"ich bin veresetzt"

So, the title of this e-mail "ich bin veresetzt" means that I am transferred! I am going to the heart of Berlin to a section called Tiergarten. I am excited to meet a new ward and find new investigators. I don't know anything about Berlin except the accent is different there and e-mailing is free because it is at the church. Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting and I bore my testimony and as I looked out in the crowd of... maybe 15 people... I realized how close to them I've gotten in the past four months and have really grown a deep love for the people here in Greifswald. I have learned so much about DDR times, the culture, the language, missionary work, and most of all--me. On Thursday, October 29th, I hit my six month mark. Wow, has time flown by. I was so excited of course.

In the morning we had a district meeting and I had to lead the discussion on Baptism. It was pretty good and we all felt really energized about missionary work. Then, we ate lunch in the MENSA where all the students eat. We were asked by our Branch President to eat there once a week. I'll just say this once. Missionaries are really awkward among their peers. Yes, I am included.

Then, we had an appointment with 15 year old Maria. She had skipped out on our appointment on Monday and felt bad so we had another one. We decided to read from Moroni 7 and re-commit her to come to church. Surprisingly she had already decided she wanted to come back and said that life is boring without church! Then, we saw the only Mexican in Germany--Amir and he was so excited to see us. He didn't have much time but told us he would come to church. Then, we decided to go by on a contact and spur of the moment I asked about a guy named Thomas who we had given a Book of Mormon to and we went by on him and he committed to come to church and would bring a friend! Then, we made our way out to Wolgast. We did a power besuch with a family there--it means they pray for a street for us to do doors on. It was a really good appointment and they also gave us a referral and an inactive member to go by on, then we were on our way. So, we found the inactive member and taught her a lesson and tried to get her to come to church and she wants to but has to work on Sundays. Then, we went by on the contact who said no, but said that we would definitely see each other again and maybe she'll come to church. Then, we talked to a drunk lady who was really excited to meet us until she found out the church's stance on gay people due to her homosexual son. Then, she cried and yelled at us while walking away. So, feeling a little discouraged, we decided to go over and do some doors on the street that the family had given us and we had a total of seven minutes until 8PM when it is pointless to do doors. We almost gave up, but then decided to be diligent until the end. Then, the first person we got a hold of had interest in the Book of Mormon and we made a return appointment for the following week. Then, we walked to the train station and watched our train leave us by a total of maybe 90 seconds. So, knowing that the train would leave the next station in 10 minutes we ran there. Sister Pratt sprinted toward the end in order for us to make it... And, if the information of the train leaving in 10 minutes would have been correct, we would have made it. However, it was wrong and we ran there in order to sit on a bench sweating in the cold for an hour. Sadly, this is not the first time this has happened. Then, a few minutes early, an unoccupied train arrived heading in the direction of home. But, our train was on Platform one and at a different time, so we felt good about watching it leave. Then, our train arrived, but heading in the wrong direction. Confused, we still got on the train. Then, while on the train, we asked the conductor which train to take to Greifswald. She pulled out her schedule and said, you just missed the last one. Now we were literally stuck in the middle of no where at 9:30PM. So, we got off the next stop and called our district leader to tell him our situation. He presented two options. Call the Johnson's-who previously recieved a call from an Elder in a similar situation and left him stranded in the middle of no where; or call our Ward Mission Leader in Wolgast who is our age and a bit flirtatious. We chose option two. Miraculously all he said was, "I'll be there in 10 minutes." Then, luckily he didn't ask questions and drove us the 40 minutes home in which my companion was somehow forced to sit in the front seat because I refused to and she felt like she was set up on a horrible blind date. I couldn't hear their conversation because the engine in that mini-van was so loud... We were dropped off at the train station to pick up our bikes and we sped our way home. So, that was my lovely six month mark. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

I can't believe Karley caught some burglars! Way to go! Did they have my lap-top? Ugh. But, that is so good that she didn't get hurt or anything. Those guys sure sound dumb--especially to a security alarm salesman... As far as money guys--I am set! I will probably look for a coat today. I heard that the best place to get a jacket is from H&M which is a store that sells cute clothes so I am excited about that of course!

As far as boots--Mom, my feet are fine. That is not a problem. The problem is my knee. Did you catch that in my last letter? My knee is swollen like it was when I was younger and it is starting to hurt and I am tired of taking ibuprofen--it is going to give me an ulcer soon. What do we do? Should we ask Dr. Bala? Seriously, I don't know what to do. Mt. High is already open? I almost wish I could be there. We don't have any snow here yet. Which is good.