Word from Wesel - August 15, 2011

Sprache stadium – language studies

Der Affen – the monkey

Schlaflos – sleepless

8-15-2011

We have a good three hours of study in the morning. 1 hour of personal study, 1 hour of comp study and 1 hour of sprache studium. Now with the new training program we have another hour of comp study and portable DVD players so we can watch the District movies and apply what  we learn into our own work. Can you believe that? I think it will help. There is more of an emphasis on being well prepared and ready to teach in any situation.

For some reason I thought Planet der Affen was coming out much, much later but then I saw it on the board to our little local theater. I figured Dad would have seen it and have some kind of review.

Everything sounds like it is going quite well out there in western Washington. Lots of changes. One thing that will never stop being annoying is when I say I am from Washington and everyone thinks DC. One thing that will never get old is when I say I am from Seattle and everyone goes, 'Oh! Schlaflos in Seattle!'

This week has been up and down but that is how it goes. We had a training meeting with president where we talked about member work and a more effective way of finding, which was the best thing ever. I'm learning a lot really fast and it makes the time go faster than ever. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes that's a bad thing.

Elder T is an amazing missionary who has the best attitude you can have, I think - wanting to work hard but also effective and at a good pace. I think sometimes he gets a little homesick but doesn't ever want to say anything. The first couple months are tough and I see his face sometimes and know exactly what he is thinking. I'm not sure how to help that other than to try and keep things light but spiritual.

BTW! Crazy. We went to this ward party thing and there was this one member that felt bad about never being able to invite us over for dinner so she gave us this huge box full of everything two young missionaries need to survive for a few weeks. Being a missionary is awesome! :)

Hope all continues to go well. Love ya! Tschüss!

Elder Evan

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