Prayer, Brezel, And Escalator To Heaven

Hallo Leute!

It's been a good week!

Last Thursday we had a lesson with Alex and Galina. They are dating, but Alex is a member and Galina is not. We talked about the steps before baptism, and we even asked them if they want to get sealed sometime in the temple, and they enthusiastically said yes! The Spirit was so strong and you could see how much they cared for each other and how much they looked forward to being able to be together for eternity. Galina is really excited to get baptized, and today we are going to be talking more about what it takes to get there.

On Friday we had three lessons in a row, all of which were really powerful. The first one with Dominik who was recently baptized. He is such a great guy and he is trying so hard to live the Gospel! The Gospel has really changed his life and he talked to us about how grateful he is for it and for the blessings he has seen.

We then had a lesson with Christian, who was someone who had ordered a Book of Mormon through our mission website findechristus.org. He just texted us randomly and said he wanted to meet because he had a lot of questions about the Book. So we video called him and for about an hour just answered all the questions he had. We also taught him how to pray. That is probably the favorite part of my mission. So many people don't realize that our Heavenly Father WANTS to hear from us, and all it takes is just directing your thoughts and feelings towards him in prayer. I have heard many people say their first (non-recited) prayer as I have been on the mission, and it never fails to really touch me at my spiritual core. Prayer will change your life.

Speaking of which, Elder Christensen and I have been talking about prayer a lot lately, specifically reading in Alma 34:18-27. We can pray anytime, anywhere, and the Lord will hear us. For the past couple days I have been setting alarms that go off throughout the day. When they go off I stop what I am doing and say a prayer. Yesterday Elder Christensen and I were on an escalator and the alarm went off so we both closed our eyes and folded our arms and said a prayer, and afterwards the lady at the bottom was really confused. Even when I am in a lesson or am occupied, I can "let my heart be full, drawn out in prayer" unto God. The Lord answers prayers. In just the past week I have truly gained a testimony of that. Sometimes all it is is two sentences of me thanking God that the sun is shining, or asking for a bit of comfort. He loves us, so He answers us.

On Monday, with some of our friends, a member showed us how to make pretzels. And not to brag but mine was pretty nice. I almost stopped my heart with the amount of salt that was on there, but at least it looked nice! 

We also had a lesson this week with our friend Julian, who is dating a member. And what do you know, we talked to him about prayer! He said that when he has prayed in the past he has felt a sense of relief, and we explained that that was from God. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and because He took all of our pains and sins upon himself, we are able to be relieved of our burdens. That sense of relief after prayer is Jesus Christ taking that burden and putting it on His own shoulders so that you don't have to carry it alone.

My testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God's Plan of Salvation has grown more these past weeks than it has at any point in my mission. I have noticed the Spirit working in the small details of my life and the lives of others, the power that is in prayer when you have a sincere heart and real intent, how service and simple kindness can help others and yourself feel loved. I have also really gained a strong testimony that after death we will see our family and friends again. I am striving to make these last 4 months the best of my mission. I have learned so much and have much more to learn. I love you all!

Sorry for the long email haha.

Bis nächste Woche!

Elder Allan