"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
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