Freude

Hallo Leute! 

Diese Woche war ein bisschen komisch weil ich erinnern mich nicht Genau was hat passiert. Aber ich werde versuchen.

People

We taught in Spanish to a new convert! By teaching I mean using a lot of scriptures and google translate but lucky for us we have the gift of tongues which comes through Holy Ghost! This is absolutely vital in any lesson we teach because we don't know exactly what the person we are teaching is going through. Through the Holy Ghost we are prompted to share what will help them the most and gain an understanding of where they are at. The gift of tongues allows you to understand what they are saying and them to understand what we are saying. Something I am grateful for because I'm not perfect at speaking German or understanding German but through this gift I am able to understand what is needed and say what is needed. May not be perfect, but it's enough to help the other person understand the concept. Our Spanish lesson was a witness of that especially. We are going back this week too! Pretty weird transition but I'm praying a lot for help to remember my Spanish days at least a little bit.

We stopped by four member families this week also and each one strengthened my faith in the importance of working with members to bring others to the Truth. Two of the families we taught had pictures of ancestors on their walls and it was amazing to hear German history and what these people have overcome. Truly amazing getting to experience Germany from a non American history class in high school point of view. 

Food

I had fufu, I think that's how you spell it, it's an African dish that one of the Elder's investigators made for the young single adult night. We were able to be there also because our investigator made some Syrian food too! Both were so good. The fufu though made us cry because of how hot it was hahah; Sister Thurgood gave me her whole plate food because she can't do spicy. So here I am with this mound of food, straight up crying and my nose is running. Luckily the other people were experiencing the same around me but wow. 

Pday

We went hiking, more like exploring today and it was super fun and we found a huge abandoned building with graffiti so naturally we needed a picture. Deutschland is seriously so beautiful! Especially with all the rain we are getting now. Makes me so happy (and everyone else mad)! 

Zone training

We had our zone training on Tuesday which is all the missionaries in the Dortmund stake. Our focus is on the Atonement this month so all of the lessons were about it. What really stood out to me was a video we watch that is called "Missionary work and the Atonement". It had part of a talk by Elder Holland in it and he spoke about how missions are supposed to be hard because when Christ was on the earth He didn't have it easy either when he shared His Gospel. As missionaries we are now sharing the same Gospel, Jesus Christ taught on the earth and we will have to suffer because He suffered too. It's not always easy but it is worth it. There are times of discouragement and sadness but it is worth it. There are times when you miss home but it is worth it. It is worth every minute being here because I will never be able to repay Christ for what He has done for me, but I can take 18 months of my life and dedicate it to Him. Dedicate it and use it to help others see what Joy really is and help them turn their lives in the right direction. 

Word of the week: Freude

This word means Joy! I was reading a talk by Elder Richard G Scott from the April 1996 General Conference and he said "You are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. You are here to be tried, to prove yourself so that you can receive the additional blessings God has for you. The tempering effect of patience is required. Some blessings will be delivered here in this life; others will come beyond the veil" and he goes on to say that we can find joy in any trial. Just look at the trees or the sky or chocolate and think about all Heavenly Father has done for you, not what He hasn't. There is always a reason for things and there is no point of wallowing in self pity when you can find the more joyful things in life like serving others! I'd like to ask you all to do that this week, find joy even at the most difficult times, especially the most difficult times!

Liebe Grüße 

Sister Farner