March 12, 2012

hi hi hi,

This life is a great life. I feel as though this week I have gotten a boost of energy. To be honest... I don't really know where it came from... but it is definitely from God is some way. We were able to have a brilliant, hard working week. Two of our investigators were baptised this weekend, we had two exchanges (one with the district leader in aylesbury, and one with the assistants from London), and we were able to still achieve the mission standard for our key indicators. I give all the credit to my new companion Elder Cameron. He is the most focused missionary I've met that is going home in 2 months. He helps me remember everything I need to do... and if I don't do it... he'll do it. E.g. He makes my bed when I forget. I "yelled" at him the other day... because when someone does something for me... that I can do for myself... but I'm too lazy... than I get angry because it makes me realise I am lazy and a bum. So now I just have to do everything or he will do it for me. oh bother. I like serving other people... but it is hard to let people serve me. In Priesthood... they asked if the Ward Mission Team had any announcements and the WML was there... so I stood up and thanked everyone with there help with the baptisms and told them that everything right now is just "smashing"! And that is the truth. I learned in our Priesthood class... that the Priesthood for men... facilitates service.... service facilitates love, and love brings happiness. The reason women don't need the priesthood and the reason men have the opportunity to use it... is because women don't need a reason to give service and love. It comes naturally for them... at least it does in my mum. One of the main reasons our family has so many great blessings is because of a caring and selfless mother... and a father that helped us to learn to respect her and be like her. No wonder my Patriarchal blessing advises me to marry someone who emulates my mother. Let me tell you... that will not be easy. It is also interesting that if we serve people we don't necessarily love... our love will grow. I am sure that as our Saviour came down to this earth and served among his family... that his love grew. The greatest voice and message in this life is knowing that you are loved for exactly who you are and for what you can become. In england... we meet so many young teenagers screaming for attention... trying so so so hard for someone to love them. When their parents are only 15 years older than them... and alone. It is hard to feel that love. How wonderful a message the gospel brings... God is our loving Heavenly Father. There is so much pain in this world... so much wrong.... so many things that are unfair. I know that alll of this can only be overcome and looked beyond with the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we repent and turn towards God and the light... and away from darkness... we will always feel right.
Ellen was sooo happy. After she was dunked under the water by bishop... she waved and said hi to everyone watching. That is almost as good as Andrew Netherton back stroking out of the font. We all have our style... and I know God doesn't mind. We started the baptism a half an hour late... because the 8 year old girl was getting baptised by her father... but he didn't bring any white clothes. The Bishop was late as well though... so everything works out. Sandy was able to be baptised as well. It was fantastic!! She left all her baggage and old life behind and took a step to become a daughter of God. To be honest... my faith with her was lacking... but she proved me wrong. God is great... he helps us to change.

On a temporal note... I bought a new suit... thanks be to my family. It is quite posh and was on a great sale. Hopefully it will help me convert more people tonight at the chapel for our fireside. The fireside that they are having close to 650 people attend. Primarily because the Osmond brothers are going to be here. Three of the Brothers are coming to our church to present a fireside on how they have stayed together as a family despite the culture of the pop world. They are acting like it is going to be a big thing... so we shall see how many people show up. I am excited! Woot woot. Should I tell them that I know how they feel because of the popularity of our family CD's? I might as well sit on the stand with them and give the concluding words. The Krebs Family Fireside, with opening comments by The Osmonds. Good? AH. Perfect. I love my family. I have so many things to be thankful for and am ever indebted to my Father in Heaven. Where much is given... much is required. We are proved in our trials. My invitation to you all is to read the three revelations to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail. I think... 121, 122, 123. They are absolute jems of the Doctrine and Covenants. Hope all is good.

Love,
Elder Krebs

P.s. Here are some pictures of the baptisms! Elder Dongen was able to come back for them!

March 5, 2012

Dear Family,

Attached I put the Watford Zone 2012 logo! I am really excited. We had Zone Meeting today with the whole zone and we showed them the picture and they all loved it. We are going to put it on a shirt and give it to all of them! I love little things that help up remember time in our lives. Elder Dongen gave me a mug with a picture of us on the front and it was really great. On my birthday though... he didn't have his wallet... so I paid for lunch. I enjoyed it... and now I can give him a hard time about it. This past week was an absolute blur. It was 15 degrees on Friday... and then it snowed on Sunday. That is 15 degrees Celsius... which is like 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sunday was very cold... and I didn't like it because I put all my cold clothes away. It is all good though. We are praying for the weather to be stable... but it doesn't always work in England.

The Sister's had a baptism this weekend! It was honestly one of the best that I have been to on my entire mission. The ward was out supporting and the experience Selena had getting baptised was very beautiful. She was in a different world after the baptism. She would talk to you and then start crying in the middle because she was so happy. As we laid hands on her head and confirmed the gift of the Holy Ghost... she was full of joy and tears. Our semi-eternal investigators Andy (he has read the entire standard works), pointed at her and said... "she is displaying all the fruits of the spirit." There is really a special spirit at baptisms. It is incredible. Andy said that after the baptism... he is the closest to believing that this is the only church with the correct authority. He now has said the he wants to be baptised in April, in a river. The only problem with England... is that all the rivers are polluted. Hopefully all will be good.

This next weekend, the 10th of March. We will be having three baptisms! Two of our investigators. Ellen and Sandy... and a child of record! Ellen... is brilliant. She has been interviewed and is ready for action. She turned 18 on Saturday. She is the most solid investigator ever and she is only 18. She walked to church on Sunday and it was sleeting. She was soaked and only had a little jumper on. Elder Dongen has gotten permission to come to the baptism. You can come as well. 3:00 at Watford Chapel. We were a little see sawing with Sandy... but she has pulled through. She carries around a lot of bags... and we told her she has to get rid of them before Sunday and she did it! Her interview is tonight. I am now on a work over with Elder Boysyuk from Ukraine. He is just the best district leader ever. His faith is out the window and his prayers are the most powerful I know. He is a convert and is turning 27 this month. I LOVE HIM! ah... he is constantly making me laugh.

Two weeks ago... we met a little man who we refer to now as Elderberry. When we first stopped him in the street he said "we ever I see mormon missionaries... I always wonder where Elder Berry is... get it?". The second time we saw him... he wanted to set up an appointment with us. We gave him our number because he said he wanted to invite another friend as well. He called us and set up for Tuesday. I was on a work over with Elder White... and Baruch was in town as well. We went to elder berry's house... which was actually a christian fellowship building. As we sat down... elder berry and his friend gave us some food! Quite nice of them... then elder berry's friend went to work. He knew way to much about missionaries. Since Elder Dongen wasn't with me... he asked if we were on splits. He then very bluntly stated that the first time he got introduced to mormons... he realised very quickly that we were a false christian heresy. He then for the next 30 mins... brought up one piece of anti mormon doctrine after another. Colureds and the Priesthood for Baruch... and our "false" view of the Godhead (which I can't pray to... and therefore that is how I don't know the church is true... because I pray to a false God). We ended up just standing up and walking out. As we were leaving... he told us that the Book of Mormon must be false because in Ether 1:8 a man is named Moron. I laughed... and said "I really hope that is how this conversation ends". I asked him his last name as I walked out and he said it was Andrew Price. It all clicked then... he has a restraining order and is not allowed within 100 meters of our churches. He travels every six months to SLC to protest at conference. Who knows... I could have met him at Pageant. The whole mission knows about him. It was a very interesting experience for me. To be honest... it built my testimony so strong. To know that some people are so lost... and confused. You read about the anti-Christs in the Book of Mormon and they knew the truth... but the devil deceived them. I know this church is true. I have had too many experiences to ever deny it. I am so proud to wear on my chest the name of my family, my church and my Saviour. Nothing brings... or has brought me greater joy.

My companion is just fine. I have had sooo many... they all just blur together. He is his own person though. Just like all of us. Australia is his home country... and his accent is gone. He likes gardening... and cooking. He is a great missionary. He wants to do everything right... which is good because sometimes I forget we are supposed to do things. He is obedient and willing. Therefore the Lord works miracles with his hands. We have such a great vision for our Zone... we want 8 baptisms for this transfer. Last transfer we didn't have a single one. Very sad... but this week... all that will change. We had one already with the Sisters... and four this week are planned. God is with us. Therefore who can be against us. On my mission... I have found this quote to be very true "God gets the glory... but he lets us experience the joy". Just like the joy that we all felt from Selena's baptism. As we are obedient and humble... we will always have a reason to be joyful.

I love my life right now. I am trying to make celestial habits. It is hard... but worth every step.

Love,
Elder Krebs

P.s.
Pics of the "barn" to come. Maybe. Next week.

February 28, 2012

Hello family!

It is transfers week! I will be staying in the Watford ward... my companion is going to St. Albans. Elder Cameron will be my companion. He is from Australia and has 3 months left on his mission. I don't really know him or anything about him. Life is great on a mission. There are so many things that can and will happen in Watford. It is a brilliant brilliant area. I am really lucky to serve here. I am sad to see Elder Dongen go, we had a lot of fun together. This transfer will be such a great one. I am really excited to give everything I've got. Today we were teaching Andy about Ammon. Ammon was someone that was always willing to submit to the Lord. Submission is something that is sooo hard. Because we have to forget about ourselves. Sometimes I find it really hard. I want to do it... but it is hard. when I am thinking about it... it is easy. When it is raining and I'm hungry... then it is really really hard. There is nothing more that I would rather do than serve the Lord. I am sooo lucky. I really want to be able to make my Heavenly Father proud. This week was a good week. We had Zone Conference and it was amazing. My last Zone was included and it was sooooo great to see Elder Lingam and others from my zone. A mission is hard. You see and meet so many people that you want to get to know better... but then the Lord never puts you together. Or near each other. I haven't really served with any one from my own group, or near them. I learned at zone conference that I need to be more faithful. Sometimes I get accepting of the success we have here and that "this is how it is in England".... but with faith. We can move mountains and baptise 1000's. I hate getting complacent and not moving anywhere.

I want to have a more active faith. Where I can do my part and then rely on the Lord to work things out. Since I have been here longer than my new companion... I will technically be in charge of the area. It is really weird though... I haven't really been the senior for about 3 months. SO... Now it is back to the lead. Hopefully we can share the load. The zone did really well last transfer. They all worked hard and planted a lot of seeds. Unfortunately we did not have any baptisms... but we have 8 people with a date for this transfer. And many more to come. I am really proud of them. Every companionship will change tomorrow. Therefore... we will now be quite a young zone. I can't wait though. Young means full of energy. Sometimes it is best not to be experienced.

Things are going sooo fast. It is really quite frustrating. I don't feel like I have my grasp on everything here. I feel like somethings are slipping though cracks. I need to fix that. I just need to have 30 hours in a day. It is a challenge. I love challenges. Things are great... and I can't wait to get everything under control. Better planning is all that it takes. My testimony has been strengthened quite a lot over the past two weeks. I have really been talking to my Heavenly Father about a lot of things. Thank you for all your examples of righteous living. You are such a strength to me. I really mean it.

Love,
Elder Krebs

P.s. I would absolutely love to be Elder Hookers best man. Will you give him my email address or post address? I need to hear from him. I miss that man. He is getting married! Ah. Will you send me a picture? Please.

February 20, 2012

Good Afternoon (Morning),

What a beautiful day we are having in England. Sunny and slightly warm. I've had a nap today and we went to Hemel Hampsted and my companion bought a External Hard-Drive. We ate at Burger King and now I feel sick. I've lost a little weight... but I haven't been very smart the past week and a half. My eating habits have changed. I couldn't for the life of me eat sugar coated nothings in the morning. They give me an instant headache. I don't really eat big portions. The only problem is that ALL members think that Missionaries eat forever and ever. This week we had a meal with a lady from Gambia. She told us that the oil she used was a type of medicine in Gambia and was really good for cleaning out your system. The food was a stew with lamb over rice. That night my stomach was sooo very very upset. She even called the next day and asked us if we were okay.

We had an accident with our car. Well... I wasn't driving because of a work over. So it wasn't my fault. I haven't gotten any speeding tickets either... which is a miracle because there are sneaky speed cameras every where in England. I guess it is probably because I never speed. When I am driving through a neighborhood... I always hear my wonderful mothers high pitch scream.... "If you hit a child... you will never forgive yourself... slow down john william." Oh how I miss it. We had a lot of ice on the roads and my companion hit a kurb and popped the tyre and bent the wheel. We took it to the car dealership after we put the spare on and he was looking at a different tyre to get the right measurements. We told him that the popped tyre was in the boot of the car. He replied "I know... but this one has a nail in it". Oh bother. We ended up getting two new tyres and one wheel. We had to buy the wheel from the dealer... but the Church has a membership with a place called Kwik Fix. We went there to ask if they could do the work for us. We asked if we needed an appointment and Perry said "naw... as long as you have money your fine". Needless to say it was a very funny experience for Elder Dongen and I.

Our investigators are doing great. Andy is progressing well. Still getting used to some of the detailed doctrine of the Church. He does not have a baptismal date at the moment. Sandy moved her baptismal date back to the 10th of March, and Ellen (17) is planning to be baptized on the 10th as well. That is next transfer because moves are next week. That means I'll be emailing on Tuesday. Ian is not married yet, but has been living with his partner for about 20 years. We hope to have a wedding soon. Ian is really really solid. We will be meeting him in about three mins. We are teaching the second half of The Plan of Salvation. No baptisms will happen for us this transfer... but there are some great great investigators progressing here right now. I know they will go on to be great assets to the Watford Ward.

I don't know if I will be staying in Watford or leaving next week. If is really up in the air. We shall see.

Will you get to be a part of the Olympics at all?
I really have no idea at the moment. The new mission president will come just as the Olympics start. I assume the bilingual missionaries will be helping. There are tons of people that have volunteered... and so I do not know. I go home on a Thursday and the Olympics end on the following Sunday. Who knows what will happen.

Have you been to Portabella Road?
Yes. Very cool. I went on a night with loads of fireworks and outside street parties. Can't remember why... I think it was the Royal Wedding weekend. Loads of streets just closed and there were parties.

Abbey Road?
Yes. A family in the Hyde Park ward lives right next to it. You can see Abbey road from their apartment. Fancy. There were a lot of asian people taking pictures. We street contacted a man by the crosswalk as well.

What is your favorite event to write down in your calendar each week?
This week is moves callllllssss... and Zone Conference. Two very exciting events in one week. I love district meetings as well. We go to both of the DM in our Zone. I love meetings with Ian as well. He is very open and has great questions. People like him are very fun to teach. I love 10:30 as well. I am ohhh so tired these days.


We just taught Ian! It went great. I love him.

Love you all.

Love,
Elder Krebs

February 20, 2012

Hiya Momma,
We just got this email from our Mission President. Looks exciting. The poor mission president will be in for a wild ride. He comes to England in July and then will have to take over in a city that will be twice the size because of the Olympics. It will be crazzzzy.

Love,
Elder Krebs

P.s. Will write more in a couple of hours.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <2014904-prs@ldschurch.org>
Date: Sun, Feb 19, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Subject: New Mission President
To: john.krebs@myldsmail.net


Dear Elders and Sisters,


We are pleased to announce that President David Jordan and his wife Holly have been called as the new mission president to begin serving in July. President Jordan is a lawyer, and is currently serving as a stake president.


We spoke with the Jordans on Saturday and they are very excited to serve in this mission. As a young missionary President Jordan served in Brazil and was surprised and grateful to be called to serve in the best mission in the world.


We have several mutual friends and had met several years ago. President and Sister Jordan are wonderful saints and will be great to serve with. As soon as their picture and profile appear in the Church news we will forward the article to you.


With much love,

President and Sister Patch

Pictures

This is our cabin, flat, barn. It snowed last Sunday and our church was cancelled.

we walked like four miles... into town. our car was stuck. oops.

February 13, 2012

Hiya Mum,

This week has been a great great week. I feel like I say that every week... but it is true. I love being a missionary and there is nothing else that I would ever do. I was talking with Sister Richel about it today. In the real world... if you are wasting your time and your get frustrated it is so much worse than on a mission. Take video games for an example. If you are playing video games and you are losing... and frustrated it is soooo dumb. You are not getting closer to your Heavenly Father and you are losing. In missionary work... if no one is listening to you and all your investigators drop you... and you are frustrated and tired. At least you are bringing salvation to your own soul. Right? "For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;". Ring any bells? It is such a blessing to know that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. The real world is ever so terrible here in London. It is right in your face and almost impossible to miss. It really makes me hate the world. It is getting increasingly difficult to escape the sin and heathen as our investigator Andy would call them. I am scared to go home... and even more scared to raise children. If training on a mission is anything like raising children... then I am ever so scared. It is not easy. Not at all. If it wasn't the first commandment... I would think about not having them. Especially when they whine and complain and interrupt the spirit in lessons. But oh how we love them as well. They are submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon them. I guess I'll have kids.

I got to find a final and permanent companion first. Life is very interesting on a mission. I am constantly in a eternal perspective mode. When you are in this mode... things that are temporary seem not as important. Like someone yelling at you, or traffic. It gives you a little more patience. A quote I read recently broke the baptismal convenants down into obedience and service. That is what it is all about. Being smart and brave enough to be obedient and then loving enough to serve. I can see on my mission how when I am not as diligent one day in my studies... or if we have to skip studies to travel for a conference or meeting... my day, power and testimony are more tired. If we do not watch constantly... then Satan slips in... especially when everyone is telling you that Joseph Smith isn't a Prophet and the Book of Mormon is just copied from the Bible. You have got to put the armour of protection on.
This week was great. I stopped a man in the Watford town centre. He first walked past me... and then came back and asked if I was Mormon. I responded yes. He then said... "You know the worst thing the Mormons ever did?". In my mind I was thinking... here we go... what did we do now. His next words really surprised me... "The worst thing you ever did was getting rid of celestial polygamized marriage". I was sooo confused. He then continued to educate me on how polygamy is really good and needed in this world. I then had to explain why we practice monogamy. It was a strange conversation.

In Wembly... two asian girls were taking a picture next to an Olympic sign. I asked if they both wanted to be in the picture... and then giggle and then said yes. I was just about to take the picture... but before I asked... where are you from? They said Japan. I then racked my brain and counted to three in Japanese. As soon as I finished taking the picture of them with their peace signs... then just went crazy and started speaking to me in Japanese. I tried to assure them that the only other thing I knew how to say was... "eat the doggy mess" and "domo arigatō mr roboto". Oh yeah.. and goyza. It was just really great. They were just so happy. On Saturday night I met a recent convert from China named Jane and she was teaching me Mandarin. It is one of my top languages to learn. I really hope one day I can travel to many places to learn languages and cultures. It is a dream to be here. Home is in the furthest part of my brain. Emailing every week... brings me down from the clouds. There are many many people that need this message. I don't want to get in the way of them receiving it. The Lord may use me as He needs. I don't mind. It is possible for me to be that tool... as long as I consistently sharpen my edges. It is goood to hear great news from home. I am glad to see the Cats doing well... is that my fault? If we think hard enough... we can remember that Chuck served during the two year Billy Gillespie era. I would say some of the worst in UK history. Does that say something about his "honorable" two year mission? I don't want to point fingers or make anyone feel uncomfortable... but a spade is a spade.

Our investigators are going great. Ian is busy but still progressing. He will need to get married to his partner of 20 years... but that is easy. We will have the Sister Missionaries plan it. Andy is slow... but steady. Sandy is fast... then slow. She has deep concerns... but the Ward is really helping out. Ellen is the 17 year old. She is just spot on. Waiting for the 10th of March to be baptised. That is when she is 18 and her parents will let her.
I am getting really tired of bathing every morning... but on Tuesday I am going to Einfield and Thursday I am going to Alysbury. They both have showers. Somethings are important in life... and I've found a shower is one of them. When I complain though... I feel quite spoiled. I'm sure there is a missionary somewhere not only taking a bath right now... but a very cold one. Maybe I'll be more thankful.

I love you all.