JONON 2012

Well this week has been all over the place including first day of school with orientation.  I think this is the classiest I've ever looked for the first day of school (definitely outdid the nanotechnology students).  The whole thing was pretty fun because I knew pretty much everyone there from last year.  My sponsor introduced me to a new class. We talked a bit and that was it. I mentioned before that I’ve been teaching my sponsor over the summer.  Unfortunately, I must have taught him too well because in his excitement I’m teaching 13 and a 1/2 hours a week.  Which would be fine if I wasn’t trying to work 24/7 as a missionary.  Anyway it’s a small price to pay for being in the greatest mission in the world though I do feel a little bad for my companion who will finish his training with hours of sitting in English classes.  Talk about extra personal study time. 

All it really means is that with the remaining time we have to be absolutely lights out planned so that we don’t waste a minute of  time. 

While the English work picked up so did the missionary work.  We had five investigators at church and a great meeting with our new ward missionary leader.  The ward (not unlike those in America) has a completely new face as people are flowing in from the countryside for the beginning of school.  We've scheduled lessons with several members’ families and look forward to those this week.  My companion, still amazing, and I have really started clicking in lessons and the teaching has been great. 

This week we had an interesting experience with an investigator. It was with some of our baptismal candidates this week (the daughter and son of an ALA's sister). We had a meeting to close one of our days.  The ALA who has been coming back to church and has born his testimony several times in lessons was unfortunately a bit drunk and smoking as we entered the apartment.  As we all gathered in a small room you could feel that the Spirit of the Lord had no possibility to reside.  On his own the man decided it would be best if he left. Soon after we began the lesson (the Gospel of Jesus Christ).  The lesson started a bit slow, strained even.  Like someone starting to swing from a dead stop.  As we moved forward it gradually picked up speed until the dim room was filled with not a tangible light, but the light, warmth and peace of the gospel.  It highlighted something Brother Margetts said in the MTC.  If none of it were true the gospel is still the happiest and most peaceful way to live your life. But it is true! And what a blessing it is to be part of this great work in helping others to know the same.

In other news our refrigerator was jinheneesee fixed this week which means we could be seeing meat in the house for the first time in 2 months.  What a blessing!  This week we're making prishkii with a member (the happiest member of all time, Sister October) and we’re pretty excited.  Also another bathroom hole digging service project is on the schedule, so bust out your pickaxes. Snow is coming in next week so we're headed off to what may be the last outside basketball of the year.

If you still haven’t read the Ensign this month do it because it’s filled with little gems. Here’s another:

There is a story told of an old Cherokee teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil: he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continued, “The other is good: he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you—and inside every other person too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Remember the choice to lead a joyful happy life is entirely up to you.  Understand that circumstances never have and never will determine destiny.  Feed the right wolf!

Have a great week,

Elder Neuberger

Editor's Note:  The link to Elder Farmer's blog is now functioning (see right margin).  They have been traveling a lot and I think you will enjoy the reports and photos.  The following photos were actually taken from their site.