Teaching about Obedience...Germany it is dark as midnight at 6pm

Well this week has been good, still just grinding it out trying to find people to teach. It has been cool though because we have been meeting some really cool people and have been finding so many potential investigators. 

Last night we went finding, it's kind of awkward now because when church gets out, it's dark. Winter in Germany means dark as midnight at 6 pm. But we went by on a referral from the International sisters. We couldn't find the man, but while we were walking home I had the impression we needed to walk the other direction in the complete direction from home. Then we decided to do it Elder Robinett said "This much be a prompting from the spirit, because I'm hungry, and tired!" We walked and walked and were lost, then I was just like "There is nothing," Then we figured we need to find our way home for dinner. We went through the park and stopped this man who was muslim. We talked and shared a the restoration and got his number! It was cool to see we needed to find this man, don't know what will come of it but the Lord was with us!

Another night we were sitting writing in our journals, then Elder Robinetts says "We need to go outside even though it is 10:30, I have had this feeling for 3 nights now." So I threw my jeans on and we went outside. We kind of walked around the church, then said we need to go by the SmartMarket next to the apartment. We were standing there waiting when I had to thought to visit an older sister in the ward who has been struggling with bad vibes in her apartment. We could see her window from the street, I just started to get nervous because I didn't want to wake her up and get her mad. We were standing there and said a prayer. I still had that thought in my mind. So then I decided okay let's walk over there. Then I looked up and just got the confidence. So I went over and rung her doorbell. Then as we did so, she answered we told her we were sorry it's late but we had the feeling to come by. She said thank you and that everything was alright. We left not really knowing what happened but at church she stopped me and said thank you and then I told her sorry again for it being so late. She said no don't be, you don't know what could have happened if you hadn't have shown up. It was cool to experience that I learned that sometimes being obedience to the spirit doesn't bring immediate blessings. 

Well it has been a week of change and week of miracles. For the past few weeks I have been teaching the gospel principles class it has been cool to see the spirit teach the people of the class. Usually,
I don't prepare ahead of time because someone else is suppose to teach, but this Sunday the teacher wasn't there again. And President Stoddard, (The Mission President) was at church with us, so I got up and taught. The first thought that popped in my mind was "obedience." We talked about obedience and then something hit me. With small and simple tasks such as obedience to the commandments the commandments help us follow the straight and now path. How can we possible think we can trust Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer if we can follow a simple health code like the word of wisdom. Obedience is not a one time thing it is a pattern we establish, Missions give us this oppurtunity to do so, if we choose to make this a habit now it will stick with us for the rest of our lives. 

Oh side note Elder Newman is the one of the senior couples here, he was Christian Deckers physics teacher!! He remembers him hahahah (whether for good or bad) hahaha 

Love ya 

Elder White  

Teaching the Plan of Salvation in the middle of the Largest Train Stations in Germany

 Bruder L. is doing amazing, he is actually dating someone from the ward and he is doing really well. Our last time we met with him last week, he talked about the progress he has made and how I noticed that he is a changed man. It has been cool to see the Atonement working in his life!

We also had a cool experience yesterday. We were on our way to go by and see an investigator. I had the idea to call F. from Ghana. We have been teaching him, but he had lost contact with us. I called him up and he answered. He apologized for not calling back, but he was really busy. But then I asked if we could meet up and he said, "Yeah let me hop another street car and we can meet at this station." So COOL! We drove to the station but because it was Sunday we couldn't find any parking on the street at all!! And all the parking garages were closed we ended up after driving for 30 minutes, Then we made our way to Hauptbahnhof's and cut our losses and tried this parking lot behind the station. Unfortunately, we had to pay for parking but hey for a good cause and ended up calling F. and asking him where he was. He actually was closer to Hauptbahnhof so met in Bahnhof (Railway station), then we couldn't find anywhere to sit down, the place is giant. We ended up sitting down on one of the platforms and taught him in the middle of one of the busiest train stations in the world the Plan of Salvation. It was so cool to see the whole plan unfold as we drew it for him and he listened and had some amazing questions and by the end he understood everything and was so excited to meet again and learn more. Another miracle happened, We aren't really suppose to be teaching people at Bahnhof and actually right next to us a Bahn security guy sit down and noticed what we were doing but it was funny he got up and then sit down right behind us and he was secretly listening to the conversation and said nothing!! so cool! 

Well this church is true, I learned something cool this week about charity because I had to give a talk in church about charity. I really wanted to understand why it is as we turn outward we grow spiritually. Because for me as a missionary, we are always tired and exhausted, yet I feel closer to the Lord and I have seen so much progress. I was really wrestling with this question, until I was watching the Mormon message "Lift" and one of the guys said "As we heal others around us, they heal us." It all made sense now the idea of turning outward and letting someone else heal us because we can't always heal ourselves! This gospel is true, I love working here in Germany and serving the people here and learning to love them. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God and Thomas S Monson is truly a prophet of God. 

Love,

Elder White

 

P-day car show  

Double Ryan Power and Power of Ponderizing

Went a split this week with Elder Leppert. His first name is actually Ryan so that was cool! Ryan power! But he is a great missionary we went finding and caught in some major rain, but had a great day! We got a hold of a family we are trying to get contact with. Just had a feeling that we should go by, and she was actually coming out to walk to the school and she told us come walk with me!! It was so cool.

Then we had a great member lessons and we got to teach the parents of Bruder R. from Munchen and that was cool! Then afterwards he came with us and taught Bruder L.!! It was so cool and Bruder L. is doing great he came on Sunday!!! He also fasted!! He is making so much progress it has been a privilege to work with him.

We also found a new investigator named F. from Ghana he is so cool and so open to the gospel we are so excited to keep teaching him. We actually found him on a U Bahn, it was super cool! I will keep you updated. 

Then we had a good lesson with Bruder H.  He made us a 3 course meal and he is a gourmet chef . He fed us so well! IT was cool to be able to share a spiritual message with him and uplift him during his time of need because he was about to go back and get another surgery on his foot! He fed of phyically and we fed him spiritually! 

Well this was a great week finished off by watching the last half of General Conference! It was so good and I really like this idea of ponderizing because I will be completely honest like I don't like memorizing scriptures. But this idea of internalizing them and making them a part of you is awesome and it helps us to have uplifting thoughts and clean thoughts!!! That is so cool! This week I have learned the power and influence the Atonement can have on one's life and how it can change us and make us truly new creatures of our Heavenly Father. It can give us a new lease on life and help us to see the beauty of life and have the feeling of being reborn. I would challenge you to do what needs to be done. Focusing on repenting daily and changing, never become complacent with good, because that is when in this game of tug of war we fall over the line. Don't stop pulling! This gospel will bless your life and those around you!!

Love 

Elder White 

Rely on the Holy Ghost to Lead the way...come Closer to Jesus Christ through repentance

Well this week has been insane but fun, I got to go on a fun split with the Elders in Langen and we saw a cool miracle. We were going visit a member and had a really good lesson with him. Then we left and we wanted to find the house of this less active member. We thought he couldn't live far from this member's home so we hopped on a streetcar and went to find his house. We rode for about 5 minutes and I had this feeling to get off the train, I looked out and didn't feel right and then went one more still didn't feel right, then the next stop I saw this street and said "I think we need to go down that street and contact people." We got off and Elder Murray asked me "Where are we going?" I told him "no idea." We started walking down the street and contacting people. It was crazy because the street starting leading into the woods and in my mind I was thinking "What are we doing?" then we contacted this lady and then I turned around and SAW THE MEMBER we were looking for. It was crazy and then we walked home with him, it was a 30 minute walk from where we were, we weren't even close to where his house was, but we walked with him home and talked and then he fed us cake! It was great! We have another appointment for this week! This was such a Miracle because he had just been meditating in the woods studying the scriptures.

 

Also, this week was Deutscher Einheit (German Unity?). I guess that there was a ton of riots in the city. I didn't see them, but the whole city was shut down, but we went finding anyways. We also got to go to the Deutscher Einheit of Religion celebrate at one of the most famous churches in all of Frankfurt! Super cool to see all of these religions coming to together to learn to love one another.

 

It has also been successful finding week, we have found a potential investigator every day. Now the challenge is to work with them to become investigators!!!! We did meet some kids from mainland China that were throwing and football around! We taught them how to throw and impressed them with our American football skills and gave them a Book of Bormon. It was cool!!

 

Bruder L. is doing great! We had another lesson with him and he just expressed his love and desire to want become an active member of the church! It was so cool and hopefully he got the opportunity to listen to conference! It is his birthday this week so we are going to make him a cake to celebrate.

 

Really a week full of mircales and just good old finding and following the spirit so we can find people to teach!

 

I really liked from this  General Conference the fact we talked about the commandments and how important it is to keep the commandments. I know some think that we don't need to worry because they are not commiting adultery or stealing. But then we have to realize another part is to love the
Lord our God and love our neighbor. Everyday we sin and fall short of his glory, because we love the sin more then we love the Lord. But if we strive to develop love for the Lord after awhile the sin becomes disgusting to us and we no longer have the desire because our desire and love is in something else. If we can learn, through the holy ghost, see people as our Heavenly Father sees them we will truly understand the godly potential that we all have.

 

My challenge for you this week is to find your most common sin this week that takes away from your love for the Lord and simply fix it through the enabling power of the atonement and I promise you will find peace in your everyday life and power to call upon the heavens.

 

Love you all,

Elder White

Enjoying Splits, Making progress with Bruder L.

Well this week has been weird becasue I went on two splits and had two all day meetings this week. Pretty much did no proselyting in our area!, but it was fun to say the least. I first went on a split with Elder Frickey in Mainz! We had great time because we served together in the same zone in Dortmund. We got to teach some cool lessons and got to do some fun finding! Its fun to go and work in other peoples areas! 

Then we had then actually overnight at our apartment and the next morning drove them to Zone Conference held in the Offenbach Chapel. It was a really good Zone Conference mainly because we talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how we can better change lives and make differences and how they ground us and help us explain really want we need to do here on the earth. Elder Robinett and I were in charge of Enduring to the End and we gave a fun example  about how we are all walking up a staircase and we can just walk halfway up and say okay I'm finished! But we have to make it to the top, meaning make it to heaven, we can't stop, randomly in the middle. Baptism is not the end it is merely another step (but very important step) in the journey of life. Then we related this example to our missions. Just because you serve a mission and make it eventually to the day of Eternal P-Days doesn't mean that you have reached eternal life. We as missionaries can't go less active after getting home from our missionaries, as was said last year in genreal conference "swan dive back into Babylon". It was cool and I think it was a good visual analogy.

Then the next day we had Mission Leadership Counsel it was fun to see some friends all over the mission and talk about issues and how we can fix them. One of the biggest topics was the fact that playing Sports to get to know investigators is not coming across as effective and missionaries are getting hurt. I defending the side of the issue that we should play sports because I have seen a lot of success. After much discussion we decided that we can play sports we just need to make sure that we are following the spirit and not getting to competitive. It was fun to talk and counsel with President Stoddard!!

Well then we had a cool experience because then I went on a split with Elder Manner a new missionary in our zone who is serving Michelstadt. It was fun,  he is a great Elder who is really has such a strong testimony and is a diligent missionary! We did a ton of finding and got ice cream!! hahah then we went to the wards multicultural evening and played soccer with some of the little kids in the ward! I love splits!! they are so much fun! You just get to go and be yourself and help lift elders and help them find the joy in missionary work!! Great Stuff!! 

Well Bruder LG came again this Sunday and we didn't even remind him!! He was sitting there and then we talked to him a little and then this lady came up and invited him to sit next to her!! It was great! He then stayed the whole 3 hours and really liked it!! So cool he is making so much progress! 

Well crazy week ahead of us! We have a lot of stuff to do and things this week we are invited to do Rat des Religions and we are doing a infostand for the Deutscher Einheit Religion Celebration which the main celebration is being held here in Frankfurt!!! ITs going to be cool!! A once and lifetime opportunity!! 

Love ya, a ton and remember to pray whenever you need answers the Lord is there just waiting to forgive us and help lift us during times of struggle and trial. Remember the importance of the Atonement and how we can truly be forgive of our sins! 

Love 

Elder White 

Went back to Offenbach...mending hearts

Well it has been a crazy week as usually, I feel like I say that every week, but hey it is the honest truth! But yeah this week was good!

Elder Robinett was pretty sick for a couple days and so we had to chill at the apartment and take it easy for a couple days. It was really boring because he would go to sleep and I would just be there chillin after doing all my studies. I did a lot of cleaning and reading. It was pretty chill, but stinks. Its funny you look forward to free time while you are proselyting and then when you actually get the time you are bored and don't know what to do! But yeah he is all better now, I nursed him back to health.

Well also this week I went on a split back in Offenbach!! Actually in my same apartment! it was great I even slept in my same bed! It was weird though coming back to this apartment that I had served in a year ago and remember what I felt like first coming into the doors and being a new missionary! It was weird and actually I'm pretty sure I was there actually on the same day I actually first got to that apartment 1 year ago! Weird being back. But great split, I kept having the feeling we needed to go and contact and it was just this nagging feeling to go out and contact people. We had a lesson with a member and then we were heading to go by on one of the old people that i use to teach and we got two people in a row. One we committed to church and then the next one gave us his address and we made an appointment out! It was cool they were one right after another! Then we had dinner later with an senior couple while the offenbach elders did correlation. We got a great dinner and had a good time, it was actually the BS family who were there when I first got there. Cool stuff! Then after that I had this feeling to go to the Main and I started playing basketball with some kids and then ended up playing one on one and then while I was playing Elder Andrew the elder I was on the split with contact this kid. He talked to him for a good hour and then actually got him to come to the church and get a book of Mormon and exchange numbers! It was a  split full of miracles, it was cool also the next morning I went over to Troys house, my old GML, and we talked for an hour! Great Split Learned a lot! 

Also this week, last week we called this family randomly and they let us come over. The wife is a member but inactive and the husband wanted to get baptized but the problem was somethings happened and they got offended realy bad. They went off on us about how offended they were that the bishop said this and the missionaries said that. It was intense!!! They were so mad, but we just started talking we calmed the wife down. To the point where she stopped talking and listened and we talked about how this chance is a chance for us to use the atonement. But at the end the hisnabdn was still against the baptism and taking the lessons again. But the wife said this time she would take the lessons and help him. So we got a return appointment! It was a crazy lesson but we definitly felt lead by the spirit! 

Well this week has been great, this next week is going to be all over the place and a little crazy because we are going to have multiple people staying here in our apartment because of transfers and shuttling the new missionaries around. But thats okay it part of living here and the work! The Gemeinde Mission Leader had the gospel principles class yesterday and he said something that was cool. We are not only responsible not only for the people in our area but also for companions. Some sometimes we are have to be missionaries for our companions and the missionaries around us! 

Love ya

Elder White

Lots of Activity with Investigators...

Well this week has been interesting but full of miracles. I went on a split Tuesday with Elder Taylor from Offenbach and we found this man from Portugues that said we could come back it was a cool spiritual experience where we were early for an appointment and went dooring and found him!! So cool!! 

Then on another split this week with Elder Robinson, we were doing some finding and we were walking and i had this idea to door this building, second door that we rang the lady pops her head out of the window and says "elder come up!" we went up and found out that he father in law was a mormon and she loves the missionaries and the church and said to come back next week!! It was so cool she wanted us to get to know her family and husband.

Then we made some calls randomly from the Area Book and got a hold of a part member family that said we could come by this week and meet with them! It was cool he actually wanted to get baptized originally but it didn't work out mostly because he wanted to get baptized to quickly!! haha who would have thought hahaha

Yeah we have seen tons of miracles and have had some interesting experiences. We did a street display in a town called Mainz this last week and i found this guy that he visited Utah a ton of times and had really enjoyed it and wanted to meet and talk about what we believe because he just thinks that it is so cool!! That was cool and then he came back two minutes later because he had another question! You could see that excitement build in him and his curiosity rising! Hopefully it pans out well for the Mainz Elders

This week we have a meeting hopefully with S (basketball guy) on Sunday after church with a member from the ward. So that will be fun! 

Also K. came to church but sacrament was a little interesting great testimonies the problem was the Frankfurt Germany temple was closed last week and that was all the testimonies and i think it went over his head a little so he didn't have a huge spiritual experience at church like we hoped for. But all hope is not lost we have gotten him to church and he is reading in the scriptures the Lord will bless him with the answer after careful study and perseverance! 

Love ya tons 

Elder White