Hey Fam!!
Sounds like things are going great. I’m very glad to hear that. The Lord really is taking care of all of us and helping us succeed in life. We just need to follow the commandments and do all we can to help those around us and our life will be full of happiness and peace.
I just got an email from Drew. I can't believe he's home already. He sent me pictures of his homecoming in the airport and at home it was cool. He's gained some weight, but looks great. I truly do love all my friends and am so grateful for the role my friends have played in my life. What a blessing the Lord has given me, a circle of great friends who only pressure me into doing good.
This week in the mission field was great. We sat back and thought about how to better the area and be better tools in the hands of the Lord. Much happened just like you guys did in the business. We sat back, after working till death every day, getting home and not having my head on straight because I was so tired from just pounding the streets. We prayed and talked about it, and were guided in how to be smarter missionaries. Because smart includes hard work into it. We made some changes and put them into play, Let me tell you this week was full of more miracles then I can begin to say. The Lord just placed people in our paths. We ended with 7 people with baptismal dates. But these aren't just people with dates, these are souls that know what they need to do to progress in the gospel, they know our expectations for them, and they are willing to do it. Every one of them is like a golden investigator. We only taught 19 lessons this last week, but everyone of the lessons we filled our role as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of the week it just felt full. We felt like we had accomplished what the Lord had set out for us to do. A feeling of peace, worth, and accomplishment. It was great! It all came from working smarter not harder.
We met with the Sister Guan, the one who invited me to meet with her and teach her about the Book of Mormon. We set expectations and she set a date to be baptized. Then we taught her a first lesson, gave her a Book of Mormon and invited her to start reading it. The second time we went back, she had great questions from the introduction and the 3 witnesses part. She is really studying it, and really wants to know if it's true or not. It was a great gospel discussion that we were able to have with her. She is truly a prepared soul, we will continue to work with her and help her reach her goal to be baptized into the church of Christ. Then Sister Ou Yang, she is doing absolutely great too. She is an amazing woman - 26 years old and just wants to be happier in life. She wants to be married and have 6 kids, she just loves family. But she is progressing very well. She has no understanding of Christ or Christian so we have to take things slow and simple with her in order to help her understand the importance and reality of these things. It's cute; she'll always ask such innocent questions about Christ, because she just flat out doesn't know. It's been really fun to help her progress and feel the love that Christ has for her. Sister Wang, she is a new investigator we met with on Sunday. She is golden! She just was like what do I have to do to go to the temple? How can I get baptized, she really wants to be happier in life. She also came to church along with the others and really liked the feeling of home at our chapel and enjoyed it a lot. It was great! We also met with her after church; she just really wants to know how to prepare for being baptized. She's awesome. Sister Wei, is still moving along. Her biggest problem is she doesn't think that she can follow all the commandments completely; she's worried she will fall short of the standard of God. But we are working with her on building her faith and helping her overcome these little worries that she has about being baptized. There are also a couple others but yeah the work is going great. I’m grateful to be here in this area serving the Lord. It's been an experience of a lifetime.
You only have 2 years to serve a mission
But a lifetime to think about it!
One thing we are going to focus on the zone this month/week is diligence and accountability with the Lord. We feel that some missionaries don't quite fully get it yet, but we hope that through this week’s training and the help of the spirit that they will start to feel it and understand the importance of doing the work in the Lord's way, which in reality is the only true and capable way of doing the work of the Lord. I thought talking to everyone was just a natural thing that you do as a missionary, but there are a bunch of elders in our zone that are scared, or for whatever reason they aren't really opening their mouths in the way that they should. So we hope to help them understand the doctrine and importance behind talking to everyone. Another thing we are going to hit on is the quality of the things that we are doing. We were thinking about it, the golden standard for new investigators in a week is 5 for the mission. But there are a lot of companionships throughout the mission that are getting well over that, but not baptizing anyone. We were thinking about in all reality, getting 1 new investigator and having them progress, then getting 10 and having none progress is a lot better. Even though when you report the numbers it doesn't look half as good. We are going to focus on finding the prepared souls that will actually get baptized. This is what my companion and I focused on this week, and everything we did in the work had more quality and was more effective. It was a great new way of thinking that went into our companionships' work this last week, and now we hope to carry it down to the rest of the zone and help them understand this point as well.
This is the hardest time on my mission. I don't know why it's really draining me mentally and physically. It’s hard to get out of bed early now, but I need to continue in order to have more time to study the language, and become a greater tool in the hand of the Lord. Really you just get more and more tired every day, but happier and happier every minute. It's a great calling, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
We are moving right along in the hands of the Lord. I know He lives, and loves us. I’m grateful for his atoning sacrifice. I love my mission, and pray that I will stand at the end of it with the utmost assurance that I've done my best and have been accepted by the hand of the Lord!
Thank you guys for all you do, I love you all so much!
Elder Rasmussen
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Rewarding but Hard Week...
DEAR FAMILY!!!!!
Thank you for all the little short letters I loved them, I’m so glad to hear that everything is going great. Keep up the good name :D
Wow well to start of the baptism was amazing. Sister Zhang really felt the spirit and had a great experience. Luckily it's between her and the Lord not the ward. Because the baptism was scheduled for 11 am, but the ward mission leader didn't show up till 12 and the bishop 12:30. It was embarrassing, they also didn't plan anything out, I’m the one that ended up playing the piano to sing, and it was just bad. It made us both mad, but it wasn't a mad that drives the spirit away it was just sad, Sister Zhang just sat there forever waiting for the baptismal service to start. But because she has a very, very strong testimony, and she loves reading the scriptures she wasn't affected by it and once the service actually started it went great. With my rusty piano skills, the spirit still was there and allowed us all to have a great service of feeling the spirit, and seeing a daughter of God entering into a covenant with her. It was great. This was the highlight of the week. She truly loves her Heavenly Father and is very grateful for His hand in her life. She is a great asset to this ward.
Well other than that this week was hard. We didn't teach a lot of lessons and didn't find very many people. But we tried, and in preach my gospel the definition of a successful missionary is one who is COMMITTED to find teach and baptized. We were committed, I've never worked so hard for something in my entire life then I have at this time in my mission. I’m putting myself out on the streets every day until I can't walk anymore, then relying on the Lord to carry me the rest of the distance. He's had to, many, many times. I've been grateful for His mercy and helping me accomplish the things I need to do as a leader and servant of so many missionaries and people here in Taiwan. I love it though, I've never been happier then I am right now. This week I saw a miracle in my life I would like to share. In my Patriarchal Blessings it states that I've been blessed with great heritage and with ancestors and parents that have given much sacrifice to bring to pass the kingdom of God. It hen exhorts me to see their example and sacrifice and be recommitted to the work of the Lord. I've never really understood that part really...until lately.
Lately we haven't been finding many people, but we've been trying so hard.. These last few days I left my scriptures at the church so during personally study I haven't had the opportunity to read them so I was thinking of what I could read. The thought came to my mind, Our Heritage. I've never read it before so I thought OK why not. Ever since starting it I've been in great reflection of my ancestors and those that went through Hell and back again to establish the kingdom of God back onto this earth. This reflection has brought me to think of my personal life and What I've done for the church, and how much more I need to do for the church or the Kingdom of God. Just reading over from Joseph seeing God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ too, saints being beaten, spit upon, tarred and feathered, raped, cussed at, driven here and there, all the way to the first temple built, missions, missionaries, temples all around the world, prophetic promises being fulfilled, It's all just amazing. It just seems like a fantasy story. But I know it's true, because through this reflection I've prayed and asked God for the refreshment I needed to finish my mission strong and to be a part of this great movement, being the preparation for the second coming! I just read over all the olden day missionaries sacrificing so much, but having so much excitement at the same time. It just gave me fire. I've finally come to realize what my Patriarchal blessing was talking about. Oh how has this experience recommitted me to the work of the Lord. I can't even begin to explain how much I love every saint and pioneer in the church, although I may not know them I am connected with them through the work of the Lord. Although I’m living in a home, eat three good meals a day, I hope to sacrifice my life in every way possible for the work of the Lord. To be an walking testimony of Jesus Christ. This is my new life goal. That everyone in my presence can be uplifted and feel the Love of God. I’m so grateful for the testimony and re-commitment the Lord has blessed me with. It will be a time here on my mission that I will remember the rest of my life. This testimony and love for all mankind will never leave me. I hope to fulfill missions and learn languages so I can bring all unto Christ, Jesus. I love this work.
I may only be 20 years old, I may have failed some classes and not be the smartest or best looking person in the world. But I know one thing that this world will never take away from me, That is Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and redeemer of the world. He is my advocate between the father, and the way and light of my life. I know only in and through Him may I receive eternal life. I trust him with all my heart, I know He lives. He's not just a man, or a prophet, He is the Son of Man, The Son of God, the Beginning and the End, He is my light and compass, In him I will trust and live my life to the end. This is my hope and prayer of Faith. That I may stand at the end of my mission and life with the utmost assurance that I've done what has been called of me to do, That I know I have a placed awaiting me in the kingdom of My God, My Rock and my Salvation. I know this church is true, and is the only true and living church on the earth. It's head is the one, and only Son of God, Even Jehovah, the eternal master of Heaven And Earth. I know he lives, I love Him, In His name I bear this solemn testimony, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
This week was hard but the Lord showed us miracles. Usually when we look at our weeks schedule on Monday morning we have about 5-10 lessons set up. Last night on Sunday we sat down and prayed for guidance to know how to help this area. We ended up calling all of our investigators and just getting all of them to try and set up this week. We just wanted to tell them that we were scheduling our weeks schedule and would like to get them in before we run out of time. We said this at the start of each phone call, and everyone of the set up 2 or 3 times. We had random people call us and set up times to meet with us. At the end of it we looked at this week’s schedule and saw that we had 25+ lessons already set up. All of our baptismal dates were set up with at least 2 meetings and the week is looking great. It was amazing, we praised and thanked the Lord for all these blessings. He was very merciful and answered the prayer of two humble servants just trying to do what was right. It was an amazing manifestation of the power of God in the work. We just looked at each other and laughed at how many people kept setting up. We couldn't believe it, it was amazing. Our schedule for this week just filled up so fast. Also you asked about the lady met after eating pizza. We are meeting with her tomorrow, So we are hoping for a huge miracle with her. We are excited for the meeting. The work is moving right along. Satan tried to molest it, but it won’t happen. We trust in the Lord, and we know that through him His work will move on faster and faster as time comes closer and closer to his coming to this earth to reign as kings of kings, and hosts of hosts.
Thank you all for all the things that you have done for me your brother and son. I will be eternally grateful for all you've done for me. I love you all so so so much. I’m so grateful for the blessings the Lord has given me to be born into such an amazing strong build family, that obeys and follows the Law of Heaven. Thank you Dad and Mom for that blessing in my life and the life of the rest of the kids. Keep going strong in the Faith, It’s the only way to be happy in this life and have the peace sufficient to get through life's troubles and challenges. The world doesn't matter, but the Lord does. The second we let worldly things override our spiritual endeavors or God plan for us we need to repent and get back onto the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. I love this path, It's the hardest one I've ever walked on, and boy is it skinny, but it's the also the only rewarding path there is. I know this because I've walked both paths. I will never go back to the other, it's filthy, wide, and ugly, full of pride and lust. This path is full of Love and peace, fulfillment in all you do, and it includes one thing that has grown so precious to me, that is family! I love family, I can't wait to have a family of my own, to bear children of God and raise them in righteousness. What a wonderful calling to be a Father or Mother. Truly Called of God. I love the plan of Salvation, It is perfect, the more my mind and heart dwell in the truths of the Kingdom of God, the more and more miraculous it gets to me, and the more and more perfect it become. There is not a missing piece in the whole grand scheme of themes. It's all perfect, I love it. Thank you family, you are all amazing.
and.....
HAPPY VALENTINES!! I LOVE YOU MOM!
You guys are awesome, keep up the good work and remember always be examples of the believers. Never let up your guard, and always strive to strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ.
PS: Well Elder Daniels flies home tomorrow. I can't believe time has gone by that fast. I love him, we will stay friends forever. He changed my mission and life. The Lord showed us many many miracles while serving together. I’ll be eating barbecue with him today and some of the Song Shan members. I’m going to miss him!
also....
Sister Liang called me the other day and thanked me so much. She had such a great time, I think we'll also be eating with her today, so I’m excited to see her and talk to her more about it. I know she had a great feeling in Utah and Yes I really want her to find a worthy man to marry also, she deserves an amazing man!
Thank you for all the little short letters I loved them, I’m so glad to hear that everything is going great. Keep up the good name :D
Wow well to start of the baptism was amazing. Sister Zhang really felt the spirit and had a great experience. Luckily it's between her and the Lord not the ward. Because the baptism was scheduled for 11 am, but the ward mission leader didn't show up till 12 and the bishop 12:30. It was embarrassing, they also didn't plan anything out, I’m the one that ended up playing the piano to sing, and it was just bad. It made us both mad, but it wasn't a mad that drives the spirit away it was just sad, Sister Zhang just sat there forever waiting for the baptismal service to start. But because she has a very, very strong testimony, and she loves reading the scriptures she wasn't affected by it and once the service actually started it went great. With my rusty piano skills, the spirit still was there and allowed us all to have a great service of feeling the spirit, and seeing a daughter of God entering into a covenant with her. It was great. This was the highlight of the week. She truly loves her Heavenly Father and is very grateful for His hand in her life. She is a great asset to this ward.
Well other than that this week was hard. We didn't teach a lot of lessons and didn't find very many people. But we tried, and in preach my gospel the definition of a successful missionary is one who is COMMITTED to find teach and baptized. We were committed, I've never worked so hard for something in my entire life then I have at this time in my mission. I’m putting myself out on the streets every day until I can't walk anymore, then relying on the Lord to carry me the rest of the distance. He's had to, many, many times. I've been grateful for His mercy and helping me accomplish the things I need to do as a leader and servant of so many missionaries and people here in Taiwan. I love it though, I've never been happier then I am right now. This week I saw a miracle in my life I would like to share. In my Patriarchal Blessings it states that I've been blessed with great heritage and with ancestors and parents that have given much sacrifice to bring to pass the kingdom of God. It hen exhorts me to see their example and sacrifice and be recommitted to the work of the Lord. I've never really understood that part really...until lately.
Lately we haven't been finding many people, but we've been trying so hard.. These last few days I left my scriptures at the church so during personally study I haven't had the opportunity to read them so I was thinking of what I could read. The thought came to my mind, Our Heritage. I've never read it before so I thought OK why not. Ever since starting it I've been in great reflection of my ancestors and those that went through Hell and back again to establish the kingdom of God back onto this earth. This reflection has brought me to think of my personal life and What I've done for the church, and how much more I need to do for the church or the Kingdom of God. Just reading over from Joseph seeing God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ too, saints being beaten, spit upon, tarred and feathered, raped, cussed at, driven here and there, all the way to the first temple built, missions, missionaries, temples all around the world, prophetic promises being fulfilled, It's all just amazing. It just seems like a fantasy story. But I know it's true, because through this reflection I've prayed and asked God for the refreshment I needed to finish my mission strong and to be a part of this great movement, being the preparation for the second coming! I just read over all the olden day missionaries sacrificing so much, but having so much excitement at the same time. It just gave me fire. I've finally come to realize what my Patriarchal blessing was talking about. Oh how has this experience recommitted me to the work of the Lord. I can't even begin to explain how much I love every saint and pioneer in the church, although I may not know them I am connected with them through the work of the Lord. Although I’m living in a home, eat three good meals a day, I hope to sacrifice my life in every way possible for the work of the Lord. To be an walking testimony of Jesus Christ. This is my new life goal. That everyone in my presence can be uplifted and feel the Love of God. I’m so grateful for the testimony and re-commitment the Lord has blessed me with. It will be a time here on my mission that I will remember the rest of my life. This testimony and love for all mankind will never leave me. I hope to fulfill missions and learn languages so I can bring all unto Christ, Jesus. I love this work.
I may only be 20 years old, I may have failed some classes and not be the smartest or best looking person in the world. But I know one thing that this world will never take away from me, That is Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and redeemer of the world. He is my advocate between the father, and the way and light of my life. I know only in and through Him may I receive eternal life. I trust him with all my heart, I know He lives. He's not just a man, or a prophet, He is the Son of Man, The Son of God, the Beginning and the End, He is my light and compass, In him I will trust and live my life to the end. This is my hope and prayer of Faith. That I may stand at the end of my mission and life with the utmost assurance that I've done what has been called of me to do, That I know I have a placed awaiting me in the kingdom of My God, My Rock and my Salvation. I know this church is true, and is the only true and living church on the earth. It's head is the one, and only Son of God, Even Jehovah, the eternal master of Heaven And Earth. I know he lives, I love Him, In His name I bear this solemn testimony, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
This week was hard but the Lord showed us miracles. Usually when we look at our weeks schedule on Monday morning we have about 5-10 lessons set up. Last night on Sunday we sat down and prayed for guidance to know how to help this area. We ended up calling all of our investigators and just getting all of them to try and set up this week. We just wanted to tell them that we were scheduling our weeks schedule and would like to get them in before we run out of time. We said this at the start of each phone call, and everyone of the set up 2 or 3 times. We had random people call us and set up times to meet with us. At the end of it we looked at this week’s schedule and saw that we had 25+ lessons already set up. All of our baptismal dates were set up with at least 2 meetings and the week is looking great. It was amazing, we praised and thanked the Lord for all these blessings. He was very merciful and answered the prayer of two humble servants just trying to do what was right. It was an amazing manifestation of the power of God in the work. We just looked at each other and laughed at how many people kept setting up. We couldn't believe it, it was amazing. Our schedule for this week just filled up so fast. Also you asked about the lady met after eating pizza. We are meeting with her tomorrow, So we are hoping for a huge miracle with her. We are excited for the meeting. The work is moving right along. Satan tried to molest it, but it won’t happen. We trust in the Lord, and we know that through him His work will move on faster and faster as time comes closer and closer to his coming to this earth to reign as kings of kings, and hosts of hosts.
Thank you all for all the things that you have done for me your brother and son. I will be eternally grateful for all you've done for me. I love you all so so so much. I’m so grateful for the blessings the Lord has given me to be born into such an amazing strong build family, that obeys and follows the Law of Heaven. Thank you Dad and Mom for that blessing in my life and the life of the rest of the kids. Keep going strong in the Faith, It’s the only way to be happy in this life and have the peace sufficient to get through life's troubles and challenges. The world doesn't matter, but the Lord does. The second we let worldly things override our spiritual endeavors or God plan for us we need to repent and get back onto the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. I love this path, It's the hardest one I've ever walked on, and boy is it skinny, but it's the also the only rewarding path there is. I know this because I've walked both paths. I will never go back to the other, it's filthy, wide, and ugly, full of pride and lust. This path is full of Love and peace, fulfillment in all you do, and it includes one thing that has grown so precious to me, that is family! I love family, I can't wait to have a family of my own, to bear children of God and raise them in righteousness. What a wonderful calling to be a Father or Mother. Truly Called of God. I love the plan of Salvation, It is perfect, the more my mind and heart dwell in the truths of the Kingdom of God, the more and more miraculous it gets to me, and the more and more perfect it become. There is not a missing piece in the whole grand scheme of themes. It's all perfect, I love it. Thank you family, you are all amazing.
and.....
HAPPY VALENTINES!! I LOVE YOU MOM!
You guys are awesome, keep up the good work and remember always be examples of the believers. Never let up your guard, and always strive to strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ.
PS: Well Elder Daniels flies home tomorrow. I can't believe time has gone by that fast. I love him, we will stay friends forever. He changed my mission and life. The Lord showed us many many miracles while serving together. I’ll be eating barbecue with him today and some of the Song Shan members. I’m going to miss him!
also....
Sister Liang called me the other day and thanked me so much. She had such a great time, I think we'll also be eating with her today, so I’m excited to see her and talk to her more about it. I know she had a great feeling in Utah and Yes I really want her to find a worthy man to marry also, she deserves an amazing man!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
I loved seeing Abby with Sister Liang!
Oh man I can't even tell you how happy I am looking at those pictures. Two groups of people I love the most, my family and my Song Shan ward members (Sister Liang). I’m so glad that you had the opportunity to meet Sister Liang, she really is a star isn't she. I love her so much. You know what I really want to do is save the money to help Wu Momma and her son come to America and stay with us for a couple days or so, because I know they don't have the money to do so, with her supporting the family, and her cancer the money gets used in other areas. But I am so grateful to the Lord that I had the opportunity to serve so long in Song Shan, I love those people! I would do anything for them.
Looks like you guys had a blast with them over there. Did all sorts of stuff, I loved seeing Abby with Sister Liang, that just made me smile and my heart burn with joy and happiness. I don't even have the words to explain what I’m feeling right now, then also to see her sister there, all the other missionaries that I served with, and two of my best friends. What an amazing experience that must have been. Thank you so much for the pictures. I hope that you had a small feeling of the joy I have working around and with these amazing people. It's the best experience of my life, I wouldn't change it for anything ever. I love it so much.
This last week was amazing. It was the Chinese New Year, so we got fed a lot of food. Everyone is really happy, but they are all way busy too getting all things ready for the New Year. But I ate some cool things. I think the highlight for the week was the Cow's Large Intestines that I ate. Oh yea, how nice and chewy those were. I just soaked it in soy sauce and was saying a prayer in my heart, thinking that it will be over before I know it and just unwillingly thrust it into my mouth, chewed it for a while and found that it got grosser and grosser as I chewed it so I just made the decision to swallow whatever was not yet chewed up. Wow it was interesting. I passed on the pig's foot though this time. I’ve tried it before so I just said no thanks, haha.. You can still see the small parts of hair on the foot it is greeeeeeaaaaatttt!! But because of the new years the work slowed down a bit, everyone was out of town. But the Lord still allowed us to see many, many miracles because of our hard work and faith. I’ve never been so tired in my entire life. Because a lot of people were out of town we didn't have a lot of lessons, so we were outside all day everyday knocking doors and contacting those that were on the streets. I'd get home at the end of the night and feel like collapsing on the bed. But the cool thing was I just got up the next day earlier then the day before (studied Chinese) then kept the norm, working till you can feel your feet move anymore, until you need to fall, then praying that the Lord will carry you and allow you to work even further. This is not a normal life, I just think of 19-20 years old doing this every day, so someone outside of the church they'd think that we are crazy, but to me I’m lucky for this opportunity to grow, and to serve among this amazing group of people also known as the children of God. I love my calling. Lately it has been warming up also, so we don't need to wear the layers anymore, we can just stick with the short sleeve shirt and it is just fine.
Miracle I would like to tell you about quick.
So we were out on the street. We had just gotten done teaching a lesson; we were deciding what to eat. We decided to get domino's pizza because it was on the corner of the lesson's house area. So we got it and we were thinking where we could eat it. We ended up going to a park. I finished mine first and my companion was still eating, I got up and threw my boxes away. I contacted a lady and got a flat out rejection. So I started back for the table that we were sitting at, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a lady carrying bags. I had the feeling to go and talk with her. So I did. I say hello how are you. She said, “Good.” I asked her if she believes in a God. She said that I believe in a power but I don’t know if it is god or not. So I pulled out the scriptures and read with her the story of Aaron and the king, when the king talks about the power not knowing God. I read it with her, I then just testified just as you are living, I know there is a God. She said how do you know (in a curiosity-like manner)! I told her about the spirit and how it testifies of truth. She then said something that almost took me off of my feet. She said, If I have a lot of interest in the Mormon Bible will you be willing to meet with me every week and teaching me about it. Haha It took me a minute to respond, I didn't know quite how to respond because I’m the one that usually asks them to meet with us. after a minute of getting me head straightened back on straight, I said of course. I said we can meet with you 2 or 3 times a week. She said OK that is perfect. Then I had the thought, well I don't want her just to know about the Book of Mormon (Mormon bible) I need to tell her what our purpose as missionaries is. So I used the Book of Mormon the tell her about baptism. She said I know, but I’m not ready to be baptized yet because I know that after you are baptized you can't drink coffee or tea. I then told her yeah but....If you know that the Book of Mormon is true you won't want to drink those things. She then proceeded to say I know, that is why I want to know if it is true or not. I was thrown off my feet. She was an amazing daughter of God. She was going out of town because of the Chinese New Year’s so she said to call her on the 8th which is tomorrow, and before she left she said one sec, let me check the number again to make sure you wrote it down right. It was an amazing experience that had to be because God is aware of his children. There is no way that was a coincidence that just happened. That was set up by God. From us deciding what and where to eat, down to allowing me with the feeling to talk to her. What a great thing that spirit is. It's the only true way to do the work.
The Lord also allowed us to set 4 new baptismal dates in an hour period of time Thursday night. But other than these small things the week was full of contacting and loving the work. I love you guys so much.
Thank you so much for taking care of her and helping them have a spiritual time at our home and in Utah. It truly is a promised land.
Also quick, this past Sunday was unbelievable. The spirit was so strong it was amazing. I felt it from my head to my feet the whole 3 hours of church. Our investigator Sister Wei who is deciding whether she wants to be baptized or not, well she got her answer in church. After church, she came up and told us that she had made her choice and that she wants to be baptized. Also we have a Sister Zhang that passed her interview this past Sunday. Sister Wei is getting interviewed tomorrow, so we hope the best for her and are praying that Satan will not have power to pull her off the road. They are two great women that have progressed a lot.
This work is true I know it. I also know as real as me living and breathing that Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world also lives. I know it because I’ve received a pure testimony through the spirit that He lives. I know it and I can't deny it, I hope that the Lord will continue to use me in the way he See's fit. I’m willing to do anything for the Lord. I’m only a ready tool in his tool kit, Ready to be used at any time and any place. I love Him with all my heart, and am so grateful for the change he has brought to my life.
Thank you family so much. You guys are the best.
Love-
Elder Rasmussen
Looks like you guys had a blast with them over there. Did all sorts of stuff, I loved seeing Abby with Sister Liang, that just made me smile and my heart burn with joy and happiness. I don't even have the words to explain what I’m feeling right now, then also to see her sister there, all the other missionaries that I served with, and two of my best friends. What an amazing experience that must have been. Thank you so much for the pictures. I hope that you had a small feeling of the joy I have working around and with these amazing people. It's the best experience of my life, I wouldn't change it for anything ever. I love it so much.
This last week was amazing. It was the Chinese New Year, so we got fed a lot of food. Everyone is really happy, but they are all way busy too getting all things ready for the New Year. But I ate some cool things. I think the highlight for the week was the Cow's Large Intestines that I ate. Oh yea, how nice and chewy those were. I just soaked it in soy sauce and was saying a prayer in my heart, thinking that it will be over before I know it and just unwillingly thrust it into my mouth, chewed it for a while and found that it got grosser and grosser as I chewed it so I just made the decision to swallow whatever was not yet chewed up. Wow it was interesting. I passed on the pig's foot though this time. I’ve tried it before so I just said no thanks, haha.. You can still see the small parts of hair on the foot it is greeeeeeaaaaatttt!! But because of the new years the work slowed down a bit, everyone was out of town. But the Lord still allowed us to see many, many miracles because of our hard work and faith. I’ve never been so tired in my entire life. Because a lot of people were out of town we didn't have a lot of lessons, so we were outside all day everyday knocking doors and contacting those that were on the streets. I'd get home at the end of the night and feel like collapsing on the bed. But the cool thing was I just got up the next day earlier then the day before (studied Chinese) then kept the norm, working till you can feel your feet move anymore, until you need to fall, then praying that the Lord will carry you and allow you to work even further. This is not a normal life, I just think of 19-20 years old doing this every day, so someone outside of the church they'd think that we are crazy, but to me I’m lucky for this opportunity to grow, and to serve among this amazing group of people also known as the children of God. I love my calling. Lately it has been warming up also, so we don't need to wear the layers anymore, we can just stick with the short sleeve shirt and it is just fine.
Miracle I would like to tell you about quick.
So we were out on the street. We had just gotten done teaching a lesson; we were deciding what to eat. We decided to get domino's pizza because it was on the corner of the lesson's house area. So we got it and we were thinking where we could eat it. We ended up going to a park. I finished mine first and my companion was still eating, I got up and threw my boxes away. I contacted a lady and got a flat out rejection. So I started back for the table that we were sitting at, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a lady carrying bags. I had the feeling to go and talk with her. So I did. I say hello how are you. She said, “Good.” I asked her if she believes in a God. She said that I believe in a power but I don’t know if it is god or not. So I pulled out the scriptures and read with her the story of Aaron and the king, when the king talks about the power not knowing God. I read it with her, I then just testified just as you are living, I know there is a God. She said how do you know (in a curiosity-like manner)! I told her about the spirit and how it testifies of truth. She then said something that almost took me off of my feet. She said, If I have a lot of interest in the Mormon Bible will you be willing to meet with me every week and teaching me about it. Haha It took me a minute to respond, I didn't know quite how to respond because I’m the one that usually asks them to meet with us. after a minute of getting me head straightened back on straight, I said of course. I said we can meet with you 2 or 3 times a week. She said OK that is perfect. Then I had the thought, well I don't want her just to know about the Book of Mormon (Mormon bible) I need to tell her what our purpose as missionaries is. So I used the Book of Mormon the tell her about baptism. She said I know, but I’m not ready to be baptized yet because I know that after you are baptized you can't drink coffee or tea. I then told her yeah but....If you know that the Book of Mormon is true you won't want to drink those things. She then proceeded to say I know, that is why I want to know if it is true or not. I was thrown off my feet. She was an amazing daughter of God. She was going out of town because of the Chinese New Year’s so she said to call her on the 8th which is tomorrow, and before she left she said one sec, let me check the number again to make sure you wrote it down right. It was an amazing experience that had to be because God is aware of his children. There is no way that was a coincidence that just happened. That was set up by God. From us deciding what and where to eat, down to allowing me with the feeling to talk to her. What a great thing that spirit is. It's the only true way to do the work.
The Lord also allowed us to set 4 new baptismal dates in an hour period of time Thursday night. But other than these small things the week was full of contacting and loving the work. I love you guys so much.
Thank you so much for taking care of her and helping them have a spiritual time at our home and in Utah. It truly is a promised land.
Also quick, this past Sunday was unbelievable. The spirit was so strong it was amazing. I felt it from my head to my feet the whole 3 hours of church. Our investigator Sister Wei who is deciding whether she wants to be baptized or not, well she got her answer in church. After church, she came up and told us that she had made her choice and that she wants to be baptized. Also we have a Sister Zhang that passed her interview this past Sunday. Sister Wei is getting interviewed tomorrow, so we hope the best for her and are praying that Satan will not have power to pull her off the road. They are two great women that have progressed a lot.
This work is true I know it. I also know as real as me living and breathing that Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world also lives. I know it because I’ve received a pure testimony through the spirit that He lives. I know it and I can't deny it, I hope that the Lord will continue to use me in the way he See's fit. I’m willing to do anything for the Lord. I’m only a ready tool in his tool kit, Ready to be used at any time and any place. I love Him with all my heart, and am so grateful for the change he has brought to my life.
Thank you family so much. You guys are the best.
Love-
Elder Rasmussen
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