Grußi!!
Things are still going out here. This week has full of amazingness. No crazy food stories, but Sis Schulthess told me to start telling people I'm allergic to fish after last week's excursion (which made me sick). The first eating appointment we had after that decision.......Sis Schulthess had to eat a whole fish by herself.
Sometimes it's super frustrating to be serving in an English ward in addition to the German. We find ourselves teaching more lessons in English than in German. No stubborn Bayerisch people want to listen to us.
We have a semi-investigator named Gioma. The Elders actually found her when they were visiting someone in the Asylum, but they lovingly gave her to us. She's from Uganda. She had a tumor in her head and when the surgeon removed it, he must've messed up because she has lost her sight. She's very religious (as are all Africans) and keeps telling us to pray for her. When we go to teach her, we have to sit on some benches outside because the security guards WILL NOT let us inside. I think I told you about that experience last week. Anyway, we picked her up outside her building to teach her and she didn't want to walk to the benches because "I've been seeing snakes". We not sure if she's seeing things because of the surgery or if it's a mental thing. Apparently they bite her in the night and she can't sleep. She yells at them to "bow down in the name of Christ" but people just give her dirty looks. I think it's bed bugs, but we're not sure of anything with her. Even if she really wants to be taught by us or just wants someone to talk to.
We had an amazing experience of answered prayers. The day we first met Gioma and wanted to go to her room to teach her, but couldn't, we were crammed in the little entryway waiting for permission when a bunch of men walked in to go to their rooms. Because there's security, they have to check in and out, but Sis Schulthess and Gioma were arguing with the guards so they couldn't. ONe of them, an older man, pointed at my badge and said (in French) "Jesus Christ....me (pointing to himself)" he just kept repeating himself. We couldn't give him a card or anything because we knew that would just set the guards off so we left. This week, we'd been praying for someone to teach. When we went back to visit Gioma, there was a man standing outside. While we waited for her to come down, we talked to him. Well, tried to. He spoke french. We told him that we had a book we'd like to give him and to meet us at this same spot the next day. (You have to call Africans and "make appointments" the day you want to teach them because they never remember and are uysually never there). The next day, we figured he wouldn't be there, but we prayed that we could teach someone. We prayed and said that we were carrying a french, english, and german BoM and to help us find someone who spoke one of those. Then we went to the appointment that we knew wouldn't actually be there. But we went anyways. As we got there, about 12 men were meandering around the front of the building. We talked to all of them. I've never felt so attractive in my life. ;) I also got 3 marriage proposals out of the lesssons. AND the even better thing, besides the proposals, we saw that older French man who'd bnee crammed in the entryway with us. He smiled and came over to us and we were able to give him the French BoM. He was overjoyed. I've never seen anyone treasure a book in my entire life as this man did. His name is Zacharie and he's from Congo. He's very patient with our lack of french, but still talks to us in it. It's weird, but I can pick out a lot of what he says and figure out what he's trying to tell us. I know that our prayers are answered when we have faith and ask for specific things, not generalities. Keep that in mind the next time you say a prayer. I have! Zacharie came to church too. Miraculously, one of the Elders speaks enough french to teach him a little bit when the lady who said she could translate for us didn't actually speak enough french to know what was going on. And she works for the EU.
We had Zone Conference on Friday. It was amazing! We learned about a new scheduling system all the European missions are going to be using, and then we practiced a lot of things. In particular, something we call a "zero". It's the first thing we do when meeting with someone the first time. It's to give us a grasp on what the person's needs are and what questions they may have. All the missionaries in our zone come together from all the surrounding areas of Munchen. We had about 30 missionaries together. It was really neat. That's when we get our mail too, so if I don't respond to something immediately, please don't be upset...I probably haven't even received it. Received awesome letters this week at Zone conference. It's the only time we receive mail unless it's sent directly to our apt. I got a beautiful card from Popes and a really creative letter from Moores/Whitneys. They're both hanging on my wall above my desk and really made my day to actually get some mail. My side of the room actually looks lived in (says Sis Schulthess).
Comfort is still progressing faster than we can create lessons for her. She's truly a light and accepts things faster than a sponge. Barbara has been so busy lately that we haven't gotten a chance to meet with her since we set her baptismal date, so we'll have to reschedule hers. No worries! Something else to look forward to.
We had a dinner appointment Fri night and I got eaten alive by mosquitoes. Sis SChulthess didn't even get one. We joke that everyone and everything likes me better. I have 4 on my ankle, 3 on my calves, one right on the back of my knee, one on my inner thigh (which is totally rubbed raw when walking), 2 on my left arm, and 1 on my right. Would send pics, but I don't think you would care to see. The ones on my ankle are super red and swollen even though I haven't scratched them at all. I'm sooooooooo glad I have the anti-itch cream. It's a lifesaver. Can't imagine how Tay's going to make it.
We have a last-minute Sister's Conference for the next three days. On Saturday, Pres Condie called and asked us how much room we have in our apt. We only have a couch, but lots of floor space. All the sisters in the entire mission are coming to Munchen. His phonecall freaked us out a little because we didn't know why he was calling such a major conference on such short notice. Sis Condie was able to give us more info when she called later on. We wouldn't need to have any sisters staying with us because of our lack of space without them bringing in a mattress and blankets. At Zone conference, Pres Condie explained that it wasn't anything serious, just to explain and train in the new format the European missions are going to be using. The sisters get the training first before the District Leaders and Zone Leaders. It should be interesting. We went to the Zoo with an American family today for Pday and then Sis Schulthess and I got some really good Gelato and are now at the church building to help set up for the conference. Gotta go!!!! Sisters are beginning to arrive. Lotsa love!!!
Bis Spaeter!!!
Sister Lind.
Mom - could you PAH-LEASE send me some recipes. We're getting super desperate for some homemade stuff besides the Mozart Kuchen recipe we have perfected and can make from memory.
Sydna - Thank you so much for the card. It really gave me a boost after a long streak of slammed doors. The Magpentay's are in my International Ward. Their daughter Ida got married this weekend and their son is on a mission (I can't remember where). They've been out of town a lot (as has the rest of the ward) because of Urlaub and have been really busy with the wedding, but I will talk to them on Sunday.
Moore/Whitney - I absolutely love the letter you sent. That is such a creative idea. I opened it on the Ubahn on our way home and got plenty of stares and eyes over my shoulder as I unfurled bright paper and magazine clippings. I have it hanging over my desk and it certainly brightens up our drab apartment.
Em-J - Could you tell Trevor Hatch something for me. Tell him Denise Davidova is in my ward here. He taught her on his mission. Also, tell Gordie that I Sister from his mission (Sis Koch) is here in my ward as well.
Things are still going out here. This week has full of amazingness. No crazy food stories, but Sis Schulthess told me to start telling people I'm allergic to fish after last week's excursion (which made me sick). The first eating appointment we had after that decision.......Sis Schulthess had to eat a whole fish by herself.
Sometimes it's super frustrating to be serving in an English ward in addition to the German. We find ourselves teaching more lessons in English than in German. No stubborn Bayerisch people want to listen to us.
We have a semi-investigator named Gioma. The Elders actually found her when they were visiting someone in the Asylum, but they lovingly gave her to us. She's from Uganda. She had a tumor in her head and when the surgeon removed it, he must've messed up because she has lost her sight. She's very religious (as are all Africans) and keeps telling us to pray for her. When we go to teach her, we have to sit on some benches outside because the security guards WILL NOT let us inside. I think I told you about that experience last week. Anyway, we picked her up outside her building to teach her and she didn't want to walk to the benches because "I've been seeing snakes". We not sure if she's seeing things because of the surgery or if it's a mental thing. Apparently they bite her in the night and she can't sleep. She yells at them to "bow down in the name of Christ" but people just give her dirty looks. I think it's bed bugs, but we're not sure of anything with her. Even if she really wants to be taught by us or just wants someone to talk to.
We had an amazing experience of answered prayers. The day we first met Gioma and wanted to go to her room to teach her, but couldn't, we were crammed in the little entryway waiting for permission when a bunch of men walked in to go to their rooms. Because there's security, they have to check in and out, but Sis Schulthess and Gioma were arguing with the guards so they couldn't. ONe of them, an older man, pointed at my badge and said (in French) "Jesus Christ....me (pointing to himself)" he just kept repeating himself. We couldn't give him a card or anything because we knew that would just set the guards off so we left. This week, we'd been praying for someone to teach. When we went back to visit Gioma, there was a man standing outside. While we waited for her to come down, we talked to him. Well, tried to. He spoke french. We told him that we had a book we'd like to give him and to meet us at this same spot the next day. (You have to call Africans and "make appointments" the day you want to teach them because they never remember and are uysually never there). The next day, we figured he wouldn't be there, but we prayed that we could teach someone. We prayed and said that we were carrying a french, english, and german BoM and to help us find someone who spoke one of those. Then we went to the appointment that we knew wouldn't actually be there. But we went anyways. As we got there, about 12 men were meandering around the front of the building. We talked to all of them. I've never felt so attractive in my life. ;) I also got 3 marriage proposals out of the lesssons. AND the even better thing, besides the proposals, we saw that older French man who'd bnee crammed in the entryway with us. He smiled and came over to us and we were able to give him the French BoM. He was overjoyed. I've never seen anyone treasure a book in my entire life as this man did. His name is Zacharie and he's from Congo. He's very patient with our lack of french, but still talks to us in it. It's weird, but I can pick out a lot of what he says and figure out what he's trying to tell us. I know that our prayers are answered when we have faith and ask for specific things, not generalities. Keep that in mind the next time you say a prayer. I have! Zacharie came to church too. Miraculously, one of the Elders speaks enough french to teach him a little bit when the lady who said she could translate for us didn't actually speak enough french to know what was going on. And she works for the EU.
We had Zone Conference on Friday. It was amazing! We learned about a new scheduling system all the European missions are going to be using, and then we practiced a lot of things. In particular, something we call a "zero". It's the first thing we do when meeting with someone the first time. It's to give us a grasp on what the person's needs are and what questions they may have. All the missionaries in our zone come together from all the surrounding areas of Munchen. We had about 30 missionaries together. It was really neat. That's when we get our mail too, so if I don't respond to something immediately, please don't be upset...I probably haven't even received it. Received awesome letters this week at Zone conference. It's the only time we receive mail unless it's sent directly to our apt. I got a beautiful card from Popes and a really creative letter from Moores/Whitneys. They're both hanging on my wall above my desk and really made my day to actually get some mail. My side of the room actually looks lived in (says Sis Schulthess).
Comfort is still progressing faster than we can create lessons for her. She's truly a light and accepts things faster than a sponge. Barbara has been so busy lately that we haven't gotten a chance to meet with her since we set her baptismal date, so we'll have to reschedule hers. No worries! Something else to look forward to.
We had a dinner appointment Fri night and I got eaten alive by mosquitoes. Sis SChulthess didn't even get one. We joke that everyone and everything likes me better. I have 4 on my ankle, 3 on my calves, one right on the back of my knee, one on my inner thigh (which is totally rubbed raw when walking), 2 on my left arm, and 1 on my right. Would send pics, but I don't think you would care to see. The ones on my ankle are super red and swollen even though I haven't scratched them at all. I'm sooooooooo glad I have the anti-itch cream. It's a lifesaver. Can't imagine how Tay's going to make it.
We have a last-minute Sister's Conference for the next three days. On Saturday, Pres Condie called and asked us how much room we have in our apt. We only have a couch, but lots of floor space. All the sisters in the entire mission are coming to Munchen. His phonecall freaked us out a little because we didn't know why he was calling such a major conference on such short notice. Sis Condie was able to give us more info when she called later on. We wouldn't need to have any sisters staying with us because of our lack of space without them bringing in a mattress and blankets. At Zone conference, Pres Condie explained that it wasn't anything serious, just to explain and train in the new format the European missions are going to be using. The sisters get the training first before the District Leaders and Zone Leaders. It should be interesting. We went to the Zoo with an American family today for Pday and then Sis Schulthess and I got some really good Gelato and are now at the church building to help set up for the conference. Gotta go!!!! Sisters are beginning to arrive. Lotsa love!!!
Bis Spaeter!!!
Sister Lind.
Mom - could you PAH-LEASE send me some recipes. We're getting super desperate for some homemade stuff besides the Mozart Kuchen recipe we have perfected and can make from memory.
Sydna - Thank you so much for the card. It really gave me a boost after a long streak of slammed doors. The Magpentay's are in my International Ward. Their daughter Ida got married this weekend and their son is on a mission (I can't remember where). They've been out of town a lot (as has the rest of the ward) because of Urlaub and have been really busy with the wedding, but I will talk to them on Sunday.
Moore/Whitney - I absolutely love the letter you sent. That is such a creative idea. I opened it on the Ubahn on our way home and got plenty of stares and eyes over my shoulder as I unfurled bright paper and magazine clippings. I have it hanging over my desk and it certainly brightens up our drab apartment.
Em-J - Could you tell Trevor Hatch something for me. Tell him Denise Davidova is in my ward here. He taught her on his mission. Also, tell Gordie that I Sister from his mission (Sis Koch) is here in my ward as well.
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