Feeling fine!

G'day everybody!

No worries this week. I am actually the only one in our flat who hasn't been suffering from the cold that's going around. I have been feeling pretty good.

We've been doing a lot of biking, and we have some pretty nice hills here. They stink to bike up but it's heaps fun to bike down on the way home. This week flew by so quick. It was gone before I even realised we were halfway through October! I also just realised the lack of Halloween things. I remember at Wal mart they would have heaps of candy and costumes right out front. They have a little bit of it in the shops, but nowhere near what it's like at home. Apparently no one really does trick or treating over here either. Not that I'm really going to miss that anyways.

Man, I miss good mexican food! I haven't found anything real authentic yet. I did find out I can buy Sriracha here though. That was exciting.

So Bryson went to a Mexican restaraunt and got a hamburger? That reminds me of someone...

Wow 48. You're beginning to be stricken in years. I thought I was starting to feel old when I realised I was almost 20.

Hopefully our team does well and beats BK. It always feels good to beat that school.

Church was really good this week. One thing that stood out to me in sacrament meeting was in a sister's talk about covenants and the power that comes from keeping them. She said, "we are blessed when we obey, we are loved when we serve." God desires to bless us for obeying what He asks, but He is more happy when we obey willingly. When we obey willingly, we will serve God and the people around us because we love Him and them. Those with a broken heart and a contrite spirit will willingly obey the commandments because of their love for God, rather than for fear of punishment or hope of reward, or even a sense of duty. And it is those with a broken heart and contrite spirit that inherit Eternal Life. Another insight came in elders quorum in priesthood. The teacher was talking about learning and knowledge, and what I got out of it was this: Knowledge comes by learning doctrine, understanding comes by living it, and wisdom comes by loving it. I hope that I can learn all that God desires for me to learn here on the mission. I know there's a lot.

One thing I have come to see more and more is how neccessary this work is. I see people and famillies everyday who are struggling. People's lives are destroyed as they are enveloped by the world. There is a scripture that speaks of Christ as a light that shines forth in darkness, but the darkness comprehended it not. The world is in darkness and it is in desperate need of the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The hard part is getting people to recognise it. We are still struggling to find new investigators. I know that we can never give up. There is too much at stake. A thought comes to mind about the Nephites just before the appearance of the Saviour. None of them recognised or understood his voice until the third time he spoke. I know if we keep trying, continue to open our mouth, we'll get there.

I hope everyone is doing well and knows how much I love you. Hope Jackson gets back to normal so you can smash BK. Evan, run fast, but try to stop breaking all my records... and feel free to stop getting taller.  Bryson and Kenzie, I miss you heaps. When you see Miranda again give her a hug for me. Mum and Dad, thanks for everything

Sorry I don't have any new pictures today! This week went by and I realised I didn't take any pictures at all (other than a video of Elder Miller doing the chubby bunny challenge). I will definitely take some today and have some pictures for next week's email. I don't even have any pictures of my new companion yet! Shame! Time just goes by so quick and I never remember to pull my camera out during the day.

It's nearly Christmas time and I hope to send you all a little something. I'll try to get it into the mail before it's too late.

I love you all so much! have a great week!

Elder Thieme