I Call Them My Answer Book

From Mason Blettenberg

Teaching in Ireland

We had such a blast this week. I think what made it so good is how much me and my comp studied the scriptures together; that’s what changed it. There is just something about the scriptures that draw me in like a bug to a light. i just keep reading to find answers. I call [the scriptures] my answer books.

We have one investigator with a date to be baptized, so that is exciting. But the highlight of my week was visiting a less active man name Mike. Mike is a long-term less active member of the Church and he has so many addictions its not even funny. He is literally in his house all day smoking, drinking, and doing drugs. He just can’t stop what he is doing. But he loves elders so he lets us in. so we made a plan to clean his house so he could feel the Spirit. I have seen a lot of dirty houses in Ireland and Scotland, but nothing like this. So we brought bags to just start slow and pick up rubbish. We started but he did not like it; it made him feel bad that we had to do it for him. So I prayed and fasted over what to do. He is on my mind all the time. I love this man, so we went over to try once again and same thing happened: he did not want to do the clean up. Then I looked at the fireplace and the still small voice whispered to me and told me to use the fire. So we made a fire in the fireplace and slowly started to put things in the fire. Now that felt good! We did not stop him from drinking or force him into anything, but we had a campfire and had some small talk about his life and the Book of Mormon. I love this gospel and what I’m doing on my mission. I will return with honor.

 

Elder Blettenberg

A Mission Has Changed Me Forever

From Mason Blettenberg

Teaching in Ireland

Dear Friends and Family, 

It has been a whole year since I have left the blessed land of Burley, Idaho. But I am still in a land of the spuds! Good old Ireland!

This past week we saw a mighty miracle. A man named Jerry’s heart was softened.  We had this man on tract for baptism for this Saturday, but he texted us Wednesday night and told us he did not want to get baptized. He talked with his friends and they turned him off of the idea of our church. We were DEVASTATED. There is nothing that will break a heart of a missionary so fast than someone who they love dearly falls away from God.

We asked in mighty prayer to soften this man’s heart.  We woke up Saturday all ready for the day, trying to do our best to smile.  We had a blitz in our area on Friday so we were white-boarding. All of a sudden, in the middle of the day, we saw Jerry walking with his head down. We rushed over to him and asked him to help us find with the white board. On the board was written: What makes you happy? He wrote, “The Holy Spirit”. 

Then the sisters came over and asked him why he did not want to be baptized.  He said he changed his mind! And he wanted to be baptized that day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So me and my comp did everything in our power to make it happen that day and …  we made it happen! He was baptized and confirmed.

Being out for this long, serving my Father in Heaven and representing His Son, has made me understand a scripture that I read every single morning… Matthew 16:21-28: for whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall FIND IT.

I want to testify from the bottle of my heart that I have found it. And because I have found my life, I will continue - for a full year - to lose my life for others and for His sake who died so me and you can live.

I am a standing living witness of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  My mission has truly brought the good out of me so many times. I have almost been so close to going home cuz I thought I needed rest from my trials I have had on my mission. But every time that happened, the power of Christ’s Atonement came to the rescue. He is the best example we could ever dream of asking for. 

A mission has changed me forever. I want everyone to know, if you have the smallest doubt of serving a mission throw  it out the window and serve God.  Every worthy Latter-day Saint has the strength to serve a full time mission. Please serve a mission. If  you have not already, you will find your life and help others do the same.

I love my Father in Heaven . I know with all my being that, when in times of a storm,I can turn for peace in the spirit of prayer and show Him how I feel. He will heed to my needs and do what is right for me and others.  He is our all mighty father who loves me. I know my Father above would and will take the time to sit with me on a fence and just let me let it all out and truly heed to my needs the way I need. He has shown me and has given me one person to look up to and that is my Savior,  Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ is a man that is and always will be my light to follow in darkness of a storm. If any of us are trapped in sin or trial or sickness or anything that brings you down, there is always a way out of our storms. That is in and through the most sacred name of the one who literally bled from every pore drops of blood so you and I could stand in holy places and be not moved.

I love this gospel and I will be devoted to it for the rest of my life and my life after that. The words of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the words that bring you and me lasting happiness for this life and the one to come. And that is all thanks to the Restoration of His Church.  Joseph smith was the man for the job. Without him, who knows where truth would have been found. For this I am grateful. I bear testimony of repentance and the sweetness of it. Whenever we hear that word “repent” we run, but though study I have understood it is a sweet word due to the fact we cannot repent without Jesus Christ and proper priesthood authority. Repentance is real and it works. In the name of who I represent for the next year, even Jesus the Christ,  Amen.  

Miracles do happen, repentance does work, and He lives and can do wonders for me and you!

Love,  Elder Blettenberg