REGULAR MISSIONARY WEEK!

Hello Everyone,

Another week of hard work, prayer, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ! It's the best way to spend my days and my time, I'm so grateful for this opportunity!

This week our ZONE went to the Kansas City Temple! It was an incredible experience and I am so grateful for the blessings and peace the temple brings to our lives. Because the temple is so far away, we had to travel the day before and stay the night with the Richmond Elders and then we all drove into Kansas City together. The Richmond Elder's live in an HOUSE (it was pretty cool--except there wasn't enough hot water) and it was great to stay with them.

The traveling AP's made it out to the boonies and we had a BLITZ with them. I went with Elder Collins (who is a professional surfer...google his name...he's a beast). We had a great time and knocked a lot of doors--and grey dots (homes who have had visits from the Elder's in the past) in our area. We came across an older gentleman who had been taking lessons from the Elder's many years ago. He was super happy to see us and we have an appointment to see him this week. 

Today we had an entire ZONE nerf gun war at the Cameron Stake Center. Even the Sisters got into it and I was impressed with their effort and skills. It's great to spend Pday with the Zone even though we have to travel over an hour to get to see everyone. 

We have TACO TUESDAY every week at the local Pie Shop. Sister Frankham owns and works there. It's been a standing offer for all missionaries serving in the boonies. It's the best night of the week! This small town atmosphere has its perks! 

The weather here lately has been super chilly--below zero! We are looking forward to things warming up a bit this week. There are many missionaries who have been sick the past week in our mission. We've even heard from the mission nurse to really take good care of ourselves and stay home if we are sick. So far, Elder Hancock and I are doing well. 

Our ward, Three Forks Ward, set their baptismal goal for 2022...and it's 10 baptisms! That's a lot! We are up for it and are working hard. 

We had to drop Emily who was on book to be baptized on February 12th because of a conflict with her parents and she is working that out. Jeannie is still ready to be baptized as soon as her leg infection is healed. Shauntea attended Church yesterday and continues to read the Book of Mormon. We are enjoying our lessons with her and hope to put her on date soon. 

We celebrated Elder Hancock's birthday this week! I was able to make him a cake...he loved it. 

Doctrine and Covenants section 4 verse 5 states: "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." I spent time studying this verse over the past few days. I love the simple way this verse supports and lifts us as we are out working hard every day. The Christlike attributes that we all work towards are so important not only as a missionary but as a human. 

Have a great week!

Elder Mortensen 

Pictures this week:

The back of our new car...way too many dirt and back roads in the boonies

Temple with the Zone

Elder Hancock and I at the Temple

Three Forks and Richmond Elders

Beautiful Missouri sunset 

Elder Hancock's birthday cake I made him