Hallo schon wieder!‏

Liebe Freunde und Familie,

"Sooo once upon a time, Sister Bice and Sister Lin had just finished personal study, when suddenly, the post man klingled at the door. Once, twice, three times. (They aren't the most patient people in the world..) Sister Lin was in the bathroom, so Sister Bice said " Sister Lin,  I'm going to leave the door open and run down realy quick. Be right back!" So Sister Bice flew down the stairs, and the post man was..gone. Oy. So she turned back up the stairs and met..Sister Lin. The selfsame Sister Lin that she thought was in the apartment still. Together they walked back up. They reached the top, and Sister Bice saw the apartment door...closed. Her heart sank and so did her knees as she was sure that Sister Lin hadn't thought to grab the key out of the door before leaving and closing it. Unfortunately, she was right..." ....and there I sat. On the floor in our hallway. No glasses. No shoes. No cell phone. No money. No keys. And no idea what to do. I sat and devised a plan. I knew a member had a key, but he was currently in Northern Germany. So we walked to the nearest members house...all the way across Göppingen so we could use her phone. We walked the back way as so avoid being seen by too many people. Me in my green blouse, grey sweatpants, and red polka-dotted socks. Ctue right? After a whole morning of fiasco, we finally called some members, who called some other members, who called our landlord, who had a key, that was picked up by some members, that was brought to us. Bah! But! We were grateful because everyone told us a locksmith could be anywhere from 150 to 400 euros. Gross! So! With spare key in hand, we walked back home, glad that the whole thing was over....or so we thought. We stuck the key in...didn't turn. Sooo we tracked down a man that had a master key. He kindly came over, stuck in HIS key and...nothing. He said "...girls...is there a key on the inside of this door..?" Mensch. Game over. He called a friend of his who was a locksmith, but told us they'd have to break the door. Another 200 euro. But! The man came. Was able to open the door in less than an hour without breaking it, and only charged us 45 euro. I guess there are advantages to looking so pathetic? Haha. It was an adventure that I hope I never have to experience again..

     Well! Other than that, we had a little bit of a crazy week here in Göppingen. All of our appointments fell out except for two. Soo we did a lot of contacting to try and find some new potentials. We didn't have too much success in that boat, but we are pressing forward, ever forward. We DID get to meet with Frau Hausmann. Last week in Sunday School Br. Fromm mentioned that Jesus was Jehovah. That shook her world a little bit, so today that's what she wanted to talk about. So! I spent my week looking up scripture after scripture searching for a solid answer to her questions. Then, the moment of truth. Sister Lina dn I were certain that John 1:1-3; 14, Hebrews 1:2, Collosians 1:16-18 would be the golden ticket but..nope. So we began going through my list. And then? We found on. It was so neat to see her face. At first "No, that has to mean God. Wait..*mumbles to self*" And then the "ah-ha" moment. "....meine Güte! It IS Christ!" Haha. I love her.
     Both of our investigators, now new converts, got confirmed in Sacrament this week! Our branch had a couple of disorganization malfunctions the last weeks, but it finally all worked out. It was so great to see both of them receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. There was such a wonderful spirit in the room. This work is truly great and marvelous.
     I read a wonderful talk on the Book of Mormon this week called "Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon". It was so great, and really got me excited to use the Book of Mormon more/better in my personal life as well as my missionieren. The talk says "We have the Book of Mormon, we have the members, we have the missionaries, we have the resources, and the world has the need. The time is now!" So true! I think sometimes I think of all the talents and whatnot that I wish I had, and am trying to develop to make me a better servant in this, the Lord's vineyard. But! What I DON'T have is not nearly as important as what I DO have...what ALL of us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have. We have the Gospel. We have the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. We have the authority to perform the saving ordinances that will bring us back home. And we have the Book of Mormon, the evidence, that all of it is true. "The Church is true, the Book is blue!" I used to think that was really cheesy but..it's true!

    I also learned something interesting at a member's house last week. Sister Böhm is an elderly lady in our ward, who eats, sleeps, and drinks geneology. I like visiting her, because no matter what lesson we prepare, she always turns in into whatever she needs, and I end up learning a lot. Haha. Anywho, she somehow ended up referencing to Isaiah 1:18:  "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." We talked about how Satan would always have us think that we can't be forgiven of mistakes we have made. That it's "too late". Then Sister Böhm said: "But what does Satan know of forgiveness?" That really struck a chord in me. I mean, why would we ever listen to Satan, the Father of all Lies, the Adversary, the King of Misery, etc. when it comes to matters of forgiveness? We are so much better off to turn to Christ. The Savior and Redeemer of our souls. Full of Love and Mercy. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:23-24). Christ has promised us forgiveness on conditions of repentance, and He WILL always forgive us. I think most of us just need to work on forgiving ourselves.
     I can't believe Sister Lin is now nearly finished with training. One week left! It has been such a wonderful blessing be a part of her first months in the mission field. It's been hard to see her struggle, but incredible to watch her grow. It was funny, last week I sat thinking a little bit about what I would-have-could-have-should-have done better to help her out a little more. But! In the end I realized that, despite my weaknesses or mistakes or inabilities, the Lord has helped her grow leaps and bounds. She still has hard times, as all of us, but she really is growing into a wonderful missionary. I have NO idea what to think about transfers. I try not to actually. There is a chance we both stay here. Or that one of us goes. But! I guess we will find out Friday huh? We are going to Stuttgart today for zone p-day. And tomorrow for Zone Conference. And Wednesday for and exchange. This week will fly by. So! Until next week!

Love,

Sister Bice