Welcome back to another week of "Norways Top Missionaries", this week we will be traveling to Tromsø to follow the youngest trainer, Eldste Shanklin, and his companion, Eldste Fowler, and see how missionary work is done above the Arctic Circle.
Since Elder Fowler is a new missionary and Elder Shanklin his trainer we will be first following them down to Oslo for First transfer training. At this meeting mission leaders will help the new missionaries learn more about missionary work while the Trainers are taught how to train. It seemed to be a learning experience for all. At this point Elder Shanklin was actually fortunate to see his trainer again, Elder Rumsey.
First Transfer Training
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| Companions reunited |
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| Elder Shanklin and Elder Rumsey |
Bible Man 2.0
As we followed the two missionaries home after getting kebabed (for those viewers not familiar with this term the following definition will help: Kebab-To have a teaching appointment with someone and them not show up) they saw a man wave to them on the Street, thinking it was one of their nice potential investigators Elder Shanklin approached him. After realizing it was not one of his friends Elder Shanklin later told us "You never know what is gonna happen after someone contacts you and knows you are LDS, it is always an adventure!" The Gentlemen handed them a booklet and told them to read it, our to brave Elders offered him a Book of Mormon but he refused saying that the Book of Mormon was dangerous. Elder Shanklin trying to help the gentlemen understand that the book encouraged people to follow Jesus Christ and deny Satan asked the following question " Do you think a book which encourages people to follow Christ, keep the commandments, and cast out Satan could be written by Satan?" The following response was a shock to all who stood in the general vicinity, or in other words the two Elders, he responded with "Yes!" After this the man offered to pray for the to young Elders who accepted. "It was a very nice prayer, but to be honest my ears were cold and I wanted to go home and eat"- Elder Fowler. After departing ways the Young men turned to each other and said "Well the Book of Mormon is still true!"
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| Vacuuming his hair??? |
Australian friend
Our two young elders next challenge was helping a Australian member, named Teancum, who was visiting Tromsø find a place to stay. They were successful and quite enjoyed the time they spent helping the nice Australian man. For those who are wondering Elder Shanklin later confirmed that "he did have an awesome Australian accent!"
Elder Shanklin apologized to our news team saying "I know it was not the most amazing missionary week ever, but we learned a lot about the work and are excited to work even harder this next week!" Folks we would encourage all readers to continue to follow Elder Shanklin and his stories because we have a feeling something big is gonna happen next week!
Hey Everybody I have decided to end each email with a spiritual thought! I guess I would like to quote the words of Elder Holland to begin
"No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.”
I know that to be true that this book no matter how many times it is attacked, no matter how many people tell me it is not the word of God, no matter what! I am here to do as 2nd Nephi 25:26 says
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
I know that Jesus Christ is my savior because I have read the Book of Mormon. If you have questions about anything we believe in. I would encourage you to first read the Book. Meet with the missionaries. We do not go out looking to destroy people's faith but to build upon it. To let them know that there is more! I close with the words of Paul when he is writing to the Corinthians. Corinthians 12:3
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
I love my Savior and evey thing he has done for me!
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| Hearding goats |
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| It's not as easy as it looks! |
Breaking News!!
We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you some shocking news! After only moments after our news team departed from Tromsø we received a call from our two young Elders in Tromsø. They reminded us about how there two investigators had not been the best at responding to them. However, in the words of Elder Shanklin, "We were sitting at a members house playing dungeon and dragons and my phone buzzed. Not knowing who it was a looked down and saw this text (see attatched photo). I literally almost wet myself. I read it probably a dozen times before telling the others in the room that Rouven was going to be baptized in Norway!" The room went crazy, aka high fives were shared! This is your reporter James Wilson signing out and reminding everyone that even in the arctic circle heart warming miracles occur!
Exciting news for everybody! Thank you for all the prayers on our behalf! I let you know what happens with Rouven next week! I guess the anticipation might kill ya but not much I can do!
Dream Big
Don't Doubt
Give 'em Heaven,
Eldste Shanklin
For Packages and Mail *Hint* Hint*
Bispegata 2
9008 Tromsø
Norge
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