HOUGH HAPPENINS: Elder Calvin Hough, 10.27.26--week 3

Wow, just wow. This last week and a couple days have blended up so much that I'll be lucky to get a paragraph or two for each day. So just a warning in case there's not as much details for the days!

(Two things I forgot to mention in my last email: when we were going to Provo City Center, we almost missed the bus leaving the MTC and literally had to RUN IT DOWN to not miss it!! I felt like my older brother when he was trying to catch his train in Hungary while thinking, "I'M THE FLASHHHH!!" haha love you man. (That's pretty funny! The Flash lives on in our missionaries!) And we almost didn't get off the bus in time until a passenger asked if we were going to the temple, and told us we should probably get off so we don't miss it. Bless his heart for that. (Agreed!)

The other thing is that six of our missionaries are going to the Ohio Columbus Mission and freaking Robbie Boscoe is their Mission President [if you don't know who he is, please look him up haha] I'm actually so jealous but it's okay. Boise is better anyways)

Saturday 10/16

This morning we had to wake up earlier because of a workshop/play about getting to the field. It was super funny and informative for the missionaries learning. In both classes we talked about applying scriptures in our lessons, and I realized I'm kinda garbage at it, but there's always something to improve on so it's chill. Elder Penrose and I had an HOA after dinner but in the free time we had, I decided to destroy everyone in ping-pong...left-handed haha

After dinner, we changed for our HOA and met with our friend Bracken. He was super cool and we talked with him about repentance. When we finished the lesson, he said he wanted us to teach him again and that he'd reach out over email (we'll see if he does).

We had another workshop that night about respecting others. The class was good, but the best part was I met Sister Sell (also going to Boise) who was at my airport district. And even more amazing than that was her parents were my first FSY directors!!! I can't believe that she was at my first FSY and we were both going to the same mission! (Yes! I was able to connect with Sister Sell's mom on Messenger which was fun.)

(I'm apparently a legend at the residence hall because I've been doing some athletic training shoulder loosening stuff on all the Elders who let me. And then every time a new Elder sees me do it, they want me to do it to them haha. Dad, please dont get mad at me for doing this without a license, I didn't pop anyone's shoulder blade out haha)

Sunday 10/17

It was my last Saturday in the MTC and honestly it was a pretty decent day. Nothing much happened (I wrote in my journal about these next couple days almost a week after this happened so I don't remember much of it haha). Actually that's a lie, Elder Penrose and I had an HOA with our friend Landrie. She wanted to know about what repentance really is and how to feel forgiveness. We read Moroni 6:8 and explained how as long as we repent with real intent, our sins can be forgiven, and that as we do that, we align our will with Heavenly Father allowing us to be more Christlike and change our desires for the better. She was really receptive about what we had to say and the lesson went amazing. Easily the most confident we've been in one.

The other thing that happened was the BYU v. NOTRE DAME GAME!!!! Oh my goodness it was insaneee! Almost everyone there was a BYU fan or just wanted ND to lose so for the Elder's who had their p-day that day, they decided to FaceTime friends or family to show us the game. The last two minutes of that game took about 20 minutes and was absolutely grueling waiting for it to end. But when BYU won the game, we all went CRAZYYY!!! The fireworks went off and we heard the crowd go nuts! It was the best way to end my last weekend in Provo! (Elder Hough sent us a video recording of this...it was pretty wild! The Missionary Training Center is basically across the street from the BYU stadium so it is really not hard to know what is happening based on the cheer of the crowd and fireworks.)

Sunday 10/18

Even though it wasn't Fast Sunday like last week, I still had to skip breakfast because of our early branch council meeting. But it's alright, everyone said breakfast was just cereal and it wasn't that great. Good thing I missed it haha. President and Sister Smith got back from their vacation and gave the branch a message about the Plan of Salvation and the importance of the Fall of Adam and Eve. In Elder's Quorum, we met with Brother Nistler and we asked him questions about the mission we may have before leaving for those of us who were. We really only talked about one of the questions the whole time and it was about how to effectively pray. He explained how it had to do with the temple which I thought was super cool. The Go and Do Experience was about "Deepening My Personal Conversion to Christ and His Atonement". (Song lyrics)

Monday 10/19

Last day in the Provo MTC! Classes were amazing as always, but also really sad cause it was the last time we would see Brother Buckner and Sister Bishop. We took pictures with them though so that was good.

Funny story: in College Station, back when my oldest brother Jake went on his mission to Hungary, my family had the opportunity to take in a foreign exchange student from Brazil. His name was Luke, and he was the coolest person ever. He stayed with us for six months before going back home. Fast forward to about Friday or Saturday, he reached out to me and wanted to see me since it's been EIGHT YEARS since we last saw each other. Y'all, I was 10. Anyways, we talked about it for a bit and found a way to meet outside the MTC near the field where you can play outdoor games. It was so so cool to see him again and we caught up for about 5 minutes before BYU security stopped by and interrogated me (completely understandable) (oh, Calvin!🤦‍♀️) We got a picture and Elder Penrose (huge thanks to him for going with me to see Luke, it meant so much) and I headed back to the MTC to finish some stuff we had to do.

The rest of the day was soooo busy for me. I had to clean the dorm, wash all my clothes, pack, and do a bunch of other things. After I started my first load of clothes, the district wanted to do a personal study one last time. We only studied for 30 minutes because I had invited the district on Sunday to think about a missionary to shout out to so that they can gain some confidence going into the field (what a really thoughtful and meaningful invitation). It took well over an hour to get around to everyone because we were all getting emotional (yes, including me) and we took a bunch of pictures. Everyone had amazing things to say about everyone, I could feel the Savior's love for each missionary there it was amazing. Those missionaries are family now, no questions asked. We took so many pictures with everyone and cried some more. Elder Penrose and I had to get back to the dorm so we could pack for an early morning. I'm actually so bad at packing and I honestly didn't care because it was 11:00 by the time my last load of laundry was finished so I just threw everything in and would worry about them being wrinkled later haha. I also said goodbye to our amazing ZL's and the rest of the branch. Those Elders are brothers for life!

Tuesday 10/20

What an AWFUL and AMAZING day at the same time. We had to wake up at 4:00am because we had to leave by 5:00am (not 2:00am, I put it in wrong on my last email haha). But it was still gonna be a SIX HOUR DRIVE. In a charter bus so we could kind of sleep on it. I talked to an Elder Booth to pass the time and it helped a lot.

As we pulled up to the mission office, I realized it was right next to the Boise Temple (it was so prettyyy). When I got off the bus, I was greeted by Sister Barnes who said my last name like it was nothing. I was pretty shocked until she told me she knew my mom from when we lived in the same stake in Aloha, Oregon at least 12 years ago!! (I was also shocked by the connection and her memory!) It was so cool to have people already who know my family before Texas. Lots of pictures were taken for the mission FB page and we talked with President and Sister Hess (Mission President and his wife). He then had the AP's (Assistant to the President) and the STL's (Sister Training Leaders) talk with the greenies (new missionaries in training). I actually can't recall what was said but we had a testimony session and their testimonies were so genuine. They loved being out here and I want to have that too.

After we did that, we went to the Hess' for dinner before going out with some companionships to proselyte/teach people. I got assigned to Elder Palmer and Elder Cottrell, the AP's!! (Wow!!) They were so cool and they knew exactly what they were doing, how to do it, and their exact obedience was inspiring! (As a mom, I really love this!!) We went to downtown Boise and BSU, literally running people down, inviting them to church. I didn't think I'd run two miles in church shoes after my first 8 hours in the mission haha. Not as much sprinting as running the bus down, but I ran a lot more that night. Elder Cottrell had me share a scripture about three times and share a message. I knew it was gonna happen but the nerves are still real. Luckily, I didn't do bad, and the AP's said I did amazing, which of course helped.

We did this for about an hour, inviting and sharing a message. Then they said we had a new member lesson with a recent convert. Okay back story: the Sunday before leaving for Boise, I decided to hop on Duolingo and learn a language. I figured Italian would be cool, and even now, I've enjoyed it so much. (Molto bene). Well, my district found out and told me, "Elder Hough, you're never gonna find anyone in Boise who speaks Italian." You never know.

Well well well, our new member was a BSU student...from Italy. What are the odds!! Hint, there are no coincidences. (There really aren't!) So I greeted him in Italian when I met him (probably with the worst pronunciation and whitest accent ever) but it was good enough to where he understood what I was trying to say. The lesson went really well and even being a new member, his testimony is stronger than mine. He has such a bright light about him. In case you're wondering, I did get corrected on pronunciation. Oh well, at least it was from a local who speaks it haha.

The day came to an end and we found out our sleeping arrangements. I was one of three greenies who stayed with Elder Palmer and Elder Cottrell. It was actually insane because in the back of my mind I thought, "it would be so cool to go teach with the AP's or stay at their house". I got my wish and it was awesome, especially because Elder Cottrell was going home on Thursday. He even gave the three of us a tie and offered me one of his sweaters. Even though I've only known him for less than a day, I'm gonna miss him so much.

Wednesday 10/21

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER COOPERRRR!!!!

Wednesday means transfer dayyy!! We woke up pretty early, and the poor Elders had nothing to eat so I skipped breakfast (I'm sensing a pattern) and planned on eating at lunch (again). When we arrived at the building we were meeting at, we met our trainers. It was pretty humbling being the last one to find out who your companion will be but I have the best trainer. His name is Elder Heyward and he's such a vibe. They had a big breakfast for us so I ate a lot (good thing I skipped breakfast). I also learned that my first area is the furthest in the mission. In La Grande, Oregon!! (I kid you not, I wanted to be in Oregon for my first six weeks. Yet another micro-miracle from Heavenly Father). (Calvin was born in Oregon). Another cool thing is my MTC companion, Elder Penrose is also serving in La Grande which means we're in the same house! (That is pretty dang cool!) It's gonna be amazing!!

Elder Heyward introduced me to all of his missionary friends and I could tell he was well loved (one of these missionaries was an Elder Whittaker who happened to be the cousin to the same Elder Whittaker who served in Snyder!!). Everyone was saying I lucked out having him as a trainer. (An answer to this mama's prayers!) I can't wait for this first transfer!

Being in La Grande also meant we had a two and a half hour drive (whoa!) back to the mission home (we gained an hour though since we'd be transitioning into Pacific time). We ate lunch at In-N-Out with the other La Grande (it's actually really mid, not my favorite burger place). When we got to the house, I unpacked some of my essential things when I got to my room, but we had a lesson with a progressing friend named Sadie. It was crazy cause the baptism was scheduled for Sunday so we had to hurry and cram a bunch of principles in the lesson. It went well and she's on track for the baptism on Sunday!

Thursday 10/22

First full day in the mission and man was it busy. We woke up at 6:30 as per mission standards, had personal study, wore Elder Cottrell's sweater (in honor of him going home), and decided we should go shopping to get food for the week since I wouldn't have anything until Monday usually. Another funny story: when I graduated high school my Mom and Dad decided to give me $50 every week to buy groceries. This was to, of course, teach me how to learn how to budget what I needed to buy. By the time I left for my mission, I still had food left over at my grandma's house that I had bought weeks before and I still haven't used. I had about $50 to spend on groceries today, and I got all the stuff that I usually get. When I was ready to check out, the total came out to $80. Yikes! I think I forgot how to budget my money haha. (Or things are a bit pricier in La Grande than they are in Snyder and I don't think Elder Hough realizes how much he still ate at home because the $50 was for breakfast/lunch every two weeks 😉). Sorry Mom, now I'm a failure. So I split the payment between the mission card and my personal card. Now all this means is I'll have enough food to last a little over a week. I guess that works.

We got lunch and brought it back to the house (we forgot to eat breakfast) and did our normal companionship study and extended companionship study because I'm in training. We went over the standards for the whole time and stopped to talk about it every now and then.

We then stopped by a new member named Alan to check up on him and read the BoM with him where he's at. This guy is so cool. He has this book he's working on where he finds and draws old medicine bottles from every county/city in Oregon from a certain time frame, I forget when. He draws SO SYMMETRICAL I thought it was computer generated. And his handwriting is flawless. We went over Alma chapter 1 and explained to him kind of what was going on.

INSTITUTE!!! Basically adult seminary and it was amazing. I had never been to one and I really enjoyed it. I met some cool people and the discussions were so thoughtful. When the class ended, Elder Heyward and I had a lesson with Sadie to finish up the principles we had left. It went by pretty quickly and we needed to figure out who was going to baptize and confirm. She eventually ended up on Elder Heyward to baptize, and somehow I was picked to confirm. Yep, Elder Hough gets to confirm after four days in the field. (Talk about baptism by fire! Haha!) I'm super excited though and I'm so glad I'm able to do this for someone who has made the choice to live the Gospel to live with Heavenly Father once again.

Friday 10/23

Friday was kinda boring and busy at the same time. We did a LOT of contacting that day, which is just reaching out to members and people we're trying to teach. The other thing that took up the whole was ward emails. This was so time consuming because we went through pretty much all the people we've talked to through the week, who's progressing, needs of those we're teaching, and stuff like that. It was annoying but very necessary for the work.

We also met up with a member to talk about some people who we were trying to meet with and such. We were there for about an hour before we had to get going to eat dinner. And we had to eat quickly because Friday nights are....

VOLLEYBALL NIGHT!!! Oh my goodness so much more fun then the MTC volleyball (mainly cause it was with the YSA haha). We played for two hours, some teams were NOT fair, but it was soooo fun! Also quick note, Elder Heyward has a nasty serve. Like, almost no one could return it. So have fun if you ever play with him haha.

Saturday 10/24

I felt like an absolute bum. We got up early to go clean the ward building (I did not dress out cause I hadn't showered or anything yet), and Elder Heyward and I cleaned the bathrooms and the kitchen. When we got back at around 9:30, I got ready for the day and we sat down for personal and companionship study. That lasted till about noon so we had lunch for an hour. Our neighbor needed some help moving leaves into her truck so we helped her out with that before FINALLY leaving the house for real at 2:00pm for English Connect (a church supported English learning class). I know we had one in Snyder but I had never been to one. It was really cool that you get to learn English while centering it on Jesus Christ and how to rely on him in everything.

We had some free time afterwards so we went back and took a nap...kiddinggg missionaries don't nap hahaha. Some probably do but we don't!! We stay busyyy. And busy we were looking for service opportunities. Elder Heyward had found some stuff before I showed up, one of which being a thrift store. Y'all, this was the coolest and most beautiful thrift store you'll ever see, I wish I had taken pictures.

We asked one of the employees about the owner and where to find her and he told us to go upstairs (yes it has an upstairs AND a downstairs) and ask for Liz. We found her upstairs where all the clothes were and talked to her about helping out in any way we could. She was a former member of the Church, loves missionaries/will do whatever she can to help us out, and was super open to letting us help the awesome store she's put together.

We walked around for a bit to check it out before meeting with Sadie for her baptismal interview with the DL's. Sadie passed (we knew she would) and we talked for a little before we went our separate ways. Elder Heyward and I decided to visit a member's house from one of the wards we cover.

Elder Penrose and Elder Jacobs (his companion) had met this guy in Elgin, one of the areas that they cover, and had an awesome visit with him. But he goes to one of our wards so we stopped by. His name is Doug and he's so fun to talk to. He has two PhDs and is crazy smart. He gave us a book with 50 years worth of knowledge straight from his head. He wrote it in four days, 90 words per minute, with almost no mistakes. It was so crazy to see how well written it was. I was reading a little bit of it when we got back home, and it was really Gospel centered. I'm still reading it but I'll share a cool thing I read every now and then.

Sunday 10/24

First Sunday in the field and it was interesting to say the least. We were out of the house by 8:45 because we had a coordination meeting with the 3rd Ward about missionary work in the area. Sacrament meeting was really good, and we had a member who gave her farewell talk. Now being on a mission, it hits a little different hearing someone else give their farewell. Elder Heyward and I didn't really attend the second hour since we were talking to some members about fellowshiping and some other things pertaining to the work, so it's okay. We did catch the last five minutes of the second half of the second hour with the young men. They were talking about the Title of Liberty in Alma 46. I gave some thoughts I had about it and standing for what we believe.

Then it was the YSA (Young Single Adult) sacrament meeting. Before we started, we said hello to literally everyone since it's a branch haha. I know the feeling. (Branches are small congregations of members...Elder Hough has lived in a branch for the last 7 years). The YSA also had a farewell talk and even had two return missionaries give a message. It was pretty focused on prayer and the Holy Ghost which was cool because they didn't plan on that.

We stayed for all of the first half of the second hour and then had to leave during the second half for a youth missionary meeting. This was awesome. I wish I had been able to really take a deep dive into what missionary life will be like and how to prepare. To have people my age also prepping would've been so helpful. Even so, I'm so very thankful to my parents and siblings for teaching me how to be a wonderful missionary (even though I may not be one yet), and setting such a good example for me to follow. I couldn't be where I'm at without them. ( 💕)

We hurried home to do some personal study and comp study before heading back to the stake center to fill up the baptismal font (two hours before the baptism). It took a little longer because we had to get the temperature just right haha. It was a pretty chill baptism to be honest, we didn't have a lot of people show up, which is what Sadie wanted haha. The talks and baptism went just fine and actually pretty quick. Which meant it was my turn to confirm. Everyone said I did a good job, but there are so many things I feel like I could've said to her. But, I guess the Spirit only wanted the things I said to be heard.

We stayed and talked with the YSA and people visiting. One of the members I talked to, a branch counselor who played the piano really freaking well during church today told me something I'll never forget. His grandma wrote the music for the hymn "I Am a Child of God". (Wow!) He remembers her writing and she actually taught him how to play as well. It was so cool that he still had those precious memories and I could tell that it impacted him even today.

All the Elders in the house had dinner that night with a member's family. We had an awesome dinner and laughed a whole lot (mainly making fun of Elder Heyward's birthday haha). I've connected with them really well and we actually eat with them every week so I can't wait for next week.

Apparently the dad of the family is an orthopedic PA and former athletic trainer. Which was so amazing because my dad was an athletic trainer, is currently a PA, and I want to go into orthopedic surgery. I got to talk with him about my plans and how to best do that. Another thing the Lord knew I needed while here in La Grande.

Monday 10/26

P-DAYYY!! We may have accidentally woken up at 8:45, but we made sure to get up and get ready. We planned on doing an activity in Baker City with the rest of the district (eight Elders total). And man was I excited. Mainly because I got to go BOWLINGGG!!! I even made sure to wear my West Texas High School Bowling hoodie to show them I was serious. Prices were pretty reasonable and they even had old reactive bowling balls to use. It took me a while to find one that worked for the lanes and I may or may not have lost by 10 in the first game. But lucky for me I had figured out the lanes, the ball, the speed, and the revs. (His coaches would be proud.) I DESTROYED them with a 203 (in a very humble missionary way haha). It was so fun and I coached the Elders a little to show them how and where to throw it. Yes, they did a lot better after that. Maybe I should go into coaching when I get back. Who knows haha.

We grabbed some food, ate at the other Elders house, then headed to the church building to play some spikeball. Although that didn't happen for a bit because the other Elders were doing some things they probably shouldn't have, but that was their decision to make, not mine. I worked on my email while I waited. Spikeball was really fun but being in the gym was tough just because it was a confined space and the shoes we had were slipping on the basketball court. No worries, it was good to do something active anyways and we had some amazing points.

The next thing was dinner at a members house with a part-member couple. We ate venison burgers (best I've had) and talked a lot about hunting and Oregon regulations on it. Elder Penrose and Elder Jacobs had a lesson to go to so they left early and Elder Heyward and I shared a message on Mosiah 2:41 and shared how keeping the commandments God has given us will only benefit our lives, and we won't be losing anything by following them (amazing scripture that I invite you all to read and ponder).

Okay I realize that I'm late once again, but I'm asking for a bit of grace since I've had to write about the last 11 days. I appreciate everyone's responses and I love hearing from you all. Please keep it up!! I love you all and please know that God loves you too!!

Until next time,

Elder Hough

Things in Oregon you (most likely) will never see in Texas/West Texas (I'll let y'all figure out which is which haha): (I love this list...brings back some memories from our 10 years in northwestern Oregon)

• mountains

• real trees

• 23° nights in October

• leaves that actually change color and don't turn brown haha

• 5-way stops

• $5 unleaded gas

• paper bags at Walmart

• a machine that pays you to recycle

PICTURESSS!!

The pictures got mixed up and I'm too lazy to explain them haha