So this week’s letter comes from one half of the only missionary companionship in the mission that will not change this coming Friday. After thinking it an almost shoe in that Elder Bayartsogt and I would be split, it was shocking (albeit awesome news) when we found out Saturday that we will be together another 6 weeks in Khialaast. We are pumped to go hard for another 6 weeks and do whatever the Lord has in store for us here. The transfers were as massive as expected. In the most interesting news one of the new American Elders is headed straight to Khovd the furthest area (3 hour plane ride west of UB). He will be the first American Elder serving outside the city in over a year. There are a ton of American-American companionships this transfer which should make the English teaching scheduling a bit more of a problem (gratefully I won’t have to deal with that).
While we're talking about English teaching, it was great this week. I had my students do news reports and we did a mock up of a news station. I wish I had a video. They all did great with highlights coming from the groups that reported on NBA games. My companion and I were laughing the whole time.
Because Elder B is staying, we will both be in attendance for the baptisms we have scheduled on Friday which we are thrilled for. We are the only ones in Mongolia with baptisms scheduled that day. The rest being cancelled because of conference weekend. We obtained special permission from the President last Tuesday. What a special day it is to have them on the day the Church was restored, and Good Friday. Also, the day after Elder B's birthday. He received the Tabernacle Choir CD you sent and was ecstatic and so grateful. It was such a cool moment. I think the jersey is here too, but I’m not sure.
Lastly, in temporal news we got in a pretty interesting traffic accident on Wednesday. Two buses and a car. Our bus tried to pass another bus with a car coming across the road. Our bus took out all the windows of the adjacent bus and destroyed the car, but I think all of the participants are alright. We had to climb out broken windows to get out of the bus. All in all an interesting experience that I’m grateful wasn’t any worse.
Our new member Cyvdaa is still trying like crazy to get her parents to church. When we met with her this week she was more than distraught that they weren’t getting it. Elder Bayartsogt whose family member is not all members, bore powerful testimony of patience and the ability to wait. And how sometimes the only thing that we can do is to be a good example. If we are doing our part the fruit from the tree of life will taste just as sweet no matter what others are choosing to do with their agency.
We met with the mother of our soon to be new members this week who have shown insight and understanding beyond what I could have hoped. One has been investigating for years and her family are all members. But her waiting has proved to be a strengthening to her testimony and understanding.
I’m teaching district meeting tomorrow on study and learning. The basis of the lesson will come from Mosiah 12:27 where Abinidi tells the wicked priests that they have not yet applied themselves to understanding. In our own lives it is important that we do not only read or seek for understanding, but also really apply ourselves to understanding. This requires consistent study and action. Because the Lord gives us line upon line precept upon precept (2Nephi 28:30) it is imperative that we receive our “daily line” so that the entire “chapter or book” will make sense. If we miss a day/line the entire meaning of what the Lord is trying to tell us can be lost. Be patient. Revelation comes not all at once. Indeed we may often find ourselves as Oliver Cowdrey who was rebuked by the Lord in this way:
7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must astudy it out in your bmind; then you must cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your dbosom shall eburn within you; therefore, you shall ffeel that it is right.
We must do our part in the revelation process to know what it is we must say, teach, and do. In summary: read the scriptures, treasure up the word of God and keep the commandments. Then when you ask the Lord diligently for the answers he will answer and you will recognize.
Have a great week!
Elder Neuberger
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