Hallo!

Well, I have a lot of questions to answer haha, and I will do that now before I forget them all.

 

So first, no, we did not get to see Elder Nelson when he came. They have a 3-hour rule, where if you have to travel more than 3 hours to get to München, then you don't go. So yes, we were sad to miss that. NO one in our district got to go, actually. We are basically as far away from the mission home as possible here in Klagenfurt. But I don't really mind, because I love our ward, we have the COOLEST ward mission leader EVER (Br. Heinz Mauch), and I just love the people in the ward, and all the people we see often. So we didn't get to see Elder Nelson. Probably why I never mentioned anything about it haha. I may have mentioned him coming, but we couldn't go, so I stuck with the more relevant Klagenfurt news haha.

 

Meine Gute, Brian Buckner is getting married?!! That is so awesome! Tell him congratulations for me. And it was also funny to hear that apparently Malcolm and Ashley are now going out (if it be true...)  Haha. I am glad that she won Homecoming Queen. So yeah, that is Allie and then Ashley the last two years-- two 2nd Ward LDS girls. Cool haha.

 

Um... oh, okay, I know what the next one is... Klagenfurt is part of Kärnten, which is the big southern "state" of Austria. Look up "Kaernten" online (the ae is a substitute for the umlaut ü) and that WHOLE area is our area. The weird thing is that we are the only two elders in the whole area (Villach is just a 30 minutes' train ride away, so we go there often, and it is therefore in our area). We are in the Salzburg zone, however. But, the rest of our district is in a Vienna zone. Our district is really weird. So we have our Salzburg zoneleaders, and they have their own in Wien. It's crazy trying to report numbers, because Elder Eaker is the District leader.

 

SO, is that all? I can't rememember.... So, on to my stuff, oder?

 

Nathan and Kate, congratulations on your recent wins!!!! Kate I bet you rocked it up when you got to play! Keep showing everyone how it is done and work harder than everyone else! :) Sorry that your coach is being weird... But, have the most heart out of anyone on your team, and then playing time doesn't matter. Everyone will remember you regardless. Nathan, nice job beating BK! BK and Middelton make for a good win record :) Keep up the good work! I hope Sydney and Cara are having fun coaching soccer! Best of luck to them with work, coaching, school, etc. Say hi for me haha.

 

Also, before I forget, transfer calls aren't until the last Friday of the transfer, so not this Friday coming, but the next ( I believe it's the 5th?), so yeah, don't worry. I will let you know wenn möglich. (when possible, sorry)

 

Well, I had some Land o Lakes hot chocolate from a package this week, and it was freaking delicious! Perhaps in a care package you could send me some of their hot chocolate mixes.... I enjoyed it tremendously whilst singing Christmas songs in my head. haha :)

 

Haha, so a funny story from yesterday in church. Well first, I had a great time in church gestern! I really felt loved and like I belonged. I mean I have felt it already, but I kinda felt like I was still just a guy with a nametag, and they have been through a lot of people like me haha. But that is not true! We got a bag of Reeses PB cups from the bishop's family, with a note that said "Für unsere Elders, von Familie Kaiser" with a big heart :) Then I sat in the back during Sacrament meeting and made faces with Konstantin Pfabigan, who is less than a year old, or maybe almost two, and he is so cute! I would roll my eyebrows and he would just blink and then giggle. Anyway, the meetings and classes were still great too, but these people are my friends now! Our Armenian sister came again to church! That was awesome. Also, we had a great time in sonntagschule with our new converts and Br. Mauch (who teaches it). We were laughing and making jokes, but we talked about faith. Bruder Mauch shared a rather personal story with us, and then he told us about how he was comforted. But I loved what he said about it: "Ich habe die Stimme Gottes gehört. Ich darf das nicht leugnen!" (I have heard the voice of God, and I am not allowed (literally translated) to deny that.) Mensch, that made me think about my own such experiences, of course just talking about revelation throught the Holy Ghost. He only speaks the truth, and He speaks for God, so it is the same. But it was the same thing Joseph Smith said, and I can say it too! So can Br. Mauch, and how many other people? My worry was, though, if how I lived and what I did everyday showed that I held that as sacred for me. That made me think. Think about it yourselves. You cannot deny it. You are not allowed to deny it.

 

We played Fußball for like 4 hours last Monday! That was fantastic for me haha. I think everyone else enjoyed it too, especially Sister Homestead, who played for Dixie State. My highlight was rainbowing it over her and then running around and putting it in the goal. I can still do some stuff!!! Yeah, it was great.

 

Oh, I forgot my funny story from earlier haha. Anyway, we were invited to the Suppersbergers' to eat after church (another reason I felt really loved :)), and we were supposed to ride with Bishop, who left when we weren't watching. We called him and Elder Eaker said "I thought we were supposed to ride with you..." and the first thing Bishop said was "Falsh gedacht, Würstchen!" which is a quote from Back to the Future (auf Deustch, obviously). He loves saying that, because he asked us what it said in English. Something like "Thought wrong, wiener!" We don't know for sure. Bishop is hilarious haha. I love our Ward!!!!! Oh, we also ate Quark for dessert over there, which is made with the bacteria that is in yogurt, except it is still alive in the quark. But it was so good! It has an indescribable texture and taste, from the bacteria. Yum :)

 

Well, to end, I wanted to share something that Elder Eaker brought up in study this week. Alma 48:17 is the classic "Capt. Moroni is the coolest guy ever scripture," which is true. But I never really noticed 18 and 19, where it talks about Ammon, his brothers, and Alma and his sons. So wait, remember Alma 39, the whole talk with Corianton? He seemed like he really had some repenting to do, no? Well, now look at Mormon saying this in verse 18 of Alma 48. They were all men of God, and were being compared with Capt. Moroni, who shakes the powers of Hell. What a great example Corianton is of turning around. He had to repent, as do we all, for whatever things, but repenting didn't subtract from what he was capable of doing! Repentance does not mean that our potential lowers. It is not too late to change, and Heavenly Father won´t hold back greater blessings because you had to (well, there might be some crazy circumstances, but hopefully none of you are there). We learn and grow and in doing so we get even closer to our eternal potential. A potential which we always need to have in our sights. The things on the side, in the peripheral vision, will take care of themselves. Know who you are, what you are capable of, and don't let anything tell you that you cannot! If you don't know exactly what you can do, or who you are, I can testify that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father, and He wants you to live with Him again in happiness, for all of eternity, after this life. He has given us ways to be happy in this life, family, friends, the gospel, and we cannot take that for granted!!! Remember who you are, and where you are going, and find out if you don't know. Our Savior Jesus Christ is there to help you through anything, and the gospel will truly have answers to anything that troubles you.

 

Go forward with faith, in every aspect of your life. Ask yourself, where do you need faith right now? Then do it. Never stop helping others, serving your fellowmen, and do it with a smile :)

 

I love you all and hope everyone has a good week!!

 

Elder Jalen L Gibbons

 

PS. we have at least one appointment this week with Alex, who we found in Villach! We are excited. The work goes on.

Grüß euch :)

Hallo liebe Geschwister! Es get mir immernoch gut bei Arbeit und Deustch Sprechen. Aber, jetzt ist die Zeit, Englisch zu sprechen. Ich denke das ist besser für euch, oder? (Dear brothers and sisters! I am still improving at work and Deustch speaking. But, now is the time to speak English. I think it is better for you, right?) So, how is it going??!! What did you guys do to make your week ridiculously awesome?! Time is one of the greatest gifts we have, and we should use it like we appreciate it! I have noticed that more and more the last few days, because I am already halfway through my second transfer! Where has it gone?!

Well, I got an email from Elder Jacob Taylor (from my MTC district, also from Meridian, ID!) last week, with a picture of some graffiti that said "BSU" haha. So, BSU is apparently well represented in Göttingen, Deutschland ;) It was cool hearing from him.

Oh, thanks so much for the packet!! I wore my new tie to the baptism yesterday, and I have probably eaten half of the fruit snacks. I also got a letter from Sis. Eagley, signed by Nathan and Kate and some of their friends (by the way, someone want to trip Hannah Guyer for me? :)  Not for real, but she will understand haha). Then I got another card from Sis. Eagley, with a picture of her CTR 7 class. That was nice :)

Mensch, I also got a letter from Rachel Hamilton, a friend from my Writing 150 class at BYU! She found my address on Mom´s blog and wrote me haha. She also was very confused by the address, but I am just letting her know (if she reads this) that I got it! So, that was a pleasant surprise. I also got another letter from Kacy, which was great! It was a good mail week. By the way, since transfers are in 3 weeks, and I don't know where I am going, or if I am staying, I would suggest anyone trying to send letters that they go to the Mission Home address bitte! So Lommelstraße 7, 81479 (I think; Mom, you should check the code, danke) Munich, Germany. So yeah, before I forget.

So this week we went a little for adventurous with our food! Well, I did. I bought mushrooms and put them on our pizzas, but I also put them on schnitzel! I sauteed them, and also decided to throw some honey in the pan. So, honey-sauteed mushrooms= Awesome and delicious! I was pretty happy. So yeah, we always have a couple really good frozen pizzas, with potato wedges or fries, or we make Chinese. Or just grilled cheese with eggs or something. But the members feed us about once a week or so, which is always great!

So 9/11 in Austria, I almost forgot about it. But I remembered it! So, happy birthday Shannon Reed! But yeah, I hope everyone had a good remembrance day.

The weather is so nice now! Except when it rains haha. It's still nice then, but not on bikes... But it feels like Christmas is coming. I love this time of year!!! So that is exciting for me at least.

Well, this week we decided to teach the law of chastity to a picture of Joseph and Potiphar´s wife, just to practice, and that was really fun :) haha. We do our best to make our study times exciting, since we are still sitting inside for like an extra hour with my 12 week program. Almost done with it! (The 12-week program is for training new missionaries once they arrive at their assigned place--he's almost not a new missionary anymore!)

Well, I saw a couple miracles this week. First of all, we taught Marco EVERYTHING in 3 days! That was pretty intense, but the miracle came after his interview with the Zone Leaders. Elder McClellan came out and asked if he could sign the certificate thing...which we had left at home on accident.... So, the ZLs had to go back to Salzburg soon, and we had no Taufschein (certificate). But, we looked around and there was just ONE sitting in the closet in the library. Didn't belong there, but it was there for us! Then, we had an awesome day in Villach on Saturday! We found three awesome potentials who we gave Books of Mormon to. One of them said he was having some tough times, and that he hoped the Book of Mormon would help him. So we said "Yeah, IT WILL!!!! We promise!" So that was awesome. We found these people in just two buildings, when we couldn't get ahold of another person we were trying to reach. And yeah, the fear of not understanding very well has kinda just disappeared! I was actually just super excited to talk to the people behind these doors, and I just said what came to my head. So that has finally come!!! And I love it! I have been speaking German much more, which makes it come more naturally, and I am so excited! So, Heavenly Father has really been helping me, and I can only do His work and show Him my thanks.

Well, miracles happen, and you can see them everyday, I promise! I also am thinking about Ether 12:27 right now, about weaknesses. If you choose a weakness you want to work on, then Heavenly Father will help you! It will become stronger, and you will be amazed at how you have changed. And it will work for anyone and for anything. I can promise that.

Well, I love you all, and I am so glad everything is going well! Good luck with sports and school, Nathan and Kate, and work for Dad, and piano lessons and such, Mom. Hello to all of my friends!

Never stop smiling!  :)

Elder Jalen Gibbons

Photos in the Alps!

We received these photos from Jalen in the mail today!

 

 

 The top of Dobratsch, near the city of Villach, Austria, August 2012

 You can't beat hiking in the Austrian Alps!

 Jalen is very proud of his flower photos! :)

Hallo wieder!

So, first news: WE HAVE ANOTHER BAPTISM THIS WEEK! It is Marco Cesella, Daniele and Federica´s son. He is turning 9 on Sunday. It surprised us when Daniele called last week and said he wanted to be baptized on his birthday, because Daniele and Federica really take the baptism seriously (which is way cool) and they want him to be ready. But, that also means that this week is going to be INSANE!! We have to teach Marco EVERYTHING by Thursday. Thank goodness he is only 8 haha. So we are so excited for that. Their whole family will now be members. The funny thing is, it is probably mostly the influence of his father and his mother, very recent converts, that really got him excited about it. Nevertheless, they are doing their own missionary work, and I am just glad that we get to be a part of it.

 

 Next up, that is SO AWESOME for Logan and Levan! What is up with the Smith boys going to Asian countries? That is pretty cool haha. So far there is no pattern in our family, but no complaints. I am still the only one from our group over here across the big pond :/ I am waiting for someone else to come join me! Even come to my mission so I can train them ;) But nonetheless, the work goes forward, and it cannot be hindered. What a marvelous thought, to think of all of my friends who are joining me out in the field, and all over the world.

 

Okay, I hope Allie had a good birthday! And also, I was looking back at old letters I have, and I have no idea if Becky ever got the one I sent in reply to hers. So, I don't know where she is at the moment, but could you send me her home address? And also the address for her aunt, Sis. Allen? That would be fantastic!

 

Okay, so we met the new district this last week! And I also had the chance later to do an exchange with Elder Riser, who I knew from the MTC!! He has been out for about a week now haha. But man am I jealous of his accent! He lived in Düsseldorf for a few years as a kid, so he really has the accent down. It was so fun to walk and talk and contact with him. We actually talked almost all in German, which is better than I do with my companion a lot of the time. But hey, I am understanding more and more, and working on sounding like a native speaker (that part is still pretty far off tho haha). But I remember how much Bruder Ehlen sounded like a native speaker when we first taught Lukas, and we were so confused as to whether he was from Germany or not haha. Mensch, good times.

 

Oh, Familie, I sent you a letter with about 4 pictures from my hike. I think it was last Tuesday. I printed off a few pictures, but the envelope seemed too heavy with all of them. So you should get that soon!

 

So last Pday we didn't end up going to Leoben, and we had the whole day here in Klagenfurt. So we played Fußball for 2 and a half hours behind the church! I love Fußball! It is much like life (just hang with me, this is coming to me just now, so I am making up an analogy) in that you can always learn new things! Or find other, better ways to do things, or just relax and try to beat a juggling record of only 371 (I always get screwed up by someone else eventually, this time was 263 or something). But anyway, back to that. It also is good practice just using your imagination, trying to see how things work, pushing your limits. Just like life, oder? And everyone has their own "fußball", real Fußball is just my favorite. Haha, did that make sense? Just having fun ;)

 

I was blessed with taco salad and real Ranch at district meeting!!! That was so good! But I love the food here regardless, so no complaints to anything else. I also had a real PibbXtra, which I bought from a game store. They sell American sodas at most such stores. And I figured out that Pibb is a "spicy cherry soda." You learn new things daily, eh? I also ate my last Pomegranate tootsie pop from the candy store the other day. I miss Toosie pops and tootsie rolls... but chocolate works.

 

Also, we went to our first American Football game in Austria on Saturday!! A less active is on the team so we went to support him. Well, Klagenfurt destroyed Graz, so they didnt need much support. It was fun and interesting. Although it's been a long time since I've heard english swearing.... I prefer the German words, because I don't know what the German words are!!

 

Okay, a fun thing that Elder Eaker read to me. Read Alma 26:23-29, and replace the words that have anything to do with Nephites or Lamanites or cities with the appropriate "European" terms. It's what I heard all too often from many people, basically telling me that I would have a hard time as a missionary in Europe. Well, too bad for that!! I still remember Bruder Ehlen and Bruder Evans always talking about how there is no lid on the people anymore. It is not the past still. Something is starting, or already going, I don't know. But don't let anyone tell you otherwise, about anything.

 

Well, the finding and teaching are going great! We organized our Area Book this last week, and I have really gotten down to just planning out exactly who we will visit and where we are going, so it makes me feel like I am better using the time I have. But we have found a few potentials on the way, and we have a new investigator from the list of former investigators. So the Lord has really blessed us, despite difficulties and discouragements in the past. Things are moving forward always, and it is just a matter of waking up everyday and wanting to become a better person, a better missionary. We are certainly busy, and the work goes so fast. It is already week three of my second transfer! I keep learning, and I keep trying to do more and more all the time. Or to give more everyday. It is going great :)

 

So I studied 2 Nephi 9 today. Such a good chapter!! I was impressed with verse 14. Jacob says that everyone, ALL of us, will one day know perfectly our guilt and uncleanliness. It is true, we will feel all of that when we stand before Christ and Heavenly Father. BUT he goes on and says that the righteous will ALSO feel (not that they WOULDNT know their guilt) the perfect happiness and joy from their righteous works. I thought that was so cool! And it reminded me of an article in the Liahona by Tad R. CAllister, which I may have already mentioned: "How do I know when I am forgiven?" He speaks of the feelings, or also knowledge, of guilt that we still have, even when we think we have repented. But he says that they are there to teach us, to motivate us, to help us grow, and remember that we don't want to do those things again. I think the joy that the righteous will feel will be so wonderful that it will overpower the knowledge of guilt we shall have. The guilt will be there, because of the fact that we did it, but ONLY through Jesus Christ can we receive the peace of forgiveness, and a quiet mind. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that He loves each of us so much, and He wants to take away all bad feelings, all pain and sorrow and despair. He is able, but only if you accept Him and let Him in. As written in 2 Nephi 8:7, let Him write His law in your heart, let him calm your fears and grow through tribulations. There is nothing so sweet as knowing that everything will be okay, that feeling from repentance, when you know that He is by your side. And He will always be ready to do so, if we just let Him. Who else do you want by your side? Just like the quote from Sis. Voyles of the District (which maybe I shared last time... I can't remember) "There is a time in everyone's life where they need God. Because they have nothing else." Well, when the time comes, Christ will be there. Just look for Him.

 

I am so grateful to be here, and for the amazing people I get to interact with. I am grateful for all the blessings I have, and I try to thank Heavenly Father for everything. I can do that through my work and the example I set. And so can you!

 

I love you all. Have a great week! Never stop smiling :)

 

Elder Jalen L. Gibbons

Hallo!

Salzburg zone conference, August 2012

 

 

Ach du meine gute, the email today is going to be a little different haha. First, I think it would be cool to see what Elder Janis is up to, so if you want to send his stuff then I am fine with it. Also, I can't wait to hear where Logan is going! I keep hoping it will be in the next email, but next week sounds for sure.

 

Okay, my week was very good, Federica and her family are doing well, and I guess I never explained who the Halls were. They are the missionary couple here in Klagenfurt. The Washington couple is the Bryants (I think that's their name). So the Halls are very helpful and good to have here.

 

Well, last week Dad asked me my thoughts about the parable of the sower. So, this email will probably be composed mostly of my answer. Here we go:

 

So, the parable of the sower. First, we know the 4 situations. A sower goes and sows his seeds, and 1) they fall to the side and don't grow; 2) they fall in stony ground and have no strong roots; 3) they fall among thorns, which choke them; and 4) they find good ground, and grow and bring forth fruit. So, I want to point out the comparison of this parable and 1 Nephi 8 (thanks to Bro Sell and seminary haha). 1 Nephi 8:21-33 or so to Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23. Just compare those two.

 

Now, who is the sower? I decided it is a missionary, a parent, a teacher, a leader, a friend; we are all sowers! What do we sow, hopefully? Seeds: faith, repentance, hope, basically gospel truths.

 

My first question was what makes a good sower? But in looking that up, I found Psalms 126:5-6, which I really liked. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." I really liked that, but that made me ask another question: why do we weep? So I thought of things that make people weep, that overwhelm them. My first thought was SELF-SACRIFICE. First, Mosiah 3:19, about the natural man. It is hard to put off the natural man, and that could be overwhelming. Giving yourself up is hard! It would be frustrating. Now, Matthew 10:39, where we are promised that he who loses his life shall find it. Also Luke 14:33, where it says we cannot be disciples of Christ without forsaking everything! Mensch, is that easy? Not at all! Tears, frustration, those would definitely be caused by that. Omni 1:26, offer our whole soul unto God. Is that even possible??!! Once again, giving up everything we have = tears, frustration, weeping. Thinking more about sacrifice, I thought of selflessness, which is basically impossible for the natural man. It made me think of Elder Bednar´s "Character of Christ" that we saw in the MTC. Christ turned outward when the natural man (us) would turn inward. Christ is the perfect example of selflessness and charity (Moroni 7:45 talks about chraity, and all of those qualitites would also be very hard to develop well). So, loving all people around you, being selfess, for the natural man (us) = impossible!! How frustrating is that??! That is why we weep, no? I also thought on the side that the only perfect example of selflessness and charity was the ATONEMENT. (Elder Holland said that).

 

So in summary of why we weep:

 

1st conclusion: we are so overwhelmed by the immensity of the task of becoming like Christ, overwhelmed by the impossibilty of such a task!! We are just beat, and we weep. We are HUMBLE, but maybe not in the way we should be... Then I thought a little more... i thought of a second option.

 

2nd option: we recognize that we cannot do it, not by ourselves. In so doing, we are HUMBLE, and we turn to the Lord and have HOPE through His Atonement that all will be well. Then, we weep with joy and this hope, that only comes through our Savior. We will always have trials and afflictions, but we will be humble (this way is a better humble I believe; see Alma 32:15-16) and we will learn and grow.

 

So with these two options, it seems to leave one point: we get to choose why we weep. Out of frustration, or for joy? You decide.

 

Next question: what exactly does weeping mean? Look at James 4:9, which is rather depressing haha. But the Greek Translation for the "be afflicted" is Endure hardship and suffer harrassment. We all do that, oder? We know how that goes. Many times, we mourn as well, like it says next. It is a natural reaction to hard times. But there are several wonderful promises that are found in the scriptures. Job 5:11, mourner may be exalted. Jeremiah 31:13, mourning is turned to joy, through the Lord. Nephi 8:11, When Christ comes again, all mourning and sorrow flee away. What promises! We still go though hard things. Some are much too close to "unbearable" for us, but all will be well. Now, to "weep." Look at 2 Corinthians 7:10, weeping is GODLY SORROW. That makes a bit more sense now, oder? We weep with godly sorrow, because we know our imperfections. Now, once again, do we become frustrated or do we choose to learn and grow? Your choice. So, according to James 4:9, our trials and afflictions, our mourning, go hand in hand (hopefully it is so) with godly sorrow, leading to salvation (see 2 Cor. 7:10 again). Also, Mosiah 18:9 talks about mourning, and eventaully having eternal life.

 

Okay, look back on those capitalized words so far. These were words that I thought best described the things and circumstances that make us weep, so I highlighted them in my notes. I looked back and realized something afterwards. SELF SACRIFICE, HUMBLE (HUMILITY), GODLY SORROW, HOPE, and ATONEMENT. What do those make you think of? REPENTANCE is what I thought of. That was pretty cool to look back and see that. You can see how everything in the gospel goes back to the Atonement! Well, repentance, the lifelong process that makes us better and helps us learn. We have all experienced this in some way or another. I would say that it is often a cause of weeping, eh? But we can rememeber, next time, that we should examine why we are weeping: frustration or joy, humility?

 

So to conclude weeping. Psalms 126:5-6 says that the sower (us, missionaries, teachers, leaders, parents, and friends) who goes forth and weeps (I would say goes forth repentantly, understanding the Atonement) bearing precious seed (make sure it is the right seeds you are planting, of course!!!) will be blessed with rejoicing and sheaves. Wow, that meant a lot to me as a missionary, but it is talking about all of you too!! More scriptures about blessings: D&C 75:2-5, D&C 18:15-16, Pslams 30:5, Alma 32:43, D&C 109:76. I can't summarize them with this much time left sorry haha. That's your job.

 

Next question, what makes a good sower (back to my first question)? Look at James 4:9 again, but throw in 10 too. Humility comes back again. That is a big one! Look also, in accordance with humility, at Matthew 23:12 and Omni 1:26 (offering your soul takes serious humility). These three scriptures all talk about humility = lifted up, exalted, saved. So, be humble!!! Many of the aforementioned scriptures about blessings also talk about the qualities of a good sower. So look at those with this new question. Also see Alma 26:21-22; talks about the natural man again, and things that a sower does, and more blessings of reaping.

 

So, a good sower = repentant, faithful, prayerful, does good works, humble, patient, long suffering, kind, bears others´ burdens, stands as a witness in all times, in all things, in all places (that was Mosiah 18:8-9 again). Wow, maybe the path to becoming a good sower makes us weep a little, oder?

 

Last question, how do we sow? I am out of time, so look at DC 6:33 (also look at 1 Peter 3:17 with that one), Galations 6:7-8 (look at Gal. 5:22-23 with that one), and finish with James 3:18 ( the peace is that one comes from repenance I think, understanding the Atonement).

 

Well, that's a lot to think about, eh? I really enjoyed studying that, as you can probably see. But I must go :(

 

I love you all, and I know that we can always become better and become better sowers! Always sow good seeds, everyone is watching, even when you don't know. Never stop smiling, it helps a lot :)

 

I love you

Elder Jalen L. Gibbons

Grüezi!

Grüezi liebe Familie und Freunde!

 

Hey Mom, so you keep asking about emails and stuff and I always forget (like Tyson's emails and whatnot), so I just have to say that I never have enough time to read them all haha. It was much better when you sent them to me in the mail. Tyson did just send an email to me that I got today, and it was shorter, but yeah, I am always rushed on time when I do this. So I emailed him back already, but I still have you guys and president, with about 30 minutes. So wie so (anyway) do you print off all of our emails (the ones you send and then mine)? That would be awesome to have in a scrapbook or something. But yeah, I love my emails and have no way to print them off :( so I read them about once and then forget about all the cool stuff. So, could you do that, if you haven't already? Danke sehr.

 

So, this week was a tough one. We got Federica´s confirmation yesterday in church, and then NOTHING! Not a single lesson, not a single investigator, we didn't even give out a Book of Mormon! Elder Eaker was not happy. At all. But it was mostly with himself, thankfully not me. You know what, I feel okay. I know I can work harder and do better, and I know that the Lord will bless us for making ourselves better each day. I look at this as a friendly reminder to try harder everyday, to push myself until I am comfortable being uncomfortable. And that is what I plan on doing. We really worked hard this week too! We visited every single person that we found on our ward Mission Saturday, and we went by on tons of formers, less actives and potentials. But we just had a rough week, not much success out of it, except for an appointment this week. So, it is much like life anyway! We hit those patches, but with more meaningful scripture study, more heartfelt prayer, and deeper commitment to serve others and forget yourself, anyone will be blessed with strength to overcome. It works for missionaries, and it will work for you.

 

I am very glad that I sounded so excited last week haha. Once again, I can't print things off so now I can't remember what I talked about. I think if I had them all in a scrapbook like I said earlier, I could go back and read them someday and remember exactly how I felt that day, or that week. Mensch, I am grateful that my memory is blessed enough to remember things well. Haha, speaking of that, I can go somewhere for the first time in Klagenfurt and then remember how to get there any other time after, but Elder Eaker gets all confused with directions and then doubts me (until I prove him right ;) ) That is always fun.

 

Thanks for all the pictures from the reunion! I was so excited to get my shirt and complete (almost) my photo album. I still have two slots left for anything. But, that made my day to get mail.

 

I got my VISA last week. That was really exciting as well! Of course my picture looks like I am a serial killer, but at least I am an officially VISA-ed one ;)

 

 Oh mensch, transfers! I am staying here with Elder Eaker, but Graz is actually losing the Elders and getting two sisters! Then another area by Graz that was closed is opening again with an elder and whoever he is training! I hope it is someone I know from the MTC. That would be so cool to have someone I know from there in my district. So I am pretty stoked!

 

This last week I really started speaking more German. I realized that I spoke too much English, and that didn't really show the love that I have for German. It started slow and rough, but now it is much more natural. And I can really understand better too! So that was a highlight of our otherwise unsuccessful (in my companion´s eyes) week. No big worries here, personally.

 

Well, I gave my second-ever blessing this last week. But it was in English again haha. It was for Sister Hall, who hadn't been feeling well. But mensch, that was still freaky! Came out of nowhere and of course my mind just blanked. But thankfully I don't have to rely on myself, and that was about the only comfort I got haha. Twas enough, nonetheless.

 

 We fixed my companion´s bike finally! So we have been riding around more again, including yesterday in the rain, the result of which was getting soaked (even tho I thought that the coat I had on, from the apartment, was waterproof; proved otherwise). That was really fun. It only makes my wife prettier, geh? (geh means "right?"). ;) (There's a missionary tradition that says the more you tract in bad weather, the more beautiful your wife will be!)

 

So last night we stopped by the Halls and they made us come in, and then they made us let them feed us, and then wouldn't let us say otherwise! They turned on the MoTab´s pioneer day special, which featured Katherine Jenkins from Wales. Mensch, it was so good! And I realized, again, that I am more sensitive to the Spirit through music and videos, and especially the two together! I also sing a lot when riding my bike around and stuff, cuz everything is so much more fun to sing auf Deustch haha. Then it reminded me of Mom and Kate chastising me because I wouldn't sing in the car with Kacy haha. Sorry Kacy... :)

 

Well, this email seems really scatterbrained and short to me, and I don't like it! I always try to have some main spiritual thought, since it is my call to help lift others up! I don't know if you ever get much out of it or not, but I can try nonetheless. (I've used that word twice today--not bad). I was glad to see Kody is excited about them (Jalen's and Tyson's mission emails) haha. And yes, tell me as soon as you know where Logan is going!!!!!!! Meine Gute ich bin so begeistert!!! (My goodness I'm so excited!) And Kody as well, whenever he knows.

 

So, a couple quotes to end ( I really love quotes).

 

First, the Great Paradox of Man: Man is nothing compared to God, yet we mean EVERYTHING to Him. Mensch, think about that one for awhile. God loves us so much, but we know that it is because He wants us to become like Him. So, live up to your potential, eh?

 

Second: Ein Gramm gutes Beispiel gilt mehr als ein Zentner Worte. ( one gram of good example is worth more than one hundred kilograms of words). Always set a good example, but also try and keep your words thoughtful and meaningful. I read in the Bible today that fools utter everything on their minds. So, be wise, what can I say more?

 

I love you all, and am immer dankbar für eure Unterstützung (forever grateful for your support). Remember your potential as children of a loving Heavenly Father. Always be good and never stop smiling :)

 

Elder Jalen Gibbons

Hallo! (tut mir Leid daß es spät ist)

Hallo wieder Familie und Freunde!

So we were late to do emails today because we actually went hiking! The Supersberger family from our ward invited us in church yesterday. We hiked Dobratsch in Villach, and it was so freaking beautiful! Utah doesn't have anything on the Alps! I took about 88 pictures of the hike: mountains all around, flowers, with the people we hiked with. It was fantastic. I am a little burned, but I did put sun screen on! I just missed some spots. Could be much worse. Anyway, I tried to get really creative with my pictures, see how much of a photographer I am, and I got a couple of real cool pictures of flowers. (Yeah yeah, I am sure someone is making fun of me by now) But my favorites were these cool purple flowers, shaped like bells. So, since I am not exactly sure how to send pictures home, I guess everyone will just have to wait ;) sorry. You could no doubt look the mountain up, there were lots of people hiking. There was a church at the top, a pilgrim church, where every year a group hikes all the way up the mountain to the church. And it is 2167 meters! So twice as high as Mountain Home, if my calculations are correct. (Mensch, that just made me think of Magic School Bus, the blond girl whose name I can't remember!) So we got back to the Supersberger house and had really good food, then the grandma made me finish off the chocolate ice cream. And it was CHOCOLATE! Good stuff. I guess I should explain the family a bit. Bruder Trippel is the grandpa, and he is married to Sister Supersberger. But then her son, Bruder Supersberger, has his wife and three kids in the same house. We hiked with two of his kids and his wife, along with one of Bruder Trippel´s sons. It was really fun. So that was our day today! Finally did something picture-worthy for Pday.

So, to clear something up for Vater (Dad): when I juggle I do have my companion with me haha. I don't just go outside without him, I promise. I was told at In-field orientation in the MTC by Pres. Brown that the two biggest reasons that missionaries get sent home from the field are 1) leaving their companions; and 2) inappropriate opposite-sex relationships. Trust me, I am not going to break either of those. Or any rule, for that matter. Pres. Miles is big on being obedient und dadurch (um... that means something like "and through that;" some things are so much easier and simpler auf Deutsch!) being happy. I made a commitment in my first interview that I would be 100% obedient. I won't break my commitment to him, or to myself. But I have also made a commitment to the Lord, just by wearing this nametag. I am not breaking that either. So, no worries.

Elder Pack from my MTC district sent me an email today! Man, I got my district so into soccer that he bought himself a brand new Germany jersey! I am so proud of him :´) haha. Speaking of soccer, we finally played this week! Twice. On Pday and then for Frühsport Thursday morning. And everyone I have played with now enjoys playing soccer! Elder Eaker even pulled some Nike Tiempo Classics out of his closet that he found, and polished them up (literally haha). He is a big fan now, and he is taking one of the soccer balls we found in the keller with him throughout his mission (and his new cleats). I am rather content now. I am not completely incompetent with a ball yet, so that is comforting.

FEDERICA GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!! Mensch, her smile when she came up out of the water hit the roof! The same with her husband, who baptized her. It was also the first time I have seen anyone kiss in the baptismal font... haha. It was so great, and then afterwards she gave her testimony in Italian and her husband translated. Plus, their 8 year old son Marco said that he wants to be baptized next month on his birthday, instead of waiting like they planned. So now we have a whole new officially-members family in our ward. And we had a potluck afterwards with everyone. We have potlucks a lot actually. I am not complaining!

Guess who we met at Sacrament meeting gestern? (Yesterday, but gestern is easier to type.) A new couple from Spokane, Washington. The husband is playing hockey in Villach, and has a two year contract there! And the wife was born in Twin Falls!! So we discussed our Idahoan roots. Her family´s name is McGinley (or something like that) and also Walker (extended family probably). But yeah, the wife is the member and her husband is not. BUT he has met with missionaries and is reading the Book of Mormon. It was hilarious, when we asked who they were, the wife said "I am the actual member. HE isn't yet." And then she gave my companion and me a very expectant look haha. So, we look forward to visiting them when we can! Plus, she cuts hair... But her husband was so cool, and he really seems to plan on being a member, but I look forward to helping him in any way I can. Who wouldn´t want to be baptized in Österreich?? We also want to tell him to decide to be baptized in a lake or river.... but we shall see haha. They will be here for a long time tho, so we decided to try and teach them German, because they don't know any. And they loved that idea.

Oh, we had my first Zone Conference this last Thursday! It was so awesome! It was fun to be with the AP´s again, I love Elder Carter. And also my great Grandpa Elder Sanderson, the new AP. (Elder Sanderson trained Elder Eaker´s trainer, or "father" as missionaries call it.) Oh, Elder Harris, one of the ZL´s bought an entire Lederhosen outfit! Shoes, socks, suspenders, shirt, and all for 200 euro! That is so cool. That is definitely on my list for things to buy. I figured I could totally pull it off with blonde hair and blue eyes, and hopefully the german accent I will have in two years. The cousins would love it, oder? But the conference was great, and Elder Orchard and I got to bear our testimonies. I also got to talk to him a lot on the way to the train station. It was really good to talk to someone as "young" as I. We are good friends from the MTC anyway.

Well, I had no preparation for this email, so I am trying to think of some cool quote I have heard... I will get back to that. So, I am officially starting fresh with no investigators! We have ones we have met before but we can never get ahold of them. When we do, though, we are going to figure out if they are serious or not. But, it is a little intimidating, having to find someone brand new, who we don´t know. But I am also very excited to see someone all the way through their conversion process, to be there for someone when they change their lives and try to follow the example of Jesus Christ. I taught Federica, yes, but she was already prepared to be baptized before I got here. Therefore, I have a lot of work to do, and I look forward to it. And to finish, I want to share something that I have been thinking about in the last few days. I have started the Book of Mormon over in German, and I really liked reading 1 Nephi 4, the verse where Nephi says that " as surely as the Lord livieth and we live," we will not return to our Father until we have done everything he has asked us to do. (Paraphrased, obviously). But I thought about that from a few different perspectives. One, I am not going to come home until I have accomplished my purpose in these 2 years. That is a given, oder? But, I applied it to any other calling as well. Indeed, you can just apply it to life in general. We WILL NOT return to our Father in Heaven until we have done what He has asked. Be it callings or just living the commandments, it is not possible. Becasue we cannot return to live with Him if we haven't done those things. We can't go to live with God if we don't keep the commandments, if we don't fulfill our callings. But in this verse, Nephi has an attitude that we should all have. He doesn´t want to go back becuase he loves his Father and doesn't want to disappoint Him. We should do these things because we love our Father. As much as we must do them to have any chance, let us take the higher attitude in being obedient. Either way, NOT doing what he asks only ends in misery. So I really liked that scripture. It is also so cool to read auf Deutsch and understand!

So I have got some mail, from Allie and Shawna, at the apartment address. They won haha. But I got 2 more nametags at ZC, and now I have 6 for some reason... I don't think I am supposed to.

Anyway, I need to go. I love you all and wish you all success in whatever you do. Never stop working hard and never stop smiling :)

Elder Jalen L. Gibbons

I don´t remember what week it is... 4?

Servus!

Okay, I am going to try to answer the many repeated questions that I seem to be missing each time haha. So, Elder Eaker is from Rome. Haha, but really, Rome, Georgia. Gotcha! He is not far from Atlanta. He is a great guy and works hard, also keeps me working hard. Dad asked what our routine is. So we study personally and then German (2 hours) and then we have the 12 week program, which means for the first 12 weeks in the field we have 2 hours of companion study. So we do that every day. Then we have Lendkanal that we walk rather regurlarly, just to contact. We are invited pretty frequently to members´ houses, so that is nice. We do lots of street contacting, and dooring in different areas. That is basically it. It is much quicker with bikes now, but still, we travel a long time. It goes quickly though. So, Thursday is 3 months for me! I am done with 1/8 of my mission. What the heck!!? That is crazy, and quite a motivation to work even harder and become a better missionary every day. The key word there is BECOME. We can all hope for things and have goals, but until we BECOME the person we want to be, our goals will forever stay goals. That is what I am working on.

And yes, it is just us two here in Klagenfurt. In fact, we are the only two in Kärnten (the entire state). Our apartment used to have 4 tho, so it is nice and big. I like it haha.

Okay, so last week we went to Graz from Monday to Wednesday. We got there and it was super hot! I was told we were going to go to the Arnold Schwarzenegger museum thing, so I was super excited and had my camera and everything! We got to the desired bus stop and then realized that we had an hour before the bus got there. So Elder Monson decided we were going to start walking! So we walked in the hot sun for about 20 minutes, then stopped at another bus stop along the same route to see when the bus came. It was stop #3, out of a line of 20 or so stops. And we were trying to get to the END of these 20 stops. So they decided to just walk back home. I was a little miffed (haha my favorite word from Calvin and Hobbes). So we walked home, and then the other elders decided we were going to play monopoly! (by the way, it was very nice outside...) and after a while I was the only one that Elder Eaker hadn't destroyed yet. BUT I am tired of just sitting inside and doing nothing every P day (there is your answer Dad, nothing on P days) so I said, hey I'm going outside to juggle your flat soccer ball. Which I did. Hey, you are going to like this. Guess what I got from the Graz apartment?.... Barely used pair of Nike Tiempo cleats! For free! Knew you would love that haha. I don't think I will bring them home, but I can carry them around. I tried them already but I don't quite have the touch down yet. Oh, I had some fantastic lemon and strawberry Eis in Graz. I know Dad likes the lemon. (Zitrone)

Just a random fact, I figured out that my swatch matches my adidas F50 clothes I bought in Frankfurt a few years ago.

So we had an exchange in Graz, and I spent an hour and a half in the church waiting for an appointment (once again, I am bugged by use of time) but I finally just sat at a piano and tried to see how much I could play. Sorry Mom, not much. Almost have the introduction to "A Childs Prayer" haha. I also wrote the German words for Army of Helaman, A Child's Prayer, and I Feel My Savior's Love. Mom talked about using songs to keep oneself focused, and I can already attest to the truth of that. Every day I am singing A Child's Prayer in my head, almost instinctively. I also say D&C 4 a lot, along with other scriptures. I am really working on getting rid of all distracting thoughts, since I need to be totally focused on my work. So those songs and scriptures help. Good idea Mom!

Oh man, I found "Inheritance" (Eragon series) auf Deutsch! I almost bought it, but I would have to carry it with me and never read it. So I will before I come home. They also have "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." Pretty cool.

I went to my first PFK meeting (PEC) and felt totally useless haha. No idea what is going on. My understanding is better, yes, but mostly with simple things... They can't just rocket off and hope to have me understand. I am working on it...

So, I took a picture of Vogl street the other day, for Becky haha. Well, it was really Voglgasse (alley or something). I have a few pictures of funny signs too.

Okay, Federica is getting baptized next Sunday!!! We have everything planned, and we are all so excited! We are getting in contact with her every day, cuz Satan will no doubt throw everything he has at her to change her mind. That is NOT happening. It's great that she already has Daniele, who is basically just AWESOME!! That will help a lot. I will take pictures of course. Leaving their house the last time, we actually got to ride home in pouring rain. It felt really good. But it was also a little chilly on bikes. I like the rain here.

By the way, I cleaned our kitchen over the weekend. Everyone else (the Graz elders were here) was playing, you guessed it, card games! So I did something else. Oh, fun times. But yesterday I found a big Adidas outlet store, so I have something to do next week! Today we just plan on playing sports with Graz, who are coming for Federica's baptism interview. At least I will finally be outside and playing sports. Except everyone else wants basketball. They may be playing with three people... bwahaha.

So something I listened to this last weekend was Troy Dunn´s "Life is a game of Football". You should look it up and listen to it. I actually heard it way back when Bro. Peterson was my Sunday School teacher. That class was probably Tyson, Logan O, me, Sydney, Carissa, and Christina! But he talks about life as a game of football (obviously) and his excitement and enthusiasm is just contagious. What I got out of it was what he said about teamwork. We are really at "war" with the evils of the world. People may not recognize that, but anyone who believes in God and is somewhat religious knows that there is good and there is evil. Anyone can look around the world and see the terrible things that are happening, and wonder what is going on. How do we fight it? How can we hope to overcome it? Well, we have the answers. And Troy Dunn lays it out rather simply. LDS or not, whoever reads this, I would invite you to listen to it. We are a team, everyone against the evil influences of the world. We have our team leader, Jesus Christ, who we know will win in the end. We need to do what Elder Holland talked about, and just figure out which team we are on. (Thanks for that quote Becky). We know who wins, so why, why would you do anything to push yourself away from that team? Anything the world offers is not worth it! Yeah, Satan's influences are powerful, but we have teammates who can help us block. Bishops, leaders, parents. But we also need to realize that we too may need to be blocking for someone else. Someone, a friend who is getting rubbed into the dirt. What is your responsibilty? Listen to him talk (Dunn) and think about that. It is great. We want to get to the homecoming party, but we want to do it together, with those we love, as a team. Choose your team and stick to it.

So, a quote before I must go: The Missionary Motto--Obedience is the price. Faith is the power. Love is the motive. Spirit is the key. Christ is the reason. Joy is the reward.

Remember the reason you live the way you live. Remember why you love those you love. Don´t look for faults in others, or even in yourself. You will come to know your faults anyway, and then you strengthen them.

I love you all. Never stop smiling :)

Elder Jalen L Gibbons