It was another great week here in South Africa!

Date:  April 10, 2017

Area:  Bloemfontein, South Africa

Companion:  Elder Mbangi

We had a lot of conference this week. General conference and then normal church and then zone conference. I was pretty exhausted by the end of it all.

Zone conference was super awesome! We talked about our desires as missionaries and discovering what our inner desires are and should be and how to fulfill them.

I learned something I thought was interesting. Two words were put up. "motivation" "uplifted" we were comparing the two. We kind of came down to this. It's like working out. If your goal is to get a six pack, then after you get the six pack you stop working out. However, if your goal is to be healthy, even when you get the six pack, you continue to work out to stay healthy.  One is short term and the other is more long term. Also, motivation is more temporal while upliftment is more spiritual. In life we sometimes get motivated to become better and do more and then it fades, we really want to get uplifted so that we can maintain that same motivation over an extended period of time. It was a really good discussion over the two words.

Something my companion mentioned was "becoming the real you".  Something that I always talk about is how we are all sons and daughters of God and how that is something quite extraordinary and special. Our Father is the greatest King to ever exist! He is our dad and that's why he loves us. I have talked about this before but I don't care. He is God, he is incapable of doing anything less than perfect. He created us and by divine design we are perfect, for God is unable to do anything but that. The problem is that perfection is deep down in us. Throughout this life we take on corruption, from all around us we see and consume corruption. Nevertheless, their is perfection in each on of us. The question then lies, How do we pull this perfection out of us? Now that is an interesting topic! Well, we always want some grand explanation or demonstration. If someone told us that to bring out the perfection in you and to become that perfected person you must climb the highest mountain and eat of the fruit there on, we would probably try it. The thing is, its much more simple and we can all do it. We just need to focus on the basic. Scripture study, prayerful conversation and relation, and thoughtful church attendance. If we are to do these small and simple things then great things are brought to pass. In turn we begin to bring the perfection out of us. the "real you" begins to shine. I could go on and on but sadly time never seems to be on my side.

I know that we all have perfection placed in us. We don't have to try to imitate someone or something else, just be you, do you and become who you really are! That's what God intends. Now this rarely is achieved here and now but is an eternal pursuit full of trials and learning. As we learn to become the "real you" You begin to see the "real you" in others around you. You begin to see the potential and value of all of Gods children and grow to love them all in their faults, quirks and short comings. 

Be the Real You! find the joy in life, find the presence of God within and around you! live it and love it!

Love

Elder North

Conference week!!!!!

Date:  April 3, 2017

Area:  Bloemfontein, South Africa

Companion:  Elder Mbangi

Well sort of!  Because of the time difference we can not really watch conference live. for example the Sunday pm session started at 10pm our time and would end at midnight, but we have been able to watch the Saturday session and boy was it grand!!

I loved the very first talk I heard by president Eyring about how "the best technology can never replace revelation" I have noticed this on my mission. We don't have a lot of access to technology like other missions because of safety issues so we do not use ipads or tablets of any kind. 

I have noticed that people these days don't want to study and find answers for themselves. we simply google, yahoo and bing our way through. I think this causes a bit of a problem. When you really search for something by turning page after page. book after book, person after person, looking, searching, discovering and ultimately finding, you actually come to ingrain into you very soul the truths of life you have been searching for. thus The best things always come out from the hard things. We find more our selves as we dig deep and keep digging. We gain an answer and understanding that will never fade a way. We allow the spirit of revelation to fill our minds eye as we seek for the direction and council of the Lord on who we should proceed. We are becoming a lazy generation "smart phones and dumb people" People who don't know how to find answers from God anymore because the alternative is easier, quicker, and mostly reliable. but is that good enough for you? only being mostly reliable. who has ever heard of a company slogan like that?  Choose us, we wont let you down.... most of the time! Have you ever heard a coach say its okay, we gave it 80 percent. NO! almost, and mostly and sometimes is not good enough, at least not for me! I constantly tell people, I may lie, but do you know who will never lie to you? Only God! at the end of the day, He is the truth and the light! If we are looking for truth or light in our life then we should turn to the source of all truth and of all light. 

I also learned something this week while teaching! Its cool when you are asked a question and you know the answer to something you never thought about. 

We were asked this week if you could change the mind of God, it was an interesting question and we wanted to understand more. so we said, why do you ask? Their is a story the the book of Kings in the old Testament of the bible of a man who is told by the prophet that he will soon die. The dying man prays to God that he might live longer, God grants the prayer and extends the life of the man. Thus the question, was the man able to change the mind of God? My answer was no, we can not change Gods mind. God is bound by law though. laws that even govern us. for example. every action has a reaction. one of newtons laws (slightly shorted) 

God wants to bless us, we are his children and He wants to give us all He has. but according to law He can not just give us blessings. we first need to act so that God can then re-act. We learn through the scriptures that to every act their is an affixed punishment or blessing. It is only upon the action of faith in which God can bestow us blessings from on high. He wishes to flood our lives with the showers of heaven but is held back by the lack of acting faith on our part. without us acting God can do no work. (Ether 12:12) We know that Faith is an action word. We can just say we have faith we need to show it (James 2:17) 

The man did not change Gods mind but simply allowed God the opportunity to give Him blessings He was already prepared and wanting to give. "Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." (LDS Bible dictionary- Prayer)

To check out conference or more about our church click below.

https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng

Wow prayer is important right! just a cool thought to me though that God is bound by law of action and reaction God never punishes unless we act against his will. He is always watching and waiting to pour blessing upon us as we choose to follow Him.

This week we put a women named Thuli on a baptismal day, we are hopeful for her to progress and start coming to church. After we taught the restoration of the gospel she was eager to accept her own copy of the book of Mormon. 

Auspicious was able to come to conference this week which was awesome. We talked about how we would be guided by modern day prophets and apostles. We should prepare ourselves to receive guidance in our lives and get answers the questions. She prepared a list of 10 questions that she wants answered. sadly I am not allowed to see her list and they are questions pertaining to her personal life. She received on answer and I pray she gets more through the coming sessions of conference.

Have a wonderful week, and beautiful Easter!!!

Love,

Elder North

Short letter but lots of pictures

Date:  March 27, 2017

Area:  Bloemfontein, South Africa

Companion:  Elder Mbangi

We had a great visit with an investigator named Auspicious.  She related to us how everything that happened at church last Sunday applied directly to what she was about to go through. At church I gave a talk about how the Book of Mormon had helped me find peace in life's trials. Then in the gospel principle class we spoke about the Holy Ghost and how we can receive answers to prayer. We spoke of the spirits role in our life. In Relief Society they spoke on prayer. That week, Auspicious got a call from her family saying that her brother is sick and because of the medical expenses they will be unable to pay for her school or food any longer. She was told she must find a job. She didn't know how she would be able to do that with her busy class schedule and so late into the semester. She was flustered, upset, and scared. She then remembered church and then started reading the Book of Mormon. She came across 1 Nephi 3:7 which tells us that God gives nothing unto his children unless he provides a way for them to accomplish it. She explained to us that after she read this she was calm. She got a call from her brother asking if she was okay with everything. She could honestly reply, yes, everything is fine, God is in control. She then just went on with faith. Not knowing how she was going to buy food for the month she moved forward. Trusting in the Lords promise. She then received an email the next day from a company she did an internship over a year ago. The email stated that they would like to pay for her tuition and also give her grocery money. She had not had any contact with this company for a year. She had told no one of her failing circumstance. It was a miracle to say the least. After that she really knew that God is in control and that he loves us. He will provide a way, if we just keep our heads up and trust in him, all will work out in the end.

We got to go to a Rugby game.  It was the Free State Cheetas vs the Sharks.

Rethabile was in Kimberley this week so we were unable to teach her but I think she is coming back today and we will get right back into it.

Nothing to crazy has been going on, just living life as a missionary! 

OOPS

Today for P-day we went and played vollyball with Auspicious and some of her friends it was pretty fun, next week we will play soccer against them. 

Always fun when we get to play soccer, this place has pretty nice turf.

I got letters!!!! from Hailey, Grandma Marry, and Taryn!!! 

Thank you! sure way to make a missionaries day!!!

Love,

Elder North

We also got to go to a museum.

Peace and Joy come through the gospel

Date:  March 20, 2017

Area:  Bloemfontein, South Africa

Companion:  Elder Mbangi

The gospel really does help us to just feel at peace with everything we go through in this life. Life is not easy.  At times you feel the world falling down on you. A story that I share often with people here as to how I gained a testimony is this:

One day while I was 16 I was just sad, lonely and a bit depressed. I felt like everything was on top of me and the weight of it all was to much, I felt as if I was beginning to lose my breath as the world crushed down upon me. I remember clearly as I began to cry. I didn't want any of my siblings or my parents to see me cry so I went outside. I sat against the wall of my house and just bawled. I couldn't stop. Life was just too much.... I decided to call my best friend. I just needed someone to talk to. Someone to listen, someone to be there. As we began talking on the phone, my friend asked me a question. She said, when was the last time you read your scriptures. I replied that I did not even know the last time I had opened them. She calmly and sweetly told me to read them, then call her back afterwards. I was not happy with that answer, I wanted immediate comfort. I wanted everything to just go away. I didn't want to read a book! I did it anyways. I sat for a few more minutes to wipe the tears away, then I went to my room, grabbed my scriptures and went back outside to sit against the wall. I opened randomly and began to read. As I read, line after line, page after page. My tears vanished and I began to smile. I felt the pressing, weight that had been so forceful upon my shoulders, lift and vanish. I felt happy, I felt assurance. I felt peace. I now know that I felt the spirit. Somehow that ol'book did it, and it keeps doing it.  Not just for me but for all who sincerely seek council comfort and love from God.  (Note from mom, it is here I could insert a picture I snapped of him sleeping during family scripture study, but I won't because of love this story and I do believe we really listen when we are ready)

I was talking to Emilee Skolmoski, and shared this story with her and thought it would be nice to share with all of you :)

I gave a talk in church this week about sharing the gospel. For me there are many reason why I share the gospel. No not just because I am a missionary.  Seriously why did I give up the past 20 months of my life to share the teachings and love of Jesus. 

Well really it's simple. Love. That's it, that's all there is and all there ever was to it. We all need love, we all need validation. For me it comes from the gospel, the knowledge that I have self worth because of a divine birth right. I am a son of God. You are also a son or daughter of the most high God! He will validate you, He will love you. 

We turn every which way in this life looking for comfort and guidance. We search high and low, far and wide and seem to come up with all sorts of directions. They take us many diverse ways and sadly we never end up making it very far. Our directions always seem to end right when we meet another fork in the road of this path we call life. We have though, in our hands directions that will lead us safely to warmth, love, joy, and peace. Directions that will keep you on the path of comfort, and hope. It's called the scriptures, the love of God, or the gospel. 

I am a people person, I just like being around lots of people. I tend to try to make them smile and laugh, at times to my own embarrassment and humiliation. I have been known at times as the stupid, crazy and silly one. I do this on purpose though. I want to see people laugh and smile. Sometime the only way I know how to do that is by making a fool out of myself. At the end of the day it is still worth it for me because someone smiled. It is for this same reason that I share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is what makes me smile, it is what makes me happy and it is my only source of hope in this ever darkening world. I love the people around me I am compelled to share this with them. 

I have the antidote to cure hatred, sadness, racism, envy, anger, and guilt! its Jesus! So simple, it's beautiful! What kind of person would I be to just keep that to myself! Anyways I feel like I am beginning to ramble so I'll just stop with this, I know that God love you. At the end of the day, with all the people I come in contact with I just hope that they can feel that I love them. That I genuinely care about their feelings and hopes. I think I care because I know we are all Gods children, brothers and sisters, all of us! I want my big heavenly family to reunite on the other side I hope that people can catch a glimpse of Gods love and light through me. I pray to the kind of person capable of such.

I am so thankful for the examples in my life of pure love and Christ-like desire such as my mom who would be there for me at the end of a long day of school with a smoothie in hand, just wanting to hear how my day was. Or Hailey with her never ending patience and encouragement, her incredible example of faith, dedication, devotion and love. Tina Skolmoski for her time in the living room, talking for at times hours, about the extraordinary events to the mundane. My Father with his work ethic and wisdom of seemingly everything. My big sis Amber with her constant invitation to be better and love the life we have, and so many more wonderful people that God has place in my life.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!!!!

Here is a poem that I heard a long time ago and was shared with me recently

HOLES

I had been in that hole for a very long time
In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.
The shaft was above me; I could see it quite clear
But there's no way I ever could reach it from here.
Nor could I remember the world way up there
So I lost all my hope and gave in to despair.
I knew nothing but darkness, the floor, and the walls
Then off in the distance I heard someone call:
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.
Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

This had never occurred to me-- had not crossed my mind.
But I started to stack all the stones I could find.
When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal,
For one way or another I'd get out of that hole.
So I soon had a ladder that was sturdy and tall
And I thought, "I'll soon leave this place once and for all."
I climbed up my ladder. It was no easy chore,
For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore.
I climbed on up the ladder, but soon had to stop
For my ladder stopped short-- some ten feet from the top.

I climbed back down my ladder and started to cry
I'd done all I could do. I gave my best try.
And in spite of my work, in this hole I must die.
And all I could do was to sit and think, "Why?"
Was my ladder too short? Or my hole much too deep
Then from way upon high came a voice, "Do not weep."
And then faith, hope, and love entered into my chest
As the voice said to me that I'd done my best.

He said, "You've worked very hard, and your labor's been rough,
But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough.
Do not despair. You have reason to hope.
Just climb up your ladder; I'll throw down my rope."
I climbed up the ladder, then climbed up the cord.
When I got to the top, there stood the Lord.
I couldn't be happier; my struggle was done.
I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son.

I fell to the ground, His feet did I kiss
I cried, "What can I do to repay thee for this?"
Then He looked all about Him. There were holes in the ground
They had people inside, and were seen all around
There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark, and deep
The the Lord turned to me and He said, "Feed my sheep."

Then He went on His way to help other lost souls,
And I got right to work, calling down to the holes:
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.
Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

It now was my turn to spread the good word.
The most glorious message that man ever heard.
That there's one who is willing to save one and all
And we've got to be ready when He gives the call.
He'll pull us all out of the hole that we're in
And save all our souls from death and from sin.
So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope
Just build up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope.

Love Elder North

(He said sorry no pictures this week because the internet is really slow)

Great Week

Date:  March 13, 2017

Area:  Bloemfontein, South Africa

Companion:  Elder Mbangi

So we taught a new Investigator named Auspicious this week. It was such a cool lesson. So we were busy talking about prophets and how God had called prophets through out time such as Noah and Moses. How God used these prophet to tell the people what God wanted. I made the example by having her reach out her hand in a fist. I told her that her fist is us, people on the world. Then I held out a pen. I said that it was the prophet. Then I put my other hand in a fist saying it would represent God. God speaks to the the prophet, so I grab the pen, and the prophet speaks to us. So she grabs the other end. I then asked her if she had ever seen God. She said no, so I told her to close her eyes. I then said that we could follow God if we hold on to the prophet. As I moved my hand (resembling God) hers followed because we were connected by the pen (prophet) then I took away the pen (prophet) and asked her to close her eyes and follow God (my Hand) obviously she could not do so. She then started clapping! Exclaiming that it just makes so much sense. She became so excited as she learned about the importance and calling of prophets. it was cool! It doesn't all end there though. As we ended the lessons we opened the Book of Mormon to its introduction page and started talking about the book. She then asked where she could get one. Our response was that the one in her hand was hers to keep. She didn't believe us at first but after a short confirmation that it indeed is hers she then asked how much it coast. We let her know it was free and she just couldn't believe it! She told us that Christmas had come early! We then talked about how important the Book of Mormon is and that if the book is true then God does have prophets today, even a church! That the message that we share is indeed true!

We also met with Rethabile this week who was at church last week. We had some great lessons with her. I have never met someone with such a clear understanding of the restoration from reading the pamphlet we give. She knew everything! There literally was nothing more we could teach her on the subject, It was so cool! she is awesome. Both Auspicious and Rethabile are scheduled for baptism next month. We will see how things go.

It was a great week over all. Finding new people who are prepared makes staying motivated a lot easier. Mission is a blast and there is so much to do and experience. I really do get to meet some of the best people in the entire world!!! South Africa is too cool!!!!

Love 

Elder North

What a great week!

Date:  March 6, 2017

Area:  Bloemfontein, South Africa

Companion:  Elder Mbangi

We had several great lessons this week but the one that still really stands out to me was an experience that we had with a young women named Mulondo. She is Vender and from Limpopo. (Limpopo (UK: /lɪmˈpəʊpəʊ/) is the northernmost province of South Africa.) We have been meeting with her for awhile but it's been a process to really teach, there have  been questions, or she has been sick or just rescheduling so we finally were able to string together a few good visits and we invited her to be baptized. We were not sure how she was going to take the invitation because she attends church with her friend who constantly invites her and we know she dosn't want to leave her friend but she accepted! She replied with "That is why I was asking about baptism". We then invited her to come to church and she actually came! Wow it was grand. (Hey he sounds like Amber saying Grand!) We still have a lot of ground to cover but she has the desire and that is what makes all the difference. We are going to swing by her place today to wish a happy birthday to her and her friend we also teach. She turned 21 last week and her friend Thsaman turns 20 today. They are super cool girls though and we enjoy teaching them

GREAT message!

Another great event of the week happened while we were street contacting near the university. We met a lady named Rethabile, when we stopped her she told us she was from Kimberley. (I started my mission there) So off the bat we began talking about Kimberley and then she asked if I knew this guy. I said yes I do! How do you know him? She told us that she has visited church in Kimberley before and is good friends with this guy. She also knew a few other people that I knew there so that was cool. She even used to visit with the missionaries, but this was two years ago. She told us that she started a church search way back then but got side tracked with school and life, but that she is still looking for a church to call hers. We saw her this week and taught about prayer and then invited her to church the following day. She came as well!!!! That never happens, two new investigators coming to church in the same week! So needless to say it was a great week. It was actually really funny how we met with her this week. We had written down on Saturday that we were seeing Rethabile. We met another Rethabile this week and we were supposed to see the other one. We didn't realize it because we called the first one on our list and asked if she was home. She said sure come over and everything just worked out perfect. The Lord is in control haha I think it was just right for us to come on that day to help answer her questions.

We have made some plans to get referrals and we are going to start giving Book of Mormon's to people at church asking them to hand them out to friends or family. We are hoping this way we will get to start teaching part member families as well. Unfortunately, we were unable to get three member referrals this week but we did get half of one. A members cousin who came to church said that she would not mind meeting with us, but they say that this girl is a bit unpredictable so we are still trying to set up a time to visit at the members home if possible.

Lets see what else........ Well Elder Mbangi is great, its like he has been on mission for a long time. I really don't have to train him, He knows his stuff so that makes it a lot less stressful on my side. He loves laughing as well. 

One of the most important things I think in missionary work is love. Of course you need to have a love for the savior and want to serve Him but also you need a love for the people you are teaching. I really love the people we sit with. I love South Africa. The cultures and the diversity are just amazing. In this area I meet, Sothos, seTswannas, Afrikans, Zulus, Xhosa, Shonas, Indabeles, Vender, Tsongan, Swati's, Spede's and its awesome even if I don't understand any of the languages they speak haha.

If the people I meet with gain all but one thing I hope its that they feel the love I have for them. I hope they feel it and that sparks something. I want them to know that I am not here for myself or for my Church but for my Savior and for them. I wake up every day and talk to people all day because I love them, because I love them I have to share what makes me happy. And because I love them I pray for them, because I love them I stress way too much haha but really its just because of love. They call a mission the labor of Love and its so true, its hard but you are always willing to sacrifice for those you love. It is out of love that I leave the ones I love at home spend all my time with people in a foreign land over 16 thousand kilometers (Ahh he doesn't use miles anymore, he has made it his home there) away from home.

Its really hitting me now that I have less then 100 days out here. Less then 100 days to give everything I got. To serve, To love.  These 100 days are going to be the best 100 days of my life!!!!

Love you all so bad!!! 

Elder North

The Book of Mormon is True

My son Elder Mbangi and I

Date:  February 27, 2017
Area:  Bloemfontein, South Africa
Companion:  Elder Mbangi

We had zone conference and interviews this week which is always fantastic. Any time that we get to spend with the mission president always leaves me motivated and encouraged. He is such an inspired dude! Our zone conference was centered on teaching the Saviors way and we learned a lot. I really learned about active listening and how to better understand the questions people are asking by putting it their emotions. I keep thinking though of something president once said in MLC "You have 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason" haha so true, a lot of us could be better off if we did twice as much listening and understanding as we did talking. 

We finally got our new schedule change that every missionary has been talking about. Really nothing has changed though except we do some planing in the morning instead of night but we still go to bed at the same time, wake up same time and all of that. so not much really changed. but its good.

This is my group!  20 months out and 2 more transfers

We had an awesome lesson this week with three wonderful sisters we have been teaching for the past couple weeks. They haven't really started progressing a ton but they do keep their commitments and read what we leave them with. They have just been struggling accepting the book of Mormon and gaining a testimony. We spent a good hour testifying of the love the Jesus has for us and His sacrifice that He made for us. We testified of the Love of God and His plan. Eventually as we stumbled through the lesson we invited one sister to close with a prayer and ask God here and now if the Book of Mormon is true. She prayed and pleaded that we would feel of the spirit to know if it is true. By the end of the prayer we all said amen and sat in silence. time went buy as we all just listened. I turned to the one next to me and said how do you feel. "happy, and I don't know why" she said, I looked across to the other and asked the same question "I just cant stop smiling" she explained and then to the last she simply said "the spirit is here" We all could feel that peace and joy that comes from God. We could feel it and it was strong!!! 

Elder Adlard's birthday

That was the highlight of the week! ah mission is good

I love you all! thank you for your support,

Elder North

Selfie with my mission mom