Tuesday, Distrikt Versammlung in.. Austria! That was really exciting, now I have touched all three countries, haha! I guess my mission is complete then, nur spass! We then got a little lost trying to find the Bahnhof and ended up missing our train and had to wait an hour or so until the next one. We explored a little of Austria, talked to some people, and enjoyed our time in Austria or should I say Österreich.. Same place, different name in German, of course. Came back to Germany and did some Vorbei´s, sadly no one was home. We tried though..
Wednesday, similar as Tuesday, spent from 10-4 contacting on the street, talking to everyone, not much interest, not enough time, work, work, work, busy, busy people, I can understand them. But sometimes I wish they understood the importance of our message and how truly this Gospel can change and make people better!
Thursday, We got a little tired of contacting, I mean who wouldn´t, after 6 hours of contacting the day before, so today... We tried dooring. The amazing thing was that we actually had little blessings here and there, miracles simple and sweet. We went into one apartment and We found a young man, and he said, Oh, yes! Please come again, I am busy today, but any day from 8-11am please come by,I would be really interested in knowing more about this church. We were really confusingly happy and went to the next apartment complex. First person that rang, He gave us his name and number and told us to call him. And if he didn't answer to come by sometime in the morning and explain more. Again we left confusingly happy. The day was drawing to an end and we decided to try one more apartment. A young woman came down and told us that she belong to a Free Church or something. She didn't seem very interested, but at the sametime she explained she had many questions. My amazing companion, Elder Zepp explained this fascinating story of a young boy who also had many questions. He prayed and received a message from Heaven. He told of Joseph Smith and the young woman, seemed to be in awe! She took a Book of Mormon and told us to come in a few weeks if she had questions. That day was a mini wunder für uns!
Friday, More dooring, found a guy really into Science, and we spoke to him through the intercom system of the apartment complex for about 30 minutes, talking about the creation of the world, to evolution, angels, praying, anything and everything. He was really interested and want to come by our church sometime. We taught a newly baptized member, and taught him about the temple, and the meaning, and why we prepare, and why it is so incredibly sacred to uns. Somemore contacting afterwards, walking around, sadly it was dark, and people think we are pretty scary at night time, I guess...
Saturday, We did some Vorbei to families and potentials in Markdorf, not many people there, or people with interested. We went out at lunch time, and everyone was eating and didn't have time to really hear us.
Sunday, Zweig Konference! Wooo! Branch Conference! We heard messages on missionary work and giving missionaries referrals. Oh man! I was so grateful for that message, especially after contacting and contacting, dooring and dooring. Hopefully, this sparks some missionary work into the members hearts. We talked about strengthening families through, family home evening, pray, scripture study, and then genealogy. I was inspired to get into that, and I will!
That was my basic week, I hope you all enjoyed. This week with all the contacting and speaking with so many, This image came to me.
I guess I love Greg Olsen's artwork, but as I do certain things I understand Jesus more. I understand perhaps, a little of his frustration, perhaps a little of the patience He felt for his people, and felt a little, the power and sadness of Rejection that I am sure He felt every single day of his life. I look at this picture. Jesus patiently waits to have someone, anyone open the door. He knocks with faith, not knowing if anyone will even answer, but He knocks anyways. He knocks because He loves us. Why do I knock everyday at people´s doors? Because I try to feel and do as the Savior did. I try to love the people with all the love I can muster. I stand, once again, all amazed. His love for us, and his love for us individually, ME, personally, He loves ME. How can he? I sometimes wonder. I am imperfect. I have flaws, many flaws, How can He love me? Yet He loves us all. He loves us all that He will stand at the door and knock, whether it be for 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days, 5 years, or eternity, He will knock. I love my Savior and Redeemer with all my heart, I know Jesus is the Christ. And while He may be rejected, He sees us through that window in the door, hoping we will even glance at him, just one moment think of him. Let us all take a moment to reflect on him.... His life, his deeds, his miracles, and his life of sacrifice. Again, I love Him.
I love you all, and have a strong testimony of these things.
Love,
As Always and Forever,
Elder Hunter Annen