Always Learning

It sure is good we can continue to learn even when we become "elderly". (The Elders mentioned they were teaching an elderly man age 65.) My learning experience has to do with a large whole frozen trout Heimir gave me last week. I mentioned to him the delicious trout dinner Sveinbjörg served us and he went to their freezer and gave me one he caught. When I asked him how to cook it he just shrugged. Yesterday I decided to try and fix it so I invited the Elders since Eileen won´t touch fish. I wanted to fix it like Sveinbjörg´s but she said I just buy the fillets already to cook. I went on line and found a demonstration on how to fillet a trout and then how to skin it. The picture is a 9x13 dish with the two fillets covered in sun dried tomato pesto. The other is of course Elder Fillmore and Elder Walsh and me about to enjoy the trout and the rest of a delicious dinner. The trout turned out delicious and so tender. Eileen sure is missing out but then again she didn´t have to fix it either.

Unusual District Meeting

Last night we didn't go to Reykjavik due to the weather and change in plans of the YSA's we were to take. Today we woke to even worse weather. I called Valla and Gummi and asked how the drive to work was this morning and she said we haven't gone yet as we are waiting for the roads to be cleared and watching the winds. I then asked Gummi if the Elders should come from Reykjavik for our District Meeting this morning and he said NO. So it was decided to do the meeting via Skype. The Reykjavik Elders went to the Koyle's apartment and the Selfoss Elders came to our apartment. The pictures are (1)the missionaries in Reykjavik, (2)Elder Walsh and Elder Fillmore presenting their teaching assignment and (3)listening as Elder Smith taught. Sometimes we just have to use unusual means to accomplish the work.

One blessing of last nights weather was the Elders called on me to teach Nina as the member who was scheduled to be there was stuck in Reykjavik. It was a blessing to again teach Nina. When we have people to teach who are willing to listen and keep commitments as Nina does, the Spirit is also present during the teaching. We all felt the Spirit and she accepted the commitment to be baptized. What a joy to see people come unto Jesus and accept His gospel.

An Apostle of Jesus Christ Testifies of The Book Of Mormon

Sunday afternoon or I should say evening as it was for us in Iceland, we were privileged to see and hear Elder Jeffery R Holland an Apostle of Jesus Christ testify of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon. It was a powerful testimony one that each of us needs to have in our well of strength, in our store of "oil" so we are not deceived. Clicking on the title of this post will take you to that marvelous testimony of Elder Holland.

Winter Wheels

As referred to by Arnar, I had our winter wheels put on today. The law says studded tires can be installed after October 15, but according to several friends, if the weather is bad you can put them on earlier. Last night Gummie asked me if I had put them on yet and I said no I am going to have them put on tomorrow. He said go early as there will be lots of people doing it tomorrow because a big storm is due in tomorrow afternoon. I arrived at 9 AM figuring that was about the time they opened and sure enough there were 10 cars ahead of me. I left the car and guessed they might be done between 10:30 and 11. I walked to the Church and did some record keeping work and walked back at 10:30. They had just started so I wasn't far off. I also had them put plastic ties on the hubcaps in hopes of not loosing any this change over. We have lost 4 so far and don't want to loose any more.

The storm sounds like we are in for it but so far this morning it doesn't look bad. Last night the forecast was up to 33 mm of snow and 40 m/s winds which converts to 89 mph so it could be quite the storm. With a trip to Reykjavik tonight and again tomorrow we are going to keep an eye on this one.

General Conference - FOOD!

What a great weekend! We traveled to Reykjavík Saturday and Sunday for General Conference and it was a wonderful weekend in all respects. After Friday´s experience being stuck on the mountain, it was great to wake up Saturday morning to see the mountain we were stuck on Friday and unable to see through all the snow. But as you can see the mountain looks beautiful all arrayed in white. So off to Reykjavík for Women´s Conference (delayed broadcast) and Saturday Morning Session live. The women enjoyed a potluck before their session.

Sunday we returned for the delayed Priesthood Session at 9 AM followed by the delayed Saturday Afternoon Session. Then a potluck was enjoyed by all before finishing the day with the Sunday Morning and Sunday Afternoon sessions live. While most all languages are translated and beamed around the world from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Icelandic is translated here in Iceland so we have both English and Icelandic sessions going on at the same time. As the title implies we were fed both spiritually and temporally - they were two great days.

Blind Obedience

People of faith are often accused of blind obedience to the commandments of God. The next two days we will be listening to our Prophet, Apostles and other leaders teach us what God has inspired them to teach. It will not surprised me to criticized for wanting to be better and follow the counsel given in these meetings. In my studies today I came across this quote from Elder Spencer W. Kimball - “Is it then blind obedience when we, with our limited vision, elementary knowledge, selfish desires, ulterior motives, and carnal urges, accept and follow the guidance and obey the commands of our loving Father who begot us, created a world for us, loves us, and has planned a constructive program for us, wholly without ulterior motive, whose greatest joy and glory is to ‘bring to pass the immortality and eternal life’ of all his children?” I say no and I welcome the guidance we will receive the next two days in the World Wide General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

If any of you fear our obedience might take away your freedoms let me quote Joseph Smith who saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and by them restored the Church for us today. These are from the Articles of Faith - #11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. And #12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Two more thoughts come to mind - Jesus taught, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32 ) and “happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” - the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Another Perspective

Today we had a great District Meeting in Reykjavík. Started with snow in Selfoss this morning so we left early and although it was a slow trip it was OK. Coming home was a different story and too long but thankfully we had two Elders who pushed us quite a distance up hill before we could get any traction. We made it home fine (not sure for a while). Then we opened an email from a friend with this video. Sure puts a different perspective on life. The Savior our Redeemer is willing to do whatever it takes for us just as this man did for his son.