November 25: What a Week!

So this week was seriously full of miracles. I don't understand it most of the time, because we have SO much disappointment, but somehow, the miracles and the happiness never ceases to end.

First off: Christmas is coming. That just adds to the happiness.

We made two tausches this week! On Tuesday, as we were visiting some less active members in the ward, we talked with everyone along the way. Unfortunately, there were not a lot of people on the street that we were on... Okay let me preface this. The night before, Sister Hansen and I were planning for the day and we decided to pray to see how many new investigators we were going to get the following day. We came up with the number between 1 and 2. Fast forward to the next day. We talked with everyone, said hi to those people on bikes and in their gardens, and all the sudden, this man stopped his bike and told us that he had seen us in the city center here and there and had wanted to talk with us but was embarassed because he was missing his 4 front teeth. Don't worry though. He gets them back before Christmas. Anyway, since then we've had 2 appointments with him, he's been to church and to a baptism. He's super curious and wants to be happy. Pray for Herr Baer? Anyway, later on Tuesday, we were going to the bahnhof to get our train back to Schwarzenberg and started talking to this man that is German but lives in the Philippenes. He doesn't believe in God, but we had a really good conversation and he ended up taking the Book of Mormon and giving me his email address so we can stay in touch. I also now have a place to stay - with him and his wife - if I ever get over to the Philippenes. Haha

Noreen cancelled her baptismal date. She is too worried about what her family and friends think about her getting baptized, even though she acts like a fully active member. She doesn't make any sense but somehow I just love her to pieces. That same day though, Herr Baer accepted a baptismal date for the 4th of January (happy birthday Mom!). 

Our second tausch this week was absolutely fantastic. We taught this man that is 85 or something, has had two strokes so he can't move very well, and can't speak very well, but is completely and totally converted to the gospel. Two weeks after he met the missionaries, he found his own way to church. He just showed up. And he cleaned up his entire apartment, threw out everything that hindered the spirit in any way - and this was before he was taught chastity, the word of wisdom, etc... he is amazing. 

Also, I want to tell you about this girl, Lisa. She was found by the elders a month or so ago, and since then has been to church, knows it's true, and wants to be baptized. The only problem is that her parents are not so supportive. In fact, she snuck out of her house yesterday so she could come to church. What 15 year old does that?! Please pray for Lisa as well. She is amazing.

I did a study of Charity. Something I love about learning German is that the scriptures are opened up to me in ways that have never happened before. Here are some of the literal translations of Moroni 7:45 - this is cool:

Charity: has lasting courage, is kind-hearted, generous, noble, isn't jealous, not self-important, rejoices in honesty, yields (I think of observance), passionate, does not cast out, doesn't look for arguments, patient, consistant, and permanent. 

They make sense though, right? If Charity is the pure love of Christ, these things are things that Christ has. I am definitely lacking in some of these areas, but thank goodness for repentence!

I love you!!