Week 8: "Sønderborg, the land of seagulls, sailors, and sweets"

Man do I love being a missionary. It's amazing what the Lord can do with you if you choose to give him everything that he doesn't already have: your heart.

(Ældste Haruch og Ældste Weaver i Sönderborg, Danmark)

* Click to see the life of a Mormon Missionary *

This week has been really great! We've had lot's of rejection, lot's of rain, lots of struggles with the language and communicating with people. The reason why it has been great is because of the opportunity I have had to be able to use these trials as stepping stones. The Lord has blessed us to be placed in the path of a few of his children who are ready to hear the gospel.

The first is John. John is from Africa and is absolutely thirsting after this gospel. The hard thing is is that we haven't been able to get a hold of him since our initial contact. He treated the Book of Mormon with so much respect because we expressed that it is the most valuable thing we have to give him. And it truly is! He can hardly read English but he was humble and ambitious to try and to learn.

The other is Pam. Pam is from England. She is a very busy person who teaches science. We were able to give her the first lesson on her doorstep and she is eager to learn more. The spirit was powerful and strong while we taught her.

The other is a family who was totally not willing to listen from Mormons. They "knew" who we were and wanting nothing to do with us. But with a simple question of where to find the best pastries in Denmark, they offered us soda, we taught the plan of salvation and offered the Book of Mormon and invited them to read it and they accepted with an appointment to soon follow. I explain more in one of the most recent recordings.

These to me are miracles. Being able to see the spirit work within individuals as two uneducated, barely qualified teenagers present the greatest message on the Earth today is also a great miracle. However, the greatest miracle and even more a beautiful tender mercy is how God has worked in me. It has been my goal to understand how I may be the greatest servant and instrument God needs me to be. I started to understand something that I already know but sadly overlooked for sometime. It´s to give everything we have to God. Our heart. Because we have been blessed with free agency, we are the ones to control our will and our heart.

We, as human beings, consistently strive to become better. Records are set, records are broken after years of training. We feel we are fighting to make our selves stronger and better. It is truly amazing what we can do as human beings on our own, but it is incredulous and nearly impossible to comprehend the individual God can make us into if we but submit and surrender to his will.

 This is the exact opposite of what the world thinks, but it is an eternal truth that we must humble ourselves to realize, accept, and practice consistently. I have grown, been strengthened, and have been able to see a little bit of who God desires me to be.

My invitation to all who read this is to answer this question: "Who are you and who do you want to become?" not what, but WHO. What will you look like, how will you act, how often will you smile, laugh and express your love for others. Will you be a hard worker, diligent and eager to face new and greater challenges?

No one can make you choose to change and become and fulfill you greatest potential. Becoming like our Father in Heaven. As a loving Father, he has set a plan before us. The path and the way was paved by Christ and his example. It is up to us. Will we choose to follow Christ's example and receive eternal happiness and joy? It is up to us. HE IS THE WAY. I know this to be true and I can not deny it. We can not know for ourselves unless we have a trial of our faith.

Fight the good fight with all thy might. Seek the face of God. Relish in his love, and know this simple and glorious truth: God loves you. He is always there. He hears and answers your prayers. Some say that Heaven is far away but you can feel it closer every time you pray.

I love you all and may God bless you all:)

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!

Elsker,

     Ældste Haruch