True Happiness

Hi everyone!!

This week has been great!  I am so glad to hear responses from many different people!  It really is so satisfying to be a missionary.  In all honestly, we get "Nei takk" (no thank you) all day.  Norwegians are not the most receptive to our message, but that is not what it is about.  It's about finding the one person in this area who has been prepared by the Lord to listen to our message.  It really requires a humble person with great faith to want to listen to a message about a boy, Joseph Smith, being called of God to be a modern-day prophet.  As one's heart is opened to listen to the message, it brings so much happiness.

I have the faith that the Lord can do all things.  This past week, I have begun to feel confident in speaking to people on the street and confidence while knocking on doors.  I know what kind of happiness this message brings, I see it in my family - I feel it in my life.  I once thought that if someone wanted to talk about religion - I have the badge on, so they can come talk to me.  That's not really what being a true missionary is about.  There is a famous quote that has always rang true to me, "your playing small doesn't serve the world, there is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you". (Maybe a little different verbiage).  The point of it is, as we let our light shine, we serve the world.  We always want for others to see that the happiness they can achieve, stretches far beyond the sadness of this world.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to be the most happiest beings on this Earth.  We have a choice to be happy, and He will provide us with every tool we need to accomplish that limitless happiness.

As I serve a mission, I am being geared with so many aspects of happiness that I really don't know how to put it into words.  You can deny me all day, tell me "Nei takk" - but as I learn to trust in the Lord more to build me up, I will never deny my faith and I will do all that I can so that others will find the same confidence in our Lord.

The scenery is absoutely beautiful here.  It gets better and better with the weather.  It literally is 'Heaven on Earth', but as you go around and witness the sadness that exists amongst people here, I know Heaven will be an even better place.  I love to be an instrument in the hands of our Lord.  I love to work hard to try and accomplish tough things.

I hope everyone has a great week!  Thank you so much for all your prayers and support.  This is an absolute privilege to be a part of.

Eldste Holden