I Call Them My Answer Book

From Mason Blettenberg

Teaching in Ireland

We had such a blast this week. I think what made it so good is how much me and my comp studied the scriptures together; that’s what changed it. There is just something about the scriptures that draw me in like a bug to a light. i just keep reading to find answers. I call [the scriptures] my answer books.

We have one investigator with a date to be baptized, so that is exciting. But the highlight of my week was visiting a less active man name Mike. Mike is a long-term less active member of the Church and he has so many addictions its not even funny. He is literally in his house all day smoking, drinking, and doing drugs. He just can’t stop what he is doing. But he loves elders so he lets us in. so we made a plan to clean his house so he could feel the Spirit. I have seen a lot of dirty houses in Ireland and Scotland, but nothing like this. So we brought bags to just start slow and pick up rubbish. We started but he did not like it; it made him feel bad that we had to do it for him. So I prayed and fasted over what to do. He is on my mind all the time. I love this man, so we went over to try once again and same thing happened: he did not want to do the clean up. Then I looked at the fireplace and the still small voice whispered to me and told me to use the fire. So we made a fire in the fireplace and slowly started to put things in the fire. Now that felt good! We did not stop him from drinking or force him into anything, but we had a campfire and had some small talk about his life and the Book of Mormon. I love this gospel and what I’m doing on my mission. I will return with honor.

 

Elder Blettenberg

Miracles in Arizona

From Natalie Willes

Teaching in Arizona

This week we ran into an 81 year old man named David! He was a stubborn but kind old man who believes the bible is the only true thing, and that it is his religion. Interesting, but we talked with him for a while and a little boy came up the stairs right behind us and starting deliberately yelling and making noise in our direction, but we ignored them. They were just little kids, probably no older than 5-7 years old but they didn't have any supervision. So they kept at it and eventually while we were talking, they collected rocks. They than proceeded to start throwing them at us. I heard a few clink on the ground beside me, and even heard the boy say "Ah I missed!" But he could not hit me. No matter how many times he threw and aimed, he could not hit me or my companion. I felt a bit like Samuel the Lamanite! David looked very upset when one came close to hitting me in the head by a mere two inches, but it didn't hit me and instead hit his foot because of the angle it was thrown . He chided the boy telling him to return home and that he'd be having a word with his father. It was a very unexpected experience.
We also had story time this Friday. I was asked to narrate the story of the brother of Jared. I hadn't narrated for little kids in a while, So the first time we went through a practice, it was a rough go, but when we actually were about to do the skit, I prayed to Heavenly Father and asked for the words to say that would touch these precious kids hearts. And the words came. I didn't even need the papers I was holding in my hands that would simplify e story. The words were mostly smooth, not perfect, but they came. So that was a miracle.