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
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