Dodging us for ages
We actually had a really good week! Probably the best since Elder Bartholomew has been here. A cool miracle that we had: There is a less-active brother who has been dodging us for ages, he rang up on Wednesday, and shared about how he has been having these spiritual promptings and urges from the Lord that he needs to come back. He has such a strong testimony of truth, but the repentance process is what is holding him back. He knows that it will be a long journey for him, so he asked us to come give him a blessing. As we visited with him, he shared with us that he is ready to come back for real, after 10 years+ on and off. He asked us to come everyday. We were visiting him earlier today. He has made such great progress in the five days we have met with him. Wow!
We made some progress with Z_, our Chinese investigator. He was able to make it to church, and he has made some new friends, which is great. We hope that he will continue to progress in the Gospel.
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| No new photos this week, but here's a favorite from Canberra... |
From Papua New Guinea
We weren't able to set a time with N_ for this week. However, we met some new people! Last Sunday, while walking around a bit, we met this man from Papua New Guinea. Super cool guy. He listened to us a bit, and we exchanged contact info., kinda with a tentative return appointment. We were able to contact him, and he agreed to meet up again. So, yesterday just before church, we were able to have a lesson with him. He understood well, and received the message with a sincere desire to know truth. It was a beautiful teaching opportunity, just because of the sweet spirit that we felt. We will meet with him next Sunday. So I will have an update next week:).
We found other new people, and were able to teach some of the old people this week, but unfortunately I don't have as much time as normal this week, we have an appointment at 3 pm (will update you next week about it) that we have to prepare for. The Church is still true, though! This week will be great, because of MLC (Mission Leadership Council), and Zone Conference. I will miss out on the proselyting time, but I look forward to the opportunity to learn from our leaders.
My studies are focused on specific questions
Let me answer your questions.
Generally speaking, my studies consist of Book of Mormon reading (every day), and some variation of Preach My Gospel topics. If I have extra time during lunch, I will open Jesus The Christ by James E. Talmage. That book is incredible. Mostly, my studies are focused on specific questions that I have from investigators, or questions that I ask myself to better help me to prepare for my investigators.
For example, Monday I studied the significant role that modern prophets play in our lives. I learned that prophets are so important because they eliminate any confusion and darkness that comes from unauthorized interpretation of the Bible and administration of sacred ordinances. They represent the Lord to us, and fear God, not man. Therefore, when the learned doctrines of man change, the Servants of God remain steadfast and immovable (1 Ne. 6:5; Eph. 4:11-14; D&C 50:24; Mosiah 18:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-19). Prophets prophesy of dangers that we face right now in this world, and present us with solutions to help us to overcome these challenges. They bear witness of the Divinity of Jesus Christ, and through their teachings, we can come to know Him better.
Tuesday I studied how to work more effectively with the resources given, and I read and broke down the parable found in D&C 101:44-53. Wednesday I studied Exaltation, Thursday was about how to help members to become good fellowshipers for our investigators (or in other words the "Perfect Fellowship"), Friday we had DTM (District Training Meeting), Saturday I studied the importance of Baptism and how to better extend that commitment, yesterday I studied how to develop gifts of the Spirit, and this morning I studied more on how to help prepare people to accept the invitation to be baptized. Heeeaaps of studies :).
One new favorite scripture
One new favorite scripture (of the many I have) is 2 Nephi 28:30. It speaks of how the Lord reveals his word "line upon line, precept upon precept". Very applicable to missionary work. Also very applicable to members of the church everywhere. It is sooo special that we can receive direction in every aspect of our lives!!! Think about it, for thousands of years, the human race was in spiritual darkness, where the Lord's word was fragmented and broken, but now we can continue to receive more and more of God's light!! (see scripture references above) To get people excited about scripture study, I like to share the personal revelation that I have received (when appropriate), and help them model how they can receive revelation themselves as they study the scriptures.
Flatmates and other misc.
I currently share a flat with my companion Elder B, Elder Abquina (still), and his comp, Elder Mariano (also from the Philippines). They are so funny together. Far out, you will have to check out the voice recordings if I am able to send them home, or my next camera card with the videos. Bwahahaha! Currently, there are 8 missionaries in the ward. Us four, two more Elders, Elders Fiu and Chu Shing (E. Fiu former AP, Chu Shing his trainee) and Sisters Holtz and Finau. Sister Finau was trained by Sister Parr in Woden Ward, so she knows about Zion. :) In December, almost one-third of our zone goes home. At that point, I anticipate Bankstown and Mortdale zones combining. A large portion of our mission will go home, and huge transfers will continue to happen, even until I go home in a year. So I think that even the missions may need to combine, but we will see...
Love you all heaps! Just remember, that the Church is True, the Book is Blue, and God is a Mormon!
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Elder Larsen
$100 for a traffic fine!
BTW, I took $100 out of my account last week to help with a traffic fine.... :( Just so you know. That was my first one ever! So sad! Gotta go, appointment!
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