Even Miracles can't convince

Truly don't understand how people experience miracles and are held by the hand, literally led to us and find an excuse not to learn more. Ameer is fine, don't worry about him, he is still making wonderful progress, but we met someone else special.

It was a hard day of contacting and no one really wanted to speak with us as well as the streets extremely busy. We weren't in the most effective area at the time it seemed, but I had the chance and stopped a Russian/German woman our age and she was shocked. She was unusually excited and wanted to meet with us at a Cafe. We set up an appointment to meet her personally at a Cafe and introduce ourselves. 

She arrived to the appointment, where we enjoyed hot chocolate and gave her a brief overview of our religion. She really enjoyed what we had to say and she explained to us that her life was horrible. As she grew up she was abused by her father, saying she will never be worth anything, only waiting to marry an abusive husband and a nasty divorce right after.

She also explained that she really believes in Jesus Christ and the atonement, and that she had a dream last night where she saw us. (yes us) and was to see us on the street where we were to meet her. We then invited her to church.

She came, loved it, sang the hymns as well. She felt the spirit so strong and wanted to be a member of this church. After the meeting she pulled us aside and said she invited us to her house where we can meet personally. We knew she lived alone, so we explained our rules that we needed a member with us to teach. She didn't want a member, only us, but rules are rules. We set up an appointment to meet her again at the Cafe.

The next day during dooring, we received a text from her, where she announced that she was upset that she invited us over and that if our rules were in the way of our friendship then she wanted nothing to do with us anymore, but will continue to read the book of Mormon to see if it is the word of God. We did our best to explain, but she apologized and said so long as we follow our rules and disregard her, we cannot meet each other again. Very rough letting her go and a little sour at the same time. The was a rough drop. Even dreams and miracles don't convert, faith and desire is what I sense she was missing.  

On a higher note Ameer is making so much progress. We are at a little bump with him right now. We are doing our best to tell him that Joseph Smith is a prophet and that coffee is bad for our bodies. He believes the book of Mormon, so we explain that through the book of Mormon we can receive a testimony of Joseph Smith, therefore declaring that the word of wisdom is a commandment from a prophet of God. He says it will take time to convert him because he is still learning and it takes time for him to get to where he wants to be. He says for now he believes that Mormon was a prophet, but now we are trying to get to the next step. Elder Taylor showed a wonderful scripture of Ether 12:6, explaining that so long as we live the commandments, we receive a testimony to know if they are true and from God. This moment was powerful and Ameer really felt the spirit, so we convinced him to live the word of wisdom and hopefully from that he will get his testimony of Joseph Smith.

Life is still going so well. Literally on Monday we just set up six appointments with people and taught two lessons, and this is now a normal day. Yesterday was the same as well, except we didn't have time to find because of all our appointments. Working hard and contacting better. Saarbrücken is alive once again and I have had the opportunity to take part in it. Proud to say it and proud to serve here.

Much love 

Elder Monroe

Well Ma. I be broke. We're checking out this Christmas market place in Mannheim. I am buying some necessities for the future. Got a sweet wallet. My other one was in strings so no problem. Probly buy yall some Christmas stuff if you want. Actually already did and something way cool is on the way. Mom will love it. Kinda like a German Nativity, but cooler. Haha. Anyways. This week was just another beautiful week for miracles and people are ready.

Our pal Amie is actually called Ameer. Heard him wrong haha. But we meet him every two days or so, and he calls us to set up appointments. We have done the first three lessons with him so we are now teaching the commandments to him. Something really special about him is his testimony about Jesus Christ and the book of Mormon. Every time we go over he testifies, that he knows this is the right way. When he prays, he prays better than perhaps most members of the church I know. He really prays from the heart and the spirit is always powerful. He has already gotten an answer to his prayers that this church is true. 

Every time we ask him about the book of Mormon is amazing. He just tells us everything that happens in total detail. He literally retells the stories of the book of Mormon to us. And he is one hundred percent spot on. He loves Sam, the brother of Nephi, because he chose to stay true despite his older brothers. He has finished these two first books of Nephi. 

The last lesson we had was also powerful. We brought a member with us called Timo Schumann. His mind was blown as he went with and I am glad he came with. He still has the experience of being a missionary under his belt and knew how to keep things simple and when to bear testimony. So amazing. He bore testimony of why it is important to be baptized and Ameer loved it. He then asked

What should I do now then? What's the next step!? 

Timo just smiled really big at us and we talked about baptism, our first Covenant. We explained to him what it was and now he wants to be baptized. He is planned for January 6th.

Timo told us after the lesson, that this is the most remarkable Muslim he has ever seen. He told us well done and that he had no recommendations for us in teaching. The holy ghost just told us what to say and it went where it was supposed to. He is ready to be baptized. The only problem we face right now is the ward. Even Timo told us we need to have members from the bishopric with us as we teach these lessons to gain their trust. It will not be easy to convince the bishopric about his baptism but for now we have one man backing us up on this one. Germans normally don't accept Muslims Baptisms so well for some reason, so it will come in time. 

A couple of other people just found us as well. The other elders are teaching them, but this guy called Bohan from China just came to church one day and told us his story that he read the Bible when he was seven and he knows it perhaps better than I do. He is going to be baptized the 16th.

Monica is another lady who found us. She loves the book of Mormon and was previously a strong catholic. Not anymore. Literally, in the catholic church it showed a picture catholic version of Jesus christ, and she put the book of Mormon next to it and took a picture of it and sent it to us. So hilarious. And then her nine year old daughter had a dream that Jesus told her she needs to be baptized in this church, so yeah. There is another baptism on the way.

Just stuff started happening all of a sudden here. Saarbrücken was dead, but it just came out of nowhere from the ashes. We didn't even do anything honestly said. God just sent some awesome people our way. Look forward to teaching them. 

Much love 

Elder Monroe

10.5.17 New Stuff and New Goals

Ladies and gentlemen Elder Monroe got a new companion! His name is Elder Taylor from Idaho. And he is way funny and we work really hard and well together. I look forward to working with the guy some more. Just went out yesterday and set out like 4 so 5 appointments and life is good right now.

We've set new goals and we have high expectations for this transfer. Things are already looking up. Got a cool appointment with a French family. She showed us to her house and wants her and her husband to hear the lessons. So cool! Her name is Jessie Pierre. That's like 100% French.

The other day we had dinner at a Mexican place. It tasted legendary and I miss my Mexican brothers. We were supporting this fundraiser for all the Mexicans that were effected by floods and hurricanes and I guess earthquakes. It was for a good purpose. The person that managed the fund raiser is an investigator of the other Elders and she is extremely friendly.

General conference then happened. It's way different in Germany, as it lasts two weeks for us. We watch the last session on the second Sunday. The others ones on this last Saturday and Sunday, and might I add that Elder Oaks just did an awesome job of roasting people trying to change the churches standards for today's problems. What a guy. I am glad he did that because someone needed to. We just hung out in a room by ourselves with chips and salsa and enjoyed the sessions. Really relaxing and great. 

Yea I guess not too much happened. Worked hard and enjoyed the week. 

Elder Monroe 

1 General conference environment 

2 us with our ward mission leader eating Mexican food. 

3 we got a ride from our ward mission leader and we just crashed... The other way.

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Any JournalElder Justin Monroe

10.19.2017 Mission Reunion

This last Monday we had a huge mission reunion so to say. We all went to Frankfurt to hear an apostle of the lord speak... In person. Really cool and he wanted to shake all of our hands! So that was way cool. Really an honor for me to shake Russell M Ballard's hand. He is a spiritual giant. He came and gave advice and support for our mission. 

We also met everyone in the mission, which means we met everyone from the MTC. It's been six months since I have seen a few of them and let's just say it was way weird. Way cool to meet them again. 

This last week was a rough one. We set up about four or five appointments this week and they all fell out. So let's go for next week. 

Then we had a referral who lives an hour from us. We called him and he set up and appointment with us at three. We get there and we both heard what he said, wrote it down as soon as we heard it as well. Get there and find out it is at two... So he laughed at us and took the book of Mormon at least and then said he was too busy this week and all next month and left. What the flip. Lol. 

Learning how to cook here. Chili con Carne boss here. Haha that is like all I can make. Chili and noodles are good here. But my favorite things are those little pizzas where you just throw them in the oven because usually my companion and I are way to tired to cook anything else. 

Man when you realize that not too much happened this week because we were all on the streets. It's funny what these name tags do. Right as you talk to someone they look really close and right as they see Jesus christ they book it and run. For instance we doored a glass door. A lady comes to the door, looks through the glass and just stands there looking at our name tags. We wave and say hi, but she nods her head and walks back into her house. Like what the heck. 

And sisters ! My companion and I always make fun of the ability sisters have. We are on our way back to saarbrücken from Frankfurt and two sisters just sit next to this old guy on the train and they don't even have to say anything. Lol. The old guy just smiles at them and just engagés in conversation with them. Boom potential. 

Me and elder Taylor decided to try that. Hey that's way cool. We sit next to an old guy and the guy grunts at us so we were talking to him and he closes his eyes and grunts again. Darn it. Maybe if we grew out our hair we'd have more success or some thing. Like Samson.

Yea so that's really about it today. Nice about the family and hope they are all good. 

Elder Monroe 

Sept 7 The hand of God

This week was very successful. We have met some really impressive people. I am looking forward to baptisms here in Saarbrücken. There is so many people that are ready, you just got to find them. 

We have met this guy from Eritrea. His name is Isaak. He has an insane story. He was once a soldier for the army of Eritrea, and currently Eritrea is having a horrible Civil War against themselves as well as religion. He says he killed many people and saints, bishops, only because he had to as a soldier. It was his job, but he couldn't stand it anymore. He fled and was inspired by saints who he killed to follow christ and his teachings. He then started his own following of about three hundred followers. But he has no church. He found us on the street one day and looked at us on his bike. He smiled and said 

I see a light in you. I feel the Holy Ghost in you and your eyes are bright. Which church do you belong to? I currently don't have a church and wish to find one. May I join yours and see if I feel the holy ghost there? If I do I will join. 

We obliged and gave him a book of mormon, and when he saw it he was a little scared at first, but looked at it and says, 

If I feel the light in you, what you are saying must be true. But I must read and find out. I need to know what I am joining. 

He came to church in a wonderful testimony meeting and felt the spirit so strong. He told us he was so happy and felt like this is the right church. He than asked us how can I share this book to my people of Eritrea? They are scared of other books besides the Bible, but I will slowly share this book. I want others to have a testimony of Jesus christ. Can I also invite my followers to your church? 

We obliged once again and had a wonderful lesson. He brings his notebook to lessons and takes notes on our lessons. During the lesson I heard his stomach growl very loud. I asked if he was hungry. He has been fasting three days so that he can feel the spirit. No wonder why the lesson went so well. 

He is definitely a blessing in my life, and I know he will be in others to come. He says when he reads the whole book he will be baptized, so it will take a little time. 

Another is a man called Alex from Kyrgyzstan. He is a seeker for truth. He says if it is in the Bible I will believe it and I believe I can get an answer from God. He is very humble and has extremely hard questions, so when we have lessons I always have to give myself assignments as to what to study because most of the time I don't know the answer to his questions. Really great to know him and he really enjoys our time as we do his. 

The hand of god is truly in the lives of others as I have seen. It truly makes me grateful being apart of this work. For there is no greater call. 

Much Love

Elder Monroe

Sept. 14 another week rolling smoothly

Got another way good investigator. Her name is Valerie and told us she wants to be baptized, but has to check out our church and learn about it, and she likes it. Woo! She is German but wants English practice, so our lessons revolve around English and German. She is so ready.

Isaak is also on fire. Just comes to lessons and we are always excited. He asked us if he can bring 15 friends to church who want to come... We just need to talk to bishop to prepare the ward for these changes... Hey this is pretty sweet. This will literally add a 1/3 more to church attendance. 

He kinda had a hard idea of being baptized again by a guy with authority, since he was already baptized. He said he needs to pray and find out. We thought that was a good idea. Haha. 😉

We have been doing lots of less active work here as well. I feel like everyone of them is moved... Lots of long travel only to find out they don't live there anymore. Flip.

We get along well with this ward. It is a very good ward and it's even better to see those less actives you invite come to church. Many of them want to, they just need support and they are so friendly when they see us.

Oh yeah.. We freaking have this weird guy who is like 70 years old called Mario. Never baptized, but is nuts and comes to church sometimes. For example he came in a Spiderman costume. Bishop chased him out of the church. Haha. And we have blocked him on our phone at least five times or more, but always finds a new way to contact us. Literally once he said that he is trying to move to Utah, but he changed his last name to trump and wants to marry trumps daughter. We told him good luck with that. He said thanks.

We have destroyed some Muslim Bible bashers. I honestly hate bashing, but when they set appointments just to bash, bring it on. I have never felt so prepared and blew him out of the water. It drives me nuts when they try to prove us wrong with the Bible when they don't believe in the holy ghost and Jesus christ as the son of god. Boom roasted. It is just another firm testimony to me that this church is true and can be defended in every principle and every way, because this church is true and the book of Mormon is flipping awesome.

I am learning a lot here. This place is great. I think I am getting used to it here... Kinda. Haha. Getting really cold here and getting out the winter clothes.

Much love

Elder Monroe

And we went to trier today. So so cool and so much history. I will definitely check it for Christmas... Gonna be here for it. Awesome. You guys have to check it out. So legendary and we got lots of pictures...

Aug 21 Blessing of marriage

So we went to a members house. His name is Bessem. He has a heart if gold and his à Muslim convert and makes friendly rap. He isn't all the way there but just so friendly. He asked if he could say a blessing for us. We said we would love one. Then he said a prayer about when we finish our missions that we can find a beautiful lady to marry and she will be perfect and will have beautiful children. A beautiful virgin. I was kinda reminded of the joke I heard in the MTC. 

1 Nephi 11:10,15

And the Angel said unto me what desires thou? 

And I said unto him, a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. 

I just kinda looked up in the middle of the prayer and was like

Hey thanks. Will do man!

So for what has happened that is notwendig.

We were dooring in this catholic neighborhood. Horrible idea. We door for three hours and one guy kinda listened to us and took our card at least. He didn't let us in and we just talked on his porch. The others all said they were all catholic. Rough.

One of them really was interesting though. She was a little over sixty it looked like wearing lots of make-up and really tight leather black clothes. Like painfully tight. We asked her if she wanted to hear a message of Jesus christ. She was like (in the weirdest highest voice ever)

Oh I am sorry. I am so busy and my children aren't home. It is so hard cleaning the house and it's so stressful.

So as my call states that we are called to serve, I asked her if we could help her with any problems that she may be having. Her reply...

Oh you m'en are wonderful young boys. No but I think you are so sweet. Come by another time and we will see about it......

TCHUSSY GUSSY!

Then blew us a huge kiss and winked, closed the door, and me and my companion just stood there in awe. We had no idea what the crap just happened. We freaking ran into a cougar. And for the elders who are reading this letter, TCHUSSY GUSSY is actually real. Tschüss in German means bye, but adding the GUSSY in the end just makes the whole situation worse.

Then another fun one. My companion is an interesting guy. I think I am learning lots from him, like in the other way haha. He wears this long trench coat thing he calls the black mamba. He is a little out there and loves this thing to death so he wears it everywhere, despite Germans giving him so much crap about it. So for example we were contacting people on the streets/shop Platz. Then two trashy looking female druggies in their teens and a druggy guy comes up to Elder ockey and asks.

Do you sell speed?

What?

Do you sell speed?

I am a missionary! Can't you tell?

Then this guy booked it, but my companion stopped him and asked him spiritual questions as to why he does that. The guy said his coat was big so he thought he was hiding drugs. Gave him a Mormon card, they went into a store, alarms went off everywhere. Hate it when you steal stuff lol.

Then another guy who was high on cocaïne (he had lots of energy and was dancing around as he talks) told my companion his cape looks cool and likes his Harry Potter costume. Haha. My companion didn't like the roast so much. It's what you learn on a mission. I still have fun with this guy. 

We had Interviews with President. He is always a great guy. He told me expect to see more changes in Saarbrücken. I know we can change this place. It is a rough place and really fun at the same time.

Still working with Isaak. Hope all goes well for him.

I just realized something on my mission. Lots of people aren't there all the way, but without that life wouldn't be interesting. Everyday I meet someone who does the most ridiculous things. Perhaps he tries to cut someone's fingernails. Perhaps a guy in lederhosen tries to make his journey somewhere in a Peter pan hat but goes home because he is too tired, or an old guy with a motorcycle helm on who steals empty bottles to recycle it for money, or drunks scratching the sides of lots of cars with the trunk of a sapling. Or just turks in general haha. It is ridiculous. I was missing out on all of this when I was home. I wouldn't be in any other place. Germany is my dream mission and what do ya know. I love it here and I love the people. I can speak pretty good German and it's coming faster and faster. It's a lot more comfortable being here and of course I still have lots more to learn. Life is good, and it only gets better.

Much love

Elder Monroe

This transfer has come to an end. These things fly by extremely fast and going on to number five. Let's see what happens this next one.

Kind of a hard week this time. Lots of people just don't have the interest here. They are just not the best commitment people here. Haha but there is still lots of people to talk to on the streets of saarbrücken.

It reminds me of the amulonites and amalekites. Out of all the work the Aaron and his brothers did only one was converted. But it really is a testimony to me that every soul is great in the eyes of God. We're gonna at least find one here. That is my goal and we go out everyday to find this one soul.

Anyways I absolutely love the members here. My favorite members here is the Kennedy family. They are so friendly and are about to have a family(so they are a young family) and they come out from Utah. He loves biking, and so he has four very nice bikes on his walls and we enjoy talking about trails and he tells me all about the legendary trails of Utah haha. I love these members here and they are very supportive of us. Always grateful for good members and amazing food. They really make the mission awesome.

I try so hard not to laugh out loud when I walk the streets here. Just this mom who let's her six year old girl drop her pounds and pee on the stairs of the house with everyone there waiting for their train. What the flip!? Haha.

I have been reading the Bible in German as well as the book of Mormon. Elder Jones showed me something really cool. In the German translation, in John 21 where Jesus asks Peter do you love me? In German the translation is Liebst du mich? Which means in a literal sense... 

Do you truly love me? (In a deep and loving way). 

As you know the story Peter says yea lord I love thee. But in the third time in the German translation Jesus asks. 

Hast du mich lieb? 

This translation says do you love me? (in a brotherhood sense). There are many different levels of expressing love in German, and it really made me think. Jesus truly showed love to his apostles as well as us, and he literally is our older brother. I never really thought about that and I truly love the German language, especially in terms such as this. I never really thought of loving him as a brother but it was something that affected me. Just a cool fact. 

Investigators, well let's just say we are looking for more. Lots of people don't like hearing they have to be baptized again. Haha. Just press forward.

Much love

Elder Monroe

1 freaking hate this lady cause everything I introduce myself.

Oh! Like Marilyn Monroe!

2 met some weird guy in the forest in a hike and demanded that we hugged trees to show respect to the forest because they are our brothers... Here is Elder Jones hugging a tree. He invited us... We were his guests.(The odd guy in the forest)  Never thought I would hug trees on the mission.... Haha

3 Forest was still pretty