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