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

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!

I'm dull?

June 6, 2016

Hey y'all,

Again not much happened this week, we have implemented our plans to get member referrals, luckily we were able to get about 2-3. This coming week we'll try to visit these people so that they can learn the gospel. We didn't have much going on this week again, but went on an exchange with the zone leaders. Thats probably the excitement for the week. We have a baptism scheduled for this Sunday (Bro K). But we have 2 more lessons we need to teach him before baptism, and its really hard to meet with him because he's busy. His father is a member, and could possibly come to see his baptism. But if we cant meet with him this week, then the Baptism will have to be moved back. 

We also visited Kranti, and I was with Elder Semadeni and taught him why we have The Book of Mormon. His wife read the first 4 chapters, and had some clarification questions. She actually was raised Hindu, but converted to Christianity. Kranti downloaded the Gospel library app, and has been listening to General Conference talks. They are great investigators, but are too busy to come to church, but will hopefully find time to come this Sunday. Some cultural things I've noticed this week is that here its okay to call people fat. Its so awkward to be at church or something, and someone telling someone else that they got fatter. Its also okay to call someone dull here. Some people have asked me why I'm dull, and why I don't talk. ( The reason isn't that I'm dull ((though some of you may disagree)) but we will be with a group of people and they'll all be speaking Telegu ((an Indian Language)) and obviously I don't know what they're saying, so how do I be apart of the conversation? I have pointed that out to them after being called dull numerous times, but they go right back to speaking in Telegu). So I guess I'll be called known as Elder Magnusson the Dull or something. 

Other than that that basically covers the week. I haven't died yet because of the traffic so thats good. 

Love,

Elder Magnusson 

General Conference

April 11, 2016


Hey Y'all,

This week they showed General Conference, I enjoyed a lot of the talks especial D. Todd Christofferson's on Fathers, and enjoyed how he talked about the roles of Fathers in a society where the roles of a father have been challenged. I also enjoyed Elder Patrick Kearon and the stories he shared about his service to the refugees. Not many people went to General Conference, they even broadcasted it in Telugu for those who don't know English. This week was pretty good, we were able to pick up  new investigators and taught some good lessons. We were able to have a great lesson with a girl named Shanti, we taught the Plan of Salvation and were deeply interested to hear about God's plan for us. We also met another family (Jackson family) they live behind one of our member's home (Sister Tatenini). We taught The restoration and will go back this week and teach them more. They are 7th day adventists so they are free on Saturdays but work on Sunday. So it'll be hard to get them to church. Also Sister Tatanini has 2 more families she wants us to meet. This week they painted the apartment, so we had to be in the apartment for almost two whole days while they were there. Indian Painters are pretty sketchy and don't care if they get paint on your stuff or the ground. They were all Hindu but enjoyed looking at the LDS temple photos we have. We taught a different Shanti Plan of Salvation and got her on a baptismal date. Its pretty exciting because we have 3 people on date (Sri Ram, Satya, and Shanti) this is the most I have had on a baptismal date sine I've been here. I give my thanks to my Telugu speaking companion (though most of them know English).  Shanti's brother Vijay is a member but is less active and hopefully as Shanti takes the lessons, he will have his testimony strengthened and will come to church. I made Macaroni and Cheese for Elder Kommalapati and I, and after he tasted it he asked; "Did you put Masala (An Indian spice) in it?" and I replied with "Do I look Indian to you? That's American food my friend, theres no masala in there". The senior couple missionaries (The Newtons) came to our apartment to do inventory to see if there was other appliances and things we needed in our apartment, By the way a water heater here is called a "Geezer", Elder Newton went in to the storage closet and said that there was two old Geezers in there, and I told him if he went in the closet there would be 3 old Geezers in there. Which went perfect because today is his 69th birthday. Though the work here is hard its nice to know God gave me humor so that I can laugh every once and a while. The work is moving on, though there isn't a lot to do in Rajahmundry, we are working hard, and the Lord is paving the way for my companion and I! 

Love,

Elder Magnusson