Written by Elder Jacob Avery, serving in the Peru Lima West Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Spanish.
(Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information.)
Probably the most annoying thing about Peru is the lack of seasons. It's pretty must the same weather all year long. In Lima it rains from May to October. They call that winter. It's sunny from November to April. They call that summer. I really only broke a sweat during the hottest 4 weeks of the year, and the rest of the year is pretty mild. I use a thin sweater or jacket at night if it gets cold. It's so mild that it makes me miss the psycho Utah weather spasms. You might ask why I'm talking so much about a small topic conversation, but here in Peru, weather is a pretty interesting conversation.
This week we got to visit a city called Barranca, where we met with Elder Waddell from the Seventy. He did an excellent training where he focused on obedience and preparing people for baptism. He explained to us that when we're breaking mission rules, we're breaking a covenant we made with God (ouch!). He also told us how important it is to teach with the Spirit and to help the investigators become converted before baptism, so they don't go less active the week after their baptism. I've always been pretty good about helping them prepare for their baptisms, but now that I'm really good, nobody wants to get baptized. We'll ask them why they don't want to get baptized then they'll tell us one of two things:
1. I'm not ready
2. I'm already baptized
''I'm not ready,'' basically means, ''I want to keep doing things I'm not supposed to do.''
''I'm already baptized,'' means we did a cruddy job at teaching them and need to go over everything again.
At least we're seeing progress everywhere we go. I'm still shocked that in a tiny town in a remote province of Peru there are 2000 members of the Church. That, in itself, is a miracle. So I should be a little less whiny in my prayers. We see miracles everyday, and we're continually guided by the Lord wherever we go.
We found a family to teach this week. It's a family that my companion had visited before I ever got to the area. They were never able to connect with the dad of the family. I felt really impressed one day to schedule them in as a back up plan during our planning meeting, and the next day our appointment fell through. So, we went over there! The husband was there, and even though he talked about polygamy (second time I've heard that in Peru) and tons of other things of no spiritual importance, we, or rather the Spirit that was within us, hammered that lesson. He and his wife both offered a prayer and committed to read the Book of Mormon and be baptized, if God tells them it's true. Awesome!
After seeing my family yesterday, I'm just so thankful for them and that we're so blessed by the gospel. I can't believe how insignificant everything else seems when I compare it to my family and their well-being. We get so caught up in all the stuff from the world, but really all of us have four roles that are more important than anything else.
The first is our relationship as a son or daughter of God. Second is in our family; I'm a son, brother, and future husband and father. Third is our calling; I'm a full-time missionary. Fourth is whatever else is left; student, ex-McDonald's worker, ex,ex,ex-boyfriend, etc. When we really focus our lives on what's most important, we feel happier, more purpose, and peaceful. It's the truth.
Thanks everyone for being awesome and for being great to me :) Have a great week!
Elder Jake Avery
Disappointment is Part of the Journey (May 5, 2014)
Has it Been a Week or a YEAR?! (May 19, 2014)
Monday, May 12, 2014
HALF WAY - Sister Hannah Avery
Written by Sister Hannah Avery, serving in the Chile Vina del Mar Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Spanish.
(Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information.)
Hola familia y amigos!
WOW! What a CRAZY week this week! First off, we had interviews with the mission president this week and just talked about how things are in the area, the mission, etc. He is AWESOME! He always gives us so much great advice and support, and really makes me feel like being a missionary doesn't have to be boring or hard.... it's FUN! :)
We also had our Leaders meeting on Friday in Viña del Mar. We got a phone call from the Assistants to the President (APs) really early in the morning, and they said that Hermana Page and Hermana Mori were going to come stay at our house until the meeting at 9 a.m. So I got to see two of my old companions! So fun! It's so crazy how fast time goes by... wow! The meeting was great, and we learned a lot about how to invite people to make and keep commitments. I am hoping that the things we learned will help, because we are struggling with people keeping commitments here!
Next piece of news.... I have LESS than 9 months left in the mission! I hit the halfway mark this Saturday. Oh my goodness! Is time flying, or is it flying?! Seriously. I cant believe it! I feel like there is sooo much to do in so little time! AH! Hermana Giron helped me take my "9 month" photo. It was a fun day :)
We also talked to our sweet mamas and family over Skype yesterday! It was SOOO wonderful! I love and miss them so much, but know the mission is where I am needed right now. It was SO fun to see them and talk to them! I felt close to them even thought we are super far away. And, I got to talk to Jakey in Peru for a bit too! YAY! He is doing great as well, don't worry! :)
We taught the Primary class in church yesterday too, and they sang in a video for my mom :) There are only about six kids in Primary! haha! But they are so cute :)
Well guys, have a great week and I will talk to you all next week! Love you!
xoxoxoxoox Hermana Avery
To answer your question, yes, our electricity is back on, but there is no such thing as heating or air conditioning in Chile. At least we have lights and can take warm showers again :)
Dark and Cold (May 5, 2014)
From the Other Side of the Planet.... (May 19, 2014)
(Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information.)
Hola familia y amigos!
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| No! I'm NOT pregnant, haha! This is my NINE MONTHS photo. It's something Sister missionaries do to show we are half way through our missions! |
WOW! What a CRAZY week this week! First off, we had interviews with the mission president this week and just talked about how things are in the area, the mission, etc. He is AWESOME! He always gives us so much great advice and support, and really makes me feel like being a missionary doesn't have to be boring or hard.... it's FUN! :)
We also had our Leaders meeting on Friday in Viña del Mar. We got a phone call from the Assistants to the President (APs) really early in the morning, and they said that Hermana Page and Hermana Mori were going to come stay at our house until the meeting at 9 a.m. So I got to see two of my old companions! So fun! It's so crazy how fast time goes by... wow! The meeting was great, and we learned a lot about how to invite people to make and keep commitments. I am hoping that the things we learned will help, because we are struggling with people keeping commitments here!
Next piece of news.... I have LESS than 9 months left in the mission! I hit the halfway mark this Saturday. Oh my goodness! Is time flying, or is it flying?! Seriously. I cant believe it! I feel like there is sooo much to do in so little time! AH! Hermana Giron helped me take my "9 month" photo. It was a fun day :)
We also talked to our sweet mamas and family over Skype yesterday! It was SOOO wonderful! I love and miss them so much, but know the mission is where I am needed right now. It was SO fun to see them and talk to them! I felt close to them even thought we are super far away. And, I got to talk to Jakey in Peru for a bit too! YAY! He is doing great as well, don't worry! :)
We taught the Primary class in church yesterday too, and they sang in a video for my mom :) There are only about six kids in Primary! haha! But they are so cute :)
Well guys, have a great week and I will talk to you all next week! Love you!
xoxoxoxoox Hermana Avery
To answer your question, yes, our electricity is back on, but there is no such thing as heating or air conditioning in Chile. At least we have lights and can take warm showers again :)
Dark and Cold (May 5, 2014)
From the Other Side of the Planet.... (May 19, 2014)
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| Hermans Giron and Avery with President Kahnlein Chile Vina del Mar Mission |
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| An awesome family in our local congregation |
Happy Mother's Day from Denmark - Elder Kolby Madsen
Written by Elder Kolby Madsen, serving in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Danish.
(Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information. Clicking on photos will enlarge them. Some names are omitted for privacy.)
Hey Mor,
Thanks for yesterday. It was nice to talk and see you all. I hope you had a great Mother’s Day. Seems like you are all doing great. Maren is graduating here soon, which is really crazy. How are the others doing? Everyone doing? Well?
This week was kind of like the past couple. We had about four appointments cancel on us, and it's usually no big deal. It happens. It's just that we only had six planned. But we were very blessed to get those two lessons, and they went well.
We had some time this week doing service, which I always love! We got to help someone move, and then we volunteered to help clean up an area owned by the city. It was some great publicity for the church. We had fun doing it as well, and that’s all that matters.
We also had a zone activity, and had a ton of fun with everyone. So that was great. We went out to talk to L**. I don’t remember if I told you about her, but she is a lady whose stepdad took her name off the records of the church when she was young. So now she wants get baptized again, which is great. I am excited. It's going to be in the next couple weeks. She is so great. She started smoking, so we just have to wait until she gets the green light from Salt Lake. And she needs a crane because she is about 160 kg and is missing a leg. She can’t walk, but she is ready to get baptized and receive those covenants back from her Heavenly Father.
We also had a really great experience in church yesterday. The lady we helped move had been less active until recently. Yesterday she surprised us and came for the fourth week in a row, which makes her "reactivated." She is a very nice lady with a fun little guy for a son. Anyway that was a tender mercy in itself.
I felt so blessed to have the technology we have, so that I could see your faces and hear your voices. The technology we have is such a blessing in these days. I was very grateful to hear from you all. It really gives me strength to keep going, and I am glad that you are all doing great.
Well, I didn’t get caught in the door or stuck in an elevator this week, so maybe next week. I love you all. Have a great week. Work hard and have fun. Remember to be thankful for the blessing we receive daily.
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældse Madsen
We Are a Team (May 5, 2014)
MTC Group Reunion (May 19, 2014)
(Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information. Clicking on photos will enlarge them. Some names are omitted for privacy.)
Hey Mor,
Thanks for yesterday. It was nice to talk and see you all. I hope you had a great Mother’s Day. Seems like you are all doing great. Maren is graduating here soon, which is really crazy. How are the others doing? Everyone doing? Well?
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| The Rapseed plants are beautiful this time of year, and they are everywhere! I stained my pants going in there. Hope it was worth it! |
We had some time this week doing service, which I always love! We got to help someone move, and then we volunteered to help clean up an area owned by the city. It was some great publicity for the church. We had fun doing it as well, and that’s all that matters.
We also had a zone activity, and had a ton of fun with everyone. So that was great. We went out to talk to L**. I don’t remember if I told you about her, but she is a lady whose stepdad took her name off the records of the church when she was young. So now she wants get baptized again, which is great. I am excited. It's going to be in the next couple weeks. She is so great. She started smoking, so we just have to wait until she gets the green light from Salt Lake. And she needs a crane because she is about 160 kg and is missing a leg. She can’t walk, but she is ready to get baptized and receive those covenants back from her Heavenly Father.
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| This is supposedly the biggest ice cream in Denmark, but it's nowhere close to the one I had in Copenhagen. |
I felt so blessed to have the technology we have, so that I could see your faces and hear your voices. The technology we have is such a blessing in these days. I was very grateful to hear from you all. It really gives me strength to keep going, and I am glad that you are all doing great.
Well, I didn’t get caught in the door or stuck in an elevator this week, so maybe next week. I love you all. Have a great week. Work hard and have fun. Remember to be thankful for the blessing we receive daily.
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældse Madsen
We Are a Team (May 5, 2014)
MTC Group Reunion (May 19, 2014)
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| These are the only guns I've seen in Denmark, and I'm pretty sure they are older than America. |
Monday, May 5, 2014
Cinco de Mayo Where it Began! - Elder Brian Burgess
Written by Elder Brian Burgess, serving in the Mexico Puebla North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Spanish.
Okay, so Tuesday were changes. I am still with my companion, Elder Garrido, in the same ward, but Elder Match (Dallas Texas) and Elder Santizo (Guatamala) are now in my district and ward. So it is nice to have two new Elders to work with.
We spent this week helping Elders Match and Santizo get familiar with their areas. I got sick AGAIN....called the doctor, and she said I have gastritis. I had some extreme abdominal pain, and then I bought some medicine and I have been feeling better. I have been sick a lot on my mission.
Today we had interviews with President Christensen. So, we went to the stake center for those, about an hour away from our area. The zone leaders actually didn't tell me until last night that we had interviews, so today we got up and went to a "Cinco de Mayo" parade. "Cinco de Mayo" took place, well the battle, here in Puebla. So of all of the states in Mexico, this state goes the craziest and has the craziest traditions. We are talking, people in parades dressed all crazy (pictures to come) and firing off guns with gun powder. VERY dangerous. But little kids are just running down the street shooting off gun powder guns (without the bullet) at each other....still very crazy and illegal in the U.S. Homemade guns, beer, little kids, dancing and shooting... WOOO! MAY 5TH!!
Changes and Another Trip to the Hospital (April 28, 2014)
Breaking In (May 12, 2014)
Okay, so Tuesday were changes. I am still with my companion, Elder Garrido, in the same ward, but Elder Match (Dallas Texas) and Elder Santizo (Guatamala) are now in my district and ward. So it is nice to have two new Elders to work with.
Today we had interviews with President Christensen. So, we went to the stake center for those, about an hour away from our area. The zone leaders actually didn't tell me until last night that we had interviews, so today we got up and went to a "Cinco de Mayo" parade. "Cinco de Mayo" took place, well the battle, here in Puebla. So of all of the states in Mexico, this state goes the craziest and has the craziest traditions. We are talking, people in parades dressed all crazy (pictures to come) and firing off guns with gun powder. VERY dangerous. But little kids are just running down the street shooting off gun powder guns (without the bullet) at each other....still very crazy and illegal in the U.S. Homemade guns, beer, little kids, dancing and shooting... WOOO! MAY 5TH!!
Changes and Another Trip to the Hospital (April 28, 2014)
Breaking In (May 12, 2014)
Dark and Cold - Sister Hannah Avery
Written by Sister Hannah Avery, serving in the Chile Vina del Mar Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Spanish.
(Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information. Clicking on photos will enlarge them.)
Hey family and friends!!
Wow! We have had a crazy, crazy week this week. I think we have done more walking and more work than I have my whole mission! We found a whopping TWELVE new investigators this week, and we think that at least five of them will progress quickly and be baptized! WOOHOO! We are working our little tails off here.
After all our hard work this week, our condo complex decided to give us a nice present and cut off our gas and electricity. Apparently the owner of our condo (not the mission, but the actual people we rent the condo from) hasn't been paying, or something like that. So..... yep, we have been using candles, studying in the hallway outside the condo, etc. because we are IN THE DARK! haha!
But, the good news is, we have the strongest light that there is, and that is the light of Jesus Christ! We are still going strong here, don't worry! haha! And, to top it all off, we have been waking up ONE HOUR EARLY everyday this week to run outside. By the end of the run, we are SO hot from running that the ARCTIC COLD shower isn't so painful, LOL! We are making things work out where we can :) But, yes, it has been an adventure without light and warm water.... not my favorite!
This week coming up should be a really crazy one! We have our quarterly interviews with the mission president this Wednesday, and that is always fun :) He is awesome, and always gives great advice and excitement for the work too! We also have our leadership meeting this Friday in Viña del Mar again, which means that I will be getting some letters from you guys this week! WOOHOO!
Well, have a fabulous Cinco de Mayo today, and I will talk to you guys in 6 days with SKYPE! Happy Mothers Day! And happy birthday to my Daddy tomorrow! You are the best Dad on the PLANET! Talk to you all soon!
xoxoxoxo Hermana Avery
New Companion for Sister Avery (April 28, 2014)
HALF WAY (May 12, 2014)
(Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information. Clicking on photos will enlarge them.)
Hey family and friends!!
Wow! We have had a crazy, crazy week this week. I think we have done more walking and more work than I have my whole mission! We found a whopping TWELVE new investigators this week, and we think that at least five of them will progress quickly and be baptized! WOOHOO! We are working our little tails off here.
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| Studying in the hallway lights |
But, the good news is, we have the strongest light that there is, and that is the light of Jesus Christ! We are still going strong here, don't worry! haha! And, to top it all off, we have been waking up ONE HOUR EARLY everyday this week to run outside. By the end of the run, we are SO hot from running that the ARCTIC COLD shower isn't so painful, LOL! We are making things work out where we can :) But, yes, it has been an adventure without light and warm water.... not my favorite!
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| Who needs electricity when we have Papa John's? |
This week coming up should be a really crazy one! We have our quarterly interviews with the mission president this Wednesday, and that is always fun :) He is awesome, and always gives great advice and excitement for the work too! We also have our leadership meeting this Friday in Viña del Mar again, which means that I will be getting some letters from you guys this week! WOOHOO!
Well, have a fabulous Cinco de Mayo today, and I will talk to you guys in 6 days with SKYPE! Happy Mothers Day! And happy birthday to my Daddy tomorrow! You are the best Dad on the PLANET! Talk to you all soon!
xoxoxoxo Hermana Avery
New Companion for Sister Avery (April 28, 2014)
HALF WAY (May 12, 2014)
Disappointment is Part of the Journey - Elder Jake Avery
Written by Elder Jacob Avery, serving in the Peru Lima West Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Spanish.
(Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information. Clicking on photos will enlarge them.)
Well, it's good to hear that after 13 years of knowing the guy, you're finally giving him a Book of Mormon. My mission president would have transferred you by now! Nah, that's actually really cool. That's why members are sooooo important in preaching the gospel. The members are ''real people'' who don't get transferred every 6 weeks. Your friend would do so well in the Church. It would help him and his kid a ton.
I got bummed out because our baptisms didn't happen. The 24 year old sister went to her interview and told Elder Garner that she just doesn't want to be baptized yet. He read the requirements in the Book of Mormon, explained to her that she is ready according to the word of God, and that the only way to finish her repentance is by getting baptized. She still didn't accept the invitation, even though she has a testimony and everything. Her 18 year old sister didn't even want to go to her interview.... They're having a tough time because their whole family is Catholic, and they don't like us. Her brother told us on Saturday, the day after their interviews, that he wanted this to be the last time we go over or to just leave now. Our Ward Mission Leader asked him, " Where do you want us to go?'' He responded, ''I don't know. Just anywhere but here.''
So, we didn't make a good impression with the family. There's one brother who has asked us to come over, like 5 times, but every time we visit him he's getting drunk with his friends.
We were really crushed from that though. We have the eyes of the whole zone and mission president on our area because they know it's a hard area, then something like that happens. I'm ready to go out and find some other people to teach.
By the end of this transfer, we'll have multiple baptisms, I'm sure of it. I have faith. God is preparing His children to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. I just need to find those children.
Have a great week, Dad. Thanks for helping me out. I'm so glad that I can be a missionary, and it's really thanks to you and Mom and your help. I think about all the people, in all of history, who would have died to have the opportunity to be a missionary in the Lord's true church. And I have that opportunity right now. Thank you so much! I'll see you this Sunday :) I'll call you at about 3 or 3:30. My mission president doesn't want me to call for more that 30 minutes, and doesn't want me to call my girlfriend (because that was going to be such a huge issue, haha!).
Oh, Mom, I was thinking. You should read Preach My Gospel with Josh and Jared. Or at least Chapter 3. Elder Ballard gave a neat talk about that in Conference and I think it would be really cool for you to look at again.
I love you so much. I can't wait to see you this week! Have fun.
Stuff Keeps Happening (April 28, 2014)
All of Us Have Four Roles (May 12, 2014)
(Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information. Clicking on photos will enlarge them.)
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| Elders Aldana and Avery in Yungay, Peru |
I got bummed out because our baptisms didn't happen. The 24 year old sister went to her interview and told Elder Garner that she just doesn't want to be baptized yet. He read the requirements in the Book of Mormon, explained to her that she is ready according to the word of God, and that the only way to finish her repentance is by getting baptized. She still didn't accept the invitation, even though she has a testimony and everything. Her 18 year old sister didn't even want to go to her interview.... They're having a tough time because their whole family is Catholic, and they don't like us. Her brother told us on Saturday, the day after their interviews, that he wanted this to be the last time we go over or to just leave now. Our Ward Mission Leader asked him, " Where do you want us to go?'' He responded, ''I don't know. Just anywhere but here.''
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| The Morning breaks, the shadows flee... |
So, we didn't make a good impression with the family. There's one brother who has asked us to come over, like 5 times, but every time we visit him he's getting drunk with his friends.
We were really crushed from that though. We have the eyes of the whole zone and mission president on our area because they know it's a hard area, then something like that happens. I'm ready to go out and find some other people to teach.
By the end of this transfer, we'll have multiple baptisms, I'm sure of it. I have faith. God is preparing His children to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. I just need to find those children.
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| Our stake president - great guy! |
Oh, Mom, I was thinking. You should read Preach My Gospel with Josh and Jared. Or at least Chapter 3. Elder Ballard gave a neat talk about that in Conference and I think it would be really cool for you to look at again.
I love you so much. I can't wait to see you this week! Have fun.
Stuff Keeps Happening (April 28, 2014)
All of Us Have Four Roles (May 12, 2014)
I FEEL GOOD! - Elder Dallin Remund
Written by Elder Dallin Remund, serving in the Virginia Chesapeake Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Spanish.
Hey y'all!
Good morning from Yorktown, VA! I hope all is well in whatever corner of the world you're in.
I had a pretty exciting week. Elder Bradshaw got transferred down to Goldsboro, and my new companion, Elder Barber came all the way from Smithfield, North Carolina. We have the same amount of time in the mission, and we are getting along really well. Once again, the Lord has blessed me with a great companion!
I got to conduct my first district meeting. I felt a bit frazzled at first, trying to tie everything together. Sometimes I wonder if I can fulfill all my responsibilities as a missionary, and I realize a lot of it depends on your faith and humility to keep changing and improving. How grateful I am that we preach, and get to live, a gospel of repentance!!
As I stated in the email subject, Elder Bednar came to visit the Richmond and Chesapeake missions on Saturday. We had a big open discussion on several gospel topics, and then a question/answer session. He is so down to earth, and he has a fire burning in him, too. Elder Robbins, from the Presidency of the Seventy, and Bishop Davies, from the Presiding Bishopric were there as well. When Bishop Davies got up to speak, he referenced his feelings to one of his favorite oldies songs: "I FEEL GOOD!" We busted up laughing. It was a great meeting.
He visited our stake on Sunday. We actually had a non-member husband of a less-active member come who we invited to that meeting with Elder Bednar, which was exciting! Elder Bednar brushed over quite a few topics, but one of the most powerful teachings was when he taught and testified to non-members at the stake meeting of the Restoration of the gospel and the priesthood keys. The Spirit was so strong in that room, and I knew without a doubt that Elder Bednar is an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. What a powerful experience that was. I will never forget it.
I look forward to hearing from you all. Sounds like summer is just around the corner. I hope y'all stay safe, and that you stay active in church and you remember the Lord, even in the busy times. Keep the faith!
Con mi amor,
Elder Remund
Oh, There's Sunshine (April 28, 2014)
That Missile is Not Messing Around (May 19, 2014)
Hey y'all!
Good morning from Yorktown, VA! I hope all is well in whatever corner of the world you're in.
I had a pretty exciting week. Elder Bradshaw got transferred down to Goldsboro, and my new companion, Elder Barber came all the way from Smithfield, North Carolina. We have the same amount of time in the mission, and we are getting along really well. Once again, the Lord has blessed me with a great companion!
I got to conduct my first district meeting. I felt a bit frazzled at first, trying to tie everything together. Sometimes I wonder if I can fulfill all my responsibilities as a missionary, and I realize a lot of it depends on your faith and humility to keep changing and improving. How grateful I am that we preach, and get to live, a gospel of repentance!!
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| Elder Remund and Elder Barber |
He visited our stake on Sunday. We actually had a non-member husband of a less-active member come who we invited to that meeting with Elder Bednar, which was exciting! Elder Bednar brushed over quite a few topics, but one of the most powerful teachings was when he taught and testified to non-members at the stake meeting of the Restoration of the gospel and the priesthood keys. The Spirit was so strong in that room, and I knew without a doubt that Elder Bednar is an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. What a powerful experience that was. I will never forget it.
I look forward to hearing from you all. Sounds like summer is just around the corner. I hope y'all stay safe, and that you stay active in church and you remember the Lord, even in the busy times. Keep the faith!
Con mi amor,
Elder Remund
Oh, There's Sunshine (April 28, 2014)
That Missile is Not Messing Around (May 19, 2014)
We are a Team - Elder Kolby Madsen
Written by Elder Kolby Madsen, serving in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Danish.
Mor,
It's been a great week. We decided to just do an English fast, so no English this week. We did speak some, but for the most part just Danish. Elder Brindley’s Danish got a ton better and he can understand it better as well. I’m glad that he was able to learn more from it. I have decided to just speak Danish all the time anyway. I know it's the best way to learn the language, and it shows. Just wait til you hear the accent of Hannah and Jake. They both won't sound normal, and they are both fluent, so that’s good. That’s just a goal of mine.
Good stuff this week. We met with a couple of less active members and had a great appointment with them. One of them shares our last name, but we are not related. The other one is one that has been out of the church for a while, but she wants to continue to visit. We are excited for that.
We were able to meet with Erik this week. He told us that he likes to travel, so he can’t commit to being baptized because he knows that he won’t be able to come to church. Then he said that maybe in the next five years that will change. So, that was a bummer....the most positive friend, and he just was not that positive.
But the Lord has blessed us this week with Jakob and John. Jakob was really busy so we could not meet with him last week, but we got a call from a member who lives in Esbjerg (very west side of Jylland). He gave us a referral to visit it grenå, which is an area about one hour east from where we live. We met with him, and he's probably the most prepared person that I have ever met. He is very nice and just wants to learn more.
The story with him is that he was dating this lady who referred him when she was less active in the church, and they had a child together. Then she said that she wanted to go back to church, so he started to learn more. When it came down to it, she just called off the relationship and he moved across the land to where we met with him. The first thing he did when we got inside the apartment was hand us a paper that said, "Don’t talk about baptism. I have to stop smoking and drinking kaffe first." He had written this down so we would not forget :)
As we started to talk to him about the simple truths of the first lesson, it just seemed like we had to talk about others things too. So, I asked him about his smoking. Usually the Word of Wisdom is frowned upon when teaching the first lesson især i danmark. Because everyone has some problem with smoking, drinking alcohol or kaffe, it's bad any way. He just opened up to us and told us that he really wanted to stop, that he had received a blessing for it, but it didn’t do anything. Then we talked about his relationship with God. He said, "I don't pray, and am not very good at reading." He is dyslexic. So we talked about prayer and how the Lord wants to hear from us, and the way we communicate with him is through prayer. So we committed him to pray....to kneel and really show his willingness to quit smoking. That was a great thing. We felt really good about the appointment afterward.
The problem with Randers is that there are a ton of people that want to meet, but they don’t want to meet weekly. It's very frustrating, but it’s all good. It's the Lord's work, not ours. So we are constantly trying to talk to people and trying to meet with people.
Yesterday I had a great experience in church, just thinking about the blessings I have received in my life and især på missionen (especially on my mission). It was very humbling and fun to think, især (especially ) about John. He was a referral from a member of the church in a different city in the region. I really got to thinking about how important member missionary work is, and what members have to offer. After thinking about it for a bit, I realized that everything turns out for the better with people we teach when a member is involved. Then I started to think about how I was as a member missionary back home....only to find myself very disappointed in my efforts. I know that member missionary work is the best and most effective tool in this gospel. Every member is a missionary.
There have been a couple of people ranting about how there are 48% more missionaries and only a 4% increase in baptisms. The first thing I say to them is, "Well yeah, there are more missionaries, and the numbers will be higher. But have you helped the missionaries?" I feel like a ton of people think, "There are 80,000 missionaries now. THEY can just take over the work." No, no, no! That just means that there needs to be more members helping with the work. We are a team. It's Zion!
Anyway, rant over. Sorry, I just get involved. Do your visiting teaching. Do your home teaching. Be a diciplæe of Christ and follow Him. I love you. Have a great week, and thank you. I will talk to you next week.
Thank you for everything, and don’t worry. I am healing up nicely ;)
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
ÆLdste Madsen
I Got Stuck.... (April 28, 2014)
Happy Mother's Day from Denmark (May 12, 2014)
Mor,
It's been a great week. We decided to just do an English fast, so no English this week. We did speak some, but for the most part just Danish. Elder Brindley’s Danish got a ton better and he can understand it better as well. I’m glad that he was able to learn more from it. I have decided to just speak Danish all the time anyway. I know it's the best way to learn the language, and it shows. Just wait til you hear the accent of Hannah and Jake. They both won't sound normal, and they are both fluent, so that’s good. That’s just a goal of mine.
Good stuff this week. We met with a couple of less active members and had a great appointment with them. One of them shares our last name, but we are not related. The other one is one that has been out of the church for a while, but she wants to continue to visit. We are excited for that.
We were able to meet with Erik this week. He told us that he likes to travel, so he can’t commit to being baptized because he knows that he won’t be able to come to church. Then he said that maybe in the next five years that will change. So, that was a bummer....the most positive friend, and he just was not that positive.
But the Lord has blessed us this week with Jakob and John. Jakob was really busy so we could not meet with him last week, but we got a call from a member who lives in Esbjerg (very west side of Jylland). He gave us a referral to visit it grenå, which is an area about one hour east from where we live. We met with him, and he's probably the most prepared person that I have ever met. He is very nice and just wants to learn more.
The story with him is that he was dating this lady who referred him when she was less active in the church, and they had a child together. Then she said that she wanted to go back to church, so he started to learn more. When it came down to it, she just called off the relationship and he moved across the land to where we met with him. The first thing he did when we got inside the apartment was hand us a paper that said, "Don’t talk about baptism. I have to stop smoking and drinking kaffe first." He had written this down so we would not forget :)
As we started to talk to him about the simple truths of the first lesson, it just seemed like we had to talk about others things too. So, I asked him about his smoking. Usually the Word of Wisdom is frowned upon when teaching the first lesson især i danmark. Because everyone has some problem with smoking, drinking alcohol or kaffe, it's bad any way. He just opened up to us and told us that he really wanted to stop, that he had received a blessing for it, but it didn’t do anything. Then we talked about his relationship with God. He said, "I don't pray, and am not very good at reading." He is dyslexic. So we talked about prayer and how the Lord wants to hear from us, and the way we communicate with him is through prayer. So we committed him to pray....to kneel and really show his willingness to quit smoking. That was a great thing. We felt really good about the appointment afterward.
The problem with Randers is that there are a ton of people that want to meet, but they don’t want to meet weekly. It's very frustrating, but it’s all good. It's the Lord's work, not ours. So we are constantly trying to talk to people and trying to meet with people.
Yesterday I had a great experience in church, just thinking about the blessings I have received in my life and især på missionen (especially on my mission). It was very humbling and fun to think, især (especially ) about John. He was a referral from a member of the church in a different city in the region. I really got to thinking about how important member missionary work is, and what members have to offer. After thinking about it for a bit, I realized that everything turns out for the better with people we teach when a member is involved. Then I started to think about how I was as a member missionary back home....only to find myself very disappointed in my efforts. I know that member missionary work is the best and most effective tool in this gospel. Every member is a missionary.
There have been a couple of people ranting about how there are 48% more missionaries and only a 4% increase in baptisms. The first thing I say to them is, "Well yeah, there are more missionaries, and the numbers will be higher. But have you helped the missionaries?" I feel like a ton of people think, "There are 80,000 missionaries now. THEY can just take over the work." No, no, no! That just means that there needs to be more members helping with the work. We are a team. It's Zion!
Anyway, rant over. Sorry, I just get involved. Do your visiting teaching. Do your home teaching. Be a diciplæe of Christ and follow Him. I love you. Have a great week, and thank you. I will talk to you next week.
Thank you for everything, and don’t worry. I am healing up nicely ;)
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
ÆLdste Madsen
I Got Stuck.... (April 28, 2014)
Happy Mother's Day from Denmark (May 12, 2014)
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