Priorities: Heidelberg Week 3

May 2, 2016

Hello Mom and Dad,

My week was great.  Spanish is humbling and happy, an experience that I didn't have with German. I pray a lot, do my best to listen (since that takes a lot of energy) and concentration and study hard. 

I can typically follow in General what's going on, it gets better week by week, it's cool to see the progress. The members understand me, I just can't speak very fast or communicate very fast yet.

I don't really have much too say. It's sunny so I'm tired from the sun, but in a content and happy way. The ward is great. It's a lot of fun getting used to Spanish culture and Spanish food. Elder Clemente and I consistently find investigators here which is always nice, to go finding, not just searching which is what it can be sometimes. 

I was thinking a lot about priorities this week. I still have a lot of time left in my mission, but this being my last skype call because I should be home before Christmas made this feel weird. Over my mission I have set lots and lots of goals. They are about everything from improving my handwriting, flossing every day, and eating healthier to finding at least one interested person a day, supporting my companion in different ways, and supporting people into the waters of baptism. As my mission has gone on I've changed my goals a lot. I've got rid of lots of things that aren't as important and I've learned to give a lot more weight to the things that matter most. At the end of the day having good handwriting and eating healthier are important and helpful things, but the #1 priority needs to be doing God's will. I've really learned a lot on my mission how to keep the first 2 great commandments, loving God and loving my neighbor. Remind me when I get home to show you those papers where I've written down my goals.

I love you! Looking forward to talking on Sunday.

Hayden

Our friends in Friedrichsdorf came down to Heidelberg today, Elder   

Enjoy Talking to People: Heidelberg Week 2

April 25, 2016

Subject: Week 2 Heidelberg

Hello!

Yes, I have met President Heckman, we had dinner with his family and some family friends in the area. Fortunately I did not meet him for medical reasons, don't worry :) Running is going really well, Elder Clemente and I went running 3 times last week and are planning to run every day this week, I'll be in cross country shape again by the time I'm home haha. I very much have a routine in the morning, yes. After Sport I shower, get dressed, eat one hard boiled egg, an apple, a piece of toast and a protein shake (our friend who moved to Nepal doesn't need it anymore and gave it to us), then we study. Brown sugar toast... well, I did that a few times in Frankfurt, but definitely not for breakfast, I almost never eat sugary food in the morning.

Do I have favorite foods? Uuum I haven't really eaten much that I don't like, but nothing comes to mind as a favorite... Favorite cheese.. Gouda is good and so is racklet (or however you spell that). [Raclette cheese]

The teaching pool, we are really busy between the ward, a few friends from Africa and a few Germans who are learning about the church. As of right now we just speak Spanish with ward members, both active and less active. Elder Clemente and I are still speaking a lot of Spanish and German together, we also have church in Spanish of course and life with members is in Spanish. Still lots of German overall but also lots of exposure to the Spanish language.

Mothers day, good to know, I'll start working on a Skype appointment this week.

Overall it was a really good week, we met with Mr V a few times and he came to church as well. We found a few more people with real interest and I've just really enjoyed finding this week. Back on a phase of my mission where I just really enjoy talking to people on the street, I never have had anything against it, I'm just finding particular joy in 'finding' right now :)

I started reading the New Testament from the beginning again this week, looking at the events in Jesus Christ's life, where he was what he did and who he is. I love Jesus Christ and it's a huge privilege to invite people to get to know him better. Enjoy your week,

Love,

Hayden