Dear Mom,
You're going to New Zealand on WEDNESDAY? Really? When did you decide that? And you wrote it so matter of factly, but you haven't previously mentioned this in letters or E-mails. Um. Please see the hobbit homes there. That would be so cool. And maybe you could sing the songs from Lord of the Rings. One of the girls who was in Russia with me was writing an Elder who went on his mission there. You can go to church! Oh, and I am really jealous that you are going to New Zealand! Are you making any stops on the way? Like in Berlin? Haha, just kidding! That is so out of the way!
So, you are buying the property from Nana? What are you going to do with it? I love that area! Are you going to move before I get back? Last time I got back you were in a new house too!
Thanks for taking care of the debit card thing for me! It will be perfect timing because I really should get a jacket soon. The rain coat and fleece sweaters are good for now, but it is going to get much much colder. And I don't have hardly any winter socks or anything. So, actually I guess that could be my Christmas wish--cute warm clothes. I don't have very many nice sweaters or pull-overs or whatever you call them. Do you know what I mean? Well, if not, money would be better and then I could just buy the warm stuff here. And gloves, I should have brought my snowboarding gloves, and I almost did, but then I didn't, but I guess fingers would be nice. Then, I can still give out pass-along cards. I just warm stuff for Christmas, like hand warmers and thermals--actually if thermals are too expensive or too hard to find leggins are actually quite perfect. And they look nicer too when I take my boots off and the leggins are sticking out... Haha. It is awesome!
Well, we have been super busy lately and we've been getting in late due to General Conference and missing a train in Stralsund, then my comp and I go running in the morning, we wake up early like 6:15 and let me tell you what, that will definitely wake you up. Especially when it is cold. But it's not usually too bad.
Sadly Maria, the fifteen year old who couldn't get baptized because of her mom, got a twenty-one year old boyfriend and has decided to not come to church for a while. That was really hard. But, she will still meet with us so that is good.
We have also been doing doors on Makarenko Strasse (same with the Jehova's Witnesses which was kind of awkward...) and found someone who knows Sandy so she talked to us and made an appointment with us (then fell out) and we found a lady who had a revelation that two people were going to come to her door and bring her the true church and a week later who was at her door, but the Jehova's Witnesses. Haha. You thought it was going to be us, ha? Nope. She actually joined their church for a good two years, but then couldn't accept the fact that only 144,000 people would be saved, hated wearing skirts every day, and didn't know how to explain to her kids why they couldn't celebrate any holidays. Little does she know, we are two people who showed up to her door and have the truth for her! We are going to go back in a few days. She is so ready.
And, we had a lesson with Udo Ressel out in Stralsund. Remember the man who didn't have any pants on for our really spiritual lesson about God's Plan? Well, luckily it is colder outside so he had some shorts on. Sadly, his girlfriend (he is twenty five years her senior) and him were more wasted than anyone I have ever seen in my entire life. We taught him a little bit more, and testified of the truthfulness of God's plan and the book of Mormon and he totally believes too, but we were very firm in saying that if he continued to drink alcohol every time we were there that we can't go there any more. He was really sad and said he can't imagine life without drinking. So, please pray for him. He has one more chance with us, and then we'll have to give him back to God. We also talked with him about how his brother died and how his brother was drunk when it happened. It was interesting to see the change. Also, when the girlfriend would laugh about the book of Mormon he would get very serious and tell her that when we read out of that book it is not funny and that we needed to read it. Hopefully he'll make progress.
One last person, then I gotta go! Frau Pahl. The lady who won't get baptized because she doesn't want to go to the Celestial Kingdom without her sister. We had only heard that, so we finally asked and it is true. But, good news, we got her sister's contact information and we are going to stop by--not telling her where we got the information, we are just going to be doing work in the area. I am so grateful that she trusts us to work with her sisters. It has been years since missionaries have tried. Please pray for the best!
So, those are all my stories, I love you and have a wonderful time in New Zealand. Send me a postcard if you have time!
Love you! Sister Turner
PS Tell Chad I say hi!
By the way, the song "Angie" is playing in the background of this internet shop, literally called Babylon.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Life is Busy With A New Companion!
Hey Everyone!
Meine gute, this past week has been the BUSIEST week ever. We got seven lessons done in one day! And, we almost acheived the mission standard of 20 lessons a week which is almost impossible, we got 19. We have had so many appointments and are hoping the best for our new investigators.
What a big load. I am so happy that you watched conference. It was so good and a lot of the things the prophets talked about are questions that people and investigators ask all the time. The biggest question here in Germany is, "if there is a God, why does he allow so many wars and dying to occur." Then, we explain free agency and they are still unhappy with the answer.
Well, we had the opportunity to see the RS broadcast, but then since most of the sisters came on Saturday they decided not to show it again. But, you want to hear a small miracle related to that? We have these two investigators named Fränze und Sylvia who are sisters. A couple of Elders talked to Fränze on the street last February and made out an appointment. She met with them and they introduced the Book of Mormon to her. She said she probably wouldn't change from her Evangelisch religion though. But, the elders offered to help her stop smoking which is a program we do in a week and she really did it! She said she wouldn't meet with them again, but then a week later she said she had read and prayed about the Book of Mormon and knew it was true. She also asked if she could share it with her sister and they both have the Book and read it as often as us missionaries do. Sadly, Fränze has a boyfriend that is holding her back from joining the church and she said she is not ready to choose between the church and him yet. Will you pray for her and her sister? We know that as soon as one of them joins, they both will.
Anyway, the little miracle is that they had asked a member about RS and what it is, then the whole theme was centered around that very topic! Wonderful! As far as conference is concerned we went to Neubrandenberg which was a two hour train ride both ways on Saturday afternoon for the Saturday morning session. We watched it in the church building they have there. If you go to our mission web site you can see us standing in front of it. But, I don't know the website. (I have contacted the mission office to get this and will post when I get it!) Then we went on Sunday morning for the Saturday afternoon session--it was weird to hear them pray about the priesthood session that the Men had just watched. Then, we went out to the center of town and talked to people, I don't know about you but I could not just sit all day. Maybe it was all the talk of missionary work and then being a missionary you don't quite feel like your up to par if you just sit around. So, we went outside and talked to a lot of mean people, but I'm sure we brought a few people closer to Christ... We actually invited a guy to come watch with us and he almost said yes, but then was "busy." Then we came back and watched the Sunday Morning session at 4PM. It was really good. Out of all of the talks we really heard the theme of LOVE and the Holy Ghost. It was really interesting to hear what they were preaching because it is really really similar to what we preach on the streets every day, but they did it so much better! Oh, and I was way excited to hear from Elder Perry talking about our ancestors in the Sanpete county. I was like, I know that area so well!
Welp, this past week was a hard working and wonderful one. I have never been so tired and never felt like there was more to do in my entire life. I only have time to give you a synopsis of our busiest day, Thursday. That is the day we go out to Stralsund. So, to answer your question, yes we did end up meeting Bob. We taught him about baptism and when we challenged him he sadly said no and that he has already been baptized even though he believes in the Book of Mormon. Then, my companion asked him what he knew about Joseph Smith and he said he didn't know anything. Of course he doesn't want to get baptized when he doesn't even understand that through Joseph Smith we have the full authority to be baptized! We are going to explain more about it next time. Then, we biked over to the train station and made sure most of our appointments were ready for us. They were. So, we had our first appointment with this guy named Daniel who just decided to come back to church after being inactive for a few years. We think he is a little crazy. He gave us chairs to sit on, then sat on a waterbottle with the water flowing all over the floor. Then, his mom came home and just started yelling at him and how he makes the place all messy. The whole time he is gently telling her how she is a sinner and since she is not a member of the true church she is going to hell. It was really awkward. Then, he gave me his tithing! He wouldn't let me give it back to him! I do NOT have the authority to take it, but he said the missionaries used to take it all the time... We promised ourselves we would never go back there. Then, we had made out an appointment the week before with a man named Kaya but he didn't really speak german and he didn't speak english, so he wasn't there, but we did doors in his apartment anyway and met a really nice kid whose dad just died... Then, we went over to Herr Beitter, the man with one leg and he usually gets really distracted, but this time we decided to use a puzzle and he focused the whole time! But, he doesn't want to get baptized, lost his book of Mormon, won't pray the way we do, and has the Jehova's Witnesses over all the time, so we are probably going to "Tchuss" (Goodbye) him.
Then, we went over to a couple of members' house and they gave us lunch! My first real German sauerkraut. It is boiled cabbage. What's the point? But, it really wasn't that bad! And potatoes and meat. Then, they have a little spoon above the plate called the "Kleiner Prophet" which is the small prophet because it is prophecying that you will get dessert. It was amazing and I never wanted to eat again. But, I just love these members, they are hilarious and call me "Tina." (Just in case you don't get the reference, it is from Tina Turner) They said that they heard of the church through a street display. The man, Bruder Koch, said that the first time he just walked by without a second thought, then they had another street display and he was curious. So, he met the missionaries and got some lessons and not too long later, was baptized! He had also been a big drinker before the church. His wife got baptized a few months later. Now, they are temple workers. Amazing!
Then, we went to Jirke's and last time teaching him was a complete mess, but this time was way way better. We went over the second lesson again and he is still trying to pray about the truth. He also asked us why he would want to get baptized if he knows that his family won't make it to the Celestial Kingdom. Will you pray for him? Thanks. Then, we met up with Kay (like our cousin's baby) at the train station and didn't have much time and he was unwilling to pray, so we only got a couple of principles out before he had to leave. It was really hard, we have no where to go in Stralsund to teach so we did it at a bus stop. Not very spiritual. But, he wants to meet with us again, so we are hopefully going to bring him to the Koch's! Then, we went to Udo, or so we thought. We got on a bus that said the bus stop, but then ended up literally in the middle of no where. The bus parking place for the night... So, my comp asked the bus driver what we could do and he said he would help us out. We were like, how? Then, he pulled up in his car and told us to get in. Boy, was I scared. Little did I know it is also way against the rules. But, we got in and he showed us pictures of his grandson and his dog and drove us right to Udo's apartment! Sadly, we were a half an hour late and Udo was not there. And he ended up calling us back that night at 2 in the morning. We didn't wake up though.... Then, we went to Frau Pahl's and she had made us a little dinner. She is the cutest lady ever and I am amazed to be able to finally understand the words she is saying especially compared to my first week there! I gave her my german copy of "Preach My Gospel" and she just loved it. I am so glad I gave it to her. She also raised up a concern as to why she has been investigating the church for 10 years, knows everything is true and won't join, she never got married and asked about people who aren't married and going to the Celestial Kingdom. Little does she know there is hope! So, through all that, we missed our train and had to catch one at 9:30PM so we talked to people outside the train station and made some appointments out! So, that was our busy day. I hope I didn't bore you too much with all of it! But, things are really going well and I am enjoying being a part of the teaching now. What a difference it makes when you can contribute!
Tell Nana I say hi and that I love her! I think that is all the time I have and all of the energy in my fingers is gone. But, I wanted to let you know that winter has finally come. Okay, it hasn't snowed yet, but the rain isn't very much fun with flats and tights. I was soaked the other day, so the point of the story is I went with Fränze today and got boots. Good german boots. Are you ready for the price?
€30. Not too bad I'd say. And they are waterproof. I felt good about it because I had a german by my side the whole time helping me. Anyway, that is most of the news of this past week!
Lots of Liebe, Sister Turner
Meine gute, this past week has been the BUSIEST week ever. We got seven lessons done in one day! And, we almost acheived the mission standard of 20 lessons a week which is almost impossible, we got 19. We have had so many appointments and are hoping the best for our new investigators.
What a big load. I am so happy that you watched conference. It was so good and a lot of the things the prophets talked about are questions that people and investigators ask all the time. The biggest question here in Germany is, "if there is a God, why does he allow so many wars and dying to occur." Then, we explain free agency and they are still unhappy with the answer.
Well, we had the opportunity to see the RS broadcast, but then since most of the sisters came on Saturday they decided not to show it again. But, you want to hear a small miracle related to that? We have these two investigators named Fränze und Sylvia who are sisters. A couple of Elders talked to Fränze on the street last February and made out an appointment. She met with them and they introduced the Book of Mormon to her. She said she probably wouldn't change from her Evangelisch religion though. But, the elders offered to help her stop smoking which is a program we do in a week and she really did it! She said she wouldn't meet with them again, but then a week later she said she had read and prayed about the Book of Mormon and knew it was true. She also asked if she could share it with her sister and they both have the Book and read it as often as us missionaries do. Sadly, Fränze has a boyfriend that is holding her back from joining the church and she said she is not ready to choose between the church and him yet. Will you pray for her and her sister? We know that as soon as one of them joins, they both will.
Anyway, the little miracle is that they had asked a member about RS and what it is, then the whole theme was centered around that very topic! Wonderful! As far as conference is concerned we went to Neubrandenberg which was a two hour train ride both ways on Saturday afternoon for the Saturday morning session. We watched it in the church building they have there. If you go to our mission web site you can see us standing in front of it. But, I don't know the website. (I have contacted the mission office to get this and will post when I get it!) Then we went on Sunday morning for the Saturday afternoon session--it was weird to hear them pray about the priesthood session that the Men had just watched. Then, we went out to the center of town and talked to people, I don't know about you but I could not just sit all day. Maybe it was all the talk of missionary work and then being a missionary you don't quite feel like your up to par if you just sit around. So, we went outside and talked to a lot of mean people, but I'm sure we brought a few people closer to Christ... We actually invited a guy to come watch with us and he almost said yes, but then was "busy." Then we came back and watched the Sunday Morning session at 4PM. It was really good. Out of all of the talks we really heard the theme of LOVE and the Holy Ghost. It was really interesting to hear what they were preaching because it is really really similar to what we preach on the streets every day, but they did it so much better! Oh, and I was way excited to hear from Elder Perry talking about our ancestors in the Sanpete county. I was like, I know that area so well!
Welp, this past week was a hard working and wonderful one. I have never been so tired and never felt like there was more to do in my entire life. I only have time to give you a synopsis of our busiest day, Thursday. That is the day we go out to Stralsund. So, to answer your question, yes we did end up meeting Bob. We taught him about baptism and when we challenged him he sadly said no and that he has already been baptized even though he believes in the Book of Mormon. Then, my companion asked him what he knew about Joseph Smith and he said he didn't know anything. Of course he doesn't want to get baptized when he doesn't even understand that through Joseph Smith we have the full authority to be baptized! We are going to explain more about it next time. Then, we biked over to the train station and made sure most of our appointments were ready for us. They were. So, we had our first appointment with this guy named Daniel who just decided to come back to church after being inactive for a few years. We think he is a little crazy. He gave us chairs to sit on, then sat on a waterbottle with the water flowing all over the floor. Then, his mom came home and just started yelling at him and how he makes the place all messy. The whole time he is gently telling her how she is a sinner and since she is not a member of the true church she is going to hell. It was really awkward. Then, he gave me his tithing! He wouldn't let me give it back to him! I do NOT have the authority to take it, but he said the missionaries used to take it all the time... We promised ourselves we would never go back there. Then, we had made out an appointment the week before with a man named Kaya but he didn't really speak german and he didn't speak english, so he wasn't there, but we did doors in his apartment anyway and met a really nice kid whose dad just died... Then, we went over to Herr Beitter, the man with one leg and he usually gets really distracted, but this time we decided to use a puzzle and he focused the whole time! But, he doesn't want to get baptized, lost his book of Mormon, won't pray the way we do, and has the Jehova's Witnesses over all the time, so we are probably going to "Tchuss" (Goodbye) him.
Then, we went over to a couple of members' house and they gave us lunch! My first real German sauerkraut. It is boiled cabbage. What's the point? But, it really wasn't that bad! And potatoes and meat. Then, they have a little spoon above the plate called the "Kleiner Prophet" which is the small prophet because it is prophecying that you will get dessert. It was amazing and I never wanted to eat again. But, I just love these members, they are hilarious and call me "Tina." (Just in case you don't get the reference, it is from Tina Turner) They said that they heard of the church through a street display. The man, Bruder Koch, said that the first time he just walked by without a second thought, then they had another street display and he was curious. So, he met the missionaries and got some lessons and not too long later, was baptized! He had also been a big drinker before the church. His wife got baptized a few months later. Now, they are temple workers. Amazing!
Then, we went to Jirke's and last time teaching him was a complete mess, but this time was way way better. We went over the second lesson again and he is still trying to pray about the truth. He also asked us why he would want to get baptized if he knows that his family won't make it to the Celestial Kingdom. Will you pray for him? Thanks. Then, we met up with Kay (like our cousin's baby) at the train station and didn't have much time and he was unwilling to pray, so we only got a couple of principles out before he had to leave. It was really hard, we have no where to go in Stralsund to teach so we did it at a bus stop. Not very spiritual. But, he wants to meet with us again, so we are hopefully going to bring him to the Koch's! Then, we went to Udo, or so we thought. We got on a bus that said the bus stop, but then ended up literally in the middle of no where. The bus parking place for the night... So, my comp asked the bus driver what we could do and he said he would help us out. We were like, how? Then, he pulled up in his car and told us to get in. Boy, was I scared. Little did I know it is also way against the rules. But, we got in and he showed us pictures of his grandson and his dog and drove us right to Udo's apartment! Sadly, we were a half an hour late and Udo was not there. And he ended up calling us back that night at 2 in the morning. We didn't wake up though.... Then, we went to Frau Pahl's and she had made us a little dinner. She is the cutest lady ever and I am amazed to be able to finally understand the words she is saying especially compared to my first week there! I gave her my german copy of "Preach My Gospel" and she just loved it. I am so glad I gave it to her. She also raised up a concern as to why she has been investigating the church for 10 years, knows everything is true and won't join, she never got married and asked about people who aren't married and going to the Celestial Kingdom. Little does she know there is hope! So, through all that, we missed our train and had to catch one at 9:30PM so we talked to people outside the train station and made some appointments out! So, that was our busy day. I hope I didn't bore you too much with all of it! But, things are really going well and I am enjoying being a part of the teaching now. What a difference it makes when you can contribute!
Tell Nana I say hi and that I love her! I think that is all the time I have and all of the energy in my fingers is gone. But, I wanted to let you know that winter has finally come. Okay, it hasn't snowed yet, but the rain isn't very much fun with flats and tights. I was soaked the other day, so the point of the story is I went with Fränze today and got boots. Good german boots. Are you ready for the price?
€30. Not too bad I'd say. And they are waterproof. I felt good about it because I had a german by my side the whole time helping me. Anyway, that is most of the news of this past week!
Lots of Liebe, Sister Turner
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