all and appreciate everything you do for me and that nothing brightens my day and eases my burdens more than receiving letters from folks back home. I try to respond when I get time, so don't think I don't try, but know that even if I can't, I appreciate it very much.

Until next week!

- ZDT Hops

Turkey Lurkey (11/23/2010)

So, before anything else, know that it snowed a bunch here in Meridian! I don't know the actual amount that's fallen, but it's been under 30 all day today, which I LOVE. It's way icy all over the roads and I'm just glad I have a Utah native to drive the car, because driving last winter in Rupert in snowy weather was a harrowing experience, to be sure. But it's winter again. Almost too soon, it seems. I feel like just yesterday Elder Henao and I were walking around snowy Rupert and spending Christmas in Christmas City, USA. Time flies, man.

We drove to Cascade, ID this past week to meet up with the Elders up there and do an interview with someone who wanted to be baptized. It's about a 2 hour drive on some twisty, winding roads on the edge of a river; a way fun drive. Elder Landeen and I took the trip with Elder Anderson and had such a good time just talking, listening to some of the addresses given from the past General Conference on CD and stopping to take pictures along the way. Elder Anderson, at a gas station on the way home, decided to get some ice cream. They charge for the cone and say there's "no limit" on the ice cream amount. Apparently they didn't (and neither did I) know that Elder Anderson is the undisputed ice cream cone-making KING. He put SO much ice cream on that little cone, I couldn't believe it. Here's a picture:This past Sunday, I had the occasion of speaking in church in one of the wards we cover. I was asked to speak on...surprise!...Thanksgiving. After giving much thought, and studying the scriptures and recent talks given in Conference (like on the way to Cascade) I decided my talk would have a main theme, which was: Life's Not Fair.

See, I figured it all out. Sometimes bad things are going to happen to good people. sometimes tragedy strikes when we're not ready. And sometimes we have a raincloud that hovers only over us. But what I realized is that usually, more than we give credit for, GOOD things happen. More often than not, good things happen to good people. More often than not, blessings are bestowed upon us when we least expect it. And more often than not, the sun shines happily upon our daily routine. The message I want to share with whoever reads these posts (all three of you :P) is that life's NOT fair; we have it WAY too good to think that it is. If life was fair, we'd probably be miserable a lot more than we would be happy.

So this season, give thanks. Thank God for family and friends who stand by you and support you when knees are weak and arms are heavy. Thank God for food on tables, roofs overhead and clothing on backs. Thank God that life's not fair. He loves us. I know it. And I know that as we realize the many blessings He's given us day to day, we'll come to know that love more fully. I'll leave you with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Know that I am thankful for each and every one of you. Please take time this holiday to count your many blessings "and it will surprise you what the Lords has done."

With all possible gratitude,

- ZL Hops

Mer[ID]ian (11/16/2010)

So, I just realized this city has the state's abbreviation in it. Go figure. Another thing I noticed this week is that Elder Landeen says "Sandy" like Danny Zuko from Grease!. It's actually pretty funny. He and I get along splendidly. It's also cool how we came out at the same time, so we can relate to each other in aspects pertaining to that.

For example, in the same vein as last letter's comment about Christmas, every six months, the Church has what's called General Conference. During Conference weekend, the Prophet and the Apostles of the church prepare talks on different subjects that they feel the world needs to hear about. It's a pretty special thing since it isn't just for members of the Church, but anyone who wants to watch and listen. Anyway, like I said, it happens every six months; in April and October. We were driving some Elders in our Zone around (which, if you haven't already gathered, is a major theme of our time/conversations) and they commented on how cool it was to see Conference on their missions. For one, this was his first; the other, his second. Elder Landeen and I both noticed how we had only one more to go before going home.

Don't worry, we don't sit around all day thinking about home and griping or anything. Just, every so often, someone will say something and you'll realize how much is behind you and how seemingly little you have before you. In all reality, it helps motivate you to stay focused for the time you have left.

Today, we played dodgeball for 3 hours. As I sit here and type this, my whole body aches, but it's such a good feeling. There's something about dodgeball that's different than most games. I think it's the nearly constant flow of adrenaline for the duration of every game. You're either dodging, ducking, dipping, diving or...dodging. If you're not doing one of those things, you're usually out. I think another aspect that makes it so great is the balls you use. Whatever sport you're using them for, you always feel like a kid back on the playground. Think about it: foursquare (my favorite), kickball, dodgeball, etc. They're all awesome!

To finish, I'd like to share a quote from James E. Faust. It's a really inspiring video and if you have time, please watch it:



In a world so quick to change, it's good to know the Gospel is something we can hold on to. I know Jesus Christ lives and I know He and our Heavenly Father love us more than we realize.I love you all very much and appreciate your continual support!

Yours 'til Niagra Falls,

ZL Hops