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
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
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,
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
Thursday, February 5, 2015
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
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 26, 2015
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
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
Saturday, January 24, 2015
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
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
Friday, January 16, 2015
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
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
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
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
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
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