spirit filled lessons, some cool finding experiences, progressing
investigators, and lots of member contacts. I could say that I was a
little surprised when the Assistants called Saturday night to tell us
I was being transferred. Yes that would be an understatement.
Goshdangit we were supposed to go two together!! I'm so so grateful
for the time I've had here in Mainz, and the two companions I've had
here. I could have spent my whole mission here, which is exactly why
I'm leaving haha Comfort zones don't make us grow but I'm sure going
to miss it here. The work is booming! Three baptisms in the next two
weeks and this ward is full of spectacular member missionaries!! The
members do so much for the missionaries and are wonderful examples to
us.
They've changed the way transfers work so I'll be leaving tomorrow
instead of later in the week. That means I won't be able to see very
many of the people we're working with before then. But at least we had
three investigators at church so I could see them :)
Ahhhh I love Mainz.
We had family home evening with a part member family this week and it
was great! The dad ran at the first sight of the scriptures but we
were able to get to know that family a little more so that was good
haha progress is progress :)
In their home, the Marx family has a miniature Christus statue in
front of the block letters M-A-S. The Spirit and the Christmas spirit
there is so easy to feel as they focus on what they know is most
important. I can easily see times that I was so excited to celebrate,
decorate, bake, see family, and wear ugly Christmas sweaters. All good
things and all things I look forward to doing again. But the added
reminders I receive to focus on the Savior not only during this season
but everyday, make the time we celebrate special andI was thinking
about a sister in our ward's conversion story this past week. Her dad was
first introduced to the church and gave her the Book of Mormon to read.
She was going to visit her family soon and hadn't read it so she called the
church number so someone could explain it before she went back haha
She made an appointment for RosenMontag with
the missionaries and waited outside for an hour until she finally saw
two elders coming toward her. She invited them in and offered them
black tea. After declining, they explained that the parades and
parties had made it impossible for them to drive through the city.
That's Carnival for ya. I love the humanity in her experiences. There
were so many things that happened that could have stopped her from
coming to know about the gospel but it all worked out! On their second
lesson together, as soon as she opened the door, one missionary asked
her if she wanted to be baptized. She said yes of course I do! She
recounts this part as the moment where she didn't know how the words
came out and was asking herself what on earth and took it back and
said she needed to learn more first. She ended up being baptized
before her father and now has a wonderful family all active in the
church.
The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means.
First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and his gospel. It
testifies of his divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the
need of our putting trust in him. It bears witness of the Fall and the
Atonement and the first principles of the gospel, including our need
of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a spiritual rebirth. It
proclaims we must endure to the end in righteousness and live the
moral life of a Saint.
the missionaries and waited outside for an hour until she finally saw
two elders coming toward her. She invited them in and offered them
black tea. After declining, they explained that the parades and
parties had made it impossible for them to drive through the city.
That's Carnival for ya. I love the humanity in her experiences. There
were so many things that happened that could have stopped her from
coming to know about the gospel but it all worked out! On their second
lesson together, as soon as she opened the door, one missionary asked
her if she wanted to be baptized. She said yes of course I do! She
recounts this part as the moment where she didn't know how the words
came out and was asking herself what on earth and took it back and
said she needed to learn more first. She ended up being baptized
before her father and now has a wonderful family all active in the
church.
The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means.
First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and his gospel. It
testifies of his divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the
need of our putting trust in him. It bears witness of the Fall and the
Atonement and the first principles of the gospel, including our need
of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a spiritual rebirth. It
proclaims we must endure to the end in righteousness and live the
moral life of a Saint.
Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds
false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Nephi 3:12.) It
fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs,
strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of
apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today.
God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon
that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational,
political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.
The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God - President Ezra Taft Benson
The Gemeinde Weihnachtsfeier was grand. Michelle and both of her kids
came and the missionaries sang American Christmas songs. That one was
hard. You never know how many classic Christmas songs don't actually
have American origins haha So we went with Vocal Point's the 12 Days
of Christmas, Up on the Housetop, What Child is This and Jingle Bells.
Bruder Fugal played for us, real jazzy- so great!
One of my new goals for this week (and mission) is to always give or
share something. A smile, service, card, a Book of Mormon etc. They're
all things people need and making a habit of making sure anyone I
interact with receives something helps me love others more and makes
us more effective!
A gift we can give the Savior: how we will improve and become more
like Him this coming year.
Feucht! A new day is dawning! (currently the sun is setting but go with me here)
Liebe Grüße, Sister Riser
Happy birthday Aunt Becky!! I hope you have a wonderful day :)
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