LETTER #27 - NORDHAUSEN

Hi!!

So today we don't really have a lot of time either but I'll try not to rush through this. It’s actually a holiday here right now so nothing is even open. We're blessed to have to Muhlesteins in our area though so on days when the library is closed we can use their computer to do emails! The rest of the mission has to wait until tomorrow. Pretty convenient. We have an appointment at 12 though with a member so that’s why I have to hurry. Everything seems to be in a hurry ha but I guess it’s good. Keeps us busy and focused.

Six week of the transfer has started. I really can't believe how fast this transfer went by. Transfer calls on Saturday so next email I'll let you know who my new companion is! I don't expect getting transferred away from Nordhausen but you can't really plan for transfers. This last week we had Zone Conference in Leipzig with the Leipzig and Dresden zones so there were tons of missionaries there. Elder Weidmann, a 70 from Switzerland came and talked to use. It was way cool and I learned so much! President also talked to us and talked a lot about increasing our faith. Help me see more how big of a role our faith plays in finding and teaching people. It was a very good Zone conference. I also got to see all my old companions ha it was fun.

This last week we taught a kid from Bangladesh on Monday. It was a way cool appt and made out another for this past Saturday. We got a BoM in Bangali from the office and took it to him and talked a little about the Plan of Salvation. It was lots of fun. We read a lot from the BoM and he would always read out loud in Bengali. It sounded really cool ha but that’s not the point. You could see how much he was learning and that the BoM just made sense. He was reading something and as he finished he just kind of stared at what he read and just went "Wow..." it was cool! Then as we were leaving he was like now that I have the book in Bengali I can read all night! He's a cool kid. Going out of town but we'll most likely be meeting this weekend! Then we taught Evelyn last Thursday, the lady that had a baby back in March and couldn't get baptized the same time as her husband. The last few times we had taught them it hadn't gone how we had planned and it seemed like she was straying away from baptism. So that morning during planning E. Kearl and I tried hard to get a lesson ready that would get her excited and back towards baptism but we really could think of anything. We had no idea where to start, we just wanted to b. So we prayed throughout the day and asked the Muhlesteins to pray for us as well so that we would know what to teach when we got there. As we walked to the appt. though we still didn't know and we were kind of nervous! We talked for a little at the beginning then said an opening prayer and then it was kind if quiet for a second because we weren't sure what to teach. So to start it off we just asked if they had any questions or anything specific they wanted to talk about. Then Evelyn goes "Yea I want to get baptized and was wondering when that could happen?" I'm sure E. Kearl and I both just looked ridiculous at that moment, confused look, big eyes, wondering if she really just said that. It was pretty awesome! So we ended up talking openly about baptism just like we had wanted and set a date for June 26. We were worried all day and had no idea what to teach, the Lord knew what was going on though and that she was ready. Helped me see even more how much we just need to trust in the Lord. Of course we have to do our part, but when we do that, and trust in him, and if it is his will, it will work out.

It was a pretty exciting week! Only one more left in the transfer. It will be a good week though. I hope everyone back home is doing good! Next week I'll have time to write without rushing through. I love you all so much! Thanks for everything. Have a good week, and look for the good in everything!

Elder Puriri

LETTER #26 - NORDHAUSEN

Hello hello!

Sitting at the computer again emailing you! That’s aweseome Dixie is doing so good! The pictures are way cool too. Don't worry about that natural roots song, I like it! I think its pretty good. I like all the music on there, and I'll probably get more Mormon Tab. from the Muhlesteins and other music from other missions. It’s nice to have music again! We're in Erfurt today for Pday with all the other missionaries in our district. We kind of got here late and are the last ones doing emails so everyone’s kind of waiting on us. So sorry this kind of just has to be quick.

Things in Nordhausen are going good though! We spent a whole lot of time this week doing doors and finding new people. We talked to a guy in his like mid 20s from China, he is studying in Nordhausen. But we were able to meet with him on Friday and give him a book of Mormon in Chinese and introduce it a little. We also talked a lot about prayer and some basic parts of the gospel. During the lesson we read a lot from the Book of Mormon and at the end asked him to say the prayer and he did! I think it was the first time he had ever prayed. We gave him a little card with directions on how to pray with 3 steps. The first just addressing our Heavenly Father, the 2 saying what we feel, thanking, asking, and the 3 closing in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. He looked at it and just said 'so I can say whatever I want in the middle?' we said yes and he

started to pray! It was so cool, he even asked for help on his upcoming tests in school. At the end of the lesson we tried to make out another appointment but he can't meet for about 3 weeks. It was cool though he said he was very curious and wanted to read the Book of Mormon as soon as possible, then he said it was good that we meet in 3 weeks because then he has time to read the Book of Mormon! It was a way good lesson. I'm looking forward to teaching him again.

I had never really taught anyone that has no idea about Christ or his gospel. Most people we teach have a basic idea of Christ. It was a very interesting experience and I learned a lot. It reminded me of a part in Jesus the Christ, in Ch. 11 it talks about miracles Christ performs. At the end of the chapter it says ''To Comprehend the works of Christ, one must know him as the Son of God; to the man who has not yet learned to know, to the honest soul who would inquire after the Lord, the invitation is ready; let him 'Come and see.' '' That was Christs invatation to Andrew and John when they asked 'Rabbi, where dwellest though?' he said 'Come and see'. I think thats so cool, just come and see.

Sorry this is so quick. I love you all!! Thank you for everything. Have a good week and be happy!

Elder Puriri

FROM THE MISSION BLOG

Erfurt Zone

Backseat Driver

Back Row - Third from the left

LETTER #25 - NORDHAUSEN

Hello Family!
It was really cool being able to talk last night. I'm glad everyone is doing good and it was cool that James and Corbin were there as well. Elder Kearl called his family right after so we got to meet them as well. Then after we finished the Muhlesteins called the rest of their kids. It was a good day though!
 

Started out going to church and we had a mothers day program. Elder Kearl, Elder Muhlestein, and I sang teach me to walk in the light. Then we went home and cooked out own Sunday meal, it was actually the first time my whole mission where I haven't had a meal with a member on Sunday. The branch here is smaller though so it’s alright. Then we got back to the church quick for an appointment, which sadly didn't go through. We weren't sure where our next appointment was and we had left the map at the apartment. So we were either going to go to the Muhlesteins real quick because we were close to their house, or take the tram back up to our apartment and get our map. We sat there for a second and decided to go back to our apartment. So we headed left up the road instead of right. As we came around the first corner we talk to a girl walking past us and made out an appointment for this week. We were able to talk a little bit about the purpose of life with her and she seemed really interested to learn more. It's pretty cool how things like that happen, if we would have went to the Muhlesteins we would have missed her. At our next appointment the guy wasn't home so we just did doors for the next hour and a half or so, then went to the Muhlesteins and called you! It was a pretty good day. This transfer is already half way through, it’s kind of scary sometimes how quickly transfers go by. We have to get the most out of the little time we have. It’s a lot of fun though and we're always busy so it’s good.
 

Well since we skyped yesterday I don't really know what to write about...thanks for the package though and getting me that ipod! Tell Ben thanks as well for helping out. Elder Kearl is ready to head out so I'm gonna finish this. This morning I studied Alma 5 though, it is an amazing chapter. Verse 26: 'And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of hear, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can you feel so now?' It is a good question to ask yourself often. Can you feel so now? We should be striving for that feeling and using the times in the past that we have felt like that as a motivation or reminder. We remember those feelings and remain worthy and do our part to have more of the sacred experiences. I can't remember who the speaker was right now but this last conference someone was talking about Sundays and the spirit we feel and sacrament meeting, and then he said something like on Monday we have to return back to the world. After he said that I asked myself, how will you return? It’s helped me a lot to ask myself that. Not only just on Sundays but each day before I leave the apartment or after I have a very spiritual experience.
 

The Gospel is amazing, my love for it grows each day as I study it and teach it. My love for all you grows daily as well, and with that, my love for the Gospel grows. I am so grateful for it and for the blessings we as a family receive from the Gospel. I love you all, it was fun talking to you yesterday! Have a good week!!
Elder Puriri

MOTHERS DAY - MAY 9, 2010

SUCH A DELIGHT!

LETTER #24 - NORDHAUSEN

HI!

We're on the computer at the same time, thats pretty funny! We could send emails back and forth and chat haha but that would take forever. Plus we're going to talk on Sunday so it's ok. Oh and I can skype on mothers day! I'm going to use the Muhlesteins computer at 6PM Sunday night so 10am for you guys. That’s crazy Garett's farewell is this coming Sunday. That's way cool, I wrote him a week or so ago so maybe he's gotten my letter. I haven't gotten Asa's letter yet or the package. It will probably come in today’s mail. Except I looked at my blog and it’s not Stollberger Str. 18 its Stolberger Str. 78. I've been getting your letters anyway but just so you know.

The first of May was pretty nice. The ward went for a spaziergang...a walk I guess ha. But through this big park in the city then we had lunch all together it was pretty cool. People had lots of ribbons in their trees and stuff but I didn't take any pictures sorry. Maybe next year ha. Then that night we had our windows open and could hear some concert that was going on down in the park. The band was playing old Beach Boys songs and stuff it was pretty funny.

This last week was good though. Pretty busy and it went by pretty quick. We had interviews with President Pimentel on Wednesday then I went on tausch in Weimar with Elder Webb again right after. President and I didn't talk about the Frankfurt mission at all or even the missions combining so still have no idea what’s going to happen there. May end up a Frankfurt missionary or I might stay a Berlin missionary. Won't find out about that for another month or so. Doesn't really matter, just have to serve my best where ever I am. Elder Killpack is now serving in Erfurt and we are tausching tomorrow so that will be cool to work with him again for the day! He thinks we're both headed to Frankfurt but we'll see.

The tausch in Weimar was pretty good. Elder Webb and I taught this couple from Azerbaijan, it was an awesome lesson. A member of the Branch Presidency from Weimar was there well with us. We talked about the Atonement in Alma 7:11-16. They both want to be baptized! So Elder Webb and Elder Watkins will continue helping them prepare for baptism. I really like how Alma 7:11-16 talks about the Atonement. The first 3 verses talk about Christ’s part and what he did for us. Then the last 3 verses talks about our part and what we need to do. Christ’s part is very long and there are many things he has done for us. Our part includes 5 things; faith, repentance, baptism/receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (two things but one without the other is not complete), and keeping the commandments. Comparing his part with our part in those 6 verses, his part is much harder. If we do our part, we don't have to suffer the things he suffered for us. The Atonement is a real thing, and we should take advantage of it. If we don't do our part then Christ suffered for us in vain. He suffered for us out of pure love, so that we could become clean and have a way to return to live with our Heavenly Father. We show him our love and our gratitude by using the atonement he has provided for us. It’s a pretty amazing thing and kind of hard to grasp the real meaning of it. Elder Scott talked about it this last conference, the significance of the Atonement. He encouraged all of us to study and pray for a better understanding of the Atonement. I've been doing that and hope to be able to better understand the Atonement more and more throughout my life. I do understand it more now then I did before my mission. But there is always more to learn.

Sorry this one is kind of short, but we'll be able to talk on Sunday! Thanks for all your guy’s letters and love. I hope everything is going good. Be positive and be happy! I love you all so much.

Elder Puriri

PICTURES FROM NORDHAUSEN

LETTER #23 - NORDHAUSEN

Hi Family!

Yesterday we were talking to someone on the street and they asked how old we were. When I went to answer I realized I was 20! I can't believe that. I don't really want to be 20 but not really a lot that I can do about it. I didn't forget my birthday, but I guess I just didn't really register that I'm 20 now. It was more just like, wake up, and realize it’s the 23rd and my birthday, then go to work and don't think about it anymore ha. It was a good day though.

This whole week has been pretty good. Elder Kearl got here on Tuesday and we had Elder Chidsey who is currently in Gotha (another city) with us for a couple days too. So we were 3 for Tuesday and Wednesday. Then Elder Chidsey went up to Berlin to pick up his Golden (new missionary). It was kind of funny being in a companionship of 3, you could see all the people on the street were kind of confused. They are used to seeing 2 of us walk around but then there were 3.

Just so you know I can still speak English. I just can't really do Gospel talk in English. I'm sure if I had a German companion for long enough and only spoke German all day everyday I would lose more then just my Gospel English. For the most part though my English is still there ha. I'm not sure if I will be able to skype on mother’s day. I will see this week and let you know next Monday. Oh and its ok you didn't get that package off until Friday. Don't worry about it. I tried to attach some pictures but for some reason this computer won't let me. So I'll figure it out next week and send some. The weather is warmer, the sun was shining most of this week it was nice! I'm already getting tan lines for my watch, collar and sleeves ha but whatever. I like tan lines more then I like winter!

Our appointment with Evelyn last Monday was good. It was Elder Mason's last time so it was also kind of sad. We talked though more about baptism and Evelyn is planning of being baptized towards the end of May! She had a C section a little over a month ago and needs time to heal up. But as soon as she is cleared by her doctor she is planning on getting baptized! I'm pretty excited. Elder Kearl and I went back to Karsten's (that last contact we went by on last week and made out an appointment with). He is a way cool guy. We walked into his house and as I turned into his living room he had like 5 guitars hanging on the wall. I kind of just stood there and stared. He's been playing for 2 years or so and I told him I play a little as well. He offered to let me play but we wanted to teach him first, and then sadly didn't have time at the end. It was funny though at the end of the lesson he told me to take a guitar with me and I can play it at nights when we get back to the apartment. I wish! Hopefully I'll get to play a little when we go back this week, pretty sure I've forgotten everything though. The appointment we had with him was good though. He loves Christ and wants to strengthen his faith. The true Gospel of Christ is exactly what he needs. He was very open, very down to earth, we even got on his computer and watched Elder Holland’s talk from Apr. 2009 'None Were With Him'. It was a very spirit filled appointment. Its amazing all the people you meet out here. So many different stories, so many completely different people, but the Gospel is the one thing that can make everyone happy. The one thing that can bring everyone true peace.

I was able to give a talk yesterday in Sacrament and talked about preparing for the temple and the blessings we get form the temple. So I read a whole bunch about the Temple while preparing for the talk and now my view of the temple has changed quite a bit. I learned so much and am so thankful that we have temples. Especially for the fact that our family can be together forever, when we honor the covenants we have made with God and when we all do our best to live the Gospel. I can't control what everyone else does, but the things we do determine whether or not we receive those blessings. I know I've said this before but please, everyone do your part so we can all be together. Elder Holland came and spoke to us in the MTC and at the end of his talk he got very emotional and in his Elder Holland way he said 'I am not devoting my life to a fairy tale!'. The Gospel is not a fairy tale. Its not just something nice we like to have. It is a real thing. I don't know how I can better explain it right now, but the Gospel is real. I am trying to help people here realize that, and I hope you all know that. If you doubt, or aren't sure, or even if you are sure. Pray, and ask God to help you know. Pray with all your heart, because that's how important it is. He will confirm your faith and belief that is already there, and he'll let you know that the gospel is true. I pray every day for another confirmation, every time I receive one. I love you all so much. Thanks for your prayers, love, and letters. Look for the good in everything and have a good week!

Elder Puriri

TURNING TWENTY WITHOUT US

Isaac is officially twenty years old today.  We celebrated all day without him.  And DIXIE WON the soccer game!  Happy Birthday Elder Isaac.  We love you so much!  And good job Ammon.  You played a great game!

LETTER #22 - NORDHAUSEN

Family!

This past week went by fast! I'm already sitting here emailing you again ha. It was a good week though, last week of transfer 3. Pretty crazy. In this transfer I had 2 companions and 2 areas, that’s not really normal. But it was fun! We got transfer calls on Saturday night. Elder Mason is being transfered to Chemnitz and Elder Kearl is coming to Nordhausen to be my new companion. Elder Kearl is from a small town in northern Utah I don't really remember the name. This is his last transfer of his mission though. Six more weeks and he's gone! Thats pretty weird to me, I'll be his last companion. I'm excited to help make his last transfer his best yet, it will definitely be good. Since he will be finishing this transfer though it looks like I'll stay the next transfer as well. If that happens then I will be going to the Frankfurt mission. Seems very likely now but we'll see. This mission work goes according to God's will and whatever happens is how it’s supposed to go. I'm ok with whatever happens now. It helped when Elder Rasband said that in General Conference; ''I had a further witness that morning that every missionary called in this Church, and assigned or reassigned to a particular mission, is called by revelation from the Lord God Almighty...''. When he specifically said 'reassigned' I was like oh...well alright then. So yea, we'll see what happens!

The past 3 weeks in Nordhausen we have been teaching a family whose Father was recently baptized just before I came here. We have been teaching him and his wife still and his wife is totally ready for baptism! When we taught them this last week the spirit was so strong. We would read a little bit in the Book of Mormon and talk about it then keep reading. They always had to much to say though and I could see and feel how much they love the gospel. It was my first time meeting Evelyn (the wife) because she has been out of town until now, and it was only my second time teaching Daniel (recently baptized father). Everything was so comfortable though and it felt like I have known them for a long time. As we all bore testimony of the Gospel the spirit was so strong it was awesome. We are meeting with them again tonight and are going to talk to Evelyn about baptism. I'm way excited to meet with them again. They came to church yesterday with they're 2 little girls and new born baby boy. When it was over and time to go the 2 girls didn't want to leave the church. They kept asking if they could just stay there, then as they left they weren't too happy and wouldn't talk to anyone ha. It was cool to see even the little girls can feel the spirit there and want to stay there. 

Saturday we spent most of the day just going by on old contacts trying to see if anyone still had interest in the Gospel. After about 4 hours it was getting slightly...I don't want to say boring but yea. Then it was about time to head home and we had one more we wanted to go by on and were thinking maybe just wait and lets just head home. We decided though to just to go across town and go by on this last contact we had picked out before we went home. When we got there the look on his face was like he was expecting us. No surprise that we were there or anything, just like 'oh good your here'. We introduced ourselves and he said 'yea I know how you guys are, I used to meet with missionaries about a year ago but then they just stopped coming'. We talked for a little at his door and he invited us to come back this week! Pretty funny how that works out. All day long no success, decided to do one more, and its the guy who has been waiting for you all day! Miracles happen every single day its amazing. I've been keeping a miracle book since I got into the mission, along with my journal. The miracle book though I just write about something that stood out to me that day, a little miracle or something. It's pretty cool being able to look back and read about all the miracles. It's also helped me to notice God's hand more and more in everyday life.

Things here are all going good! It’s been sunny and warm for the last 3 days! It’s so nice. Hopefully it will just continue to warm up. The beginning of a new transfer is always pretty cool. Six weeks ahead of me to do missionary work!

I hope everyone back home is doing good. Be positive and be happy! Don't take the Gospel or the Book of Mormon for granted! It’s too important and the blessings and too priceless. I love you all so much! Thank you for everything, have a good week!

Elder Puriri