Word from Wesel - August 1, 2011

8-1-2011

Being a Trainer is a big responsibility and I hope I don't corrupt my Golden. We follow the white handbook and work hard. I'm not anywhere near as amazing as Elder D, but hopefully Elder T can have a good first experience. We get along really well. I think President Schwartz was definitely inspired. Elder T is from Colorado and loves pretty much all things that I love. And he has the same attitude towards missionary work as I do so it makes it pretty easy to work together. Again, I just hope I don't engrain any bad habits in him. I don't think I have any...

We had our first real investigator to church on Sunday since I've been here in Wesel. This Serbian lady who speaks very little German and, of course, no English. Normally her 12 yr old son translates for us but he couldn't come. Instead we sat next to her in the bigger meetings and helped her find the scripture passages the speakers would use so she could have some kind of idea what was going on. The gospel principles class was pretty easy because it was so small. We pretty much directed towards her. This lady is way cool though. We met her about a month ago and didn't think it would go anywhere. Then we met again and she said she had been reading and praying about the BofM everyday and had read the first lesson pamphlet through several times. Her kids all testified of that. Then she asked US if she could come to church. When we told her about the sacrament she said she didn't want to take the sacrament until she was baptized. We didn't even talk to her about baptism or anything. We just had a couple difficult appointments communicating about the BofM. Pretty exciting! Hopefully she stays strong!

Maybe Nick Fury doesn't age...

If you guys haven't checked out Mormon.org and those awesome videos yet you should!

Good news about the L’s, both E and R. Mensch that's weird about R...(being home already)

News: These next two transfers will only be 5 weeks long instead of six.

B! That's amazing.

Happy B-Day GPA!

Cats. Don't you love em?

I still can’t believe Oreo is alive and kicking.

White Wash is the term we use for an area getting two new Elders as opposed to one just being transferred in and out every so often. White Washing would be a crazy adventure.

Wesel is doing well. I hope moldy trailers and yard construction will all go well. I'm helping out in spirit. Thanks for the love and support! I love you!

Tschüss

Elder Evan

Word from Wesel - July 25, 2011

7-25-2011

I'M NOT READY TO TRAIN!!!!!!!

I'm scared out of my mind right now at the idea of getting a Golden. It's exciting but frightening at the same time. I was so sure that I was going to be transferred but I guess that just goes to show that I have no idea what the Lord has planned. Poor Elder H is really sad to go. He'll have a good time in Una but his excitement for the work will be missed here. Half our district is being transferred and 3 of the 4 that are staying are training. Elder JH is also training but being sent to a new area in the Heidelberg zone to white wash. I'm sad to see him go, as well as Elder M. It will depend on the new elders we get but Elder B may be the last one in the district to get the gospel related movie references in district meeting. 'We need to open the blast doors in order to recognize the spirit.' Or when talking about the BofM, 'You want this... don't you...'

Thanks for the pep talks. There are lots of good people here there is no doubt about it. I've found that working with the members is really the best way we can do the work. For example, there are two members here, a couple, who went inactive around the time I first got here. In the past month they have been reactivated, have a calling as ward missionaries and have more fire than I have seen yet in any other members. The branch is gaining momentum. They all want to do missionary work but don't know how or sometimes just need a reminder. I think we will start seeing some really cool things soon. Not that we haven't already but you know what I mean.

My fingers aren't puffy :) That was just some random picture I didn't delete.

Those were Tod Flakes you saw but it is just a tin container. Elder H got it at a bookstore.

  

That is too bad about the Stanwood theater :/ what kind of service is that? And thanks for trying to sugar coat it or cushion the big slap in the face with how wonderful HP was... I'll just live bitterly about that fact until I get back and watch it. I don't know if I would have patience to sit through all six other movies though. I already have them memorized anyways.

Missionary work is awesome! And it can be fun. This next transfer (Number 7!) will be a learning experience. I love you all! Thanks for the prayers and support and love. Love you all!

Tschüss!

Elder Evan