Biking in the rain.

Well this last Saturday I had the opportunity to bike in the rain. It felt good because after the long hot day's up here, it just felt good to get cooled off with having the rain. At first it was awesome, something about having water being pored on you feels good. We decided to do some tracting in the rain and it seemed to have worked because people were wondering who in there right mind would approach their door in the middle of a storm, So we ended up coming away from it with a few potentials. Then we got to go to our dinner appointment where it just seemed fitting to have Hot Dogs on a day like that. It was then after that when we came to this River we had to cross. There is a bridge that we usually take to cross this river. Going down to the bridge  there is a steep hill that turns into a gravel road at the bottom of it. As we were approaching a turn at the bottom where the gravel was, I must have turned too hard, for with the fresh rain there wasn't much traction. After falling we crossed the bridge and started up the hill on the other side of the river. As we got to the top there were some people who were going around washing windows, we ended up talking to them and now they may be coming to church this coming week.

Sometimes we have bad things happen to us so that we can meet someone who we wouldn't have been able to meet with otherwise. There are times when others are placed on our paths to find, and other times we are the ones placed on someone else's path to find, if we can talk to those who need a friend then we can make sure we are there when the Lord needs us. Sometimes watches may get ruined in the rain and other times we get cut up. In the end we are all sent here to be tested, if we can do our best at all times, we don't need to see the result of the answer to know we helped someone out along there way.

I love you all, I know we can have great things happen if we do what is asked up us.

Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Warkentin

Too busy, how do I get any work done?

Last week, Starting on Tuesday we got to go for a hike with a few other Missionaries:

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Then on Wednesday we got to meet with a less active who was able to come to church this last Sunday.

On Thursday I got to help provide service to a lady by helping to fix some printer issues.

Then come Saturday, we started out with teaching a new Investigator, after which, we got to help out some members with cutting down some trees. We then had a couple appointments after that.

Then on Sunday, we got to have church, then had a lesson with an investigator, then at dinner we got to be part of a members birthday celebration, Then ended the day with a less active.

Then Yesterday we started with helping with a gardening project. We then had someone feed us Lunch. We were then able to talk to several people doing some street contacting. We then had a member take us out to eat for dinner. After that we got to go to a lesson with a less active.

I know that as we strive to learn what we can from the scriptures, we will be able to talk with people about the different principles of the gospel to help them out in the hardest times in their life. The Book of Mormon is a great place to search to find the knowledge. I think everyone can gain a testimony if they are willing to learn.

Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Warkentin

Just talk to them, they will listen whether they want to or not.

So this past week we decided to try an "new" idea, we would try talking to everyone we could see. To go along with that, we would just bike around and find people out in their yards to talk to. I find that many people just don't want to be the ones to start a conversation, however, they are more then happy to continue a conversation that has already been started. To be fair we have already been trying to talk to people, we just are planing a little extra time to have a conversation with people, rather then feeling like we need to rush to get to our next destination.

Using the above mentioned technique, yesterday we were able to help an elderly lady cross the street to her house. Also since there is a footbridge in our are, we have been able to stop and talk with several people there. We have also been able to help several people with some yard work they were doing.

Since the ward I am in right now has a cool thing going where they are trying to get everyone in the ward to go to the temple on the same day in a couple months, I know as people prepare for entering the temple they will be blessed. This month they are focusing on helping people develop Christlike attributes, as I have been trying to focus on what attributes I would like to work on, I have been able to find the joy I suspect the Savior had while upon this earth.

I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer for everything. If you look for and try to apply the atonement to everything, Christ will be there and do everything he can to help us out. We just have to open the door and let him in, and allow him to help us out in each situation.

I love you all. I hope you all have a great week.

Love,

Elder Warkentin

3 in a day

Well this last Friday, after almost 5 weeks we were able to get back in contact with 2 of our investigators and 1 of our Recent Converts. Also we were given 6 free tickets to the 3rd place game for the closing of FIFA here. The saddest part of the day was hearing the news of President Packard passing away.

Then for the first time I experienced having an investigator come to church for their first time last Sunday. I think it is amazing how much you can feel the Holy Ghost as we attend church. Sometimes (being a member all my life, and growing up with the influence of the Spirit) I don't realize what it would be like to not have the influence. I know as we try to recognize the Holy Ghost in our lives, we will be able to have more peace and comfort in our lives.

Not everyone is lucky enough to know the Gospel. Just knowing of what is to happen after we die is enough to bring comfort to those who are prepared to come back into the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ. We all have ancestor's, we all have a work to do to help them have a chance at accepting the Restored Gospel.

I love you all. I hope you all have a great week this coming week. feel free to email me at any time: Nathan@Missionary.Email

Love,

Elder Warkentin


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USA + Columbia / FIFA =

This past week was great. We had Fathers day here this past Sunday. it was actually a good time to find people home. So to all you Fathers out there congratulations, you have helped fulfill what our Father which art in Heaven has asked of us.

Now for the reason for the title of this update. Yesterday we had a Less-active member take us to a Soccer (Football) game. Some of you might have know that the 2015 FIFA Woman's World Cup is being held here in Canada. One of the City's it is playing in is Edmonton, and my Mission happens to be in Edmonton. So for those of you who care the game yesterday was the USA versus Columbia.

As you can see the Gospel is like a game, first you have to commit to be a player on the team (Baptism). Then you have to go through the practices to make it to the game (The Temple). After that you have to get off the bench and on to the field (Being willing to do what God asks of us to do). We then have to play our hardest during the game and give it our all (Endure to the end). Otherwise you can chose to not accept the Gospel and sit with everyone else in the stand and watch others enjoy the success they have made.

Sorry I have no pictures to send you this week, I forgot my camera at home. I will send the pictures next week.

Love always,

Elder Warkentin

Down with the paper.

This past week was the first week on my Mission where we rode bikes.

We had an awesome lesson with an investigator this past week where we talked about Baptism and how it is an important first step in showing our commitment to Heavenly Father. He seems to know a lot more about the different Gospel principles then a lot of recent converts that I have meet. How ever we did at least help commit him to following the Word of Wisdom. Sometimes people are just waiting for the right invitation to be extended.

Also it has been cool being able to study from a variety of different sources with being able to use the Gospel Library app for studies. It has also made my bag that I carry around much lighter and thinner.

I love you all. I know you all are special in the eyes of Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus payed the ultimate price for you to return to his presence.

I hope you all have a great week.

Love,

Elder Warkentin

It started with Ip and ended with ad!

So this past week was fun. Starting with Wednesday, I meet my new companion, Elder Coates is an awesome Missionary, and I am exited to serve with him in the coming weeks. Also the Callingwood Park area is a good area to be in.

It has been cool to see how in the times we were walking around, trying to visit people, there has been several people who we were able to stop and talk with. It is just inspiring to see all the people who have been placed in our path, just so that we could try to talk with them to offer them a chance to meet with us and learn more. I know Missionaries are sent out to teach people for a reason and I know Heavenly Father will accomplish his work if we let him.

Another thing that I have seen is how God is Hastening his work in this day and age. For example just yesterday, we had a Training Meeting where we were introduced to tablets so that we can use all the digital content that the church has been working on and making ready for the digital age. I know that I am excited to learn how I can best use the technology that God has helped create for the furthering of his work.

I love you all, I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live today. I know the Gospel will help each and everyone of you. "And thus it i. Amen."

Love,

Elder Warkentin

A cool looking fire we drove by:

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