April 20, 2015

After such a long report last week there is not as much to say this week. There needs to be a stronger focus on finding people in this area, so we are hitting it hard this upcoming week. One cool experience while we were traveling: There was a very very crowded street car traveling back to our apartment and after a few stops and people squeeying in and out of the car I ended up standing next to a very friendly-looking woman. (Mind you, not all women look friendly here.) She smiled at me and I really wanted to initiate a conversation but it was one of those tongue-tied, I-do-not-have-a-clue-what-to-say moments and my mouth stayed shut. After a few stops she had to get out and she passed by and quietly said "bless you" in English to us. At that point we decided it was our stop as well and got out at the same time just so we could actually talk to the lady. We had a great conversation and no, we did not have a lesson on the spot or a crazy conversion story, but we were able to comfort her in a time of thinking of her deceased mother and she in turn encouraged us to keep on serving and to stay motivated. It felt right to talk to her and as she exited, a "lost" member came up on his bike and talked to us to see if we could help him out. Well, that was pretty cool. 

Our friend Scarlett came to Stake Conference! And she brought her cute little daughter, too. It was in an entire other city, so I was impressed to see her there-- especially since she has never gotten to attend any normal church services due to Stake Conference, Fast Sunday, and General Conference. She is a keeper!

Stake Conference was very spiritually energizing. The Stake has great plans and goals to increase the quality of our membership in the church. There was a specific talk about experiencing our second conversion, in which the speaker invited us to not be satisfied with our first initial testimony, but to deepen and broaden our testimony and therefore be converted "a second time." It reminded me of Bishop Cousse and his talk from General conference about finding new truths, rediscovering the wonderful gospel!

Well, a new truth that was highlighted in studies this week was in 3 Nephi 19:23, where Christ makes is very clear in which way He is one with the Father. It makes the trinity understandable by saying "...Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one." Just as Christ and the Father are one, we are supposed to be one with Christ. Obviously, we are distinct seperate beings! But the oneness must be achieved. 

The whole mission is looking forward to the visit from Elder Bednar on Friday! Ü Whohooo! 

Liebe Grüße, 

Elder Jack