Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung

Right now we are doing a “40 day fast” where a different member fasts for the missionary work each day. And the goal is to give out 40 Book of Mormons in these 40 days. It’s been quite the blessing to have some of the members get excited about missionary work.

Tuesday we got the first Book of Mormon out, for that was itself a miracle. We had to both be in Hamburg by 1 for our exchanges with the Zone Leaders, so we only had an hour or so to do some street contacting but with the help from upstairs, we were able to give one out. Throughout the week we have been able to give out 5 Book of Mormons. And I cannot say it was because of what I did that is for sure. Each book we gave out came along with its own small miracle. Whether it was the husband saying yes to his wife that said no, or us only having 15 minutes to find, with no one on the street, but 1 of the 2 people we talked to accepted a copy. The miracles are not as transparent as I often think.

Unfortunately we haven’t been able to make an appointment with anyone yet, but only good can come from the work that we are privileged to do.

Saturday we went to help our member to finish off his “wood gathering” for the year, and he happened to have his son-in-law, and some of his grandkids visiting him for the weekend to also help, they are also all less active, which is a little hard to understand because his son-in-law talks about how wonderful his mission was. But it was good that we got to spend most of the day with them, the grandkids are in their twenties and haven’t been around missionaries for a while, so they were able to have some fun with the missionaries and see that we TOO are normal people. (Just a little strange and peculiar…)

To be honest, I’m loving having a car. Finding parking is a game I’d rather not play… but it’s been quite the blessing. Wednesday we drove to Hamburg to practice a musical number we are performing at a baptism, and I’ll have to say driving in a big city really keeps you on your toes!

Right now we’ve be able to make some good friendships with our less actives, it’s really easy to share the gospel with someone when you have a friendship with them.

Because the gospel is a personal thing, we have to teach it on a personal level, without that personal bond, true repentance cannot be taught and will not be accepted. Our investigators need to feel a touch of our love for them before they will choose to accept the gospel in their lives. I have come to love the people of Germany, not that I always react or think the right way when someone speaks rudely to us, but I do love them and if they will give me the chance I will show them that love. As a missionary I get to practice a peek of what the Savior offers to us, his loving hand if we are willing to accept it. There are many around us that need that help, Often these people don’t even seem like they need it, but as we are all called by God to help our fellow man, we need to make sure that we are ready to accept that call.

Were I elect like you,

I would encircle me with love, and raise

A rampart of my fellows; it should seem

Impossible for me to fail, so watched

By gentle friends who made my cause their own.

-Robert Browning

Elder Winkel

-Exchange in Hamburg

-The Elbe