Stress reaches a new level (28.3.11)

Spring has Sprung and we've finally hit 17° and always sunny. Flowers are popping up under the brown leaves.

This week, a lot happened - Ulmer Miracles as always. Sister Dietz was unexpectedly transferred 2 days ago (Saturday). We got the call Tues night after an EXTREMELY stressful situation with Jenny and we were up all night (till 2) making sure she was alright and got home safely after institute (long story short, she had to walk home for 2hrs by herself because her stepdad purposely didn'T come pick her up). Sis Dietz is NEEDED by a Sister in Switzerland. She won't be staying there though because of Visa things with the US. And I was given that Sister's companion. Things are not going well and I have regressed from who I had just learned to be. My self-confidence and strength is waning. President Condie gave me words of advice and strength Thurs at Interviews but wouldn't tell me who my new companion was or what to expect. Her name is Sis Hecht, age 25, convert of 2yrs, from Dresden. Please pray for me!!

Franziska is more than ready for her baptism and we can't wait. She came to church on Sun and we had an appt with her Sat to resolve her concerns. She was worried about not being perfect after she'S baptized. We talked about the sacrament and the Atonement. In the middle of the appt, her daughter Pam (in Utah, getting baptized on the 3rd of April) called and wanted to talk to me. She talked about her love and appreciation for me and Sis Dietz for finding her mom and getting her to baptism. THis family is awesome and I can'T wait to get back to Ut and visit. After the phone call, we talked to Franziska a bit more then she just stopped, thought, and said 'WEll, what are we going to do.....(pause)....I'm going through with it. Saturday is my day.' PERFECT!!!!

How is Grandma Lind doing? How did she fall? What's the status on her head and hip?

After an extremely stressful Tuesday night, we were determined to prepare Ulm for this unexpected and stressful transfer. Jenny will hopefully be moving out this week and into a new apt so we will be able to set a firm baptismal date with her. Her family has caused a lot of problems for her in the past and she's ready to be set free. This weekend, she planned to come to church and so she borrowed her stepdad'S bike (without asking) in order to ride from the middle of nowhere to Ulm so she could stay at a member'S house so she could attend church Sunday. Saturday night at 9.30 when the couple arrived home from the temple (after Jenny had arrived at 8.30pm) they noticed that the bike was gone. Jenny hadn't locked it up and someone had stolen it. Because she is deathly afraid of her stepdad, she decided it would be best to go home Sun morning and face him rather than think about it all day at church. We called her that night and she told us everything was ok and she'd be paying for the bike)

General Conference this weekend will be amazing. Just before the YW broadcast on Sat, Franziska will be baptized in Tübingen (we don'T have a font and Conference is only broadcast to 3 places in this stake. Then, we'll get to watch the Sat Sessions in English. Sun, we'll see them again in English (always better) cuz I get distracted by watching their lips move and the voices not lining up or a woman translating for Pres Monson (messes with my brain). SATURDAY IS MY HALFWAY MARK!!!!!!! Sis Dietz and I calculated it and indeed April 2nd is halfway.

Back update - went to Dr. No need for MRI anymore, but continue with medication and Physical Therapy for awhile. I even get to add massages for the next 2 times. Too bad I'm extremely ticklish on my back or else I could just chill out and relax.

Have a great week and enjoy conference
Alles Liebe
SISTER CHOCOLATE

Pic 1- The first flowers in Ulm
Pic 2 - OUr District. (Elder Chandler, Vernal UT; Elder Graff, Spanish Fork UT, Elder Barluschke, Wuppertal Germany; Elder Hamilton, UT)
Pic 3 - Before Sis Dietz left, she requested Spaghetti Eis one more time.

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