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 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