Dearest Mummzypoo,
First off, sorry I forgot to tell you last week, but I'm emailing today because I'm going to the temple and it's not open on Monday, so we have to have P-day today instead of yesterday. Sorry I didn't tell you last week; I hope you didn't think I was dead.
Along with that it's crazy that Jacob's getting married. That's today right? That means I'll be in the temple on the same day as y'all's!
Also, my week was pretty good. Had some nice lessons with some members and some investigators and what not. I think the real story of the week though was being "quick to observe." I started thinking about this at District Meeting when one of the sisters, Sister Riser, gave a Thema about the gift if discernment. It reminded me of a talk by Elder Bednar, wherein he says that a prerequisite to the gift of discernment is the gift of being quick to observe. That in turn led me to thinking about a event from a little earlier in the week.
Elder Blanchard and I were visiting the Baake brothers towards the end of the day and after giving them a short spiritual thought we left, but there was still a little bit of time in the day, so we decided to go by a nearby less active. Turns out the building he's supposed to live in doesn't exist anymore, so then we went home. About three stops before we normally get off the Straßenbahn Elder Blanchard turned to me and told me he felt like we needed to get off. So we did. At this point it was a little past nine, so we were having to walk rather briskly though the streets in order to not be home late, but I made sure to say at people and pay attention to whether or not I felt like I should talk to them. Well, Elder Blanchard ended up stopping a man, and giving him a copy of The Book of Mormon. Now I don't know if that's exactly why we were out there then, but I do know that there was a reason, and that by following that prompting, something good came out of that.
Love you more!!!
Elder Cloward
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Monday, July 13, 2015
Germany Week 56
Dear Mum,
Sounds like some fun stuff there. So many people I haven't seen in forever. Crazy crazy. And Joseph's back too, gel? Fun, fun.
We had a lot going on with this week. As you apparently saw, the ward had a nice Sommerfest on Saturday. That was a lot of fun. Got to interact with the members in a very different way than normal and got to meet some other people too.
We also had a great Zone Training the other day. We talked all about the Restoration and just how important it is. What's more, we then watched Joseph Smith- The Prophet of the Restoration. That movie is so awesome. It's a fairly simple topic, but it's always good to think more about it because it really is so important. Without it this church wouldn't exist at all, and it really is our message to the world. I know it's true and that's why I'm here.
Love you more!!!
Isaac
Sounds like some fun stuff there. So many people I haven't seen in forever. Crazy crazy. And Joseph's back too, gel? Fun, fun.
We had a lot going on with this week. As you apparently saw, the ward had a nice Sommerfest on Saturday. That was a lot of fun. Got to interact with the members in a very different way than normal and got to meet some other people too.
We also had a great Zone Training the other day. We talked all about the Restoration and just how important it is. What's more, we then watched Joseph Smith- The Prophet of the Restoration. That movie is so awesome. It's a fairly simple topic, but it's always good to think more about it because it really is so important. Without it this church wouldn't exist at all, and it really is our message to the world. I know it's true and that's why I'm here.
Love you more!!!
Isaac
Monday, July 6, 2015
Germany Week 55
Dear Mummzy,
Crazy stuff. I don't know if I could say that I'm feeling comfortable here in Mainz, but that's mostly just because it's been about 40 Grad this whole week and no one has Air Conditioning (except for the GML, who's American). But anyway, beside losing probably twenty pounds just in Water weight Mainz is awesome. We've got a lot going on, and the members are all great. I have met the ehemalige Elder Baake, but I haven't really had the chance to talk to him yet.
Also, like I said we've had a lot to do this last bit and it's been way fun. There's this one guy we're teaching that is always interesting. He likes to talk a lot and he's had a very interesting life and therefore has a lot of great insights, but what's best is when he stops talking. Not because I'd rather he didn't talk, but because it's always because he feels the Spirit. There have been a few learning points I guess you could say because of that. You see, when he stops talking, it sometimes creates some sort of awkward pauses, but it's always better to let him think and start talking again than to interrupt his feeling the Spirit.
Well, we also had an awesome Independence Day celebration at the Fugal's (the GML and his family). Wasn't quite as much of a party as it sounds like yours was, but at least we had air conditioning right?
You're great!
Love you more!!!
Isaac
Crazy stuff. I don't know if I could say that I'm feeling comfortable here in Mainz, but that's mostly just because it's been about 40 Grad this whole week and no one has Air Conditioning (except for the GML, who's American). But anyway, beside losing probably twenty pounds just in Water weight Mainz is awesome. We've got a lot going on, and the members are all great. I have met the ehemalige Elder Baake, but I haven't really had the chance to talk to him yet.
Also, like I said we've had a lot to do this last bit and it's been way fun. There's this one guy we're teaching that is always interesting. He likes to talk a lot and he's had a very interesting life and therefore has a lot of great insights, but what's best is when he stops talking. Not because I'd rather he didn't talk, but because it's always because he feels the Spirit. There have been a few learning points I guess you could say because of that. You see, when he stops talking, it sometimes creates some sort of awkward pauses, but it's always better to let him think and start talking again than to interrupt his feeling the Spirit.
Well, we also had an awesome Independence Day celebration at the Fugal's (the GML and his family). Wasn't quite as much of a party as it sounds like yours was, but at least we had air conditioning right?
You're great!
Love you more!!!
Isaac
Monday, June 29, 2015
Germany Week 54
Dear Mum,
Well, it sounds like you had a pretty exciting week. So much to do and it all sounds fun. What's more Joseph's back! Weird. What's weirder is that Sam is leaving. Don't know if I can handle that one. Also weird that people actually read that mission blog thing. Apparently Elder Bednar reads blogs too, so maybe he read mine too...
Well probably the most noteworthy thing of my week was the move to Mainz. Elder Bean did not go home, but is in fact going home at the end of this transfer. My new companion, Elder Blanchard is actually younger than me on the mission, which is weird for me. I'm actually his second companion so it's way different than all of my other experiences. Should be interesting.
My new address is:
Boppstraße 36
55118 Mainz
So my First day in Mainz we got a Text from one of the members here telling me that we needed to meet because apparently Elder Blanchard told everyone that I was coming. Well then I asked what this member's last name was and it was Baake. Turns out the ehemalige Elder Baake (one of Jacob's former companions) lives here. Crazy crazy.
Well, this place is hip happenin and you're great! Have a fantabulous week!
Love you more!
Isaac
Well, it sounds like you had a pretty exciting week. So much to do and it all sounds fun. What's more Joseph's back! Weird. What's weirder is that Sam is leaving. Don't know if I can handle that one. Also weird that people actually read that mission blog thing. Apparently Elder Bednar reads blogs too, so maybe he read mine too...
Well probably the most noteworthy thing of my week was the move to Mainz. Elder Bean did not go home, but is in fact going home at the end of this transfer. My new companion, Elder Blanchard is actually younger than me on the mission, which is weird for me. I'm actually his second companion so it's way different than all of my other experiences. Should be interesting.
My new address is:
Boppstraße 36
55118 Mainz
So my First day in Mainz we got a Text from one of the members here telling me that we needed to meet because apparently Elder Blanchard told everyone that I was coming. Well then I asked what this member's last name was and it was Baake. Turns out the ehemalige Elder Baake (one of Jacob's former companions) lives here. Crazy crazy.
Well, this place is hip happenin and you're great! Have a fantabulous week!
Love you more!
Isaac
Monday, June 22, 2015
Germany Week 53
'Ey Mums!
I'm glad you got the air conditioning fixed so you don't have to live the whole Summer like you were in Germany. Of course at this point I don't really mind not having AC right now considering I was tempted to wear a sweater today. T'is verrückt (crazy).
Anyway, this week was great. M. did indeed get taufed (baptized). That was great. Unfortunately I somehow didn't get any pictures and he's in Poland for a month now so I probably won't get a picture with him. I think the Sisters took one though, so maybe I can get it from them. Anyway, other than that the week wasn't too exciting. Most of it was taken up getting ready for the baptism. We did also have Transfer Calls on Saturday though. (That was a ridiculously busy day) Turns out I'm going to Mainz. I don't know too much about it, but it sounds like a nice place from what people say. What's more it's fairly close to Frankfurt, so hopefully I'll be able to go to the Temple before it shuts down.
Also, you're great, church is true and I hope you have a wonderful week! Oh, also you should tell Jacob and Kyri and Logan to have a happy belated birthday.
Love you more!
Elder Whatever-my-name-is-these-days
I'm glad you got the air conditioning fixed so you don't have to live the whole Summer like you were in Germany. Of course at this point I don't really mind not having AC right now considering I was tempted to wear a sweater today. T'is verrückt (crazy).
Anyway, this week was great. M. did indeed get taufed (baptized). That was great. Unfortunately I somehow didn't get any pictures and he's in Poland for a month now so I probably won't get a picture with him. I think the Sisters took one though, so maybe I can get it from them. Anyway, other than that the week wasn't too exciting. Most of it was taken up getting ready for the baptism. We did also have Transfer Calls on Saturday though. (That was a ridiculously busy day) Turns out I'm going to Mainz. I don't know too much about it, but it sounds like a nice place from what people say. What's more it's fairly close to Frankfurt, so hopefully I'll be able to go to the Temple before it shuts down.
Also, you're great, church is true and I hope you have a wonderful week! Oh, also you should tell Jacob and Kyri and Logan to have a happy belated birthday.
Love you more!
Elder Whatever-my-name-is-these-days
Monday, June 15, 2015
Germany Week 52
Hey Mom,
Does that mean you have actual AC? I'm jealous. Too bad Germany doesn't believe in AC, though it hasn't been hot yet so I guess that's okay. In fact today I feel like I should be wearing a sweater.
Anyway, this week was pretty great. Probably the highlight was yesterday when we met with M. That was the last actual lesson we'll have with him before his baptism on Saturday. Other than that he just has his interview and then should be ready, so that's way cool.
We also had Zone Conference last Tuesday. That was way awesome! The last half of the Conference was taken up by discussing different aspects of the Atonement. It was one of those times when I basically just get out of it that I really need to understand that better. It was also cool because President instructed everyone giving Themas to try to be as much like Elder Bednar was as possible so that was awesome.
Well there was assuredly other things, but I can't think of them now.
You're great!!!
Love you more!!!
Elder
Does that mean you have actual AC? I'm jealous. Too bad Germany doesn't believe in AC, though it hasn't been hot yet so I guess that's okay. In fact today I feel like I should be wearing a sweater.
Anyway, this week was pretty great. Probably the highlight was yesterday when we met with M. That was the last actual lesson we'll have with him before his baptism on Saturday. Other than that he just has his interview and then should be ready, so that's way cool.
We also had Zone Conference last Tuesday. That was way awesome! The last half of the Conference was taken up by discussing different aspects of the Atonement. It was one of those times when I basically just get out of it that I really need to understand that better. It was also cool because President instructed everyone giving Themas to try to be as much like Elder Bednar was as possible so that was awesome.
Well there was assuredly other things, but I can't think of them now.
You're great!!!
Love you more!!!
Elder
Monday, June 8, 2015
Germany Week 51
Anyway, as for stuff going on around here, it's a real party. One of the members here (By) got set apart yesterday for his mission and that was awesome. That brings the grand total of missionaries from Duisburg up to three, and next month it will be four, and sometime a little later this year it should be up to five. This ward is on fire. Anyway, he's going to be an awesome missionary, and it also made church yesterday exciting because there were a bunch of random people there.
We also had our final lesson with J this week, this time over in Mühlheim. That was awesome as always. At the end of the lesson he basically ended up bearing his testimony to us about how the Church is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that The Book of Mormon is true. That kid will go far, though sadly I won't be there to see most of it.
Interestingly enough however The Lord once again showed us His miracles in the way He wants and not the way we want. You see, we've been working to try and get better at finding, and while we're still not amazing we've been getting better. Now knowing that we were about to loose one of our best investigators I suppose you could say that we were getting even more desperate to find a new one, and nothing was happening, we weren't even getting potentials. Then, just before our last lesson with J a member in Essen gave us a referral. From what she told us about the man, we were worried our first appointment would end up being rather bashy, and would therefore probably be our last because there's really no point going any further with that. Very soon after we started the lesson though, we could tell that it wasn't going to be like that at all. This man really wants to know the truth, and he's willing to do a lot to try and find it.
It was so cool to see the Lord blessing us and fulfilling His promises. It was once again not how I expected it, nor was it exactly related to what I had been trying to do to receive a blessing, but I know it is from Him, and I know that He wants to bless all of us, and that he will, the moment we start even trying to better follow Him.
Have the most wonderful week of all time!
Love you more!
Isaac
We also had our final lesson with J this week, this time over in Mühlheim. That was awesome as always. At the end of the lesson he basically ended up bearing his testimony to us about how the Church is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that The Book of Mormon is true. That kid will go far, though sadly I won't be there to see most of it.
Interestingly enough however The Lord once again showed us His miracles in the way He wants and not the way we want. You see, we've been working to try and get better at finding, and while we're still not amazing we've been getting better. Now knowing that we were about to loose one of our best investigators I suppose you could say that we were getting even more desperate to find a new one, and nothing was happening, we weren't even getting potentials. Then, just before our last lesson with J a member in Essen gave us a referral. From what she told us about the man, we were worried our first appointment would end up being rather bashy, and would therefore probably be our last because there's really no point going any further with that. Very soon after we started the lesson though, we could tell that it wasn't going to be like that at all. This man really wants to know the truth, and he's willing to do a lot to try and find it.
It was so cool to see the Lord blessing us and fulfilling His promises. It was once again not how I expected it, nor was it exactly related to what I had been trying to do to receive a blessing, but I know it is from Him, and I know that He wants to bless all of us, and that he will, the moment we start even trying to better follow Him.
Have the most wonderful week of all time!
Love you more!
Isaac
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