Called to Serve: Week 58: It's beginning to look a lot like ... FALL!

HEY, Y'ALL!!!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like... FALL! Man, leaves are falling, it's raining every day here and I've got the sniffles. Yup, it is time for fall (haha). It seems so crazy to me ... I feel like I was just barely trying to endure the summer heat, and now it's over. Thank goodness, though (haha) ... summer heat as a missionary isn't as fun as you would think.

Anyways, we had such a great week here! On Wednesday it was my birthday and I didn't expect it to be much, because being in a new area, I didn't really say anything to the ward that it was my birthday. But, we went to a member's house that day just for a regular appointment, and I go in and the mom is like hugging me and shouting, "Happy birthday!", and the older son that lived with her was shaking my hand saying, "Happy birthday!", and I walk in and they had like a cake all set out. It was the sweetest thing ever! I guess the Elders told them about it (haha), so we had some yummy cake, and they even made us AMERICAN HAMBURGERS (haha). That was fantastic! It was so delicious! We had a really fun appointment, and later that night we were able to find a less active member and talk to her a bit. We got ice cream and did other things throughout the day, as well, but man, it was a great birthday!

We had a really great day at church on Sunday, as well. There is an investigator that lived in Herne and moved to Dortmund recently, so she came to church and it was fantastic. She got a blessing from the Elders, and man, can I just say how amazing the Priesthood is. It truly brings a different spirit into the room when a blessing takes place. I am so grateful that I have a father and brother that hold that priesthood, and I realize now what a blessing it is.

Also, on Sunday our new member, Monia, that was baptized a few weeks back, bore a really sweet testimony, and I had to attempt to translate her broken English into German (haha). It was humorous, but I think everybody got the point. But, it was a miracle ... I guess Monia has had health problems with her blood since she was young, and was going to have to have a surgery or take pills the rest of her life. But, when she was baptized, everything just vanished; all the problems went away. The doctors say she is completely fine and they have no idea how that happened. Man, when she was saying this, I was just shocked. She said that because of this experience, now her husband wants to be baptized, as well. I am just so excited for her, and I know that God is really looking out for each of us. It was an incredible miracle.

Speaking of baptisms, the Elders had one of their investigators get baptized on Saturday, as well. It was really sweet. She has had a baptismal date for a couple months now. To see her complete that process and to see how happy she was when it was over ... that has been such a cool thing to see on my mission.

Well, I have jabbered on long enough. Before I go there is one quote I'd like to leave with you guys: "The Savior is the source of true peace. Even with the trials of life, because of the Savior's Atonement and His grace, righteous living will be rewarded with personal peace." - Elder Quentin L. Cook.

I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Sister Jordan Brown