August 3, 2013

This last week has been super. it is just a testimony of how true this gospel really is. It is such an eternal principal that is stated in Ether 12, verse 6 - ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. In our first transfer here, we really were not able to find much to do... There was one investigator who seemed to make slow, but consistant, progress. But other than that, we had no idea about how we should continue with work here. Week after week we were struggling to find new people to teach, and we were feeling not so positive about our work here. We really were trying, but we weren't seeing any results.

  This new transfer began, and I stayed here with my companion. It was the time where we could really turn over a new leaf and start new (even though everything stayed the same). With this new beginning, we really prayed and talked things out among ourselves and among our priesthood leaders. And the first thing that happened was our meeting with Anna, and closely thereafter, two appointments with people who came up and approached us about the gospel. It was so good to finally see some of the fruits of our labors. We had finally seen some success! woohoo! Our faith had been tried, and we have now received our witness.

  This week we were able to do a lot of teaching, which is absolutely wonderful. I love it. It has forced us really to think about how we can teach more effectively. We have been learning the tendancies of our companionship and refining each others' teaching techniques. We have also been able to do a lot of work with our members. Seminary is such an amazing program! Scripture mastery scriptures are so excellent. We had a lesson with Anna and a couple young people from the ward (17ish years old). They were able to actively participate in the lesson with scriptural backup also. So cool. I hope my little bros are becoming familiar with the scriptures and finding missionary opportunities :)

  http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/languages/the-work-of-salvation/2013/06?lang=eng

  We watched the video from the ink in church yesterday. It was so awesome. Please watch it. It's so awesome. It's rather long... but it's awesome.

  I have not yet received the b-day present... I should be getting it on Wednesday when we go to Dresden :)

  Haha. Josh Christensen is 12?? that's so weird. I remember him being a little baby! haha. mannn. time flies.

  It sounds like you had a pretty awesome week.

  Shawn looked pretty buff in the blog! haha. oh man, I need to start doing my morning workouts! :P

  I love you all!

Elder Braden Thorkelson