And...Go! - November 9, 2015

Hey, friends!!

So, here are the stories for the week. I hope you all get something from them :)

Monday was slow. Until about 3:40. Up until that point, we basically just hung out at home and did emails. At that point we had to run for a bit, then a train -- like, literally sprint to make it on time. Then it was cancelled. So we ran back to Dominoes to send a couple more emails, and sprinted for another bus. And then again for our next train, which was five minutes verspätet (fair-sch-pay-tet =delayed). But eventually we made it to our member appointment, for which we were grateful. Which is exactly what we talked about with them- gratitude. We shared Alma 34:38, and challenged them to express their gratitude more during this month of thanksgiving. Hopefully it sticks and we'll all learn how to better go about that. We'll see :)

Tuesday was . . . Tuesday was. Play group got cancelled, so we went with Sister Aschle and Dracen to the PX, (the american shopping mall on base) and showed off our tags, since we can't really proselyte on base (we're not allowed. One of the beauties of the military area :/). Then we went and did a district finding activity. We got on a bus, and went to one of the little dorfs about a half hour out, and went dooring. Not the six of us all at one door, we split off into companionships and just stayed in the same general vicinity as the others, which made it more fun than had we just gone dooring alone. In other words, always bring friends or a different outlook to difficult tasks.

Wednesday was ridiculously busy. We had DDM early so that we could make a member appointment- we started a German class with some of the ladies in the ward. We've only had two, and only 3 people came to each class, but I have already been impressed with the skill and desire these women have to learn the language. Even with the 2 sisters that came to both classes, I have seen improvement-- it's amazing and very encouraging. I have definitely seen the "work for it," or, as the scriptures say "seek, and ye shall find." It's definitely true.

Thursday we spent my whole life dooring. We didn't have any appointments, so we had time to go out 2 different times to random little dorfs and door for about an hour each time before we had to head back to the main city. I've decided that I like little towns out in the country better than I like the big city. They're so much quieter and peaceful. Anyway, we didn't see much success, but we were able to give out a couple pamphlets with cards & phone numbers, and even got contact info for one lady who seamed really open and interested in what we have to say about eternal families. There was one man- we didn't get contact info from him, but we gave him a pamphlet and he took a card, and we talked with him about the plan of salvation, and he seemed to like it, and said he'd visit the church. We'll see what comes of it. He seemed pretty accepting.

Friday was super fun. We sprinted for so many busses and trains, it wasn't painful. Literally. But I'll get to that. We went over to the Horners house for lunch. We had home made tomato soup-- it was the most amazing thing ever. We talked to them about family history, and how that's one way we can show gratitude for what we have. Then we sat and read "singing" books, and watched some Mormon Messages.

Saturday evening we spent with the Contrerez family. We shared D&C 60:13 and talked with them about sharing our talents to bless others lives. We also talked about the churches statement on the baptisms of children from a homosexual household, and how it doesn't change the Gospel and therefore should not change our testimony. Brother Contrerez shared some really cool stuff about his mission and how it helped him to realize that there's a difference between being converted to the church, and being converted to the Gospel. The difference was really interesting to see, but helped me to realize that, yes, there is a difference, and, no matter the situation, God still loves us, and wants us to be happy. He will do all he can to fulfill that, and if that means whatever, then it's all going to be fine. I trust Him.

Sunday we met wit the Kunz family. We talked with them about setting up a family mission plan. As I was talking, I came to the conclusion that missionary work is different than we ever thought. It's not just finding, teaching, or baptizing. It's simply allowing others to see our light as we invite hem to come closer to Christ. Whether is be inviting them into our homes, or simply interacting with them and being an example.  Simple missionary work is just that: simple. We don't have to say anything, but words open the door wider faster. That's why we are told to "just open your mouth." God knows what they need to hear, but he can't say it, so he needs us to help channel and fill their needs. 

Anyway, I love you all, and hope everything is going well for you.

Bis Nächste Woche!! Ich hab' euch lieb!

-Sister Montgomery

When life is rough, eat chocolate - November 2, 2015

"Good Morning, America!"

Monday was chaotic.  We went through the normal routine up until companion study, than ran to DM to print pictures. We'd decided to make the Comtes a Tschüß book with notes from all of the missionaries that have served in the Wiesbaden American Military ward that we could get in contact with. So, we'd contacted them the Friday before and told them what we wanted. So, Monday we were scrambling to get that done with every spare minute we had. Waiting for busses, on the Busses, waiting to be signed onto base, even while we were with the Comtes working on emails. That's why my email was so vague last week. So we got the stuff for their book in the morning, then went go catch a bus out to Clay to crash his lunch-on farewell party. By "crash," I mean we totally had permission. We asked one of the other members to sign us on base so we could surprise them. It was really fun. Then they decided they wanted us to come hang out with them the rest of p-day, and, it being their last day here, we weren't going to object. So we did emails and worked on their book. Then they invited us to go bowling with them and some non-member friends, and it was a blast. We still weren't finished with the book, so we were working on it when we weren't up bowling. And gave it to them after everyone else had left. Then we said goodbye, and promised Hunter, who was having a breakdown and wouldn't let us leave, that we would come and visit after we got home from our missions. It was bitter sweet, and we all kept asking "four months will go by fast, right?" I'm going to miss them.

Tuesday it was very evident that a part of my heart had flown over the ocean. We did studies, and some record updates, and we were going through the phone, and Sister Lyman had the brilliant idea to call Brother Comtes nonfunctional cell phone and leave a message.  Up until that point, I'd been fine, but after that, I could not hold the tears back. I had to hide in the bathroom, and even then, everything was a trigger. I couldn't even look at the phone without bawling. Sister Lyman was not any better.  I needed chocolate. I don't think we had any. Wait! Nope. I can't remember. Anyway. We both gave up on make up. I did learn something really cool, in correlation with this that I want to share. In Alma 24:14 it reads

              "And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations." (emphasis added)

        Sunday in church, we had talked about how important women are in the world; the video "the errand of angels," the scripture that teaches God uses us to answer others prayers, and the first line of the second verse in "as Sisters in Zion," all came to mind when I read that line "he doth visit us by his angels." Which, in turn reminded me of what Sister Comte told me Monday night: "you came into my life just when I needed an extra friend." God really does answer our prayers through others, and I feel privileged to be able to be an instrument in His hands, and help those in need. I know for a fact that he knows us individually and personally, and he will do all in his power to help us progress, learn, and grow so that we can become the kings and queens he sees us as. I know that he loves us, and wants us to be happy. And I know, with all my heart, that there is nothing we can so that will change that.

Wednesday we started a new German class for the ward, and anyone else who wants to join. There were only 3 people there, but hey, it was the first day. I was actually impressed. We went over the basics of German pronunciation, and some basic phrases one might hear "out in the wild."  Later that night, we went with the beehives to doorbell ditch some treats to their leaders. It was super fun, and entertaining to watch because none of them really knew what they were doing, so they all had to go, and were not super sneaky. It was adorable. Then we met with the Liddell family, and we helped them update their family mission plan. It was really fun getting to know them a little better, and to hear their story. The things you learn about people as a missionary. Yep. The life of a missionary is fun, but exhausting. 

Thursday we had District meeting, and we went over how the "Missionary lessons," and something that I got out of it was that the more simple and to the point we keep gospel discussions, the more powerful they can be. We went to institute later that night, we talked about the Creation and the Atonement, and Sister Aschle made a really cool analogy. She said that she was talking to her mom about some private stuff, and her mom told her that since she had discovered that service really is the key to happiness, she needed to try loving without expectation, and thinking "what can I do to serve this person?" She said she told her mom "but it's so hard when you don't get anything back." She then continued to say that this is exactly the love Christ has for us, especially when it came to the Atonement. It was mind-boggling.

Friday, we met with the Horners. We talked to them about people they would want to share the gospel with. We gave them 5 cards with mini candies attached, and challenged them to pass all 5 out and tell us the stories after. They agreed, and even gave names, so we are super excited to hear about their adventures.  Then we went over to Clay to help the USO with popcorn pass-out at a trunk-or-treat. It was fun. There were lots of cute costumes, but there were also some weird ones. People over here like the colored contacts that change your pupil shape, and it was weird. Toward the end of the night, we had this guy wearing just one, and a cloak, with some sort of bird beak mask on come over and ask us a question I only half heard. I stood there awkwardly for a couple seconds, than went back to the popcorn. Sister Lyman did, too. He waited a few more seconds, and then someone standing nearby said "it was worth a shot."

Saturday, was nuts. As seems to be normal in my life, right now :) went to a piano recital, we had a couple appointments, walked a couple miles, and ran for 7 different busses, 3 of which were on the way to our last appointment on Clay for the trick-or-treating. We took about 250 mormon.org and He is the Gift cards, and taped candy to them. They were gone in 45 minutes. But, we had a party helping the Nelsons pass out their candy, as well as 2 other households worth of candy. We had 4 massive bowls filled with candy. And 2 packs of glow sticks (which I thought was brilliant). There was one kid who made my day.  When he got his glow stick he ran to his mom waving it and said, "she gave me a light saber thingy!" It was adorable.

Sunday, we learned the stake is making a push on missionary work. And the ward is fasting and praying for us by name. We have a goal as a ward for us (the missionaries) to have someone to teach and baptize by the end of the year. We're hoping our cards from Halloween helps with that somehow.

Some funny stories from the last couple weeks:

So, like I said last week, the week before was just a bit chaotic, with cleaning the Comtes house and helping them get ready to fly out. The first funny story with that was Wednesday. We went over to help get things ready for the pre-inspection for housing, (i.e., spot cleaning, getting the grime out of the bathroom so it looked good, dusting, etc.).  In the middle of that, we went to get things ready for a little birthday party at one of the other member’s houses, because we discovered no one was celebrating her birthday with her. We got balloons, and streamers, and other party stuff and attacked her door and landing, "heart attack" style. It was chaotic because we had so many things going on back to back that day, but it was super fun :)

Friday, Brother Comte had some other stuff he needed to take care of to finish leaving the army, the movers were there packing their stuff and Sister Comte didn't feel comfortable being alone in the house with them, so they called us that morning, and asked if we'd come over with her. Which turned out good, because Sister Lyman was not feeling well, and needed the time to rest so she could heal. 

Saturday was Transfer call, nothing changed in our district -- first time I've had 3 transfers with the same companion AND district. It's going to be a fun transfer, because the 6 of us work pretty well together. I'm excited :)

Anyway, I love you all, and hope everything is going well for you.

Bis Nächste Woche!! Ich hab' euch lieb!

-Sister Montgomery

No time! - October 26, 2015

Hey, all!!

So a lot happened this week, most of it involving deep cleaning the Comtes house so they could check out and head back to the US. They finally got their orders, and everything finished and are now staying in the lodge and just waiting for their flight in the morning back to the US. We're going to miss them, dearly. They are all wonderful people with a great love of the Gospel, and of their friends. 

We had a lot of laughs, and did a lot of cleaning, and played a lot of games, and made many good memories. But life moves on, and we just have to keep going. We take the hard parts one day at a time, and pray, read our scriptures, and make sure people know we love them. We just have to be sure that we put the important things first, and everything else will fall into its proper place, or fall out of our lives, just like President Benson said. I know that it's true, and that this church is true, and at, as long as we are keeping things where they need to be, everything will work out. Man, I can tell my testimony has grown so much in the last year. It's amazing the things you see as a missionary. I love it!

I'm sorry it's short this week. I'm running out of time. I love you all, and hope everything is going well!

-Sister Montgomery

Dang, it's cold!! - October 19, 2015

Liebe Grüße ihr Lieben!

So, I'm running short on time, so I'm going to keep this short with a couple cool experiences, and some funny stories. Okay?

Okay, just kidding, I only have 3 stories.

1) we had a bag of quarters sitting in our apartment when I got here back in August. Someone at the Food Bank had asked the German Sisters a while back to exchange Quarters for Euro - no idea why, because we can't actually do that, and then they asked the American Sisters at the time to ask some members if they would do that. But no one did anything with them, so they just sat there in this bag for heaven knows how long. Anyway, Sister Lyman and I decided it was bugging us, and went to the Food Bank 3 days in a row, carrying about 20 pounds of quarters. I kid you now, there were that many. I'm not sure exactly how many pounds, but it was heavy. And hurt my shoulder. Anyway, we were finally able to track down the lady, and give her quarters back. It was such a relief.

2) we had beef and beans, like 4 days this week. Well, I did, anyway. It was fun. We had Tuesdays left over Chili on Thursday for dinner in the form of an enchilada. It was yummy. And I was stuffed. Also, that was the first time we'd had dinner without a member in a long time. And then we went to Institute. The whole time we were traveling, I was telling Sister Lyman "I'm so full! i hate my life!" My stomach hurt so bad. And the member fed us pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, and cupcakes. I just about died. I just kept thinking "I'm gonna die." It's fun to think back on, but at the time, I almost died.

3) we met with Bobby again on Sunday, we talked to him about the Book of Mormon, and a few other things, and made sure to bare testimony, and it went well. I hope we can help him understand The Gospel better. 

Is there anything I can do to help any of you?

Have a good day/week.

I love you, all!

-Sister Montgomery