[SENT SEPTEMBER 10, 2016]

Elder Withers and Elder Steuer

Hello all!

I shall begin with a conjugated scripture from Exodus 20. 

8 Remember [P Day], to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is [P Day]: in it thou shalt not do [more than 3 hours of proselyting work], thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

Essentially, my P day has changed. It is now in harmony with biblical teachings. So if you want to switch the day you email me to Friday night that would work well :D

Now for my week! 

Miracle

On Sunday, I get a text from Elder Steuer. He asked me if I had signed up to take my driving test. I told him I hadn't (I was waiting for transfers to sign up; I didn't want to get moved and then have to move my test location). He told me to sign up for my test. So, a bit after church finished, I went to the computer to sign up. And sure enough, there was a test available in Watford on Monday!! I signed up for it. Monday comes, and Elder Mthombeni and I talk with people in the morning and we find a really cool Spanish speaking couple that wanted to meet. After we finish finding, I see that I have a missed call from President. So we call him back, and he tells us what was happening with us at transfers. And I was invited to be his Assistant with Elder Steuer. 

This story is getting involved and juicy, so I shall commence another grouping of text. Elder Steuer doesn't have a license, and it's pretty important for one of us to be able to drive. President gave me advice for my driving test, and after he talked with Elder Mthombeni about who his new companion would be, Elder Mthombeni and I traveled into Central London to take the car that I'd do my driving test in. Elder Mthombeni drove us to Watford. I was SUPER nervous that we weren't going to get there on time because of heavy traffic in london, but gratefully we made it a bit before 2:20pm for my 2:32pm test. I took my driving test, at one point promising the Lord that I'd have super meaningful morning and night prayers every night if I passed the test. I completed the test, AND I PASSED! MIRACLE MIRACLE MIRACLE. And, ever since then, I've kept my promise to have good prayers ;)

Adjustments

I came into London on Tuesday to help with transfers. The Assistant that was getting released showed me how to organise where people go for transfers. The missionary companionships that are changing areas meet in 1 of 3 locations, find their new companion, and travel to their area. So that was exciting! 

Also, I was able to attend the departing dinner of six missionaries. The food was amazing (Sister Stevens is a fantastic cook). Elder Steuer, Elder Kalabanko, and I were privileged to be waiters for the dinner (bringing food out and doing dishes). As well, this was an eye opening experience, seeing missionaries bear their testimony in conclusion of their missions.  

On Wednesday, 24 new missionaries entered the mission field. It was special to be a part of meetings for the new missionaries and the trainers. It makes me think back to when I was a new missionary and brand spankin new. 

I really love being around President and Sister Stevens and all the wonderful Senior couple missionaries. I feel I will learn and grow much as I serve in this capacity, and I know the amount of missionaries I have the opportunity to bless has expanded. It's exciting planning and preparing for Zone Conference next week. 

Fun

I'm serving in a YSA ward now! I will attend church at 1pm in the Hyde Park chapel. It's a good time for YSA since they're probable sleepy en la manana.  

I played basketball this morning and on thursday morning for exercise with a good group of guys. And I've done 100 pushups on two seperate mornings as part of my morning exercise. There's a senior missionary named Elder Vernon that inspires/challenges us to do pushups. With the promise that if we do 100 pushups, four days a week, for two consective weeks, he will take Elder Steuer and I golfing and to five guys, giving us "6 pesos" each. His codeword for this opperation: Buggy (pronounced (Buh-gee)

Spiritual Experiences

Elder Zwick of the Seventy and his wife came and spoke to us today. They, along with President and Sister Stevens gave remarkable and powerful talks. Sister Stevens spoke powerfully about making Christ the centre of all we do. President spoke powerfully as well, saying something like "I wish I could lift the veil from your eyes that you could see yourselves for who you are. You are called by a Prophet of God. You are angels of light with power and authority," and later he said something like, "Your pictures will forever be on the mantles of those you teach". 

Sister Zwick shared a greeting in the Mayan dialect that translated to "How is your heart?" She spike of acknowledging our dependence on Chris, inviting him into our life, Not experimenting with sin, and encouraged us to ask ourselves the question found in Alma 5:26. 

Elder Zwick spoke powerfully of building a strong foundation on Christ, giving the example of a building constructed over the Wasatch fault. The pillars used in the foundation of the building contain 3x the cement of the building itself. He had us write down "I will never limit myself by what I thinkn is my capacity, I will allow the Lord to expand my capacity, and He will". AMAZING!! 

It's been a great week. I love my new companion. His name is Elder Simon Steuer. He's from Germany. He has two older sisters and a younger brother. He is blonde, tall, handsome, and on his way to be skinny. We are eating healthy together :) He is a great teacher, and has a great understanding, knowledge, and application of the scriptures. He's a great man.

I love you all! Have a great week

Love,

Elder Withers