O My Father

Hallo leute!

What an incredible week.

Saturday evening, Elder Carruthers and I were street contacting in the busiest part of Frankfurt (Zeil), the large outdoor mall downtown. I had the feeling that I should stop and talk to these two women, but almost immediately something told me I shouldn't. Despite that feeling, I stopped them anyway. One of them said to me "sorry I don't speak German". We started talking and it turns out she is from the US, and not only from the US but from Virginia, and not only from Virginia, but of all places, from Charlottesville. I could hardly believe it. I also happen to know her daughter (know of her, rather) because she also went to Albemarle High School. We exchanged numbers and I hope to stay in contact! That was such a cool experience. It showed me how personally God knows me. Just a couple days ago I had been thinking about how cool it would be to meet someone from Charlottesville in the middle of Frankfurt, and God made that happen. He truly loves us so much, and he will manifest that love often in our lives, we simply have to be open and aware enough to see it. It cannot possibly be a coincidence that out of the thousands of people in the middle of Frankfurt Germany, at the busiest time of the week, I stopped the one lady that happens to be from my hometown. God is good.

This week we also started the Stop Smoking program with our friend Markus. He is doing so well, and has almost stopped completely! We are looking forward to him getting baptized on the 13th of May.

Elder Carruthers and I have been talking a lot about our relationship with God recently. Over the course of my mission I have grown so incredibly close to God, and have come to truly see him as a loving father. There is a hymn I have been studying recently called O My Father. 

O my Father, thou that dwellest

In the high and glorious place,

When shall I regain thy presence

And again behold thy face?

In thy holy habitation,

Did my spirit once reside?

In my first primeval childhood

Was I nurtured near thy side?

For a wise and glorious purpose

Thou hast placed me here on earth

And withheld the recollection

Of my former friends and birth;

Yet ofttimes a secret something

Whispered, “You’re a stranger here,”

And I felt that I had wandered

From a more exalted sphere.

I had learned to call thee Father,

Thru thy Spirit from on high,

But, until the key of knowledge

Was restored, I knew not why.

In the heav’ns are parents single?

No, the thought makes reason stare!

Truth is reason; truth eternal

Tells me I’ve a mother there.

When I leave this frail existence,

When I lay this mortal by,

Father, Mother, may I meet you

In your royal courts on high?

Then, at length, when I’ve completed

All you sent me forth to do,

With your mutual approbation

Let me come and dwell with you

I know that we have Heavenly Parents in Heaven who know us and love us deeply. For that same reason he gave me the experience of being able to meet someone from Charlottesville in the middle of Frankfurt Germany. He loves us and loves you, and knows you perfectly! We are all brothers and sisters, and have been sent here for a very specific purpose.

Also update - I was worried about getting along with a companion of the enemy country (England) but he made me some British food and now we are on good terms.

Anyways I love you all,

Bis nächstes mal!

Elder Allan