BAPTISMAL DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (28.2.11)

Hallo meine Lieben

THis week was jam-packed with too much goodness for one email.

Mon - we scrimped the final cents of our MSF money for the month and bought groceries and one Chinese food box to share....using 1, 2, and 5 cent pieces. Let's just say I'm glad I didn'T have to balance the cash drawer.

Tues - Leadership training in Stuttgart. Because we're the only Sisters in this zone (and only 2 of the total 20 in the mission) we were specifically invited. Because of a train strike (again) all trains were delayed\cancelled but we made it there eventually...and legally.

Thurs - Had district meeting. Went well. Our district is amazing.
Fri - Transfer calls came.....and went. Sister Dietz and I are staying together here in Ulm. I am way excited to finally keep a companion fro more than one transfer (6 weeks) and to stay in Ulm. It's amazing and I love it. That night as we were walking to the bus from the church, I felt like I needed to call Jenny Zimmerman (our new investigator from America with perfect Spanish and German). As I was takling to her about her new job she starts next week and the new apartment she's getting so she can get a baptismal date, I felt like I needed to start simply asking her questions about the church and what she knows and understands. Schw Blaschta has been telling her that she can'T get baptized because she doesn'T have a testimony and she's been accepting that as law. When I'D asked her the questions (baptismal interview questions unofficially and in my own words) I told her that what she had just told me was her testimony. She then paused and told me that that day she had received her answer that the church was true and Joseph SMith was a prophet. I about leaped out of the bus window! Then, I felt like I needed to ask her one more questions. I said 'Jenny, are you prepared to act upon that faith and the snwer you have received and be baptized on Mar 26th'. She said 'I have been waiting for someone to ask me that question and for me to give this answer YES!!! So, we have a baptismal date with Jenny!

Sat - We had an Austellung in Göppingen (Austellung being a street display). It was an absolutely beautiful day and it went A LOT better than the last one\first one I had (where I was cursed out 5 times in a row from old ladies). People actually listened to us and we felt like we needed to door one particular building and there we found a lady who really wanted to know more. Sadly, we had to give the information up to the Elders there and not keep her for us here in Ulm. BUt, it'S her salvation, not my glory so I really hope something comes of this.

Congratulations to Gracie and the Mabry family. That is super exciting. Maybe I'll get to have two shadows when I come home. Lots of love to thhem and I can'T wait to hear more about the adventures.

MOM - I loved the msg from Carolyn's brother. Where are they serving?? I can'T figure out who they were talking about. For those who are still reading this email but don't know what's going on. My mom's great friend has a brother and his wife who are serving in my mission. Through the grapevine I received this msg:

''I went out teaching with one of the Assts to the Pres last week and we
taught a man and his 9 year old daughter. In the course of the evening
appointment I asked how the man had been "found" by the missionaries. The
Asst. informed me that "Sis Lind" had found him through her contacting.
Even though she is now in another area of the mission and I may never meet
her, I thought that was pretty cool to have that happen right away after
arriving. Tell Peggy we are already proud of her product.''

DAD - no worries. I have had a backup plan for my career since my second semester at BYU. I love literature, but teaching more and more makes me realize that I love teaching about thoughts and feelings (and the gospel) and not so much right or wrong answers. Then I took a Technical Communications class and LOVED IT!! I want to work for a company writing memos, formatting handbooks, proofreading documents, formatting websites and brochures. TEaching was a first choice but since the market is bad, that's become the backup.

TOEJOE JR. - sounds like you are loving your area. I received your letter this week and loved it. Tic Tac TOe is coming back your way...and a letter of course. I really appreciate your letters and I canr really see that this mission is the best thing for you. YOu are growing up super fast. Now, take the concenration and focuy your are learning and practicing and apply it in daily life. High school life ends at graduation (some people from home haven't learned that lesson) so move on. Let the past die, but learn from it and move on. Become who you want to become not what fits right now.

P.S. my district is amazing and sadly we're losing two of our members. One is going home and the other is getting transferred. Elder Svoboda (from Vietnam, Switzerland, England, ...) reminds me of Tay more and more everyday. He has a lot of the same mannerisms and sayings and even facial expressions. It blows my mind everytime.