'One week spirit streak' - 3.14.2016

Liebe Freunde Liebe Familie.

Wow what a absolutely fantastic week.

To begin we had an excellent ZTM. We learned about the life of Jesus Christ because the easter season is at hand, and how we can be more like our savior. Elder Thomas and I did a role play which is always really really......really.....let me tell ya.....really......a thrill....sort of. Anyway role plays are sooooo important but they can be kinda monatoneous and boring sometimes but alas they are necessary.

Wednesday we had a lesson with Frau Hohnke. We talked about the Book of Mormon and she really likes the book and says she feels peace every time she reads in it which is very often. Unfortunately she is a typical old German and doesnt like the idea of change so we invited her to baptism and she again, declined. But our purpose is not only to baptise but to invite others to come unto christ so we will keep teaching her and hopefully a spark will ignite the potential fire within her.

And then the miracle happened. So a little background history of this miracle.

Once upon a time. Elder Thomas and Elder Mayer found a man named mentor who comes from albania. Well they lost contact with him. He used to live in Joachimstahl which is a little dorf not far from Eberswalde but we went there to see if we could find him and we shortly found out that we was transfered. To Eberswalde. Which doesn't make any sense because there are no Auslander Heims here in Eberswalde so we left empty. The day came when we decided to do some finding at another nearby dorf (Welcome to Dorf life) called Biesenthal. We got on the train and Elder Thomas says. I think thats mentor. The train was legitlly about to leave and so being the stupid missionary at the time I said. Well the trains leaving we dont have time. And the train left, Mentor turned, and lo and behold it was him and we missed him. Well sometimes God gives us a waiting trial when we realize that we should have done something that we didn't do. But thank goodness God is a god of second chances. (Yes saskya like the song from veggie tales jonah) It was one day when we were about to go to a member appointment on the bus when Elder Thomas goes. Wait I think I see him. We didn't hesitate this time and i said. Let's go. Well it was mentor and his wife. We got their address and we are know teaching a wonderful young couple from albania. #chiruchisture

Anyway. That wasnt the best part of our week. Today to me was the best part of our week. We met with our friend Michael today even though it was P day. But we decided to sacrifice our time for someone searching for the truth which is far more important than playing ping pong or some other activity. We met with him at 1100 and finished the Plan of Salvation. And then the best part. There was a long moment of silence and all of my companions know (all two of them) that I abosoluetly adore silence. Silence is when the spirit really works to the best of its ability. I took the opportunity to tell our friend the role of his savior Jesus Christ in all of our lives. And then I waited and Elder Thomas waited. We sat there for about thirty seconds just taking in this feeling. Michael, what are you feeling at this moment? He didn't answer and tears started to come to his eyes. And then tears came to my eyes. Fifteen more seconds of just spiritual atmosphere. Michael, what do you think that feeling is? Now I wish I could say that he said, that was the spirit I want to be baptized right now but sometimes the gospel takes small steps in the role of a persons life. He honestly said he couldnt describe the feeling and he didn't know what it was.But thats okay. My dear friends it is amazing to play apart of a persons change in the gospel. It is probably one of the most lasting joys I have ever felt. What michael felt and I can testify because I felt it as well was THE spirit testifying of the truthfulness of this message. He is truly someone looking for happiness and he is finding it piece by piece bit by bit. It was the end of the lesson and we asked him if he would like to say the prayer. Without hesitation he said he would love to say it. Now keep in mind this is a man with no religious background whatsoever. This is someone who had no belief in god and is now beginning a relationship with his heavenly father. The prayer he gave was the most sincere heartfelt simple prayer I have heard. He prayed for the strength he needed through all of the many hardships that he has, he prayed for Elder Thomas and I, he prayed for truth and he meant it. He began to cry again during this humbling submissive prayer. I began to cry as well and I let the tears come. His prayer was finished and I thanked him for letting me hear something that may be very personal to him. Dear Friends and family this Easter Season is here. And with it comes the focus of Jesus Christ and his Resurrection. The video the church has made is a perfect example of the hope we have through Christ. It is through him that we can have new life. And through him is the way I have found my new life. Friends and family I end this email and join the world in a word that has new profound meaning in my life. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!