I don't even recognize myself

Hey all!!!

Easter package received!!  Funny story with that.  So, we came home Wed and found a letter from the Zollamt (Customs) saying they had a package for me and that I had to come pick it up.  I freaked thinking I'd have to pay for it and such.  Well, we went to pick it up Fri morning and the customs place is out in the Boonies of the BOonies in Industrial and farmland (aka STINKY).  We get to the office, I show them the letter, he goes and gets my package (which I was expecting to be small) and he comes back with the slightly-larger-than-shoebox package.  He tells me to open it.  As I do, both he and I are amazed with the easter candy, he laughs out loud, smiles and tells me to pack it up and go.  He just kept chuckling as we were leaving.  We made his day that'S for sure.  Thank you so much for the shirts as well.  The white flowered one fits almost perfectly (just a bit too wide), but the green one is too big.  Sis Rodrieguez is going to let me use her sewing machine and will help me fix them.  Gee I love AMERICA!!!...and AMERICANS!!!

So this week we saw many miracles.  Franziska is progressing beautifully and we'Re working on getting her to the temple ASAP.  After our appt with her, she came with us to visit a less active named Jun (she's 45 from china, speaks English, found the church there, went to BYU, married a german and lives here with their 6 month old daughter Maylynn).  The two of them hit it off immediately and we had a wonderful lesson with both of them.  Franziska also got to practice her amazing English and Jun amazed us all with her German.  By the end, Franziska offered to babysit and to drive Jun to church should her husband not want to.  The two of them are practically best friends and it's wonderful for Franziska to have those connections.  It's really important for newly baptized members to get those bonds and connections quickly.  If that happens, they are more likely to stay strong.  The temple is also an important factor in keeping their testimony growing.

On Friday, we were asked to come to Stuttgart to teach President Condie.  SCARY!!!!  We were to prepare a lesson on the Restoration and the BOok of Mormon in 12 min.  We were nervous to say the least.  We get there, and our district was paired up with another district (6 sets of missionaries) and then we were to teach President IN FRONT OF THE OTHERS.  Nerve-wracking.  Because we were the only Sisters, we were asked to go first.  Gee....thanks manners.  After we were done, we were given constructive feedback and then the next ones were up.  All in all, not so bad. 

Saturday, we went to a wedding reception of the Rodrieuez's daughter Lorraine and Hao (our Ward Mission Leader).  We went early to help set up.  BOy are receptions here cooler than in the US.  There's four cultures mixed in this marriage - Chinese (Hao), Columbian and American (Lorraine), and German (both) so it was a really interesting day.  Per German tradition, the guests all wear Dirndls, and instead of the US traditional open-house kind of reception where you come and go as you please...everyone comes early and stays the whole time.  4 hours is a long time, but, instead of everyone mingling around the whole time, they have wedding games and traditional dances.  Really and interesting experience.  Sis Dietz and I were fascinated and actually got to teach some of the guests as well.  BONUS!!  Beautiful day!

To explain the subject of my email - - This week I had two separate instances where I saw myself, but didn't recognize myself.  I've been thinking a lot about it and I'm realizing more and more that I now recognize the changes in me that others have only been telling me about.  Not all physical things, but it's really been throwing me off.  I even couldn't find myself in a picture of me and Sis Dietz that a member took of us watching the wedding reception (we were the only ones just watching so we were prime photo targets).  It'S weird to realiz you're changing!  Wow, what a mission can do!

Mother's day phone call - - I'll call around the same time I did for Christmas.  It'll be about like 8pm here so around 1 or 2 your time (not sure how many hours you're behind).  Sis Dietz is calling a little earlier since her family has church later and she wants to catch them.  Since this is our last mission phone call (and we're Sisters), we don'T have a time limit.  That'll be weird so I'll have to come up with things to say since I don'T like to talk on the phone so much in general.

That makes me so happy that you'Re going to visit Sis Dietz's parents.  THey are wonderful people.  Her mom sent me some really thoughtful cards and always includes something small for me in her packages to Sis Dietz.  She also sent me some money when she found out my backpack broke.  That would be awesome if the four of you got to meet.  PLease take a picture!!!!!

Love you all and gotta go
SISTER CHOCOLATE

Toe Joe - I'm sending your bday package next week so let me know when you get it.
Keri, Ash, Emily - I received your letters and the popcorn EmJ sent.  Thank you so much.
Duffields - There'S an Elder in our District who knows Luke.  His name is Lars Watts - - aka the red-headed Trombone player.


Pic1 - Easter mail and packages have arrived.
Pic2 - Franziska, Jun and Maylynn, and of course me and Sis Dietz

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