Monday, March 2, 2015
Mom
and Dad,
Happy
Monday! Monday is my P-day. (and forgive me in advance for any typos,
especially mixing up the y and z, German keyboards have some differences).
I
got your letter when I got to Germany, I was too tired to focus very well on
anything, but did my best. The first two days were still good and fun, just
harder to focus. I'll try reply to some of your comments in the letter I got
when I got here then talk about the week- organization. I'm glad that you're
happy to read my letters! Start your Monday mornings with a letter before gym
time ;) (Morgensport!) [Morning Exercise]
That
is very true, Dad, there is always more that can be done to prepare, at some
point though the day comes and the adventure truly begins! Yes Mom, Dad,
Bishop- church member's and some people in the street that we've talked to have
made sweet comments about my smile :D.
Yes.
I Love the Book of Mormon, it is definitely my favorite book. So much more than
the stories, it has power to bring people closer to Christ. A man can get
nearer to God by ABIDING by it's precepts than by any other book. Joseph Smith.
My Book of Mormon teacher at BYU, brother Sackett really liked to emphasize the
'abiding' part. Reading helps, but application, living what we learn is what
really makes a difference. I'm excited to help people to come nearer to God, to
change. to grow. to be happier. here in Germany.
Sooo,
some highlights from the last few days:
The
last few days at the MTC were packed. (Packed cause they were so full of
activities and also cause we packed our bags- ba dum chee). Finished everything
by 12ish on Monday night and got up at 5 the next morning, took the bus to the
train station, walked to the airport and started to drop off our bags. Then
Elder Garcia realized that he had his expired passport. He must have
accidentally put the whole punched one in his passport holder and left his good
one in his bags or at the mtc. After searching through all of his bags we still
came up short. Elder Garcia would have to wait. (It sounds like he will be here
by Tuesday, he's just coming a bit late in the transfer) . Made it through
security with a kindof temporary companion/my-travel-group, made it onto the
flight. On our the flight Elder Blau and I enjoyed chatting with Greg who sat
in between us (unique experience, surrounded by missionaries on a plane!)
Layover in JFK New York. We arrived close to 9 AM German time and lived most of
a day after getting off the plane. (went to bed at 7, it was great) This really
is the best way to get over the Jet lag. By Friday I was doing great with
sleep, feeling well rested.
This
email will probably be a little bit longer/detailed, lots of firsts this week.
Wednesday consisted of a lot of orientation activities, bike and car safety
videos, financial information, then talking with people at a street display.
Interesting experience, lots of people weren't interested at all. A bunch were
curious and we talked a lot. One man was really interested in our family
history, genealogy programs and shared a lot of stories about his heritage, we
told him about the church's family historz resources and invited him to visit
familysearch.org. We chatted and had interviews with President Stoddard, met a
lot of people, tried to stay awake slept great that night.
Thursday
morning, after a pairing meeting with our trainers we went to the train station
and our respective areas. For at least (likely more) the next 6 weeks I will be
serving in Mainz, a large city between Rhein and Main rivers, pretty close to
Frankfurt. Taylor's first area, Langen is right next door, I'll get to do
exchanges there! After the meeting we took a train to our appointment then had
an eating appointment with Tom, a man from Poland who is going to be baptized
soon. He is so great! He has such a strong testimony, loves Christ, listened
and enjoyed the lesson (the lesson felt more like a conversation/discussion,
which was wonderful) and fed us so well! I maybe ate half of what was on the
plate, I was a little embarrassed. (We had breakfast at the hotel and I wasn't
very hungry by 2 o'clock, sitting a lot). I sat next to him at Sunday dinner
and at church. I love Tom! We had dinner at the Himioben's home the same night
and I wasn't very hungry yet but I did my best. They were lots of fun, love
missionaries, love to joke, just great people in every way.
Friday
was spent working on finding new people to teach. We posted fliers at the
University inviting people to Family home evening, (young single adult Monday
night activity, food involved) and talked to a lot of people in the streets.
After a hard working day full of walking I ate A LOT when I got home, and I
sleep great every night :).
Saturday
was spent primarily doing service. Suellen (pronounced soo ellen, not sure on
spelling), who is from America originally (not sure where), needed help around
the house. We cut a lot of bushes and raked them. I broke a rake... yep. Helped
fix a few cabinets. (Herk!). One of the cabinets had a countertop that was too
much longer than the cabinet without having support, so Elder Gubler (senior
missionary who had been an electrician and was directing us) had us go find a piece
of wood. we needed a 32 inch piece, found a 35 inch piece and needed a saw. After
checking with neighbors, Suellen brought us a saw, but it was one of those long
saws for cutting tree branches, shaped like a bow (maybe a bow saw, not sure).
Anyways, Elder Fitzgerald and I managed to cut it fairly straight. We found a
post, braced at against that and I sat mounted on this board as Elder
Fitzgerald cut a few inches off. Wish I had pictures, it was a funny scene.
Also got to climb into a cool attic, eat lunch (tasty Broccoli soup and home
made pizza) and share a spiritual thought. A set of sister missionaries was
there, my companion and I were there and the Gublers were there. The Sisters
shared Moroni
10:32, talking about coming unto Christ and being perfected in him, and I
shared part of Alma
32 (I think 21 and 22) talking about faith. The spirit was really strong,
such a privilege to be there and serve.
Sunday-
not much time left and I want to send some pictures. Sunday was awesome. First fast sunday in
Germany and I blessed the sacrament at church. I met a lot of ward members, made
friends and really enjoyed hearing the testimonies of the members in Mainz.
Such a strong ward,
such strong, faithful and supportive people, so glad to be serving with them.
My
trainer is also great. He is obedient, he works hard, he has really good German.
I prayed that I would have an awesome trainer who I could learn a lot from, God
answers prayers. Hoping that we can learn a lot from each other in the next 12
weeks. It's been great so far. In the Book of Mormon, we learn from Christ
about prayer:
3 Nephie18:
20' and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, which is right,
believing you shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. 21 Pray
in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your
children may be blessed.
I know
that Heavenly Father loves us, his children, and wants us to speak with him
through prayer, to really build a relationship with him.
Pray
:)
Till
next Monday, probablz won't write so much next time.
Love,
Elder
Blanchard
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