Miracles Can Happen When You Follow The Spirit

Hey Everyone,

Today was a great P-day and our district got together to play ultimate frisbee and it went well. I enjoy the opportunity I have to get to know the Elders and Sisters in my district and I feel we are getting closer and they truly feel like they are my brothers and sisters. It's awesome to be part of this group of friends who are great examples as we share our mission experiences together. 

We had Mid Trainers (Mid Trainers are a meeting where Trainers attend one meeting and Trainees attend a separate meeting) this week and my takeaway was "show up to grow". When I arrived on my mission I was here and present and "showed" up. It is my time to spiritually "grow" as I serve. 

I am continuing to study French...it's been a great experience so far. 

Elder Montonya and I were able to get some service hours this week and helped a ward member move mattresses. 

I'm grateful for the opportunity to have shared my testimony at Church yesterday. I have made a goal to share my testimony every month at Fast and Testimony meeting, and at every opportunity that I feel inspired to. 

This week I experienced a miracle because I followed the spirit. Elder Montoya and I were in our apartment studying one morning and he took a phone call while I was reading. I had the distinct impression to see if I had my wallet in my pocket, I checked and didn't so I went to the bedroom and got it and put it in my pocket and continued reading. I then had the distinct impression to see if I had my consecrated oil vial in my pocket, I checked and didn't. I went to the bedroom and fished it out of my pants pocket from the day before. I sat down and continued reading and had a third distinct impression to look and see if I had a proselyting Book of Mormon (blue cover paperback). I knew I did and glanced at the stack of Book of Mormons in the apartment. I then had the impression to walk to the apartment window and open the blinds. I did and saw an older woman named Carroll, who we have been teaching walking in circles, seeming lost or confused. I watched her for a minute and she genuinely seemed scared and acted like she was hiding from someone. Once Elder Montoya was off the phone I called him to the window and said isn't that Carroll? He confirmed it was and I told him we needed to help her. He agreed. I grabbed a proselyting Book and Mormon and we went outside to talk to her. When we approached her she recognized us and said she was afraid. To respect her personal privacy I will not share publicly what she was afraid of and what she had been worrying about (I have shared all details with my parents). As we were talking to her a man was at her front window yelling her name. Elder Montoya and I walked over to him and asked him who he was and what he wanted with Carroll. He told us who he was and why he was there. Carroll asked us if we would stay with her while this guy asked her some questions. We all entered her apartment. The guy asked his questions and after a short discussion he left. Carroll started thanking us over and over for being there at the right time and helping her through the questions and discussion. I then had the distinct impression to share a comforting scripture with her and had the paperback Book of Mormon in my hand. I turned to 3 Jacob, verse 1 and read: "But, behold, I Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction." The spirit was very strong as I read those words. I then knew that we were to offer a blessing of comfort to Carroll. I knew that we had taught her about the Priesthood and Priesthood blessings and that I needed to ask her permission. Carroll said YES to receiving a blessing of comfort and in that moment I had found out why I had been directed to do those things just minutes before. In my wallet I carry a card to make sure we use the correct words for anointing and blessings. As I pronounced the blessing the Spirit was strong and the experience was beautiful and comforting. When we were done Carroll was touched by the spirit and she said to us that all the negative she had ever heard about Mormon missionaries and the Church wasn't true and that we were truly good guys. I can't express enough that this is a miracle to us as missionaries to have someone feel and be directed by the spirit and to share that with us. Heavenly Father is willing to pour out His blessings to ALL of His children.

#PRAY FOR EIGHT UPDATE:

CARROLL: We will continue to teach her. 

JENNIFER: Sister Bishop from the ward is helping to fellowship Jennifer (we are so grateful for wonderful ward members who are so willing to help us). And, we are happy to share that Jennifer attended Church yesterday and brought her 18 year old daughter, Alexas, with her. We had never met Alexas before. A brother in the ward named, Brother Nicholas, shared his testimony of his recent divoice and how he is raising his young kids alone. He talked about how he didn't ever think he would be in the situation he has found himself in and that it has been really hard. He also said that the growth and strength he's experienced is something that he cherishes. Jennifer and Alexas were so amazed at what he shared and told us that they LOVED Fast and Testimony meeting. They said they want to come back and we will continue teaching them. 

BOOMATAYS: The mom had surgery and we are allowing them space to heal and then we will continue teaching. 

KATHLEEN: Is thinking she doesn't want to be baptized but loves reading the Book of Mormon. We will see how things progress. 

CHARLES: New person to our teaching pool. He struggles to be sober during our teaching and visits so we are taking it slow. We did place a Book of Mormon with him. 

AXEL and VANESSA: Two new possibilities. We had a good 45 minute door chat with them and they shared their opinion of the Book of Mormon and then we testified of the Book of Mormon. They accepted two Spanish copies of the Book of Mormon. 

We had to drop a few from our teaching pool, but are grateful for the work we are getting. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. My mission means everything to me!

Elder Mortensen

Pictures this week:

Several of nature and the amazing clouds

Kansas City Temple