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