July 24-August 21 2011

August 21, 2011

So, baptisim went...swimmingly...BAHAHA. no but really it went really well. I had to dunk her twice cuz I forgot "es" at the end of Heiligen Geist, but the water was awesome so there were no complaints. And we set a Baptism date with another investigator, who´s prolly more excited about it than we are (and we´re very excited!!). Its on Sept. 18, and I should still be here. I asked one of the APs, who was in my district when I was a golden, if it would be possible for me to stay because of my drivers license stuff, and he said I prolly wont be going anywhere, which would make Solingen the city Ive spent the longest in. But yeah, we had a pretty good week. Reached all our goals, had a baptisim, set another one up, maybe several more in the bag. And yes, I am getting pictures. Thanks for looking school stuff up. I kinda wanna stay in-state, so like UNH cuz they´ve got a great CJ program, but if it takes me closer to you-know-where, thenI could settle with that too. Ive got a year to think about it. I keep wanting to send you guys a letter, but im just too lazy lol. We´re having a sport pday in Düsseldorf with the district and the Elders from Krefeld and Duisburg. Other than that, not much exciting stuff going on. We´ve been having some way sweet lightning storms the past several days. Our investigators are doing pretty good. We need to start finding/getting some new ones, all the ones we have are getting baptised. K, thats really all I have from this end. Hope everthing goes well with Mckenzies surgery and the computer and whatever else needs help. Ima go now. Tschüß!

August 14th, 2011

Sounds like the court of honor for Travis was good haha. Yeah, this week was good. I had a split w/ Elder Walker in Wuppertal. Im baptizing an investigator on the 21st, thats about it for important stuff haha. Transfer calls are next saturday (only 5 week transfer, and the next one´s the same. My planners are gunna be all screwed up) We´re going to a castle today (same one as before) Today is my 11th month mark, which is pretty sweet. UPDATE: I have to wait anther 4 weeks for my drivers test, so hopefully I dont get transfered. My name wasnt in the driving school´s system yet, which is normal. Oh, and Sis. Wüstehube (the sis. that called you) bought me a new pair a shoes, cuz apparently the ones I wear (the pair you sent me for christmas) are too big lol, I  gots new shoes!!. They´re pretty nice and comfortable. I told her no, but she insisted. Apperantly she wants to adopt me. But yeah, I think that's it. I got another split this week, and then another next week, so these next couple weeks should go by pretty quick. K, ima go now. Have a nice week! Tschüß! 

August 7th, 2011

hahaha, I didnt think Sis. Wüstehube  was really gunna call, but I guess she did! Yeah, Solingen´s a pretty sweet area. We have 2 more investigators that are ready for baptisim in like the next couple weeks! And the ward´s been helping out alot. So I had been fasting to know what to say for Christians confirmation (Cuz, you know, Id never done it before) (let alone in German) and as I got up there, I felt like this thing fill my body. I thought it was nerves, but I wasnt nervous. I noticed I made some grammatical mistakes, but everyone told me they understood perfect German, that it was flawless. It was pretty sweet. Then, after church I gave someone else a blessing. Yesterday was just a day of giving, my priesthood meter is runnin´ dry lol. We also gave Christian the priesthood and a less active member the sacrament. It was a pretty busy day. The week was also pretty good too. Saw a drug deal, got basically cured of my phone fear, kinda found 2 new investigators...yeah. Im pretty tired haha. OH, Sis. Wüstehube also let me borrow one of their guitars. Its nice to have rough fingers again haha. 

But I only play it at night when all is finished. Hows that for self control? Yeah, I dont even know why I go on facebook. Its boreing. I go on and im like "K...now what" haha. Its weird. Honestly said, Im not sure how much I´ll be on the computer when I get home haha. And these things are not taking away from me being focused. Im not trunky, teaching lessons, doing what I need to, im fine! I just need to not go on facebook lol. Ipod is working fine, I use it in lessons like all the time, my companion and I are getting along great. It sounds like the boys are gunna have a fun week at Scout camp. Only 12 fast sundays till I am home...thats crazy. Well, its kinda only 11, cuz Ill be home before September, or the first week of, but Im pretty sure its the last week of August. Eh, its in a year, we´ll see. K, thats all from my end. Hope everyone has a fun week! Ill be here haha. K, tschüß!

July 31, 2011

Sounds like it was a fun trip in NY. Maybe ill be there next year haha. So, not too much goin on on my end. Baptisim went well for Christian, but he was sick so he couldnt get confirmed yesterday. But my talk went well too haha. The new companion is pretty cool. We went into the MTC on the same day, but he fast-tracked, so he was out a little earlier than me. He´s from Dallas, and played football for Westpoint, so he´s pretty built (maybe I can learn from him haha) But yeah, thats really bout it. OH, I got my Ipod! THANK YOU MUCHES. Tho, I have to say, I bought a German-Englisch dictionary for $4.99, but other than that its awesome! I just downloaded my scriptures in German the other day, so its ready for use! I also recieved a gift from a member 2 days ago- its a Luther bible from 1868 printed in Vienne. Its awesome. I just have to get it re-bound, but we have a member that does that. Other than that, thats it. Its been really cold, but it should get nicer for like 2 days then back to cold. Today we´re gunna play basketball in Düsseldorf. Thats about it. K, have a nice week. Tschüß

July 24, 2011

hi, im not dead. Just had an extremly busy week- we got 20 lessons AND a baptisim!!! Christian (the one I gave a blessing to) was baptized yesterday, and he wants ME to confirm him next week (this coming sunday)...im a tad nervous. But, its okay. Its been way cold here the past 2 weeks- we even took out our winter coats! Transfer calls came in on saturday- Im staying here lol, and Elder Hansens going home (by the way, he loved travis´s letter). My new companion is a football player, but I don know him at all. Next cycle is my year mark...woah. I dont have my license yet- I take my test in 2 weeks, then I should be okay. But yeah, thats been about it for here. Taught a lot of lessons, had a baptisim, and getting ready for transfers. Wish I had more to say, but not really. Its just been kinda hecktic. I think getting your Paramedic license again would be cool. I wanna get my motorcycle license when I get back, along with regular drivers license. K, I think thats about it for now. Ill prolly have more for you next week. Hopefully pics from the baptisim too! K, tschüß!

July 11,2011

Hellows... 

Interviews with the new mission president went really well. He´s awesome. The whole interview was in German (cuz, you know, he´s German). I think he´s got a good impression on me. Well, I hope so. He has no reason not to. There are 13 newbs coming out, and my companion IS going home, and I have been out 10 months, and our area is doing really well (we had 13 lessons this week, short of 20) SO it is very likley I could get a golden. We´ll see in 2 weeks. I still think you should be fine to send the package to Solingen. And Im not licensed yet. I take my driving test on Aug. 8th, and if/when I pass, then Im licensed. SO CLOSE

        We were short of food because we were short of muny, and we were short of muny cuz of the tickets we had to pay off from accidentally riding "black", but its all past now and we have plenty of money and food for the rest of the month. And our members only feed us once a week (Sunday afternoon) so we usually have to fend for ourselves. But im sensing a change in the members, so we´ll see. We´ve been asked more frequently if we could do service and stuff, so hopefully that leads to referals. 

       No problem about the family history, it was fun to look at. You just need to do your side alittle more lol. As to the temple, Its too far away, so I havnt been able to since Wetzlar.

       I wont tell Elder Hansen about the letter Travis sent till it comes in. Im sure he´ll be excited for it. I hope all the health problems for Trav sort themselves out. SPEAKING of health problems, I gave a blessing to one of our investigators on Friday. In German. It was the first krankensegen (I dont know it in english, sick blessing is the literal translation) that Ive ever given,  But it went really well. This was Christian Kiehle, who should be baptised in like 2 weeks, we´ll see.

      Sounds like things at home are normal haha- jake almost blowing up, Gimenez´s and the Jungs watching long movies for long periods of time, a cat...

       Yeah, Zak got lucky- it was the new Mission Presidents seminar week, so ALL of the General Authorites were there. 

             BUT yeah, besides a blessing, interviews with Prez., some crazy guy getting arrested in front of us, the weather (its been on and off), not much else has happened this week. It was relativily normal. For PDAY we´re getting together with Elder Walker and his golden to play some füßball, and we still have to go shopping, So ich werde dich in rühe lassen. Hope you feel better and have a nice week! K, tscüß!
LETTER TO DAD:

Hey pinhead

Interviews went super. I really like Prez. Schwarz. NO, Im not in any trouble. I think he likes me haha. License is goin´ good. I have my theory test on Aug. 8th, and my CT license is at ADAC (its like the Geico of Germany) getting translated. But I have all my study materials, so when I have free time, im working on that. The language is going really well. I can basically understand everything, and I can say what I want. Its still a little tricky, but its getting there.

Well, we have plenty of food now. But we eat with a member family only on Sunday, the rest of the week we fend for ourselves. But like 2 weeks ago we really had almost nothing. BUT we´re good now. Teaching this week was good. My comp. told me that ive been opening up more in lessons and switching on and off between each other has been easier, and our Investigators are all doing really good. Yesterday, we were going to drop something off at an inv. house, but I thought we should see if he was home instead. And he was! And we had a 15 min lesson! And he placed the BOM next to his bible! Which he said he doesnt do for ANY book, so thats way sweet progress. There all doing really well.

Yeah, the genealogy was fun. And maybe travis should just drive at the church, but then how would he learn? Remember when I scrapped up against your truck? And that was just the driveway! And now Im gunna have a drivers license in 2 countries! Well, when I get my German one they´ll take my american one, but Ill be registered in both! Im still thinkin of getting a motorcycle when I get back, or at least a license for car and bike.

Well, thats basically it for this week. Hope you have a nice week! 

July 5th, 2011

Hallooo,

You guessed it- Germany is NOT celebrating the 4th... But its okay- they have plenty of holidays anyways. I swear theres a holiday once a week! 

    Yes, I have met the new mission president, Presidant Schwarz. I really like him. He looks like Arnold Swarchenegger, but with Pres. Uchtdorf´s hair. He´s like an awesome grandpa figure. I have my 1st interview with him on Friday morning. Hahaha, when I first met him, he told me how he had already heard of me...I dont know if thats good or bad haha. But so far he has nothing to worry about. I think Ill be fine. He really stressed working with the members this past Zone conference, which is funny cuz Pres. Ninow always stressed Finding. Apparantly Germany is supposed to have HUNDREDS of Stakes, and Temples are supposed to dot the Rhein. It´ll hit a point where it´ll be baptising like South America! And its already started. And I think the AP´s have something in for me, wth 13 Goldens coming in in 3 weeks...*gulp*. But thats what happens when your comp. goes home, you´ve been in the area for 2 cycles, and your served with both AP´s in your golden cycles. Elder Anderson (my MTC comp) is a Zone leader in Heidelberg, which is awesome. Im going on a split w/ Elder Prusse´s buddy tomorrow, and im really good friends w/ Elder Rapps buddy (who´s still in Köln)

         Wait, so did you mail the ipod or not? Im not sure if this is some sick joke or something hahaha. Yes, I have basically cleaned out the debit card to pay for my drivers license stuff today. I have to anmeld into a driving school, and then study and take the test. I should have my license by the end of this cycle (I actually saw my license- they already have it, I just need to pass the test!) Dont worry about memory card stuff- Im gunna by an external harddrive, which holds about 500 gb and is like way cheap, so I can just store everything from my camera on there. 

        Our lessons were kinda lackng this week, only 9. BUT, we noticed something: When we eat really well, we do really well, and when we have no food, we suck. We havnt had food the past 2 weeks, which was not very good, BUT today we bought ALOT. So, I think we´ll be able to reach our goal of 20 lessons. The only interesting person I can think of is Danial Schilling. He´s 21, studying to become a Priest in his church, he LOVES everything mediaval- he makes his own chainmail shirts and plays a knight at one of the castles I've visited, like actual sword fights and jousting. He´s way open too. He also plays guitar, so he´s basically awesome.He´s friends with a member (Br. Maaß) and they play in the same band (which will be playng at the Highland Games in Scotland this year).. (He plays percussion, so keep your eyes open if you watch them) so thats how he got introduced.  As for families, we have this one lady, Frau Lorenz, who usually comes to church and knows its true and wants to get baptised, but is worried of breaking old traditions with their own church (she has 8 kids, and ALL want to come to ours except their oldest son whose getting confirmed, but he´s only doing that cuz all his friends are) They´re way awesome, we just havnt even met with them yet!

        Thanks for sending me your conversion story! I knew the Osmonds played some part, but I didn't know the whole thing. Last PDAY, We did some Genealogy stuff at the church (which was sweet) and Ive sent you some names to do through the mail, so you should get those tomorrow (Tuesday). Did you know that "Madore" was someones middle name, and that its supposed to be "M´adore"? It means "one who loves themself", so when you say "Je m´adore", it means "I love myself". Pretty interesting stuff. Its too bad I cant go back very far on your family though. 

          Except for all that, nothing overly special this week. Its really cold here. And I had Thai food the other day- duck, sticky rice, onions and some mussel sauce. Its all hand food. It was pretty good! Didnt eat too much, it was waayy filling. But yeah, thats about it. If you want names to pray for to help us, here you go:

-Monique Klesper

-Christian Kiehle
-Daniel Stange

-Daniel Schilling

-the Lorenz family

-Herr Zühlke

         Thats our investigator pool at the moment. So yeah, Im gunna go bake bread and get ready to anmeld, so Ill talk to you later! Oh, by the way, my 10-month mark is next week. Just sayin. K tschüß!

June 20, 2011

HELLO,

This week for lessons we got 14, and our goal was 15. DARN. We found 2 new investigators, so thats pretty sweet. Sounds like the ward will be as big as my first branch when I get back! Tell Giselle that im doing fine and that she should write me lol. DO YOU KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE NOT GETTING MAIL?? IT STINKS. I got a letter yesterday from the buro in Frankfurt, and it was FOR MY COMPANION. GAHH. Ive gotten used to it, so dont be so worried that I'll be depressed or something. The trunkyness is gone, prolly cuz I hit my 9-month-mark last week. 

 Im glad im not getting transfered, cuz now I get to kill the 4th companion ive been with. Im on a roll. And we get along really well. He´s gunna write Travis aletter in Elvish, but dont tell him. 

Um, so about the Ipod. What I was thinking was sticking it in a plastic bag, and putting it in an empty PB jar and filling the jar with some tiny sweets that could cushion it. I dont really have anymore room for clothing haha. But yeah, just be creative. AND you can send it to Solingen, you dont have to send it to the mission home. Church movies are absolutley fine. And, if possible, could you put some bagpipe music on it? You dont have to, but it would be nice lol. But yeah, send it here to Solingen- Ill be here another 2 cycles. SO, Ive decided while writing Dave that I enjoy the Point System to talk about stuff, so im gunna do that. HEERRE WE GO:

-I obtained a One Rubel coin (Russian money) from the Communist timeperiod (its dated 1970-its really cool) (and really big- I use it to make decisions)

-I walked on the richest street in Europe on Pday, the Königsalle (Kings Alley). I saw a watch for 63,000€. You actually need an appointment to shop at most of the stores. 

-I want a copy of "Mein Kampf" (Hitlers book), but its totally verboten here. You can get into some serious trouble if you get caught with it, so ima have to wait till I get home lol

-There was a massive hailstorm during the week, that was cool. And kinda painful. I dont think theres tornadoes over here, but im not sure.

-Yesterday, while we were on the way home from a less actives house, it downpoured. We got in the house, and it looked like we had just jumped in a swimming pool. It stunk.

-Along with German and Russian, ive begin to learn Welsh and Gaelic. Welsh is really hard, and I want to read the BOM I have in it, and Gaelic just for fun.

I think thats everything for this week. We have Zone conference tomorrow in Dortmund, so Ill see some peeps.. yo. Its President´s last Zo-Ko, and the new Mission President comes in June 29, and I just realized that thats next week. Oh how the time flys. I'll be hitting my year mark in 2 cycles, and the time will bestimmt (defintly) fly from there. OH YEAH. Its been really cold here. I mean, reeallyy cold. Its been Cold and Rainy. But yeah, I think thats it for this week. I hope I get your letter this week! K, i gotta go do other stuff. We´re not really doing anything today cuz Elder Hansens gunna pass off stuff tomorrow for ZO-KO. K, bis nächste Woche! 

p.s.... Tell Grandma and the Shelley's thank you for their generosity...it's always appreciated, I just keep forgetting to mention it!!

June 12, 2011

Hello,
Not getting mail doesnt really bother me anymore, ive grown use to it. I'm working my butt off here trying to earn back trust that should have not of gotten lost through that incident.  Um, so transfer calls came in. Im staying here with Elder Hansen, which means he´ll be the 3rd missionary Ive sent home. Our baptisim that we have planned may not happen, cuz the mom of the girl is completly against it (she thinks we´re a cult, sect, etc.) But we´re still planning on it for next week. And this week we will hopefully set up a few more- We got a referral from a member for this family with 8 kids! And the wife came to church on Sunday and plans on coming more often! We knocked on their door, and when they answered, we saw one of our pass along cards on their clock, which is the first thing you see when the door opens. They look/sound very promising. But yeah, this was a really good week. The reason im writing a little late is cuz yesterday was a holiday, so pday got moved to today. But yeah, we had a goal set for 20 lessons in the week and we got 15- thats like the most ive ever had ever. It was sweet. OH, and Elder Prussy´s friend, Elder Telfer, is the new Zone leader for our zone, and the Zone leaders are in my district, so Ill see him more often. So if you see Elder Prussy, tell him! The weather has been on and off here. If anythings its been kinda chilly, but IM fine with that- its better than the heat. And this whole disease (E coli) thing is dying down, so we can eat food again. Other than that I cant think of anything exciting- I forgot my planner at home, and that has all the stuff in it that I want to tell. Oh well, hopefully Ill have it on Monday. I hit my 9 month mark tomorrow! AND one of the Elders that was in the MTC with us is coming back out! He´s in the MTC right now and will be on his way to Frankfurt mission within a cycle or two! OKay, I think thats about it. Elder Hansen and I are going on a Parkour tour today in Düsseldorf and Solingen, so Ill prolly be way sore tomorrow. K, have a nice week! Tschüß!

June 6, 2011

Things are going pretty good here! We set a Baptisimal date on my
birthday, and will prolly set another this week. I did eat horse, and it
was waaayyy good. I also got presents from the district (PB, Syrup,
and other stuff) But yeah, I got your letter in the mail! THANK YOU
lol. I also got a letter from the Shellys! You and them and my buddy
from the MTC are the only ones that write me- I get emails from Dave
and Joey and my trainer and Emily and Elder Hofbauer and E. Sorensen.
But yeah, Im doing good right now. We´re actually going bowling in a
few minutes so I dont have alot of time to write. But I am doing
better, so thanks for the support. They just had Fathers Day here, and
Im not sure when it is in the USA, so tell dad HAPPY FATHERS DAY cuz i
dont know when it is. Oh, we also are working with these investigators
that have 8 KIDS. That doesnt happen in Germany...like ever. So
hopefully they go somewhere. But yeah, thats about it for now. Its
been really hot and we just had 2 big thunderstorms, so its cooled
down a bit. But one woke us up at like 3:15a.m., and I couldnt get back
to sleep after that, so I was very tired during church. Okay, I think
thats it for now. Hope you all have a nice week!  Tschüß!

A letter to you (for a change)

Hi Alex,

 Sounds like you had a rough week! As I read your letter, my heart ached for you. I can never understand how tough the mission field must be but what I do know is that what you’re feeling- EVERYONE out there in the mission field goes through it in one way or another. What would one of Satan’s greatest victories be? To have a missionary go home before his time!! You were called to this mission LONG before you were even born. If you don’t serve to the best of your abilities and what your fully capable of, then guess who wins?? You have never had to face these kinds of challenges before. NOTHING is easy at first. Remember one of my motto’s is “everything is hard until it gets easy”!! You are almost half way done!! You said you didn’t know what to do—SOOOO, as your Mom, I’m going to tell you what to do!! …. You are going to get on your knees, pray for strength, pour your heart out in your prayer, THEN, you’re going to get up and get back to work! You are going to show the President as well as yourself what you’re made of…. You are going to be obedient, kind, and your going to endure your trials with patience. You are going to KNOW that your family is always praying for you!! Alex, you knew you were going to Germany years ago! For whatever reason, the Lord let you hold on to that memory of your calling from the premortal world. You have special work to do and people to prepare…whether for you to baptize or someone else to some day! Satan is also aware of what you are supposed to accomplish. Maybe you will teach someone who one day will be a great leader of the church. Or maybe you will be an example to someone who is already a member. Maybe one day, you will be that leader!! Your mission is just the beginning of many great things—Don’t question the trials, just humble yourself and let the Holy Ghost guide!!

Satan has attacked our family in so many ways over the past 4 or 5 years!! Between what happened with Dad, then the house fire, and health issues in the family. Through it all we have stuck together, fighting the urge to just give up, fighting confusion in how to deal with things.  We are all stronger for it! The basic thought I always need to bring myself back to is … Light is Christ, dark is Satan. If I’m emotionally feeling bad, I know that is NOT of Christ. Keep asking yourself “what am I suppose to accomplish that is so important that God would let me remember that I would be going to Germany”. Then GET TO WORK!! You may NEVER know but Heavenly Father does. Be patient and trust him! He knows what you’re made of and if he didn’t think you could do this mission, you would NOT be there! You needed to grow; YOU needed to see what you’re made of!! DON’T GIVE UP!!

Sister Gimenez reminded me that you are getting a new mission president in July. Not that President Ninow isn’t wonderful but after 3 years he’s probably so done with directing 100 teenage boys!! New Presidents come in with new energy, and patience AND new ideas! (That new Ipod might not be ok with the new president)… I’ve included a few messages on the next page that were on your Facebook as well as a couple from my inbox that I wanted to share with you! I hope they lift your spirit and bring YOU hope.

I LOVE and ADORE you more than you can ever know!! 

Hugs and Kisses!!!

LOVE MOM

FACEBOOK MESSAGES:

Alex, What a great opportunity you have to be there trying to share the gospel. You remind me of Ammon when he went to teach the Lamanites. All he needed was courage, faith, and a firm determination to fulfill "his mission". It wasn't easy for him, in fact, it was full of challenges. Those challenges are what forged him into the great leader that he later became. We are all very proud of you! For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) We love you! We believe in you! You can do this!

Brother Gimenez

Alex!!!! Keep on working hard!! I can't believe that we are soo close! Well... I mean we are still a couple countries away but its better than nothing! :) Happy early birthday!! Please keep smiling and don’t give up!!

Giselle

MY inbox:

Pretty much every missionary goes through this, I know I did! And a lot of my companions did too, and tell him that the missionaries who come home early get married to ugly girls. Hope thing get better and I’ll pray for him so he can find his motivation. Have a good day sister Madore and say hi to all your family for me (except Mckenzie).lol

Elder Rudus

I agree with Rudas. Couldn't have said it any better. It is so hard on the mission to think about the end. You feel like it's never going to come, but when it does you wish you had more time. It is so nice to look back on those hard times, because it's those hard times that make you stronger!

Elder Barney

QUOTE:

When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life… We are meant to learn and grow through opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same… the Lord will not only consecrate our afflictions for our gain, but He will use them to bless the lives of countless others.”
–Dallin H. Oaks, “Give Thanks in All Things,”