Hey everyone!
This week has been extremely fast. We started off by sitting front row for the devotional on Tuesday. Elder Boyd knew the speaker and apparently that was good enough to land us in the best seats in the house. We were all freaking out because we were sure one of us was going to be called up to say something, but we ended up just giving him a name tag at one point during his talk. Thumbs up! OK! (if you get this reference I’d love to hear from you).
Half of the zone got travel plans this week. That’s the Malagasies and a lot of French elders. And we should be receiving ours on Thursday. I’m pretty sure they give you the travel plans even before you have the visas, but there’s no guarantee there.
Half of the zone got travel plans this week. That’s the Malagasies and a lot of French elders. And we should be receiving ours on Thursday. I’m pretty sure they give you the travel plans even before you have the visas, but there’s no guarantee there.
Two new sisters from Mongolia entered the MTC today. We talked to them in the cafeteria, and they, like the other two Mongolians, were extremely excited that we were headed to their country.
We taught for 40 minutes yesterday on receiving inspiration through church attendance. The lessons flow rather easily now if we prepare enough beforehand.
On a less positive note, our district has transformed into a sick bay this week.
Elder Naef rolled his ankle playing volleyball on Wednesday. It was looking like a baseball by the next day. The entire district held its breath as he spent the day getting x-rays and seeing doctors. Fortunately, all results were negative and he should be able to leave on time if he takes care of it. So he’s on crutches.
Elder Williams had a terrible case of plantars warts start to plague him this week and so he also left Campus to see a podiatrist who he will visit again before we leave. I think everything should be fine for him. Also, I know nothing about plantars warts.
And Elder Call who has been suffering from headaches, dizzyness and seeing white dots decided it was time to get that checked out. Which led to an extremely exciting Monday. We went to the Health Clinic on campus at 8:30 am and saw the doctor for an hour. He then promptly sent us off campus to an ENT. That’s right, I left the campus. It was extremely weird riding in a car and even weirder to see people not wearing shirts and ties. Although it wasn’t that weird because the lady sitting next to me in the waiting room had her scriptures and another gentleman had served two senior missions. Nonetheless it was really fun to make conversation with people from the outside world. We were there for an hour and a half. The doctor had done his medical school at SLU and finished in '88 which is right about the time Dad would have been starting residency. We proceeded back to the MTC health clinic for an hour to debrief with the doctor. I’m not sure there was any real diagnosis, but they started him on a steroid set.
The rest of us are feeling great though which is pretty amazing because people have been passing around some nasty colds.
This week I recieved an amazing package from the Olsens, which I and the District were very grateful for.
Uncle Chad, thanks for the fantastic letter, with its timely message.
It’s hard to say who was more detailed in their analysis this week. Kristi Lee with the day by day of her life or John with the play-by-play from the greatest night in baseball history
Go CARDINALS!
This week’s fireside was given by Chad Lewis, former BYU and Eagles tight end. He showed the blessing that serving a mission has brought him and then shared a story about climbing Kilimanjaro with some wounded veterans. There was a slideshow to go with it and it was an amazing presentation.
Finally, General Conference was this week! Every six months the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (you’re welcome Elder Ballard :) ) hold a two day conference sharing talks on gospel doctrine and messages on how we can just be better people!
Needless to say my hand was numb from note taking. Here are a few things at a glance:
Elder Uchtdorf’s parody was phenomenal. The way the adversary plays to both of the extremes is so true.
All the missionaries sat up when Elder Arden quoted PMG and talked about using time wisely. I worry everyday about not having enough time left, to learn the language to teach the people. But if we use our time wisely our allotted time will be enough. Planning effectively for anything allows for efficiently completing it. Alma 34:31-35
Elder Cook’s reminder that it is always better to look up I’ve found to be true as I try to speak and think only positively
Elder Waddell might as well have been standing in the MTC. He strengthened my testimony that there are companions and investigators set in my path for a reason. I know that this mission will give me more blessings than I can bring home in my suitcases.
I loved Elder Hales message on exercising agency and waiting on the Lord. The Lord’s timeline is not ours . . . neither are our thoughts His thoughts. He has a plan for each and every one of us and he knows what we are capable of and what we are capable of enduring.
Elder Callister’s visual of the Bible and the Book of Mormon working together to testify of Christ and his Gospel was something I’m sure I will share with many investigators in Mongolia.
Fantastic Conference! I’ve already watched several talks again during personal time.
If I had to pick overarching themes, I would have to say 1) missionary work (although that’s to a fairly biased ear) and 2) sharing the Gospel (okay I’m very biased).
I have a testimony of Jesus Christ the Savior of the World. I know the Book of Mormon and the Bible work hand in hand to testify of His sacrifice. I have taken Moroni's promise (Moroni 10:3-5). Nephi’s words sum it all up (2 Nephi 33:10-11)
I can’t believe we're almost in Mongolia!!!!!
I hope everything is going well for everyone where ever you are.
Have a great week!
Elder Neuberger
Link to General Conference: http://lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng
Link to National Geographic article about Ulan Batar:
Scripture References for Travis’ letter
Alma 34:31-34
31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation ; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.
32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crises, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
Moroni 10:3-5
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
are you 13 more days what that we miss you so much you so funny today
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