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
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
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
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
Sunday, March 8, 2015
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
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
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