From what I can tell and read sounds like the trip was fun. Just being with the family I bet was the best part. Well this week was a crazy week, some huge changes happened from the last time I talked with you guys.
First of all, I went on exchanges with Elder Daniels, man that was awesome! We had all our potential new investigators cancel on us, so we had a good hour and a half to contact. We set a goal to get a new investigator. By the time the night was over I had gotten 3 lessons on the street and 5 new investigators. It was a night I’ll never forget, I don't know why the Lord blessed me so much that night, and it was amazing. I just ran into prepared after prepared, it was crazy! I contacted a mom and her son, they both set up, a mom with her daughter and the daughters daughter (yeah 3 generations). They also set up, and then another young man who also set up. All 5 of these people I prayed with twice on the street an opening and closing prayer and committed them to start changing their lives. That was an amazing exchange; I was loving being back with Elder Daniels, it brought back way good memories of when we were together. By the end of that exchange we had found 6 new investigators and set 2 new baptismal dates. It was fun!
Then a few days later he was on exchanges with the elders that are staying with us right now in our apartment so I was practically with him again. That night on exchanges with Elder Jackson who has been on island for about 4 months, we our lessons canceled, so we went out together. I asked him what is the hardest thing about missionary work, he said to open his mouth and talk to people. I looked at his planner, and in the back where you keep the numbers you get from contacted there was only 2 names from 3 weeks being in this area. I have well over 100. So I just promised him if you open your mouth and don't worry at all about what you’re going to say, God will fill your mouth with words they need to hear. So we went out and contacted. That night I taught 3 lessons on the street got 4 new investigators and set 1 baptismal date with a young man in his 20's that was amazing. The Lord is just hooking us up each and every day; it is so amazing to see the Lord's hands in this work. I asked Elder Jackson the biggest thing he learned on this exchange, he said that if he opens his mouth he'll have something to say. So I think that was a really good exchange for him, he's a really good kid; he's from a really small town in Utah. He is really shy, but I believe through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, he'll be able to branch out and start talking to everyone. So that was another great night, but things just kept adding up to even better. Elder Daniels companion called him and told him to tell me that the 3 generation family that I taught on the street had set a baptismal date together when they met with them the next day. My joy was filled with a joy you only get from doing what the Lord wants you to do. They said in the lesson, this is why we met Elder Rasmussen; we are supposed to be baptized into God's true church. I’m so excited. Then also another call we get. From my old area in Song Shan, they went and visited Wu Guan Chen's mom. She said a kneeling prayer. I can't even explain the happiness I got from hearing that. He says she's always asking about me and wants to see me again. Man I love Guan Chen and his family. But just the thought of her personally saying a kneeling prayer in front of everyone is crazy, man the Lord works miracles. That was the most amazing two nights of my mission by far. I love my life, and am so grateful for the Lord blessing me and allowing me to be a part of so many miracles. The next morning is a different story though!!
The dreaded phone call and news that no one expected!!!
So we were in companionship study, and I was reading a letter to the other 3 elders that pumps me up, it's about planning for miracles. As I’m reading the letter I get a phone call that says the Assistants. So I answered it, the next few sentences made my heart drop. Elder Rasmussen we need you to pack your bags, send them to this address, and be into the mission office tomorrow morning, thanks! I didn't even know what to think. Elder Daniels and I just looked at each other in awe. We were finding 10 new investigators a week, we were working our way up to 30+ lessons a week, my companion Elder Carter was my first zone leader, and one of my Favorite companions Elder Daniels was my zone leader, and I couldn't have been in a better place and position. I called Elder Berry (one of the assistants) he said Elder Rasmussen President said it will be a good test of your faith, and you’re the right man for the job, and that's about all I can tell you. That left me completely in the dark, only to trust the Lord and hope for the best. I found out I’m going to Xin Zhu, which is over near the East Coast. I get to Xin Zhu, and it's literally a 180 degree turn. 1-3 New investigators a week, 10 lessons a week, a companion I don't know and have to speak Chinese to 24/7, a district of elders I don't really know, we need to redo the whole house...what am I getting into I thought? To make things even more interesting, there is no AC, I woke up in the morning to a 2 inch cockroach sitting in my bathroom, and a 6 inch spider on the side of the wall in our clothes room. I can't think of a more 180 degree flip. The first I was trying to get my mind wrapped around all of this. Prayer like it always has been was my best friend. I was comforted by the Lord everything is going to be great. That day I talked to everyone I could and I mean everyone. I was blessed with a miracle and was able to teach a dad on the street who was willing to say the prayers and set up a time this week to meet again. He needs the gospel so much! Then Sunday night we were blessed tracting and ran into a 15 year old kid. He set a baptismal date for 8/7/10. So in about two days a total of 2 hours of contacting time, we were blessed with 2 new investigators. This place is prepared just like any other place is. The one thing that never changes when everything else might change is the Lord. Have faith and we'll see miracles, the Lord will make us successful. That Sunday night we were able to teach another investigator, we taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ, we connected every single principle to how it can bless his family. It was a very strong lesson, I was filled by the spirit and I know my companion was too. The investigator really understood the importance of these things. That night I got home, I felt a feeling of having done everything the Lord wanted me to do. I was happy about being in this area a quote that I wrote while studying faith came up in my mind. "it's not the situation that affects our decision making or attitude, it's our decision making and attitude that affect the situation and creates the desired outcome" I believe the Lord allowed me to think of that quote back in a great environment exactly for when I came here. I thought of that quote, and after that moment I loved being here. I was so happy I have the opportunity to work through the Lord and build this place up. I thrive on contacting and my companion likes member work, so I think we are going to be a great team. There are so many people prepared, I can tell by just seeing the smiles on people’s faces as I drive by and say Hi. I love this work. I’m also grateful I have the opportunity to work in this area, whatever the Lord has in store for me, I’m willing to accept it because it's what I need to become the servant and man the Lord wants me to become.
So yeah family, that is the huge change, I’m in a completely different area, and a completely different circumstance. My companion doesn't like contacting because he's never seen success from it, but they are averaging about 1 or 2 new investigators a week, but we got 2 in 2 hours, so I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord will help us build this place up. He is the district leader by the way. My new zone leader is Elder Weinberger who knew the Sampson, he is a way great guy, and he’s a great missionary also. But yeah I just have to set a great example and keep the fire that the Lord has blessed me with. I think it's catching on a little bit, he's been contacting a little more than usual, but by the end he'll love contacting. But yeah, they are trying to sale the apartment, because it's awful. So we have to repaint the whole thing. We have to rub with a sponge, two coats of mold spray for 2 days, and then paint the whole house. We have to spend a lot of time inside to do that, which kind of stinks because there are no people inside to contact. It's going to take a while to do so, but we can't move out until we get it done so we have to get down to it. But we just have to use the time to the best of our ability to allow the Lord to explode this area, just like the other area was beginning to do. But I’m excited for this trial, I know through the Lord I can overcome anything.
But yeah, I’m in Rob's zone now which is awesome. We are pretty much on the east coast, you can see the ocean from parts in our area. This is the first time I’ve been out of the city, it's crazy. Oh yeah and that 6 inch spider, it literally took like 20 minutes to kill, because it kept getting behind my dresser, and the sprayer wasn't strong enough to kill it. So, I got it on the ground and doused it in the spray, then I got the zapper used to kill mosquito’s and zapped it a couple times to make sure it was dead. That was a crazy morning. Haha, quite the week.
I love you guys so much, I’m so grateful to have an amazing family. You guys are always the best support system I’ve ever had. And thank you so much last week for the individual letters that you guys each sent me, I loved them. I’m hopefully sending home some things for you guys, so in a week or so you should have them. But I’m getting excited on the 11th of July, Elder Uchdorf is coming. I love listening to Apostles; my testimony grows every single time (If I prepare myself, to receive the revelation of the Lord).
So it really was a crazy week, but a great week also. If you could can you sent me a camera battery charger so I can start taking pictures? I sent you the information about my camera last time.
I know this gospel is true, I know it more than ever before, because I feel angels with me while I contact on the streets, I know that the light in my eyes is from the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I’ve been purified, I’m clean, my sins have been forgiven!! This is why I’m willing with all the energy of my soul to share the gospel with everyone, it's what Christ did, and it's what a true servant of Him also must do. I love my Savior, I know He lives. I know my Heavenly Father lives, I’ve felt his presence!! This gospel is true never forget that!!
I love you guys so much
- Elder Rasmussen
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
This Week was a Sweet Week in the New Area
Hey Family!!!
How are you guys doing?
That is awful about the Knowltons, I’m so glad that they found them safe. I know because they are an obedient family the Lord blessed them, and will help them return safely home to the rest of their family.
I haven't gotten the package yet, but I hope it’s in the office when I go in today. I hope they put the chocolate milk in the fridge, if not thanks for the thought.
Brittany Can't be Engaged. That is so crazy. I can't believe it. That is awesome though, I’m really proud of her, she is an amazing girl with a great attitude. She is a very strong women, and has a great love for the gospel and I know will be a great mom. Tell her that there are 7 words that are very important that she needs to get used to. "I’m Sorry" "Thank You" and the absolute most important "I LOVE YOU." She is going to be a great example. Man I love her to death. I remember Brittany, Erynn, and I always talking at family parties, I always looked forward to talking to those two. Man my whole family is growing up. Tell everybody to WAIT UP haha
This week was a sweet week in the new area. We ended up with 29 lessons and 8 New Investigators. So we are just with the guidance and help of the Lord going to help this ward and area explode and become what the Lord wants it to become. This place is full of families; I can't even begin to explain how many families there are in this area. Contacting singles and families are a whole different story. I swear the second someone gets married an extra strong wall goes up between them and allowing us to teach them. But the cool thing is that wall can be good if they're willing to try. Because a couple studying the gospel together is a very strong unit, and will most likely be baptized and stay active in the church. But it's been cool to be contacting many, many families every day, you have to contact in a different way, I’m just getting the hang of it and trying to learn through the spirit the best way that is. But I’m pretty sure the best way truly is to have the spirit with you by being obedient and worthy, smiling, and just being their friend. It really all comes down to the spirit. But yeah it's all going really, really good, I love working with Elder Carter, it's great to work with someone who has the fire for going outside regardless of the weather and contacting with all we have. It’s good, it feels like it did with Elder Daniels, two elders for a love of the Lord and the work, going out and fighting for the truth. It's a wonderful picture seeing two Elders that love everything about it standing at the door and looking at the whole world in front of them. That would be a great picture and really depict the thought I had the other day. One morning I think of Thursday, we were heading out the door. I had a thought how wonderful and great our life was. How every morning we have an exact schedule that we follow, but unlike others who also have the exact schedule we know exactly why we are doing it. We have no confusion, we know why we exercise in the morning, shower, get ready, study the gospel and Chinese, and then say a prayer together leaving the door. We know exactly why. Then you think of the others out there, I thought of them outside on the street so very confused about life and about where they’re going with their lives and whether or not they have a true purpose. It was a real sense of belonging, because I knew I was God's child, I had a purpose, and that thought transferred to fire in order to go outside and share so others on the streets who are so lost can also have that sense of belonging and know they have a purpose and don't have to be confused. It was a really cool thought.
This week was full of finding and teaching just like a missionaries week is supposed to be like. This area is really small, but there are a ton of people here. It's in Xing Dian, or Jing Mei area, it's about 40 minutes west of my old area in Song shan. It’s way sweet though, the people are way nice like everywhere, and there are like I said, a ton of families to contact. This one family, they have a 4 year old way sweet little boy. He was interrupting so they couldn't really listen, so I played with him so my companion could teach them. He was so cute. We were whispering to each other the whole time, and just drawing together among other things. Then at the end he asked me if I could stay and play, I said sorry I got to go, but next time we can OK. He said OK. Then I said see you next time (Xia ci Jian)and in his way cute 4 year old voice with a power ranger punch says see you next time. He was the cutest little boy. I can't wait to have kids and watch them grown, and enjoy those memories with my wife and my other family members.
Right now we have 4 elders living together. The other two are both native companions, because their apartment is getting worked on right now. It's kinda fun to have two other missionaries in our apartment. We went on exchanges the other day. It's fun not being able to speak English, just speaking Chinese all day. But they didn't have any plans that day so we spent the whole day, yes I mean the WHOLE day contacting. But we found a ton of people that want to listen to the gospel. Also he bought me pizza, which was a good deal. But we found in total about 14 or 15 people that said they would be willing to meet, so I think that was good for him to see a lot of miracles. Because they have been kind of down on the work, and kind of a little trunky because they go home in two transfers with my companion, but I think it was good for Him to see people really are willing to hear the gospel, and set up to listen. But yeah I’m pretty sure I’ll kill my companion next transfer, which would be interesting because it would be the first companion that I will kill. But things are going amazing, I love working with him, I’m not even kidding I love the fire we share for the work. I missed it with other companions and now I have it back, it's hard to keep it by yourself, but with another it takes off and miracles happen. We set a goal to get 10 people baptized together which would be huge, but the driving force of life along with this work is the Lord himself so I know we can do it. It’s going to be fun to see the Lord, through us, work miracles. I love being a part of miracles, it really helps you know that you have the faith needed to see them, you’re worthy, and that the Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ leads this work.
But yeah, I’m just getting used to the area and the members. The ward is sweet, it's much smaller then my old ward is. But it has a good small feel to it, and you can tell that the members want to do missionary work, they haven't seen a baptism here since last December, so they are getting ready to see some miracles. I’m excited to work in this ward, and excited to continue to get to know them.
So yeah that was our week. It’s going great and I’ll continue fill you in.
But I’m glad that the Lord is still blessing the business. All I can say is stay worthy of the Lord's direction and help. Obey every single commandment we can and we'll be blessed more then we can handle. I’m learned that to be true on my mission. This gospel is so true. I’ve come to understand in a very real way my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know they live because I talk with them! They love me and I love them. I know everyone on the face of the planet needs this gospel. We are here right now doing the work that Jesus Christ himself would do if He personally was here right now. He is giving us this opportunity to receive these blessing and become better disciples of him. I know this gospel is true, I love reading the Book of Mormon and feeling the spirit form reading our living Prophets words. In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen.
How are you guys doing?
That is awful about the Knowltons, I’m so glad that they found them safe. I know because they are an obedient family the Lord blessed them, and will help them return safely home to the rest of their family.
I haven't gotten the package yet, but I hope it’s in the office when I go in today. I hope they put the chocolate milk in the fridge, if not thanks for the thought.
Brittany Can't be Engaged. That is so crazy. I can't believe it. That is awesome though, I’m really proud of her, she is an amazing girl with a great attitude. She is a very strong women, and has a great love for the gospel and I know will be a great mom. Tell her that there are 7 words that are very important that she needs to get used to. "I’m Sorry" "Thank You" and the absolute most important "I LOVE YOU." She is going to be a great example. Man I love her to death. I remember Brittany, Erynn, and I always talking at family parties, I always looked forward to talking to those two. Man my whole family is growing up. Tell everybody to WAIT UP haha
This week was a sweet week in the new area. We ended up with 29 lessons and 8 New Investigators. So we are just with the guidance and help of the Lord going to help this ward and area explode and become what the Lord wants it to become. This place is full of families; I can't even begin to explain how many families there are in this area. Contacting singles and families are a whole different story. I swear the second someone gets married an extra strong wall goes up between them and allowing us to teach them. But the cool thing is that wall can be good if they're willing to try. Because a couple studying the gospel together is a very strong unit, and will most likely be baptized and stay active in the church. But it's been cool to be contacting many, many families every day, you have to contact in a different way, I’m just getting the hang of it and trying to learn through the spirit the best way that is. But I’m pretty sure the best way truly is to have the spirit with you by being obedient and worthy, smiling, and just being their friend. It really all comes down to the spirit. But yeah it's all going really, really good, I love working with Elder Carter, it's great to work with someone who has the fire for going outside regardless of the weather and contacting with all we have. It’s good, it feels like it did with Elder Daniels, two elders for a love of the Lord and the work, going out and fighting for the truth. It's a wonderful picture seeing two Elders that love everything about it standing at the door and looking at the whole world in front of them. That would be a great picture and really depict the thought I had the other day. One morning I think of Thursday, we were heading out the door. I had a thought how wonderful and great our life was. How every morning we have an exact schedule that we follow, but unlike others who also have the exact schedule we know exactly why we are doing it. We have no confusion, we know why we exercise in the morning, shower, get ready, study the gospel and Chinese, and then say a prayer together leaving the door. We know exactly why. Then you think of the others out there, I thought of them outside on the street so very confused about life and about where they’re going with their lives and whether or not they have a true purpose. It was a real sense of belonging, because I knew I was God's child, I had a purpose, and that thought transferred to fire in order to go outside and share so others on the streets who are so lost can also have that sense of belonging and know they have a purpose and don't have to be confused. It was a really cool thought.
This week was full of finding and teaching just like a missionaries week is supposed to be like. This area is really small, but there are a ton of people here. It's in Xing Dian, or Jing Mei area, it's about 40 minutes west of my old area in Song shan. It’s way sweet though, the people are way nice like everywhere, and there are like I said, a ton of families to contact. This one family, they have a 4 year old way sweet little boy. He was interrupting so they couldn't really listen, so I played with him so my companion could teach them. He was so cute. We were whispering to each other the whole time, and just drawing together among other things. Then at the end he asked me if I could stay and play, I said sorry I got to go, but next time we can OK. He said OK. Then I said see you next time (Xia ci Jian)and in his way cute 4 year old voice with a power ranger punch says see you next time. He was the cutest little boy. I can't wait to have kids and watch them grown, and enjoy those memories with my wife and my other family members.
Right now we have 4 elders living together. The other two are both native companions, because their apartment is getting worked on right now. It's kinda fun to have two other missionaries in our apartment. We went on exchanges the other day. It's fun not being able to speak English, just speaking Chinese all day. But they didn't have any plans that day so we spent the whole day, yes I mean the WHOLE day contacting. But we found a ton of people that want to listen to the gospel. Also he bought me pizza, which was a good deal. But we found in total about 14 or 15 people that said they would be willing to meet, so I think that was good for him to see a lot of miracles. Because they have been kind of down on the work, and kind of a little trunky because they go home in two transfers with my companion, but I think it was good for Him to see people really are willing to hear the gospel, and set up to listen. But yeah I’m pretty sure I’ll kill my companion next transfer, which would be interesting because it would be the first companion that I will kill. But things are going amazing, I love working with him, I’m not even kidding I love the fire we share for the work. I missed it with other companions and now I have it back, it's hard to keep it by yourself, but with another it takes off and miracles happen. We set a goal to get 10 people baptized together which would be huge, but the driving force of life along with this work is the Lord himself so I know we can do it. It’s going to be fun to see the Lord, through us, work miracles. I love being a part of miracles, it really helps you know that you have the faith needed to see them, you’re worthy, and that the Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ leads this work.
But yeah, I’m just getting used to the area and the members. The ward is sweet, it's much smaller then my old ward is. But it has a good small feel to it, and you can tell that the members want to do missionary work, they haven't seen a baptism here since last December, so they are getting ready to see some miracles. I’m excited to work in this ward, and excited to continue to get to know them.
So yeah that was our week. It’s going great and I’ll continue fill you in.
But I’m glad that the Lord is still blessing the business. All I can say is stay worthy of the Lord's direction and help. Obey every single commandment we can and we'll be blessed more then we can handle. I’m learned that to be true on my mission. This gospel is so true. I’ve come to understand in a very real way my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know they live because I talk with them! They love me and I love them. I know everyone on the face of the planet needs this gospel. We are here right now doing the work that Jesus Christ himself would do if He personally was here right now. He is giving us this opportunity to receive these blessing and become better disciples of him. I know this gospel is true, I love reading the Book of Mormon and feeling the spirit form reading our living Prophets words. In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
A Change...A Mighty Change...I am Moving to Jin Xing!
Hey Family What is UP!!! Sounds like you guys are doing great and things are all going well, also sounds like the business is going good, but fill me in on more about the business I love knowing that kind of stuff. But I’m glad grandmother is also doing well, she is always been such a trooper. I’m so glad for her example, I can still remember her taking me bowling, mini golfing, and all the other things we used to do, I loved those times in my life. Grandma and Grandpa are also doing well which is good. They are all in my prayers and I know that the Lord is protecting them.
This week was an enlightening, changing, spectacular week!!
On Wed we had zone conference. Elder Pratt of the 70 and his Wife came and talked to us. Man we got beat up, we have to improve. I thought it was great because I was able to see all the aspects of missionary work that I could improve, included aspects of regular life. It was a great experience. I’ve made a resolve and I’ve been waking up at 5 every morning. I’ve been getting a lot done. I’m memorizing scripture passages in Chinese which has helped teaching and quoting scriptures on the street more powerful. I’m also memorizing quotes from PMG. It's been a great change, and I’ve changed forever because of it. For some reason my hours of praying and studying to develop Charity the true love of Christ has paid off. I will continue to study and develop it, but the Lord has blessed me or filled me I guess I could say with Charity. The Lord has changed my mission experience. My contacting has completely changed, my love for the people has completely changed, just my love for everything has been magnified as charity would magnify it. Coupled with the Holy Ghost and Charity contacting has taken a whole new level. A lot more people are accepting, and are allowing me to teach them on the street. The first example... We helped Guan Chen move a white board to his mom's work. At her work we were about to head out when I saw a older guy with a small little girl sitting in a home. So I went in and talked to him. This was the coolest experience of my mission. I talked with him, I mean truly talked with him as if we were brothers, then I listened, just listened and was filled with the Love of Christ as the Lord put words in my mouth. But the guy at the first said He didn't want to listen and by the end he had said the closing prayer, committed to read and prayer, and we are going back next week. The spirit was so strong, I am so grateful for the change the Lord has brought upon me. It was a powerful unforgettable experience. I’ve found the promise to be true, obedient and having the spirit the Lord will put words in your mouth! So I’ve been just asking questions and listening, and as Elder Holland says in PMG "Something they always say with highlight a truth of the gospel." So, I just listen and when the spirit tells me to say it I will.
Then we had a lesson with a Xu Dx the next morning. My companion asked him to prayer about these things and his response was I already did I know there true. It was the coolest thing ever, then he also committed to living the WoW, his prayer at the end was amazing. It was a powerful prayer from an investigator; he's one of the most prepared people I’ve ever seen. It's amazing to see the atonement change people's lives. But after that we were going to teach Guan Chen English. But he said to us, I have a different idea I want to go out contacting. So we said OK, and because of his willingness to listen to the spirit we saw two miracles during that time we went out and contacted. First I ran in a Guan Li which is a guy that watches over buildings. I was talking to him, and at first he went from saying no, to the end he was willing to read and set up another time to meet. The same thing, I just asked questions and listened. It's a wonderful thing to have words put into your mouth, because you know you are a servant of the Lord. Then we ate lunch, we were in a park, a lady came and sat on the bench around us and was smoking. I finished my food, went and sat next to her. I started to talk with her and found out that she had no desires in life, no goals, and the only reason she is doing this job is because her parents forced her too, then how all she wants to do in life is sleep (she sounded, looked, and acted depressed). But, the cool thing is nothing the atonement can't fix. So I was able to listen so intently that once again my mouth was filled with the words that she needed to hear that day. We will be meeting her again to teach her. Man this work is a wonderful thing, I’m so happy I don't even know how to describe it.
Then we met with Ye Dx. He always used to make fun of my Chinese and stuff. I didn't really like him much to be honest. But we walked in and he was sitting there a warm feeling of love rushed through me as I saw him. We started to teach him. He told me that because before he didn't think I was really interested and trying to listen he always made fun of me and didn't open up to me. He could tell things were different and how I’ve changed and he opened up like he never has before. He said one morning he woke up to a light coming into the room. In the light was him dressed in white getting baptized. Then he said It was the Elder Rasmussen that was baptizing me. I couldn't help it, I just started to cry. But he said it was like you are! That kind of confused me, but it was a special feeling to hear that. He is such a good guy. I love him with all my heart. I deeply apologized for not listening before, just testifying to him that the Atonement had changed me and now I had been filled with charity, and begging him to forgive me for my actions before. Then the next day at church he asked me if he could talk to me. He said that I came to church to find a friend but I didn't find any I found something better. He said you are the best person I’ve ran into and I’m always wanting to talk with you. It touched my heart to hear him say this. He said thank you for helping me, then he left. How much I learned my lesson that I was not doing missionary work the right way. The only way is to be filled with the Love of Christ and do it His way. I’ve learned that this week, and my mission is going to take a whole new level now. I’m so excited for the things to come, and know that as I continue to sanctify myself to the Lord He will allow me to bless the lives of his children here in Taiwan. It was then that I knew I had been filled with charity, and my mission has now changed forever, actually my life has now changed forever.
Another cool experience… Guan Chen asked us if we could give his mom a priesthood blessing. She right now has cancer. So we said yes of course. Then he asked her and she said that we can. We went over there; we knelt down in prayer, as Guan Chen offered the prayer his mom started to cry. It was cool to see her cry. Then as we gave the blessing she continued to cry. it was cool to see her opening up so much to us missionaries. She'll get baptized one day, and they'll be able to live in the celestial Kingdom together. I can't wait for that time, so you guys can meet him too. He's changed my life, I’m so grateful I had the chance to meet him. But he bore his testimony in church, it was so good. He was talking about the blessing. It was funny, because I haven't memorized the oil part in Chinese yet, so I told her I’m going to speak English then I bless you in Chinese. And she was like "When you use English are you going to condemn me to death or something" she said it as a joke, it's funnier with the Chinese translation. But it was great. Guan Chen has the strongest testimony, I can't wait till he goes on a mission. That was another experience I’ll never forget. Gosh I don't want to forget any of these experiences.
But yeah I’m moving. I’m going to Jin Xing which is only like 30-40 minutes away. My new companion is sick. My first area's zone leader Elder Carter, he's my new companion. He's a district leader. I love him! We are going to rock it together. He is playing football at BYU after his mission. This gets event better...my new zone leader, yeah, you guessed it, Elder Daniels! We'll be able to go on exchanges. We are so stoked. I can't wait, we saw each other at the fireside last night and we gave a big hug and were like yeah baby we get to be companions again. It's going to be so fun. But last night at the fire side I saw John there. He said his parents were flying in that night and hadn't arrived yet. His wife seems nice. But yeah he trained Elder Daniels. So that is an interesting connection. It was cool to see him. But also something really weird, my trainer Elder Bishop dies on wed. He's going home already; I remember lying in bed talking with him he was like yeah elder I still got 6 months, now he's dying. It's crazy, time flies and I mean literally flies. "You can't stop time, so you have to stop doing things that aren't worth your time, and doing those things that are"-Elder Rasmussen Quote
Family, I’m excited for the new chapter in the mission life. It was really, really hard to leave my ward, they were crying, we have such good relationships. I’m so grateful I had the chance to serve in this ward, and get to know the great wonderful people here. I’m definitely going to come back to this ward someday, hopefully with you guys.
But I know my savior lives. I know because I’ve talked with him. He listens to my prayers, and I listen to Him talking back. It's a real thing, there’s no way I could deny it. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, and through their power restored the true church of Jesus Christ to the earth. This isn't any other Christian church; we are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which is something to be proud of. Through Jesus Christ's mercy we hold all the keys necessary to return and live with our Eternal God. This work it true and real. We all need to be involved, because we are preparing the world for the Second Coming of the Savior. What a glorious time to see Him coming down from a cloud, with concourses of angels singing and praising His name. I want to be there to worship him, because he's given me a life that I could never have even imagined. I love Him; I will serve him for the rest of eternity. I’m grateful for the Book of Mormon. The power of that book is indescribable. You open that book and feel the spirit every single time, and you receive personal revelation every single time. I’m grateful for a loving family included is grandparents (Grandmother, Granddad, Grandpa, and Grandma), who have given me everything I ever needed to succeed, thank you. I love this gospel, my life, and my family. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-Love Elder Rasmussen
"Just Have Faith and Go Do"- Elder Rasmussen
This week was an enlightening, changing, spectacular week!!
On Wed we had zone conference. Elder Pratt of the 70 and his Wife came and talked to us. Man we got beat up, we have to improve. I thought it was great because I was able to see all the aspects of missionary work that I could improve, included aspects of regular life. It was a great experience. I’ve made a resolve and I’ve been waking up at 5 every morning. I’ve been getting a lot done. I’m memorizing scripture passages in Chinese which has helped teaching and quoting scriptures on the street more powerful. I’m also memorizing quotes from PMG. It's been a great change, and I’ve changed forever because of it. For some reason my hours of praying and studying to develop Charity the true love of Christ has paid off. I will continue to study and develop it, but the Lord has blessed me or filled me I guess I could say with Charity. The Lord has changed my mission experience. My contacting has completely changed, my love for the people has completely changed, just my love for everything has been magnified as charity would magnify it. Coupled with the Holy Ghost and Charity contacting has taken a whole new level. A lot more people are accepting, and are allowing me to teach them on the street. The first example... We helped Guan Chen move a white board to his mom's work. At her work we were about to head out when I saw a older guy with a small little girl sitting in a home. So I went in and talked to him. This was the coolest experience of my mission. I talked with him, I mean truly talked with him as if we were brothers, then I listened, just listened and was filled with the Love of Christ as the Lord put words in my mouth. But the guy at the first said He didn't want to listen and by the end he had said the closing prayer, committed to read and prayer, and we are going back next week. The spirit was so strong, I am so grateful for the change the Lord has brought upon me. It was a powerful unforgettable experience. I’ve found the promise to be true, obedient and having the spirit the Lord will put words in your mouth! So I’ve been just asking questions and listening, and as Elder Holland says in PMG "Something they always say with highlight a truth of the gospel." So, I just listen and when the spirit tells me to say it I will.
Then we had a lesson with a Xu Dx the next morning. My companion asked him to prayer about these things and his response was I already did I know there true. It was the coolest thing ever, then he also committed to living the WoW, his prayer at the end was amazing. It was a powerful prayer from an investigator; he's one of the most prepared people I’ve ever seen. It's amazing to see the atonement change people's lives. But after that we were going to teach Guan Chen English. But he said to us, I have a different idea I want to go out contacting. So we said OK, and because of his willingness to listen to the spirit we saw two miracles during that time we went out and contacted. First I ran in a Guan Li which is a guy that watches over buildings. I was talking to him, and at first he went from saying no, to the end he was willing to read and set up another time to meet. The same thing, I just asked questions and listened. It's a wonderful thing to have words put into your mouth, because you know you are a servant of the Lord. Then we ate lunch, we were in a park, a lady came and sat on the bench around us and was smoking. I finished my food, went and sat next to her. I started to talk with her and found out that she had no desires in life, no goals, and the only reason she is doing this job is because her parents forced her too, then how all she wants to do in life is sleep (she sounded, looked, and acted depressed). But, the cool thing is nothing the atonement can't fix. So I was able to listen so intently that once again my mouth was filled with the words that she needed to hear that day. We will be meeting her again to teach her. Man this work is a wonderful thing, I’m so happy I don't even know how to describe it.
Then we met with Ye Dx. He always used to make fun of my Chinese and stuff. I didn't really like him much to be honest. But we walked in and he was sitting there a warm feeling of love rushed through me as I saw him. We started to teach him. He told me that because before he didn't think I was really interested and trying to listen he always made fun of me and didn't open up to me. He could tell things were different and how I’ve changed and he opened up like he never has before. He said one morning he woke up to a light coming into the room. In the light was him dressed in white getting baptized. Then he said It was the Elder Rasmussen that was baptizing me. I couldn't help it, I just started to cry. But he said it was like you are! That kind of confused me, but it was a special feeling to hear that. He is such a good guy. I love him with all my heart. I deeply apologized for not listening before, just testifying to him that the Atonement had changed me and now I had been filled with charity, and begging him to forgive me for my actions before. Then the next day at church he asked me if he could talk to me. He said that I came to church to find a friend but I didn't find any I found something better. He said you are the best person I’ve ran into and I’m always wanting to talk with you. It touched my heart to hear him say this. He said thank you for helping me, then he left. How much I learned my lesson that I was not doing missionary work the right way. The only way is to be filled with the Love of Christ and do it His way. I’ve learned that this week, and my mission is going to take a whole new level now. I’m so excited for the things to come, and know that as I continue to sanctify myself to the Lord He will allow me to bless the lives of his children here in Taiwan. It was then that I knew I had been filled with charity, and my mission has now changed forever, actually my life has now changed forever.
Another cool experience… Guan Chen asked us if we could give his mom a priesthood blessing. She right now has cancer. So we said yes of course. Then he asked her and she said that we can. We went over there; we knelt down in prayer, as Guan Chen offered the prayer his mom started to cry. It was cool to see her cry. Then as we gave the blessing she continued to cry. it was cool to see her opening up so much to us missionaries. She'll get baptized one day, and they'll be able to live in the celestial Kingdom together. I can't wait for that time, so you guys can meet him too. He's changed my life, I’m so grateful I had the chance to meet him. But he bore his testimony in church, it was so good. He was talking about the blessing. It was funny, because I haven't memorized the oil part in Chinese yet, so I told her I’m going to speak English then I bless you in Chinese. And she was like "When you use English are you going to condemn me to death or something" she said it as a joke, it's funnier with the Chinese translation. But it was great. Guan Chen has the strongest testimony, I can't wait till he goes on a mission. That was another experience I’ll never forget. Gosh I don't want to forget any of these experiences.
But yeah I’m moving. I’m going to Jin Xing which is only like 30-40 minutes away. My new companion is sick. My first area's zone leader Elder Carter, he's my new companion. He's a district leader. I love him! We are going to rock it together. He is playing football at BYU after his mission. This gets event better...my new zone leader, yeah, you guessed it, Elder Daniels! We'll be able to go on exchanges. We are so stoked. I can't wait, we saw each other at the fireside last night and we gave a big hug and were like yeah baby we get to be companions again. It's going to be so fun. But last night at the fire side I saw John there. He said his parents were flying in that night and hadn't arrived yet. His wife seems nice. But yeah he trained Elder Daniels. So that is an interesting connection. It was cool to see him. But also something really weird, my trainer Elder Bishop dies on wed. He's going home already; I remember lying in bed talking with him he was like yeah elder I still got 6 months, now he's dying. It's crazy, time flies and I mean literally flies. "You can't stop time, so you have to stop doing things that aren't worth your time, and doing those things that are"-Elder Rasmussen Quote
Family, I’m excited for the new chapter in the mission life. It was really, really hard to leave my ward, they were crying, we have such good relationships. I’m so grateful I had the chance to serve in this ward, and get to know the great wonderful people here. I’m definitely going to come back to this ward someday, hopefully with you guys.
But I know my savior lives. I know because I’ve talked with him. He listens to my prayers, and I listen to Him talking back. It's a real thing, there’s no way I could deny it. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, and through their power restored the true church of Jesus Christ to the earth. This isn't any other Christian church; we are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which is something to be proud of. Through Jesus Christ's mercy we hold all the keys necessary to return and live with our Eternal God. This work it true and real. We all need to be involved, because we are preparing the world for the Second Coming of the Savior. What a glorious time to see Him coming down from a cloud, with concourses of angels singing and praising His name. I want to be there to worship him, because he's given me a life that I could never have even imagined. I love Him; I will serve him for the rest of eternity. I’m grateful for the Book of Mormon. The power of that book is indescribable. You open that book and feel the spirit every single time, and you receive personal revelation every single time. I’m grateful for a loving family included is grandparents (Grandmother, Granddad, Grandpa, and Grandma), who have given me everything I ever needed to succeed, thank you. I love this gospel, my life, and my family. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-Love Elder Rasmussen
"Just Have Faith and Go Do"- Elder Rasmussen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
