Hello Loving Family, Monday April 21, 2015
The focus of my letter this week will be on one incident
that will never be forgotten. It was stake conference that we had this
last week. Well, I might as well tell it...
So we had stake conference this week here in Hamburg. It
was really crazy, because we had to make sure all our investigators were there
and all the missionaries came to the meetings early (because our President was
attending), and we also had the Area Seventy coming, Elder Adler, who gave the
stake a talk. We were able to meet him Friday night as he was talking to
the young adults in Hamburg and that was really cool. He is a very nice
man and a passionate man when it comes to the gospel. And so, I do not
remember how stake conference goes on back at home, but we had our Saturday
evening session. And it started great, all the counselors of the stake
presidency got up and spoke about the Area Goal of Europe. And that we
all invite a friend, become self reliant, and work on our ancestry. It was
great. And then Elder Adler gave his talk.
At this point, I am
sitting in the back of the chapel, making sure that no investigators were alone
and all missionaries were present, when I see my beloved President make eye
contact with me in the stand. It sort of freaked me out. I did not
know why he was doing this. And he points his finger at Elder
Adler. I had no idea what it mean, so I started to pay attention a little
more.
Lo and Behold, Elder Adler starts off his talk by, "I would
first like to start my talk today by inviting someone to come up to the
stand. Because we have President Kosak here, I asked him if he would pick
a missionary for me to come up and join me on the stand..... ELDER BRETZING,
are you out there? Can you join me on the stand please?".... My
heart sank. At first, I did not respond because I thought I
translated it wrong in my head. I keep thinking, no! there is no way he
just said my name! But he did. After the 30 second shock wore off,
I got up and walked to join him on the stand. I cannot remember what he
read but he read something from Elder Benson. Then, looking towards me,
he said, "Now, we will be privileged to hear a 2 minute testimony from
Elder Bretzing about Jesus Christ." And then he sat down... All I remember
my first word was, Wow... Ok. I cannot remember what was said during my
testimony. But I remember what I felt and a powerful lesson I learned that
day. I learned how important it is that we are prepared. I gave my
testimony, and Elder Adler thanked me for my preparation and willingness
(because I had no clue that was going to happen). But I remember what I
felt the moment that I sat back down. I remember feeling at peace and
calm knowing that I was ready to bear testimony of Jesus Christ. I know
that He lives. I am grateful to wear His name on my shield.
I do not say this to be proud or to boast, but it was a
great moment for me to learn something very special. At the end of the
stake conference, Elder Adler came and gave me a big hug and said that he did
not know why that I should have been the one to bear my testimony, but he
thanked me for my preparedness to give it.
We need to always be prepared to give our testimony about
Jesus Christ. We may not know when we have too, but when we are prepared,
we will not be left unsupported. Even when a Area Seventy is calling your
name!
I love you all and you are all in my prayers!
Love,
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