Jacobs Mission nach Deutschland: Germany Week 96

That's perty crazy that Joseypookins will be in Sachsen. I'ven't spent much time around there myself, though I did venture down there a couple times this week. Man. I thought I was travelling a lot last transfer. Our adventure begins with Me driving Opelmis Prime, the mission van, down to Schwarzenberg on Tuesday. We needed to pick up several bikes from a member down there who basically keeps the mission running - he checks apartments, does car and bike maintenance, replaces peoples washing machines, and who knows what else. So he also needed to do some work on the car that the APs usually drive, so Elder Beesely drove that one and I got to follow him in Opelmis Prime.

Opelmis Prime ain't never been driven with such a fury

Well, wouldja look at that?

It went pretty smoothly, the only time I really messed up is when I just about accidentally got back on the freeway while trying to get across the parking lot from the gas station to McDonalds. Whoops. After the three hour drive, I was pretty grateful to have Elder Beesley drive the van back. He took a bit of a side route on my behalf. He knew that I had not yet been able to see the Freiberg Germany Temple - Back in the olden days, the mission president always took any missionaries who hadn't had the opportunity to go to the temple on their mission shortly before they depart, so I always looked forward to that, but then they stopped doing that. Then I went to Halberstadt, which is pretty far away, but was within one of the Zones that was allowed to go, so I was really excited. But as I got there, they switched the rule so only people who were much closer could go. So I'd resigned myself to the fact that I'd never get to see it. As a surprise though, Elder Beesley just drove through that way. I figured it out about when I saw a street sign pointing toward Freiberg. We didn't have time to do a session, but at least I got to see it, and go in, even if it was only as far as the recommend desk. Then we tried to check out the apartment there, but we couldn't get a hold of the missionaries, and then we dove into a little German food place, where I got something I'd never heard of before. The only part of the description I really held onto was ham, so I decided to get it. It turns out the part of the description I missed was tough Jell-O. It was a pretty interesting culinary experience. It wasn't bad, but I don't see myself ordering it again. The green beans with it were nasty though. But that's mostly because all green beans that aren't slathered in bacon are nasty. The Bratkartoffeln that were with it were super delicious though. nom nom nom. Anyhoodles. We had a lot of fun Tuesday. What was a bummer about it is that we had an appointment that we weren't able to make it to because of our little outting, luckily the Dahlem Elders were able to fill in for us - they've been doing most of the teaching there anyway. In other news, It was also Sister Kosak's Birthday, and Dad's birthday! I hope it was good for you, dad!

Somehow with the mirror I always imagine my cowlick being on the other side

Then, on Elder Turney's Birthday, Wednesday, we had district meeting, And after the first verse of the opening song, it was suggested that we "pick up the pace." And then I fell pray to an old habit which was prevalent in my primary days. Not only did I pick up the pace, but I jazzed it up quite a bit, then I narrated the next verse, and the third I went to the old classic, falsetto. I still haven't decided if I want to repent of that or not. I very much enjoyed it. We had cake after the meeting, and we were going to go to lunch together, but then we got a call from Br. L, who was moving in - they were scheduled to get there a few hours later and we were going to go help, but they were early, so we headed right over. There were a lot of people there, there was an elevator, and all of their furniture was pretty light, so we were able to get it all done pretty quickly. It was nice to be able to help. Then we had Gemiko and J, our GML, also checked our apartment. It was quite the party.

I'm so cool when I make Chili

During the day Thursday, we pretty much just did officey stuff, but around six we got a call from a member who I guess cleans for the Kosaks, and she had accidentally left her keys inside of their house, so she asked us to use the spare Mission home key we have in the office to get it for her. But we also had an appointment at 6:30, so we ended up borrowing the B's car so that we could drive over to get the keys right after our appointment, but while we were in the appointment, the member decided she could just wait until the next day when the Kosak's got back. So we basically just ended up running around like chickens with our heads cut off for no reason. And we drove to our lesson with R. It was quite the party. Man, I love R. We were able to have a really good discussion with him. I really hope that he's able to learn and grow to trust God.

Friday I set out to get a ton done with our key project, to call all the missionaries. But, while I was down there while most would be having companionship study, I decided to work on a side task I had been given, which was to find and print out old transfer records, because there's this binder that's supposed to have them all, but the last transfer in there was the one right before my arrival. (Ok, so there were 3 random ones from the middle of my time, but it was still pretty dramatic) So then... I got super distracted and started working on my "genealogy" based on the system where your trainer is your "father" and your second companion your mother. Well, mostly I have Hamburg missionary heritage, but my Maternal Grandmother is from the Berlin mission, so I investigated that line. I know none of you care about this, but I really enjoyed it. At my farthest point I've got 8 generations. I'mma have to find some time to keep going back. That day we also got to go let a member into the church so his family could clean. He told us some awesome stories about miracles he's seen in his life. It was really interesting.

(last week) Sightseeing in Dresden

Saturday, the first words I heard came from Elder Bangerter's mouth and went, "Happy Birthday!" Though there have already been multiple birthdays mentioned in this week, mine is not, and ought not, to be among them. I did then realize that it was the 36th anniversary of the release of Star Wars. But what I acutally realized before that was that it was my Two Year Mark on the mission. Now officially, I'm supposed to burn a suit on that day, but I left my old suits in Halberstadt, and I never burned the tie or the shirt, and I'm using the term 'officially' pretty loosely anyway. You know, I congratulate you if you've gotten this far on the email today, cuz I feel like it's one of those were I just babble about stuff that no one else cares about. Well, Buckle up! Cuz it's not about to change! Babble Babble Babble! For Morgensport, Elders Bangerter, Wolfley and I ended up just exercising our jaws and imaginations, because at about 6:45, Elder Bangerter told me to tell a story. So I made up about a 5 minute story. Then Elder Wolfley made up a seven minute story. Then elder Bangerter made up about an hour and a half long story. It was... pretty intense. Then, after we had our shopping and cleaning adventures, we boarded a train to Leipzig. L, who Elder Beck taught down there was baptized. I didn't know her or any of the other members, but it's always nice to see a baptism, and I did know quite a few missionaries. Elder Beck gave a talk and my dear Elder Baker performed the baptism. I got to wish him a happy two year mark too. Man o man.

(last week) More different sightseeing in Dresden

Then today, we went to church. It was quite the party. We had ward conference, and Elder Beck and I got to teach the Gospel.... Uplift... class. It's pretty funny in there, because almost everyone there speaks english, but there's always at least one German (a lot of times the teacher) - so I usually translate for the Gibsons (and whoever else). Anyway, today we did tagteam teaching and translation. So pretty much, one of us would teach for a few minutes, and then say, "and now, elder Beck will talk to us about the quorums of the priesthood." I thought it was a pretty fun and spontaneous way to do it. We were really hoping a couple of our investigators would come, and they said they would, but none of them made it. We were able to meet shortly with one of them in the afternoon, though, which was at least something. I really hope I'm able to help them more. I know there's more I could be doing, but at the same time I feel like I'm doing what I can. I just need to be happy with what I'm doing, but always be striving to improve. It's a pretty tricky balance. One that I've always struggled a lot with (Mostly I'm just really hard on myself, and then go curl up in a ball in the corner instead of actually improving.....) but I feel I've been able to improve on that a good deal on my mission. I sure hope so. After Church we had Gemeindeessen - they grilled even though it was pouring outside. It was really good too. I somehow ended up with a hoard of children around me, which is always the best place to be. It was really fun. You always have to be careful as a missionary. Luckily, none of them insisted on sitting on my lap or being held or anything.