Week 22: It Actually Snowed in Germany!

Wow, I can‘t believe it actually snowed in Germany!  Last year it didn’t know snow where I am now, and we were able to get three or four inches in a day!  Crazy things are happening!  It is super cold here though ... I will not be sad to see summer in Germany, to be completely honest (haha).  On Sunday, because of the snow, our bishop in the American military ward told us that we would only have sacrament, and that was his gift to us (haha).  Sister Eschenmann didn’t see how that was a ‘gift’, and that made me laugh.  But, it was a blessing because one of the new members brought a friend to church that was a nonmember.  She looked at our website and is interested in learning more about the church.  She is German, but speaks perfect English, so that’s great.  I am really excited to meet with her and am so proud of the ward here because without them, missionary work is impossible because you can’t proselyte in military areas.

White Christmas (view from apartment)

Makeshift window seal snowman ... made with a cheese nose and meat eyes!

I am so grateful that I was able to Skype home for Christmas.  My mom says she’s grateful where we live in a day and age where we can Skype and email ... Makes it a lot easier to be so far away.

Merry Christmas Skype with family ... yay!!

The best part of Christmas, I think, was being able to watch FROZEN (haha).  But, it was pretty dang great.  Our whole district went to a member's house to watch it and they made us breakfast burritos, which were wonderful!  I am pretty sure I’ve never eaten so much in my life than I have from the 24-26^th!  It was insane!  When we would get home each night, I pretty much went into a food coma and slept straight through the nights.  That’s called satisfaction right there.  We got to go onto the commissary last week and it was so great!  It was fun to see so much American food in one place.  I wish I could have just bought one of everything.  At least I know what I’m doing when I get back to the states ... eating (haha)!

Ozdemeer's for Christmas - so much food!

Food Comas!

USO Christmas Market

The work is continuing hard here in Germany.  I am way excited to see what the next couple weeks bring us with investigators.   Members are so important to us and they are trying so hard, as well, for success.  It is really great here.

Well, I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and I hope you have a Happy New Year!  

Tschuss!

Sister Brown

Week 21: Frohe Weihnachten!!

"When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit.  It will block out all the distractions around us, which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning."

Man, what a crazy busy week.  We had three 'splits' where other sisters come from other areas to our area, we had a Zone Conference all day Thursday, and I went to Frankfurt for a day with Sister Schuring for a split.  Not sure how we got everything done we needed to in that week and survived, but we did. 

Friday night was funny because after my split in Frankfurt, Sister Taylor headed to Wetzlar for a day and Sister Eschenmann, me and another sister headed back to Wiesbaden with the Elders for a 'Gemico', which is where we coordinate with our Mission leader about the last week.  Well, we had an amazing appointment with our Mission leader, Brother Muller.  The Spirit was so strong and we had a wonderful appointment, but as we were headed back home the elders decided to tell us that they basically had no gas in the car and we might not make it home.  We were a half hour away from home and in the middle of the forest driving home ... not cool!  We all said prayers in our hearts and thankfully most of the way home was downhill, so we put the car in neutral and coasted down the hills to get home.  We even got to call President for my first time because we were going to be home later than 10:30 pm ... oops.  But, we made it home safe and sound.  On the block up to the elder's apartment the car died just in time for them to squeeze it into a parking spot.  Blessings of being a missionary (haha).

Funny story for the week; a bit of a 'blonde moment' for me, actually ... We were at the church and I was leaving a room to get some water.  My foot was in the way and stopped the door, and I smacked my face right into the door.   Hooray for black eyes!  Lesson learned that not only do I need to watch out for closed doors, but now also half-opened doors, as well ... great (haha).  You all are probably shaking your heads at me right now, so I hope this made you laugh a little :)  You're welcome!

We have an investigator that didn't know if she wanted to have lessons from us anymore, which was sad.  But, she has been coming to church every week, though, and she has invited us over for Christmas!  It is fantastic!  I am so excited to spend the holidays with so many people!

One of my most favorite Christmas Songs is from the Children's' Song Book called The Nativity Song.  Here are some of the words ... When you read it, I hope you feel the Spirit like I do whenever I hear it.  I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and spend wonderful times with your families as you remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Lyrics

1.  This is the season beloved of the year.
   Sing a rhyme; Christmastime soon will be here.
   Tell the true story of Jesus' birth,
   When, as a baby, he came to the earth.
2.  This is the new star, shining so bright,
   Lighting the world on that first Christmas night.
   This is the angel proclaiming the birth,
   Singing "Hosanna!" and "Peace on the earth!"
3.  This is the stable, shelter so bare;
   Cattle and oxen first welcomed him there.
   This is the manger, sweet hay for a bed,
   Waiting for Jesus to cradle his head.
4.  These are the shepherds, humble and mild,
   Hast'ning to worship the heavenly child.
   These are the wise men who followed the star,
   Frankincense, gold, and myrrh brought from afar.
5.  See the sweet mother, Mary so fair,
   Joseph, who guided the donkey with care.
   See the dear baby of Bethlehem,
   Little Lord Jesus, the Savior of men

Merry Christmas  :)

Sister Brown

Giant Nut Cracker

On trains headed home from Frankfurt ...

Frankfurt/Friedrichsdorf Temple

Week 20: Mission in the Christmas Season

I'm pretty sure that I have eaten more this month than I ever have in my entire life!!  I am not quite sure how Christmas is going to go because for the 24th, 25th and 26th we have at least 5 eating appointments each day ...  Oh my goodness, I'm not sure if I'll make it!  Wish me luck!  Good thing I don't get to wear my 'skinny jeans' here, or that could be problematic!

We taught English to a member this week and it went pretty okay ... The only problem is when I teach English, I realize how bad my English actually is!  She asked me what the 'present perfect tense' is ... and you know something?  I haven't got the slightest clue (haha).  I had to review it with her in her text book before I could explain what I assumed it was.

This week has been full of service projects, which have been really great.  We have been able to talk to a lot of nonmembers and that has been fun.  On Saturday the Military, or USO, put on a Christmas Market on base and we were able to help out.  We stood out in the cold rain from 9 am until 7 pm ... pretty sure I couldn't feel my feet at all by the end of it, but it was a blast!  We had so much fun talking to people and serving popcorn; probably eating more than we handed out.  It has been a great week.

This last Thursday we got an investigator to come with us to Institute, and that was wonderful because she had never been.  She even wanted to stay longer than we were planning, so that was fantastic!

The most adventurous part of the day, I'd have to say though, was after the American Christmas Market.  We and two elders were headed to the bus stop, and Sister Eschenmann and the Elders got on the bus.  I looked back and realized Sister Taylor was too far back and not going to make the bus.  I tried to get Sister Eschenmann off the bus and she couldn't, so I saw her drive off in a bus that neither me or Sister Taylor were on.  So, we assumed they would all get off at the next bus stop and wait for us.  Well, Sister Eschenmann and Elder Ball got off, but Elder Bishop got stuck for one more stop, so all 5 of us were spread out between stops until the next bus came and we were able to get back together.  Good times!  I'm just glad nobody got too lost in that mess.  But, Sister Eschenmann got a kick out of going on a 'split' with Elder Ball (haha).

Funny moment for the week ... Watching a member walk right into the men's bathroom and quickly walk out saying, "Whoops ... that's not right!"  The funny part is as soon as she walked out, so did the Bishop!  I love my Wiesbaden ward.

I've been really blessed to be on my Mission in the Christmas season.  It is a time that I can focus more than ever on the real reason of Christmas:  the birth of Christ.  I've said it before, but there is just a Spirit that comes during Christmas time, and it is so cool to see how people change in the season.  I am so grateful to be on my mission.  I hope all of you will remember Christ ... sit down and watch a church movie together or read in the scriptures about the birth of Christ.  I know that when you make an effort, you will be able to see the true meaning of Christmas.  I can't believe how fast Christmas is creeping up on us.  I hope all of you enjoy this season and have a wonderful week!  Stay Safe!

Liebe Große

Sister Brown

Yay for American Poptarts!

Week 19: Frohe Weihnachten

I can't believe how fast the holidays are creeping up on us.  It is already the 8th of December and I feel like the month has just started!  So much to do and so little time!

We now have a new companion, Sister Eschenmann from France, and she is wonderful!  She speaks perfect French and perfect German.  Her English is great, also, but we speak a lot more in German ... YIKES!  I guess this is the best way for me to get better at speaking ... by actually speaking (haha).  Transfers were also happy because we all got packages.  The Zone Leaders had their car so completely packed to the top with packages, so that was really funny.  I am sorry to say, though, that I have already opened my Christmas packages from home.  (sorry, mom ... haha)  I was always horrible at not peeking at presents.

New Companion:  Sister Eschenmann, from France ...

 ​Goodbye, Sister Sherwood! Good luck in Essen!

We had a few musical numbers this week in the German ward for Christmas.  Sister Taylor says, "Germans aren't exactly musically inclined ..."   I agree, but only because they put us in a dark room that was super cold and stuck the piano facing a wall in the corner for me to play.  Let's just say it wasn't my best performance, not being able to see my music and my hands being cold, in all.  Oh well, we did a pretty good job and I'm happy with it.

The Christmas season has been so wonderful to talk to people.  I don't know what it is, but the holidays seem to bring a wonderful Spirit to everyone and more people are willing to talk to us, especially when we ask them what their favorite part of Christmas is.  I encourage all of you to find someone this week and ask them what their favorite part of Christmas is.  Then if you feel inspired, share your testimony of the real meaning of Christmas.  I will do the same.

This week has been so fast, but a lot of great things have happened.  We have been able to meet with so many people and I have gained a testimony of my planner (haha).  I don't know what I would do without it; I'm pretty sure I'd forget everything I needed to do.  Plus, being organized helps us fit in as many things as possible with the small time we have, which I love.

Well, I hope all of you have a wonderful week and enjoy the amazing Christmas Spirit that is upon us.

Take care ... Liebe Große,

Sister Brown

​'Red Temple' ... Looks really similar to the Salt Lake Temple!

Week 18: This week has been a wonderful week!

Howdy!

This week has been a wonderful week!  The holidays are upon us, which means that everyone wants to feed the missionaries.  I am so excited for that!  I found out that when you make hash browns and you dip them in applesauce, not only is that a "German thing", but it is delicious!  We were able to go to the temple today for an endowment session and that was just amazing.  I don't know where better to feel the Spirit than in the temple.  It was so amazing and I felt the Spirit so strong.  We were able to go with a member and she had names she had prepared, so she was super excited we were helping her and it definitely made it more personal.  If you haven't ever gone to the temple with names that you have prepared yourself, I encourage you to do so.  It is really neat!

We were able to go by a Christmas market this last week and mensch (man!), Germany does Christmas right!  It was incredible!  I am so excited to go shopping!  ... and for those of you who know me well, know that I really love to shop.  Wish me luck on not blowing all my money at the Christmas markets (haha).

I sure hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and ate way too much, because I know that I sure did.  We were able to have an American Thanksgiving with a Military Family and that was a blast!  We even had some German families there, too!

We had transfer calls this week and I get to stay in Wiesbaden for Christmas.  Unfortunately, Sister Sherwood is getting transferred to Essen (which means "food").  But, she will be companions with my MTC companion, Sister Bates.  I'm excited for her!  Sister Taylor and I will stay companions and we will be getting yet another companion, so we will stay in a trio for at least one more transfer.  This sister is from France, so I am excited to meet her.

I also had my first artichoke this week.  Turns out ... it is not a fish!  I have never had one and never seen one, and I actually thought it was a fish because it sounds kinda like a fish :)  Ya, there is my 'blonde moment' for the week.  I can see my mom just rolling her eyes right now ... haha, sorry mom!

I got to translate for a missionary couple that is serving here when we were in sacrament.  It was way hard, but I think I understood, for the most part, what was happening.  If not, they didn't know, so we are good (jk).  I don't realize that my German is actually pretty good until I get put into situations like that.

This last week Sister Taylor found a really sweet lady on the bus that wanted to meet with us and talk to us!  She was from Greece and she wanted her 35 year old son to come, too.  When we met up with them they asked if we were allowed to date ... Awkward!  But, we actually had a great meeting with them and were able to bear testimony of why were are here and what we believe in, so that was really neat!

I am so grateful that I can be here for Christmas and see the light that comes to all the people's eyes with the holidays upon us.  Christmas is a favorite holiday here.  We had a Zone Training this last week and watched a Video on Youtube called, 'He is the Gift.'  If you have not seen it, go watch it right now.  I encourage all of you to share it on your Facebook and Pinterest, or whatever social media items you have!  Let's spread the real meaning of Christmas.  It is not all about packages and decorations, although those are really fun and super great.  We should also remember Christ and all that He has done for us.

I really hope you all have an amazing week and watch that video!  I hope you all get as many goosebumps as I did when I saw it :)

Have a fantabulous week ... Ich Liebe Dich :)

Sister Brown

Our District:  Elder Norda, Elder Ball, Elder Bishop, 

Elder Anderson, Sister Sherwood, Sister Taylor and me!

Our awesome investigator, Nellie, who wants to get BAPTIZED!

A member from the German Ward, Sister Loredo ... I love her!