Monday, November 21, 2016

Day 677

*(Alex's mom here. This is his letter from last week, November 14th.)

Salutations!

Another week has gone by here in the thriving metropolis of Västerås. I can't remember if I told you all last week or not, but I accidentally dropped our phone in some water a week and a half ago hahaha so we've kinda been of the grid for the last 10 days. No phone has made it next to impossible to stay in contact with investigators and to set up lessons and to call potential investigators. We have basically just contacted the whole week. We have been blessed with many people who we have been able to teach and get numbers from!  And even that hasn't brought forth much fruit yet because we can't really call them haha. Okay we actually borrowed the landline in the church building and called some of our investigators and the new numbers that we got. So that was good. But all we have really been doing is contacting. It is one of my favorite things to do so it was good. We made it really fun and had a good time. I even climbed up onto a 10 ft high pile of snow in a busy square and started preaching the Restoration and about the BoM really loud to all the swedes haha. No one listened haha and nobody even really looked at me they just kept walking. It was cool to pull a Dan Jones and do that. Haha it was funny but I felt the spirit burning in my chest nonetheless!

Since I don't have too much to write about and not much time, I will give you a little spiritual thought from something I read the other morning in the Book of Mormon. This is in 1 Nephi 8 (Lehi's dream)

30 "But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree."

The fact that these people had to press their way forward implies that there was an opposing force. It was hard for them to hold to the rod and stay on the path. I love the fact that they fell down when they got to the tree. It was so hard for them to hold to the rod and press forward that they physically fell to the earth when they reached the end of the path. It was hard, but it was more than worth it for this multitude as they partook of the fruit that "was most sweet, above all that [they] ever before tasted." Living in the world today and holding fast to the rod of iron is hard, it really is. There are more temptations now then there have ever been before. We are going to have to press forward and endure as we live the gospel in a changing world. But one thing is for sure, when we reach the end of our lives journey, we will fall down after a hard fight and partake of God's goodness and love and the everlasting happiness that we have been striving our whole lives for. I know that living the gospel can be hard. If it hasn't been hard for you yet, it will be. I think that is the point. We are here to be tested and shaped into the people our Heavenly Father wants us to be. Nothing worth it comes easy. Let us all hold fast to the iron rod and press forward, so that when we reach the tree of life, we can fall down in relief and joy and partake of the fruit. I know that the gospel is true and that if we live it, it will bless and change our lives. It will make us happy. 

I am out of time my friends, but I want to quickly send out a birthday shout out to my best friend and the best dad in the world! My dad is my role model and my hero. I am so grateful for him in my life and for all that he does for me. He has honestly shown me so much love and care throughout my whole life and I am so thankful for that. He has always wanted the best for me and always been there for me. I am so grateful for the way that he raised me in the gospel. I am the man I am today because of my dad. If I can be half the man that my dad is one day, I will be happy. I am grateful for his strong testimony and his love for me. I love you so much dad! Have the best day ever! 

I love you all! Thank you for all that you do for me! Remember that the church is true!

Godspeed my friends.

MVH













1 comment:

  1. I'm so happy that you worked hard even without the phone. I think it's great that some missionaries still loves contacting on the streets even after almost 24 months as missionaries.
    I love your thoughts on Lehi's Dream with the iron rod. I think it's important to remember that the trials and difficulties we do have in our life has a reason. And even tho we might not see or understand that reason we have someone who does. And we just need to trust him. Have another great week.
    Love, Pia

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