10/15/12

Well, this week was a really good one.

 

We were able to teach a lot of lessons. We saw a lot of different people and it was great to be teaching so much. It has been quite a while since I have been able to do that. We were able to visit a lot of members, both active and less-active, from the branch and found a new investigator in the english ward. He is a really cool guy named Maurice. He is from Camaroon and is studying law. We had an awesome lesson with him and are excited for him to be reading the Book of Mormon. English is his second language, we gave him a book in english and french.

 

In addition to teaching a lot more lessons this week, we also had a special 3-mission conference with the Houston and East missions. Elders Callister Ellis and Echo Hawk were all present. Needless to say, it was a great meeting. Elder Echo Hawk taught us about his conversion which has even more meaning as were heard of some of the results of it in General Conference last week. Elder Ellis taught about obedience, and Elder Callister taught us the Plan of Salvation and all of its parts, but used only Bible scriptures to back it up. It was pretty cool.

 

Well, that was our week. I hope all of yours was as good!

 

Love

Elder Phong Manhardt

10/8/12

This was a crazy week. I dont even remember entirely why it was so crazy, but it was. I guess first of all, we had an emergency transfer. It was a 3-way move but in the end it comes to Elder Campbell went to an area in Sugar Land and Elder Hoopes has come back to the branch. It is pretty exciting. I am glad to be able to serve with Elder Hoopes again. We have plenty of work to do. I am sure he is ecstatic to be able to come back to the branch, though he only has a few weeks left of his mission. The branch members are excited to have him back, he's excited to be here... its all just exciting. 

Of course this weekend was General Conference. Conference was awesome! There were some really spectacular talks. I particularly liked Elder Gay and Elder Hollands talks. Elder Hollands description of the Apostles and their attempt at fishing after Christ was crucified really shows us the need for faith and work ethic. It was a great motivator talk. Well, once again I am running a little short on time. 

Make it a spectacular week!
Love
Elder Phong Manhardt

10/1/12

September went by so incredibly fast. Honestly I dont even remember much of what happened. I guess it flew by so fast that I almost missed it.

 

This last week held some special opportunities. On Thursday, we had a special zone conference with Elder Ellis of the Quorum of the Seventy. It was a very good meeting. I was able to feel and learn a lot throughout the whole thing. Elder Ellis taught about faith. He taught a lot about faith. He talked about why we have it, the different levels of it, how it is used and how it is developed. It was very good and of course essential for us as missionaries and for those that we teach.

 

On Friday, we also had the opportunity to go to the temple with some of the members of the branch. It was an awesome experience as going to the temple always is. If you want to feel close to the Lord and our Heavenly Father, there is no better place to go. Something that I have learned since coming on my mission is the power that going to the temple with questions in mind has. Taking the time a couple of days before to really ponder about what direction you need from the Lord is well worth it. I have learned that there is no better place to find answers than by going to the temple.

 

Other that that I dont really have to much to report on for the week. I'm glad to hear that everyone seems to be doing so well. The blessings of the Lord are great to those who follow Him and listen to Him. This weekend is General Conference which is special for us to be able to listen to living prophets who really know Christ.

 

Make it a great week and enjoy conference!

 

Love

Elder Phong Manhardt

9/24/12

Well, time keeps flying by. I cant believe that it is already the end of
September. It is going by way too fast.

Since I havent had to time to really write to you all the last few weeks,
you would think I have a lot to say. Unfortunately thats not true. Ha.
Nothing is sticking out in my mind as something that I need to write about.
I guess nothing really that exciting happened.

Several weeks ago, we had a baptism for Nguyen. She has been around the
Church for a really long time. Her mother and brother are both members,
actually her mom is the Relief Sociecty president. It has been about 8
years since the family was introduced to the gospel. Due to many factors,
she never decided to be baptized til now. It was certainly exciting for the
branch to see her be baptized.

The same weekend, was the farewell for Ninh, who is now in the MTC in
preparation to serve in Anaheim, CA. It all added up to an exciting weekend
for the branch.

Other than all that, things are going pretty normal. This week, there is a
member of the Seventy coming to the area and will join us for some zone
conferences.

Thats about it.
Have a great week!

Love
Elder Phong Manhardt

PS, Sorry the picture didnt come out too clear. Oh well.