Stick With Christ

Hey Everyone,

Last Thursday were transfers and Elder Shaw and I had a heartfelt goodbye. He is my trainee so I will always be cheering for him. I will keep up with him throughout his mission and hope he continues to take each day one at a time.  

I was transferred to Parkville, MO, right on the border of Kansas City, MO. Over 99 percent of our area is in Parkville with one percent in Kansas City. Our ward is the Parkville Ward.

My new companion is Elder Gilman. He is from Hyde Park, UT and has been out one transfer less than me. I remain senior companion. This area has several green dots and I've scheduled several lessons already. Tonight we are meeting an investigator for a lesson and bowling, and tomorrow night we have another lesson at an investigators home. It's nice to be busy and have work to do. I am making sure to get the ball rolling right at the beginning of the transfer and have a good plan in place and goals have been set. 

This week at district council I found out I'm in another all-Elder district. I am the senior missionary of the group. I gave a lesson on Personal Study Insights that I've learned while serving my mission. 

At Church yesterday I was asked to introduce myself at the pulpit during Sacrament meeting. When I mentioned I was from Spring Creek, NV, a ward member later asked me if I knew the Gunnell's to which I said, YES. This member, Hugh Johnson, said he and Steve went to school together in Kansas City. Small world. I told the ward that "I've been out over 1 year."  Haha...that's how I'm going to word it the rest of my mission. Then I won't be hounded about "are you getting excited to go home". The ward members are nice and I look forward to getting to know them. Our ward meets at the Stake Center and it is by far the largest building I've served in the entire time on my mission. I felt love and the Spirit with the members. 

This week we spent an afternoon out in the cold at a thrift store taking donations from the trunks of cars and the back of trucks and loading them into the store for sorting. Sounds like this is a weekly service opportunity for missionaries serving here. 

Today for P-day we spent time at Top Golf as a district. It was good to be near things to do and places to eat. I have missed having Pday activities and adventures. 

Prior to leaving Higginsville I was able to have one more Hapkido lesson and realize I actually enjoy most of the aspects of martial arts. 

Change is good and it's nice to be in a different area and experiencing new things, especially because I was in Higginsville for almost 6 months. It certainly was the most difficult place to leave because of the bond I have with the members. But, I have been rejuvenated and feel energized so that is all very positive. 

Our mission apartment is very nice. It's fairly new and we have a washer and dryer and a dishwasher. We even have a cutting board so that a bonus. There are no cockroaches and more hot water than I've had in most apartments. The heat and AC both work. Excellent study desk too. 

When I arrived here Thursday the fridge was completely bare. I don't know what they had been eating before, but there was nothing. Let's just say it's been a long few days waiting to get groceries this morning. I am now stocked up and set to eat which is a good feeling. 

We did have one ward member dinner since I arrived and another sister brought over fixings for tacos and we ate on that for many meals. The meal at the Oaksen's home was one of the best I've had out here on the mission. Homemade noodles and fettuccini sauce, with homemade rolls. It was really good food. 

In Romans chapter 8 verses 16-18 says: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." 

My takeaway from these verses are that we need to stick with Christ throughout our entire lives. We suffer with Him and that enables us to rely on Him. If we stick with Christ during our sufferings in this life, we will receive unimaginable glory. We need to always stick with Christ. 

Elder Mortensen

Pictures this week:

My new all-Elder district

Today at Top Golf

My new apartment