Investigators dwindling

Hey Y'all,

Nothing really happened this week, I dont know whats been going on with our investigators but they are dwindling pretty quickly. We met with some less actives this week, and everyone is back from their "Village". We had another lesson with Anand and he is firm in his believes, he said that even if he saw God he wouldn't believe in him, which is sad though during a lesson he said he believes "something" created the world but he doesn't know what. I think he does believe he just doesn't know where to find the truth. He wants to create the perfect "concept, not religion" that will unite everyone. He thinks religion has failed to unite, because as we know there are many differences between Christians vs Muslims vs Jews, and diverse believes in the Christian world alone. I think Macaroni and cheese will be a good concept that unites everyone. Thats all I ate/made this week was Mash Potatoes and Macoroni, We made no bake cookies with the Chilpagiri family, we didn't have butter, the texture of the cookies was dry, but the taste was fine. I dont think the people here like the no bake cookies, they tell us they like them, but I can definitely tell they dont. Which is waay lame because I put on a waaay better show when they give me Indian food. Shiva Rama Krishna isn't doing well at all, he doesnt want anyone from church to visit him for about 5 months, and I have noticed he started to put more Hindu photos up, its so sad to see him in his times of trials, and to see him resort back to his old ways, I hope that he will be better! Anyways that was the week!

Love,

Elder Magnusson ​

Dasara

October 17, 2016

Hey y'all,

Not too much happened this week because of Dasara, Which is like the "goddess" holiday or something. Its kinda like Ganesh Festival but for girls. Its really hard to explain India, I myself cant explain somethings here, even when Im watching them do it. All our investigators were in the "villages" this week. When they say village I believe that means wherever they grew up, or where the majority of their family lives. 

This week we basically visited less actives, and members. The Batula kids sadly wont be baptized on Sunday, and David has plans to move back to his village next month. At church a guy named Anand came in and wanted us to teach him about Jesus Christ. Well he tells us he is Atheist and it blows his mind to the fact that we believe there will be life after this life on earth. He was born Hindu and when I asked him when he became Atheist he said "When I started thinking". He said religion is crap and his goal is to "Kill religion". I thought that was interesting and told him he basically made his own religion that Quote believes in "killing religion". He is a very smart man, and said we are not qualified to teach because we have read the other religious books, such as the Koran or Torah) and because of that we are in darkness. He said he read the Koran and thought it was a waste of his time, and then read the BEGINNING of the Bible, and stopped reading and thought it was also a waste. I told him he too isn't qualified to go to Christian churches and discuss religion and try to "kill it" if he hasnt read the bible and he too would be in darkness. Our conversation was very interesting, it wasn't bashful by any means, this guy is very logical and the basic doctrine of the Christian religion isn't logical to him, I tried to help him realize that the stuff in the Bible isn'l worldly, and he has to think spiritually and that God doesnt have to follow the "rules" or the world and the science that goes with that. Turns out he met with Elder Pereira when he was serving here, and Anand wants to hear more about our believes. He seems like an interesting guy and the lesson with him had more excitment than my normal lessons with investigators. Lessons are more enjoying when people ask questions. I also when on an exchange with Elder Conrad and that was a lot of fun, it could possibly be the last one! We had a great time and ate Mcdonalds.

Love,

Elder Magnusson​

General Conference

October 10, 2016

Hey y'all,

This week was when we watched General Conference in India./ There were a lot of inspired talks, I came to GC with questions and received many answers. I definitely knew it was inspired, because that night we went to Shiva Rama Krishna's who just got back to the hospital because his son had some viral infection (which I think was a lot like what I had earlier) and he was there for 3 days. We didn't even know about the problems he has been having but felt like we needed to visit him. He started crying telling us about what he has been going through, and he that his trials have been non stop, one after another. What I liked is that I had that as one of my questions for General Conference, because I see a lot of suffuring here, and it truly is non stop. I learned that it doesn't matter how long the trial or how frequent they are, but that God is the one in charge and he wants you to come to him. It was a great experience as we shared some of the talks from GC with him to try and help him. We picked up a less active family (Jamadanda's) who have had many problems in their lives, and it was the best to go to their home and see them it the best clothes that they were able to afford and come to General Conference. I think the best part was that night when we were teaching them at their home and during the lesson Deekshith (the son) smacks Elder Wilcox in the face randomly. Apparently there was a mosquito on his face so Deekshith killed it by slapping him, it was quite funny. Other than that just a normal week, sadly the Batula children's baptism will be later and not on the 23rd because they need more time and need to qualify for baptism.

Love,

Elder Magnusson

I have a tractor

October 3, 2016

Hey Y'all,

This week we were able to get some good work in, and it started out by teaching some Hindu people how to pray. Their children (some of them) are converted, and so they in their old age have sought to know truth. We taught them how to pray and they did very well their first try. They live in the Zone Leaders area, so we had to hand them over to them. We have a family in our ward (The Batula's) who are both return missionaries and have 2 kidsSri Shanth (boy), and Denusha (girl). The kids are over 8 years old, so it falls under the missionary's responsibility to teach them. We taught them the basics of the gospel the other day, plus they knew a lot because they are raised in it. We have a baptismal date on the 23rd, of this month, so that'll be great to see. We met with Prince, and we talked about the Plan of Salvation, he explained to us what he thought was gonna happen, and I swear he is in the Luminati, we helped him understand what actually will happen. We saw David this week, and taught him about baptisms for the dead and Temples. He is so worried because his family members are Hindu they wont accept the gospel. But we helped him realize that the Lord has plans for those people, and will give them opportunities to accept it, if they choose to. In India we watch General Conference a week later, so I haven't see it yet, and am excited to hear the Lord's Prophet and apostles counsel us. As David was talking about his family problems he tells us; " I have a tractor, Im the Engine and Gods the Driver", I thought that was funny but also true. WE may be directed by him, but we have to be willing to put in the work to do so. He can steer us, but we gotta be the ones to choose to move. Other then that it was a great week here in Hyderabad, and the rain stopped this past week so thats good. Happy October!

Love,

Elder Magnusson

Year Mark

September 26, 2016

Hey y'all,

This week was a pretty good week and finally hit the good ole halfway point! I have also burnt my shirt, which as y'all may recall at my 6 month mark I burnt a tie. I think this is only a tradition in the Mission I'm serving in, because they never did that when I served in Idaho. This week it has rained a lot! In India when it even sprinkles they shut down everything. Its kinda funny, but in Georgia when we have Ice storms we too shut down everthing, so I can't really boast about anything. They dont build drainage systems so everything floods. 

This week we met a guy named Biju and we went to his home, which turns out to be a church. We found out he is a pastor, and so we shared a Book of Mormon with him, and he was interested to read it. We went back again to talk about prophets and the lesson didn't go very well. He knows only a little bit of English, so he doesn't understand everything we taught. We tried to teach about apostasy in the early church, and he didn't understand it what so ever. We also met a guy named Prasuja, who I've been trying to meet since I've been in this area (5 months). We met with him and he accepted everything we taught, he has been to the church many times in the past and was taught by missionaries a year ago. He lived in the U.S (Madison, WI) for 3 years, so he has great English. I wondered why God wanted me to be in this area for as long as I've been here, and was expecting to be transferred. I would assume its because there is someone here that he wants me to teach and I swear its Prasuja. I asked him what kinds of American foods he liked and he said; "I love Buffalo Wild Wings", in that very moment is when I knew he was the one I have been looking for. The spirit was soo strong in that lesson. Prasuja I too love Buffalo Wild Wings.

We met with a member named Raja this week and his conversion story is awesome. We met him at the local grocery store so he could take us to his home (Indian address systems are basically a description of where they live, an address could be Sterling on the Lake, a green house, with grass, and we have to look for that.) Once we met him at the store he told us he couldn't take us to his home. We asked why? And he responded by saying; "My mother doesn't know I joined the church". Im sure some of y'all could picture what my face looked like when he said that to me. We asked him to explain a little more, turns out he was raised as a Hindu in the Bremen caste (the highest caste in Hinduism) and his mother doesn't know he's a Christian. He said he always believed in God and when he met with the missionaries he told his mom he has work, and so he would meet the missionaries at church. Because of his financial status he didn't have money to go to the church, so he would walk an hour and a half to meet them. Its an awesome story and even to today he tells his mom he has work and ends up coming to church on Sunday. He is struggling financially and basically said "I have to choose whether I feed my mom or whether I feed myself", but he has kept the faith and believes God will help him! He's an awesome member.  

I have thought about this last year and the difference in myself from September 2015 to now, and what I want to be like in September 2017. I was readling from the teachings of President David O. Mckay and it talked about how we can change our nature. I have learned that its the little things that change who we are, just as rain ralls in droplets and thats what creates a flood. A quote I liked was by Llewelyn R. Mckay and it says;" Character springs from the depths of the soul. You think about when you do not have to think, and I'll tell you what you are". I think that is a great quote and hope that I can improve the little things over this next year. That was basically my week, and will see y'all in less than a year. Ill try to send the video of me burning my shirt sometime!

Love,

Elder Magnusson​

Sick

September 19, 2016

Hey y'all,

This week nothing happened mainly because I had the flu. I had to stay in just about everyday, and man is time slow when that happens! I also had a throat virus which wasnt fun either. A lot of church members are sick, so I could of gotten it from them. Transfers happened, and I am still in Madinaguda Hyderabad. My new companion is Elder Wilcox and he is from Oregon (never thought I would be companions with someone from that place). Elder Shuman went to Bangalore, and is on a temporary assignment. Sister Kalyani brought her brother to church so we luckily will now be teaching him. None of our investigators came to church, and this week we're focusing on getting more. My new companion has to get a root canal, so that'll be fun.We had a lock down on the 16th and now since Ganesh Festival is over we can now wear our tags and ties! Other than that nothing happened, but luckily Im no longer sick, so we'll be able to get some good work in this week! Sorry this is so short

Love,

Elder Magnusson  

9/11

September 12, 2016

​​​​​​Hey y'all,
This week was interesting with Ganesh Festival, and it started on Monday when we were on lock down. We just stayed in the apartment, but nothing really happened. It didnt occur till later in the week when thinks went crazy. I was pretty sick all day yesterday, and today, so we stayed in the apartment and as I was trying to get rest there was a bunch of racket going on outside. I look out the window and there was a bunch of drums, music, dancing, and fireworks. Not the most fun when it goes on for 4 hours, right in front of the apartment. And man did it seem so weird watching them, I literally thought it was like some crazy Hindu tribal thing. I have learned this week that Hinduism (to me) is more of a culture than a religion. There were plenty of members that participated in the Ganesh Festival, which didnt make sense because its Idol worship, but I guess they all grow up doing those kinds of events. I learned that the word Bharathi is India in Hindi, and the word India is the English translation. This week in the district we started to have a meeting after each day, and talk about the tender mercies of the Lord that we noticed that day. Its called NASA meeting (Nocturnal Advocate of Spiritual Accomplishment), during that meeting we talked a little bit about 9/11 and the tragedies that happened in 2001. Its a sad time a pray that God blesses those families that were victims to this event. Lately I have been pondering about the Atonement, and we are told that it is sufficient for all. That when we sin we can not only be forgiven, but the guilt will also leave. I know we're told that, but I really pondered if the Atonement is truly sufficient for all. Yesterday during studies I was reading in Enos, where he prays all day and night, and when he does that his sins are forgiven him and his faith in the Lord is "Unshakable". As I read that chapter I realized that the Atonement IS sufficient for all, we just have to have FAITH that it is. I found that interesting, that the was we can access the Strengthening and Enabling power of the Atonement was through our faith. We lastly went to the Furguson's house, they are an American family in Madina Guda 1st ward. We were all invited to have Cinnamon Rolls, and man when we were in there home, I literally stepped into America. They had a spacious home, with 3 levels, plenty of bathrooms and a kitchen that could fit more than 2 people. It was crazy, I know thats normal to y'all but its been awhile since I've had those luxuries. Until next time! 

Love,

Elder Magnusson​

Ganesh Festival (The Elephant One)

September 4, 2016
Hey y'all,

This week wasn't too special, I think the main excitement was David came to church, what a coincidence that he came on the day he was originally scheduled for baptism. At the beginning of the transfer (5 weeks ago) we were expecting to have about 2-3 baptisms yesterday, but that did go as planned. We taught more less actives than investigators, and our teaching pool of progressing investigators has been dropped significantly.

Ganesh Festival is like Christmas, but with Idol worship. They are celebrating his birthday. Man is it about to get crazy up in here, today we are on lock down, so we have to be in all day, but because its P-day we have a little room to do things outside. The whole festival (about 12 days or so) we can't where our tags or ties, which sucks, And for a couple days we're gonna be wearing normal clothes. My dream to proselyte in flip flops can be achieved! They make these huge clay ganeshes and paint them (which honestly looks pretty cool looking) and then take them to different areas. They have built a bunch of tents up around the area (even right outside our apartment) and yesterday a bunch of trucks with ganeshes in the back were taking them to all the different locations. From my understanding a bunch of people will be in the streets and traffic will be much worse. 

This week we taught a lot about repentance, and when I was on my exchange with Elder Patten, one of our less actives asked us what is the difference between our church and all the other churches (besides priesthood authority and the full gospel/Book of Mormon etc) and we told her it was change. The church requires us to become better, not saying other churches dont, but we all have callings and responsibilities that we have at church that allows it to function. Elder Shuman and I later taught a less active the difference between change and repentance. Now they, to most people seems the same. But to me I saw change as a temporary thing, where we change our behavior, or our actions vs repentance which is not a temporary change, its where we change our nature. When we repent truthfully thats when we hopefully) become more Christ-like. The only way we can obtain Christ-like attributes is when we repent. I felt like we had a great lesson with that family, and we committed them to come to church. They awkwardly didn't show up, but hopefully they felt something. 

We made no back cookies with the Shammugams, I dont think they really liked them except the father. In India they feed you till you wanna die, so we got pay back, by making sure they had a nice sized helping of cookies.Other than that, it was a normal week here in Hyderabad India.

Love,

Elder Magnusson​

Westernization to the Max

August 29, 2016

Hey Y'all,
This week wasn't that great, it wasn't a hard week by any means, but not much progression happened with our investigators. We were able to have good lessons with our less actives though. None of our investigators came to church, but there was a man who is from Vizak that was there. He will be in Hyderabad for 2 years, so we got his info and brought him to gospel principles where we taught missionary work. The last hour of the church was very interesting, because everyone was combined and the stake presidency was there. They wanted to discuss some of the problems happening in the stake, such as the gossip and not keeping the church clean enough, now those are 2 cultural characteristics I have learned about this country, but not a place to have a potential investigator. He left during the middle of the meeting.
We located many less active homes this week so that was great, and taught many awesome lessons where we were able to get people to open up an share their testimony. We also had a lesson about 1 Nephi 17, where Nephi is commanded to build a ship, and so for the activity we had the family (Chilpigiri family) build a boat out of paper, I sent it in a pic, and you can see that only one person did so successfully. We went  to a members house and when we went inside the subdivision Elder Shuman and I were blown away. It was the most westernized place I've seen since being in The U.S. The subdivision almost looked like the from of Sterling on the Lake where they built the smaller sized homes. The homes still weren't as big, or as nice, but dang I was surprised! She also fed us Arabian desserts, because he husband goes there for work sometimes. And that was very good! Indian sweets are very weird and not very good, they are very dry, and crappy. Yesterday we went to a hospital to give a blessing to one of our members father. And again, it was crazy westernized! It was huge! I have been in India for quite a while considering I got excited about a hospital. Other than that it was an interesting week, here in Hyderabad India.
As I have read some of my friends mission emails, I have learned they get transferred much more often than I do, the way we get to other areas in the mission is by plane. So im gonna assume thats why. This is week 5 out of 6 in the transfer and am feeling like Ill be transferred, which is good because I've been here since May.
Love,

Elder Magnusson 

Pics of Golconda Fort are included​

Vocab

August 8, 2016

Hey Y'all,

This week wasn't as successful as last week, we were able to only get few lessons in with our investigators, and sadly couldn't see all of them. None of them came to church yesterday so that sucked. We taught David, and got him on a more firmer baptismal date, of September 4. A member named Shiva Rama Krishna (yes he was previously hindu, as you can tell by the name) to fellowship him. We also got 2 new investigators, Shanti and her husband (I forgot his name), who were previously Hindu also. I have been working on Christ-like attributes, and have decided to work on one each month till I go home. This month I am working on "Faith in Christ". A building burned up this week, but they build them with cement so it didn't burn down. We visited with our less active members, but they still didn't come to church yesterday, hopefully this next week we'll have better luck. Glad to hear Mariah Lutz is getting baptized! So happy to hear that, if anyone has her email please send it to me! Other than that it was a normal week down here in Hyderabad India! Also Happy Birthday to my Bro Tylan, and sis Melissa, and my nephew Alden! 

Love,

Elder Magnusson 

P.S I have attatched a list of Indian phrases and meanings, so I hope you enjoy;

"Cotton Candy" is "Fairy Floss"
"Overpass" is "Flyover"
To "take a picture" is to "take a Snap"
"Schedules" are "Timings"
"Bathroom" is where you take a "bath"; "Toilet room" is where you use the "toilet"
"Washroom" is the "Bathroom"
To "pass out of college" is to "graduate from college"
If something is "Brand or Branded" it is of "high quality"
"Out if Station" is "Out of Town"
A "Lift" is an "Elevator"
You "Message me" not "Text me"
"Email Address" is "Email ID"
"Mail" is "Email"; "Post" is "Mail"
"ZIP Code" is a "PIN Code"
"Door number" is not your Flat Number; it is a set of numbers, dashes and slashes that designate each door in a building and us only used in the formal address.
"Flat"is an "Apartment"; it may be owned or leased 
"Third Standard" is "Third Grade"
To "Take a Class" is to "Teach a Class"
"Beef" is "Water Buffalo"
"Mutton" is "Goat"
"Petrol" is "Gasoline"; Diesel is Diesel
"Petrol Bunker" is a Gas station
Gasoline is considered "Inflammable" on truck warning signs
"Motor Spirits" are "Liquid Petroleum"
"Cue: is the waiting line
"Biscuit" is  "Cookie" if sweet and a Cracker if salty"cacker" is fireworks of all kinds
"Wrappers" are any individually wrapped candy
"Chocolate"is Candy
"Sweets" are Candy
"Cold Drink"is a Soda
"Curd"is Yogurt
"Hotel" is both a place to Eat only and to Stay only
"Tomato Sauce" is Tomato Catchup
"Cinema Movie" is a Theater 
"Colony" is a Neighborhood, with a,namr, definite boundary and a government.
"Current" is Electricity
"Current Account" is a Checking Account 
"Deposit Account" is a Savings Account 
"District or Taulk" is a County 
"Dust Bin" is a Garbage Can 
"Earth Wire" is the Ground Wire
"Football" is Soccer
"Garbage" is Trash
"Goods" are Freight
"Childrens" are Children 
"Furnitures" are "Furniture"
"Inflammable" is Flammable
"Nappies" are Diapers 
"Point or PowerPoint" is an Electrical Outlet 
"Post Box" is Mail Box
"Spectacles" are Glasses 
"Carry Bag" is a Shopping Bag; usually paid for extra at point of purchase. 
"Berrett" is a Hair Clip
"Not Picking Up the Phone" is not Answering the Phone.
"Cap" is a Hat
"Number Plate" is Vehicle License Plate
"Shift" is to Move
"Quoting as Under"is "Quoting as Follows" 
"Bunking" is In Bed Sleeping 
"Function Hall" is a Reception Center 
"Weigh Bridge" is a Truck Scale
A "Tyre" is a Tire
A "Sticher" is a Seamstress
"Notice Board" is a Bulletin Board
"Bunking School" is Cutting School
"Kitty Party" is a Women's Luncheon Gathering
The "Year is Lacking" means The Year is Almost Over.
"Proprietary Food" means that the food in the package is Ready to Eat.
A "Scooty" is a Scooter 
A "Cycle" is a "bicycle"
A "Bike" is "Motorcycle"
An "Auto" is a "Motorized Rickshaw"
A "Car" is an "Automobile"
A "Star Screwdriver" is a Phillips Screwdriver 
To be "Rash" is to be Rude and Yell
"Rash" driving is Driving Recklessly 
"Mummy" is "Mom"
"Yeha, yeha, yeha" is Yes
"Lady Fingers" are Okra 
"Kindly" means Please 
If you order "gravy" you are going to get "curry"
A "Felicitation Function" is a "Meet and Greet" or "Congratulations Party" or "Appreciation Gathering"
To "Xerox " something is to "copy" something 
"Eve teasing" is harassment of women or girls; it is also sexual harassment and sexual abuse 
A "Scale" is a "Ruler"
"To Let" means "For Lease"
"Newspaper Cuttings" are "Newspaper Clippings"
"Lorrie" is a single axle "truck"; it may carry sand 
"Will do the needful" means "OK"
A "napkin" is a "face cloth"
A "locker" at a bank is a "safe deposit box"
Your "duty" is your "job"
"Lunch" includes a siesta
A "cheque" is a bank check
"Spares" are "parts"
"I will try my level best" usually means no
"Have you facilitated to the spicy food?" means "Have you adjusted to the spicy food?"
"Arcade" means "Building"
If someone "expires" it means they died
"Labour" is "Labor"
"Denting" is "Vehicle Body Work"
A "Diversion" is a "Detour"
To "Give Way" is to Yield 
A "Dipper" is the "High Beam" on the car
"Godowns" are storage facilities 
A person's "passion" is their "hobby"
If something is "bosh" it is stylish. 
When you look for "Connecting Flight" information at an airport,  look for the "Transfer Station" or the "Transfer Desk"
"Banqueting" is "Banquet Services"
A"Bribe" is "Righteous Persuasion"
"The couples" means us; a "senior missionary couple".
A "Tariff " is the fee for domething, such as a "parking tariff".
A "Pan Shop" is a Tobacco Store. 
"I have a doubt " means "I have a question"
A "Starter" is an appetizer. 
To "Take Baptism" is to be baptized. 
If the lake is "occupied", it is "full".
A "Board" or "Sign Board" is  sign.
"The movie is 7:00 pm onwards" means the movie starts at 7:00 pm.
"To have a doubt" is to "have a question"
"Railroad Level Crossing" is a "Railroad Grade Crossing"
"Capsicum" is bell pepper
To "welcome" someone to an event is to invite them.
"Spares" are parts, like auto parts
"Apothicated by" means "Financed by" as in "Apothicated by ICICI Bank"
"Fuel Bunker or Bunk" is a gas station 
"Scheme" is a plan
"Bookings" are Reservations 
"Ragging" is an initiation or hazing 
"They are not lifting the phone" means "they are not Answering the phone"

"Petrol Bunk" is a Gas Station​

Golkonda Fort

August 22, 2016

Hey y'all,

This week was good but not that great at the same time. Lots of our investigators were outta town, so it wasn't too busy. We had Zone Conference this week, and it was about listening to the promptings of the Spirit as we're teaching people. I also had an opportunity to go on an exchange with Elder Patten, and we visited one of my favorite members; Shiva Rama Krishna. He was telling us about his conversion to Christianity, and how in the Hindu scriptures it doesn't talk about an Atonement, and how we are saved from our sins. He converted, and his parents kicked him out. They basically disowned him, and told him they don't let animals in the house. He told us Deepak feels that if he were to be baptized he would have the same experience, and doesn't want his family to leave him. Later this week we met with Deepak and he told us he likes what we're teaching, but feels that he has no need to change, and that he's happy with Hinduism. Its really sad and heart breaking when you see these innocent people worshiping Idols. I asked a lot of the church members what "God" is to Hindus' (these people were previously Hindu) and they said that Hindus' believe in God, but believe he appears in many forms. Thats how they have Ganesh (A man with an Elephant head), or a flying monkey guy. We were hoping to see progress with Deepak, but he doesn't want to change. 

Ravi Teja isn't doing so well, he was suppose to come to church this past Sunday, but apparently had to go to the Hospital, his pneumonia and diabetes is affecting him badly. We went to Prince's engagement party (the American that is staying here, we met a couple months ago), it was a neat experience. We met a guy named Shiva Shanker who knows nothing about Christianity, and taught him The Restoration, which wasn't effective, so we'll bring a member who can explain the gospel better. One of our YSA members (Satish Saka) got his mission call to the New Delhi mission! We went to Golkonda Fort which is a historical fort, where a battle in India occurred, I didn't fully understand the place, but it was pretty cool. On the way there, I had a crazy cultural experience, in movies about India when you see a packed bus, and people hanging on to the bus as it moves is a legit thing. that was something that I experienced,, its not the funnest thing.

Until next week!

Love,

Elder Magnusson  

P.S I have a bunch more photos, but didnt have time to send them! SO again y'all will have to wait till next week, sorry!​

Indian Independence

August 15, 2016

Hey Y'all,

This week we were able to see more success, we met with one of our former investigators (Ravi Teja), who Elder Abel and I taught back in May, he has been out of town and is very sick. He has Diabetes and is really taking control of him. He lives in a home thats literally the size of a normal Bathroom, and is cooped up in there all day because of the sickness. We were able to teach him Romans 5, and the purpose of Christ, and got him on a baptismal date on September 4. We also met a Hindu guy named Naresh, who doesn't know anything about Christianity, but is going to the U.S for college. He told us he feels sad a lot and wants to know how to fix that, so we were able to teach him how to pray. Shanthi and her husband came to church on Sunday, so it was great to see them, in church we heard lots of messages about families and strengthening the home, so I hope that was beneficial for them. We taught another guy named Sandeep, who doesn't believe in God(or any God as the Indian people say), and was able to teach him about faith and the Plan of Salvation, we will meet with him next week! Today they are some what celebrating Indian Independence, its kinda weird that they do, because all the people I know arent happy that they are freed from Britain (I know that sounds weird). I have been trying to work on a Christ-like attribute this month, and will be doing one till the end of my mission! The First one is Faith in Jesus Christ, so I suggest everyone works on it, because we all need a little more faith! General Conference is coming up in October and will read a talk everyday from the last General Conference. General Conference is when the Prophet, the 12 Apostles, and the Quorum of the 70 give talks on certain doctrinal topics, other than that its been a pretty good week! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04?lang=eng

Love,

Elder Magnusson 

P.S

 Im on a sketchy computer, so Ill send photos next week, hopefully!

August

August 1, 2016

Hey Y'all,

This week was a great week, we had lots of success. This week we taught Deepak who was the guy that believes in everything. When we went to his shop to meet with him we had no clue what to teach him. In my head I thought about teaching about repentance, but then he started to talk about his father (who died) and how he didn't know where he was. So we decided to teach the Plan of Salvation. It was an awesome lesson especially because we talked about where we go after this life, and it was all new to him, mainly because he was Hindu. At the end of the lesson he talked about how he can't come to church on Sunday because that's his busiest day for his shop, and so we talked about the Sabbath day and how it is a day God set a side for us to rest and to go to church. He was having a hard time understanding why, but I could tell he was truely thinking about it. At the end of the lesson we extended an invitation to be baptized and he accepted it. He told us that every time we teach him he feels Jesus, and a bunch of angels surrounding him. It was nice to hear that, it reassures me that I'm not wasting my time being here. Elder Semadeni is sadly going home this week, he served a great mission and is a great guy, so we made him a plaque that looks like a name tag on the front and on the back is the missions he served in, the mission presidents he had, and the areas he served in. I learned so much from that guy, and knows he'll do awesome when he goes home. Meanwhile Elder Patten ( The guy I was with in Bangalore for my first week in India, before I went to Rajahmundry to be elder Conrad's companion) came to replace him. Elder Conrad and Elder Patten are childhood friends, and grew up together so Im sure they are excited to be companions. One of our investigators David, and his friend Chary came to church yesterday. We were able to teach them and got David on a baptismal date for september 4. We explained the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he accepted baptism. He was baptized in the past, but he understood the needing of the Priesthood authority and why he needs to be re baptized. Whats interesting is he writes music for one of the really big churches here, are its the church where most of our investigators go, so we'll see how things go. We invited him to pray about the decision, and he gave his testimony on his relationship with God and how strong it is. SO we hope all will go well this next transfer. 

Man is it weird that it is AUGUST. I remember starting the year and thinking this was gonna be a Loooong year, but dad-gum, it has flown by! I used to think people we crazy when they said a year felt like a month to them, and I now am a believer that a year can fly. Its weird that we're 5 months away from 2017. Anyways, that was my week!

Love,

Elder Magnusson

July 25th

Hey Y'all,

This week we did pretty dang well with lessons. The main focus is working with the ward members. Most people would say that that is obvious, but when I was in Rajahmundry it was honestly easier to work on our own. But I have learned that thats not the case in Madinaguda. We started out by teaching Krishna just simple scriptures, and even did that with Deepak. Deepak believes in everything (God, Hindu gods, and allah). We have just been teaching simple doctrines such as baptism and repentance. This week will be interesting because we'll teach the 10 commandments, and share the story about Baal and how the people were worshiping Idols when Moses was on the Mount. Through out my time here as I have taught hindu people that there is only one God, it doesn't quite go too smooth. Mainly because that would degrade every and anything they believed in since birth. SO its kinda a hard topic to teach, clearly and lovingly without offending them. We also were able to teach a lady named Swarupa, who let us teach her the Restoration and later the Plan of Salvation. She talked a lot about how she reads in the scriptures about false Prophets, and that lots of people from other religions would come and teach her. So we taught her about The Book of Mormon, and how that is proof that Joseph Smith is a TRUE Prophet. We told her to read and pray about it, because God's the only one that we can truly trust about this kinda stuff, and that if the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith is a true Prophet. Her sister even joined in on the lesson to hear what we were teaching. Another main focus we have had was The Book of Mormon, and helping the members and investigators understand the role of it and why we have it. The best way we have taught was to teach the Doctrine's of Christ. We read the Doctrine of Christ in the Bible, and for our investigators who read the Bible, they will soon come to realize that The Book of Mormon has those same truths and concepts. Its just written in ancient Americas vs places such as Jerusalem (ie. The Bible). Its crucial that they gain faith in it and know its true because that's one of the main focal points that differs our church from their church. Thats about the only excitingish things we did this week, until next time

Love,

Elder Magnusson

The British Are leaving, the British are Leaving...

July 18, 2016


Hey Y'all,

This week was pretty good, it started out with getting Elder Kitsell registered in Hyderabad so he isn't being illegal, sadly they rejected his registration and has to leave the country so he has left the tripanionship. We have been able to meet with Kranti who we haven't met with for a while and this wednesday he is inviting his co-workers and family to a lesson with us. 

A lady called me the other day, and she didn't speak English but I heard her say the words "Finances", the first thing that popped in my head was she is having a financial issue and wants the church to give her money. Her friend who speaks English called and set up an appointment with us and we met with them. We taught them The Restoration and then at the and they told us they'll take baptism and wanted to know what the benefits were. Our reply was your sins are cleansed and you have accepted Jesus into your life. I knew what they were meaning though.. She says no, what are the "Benefits". She said people tell her that Christian churches give money if you join them, and we kindly let her know that's not how church works, if that happened everyone would be christian. They left after that lesson and haven't heard from them since. 

We also met President Mortensen who seems to be a good guy, excited to have him as our new president, though I will miss the Berretts a lot he will be able to help me in my missionary work.

Love,

Elder Magnusson

Tri-Comp

July 11, 2016

Hey y'all,

This week we weren't doing to well. We weren't able to get many lessons in to FRRO (Forieng Registration) and Zone training this week. Elder Kitsell from England was in Rajahmundry and his 6 month visa is expiring, so he came to Hyderabad to register, and try to extend the visa. He also is trying to get an OCI, his great grand father is from India. SO he is with Elder Shuman and I. Its been interesting teaching lessons, and taking auto rides with a "third wheel". President Mortenson is coming this Friday, so we'll get to meet him. I finally did another prank this week that I havent done in a long time. We (my comps and I) froze Elder Conrad's name tag, he didnt even notice till that night when we told him what we did. He tells us he has a good poker face, so Im not wuite sure if he noticed or not. I mean we stuck the name tag right by him, but he never knew.

Elder Shuman's sickness is better, but he is still having a hard time eating the food. I gave him some of my Easy Mac (yes I humbled myself enough to let him have my Easy Mac) so he could have something that isn't nasty I mean "foreign". The Chintha Family dropped us and so did Annie Thomas, she gave the Book of Mormon back and told me to delete her number from my contacts. It was really weird, because we wanted to know what happened because our first lesson was great with her. We met a guy named Prince, it was weird meeting him because he lived in India till he was 12, then became an American citizen since then, and came to India to live because its cheap. He has been here for 4 years, so he was amazed to hear American accents and pronounciations. He's from Virginia (the rest of his family still resides there). I asked him if he knew where Stafford County was (where I use to live) and said he did. He said he has met with us in the U.S but was a little confused because he thought we were Jehovah Witnesses. He couldn't remember exactly who his family and him met with. He was completely drunk when we met him, he lives in a little shack looking thing with really nice stuff. His parents pay for everything, so he lives in Inida, with an American salary. He actually works for AT&T, and uses that money he makes to buy beer. He is an interesting guy, but has a lot of questions about the gospel. Its so nice to teach someone that I can talk normally to, and not have to break my English. Plus I understand eveything he is saying. We also met with Deepak and had an awesome lesson with him, he seems to progress really well even though he "believes in all Gods" (a lot of the Hindu people say that).  Other than that thats how my week went!

Love,

Elder Magnusson 

God Bless the USA!

July 4, 2016


Hey Y'all,

This week we were able to get some good work in. We did lots of finding this week, which made it interesting because we have now entered monsoon season. India doesn't have much of a drainage system, so if floods everywhere, and some of it is probably their sewage water. We went through our phone and called up a lot of former and potential investigators, so we were able to get a bunch of new people that we can teach. I also went on an exchange with Elder Conrad, in my area which was lots of fun. It was awesome going back out and doing missionary work with him like old times. It was fun remembering all of our inside jokes, and all the crazy things that happened to us in Rajahmundry. This week we met with a less active named Seshu who was previously Hindu. He had lots of questions/concerns about some of the churches doctrine. Apparently he goes to a church near by and his pastor tells him all this random stuff about the Mormon church. I asked him if he had a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and told him that he needs to read and ask God if it is true not the pastor he talks to. He realizes if the Book of Mormon is true than any other doctrine whether it be Joseph Smith being a prophet, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints being the church with the full gospel and authority of God must be true. But he sadly wont pray for himself and ask. Hopefully he will come to the conclusion that thats the only way he will receive his answer.

After the exchange Elder Shuman started to feel sick, he ate some muslim food (There is a muslim holiday going on) and hasn't felt good since. I warned him not to eat Muslim food a week ago, but he took the chance. He has felt naucious and weak for the last two days. So on Saturday and Sunday we were in the apartment all day. Who knew sitting on a couch would get boring after awhile. Though I had no problem sitting on the couch when I was at home., but then again I had a TV and American food. I think the weirdest thing this week was seeing a 2 liter bottle of "Masala Soda", that's definitely only something you'll see in India. So I bought one and made everyone in the apartment drink it with me. It was really weird and kinda tasted like a root beer flavored Bottle Cap. I also had one of the couple missionaries (The Newtons) in Rajahmundry make us banana bread because they were coming to Hyderabad for a couple days. It was soo good, man I miss AMERICAN desserts. Due to that Elder Shuman and I made no-bake cookies, they were dang good and made you wanna slap yo mama. ​

Chintha Family: Their pastor said they don't need a Book of Mormon, so we read 2 Nephi 29 with them and told them, I dont come to the opposite side of the world, to hand out a blue book for free if it didn't impact their life, and help their spiritual growth. 

Srinivas: We met this guy this week, and tried to teach him, sadly he doesn't really know English, and when I asked him if he understand what we are teaching he would say "I will understand" (with the weird Indian head bob). Wasn't too good because I need him to understand at the moment. 

Thats just about the only people we were able to see, other than that we just went finding all day long. Today we will celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY by going to TGIF (restaurant), I know weird that they have one here, and then getting a big cookie with ice cream on the top at Pizza Hut.

God bless the U.S.A and a big shout out and thank you to my father and all those other men and women that have served in the Military (police, swat, CIA etc) to keep our country safe. 

Love,

Elder Magnusson