Week 17, November 21, 2016

Howdy Yall! 

So we got snow! just so you all know that is elder Mata Ele who is spinning and its Elder Swanger singing! It was so much fun to finally see snow for the first time in years. I am so excited for this winter! 

So this week we didnt teach a whole bunch, the snow threw off our schedule, but we taught Clarence Brooks. It was an awesome lesson with our ward mission leader. We taught on the importance of reading the book of Mormon. To some that may seem like a small thing but the book of Mormon is known as the keystone of our religion for a reason. It really is so important. For those who have not read it I would suggest you do. It is amazing! I for one did not put enough importance on the book of Mormon until my mission. But I have seen the way it changes the lives of those around me. It has changed my life. I love the book of Mormon so much!

Also interesting experience for the week, We were shopping at Walmart today and were approached by a man who wanted to let us know a bit about his beliefs. I must say that I always enjoy hearing other peoples beliefs, but unfortunately he presented them in such a way as to basically say "I'm right and you're wrong". I do not enjoy people telling me that something that is so very dear to me is wrong. I respect whatever opinions people might have, but please do not try to convince me I am "wrong". I Know that this church is true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of our loving Heavenly Father. You may feel free to disagree. But I know these things to be true.

That being said. I love you all. You guys are all so amazing! Thank you so much for all that you do. Youre all the best. I love you. Christ loves you. Satan hates your guts.

Love 

Elder Lindh

 

Week 16, November 14, 2016

Howdy Yall!

This has been the most amazing week here in the columbine area! We have taught more people and found more investigators than any other week in this area! We are also feeling like Clarence Brooks, our most progressing investigator, will be ready for baptism very soon! Its so inspiring to see how the gospel changes lives! I love this work so much!!!!! I love this church and this gospel. It is so true! I love it all!

And besides that we had a lot of fun this week as well! Yesterday was Elder Christensen's birthday! Happy B day comp! I love this guy and he is so much fun! I included some pictures of the birthday boy along with the cupcakes we had to celebrate his birthday. The member we live with got them for us and it was awesome! We also got to have some fun adventures at the car show. There werent very many cars there and everyone was saying it was probably the last show before winter so they wont be happening anymore. But I got some awesome pictures to remember it by. I would also like to mention that if the Chevy nova just happened to be sitting in the driveway when I got home I would be very happy! (Hint hint) 😉

We also happened across an antique sale that a couple was putting on in their front yard. They had a pair of cuff links, the matching pin, and a penknife that I just had to have. It was only $7 so I didnt feel too bad about the impulse buy. Unfortunately the couple wasnt interested in hearing our message but they were still some pretty cool people.  I love being able to meet all these amazing people. It is such a blessing. I love them all so much. No matter how they receive me.

I want you all to know how much I love you all. You are all such amazing people and I love you all. you have all helped me to become the man I am today. Thank you.

Sincerely

Elder lindh!

 

 

Week 15, November 7, 2016

Howdy yall! 

So its transfers tomorrow and so we got our news this saturday. This is going to be a weird couple of transfers but I am so happy cause I get to stay in my area with my companion! I love elder Christensen so much and am excited to get to serve another transfer with him. But this transfer will unfortunately only be 5 weeks long. Due to transfers being so close to christmas president has decided this next transfer will be 5 weeks long so that missionaries have an extra week to adjust before christmas. But that also means that the next transfer after that will be 7 weeks long. So it could get interesting. 

Other than that I have had an awesome week here in the columbine area. We are finally getting to teach people. Admittedly not many but still, some is better than none. So we are very happy to see this awesome progress. 

I love it here and I love all of you. You guys make life so awesome and fun. I miss you all and am thinking of all of you.

Love 

Elder Lindh

 

 

Week 14, October 31, 2016

Howdy Y'all! 

So today is halloween but thats not even the highlight of my week. This week has been amazing for so many reasons and most of them have to do with the fact that we got a lot of work done and are preparing to teach a lot of people. It is so exciting to finally find people to teach. Its hard to feel like you are being successful and useful when most of the time you just have doors slammed in your face..... But now we have people to teach! YAY! It was interesting to see how we got to meet them too! We picked up some former investigators, had a referral from recent converts the brooks, and the last one was through potential investigators. The last one should be very interesting. She teaches a bible study and it seems she is more interested in proving that we are wrong, but any chance to teach the truth is a good opportunity. I know that this is the true church. I would not be far away from home and those I love if it wasnt. This is worth it because this is the Lord's work. I know that for myself. I love each and every one of you. You are all so amazing. Thank you so much for being my friends. I love you all.

Sincerely

Elder Lindh

Week 13, October 24, 2016

Howdy y'all!

So not too much to report this week. We have been truly struggling to find anyone to teach which has been rather rough and somewhat discouraging. But we have also had a lot of fun and seen a lot of neat things. Yesterday by far was my favorite day of the week. Not only was it the Sabbath which is always my favorite, but we had some fun new adventures. So it turns out that in our area at the Dairy Queen there is a car show every Sunday. I of course made sure to squeeze that into the schedule so I got to see a lot of very pretty cars. It was lots of fun and we saw a surprising number of members, along with a couple of jehovah's witnesses. But most of all it was just fun to get to see all the cool cars and meet all these amazing people who all shared a love of classic cars (my type of people :). It was so much fun. So last week I promised to send some pictures so here you go. Though sadly I didnt take any pictures of the cars, I was too busy talking to the people.

The one with the suit is from the temple dedication as we were getting ready to go. The other is from P day fun. 😁😇 

I hope you all know how much I love each and every one of you. You are all so amazing and I am always so grateful to have met and gotten to know each and every one of you. Y'all Rock!

Love

Elder Lindh

 

 

Week 12, October 17, 2016

Howdy Yall!

So this week has been filled with fun and lots of new experiences. We got a request for a book of mormon which was awesome! Unfortunately at the moment he isn't interested in learning more just wanted to read the book for himself. Which is a great place to start. We also were able to contact a few referrals we had received from the members. But other than that we haven't done much. Although during weekly planning we discovered that we have found 38 different people who have either moved or do not live where the records say they live. Which in the process has meant a lot of slammed doors and people yelling at us that they don't want us to come there. Which has been lots of fun. But what can you do. People get to choose and sometimes they do not choose to be nice. But you love them anyway. Beyond that I had an awesome time on sunday getting to see the Fort Collins temple dedication. It was an amazing experience. Although it was somewhat frustrating because my companion forgot his recommend and as we went to go back to the house to get it my bike malfunctions and the front derailer gets all twisted so we were gonna have to walk all the way home, likely miss that session of the dedication and have to walk back at 3 to catch the next dedication. Luckily our district leader pulled up just as we were leaving. They gave us a ride and we were able to make the session. Still had to walk my bike home after but It was all good. And just so I dont cause anyone to worry, I already got my bike fixed today so Its all taken care of. I am sorry I dont have any pictures, I forgot my cord to upload them. But will send this weeks pictures next week. 

I want you all to know how much I love you all. You are all so amazing and I have loved every second I have been able to associate with all of you. You all have taught me so much and quite frankly without you guys, I would not be the man I am today. Thank you all so much. I love all of you.

Sincerely
 Elder Lindh

So for all of you who are not familiar with what a temple is I would like to share my fellow missionaries letter. I think he did an excellent job of talking about the temple and would like to mention that I am open and willing to answer any questions any of you might have. But here is what he said.

HEY!

Ok, so this week was interesting. We couldn't invite people to church because there were not any church services on Sunday. Instead, another temple was Dedicated! The Fort Collins Temple. I got to go to the dedication and it was absolutely amazing. And that is why I want to talk about temples this week.

Some of you may have wondered what exactly an LDS temple is, what goes on inside them, and why Mormons are so quiet about said interior activities. I'd like to address these questions. 

An LDS temple is, quite simply put, "The House of The LORD". We believe that He follows patterns. After all, he is "the same today, yesterday, and forever". In the days of Moses, God commanded his followers to build a Tabernacle (a portable temple) where sacrifices where to be preformed and the priests where to go to commune with God. When the Children of Israel reached their promised land, God commanded that the Ark of The Covenant be placed in a permanent resting place, or a Temple. This building was the new tabernacle. It was used for Mosaic Law purposes until Christ fulfilled that law, and replaced it with a higher law. The Temple was still used by the Saints until around 180 - 250 A.D. for the performance of Ordinances. One such Ordinance was Baptism for the Dead (see 1st Corinthians 15:29. Yes, I know. The topic that is the focus in this passage is the Resurrection, whereas Paul's mention of Baptism for the Dead is mentioned almost in passing. But that is to be expected due to how common place the practice was back then among the saints. His point is simple. Allow me to put in in modern English.
"Why are they baptized by proxy for the dead, if there is no Resurrection? There would be no point in the Baptism, if Resurrection was not a true principle.")

When God restored His Church through a Prophet (just as he did through Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses), He commanded just as he did in the Church of Jesus Christ of Former Day Saints that the children of Israel build him a house. This is why we build temples. 

Now, I've already covered some of what occurs inside these Holy Edifices. In addiction to Baptism by proxy, Other ordinances are preformed in the Temple. Through these Ordinances, we receive instruction and further dedicate ourselves to God. We DO NOT perform sacrifice within the temple. 

Now, why are we so quiet about the Temple? Because it is sacred. I'm sure you all have heard of the Book of Mormon play. What we don't want is for someone to make a mockery of something even holier to us than simple church history. (By the way, the only true parts of the play are: the fact that we call our missionaries Elder or Sister. The first presiding member was named Joseph Smith. And That we Believe in Jesus Christ. Everything else is false.) If we were to speak openly about the temple it would truly be "casting [our] pearls before swine"  The details of what happens inside are for everyone to learn. but that knowledge must be gained the way all of us gained it. By being worthy to enter the Temple, and then going to learn for ourselves. 

If I need to clarify anything, please please please let me know. I want everyone to understand what I am trying to say.

Again. I am willing to answer any questions. whether its about the gospel or not. You can ask me anything. And even if I cant answer perfectly I will try my best. I love you all and hope this letter helps you understand a bit more about what the temple means to members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

Week 11, October 10, 2016

Howdy Yall

So this weeks been quite a bit of fun, although rather hard on my legs. I am quite sore right now. 

So in summary of this week there is only one word that suffices. Biking, Lots and lots of biking. this are has SOOOO many hills!!!! The largest of which is right next to our house as we leave to go basically anywhere.... Its rather annoying. 

Other than that there is not much to report. We are having a hard time finding people to teach but just last night we had an AMAZING time with the Duffy family! They gave us FIVE referrals! thats insane! most people wont even give us a referral so to leave a dinner with 5 new people to see is AMAZING! And not only that but they are all people that have either been really into the gospel or just had an amazing experience. Its so amazing to see how the Lord is preparing people for us to teach and help them progress closer to Christ. Thats just about all for this week although I had a run in with someone who owned a 1923 model T. That was kinda crazy. He wasnt interested it didnt seem but he really liked that we liked his car. So yeah. Anyway I want you all to know I love and miss each and every one of you. You are all amazing children of a loving Heavenly Father.

Sincerely

Elder Lindh