Another great week out here in Downend, Bristol! The weather has been splendid this week, sitting in the low 20's with minimal rain. Couldn't have asked for better weather.
So trainer calls we given out yesterday, and guess what? Yep that's right, I'm not training. Bet you though I was! So did I, but it turns out President Hughes has a different assignment for me and I will find out next Sunday where it is I'm going and what I'll be doing. This transfer flew by (a transfer period lasts 6 weeks). Next transfer starts next Tuesday, so I'm excited to see where it is I'm going.
Tuesday was an alright day. We had a lot of inviting time and we were able to have a really good lesson with our friend Henry, where he told us all his concerns and we taught him how strength and answers to our questions or concerns can come through prayers. It was a good lesson. We ended up seeing him the next day as well and he seemed a lot happier!
Wednesday, someone unknown called us and said that she would like to meet us and learn about the church! We set up a time to meet later on in the day. We ended up having a lesson in a pub (my first lesson in a pub!!) and it was an interesting experience. Although the setting wasn't ideal, the Spirit was still felt strongly and we ended up giving her a Book of Mormon and setting up another return visit.
The rest of the week was mostly just inviting. We talked to a lot of people. Unfortunately, not many people were interested, so we didn't make any new friends but it was still a fun time! We also ended up doing service work for a member in the back yard. I don't think I will ever complain about yard work again back in Canada considering most the plants over here have thorns or sting when you touch them!
So this is my last week of being trained! After this week, I'm no longer a trainee and my companion heads home! He is such a good trainer and I'm so grateful for his example and hard work even though it's been his last two transfers.
So this week, I was reading in Alma 5, and I read these verses:
"44 For I am called to speak after this manner, according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come."
"45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?"
"46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me."
I think this is very powerful. Alma's conversion began with with him seeing an angel, but that is not how he gained and kept his testimony. Seeing an angel doesn't automatically mean that we know every thing and that we will be perfect. We can see from the example of Laman and Lemuel (Nephi's older brothers from the 1st section in the Book of Mormon) that this is not the case. They still chose to do wrong even though they had these experiences. Alma states that it is by much prayer and fasting that he obtained his testimony through the Holy Spirit. It is the same for us. We need to put in the effort to be able to learn, grow, and gain testimony. That is when we will gain a witness for ourselves from the Spirit.
I know that if we put in the spiritual effort when trying to get answers to our questions, we will get the answers by the power of the Holy Ghost.
It's always a pleasure to share my experiences and testimony with all of you. If any of you are not sure if God is there or if He loves you, then ask Him sincerely through prayer, I know that He will answer in a way that you will understand.
Cheers,
Elder Jakob
Really cool walkway. A tunnel of trees and shubbery.
So trainer calls we given out yesterday, and guess what? Yep that's right, I'm not training. Bet you though I was! So did I, but it turns out President Hughes has a different assignment for me and I will find out next Sunday where it is I'm going and what I'll be doing. This transfer flew by (a transfer period lasts 6 weeks). Next transfer starts next Tuesday, so I'm excited to see where it is I'm going.
The missionaries serving in my district
Tuesday was an alright day. We had a lot of inviting time and we were able to have a really good lesson with our friend Henry, where he told us all his concerns and we taught him how strength and answers to our questions or concerns can come through prayers. It was a good lesson. We ended up seeing him the next day as well and he seemed a lot happier!
Fried chicken feet anyone?
Wednesday, someone unknown called us and said that she would like to meet us and learn about the church! We set up a time to meet later on in the day. We ended up having a lesson in a pub (my first lesson in a pub!!) and it was an interesting experience. Although the setting wasn't ideal, the Spirit was still felt strongly and we ended up giving her a Book of Mormon and setting up another return visit.
Cool wall art
The rest of the week was mostly just inviting. We talked to a lot of people. Unfortunately, not many people were interested, so we didn't make any new friends but it was still a fun time! We also ended up doing service work for a member in the back yard. I don't think I will ever complain about yard work again back in Canada considering most the plants over here have thorns or sting when you touch them!
Lots of graffiti art along this wall
So this is my last week of being trained! After this week, I'm no longer a trainee and my companion heads home! He is such a good trainer and I'm so grateful for his example and hard work even though it's been his last two transfers.
So this week, I was reading in Alma 5, and I read these verses:
"44 For I am called to speak after this manner, according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come."
"45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?"
"46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me."
I think this is very powerful. Alma's conversion began with with him seeing an angel, but that is not how he gained and kept his testimony. Seeing an angel doesn't automatically mean that we know every thing and that we will be perfect. We can see from the example of Laman and Lemuel (Nephi's older brothers from the 1st section in the Book of Mormon) that this is not the case. They still chose to do wrong even though they had these experiences. Alma states that it is by much prayer and fasting that he obtained his testimony through the Holy Spirit. It is the same for us. We need to put in the effort to be able to learn, grow, and gain testimony. That is when we will gain a witness for ourselves from the Spirit.
I know that if we put in the spiritual effort when trying to get answers to our questions, we will get the answers by the power of the Holy Ghost.
It's always a pleasure to share my experiences and testimony with all of you. If any of you are not sure if God is there or if He loves you, then ask Him sincerely through prayer, I know that He will answer in a way that you will understand.
Cheers,
Elder Jakob
Excellent blog Elder Jakob and i really enjoy reading them and feeling your spiritual strength
ReplyDelete