Week 15: Flu shots ... Schprechen sie Deutsch?

Got my very first flu shot today ... NOT FUN!  The doctor that gave it to us came up to me and he asked, "Schprechen sie Deutsch?",  which means, "Do you speak German?" I said, "A little ..."  And then he started speaking English.  How he knew I was American I know not, but I'm guessing it was my failed attempt at the German accent.  Anyways, I hope that this doesn't turn out with me getting sick again, but I'm hoping that exact obedience on the Mission blesses me with not getting sick again.

It is getting colder and colder here, but still not terrible.  Definitely grateful for scarves and boots, that's for sure!  I am proud to say that I have reached my 100th day on the Mission this last week!  Time is just flying by before my eyes :)

This week has been really fast, but really productive at the same time.  We had another split this week, which means another sister comes to our apartment and Sister Taylor leaves to go with a different sister, because she is now the Sister Training Leader.  Because I am in a drit (three companions), my new companion doesn't know any directions here or bus stops, so it was up to me to not get us lost.  Some of you at home may laugh at that because you know how terrible I am with directions ... haha.  All of our appointments went great and then we went to a couple 'go by's', which are less active members that the ward assigns us to go visit to see if they are still living there or even interested in the church anymore.  So, I had no idea where these people lived.  I had my navigator and we hopped on a bus that I knew took us kinda sorta close to the direction we needed.  We hopped on another bus that I had never seen that a German said would work ... Yea, it was wrong.  So, we took it the opposite way, got off and started walking.  Believe it or not, we finally reached the apartment that this less active member lived at.  Turns out they no longer lived there.  We started walking back and I was beyond nervous.  I didn't tell the sisters, but I had no idea where we were ... not a clue!  I felt like we were maybe 30 minutes out from our apartment, so worse case we walk for a while ... But, then I said a prayer in my head that we would find our way.  I found a bus stop and hopped on, then looked at what stops were next.  You'll never guess it, but we were five minutes away from our house ... haha (nice, Sister Brown!).  I have to say, I was never more grateful in my entire life to feel so stupid.  I sure hope I get better with finding directions, though.  But, that is my funny story for the week.

This week we had to talk to one of our investigators about the law of chastity.  Fun stuff I know, but actually it was so amazing.  It is incredible that the Spirit can testify of things so strong through you and basically give you what you need to say.  I am not sure how I was able to say everything I needed to, and be caring and loving and not awkward and still make a point all at the same time, but it turned out to be one of the most amazing lessons ever.  I am so grateful that I can teach with the Spirit and have Heavenly Father guide me, because I am pretty sure that lesson would have gone up in flames without Him there guiding us.

This week has been such an amazing week for me with personal studies, I feel like.  I have been reading different Christlike attributes that I could work on and this week.  I am working on Charity and Love.  While reading, a question came up on how often do you pray for charity and love?  Honestly, I don't think I've really ever done that and that is upsetting, so I am making a goal to be better this week and pray for charity and for more opportunities to love others.  I love the people here so much; they are truly amazing.  I love talking to them because they are very honest in their feelings, which makes things easier.  This last week I was on the bus and I was reading my Book of Mormon trying to figure out how to pronounce a word, and I then asked this man next to me how to say it.  Turns out he spoke German and English!!  We sat and talked for a really long time on the bus and we even missed his stop.  Luckily the bus was at the end and flipped right around to go the other way, so that was good.  But, I am so grateful for the courage I am given as a missionary for opportunities like that to speak to people and share the Gospel.

One more funny thing ...  I was mistaken for an Irish person the other day, so that was happy!  I am becoming a European, sorta :)

Well, I hope that you all have an amazing week!  I set a commitment for all of you to read the Book of Mormon every day this week and see what you can learn from it to better help you in your lives.  I know that when you do, only blessings with be given to you!

Liebe Große

Sister Brown

Splits!