Monday, December 29th, 2014

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and were able to contemplate the gift of the Savior. I have felt so blessed for the love and blessings He has given me personally and even more so for how He has blessed our family. The gospel provides us with such a sure and strong foundation. We were blessed to be able to teach a lot this past week. We are teaching a man named Alloush who we found contacting on the street. He is from Syria and was a lawyer there. He is a very kind and good man. We were also able to find some other people who were open for a Christmas message. I know that this is the Lord's work and that He will always guide and help us. We are in Bodø Today for a district P-day of sorts. It is good to be together and to serve together. Thank you for your goodness and all that you all do. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over us. The Norwegian word of the week is mirakel, which means miracle.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, December 15th, 2014

I am very grateful for the Christmas season. I feel that it makes everyone kinder and more like the Savior even if they do not know the reason for the season. I am grateful for the light of Christ that makes that possible. We have been able to find some kind and positive people and work a lot with the members, which has been a great blessing. Christmas is a huge deal in Norway, so many people say they are too busy to meet or to talk until after Christmas, but we truly are blessed as we show faith and work regardless. I know that God lives and is aware of us.

I have thought a lot recently about the pattern of the Lord in going after the one. I know that He is aware of each of us individually. His ministering is one by one. Thus that which is small leads to that which is great. I really wish to develop this attribute and this love more fully. I know that as we seek to serve and help others that the Lord will enable us to do far more than we ever could alone. For example we went out and caroled a little bit with our branch president and sang for an older woman who we had spoken with a couple times at her door. I think it really touched her to know that we truly cared about her. That was why we wanted to share a message not just because we are fulfilling an obligation or because we like hearing ourselves talk. We must serve out of love one person at a time. I feel it is the greatest gift we can give for Christmas is service. Charity never faileth and is the greatest of all. We will be having a Christmas conference on the 29th in Tromsø. I hope you can continue to feel of the Savior love and remember the gift He is for us all. The Norwegian word of the week is den ene, which means the one.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, December 8th, 2014

We have been really trying to spread the true Christmas spirit by sharing the video He Is The Gift. If you have not seen it you should and you should share it. It truly shows how the real Christmas gift, the first and the greatest is our Savior. I am so grateful for that gift our Heavenly Father gave us. This truly is the greatest message we can share. It is wonderful to talk about, but I am so much more grateful for the opportunities we have to bear our testimonies through our actions. As I reflect upon my own life, I know that that which has been most significant for the development and strength of my testimony and my ability to help and minister to others is truly the small and simple things in my life. Consistent meaningful prayer, scripture study and church attendance along with always seeking to do our Father’s will have been a wonderful foundation for me. Thank you all so much for what you have done to make it possible for me to have that foundation in my life.

We had one interesting experience I can tell you guys about though. There is a really nice Catholic Priest in Narvik who is from Germany. He invited us to come eat dinner with him, which was Eritrean food made by an Eritrean member of their church living there. There were three living there who were named Jacob, Emmanuel and Little Jesus. He is a very nice guy. It is wonderful to see how people dedicate themselves to love and service. I know that the Savior desires us to love and serve each other. Love is indeed the essence of the gospel and the nature of the message of the Restoration. I know that as we bear testimony to people of the gospel that the Spirit will bear witness.

I know that the gospel is the way. Christ is the way and the life. He is the light of the world. A light that can never be hid in the darkness. There is much I do not know and much I do not fully understand, but I do know that my Redeemer lives and that He offers us all life. I know that His church has been restored to the earth and that the authority of God to seal in heaven and in earth has brought us together as a family. I know that we have a wonderful season ahead of us to love and uplift those around us. The Norwegian word of the week is Guds Lam, which means the Lamb of God.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, December 1st, 2014

My new companion Elder Griffin is a really good guy. We have been able to get quite a bit of work done. It feels like it is getting a bit colder, but there is not as much ice, which makes it a lot easier to get around. There are some ice things you can put on your shoes, which Elder Cooper had some extra of that help a lot. I have been grateful to have them. We are actually going to do our Thanksgiving meal today since we have a little more time. We are having stuffing, mashed potatoes and bacon!

I have been thinking a lot about the Savior example, something I am incredibly thankful for. There is a whole chapter in Preach My Gospel devoted to developing Christ-like attributes. One of the scriptures it references when talking about virtue is 2 Peter chapter 1 verses 3 through 8. I know that all of us children of God have received the invitation from the Savior to come unto Him and be participants in the divine nature. We must overcome pride, selfishness and worldliness that inhibit us from truly loving and serving each other and being the children of light we all can be. It is not possible to do it alone. I know that as we honestly do our best to see our weaknesses and overcome them that we can all feel of the power of the Savior’s Atonement. I know it is real. As we rely on Him and have faith in Him, we build our lives upon a rock that will never fall. Jesus is happiness and the light and life of the world that cannot be hid in the darkness. I know that our Savior lives and loves all of us. He is the reason for the season! The Norwegian word of the week is forbedring, which means improvement.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, November 24th, 2014

I found out that I will be staying in Narvik, which is very exciting. I am so grateful for the opportunity to help the work continue to go forward here. Elder Cooper will be moving back down to Sandefjord, and my new companion is named Elder Griffin. There is a wonderful family who lives in Harstad, which is about an hour and a half away. It is too far away for us to go and visit, so we Skype with them to share messages. We had a family home evening last week with them. They have three kids, so we thought it would be a good idea to give them an activity. We asked them to draw the best gifts they could think of. The youngest kid, who is maybe three or four, drew the temple, another drew, the missionaries and the third drew the earth. The Mom drew the Christ child, and the dad drew his family. Those are definitely some wonderful gifts. It is wonderful that even from a young age the kids understand what truly is most important. As we grow older, it can become easier to forget, but we must always remember the gifts God has given us. I know that we can all make significant contributions even if it does not always feel like it. Small and simple things do indeed make great things come to pass.

I am very excited for Thanksgiving. It is a really wonderful time to be able to reflect upon all the many blessings God has given us. There are too many count. The greatest blessings in my life are the gospel and all of you. I am so grateful to know that the Savior has made it possible for us to be together forever and for the love he extends to all of us. I am very grateful to be able to enter soon into the Christmas season to remember and ponder upon the gift He is for us all. We must unwrap and use the gift of His Atonement in our lives. I am so eternally grateful and indebted to Him for His sacrifice. I know that He lives and speaks to us today, and I am so grateful for that knowledge. I know that all that is good comes from God and that He watches over and loves us. Thank you all for your goodness and faith. The Norwegian word of the week is takksigelse, which means Thanksgiving.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, November 17th, 2014

We traveled to Trondheim for a Zone Leader Training Meeting, which was really good. We had some fun activities and were able to increase our focus I think. One thing we talked about is the need to have focused and effective planning so we can really make our activities meaningful. We have already seen a great improvement in our planning, so I am very grateful for that. I think we also have been able to keep building up the branch and have been able to help them to know how they can be involved in missionary work. One thing I am very grateful for is the understanding the restoration gives us of the nature of God. It is a very simple but for some difficult concept that God is our Heavenly Father. I know that this is true. That knowledge has given me so much comfort and peace. It explains so much about the plan of salvation and gives it profound meaning. I know that Jesus Christ is God's son and our Savior. He has given us an example to follow and has provided His Atonement to enable, strengthen, heal and change us.

There is a really cool member family from the Congo who live three hours away in a place called Borkanes. The parents are both converts, and their daughter was baptized this weekend in a pool. They all have such strong testimonies. It is so humbling and inspiring to see how dedicated to the gospel they are even though they live so far away from any other members. They are truly converted. The guy also had blue dress shoes, which was cool. Even cooler, is that he pulled them off. They also brought friends to church and have such a desire to see the church grow. One of the members gave a talk in church this week and was talking about different problems and things we do not fully understand. He held up his scriptures with the Tro er Svaret case (my mom made) and said faith is the answer for me at least. I know that that small thing meant so much to him.

We have gotten some snow, and it has cooled down a bit, but it still is not too cold. I do not think it gets as cold here as in Alta usually, but it can be pretty slippery because the snow and ice are not as solid. We taught a man this week who really desires to understand more about God, but it is difficult for him to reason it all out. Reason is crucial; however, we cannot comprehend all that God can, and we cannot rely upon our own knowledge alone. We must seek knowledge from Heaven. I know the heavens are open and that God is eager to bless us with knowledge. We must seek after it and work for it, but it is available to all. It is such a great joy to be able to be focused upon the things that matter most. I am so grateful for the foundation the gospel provides us. Although there are many uncertain things and challenges in life, God is constant and He is always there. The Norwegian word of the week is fornuft, which means intelligence.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, November 10th, 2014

We have been trying to take all the opportunities we can to teach people as we talk to them. This has really helped people to open up to us and has given us many more opportunities to teach. It has built my testimony that progress and miracles happen in the Lord's timetable and not ours, but our efforts to be diligent, ready and worthy to accomplish miracles enable us to be instruments in His hands. We spoke with one man for example about the Book of Mormon and then asked him if he believed that God could speak with him personally to tell him that something is true. He had never really thought about personal revelation before, and asking him questions to get him to think about a truth and what that truth could mean to him helped him to make a decision for himself and gave the Holy Ghost an opportunity to bear witness of what we were saying. He invited us to come in, and we were able to teach him about the restoration, which seemed to really touch him. I know that missionary work is all about sincerely loving and helping our brothers and sisters and because of that desiring their happiness. Our happiness is the intent and purpose of the gospel. Indeed when we lose ourselves for the Lord's sake we find ourselves. That is true.

We have also had some really cool experiences with doing more work with members. We had a cool experience teaching a woman with our branch president. She was somewhat open, though it seemed like she had a hard time understanding our message. It was so cool to really be able to work together with our branch president and see him teach and testify. He is a very caring and loving teacher, and I know that she felt that he truly cared about her. When people feel of our love as Elder Holland has said it makes it much easier for people to be able to begin to understand how God loves us all equally and perfectly. That is nearly impossible for one who has not felt love at all to believe, and how could we be the servants of a loving God who loves all men if we do not do our best to develop that kind of love?

I am so grateful for the loving examples you all have given me that have helped me to know that God loves me. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and his example of pure and perfect love. I know that He did all He did and that He does all He does for us. He desires to lift us up, to save, to redeem, to empower, to bless, and ultimately to perfect us. We must choose to follow Him so that we can accept and enjoy the gifts He is so anxious to give us. I hope and pray that we may all do so, and that we may know that we have a Father in Heaven, and a Savior who both desire to help and strengthen us. There are mindful of us and have given us the Holy Ghost to guide us.

We have talked about doing some stuff with family history, but it is still in very preliminary stages. We will be traveling to Trondheim again this week for another meeting, which will be fun. We will be having a baptism for a member's daughter on Saturday, and we will be singing with our branch President at sacrament meeting the next day. The Norwegian word of the week is frimodighet, which means boldness.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

It was a lot of fun traveling around a little bit. Bodø and Trondheim are both very cool cities. It was nice seeing people again. President Evans leads our zone conferences, and the assistants help in the teaching as well. The topic was member missionary work, which is among my favorites. One thing we talked about and something the church leaders in Norway have really been pushing is getting members to study Preach My Gospel. I am so grateful for all that I have learned from Preach My Gospel. I remember when I went to Summerfest (music camp at BYU) and my counselor said that Preach My Gospel had changed his life. I know what he meant. It truly was written on the other side of the veil and is a guide for all of us. It has strengthened my understanding of the basic doctrines of the gospel, what they mean, how to learn them, how to live them, how to teach them, and how to work and serve together. It is so important for us to come together and to really be together in this work. We are all missionaries. I know that the Lord is working with us. It is getting a lot darker here, and I think the cold will be coming soon. It is good we have the light of the world and a warm message.

Norwegians do not really celebrate Halloween though people say it is getting bigger every year. Trondheim is a pretty big city, but there was no one dressed up that I could see, and unfortunately I could not really dress up. I tried to have a festive tie though. There is a missionary from Norway who I met at the conference who also speaks really good Spanish. It was a lot of fun to speak a little with him.

One thing I have been reflecting on a lot especially with my conversations with people is how necessary the Holy Ghost is. Logic can take us pretty far, but one cannot understand the gospel by logic alone. Only the Spirit can teach us truth. Sadly, as the Book of Mormon says there are many, even those who say they believe in Christ who do deny the Holy Ghost who giveth utterance. I know that God speaks to us today and will answer our sincere prayers. I also know that this work is true. I can tell you about one more members this week. Her name is Sister Gundersen. She converted to the church when she used to live in Bergen. She used to live in Alta as a member as well. She teaches institute here every week and is super solid. She is a very kind and loving person.

I am very grateful for all the support we receive. There are so many forces seen and unseen helping this work to go forward. I have to do my best, and then I know that the Lord will consecrate my efforts. I know that is true for all of us. I hope you have a wonderful week and feel of God's love. The Norwegian word of the week is Å Sammearbeide, which means to work together.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, October 27th, 2014

It is still surprisingly not too cold. Narvik is a really cool and beautiful place. We do a lot of walking, and it is incredibly hilly, so I get a pretty good workout especially when we go far out to knock on doors. We have a really wonderful branch here with some very dedicated members, and we want to focus on helping and strengthening them, particularly in missionary work of course. It is such a wonderful feeling to be able to be a part of this wonderful work and serve the Lord. The fruits of our labors are not always immediate or evident, but they are there nonetheless. It is so moving for me to be able to see the strength of the testimonies of so many of the members here. It can be hard to stand-alone in the states as a member of the church at times, but it is a very different challenge being in such an isolated place. It is truly inspiring to see the light the gospel brings to all people who humbly seek to follow the Savior and His restored gospel. We can truly feel of the Lord's love as we forget ourselves and get to work.

One of the members who joined the church against his father's will when he was 15, he is much older now, gave a talk in Sunday bearing his testimony of the Book of Mormon and of the truthfulness of the message of the restoration. He used a story Hugh Nibley used to illustrate how people get caught up in the sideshow about how a boy had discovered a diamond. All sorts of different experts from various fields talked about how unlikely it would be or tried to come up with different explanations for why it would appear to be a diamond. None of them actually tested the gem to see if it is a diamond but simply talked about why they thought it is impossible and not even worth their time. That is exactly how many people who try to attack the church do it. They focus on the side points, they take things out of context, but they do not actually sincerely try the experiment, which will tell them whether Joseph Smith was a prophet. A diamond is a diamond, and a prophet is a prophet. It is by their fruits we shall know them as the Savior instructed. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that God is willing to reveal that to all who sincerely wish to attain that knowledge and act according to the light they receive as Moroni says those who have faith in Christ, a sincere heart and real intent.

We are really trying to find more people to teach. The man we found last week is actually very busy and will not be able to meet for a long time. His name is Eugene, so it would be wonderful if you all could pray for him. It would also be great if you could pray for the branch and that we can have baptisms. We have a goal for two more this year. We have an amazing branch president who is actually related to Linnea (church member in Alta). He is Finish, but his first language is Swedish. He teaches physics at the local community college. His name is President Nyman, which means new man. He is really cool. We also have a husband and wife who are both from Narvik and are both converts, the husband joined when he was fifteen and the wife after they had been married for a while. Tonight we are skyping with someone for a family home evening. They live in Harstad, which is about an hour and a half away.

We will be traveling later in the week to Bodø first to go on splits and then to Trondheim for a zone conference on Halloween. I also sent in my absentee ballot today. The Norwegian word of the week is greier, which means stuff. A lot of missionaries like to use it in their norwinglish e.g. and all that greier, thanks for the greier.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, October 20th, 2014

I am very excited to be in Narvik. It is quite a big change, but I am glad to be here. We have a branch of the church here with anywhere from 3 to 15 members each Sunday. We have very wonderful and faithful members. Narvik itself is fairly small in terms of population. It is very mountainous and beautiful. To travel here, I flew from Oslo to Bodø to Narvik on a small propeller plane from Bodø to Narvik. We have quite a bit of sunlight still, but it is getting darker and darker as well as colder and colder. We still do not have snow though.

We are the only missionaries for quite a ways. The closest missionaries are in Bodø and Tromsø. It is just the two of us in Narvik. We have a nice apartment, which even has a computer in it that we are allowed to use. We have one family with three children, but apart from that we do not have much else of a primary for now. I know that the gospel is true and that we live in a time of miracles. It is usually through small and simple things that these great things come to pass, but through those means and us the weak and simple things of the world, I know that the Lord truly doth confound the wise. One of the things I really like about being in the North of Norway in a small branch is the simplicity that allows us to recognize blessings more readily than I think we otherwise might. We can see more easily the progress we are making at times. Each individual always makes a difference, but that is more obvious when you have fewer parties.

We had a really cool experience this week while we were out talking to people on the street. We stopped a man who was pushing his young son in a stroller and started talking to him about the church and the restoration of the gospel. He was very positive, and Elder Copper realized that he was a man who had actually referred himself to the church on mormon.org, but the missionaries were unable to begin teaching him because he works in a city that is pretty far away, and we do not have a car. He lives in Narvik on the weekends though and said we could come visit the next day. We did, and he also came to church on Sunday. We will be meeting with him again on Saturday. He is a very kind, wonderful and strong man with a powerful faith in the Savior. It was truly a miracle that we were able to cross paths. I know that the Lord led us to meet each other.

I am also very grateful to be with my new companion Elder Cooper. He is so kind, considerate and unselfish. He is also quite a big fan of music, which is a big topic of conversation. I know that the Lord has a plan for each of us to prepare ourselves to return to live in His presence with our families. We must be willing to follow His plan for us. He does and will shower blessings upon us. Everything we have and are is a blessing. Thank you for the blessing you all are in my life. The Norwegian word of the week is flott, which means great.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, October 13th, 2014

I found out that I will be moving back north for the winter to Narvik. I am really going to miss this place and most of all the people here, but I know it is what is right. I will be serving with Elder Cooper who was in the district here a couple months ago. He is a really cool guy from Cedar City. Narvik has a very small branch and is not too big itself. I think it is well known for skiing and its railroad to Sweden. It is also really beautiful and has won the best water in Norway for many years. It will be nice to get away from the sun. I believe it is dark there almost all the time now! I know that it will be a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow and to help move this work forward. There are so many amazing people here. Thank you all so much for your wonderful examples. I love you all and know that the Lord is with us. The Norwegian word of the week is mørketid, which means dark time.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, October 6th, 2014

It was wonderful to have general conference. I was not able to see everything, but I will catch up. I am particularly touched by the confirmation I have received that the Savior is with us and will help us. The blessings of His atonement are always available. We do not always recognize them, but they are always there. I am grateful for the ways I am able to see God's hand in my life, and I know that there are many blessings he gives that I do not now recognize or understand. It is such an incredible blessing to have living prophets and apostles. I know that this work is true and is going forward. I thought it was wonderful to see how much the church is growing and how well established it is all over the world. I know hat we can receive so much strength by following our leaders. They are truly called by the Lord.

I do not know what will be happening with transfers, but they will be a week from Wednesday. We have started teaching a couple people from Eritrea in Africa. I know that the gospel is true and is meant to help us all regardless of our situations. It is truly a blessing. Our Savior desires to bless, strengthen and help us through all things. As his disciples we must seek to do the same with one another. I know that we can become so much more with His help than we could ever be without it. I am so grateful for everything that I have received including so much peace and strength. I hope we can all come closer to the Lord and be able to feel the power of His atonement with us all the time. I know He will guide us as we do all we can. I am so grateful for all of you and for the gospel of our Savior. I know there is a way to fulfillment and eventually completeness through following and relying upon our Savior. The Norwegian word of the week is Å anvende, which means to apply to oneself.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, September 29th, 2014

I am very grateful for all of the amazing people I have met and been able to work with. Time is going by so fast, but I feel so very blessed for all of the wonderful things that are happening. I gave the family history supplies my family made to our bishop, and he said the timing was absolutely perfect because they are preparing to have a ward family home evening focused on family history and temple work. The ward is working on accepting Elder Andersen's challenge to find as many family names as we perform ordinances in the temple. It is truly another aspect of hastening the work of salvation. One of the things we have been talking about a lot as a mission is the need for urgency. We must do our best to understand the importance and gravity of the work we do. There are indeed millions of people on both sides of the veil crying and pleading both knowingly and unknowingly for us to come and help them. We must do all we can to help families be together forever.

Our recent convert is doing really well and has come to church every week since his baptism. He is a very kind and wonderful guy. I am no longer serving as a district leader, which reduces some stress. We will be having another transfer in two weeks. It is quite likely that I will be transferred, but I am not sure. It is always very sad to leave a place. I love the people here so much. I am very excited about general conference this weekend. It will be a wonderful opportunity to learn.

Truly loving all we come in contact with and sowing them that love to the best of our ability is the most important thing we can do. I know that we are happiest as we focus on other people, and I am really trying to do that. When people feel loved, they will understand our desire to strengthen, help and serve them. We are trying to do more service and to help and let our light so shine before men so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven. I know that loving and helping others softens hearts. The Norwegian word of the week is mykte, which means to soften.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

We have had some really good experiences applying the things we learned from Elder Bednar (An Apostle of the Church) and Elder Dyches (A Church General Authority). We had a really cool experience one day this week while we were out talking to people on the street. A guy stopped us and asked us if we were Jehovah Witnesses. We told him we were not but came from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We taught him a little about the restoration and the Book of Mormon and asked if we could get his number or set up another time when we could give him a Book of Mormon. He said no thanks it kind of sounds like a cult, but we could read a little bit from the book. I showed him Moroni 10:3-5 and asked him to read. He did and then just kept reading the rest of the page. He then said wow it is really scary how true I think this is. He was skeptical but nevertheless had the faith to try the word and see what it actually was. Because he did that the Spirit was able to confirm to him that what he was reading was good. That is a wonderful lesson for us all about faith. Most of the time we do not have a perfect knowledge of things. We must rely upon the assurance of things hoped for and not seen and show our faith by acting. If we do this we will be blessed. Our faith will be strengthened and we will be guided. I know by acting on the assurance of things hoped for and not seen that the gospel and church of Jesus Christ have been restored to the earth by a loving God through the prophet Joseph Smith. This witness came after the trial of my faith. It is something anyone can know the through the power of the Holy Ghost.

The experiences in our lives shape us into what we must be. It is impossible for us to understand in the moment, but I know it is true. I am so grateful for the knowledge, peace, comfort and power the gospel provides us. There is nothing else that can compare. As Paul says the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed within us. I know that is true for each of us as children of God. The Norwegian word of the week is ren, which means pure or clean.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Our investigator was baptized and has now received the priesthood, which is really exciting. It is wonderful to see the difference the gospel makes in people’s lives if they will just open themselves up and let their hearts be changed. I am so grateful for the Savior and that He has made that change possible for all of us. One very interesting thing that Elder Bednar said is that if we are really living the gospel we will always be changing because we will always be striving to become like Christ. As we learn about the Savior we receive peace and strength. We also come to understand more our weaknesses, but through Him our weaknesses truly can become strengths. That is something I am really seeing on my mission. Life can be really hard to balance. One of the nicest things about being on a mission is being able to focus basically on one purpose, which is the most important and best purpose of inviting others to come unto Christ. It is not easy, but it is almost always quite simple.

I know that the Lord will empower us to be able to be good disciples and to move forward no matter where we are. I know that the Lord knows each of us individually and that His way is to go after the one. No matter who we are, we can and should seek for ways to touch and help individuals who need us. We were helping a member do some work on his roof earlier this week. We also had a Bishop's youth discussion yesterday all about family history work. I know that we are not alone in this work and that family history and temple work are essential in the work of salvation. The Norwegian word of the week is enkeltpersoner, which means individuals.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, September 8th, 2014

It was incredible to have Elder Bednar (an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) visit. The Spirit was incredibly strong. It was also really wonderful to be able to see members from Oslo and Alta there as well. My Spanish is pretty rusty, but it was so wonderful to see everyone. Both stake presidents and their wives spoke as well as an area seventy from Finland and Elder and Sister Bednar. It was focused of course upon the hastening of the work. Much of Elder Bednar’s address was to people who are not members of the church. He explained why our church is named what it is and taught about the restoration of the gospel. We were asked in preparation to the missionary meeting we later had with him to read a few talks he had given before that focused a lot on the principle of acting in accordance to our faith. Faith is an assurance that leads to action and ultimately reveals the proof after the trial of our faith. His challenge was for nonmembers to read and pray about the Book of Mormon not merely to know whether it is true but so that, just like Joseph Smith, they could then know the action they must take. He said when you know this is true, and then you will know that you need to join this church.

To the members Elder Bednar told us to be converted and live the gospel. He said that missionary work is a byproduct and not the cause of conversion. If we are converted, we will naturally share the gospel. If we struggle with it or fear it, then we must become more fully converted. When we live the gospel people will naturally come to think we are weird and ask questions. It is our duty to give them the answers boldly and simply to the questions they ask. As we do so, many will become curious and desire to know more. He also spoke of how the gospel answers the questions of the soul, which all people have regardless of their backgrounds. We have been blessed with the answers making it our duty to share them.

Our missionary meeting was formatted as a question and answer program. It was completely guided by the Spirit. It was not planned. It was really awesome. He asked people to share things they learned, and then asked many follow up questions to them. He is such a bright, spiritual and loving man. One interesting thing he said is that many people think apostles go around to give talks or just speak in general conference, but that is not actually their job. Their job is to witness of and represent Christ and go after ones as he said. The Savior's way of ministering is truly individual. There is no other way it can be done. It is truly an experience I will never forget. I am very excited to get to work and apply what I have learned.

It strikes me so much how they are ordinary people yet people who receive such strength because of their humility and reliance upon the Lord. One thing Elder Bednar said is that it is so wrong for so many from wealthy countries to believe they need to go in to African countries, or Guatemala and make them more like them. The last thing they need is the pride that affluence often brings. Rather it is us who are from the affluent countries who need to learn from them. Elder Bednar oversees the church in Africa where there is tremendous growth. He said that when you have nothing you focus on what matters most. I have learned much from the faith and goodness of the Guatemalans and Salvadorians among others whom I have come to know. We do have a new baptismal date for our investigator for this Friday, which is very exciting. The Norwegian word of the week is lærerik, which means instructive or profitable for learning.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, September 1st, 2014

We have had a really good week and will have another really good one with Elder Bednar coming to visit this coming Sunday. I will be staying with Elder Cheney (Dan’s current companion), which I am excited about. I feel like there is still so much I need to do and accomplish here, so I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to stay here. I will no longer be serving as a district leader, so I will really be able to focus everything on my area, which will be nice. We have been trying to visit members more frequently and to help them understand the importance of doing missionary work and how we truly cannot do it without them. We all stand in need of redemption which cometh in and through the Holy Messiah alone. This is His restored church, and it is our job to share the blessings of His gospel with the entire world. As we invite others with love in natural ways truly exercising faith in our Savior, the gospel will go forward in incredible ways.

I have also contemplated how grateful I am for the relationship we have with God as His children. It is something that is not understood very widely. He speaks to us and will strengthen and help us. Like any good parent, He will not do everything for us, but He will always provide a way for us. He hears and answers our prayers not according to our will but according to His infinite love and wisdom. He answers in the way and at the time that is best for us. He calls and inspires men and women today as in times of old. He is our Father who sent His beloved and perfect son, our Savior Jesus Christ to atone for our sins and overcome all things for us. I know that they live and love us. I know that they called Joseph Smith to restore the fullness of the gospel and the church of Jesus Christ to the earth. I know that we have modern prophets and apostles who lead the church under the direction of Christ himself. I know that we will hear from an apostle of Jesus Christ this Sunday.

Here is a bit of a run down of our days. We wake up, do our best to exercise, shower, sometimes eat, study, eat lunch, go talk to people on the street, go to visit members, knock on doors, sometimes attend meetings, teach people usually with a member present, eat dinner, plan for the next day, call people, talk and then sleep. I am really trying to make sure we are always doing something truly meaningful and productive, which are often times determined not only by what you do but how you do it. Teaching and then member work are of course our greatest priorities. I hope you have a wonderful week and feel strongly of our Savior's love. The Norwegian word of the week betydningsfull, which means meaningful.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, August 25th, 2014

Something I have been thinking a lot about is going after and focusing on the one. God knows, blesses and helps us individually, and as his disciples, we must seek to do the same. Our ministry and love for others must be personal. We must be where we are and love the people around us. I am so grateful for the Savior’s perfect examples of this principle. He understands each of us perfectly in both our joys and pains, so he knows how to help us. He has overcome everything for us. We can come unto Him and feel the warmth of His love. I know that He lives and loves us and that His church has been restored to the earth. We have also had some really wonderful experiences with helping the members be involved in missionary work by reaching out to people in loving and natural ways. I know that the Lord expects each of us to be anxiously engaged and blesses us richly when we are involved in his work. There is a great sense of urgency with the work. The fruits of our labors are often not immediate but they are nevertheless significant.


We had a training meeting in Tønsberg about planning and then I was on splits in Sandefjord with Elder Reber, which was a lot of fun. We have had a lot of rain so fall is coming. Elder Cheney was on TV and the radio beatboxing, which made our bishop very happy. This is a link to Elder Cheney on the news: http://tv.nrk.no/serie/distriktsnyheter-oestafjells/DKTE98082114/21-08-2014#t=2m57s . 

Members all over Norway have been talking to missionaries about it. It is pretty cool and will hopefully lead to some people being interested in learning more about the church. There are many wonderful opportunities before us to learn, and I know we will be blessed as we take advantage of them. I am doing my best to go forward and serve. I know that we are never alone. The Norwegian word of the week is høst, which means fall or harvest.



Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, August 18th, 2014

We found out today that no matter where we get moved we will all be able to go to the conference with Elder Bednar, which is so exciting. He is awesome! We also found out that we will be included in the expansion of technology use although we do not know when we will get the technology yet. We will be delaying the baptism a couple weeks, but it will be wonderful. We have found some cool people to teach, and I know that the Lord is guiding us. Elder Cheney will be teaching a beat boxing course a couple times at our mutual, so that will be cool.

Elder Dyches of the Seventy and his wife came and spoke to us, which was wonderful. He was a surgeon and talked a lot about healing. After the conference, I shook his hand as he was leaving, and he went up to me and said you have a lot more to deal with than most people know. I think I laughed a little bit and said yes I have ocular-cutaneous albinism. He said I know, and then embraced me. It was pretty cool. He is a wonderful man, and I learned a lot. One thing that he said that struck me is that successful men and women are always on the move. That is very true. We must make every moment count. We truly do not have time to waste. There is a great need for all of us to be anxiously engaged. I know that Heavenly Father is with us in this work. He does expect us to do our part though. We can be assured though that as we do our part, we will be blessed and things will happen according to God's will not ours.

We have had a great week and good experiences with being bold with people. I am quite glad that the summer is over as we will have more people home to work with. When we expect and work for teaching opportunities we are blessed. We were on splits with the zone leaders who are here and had some difficulty finding people who would be interested. We stopped and talked about what we could improve and then got up to talk to people again. We then were able to find two mothers who were interested one of whom had just moved to Norway. I know that we are not alone. I hope you all feel strongly of our Savior's love. The Norwegian word of the week is en mal, which is a model.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, August 11th, 2014

One thing I have thought a lot about in the past couple of days is how central the family is in the gospel. Heavenly Father’s plan is all about families. We need to understand that and communicate that to our brothers and sisters. Knowing that should change how we treat, serve, help and love one another. We are all connected, and we cannot do it alone. We need each other. Understanding this also points us to the temple.

As part of Elder Cheney's training, we were watching some material about using family history in missionary work, and it struck me how much our focus must be on the family. The work of salvation is the work of bringing families together forever, so it should be focused on families. I am so grateful for how much the gospel truly has blessed my family and that we are sealed together forever. When our missionary work is focused on the purpose of bringing others unto Christ so that families can be together and happy forever, it will make our efforts so much more powerful and centered on the needs of those we serve and love. The family history training video had a lot of clips from people in the Oakland/San Francisco mission. They showed the temple a lot as well as the family history center on the grounds. Temples are so awesome. I miss them a lot.

I think that I really want to make family history work and the family in general a much bigger part of my missionary work. That is very much the direction I feel the Lord would like us to go. It is all indeed the great work of salvation. I know that the family is sacred and of divine design and origin. That is a very profound truth to know. We truly do need each other.

We will be having a mission tour by Elder Dyches from the Area Presidency this week, so that should be really exciting. I am sure I will learn a lot. The mission tour by Elder Kearon we had last year was probably the most inspiring meeting I have ever attended in my life. Everybody is coming back from vacation this week, so we should be seeing a lot of people again and there are some people moving away. Norway basically shuts down during the summer. I am grateful for the inspiration we are able to receive every day and for the Holy Ghost. The Norwegian word of the week is ferie, which means vacation.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, August 4th, 2014

We have been out trying to find people to teach still. Our investigator preparing for baptism came back from vacation this week and is doing well. He is Norwegian and really loves the Book of Mormon. I am so grateful for my testimony of the Book of Mormon and that God can reveal truth to us through the power of the Holy Ghost. That is the only way true knowledge can be attained.

We taught a very kind man last night who was Christian and a scientist. He said that he believed in God but had a very different concept of God than most people. I told him that I believed that science and faith go hand in hand. God works through natural laws. If there is something that does not fit, then there is somewhere a lack of understanding because truth is truth. We taught him about the restoration, and he told us he needed us to prove it to him with facts. I told him that that is not how it works. We wander by faith and not by sight as Paul says. That which is spiritual can only be discerned spiritually. It caused me really to reflect upon how I know the gospel is true and that a loving Heavenly Father through a living prophet has restored it to the earth. A testimony of that, if it will lead to true conversion, must be based upon a spiritual confirmation, not merely a logical proof. It is important for us to reason things out, to rationalize, to ponder and to meditate, but imperfect minds logically do not produce perfect logic. Just because something makes sense does not mean it is true. Just because something does not make sense to us does not mean it is not true. God sees all. He knows all. He is the source of truth. We do indeed receive a witness as we act in faith.

It has been really quite hot and humid here the past couple of weeks, I believe hotter than ever recorded before in Norway, but it has cooled down in the past couple of days, and we had a little rain. Elder Cheney and my cousin Lindsey, who is in the Missionary Training Center preparing to serve a mission in Japan, sat next to each other in seminary class while they were in high school, which is a cool connection. I know that Heavenly Father is with us and is helping each of us along our way. We are never alone. None of us is destined to fail. Christ does indeed stand at the door and knock, quite often through a couple nineteen year old boys in suits. I know we all need Him and His Atonement more than we can comprehend, but we can at least understand that we need it and that it can empower and strengthen us to accomplish all that we need to. There is power in humility, which is not weakness but knowing where your strength comes from. The Norwegian word of the week is Tro er svaret, which means faith is the answer.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, July 28th, 2014

There are still so many people out there who are prepared to receive us. We are really trying to work to find those who will find us. I know that miracles happen according to our faith and that does not only apply to missionary work. We have heavenly guidance that helps us so much. I know that it is available to each of us if we will only pray with faith and real intent. Our investigator is doing really well. My new companion Elder Cheney is a really good guy who likes music. He grew up in Riverside but has lived in Las Vegas in the Centennial area for a while. Family history work is something the missionary department has been pushing, so I know it is one of the things Heavenly Father wants us to emphasize and is indeed an important part of the work of salvation.

One thing I am learning is how important it is for us to be bold and loving and explain what it is we believe. A lot of people say they are not interested simply because they do not know what it is we are sharing. When we explain what it is and have faith and confidence and bear our testimonies, the Spirit can testify of the truthfulness, importance and urgency of our message. I have had many wonderful experiences in applying this principle. We must fear not and believe. We press forward with a perfect brightness of hope relying upon the mercy, grace and merits of our Savior; I know He is as near as we will let Him be. I hope you remember how much I love you and even more importantly how much Heavenly Father and Christ love you and are mindful of you.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, July 21st, 2014

I am excited but nervous at the opportunity to train, but I know everything will be as it should be. The Lord certainly qualifies those whom he calls. I am really going to miss Elder Crook who will be traveling back to Sandvika. It will be very exciting to get a new missionary. His name is Elder Cheney, and he is from Las Vegas. I do not really know anything else about him yet. I am really excited though. It was a lot of fun to be able to go to Drammen and experience how the work is done there as well as to receive instruction from President Evans (Norway’s Mission President) in Oslo. We are also teaching a Norwegian class for people who speak English.

One realization I have really had is how important it is for BOTH members and missionaries to be anxiously engaged in the work of salvation. As Elder Ballard said in conference last October, we cannot do it alone. We need members to help us to find, teach and baptize. We need prayers and action. I have seen such miracles as we all truly make an effort to do this. Let us all lift where we stand and pull all at once. Our brothers and sisters really need us to do all we can. We are so blessed, and we must share those blessings. Thank you all so much for your wonderful examples. I know that the Lord is grateful for every effort we make and that he will empower and inspire us to perform miracles according to our faith. I hope you feel of and will share God's love.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, July 14th, 2014

Things are really picking up for the whole district, and us, which is really exciting. I just found out today that I will be training (a brand new missionary) next transfer, so I will be going to a training meeting for that in Oslo on Friday. We will also be having splits on Thursday in Drammen with the zone leaders, which will be fun since I have never been there before. It is the biggest ward in Norway, and their member work is really booming. I am sure I will learn a lot. There are a lot of people in Norway on vacation right now including members of the ward, so we need to try to find where the people are, but we are doing really well nonetheless. I am very grateful to be able to serve and be a part of this incredible work. I know that Heavenly Father is helping us to move it forward.

We are really starting to see some cool things happening including getting more people coming to church and a baptismal date, and it has all as Elder Crook pointed out been linked to the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is so powerful. I cannot express or really even comprehend the impact it has had on my life. We have no stronger testament of the divinity of Christ or the power of His atonement. I know that we receive incredible blessings as we make study of the Book of Mormon a priority in our lives. It will help us be filled with the pure love of Christ and an understanding of God’s plan for us. I hope you have a wonderful and Book of Mormon filled week. The Norwegian word of the week is å oplære, which means to train.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, July 7th, 2014

We had a zone leader-training meeting in Tønsberg by the assistants focusing on our skills. It was really wonderful. We also had a visit of the traveling assistants. I learned a lot about the need for us to be focused on teaching people not just talking to them. Our calling is to teach the gospel not to chat on the street. This work is truly urgent and will go forward. As we adopt that sense of urgency and boldness as missionaries and members we will truly see the hand of the Lord helping us along. One really exciting thing is that Elder Bednar is coming to Norway in September! We will be having a joint stake conference and then a three-hour missionary meeting. Only two of the four zones will be able to go though, so I am hoping that includes me, but I know whatever is right will happen.

We also had a really cool experience from talking to people who are placed in our path. There was a man from Latvia who we spoke to on our way to the church. We asked him if we could meet then, but he said he was too wet and cold, so he asked if he could come to some sort of meeting or something. We invited him to church. He came and brought two friends! We invited them to a language course we are having, and they seemed very positive and excited to read in the Book of Mormon. I know that the Lord is preparing people all around us. It is our privilege and joy to be able to invite them to take part in His salvation. I know we will be richly blessed as we reach out in love to our brothers and sisters. The Norwegian word of the week is Eldste, which means Elder.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, June 30th, 2014

We have been very blessed and it has been wonderful to get to see some people again from Oslo and all around at the zone conference. We had a great zone conference in Oslo about using the Book of Mormon to answer people’s concerns and help them be converted. It has caused me to really ponder how grateful I am for the Book of Mormon. There is an incredible power in that book that has touched my life profoundly and has helped me know that God lives and has restored His church to the earth. One can have many intellectual questions and different opinions; however, the spiritual power of the Book of Mormon and the witness of the Holy Ghost that will be given to anyone who reads it, ponders it and prays to God the Father in the name of Christ asking the truth of it with a sincere heart, faith in Christ and real intent is undeniable.

We must always continue to build our testimonies and grow in our understanding. If we do so, we will all feel the incredible power of the Book of Mormon, which is indeed the power of God. I am so grateful to be able to share the restored gospel with my brothers and sisters. It is a joy to be able to be a part of this incredible saving work. I know that Heavenly Father is guiding us. He is involved in this work. We are not alone. It is indeed an incredible blessing to know that Heavenly Father is watching over and helping each and every one of us. It makes all of the other concerns in life so insignificant to know that Christ is our Savior and that His church is restored. The way is indeed simple, but it requires faith and diligence on our parts. I know that it is the time for us all to come together and move this work forward to gather scattered Israel and serve our brothers and sisters. The Norwegian word of the week is bekfreftelse, which means confirmation.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, June 23rd, 2014

We have had a wonderful week and seen a ton of miracles. We have really been led to people. Elder Crook and I also gave talks in church yesterday, which was nice. We spoke about how we have seen the hand of God in our work. I have truly seen answers to our prayers and miracles according to our faith, and I know that we all can do the same. We were able to work with the members a lot this week, which is very exciting. We are going to show an investigator about family history and be working with some converts on it as well.

We will be having a zone conference in Oslo on Friday. It will be fun to see everyone. We will be focusing on how we can use the Book of Mormon more effectively in our work, which is so crucial. It is indeed a powerful witness of the divinity of the Savior and His mission and the restoration of His church in these days. I am so grateful to be blessed with it in my life and for the power I am given from my study of the Book of Mormon. I hope you guys have a wonderful week and our able to feel the power of the Book of Mormon in your lives. It is truly indescribable. The Norwegian word of the week is sommer, which means summer.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, June 16th, 2014

We have had a lot of really cool miracles happen. We had just taught a lesson with a member and were walking to the city center and talking to people on our way when we ran into a man who Elder Newey and I had talked to by a bus stop but had not been able to receive contact information for. I had been praying that we would find him again because he was so kind and prepared. We talked with him and went to teach him in the church, which was so wonderful. I have seen so much how the Lord is involved in this work and will bless us as we act in faith. I know that our prayers are heard and answered.

We will be going to the beach in Langesund for our p-day (preparation day) activity to find a place to do a street stand, which will be interesting. We also just got a car to share with the sisters in the area, which makes it much easier to travel around and work more with the members. The weather here has been really nice, which I think has helped people be in a good mood.

I am so grateful for the many blessings we have. Everything around us is a blessing. We are blessed with so many opportunities to love, serve and grow. Our happiness depends on how much we take advantage of these opportunities. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over each of us and has a plan for us. He will perform miracles through us according to our faith in Jesus Christ. I know He is anxiously engaged in our lives. I love and pray for you all. The Norwegian word of the week is nykjærig, which means curious.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, June 9th, 2014

We have really been trying to focus on getting more members to come with us when we teach as a district. As a result, we were able to more than double the number of members present when we taught this week, which is awesome. Having a member present truly makes all the difference. I know that the Lord wants us to be united as members and missionaries, and to reach out to one another in love with the gospel, which is the power unto salvation for all who believe as Paul says. I am so grateful for the power and beauty of our message. There is no greater work. Serving and loving others is indeed the essence of the gospel as President Monson taught us. I feel so strongly of your love, and it provides me such strength.

We have been able to start building up the work here, and it is so wonderful to feel Heavenly Father working through us to bless His children. There is no greater love than the love He has for us. Miracles happen all around, Alta just had two baptisms last week and will have one this coming week. I helped teach two of the investigators, so that is incredibly exciting. I know that Christ is reaching out to all of us. He stands at the door and knocks, we need but let Him in and as Amulek says the plan of redemption will take place within us. It is through following Him, having faith, repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end that we can reach our potentials as children of God. We are all His children. The Norwegian word of week is Fremskirt, which means progress.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, June 2nd, 2014

We have gotten ten new investigators this week, which is by far the most I have ever gotten. While Elder Newey and I were coming back from visiting a member about a week and a half ago, a guy stopped us and said he wanted to hear about our message and invited us to come to his Mosque to chat that coming Monday. That same day, another man stopped us while we were walking to the church. He honked his horn and said he wanted to come into our church and learn about what we believe. We talked for a while, and he asked a lot of interesting questions. Last Monday, we went in to the meeting to find both of them there, and they had friends. They came to our church last night, and we taught them with our Bishop’s dad, who is also awesome. We are going to try to meet with them again.

I am so thankful for my testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know that He is our Savior, Redeemer, Brother, King, the God of Israel and so much more. I know that He loves and watches over each and every one of us. I feel His hand in this work. I am very excited to be serving with Elder Crook. He is a really awesome and smart guy and is from Oregon. I have a really good feeling we will be able to accomplish a lot. I will be having a training meeting for being a district leader on Thursday in Oslo, so it will be nice to hopefully get to know better what I am doing. I am really grateful for the opportunity to serve and support.

We also went on splits to Sandefjord on Friday and were able to teach three lessons to people we found that day. One of them was an eighty five year old man who told us that he had found out for himself that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost were three separate divine beings that work in perfect unity, which is contrary to the state church’s beliefs. We told him that that was true and was a truth that had been lost from the earth but is now restored. We talked about the restoration with him, and the Spirit was very strong. He was an incredible and nice guy who I know we were guided to. It is funny because we found him since we were lost. I know that miracles happen all around us. There are angels living and dead ministering to us all. I love you all and am so thankful for the angels you are. The Norwegian word of the week is å betjene, which means to minister

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, May 26th, 2014

I will be getting a new companion named Elder Crook, who came the same time as Elder Newey, and Elder Newey will be moving to Moss. I am really excited to be staying in Porsgrunn and to keep moving things forward here. We will be working really hard to find people to teach and to help them feel the joy of the gospel. The family history course has started to pick up quite a lot in Alta, which is really awesome. There is not too much going on here with that right now, but we will try to fix that. Family history is truly an incredible and crucial part of the work of redemption.

I have been thinking a lot about how much Heavenly Father loves us recently and how much he wants us to remember that love. It is a perfect, divine, pure and unconditional love that is so far beyond our comprehension. It is beyond expression and explanation, yet it can be felt and experienced by everyone. As President Monson reminded us at the end of last conference, we must remember that love and how real God is, how close He is willing to come to us if we will let him, how far He will go to help us, and so much more. I know He lives and loves us. May God bless and help you all. The Norwegian word of the week is ufattelig, which means incomprehensible.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, May 19th, 2014

We went to Oslo to celebrate 17th of May, which is Norway’s independence day. It was the 200th anniversary of the constitution. We also had a barbeque at President and Sister Evan’s house, which was a lot of fun. It was really nice to see a lot of missionaries, who I had not seen in a long time. Also, there is a traditional Norwegian outfit called a Bunad that Norwegian women especially wear on special occasions. A challenge to missionaries on 17th of May is to get a picture with as many girls in Bunads as possible. Elder Hurst and I did not try too hard but we got a couple. A sister missionary broke the record this year though with over 24. We sang the Norwegian national anthem, Ja Vi Elsker Dette Landet, which means yes we love this land, in the ward choir this week. I am so very blessed to be able to serve in Norway. It is an incredible country that enjoys great peace, freedom and prosperity. I am so privileged to be able to help Norwegians come unto Christ who is the source of true, real and lasting peace and joy.

We are really making an effort to work a lot with the members and to be visiting members every day because we must be united to do this work. There are a lot of incredible people in the ward, and it is a joy to be able to work with them and get to know them better. Everyone is very kind and supportive. I know we will be able to accomplish a lot of incredible things here. We just need to go forward with faith. Missions are truly a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow and serve. We need to bring the gospel to the world. It is the solution to everything. Christ is indeed our light and our life. It is so difficult for us to even begin to understand the pure love of God. It is however that charity that must motivate, guide and unite each of us. Through Christ's Atonement we can become new people and develop that love. The Norwegian word of the week is frihet, which means freedom.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, May 5th, 2014

Porsgrunn is a really awesome place. We also work a lot in Skien, which is right next to Porsgrunn. Our ward here is incredible. We have a big member referral system and everything. There is an Albanian couple who is going to be baptized this coming week. In my district are sisters in Skien, and Elders in Sandefjørd as well as in Tønsberg, which are both part of the Tønsberg branch. It is a lot different than being in Alta, but I love both experiences so much. It is also a lot different than Oslo, but it is indeed the same work. I am really excited to have all of the blessings of being able to work with other missionaries and with the ward organization again as well. Elder Newey grew up in Twin Falls, Idaho and lived in Nephi, Utah for a couple of years before he left on his mission. He likes music a lot and soccer too.

There are so many blessings we enjoy as members of the church who have the restored gospel. I have been thinking a lot about how much Heavenly Father wants to bless each and every one of us. The purpose of the gospel and the plan of salvation are to help us enjoy all of the blessings that Heavenly Father enjoys, to come back to Him and to be with Him and Christ forever. These blessings are too much to comprehend, but I know that there is indeed nothing more desirable than the love of God. We need to help others to come unto Christ so that they can taste that fruit so we can all rejoice together. We are all indeed one. We are a family. We must reach out to others and show them our love just as the Savior came to serve and not to be served.

I am now a district leader. District leaders lead a group of companionships, help build up and train them, and do baptismal interviews, lead district meetings and that sort of thing. It is wonderful to be able to focus on other people as well. The ward here is awesome! There is one young man preparing for a mission who is a drummer and recently did a report from school on James Brown and Soul. He is super cool. The ward focus for the year is on missionary work, which is a tremendous blessing that we need to take advantage of. I know Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us and that He is always watching over us. I know we each have a work that is far more important and greater than we can comprehend. I also know that we have an even greater source of strength and power to be able to accomplish those works. I pray we will each keep moving forward and doing what is right. The Norwegian word of the week is forenet, which means united.

Love,
Elder Ankenman