"Got Nathan coming up this week with the Baptism and then Gloria the next!"

This was received from Elder Hintze Monday, October 28th. Always great to hear from him.

HELLO there family! Much quicker week this week! We did lots of service and lots of moving people around this week! 

Elder Hintze & The Boys of Dothan

Monday - P-Day sorry it was a bad emailing time last time, a guy from the 1st ward took us out to lunch, so I didn't get a real chance to email a lot! SORRY! But we went and played tennis again! It is a blast, playing on the clay courts are awesome, it isn't like nice clay, but you can slide around and stuff, there are sometimes some really good people that play there, so I am going to try and get in on some of that! But our evening was shot, because the lady who brought us dinner, was like an hour late, so we had to wait for her and that took up our whole evening!

Tuesday - We helped Scott Magnes move out of his house, before District Meeting. He had this big safe and so I hop on the dolly and move that sucker out of there, thinking I am tough, but that thing wasn't no joke, it was pushing on my hands, by my thumbs, and my hands were swollen and black and blue for like 4 days, but I got the baby in the truck. 

Helping with a move!

We then had District Meeting. Tony Hansen and his marine buddy showed up at the end of it and sat in on it, so then after that we all went to lunch with them. Then we came back home did some of our studies and then we went to see Theresa, the lady that sent you the pictures of me painting, I wish somebody would get her to join the church! But she loves us, like she calls me to tell me good news that happens to her!!! But I was able to teach some lady in the thrift store and able to give her a Book of Mormon, so it was an actually really successful trip! After that we went and saw Linda, she made me put ice onto my hands. So she is taking care of me! Then we traded off and I went with Davidson to the 1st ward.

Wednesday - We decided that we were both going to get up at 5:30 and go running at the park, but.. 5:30 rolled around pretty quickly and needless to say we didn't quite make it! But I need to start doing some running! We biked to go and give a lady in their ward a blessing. Then we came back and we were headed to red cross to do service, but we got a call that someone needed some help unloading an attic. So we went there and Simmons and Smith went to red cross. So we moved out this attic, and this house was built in like 1908. So It was a way sweet house! Like 20 steps up and then just a door and then a giant attic, that was way sketchy and way bigger than the main floor, and it was piled to the top with junk, you wouldn't believe some of the cool stuff that was up there, it was actually really cool, it was exactly like American Pickers, it was nuts! I kept making bids on stuff, but they wouldn't let me have anything hahaha. So for like 3 hours we carried junk out of this attic, up and down these steps. We were both exhausted when we finished. Then we went with their Ward Mission Leader to see a part member family in their ward, the lady is less activeish and the guy isn't a member, but comes every Sunday, lives all the commandments, and is awesome. But won't be baptized. So the WML is their good friend and all we talked about was baptism. It was actually really awesome, the spirit was way strong, and Brother Kelly the WML just absolutely told them like it is. It was really cool! He just needs to get baptized!!! Then we traded back!

Thursday - We helped Scott Magnes move again! We loaded up his truck with a bunch of stuff and then we did a little bit of cleaning with him. So they are now out of here, they are out of our area, so I am sad to see them go, I really want them to have the Gospel! Really, really bad! Then Scott Magnes took us to lunch and Hunt's Oyster Bar and I had raw oysters... they are just whatever... I wouldn't pay money to have them again. After that we went with Forest to see Nicholas, the kid that came up to us outside of Barbra's. And we taught him the Restoration... It didn't go exactly as we had thought, he told us that he has no friends, so he wants us there to be his friends. He said we were the closest friends he has, and he has epilepsy so he is a little weird, and then he told us that he smokes weed...... So It really wasn't the best. But we just told him that we would talk about that later with him. So I hope and I pray that our next lesson will be better! So then we went home and ate some dinner and did our weekly planning. While we were doing our weekly planning, there is a knock on the doors, so I am like uh its the sisters. And so I go out there and this girl is asking us if we knew some guy that she went to high school with, she said he was dressed just like us and he was walking with us in the parking lot, so I was like what the heck? But long story short, we start talking to her and she says that she wants us to come teach her, so this girl knocked on our door to be taught!!!! It was really awesome, so we set up a time to meet with her on Sunday. She said that her boyfriend told her the Bible isn't as valid, because it has been translated so many times! hahahahaha. How crazy is that? You NEVER hear that from anyone down here! It was awesome. But..... I texted her Sunday to make sure we were still good and she said "I can't. We can't. I am going to stick with my church." So I said, "Alright, we are very sorry to hear that, and we can understand that, we would still like to meet with you, just to share our message that we know to be true! But if not you know where to find us!" So after that she said we could meet again, so I'll keep you posted on that.

Friday - At the Hospital, great day there, I decided to be real friendly and so I was cracking jokes, and telling old ladies that I need them to stay on there feet in the ER, all kinds of stuff. So I love the hospital shift. But after that the Myers picked us up and dropped us off at Gloria's and the Sisters had just taught her lesson #3, and then we talked to her about the Word of Wisdom, I don't know that I had ever really taught the Word of Wisdom before, but we got her done! So Gloria and Zooya both committed to live the Word of Wisdom! Then we got picked up on the side of the rode and a member took us out to eat at Ryan's that buffett, bleh I am so fat. But I did get to talk to two people there, one from Douglas, Georgia he was a member and he knew a guy that we are working with here. And a lady that goes to Southside Baptist Church came over and gave me a big hug hahahaha, she is so nice. Really good person.

Saturday - Elder Smith was not feeling well. So we couldn't go out in the morning! I just spent the day until about 2 doing the area book. I got it all updated! Thanks to your letter Dad, I figured that I better get on that! But finally he did feel better, so we went and met with Anita at the downtown library. Then we went over to help Scott Magnes finish moving for the last time! But on the way there, there was a family out having a yard sale, so they yelled to me to come preach to them, so I stopped. It was really awesome, but then none of them would let me give them a Book of Mormon or talk to them, they said "they only prophet on the earth today is my preacher". So then we saw Sister Rush, and then we saw Linda, just because I felt like we needed to, and then she just cried a whole lot to us, because apparently she was just depressed a lot and missing her husband. And so it was really good that we went over there! Then we had dinner at the Prigmore's home, and then we saw Barbra with Brother Prigmore and then that was amen to Saturday!

Sunday - Church! Good day at church, Gloria or Nathan did not come. So that was dissapointing big time! But its whatever, it will all work out! It was Fast Sunday for us, because we have stake conference next sunday! Which I am excited about, after that we had lunch out at the Lewis's, huge dairy farm. And probably the best food on the earth in that kitchen, (sorry mom) but oooh man I love me a lot of things I didn't before the mission! Green Beans!!!!!!!!!! Potato Salad, Broccoli. All kinds of good stuff!!!!!!! Then we went with Tony Hansen and did his home teaching with him, saw 3 families. Then we went and gave a blessing to this lady that hasn't been to church in 20 years and apparently she wants to come back! So that was awesome, I love giving blessings so much! It is so cool to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord, exercising his Priesthood for this person, ah I love it.

Pretty good week for us! Not too shabby! Got Nathan coming up this week with the Baptism and then Gloria the next! We found out transfers this morning and everyone in Dothan is staying the same, President Smith said that he is really happy with the work that is happening in Dothan! But next transfer it is going to change a lot, I think I'm leaving next one and Davidson, and at least one if not two sisters! So kind of interesting that we are all staying the same! Romney Hammond is going to a Tallahassee Ward and he is serving with Elder Musgrave, who also went to Viewmont. He is a way cool guy, really funny! But man I sure do love this Gospel, I learn to love and appreciate all we have more and more every day!!!! We truly are so blessed! 

LOVE YOU ALL FAMILY SO MUCH!!! THOUGHT ABOUT EVERYBODY A LOT THIS WEEK, MISS YOU!!

"The Lord is hastening his work, and the missionaries need our help!"

Elder Hintze wrote on Monday, October 14th:


"Heyo! Another week, this one seemed real long. This whole last month has seemed to move in slow motion, but then I think that we are done with this transfer in like 16 days. So that is pretty crazy. But here is the week for ya'll. 

Elder Hintze (Not sure where he is going dressed like that?)

Elder Smith and Elder Hintze

Monday - P-Day and all that comes with it. We tried to go skating, but the place wouldn't let us skate, they only have open skating on Saturdays. But sadly no, the dreams of a skating lesson are gone. Then we ate the Krizer's house for dinner, good old pizza. Then we saw Bro Nunez, can't get him to come to church lately. And then some other people weren't home.

Tuesday - We had our President's interviews in the morning, which I was really excited about, got to talk to Sister Smith and President, they were both really short. But always awesome to get to talk to them. I don't know that I would want there job, 300 missionaries to watch over, no thanks. Then it was Taco Bell time with the Zone leaders and another set of Elders. :) Then we visited Barbra, didn't talk at all about the smoking and coffee, but she still is, we have just prayed with her and read the Book of Mormon and just loved her. But she has bought herself a new coffee maker and she is hiding her cigarettes from me, because she knows I will take them. hahaha. So she is going out of her way to sin, which is awesome right? NO. Stubbs called her and talked to her on the phone for about an hour, I have been in contact with him quite a few times about the whole thing. So then we saw Paul Kennedy and that is always an experience, but his grand daughter wants to be baptized, but the parents won't let her until she is 12, so that she can decide on her own, so that is awesome, because Paul lives with this daughter. So then we went and saw Theresa, at the thrift shop, and we basically have dropped her, because she isn't after truth, and is inviting us to come to another church with her. So she isn't quite on the train yet. But then we popped in on Carol Burnsed and she is doing better. Then we went to Linda's and Gloria and Carol Hughey were there, and Carol bought us a bunch of ties and so Gloria was picking them out for us, it was hilarious, the ties are all not my style she picked, but hey, I rolled with it. Then we ate dinner with the Grantham's. I don't think I have told you about this guy, Brother Grantham isn't a member his wife is the primary president been to the temple, he comes every Sunday is more active than most in the ward, but will not become a member it has been like 20 years now. General Authorities have talked to him, he is President Bess's best friend. It is madness, but he is there every Sunday. So then we played ball that night... Elder Smith punched a dude in the face on accident. It was Tony Hansen's marine boss and it gave him an instant black eye, hahahahaha Elder Smith clocked him. 

Wednesday - We had District Meeting in the morning, he taught us about the Great Apostasy and we read a talk titled Why 1820? It is awesome, you should check it out. But in District Meeting he had me teach for a little bit about asking questions, so that was fun. Then we volunteered at the red cross. So they had us wash their van for them and work in the garden haha. And then after that we helped Linda clean out her garage and her shed a little bit, because she is getting some flooring put down in it. Then we scooted over to the hospital and gave a nonmember a blessing, a member asked us to, she went in for surgery, and they found out she has stage 4 cancer. So I gave her a blessing and not going to lie I was a little bit scared to do it. Then we ate at the Thompson's for dinner. Then we went and we taught Bonifay the nonmember lady and Scott magnes the less active guy they are moving into a different area, but we taught her the Plan of Salvation. Boy oh boy I am not the best teacher, my teaching skills need some major work, I just get stressed in a teaching situation or something. But it was good, she is pretty awesome! And has already read into 1 Nephi 11, which is way farther than most ever do. We were answering question and just talking more about the Plan and I was showing her some scriptures, because she asked for some study stuff. And out of no where Elder Smith, just says "something we haven't talked about is baptism. Will you follow the example of your Savior Jesus Christ and be baptized?" So she said, "Yes I believe in baptism, and I have never been baptized, but no I will not be baptized yet, I am not ready for that."  

Thursday - we worked at the food bank in the morning, we taped up 500 boxes and it was only us elders and sisters there, so it wasn't the best service, but we got er done. So we then saw Barbra and she is doing just as good as ever, we have just been reading the Book of Mormon with her and she is understanding so much more, which really is awesome. Then we had some studies and weekly planning, then we went and saw this kid Donte he is in the 9th grade he is awesome, we went with Luke and we taught him the Restoration and he loved the fact that Christ visited the Americas, and he was way excited to read the Book of Mormon, and he invited us back the next day. So after that we went out to the Boonies with Luke and we tried to see Danny Dees an investigator that we haven't really focused on, then we saw the  Saucer's recent convert brother and sister that live with their elderly mom. So we saw them, they ususlly don't let people in, so it was actually really cool. Then we went to Dairy Queen with Luke to cap off the night. 

Friday - We worked at the food bank again in the morning, made a ton of individual boxes. Came back hit the bikes and headed to the Hospital worked at the hospital, nothing cool has happened there for quite sometime, so that's lame. But we get to talk to quite a few people. So after the hospital we saw Donte again and we taught him the Plan of Salvation, and he accepts it all, I don't know if it is something that I am doing but we teach people or just him and he accepts everything, but then doesn't realize what it really means that this is Christ's church on the earth!! Then we finally found Justin and his GF the guy who told us he didn't want to drink anymore and took us outside, well apparently he has been in prison 4 times since then. So he is no exactly on the train either right now. 

Saturday - Happy 4 Month Mark to Elder Hintze, 4 months ladies and gentleman, if I can do 4 months I can do anything! :D So let me tell you what I ate today until 7:30 pm, 3 Loyless Donuts, 1 Krispy Kreme Donut, and some donut holes that you sent me! :) So we helped a family move from the 1st ward into our ward, they are really awesome a young couple that is from Arizona. From the same place as Elder Smith, they were so excited about it. After that we went to Theresa's thrift shop and helped her do some service, she told us to bring in Book of Mormons and she will put them around the store for people to read and take for free. Hahahaha, so that was pretty awesome. Then we met with Anita McBride in the park and read with her out of the Book of Mormon. Then we helped Sister Rush move a table in her trailer. Then we went home quick and we walked to see Donte and he wasn't home, so then we walked to see Linda, because she got her patriarchal blessing. Then Gloria canceled on us. Then we went and read with Barbra again. And then we were in for the night for some dinner. 

Sunday - Barbra didn't come to church, because she fell getting into the shower. But we did have Gloria at church and so in Gospel principles we just freestyled it and we taught her the Plan of Salvation and she loved it all and had many questions. Then Luke gave his farewell talk and hands down it is the best daggum farewell talk I have ever given, I had the biggest smile on my face the whole time. He said at one point, "Brothers and Sisters, the Lord is hastening his work, and the missionaries need our help!" Wooo weeeeee. I loved it, hahahaha. I also got to bless the sacrament for the first time, which I was really excited about. So after that we went and saw Barbra to see how she was doing. So then we saw Donte and he was cleaning out his neighbors garage so we helped with that, I taught the neighbor guy while doing it and gave him a Book of Mormon so that was cool. BUT: While doing it, I spilled some kind of oil or grease on my brown shoes and now they are ruined kind of, or stained really bad. Not that bad, but I have tried to get it out, any ideas how to get it out??? I polished one of them and it made it darker, so it is less visible now, that's all I can get. So then we taught him and we reviewed the plan of salvation and we read a bunch of the Book of Mormon with him, he said he asked if it was true and didn't get an answer, then he said, "But I think I need to get into it more and then I will truly get my answer." So that was awesome. Then we did some biking around trying to see some people and some potentials and then we biked to Sister Knights to finish off the evening." 

That's all folks! The Church is most definitely true!
Cheers, Elder Hintze

"Casual Dress! Great Band! Good Coffee! Changes Lives!" WHAT THE HECK?

Here is Elder Hintze's letter received Monday, October 7th.

"So this week..... Oh boy, probably like the best, worst week of the mission yet. Me and this week totally had a love, hate relationship, but that's okay! I'll tell you why in the days to follow!

Monday - So P-Day stuff with the 1st ward Elders, it is cool hanging out with them on the P-Days. So we go with them and we helped some lady in their area carry like every yard statue known to man and load them in her truck. Then we went and played tennis, which I talked about in the letter. But that was sweet! I haven't even lost a step.

(l to r - Elder Simmons, Elder Davidson, Elder Hintze, Elder Smith)

Driving to or from tennis. Looking good boys!

So that night we tried to see a bunch of people on the bikes, and they weren't home and then I got us lost. oops!

Tuesday - Ah Crap! Basically is what this day was! So we had our District Meeting in the morning, and I have been given the district assignment to be district activity coordinator, hahaha, so I get to pick what the districts activity is at the end of the transfer. So we went and saw Paul Kennedy. Then we were heading to Linda's when we get this text from the Sister's, "Barbra got some smokes. :(" Shortly followed by "Help!!" So we wheel over there, and they were on a trade off, and Sis Johnson, was doing the whole "I don't even care that you smoked, I love you, you changed my life." I was crying, and just told her that I loved her and that we have come to far, to give all of this up now. Then I talked about a whole lot of stuff. And so she never would agree to quit again, so I left it with, "Barbra, before you drink your coffee, and smoke your cigarette tomorrow, I want you to look at the picture of the Savior, and ask you Father in Heaven if you should smoke!" And I said, I will be seeing you tomorrow morning to talk about it. So we left, and I don't know that I have ever been more heart broken in my whole life. But after that we saw Linda and Carol Hughey. Which that was good, it was a good stress reliever to sit down and talk to them, after Barbra's. So then we went to dinner with the Davis's, love that family. Then we had ball that night, and let me tell you I BALLED. Something about a Bradley Hintze on the edge, that really tears it up. But while we were there Barbra called the sister's and said that she had been praying since we left and she said that she doesn't want to smoke ever again! So that made me really happy.

Wednesday - We volunteered at the Food Bank. The people at the food bank are starting to get interested, one lady said to me, "Look at you, look at all of you, always smiling, I don't belive it, why are you always smiling." So I smiled and laughed in response. :) So then we went to Barbra's and she did not smoke this morning, she already seemed so much happier, and so we just had a low key visit with her and sang her some hymns, and just talked about how we can help her to quit smoking. She agreed to quit.... but she wouldn't let us take the cigarettes. So there was really no point to that, every fiber of my being said, take those cigarettes, but she wouldn't let us. So I have been calling her every morning since then, because she said in the mornings, is when it is the hardest. We have been trying to get bishop involved, because it isn't our responsibility really, so we tried to talk to him this evening. We saw Vicky Rush today as well. Then we tried to track down a bunch of former investigators, we have gotten a bunch of return appointments, but none have turned out yet. So then we had correlation, and this meeting was really effective, but now the ward leaders don't come all we had was Forest and the Elders Quorum President, Dean Marturello. So then we decided with the sister's we are doing a legit fireside with the ward on missionary work, and then going to start using family history more. BY THE WAY, I NEED SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY TO LOG INTO FAMILYSEARCH.ORG, BECAUSE WE HAVE A NAME WAITING ON THERE TO GO TO THE TEMPLE. I WOULD DO IT IF I COULD! HOP TO FAMILY!

Thursday - We worked at the Food bank again. Then I figured out how to use FamilySearch for our studies. There is a bunch of cool stuff on there. I didn't get but like 7 minutes on it, and I found Grandpa Hintze in a bunch of the census's and all his family, his occupation was listed as a "washman" in one of them. Haha. Then we worked at the Red Cross here in Dothan, we just called a list of like 100 people to see if they would be willing to volunteer, because of the so called hurricane. Don't worry we haven't even gotten the slightest bit of rain here. LAME! I accidentally called two guys on the list who work there, so they came and tracked me down in the building, it was a good chuckle for all involved. Then we met with Theresa, and we talked about the 3 degrees of glory, everytime she asks about them, so we read all that we could about them. And she really likes the idea, but she won't read the Book of Mormon, and she doesn't understand that these truths come from the Book of Mormon, she invited us to go to some other church with her. So not quite sure what to do with her. People down here don't think there is a true church, it is so sad! Church down here isn't about truth or conversion, it is about tradition, and a feel good church. The church next to our apartment Harvest Church, "the great and spacious builing", this sucker is massive! But their sign says, "Casual Dress! Great Band! Good Coffee! Changes Lives!" WHAT THE HECK? I don't get it, but they have thousands there! Any whom. Then we ate dinner with the Hornsby's then we had to trade the car back with the Elders.

Friday - Tried to see some former's in the morning! Nothing! So we went to the Hospital, and we had a zone conference call there, to talk about some changes, and as a mission we are now setting zone and district goals, which I think is really cool. I always get called on in these instances, on the phone call the ZLs said, "Elder Hintze, what do you think?" And over the mission wide conference call a few weeks back President Smith just says, "Alright we will now close with prayer and Elder Hintze will say that for us." So nothing of event at the hospital. Then we went to Gloria and Zooya's, Zooya is Gloria's 12 year old daughter, we taught her the restoration lesson the first time! So, the sister's and us taught her how to ride a bike, so we talked to Linda, Zooya, and Gloria for a little bit. Then we biked to see that way promising family Felisha, and they moved.... just gone in like 3 days. But then we talked to his one guy that Elder Stubbs tried to take me too, and he answered the door holding a pistol pointing at us, and said, sorry can't be too careful, then tucked it in his belt. Then we shared the restoration with him, and then he talked about all manner of crazyiness, of him being a private contractor in Afghanistan. And then he started smoking in front of us, and this dude, smelled heavy like some marijuana. So needless to say, don't think we are going back there. Then we went and saw Barbra again. So in her prayer all she said was, "I ask for forgiveness" so that was good.

Saturday - I can't even tell you how excited I was for conference, I have never been excited in my life!!! And the sessions seemed to fly by, they seemed to last forever back home! But I won't describe everything about conference, but I loved every minute of it!!! Can't wait to get the Ensign so I can study those babies up, I loved loved President Uchtdorf's talk in the morning, about the all of religions. Then after we went and saw a former and ate lunch at Bojangles, famous chicken and biscuits. Then we went back for the evening session, loved all of that too! So after that we met with Gloria and Zooya and needless to say we have their baptismal date set for November 9th!!!!!!!! And they are all on board, it was crazy, to see how prepared the Lord has made them! Gloria said, "I want to go to the Temple." ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? So we bounced around it and said, well we have to follow commandments yada yada. And every thing inside of me was like Bradley Brent Hintze, you commit this woman to be baptized right now! So I did it! Badabing badaboom! So I am way excited! So then we went to Priesthood session and loved that too!!!!!

Sunday - I wish every weekend could be conference weekend! So watched the morning session loved it, loved it!!!! I loved President Monson's talk at the end of the morning, and then when the MoTab sang We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet, every hair on my body stood up, it was a feeling that I could never deny!!!! It is so cool that we are part of Christ's Church on the earth!! And it was so humbling to see the Prophet talk about his sweet wife, and how devastating it has been without her. So after that we ate dinner at the Hall's, love that family too. I found out that the Church of Christ was formed by Sidney Rigdon, what????? That is what Gloria has been going too. Crazy! Then we went to the afternoon session, and I fell a sleep a little bit, but I stayed strong through most of it, and loved it! IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I'VE LEARNED FROM MY MISSION IT IS THAT I AM GOING TO BE EXHAUSTED FOR 2 WHOLE YEARS. So then we met with Barbra, and she is out of cigarettes, so she is quitting again, that's why all of us are fasting. So we just read the Book of Mormon with her, and helped her feel the Spirit. I took her plate in the kitchen and washed it for her.  Then we did weekly planning.

I have been thinking a lot about why I got called to the mission that I did, and I think I am starting to figure it out maybe.. My Partriachal Blessing is just all about callings that I will hold in the church, and talking with the Halls, they were asking me what is one thing I wish that every member of the church knew. But I just feel like I am preparing myself for the rest of my life of service in the church, because I have learned a lot, a lot about how it should all work, I don't know, something I'm still working on in my head! Thinking about the Family a lot this week!!!! Missing and loving you, beyond comprehension!!!!!"