It's Almost Gone!

Hello!!

Oh, my heavens. Where did January go? And the last transfer? It's week five! And the last five months??? I hit my five-month mark tomorrow! And then we have transfer calls next week, and transfers the week after, and then February's over and I hit my 6-month mark (1/3 of the way through, whoo, whoo!) and then people go home, and we have another transfer. Man, time is just flying by. Where is it going??

I've decided with my cameras, that I'm just going to fill up the memory card I have, and then send the whole camera home so you can enjoy the pictures and then bring more home with my on my other camera.

So, last Monday we had a great time hiking up to see a castle in Gießen with the Wetzlar and Weterau Elders. They are all quite silly, and it was great fun. After that, Sister Ferris and I went to visit sister Dülfer (Duel-fur) an elderly member who lives not far from us, and we discovered that her birthday is today, and wanted to do something for her, but don't think we'll be able to, seeing as we have FHE with the Sertels tonight.

Last Tuesday, we had DDM, here in Wetzlar, and for some reason there was a meeting going on with an area 70. No idea where that came from or what it was about, but it was really cool to talk to the people for a minute or two. We had an appointment with a former investigator at 3 that day. We made our appointment fine, and he asked lots of good, but random questions, but it felt like they were more out of curiosity that to actually find out more about our church, which was slightly nerfing (frustrating) but oh, well. That's how life goes, right?

Wednesday, we had Missionary Correlation Meeting (gemiko) and it as always was really cool. When you have the world wide Family History Coordinator as your Ward Mission Leader, you get lots of cool ins, like the RootsTech conference happening in Seattle, Salt Lake and one other place (Can't remember) in a couple months. It's going to be sure cool, because they have interactive display that kids can use that have historical stuff linked in (kind of like "Night at the museum"). It's going to be so cool! Be excited, and talk to your Bishop or something to see if you can get tickets. Also on Wednesday, I had a really cool Personal Study session. You remember the other day when I told you I traced my heritage back to Adam through Seth? Well, in D&C 107: 42, 55, 56 it talks about how the Priesthood came down through the line of Seth. It was probably the coolest thing I have learned since reading D&C. you should check it out. It's a really powerful section. Anyway, we had an appointment with Wolfgang set up for 5:00, but for some reason the last few weeks, every time he calls an hour before and say that he's going to be working longer and won't make it. I'm almost starting to think he's just coming up with excuses because we know something's up. Brudder Svedjot said that he was investigating some stuff about Wolfgang because some things just didn't line up. He said that he tried to search him on the Internet, but couldn't find anyone by the name of Wolfgang Bochert on the list of Doctors at the Wetzlar Hospital. That was 2 weeks ago. I don't know what's going happening, but I'm worried because he was doing so good, and now we're not getting anywhere with him.

Thursday, we had German class, as usual, and afterward, we went dooring in a very large apartment building. 9 floors, 9 apartments on either side of the hall. It was massive. We placed a couple Books of Mormon, and then moved to another building. And found a potential investigator. His name is Charlie, he's from Alabama, and was in the military. He got really excited when he learned my name was Montgomery, and said that he lived not far from there, I don't remember what city he was from.  But we left a German Book of Mormon with him, and told him we'd come swap it with an English one, but we don't have any English ones right now, so we ordered some and will be getting them this Wednesday at Zone Training. Super excited for that. Zone trainings are always spectacular. We also visited with a less active woman who is from the Philippians. She spoke neither German nor English very well, so we couldn't really communicate with her. But what we could get across to her was the spirit, and he did a magnificent job of telling her that we were there to help her, and bring her back to God. It was a really difficult lesson, but it was good.

Friday, we had a lesson with Ulla, who we will hopefully be seeing more often. She doesn't get very many visitors because she lives in a really small, out of the way town called Bonbaden. But she has 8 siblings (all of which supposedly have cars) and none of them come to visit her, which is really sad. We invited her to church, but her dog is dying so she doesn't want to leave Lila alone fore more than 4 hours since she's what got Ulla through the death of her husband, about 6 years ago. It's a really sad situation, but we're trying to help. I asked her how often she reads in the scriptures, and she said every 2 days. I promised her that if she read every day she'd be happier She's been having some depression problems, and I was hoping to help her. We'll see how well she's doing on Friday when we have our next appointment.

Saturday was a whole bunch of running around with no busses, no appointments, and freezing cold weather. We got a couple of less active lessons. Sister Röder (Roe-dur) is an elderly woman, and supposedly has a mental problem because she thinks that she has evil spirits following her around and not letting her do what she's supposed to. She has a testimony and a desire to come to church, but she doesn't "because of the spirits." it was a scary situation once we learned why. Her house didn't have a bad feeling about it when we went, though, so I'm very confused, and unsure how to help her. We'll pray, and see what we can do, and I'll let you all know how it goes. Wolfgang once again cancelled our appointment due to work (supposedly), but we were able to visit with the less active Brudder Peppler, and his non-member wife out in Dorlar. It was a really good lesson. We had received the impression from B. Peppler that his wife was a controlling witch who wouldn't let him do anything, but after meeting her, she's actually really sweet, and I think she's just insecure. We'll continue visiting them, and see if we can help her come to church with him. I think it would be good for both of them. We shared the scripture Alma 37:6-7, which is the one about "small and simple means" bringing great things about. Totally makes sense. Sister Ferris and I both have pretty strong testimonies about how important the small things are, and the spirit was really strong as well. It was really a testimony builder.

Sunday, we had an eating appointment with Familie Schmidt, but sister Schmids forgot because she just got back from vacation in the US, so she was very jet lagged on Sunday. So we ended up going with Bishop and Sister Meiser (My-zer) to their house to eat instead. We had spaghetti, and ice cream. I ate myself sick, because they just kept putting food on my plate and I didn't want to be rude. So I had a tummy ache Sunday night. But it was all good. I'm fine now. We shared Mosiah 23:28, which is about putting your fears to rest, and trusting God. We talked about how missions are hard, and how we have to trust God, and that fear and Faith cannot exist in the same place. Once again, a really powerful lesson, and a real testimony builder. We have a great ward here.

Well, I think that's all for this week. I love you all, and hope you're doing great. Miss you tons, and hope you're smiling lots. Especially since the sun is coming out again, and sunshine is good for your teeth.

Much love,

-Sister Montgomery

Week four begins with fright

Hello, everyone!

Well, this was a very interesting, long, and painful/frightening week. Here's the rundown.

Monday last week, we went to Brounfels Castle with Sister Ferris for her first visit. Dana came along because we love her and she was going home at the end of the week, so we all wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. We had a great time there, on the bus, and at the Titze's for FHE. Sister Ferris and I gave the Theme (lesson) on Alma 37:6-7 and turned it into a discussion, just the way the Titize's like it. A couple of less active JAE's were there, Sem and Julius. Julius is about 28, and is actually engaged to a 20-year-old in Stutgard, so he won't be counted as a young SINGLE adult, soon. But, Sem is 30 and has absolutely no desire to get married, poor kid. He just doesn't really want to work for it. He's a good guy, though, and is really good with the Titze girls, especially the 1-year-old, Phoebe.

Tuesday, we had DDM in Weterau, so we had to travel. DDM, as usual, was fabulous, with wonderful themes, and a very powerful spirit present. I can't remember the topics for the themes and I don't have my notes on me, so I can't give you very many details, unfortunately. just know that it was really good, and helped a lot. After DDM, we had Sister Ferris's first appointment with Tina. it was crazy, as usual. I tried to warn her that Tina's a bit of a nut, and after we got out of our appointment, she said "There is no way you can warn anyone about that level of crazy." it was quite hilarious.

Wednesday, we had Gemiko with Brudder Svedjot, the worldwide Family history coordinator. He really is amazing. I never thought that I would meet someone that high up in any position, but he's out Ward Mission Leader. He has lots of great ideas, and it's wonderful to have him. We talked about Wolfgang and how he's not progressing right now, how Ulla needs help getting to church, and how Tina's just nuts. And then he talked to us about the ward mission plan, and how he's organizing all these Family history aspects that can be used as part of that. It was really inspiring, and I'm super excited. That night we had an appointment with Wolfgang, but he stood us up. it made me want to cry, and sister Ferris has an unsettling feeling about him.

Thursday, we had German class. Dana came because she wanted to see Sister Titze before she flew out on Sunday at 1. We had a ball. After that Sister Ferris and I went dooring in Gießen, and placed 3 different Books of Mormon. When we first started, the guy answered the door with a toothbrush in his mouth, and no shirt on. It was traumatizing.  I'm pretty sure it was very evident on my face that I was horrified, and I'm really glad sister Ferris handled that one, because I couldn't. 

That evening we went to the Finds for dinner. The Finds love to have both sets of missionaries over together, so the elders were there as well. it started raining on the way there, and as we moved up the mountain, it started snowing. Like, mini blizzard status. I was praying the whole way that we would make it to their house safely, because it was so terrifying. Brother find cracks all kinds of jokes; he put the brights on, and asks how you say "Light speed" in English. then he says, "We're now going Light Speed:" he's the funniest man on the planet, I swear. I'm going to have to send you pictures after I get them. The finds are the best! Lisa and Alex always like to translate stuff into English for us, Brother Find asks how to say stuff in English, and they all crack jokes like no tomorrow! They’re my favorite! Them and the Titze's. All amazing. Best ward on the planet.

Friday, we went to visit a less active with health problems in the Intensive care unit. Sister Krämer has Pneumonia, and a smoking problem, and we're not sure why she's in the ICU, but I think it has something to do with the Pneumonia. We had an appointment with Ulla, but she canceled on us, because she's been sick in bed all week. We've been praying for her, and hope she gets better because I want to help her.

Saturday, we went to visit another LA in the hospital. Marlies had diabetes, and lost just below her knee on her left leg because of it. She was raised in the church, but after she got marries, her husband removed her records. She was re-baptized last year on Christmas eve (I mean in 2013. that's still really weird). She's in the hospital/recovery home because she had a seizure back at the End of October and was in the ICU for a while, and has been in the home for about a month, month-and-a-half, now. So, we went to visit her in Gießen, in a recovery home, and spent 40 minutes with her. She's such a ray of sunshine. She's always serving, and smiling, and just very kind, even though her own situation isn't the easiest. 

After that we met with Dana because she wanted to see one last time before she left. so we had a short lesson with her, and then went to an electronic store, and I got a new camera for 35€. Unfortunately, I accidentally left it at home, and I'm really upset with myself because I wanted to send you pictures now that I can. Oh, well. I'll just have to send extra pictures next week.

Then, at 6:00, we went to Tina's again. Once again, we failed to control the conversation, mostly because Tina was not happy with her husband, so she tried to twist everything he said, and the scriptures to stab him, and it was a really awkward situation. Sister Ferris and I had absolutely no idea what to do to get the conversation back on track, so we kind of just let it run its course until we had to go. Then I said the closing prayer, and asked for us to be able to show our love for each other, and to be kind to one another, and Tina's demeanor absolute did a 180. it was intriguing, but slightly frightening at the same time. She's an interesting character, that's for sure.

Sunday, we had church, fats Sunday, and Dinner with the Schneiders, our stake patriarch. Probably one of the most spiritual people I know. Brother Schneider is amazing. He gave us some referrals, and went through the ward list with us, and told us who he thought would benefit most from our visits. So we have some work to do, now, and it's exciting. He was really happy to hear that we already had appointments with some of his referrals because he gave them to us before and was just checking up on how things were going. It was amazing.

Also, I think I might have a slight allergy to cats. Last time I was there, I had trouble breathing, and my eyes got watery, and this time, with my cold, I basically couldn't breath, and Sister Ferris said that it was pretty obvious. Sister Schneider told me that I needed to go home and take a nap, and when we were finished with our spiritual thought on the restoration, Brother Schneider said "Okay, lets say a closing prayer so we can get Sister Montgomery home to rest." it was really cute and endearing. I love the Wetzlar gemeinde.

So, yeah, I forgot to mention that I have had a runny/stuffy nose/sore throat/ aches since about Friday. It’s been quite fun trying to be a missionary when I just want to go home and sleep. Oh, well, the life of a missionary.

Love you all, and can't wait to hear from you. You'll get picture next week, I promise.

-Sister Montgomery 

Transfer 4, week 3 begins

Family, Friends, and Acquaintances

So, this week was quite eventful, very busy, extremely entertaining, and painfully unproductive.

Last Monday was a nice relaxing day. we went grocery shopping, hung out at the mall with Dana (Dayna-the visiting Canadian) and we went shoe shopping, because I literally wore my boots out. The heel was falling off, and they really did no good for me- cold, wet feet -- even with 3 pairs of socks on. It was horrendous.  I'll send pictures as soon as I get a cord for my camera, or a new camera. Hopefully I can get the pictures off if I get a new camera.  Anyway, I didn't get any new boots at the time, but it was really nice to be able to just be with friends and not have to worry about anything for a couple hours.

Tuesday, we had DDM in Wetzlar. Everyone came to us. it was quite nice. I gave a wonderful little Theme on Obedience because Elder Brandner thinks it's my favorite Christ-like attribute. I’m not quite sure why that is. Elder Mitchell gave a really cool "get to know you" theme because half of our district was new to the area, and It's always fun to get to know people. :D We all quite enjoyed it. After the meeting we went to Sattmacher as a district and ate lunch. We talked and got to know each other better, and it was quite enjoyable. I'm excited for DDM this week. :D

Wednesday, we went on our first split of the Transfer. Sister Ferris went to Hanau with her trainer, Sister Gardener and Sister Taylor came to Wetzlar with me. Sister Taylor and I have a lot in common. Namely, both of our first field area was Wetzlar. After we got back to Wetzlar, we had an appointment with Wolfgang. He was late, but both he and Sister Taylor were excited to see each other. It was really cool to watch them get so excited when they saw the other. Our lesson went really well, even though we were in a bakery cafe. We discovered that he hasn't really been reading out of the Book of Mormon, so Sister Taylor made him a promise that if he read out of the Book of Mormon every day for a month, he would find the answer he's looking for. And yes, I am dead set on helping him with that. Every appointment we have, I will ask him how his reading been going. I am excited to see how this goes. 

After Wolfgang we had Missionary Correlation meeting. And then we had Gemeinde Rat (ward council). It took forever. It literally took 2 hours. I'm not even kidding. Normally it's an hour, hour and a half, so I didn't start to get antsy until about 8:45, when I knew there wouldn't be any more buses coming after 15 minutes. Thankfully, after the meeting ended, Sister Meiser immediately told us that she would take us home. I called the Zone leaders while sister Taylor talked to people she hadn't seen in almost 8 months. They were all super surprised and extremely happy to see her, and I felt like an angel because I had arranged it. It was really fun because everyone was like "Wait, what are you doing here??"

Thursday, we had some studies, and then went to German class, as per usual on Thursday. That lasted about 2 hours. Then Sister Taylor and I had lunch at Subway, because she hadn't had German subway yet. She said, "I got to be there for your first Döner, you can be there for my first Subway." it was a nice exchange. After lunch we caught our train, and split back. Then Sister Ferris and I went to the church to print out some stuff for a new dooring experiment we want to try this week. I'll let you know what it is and how it works after the trail period is over.  Then we went over to the housing area where a few of the less-actives live, and scouted out some doors to experiment on, and had a less active lesson. Sister Müller is really nice, and planning on moving for work. After we left her house, I told sister Ferris, "We'll have to work fast if we want her to be reactivated by the time she moves." She laughed and agreed whole-heartedly. She's so wonderful.

Friday, we went up to the Braunfels area, and ran around trying to find less-actives that don't live there anymore, or their houses don't exist. It was really fun, except for when it started drizzling. And we couldn't find anyone. We rode basically every bus in the area. it was quite entertaining.

Saturday was almost the same as Friday, except that it wasn't in Braunfels, it was in Wetzlar and Gießen. We ran to one of the rehab/nursing homes in Gießen to visit a less active named Marlies (mar-lease) who had a seizure a few months ago, ended up in ICU and then went to this home. Sister Blackhurst and I tried to find her a couple weeks ago, but the heim said she was in the Wetzlar hospital, and the hospital said she was at the heim, and it was just a mess. But we found her this week, and had a really good lesson with her. it was quite peaceful. Her roommate is from the Philippians, and speaks Tagalog. I wished I could remember some of the words you had taught me, Danika, but I couldn't.  Oh, well. 

Sunday, we had everything as usual: get up, get ready, catch the bus, go to church, wait for church to start, have church (always a good thing). Then we had an hour long "short" gemeinde rat, went home for about an hour, and then headed to our dinner appointment in, what do you know, Braunfels. as we were waiting at the bus stop in Braunfels -we didn't know how to get to the Viogt'S house (foh-kt)- we stood there for about 10 minutes waiting, because we had called to tell them we'd be a few minutes late and they said they'd pick us up. So as we're waiting, these two little boys and a dog come up to us, and the older one says "Hello, sisters.2 Sister Ferris and I both jumped a little because we weren't expecting Vico(Vee-co, age 10) and Cedrik (cedric, age 7) to come get us for dinner. it was actually really a funny situation. We got there fine. We had our dinner appointment, and then left a spiritual thought, and came home, had call ins, and then went to bed. It was a nice, quiet, restful day. 

Today, I'm emailing early because we're headed out to Braunfels again to show sister Ferris the Castle. Even though we've been there 2 in the last 4 days, we didn't have the opportunity to get up to the castle for her. The elders and Dana are coming with us. I'll be sure to get lots of pictures and send them when I can.

Love you all, can't wait to hear from you,

-Sister Montgomery