Another Letter From Grandpa Nick/Dad

Here's another letter that Dad sent me about his mission. It's dated March 19th 2009, but I didn't receive it until May, as Mom points out at the bottom. He was pretty sick by this time so I guess Mom helped him type it up. I didn't realized that Dad had never told me stories about his mission until I got these letters from him. He was always too humble to talk about himself, maybe to a fault. But I'm really really grateful that he told me before he passed away. They're pretty amazing.

March 19, 2009    

Dear Zack, 

The third area of my mission in Austria was Leibnitz, a small town near the border of Yugoslavia (now Serbia/Croatia). The population of Leibnitz was probably about 5,000-10,000 people. I was transferred there on about July of 1966, so I had been in country for about six or seven months. My new senior companion was Elder Lane Elmer from Beaver Utah. He was a strong guy, a former wrestler and football player in high school. He was also very sincere and sober, full of energy, and had a great desire to do a good work in Leibnitz. 

We were both new to the area; so to the best of our knowledge, we were opening the town to missionary work for the first time. Within the first couple of days, we decided to fast and pray that the Lord would direct us to the people who would be receptive to our testimonies. During our fast, we found a forested area on a hill overlooking the town and knelt in prayer. We prayed to dedicate the area and ourselves to the Lord’s work. We promised God that we would work and sacrifice to the limits of our strength and ability if He would guide us and bless the people of Leibnitz. 

 During the first week, we tracted from morning to night. Instead of walking from house to house, we ran. We ate only two meals a day and with the exception of our early morning study, did nothing but work to find someone to teach. We took no p-day. At night we were so tired, that after our companionship prayer, we sometimes fell asleep during our personal prayers and woke up in the middle of the night still kneeling beside our beds. My companion once slept all night on his knees and only awakened when the alarm sounded. We found no one to teach. No one even let us in the door.  

The second week was the same. No results at all, except for the complete weariness of our bodies, minds, and spirits. Each day we pressed on with as much energy as we could muster. By Saturday morning, of the second week we had taught no one. We tried not to be discouraged, and did what we could to continue working throughout the day with faith and positive expectations. About once an hour, we stopped in the shadow of buildings to pray together and to ask the Lord how else we could sacrifice and be directed to someone we could teach. 

 At about 4 pm, the Glatz family opened their door and invited us to give them our message of the Restoration. They lived in a modest home with their teenage daughter. 

 At 6 pm, about a block away, we spoke with a Mr. Mandl across his fence, as he worked in his garden. He lived in a nice home with his wife of about 40 years.  

We taught and baptized both families 8 weeks later.  

As I write this to you I have very tender feelings both for these experiences and for you as my missionary son. I learned that faith does precede the miracle and that much more sacrifice and faith and uninterrupted works were required of me that I had previously understood.  

Love,    

Dad  

Dad started this in March, now it is May 27. I am helping him by typing that last part for him. I know you will be happy to read it as I am happy to also. Dad has had more energy the last few days. I will write to you too. Love Mother