July 1, 2013, Kiel

Dear Family,

I need to start by saying that this week has gone by really fast!

We're working a lot with the members in the ward and we've been seeing a lot of success from it. We asked the Bishop to pray for an area in the city where we should find people who would become new members of the church. He then reported back to us a week later and then we asked a family that we are working really closely with, to pray for a street where they feel we should start doing doors. We now have 5 potential investigators from doing one hour of doors. We're really excited.

Also when we went there, we were given a referral from the family. When we tried to contact him but he wasn't home. Then the family talked to us at church yesterday and invited us to come over to meet the people at their house! It's a German man and women who aren't married but have a baby. They don't live in the same apartment, they live across the hall from each other, and they’re about 40 years old. We had an awesome lesson with them and answered a lot of their questions. We then told them that our job is to teach people the Gospel lessons and if they'd like ,we could teach them the lessons so that they can find out for themselves if it is true or not. They accepted and are really excited to start meeting with us! We're really excited to start teaching them!

 We also talked with E., and asked him about the baptismal date that he picked. He said he picked the 21st of July, but might want to do it sooner depending on when his math exam is. He talked to his professor who said he could take an easier exam, and wait until October to write it. He's really happy about that and we're going to meet with him this week and talk about his date and preparations for the Taufe! (baptism).

We contacted someone that we gave a Book of Mormon too, and they are going on holidays for 2 weeks but want to meet with us when they are back.

There was a baptism in Neumünster that we were able to attend. The lady is about 55 years old and super solid. Her date was actually supposed to be in 3 or 4 weeks, but the missionaries challenged her to just do it this week because she was ready. She took the leap of faith and agreed. Similar story to what happened in the Trail Ward (with Sharon), eh? Makes you think about how the spirit works with investigators and can move them to do what is right!

Love you guys and hope you have a great week!

Elder Luening

June 24, 2013, Kiel

Love Elder Luening

Dear Family,

   Mom and Dad, I really love you and appreciate everything you've done for me. This last year is going so quick and I'm super excited to see what is going to keep happening in this life of mine and in the lives of others. I'm really impressed at how great of parents you both are. I'm always amazed at how you raised us. I know it wasn't easy, but you made sure we had the Principles of the Gospel planted within us. Thanks for everything that you've done for me and what you continue to do. I know that I still have a lot to learn, but I have a new perspective on things that is continuing to change each day and through each experience.

   We aren't affected by the high water here in Kiel. The cities that got hit were the ones on the Elbe.

    It's been really tough bringing our investigators to baptism. We have 2 that are completely ready but won't commit to a date because they’re scared. E. is such a great investigator. He's reading, praying, coming to church, coming to institute and coming to Family Home Evenings at 3 young married couple’s homes each week. His tests are almost done, and then he says that he's going to quit smoking and be baptized. He's such great guy, and he participates and socializes freely.

     We're having trouble finding more people to teach. But I know the Lords looking out for us and that he's going to continue to help us as we're prepared. “Kieler Woche” is this week. We're going to go check it out today. There are a ton of people here from all over the world. IT's really cool! I love you, and I'm sorry it's not a long email this week, but I'm trying to reach out to others through email too which is limiting my time to write you.

   My mission is the “best, most enriching experience” – better than anything else I could do instead. I always imagine what would have happened if I didn't come out here into the mission. I would have never ate from this fruit (the love of God) that was available. It's true. All of it is true, and I'm so thankful for the Gospel in my life, and for the prayers of all you guys because I believe I couldn't have done it without you. 

    Love you and have a great week. Do something fun with all the free time you now have and with the house being empty, lol. Don't get bored!

Love Elder Luening

June 17, 2013, Kiel

June 17

Hey guys,

Thanks for the emails and for the update! Wow, Charlene I'm so excited for you and I know you're going to love your mission! It's so exciting! That was a great blessing that you received, and I'm grateful I was able to read it. We'll keep in touch by email!

   This week has gone by so slow...and I'm having troubles remembering what we did, lol. We did a lot of things but it seems to be all mushed together. We are still meeting at least twice a week with E. We're going to a Family Home Evening with E. tonight at Jared and Ariana's (young married couple who got married last fall). There will also be 2 other young married couples there (E.s, and Z.'s who also don't have kids yet). Ariana's also going to invite her aunt and uncle who aren't members, and they've asked us to give the spiritual thought.- great missionary opportunity J!

We organized our former investigator list and mapped out where everyone lives using “Google Maps”. Then we numbered them all on the map, printed them off, and put their names on a list telling us who they are and what street and number they live on and if they have a telephone number. Now, whenever we are in an area, we can quickly check if there are any contacts in the area and go see if they still have interest. It's so convenient and so effective. We went by on L. to say “hello”.  She called us 2 weeks ago and told us she would like to study on her own for a while, so we thought we'd just say “Hi” since we were in the area finishing up the doors there. She was really friendly and thanked us for coming by. It was a positive little visit.

 We talked to some interesting people at the doors but none who we could teach again. We went to a Stake activity in Plön because some members brought friends and had asked us to be there to meet them. It was a lot of fun and the weather was beautiful. Some members came from Delingsdorf and I got to quickly chat with Thorsten Z.'s wife, Connie! How cool is that?! Thorsten wasn't there , I can't remember why, but I met their son and we took a picture together. You'll have to talk to her if you want a copy because she took the picture on her phone, lol. That was funny, though, running into her and being able to talk a little bit.

Things are moving forward with V. We had a powerful lesson with him yesterday about the restoration. We wanted to make sure that he understood it and that it made sense to him. And it did. The spirit was pretty powerful in the meeting, and I asked him if he had prayed to find out if the Book of Mormon is true. He said he hasn't because he's caught in between not wanting to and  wanting to find out if it is true. He said he's not scared, but just nervous to find out if it's true or not. No word can describe the feeling I have, he said, lol. He laughed about it and we committed him to do it. I know he knows it's true. He just needs to find it out for himself, by asking!

   I'm so glad that I've received an answer through the spirit that this Church is true. Joseph Smith was really a prophet of God. I've learned so much about him and about what kind of a man he was. The message of the Restoration is a miracle. I know it's true, and I know the Book of Mormon is true. The story of Peter walking out onto the water is always clear in my mind. I love that Christ answers Peter by telling him to come unto him, and Peter being so focused on Him that he does. In Alma 5, Alma testifies that the Lord Jesus Christ is calling to us to come unto Him, and that if we do we may eat from the tree of life, (which fruit is the most joyous to the soul 1 Ne. 11:23) for the good Shepherd is calling us and wants us to be a part of His fold. I know that as I continue to bring forth fruits of righteousness and keep focused on Him and His marvelous work, he'll continue to make me an effective instrument in His hands.

   I love you guys, and I hope you enjoy this week and reach out to help someone receive some of the light that we all have inside of us. This light that we've received from our faith on our Friend and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Love Elder Lüning.

June 10,2013, Kiel

June 10

Hey,

So sorry about last week - that I didn't write you guys much at all. No, it didn't have to do with the floods here in Germany, but now that you mention it, you can check out the mission blog and see all the work that the missionaries have been doing in helping with keeping the floods under control. http://germanyberlinmission2012-15.blogspot.de/

The main reason that I didn't write is because I didn't have much time. We went to Laboe on Monday J.  I was so scared that I was going to get transferred that I wanted to see the beach and go up the tower that's out there. Lol, and guess what? I didn't get transferred! I'm staying another 6 weeks here in Kiel!! Woot!

Last week we went to Berlin on Thursday at 5:00 PM and were in bed by 11:00 PM after picking up some other elders at the Berlin train station with the A.P.'s. Then we were up at 6:30 AM, and in a meeting from 9:00 AM-4:30 PM, then on the train to Kiel from 6:00 PM -12:15 AM, and finally in our beds by 12:45 AM.

Then all of Saturday we had planning and meetings with our District and District Leaders...we were exhausted! Thank goodness that it's now P-day.

   Last week we had E. at a Family Home Evening at a young married couple’s house. (K's). We shared a spiritual thought about ways that we can live in a “manner of happiness” found in 2 Nephi 5. It was great, and then we played a goofy game where you make up dances, answer goofy trivia questions, draw pictures, and do a bunch of other funny things. They fed us dinner too, and E. liked it a lot.

We then had E. at a member’s house yesterday too, to watch 'The Testaments'! We chose Jared S and his wife Ariana (both 25 years old) as members that we want to do a lot of missionary work with. We told them and they said that it was like an answer to their prayers because they'd been praying about receiving more opportunities to share the gospel. So they’re 'In'! lol. It was a nice home to be in and to feel the spirit. It was good for E. because now he's getting a bit closer with the members. He tells us all the time that he's really thankful for the church and learning more about it because he enjoys the feeling that he gets from us and from reading in the scriptures. His English exam is in 2 weeks, so we're trying to help him get ready for it.

V. is also doing well. We're going through the Gospel Principles book with him and soon we're going to have him prepare lessons to teach us so that he has to think more and learns more J.

Thanks so much for your emails. I really appreciate it and I printed them all out last week so I could read them. You guys rock. That's tough about what happened to Jeremy. I'll be praying for him. That's so tough! I couldn't even imagine having to go through something like that. I'll write him a letter.

 I'm so excited for you, Charlene...9 more days until she's outa here!! She's going to love it. Some might say the MTC is an emotional roller coaster, but even if it is, she'll love it. I love you guys and don't worry about me. I'm doing fine. Have a great week! I'll write to you next week.

Love Elder Luening

June 3, 2013, Kiel

 Hey guys,

Something came up and I can't write much this week. Well, actually not at all.

E. is still making progress! And yes I'm loving Kiel still. Transfer calls are on Saturday and I hope I stay one more! Please pray that I do stay, lol, I don't want to leave this place.

I'm sorry I can't write but I'll explain things next week. I love you guys so much, Hope everything goes well for you this week! You're always in my prayers.

Love Elder Luening

May 27, 2013

Dear Family,

Hey, so this week has gone by pretty fast. We're doing a zone P-day so I don’t have much time to e-mail today, but I thought I would drop a few lines. I'm going to be wrestling a few Elders, ha-ha, and I guess we'll see if I beat them all or not, lol!

  We watched the Final Champions League soccer game on Saturday night. It was so good! It was Dortmund “gegen” Bayern München. We were going for the 'under-dogs' (Dortmund) but Bayern München just scored another goal 3 minutes before the second half was over. 2-1 for Bayern. We watched it at M. J.'s house, which was so cool. He's a less active member, and we'd never met his wife before. He invited us for dinner and then to watch the game. We had a great night getting to know his family which he, and we, really enjoyed. Oh, and yes we had permission to watch the game, lol.

  E. was not baptized on Sunday. We kept up daily contact with him and he was going strong until Thursday. We met with him on Friday and played basketball with him and his friends, and afterwards we sat down and talked in the cafeteria in the university. He told us that he's not ready yet. He said he's been stressed about his English Major, because he's not doing too well in it and it is causing him to stress a little bit. He was completely honest and open with us. We really thanked him and for being open with us. He said he still has the goal of being baptized and that in the meantime he's still going to try to quit smoking. But that he needs a bit of time before he can make this step. He's so humble and I care for him so much. We're going to keep helping him, and he's going to keep meeting with us and keep working on his progress as he figures things out with school. He loves us and loves the gospel. He told us how much it means to him in his life. Yeah, it is sad that he didn't make it, but really good that he still has the desire and that he's not giving up!

  

  Sounds like you guys are crazy running all over the place, ha-ha. Dad good job on fitting everything in the trailer and accomplishing everything on time! It's not too long now until Charlene will leave! Crazy! You guys are great examples to me, mom and dad. I love you both and keep up the good work that you are doing at home. Have a good week! Love you! Talk to you next week!

Elder Lüning

May 20, 2013, Kiel

Dear Family.

  Mom, it sounds like you have been crazy busy lately. I'm really proud of you for magnifying your calling, and for how hard you're working. You've always said it's important to have a balance, and the best way to get a balance is to pray, and plan. 

   Jeremy has been writing me and he said that he's loving the MTC. It's got ups and downs like it did for me, but he's doing well! He gave me his mailing address, so I'll be sending him a post card, and a letter or so to give him a little boost.

   This has been a crazy week. E. was not baptized yesterday, but we met with him on Friday and challenged him to quit on the spot. He said, “No, I'll come to church on Sunday, and then you can come over afterwards and take all my smokes and everything.” We were so excited! We went to Church and went to a baptism in Neumünster afterwards. We then had lunch and went to E.'s. He let us in and we started cleaning his room! He gave us everything he had. His smokes, roller, packer, lighters, tobacco, everything! And then he washed all his clothes and we read in the Book of Mormon together. We then asked him if he wanted a blessing afterwards. He said, “Yeah, I believe that they work because of the last time you gave me one.” It was so awesome! He's going to try his hardest and he's got the Lord on his side helping him. He's going to need your prayers, so please add E. into your daily prayers this week.

  We also met with G. Wittenbecker  2 weeks ago (in-active). He babysat me when I was a little kid, ha-ha. We invited him to come to church and he came with his girlfriend, Tina! You can give him a call if you want, we talked a little bit about him babysitting all four of us and how crazy it was, lol. He's very good at playing the piano, too

We were doing doors at the student housing and we met 2 guys. We were on exchanges so I was with Elder S. from Rendsburg. (He's the Brazilian). We talked to them about Christ and the love and joy we feel from our faith in him. They then got curious as to why we believe so strongly on Him. We shared the message of the Restoration, and the feelings that we felt in our hearts from prayer. They then told us that they were homosexuals, and had felt this also, but are losing their faith because they aren't accepted by any religions. (Makes sense, lol). We made an appointment to bring the Book of Mormon to them and give them an answer to their concern. We found a church website called mormonsandgays.org. Our lesson with them was really good! Their names are T. and T., and one wants to read the Book of Mormon. We talked a lot about eternal marriage, and it was a really good discussion. We'll see what happens. We're going to check up on them again in 2 weeks. Right now I don't think anything will change, but the spirit has power to change people. So we'll see what happens. Yeah, it was a bit weird, ha-ha, but definitely something I'll never forget lol.

Love you guys hope you have a good week! Charlene keep prepping for the mission, and enjoy the little bit of time you have left at home! One more month! Mom and dad, keep up with the classes you're teaching. You learn so much when you prepare to teach, and feel the spirit testify of truths when you do. Our zone is doing awesome we had 2 people confirmed on Sunday and one baptized. We daily pray each week as a zone for a specific district and we're seeing a lot of miracles and unity! You're in my prayers too!

Love you, Elder Lüning.