Passau is sinking! (June 3)

Thanks so much for the package! I told my companion, I bet you there are dried apricots in there, of course, thanks for always knowing what I want! (someone made us this really yummy homemade thing with dried apricots in it and gave us the apple thing, but we really wanted apricots to go with it, so it was PERFECT. Plus its super healthy! )

I am so excited for Collette! That is amazing! I wish I could be there! Send lots of pictures and let her know that I know she is making the best decision of her life!

Let me catch you up on Passau.

So Saturday morning, as we were walking across the Donau bridge (as we do about 4 - 6 times a day) we noticed that the river has flown over the river-walking path! Crazy! It has been raining, a lot. After a restless night of hearing ambulances ALL NIGHT, we walked to church. Let me tell you. European emergency vehicles DO NOT sound like America’s. They are the most annoying things ever. Anyways, walking to church. The river had overflown! Into hotels, houses, and parking garages. It was eye opening. Throughout the day, it got worse and worse. Schwester Lippman, who lives near another river, showed us pictures that morning of how the water was a foot away from the bridge. Everyone is a little worried. We went to bed with the water not even close to reaching our street, so we were not too worried. However, nothing compares to waking up this morning. We had planned to do a district PDAY and go to Landshut. However, we looked out the window and knew we had to stay. The water had completely gone over both streets/driving ramps in front of our house. The water level is slowly creeping up to our apartment complex. People are trapped in their houses everywhere. We see stranded cars and floating furniture. I can't even describe it. I have NEVER seen anything like this. It is a natural disaster, and it took me awhile to understand that it is happening to me! Luckily we are friends with a girl that lives below us. She txt us telling us that we are not to drink the water from the tap. So after getting some calls done. We frantically started to pack just incase. We are supposed to be moving into a new apartment by the next transfer (here in Passau) so we are trying to move today, but phone calls are not currently going through. :( We will see what happens. We knew we better get some food supplies plus our weekly shopping. However, turns out our grocery store is also flooded... so we had to go to one near the church (super expensive, unfortunately) and get some food stock and water. I've never seen so many people buying groceries and big things of water. On the way to the bus, we found out downtown is flooded. Everyone has spent the last two days walking around viewing everything that is happening (unfortunately, they are not in the mood to talk about the gospel.. haha). I am hoping this will provide Sister Garrett and I with some service experiences. We are trying to figure out how we can help. I've seen a couple people walking, or swimming, to get out of their house. Some places are trapped because they can't get to a bridge. It is weird this all happened in 3 days. I feel bad for anyone that was on vacation (as it was just 2 weeks off of school) and came back to this.

I'm betting we will be on some news things, we are always walking around :)

We are supposed to be teaching about Mormon faith in a school class on Wednesday. Turns out school is canceled this week, the school is partly underwater. I was rather excited for that, but we will do that next week.

"Passau-living on three rivers" is really now just one. haha

On Sunday, we were dooring and I heard an evacuation siren. I've heard these things in movies, but I think that is what made me realize that this is serious. We heard another one while giving a lesson. But they were both far away from our living area.

The picture with two red cars is taken from standing right in front of my apartment

In the other one you can see someone walking through the water (same area, just closer up)

Anyways, enough of the weather. Haha

So this week has been a hard one. On Thursday, all three of our appointments didn't show up... It was pretty sad. Dad, you asked how many teaching appointments we do a week. Our average right now is 4 or 5. We had some awesome finding opportunities this week. One that I am VERY curious about- we were klingiling and we said we're missionaries and such. And he responded he would like to talk to us but he is alone. This was weird. Sister missionaries have not been in this area long (never been to this side of Passau), and we have no idea why he would say he was alone other then if he knew our rules. I am quite excited to revisit (we did the next day, but no answer). We also went to an area where elders previously had a lot of success. We got a couple potentials. Yesterday, we hiked up this MOUNTAIN. Okay, not really, but it was the biggest thing I have walked up since being at BYU. Out of breath, we finally got to an old untersucher's house. It was so pretty! I believe I have a picture I will attach. However, he no longer lived there. But many neighbors would say, oh yeah, 2 men in black suits showed us that book before. haha, Little do they know, we know that. So yeah, we have done quite a bit of finding.

A fun lesson we had this week was our dinner appointment with the Sagmeisters. (To answer your question we usually go to their house once a week, so one dinner appointment a week.) We taught them about the Articles of Faith. We decided to make a challenge. So we are all trying to memorize them and have a competition next week. Sister Garrett and I are on a SLIGHT disadvantage.... But it's crazy. Because memorizing these things shows Heavenly Father is helping me. Everyone knows how bad I am at memorization and spelling. I mean I have been trying to memorize DC4 my whole mission and I only have the first 3 verses. However, I asked for help from our Father in Heaven, and I am getting one down for a portion of my study, or even on a train ride. It's so cool! But, others would say competition drives me... haha. But I am way to busy to care. haha. Fun fact from that. Bru. Sag. gave the first hour lesson. What did he do it on? The articles of faith! and ways to remember them! so cool right?

I thought it would be a great thing for family home evening and to help Cali! So I'll share!

1- God, Jesus, and Holy Ghost(ha, when I first wrote that, it was auf Deutsch!) are 1 in purpose

2- Adam and Eve, 2 people

3- atonement- 3 crosses on a hill

4- there are 4 laws

5- there are 5 fingers on the hand-handauflegen

6- the word used in German is Urkirche- I think primitive church in English- and Ur sound like the word for hour. On the old churches they have clocks on them, and the picture is 6oclock.

7- a gift for each day

8 if you stack your BOM and bible on top of each other, it looks like an 8

9- looks esp. like a German showerhead. the revelation comes from above, like a shower

10-  10 tribes

11- German ones (dad can probably show you) look like two little buildings, a church- you can worship where you want

12- the king is 1 and the little number two is someone bowing to them

13- mentions 13 things and there are 13 commas ( well at least in German)

We just got a txt from our neighbor! they cut the electricity and water! Oh man, we need to get home soon. haha, we have the washer running, I wonder what happened.

So best thing that happened this week!

A less active, which I have spoke of before (ran away from us etc.) let us in. We talked about her family. However, then she asked if we could talk on spiritual things. She has said she got baptized because her husband. But she really wants a testimony. So I am so so so excited to start teaching her! Unfortunately, she is gone for the next three weeks. But when she returns, it will be awesome!

Another wonderful thing! We were dooring and met this cute lady! She is catholic, but was so excited to take a BOM and couldn't believe we were giving it to her for free. We told her we would come back next week to talk about it. I am really excited! I will finally give a lesson in German! Other than talking to the members I have yet to give a lesson in German because all the people we teach are auslanders (foreigners), and don't know German.

Also, the random lady that showed up at church with her dog? She came again, we finally got her phone number and will be visiting her this week, if the trains allow..... that could be a problem.

So for your questions.

No, we ate normally, the sausage was just REALLY good. haha, maybe it's in the air. Or Sch. Sagmeister is just the best cook ever.

I will be giving my talk later this month. We pick the topic. Mine is on the action of faith. Sister Garretts was on peace and hope (That I was asked to bear my testimony on)

Austausch usually lasts for 24 hours. However, because we are now supposed to exchange with the coordinating sisters (new sister missionary leadership position) and the closest ones are far away. So I spent a lot of time on the train so ours lasted over 3 days. But I was only really there doing work for one, the others were morning routines or traveling. I was in Neumarkt. or something spelled similar. I have no idea where that is :)

I don't really feel that my German is improving. However, I can understand a lot more. But some people talk so differently. I met someone from north Germany, she was SO EASY to understand! haha I am in one of the hardest accent places though. Sister Garrett says I am improving... but I mean, I was asked to read something at church, and it sounded awful. haha I am pretty sure no one even knew what I said. It's really hard not to get mad at myself-especially when people say they can't understand me, or their favorite phrase " I didn't understand a word you said" haha. But I just got to keep going along. Hopefully it will come! I got a letter from Sister Peterson, she pretty much feels the same way. It was nice to hear that how I am feeling isn't any different then other new missionaries.

I am getting to know the members better. They are warming up to me and being a little more understanding of my German. I think only one other missionary was ever "born" here.

Sister Garrett and I are getting along great. It is crazy how similar we are.

Good job for feeding both of the missionaries ;) My mouth was watering.  It's crazy how much I crave Mexican food. I wish they had something up here! Just the turkey döners, which are more popular in Germany anyway haha. BTW, I know I shouldn't have a business mindset while I am on my mission. But if I opened up a food shop it would totally be that. Everyone LOVES them. I wonder why no RMs have done it. I wonder how you get the meat.... hmm. Maybe, I'll eventually look into that ;)

Anyways, We just got ahold of Sch. Heumos so we are moving into the new apartment today! Perfect timing! haha but I still think we wont be able to drink the water, it's not that much higher than downtown. But everything is fine. I am safe. We have the senior couple calling us and keeping us updated making sure we are safe. They are SO cute!

As always, I hope this makes sense. I don't really go over and re read it, but I think you would understand. Also I am getting more used to this keyboard which is nice so I can type faster.

I love you very, very much!

Soak up some sun for me, cause you know, this rain is not for me. I bundle up more than anyone... haha some Germans just go around in leather jackets. Crazy? yes. but they also don't stay out all day.

Sister Regnier

Ps, if there are interesting things on the Passau news, I would love to hear it. We are so out of the loop! Even though we live right on the river!

Miranda is standing in front of her apartment-the flooding is THAT close!

13 Articles of Faith "Helps"

I, Sister Regnier, am saying that my favorite meal last week was weisswürst and mustard (May 27)

Guten Tag!

So, the last couple days, I have been walking around in the constant pouring rain. No, you do not understand the words constant pouring rain. During all of this, I could just picture everyone wakeboarding, skiing, and tubing.... in the heat. I thought I wouldn't have to break out my winter stuff yet. Let me explain what exactly this Sister Missionary wears in the freezing cold: My thermals (both kinds), a sweater, my huge jacket, a scarf, gloves, wool socks, a hat, and the winter boots I thought I wouldn't use till next year. I am quite surprised it wasn't snowing! But the wind probably made most of the cold.

Anyways, enough of the weather, that sounds like small talk.

Funny story. So in Germany to start a conversation you DO NOT ask how they are. But sometimes, I do. (Sometimes I don't really remember, sometimes I don't know how else to start talking to people) Most of the time it goes fine. People just know I am American, or super friendly, but then there are other people. Picture me, all bundled up sitting on a bus. Someone comes, smiles, and sits down next to me. So after building up a bit of courage (my companion is too far away if I need help, and THAT IS TERRIFYING). I say "Wie geht es ihnen heute?" She looks at me (mind you, she looks like a nice lady) and say's "Warum" (why). Oh meine Gute. So awkward, so I just say something like well to start conversation.... haha. 

Well, I am one of those awkward missionaries.  

Anyways. I totally forgot to tell you something last week! I don't know how, I was pretty excited to say: I, Sister Regnier, am saying that my favorite meal last week was weisswürst and mustard. I know, I bet you read that a couple times. Craziness. In my defense, most mustard tastes good here. NOT ALL, but most.

So that guy of interest. Yeah, he is doing good! Our next lesson we asked him if he would prepare to be baptized on July 6. He said yes!!!! So now, in planning when it says prepare for your investigators with a baptism date, we can do something!! Wahoo! It’s so great. He wanted a CTR ring, we gave him one, I am quite curious to see if he wears it.

Another untersucher, IDK if you would call him that, I think he is more just interested in the Mormon beliefs. He is pretty cool. He loves the New Testament. But he has no faith. We have now met with him twice (we had another apt today, but this weather makes teaching outside a no). He wants everything we say backed up with New Testament evidence. He has a really hard time because we no longer have the plates. This morning we were studying for God having a body, before, he was wanting us to back up the restoration with a scripture based off of the vs in Matthew where it says something like chains of hell won’t be able to take the church. He keeps trying to convince us it "failed" because it left the earth for a while. It's really fun to teach him. He is Korihor. But, he doesn't bash, he is just trying to figure it out. We are working with him to figure it out the right way... but some people don't listen.

You ask about Pdays. We really don't have much time. We do our typical studying intermixed with laundry, grocery shopping, emails, cleaning our apartment, and lunch. That takes all the time. On those 2 Pdays we skipped dinner, and booked it for the hiking place because Pday ends at 6. Today we might just hang out. Hopefully go to a bookstore of some kind because I want to get a better English-Deutsch dictionary. haha.

Well this week.

(just so you know, I have to look at my journal because everything mushes together, I have NO sense of time..)

So we had our district meeting on Tuesday, I had to bring a few extra things because right after I had my first Austausch,.... I am not sure how to spell that auf Deutsch, but I don't know what it is called in English.. Anyways we met the Neomarkt sisters at the train station. It wasn't long before I was told plans were changed and the Golden (greenie) was going back to Austria with me. In my head I was freaking out. (How are we going to talk to people, etc.). She has been here a transfer longer than me. Turns out she speaks excellent German and we were totally fine. But I was freaking out for most of the train ride, until we finally talked to someone. Their mission is the only Sister car mission in my mission. They did things quite different. It was weird, but I learned a lot. And Sister Smith was awesome! We had a great time! We got to teach the whole time I was there! And every house we taught gave us tea, I could get used to that! haha. :)

I really enjoyed Austria. I felt like most of my time was in the car because the cities were so far apart! But it was cool to teach so many lessons and meet so many people! Here's something really funny that happened. But, it might be a you had to be there kinda thing. So for lunch, Sister Smith made this German food. Turns out it expands in your stomach, I have NEVER been so full in my life. We were both, so, so full. Then we went to go help someone with their German for our service hours (yeah, me teaching German... haha) . She was like oh I have a new recipe you have to try. We nervously said a very, very small amount please. She brought out huge, huge bowls of rice milk. I probably looked like I saw a ghost. ...So we start to eat. I was having the hardest time. I couldn't even manage to drink the water she gave us. Somehow, Sister Smith finished. The lady offered to take her plate somewhere in German/Romanian translation it got confused that she wanted more. She brought out an identically huge bowl. Literally, I could not keep the laughter inside. I pretended I was laughing with the baby playing on the floor. Seriously. I thought I would never eat again. Sister Smith looked so sick, and the lady just thought she was so nice. haha, that does happen in real life. I thought it was a funny story my MTC teachers just told us... haha. Sister Smith and I taught a ton of lessons, it was really fun. We would be a great team.

When I got home, we did a lot of finding. On Saturday night, we went over to a members to have her help us with our talks. She was convinced we both didn't need to give one. So I just ended up giving the opening prayer, and a testimony on Sister Garrett’s topic, which in my opinion is scarier because at least Sister Garrett had hers written down! But I felt more like me that way anyway. So I have a kick butt talk for next week :) Church was good, although the woman I have a hard time understanding gave the lesson during Relief Society (which is more like a discussion lead by one person, kind of, but it is different), so all I know is it was about the temples. The rest of the time I just listened to how they pronounced letters in words I could not understand. haha.

Miracle for the week. I don't know if you remember, but my first Pday here we met a less active on the bus, Sis Garrett said it was different how she was acting towards us. Later, she ran up the hill from us. Big change. She usually ignores our calls. But she let us in this week! It was awesome. We got to talk to her for awhile and I got some great ideas how to serve her. I am REALLY excited. Hopefully more on that next week.

So it seems this week I have been getting a lot of exercise. Yeah frühsport is great. But we have been running a lot lately, in skirts. haha. We have had to SPRINT yeah, sprint to the bus multiple times. It doesn't look very good in my opinion. But it's never been our fault, and it's either sprint or miss our curfew or have to wait an hour for the next one. However, it's hilarious. I would laugh at us, I DO laugh at us.

I don't really have anything else to report on.

It looks like Elders might be joining us in Passau next Transfer.

There was a rock disguised as a raison in my oatmeal yesterday. I feel like they should give me a free bag of raisons, too bad I don't know how to complain auf Deutsch... haha!

The sky the other night was the prettiest thing I have ever seen. I took a picture (the only picture I took this week, sorry) but no justice. It was bright red. It was so sweet. I seriously live in such a pretty place. I would be fine with never leaving Bayern.

Jdubs are very common. Alexander was right. EVERYONE and their mom (A lot of people here live in the same apartment complex as their parents) thinks that's what we are. And it would be weird to have the first thing that comes out our mouth be " Hello, we are not Jehovahs Witness´" But that might be more effective haha.

Oh, I do have another thing. I wanted to tell you. So if you are not giving the missionaries referrals, which you should be! Let the missionaries know when you are open for a joint teach (esp. Sisters), offer our house as a place they can teach, and when you have the missionaries over for dinner, send them home with the leftovers.

Which brings me to another point. I need some recipes, desperately. We barely have time to eat. The grocery store has EXTREMELY little selection (even smaller of what we can afford haha). I need some super simple, little ingredient recipes. Please. For example. HootandNanniePancakes. I am sure you can think of some. Healthier the better, of course, but we have few veggies at the store, So using veggies from a can recipes would be awesome. Oh but I do want a good cookies recipe too! German's don’t do cookies much but we need stuff to bring around. We also don't have Cornbread, Peanut butter, brown sugar, or choc chips (but i figure we can chop up chocolate bars) here. Pretty Please :)  Danke!

Elder Nelson is coming to speak to Germany soon! I think one of our investigators is pretty interested. That should be great.

Well that is all for this week. Love you!

Sister Regnier- I am finally getting good at remembering this is my name!




My little, yet still HUGE miracles (May 20)

Germany is going good. You ask about my language... well. My companion says I sound a lot better. And I am not as slow as I was when I read the BOM out loud. But people often can't understand me. Which makes no sense because I will say something and they will look at me as if I just spoke Polish. Then my companion will say the exact same thing I just said and they understand it... oh brother.

So this week has been quite an interesting one. It started off with a zone training instead of our weekly district meeting so we had to go all the way to München. They have decided to do this new thing where whenever someone gets a baptismal date they text all of us. That's great. It really is. But when we are working so hard and not even getting close, it's hard to get 4 of those messages in a day. But I learned a HUGE lesson this week. I was busy trying to make miracles happen. We called every single inactive and mapped out all our previous potentials and worked our tails off contacting them. Nothing came from this. It is a Holiday weekend, but still... No one was home, no one answered, and the few that did didn't have interest. So we were a bit down because we for sure thought something would come of it. But here's what I learned. While trying to make something big happen I didn't focus on all the little things.

My little, yet still HUGE miracles:

On the way home from München, we saw Marcus on the train! We had found him on a train about a week ago, and he soaked up everything, I am sure I told you about him. We were able to pretty much give a whole lesson. He says we still have to wait for next month to contact him, but that is coming! And both times, he came to us. (another huge lesson I am learning)

There is a lady from the Philippines that Sister Garrett found before I got here. She finally answered our call and invited us over. She was AWESOME! We gave her a BOM and read the intro with her. She had much to say about it. She then said "Great, next time we meet, we can talk about what I read next" haha she's doing our job for us! She not only set up another appointment but said she'd read a couple chapters by then. BAM. She speaks the best danglish I've ever heard. She speaks English better but because she works, she’s learning German. It's completely my style- I understand everything. She also wants to invite her German boyfriend to our next meeting. She also gave us cookies, and that's always nice.

Friday we were on a bus talking to some guy about language. It's always a good conversational opener that leads them to ask what we are doing! Anyway, he had to get off, but said hey, can I get your number and maybe we can talk for a few hours about your church..... Um, I think that would be all right ;) haha it was awesome. Seriously, most of the success we have is people that overhear us or they show interest first. It's great.

Then Sister Miles and President Miles came! They have never been to Passau, so they decided to come talk to our branch and do a joint teach with us Saturday night ( also a reason we were trying SO hard to get another lesson last minute). Well we had 3 appointments on Saturday. However, as we were calling to see if we could just move one back so they could at least teach, even if it was auf English, with us, we found out their house burned down. After remembering they all live together, we called to see if everyone was okay. They all lost a majority of their stuff and a less active broke his leg because he was the first to jump out the window (afterwards they threw a mattress down and no one else got seriously hurt). Everything’s okay now though! They moved to a better place, closer to church too!! Sadly we were thinking we were going to have to find all day. But the last of the 3 said he still wanted to meet for our first appointment. So we did. It was AMAZING. We asked him if he would pray about the BOM. He said, "Why? I already know it's true." I know that he was prepared because he has told us he wants to change and have his life more centered on God. Plus he asked TONS of questions and he was picking up things as we read in 1st Nephi that I had never thought about. So he committed to read more, come to church tomorrow, and another lesson before church.

The Miles' took us out to dinner, where we excitedly told them we had an appointment for them to come to before church tomorrow. They went home with us and planned. It was quite fun having them around, we loved it (esp. his advice on contacting the potentials!). They also made me see how Beautiful Passau is. Like I know it is, but I never really paid attention. They said it might be the prettiest area ;) The next morning we had planned to meet our untersucher at the bus for church. It was one minute until the bus was about to leave. We decided to call Pres Miles, but then there he was, he barely made it! But he did.

For the lesson, we went over his reading, which he did. :) He was astonished that Nephi's older brothers could be so stupid. haha. We had a great lesson. And at the end I gave a soft Baptismal question!!! wahoo! oh, and his answer was yes. :)

So I don't even know how many miracles that makes but there's one big last one! As we were teaching before church a dog comes in the room.... what the heck. Pres Miles goes out to meet a little old woman. Turns out this woman had investigated the church 10 years ago. She wants to come back. She's THE CUTEST. She holds the hymn book 2 centimeters from her face as she sings, and because of my German, she decided to try and speak English... which was worse then my deutsch but it was so cute! So what a miracle yeah?

I had a great week.

But here is a funny story-

On Thursday, we got called to repentance. A lady had walked passed as we were talking to someone on the street about prophets.  Later, we caught up to her and simply asked her if she knew where a street was. No church talk. Then she started speaking auf English saying that the last days are near. (we excitedly were nodding) Then she said that we need to bow down on our knees and repent for following a book written from a man who was possessed by devils. She started yelling, "repent, repent and go read the bible! Repent read the bible!" She started to walk away and then her friend, who obviously had no idea what happened because it was in English, whispered " the bible, the bible" as they walked away. It was quite an interesting experience. It was interesting because when we talk to people, the spirit is there, and we feel good, and others recognize it. But when she was doing her thing, it didn't feel right, or good, or anything. Also, we read the Bible lady, and Joseph Smith didn't write the book... get your facts straight. The BOM brings happiness, no devilish tints, at all.

Yesterday, as seen by the picture below, I looked like a drowned rat. The picture does not even come close to giving the situation justice. I have never been so wet. I was more wet then I am when I am swimming. I didn't even know that was possible. I felt pretty stupid knocking doors at that point. But I am a missionary, rain or shine.

Today, sunny again.... But we did the second of the two hikes in Passau, up to Maria's Hilf. Now what will we do on Pdays?

Anyways, I wrote that really fast, hope it all makes sense. I go to Austria tomorrow, but I actually don't want to miss out on the stuff here in Passau.... so I am not too excited... haha.

Alles Gute

Sister Regnier

Drowned Rat :)

With President and Sister Miles