Picture Highlights

Pday Scavenger Hunt:  Ninja by the Rhein

NINJA! 

No one else would dip their toes in the Rhein. That was probably wise of them.

Scavenger hunt: take photo captioned ' I can't believe we all fit in here! '

I love this district!! 

Sleeping on trains comfortably is a challenge

Icelandic horse 

View from Bach Arach

Bach Arach

Rain, Rain GO AWAY!

Woche 10

I know not by what methods rare,

But this I know, God answers prayer.

I know that He has given His Word,

Which tells me prayer is always heard,

And will be answered, soon or late.

And so I pray and calmly wait.

I know not if the blessing sought

Will come in just the way I thought;

But leave my prayers with Him alone,

Whose will is wiser than my own,

Assured that He will grant my quest,

Or send some answer far more blest.

                                                                                                 Shared by Ezra Taft Benson 

We love Saulheim. Two of our investigators live there and another was

born there. Theres magic here

We had an exciting Tuesday this past week. We had a packed day so we decided to take the bikes to make connections a little quicker. We spent Morgen Sport fixing them up and testing them out. We headed out to catch a train for zone training in Frankfurt and two appointments in Saulheim directly afterwards. I was pedaling over the crosswalk when I noticed that my bike wasn't propelling me forward like bikes are generally designed to do. I looked back to see my chain about 20 meters behind me. Good times good times haha It was definitely a blessing to have it break then rather than later biking up a hill in Nieder Saulheim haha

Desiree has been praying about a baptismal date and asked her friend who was just baptized in Friedrichsdorf to baptize her! We walked into our appointment on Friday and as soon as we sat down she said 'September 12 at 15.00'. Made my week :) we've never had the spirit more strongly with her than when we taught that lesson. We went over the first three baptismal interview questions and she KNOWS that the gospel is a new beginning and that Christ is our Savior. Her smile lights up her face when she talks about being baptized. I'm so grateful for the chance that we've had to teach her and I look forward to many more lessons with her :) 

Last temple trip for 15 months! 

Sometimes planning goes until 22:15. Did not know this. 

You would think with three different alarms, it would be impossible to not hear them. Last Saturday proved otherwise. We woke up at 7:48 and had Gemico at 8. That was rather close. I've never gotten ready faster in my life!! Of course the first time we sleep is the only day we have to be somewhere early hahaha Definitely learned from that experience 

Expect as much work from your investigators' study as you put into yours. Study with the spirit and with purpose. 

Michelle was in church with her son! And Suellen came for sacrament for the first time in about 4 months! 

On Saturday we discussed the importance of the sacrament with Frau Lange and how we can better prepare ourselves for each Sunday. We normally struggle to find something new to share with her and this lesson was something that she was able to contribute to and learn from. 

2 new investigators this week!! We've been instructed to tell all members of our Ward that Michel, one of the last of the Egyptian pharaohs will be coming to church! He's Russian orthodox and has so many stories to share about his home in Egypt. 

Mom- I would love to hear about some of your favorite mission experiences :) 

Sister Hirsch taught FHE this week and played assorted hymns with country roads by John Denver in the middle. On the recorder!

Music transports the spirit into our hearts. It speaks what we can't. 

Gemico at the Fugels isn't complete with waffles

Dancing without Music of the gospel : we're missing out on the joy! 

This week just started and it's already crazy!! 

Loving every minute of it!!

❤️ Sister Riser 

Woche 9

Total SCHWARZ outfit. I forgot my change of shoes for after our PDay AND Sister Godwin has been having shoulder trouble so the only bag that fit both of our things was this backpack hahaha 

We had a lesson and Abendbrot at the Marx's with Desiree this week. We talked about living prophets and revelation again and went over the commandments and afterwards she told us about how she left the Catholic church and what she wanted for her daughter. Bruder Marx just started talking and eventually asked her if there was anything that she found odd or strange about the church or its teachings. This is where I love members. The things that he was able to share with her were much more helpful than anything we could have said. She expressed concern about seeing only one kind of 'perfect' family in the church. Heavenly Father expects our best but if we were perfect, we wouldn't be here. I loved the willingness to share that this family has. Their house rules for guests are as follows: Serve yourself. If you go home hungry, it's your own fault. And feel and at home but don't act like you do at home. 

"In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited." -Jeffrey R Holland

While teaching English class this week Sister Godwin couldn't believe that yall could be replaced with you when referring to a large group  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time hahaha

I'm sure that many of you have read the talk 'The Fourth Missionary'. I'd invite you to read it again. Look for the traits you have and the traits you want. Then look at the consequences of both. 

Seek to be the Fourth Missionary in all aspects of life. 

Life is hard, not the gospel. 

The Fourth Missionary's dominant desire is to do what the Lord wants him to do. 

Your greatest work: your most important creation is and will ever be you. 

Because we have our agency, every day brings more choices for us to make. Are we just taking the decisions as we go and hoping it's right? We're responsible for who we become and what we do in this life. My greatest creation is something I know I have to plan for. I want to believe that I can change through my Savior. I want to have a vision of what characteristics and qualities I want and then work towards them. I can't want and hope to become the missionary Heavenly Father sees if I don't plan and make changes. 

Some of the new companionship goals we set this past week are: 

- learning a new hymn each week in German

- memorizing the Glaubens Artikel (one each week) (Articles of Faith) 

- seeking to have the Spirit more strongly in our apartment so we can have more focused studies and be more prepared for lessons 

- talk to everyone! ** this is a continuous goal. Forgetting myself and just opening my mouth can be so hard when you think about it. So mostly I don't think haha I'd rather be embarrassed multiple times then miss the one person that was ready to talk to us 

- healthy= happy Sister Godwin plans to run again when she goes home so we've been doing 2-3 miles everyday. I enjoy it more than trying to workout inside where both of us end up falling asleep in child's pose. Yoga is not for the sleepy. 

We accidentally had a dinner appointment with our Mainz elders this week.  Whoops. The members wrote an appointment on the sign up sheet under the wrong column and the husband & wife spoke to both sets of missionaries separately so we ended up all grilling together! They have a swing with a fifteen foot rope attached and Waldmeister juice (green syrup mixed with water... Italian soda-like) = wonderful evening.

 

The elders shared thoughts about Christlike attributes and how taking on Christ makes us better missionaries. 

I also learned that yo mama jokes aren't any funnier in German but apparently it was worth a try hahah

Another principle is to be cautious with humor. Loud, inappropriate laughter will offend the Spirit. A good sense of humor helps revelation; loud laughter does not. A sense of humor is an escape valve for the pressures of life.

I love Elder Richard G Scott. Finding the balance between acting in a way that's worthy of my calling and still being myself is sometimes tricky. But when sometimes I get too serious, this is a good reminder for me. I wish people laughed more. I wish more people knew how much it helps every single day. I know a good day for me is being obedient and laughing. Those two things guarantee happiness for me :) 

Because I'm trying to have more positive humor, puns have become a go to. I wouldn't say they're my forte, more of my fortissimo. 

Der Man denkt und Gott schenkt. (Man thinks and God gives)

Just ask and Heavenly Father is ready to give. Believe that He not only can, but that He will. 

Quiet Zone

Liebe Grüße

Sister Riser ❤️

Woche 8 Pictures: Burg Frankenstien

The hills are alive.... with the sound of Elders running screaming down the mountain

Rise and Win! 

Frankenstein's Castle

Best Doner place ever

Woche 8

Who cares if the back fender's held on by zip ties, this sisters got a bike!!

Life is Good!

This week has been so packed with appointments that we almost never cook at home and we're becoming pros at unterwegs (on the way) contacting :) We've gotten to know a lot of our members better, especially those that live farther away. Missionaries in the past didn't really visit the members that far out but we've been able to work with them and get rides or go home with them after church and it's been a serious blessing to know their families better. 

This past P Day might have been the best one yet! 

Fact: castles in Germany are a major tourist attraction. 

Fact: it took us over two hours to find Burg Frankenstein, instead of the recommended 15 minutes. 

Possible conclusions: we're all incredibly directionally challenged OR we should petition for better road signs hahaha 

The only guides we had were little castles painted on random trees on the 'trail'. Towards the end of we just hiked straight up the mountain instead of taking time with switchbacks. But it was beautiful! Germany is just so GREEN. 

So it seems the more I try to persuade Sister Godwin that her fear of flying things is irrational, the more I prove her point. Exhibit B: (the bird mistaking my hair for a nest being exhibit A) we were eating dinner with Schwester Dahlke and I crossed my legs. Due to my valiant effort to be ladylike, I smashed a bee on my leg, resulting in it leaving a nice little bee sting on my calf. Naja alles gut (Well, all is good) :)

At our last district meeting together, we talked about the differences we've seen throughout the past weeks and what we felt we should continue to work on. I've felt that while we plan and work and expect miracles everyday, we still sometimes put a cap on our potential. We seem to have a hard time setting achievable goals that still push us. As much as I'd love to get 3 new investigators everyday, we try to set goals within our capabilities. So it's a learning process :) seeing what we're capable of and ways we can improve. Our new transfer goals are exciting and this past week has been a great start! Our ward has been fasting and praying for missionary work and we've felt their efforts every day. Teaching with members is fantastic. They share something that we can't. They can relate to those we're teaching on a different level because sometimes it's hard to see past the missionary tag. Having members with us at appointments makes the church more personal and the gospel more real when they can see its effects in someone else's life.

"Has God not endowed you with the gift of speech? ... If you are endowed with the Spirit of God, mo matter how simple your thoughts maybe, they will be edifying to those who hear you."
-Eliza R. Snow

It's not our method of teaching that will change and inspire people, it's the message. The truths are powerful enough that no matter how simply they're spoken, the Spirit delivers the same feelings. I think how often I want to bear my testimony, share more experiences, or just explain a little more but my Deutsch doesn't quite allow for that yet haha  There's a notecard on my desk that reminds me- confidence in the truths of the gospel = confidence in German. 

Approaching the Throne of God With Confidence - I could read this talk everyday for the rest of my life! (Thank you Brother Chidester) 

I can't be reminded enough times of how the Atonement should be used every single day! The Atonement is 24/7 made just for us. 

We fasted with Suellen again this past week! She's still loving that golden feeling :) we're talking with her about being proactive! And setting goals for herself because it's not enough just to know that it's true. It becomes easier to prioritize other wants and fears over decisions that bring us farther down the road to eternal life. We've shared talks and scriptures with her about Christ making up the difference and that HE can make us enough and ready to go forward. I'm looking forward to seeing what decisions she makes and how we can continue to help her. 

One of our investigators, Desiree, has been praying for a baptismal date and we hope that she finds a peaceful answer soon. Michelle has been sick this past week so we didn't get to see her but next week we hope to finish the Commandments with her! The love that Desiree and Michelle have for Christ and their search for happiness and truth is inspiring. Desiree invited her daughter to our last lesson and was so open to the changes that the gospel is going to make in her life. 

I've thought a lot about scripture study and the attitude I approach it with. To think that we hold the words of God specifically for us in our hands! And yet sometimes we spend only a few minutes studying this chapters that can better our lives and make us happier than we can imagine. The Book of Mormon contains eternal truths that help us become changed through Jesus Christ. I know that my day and expectations change as I read; it's like having a golden ticket in your pocket :) 

Remember the
blessings of the gospel in your life as you study. Think of the times that the scriptures have guided you and remember the mini miracles of everyday :) 

Viele Grüße auch von Sister Godwin (Greetings also from Sister Godwin)

Alles gute!

Sister Riser

Woche 7: The Birds. Maybe Hitchcock was onto something

1 transfer down! Holy mackerel 

How do you get to love so many people in a month and a half?? 

This week a bird landed on my head in the middle of Hauptbahnhof square. Don't asked me why, though I'm secretly convinced that people are putting crumbs in my bag to attract them or something. Sister Godwin and I were waiting in front of the Strassenbahn when she screamed and backed away. I know that logic suggests that at this point, I should have done something.  But as this happens on a daily basis, I figured it was a bumblebee and her voice would return to its normal pitch momentarily. Unfortunately I soon found that this was not the case as I felt claws on my head, gripped ready to carry me off to a pigeon cavern or something. I shampooed my hair twice but somehow still feel marked, like at any moment a hoard will come and take me away. Maybe I should learn some bird calls. 

First Mainz street display was a hit! We set up in Schillerplatz and it was amazing to see people's responses. I honestly don't know how I would respond to some of the questions that we ask if I wasn't a member. But so many people were so open and if there's one thing I like about people here is that they don't lead you on- if they're not interested, you'll know it hahaha :) our whole district was there and we hit up the famous Eis shop afterwards. :)

Survived transfer calls and it looks like we have two new elders in our district and a new district leader! This P Day will be our last together. AND there are ZERO sisters coming in this transfer from the U.S.! There's one sister from Switzerland waiting on her visa that will join our mission for a while but the MTC teacher that we email sometimes said that there are no sisters in for the Germany Frankfurt Mission right now!! Crazy stuff, they've been having more leaving than coming home and a lot of people anticipate a pretty major mission boundary change soon. 

The past week I've had the chance to put a general authority quote to the test. Which I highly recommend, they never disappoint :)

A testimony is found in the bearing of it. ("The Candle of the Lord" by President Boyd K. Packer)

I know that Christ is my Savior and I know that this is His gospel. But if I didn't have to tell people what I believe and how I came to have a testimony of das Evangelium (the gospel), then I wouldn't know. I have a testimony of the church and modern revelation and I come to understand more and realize the difference that it makes in my life when I share it with others. I know that the feelings and experiences I've had with the Book of Mormon build on each other the more I read and my testimony of scripture study & prayer is strengthened every time we invite someone to read and pray because I absolutely know the difference that it can make in their lives. Promising someone something that the gospel of Jesus Christ will bring them doesn't make a lot of sense if I don't have a testimony of it. It's like handing someone a recipe you've never tried and saying its your favorite. 

The more we share of the gospel and teach by example, the more we'll see its influence in our lives and gain a greater personal testimony of it. 

I'll finish with sharing something that probably shouldn't have made me laugh as hard as I did. 

Did you know that Ireland is the richest country in the world?

Yeah their capital has been dublin every year. 

Self Proclaimed Peddling Bar! 

Liebe Grüße

Sister Riser

PS- This week we didn't have as much time because we're headed to a Castle in Darmstadt! Have a lovely week!!

Woche 6

The temple was wonderful! Our district did a session in German with 3 other companionships :) I love missionaries. And the temple. And Fredrichsdorf.  And curry wraps at the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. 

MICHELLE ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO BAPTISM

Words, interpretive dance, or gang signs could not begin to describe how excited we are. She's so sweet and welcoming and like a sponge to the gospel! She's told us how her experiences so far have prepared her for something bigger and so she's ready for whatever God needs her to do. Seeing how prepared she is to do whatever will bring her closer to Christ and more in line with Heavenly Father's will for her, is motivating for me to want her to understand and know all that she needs to make this covenant. We hope to include her kids in the coming lessons :) A favorite moment I had was when she offered the closing prayer and compared the folding of arms to being hugged :) 

Our English class has dwindled to just one member this past week. But never fear, we've plastered the university with flyers and are constantly crossing our fingers- it requires a lot of duct tape but the class is worth it. This week we discussed participles with Mariaton over ice cream cones at Schillerplatz because no one else could be there at the church. No complaints here, I had hazelnut Eis (ice cream) :)

I love meeting people from the States here. We met a man from San Antonio after English class and we bonded over the South and how hard it is to du-est and sie-est in German hahaha

I've thought about one of my favorite scriptures this week in D&C 6:36. It becomes less about being directed in every thought and action but having Heavenly Father as a constant viewer of our lives. I don't need to doubt or fear because if I'm proactive and make my own decisions based on what I know Heavenly Fathers for me and for me to do, then He'll always be there. Even when I let pride or fear get mixed into my decisions, He'll still be there to pull be from my own little orbit back to the solar system where I can see and enjoy all of His work and plans. 

Who says I can't play out of state tags out of country??

We had dinner with the Marx family and they are Ahhhmazing! They shared stories with us about post war Germany. They're good friends with Dieter Uchtdorf & his wife Harriet and they told us about how he came to be a pilot and all the things they've done together. One time President Uchtdorf invited them to the Frankfurt temple on a Monday (what??!) and the temple president came down to ask Bruder Marx to be a counselor in the temple presidency and when he said yes, President Monson came out of the chapel to set him apart! Afterwards, Bruder Marx asked him to share a few words in German to which President Monson just said 'Ich liebe dich!' They have so many stories just like this and so many experiences to share! They've brought over 100,000 names to temple to have their work done! 

2 Nephi 11:6 - I love the references of joy that comes from sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ 

:) we've started counting how many waves and smiles we get from people each day and it's a good reminder to me of how simple spreading the gospel can be! The Lord can't drive a parked car! He can't guide us and fill our mouths if we're not willing to get going and open our mouths! LDS- Let's DO Something!

On Saturday we had the brilliant idea to take our Morgen Sport run to the bakery a mile from our apartment. I still stand by this decision but I'll admit I wavered a little when an older man started laughing and shouted Guten Appetit! as we ran by with our little Brötchen bags haha 

Two investigators at church!! And Birget brought her daughter! The Hirsch family made lunch for the Gemeinde after church and then we had something similar to High Point/Low Point. (rest assured dad that I did not suggest it ) 

Reminders for this week! FEED YOUR SPIRIT

We like snacks, so does our Spirit!

Snackeroos: Alma 37:47, 2 Nephi 2:28, 3 Nephi 11

I love love love being a missionary! I love the stares, the studies, the WORK, and the Spirit!

Woche 5

This week has been a finding explosion!! We've never had so many people accept Books of Mormon and we had so many great conversations with people! (Our accents are getting to where people no longer asked us immediately where we're from yesssss) Our goal in the last week has been to set aside at least 40 minutes for contacting and finding everyday, no matter our schedule. It's been pretty tight at times but we've seen AMAZING things come from it. Call ins every night are fantastic-coming home each night ready to drop and getting to hear about the great experiences our district elders have had wakes you right up haha :) they have mad amounts of energy! I think Elder Blanchard was the mascot for Duracell batteries pre mish. 

Our zone goal is have 14 baptisms by the end of the next two transfers!! We've started praying for everyone in our zone by name and I see our personal transfers goals becoming more achievable! 

We had an online request for a Book of Mormon and got to meet with Michelle this week. This girl is prepared beyond words. As soon as we handed her the book and explained how we came to have it, she kept saying how she was going to read in it everyday and she couldn't wait to share it and asked about church and baptism all before we could even invite her to do anything! I love seeing her love for Christ so evident in her home and family. She's so open to learn anything that brings her closer to her Savior. I'm so grateful for a message that can bring so much joy 

"Our praise for the pioneers is empty if it does not cause inner reflection on our part."-Dieter F. Uchtdorf (from his talk "All is Well") 

Let us find reasons to shout All is well! Being able to find points of light in a life that can seem like a mess, is to have an attitude of gratitude. 

Sometimes when we have a bad experience, embarrassing moment or just an awful day, we let it overwhelm our perspective until that's all we can see. Being able to see that bad experiences are going to happen but they don't need to take over my whole day can take a little adjustment haha especially with something as important as missionary work. In reading the comments made at Elder Perry's funeral, someone mentioned how he had said that he'd never had a bad day. Pretty incredible attitude 

The last minutes of everyday I find myself scrambling to finish writing in my journal. I've definitely missed a few details and pictures here and there, I hope my posterity will forgive me. I've loved looking back on previous entries, especially those right before and after I got set apart as a full time missionary. 

Our district meeting this week was focused on personal revelation and discernment and how our mouths can be filled. (Moses 6:32) As missionaries, there are a number of things that invite the Spirit into our lives-habits, rules, experiences etc. But in what ways are we prepared to discern what the Spirit is sharing with us? We obtain the gift of discernment through righteousness and fulfilling our duties. But there's a difference between being open to Spirit and being ready to receive it. It takes action- I picture Garfield with his mouth open waiting for John to pour cereal in. 

Nevertheless, spiritual light rarely comes to those who merely sit in darkness waiting for someone to flip a switch. It takes an act of faith to open our eyes to the Light of Christ. Spiritual light cannot be discerned by carnal eyes. Jesus Christ Himself taught, “I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.” For “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (The Hope of God’s Light by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

Highlights and tidbits from this mad mad week!

-I started reading 'Daughters in My Kingdom' this week and I absolutely love it! It talks about the practices and priorities we have as sisters in the building of the kingdom. 

-We've been busy working on our German small talk but so far I'm still stuck in the basics so when anyone asks me about anything other than sports or trains or the weather, I just nod and smile haha  I understand almost everything I hear but I think the most frustrating part is not being able to respond how I want to. In lessons I can feel us being guided to know what we should say and how but in other more casual settings, I still struggle to find all the right words. Learning a language on a mission is accelerated and so much fun!! You learn a new rule or set of words in the morning and get to practice them just a few hours later!

-The new Provo temple is almost done!! Pretty please send me pictures if anyone goes to the open house next year! 

-SMILING :D the best tool ever! I don't think I'll ever be able to pass by someone without smiling again! It doesn't feel like a photocopied, cut out, and pasted on smile. I love coming home feeling like Barbie from Toy Story. 

-Schwester Harder is one of my favorite members in Mainz!! (If that's allowed... if not, I still love her a whole heck of a lot) After our last appointment, we sent a thank you card for the cherries and German correction she gave us. This week (after she gave us handmade crocheted butterflies!), she sat us down and went through the note correcting our grammar Hilarious and humbling experience, and I can now write a decent thank you letter thanks to her!

Hirsch's Border Collies

-we worked at the Hirsch's farm on Monday and got to pick fruit, play with their border collies, meet their miniature horses, laid gravel, pick weeds, and ate sheep sausage! I've also about given up on German mirrors. They either don't have one or it's about tall enough for me to see my collarbone. So while I feel I've gotten more familiar with my clavicles, I'll be happy to see mirrors for tall people again :) 

-On Thursday and Friday, I think we were all semi convinced that our elders were kidnapped because no one could get a hold of them or find them. Turns out their phone was/stolen/lost/translated. This led to a mini discussion on how we could be effective missionaries without cell phones to avoid such situations. Carrier pigeons were suggested but something tells me President Stoddard wouldn't go for it.

 **He says hi to the Risers by the way!

The Lord said, “[Seek] me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” Seeking the Lord and feeling His presence is a daily quest, a worthwhile effort. 

Brothers and sisters, today more than in any other time, we have at our disposal exceptional opportunities and resources to deepen our understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ and of His Atonement. Using these resources appropriately will help us live a fruitful life filled with joy.

Don't we have a vast treasury of resources?? Pull out your gospel library app on the bus, share a Mormon Message with a friend, use your physical scriptures! I love the convenience of a phone but even in airplane/sacred grove mode, it can be distracting and seeing the markings and notes you've made over time reminds you of what you've learned and felt :) **"Seeking the Lord" by Elder José A. Teixeira is marvelous if y'all haven't read it!

While serving in Sugarland, my companions introduced me to the sacrament study that they have each Saturday night. It prepares us for the sacrament and what we're bringing. I asked Sister Godwin if we could start it this last week and it was wonderful :) The rush slows down and I feel more prepared for church and ready to act in ways that can add to the Spirit there. 

Sacrament: physically and spiritually taking Christ into us. 

"Personal sacrifice never was putting an animal on the altar, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar." -Elder Neal A. Maxwell ("Deny Yourselves of All Ungodliness")

*How are we preparing to sacrifice for the sacrament? What are we giving up that will bring us closer to Him and let us do His work more fully? I'm so grateful for a knowledge of my Savior and the many reminders I receive of what He did for us. 

Our ward will begin having sacrament meeting first starting in April! I'm continually so impressed with the members here :) 

And I had one of those bone shattering moments when my jaw hit the ground after reading "The Tongue of Angels" (By Elder Jeffery R. Holland) and excerpts from "Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters" (By President Spencer W. Kimball).   

"Be so absorbed with uplifting, enriching pursuits and pastimes that you leave no room for the negative or the evil that might move in to fill some bored or thoughtless void." (President Kimball)

One of my favorite things about addresses from general authorities is their ability to take all your concerns, questions, and thoughts and roll them all them altogether. The things they're inspired to say are simply put and yet provide the perfect counsel. 

May I just say how much I love Sister Godwin?! That girl is a Georgia peach and the sunshine of my life! She cooks omelettes like nobody's business, dances to EFY music with me, and is a wonderful teacher. We both believe in celebrating anything possible (half birthdays, prophets birthdays, days that look like rain and so forth) and are determined to make our mission cookbook a bestseller. Julia Childs is my inspiration thus far but Ratatouille is a close second.

Suellen is coming to the temple with us!!! And called to asked if she could bring her friend Brigetta!! They're going to see Fredrichsdorf and get a few things in the store during our session. Miracles never cease! The woman who came to the Sommerfest called to ask for an appointment out of the blue, and another woman on the Strassenbahn asked to come to church! As much as I love to claim Mainz as the Miracle City, I know God is working through is missionaries all over this mission. He asks of us and is so ready to give! I hope to develop an attitude of EXPECTING miracles every single day because it's all possible!!

Liebe Grüße 

Sister Riser

PS- Congratulations Sister Herrell!! I can't wait to hear about your experiences in Brazil