27 April 2010

The Lord blesses me with so much...

Dear family,

Wow!!! Thank you for the good news. I was so happy to hear that I was accepted at the University of Kent and also the University of Leiden. I will fast and pray and let you know how I feel. I just think it is great that the Lord blesses me with so much.

Elder Lake and I had a good week. We are seeing so much success with the returning members and the less actives. We taught so many good lessons. The spirit was just so strong during a lot of these lessons and you could just see the faces of the people lit up when we were teaching. I feel that the Lord is using us as His tools to bring light back into the lives of these people.

There is a family that was less active last year and they are making changes in their lives accept callings to serve in the church. Every time we go there we just have a great spiritual experience. They are so amazing and I enjoy teaching them because they are just so willing to learn. As they are making the needed changes in their lives, they have been able to bring three people into the church with them. These three new members are strong and one of them is preparing to go on a mission. He is such a good kid. You can tell that he loves the Gospel and that he will be a great missionary. He shares the things he learns with those around him and they too are making changes in their lives.

I just feel like the Lord is speaking to them through my companion and me. I love that feeling and I am thankful for it. I try to thank the Lord for every time that feeling comes. I always want to have that feeling in my life and I know it will be there as I keep on reading my scriptures and praying and thanking the Lord for everything I have.

I love the Lord and he has made such an impact in my life. Every time I teach I want to give others that feeling. I want to make them feel that God loves them. I was able to teach Elder's Quorum yesterday and I explained that each member had a calling to bring the Gospel into the lives of others. I told them that the people could feel the love of God through them. I am completely convinced that that is true. This church is a missionary church and The Lord uses us (the members, not the missionaries) to reach out to people. "The members are full time finders and the missionaries are full time teachers", said Elder Bednar.

I love this work and the people here in Suriname. I am so grateful that I am a part of this gret work. Thank you for sustaining me in it through your faith and testimonies and prayers.

Love, Jeff

19 April 2010

Not even the Volcano in Iceland can stop the work...

Trust me, we know all about the volcano. Elder Koenen should have been home a few days ago, but cannot leave because of the ash in the air. We do not know when he will leave and we do not know how, but right now he is here with us. He is in good spirit and doing well, however he does want to go home soon.

I know that God answers payers. Elder Koenen, Elder Lake (my new companion), Elder Manwill (a new elder), and I had a great moment together. We were able to come to help a recent convert when he was sick. I will not be able to tell the entire story, but I will tell you that we gave a blessing and we saw how God answered our prayers instantly. I have seen the hand of God so often and so clearly during my mission. I know that my Savior lives. I know that he suffered and died for me and that I can be forgiven of my sins. I love him and cherish the miracles I see.

We have had a rough week. We needed to go out to Nickerie which is about 250 km from where we are. We had to drop off some new missionaries and bring them to their companions. We also had to figure out how to get Elder Koenen out of here. We have had to go to the airport a few times. The last time we went we saw an empty airport. There was not a soul to be found. The airport is about 1 hour away, so we wasted some time going out there. The funny thing is that we still do not know anything about when he is leaving. I guess we will just need to wait. I just hope that my home coming will be a little easier. :D

Anyway, thank you for your emails. I love you all and pray for you.
Love, Jeff

05 April 2010

What a great Conference

What a great conference it was. I noticed that they talked a lot about families and establishing the church. I was able to learn that families are key to the growth of the church. I hope we will be able to implement that into the work here in suriname.

During conference I was able to learn so much about the priesthood and the importance of missionary work. I am thankful for the success that the Lord is giving us.



Elder Koenen will be leaving in the coming week. He is sad and excited to go home at the same time. I cannot imagine that my turn will come soon as well. We are going to have a great week. We will be baptizing a sister this week that is really looking forward to baptism. She is so excited. She read all the way up to the middle of Alma in jst about 3 weeks. She is ready to get baptized and willing to learn. At the same time we are helping a less active family because we are asking them to fellowship her. The work is amazing.

No, I did not get any package. It may be in the mail, but I did not get it yet. The system here is a little slow.



The picture here shows us after a good game of soccer with some members. It had just rained and we were basically playing in the mud, so we were no very clean when we finished.



Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts.
Love, Jeff