(This email was received on Christmas Eve. As a family, we were out of town and could not get it posted to the blog sooner than today. We had the AWESOME opportunity to see and talk with Elder Ryan Christensen via skype on Christmas morning. Words cannot describe the joy in seeing him. It was hard to say goodbye after about an hour, but it was amazing none the less. We love and miss Ryan but know that he is doing well and serving the Lord with all his heart. On Thursday of this last week he was expecting a transfer call for his companion Elder Steed. We will know Monday what happened. Also, he told us that in March his mission will get 90 missionaries more than they currently have. They expect that number may increase again in June. Very exciting! We are very grateful to the GML and his family for allowing the missionaries to use their computer and spend a little time with us on Christmas.)
Wow its really hard to believe that it is already christmas time again! Has it really been almost a year now that I have been here? Crazy.
This will be really short because I will talk to you tomorrow evening, and today we are totally packed. We were invited by Schwester Mittermayer to lunch, and then to the Vodusek Familie for dinner. But it will take a long time. We are allowed to stay out past 10:30 twice between now and new years, as long as a member gives us a direct ride home. And so who knows how long we will be with them tonight. :-)
I really don't know what to write in this e-mail, there wasn't really anything exciting that happened over the past few weeks. Martin and Marion are really sick so they weren't able to come to Church yesterday, we were able to meet with Martin though, Marion was sick and had a really good lesson with him.
Frau Zalka came to Sacrament meeting, she too was feeling a little sick, but much better than before. One of her concerns that she mentioned in an sms to our GML is that she doesn't know if she "für die Kirche geeignet ist". I don't know exactly how to translate that to English. The closest that I can think of is that she doesn't think that she is fit for the church or if she qualified to be a member. I gave her 2 Nephi 26:24-28, 33 and then Alma 7 14-15 to study and pray about. I hope that helps.
24 He doeth not aanything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he bloveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: aCome unto me all ye bends of the earth, cbuy milk and honey, without money and without price.
26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should adepart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of hisasalvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath bgiven it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to crepentance.
33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he ainviteth them ballto ccome unto him and partake of his goodness; and he ddeniethnone that come unto him, black and white, ebond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the fheathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
14 Now I say unto you that ye must arepent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.
15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth abeset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.
If not than maybe 3 Nephi 9:13-15, 21-22; Mosia 18:8-10. :-) We will see. She will get baptized, as will Martin and Marion. It's just a matter of time.
Martin has studied the church for a long time and knows everything even really deep doctorine. He has come across a lot of anti-mormon literature and says that he has already worked everything out in his mind and nothing has or will take him away from the church! We just need to get them married, before they can get baptized... But they will Marion really wants to learn and understand, they pray and read together out of the Book of Mormon everyday, and come to church often. They always ask US when we can meet, we don't even need to ask them. :-)
Anyway thats all the time I have today. I will SEE you tomorrow!!!
Love,
Elder Ryan K. Christensen
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