Service Project, Old Mission Stories, And New Investigators

Hello Everyone!

I don't have a lot of time today because we are having a District P-Day and are super busy trying to get everything done in such a short amount of time. 

So, this week was a little crazy. My companion and I decided to do a service project at a local furniture/home supply store. One of the assignments we were given was to separate filled and empty 5 gallon buckets that were sealed with lids. The owner asked us to do this by picking up the bucket and shaking it around. If content was in it, we placed it in one area, if it was empty we tossed it. My companion picked up one bucket and the lid flew off (it was unattached) and grout spilled out all over the ground. The owner wasn't phased by this and started to help clean up the mess. Let's just say during the clean up grout was smeared all over the concrete floor of the warehouse. But, those buckets have been sorted. LOL!

We had dinner one night with a ward member named Brother Larson. Throughout dinner we were telling each other stories and Brother Larson started sharing mission stories from his time in Sydney Australia. He told us there was a certain street they were cautioned about actually going down whenever they tracted in that area because a missionary was shot once there. The story goes that the bullet went through his suit coat jacket and his shirt but stopped short of entering his body and didn't penetrate his underclothing. 

This past week I went on Exchanges again. This time with Elder Hansen who is a Zone Leader in our area. We had a very busy and fulfilling day. I came away learning a few new things and how I can be a better missionary. 

Friday at our District Meeting I was asked to teach a lesson on Humility. I was asked the night before and scrambled to make it happen, and it turned out well. 

This entire week we did what is called "Vicinity Knocking". Basically wherever we were doing what we were assigned to do we took the time to knock doors in that area. We actually had some doors open and several messages were shared. 

Our ward continues to open their homes and share meals with us. This past Sunday we ate lasagna at Sister Detmer's home and then went and had dessert crepes at the Moon's. The Moon's are a great family and we enjoy sharing meals with them (pictures with the Moon's at the end). 

We had an apartment inspection this past Wednesday. We spent a lot of time cleaning and prepping for the inspection. WE PASSED! Ha! And Elder and Sister Yanno gave us cookies as a reward! They are an older couple serving in our mission assigned to inspect our apartments. 

Several of you have asked about the weather and humidity and how I'm adjusting. The weather has dropped into the 80's and we've had a few thunderstorms and rain (pretty intense). I don't think I will ever fully get used to the humidity, and when we wear our masks they are drenched in a short amount of time. 

#PRAY FOR EIGHT

Here is our teaching update: We met Joelle and Jocelyn (a couple) who seemed interested and we shared a few messages. They later decided the gospel wasn't for them. A guy who has named himself "ROCK" was an interesting find. He seems a bit interested so we will see where that goes. We found a 19 year old guy named Nate who already had a Book of Mormon but said he had never read it before. He said he would try and read some of it in the next few days. John is another new find. He seems to have the most potential and was sincerely willing to listen to our message. He expressed the most desire for us to return. David, he was pretty interesting in his overall beliefs in life. He liked to talk but not anything about religion. He actually virtually attended Sacrament meeting via Zoom and called us later upset that masks had to be worn for those that attended in person.  A less active family in our ward, the Bomata's, have children that are interested in learning more about the gospel. 

I love the people in the Overland Park 1st ward area. I know that God loves me and also loves you and wants what is best for each of us. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said, "God knows you perfectly. He loves you perfectly. He knows what your future holds." 

See ya,

Elder Mortensen

Pictures this week: 

Elder Montoya and I eating crepes at the Moon's home

Elder Montoya getting warm by a fire

A beautiful sky 

Elder Montoya on the phone taking a call with the other Elders 

Our District at TACO BELL