A Birthday. A Surgery. A Grounded Fleet. A Zone Conference.

Hey Everyone, 

Happy Birthday to me today! Spending my 19th birthday out on the mission has been incredible and enjoyable. Thank you to those who wished me a happy birthday!

This week we had Zone Conference and interviews with President Ames. It was a great experience and I learned a lot. I always enjoy sitting and talking with President Ames.

Following Zone Conference in Cameron on Tuesday, we traveled to St. Joseph and stayed with Elder Garn and Elder Hunt at their apartment for a few days. My companion, Elder Hancock, needed a minor surgery and staying with them allowed me to be with other missionaries while Elder Hancock had surgery. Everything went smoothly for him and he has spent the remainder of the week resting and recovering. We traveled home Thursday and have been taking it easy so Elder Hancock can fully heal. 

Because of major snow and ice storms traveling through the midwest our entire fleet of cars in our mission were grounded most of the week. We were not allowed to use our cars at all for regular missionary work. We received an exception for Medical Travel and that was because of Elder Hancock's surgery. 

Earlier in the week, Elder Hancock and I spent the day fasting for Shauntea. We felt that she could use our prayers and efforts as she continues to learn and study the gospel of Jesus Christ. We look forward to catching up with her this week to see where she stands. 

Because we were out of our area most of the week and then at the apartment the remainder of the week we were not able to teach in person. We tried our best to teach online and made a few connections. One lady in our area had a conversation with me about dogs and I asked her about Jesus Christ and she talked to me about her baptism as a baby in another church. I shared my testimony about being baptized with the proper authority and she listened. I will see how the conversation continues in the future.  

I have been driving since Elder Hancock had surgery and I have found that I enjoy driving long distances as the driver more than the passenger. Some MIssouri drivers are pretty awful but you'll find that anywhere you live. 

The night before Elder Hancock's surgery we walked with the St. Joseph elders to the Stake Center about 2 1/2  miles away in the freezing cold...I know, I know, it could be worse. They stopped to get pizza and Elder Hancock and I were fasting so we watched them eat, that's always a great time. LOL. 

This week I started to study the entire Standard Works of the Church in chronological order. Wow! This is the way to read the scriptures! From the Pre-Existence forward helps everything to come together and lays it out nicely. I felt like I was really absorbing the details and felt the Spirit testify of its truthfulness as I read. I will continue studying this way for now. 

I am very grateful to be out on a mission as a full time proselyting missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I have always wanted to serve a mission and I am so grateful for my assignment to serve in the Missouri Independence Mission 

Elder Mortensen

Pictures this week:

Our all Elder district

The St. Joseph Elders and the Three Forks Elders hanging out and walking to the Stake Center.

Me freezing 

Hospital waiting room pictures 

Me and my parents at their home in Spring Creek, NV