Woche 17: Journeys of Discovering Require New Eyes

I had so many great experiences with some of Gods children this week :) And have seen the simple kindness of people here. Last PDay we went thrifting (yes it's a thing here too) and at a Turkish laden we went to, the coat I was looking at had a button missing. Before I could say anything, the woman took it out of my hands and said wait, I'll do it for you. We were able to chat with her for a little while and explain our purpose here. She had such open interest in making sure everyone around her was happy. I really enjoy meeting people like that, who turn completely outward. 

First Day of Newly Fixed Bikes!!

...On the Train after biking 8 km (5 mi)

Our bikes are finally fixed! And the bike shop threw in new handlebar grips! Besides being excited to not have to wait for as many Bahns, I really anticipate us being able to have much more contacting time! My companion braved a haircut this week, though I think she winced with every snip  it turned out good though haha

Reading other missionaries letters this past week has made me think about the stark contrast between missions and how the work is done. What works here wouldn't work other places, how others teach may not be as effective here etc. Every single call is inspired and to me, almost seems like it arrives with your new potential in the envelope! I've been thinking about what God has planned for me and for us here in Mainz. It helps me pay closer attention to know exactly where we need to be to follow the plan He has. 

The Lord has been looking out for us a little more this week. Our mission set a goal of ten baptismal dates made by Sunday. We went to our next appointment with Michelle, armed with scriptures and a lesson plan, so ready to figure out how we could help her get there! Almost as soon as we came in, she said she didn't want to join any church and that everyone's worship should be more individual than that. My first Tschüß (good bye) It's easy to understand but harder to be happy with. But that was similar to what Desiree had done, and I hope that when missionaries find Michelle again, she'll be ready :) 

Frau Lange had asked us to watch conference with her so we watched 3 talks, including Elder Holland's about mothers. In the times we've talked about baptism before, she had always said that she had made a promise with Jesus. That when she got a new apartment, she would be baptized and live her faith more. I asked her why she was waiting and what she could do then that she couldn't right now. She asked about signs and how if God really cared about us moving forward, he would help us. We said that God is always willing and ready to bless us with answers and solutions but that our faith shouldn't be conditional. We were able to set a baptismal date with her for December 19th. Heavenly Father is working in her life and she knows it. 

And we were number 7!! The mission is on fire with a desire to bring people to baptism!!

God knows what we know and what we're capable of. He knows exactly where we stand and what we need. He'll never push us beyond our limits but is waiting for us to do what we can! 

We had an appointment with the Marx's this week! We played Mensch and ate Heiße Liebe (vanilla ice cream with hot raspberries) 

Playing Mensch

Oktoberfest has come to Mainz! Lederhosen everywhere. You can't escape it. We've agreed that if Sister Godwin is married by the time I get home, I have to wear a Dirndl (traditional German woman's dress) to my homecoming talk. If she isn't, then she'll wear hers to mine ;) 

Der Schriftsteller Marcel Proust hat gesagt: „Die wahren Entdeckungsreisen bestehen nicht darin, neue Landschaften aufzusuchen, sondern darin, neue Augen zu haben.“ 

(The poet Marcel Proust said: "True journeys of discovering don't consist of finding new landscapes but of having new eyes.")

Take a look at your favorite scripture again, review old conference notes, read your journal! You'll find so much more through the new eyes that time and experience have given you. 

My scripture last week to "ponderize" was 1 John 4:21 and this week is to be determined tonight :) 

I love you all a heck of a lot and I hope you're happy 

Sister Riser ❤️

Woche 13: Desiree's Baptism and Transfer Calls

Desiree is baptized!! 

She was just glowing! She looked so beautiful and happy. She has such an amazing support system already and her introduction to the ward and FHV was so simple. We love you, we're all different and we help each other. She's already planning on going with the ward on their temple trip to Switzerland next month! 

Sister Godwin and I had the serious blessing of meeting with Schwester Zdunkowski this week. She's an inactive member because she isn't able to come to church each week. We've been trying to meet with her for the past two transfers but she is the busiest almost 92 year old woman I have ever met. She and her husband moved to Salt Lake, back to Germany, moved again to a tiny dorf, back to Salt Lake and finally moved to Ober-Olm. 

She met her husband when she was serving a 28 month mission in the Berlin mission office the year after World War II ended. Her husband was called up into the German army two days before he turned 16. And soon thereafter was captured as the Russians swept through parts of Germany. He escaped and made his made through Russian territory to Berlin to find his family, who had already fled before the invasion. As soon as her mission ended, he got called to serve in East Germany. Spending any time in East Germany would require them to wait even longer before they were allowed to immigrate to the United States. 

We talked together about hope and how it works with other Christlike attributes. She spoke about remembering times in testimony meeting where people said that they KNEW that Heavenly Father was there and that they KNEW the gospel was true. She talked about having a strong belief and testimony but to her, knowing was something that was evidence and something you saw. It wasn't until later in life that she felt that faith was knowing because there is no other way. Her beliefs are so tightly wound and apart of who she is and what she does that she KNOWS that Heavenly Father is there. She is one incredible lady. 

Some gardening before the Low Country Boil

We had our youth activity!! For those interested, it was comprised of three parts. Gaining the spirit, getting ready, and finding! American youth are great and have fantastic energy but I definitely didn't miss hearing swag and yolo these past few months hahah

We spoke about sacrifice in Gospel Principles and someone brought up Malachi 3 when speaking about tithing. The translation of 'the windows of heaven' into German is interesting to me. The word used -die Schleusen, makes me picture water being poured out the moment the shutters open. With such force that the window can barely hold it in. Obedience brings blessings and be if mindful of Gods will can bring us so much more that we can ever imagine. 

That night we had a Low Country Boil in the Fugals garden to celebrate Sister Fugals birthday. We made apple crisp (turns out there are perks to buying 5 kilos of apples from a Tuekish laden haha) and We had Frogmorestew. Marvelous. I'm making this a tradition. Suellen and David, two investigators, came as well. It started raining so we all ate inside the garden house which doesn't have electricity. So we had candles and jazz music- I had flashbacks to group dates... weird. 

We're going three (transfers) together!! There was some serious anxiety during transfer calls but we're in Mainz for one more!!! So ridiculously excited!!! 

This week is going to be great!! 

Love you all!

Sister Riser ❤️

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