March 24, 2015
Hello Mom and Dad,
Happy Tuesday, happy
P-day :) Haven't gone to the temple yet, but that
will happen in a few hours. To answer your question as far as food with
members, we have member contact almost every day, I haven't kept track day by
day as to how many times per week we eat with members, but we are fed well in
the Mainz ward :).
Fed well physically and
spiritually :) This ward
is so strong and good! We had a potluck again after church because a new Bishop
was called on Sunday. Bishop
Nabrotski is amazing, he led the ward so well and really magnified his calling
as Bishop. He'd been Bishop for about 7.5 years (first in the Wiesbaden ward,
there was a split) and now Bishop Staiger will be leading the Mainz ward. The
Lord really prepares and qualifies those whom he calls. It was also such a
sweet Sunday because so many less-active members came, 3 people with whom Elder
Fitzgerald and I are working and a woman who is investigating the church, being
taught by the Sister missionaries came.
Again, loving the sacrament [sacrament
meeting] and really taking that time to reflect on the week, reflect on
the Savior and his sacrifice for each of us. The Sacrament,
renewing the covenants that we make with our Father in Heaven when we are
baptized. One of my favorite passages regarding those covenants is Mosiah, when
the people whom Alma taught were taught about those covenants that they were
entering into.
8
And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold,
here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous
to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear
one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn;
yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses
of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even
until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first
resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10
Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your
hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness
before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him
and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon
you?
11
And now when the people had heard these words,
they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.
Read the rest of that Chapter
for family scripture study or home
evening! So good, so important to understand. These promises that we make at
baptism are so real and powerful, we will be divinely supported as we always strive
to live up to this covenant.
Sidetracked by good things
:) I'm adjusting well, loving Germany, progressing in German, in understanding of
the Gospel and in inviting people to come unto Christ. Answered prayers :)
Glad Austin is liking his
new team and Emily is enjoying track and other fun things she works on, staying
busy.
Yesterday we spend most of
the day working on a member's farm. Clearing leaves and such, (I got to use a pitch
fork, that was fun). Elder Fitzgerald and I had both prayed about it and felt good,
even though it is kind of different to spend a whole day in physical service rather
than talking with people and teaching lessons as we normally do. It was so sweet
and so much fun, again, such good people here! On the train ride there, looking
around I noticed a friendly man, we smiled at each other and boarded the train,
not much past that. At night, heading back, I saw him again so I decided to go see
how he was doing, start a conversation. We chatted for a while traded information,
He was busy at the time, but gave us a card for the restaurant where he works, said
to stop by and that we may be able to meet on a Monday or Tuesday sometime. The
good of service, and the opportunity that we would not have had if we were not on
the train. Proverbs
3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not on thine own understanding.
We had a good, inspired day :)
Have a great week, be safe,
have fun, have Austin and Emily tell me some stories.
Love,
Elder Hayden Blanchard
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