Well, this week just flew by.
Monday was kinda funny. After English class, we had an appointment
with an investigator and invited an older lady in the ward to help us teach
him. Well, she has this group of friends, we told them not to come, but they wanted
to make us dinner. So random. Well they ended up coming, which only worked
because our investigator never showed up. BUT we had a wonderful time with this
group of friends. They are not members of the church, except the one. I am
always so amazed what a great missionary she is! I hope that I will have that
drive to constantly be finding new friends and trying to introduce them to the
gospel. She's amazing.
Tuesday, we were able to do some member and less active work. We
also had Gemeinerat. ummmmmm ward council meeting? I have no idea. Well we had
this meeting where we all get together. The RS president is the coolest. She
was so concerned with less actives and asking us how we were doing with them.
She also told us to go by on one. Well, last time we talked to her on the
phone, she made it VERY clear that she would make contact with us when she
wanted and that we were not to make the contact. Well, I can’t turn down an
assignment by the Relief Society President, but I was a bit nervous.
This week I had tausch (exchanges) with Sister Clark in Graz and we
saw some miracles. Small, but oh so significant! We started off the day by
going by a less active, she said she wanted us over, and she would give us a
call, it sounded very promising. Then we went by on another less active that
the RS asked us to go by on, not home. So we went by on other people. A
potential that we had received a long time ago. When we knocked on her door,
she remembered exactly who I was. She was having lunch with her extended
family, but she asked us to come back. I was really impressed she remembered us
and I have a lot of hope for her! We went by a less active that previously hung
up on me on the phone, well, I was a bit nervous. But we also had a positive
contact with her. After going by on these people, we saw some real success. It
was funny, because that wasn't even our plan B, everything had fallen
out, but for a reason. Well we had a bit more time at about 7. So we
decided to go by that less active that wasn't home earlier. Well, over the
klingel (intercom?), she was not nice. She told us she was already in bed and
not happy with us. We left, I was feeling really sad, not knowing what we were
going to say to the Relief Society President and a bit confused what to
do. However, a bit later we got a call. She was apologizing and asked if we
would have time for an appointment next week. It was truly a miracle. It was so
cool. Tausches (exchanges) are really times for miracles! I have seen this a
couple times on my mission now. When we make the slightest contact, the Spirit
can talk to them and whether they come to church or want to make an appointment,
its wonderful to see the Spirit work in such a way.
This week we also had Zone Training. Well, its quite different being
on the other end of zone training. I felt that it went really well. Sis Judd
and I talked a lot about the difference between charity and love. It was really
a fun discussion. This week we had a lesson at a members about our baptismal
covenants. We are committed to help others, and being charitable is really the
way to do that! It is also always good to review what we have promised the Lord
we would do. We know that when we do our part, he will bless us!
Saturday I attended my first Europe Christmas party. Wow, was it
fun. I can't even explain how Austria feels about Christmas. It is so much
bigger here, and it's SWEET. Well for the program, they told the story of
Christ's birth with a slide show of pictures. These pictures were the scenes of
the events but with the primary children's faces. It was so cool and well done!
Afterwards, we ate soup (also, soup is so good here, I love Austria soup!) and
socialized. I talked to a couple people in the ward I never had the chance
before. I love these old ladies. You ask a simple question like, how did you
learn about the church and they could talk for hours. It turns out the oldest
lady in the ward's husband translated the Book of Mormon into German. SO COOL.
Anyway, the Christmas party was a HIT.
Sunday was great. The Tews (the ehe paar (senior couple) in Graz)
invited us over for lunch and we were able to figure out how we could work
together in this ward. It was really great. They have so much excitement for
the work. I have never seen such a motivated missionary couple. Seriously cool.
Then we were able to have a very meaningful visit with our investigator. I must
say, I LOVE the Spirit. It makes everything comfortable and lets us know what
we need to say to help those we talk to. The Holy Ghost sure is the
best tool :)
Well this week was a good one. We got ahold of many people, which we
needed.
This week, I have just cherished my scripture study! The scriptures
contain the questions of the soul. With this time that we study, we invite the
Spirit. With these 2 aides, any question we could or might have can be
answered. I have had some great searches this week leading off phrases in my p
blessing. It has made it so much more personal. I encourage everyone to do
that!
Quick cultural thing. Members here appreciate the Bible so much more.
Sister Judd and I were talking about it this morning. The cultural basis here
of the bible is so different. I get really sad that the German speaking people
cant have the King James version with all of the footnotes and JS translations.
We English speakers need to dive into our bible, we have so many more
resources, that we take for granted!
Next week is going to be crazy! Christmas conference and 2
tausches (exchanges)!
Have a great week :)
Sis Regnier
This is a huge German decoration, if you can see it. They are everywhere- And way cool :)
The most popular decoration is the advents wreath. There are 4 candles and every Advent Sunday, you light one more. It’s a cool tradition :)
Austria and Germany LOVE Christmas! :)
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