Woche 27: Christmas Time!

Counselor
Holy one of Israel
Redeemer ~ without the Resurrection, we wouldn't celebrate Christmas
Immanuel ~ God with us
Son of God
Teacher ~ in all things; in word and example
Messiah ~ anointed one, long awaited for
Alpha & Omega ~ literally the beginning and the end
Savior ~ our only hope for eternal progression

Of the 250+ names for Jesus Christ found in the scriptures, He becomes
something more personal to us as we manifest our love by serving
others being obedient.

This past zone conference President Stoddard had every missionary
stand up and talk about a Christlike attribute that they've seen in
their companion. It was such a positive and uplifting experience. It's
wonderful to see the marvelous things that these missionaries saw in
each one of Gods children.
3 Nephi 27:27
"Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you,
even as I am."
He was submissive, courageous, and selfless. Full of love and did what
we couldn't do for ourselves. He has perfect love for everyone of us
and we are blessed to have Him as a brother and Savior.

Another story was retold at the conference. Last transfer the
assistants had some break into their car and steal their Navi. Later
as they were praying, Elder Kress prayed that they would use the Navi
to find the gospel haha :)
  

Other favorite parts of zone conference: 

* Love the portion of mankind that God has given you to take care of. 

* Send praise right on up! This is for thee. Anything we do and
accomplish is made possible through and because of Him. 

* Finding is more a matter of who we are than what we do. 

*Don't become preoccupied with various methods and approaches. Strengthen
your testimony, open your mouth, and trust the Lord! 

* Blessings. Faith. Obedience. In what order do they go? Blessings are
naturally what we want first. Before exercising faith by being
obedient. Blessings are predicated. Strong faith is developed by
obedience to the gospel. We take the first step(ACTING) and then
receive God's grace. Ex: God spoke and then the world was created. You
cook the food and then enjoy it. Even our bodies and mortal existence
here are blessings preceded by our obedience and acceptance of the
Plan in heaven. 

* The natural man cannot learn spiritual things. If we study the
gospel with natural eyes, or without inviting the spirit, we take away
the opportunity to grow and learn spiritually. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But
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. Learning by and listening to the spirit can
be like using a new muscle or language. We have to keep keeping the
commandments and inviting the Spirit to dwell with us. 

* Keeping that eternal perspective. Hebrews 11:13 - see the promised
blessings afar off. Remember and rely in the promises that have
already been fulfilled. Believe in the promises of Heavenly Father and
the temple and live your covenants! Embrace the promised blessings by
preparing. Romans 4:18-22 - Stagger not! God is bound. Simple. 

* And finally, someone asked how we can see our own progression daily.
Elder Johnson said not to worry about it. Think instead : am I keeping
my covenants? Am I loving those I've been given? Am I fulfilling my
purpose? Progression comes in God's timing but it always will.

This week we had two street displays!! Saturday was busily wonderful.
We had an appointment with a former investigator at 10 but had
forgotten her house number. After seeing us go up and down the same street twice, a man asked us who we were looking for. We told him andhe took us to a house and rang the doorbell for us. Frau Seitz came out and grüßed (greeted) us and let us put our bikes in the garden. We said thanks to the man and waved goodbye. He said ciao and then started laughing as he walked in the front door. He was her husband. We had a good laugh over that one hahah 

Then we biked back to Neumarkt, set up the table and tent, loaded up
with cards and hit the streets! It was a remarkable day full of
finding! We had set the goal the night before to focus on bearing
testimony as soon as possible and to get more contact information
rather than them just having ours. We set up an iPad to play the
Christmas initiative video but had to have someone man the table and
restart the video every time. The sister training leaders joined our
district and the young man that has been working with the elders this
past week and chalked some incredible things! We met so many new
people and it went really well :) Then we headed over to Tina's to
meet with her and teach more about the Holy Ghost. Then we met up with
the district and rode to Regensburg. I cannot tell you how beautiful
it is there. Home to literally the oldest restaurant ever which has
sauerkraut that is out of the this world!

The cathedral there rivals that in Köln and their Fußgänger Zone is huge, which is good news for us :) Just a good day for finding :) We did meet a lot of people who really didn't want anything more or who were satisfied so to say. It
was those times when I really realized that it can't all just be a
lesson taught. If I don't know it and feel it, I can't share it. I
know that there's something more. I know that the restored gospel
brings blessings and joy that can't be found anywhere else.

Bruder Grasser invited about a fourth of those in attendance on
Sunday! Go member missionaries!! He began his talk by thanking
everyone for coming and then put on a turkey hat. He had invited a
nonmember husband of one the members who said he would come if he wore
the hat. It worked! I love this ward.

Lehi nach Hause. Leih nach Hause. Wir tragen Hoffnung dass wir ihn
erreichen werden.  (Lehi go home. Lehi go home. We carry hope that we will reach our destination.)

President Lehi Schwarz gave a talk this past week about our eternal
goal to return home to our Father in Heaven. He made the comparison to
ET and his focus. I definitely laughed but loved the simplicity of his
message :)

Christmas is almost here and I feel it! What a wonderful time to be
able to experience. To have a knowledge of Christ and what He's done
for all of mankind.
Excited to 'see' you!

Sister Riser