Hallo! Guten Tag! (11/26/11)

Dear Freunden und Familie,

Well hey there everybody! I hope you all enjoyed your holiday as much as I did mine. Christmas here at the MTC was splendid. :) But! We'll get to that....

So! This last week was probably one of the best weeks ever. It was just so..spiritually edifying. Go figure? Anywho! My companion and I got 2 new investigators. Steve, and Manuel. (They really are teachers portraying people that they taught on their missions...) Anywho! We had an excellent lesson with Manuel. We really thought and prayed about our message, and how we could best make it relevant for his life. He is 17 and loves to ski, so I came up with a little skiing metaphor for him. So we went in, taught him, in German of course, and just as we were about to walk out the door our teacher (Manuel) said "Ok, Bruder Pyper and I hardly ever break from character because It makes these less realistic, but can I just be Bruder McCracken for just a minute? Sisters, that lesson was beautiful. The spirit was so strong, I could cry. Chapter one in PMG is all about letting people feel your love, and tonight, Manuel felt that. Keep up the good work." It was SO good to hear. Now if only we could have some more success with Steve....

Anywho! I had quite a humbling experience this week. There was a Deutscher in our zone that came the transfer before us newbies, and she was...well she was always so grumpy. Mostly we tried not to cross her path and wrote her off as one of "those sisters that gives Sisters a bad reputation." Well, this last Sunday, we found out that her dad was diagnosed with cancer shortly after she entered the MTC. She hadn't told anybody except her companion. It was a truly humbling reminder of how we should never judge others. No matter what is happening on the outside, there is no way we can know what's going on on the inside. It's up to us to love them either way. So! It was a little bit of a slap in the face, but it was a lesson I'm sure will serve me well for the rest of my mission.

Mmk while we're talking about people in my Zone...there is an elder in my district from Canada. His parents migrated to Canada from Ireland when their house was blown up in civil war. He is a member of the Canadian military. Last year, on Christmas, he was on a mission to help eliminate a french gang that was terrorizing Quebec. His squadron was misinformed on the number of their enemy. They were ambushed. His best friend died in his arms. He was the only one of the 30+ men on the mission to survive. He was 18 years old. And now he's here, preparing to wage a war against Satan. Elders like him are another reminder that: everyone has a story. We don't know what it is. But no matter how hard you think your life is, or how much you think you've suffered, someone else has suffered more. And of course there is the ultimate example of suffering found in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Never give up. Never get discouraged. Keep your chin up, and fight for what's good and right.

Oh! On a happier note..I was commended on my German this last week by an other couple who speak German. Woo! One thing is for sure: it has all come from the Lord.

Mmk! Christmas! Yay! Christmas truly was amazing. On Sunday morning, all 2120 missionaries gathered in a massive sacrament meeting, where David A. Bednar came and spoke to us for an hour. It was incredible. The most inspirational address I've ever heard. He was stern, but full of love. My spirit was truly edified. I'm afraid summarizing his talk could never do it justice...and I've currently lost my notebook in which I...took notes...but! His main points were

1. Missionary work is never about the missionary. It should never involve the word "I". We are here to serve others. "And as you lose yourself in the service of others, you will find yourself. But only because you're not looking."

2. There is a difference between having a testimony, and being converted to the Lord. He plead with all of us that we might "begin a life long journey to learn of Christ. Not about Christ, but OF Christ. Having a testimony is vital, but we become disciples of Christ as we become fully converted to him.

3. Christ lived his life turning outward. Meaning, whenever he was placed in a difficult situation, He turned to those around Him, to make sure THEY were comforted. Whereas many of us, in moments to such trial, would turn inward, in selfishness. We receive Christ in our countenances as we turn outward, instead of inward. Always.

Annnnnd I don't remember all of the rest I wanted to share without my notes.

sad. I'll add it on next week...if I remember...

Anywho! I love you all. This Christmas was certainly one to be remembered. The MTC just gets better as you go. I can't wait to see how my remaining 6 weeks here unfold. I feel I've grown so much already. Any yet I still have a LONG ways to go. But! I'm working on it. One day at at time.

I love you all! Have a lovely New Years! And be sure to take advantage of goal setting. Look back on 2011 and see what it is you could have done better. And then, do it! Ok well it's not that easy..but...you get the point:)

Beloved Friends and family, there is nothing better than serving the Lord. Of that I can testify.

Love,

Sister Bice

Hallo!!! (12/19/11)

My dear family and everyone else I love!

Wow! This week has been a-mazing. So much love! Let me first share some interesting points about the german language I've appreciated....mmk so the word for "atonement" in german is "suhnopher". "Suhnen" being to reconcile, and "opfer" meaning a sacrifice. So the Atonement was a sacrifice made, that we might be reconciled with our Father in Heaven. Cool huh? I love german! Another cool word: Repentance. It's "Umkehren". Which means "to turn around". So! When we repent, we are to TURN AROUND! Not turn slightly to the left or right, but turn all the way around, away from our sins, and return to them no more. Neat huh? And this one is more on the humorous side....the word for tithing is "Zehten", which when spoken sounds like "Satan"....so our investigator? Had a problem with "Zehten"...luckily i knew the word for "money" from my semester of german (which I am SO glad I took by the way...), so My comp and I knew what was upk...but some of the Elders in our district were telling our investigator that "Zehten", or rather, tithing, was a bad thing...bahaha.

Speaking of our investigator! Yes mom, he's pretend. In fact, last Friday, I found out my whole life here at the MTC has been a lie! Ok no really...but our investigator Jordan, revealed himself as our....second teacher!! What the what?? Quite the trick to pull on a bunch of missionaries. But! We committed him to baptism in his last "lesson", and now he is our teacher and we LOVE HIM! He's just so happy all the time! And he's a great teacher. It's nice to have 2 different ones to break up the monotony...anywho! you should ask Mike and Stacy if they know brother McCracken. He says he thinks they are in his ward....

Anywho! I want to take a moment for all of us to appreciate the power of...music! I love music. Our lessons wiht our investigator weren't going so well, so sister Kind and I decided to sing a Christmas hymn with him at the start of our lessons.....amazing!! It brought the spirit in a jiffy. And was just so neat. My district is so musical! I lvoe it! We are so solid when we sing! So we sing hymns a lot. Music is such a powerful tool.:)

So I also had a really neat experience in sacrament meeting this week. Our branch president spoke. Well first off, we write him a letter every Friday reporting on the week and whatnot...so! He got up and said "This subject is a little personal to me, but i really feel inspired that this is what I need to talk about today..." And for the next 10 minutes or so, it was like he was speaking directly to me. I'd addressed some of the worries and concerns of my heart in my letter to him, and he addressed, answered, and cleared them all up beautifully. It was an awesome testament to me that God really does know me, love me, and answers my prayers.

So! Seeing as it's Christmas on SUNDAY!! (Crazy!) I want to share a poem that my roommate received from a friend..you may have heard it but...here it goes..

Symbolism of the Candy Cane.

Turned upside down, the cane makes a "J"

For Jesus who was born on Christmas Day.

Turn it upright liek the good shepherd's staff,

who pleads to the Father on your behalf.

At the top you'll see the saving crook,

used on the sheep He never forsook.

The stripes whipser woftly "by His stripes we are healed'

And the red represents His blood that was spilled.

The whtie gives us hope to become pure as He,

by forsaking our sings, whitea as snow they will be.

The peppermind oil that flavors this treat

is know for it's strong healing properties.

Now each tmie you see the striped candy cane,

Remember, dear child, that He knows your name.

How true that is! I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ loves us. He knows us. He knows our strengths, He knows our weaknesses. How blessed I feel to be serving a mission this Christmas season. AFterall, what better gift could I give to my Savior that my time? My service? My very soul? And still I will be indebted to Him. And what better gift could I hope to give my fellow man than..well..hope. Hope for this life as they come to a knowledge of the King of kings and Lord of lords whose birth we celebrate this time of year? It's beautiful.

Mmk one more thought! This one comes simply from 1 Nephi 3:7. "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the things which he hath commanded them..." I've read that scripture a million times, but I came across a note I'd written in my scriptures over the summer. Off to the side I wrote "The Lord will stretch us, but never beyond our reach." I LOVE that! What a comfort it has been to me here in the MTC. I have MOST definitely felt stretched..and tugged..and pulled....but! It's lovely to know that I am doing the Lord's work, and He WILL prepare a way for me to accomplish the thigns He has asked of me. Whether that be learning German, being bold enough to share the gospel...anything.

Well! I love you all! I'm so grateful for your support and your prayers! Rest easy that my prayers in German are getting a little better, so I think I'm probably asking for the right things when I pray for you all now! Haha. Merry Christmas!!

Love, Sister Bice

From Your Little Missionarin! (12/12/11)

Meine Lieber Familie..and everyone else I love:)

Can it be that I saw you all only less than a week ago? It sure doesn't feel like it. I've only been here at the MTC for 6 days, but it feels like WEEKS! In a good way? Ah! Where to begin! First off, this half an hour to email thing is a little terrifying...so I'll do my best! I'll have to apologize in advance for any misfortunes that befall any of you because...I've been praying for you all.....auf Deutsch! Meaning...in German! Hopefully God knows what I was getting at because...there is no telling what I've been saying....Haha.

Umm! Let's start mit meine Mitabeibarin! My companion! Her name is Sister Child, and I love her to bits and pieces! We are kindred spirits. She's from Bountiful, and her and I get along like peanut butter and jelly. And we all know how much I love peanut butter and jelly. :) We are the only 2 sisters in our district of 8. The elders in our district are great though. Oh! And Elder Austin Johnson, the kid I went to Snow with, is my district leader! It's been super fun. My teachers name is Bruder Pyper. He's been good so far. They definitely dont' waste any time teaching us the language here. We had our first official class on Thursday, and come Friday, we had to teach our 'investigator' Jordan....in German! Oh, the insanity. Let's just say, it wasn't the best lesson this MTC has ever seen. But! We're learning and growing and that's all that matters....right? Uh.....

So Relief Society in the MTC? Is Wunderbar! This Sunday, our speaker was Ann Dibb, the second counselor in the Young Women's Presidency....who is also President Monson's daughter! It was so neat! She spent the last half an hour just talking about her dad! Apparently, President Monson's favorite color is yellow, so he always shakes the hand of persons in yellow, and he also tries to always shake the hand of a redhead....because redheads always get picked on! Haha. Cute huh? Then Sacrament meeting...was in German. I lead the music. Which I skillfully volunteered for to...dodge saying the opening prayer...in German.....

My lands, so much has happened! The food here is good? Not mom's/grandma's home cooking, but it passes! We have gym time 5 days a week, so I'm hoping to dodge the weight everyone promised I'd gain. Fingers crossed? Ummm...I have 2 roommates besides Sister Child and myself. Sister Nixon and Sister Tchussling. We are all Deutschers! (Germany-bound missionaries...) The two formerly mentioned sisters are going to Frankfurt, and sister Child is going to Berlin. So i'm the only sister In the greeny districts going to Alpine...bring it on?

Oh! Right! So when I got here the first day...as I was shuffled through the entrance process like a head of cattle....I was quite dissappointed to note that meine Namenschild (nametag..) said "Sister" instead of "Schwester"..which is German for sister...wellllll we found out that..the title "Schwester" means "nun" in Deutschland.....not exactly what the church is going for..hah.

Anywho, my time is yelling at me telling me I'm almost out...I promise my e-mail will be better next week..my brain has been verging on overload the last few days...but! Just know that I love you all, I thank you for your prayers, I'm loving it here, and I'm so excited for the next 18 months of my life! Ich weiss dass das Kirche Jesu Christi wahr ist. Unser Himmlischer Vater liebt alles sein Kinder, including those in Germany! One of the workshops I was in gave me an interesting thought to ponder about the nametag that has been my constant companion since Wendesday...and for the next year and a half...so! The two largest things on the missionary tag are two names. My surname, and The Lord's name. And that's exactly who I'm going to be representing over the course of my mission. My family, and my Savior. What a privilege! The church is true. Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Yes, yes we shall!! Annnd I'm out of time. I love you all! So much!

Much love,

Sister Bice:)