LETTER #75 - FRANKFURT

Dear Family,

Another week gone by! ...and I'm 21. I don't really know what to think about that, its kind of unbelievable. I don't feel like I'm 21, maybe I do. I don't know what your supposed to feel like when your 21. Its weird though, I feel old!

Last week was a good week though! Then at the end of this week is transfers. Ridiculous time moves too fast. It would be awesome to stay here in this area, and it'd also be cool to keep a companion for a little longer then one transfer. We didn't have any tausches last week so we got to spend all the time in Frankfurt. It was a lot of fun being able to just work here. We worked a lot with the members which is always good. One member, Sam, is helping translate when we teach Liang. It is lots easier to have him be able to speak mandarin and make sure Liang is getting it all. Liang is starting to learn way faster and is understanding things really well. We are looking forward to the next few appointments we have with him and helping him better understand his relationship with God. We are also working with a girl named Kimberly. She's read tons since we've met and each lesson is very spirit guided. Its been cool to teach her.

On that sunday before church started 2 kids in their early 20s walked into church in normals clothes with backpacks. 2 byu students doing a Europe tour for a couple weeks. One served his mission in Germany, the other in New York spanish speaking. Then during preisthood this guy walked in and sat in the back, so I got up and went back there. He is a Nigerian by birth but grew up in Uruguay, and his name is Blessing! I thought that was pretty cool ha. So he could only speak english and spanish since he has been in Germany for 20 days. He said he got here and asked around where the church was but nobody knew and he finally figured out where it was on the internet. He's been a member for about 7 years now. Then the other elders in our ward had 2 investigators who came but mainly only speak spanish. As soon as preisthood ended the byu kid came over and went off in spanish with Blessing and the other 2 people. Then he translated for them during class! It worked out wonderfully. It was funny and cool that all of them showed up on the same day.

Pday yesterday was moved because of Easter. Easter here closes things on Friday before and Monday after. This morning at the beginning of pday we were able to go to the temple. It was a nice break. We also went to the temple last Wednesday with Shahab and did a temple tour. It was really cool to take him there. As we walked onto the temple grounds there was a totally different spirit. Its kind of just right there in the town but as you walk up the sidewalk out of the town and onto temple grounds everything changes. As we finished the tour and were leaving we didn't want to walk of the grounds back into the town because the feeling is totally different. It was a good experience for Shahab though and it was cool to share that with him.

I am grateful for all the things on a mission. I have never felt more humbled before and had to rely more on God. I always liked the scripture Mosiah 4:11,  throughout my mission though I continually experience it ha.

And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

Experiencing your own 'nothingness' is usually not your favorite thing. But its been a good thing to experience. Keeps you from getting too reliant on your own skills and whatever else. Plus in the end what can you really accomplish alone? Alone we can't overcome sin or death. If we can't overcome these things we don't come much farther after we die. Then everything we have accomplished in our lives here, has no affect on us. Through Christ ,overcoming these things is possible. Giving us purpose to accomplish things. Helping us along the way through the hard things we encounter. I'm learning to better accept my nothingness. To do my best but to rely on God and recognize that those things that I have done are only because of him. I've experienced too many blessings that have helped me do things to even try to take the credit. Pres. Ninow said a while ago 'There is no limit to the amount of good someone can do when they don't care about who gets the credit''. When we recognize the blessings we have and the things we can accomplish and the help God has given us, burdens are lifted.

Sorry this is kind of short, we still need to get some stuff done before pday is over. I hope everyone is doing good though. Thank you for everything!! Have a good week and be happy!

I love you all

Elder Puriri

LETTER #74 - FRANKFURT

Hello Family!

We had a pretty cool past week. We had a couple tausches which were good experiences and we were able to work a lot more in our own area. We had a cool girl in her 20s just show up to the YSA fhe on monday. She found us on the internet and wanted to come see. So we were able to teach her 3 times actually last week. We gave her the Book of Mormon on Monday night and met again Tuesday night and she had already read from the title page to 1 Nephi 3. We met again on the weekend and she had almost finished 1 Nephi. Its amazing to see the progess somebody can make when they want to. And how much somebodys personal progess depends upon them. Upon what they decide to do to get something. Or what they decide not to do. She is solid though and it will be cool working with her more.

We had a few cool lessons where it again stuck out to me how dependent we are on the spirit. A few lessons where we were really prepared and everything flowed very well and the spirit was very strong. Other lessons where we thought we were prepared then the person would throw something at us we hadn't expected. Then at that point we had no idea what to say. I took a minute to think and just opened my mouth and began and things just came. Ideas, examples, things to say to help the person better understand. I sat there with no idea how I should answer, Elder Nelson looked like he was in the same situation, the member with us was the same. I thought about the promises we have as ordained teachers, said a quick prayer, and just opened my mouth and started to talk. I began talking not really knowing what I should say, but figured it would come while I was talking. And it did! A couple examples came to my mind that were simple to understand and scriptures to help, it was another cool experience. 

I am really grateful that we are not in this work alone. I am also very grateful that God wants to help. He wants his children to receive the gospel. Like in Jacob 5:72, he is laboring with us. When we sit there clueless, his understanding surpasses ours and he knows what to do. If we rely on the spirit it will reveal to us how to minister perfectly to others as Christ does. Sometimes its a little weird to open your mouth and start talking even though you know you have no idea what to say. But its always amazing to see that what to say is given to you. This whole process is very humbling and very real. Without things like this, we wouldn't be able to do this work. God calls and allows 52,000+ young men and women mostly under 25 to go and do this important work. We are not in any way fully qualified teachers who know all the doctrine. Many of us just got out of High School. He qualifies us for the work through the workings of the spirit. We are able to learn and grow as we try to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. It is an amazing experience. I don't know how else to describe it.

I was thinking this week more about how things depend upon us. I found this quote a while ago that Elder Cook used once. ''There is no chance, no fate, no destiny, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.'' We can affect things much greater then we know. Each of you individually has a power in you that can honestly change the world. The principle of free agency is very powerful. You can choose. You set your whole being on something and you do it. Even when somebody tells you no, or to stop, or its not possible. That seriously doesn't matter. Think about it, when you decide you want to do something, somebody tells you its not possible or no. What do you then do? When I was younger I would think that was it. When somebody said no or whatever that was it. But I would always recognize this like fire in me still burning hard. Not wanting to give up and wanting so much more now to prove it, telling me that wasn't it. Then I thought about it and realized my choice is so much more powerful.

We need to be careful about which direction we determine our soul, or check whether its determined in any direction at all. Because if we don't have a firm resolve and direction, we will be influenced and blown around by the winds of the world so much more then we know. Take time and recognize where your resolve is. Realize the power you have in you. This firm resolve of your determined soul. NOTHING can take that away from you. As we set this firm resolve of our determined souls in line with God our possibilities become much greater, our boundaries are done away with. Our confidence grows and we know we can do anything.

You all have this potential! We are all going through different experiences in life, but that doesn't matter. As we develop this firm resolve and a determined soul all things are possible. A quote from Joseph Smith in PMG says that great things depend on your individual exertion. Gain confidence while doing that which is asked of us by our Heavenly Father, develop this firm resolve of a determined soul, move forward and make these great things a reality. Remember YOU are the only thing holding YOU back. Don't let this be the problem. It is a waste of time. Make the decision now, move forward now, make great things a reality now.

I love you all with all my heart, and I know you all can do this. I pray for each of you every night. Be happy and don't ever doubt yourself or God. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Elder Puriri

LETTER #73 - FRANKFURT

Hi!

This past week was pretty good. We were busy with zone conference and austausches but it was a ton of fun. We had 3 tausches and zone conference so Elder Nelson and I were only together for zone conference pretty much. It was cool though being able to work with so many different missionaries. It made the week feel like it didn't exist though. We've tausched so much in the last little bit Elder Nelson has been in Frankfurt for like a total of 7 days or something out of like 2 1/2 weeks ha. I feel bad he's always packing and going but thats what happens sometimes when your new in the area. We have lots of time now ahead of us to spend working here in Frankfurt together so I'm excited about that.

We've been working with this chinese kid for the last little while and he's been doing really good. He used to not even believe in God, now he is praying and reading and coming to the youth activities and church. Its been awesome to see the change. His life was filled with stressful problems the last little while. To see how he went to God for help was pretty awesome. He needed a new apartment, he needed a visa renewal, figure stuff out with german class and school, looking for work. Lots of random things that are just frustrating. He lost his public transportation ticket to add to it and his computer wasn't working. Through prayer and diligence in his own efforts he has seen miracles. His computer basically fixed itself, he found his ticket like a few hours after he called us and asked us to look for it in the church. Told us later it has been ''surpising'' how prayer works. Something goes wrong and he can't fix it, so his last resort he goes to prayer. Minutes later he finds his ticket and his computer works. He was hoping for a 3 month visa extension so that he could stay and figure out what he was going to do. He said he prayed the whole time during the discussion with the people and leading up to it and in the end to his total surprise he walked out of there with a year and a half visa extension. He also found a new apartment and moved last weekend. Problems he has been having are slowly being swept out of his way. It has been amazing to see. He has been a great example to me in his faith in prayer and how he applies it in his life. We are excited to continue to work with him and hopefully help him take the next step to come closer to his father in heaven. It has also helped me realize even more how much God cares for each person individually.

Our problems of course are not always simply solved. He does however love each person and cares fully for that individual and their hardships. He will give us the assistance and help we need to make it. He will allow us to struggle. Which hopefully leads us to humility and recognize our reliance on him. Not the other way, to the hardening of our heart, to the doubting that he is there. The bitterness must be avoided. 

I read a cool talk again this last week that I read at the beginning of my mission. It is called Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by Elder Pearson from the April 2009 conference. I would like you all to read it and to think about the 6 Destructive Ds. We need to avoid these things! Discouragement is a waste of time!! It just slows you down. Like on the soccer field. Getting discouraged, or having that self pity on the field. Waste of time, slows you down, you end up doing worse and worse. I dont remember when but I do remember while growing up and making mistakes on the field. Someone told me as soon as I make the mistake, recognize what I should have done, then forget it. Don't let it bother me anymore, don't dwell. Then do better next time! Same in life and in the gospel. Making mistakes and dwelling on them or dwelling on the bad things that happen to us drag us down, draw us away from God. I remember as a freshman not playing as much varsity as I wanted and being super nervous all the time because I would get down on myself or think negatively then Mom told me to stop thinking the way I was at practice on the field. I started thinking more positively and not dwelling and made progress quickly!

In the gospel as we have confidence in ourselves being able to make the right decisions and achieve good things, and have confidence in the atonement of Christ, and the love of God, we will move forward quickly. We will better avoid the destructive things of life, and we will come closer and closer to our father in heaven. Getting to know Him and his son Jesus Christ better and better. Reaching eternal life. John 17:3. 

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Get to know them. Be positive, bring yourself closer to God rather then distancing yourself from him. I have realized, you are the only thing holding you back. I love the things we get from this gospel. I love the knowledge we can receive, I love truth, and I love that I am in control of whatever happens with me.

I hope you are all doing well. Enjoy your week and be happy!

Elder Puriri

LETTER #72 - FRANKFURT

Family!

 

Another General Conference! It is such a blessing we have. I can't believe another one has come and now is already done. I am nervous about how fast the next one will come. We were able to see all the sessions this weekend except the Sunday afternoon one. Elder Nelson and I watched it just barely though before we started emails (which means we also don't have a lot of time now for emails sorry!). Elder Holland explained well why we have conference and how we can get what we need out of it.

One of my favorite talks was from Elder Lynn G. Robbins. About being and doing. We will be happiest in being and doing. The gospel of Christ is being and doing. A thought I had during the first session makes me think about this. Peter was asked by Christ 3 times in a row if he loved him. Each time he answered yes. The next thing Christ said to him was an invitation to do. Feed my sheep. Peter was ''being'' in that he loved Christ, but without doing, it was still questionable. Do we prove better in doing then simply answering yes 3 times?? Both sides must be there for it to have its full effect. And as Elder Christofferson mentioned we are judged also by the final effect of out acts and thoughts. For the final effect to be something of God, inspiring others to do good, we must be doing and being. Doing making the impression, being making it last.

I encourage all of you to act on the simple thoughts and feelings you have to do good. As well as the simple thoughts and feelings you have to change something in order for you to come closer to God. Do not question or second guess. Do not hesitate. There is no need to wait. Act now, be, and you will notice the blessings. If we hesitate and wait, then later decide to act, we will have lost a lot of time we could have used much better. It would be sad to think back and say ''look where I am now, what I have been able to help accomplish. I wonder where I would be had I acted earlier''. Make the best of what you have. Do not complicate things in over thinking or second guessing. If it is good, it is of God. Act and see what else he has waiting for you. In this we will move the blessings of the gospel forward much quicker and spread them to many more people.

I am sorry this is so short but we spent 2 hours watching conference just barely. It was of course worth it.

I am grateful for my Savior. He has made everything possible. Applying what he has given us not only improves every aspect of our lives, but also of everyone elses. Approach things with an eternal perspective.

Have a good week and be happy!

I love you!!

Elder Puriri