Week 9 - R Words
Hey everybody!
Hey everybody!
Awesome week
here! I saw Äldste Bringhurst, bought a new coat, and have spent a lot
of time with the members! I got to chop wood for one member. That was so
fun. We are helping them to set goals for their own missionary efforts.
For a picture of me and Äldste Bringhurst, check out his email this
week.
I've been inspired by three experiences this
week. They each taught me something different about three different 'r'
words.
Äldste Bringhurst's family lives in our Stake here in
Pocatello and he is currently Carter's Zone leader
First has to do with the city I live in. It's called
Sundsvall. There's old Swedish architecture here and it's so beautiful.
It's right on the ocean and the people are known for being friendly. I
love it. I started noticing a theme when I arrived that my companion and
the other elders here helped point out to me. Lots of houses and
businesses have big dragon statues outside there doors. Many apartments
have them in their windows. Town center has one attached to some chords
that makes it look like it's flying. Their city flag has a skinny dragon
on it twisting to make an 'S'. I asked one day why dragons were a thing
here. Apparently Sundsvall has been burned to the ground multiple times
throughout it's history. Back when Sweden was a land full of vikings,
it had its days of despair. It's been rebuilt and rebuilt. The people
here look back on those days and instead of being sad or pitying their
ancestors, they put dragons in their windows. Why? I think they
recognize that it was more important that they got back up again to
rebuild and start new every time they were set back. They celebrate
their city's fiery history because it's a legacy of resilience. That's
the first 'r' word. Resilience. Getting back up when your knocked down. I
just have to say, I respect the crap out of Sundsvall now. It's in
inspiration every time I see one of those dragons now.
The second started with a man named Eino. He's in our branch. He's very
old and so my companion and I offered to help him rake his leaves. We
got done with that around lunch time and went into his house where he
was planning to feed us. We finished eating a humble meal and got to the
time to share our message. I shared a verse in Mosiah 14 about the
Savior. It started a discussion about his own conversion. He lived in
that same house when missionaries knocked on his doors many years ago.
We each talked about what the Savior meant to us. When he shared, I
could sense such a reverence he had for the Savior shining in his eyes.
He had spent a good portion of his life following faithfully in the path
of discipleship. There was a program for his wife's funeral on a table
nearby in his very quiet house. Even in his waning years and with plenty
of pains to complain about, when he spoke about the Savior, there was
nothing but reverence and gratitude. He taught me that day what
reverence is. That's the second 'r' word I learned about his week.
The third came from my studies. If you ever want a fun study
session, look up Israel, Kingdoms of in the Bible Dictionary, read the
entry, and then read every scripture reference and that end of the
entry. If you want, count how many times it mentions "the countries of
the north". There are some very amazing prophecies in those scriptures
still waiting to be fulfilled, but some that as we speak are being
fulfilled. I have heard so many times that Thomas S. Monson prophesying
of a second harvest of souls in Sweden in a re-dedicatory prayer for the
land of Sweden. Although not all of these prophecies are happening
right now, I have started to recognize for myself the signs of many of
them begging and we are being told right now in Sweden to believe in and
perform miracles. I have seen some already in the hearts of those we
teach, and in the Lord guiding us to those we need to teach or in
guiding them to us. Through all of this, I have become convinced of the
reality of God and His power, and especially the Savior's power to
change. It is real. It's working in me. It's working in those we work
with. Nothing has convinced me more of the reality of God's power than
studying the Book of Mormon and repenting. If you are struggling with
your faith, TRY IT. Read the Book of Mormon every day. Turn your heart
to God. Change what needs to be changed and learn to love your Savior
and the Sacrament. I promise that you will become convinced of the
reality of Jesus Christ's power. That was my last 'r' word this week.
Reality.
Love you all and have a great week!
Äldste Denton
Pocatello and he is currently Carter's Zone leader
Go Carter!!!
A Carter movie favorite
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