When The Bed Bugs Bite

Hey Everyone,

You know that old saying "Don't let the bed bugs bite"? Well...I've heard that saying from my parents all my life and I've never experienced what that actually means until NOW. Yup, you got that right...we've got BED BUGS...holy moly. And, we've been bitten more than once and these bugs are nasty. 

Remember how this apartment sat vacant for a while and we are the first Elder's back in here. Well, I guess the bed bugs had found a great place to nest uninterrupted, until we showed up. We are dealing with trying to get rid of them. We will see what the missionaries over housing and maintenance tell us and if they will just bring us new mattresses. But for now, we have found and killed all of the bed bugs we can see. We have thoroughly cleaned and sanitized everything and also bought a bed bug killer when we shopped this morning so hopefully we can keep them away until the problem resolves or new mattresses arrive. 

Elder Midgley and I are moving things along here in the Woodland Ward. We are working well together and becoming more united each week, which brings a solid companionship ready to proclaim the gospel to anyone we meet. 

We continue to teach AUGUST and this week we talked about Priesthood blessings and how they can bring comfort and peace and more when received. AUGUST asked that I give him a blessing and it was a sweet, inspired, moment in time when AUGUST felt something stir in his soul. He was touched by the words Heavenly Father wanted him to hear. We still have the trial of AUGUST struggling to stop smoking and dealing with his father who is refusing to let him attend another church--even though AUGUST is in his 30's. We will continue to teach him and invite him to come. 

Elder Harris (our district leader) and I went on exchanges this week and we found RAMONE standing next to his broken down truck in a parking lot. We walked up to him and asked what we could do to help. We talked to him about the gospel of Jesus Christ and gave him a Book of Mormon. We look forward to teaching him. 

We also found TEZ and LIZ, a couple. LIZ is already a Christian and doesn't know if she would like to be taught, but TEZ wants to know more and gave us his address to come by this week and teach him. He is a giant of soul and was very interested in receiving a copy of the Book of Mormon. 

We continue our online FB finding efforts and we had a great week in finding and teaching online also.

This week we spent many hours digging trenches and hauling rock for Brother Hull from the ward. It's hard work but it's such a great time being outside, working hard and helping others. 

The weather is still mostly hot and some days the humidity really reminds me that it's here. I am looking forward to fall weather and things cooling down a bit. 

This week we were asked to attend the weeknight youth activity and play zip tie cornhole with them. What a blast and a big challenge to be zip tied and toss the bean bag together...great activity and the youth enjoyed themselves. 

I was able to see a few sisters and families from my first area, Overland Park 1st ward. They were at the stake center and shopping the same time we were. Also, at dinner last night the wife who made our meal is sisters with a family I knew from a prior area so that was neat to talk about a family that I have loved knowing. 

This week I studied the Names of Christ and that sent me to studying about the great Mediator, Jesus Christ, which was an interesting experience. Heavenly Fathers knows each of us perfectly. He knows our trials and challenges, our weaknesses and joys. He knows when we're going to stumble and He knows when we are going to rise above and stand firm in our beliefs. He knows our processes and how we'll tackle life and that is why He has provided a mediator for us. In 1 Timothy 2:5 it says: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." It is through Jesus Christ that we come to the Father. Each of us have conflict in our lives at times. It doesn't matter if the conflict is big or small, between someone else or with ourselves, Jesus Christ is there for us in all conflicts we have. How grateful I am for the knowledge and blessing on knowing this and gaining a strong testimony about His role in my daily life. 

Elder Mortensen

Pictures this week:

I wanted to share this picture of a man having personal study of the scriptures. This touched me knowing that each and every moment I am reading and studying the scriptures I am being protected and guarded, which brings me comfort and peace 

Bed bug

Me and my dog Max talking on Pday earlier today

Me and my parents earlier today