Monday, June 22nd, 2015

It is certainly strange to see how time has gone by. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve. I am also grateful that it is not yet over. I am so very grateful for how my mission has taught me to always put the Lord first. If we do so, I know that everything else will always fall into place. I am so grateful for that knowledge. Life is not meant to be easy, but it is meant to be fulfilling as we rely solely upon our Savior. I am so grateful for this time I have had in Norway and indeed this time I have on earth to serve Him. I am so grateful for the love and support you all have shown me throughout my mission. It is impossible for me to express what it has meant for me. I know that I am so deeply blessed. Thank you all so much for the wonderful people you are. I know that this is the work of the Lord and that it will continue to go forward. He is indeed our Master. The Norwegian word of the week is hengivenhet, which means dedication.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, June 15th, 2015

Time really does go by quickly though. We are trying to do our best in using our time well and pressing forward no matter what happens. I think that one of the greatest gifts of the gospel is knowing that everything will work out. Without the Savior, there would be no way for us to have that assurance. We have a member in the branch who is a very passionate filmmaker, and he and his son filmed Elder Garrard and me this past weekend bearing our testimonies of the Book of Mormon and sharing the impact it has had upon us. It was cool to see how it turned out. I am not sure what will come of it though. We will have to wait and see. I am so grateful for my testimony. It provides such strength no matter what happens. The most comforting thing I think is knowing that it is not my strength alone by Christ who strengthens me. I am so grateful for the love and support you all have given me. I still intend to endure to the end and not just as a missionary. The Norwegian word of the week is å ta opp, which means to record.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, June 8th, 2015

I am of course very excited to be able to come home. It will be very bittersweet. I believed it to be true when he said it, but I now know that what Elder Perry said when he came and visited us in Oakland is true. Elder Perry said that we will try all of our lives to work to repay the Lord for all that He has done and does for us, but every time He will just continue to bless us more than we can imagine. No matter how hard we try we cannot even begin to repay Him. King Benjamin was right when He said that we would be unprofitable servants even if we served with all of our beings. It is because of that that it is hard for me to see my mission as a sacrifice. It is a blessing to be able to serve the Lord in any way I can. I am so grateful for your support and love. We were able to participate over the Internet in a stake conference in Edinborough where Elder Holland presided. It was broadcast to all of the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries. It was really cool to be able to participate. Elder Holland spoke about the Book of Mormon. He also said that his great grandfather, who I believe is George Q. Cannon, found the gospel in the Isle of Man. He bore his testimony that he knew that the Book of Mormon was true and that it is indeed the greatest sign of the times that God speaks today and the world is being prepared for the return of the Savior. I am grateful for my testimony. I know that Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior and Redeemer, and I know that every person who lives, will live, or ever has lived is a child of God of infinite value. Thank you all so much for your love and support and prayers. The Norwegian word of the week is offer, which means sacrifice.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, June 1st, 2015

It is crazy to think about how quickly time goes. I am so grateful to be blessed to bring the gospel to our brothers and sisters. I was also very sad to hear the news about Elder Perry. He was and is awesome. He is truly a disciple of the Savior. I will miss him very much as so many others will. We had a really cool experience today. We have been teaching a man who was a little overwhelmed when we invited him to come to church for the first time. While we were teaching him this week we had talked about how we would need to be sensitive to his concerns about coming to church and perhaps be patient and give him time to adjust. When we were teaching him, we felt like we should invite him even though that was very much not what we had planned. We invited him to come, and lo and behold he came. It was a wonderful testimony to me of how the Spirit does guide and help us. We truly could not, cannot and do not do this work alone. I know that this is the Lord’s work. I feel truly blessed to be able to continue to serve Him. Though my days to be doing so as a full time missionary are at least temporarily numbered, I know that there are limitless opportunities to uplift, bless and serve others just as the Savior would. I know that He lives. I know that this work is true. I am so grateful for that testimony, and I strive to live in accordance with it. The Norwegian word of the week is disipelskap, which means discipleship.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, May 25th, 2015

President Evans has asked us a mission to recommit and refocus ourselves upon the Savior and our purpose to invite other to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I have felt very blessed as we have begun to try to do better in fulfilling our purpose as missionaries. The Savior and His Atonement are the center of our faith and should be the focus of everything we do. I am grateful that we can build our lives upon the rock of our Redeemer and His gospel. I remember when I attended a music camp at BYU and my instructor said that Preach My Gospel changed his life. It helped him to know that faith in Jesus Christ and repentance were always the answer. That is true. I am grateful that the Holy Ghost helps us in our infirmities to know how we can follow the Savior and to testify with power and authority of His mission and divinity. I know that the Savior lives and loves us. He has restored His church. Heavenly Father has a plan for all of His children regardless of their circumstances. I know that we can receive personal revelation to guide us. Thank you all so much for your dedication to follow the Savior. I have learned so much from your examples. The Norwegian word of the week is kristi klippe, which means the rock of Christ.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, May 18th, 2015

It has been a very good week. I think that I will be staying with Elder Garrard in Tonsberg for the rest of my mission. I am very excited about that, and we are doing very well. We are trying to sprint to the finish as many missionaries say. Yesterday in particular was a very special day for Norway because it was May 17th, which is their independence day. We got to travel to Oslo and even got to go to church there, which was a great blessing. I was able to see some of my favorite people for which I was very grateful. It was very humbling and gratifying to be able to come back and see a bit of what has happened here since I left. I am so grateful to know that this is the Lord's work and that He is moving it forward.

We have been blessed with some very wonderful people to teach including a cool guy who is a sound engineer from Rio. I love this country so much, and I am so incredibly grateful for the chance I have had and will continue to have to serve the Norwegian people. We also got permission to take our p-day (preparation day) in Oslo today and travel back in the afternoon, so it will be great to be able to be here a little bit more. I know that the work is going forward. I know that God loves and knows each and every one of us. He is our Father. The Norwegian word of the week is tog, which means train and parade.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, May 11th, 2015

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. I cannot believe how quickly time goes by. I am so grateful for the perspective the gospel gives us and for the assurances we receive as we truly do all we can to follow the Lord. I have thought a lot about grace recently. Without the Savior's grace we would not have hope for anything eternal, incorruptible or godly. There would be no chance for immortality. It would not be possible for us as hard as we may try to overcome the evil around us. But as Abinadi says there are a resurrection and redemption. I know that because of the Savior's Atonement we can do, be and become good in ways that would not otherwise be possible and indeed in ways we cannot comprehend. I know that without the grace of the Lord, it is impossible to get anywhere in an eternal perspective, especially in missionary work. I know that His grace is available to and sufficient to all who humble themselves and truly seek after it. I am grateful for the strength He gives us. I know that He is the vine and intends us as the branches to bring forth much fruit. We must not only be with Him for a season, or have superficial commitment but we must abide in Him. I am grateful for the wonderful examples you have all given me of how we can abide in Him and bring forth fruit.

I will be staying here in Tønsberg with Elder Garrad. So as another missionary put it, we will be having the roommate experience. We have been getting a lot of help from our ward missionary here who was just ordained an elder and was baptized last year. His name is Manny, and he helps us teach a lot. We were able to find four new investigators last week, three of whom were referrals from him. It is amazing to see what happens when we as members and missionaries are equally yoked and are devoted to bring the gospel to as many as we can. We need not fear when we have the Lord on our side. I sang Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing yesterday in church with Elder Garrard. I thought that the lyrics really illustrated this point. The last verse says “O to grace how great a debtor ever I'm constrained to be. Let thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to thee. Prone to wander Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart O take and seal it, Seal it for they courts above”. The Norwegian word of the week is tilstrekkelig, which means sufficient.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, May 4th, 2015

We have talked to a lot of people this past week, and I have been really struck by the clarity, simplicity and power of the principles of the restored gospel. The unique knowledge and understanding we are blessed with by revelation of the Plan of Salvation is so precious. I know for example that each one of us has been sent here with a purpose, a mission and a divine potential. Opposition and death are not flaws in the Plan of Salvation, but are rather essential parts of the plan. I know that Heavenly Father is indeed our Heavenly Father who has designed His plan so that we may enjoy all of the blessings of eternity. I know that families are an essential part of the plan. I am so grateful to know that they are eternal. Thank you all so much for standing for and living the truth. I know that Heavenly Father loves and knows each one of us. The Norwegian word of the week is dyrebar, which means precious.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, April 27th, 2015

We had stake conference yesterday. I was able to see a lot of people from the Skien Ward again and was also able to meet some new people. It is very inspiring to see how many lives the gospel touches. We got to hear an area seventy from Sweden and his wife speak as well as the temple President and Matron in Sweden who are members of our stake. It was wonderful to hear them talk about how the temple should be the center of our universe. I am so grateful for temples and for the wonderful blessings they bring. They have broken ground for the Wyoming temple, which they estimate will be done in about two years. It is very exciting for me to see how temple blessings become more and more available to people all over the world. I am so grateful to know that Heavenly Father lives. I know that He is ready and willing to guide us and that He is also fighting for our families. It is such a blessing to know that families are forever and that the restored gospel and its blessings are not only for the living.

We use our time doing quite a lot of things. We teach people, visit less active and active members, knock on doors, talk to people on the street, try back with people, work on activities at the church and so forth. The days vary quite a bit, which is nice. I have been working on overcome my fear of men and talking with as many people as I can, and it has been a really wonderful blessing to feel that the Lord blesses me for my efforts as imperfect as they are. I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of each and every one of us. I know that Christ's hand is extended to each and every one of us. I am so grateful to know that. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers. The Norwegian word of the week is mot, which means courage

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, April 20th, 2015

We have had a busy day. I went to splits in Porsgrunn last week. It was very special to be back in that city and see all of the wonderful people there. I am so grateful for the time I had there. We have been planning some activities with the branch, so I am also very excited and grateful to be here. I know that the Lord has a plan for us and for all people. We went out fishing with our branch president today, which was a lot of fun. We went to a very beautiful place. I am so grateful for all of the blessings in my life. I know that the Lord is mindful of us. The Norwegian word of the week is gjenforrening, which means reunion.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, April 13th, 2015

We have a branch here with probably about 30 people. I do not know any of them terribly well yet, but I am very grateful to be here and to hopefully be able to contribute to the growth of the branch here. There are about 200,000 people between our area and the Sandefjord Elders who are also part of our branch. I am in the same district as I was in Porsgrunn, and I will possibly be going there on splits on Thursday, which would be awesome. We cover a large geographical area, which means that we have a lot to work with. We take the bus most places, which works very well. I am really trying to be as bold as I can and talk to as many people as I can, which can be scary, but I know that the Lord will help me do what He wants me to do. I am doing very well and I am still in awe at how quickly time passes. I know that our time is limited, but that we can accomplish much with the Lord’s help.

I have thought a lot about understanding and doing the will of the Lord recently. It truly is the Lord’s will that this work go forward and that all His children will be able to return to Him with our families. Nevertheless, Heavenly Father will not force anyone to do anything. He will always invite but never force. There are truly consequences for our actions, but we only get to choose our actions not their consequences. I struggle sometimes, as I do not know the meaning of all things the way Heavenly Father does. I do not see the full scope of His plan nor the wonders that occur every day. Still I do know that He gives us what we need. I know that the Lord is working miracles in all of our lives. There are certainly times in my life when I have felt the Lord reveal His will for me in a very real and unquestionable way, but there are many more times when I feel the Lord has allowed me to be an agent and use my faith to hope for things I do not yet see. I know that as we all do our best with the light we have that we will receive more light. I know this is true for us all. There is yet much work for us all to do no matter where we are in the world to build up and seek first the Kingdom of God. I am so grateful for the knowledge that God is at the helm of this work. I know that He does work through the simple and weak things of the world, as we are so that we can become what we were meant to be. I love you all so much and am so grateful for your prayers. I know that they are heard and answered. The Norwegian word of the week is en om gangen, which means one at a time.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, April 6th, 2015

It was wonderful to be able to learn from conference and to remember the Savior on Easter. I truly did think conference was amazing. Every talk was so inspired and wonderful. I know that God loves us and that Christ is risen. They also announced three new temples in Haiti, Thailand and the Ivory Coast, which are places where they really need them. I know they will be well used. I am so grateful to know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He loves all people and wants to lift us up. Tønsberg is a very cool place. I believe it is the oldest city in Norway. We have a branch here, but I did not meet too many members because a lot of people were out of town with Easter. I am so grateful to be able to be in the Lord’s service. I am grateful to know that He will guide and bless all of us. Like Elder Andersen said, we truly can see His hand in each of our lives. The Norwegian word of the week is oppstandelse, which means resurrection.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, March 30th, 2015

I was surprised to find out yesterday that I will be moving to Tønsberg, which is about an hour away from Porsgrunn and Skien. I will be in the same district as the missionaries serving there. I am of course sad to be leaving Kristiansund, especially after so short a period of time, but I know that it is the Lord’s will and that the Lord needs me to be there. I will be serving with Elder Garrard and Elder Rice. Elder Cheney will actually be coming here with Elder Kirk. We had Zone Conference in Trondheim this past week, so it was fun to see people and get some pictures. On Sunday, we had some members from the ward in Trondheim visit us here, which was fun. I am so grateful for the strength of so many members around the world who meet in all sorts of wards and branches. It truly is miraculous that the gospel is the same everywhere.

I gave the Sunday school lesson yesterday on charity. I think that one of the most important aspects of charity is seeing others and ourselves as God sees us, namely seeing others and ourselves as we may become. As Elder Holland once said Heavenly Father has only had one perfect person to work with, the Savior. That must indeed be very frustrating for Him, but He deals with it and always supports and encourages us never belittling or limiting our progression. He has made us free and offers through Christ’s Atonement relief from all of the hardships and faults we have. I am so grateful for this Easter season and for the knowledge that Christ lives. I know that He is risen. It will be a great blessing to hear His prophets and apostles bear their special witnesses of Him in General Conference. I am very excited to be able to learn and grow from that. I am grateful to know as President Uchtdorf expressed last April General Conference that in the gospel there are no real endings, only eternal beginnings. I know that our families can be together forever because of the Atonement. The Norwegian word of the week is udødelig, which means immortal.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, March 23rd, 2015

We have had a good week. We will be traveling to Trondheim later today for Zone Conference tomorrow. When I was there this past week I was with Elder Cheney. It was fun and interesting to be with him again. We had some cool Northern Lights the night I came. I sang I Stand All Amazed in church yesterday and will be singing it tomorrow at the Zone Conference. I am really excited about General Conference coming up. It is always such a wonderful blessing to be able to learn from the prophets and apostles. It is also very exciting that Easter is coming. The church is launching another missionary initiative in conjunction with the Easter season, I hope it will help a lot of people to remember the reason for the season and come unto Christ. Here is a link to the video: http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_SA_4-4-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyMSTHD1_. The Norwegian word of the week is vår, which means spring.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, March 16th, 2015

We have had a really miraculous week. We had the zone leaders with us on splits and were able to find a lot of new people to teach including a girl and her friend who came to church on Sunday. It was really wonderful to see the Lord’s hand in our work. I have been pondering recently the significance the gospel has to each and every one of the children of God on earth. It can be easy, particularly when it is hard to find people who want to learn more about it, to remember and think about how much the gospel enables us to achieve. It is remarkable to think about the potential each and every person on the earth has. There are many who do a lot of great things without following and relying upon the Savior, but without Him no one can reach his or her full potential. I gave a lesson yesterday on service, which is a wonderful topic. They are truly many wonderful opportunities to love and serve one another.

Christ’s mercy is over us all. He blesses us all with so much. Our obedience does not produce the blessings, but it enables us to more fully receive them. I am grateful to know that the Savior lives and loves us. He is at the head of this work. He is the light and life of the word. I am going to be in Trondheim with Eldste Cheney on Wednesday because Eldste Kirk is going to a meeting in Oslo. It will be fun to be with him again. I am grateful for all of the blessings in my life. I know that God watches over and loves all of us. The Norwegian word of the week is mirakeløs, which means miraculous.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, March 9th, 2015

We traveled to Molda, which is about an hour or hour and a half bus ride from us for a district meeting this week. It is a very pretty place. We also had an activity at the church this Wednesday, which an investigator came to. I have reflected a lot this past week on the importance of focusing on the bigger long-term goals in our lives. There are of course times where all we can do is take things a day at a time, but it is a great source of motivation and strength to me to reflect upon the greater picture. I spoke in church yesterday about how Heavenly Father has given us tools and will give us personal revelation to guide us through our lives and lead us to our goal of eternal life. It is a great blessing to do the work, but there is not so much more to it, particularly in these small areas. Knocking on doors and talking to people on the street tends to fill most of our time. We are still trying to build up our teaching pool. We found one really cool woman from Argentina who has two sons. We will hopefully teach her again this week. I am doing my best to work hard and to help those who are around me come closer to the Savior.

As I near the end of my missionary service, I have reflected upon how much there still remains to be done both in the mission field and in the world. I want to make a difference and be able to accomplish great things. It is very difficult for me to see how I can do so often times. I have felt that the answer is that I must stand upon the promises of Christ as OIGC (Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir) sings. I know that there is so much more in us than we know. I truly cannot behold with my natural eyes the glory God has in store for us. We are laying the foundation of a great work, and as Paul reckons that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed within us. I know that the Savior provided through His Atonement not only the opportunity to become clean but also to become holy. He cleanses and sanctifies us as we rely upon and walk with Him throughout our mortal journey. Thank you all for your wonderful examples to me.

Since yesterday was International Women's Day I am particularly grateful for the influence good women have had on me in my life. The quality I have treasured and appreciated most in the women I most admire and respect is their ability to love those who are around them, regardless of how those people treat them or if they in any way deserve that love as some would say. I know that we must love one another. The Norwegian word of the week is uselvisk, which means unselfish.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, March 2nd, 2015

We have had a really good week. We had an English fast (not speaking English) this past week, which was pretty cool especially combining it with fast Sunday yesterday. We have been blessed to find some people to work with and to have an investigator with us in church yesterday, which was wonderful. I am so grateful to know that this is the Lord's work. It is exciting about all of the wonderful ways in which the work is going forward. I know that we truly are not alone. I am also starting to look forward to General Conference. It will be wonderful to learn from the prophets and apostles. In Joseph Smith, Prophet of The Restoration a woman says to Joseph Smith that she does not like his religion but is grateful for his kindness. He responds by saying that that is our religion. We are not skyping with any investigators right now. We skype with the ward mission leader in Trondheim every week. He is a wonderful guy.

I watched during dinner a very inspiring message Elder Bednar gave called that we might not shrink. He spoke of something Elder Maxwell had told him saying it is more important to not shrink than it is to survive. I also read Alma 23 through 27 about the Anti-Nephi-Lehis this morning. Reading about their experience that they were able to lay down their lives, calmly and fearlessly with a perfect hope in the promises of Christ and the resurrection were so inspiring to me. They truly did not shrink though they knew that meant they would not survive. I think that applies to us in a lot of ways. We cannot hold back a part of ourselves in the face of adversity and challenges. Although we may not feel like it, I know that our very best is not sufficient in and of itself is sufficient for the Lord, for His grace is always available to lift, strengthen and redeem us. I will not shrink in my missionary service. I am so grateful for the Savior's atonement and the hope it provides us. That hope is something the world desperately needs. It is available to all. The Norwegian word of the week is fremover, which means forward.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, February 23rd, 2015

It is exciting and a little scary to have a new area. Kirstiansund is a very beautiful place. We do not have a branch or a ward here but a group, which is part of the Trondheim ward. We had two members in church and a member's friend. There are a couple other members in the area as well, but not too many yet. Elder Kirk is a very good guy, and it is great to be with him. We are both new to the area, so there is of course a bit of adjustment for both of us to try to get familiar with everything. The people here are very kind and open to talk, which is a great blessing. We do not really have anyone we are actively teaching yet, but that will change. It is always a new experience arriving in a new area, but I am so grateful to know that the Lord is always helping and guiding us. We have a really cool member here from Burma who name is Robert. He speaks seven languages and was baptized about six or seven years ago. He leads the meetings here. He is a really wonderful guy. This is a very cool area. I have never really been on the west coast of Norway, so it is cool to be here even though it was probably the last area I expected.

It was of course very hard to say goodbye to Narvik. The people there are very special. The family will continue learning about the gospel. Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I had a great birthday. It was a good and interesting day. The busses do not come too often on the weekends, and we missed the bus we were supposed to take home yesterday, so we had to run a ways to another bus stop. I am so grateful to be able to testify of the Savior. I know that He is the source of light and hope. Thank you all so very much for all you do to help and support me and even more so for all you do to contribute to the work of the Lord.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, February 16th, 2015

I found out yesterday that I will be moving to Kirstiansund. It was actually just opened last year, so it will be quite an experience. I will be serving with Elder Kirk who I served with for a few weeks in Oslo. We will both be new to the area. I am really excited and know that it is where the Lord wants me to be. I have been really grateful for the time I have had in Narvik. We were not able to get a family history activity together, but I think a lot of good things will still happen with family history, and the missionary work is going well. We have way more sun now, but it may not seem like much to everyone else. I think that the sky in Norway is so beautiful. There are so many different colors in the sky since the sun moves around pretty differently given how north Norway is. The Norwegian word of the week is lysere, which means brighter or lighter.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, February 9th, 2015

We had another storm on Saturday, but it was not as long as the one before. We were inside for the worst of it. We have been able to teach people quite a bit and have started working in some new areas around Narvik. We met a Christian man from Sudan who we have taught a little bit. He is a really kind guy. We also have some of our other investigators we are still teaching. I gave the family the blanket and book, and they really appreciated it. We will be going to Trondheim for a training meeting this week as well. That will be a lot of fun. It has been really good to apply the new teaching and finding method. It really does help people know better what it is they are accepting or rejecting, at least when they are willing to listen. It also makes it very clear that we are not trying to force anything upon anyone but are trying to invite people to come and see, as the Savior himself put it. I know that the Lord is involved in His work and that it is going forward in His time.

We said a prayer with our branch president after we had had dinner with him that we would be able to find someone to teach while we were out in his area knocking doors afterwards. We were not able to find any new people, but we were able to get an appointment with a very positive and kind man who has a family living in the area. It really was a miracle because we have been trying to get an appointment for almost two months. I know that little miracles happen every day all around us. God is watching over all. The nearer we let Him be the more apparent and meaningful His influence will be. I know that we have a loving, wise and merciful Heavenly Father who sent us all here in a purpose. The Savior showed us the way and provides the power for us to fulfill the divine measure of our creations. I know that the gospel has been restored in its fullness. It is so comforting to know that the Lord has a plan for us all. I know everything will work out as it should. I am grateful for your love and examples. We must let out lights so shine!

One thing I think has made a great difference in my life and especially as a missionary is the knowledge that we need to turn out and not focus on ourselves. It can often times be a challenge, and I have a long ways to go before I am anywhere near where I should be. Still, our ministry and life should never be about us. It should be about God and our sisters and brothers. Our purpose as missionaries is to focus on others, so it is so important that we do our best to empathize or at least sympathize with others. That is when people feel of our love and more importantly of God’s love. As Shakespeare said: they do not love who do not show their love or as John Mayer puts it love is a verb. Happy Valentines Day! The Norwegian word of the week is oppmerksom, which means aware.

Love,

Elder Ankenman

Monday, February 2nd, 2015

We had a training meeting about finding people to teach that really revolutionized the ways we approach people. As I mentioned last week, we have stopped saying that we are missionaries from our church. We are not saying we are sharing a message either. Instead we do what we can to ask people a question, such as what is important to you or what do you think about Jesus Christ. There are still people who do not want to talk since it is obvious that we are missionaries and clearly want to share something, but they are people who truly are not interested. This new way helps people to think and to see that we are not trying to force things upon them. Missionaries discuss all the time about finding the elect or the people who really are prepared and who are willing to hear and try the message. It is those people we must focus on not the people who will not give us a chance or the people who will never do anything and therefor exercise faith.

The gospel truly is something that has helped us and that answers the questions of the soul. I am grateful to be able to bear testimony to people. I know that this work is true. We had a pretty heavy windstorm on Thursday with hurricane speed winds. We were totally fine and stayed inside most of the day since people were asked to stay inside by the city. It is still pretty windy, which makes it feel much colder than it actually is. We will actually not be having the family history activity on the 14th because not enough people can come. Also we were unable to teach anyone this week since people were unable to meet, but I am very excited to keep applying this new finding method. I know that there are people being prepared to receive the gospel. I know that this work is true and that Heavenly Father is watching over all of us. All are precious to Him. The Norwegian word of the week is Å Blåse, which means to blow or to be windy.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, January 26th, 2015

We have been able to work quite a lot with members in teaching our investigators, which has been really great. We are very grateful for the people we have to teach and really hope to be able to find more this week. We will be having a family history open house on Valentines day, so that will be very exciting and a great opportunity for people to learn about the church. We will be heading to Tromsø on Wednesday for a training meeting about finding. We are celebrating MLK day today since we were not able to last week. We went to a World War II Museum they have in town and are making Red Velvet Cake. Narvik was actually the first place in Norway to be invaded by the Nazis. It was interesting to learn about it.

One exciting thing is a change we have been asked to make by Eldste Kopischke in how we approach people. We almost always have historically begun by introducing ourselves and saying we are missionaries, but that is something most everyone already knows and that does not interest them at all. We have started to say other things that allow us to go straight into our message. It is wonderful to have at least been able to teach something to the people we talk to even if they are not interested it gives them more of an idea of what it is they are turning down. I am so grateful for the enabling power of the Atonement. Christ truly does give us strength to face the challenges we meet in life. I know that He truly does live and love us. The Norwegian word of the week is å skinde seg, which means to hurry.


Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, January 19th, 2015

It was really wonderful to be able to learn from Elder and Sister Kopischke. Two things I learned from him were the importance of seeking after and heeding revelation as well as the importance of knowing the scriptures. The conference was just us asking questions. He said that he hoped each of us would have a revelatory experience. He invited each of us to write down a couple questions we wanted answered and promised us that something said in the meeting or something the Spirit said to us would answer the question. That was true. My questions were answered and everyone else said that theirs were as well. It was a great testimony to me of the desire Heavenly Father has to communicate to us. It was not really the specific things that Elder Kopischke said or did but the revelation they invited. I know that revelation is real and necessary for our salvation and happiness. It truly is the Spirit and the miracle He works in changing hearts that converts people. We have been set apart to teach with that power and authority that will bring the Spirit unto them. It is up to each individual to let the Spirit come in. I know that miracles are happening all around us.

It is such a blessing and a relief to know that this truly is the work of God. As we have taught people I have really tried to remember that my role is to help them to let God work a miracle in them. I am so grateful for the power of God I have felt in my life. I know that I could not do the things I do without Him. He is always there. He is always watching over us. As you may know the missionary purpose for both full time and member missionaries is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy Ghost and enduring to the end. One thing I think is really true, which Elder Kopischke said is that we often forget about the helping part. We need to do these things together with people be there encouraging them along the way. We must always invite so that we can be there to help people when they are ready. The Norwegian word of the week is opplysning, which means enlightenment.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, January 12th, 2015

On Wednesday we will be in Bergen for the conference with Elder Kopischke. I am really looking forward to the conference. I am sure I will learn a lot. We were able to teach a family again as well as a couple other people we have been teaching on and off. It is such a tremendous blessing to have the restored gospel. Something I have thought a lot about lately is the importance to be bold and loving. We must declare the truth with meekness, humility and love, but we must declare it. I feel such joy and gratitude when I am able to express the gospel even when people disagree or do not understand the impact or gravity of the truths. I can always feel the assurance of the things I have learned and from whom I have learned them to paraphrase Paul. I hope you all can feel love and joy as you do this as well. I now that Heavenly Father is watching over us.

I have also been pondering about the significance of families lately. We will be doing a family history night sometime in February. The family truly is ordained of God. It is such a blessing to be able to understand that the family organization is not random or coincidental. It is indeed the organization God has ordained for our learning, growth and service. I am so grateful to have an eternal family and to be able to invite others to receive that same blessing. I know that there are divine reasons for the sacred feelings virtually everyone has about families. We must reach out to and help all of our brothers and sisters. The Norwegian word of the week is evig, which means eternal.

Love,
Elder Ankenman

Monday, January 5th, 2015

Godt nytt år! Happy New Year! We were advised not to knock on doors on New Year's Eve, so we attended mass at the Catholic Church to see if we could talk with some people in a good environment. We gave some gifts to the Priest who we have become fairly close with. He is a very kind man. We left before too much of the party they were having afterwards began. I will be staying in Narvik at least until February 18th. I am excited. I think we will be able to get a lot of good things done. We will be visited by Elder Kopschke of the Seventy in about ten days. We will be traveling to Bergen, which I am very excited about because I have never been to the west before. I am sure I will learn a lot. We have had a family move into the branch recently who is bringing a great strength. They live in the Harstad area, which is quite a ways away, but they are at church every Sunday. I know that our combined faith truly does make a difference. Narvik is warmer than Alta, which makes it a lot more slippery. It has snowed more often in the time I have been in Narvik, but it has also melted much more often, so we had more snow on the streets in Alta. I have seen Northern Lights in both places. The people in both places are very kind.

I am very grateful for my testimony of the restoration and that God truly does live. He desires to be as close to us as we will let Him be. It is always wonderful to be able to fast and bear testimony. It is particularly inspiring to me to hear the testimonies of people who live in areas of the world where the church is small. It is to me a great testimony of the divinity of the work. We have been building up some momentum here and have been finding more and more people to teach, which has been a great blessing. I fasted specifically yesterday that we would be able to find and teach a family who would accept the gospel. That prayer was answered as we were able to teach a family of two parents and a mother-in-law who have a young son about the restoration of the church and the gospel. Many of the principles we taught, particularly that of a loving, personal God who is our Heavenly Father, really seemed to touch them. I know that the Spirit will bear witness of these truths to the honest and pure in heart. I am so grateful to have these truths in my life. I know that the gospel truly is the good news. I hope you were all able to scoop some joy. I know this is going to be a wonderful year. Two of my New Year's resolutions are to truly and actively consecrate myself and to exercise. I know that God is aware of us and will always be there to help us. The Norwegian word of the week is en forsett, which means a resolution.

Love,
Elder Ankenman