Mortensen, Camden

Hey Everyone, It's definitely turning bitter cold as we now see temperatures in the single digits. Being in the Midwest with the humidity factor makes it even colder but nothing stops the work from moving forward. In transfer news I will be staying in Higginsville for another transfer and will continue to train Elder Shaw. This will be my fourth straight transfer and the longest time I've served in any area since the start of my mission. I am actually really happy with staying because the branch members are the best.  Elder Shaw and I both spoke in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. Our topic was missionary work and we helped to pump up the branch and get them thinking about who they can invite us to teach. I shared several stories and said that Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon can be used as our own personal Liahona. Then I shared 3 tools they can use to move the work along.  We are teaching some great investigators right now. Billy is an awesome guy who is ready to be bapti...

Hey Everyone, I got my hair cut this week by a middle aged lady who not only knew how to cut hair but blasted rock music the entire time. We had a great conversation.  Training is going very slowly as Elder Shaw needs extra time to learn new things. I am working with him and wish for him to have a successful mission experience.  We spent the morning with the Marshall elders fishing today. It was cold and we were unsuccessful. But, we had a great time and it was good to do something different.  I am finishing up my third transfer here in the Concordia Branch. I have grown to love the members and they love me back. I will always remember these great people. I don't know what President Ames has in store for me for the next transfer but I would be happy to stay one more transfer if this is where I need to be. This is the area of my mission where I have had the most spiritual experiences. There is no coincidence in this. I am so grateful for all that I have learned while here ...

Hey Everyone, I hit my 18 month mark this week and it feels great to meet that milestone. If you follow me on Facebook you've already read all of my feelings, thoughts and testimony about where I started and how I am doing right now. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and I am grateful for this brief time in my life to be a full time missionary and share the message of Christ.   I am continuing to train Elder Shaw and I am grateful for the opportunity and challenges it brings. We continue to move forward and he is learning and growing every week.  We had our apartment inspected by the senior missionaries in our mission. Our oven had an overspray of oven cleaner on it but other than that we got a gold seal of approval so that's good news. I think I've been through about 15 of these inspections and know by now how it's going to go down.  The entire district spent some Pday time here at our apartment. We have the largest apartment with a basement and we seem to be the m...

Hey Everyone, The Kansas City Temple cleaning is complete and we are back to being able to attend a session each transfer. Because we attended the temple on Friday, we did not have a P-day last Monday so thanks for waiting for my update email today. Elder Shaw and I had a great temple experience and I am grateful for the wonderful blessings the temple brings into each of our lives. I appreciate how closely I feel to the Lord when I am in His house. I'm grateful for the reminder of God's plan for us and the opportunity I have to remember the covenants I've made with Him.  Our Concordia Branch building is still closed because of mold. It will take some time to clean it up and have it appropriate to hold Church meetings again. The Warrensburg building had water damage but that has been repaired so our small branch travels the 35 minutes to Warrensburg on Sunday's. It sure burns up our car miles and makes it difficult for us to travel anywhere else in order to stay within o...