Wow! What a week. I can't believe that it's already been 10 weeks since I've been out. Sure, it seems like not much time, but it boy did fly by!
So transfers happened at the beginning of last week. Since I'm being trained right now, I am staying with the same companion here in Downend Bristol. I also got assigned to the Mission Choir, so that's pretty exciting! It's crazy, my trainer Elder Hardy, this is his last transfer and then he's going back home to American soil. Funny story... American Independence Day was last week, and Elder Hardy was trying to get me to sing the Star Spangled Banner with him.... sorry but I gave in. It has a good tune. What can I say? We didn't really do anything fun to celebrate it besides sing American songs in the hymn book like "America the Beautiful."
So there are a few miracles that happened this week. Funny thing is, they all happened after DA (dinner appointments).
So last Monday, we had a DA with a member at 7:30pm (that was the only day and time the family was altogether). Afterwards, we got dropped off near our flat around 8:35pm. My companion turned to me and said, "25 mins is more than enough time for a miracle," (curfew is at 9pm) so we headed into town and started talking to people. We had 5 mins before curfew when out of nowhere this guy approached us and told us that he needed help. He was a member that had left the church when he was young. He didn't like where his life was going, so he wanted our help to find peace and joy in his life.
Another miracle happened yesterday. Again, we had a DA in Bristol, Lawrence Hill. After the dinner, we were doing some stop-bys while talking to people on the street. We talked to someone named Conrad. We started talking about the Restoration. He interrupted and said "Lads, I'm already baptized in your church. I just haven't gone in a while." He went on to say that he was happier when he was going to church and doing things that brought him closer to God. He was also thankful that we talked to him.
The last one happend when we had a DA with the YSA (young single adult) rep in our ward. His name is Jack. After the DA, we tracted around the area. We found this place called "Forgetmenot Way". So we though that we better not forget to bring a message of the gospel to them! Hehe!
As we were knocking on doors, most people weren't home (which is odd because it was the evening). The last door on the street that we knocked on answered, much to our surprise. And lo and behold, it was a family and they were excited to hear about a message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! That's a miracle because it was a family and usually when you have families it's hard to find one where both parents are interested in the gospel.
I have been pondering a lot about God this week, and how much I have been blessed in my life and all the miracles that I have seen. Although they may be small, they are still there and I know that they are from God. I'm so grateful for everything that He has given me. I've been blessed with a loving family, friends that support and encourage me, but most important, I've grown up knowing that there is a God, that He loves each one of us and that He is there to comfort us in our times of need. If we endure our trials well, He will bless us immensely in the life to come. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father who loved us so much that He gave us His Son Jesus Christ for us. Each day that passes by over here, I have time to know more deeply for myself that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer. That by His grace, we can be healed, made clean and whole. He gave us His gospel to prepare us to live with Him and to enable us to have eternal life and exaltation, which is the opportunity to live in God's presence. All that is required of us is to live as Jesus Christ did. How blessed I am to have this knowledge. It really put things into perspective when we go through hard times. I know that if we remain valiant like Nephi, Alma the younger, the sons of Mosiah, Captain Moroni, Moroni and all the other prophets in the scriptures, that we can receive Jesus Christ's grace to endure to the end and receive those promised blessings. I encourage you to think of some ways that you can be more valiant in your faith and how you can better endure to the end. I know that all who ask God sincerely will get the strength they need.
Well, that's all for this week. I love you all very much. Take care of everyone.
Cheers,
Elder Jakob.
So transfers happened at the beginning of last week. Since I'm being trained right now, I am staying with the same companion here in Downend Bristol. I also got assigned to the Mission Choir, so that's pretty exciting! It's crazy, my trainer Elder Hardy, this is his last transfer and then he's going back home to American soil. Funny story... American Independence Day was last week, and Elder Hardy was trying to get me to sing the Star Spangled Banner with him.... sorry but I gave in. It has a good tune. What can I say? We didn't really do anything fun to celebrate it besides sing American songs in the hymn book like "America the Beautiful."
Beautiful treed walkway aglong the river
So last Monday, we had a DA with a member at 7:30pm (that was the only day and time the family was altogether). Afterwards, we got dropped off near our flat around 8:35pm. My companion turned to me and said, "25 mins is more than enough time for a miracle," (curfew is at 9pm) so we headed into town and started talking to people. We had 5 mins before curfew when out of nowhere this guy approached us and told us that he needed help. He was a member that had left the church when he was young. He didn't like where his life was going, so he wanted our help to find peace and joy in his life.
Another miracle happened yesterday. Again, we had a DA in Bristol, Lawrence Hill. After the dinner, we were doing some stop-bys while talking to people on the street. We talked to someone named Conrad. We started talking about the Restoration. He interrupted and said "Lads, I'm already baptized in your church. I just haven't gone in a while." He went on to say that he was happier when he was going to church and doing things that brought him closer to God. He was also thankful that we talked to him.
The last one happend when we had a DA with the YSA (young single adult) rep in our ward. His name is Jack. After the DA, we tracted around the area. We found this place called "Forgetmenot Way". So we though that we better not forget to bring a message of the gospel to them! Hehe!
As we were knocking on doors, most people weren't home (which is odd because it was the evening). The last door on the street that we knocked on answered, much to our surprise. And lo and behold, it was a family and they were excited to hear about a message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! That's a miracle because it was a family and usually when you have families it's hard to find one where both parents are interested in the gospel.
I have been pondering a lot about God this week, and how much I have been blessed in my life and all the miracles that I have seen. Although they may be small, they are still there and I know that they are from God. I'm so grateful for everything that He has given me. I've been blessed with a loving family, friends that support and encourage me, but most important, I've grown up knowing that there is a God, that He loves each one of us and that He is there to comfort us in our times of need. If we endure our trials well, He will bless us immensely in the life to come. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father who loved us so much that He gave us His Son Jesus Christ for us. Each day that passes by over here, I have time to know more deeply for myself that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer. That by His grace, we can be healed, made clean and whole. He gave us His gospel to prepare us to live with Him and to enable us to have eternal life and exaltation, which is the opportunity to live in God's presence. All that is required of us is to live as Jesus Christ did. How blessed I am to have this knowledge. It really put things into perspective when we go through hard times. I know that if we remain valiant like Nephi, Alma the younger, the sons of Mosiah, Captain Moroni, Moroni and all the other prophets in the scriptures, that we can receive Jesus Christ's grace to endure to the end and receive those promised blessings. I encourage you to think of some ways that you can be more valiant in your faith and how you can better endure to the end. I know that all who ask God sincerely will get the strength they need.
Love the evening clouds I get to see while out visiting
Cheers,
Elder Jakob.
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