May 19, 2014

This was my first full week with my new companion Elder King. It's going to be a great next few weeks! I don't know about all the other missionaries in the Mission field, but I can still say that I have really really enjoyed being with all of my companions and that being stuck with someone for a Long time really teaches me a lot. I learn so much from each Person I am with! It is fun fun fun!

It rained a lot last week, but is now more than warm. I am happy to be wearing a short-sleeved Shirt... but unfortunately, many People are happy to be wearing much less already as well.

This week we were talking to a great investigator of ours who has a hard time grasping the concept of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, therefore also the Redeemer of the World, and the one who made unlimited potential for all of us an Option. We are trying to figure out ways to simply explain it, but it mostly Comes down to the simple few Facts of the restoration: Christ established his church, there was an apostacy from the truth about Christ's Gospel, Joseph Smith received an answer to his prayer in which he saw God the Eternal Father with His Son Jesus Christ right by him, and the Book of Mormon provides evidence of the calling of Joseph Smith as Prophet and the divinity of Christ. Anyone can know this! We just have to apply that Little Thing called humility.

I was also thinking this week about what the doctrine of the church is about humans. If what the church teaches is true (which I am thoroughly convinced of), then we have the potential to have everlasting joy, be eternally alive, and always make Progress. We are children of God! If that's not great, I don't know what is!! Of course I am convinced of These truths, but I am not ignorant of what others believe. But after having learned so much about other beliefs... I wouldn't want to believe any other way!

Last night we went on a split with our awesome Bishop and a great brother in the ward to go find "lost sheep" who apparently live in our area. We found out that the address of one of the Brothers we went to visit is no longer valid, but that his neighbor is a member of our church. She also gave us his current address. What a small miraculous world! Things like that don't just happen! We are so blessed.

I learned a Little about South Park today. In no way do I endorse the Show, but apparently it is educating the public about the church. A lot. There was a cool guy we met on the Train the other day who was bored because the Train fell out and we had to wait an extra half hour until the next came. He picked up our Preach My Gospel to read, but we ended up showing him a Book of Mormon, which we thought he would find much more interesting. He talked up our Religion and asked if Joseph Smith had really been visited by an angel and if we really have Family night every week. He then noticed that the book was 700 pages (in German) and concluded that he would read it all in two weeks. Challenge Accepted. We are Meeting with him next week to see what happens.

I just love the Little miracles and the big miracles we see all the time! We are so blessed when we are trying to bless the lives of others!

I'm going to be an uncle!!!!!!

Love,
Elder Jack