Another Fast Week

Another week full of small blessings and wonderful opportunities!

On Tuesday, right after district meeting, we went to a local hospital with the sisters to administer a priesthood blessing to a church member from the ward.  She had been having heart problems for the past while and entered the hospital on Monday.  I have to confess the quality of the hospital broke my heart a bit as we walked past a few overcrowded rooms.  Because Elder Naranbat is somewhat new to the area and since I knew the member somewhat well, I was asked to give the blessing.  At first a bit nervous, I did my best, not sure of how much of it was making complete sense.  The “third personness” of blessing giving was throwing me off a bit.  But as I finished there was an overwhelming feeling of peace from knowing that if nothing else I had used the power of the priesthood righteously and to the best of my ability.

High on a mountain top

Later that afternoon we had barely enough money to make it up to a house and back by bus.  In our haste we got on the wrong bus which took us past where we wanted to be.  Because we had no money we had to climb over a couple of mountains just to get back to our area.  As we came down the back side of the last mountain someone started calling Elder Naranbat’s name.  As we got closer he recognized the family as a family from his home ward in the countryside.  It turned out that they had moved in to the city, but hadn’t made it to church since they had been here.  We met with them and pleaded with them to come to church and they more than happily obliged.  The week continued in just this way.  We would have no luck contacting or finding addresses and then while we were trying, we would meet with a non progressing investigator who would start progressing again. We would get stood up for an appointment and then find a less active member who was trying to find their way back to church activity.

One new member we met with this week has already read the Book of Mormon three times in his first year as a member of the church.  When we related that President Hinckley had said, "I’ve read the Book of Mormon three hundred times and I’m still gaining understanding," the new member responded, “Well I guess I’ll have to read it 301 times,” and smiled.

Later this week when we gave a Book of Mormon to a new investigator, he asked us to please write our names and a little message in the front.  I felt bad that we hadn’t  done it before.  He said he wanted to remember who gave him the most valuable gift that he'd ever received.

The sisters had a baptism this week of a person who was actually taught by Elder Quinton and Elder Reeves before the last transfer.  Since it had been those two that had taught most of the lessons, Elder Quinton came back to perform the baptism which was a cool moment.  Also ,the President came and presided at the baptism which is always a blessing.

Planting potatoes

On Saturday we went on splits with the zone leaders.  I went with Elder Sugar (He’s Mongolian, but it doesn’t  sound like sugar when you say it in Mongolian) and my companion went with Elder Wilson.  Elder Sugar and I had  a day of service.  We got to the Bayanzurkh building at 9:30 to head to Customs with the Richardsons and some other missionaries.   There we unloaded 280 wheelchairs from a railcar.  Luckily there are no enforced traffic laws in Mongolia so we were able to stack them 25 feet high in the back of some trucks.  We took the wheelchairs to several rehab centers around the city unloading and storing them for each center. By the time that was over the sisters called us and told us to hurry up to our next service appointment.  You guessed it  .  .  .  planting potatoes.  It’s that time of the year.  We ended the day by building a sweet greenhouse in a member’s yard.

And of course it wouldn’t be a week in Mongolia if  we didn’t get a little horse liver and intestine at a member’s house.  I’m not sure what the plaque was in the intestines but no worries I was reassured that it’s good for your health along with the marrow in sheep bones.  Someone check webMD for me. lol

That’s all for this week cause I’m gonna try to send some pictures.

You guys are the best!
 

 Elder Neuberger

Preparing a ger site

Love is T-I-M-E

The close of this week leaves me with probably four more here in Khailaast.  It’s hard to imagine that I would be staying for another transfer and the President may or may not have hinted at me moving on in our last interview after zone conference.

This week was pretty tense as some visa problems evolved that could have sent 4 American missionaries out of the country.  On Tuesday district meeting was cancelled and the President held a special meeting for all of the missionaries in the city.  It was amazing!  He talked about the blessings that Mongolia has already received.  He talked about the blessings that could come from the visa problem.  If the problems are resolved, it could open more doors including sending more missionaries to the countryside.  At one point during the meeting he read the blessing that Elder Holland gave to Mongolia exactly a year earlier.  As he read, and Jiiguur the office secretary translated, they both began to cry which resulted in the tears flowing for about everyone in the room too.  It was a tough week as we waited for more news. On Friday we found out that the 4 would not have to leave, but there hasn’t been much more news than that.  From the meeting and interactions during the week my testimony has been strengthened that our mission president is called of God and receives revelation specifically for the problems the mission is facing.  Despite the problems I’ve felt an unbelievable calm about the whole situation as the problems unfolded.

The middle of the week found us planting a thousand potatoes in a rainstorm.  Elder Naef from my MTC group was there so we had a great time (the lady yelling the whole time about how his holes weren’t deep enough. lol)

We continued to meet with our new investigator, but his previous knowledge began to get in the way of us teaching him new truth.  I thought of Dad talking to patients before surgeries.  Sometimes patients will research things and poke around on the internet and as a result think they know everything about the situation as to what will be best.  Just like that, instead of being able to use the Gospel to build on the knowledge that he already has, his knowledge has created a bit of barrier.  Throughout our multiple visits this week I found that he would ask two kinds of questions.  When he listened to what we had to say and tried to understand it would provoke questions of the soul that would almost always be answered by the next thing we were going to say.  If he chose to be distracted from the foundational points of what we had to say, his questions would be scattered and focused on things of little importance and off topic.  In any case, it’s been really fun to meet with him and his family this week  They are such wonderful people.

Church was great on Sunday.  Fast Sunday is always great because translating testimonies for the senior couples makes you feel fluent.  Especially when the kids get up.  Anyway, the Richardsons are great and they would be grateful if I only translated five words the whole meeting.

We had a sweet Jason Bourne experience this morning where my companion got taken by the police.  But that’s a story for another time.

So we got our conference issues of the Ensign this week which, in the words of Elder Jolley "made it really hard to go to bed on time at night."  If you haven't started in on your copy yet the second time is just as good as the first.  Especially if you go at it with a couple of highlighters.  Anyway I especially loved all that was said about families.  On my mission I’ve been blessed to really never feel any sort of homesickness. Mostly because of how profoundly secure I feel in the love of my family and my love for them. 

In remedy for strained and healthy relationships alike, Elder Packer and Elder Eyring both spoke on the subject.  I especially loved the point that the ultimate end of all activity in the Church is to see a husband and his wife and their children happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood. Husbands and wives should understand that their first calling—from which they will never be released—is to one another and then to their children.  From Elder Packer’s talk and Elder Eyring’s the principles to a loving home:  The best being to enlist the whole family and the need for love between all of the members of the family especially siblings.  Man, I love my siblings! 

I know families are ordained of God and I’m grateful to be a part of such a great one.  Be grateful for your family this week; help a family member in need.  Truly, in family relationships as Elder Uchtdorf said, love is spelled T-I-M-E.

Have a great week!

Elder Neuberger

Editor's Note:  The visa issue is a serious matter.  Travis' visa expires in July.  If it is not renewed he would have to leave a year early and be reassigned.  Although he is happy to serve where ever he is asked, we know that he very strongly desires to remain in Mongolia. He truly loves the people there and everything about his experience.  Please join us in continuing to pray that everything can be worked out.  We believe strongly in the power of prayer and in the strength of numbers.  Thanks for your prayers.

Ger on a hillside

P-day basketball

Service

Well after an absolute blizzard on Monday, it’s warmed up quite a bit here in UB.  Although we are still grateful the President hasn’t told us to leave the jackets at home.

This week after giving many of our investigators to the sisters to teach, we set to work fixing the ward list and checking addresses. The back half of the week entailed zone conference and so wonderful service opportunities.

Our first service was to a less active member who had recently bought a 150 piece build it yourself cabinet set.  The trick being that there were no directions except for a picture of the finished project. With help from a neighbor we began working, and then proceeded to take apart and rebuild it multiple times.  In the end we built about a fourth of it before we gave up.  We were laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation most of the time. 

Thursday we planted a small orchard of chatsargana trees on someone’s yard.  Friday we carried 2000 liters of water up a hill with the help of some Elders in other districts.  Then the Sisters called and said they needed some help.  One of their investigators was moving their ger to a spot high on the side of a mountain.  Now obviously you can’t just plop your ger down on a 45 degree slope and live.  It requires digging out a platform from the side of the mountain.  With some handmade pickaxes we got the job done.  More water carrying finished the week.

Anyway, most importantly we met with some wonderful people this week the highlight coming yesterday.  Buried in a stack of notes on former investigators we found the name of a man who had met with the missionaries about a year ago.  As we made our plans for the week we decided to arrange to meet with him.  As we got to his house late Sunday night he greeted us warmly and ushered us in.  The first words to us were how grateful he was to see us and hear our message.  Probably the number one thing missionaries like to hear.  Next he told us that last time the missionaries had met with him he hadn’t been ready, but he felt he was prepared to hear our message now.  That’s probably number two.  As we started we began to ask him about in his belief in God.  When he finished telling us what he thought in his heart my companion paused, and said "the only thing wrong with your answer is that now there is nothing left for me to say."  We explained about the Savior, prophets, and the restoration.  He asked questions along the way that we were able to answer through the scriptures.  It couldn’t have been any better.  Then his son came in who is a 19 year old boy studying at a school in the city.  He immediately sat down and joined the discussion.  He asked questions about the purpose of life and we gave him a Plan of Salvation pamphlet before we left.  Closing off what I can assure you ranks as one of the greatest first visits of all time (not in anyway because of the missionaries, but because of the preparedness of the investigators) the wife came in from work.  We were about to say the closing prayer and she asked if we would wait a minute so that she could join us.  It took me so much by surprise that I was sure I had just understood her wrong.  But she quickly grabbed a chair and listened as her husband offered the first prayer in his life.  I'll never forget that visit.

Zone conference was what you would expect   .   .   .  a spiritual outpouring from truly inspired leaders.  The best part about zone conferences is always the practice.  It is amazing home much you can learn from watching someone teach and then directly applying what you learned in practice.  Truly, almost all quality learning comes in the doing. 

We also went as a zone to one of the largest puzzle museums in the world which was fascinating.   Sister Clark like my own mom said she only allowed us to go because it was an educational opportunity.  It was really cool and there were about a thousand gospel analogies that could be pulled from the tour.

Well I finished the Book of Mormon this week, wading though the destruction of the Jaredite people to get to the “gold” at the end of Moroni. 

I love the question posed by Moroni in chapter 7 verse 20.
20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?

There is an abundance of good things in the world that we can choose to spend our time on.  So much so that even if we fill all our time with good works it may seem there just isn’t enough time in the day to include all that is good.

Moroni continues:
22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.

Like a bottle that holds water, if we have the bottle it is possible to hold all of the water in our hand if we just hold onto the bottle.  If we don’t have the bottle we cannot come close to holding as much water in our hands.  The water is all good things and the bottle is Christ. 
If we hold onto Christ, it is possible to hold onto all good things through Christ.

25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.

Indeed if we focus our faith in Christ we need not worry about missing out on any good thing or anything good.

I love you all,

Elder Neuberger

PS Congratulations to Mr. Kramer on retirement this past week.  Play a round of golf for me!

PPS Thanks to the South Carolina cousins for the great letter through dearelder this week.

And to Chrissy and Lauren for awesome handwritten letters!

Nothing As Constant As Change

Well, I guess it’s been two weeks for everyone except the family, so let’s catch up.
First, congrats to Kristi Lee and the class of 2012.  Graduation and all that accompanies it seemed to be quite the success.

Two young Buddhist monks/students

As for me, big changes occurred as well.  I’ll be staying in Khailaast for another 6 weeks....sweet.  But after 4 months (which at this point is about half my mission) Elder Bayartsogt and I have been split.  He's off to be the zone leader for a countryside area where he will be tremendous.  I can’t say enough about how fantastic of a companion and missionary he is.  This last week as we met with all sorts of members, new members, and investigators tears were shed by many as they found out he was leaving the area.  I knew it would be hard to see him go, but as we parted ways during our last companionship study I must confess my eyes were more than misty.  With friends left behind in the States you know you'll see them again, but it was definitely harder to say goodbye to a best friend you’re not sure how many more times you'll see in your lifetime.  Anyway, enough with the sad stuff.

All of the missionaries in our district are new to the area except for me which gave me the responsibility to introduce the new sisters and my new companion, Elder Naranbat, to the area.  Because Elder Quinton and Elder Reeve have been unable to work because of Elder Quinton’s leg, the area book given to the sisters was pretty much empty.  So this weekend we gave about half of our investigators to the sisters, including a few with baptismal dates.  So hopefully the sisters will get off to a fast start.  Which I’m sure they will because they are awesome.

My new companion is from the countryside which makes his accent a bit difficult to pick up at times.  He is super happy go lucky.  Loves to joke and loves to talk, which is awesome for language study.  Plus he is super serious about learning English which gives us another boost in the language department.  I’m not sure why I’ve been blessed with now three amazing companions in a row, but this six weeks should be as good as the last 6 months.  It’s been fun to take over sole responsibility of setting up appointments and planning as Elder Naranbat is still getting introduced to the area.  In the first two days together we have already been able to meet with 7 people and do some service.  What kind of service?   Gej uu?  Taking 1000 liters of water a quarter mile up a hill .  .  .  sore .  .  .  but a lot of fun.

My new companion is teaching my how to throat sing so we'll see how that goes.  (click here for an example)

With Elder Bayartsogt in front of the church

Coolest part of the week was when after 3 months of trying to contact a less active former branch president we finally met with him.  It was on Saturday, the first day with Elder Naranbat, and truly a blessing.  His family has been through the temple and has really only become less active because of his work.  He is a self employed DJ, who unfortunately is booked most often on Sundays.  But most importantly, his faith was still there.  We will meet with him and his family again this upcoming week and hopefully have them coming back to church as soon as we can.  Because of his fantastic knowledge of the area (former branch president), he can be an unbelievable help to us if he becomes active again.

We also picked up new investigators last night....A FAMILY!  Score!  Teaching families about the gospel is the greatest thing ever.  I hope we can set a baptism date on our next visit.  So even though there have been big changes, the work is still moving along in Khialaast.

Fun happenings of the week:
1. No power for church.  The big room (what do we call it in English?) has only two windows, so it was super dark and the speakers had to raise their voices a bit.  It made translating into English for the senior couple that much harder.  Imaging trying to translate quietly to half deaf people from what is being said by people mumbling in Mongolian.   Not the best combo.

2.  On our second to last night together Elder B and I got threatened at knife point by a drunken man.  Elder B, who I’ve never seen scared of anything, jumped back as the man approached in the dark, which freaked me out.  We booked it out of there and the effects of inebriation rendered our friend unable to overtake us.  The bus came just as we got to the stop and we made it home safe and sound.  And here’s the miracle:  Not two minutes before another bus had just passed.  Usually buses are spaced at least 15 minutes apart.  I’m grateful that the Lord looks out for his missionaries and all of His children.  

Look for the miracles in your life this week.  I promise they are there, though it may require us to refine our spiritual eyes a bit.  Be grateful for the little things and above all choose to be happy.  Every moment!

Have a great week!  BTW  Click on any photo to see all of them full screen.
Elder Neuberger

Final days with Elder Bayartsogt

Zuun Boloo

Dear Everyone,

Another great week as the weather really started to heat up (I think I was sweating  for the first time in 6 months without playing basketball).

Elder B and I are staring down the barrel at the end of another transfer.  Literally no clue what will happen, but we'll see at the end of the week.  I literally cannot believe its the end of another transfer.  With one American on his way home at the end of the transfer three more the next and five coming this way, the mission is set for some big changes in the coming months.  Either way it’s been a privilege to serve with Elder Bayartsogt and in Khailaast.  We've had opportunities to meet with such prepared people. 

This week while talking with one of our new members (Tsendayush) she told us that her school exams were coming up and that they would be on a Sunday.  “It’s okay,” she told us.  “I’m totally skipping my tests for church.”  After admiring her extreme faith we had to help her take a step back and realize that all things must be done in wisdom and order.  Although she should continue to pray for an opportunity to come to church, forfeiting her future may not be in her best interest.

Later in the week we continued to teach an 8 year old boy whose mom has been recently less active, but his grandparents are very active.  He has also been coming to church for a long time.  His grasp of gospel principles is amazing and also his desire to know and understand the doctrine.  He greatly exceeds my understanding at that age.  He will be baptized this week along with Ouynerdene who I talked a little bit about last week.  I’m grateful for the success we are having even going into the end of the transfer.  We also taught a few lessons outdoors this week due to the fact that summer temperatures along with the necessity to still use the coal stoves in small unventilated homes = way hot!  So a couple times we took chairs outside and made sure to sing the opening and closing prayer a little bit louder.

On Friday Elder Quinton (on crutches) and I taught an epic 8 and a half hours of English.  I taught four and a half in the morning and he did four hours that evening.   It was really cool to spend the day with a member of the MTC group and the 4 hours of extra personal study was great.  LAST ENGLISH CLASS TILL SEPTEMBER THIS WEDNESDAY!!!  It’s been fun teaching English, but being a legitimate full time missionary is way more fun.

Saturday's youth activities always seem to bring new investigators and this one proved no different. (Bring your friends to activities).

Fast Sundays are the best Sundays for language confidence because there is never anything you can’t understand.  Even greater is watching new members get up one by one and bear their testimonies of the gospel.

Lastly, while reading in Helaman this week I came along chapter 6 verse 30 which seems a bit dark at first

30 And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.

But remember the disclaimer according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.    DON’T build handholds or allow the devil to build handholds on your heart! Polish it daily with words of prophets both ancient and modern and allow God’s help through prayer.

YOU are ALL awesome and I’m so grateful for all of your support!
Because its Mother’s Day next week and I’ll be skypeing home,  next week’s letter will either be small or none existent.

Love,
Elder Neuberger

Please Don't Cry

Dear Everyone,

Great week as the weather warms up here in UB.  

Dad wanted to know about my MTC district, so here’s the update on people from my group:

Elder Boyd is with Elder Woodward in Chingeltei, that’s the area right next to mine and they meet in the same church building.
Elder Stranski is companions with the only other Mongolian elder in our church building...fun
Elder Neaf who is on crutches for the last three weeks and still going (unfortunately unable to work) has been bouncing around with a couple of companions.
Elder Williams is with Elder Verdusco, an American who is in his last 8 months.
Elder Call is in Bayanzurkh.
Elder Lloyd is with Elder Haas who is another older American elder in Suchbataar.
Elder Quinton (also crippled at the moment) is with Elder Reeve which means that he has served with three of the four oldest Americans and the only Elder to not have had a Mongolian companion. Strange ith daa.

Anyway .  .  .  This week we had a wonderful baptism of an 11 year old boy, Sharxuu, whose understanding of the gospel and the lessons we taught was only overshadowed by the testimony he gave after his baptism.  Because both of people assigned to give talks bailed at the last second, I and another church member filled in.  Five minutes before the service began I was frantically preparing a 7 minute talk on baptism.  Luckily, it’s pretty much what missionaries do everyday, so it wasn’t that bad.  He was baptized by his neighbor and uncle who got back from the temple in Hong Kong on Tuesday. They went with their whole family (two kids ages 3 and 1) and were sealed for time and eternity.  It was amazing to meet with them this week and see their renewed sense of focus on the things that matter most.  It was a testimony of the need to get new members to the temple.  They were practically glowing as they talked about the two week adventure to Hong Kong.  Because it’s cheapest, the group (two groups go together each year) takes a train which takes about three days both ways.  Worth every minute they said.

Took a moment on Saturday night to cheer for Dad as his race started. dijgwee shuu!

We spent some time with a part member family this week.  The daughters are members of the Church and the mother is not, as is the case with so many in Mongolia.  The youth are extremely strong here.  Elder Bayarstogt, who comes from the same scenario, lit up the tiny room with his testimony of the power of families in the church.  There was a tangible spirit as the daughter through tears shared her testimony of the restored gospel.

Lastly, Sunday was branch conference, two hours of Sacrament Meeting and then a third hour Priesthood and Relief Society meeting.  Because all the adults met together the third hour, Elder B and I were left with 17 screaming children and an impromptu primary lesson.  We only lost one kid lol.  Nursery teacher is hard work, but harder when kids are screaming in a different language.  Great experience!

This week I studied up on prayer in an effort to improve my personal prayers and avoid the repetition and normality that can come due to the number of prayers missionaries say every day.  I figured the best place to start was one of the greatest examples.  I noted that the brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon illustrates the key points applicable to any prayer.
Ether 3:1-6

1 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared, (now the number of the vessels which had been prepared was eight) went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord, saying:

 2 O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee (1. Humble); for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee (2. Obedient), that from thee we may receive according to our desires.

 3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. (3. Grateful in the face of affliction) O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; (4. Prayed for the benefit of others) but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock. (5. He had done his part before going to the Lord for help)

 4 And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.

 5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.  (6. Exercised exceedingly great faith)

And what was the result of applying these six simple principles in his prayer?

 6 And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear.

These principles are not complex, but they allowed the brother of Jared to see through the veil.  As we pray daily I hope that we too pray with such diligence and faith that the veil cannot hold us back.

Have a wonderful week,

Elder Neuberger

Roller Coaster

Tegvel, an absolutely exciting week for meteorologists here in UB.  A couple of days without coats, a few with relentless wind and one massive dust storm.  Although it’s all felt relatively warm.  Apparently it’s just a normal spring in Mongolia.  The Mongolians say "mongol khaver khaverag nevt" which is to say Mongolian springs will tear through your ribs.  True that!  The wind is phenomenal.

Either way we had a great week despite losing Elder Wilson on Monday to Elder Naef whose companion finished his mission last week.  And Elder Wilson is now on his way to Khovd where he's going to do great. 

We picked up two outstanding new investigators this week.  One is the sister of a former less active member and she has already been to about three church activities this week.  We've meet with her twice this week and her understanding of gospel principles is great for someone who has had no background knowledge of religion.  The best part was having her older sister there to help her understand and to bear testimony.  Teaching lessons with members, especially friends or family, increases effectiveness by infinite amounts.  The other new investigator, Sereglen, had a friend who joined the church about a month ago and told her she should go. Even though her friend attends another branch, she showed up to our branch (of which she lives in the boundaries) on Sunday.  She like so many Mongolians was impressed with the hymns that we sang in sacrament meeting. She actually met once with Elder Jolley last week and he passed the referral on to us.

On Monday we visited the home of a recently returned missionary and his family.  When it came to share a thought we shared one and then he did.  As I listened to him reflect on the best two years of his life, I could immediately see the change that it made on his life and the path that he is no forging for the eternities.

Wednesday it snowed all day, with winds over 30mph. It was like something out of a movie.  We met with another less active member’s son who is turning eight and preparing for baptism.  Even though the mom became less active he has been faithfully going to church every week for the last 4 years.  What a great example to his family. 

I taught “America the Beautiful” to my English students on Thursday and I will not be sending any recommendations to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir lol.  Tone deaf doesn’t begin to describe.
Friday we went to the young women’s’ activity outside of town with special permission because the young women who went were made up of three of our new members, two of our less active members and three of our investigators.  Wow, the young women of the church are so much spiritually stronger than the young men (sorry guys).  At the beginning of the activity not everyone really knew each other and by the end they might as well have been friends for life.  It was also cool to testify of the inspired programs of the Church and explain that both of my sisters back home are working with the same handbooks.

Man it was a good week!

On Sunday we had a full investigator class and after church we met with a ten year old who we found out later lives outside our ward boundaries.  She was hilarious.  When we started talking she told us that her dad’ss Christian, her mom’s Buddhist, but she was unsure about her 3 year old brother.  This had me and the member that was in the lesson almost on the floor because she said it so straight forward.  I think what made this week so great was the abundance of meaningful lessons with people who are excited about the gospel, ready to learn and willing to change.  There is such a stark contrast in ITL referrals and those from members.  Working with members is the only way to do successful missionary work, which is definitely something I didn’t understand in the least before my mission.

In closing I had this thought during personal study this week.  In Preach My Gospel on the section on charity it attests that through charity we realize among other things the potential of others.  And we recognize that it is the same as ours.  So here is my thought: Physical potential energy is almost always determined by the distance of an object from the earth or the source of gravitational pull.  In a like sense our spiritual potential energy can be measured by our distance from God, the source of spiritual gravity.  As mortals on this earth we all begin the same distance from God or with the same SPE (spiritual potential energy).  The purpose of this life is to turn the stagnant SPE into spiritual kinetic energy (SKE) on the pathway back to our Heavenly Father.  Although some have turned more SPE into SKE than others, it is impossible for one to have more total energy than another because PE+KE= the total energy. In effect we are all equal in the sight of God.  When we realize this and we reach out and help others we increase both of our SKE on the way. 

Have a great week,
Elder Neuberger

PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!  And best of luck in the marathon this week.  Also my companion is tapping me on the shoulder and telling me that if I don’t tell you an absolutely huge thank you for the jersey he'll be upset.  Seriously, you made his life.