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
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