Many Miracles...

This week has had its rewards. This Sunday me and my companion had the treat of seeing an inactive of 16 years come to church after being invited. She even enjoyed it and said she'd come next week! Prayer does work my peeps. Also I had the experience where my companion and I had two places to stop by. We felt prompted to visit one of them first, with no one answering the door. But as I went up to the door, knocked, waited, left back to the car, I felt the Spirit testifying that this was the right thing to do. So we headed back to the car and drove to our next person, a young 13 year old named Charlie. Just as we arrived, guests and family were heading out. We were able to visit with Charlie. If we had come to Charlie's first, we wouldn't have been able to see him since family and friends were over. That was a miracle right there. There are many miracles here. The spirit testifies.

My first baptismal commitment was a success as the young boy named Ricky said yes. The spirit was very strong, and I am sure all in the room felt it. Miracles happen when we pray for love. Love should abide forever within us. I also saw the first spider in our flat. It was huge--a recluse on steroids it looked like. I am a survivor though.

The church is true, and we can be vessels of truth if we strive for it. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,

Elder Cederlof, Firstborn

 

Australia is Wonderful!

Dear Everyone,

        Australia is wonderful. Everything is different here: the vegetation is immensive, the cities are chopped up into villages separated by trees and trees and trees. The clouds are different, the humidity is different, and the mountains are different. The birds are pretty here, but sound awful. There is a black bird resembling a large raven and it sounds like a messed up goat.

       I have seen many kangaroo, though there aren't as many as I thought there'd be. The accents are also not as crazy as I thought they'd be, though the accents are thicker in the north.

     I am adjusted to the sleeping hours now, though there are times in the day where I feel like crashing, and nine-thirty at night is killer.

     The main work to be done here is to help the inactive members. At least 40% are not active--crazy. My companion and I, his name is Elder Howse, are doing great and we enjoy each other's company--I hope. He is from Michigan and is from a family that makes candy, chocolate, and fudge. He's excellent at knowing and talking to the people. I do hope I can get to know the people, for that's not one of my best skills.

       The Lord's hand is evident here, and I have been praying and praying to love the people. And now I do. That can make all the difference in the work, whether or not you love the people, and because you love them, you want to serve them, and to bring them closer to God through the missionary purpose: to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

      I hope I will learn how to serve these people and to be the best tool in the hands of God that I can be. I think of all of you and can't wait to see you once again, for that day shall come.

Love,

Elder Cederlof, Firstborn

 

He made it!

                                                                                                                      

Hey mom, I am in Australia right now.  The fifteen hour flight wasn’t so bad and dinner and breakfast were actually pretty good on it.  I have met my mission president and he is wonderful.  So is his wife.  Australia is like the brother of California separated at birth.  I am excited to be here and will enjoy the time serving the Lord.

Love you,

Elder Cederlof

Still here....

Dear All, 

      If you have not received the news yet, here it is: I am still in the MTC because my visa has not yet arrived. In fact, I have a re-assignment until it does. I will know that re-assignment by the end of this day, Thursday.  How much longer I will be in the MTC, I know not. This week was actually an extra week--It was planned that I'd be leaving last Sunday. It is all right however. 

      I think the MTC is an experience that cannot be simulated. I have learned such mighty things, have felt the might of the spirit, and now can declare the word far better than if I hadn't come. 

     We have had some unexpected things happen. In our residence hall on our floor, which is our "zone" or group that we associate with, there is an Elder with autism. He is very awkward and has some emotional issues. His companion struggles with patience with him--man what patience is needed. He has had fits and such but since my district, or the elders in my dorm, were delayed another week, we were able to help the other district with the problem. We all felt like this was a reason we did not leave last Sunday.

   I love you all and can't wait to tell you my re-assignment. Until then, Fairfarren!

 Love, 

 Elder Cederlof

1st Letter!

Hello Everybody,

    The MTC has been a wonderful experience. The spirit is so strong here. I may have been taking mission preparation class virtually every Sunday, but there is so much more to learn. Our focus is our purpose: To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Yes, oh yes, Melissa may sleep in my bed as she requested. The food is good, it's not "saucy"ish like rumor says. You just need to eat sides of fruits and vegetables. 

     I think the MTC will be like Zion, where the work goes forth as top priority. There is a lovely feel of the spirit, and the scenery is fantastic. I've been practicing with mock investigators and it can be pretty hard to teach. I was completely wrong about how to teach. I had this idea in my head before I came to the MTC about how it would work, but at day one, I found out how wrong I was and how needed it was to have the spirit. Before the MTC, we learn the doctrine; in the MTC, we learn how to preach it. Our focus is to invite others to come unto Christ by first finding their spiritual needs. Teaching doctrine-easy. Teaching doctrine in a personal and receptive way-only by the spirit. 

   The spirit is wonderful here. I've felt it as I testify unto mock investigators and as I've been learning things in my classes. I've given a blessing to one of the sisters in my district, and that was terrific. Scary, but great. 

   If you wish to grow in the gospel, than you must read Preach My Gospel on page 1 and read your purpose. That purpose and executing of that purpose is where we learn as we find out how to teach the gospel that we may fill the spiritual needs of our investigators. By preaching, we grow. It is a doctrine and gospel of sharing. 

     I do see the other Elder Cederlof quite a bit, everyday in fact. I am still looking for Elder Drishinski since he arrived Wednesday. It will be great to see him here since seldom do I see him at all. 

      It's great to know that you all are praying for me and I am praying for you. 

      Melissa, I love you and am so happy to have seen you grow up to how smart and loving and cute you are. I love the cards you've been sending me. And I will never forget you. 

      Landon, take care of your sister. I love you too and think about you every day. I do miss you. 

      Mom, I think of you always in my heart. I am praying everyday for you. You've made me into who I am. Thank you. 

      Dadeo, you have been a great inspiration to me and it will be great to see how a mission can change me just like yours must have changed you.

    Well, I cannot think of much else to say so I'll say this. I testify of the truthfulness of the gospel and how it can change our lives for the better. What better way to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ then by sharing what you do know. 

     The MTC is very humbling. When all is said and done, by the Spirit are people converted. I am an instrument in the mighty hands of God. Humility, humility, humility--for how blessed we are and will be.

Love you all!

 Elder Cederlof, Firstborn.