Awesome Ward, Fitness, Prayers Bring Love : Frankfurt Week 6

January 18, 2016

Subject: Awesome ward, fitness, prays bring love

Hello Family!

So I accidentally pressed the backspace button on your email and deleted it, I had read it before, but if you could resend it that would be nice.

Emily getting ready for Winter Formal, what? Working on second semester of Junior year already, in no time little Austin will be in high school. Has he broken anything playing rugby yet?

You asked about food, health and fitness, it´s going really well! 2 Sundays ago I wore the pants that go with my suit to church for the first time since the MTC! I fit into all of my pants again. Reaching fitness goals. Elder Taylor has insanity [Fitness Videos] and we just started week 3 this week. We eat a lot of brown rice, chicken and vegetables made in fun ways. Occasional pasta or things like that. We also eat pretty normal with the members. Good exercise (we get up a bit early to do insanity) and portion control. Achieving goals is great.

We have an investigator named Mr J who isn´t really understanding the need for authority. We´ve decided to just focus on the blessings of the gospel and the power and spirit of the restoration and the atonement and let his concern about authority answer itself. Discussing as we have been has been more logically discussing doctrine, which isn´t bad in and of itself, but doesn´t invite the spirit in the way that we need to to really answer his concerns. We´ve working on finding more people and getting appointments with people we´ve met on the streets. We´ve also starting to do more with the Ward. Short, power appointments, getting to know this big Ward better. They´re great, they love missionary work and are excited to have us. I have attended so many baptisms since I´ve been here, more on the way. The Sisters here had a baptism on Thursday, have another on Tuesday and another companionship has a baptism on Saturday.

A while ago I had a few days in a row where I wasn´t feeling really fulfilled about the work I was doing, feeling like I needed to change something. Often even if I´m not achieving much as far as numbers go and things I´m still very satisfied with the work that I do as I feel the Holy Ghost testify of the truth in my words and just do my best. Anyways, I just felt like I was lacking somewhere, so I prayed about it. Heavenly Father gave me really concrete things to do and to work on- plan better/more specifically, where we want to go, how to achieve weekly goals etc., and pray more specifically. It takes a lot longer (which is totally fine) but I´ve been praying for my companion, other missionaries in the zone, mission leadership, investigators (and more) more specifically and by name. I´ve also been focusing more on gratitude. It is great! I feel so much love for the people around me and so fulfilled and happy.

Moroni 7: (Compare 1 Cor. 13)
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

One of Moroni´s promises. SO good. Praying to be filled with love as well as praying in love for others and their needs helps you to be filled with more love.

I´m so grateful for Jesus Christ and his perfect love for us, for his perfect example in loving others.

Have a great week,

Love,

Hayden