Die Schönheit dieser Welt ...Week 14 in Klagenfurt

Ohhh this is an odd feeling. I am really looking forward to writing this email! As I tried to think of what to write about.. I only could come up with awesome things we did this week pertaining to nature! And oh how beautiful nature is. My spirit was just so high this week. I was able to really take a step back, have some awesome studies and take a few seconds to glimpse at the bigger picture. Oh what a beautiful picture it is! Without any more delay, I'm gonna get to expressing my love for people and for nature!

So. The week started off a lot slower than many of the others. I would say the majority of our work from Tuesday to Thursday and even on Saturday was spent dooring. We hit the streets hard this week and in the end were able to come out with one really solid guy who we are supposed to be meeting with tomorrow. Youth. That's where its at. No offence to older people though.. I love you all!

Friday... We have been having a huge snow drought down here. I was told that we were supposed to get rain on Friday and when we woke up to go running it was snowing ever so lightly. So we ran anyway. Well, we got back and then went studying. And then the heavens opened and poured out a huuuuge blessing! SNOW! We got a solid foot of snow in like 5 hours and it kept going! So we abandoned our original plan of weekly planning and we went out and shoveled! Got to the church and grabbed the shovels there then headed out with the bus to an older couple who we have become friends with.

Got there just in time! They had barely started to shovel! So we jumped right in there and had a way solid shovelling session! So good! By the end, we had moved a ton of snow and then we got invited in for tea! So we went on up and had a great time with them. Good conversations and just a good time overall. I love people. They are the best!

Well, a member had seen us on the way with shovels and they happen to live next door to this family we were at... so we got invited in for lunch! After we shovelled their driveway! Or at least a bit.. most was done lol. So we spent that good time with them! Ah people are the best!! <3

At the end of the day closer to 6pm we got out and shovelled more too! Ah it was so nice to be able to shovel for people! I love to shovel!

EPIC STORY

So here it is... We got invited to the church for an eating appointment / activity on Saturday evening. We were told to dress warm and that's all. Kind of in the dark on this one. Well turns out that many people knew what was happening, just not the missionaries! And then we found out this was a missionary surprise! After eating a ton of Spaghetti we found out we were going on a NIGHT HIKE!

So the way it goes is... there are 4 opportunities a year where the moon is full and high in the sky and there could be snow. So many things need to line up perfectly, and with the help of the prayers of the faithful... It all worked! So we drove out like half hour up into the mountains. We went up and up and up! So sick! Ok we got to this field...people even live there, like 3 cabins... and we walked out a bit. BOOM! Huge mountains right there! It was so cool!

We just were beside ourselves with joy! The pictures don't do it justice, we tried our best with night settings and stuff. It was gorgeous! This world is so wonderful! When you look around at everything and take a while to see how it all works and goes together... there is no was to doubt that God is there. Its amazing. Ah it was an awesome evening! Got home and went to bed!

So many awesome things! I love it! I have one more thing to share! I was super impressed with a scripture in the Book of Mormon this week. It really got me thinking and allowed me to raise my senses a little. I think that Nephi describes this so well. The ways in which Satan leads us away. So many tactics and ways to do that! Gotta always be watching out!

2 Nephi 28:20-22

20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

Not to be like... a downer or anything... but I just think it,s important to always be on the watch. You may not even realize it, that's what Satan's goal is. Strengthen your testimonies and serve each other! It works!

And with that, I bid you all farewell and I hope you all have a wonderful week! Take the time to give thanks for the beauty of this world! I love you!

Elder Rodgers <3