We don't fear questions, WE invite them...

Another week has gone by and all is well in Landshut. Elder Ray is excited to be back in his greeny area and we're already having a great time together. Because he's already been here, and seen the difference in the work now and what it was like his first time around, he's already caught the vision for the area. Lanshut has been on the up and up since I got here, and there's not a doubt in my mind that that's where it's still headed.
Landshut was extremely lucky to have Elder Hansen here for the past six months. His obedience and determination were a huge factor in bringing the work to where it is now, and the progression of these great people. We were able to meet with Tomas the day before transfers and Elder Hansen almost single-handedly set a baptismal date with him! Tomas is so prepared! It's just a matter of meeting with him regularly enough to make progress. The adversary is still working real hard to make sure we can't get a hold of him, so as always your prayers in his behalf will be a big help :)
Monika is doing very well. It looks like she and Mario will be getting married within the next month, and she is still strong in her commitment to be baptized two weeks later.
Herr Hardtbauer is still making progress. We talked a lot about his biggest problem this week-- The Word of Wisdom. We committed him to stop drinking beer this week and, despite his doubts in himself, he gladly accepted. Brother Reisinger was there and was a great help in giving Herr Hardtbauer the support he needed.
This Saturday and Sunday we had the special opportunity of attending the satelite broadcast of the stake conference in Berlin where President Uchtdorf came and spoke to the members of all the German speaking nations. It was a great blessing, not only to hear President Uchtdorf speak German, but to hear the council and blessings of the Lord to the saints of this land through a modern-day prophet. Of the many words of wisdom and council he gave, there is something he said that helped me in my personal development as a missionary. He said that "We are a church that not only allows, but INVITES questions. It was because of the thoughtful and honest questions of a Young Joseph Smith that the church was restored." I think that's something that separates us from other churches. We don't fear questions. We INVITE them. That is something that I will try to more consciously remember in my teaching.. to not only allow questions but to invite them, for it is through questions that our investigators most effectively learn what will ultimately help them to accept our message.
Another thing that President Uchtdorf said that seemed to really strike a chord was the fact that as a church, WE ARE DIFFERENT from other christian churches. He counselled us to stop saying that we are really similar to the Catholic Church, or the Evangelical Church, but with a few differences, but to proudly say that we are different. We are the only church that has the fullness of the gospel, and the authority to act in God's name. Speaking further on this subject, President Uchtdorf urged us to let the world know who the real Christians in this world are through are charity and love for others.
This stake conference reminded me how wonderful it is that we have modern day revelation, that we have prophets on the earth today. I know that this weekend we heard from one of them and that Jesus Christ truly leads this church and this missionary work here in Germany.
Take care all!

-Andy

He is the Way

Sounds like things are chuggin' along as usual back home. It's been a tough week but I've learned quite a bit and grown quite a bit more.
It was another week of health problems for both Elder Hansen and me. Elder Hansen's headaches from his post-concussion syndrome have returned and my back was not getting better as quickly as I would have liked. Together we successfully shut down our finding time. Despite our limitations, however, our work did not slow down and our health is improving. Yesterday after church, President Auras gave me a wonderful blessing and my back feels unbelievably better today. Elder Hansen's headaches have also gotten better. We're still gonna have to be patient, take it easy, and remember what Joseph Smith said to the brethren in Liberty Jail (paraphrasing), "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us do everything that lies in our power, and then may we stand still, and wait for the Lord's hand to be revealed."
This week we had an amazing appointment with Monika Hein. She and Mario are almost ready to set a marriage date and we committed her to be baptized two weeks later. She gladly accepted and was overwhelmed by the spirit. We all received a witness together that it was the right choice. She also was able to come to the baptism of a little girl in our ward yesterday evening and thought it was wonderful. She and Mario are great at sharing the gospel with others and will be important tools in the lord's hands in building the church here in Germany very soon.
Herr Hardtbauer continues to make progress, slowly but surely. We had a Family Home Evening with him at Schwester Fritz's house, and he played guitar and banjo for us. Olin you would have loved it. He first busted out some classic Johnny Cash songs and then played some great old southern tunes on the banjo. I could shoot myself for not having brought my camera at the time.
We were finally able to meet with Tomas again. Apparently he had injured his leg pretty bad playing American Football (I guess I don't have to call it "American Football" when I write home, do I) and couldn't walk for about two weeks. He had been reading in the Book of Mormon the whole time, however, and told us that he loves it. We asked him again about baptism and he said he would think and pray about it over the next two weeks and then would give us an answer. We'll be meeting with him again tomorrow at Julian Klemm's. He's so ready, and I know that over the next two weeks the adversary will be working on hard on him. Your prayers in his behalf will help him immensely in that regard.
Amidst my trials this week, I've felt the strengthening power of my Saviors atonement and the love of my Heavenly Father more than ever. Just want to bear you all my testimony once again that Jesus lives. He IS the way, and is ALWAYS ready to help us. Remember that amidst the hustle and bustle of living in the modern world. Its the most important peace of knowledge there is in this world. Love you all!

Alles Gute,

-Andy