¡Ya Dos Semanas Aquí en Portland!

August 28, 2017

¡Hola Familia Fonnesbeck!

It's great to hear from all of you! I am so excited for all you to begin school again. It sounds like you all got awesome teachers this year. And I'm excited for your first date, Meghan, with Justin. I hope he treats you nicely on your date. You and Mary will have to send me pics after Homecoming. I got your awesome letter Alizabeth, thank you for that cool drawing of the Multnomah Falls. It makes my study area more lively ;)

This week on Wednesday I get to go through a session at the Portland Temple. I'm so excited to go through this temple again. It's been just over two months since I've gotten my endowment out at this temple. And as I reflect on my past two months, I've gone to the temple six times, through four different temples, in two different countries. The Spirit is the same and learn so much each time. I will make sure to take some awesome pictures.

I've had some interesting experiences this last week. This story is kind of weird, but it happened and I still don't know what went on really. So I'm sleeping when I get woken up by rapid knocking on my door at 2am. I look through the peep-hole and see a guy in his mid-20's restraining who we find out to be is his wife. She is whispering and giggling and he says that he needs help to rid the evil spirits that are in her. I'm just thinking this is the weirdest thing ever, so we sit her down and offer a blessing of comfort and peace because I don't know how to preform an exorcism. After the prayer she calms down and says that she isn't cold anymore. This whole experience was really interesting, but what made it even more bizarre was that the next day I found out from sister missionaries at Zone Conference that these people were actually members. I don't understand but I'm grateful for that opportunity because it prepares me for future experiences.

On a more spiritual note, Elder Clarke and I visited an inactive member from Uruguay who hasn't been to church in eight years. Between that time she had gotten married, had two children, then got divorced. She lost faith in God and didn't believe He was there, especially for her. We had prepared a lesson about that, about how we have a Heavenly Father that loves us. Towards the end of the lesson we began to testify of this principle and how it has blessed our lives. Something changed in that moment. Her two sons(4 & 2) stopped playing with their toys. They became quiet and turned to their mom and then to us. I noticed tears that began to roll down her face. I know the Spirit was present, His physical presence could be felt. I knew that she and her children felt it too. We left that visit feeling uplifted and strengthened. We hope to continue to build her testimony through the next few weeks. 

I continue to receive so many emails from everybody and a few letters via snail-mail. Thank you so much, it is all greatly appreciated! I love you all so much and wish you luck as the school year begins and life falls into routine. Do your own missionary work, you don't need a tag to share the Gospel with someone. And if you're beginning seminary or institute, read and study the scriptures. Come up with a study plan, take it seriously and you can learn so much. I have discovered so many new things and concepts from taking scripture study seriously. Enjoy your week, September is just around the corner.

Love, 

Elder Fonnesbeck

"I know that I'm not the perfect interior designer, but... It's looks pretty cool"

"P-day relaxation in 'The Club,' our favorite hang out"