told us about 4 days before. He talked about the Europe area plan,
simplicity, and missionary work. He also said that he can't keep track
of all his great grandkids because they keep popping out like popcorn
and when they get together, they all look alike haha In speaking about
missionary work, he told us to involve ourselves and not put anything
off 'You're not going to be up there strumming a harp or something. If
you can't get out of it by dying, you might as well get good at it. '
oh Elder Ballard we love you
The focus of the meeting was on Ward councils and the danger in over
complicating our planning.
Most of the work is done outside of meetings and outside of planning.
~Don't talk about someone so much that you don't talk to them.
~To magnify our calling doesn't mean to multiply, perhaps even to reduce.
The Friedrichsdorf Primary president shared how she thought we limited
ourselves by only having an idea of how things should be and not how
they could be. Our expectations and past experiences can limit our
capacities if we're not careful. The past is a helpful tool but it has
to stay where it belongs.
I'm grateful for all that I learned and the Spirit we felt there as we
were taught how to better be high yield, low maintenance servants of
God! His work is so important and requires our best efforts. He will
never leave us alone nor prompt us to do anything we're not capable
of. We are the means in mortality and beyond of bringing others to
Christ so they can find their way home.
"In Him we will not only endure but will also prevail and triumph inthis holy cause that will never fail us." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Elder Ballard also talked about the conversion process. Its simplicity
leads people to answer the question 'When did you know it was true?',
with an 'I felt'. Knowing comes from the feelings we get.
When I went to church I felt...
When I read what they told me I felt...
When the missionaries taught me I felt...
I think about all we do to contribute to allowing friends of the church have a spiritual experience.
Sometimes the simplest is the best. Bearing simple testimony, allowing
the Spirit to guide, and letting the scriptures speak for themselves.
One new investigator, Patricia, has had some interesting experiences
with the church. She works with less active members to encourage them
to go to church haha that's how she first came into contact with the
church when she wanted to help a woman who worked for her feel happy
again. One of my favorite things about meeting with Patricia is that
she recognizes that it's a gospel of joy. But because of her
situation, it's difficult for her to be baptized. And because of that,
she doesn't want to ask if it's true. She continues to say that she
doesn't ask herself if there's one right church because what could she
do if there was? Schwester Dahlke, who was teaching with us, explained
and bore her testimony that God has one plan for all of us and that He
has one church and one gospel. That Heavenly Father couldn't tell
different things to different churches and that it's not enough just
to have faith, we have to act!
Something I've noticed this week is how difficult it is to watch
people come to know that the church is true and the gospel can change
their lives and them not do anything. It's comparable to how many more
blessings we could receive if we gave more of the Sabbath back to the
Savior, or studied more diligently in the scriptures etc There's
something in us that pushes us to complacency. The gospel of Jesus
Christ holds so much in store for us!! The love that our heavenly
parents have for us is beyond anything we can imagine and they make it
possible for us to always be something better.
Ammon: perfect combination of humility and excitement. My God is great!
The Marxs joined us for DDM this week for some contacting role plays.
Afterward they told us part of their life story and what has meant the
most to them. They talked a lot about working hard and always
depending on the Lord, no matter what situation you're in. I never get
tired of hearing testimonies, it's a wonderful part of being a
missionary :)
Here's how Elders teach the power of prayer at district meeting.
Comparing Luke using the force to reach his light saber on Hath to
using faith when we pray. That it wasn't until he believed that he
could that he was able to reach it. It's great.
We went on to talk about what it means to have a prayer in our hearts.
Heavenly Father knows our thoughts and feelings but when we take time
throughout the day to focus on Him, it can become a prayer in our
hearts. It doesn't always need to be a formal prayer but taking
moments throughout the day to be grateful and recognize that He has
given us everything and acknowledging that we need His help to achieve
our goals and know what to do. To have a prayer in our hearts gives us
power that comes with humility. The power of prayer is accessible to
all of us as we seek with hope and faith to do His will. It's gives me
the certainty that if I'm doing His work, He's there with me.
Sister Jarrard went clash of the cultures and made mac n cheese,
bratwurst and sauerkraut for Institute dinner. They loved it haha I
love the Jarrards!
Thanksgiving means dinner. And dinner to the Fugal family means 65 of
your closest friends and the missionaries. It was amazing how many
people came! And the entire Diaz family came, plus a friend!! It's
been quite a few years since they've been to church and it was so good
to see them getting to know other members. The mix of German and
American food was pretty fun haha Brother Fugal invited students from
his lab and research team, one of which is from Poland. Which was
perfect! because Tomek, a member in our ward, just had his cousin move
in with him and he only speaks Polish! Tons of missionary
opportunities for us and the members there. The whole weekend was one
thing after another and I loved it!! The Primary program and potluck
on Sunday were packed and there was so much to do and so many new
people we got to meet :)
What a fantastic week! Looking forward to this next one and every one
after that!!
It must have been this kind of testimony that transformed the Savior’s
Apostles from fearful, doubting men into fearless, joyful emissariesof the Master. -President Uchtdorf
Ich wünsche euch eine aufbauende Woche Sister Riser
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