It was certainly nice to talk to you earlier! I don't think I'm quite up to the normal length email, but I'mma still try to inform you a bit about what we've been up to this week.
Most of it's just been hanging out in the office working on our projects and little things here and there, I'm really enjoying it.
Well, I guess nowadays my synopses start with Sundays... Sooo... Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!! Church wasn't really much like a monster Truck rally, but you can imagine it that way if you want. We had some nice classes, and R came to Sacrament Meeting, even though he only got two hours of sleep, and even though he can't understand all that much German. He was really attentive and seemed to enjoy all of the testimonies, though he said he understood very little. He's so cool. I wish we'd been able to find a Turkish member for him. Hmm.... I know of one in Hannover.... That barely just came to me. That's definitely too far to visit, but maybe we could arrange a phone conversation or something. Thanks for the idea, family. :D
Wednesday Evening we got to teach a man, P, from Nigeria along with the Dahlem sisters, one of whom, Sister Schrade, was in my Freshman ward at BYU. Small world, na? Anyway he was really cool and fun to teach. He has a strong Christian background and thanked us so many times for the opportunity to help increase his faith. The Sisters set it up with us because they found him but he lives in our area. I felt almost a little guilty because they're struggling to find people to teach, and he's one of several referrals we've been given to teach, although we haven't even been doing any finding.
Right after that (actually, we were a little bit late because of it), we had Gemeinderat/ward council. It was really cool actually, not what I'm used to. This ward is quite a bit bigger than what I've been involved in for the last while. They're definitely very missionary oriented though. It was very cool to hear their plans and the way they talk about missionary work.
Thursday we had our Zone Training Meeting, which was really enjoyable. It was also president's interviews - We did it in our ward building, so they asked us to come to open it up, and since we were there so early, President just interviewed me first. I wasn't expecting it, because he had said he'd just interview us some other time. It took me a little off guard, but it was still good. I hadn't polished my shoes though. He said, "Elder Cloward, you know better than this! give me your shoes!" And then he polished them for me. That's the first time he's gotten me - At the first interviews he held, he shined most people's shoes, but I'd polished mine the night before. But this time he got me! As he explains it, Germans first look at your shoes, then they look at your eyes, then they listen to what you have to say. I forgot to get my temple recommend renewed though, so I'll have to corner him sometime and get another interview. wwwhhoooops...
Then today, we went shopping, then I talked to you, then we went to teach Rt with the Sisters. He's a really cool guy. He reminded me of P A in Bad Bentheim a lot, both from the way he talks and a little bit from the way he discussed religion. He described himself as very skeptical, but interested, and he seemed to me very open, and honest. He was definitely willing to talk about how he felt and what he honestly believed and wanted to hear what we believed and seemed willing to try it out. We had a really enjoyable meeting with him. He talked to the Potsdam Elders on the bus, and they referred him to the Lankwitz Sisters (That's the same area as us), and we taught together with them. It turns out he lives in Neukölln, so we'll probably hand him over to the Neukölln missionaries, but we nabbed at least one return appointment with him. About a half hour after he left, R came to meet with us. He said his back was hurting and he'd been having some troubles at work, but he seemed happy to meet with us again. We talked a little bit about the Gospel of Christ - our conversation was very limited, we were really trying to answer his questions, but the language barrier makes it difficult. We gave him a pamphlet on it though in both Turkish and German, and that seemed to be helpful. He said he probably won't be able to make it to church with his work schedule tomorrow, but I'm really excited for his progress.
After his appointment, we came back to the office, Elder Beck got to talk to his family, and that's pretty much been it.
Well kids, I love you tons! Church is true! Have a great week!
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