Woche 54: Wo ist die Zeit gegangen?

Woche 54: Wo ist die Zeit gegangen?

Elder Albrecht on the far left waiting in line for his iPad a couple weeks ago

Well, my email just deleted itself, so I am retyping it right now, haha. Well, my week was pretty good. On Monday, we didn't really do anything special... Just the same ol' same ol'...

And then on Tuesday we had District Meeting! It was way good. Well, I 

thought it was good. But we talked about staying concentrated on the work,

even though we have iPads and such. And then we talked about some of the

key aspects in missionary work. Oh, and they loved your letter mom! And

we also got a new toilet seat! Wooh! Haha, and then Elder Smith and I did

some iPad training. And then we went to PFK. The Priesthood Leader 

Correlation Meeting. It was so good! Our small little Branch here is 

awesome! They are so supportive! They always encourage us, and stuff!

They are great!

The next day we pretty much did a ton of finding...

And we also did a ton of finding on Thursday. We didn't find anyone but we

are hopefully leaving good impressions for the future!

And then on Friday we did the same thing! We went out finding and decided

to focus on restored truths! And we found four new people! We sure did

see some blessings that day! We were dooring, and then some guy stopped on

the side of the rode in his car, and asked if we were the elders. We of course said yes and then he told us when we are in the area to stop by his place and we can meet! How awesome! 

Saturday we went and met with a less active. He is super nice and really

wants to go to the Temple. So we are trying to help him reach his goal. 

We talked about being strong! We need no fear when we are with the Lord!

Then came Sunday! It was way awesome! One of the member's family is visiting for two months from China. And she asked us if we could teach them! It was a little weird with the language barrier, but luckily the Spirit knows no boundaries or barriers. So we had a really good lesson about the prophets of old and about prayer. They asked awesome questions about it and if we really could speak with God. We bore strong testimony and they just loved it. The member's sister even said the closing prayer! It was awesome! 

Well, I hope everyone has a good week! Tschüß!

Woche 53: Schon ein Jahr vorbei!

Woche 53: Schon ein Jahr vorbei!

Montag

Well, Monday we had an awesome lesson with "P". We taught the 10 Commandments and it went pretty good. He had some good questions and overall understood the relevance of it. And then we had P-Day... Nothing special about it... And then we had GMK with Bruder Bauer.

Dienstag

Tuesday we went to Neumarkt am Wallersee. We had a Zone Conference there and then received our iPads. We set them up and everything of that sort. And Sister Kohler spoke before we got them. And she said that she was thinking of the tools that the Lord has given us to do this work. And she said that she first thought of the iPads. And she thought of the Book of Mormon. She said that this book was the chosen item/ feast for our time. Everything else are just utensils in this great feast. The Book of Mormon was literally made for out time and this is the means by which people find the truth. Not us, iPads, or anything else. The Book of Mormon is the chosen tool so to say.

Mittwoch

So Wednesday we went out talking with people most of the day. Towards the end of the day we met with a lady named "A". She is nice, a little interesting, but still nice. She is looking for direction in life right now and so she called a member so we could start meeting. She chose something out of the Book of Mormon and talked about how it applied to her. And then she said the most beautiful prayer ever!

Donnerstag

Thursday we went out the entire day and tried talking to people and going by on some different friends. Unfortunately, no one was home and most people didn't want to speak with us. But it was still good!

Freitag

Well, Friday most of our appointments fell through... But we were able to meet with some Freichrist people. They wanted to only talk about Romans 4 and how we needed to just believe. We later visited Bruder Kerschbaum. We read Helaman 5 together and then talked about it.  We talked about how Jesus Christ was our foundation and when we lived His gospel, the gates of hell would never prevail against us. He gave some awesome input.

Samstag

We went out to talk with more people. And most people just don't want to hear it. It's so sad. But we just gotta keep working hard!

Sonntag

Well, we had Church. And I gave a talk! I will send it in another email. But it was pretty good. And we even had one of our friends visit church with us! He had to go before Sacrament meeting was over. And then afterwards we went and visited "J". We discussed a lot of how the world keeps getting worse and worse every day. But we talked about how Christ is our anchor of faith and hope. We talked about how we have the restored gospel and we need not worry. We have men called of God to help direct us! Well, I hope everyone has a good week!

Woche 52: Man, that means I hit my year mark this week!!!

 Liebe Mutter,


(The green are comments or questions I sent to him and the black are his responses.)

I survived trek!! 

TREK!!! I miss it sooo much! I am super excited to read your letter about it! And I think I remember Nicole a little.
I just remember my own Trek experience. Especially our own testimony meeting. We all bore such awesome testimony of the Pioneers! And I remember thinking the same thing! We don't have any Pioneers! And on my mission, most people do. Seriously though, like all of my companions have pioneer blood or are related some how to a prophet. But then I remembered how you two were my pioneer heritage! My pioneer heritage just started about 180 years after most everyone else!
I updated him on some things that are going on with his brothers.  I can't believe it! Why are they growing!? Man, that means I hit my year mark this week!!!

Tell me something fun about your companion.

He makes a huge stack of tortillas every week.

Are you getting along?

Of course we get along!

Tell me something unique about your branch.

We are the only unit in the Vienna Stake to have a choir.

Do you feel your piano playing is improving?

My piano playing has improved a ton!!! It's crazy!

Do you sing as well?

And yes I sing... At home, or in church. Well we have the choir. Actually, I play the piano in it now...

Woche 52

Montag

On Monday I got a haircut. Exciting right?

Dienstag

Tuesday. we had District Meeting in Vienna. We talked about the 10 Commandments and the relevance they still hold in today's society. We talked about how some were completely disregarded while others were slightly distorted or changed in some way. We talked about how they are still the same and that they will not change! And then we talked about prayer. We talked about how, in this church, we pray a little differently than a lot of people. Because of Joseph Smith, we have the true meaning of prayer. It is a literal talk with our Father in Heaven. We are literally communicating with the most powerful being in the universe. And better yet, he will speak back to us! He will answer us through His Spirit! We don't even have to be at church! We have a direct line to Him! What an amazing truth! And then we later had an exchange. I stayed in Vienna with Elder Faux. Vienna is sooooooooooo much bigger than St. Pölten. But we went and taught a couple of people. We actually met with someone who was preparing for baptism in the next couple of weeks. It was so cool to see him accept His gospel and have the desire to follow Him! 

Mittwoch

On Wednesday we went to a fancy private tennis country club thing. One of the members in Vienna 4th Ward takes all of the Vienna missionaries out to eat once a month. And it was so good! I had Fritaten Soup and Curry with Banana Coconut Rice. It was so good!!! And then we exchanged with the Zone Leaders. Elder Ward and I came back to St. Pölten. Well, I left the keys with Elder Smith who was now in Vienna... But our Ward Mission Leader came to the rescue and brought some amazing strawberries with him! Life saver, and then we went out finding. We met some way nice people! We also met a RM and ate dinner with him. He served two years ago and was just visiting. Oh, and he is from Australia.

Donnerstag bis Freitag

Well, Elder Smith came back and we went out finding, all day long. It was way hot, but we just kept going hard. And then we did almost the same thing on Friday. But in the end, we met a less active in Maria-Anzbach. It is so pretty there! And then we read a talk from General Conference by Elder Bednar. He really liked it and said it was his goal to go to the Temple! So we made goals with him and then prayed!

Samstag

Well, Saturday we just went out finding until our lesson with Joel. Well, 30 minutes before our lesson, we found him on the street reading the Book of Mormon. It was so awesome!!! We were so happy! And then we talked for a bit and then got right into it. We taught the Plan of Salvation. We talked about how the Bible only has fragments of it but with modern revelation, we now have the full plan. He really thought it made sense with judgement. He said it didn't make sense that pretty much most people would go to hell with the understanding most people had. He really liked that God prepared multiple places for His children. It was way good!

Sonntag

Well, Sunday we had an awesome lesson during Sunday School about being prepared for the Second Coming. We talked about making sure our lamps were full and that we also had a reserve of oil. It was good. I love being out here! It is such a blessing!

~Elder Albrecht~

Siehe, ich bin ein Jünger Jesu Christi, des Sohnes Gottes. Ich bin von ihm berufen worden, sein Wort unter seinem Volk zu verkünden, damit sie immerwährendes Leben haben können   -3 Nephi 5:13

Woche 51: Wieder eine sehr lange Woche aber doch eine gute Woche

Woche 51: Wieder eine sehr lange Woche aber doch eine gute Woche

Montag

P-Day................................ I don't even know... We shopped and cleaned... And went out finding...

Dienstag

Tuesday we had another District Meeting. But, this time the Parkers (our Senior Couple) weren't there. Well, we talked about teaching effectively! We talked about how we need to listen, listen, listen! It is a must! And then on top of that, we have to ask inspired questions! Those two have to happen if we want to go any where! And then we discussed the importance of following the Prophet. I mean, we have a chosen man of God on the earth. He is the man that receives revelation for the entire world! He knows!!! So why wouldn't we want to follow him? And then we played a small game, where we had to share something  funny or embarrassing and then do a dance move for everyone. Haha, it was pretty good. And then we went home and had Ward council. Our small branch is awesome! They are just so pumped about missionary work and helping us!!!

Mittwoch

On Wednesday we met with "P" again. We taught the Word of Wisdom. We discussed the things that are "off limits" and why they are so. At first he didn't understand the reason why we couldn't drink coffee or tea, but after bearing strong testimony and reading the promises from the Lord, he said that he knew that these are bad and that he will give them up. He said they would be really hard to give up, but he would really try. And so we continued encouraging him and then we all left. It was awesome. Even though the week can be long, and things are not going how they should be and you get rejected time after time after time, it is amazing to count our many blessings. We are truly blessed in St. Pölten.

Donnerstag bis Freitag

Well, on one of the days we went down to Hainfeld and did some finding and stuff. Overall, we did a ton of walking! Haha, good exercise I guess!

Samstag

On Saturday we had a lesson with "J", and he is only meeting with us for "academic purposes." We talked about the Book of Mormon and about the Gospel of our Lord. We promised and bore testimony of the joy and peace we can receive from it, and said, "well I sure hope so..." And then we continued on and then said a prayer. We can both see his heart being softened and prepared for the Lord. It is truly amazing to see what the Spirit can do.

 

Sonntag

Sunday we went to church and had our Fast and Testimony meeting. Man, this branch is awesome! They all have such strong testimonies of this church and the restored gospel!!! And then we talked about how a lot of things are going viral in the church. Well, more of an initiative with the stakes and areas and wards and stuff. It is so cool to see this wonderful work of the Lord move forward!!! And then we had a lesson with John. We talked about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and seeing God. In the end, it came down to whether or not he believed in the Book of Mormon. so we invited him to do that and he said he would!!!

~Elder Albrecht~

Siehe, ich bin ein Jünger Jesu Christi, des Sohnes Gottes. Ich bin von ihm berufen worden, sein Wort unter seinem Volk zu verkünden, damit sie immerwährendes Leben haben können   -3 Nephi 5:13

Woche 50: Eine lange Woche aber doch eine gute Woche

Woche 50: Eine lange Woche aber doch eine gute Woche

Montag

So, P-Day... Actually, at the end of the day we met with a guy named "J". He said that he has heard a lot about Mormons, but knew quite literally nothing about us himself. So he wanted to meet with us for "academic purposes only." Well, we talked about the apostasy and then followed with the Restoration of the Gospel. And then we watched the film and talked about it. I could totally tell a difference in his countenance. We had told him at the beginning why we are here. Many people think we are just here to inform them about the mormons. But we told him straight up that we are here to help him come closer to Christ. And whether he realized or not, he unconsciously did and the Spirit entered the room and testified of the truthfulness of this message we share!. It was awesome.

Dienstag

Tuesday we had District Meeting like always. But this time, I was the one leading it! Well, it was pretty weird. But it was fun! We had like the longest German Tip ever, or so it seemed like it! Haha, and then we went over the importance of the Book of Mormon. How it can give us a testimony of the Restoration of His Gospel, but also of His divinity! The Book of Mormon is so important, especially if we want to fully understand the fullness of His Gospel. If we want to understand that, or His Plan for us, or who He is, then the Book of Mormon becomes a necessity! We need the Book of Mormon and the Bible hand in hand to learn who He is and why we are here.

Mittwoch

Wednesday morning we sent Elder Seewer off to Bruck an der Mur. And afterwards we met with a guy named "P". We went over Priesthood authority and the need for it, especially with Baptism. We have been talking about this for a while, and he said that he didn't understand it. Wasn't his previous baptism done out of faith. So we drew on the board a small picture. We told him that there are certain things we do to prepare for baptism, which he had done being a humble and spiritual man. We told him that Baptism is like a door. We go through and enter into a covenant, or promise, with the Lord. But in order to go through this door, we have to have a key. We explained how the proper authority was this key. After Christ and His apostles were killed or died, this authority left along with His church. Because of Joseph Smith, we now have the privilege of having this key, or authority, again on the Earth. We sat for a moment, and then he said, "So if I get baptized with the proper authority, then I can really be forgiven of my sins." We sat there and testified of His Atonement and told him yes. He said that was still going to be hard, but he was willing to go for it. So, we told him to go home and between then and our next appointment, read 3 Nephi 11 and ponder it. Take some time to pour out his soul to the Lord, and then ask if this was really true and if he should get baptized again. He said okay, and wrote everything down. It was truly an amazing experience.

Donnerstag

Thursday we went by on a lot of people. We went by on less actives and some friends of ours. Well, no one was home... And no one was really on the streets so we couldn't really go out tracting. Well, we did anyway, and we stopped someone and asked them if they believed that the family was eternal. Well, the man stopped with his wife and told us that he had never heard of that. We told him that we were sharing a message that families can be together forever, and they totally accepted and said we could call and come by some time! It was awesome!

Freitag

Friday went sort of the same way. No one was really home or on the streets, except by the train station. But we made a couple of calls and set out an appointment for that evening! Well we went to our designated meeting appointment. Well, he didn't show up. But then he called and said he was little late, so we waited a little longer. Well, he eventually showed up. We went into the church, and got to know him some more. He said, he was originally Muslim, but had read a lot about Jesus Christ and had the desire to believe in him as the Son of God. So we explained to him who He was and why He was here. We read out of the Bible, and he was just so excited.

Samstag

Saturday was... Just... Yeah... well we had went up to Krems for an appointment with "G", and we called when we got there to confirm it. Well, he wasn't there and we are pretty sure he went down to St. Pölten to meet us there. So that was pretty much our day...

Sonntag

Sunday, well no one came to church! But we had really good talks about the importance of our meetings and inviting people to church. The Spirit was strong! And then we had a lesson later with a guy named "J". Well, we talked a lot about the reality of Joseph Smith seeing God the Father, and Jesus Christ. We talked about how this was one of the first truths restored by Joseph Smith. Many people believe that no man can see God without dying. Well, because of Joseph Smith, we now have the truth along with so much else! I am so grateful for the Restoration! It has helped me so much in my life and has given me so much direction!

~Elder Albrecht~

Siehe, ich bin ein Jünger Jesu Christi, des Sohnes Gottes. Ich bin von ihm berufen worden, sein Wort unter seinem Volk zu verkünden, damit sie immerwährendes Leben haben können   -3 Nephi 5:13