"Preach the Gospel and if Necessary Use Words" October 21,
2012
Servus Zusammen!
Well there was a lot of interesting
things that went on this week. We actually spent a lot of time in Wien (Vienna).
On Wednesday we went up to Wien for what was basically a mini Zone Conference.
At the beginning of each month all the Zone Leaders go to Munich to meet with
President Miles and talk about needs of the Mission or various topics they want
to discuss. The area presidency about two months ago asked that after these
meetings that the Zone Leaders meet with their Zones and discuss what was
presented there so that all missionaries can get a hold of what has been
discussed to help improve the work. Wednesday was when they had that and its
called Zone Leader Training Meeting. On Thursday we went back to Wien where we
had a district meeting as well as interviews with President Miles. On Saturday
evening we went back up to Wien to stay the night with Elders Bassett and Moon
so that we could go the next morning to the stake center and watch a broadcast
from President Monson.
This last week President Monson had
visited Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich to visit the members in Germany. Then on
Sunday he was in Frankfurt where they had a broadcast that was played for
all German speaking wards and branches. He spoke a lot about applying the love
of Christ in our lives and living by example. Something he mentioned that I
thought was really interesting was he talked about how Jesus never wrote any of
the scriptures we read, rather he lived by example and taught in such a way
that he wrote his commandments and his love and his thoughts on the hearts of
those who listened who then in turn wrote them for us later to read. It really
demonstrated the principle of actions speak louder than words. As President
Uchtdorf said "Preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words". It
also went in hand with what Mom always tells me, "People don't care how
much you know until they know how much you care." I think it's so
important to remember that as we made those covenants to follow the Lord we
promised to be a witness to him in all that we do. Unless you live what you
preach it won't have an impact. I found it a really good talk and very
encouraging in that we don't need to worry about what we necessarily say or
know to make an impact on others, but rather when we simply choose to act in a
loving manner it will mean the world to someone.
I thoroughly enjoyed my interview
with President Miles. It was so to say spiritually rejuvenating and it helped
me figure out a lot of things that have been pressing my mind for awhile. One
it helped me confirm that even though we haven't been having a whole lot of success
here in St. Pölten that I am still doing that which I need to be doing and that
the Lord is pleased with what I've been giving so far. The other thing it
helped me with is to understand more or less of what we need to do to help the
ward. We recognized that if you keep doing the same thing over and over with no
success it is going to stay that way. Really what we need to do is think
outside the box and try new approaches to finding people to teach. For example,
Elder Chapman and I are planning on going through a neighborhood this week and
offer to rake leaves for those who would need it. We are hoping to live by
example in what we are doing and then hope that through our actions it will
lead to possible interest on the part of those we serve. Whether they find
interest or not at least we will be able to serve and help out around the
community. This week will probably be a lot different than former weeks here
and I am way excited.
While Elder Chapman was being
interviewed I got to talk with Sister Miles about how things were going among
other things such as how our apartment was doing, health wise, etc. She
prepared to share her thoughts with the Missionaries about President Uchtdorfs
talk about how we should enjoy life and allow ourselves to be happy. It is one
that I particularly enjoyed and have been thinking about a lot lately. That is
something I really learned well with Elder Root; even though the conditions
might not have been the best while we were working here in St. Pölten we still
managed to have a lot of fun and really be happy throughout it all. The main
thing is that we can choose to be happy with the way things are. Some mornings
these last few weeks I woke up rather deprived of energy just from being sick
or from not being particularly excited for another day of just straight finding
when we had no idea as to what or where we were supposed to go, but it always
turned out really good by the end of the day because Elder Root and I had
always chosen just to enjoy our time and chosen to be happy. It's that choice
that has really helped me have the greatest experience with my mission so far.
Most days it goes really well where we can feel the spirit and see great work
happening before our eyes. But even on those days where it might not be so
fortunate the Lord is still waiting to bless us and make us happy as long as we
decide we want to have the right attitude. The gospel is about joy and if you
allow it to be, you will be filled with joy. The Lord also gives us many things
which we can be happy with. On Saturday I had caught a cold somewhat and it was
one of those days where I seemed a little more stressed than normal about the
work and stressed that I had been getting sick so often that when I we got to
the Wien 1 Elders apartments after we ate dinner with them I just went with a
prompting I had been having to get a priesthood blessing at some point and
asked Elder Bassett if he could help me out. The blessing was very heart
warming and since then I've just been very excited and energetic about
everything. I am really grateful for all the times the Lord has blessed me and
that I can help others understand these blessings that are in store for them.
Something that has been amazing to
see since I've gotten here is the change we have seen in the ward towards the
missionaries. For the first little while when I was here it seemed like the
relationship between the members and us was that of indifference. However, now
when we see the ward members they get really excited and happy. I think it came
through simple things for example such as showing interest and following up on
things, and trying to be active in the ward through lessons or bearing
testimony on Fast Sunday. Also, taking
some members cookies or Swiss bread with a spiritual thought never hurts
either. These things have helped.
Ok, now a few questions or matters I
want to address. First of all, Happy Birthday Grandma Crow, from last Saturday.
I hope you had a great day. I think this is the point where you start going
down in age so you just get younger from here.
To answer some of your questions
mom: I got the SD card this last week. I will be sending another home that has
the pictures from this last transfer with Elder Root. As far as Christmas I am
planning to give a copy of Bishop Rife's book to President and Sister Miles. As
far as for other ward members or investigators (future ones any way) I think it
would be best if I just got the stuff or made the stuff here either because it
is in German or I think it would work easier. As for my package I did think of
a few more things since President and Sister Miles suggested you should have Christmas packages sent by the
1st of November. I would like some measuring cups because we don't have any in
our apartment and I've searched at stores and just can't find any. Elder Root
had to have some sent here from home, but he is gone now. Also some ideas would
be Jon Schmidts sheet music. I'd love the hymn ones that I have at home, but
also if you could get maybe one of his other books (particularly Volume 3 piano
sheet music- the green one) that would be great. On the matter of Jon Schmidt
if he by chance has released a new album (it will probably be something to the
extent of the Piano Guys Volume 2) that would be awesome. And Poptarts -Smores
flavor. You don't have to get all of those things but those are just some
ideas. Thank you so much and thank you also for putting together the calendar,
I really appreciate it a ton.
Other Mom questions: Our branch has
about 20 active members. My other comparison is Rosenheim which had 60-70
active and was the smallest ward in our mission (there were some branches
bigger than it). We don't have a ward building here so we rent out a floor in a
building in the southeast part of the inner city. Our Branch President is
actually from Wien who was called to serve here, otherwise they would keep
having the same people as the branch president. We are one of two branches in
our stake, the other being the Bruck an der Mur branch where Elder Stapleton is
serving. The active members here are really strong and good faithful people.
They have very funny personalities, but it keeps things interesting. As for
piano, I play every week in Priesthood and every other week in sacrament.
Well I should wrap up here. Before I
go I just wanted to say that I finished reading Jesus the Christ this week. It
is a book I would suggest for everyone. It is very good about really explaining
how important Jesus Christ really is for all of us. I know that he is our Savior
and that he loves us and helps us when we have faith in him. I am so glad I
have this opportunity to represent him and help others through the direction of
the spirit come unto him.
I love you all and I'm so grateful
for everything you do for me.
Elder Bodily
Gott Sei Mit Euch Bis Aufs
Wiedersehen
