Splitting up, The Art Of Patience, And A Professional Door Opener

Hallo alle!

 

I will get right into it! Hey last week I hit my 9 month mark! Nothing too special, but it is really crazy how fast it is going by.

 

This week we were allowed by President to do splits with leadership in our ward. So Elder Breinholt and I actually split up, and I went with a member of our Elders Quorum presidency Brother Tramp, and Elder Breinholt went with our stake president (this is his homeward and he lives right next to us so we are pretty close with him). It felt so weird not being with another missionary, but it was a lot of fun. We tried to visit a couple less active members, but none of them were home, so Brother Tramp said "why don't we try visiting Andrea Tramp'' and I was like "ok sure!" And then once we got there I realized that he was making a joke and was talking about his wife, so we just went inside his house, took a break, and all talked for a bit. It was really good, because although no one was home, I got to know him better and we had a good time.

 

We also taught our friend Patrizio this week. It was definitely a test of patience! He really likes the Book of Mormon and has started praying every day which is so awesome, but a lot of times he isn't really willing to actually listen to us. We sit there and listen to him talk for most of the hour, and when we do talk and express our thoughts, he essentially acts as if we didn't say anything and just goes on another rant. It is hard, especially when I feel like I bear powerful testimony to him and I really feel the Spirit, and then he just blows over it. But we are still going to meet with him and hopefully we can make some progress.

 

We went over to the Pabst's for dinner again, and let me just say that my respect for moms is exponentially increasing. I already had a ton of respect for my mom for having to deal with me, but with the Pabst kids throwing whipped cream around and trying to drink more apple juice than they are supposed to and complaining because they got less food than we did, really made me realize how much mom's have to deal with. Thank you moms!

 

Also the person who we were teaching who used to be a member, decided that she is ready to be baptized again!  We are so excited for her!

 

Side news: Elder Uchtdorf is coming to visit our mission at the end of April, so that is really exciting.

 

On Saturday and Sunday, we did Türdienst (door service, like ushers but just with doors) at all the sessions of stake conference in Düsseldorf. Our only job was to sit next to the doors that led outside, open before the meeting, during the intermediate hymn, and then afterwards as well. It was a really difficult job... but stake conference was really good! During the intermediate hymn on Sunday, the stake clerk, who is in our ward, came down from the stand and started walking towards me and I was like "oh no please don't do it", and then we walked up to me and did it. He asked me to bear my testimony right after the song. I didn't have any time whatsoever to think about what I was going to say, which was actually a cool experience because it made my testimony completely led by the Spirit. With that said, I focused my testimony on how when we serve others and show our love to others, we come close to Jesus Christ. When I first came out on a mission I saw everything more business-like: "Oh we have to get people to join our church, I have to baptize tons of people, I have to be the best at talking to people, etc." But I have to come to realize how that is not at all what it is about. Serving a mission is about serving others. Whether or not someone decides to be baptized, my purpose as a missionary is to help people improve their lives, love themselves, and most importantly feel the love of God. I promise that if you selflessly and willingly serve others, you will come to know that God and Jesus Christ truly exist, and you have more of a desire to get to know them. Try it out!

 

Anyways, talk to yall next week! Remember if you ever need someone to talk to, although I am on the other side of the world, just send me an email :)

 

Also my companion is crazy.

 

Your favorite friend, nephew, student, and son!

Elder Landon

 

1. The District!

2. Sister Nelson and I have been out for 9 months!

3. Church #1827632827262 and the moon

4. One of Duisburgs 138972 factories and the moon

5. Zone Conference was 2 weeks ago but here's the picture!

6. Us, some other missionaries, and Diyar (the best member missionary ever) at stake conference.






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