Zone Conference, Heilige Abend, Weihnachtstag and lots of SNOW!

Guten Morgen!!!!!
 
This past week was pretty darn sweeet!!! So, where to even begin!!!
 
So, Monday was a pretty cool, chilled P-day! We basically did what we needed and then went to the shops here in Kaufbeuren to get a backpack for when I go on a tausch, as I didn't have a perfect sized bag for when we tausch- Previously I borrowed Elder Little's one in Bern, so now I need my own. Then Monday evening was crazy, but cool! We went to see an investigator we hadn't seen for a while and it turns out that he's also meeting with the Zeuge Jehovas (Jehovas Witnesses). So we had a lesson with him, and two JW's as our joint teach.... weirdest, but coolest thing ever. We taught him about prayer and it was actually a really cool, pretty spiritual lesson. The JW's idea of prayer is pretty much the same as ours, so it was pretty cool!!
 
Tuesday I got around to Anmelding (registering) here in Kaufbeuren, as you have to register in the city you live in by law in Germany... So I'm a resident of Kaufbeuren!! Waney!! And then Tuesday was Tuesday!
 
Christmas Zone Conference on Wednesday!!! Because we only have 2000 km or miles (I don't know) a month for the car, we take the train to Munich for Zone Conference, so we get to Bahnhof and it turns out that our train is going to be 20-30 minutes late meaning we'd be super late for Zone Conference, so we called up President and told him and he told us to just drive it - so we had a nice road trip to Munich on Wednesday! 
So Zone Conference was pretty cool! We finally watched "Er ist das Geschenk" the Christmas mormon message video and we watched the movie "Meet the Mormons", which was also pretty cool!! And it was so awesome seeing Jake!!!!! That was probably the BEST bit of Zone Conference. The second best bit was seeing so many missionaries that I was in the MTC with there, including Elder Nebeker!!! It was so awesome!!!!!!!
Then after Zone Conference. we were on a Tausch and I went to Augsburg with Elder Griffey. It was a pretty cool Tausch!! We did lots of Finding and it was freezing cold - like ridiculously freezing all day!!! I'm still alive though, so it's cool!! 

Munich & Stuttgart Zones Conference Dec 14

Then Friday was a pretty cool day! We had member and less active appointments all day, including DAs! So good! We went to the farm again. It's a weekly thing and is always one of the highlights of the week! We helped fix fences this time and it was a really clear day, so the view of the Austrian Alps was stunning - just like back in Bern on a clear day!!!  (On a clear day when you come out of the Temple in Zolikofen you have the most stunning view of the Alps. It is so beautiful!!!). Then we also received a referral in the post of a guy who is called Nicodemo ... He was taught by missionaries in Rome until he moved to Germany a couple of days ago... so maybe Ashleigh knows his name or maybe which missonaries in Rome taught him???? 
 
Then Saturday... a Utah number called Elder DeLeeuw (so he was freaking out a bit)... it turns out it was a friend of the family who served with his mom on Stake Primary a few years back. This family were in Germany on holiday, so called up the office and asked for our number to take us out, so they gave them our number. We met up with them and they took us shopping for food and stuff. It was so cool, but I felt so bad that they were paying for our food for the week!!! Then we had the Gemeinde Weihnachtsfeier (Ward Christmas Party) It was pretty cool and we got a little gift from Santa!!! 
Saturday evening, I wasn't very well but on Sunday I forced myself to church, but our GML told me off and sent us home, so I could go to bed! I literally slept the rest of the day! Then on to Monday! P-Day ... time to do some Christmas shopping!! 
 

Skyping Home on Christmas Day

So Christmas has now come and gone :( It has been snowing almost constantly since Christmas Day, although it wasn't a white Christmas, but it has been ever since! It's ridiculous!!! It only stops for about an hour and then starts up again!!! Craziness, plus I swear there's at least a foot of it where it hasn't been touched!!! Not good! I am super glad to be in a car when the weather is so bad, instead of walking everywhere or bus-ing it!!
 

Its been snowing since Christmas Day

Our Christmas Tree and Presents

Feeling Festive

So, Christmas Day after skyping home - it felt a little weird. After the Skype call, we had lunch, I missed the traditional British Christmas Dinner, what with having Bayerisch essen (Traditional food for Christmas Eve for Germans is white sausage, potato salad and sauerkraut) on Heilige Abend (Christmas Eve) and then on Christmas Day, we had a potato dish which included small pieces of meat and salad!!! It tasted really good, but it just wasn't what I'm used to when it comes to Christmas Dinner!! Then we played Monopoly for hours and came back to our apartment! It was a different Christmas day, but it was really good!! Then Weihnachtstag 2 (or Boxing Day- can you believe that here they call it second Christmas Day?!?) So, we went to our GML's and it was pretty cool! Weird, but cool!!!! Then we finished the day by going to play basketball again with a member and some other guys!!! It was fun, but it killed me again!!! 
 
Saturday we went to a family's home for lunch, which was really good and then we met the new converts in Gemeinde Augsburg, as they love the missionaries, so they meet up with us every other week or so... they are so cool!!! So Saturday was a good day! And we finally had a lesson this week!!!!! :D Number wise, I swear Christmas week is the worst!!!! We only had one less active lesson this week!!!!! But the whole district didn't turn in great numbers either, soooo.... 
 
Then yesterday was church and we had to do weekly planning, as this week we had no time on Friday when we are meant to do it! Soooo.... that's my week summed up since Skype!!! 
 
Also, yesterday we had to come by the chapel to get train times for after District Meeting on Tuesday and to check to see if the Rome missionary (who had given us a referral) had emailed back, as she is home now!! But as we were doing that, I saw my inbox and it was so tempting to read my emails from home, especially when mom's email arrived part way through! But I didn't ... at least I knew there would be emails there for today! haha! 
 
So, lately I have been just so tired in the morning! I blame the car, as we don't get as much exercise during the day, because of it and apparently exercise makes you need less sleep! Weird I know, but I swear it's true when I compare the amount of walking/running we did in Bern and my level of tiredness compared to now in Kaufbeuren!!! So when the snow clears, I'll have to make sure that we get up and go running or something!!! Maybe!!! You know me though.. I can't run to save my life!!! :P 
 
I love you all so much!!!! I hope you all have an awesome start to the new year!! We're going to our Branch President's for Raklett and to celebrate the new year. His family is literally the best!!!! I love them!!! And we get to stay out till...... 10pm!!!! Looks like New Year will start a couple of hours earlier for us.... Fun!!!

Tchüss

Christmas Message from Elder Robertson

Hey, hey, hey!!!

So, it's coming up to that perfect time of year that everyone loves, including missionaries, especially with the opportunity to skype home and see those beautiful Robbo Family faces once again!!!!! As you can tell I'm pretty stoked about it!!!! 

As promised, now that the email thing won't be as often as I wanted I really wanted to wish each of you an awesome Christmas!!! 

In my personal study this morning I'm currently reading Jesus the Christ by James E Talmage, and I'm up to the part about the Birth of Christ! Perfect timing, if I do say, that this chapter comes up at the beginning of this special week!! 

I'm pretty sure I've shared something from Präsident Kohlers weekly emails before, but this weeks was focussed on Christmas and I couldn't have put it better if I tried. He says: 

"The Christmas season is a beautiful time of year. People love the excitement found in the spirit of giving, the relationships of family and friends, and the special activities and decorations. This spirit of Christmas can be celebrated in many, all good, but not equally significant levels. 

One level is the “Santa Level.” This is the level that children really love. It’s the level of Christmas trees, wrapped packages, secrets, special food, and parties. It is filled with carolers, excited children and exhausted parents. We are generous to the less fortunate. It is a special time in which we eat too much, spend too much, and do too much and enjoy it without seeming to be able to get enough. We love this level of Christmas for good reasons. 

But there is a higher, a more beautiful and significant level. This is the “Silent Night Level.” This is the level of our sacred Christmas carols and the scriptural account of a crowded inn and the Savior’s birth in a lowly stable. The angelic proclamation of good tidings of great joy and a new star in the East that wise men follow in search of the Holy One. Without this level, the season is hollow, shallow, and commercial.

The trouble is, that these levels on their own don’t last. They can’t. They are too much, too intense, too extravagant. The tree dies, the candles burn down, and the weight gets put on. The wrapping is thrown out and the carolers burn out. We line up to exchange gifts and the dieting begins. The decorations get put away and the cleanup begins. But the lonely, the hungry, and the poor are still with us, perhaps more so than before. Even if strive to keep the baby Jesus in the manger all year long, in the end we will be disappointed and empty.

For Christmas to last all year, for its message to grow in beauty and meaning and purpose, for it to have the power to change lives, it must be celebrated on another level; the level of the “Adult Christ.” At this level – not as the infant child – our Savior provides his gifts of lasting joy, peace, hope, and salvation. It is at this level that he provides examples of love, giving, and forgiving. This is the creator, savior, and redeemer who weeps at man’s lack of affection and hate for one another. It is at this level we remember that he willingly suffered and gave his life for all men so we could repent and live again. This is the level where we take upon us his name, always remember him, and follow him in keeping his commandments. Accepting this invitation to follow him is the way – the only way (2 Ne 31.21) – to celebrate Christmas all year and all lifelong."

How true that is!!! As we approach this time of year, especially on Christmas Day itself, it is so important to remember the real reason we celebrate it, to try to get at and remain at the stage President calls the "Adult Christ" and "The Silent Night Level". It is because of Him that we celebrate this time of year! The Mormon Message we have at this Christmas time really sums it up in 4 beautiful words "Er ist das Geschenk" or in English "He is the Gift"!! Don't get me wrong, I love to be at the "Santa Level" and have fun and get filled up and be excited for the whole day, but as we focus on why we have Chrsitmas as we get to that "Adult Christ" level, I know that we will receive an even fuller sense of joy in our lives, that can last not just for Christmas, but for the whole year!! 

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the World, that through Him we can return to live with our Father in Heaven again one day! I am so grateful for this time of year to celebrate His birth. He is the Gift!!!!

If you haven't seen it yet... check it out at christmas.mormon.org 

I hope you all have an amazing Christmas!!!

I love you all,

Elder Ammon Robertson x

Where are you Christmas?

It’s been a mixed fortnight …

 

P-Day Grocery Shop - One for me or One to share?

So, week one, after P-Day on Monday we held an FHE with the Maccione family!!!! THEY ARE SO CUTE!!! It went really well! :)

On Tuesday we had DDM and started advertising for the Smettere di Fumare program we are starting up (stop smoking in 7 days program ran by the church...). Sorella Nagliati and myself will run it and so I’m hoping it goes well and maybe we can get some potentials from it!!

OH a funny story about that... we made the biglittinis for it (handouts) and left them for the man at the internet shop to print and copy them, so we could pick them up the next day... ANYWAYS when we got there to pick them up, he had edited them and stuck a picture of Jesus (Catholic picture) next to the red line through the cigarette picture and he said 'I change it a bit cause I think you like this' …he was dead serious ahhaha!! And we were like “errrrrrrrrm we'll stick with the original!”  Haha IT WAS SO FUNNYYYYYYYYY!

ALSO, this week we started RUNNING in the morning for exercise time because our neighbour gets soooooooooooooooo mad when we make noise before 8am! OOPS! haha

On Wednesday the STLs came for an exchange. IT WAS SO FUN!! They are super sweet!!! Sorella Marsh and Sorella Clyde!!! (love them!!) :):) So, I went in the morning with Sorella Clyde and we went to Ghizlanes house (we teach her English and leave her with a spiritual thought). This time we just showed her the 'grazie e lui - because of him' the Mormon Message video! and her husband was there too for the spiritual thought with their 2 year old son.  It was SO! So! good!!!! Before I left the apartment for the appointment I felt prompted to bring a 'piano di salvezza' pamphlet with me. (no idea why but I just did). At the end of our appointment he started asking about what happens when we die?  So we discussed that with him, then I pulled out the pamphlet all chuffed with myself hahaha! We left them with the commitment to read and pray about it!!! IT WAS AWESOOOOOOOME! We shall continue to follow up with them :):)

In the afternoon I was working with Sorella Marsh - we did loads of finding!!! We found this really cool lady... she was smoking and we did a sondaggio (question thing). So we asked her ' how many times have you smiled today?' and she said 'about 5' and we asked why? She said she has a daughter and sooooooooooo then we do what missionaries do best and linked it to the gospel and spoke to her about the family!! :) She seemed super interested and told us she would love for us to meet with her to hear more. She told us she is an atheist but just because nothing has given her reason to believe or she hasn’t yet found a philosophy that seems right to her and she said 'maybe this is it?' so WE HAVE SUPER HIGH HOPES FOR HER!!! :) 

And while I was doing this, Sorella Nagliati went to a family that have never been taught, but were in the area book! She said it went AMAZINGLY and we are hoping to see them this week too!!! So we have VERY high hopes!!!!!

Thursday was the usual... lots of finding and advertising. We had an appointment with a member, but she cancelled on us... then we went to the chapel for English course and I played the piano for a bit, while a YSA was on the guitar!! It was really cool :) then on the way home on the bus with the Anziani the CRAZY MAN WAS ON THE BUS!!!! Soooo, we have a local crazy man that everybody knows hahahahahah and he was talking to us (more like shouting hahaha bless him) and he offered us chocolate and stuff ... and he kept giving it to Sorella Nagliati and then he wanted to give her almonds and she was like 'I’m allergic' hahahahahha and he said “NO, NO, NO, TAKE, TAKE!” Hahahahahahhaha it was hil!!! He then started singing and shouting and calling us beautiful and crazy stuff. It was so funny! But we were so glad the Anziani were with us though!!!!

When we got home on the night, we found the apartment in total darkness, we had no power!!!!!!!! When we woke up in the morning we still had no power hahaha!! So, I asked the man next door and he fixed it for us.... it was super strange (because that’s the 2nd time our power has messed up! Sorella Nagliati thinks it’s our neighbour who live in the apartment beneath us…(the one that gets mad at us) hahahaha, so it’s a mystery, but I think it’s hilarious!

Then on Friday we went to Belinda’s house. We went to help her make art things for her daughter. We made Arty Christmas things for her :)  THEN!!! A MIRACLE MOMENT! One of our investigators that we had fasted for, so that he could find a job before January, so he could get a house! WELLLLLLL HE CALLED US THIS WEEK TO TELL US HE HAS A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How amazing is that!!??????????????? We are SO SO SO HAPPY!!! We just hope he realizes that it was an answer to his prayer and not just coincidence!!!!!

Then on Saturday the Ascoli Anziani and Pescara Anziani had baptisms and I was asked do to a musical number for the baptisms! I did 'If the Saviour stood beside me' and 'Saviour Redeemer of my Soul'. The baptisms were beautiful!! :)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND WE GOT OUR TRANSFER CALLS!!!!! Sorella Nagliati and myself are both STAYING IN PESCARA FOR CHRISTMAS YEYYYYYYYY!!!! :):):):):) Anziano Mika is moving... and Anziano Woolsey goes home.... So MY PREDICTION WAS RIGHT. Anziani DUFFIN AND LURSCHOUR (if that’s how you spell it) ARE TRAINING!!!!!!! That means our ward are getting 2 new greenies, so I will not be the newest missionary anymore :S !!!!! eeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!! Super excited though!!! Also Anziano Robi (DL) is moving to Sicillia to be ZL and we are getting a new Anziano (the one Ammon knows from EFY... I can’t remember his name, but he came in with me!) And Anz Molner (our German anz) will be our new DL! So a lot of changes within the district!!! But we are super excited!!! :)

The District Before Transfers - Not sure why Sorella Nagilat and myself are so far from the Anziani

The District - Post Transfers

So, week two of this fortnight has been AH-MAY-ZINGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!

On Tuesday, WE HAD A LESSON WITH an Investigator, who dropped us a few weeks ago, but he requested to see us again J So we figured that we would go all the way back to the start and reteach The Restoration. Ensuring that we focus on the basics, A Belief in God, Jesus Christ and a Belief that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. So we asked him the grand question of ?Do you believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God?' (with the assumption that he would say yes, so we could then explain… well ... 'if you have a testimony of that, then you know that this is Christ’s gospel, and that prophets receive revelation from Prophets, and the Word of Wisdom is inspired revelation etc etc. BUT he pulled a bombshell out on us. He isn’t sure about Joseph Smith. SO unfortunately our lesson plan didn’t entirely work out, but it was a good job we were prepared for it! We spoke about receiving revelation and answers to prayers… and feelings of the Spirit! We shared a few talks from apostles and prophets and shared our personal experiences. Sorella Nagliati spoke about how she came to know that the Book of Mormon was true and I spoke about how I came to know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. After that, we re-invited him to baptism AND HE ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, we are praying so hard that he recognises when he receives his answer from Heavenly Father about Joseph Smith. So, if all goes well he will get baptised on the 10th January! :D SO EXCITED! The spirit was so strong in that lesson and we were just SO HAPPY.

Then at our English course the topic we were teaching was 'At the Restaurant', it was hilarious, as per-usual! And then we got them to practise Jingle Bells (the English course students are supposed to be singing Jingle Bells in English for our ward activity this Saturday. It’s gonna be HILARIOUUUUS! :) Then I did a spiritual thought about prayer and one of the guys who attend, PRAYED!!!!!!! And it was a really cute prayer!! :)

ALSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Another fasting miracle!!!!! So, at the beginning of last transfer Mom and Dad joined Sorella Naglaiti and myself in fasting, so that we would find a family.  So, for a while the work was slow, none of our simps (investigators) were progressing and we just had a really tough time in general!!! WELL.......  WE HAVE FOUND THIS AMAZING FAMILY!!!! The Mom is called Monica. Her husband is called Danilo and her daughter is called Odeght! :) She is Peruvian and the husband Italian! The daughter is 11! THEY ARE GOLDEN!!! We found them doing area book finding! They were never simps, just potentials and we did a getting to know them (lesson 0) and they gave us dinner and yesterday we taught the Restoration and invited them to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and before we could even invite them, he asked for the Book of Mormon and told us he is going to read it and that “it’s the best gift we could have given” them!! We gave one in Spanish for Monica too! She speaks perfect Italian but it’s easier for her to understand in Spanish!!! SO YESTERDAY WAS AMAZING!!... and they fed us!!! Lasagne ! It was lushlushlush!!! :):):):):):):)

Then on Saturday we had a lesson with Jenny. We showed her the Restoration video in Tagalog and then spoke a mix of English and Italian with her! We brought a member with us and she was AMAZING! Sorella Salvatore... I LOVE THAT WOMAN!!!  Jenny cried when we watched the video and told us something deeply touched her heart!!!! SO WE ARE SO SO SO SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW!!!! The Lord really does answer prayers and I have SUCH a strong testimony of fasting!! Especially since being on a mission!!

My Missionary Planner - All Festive

I LOVE BEING HERE!

SO! funny stories of the week.... about our crazy neighbours....(who live in the apartment below us) and he HATES noise. He even wrote a really rude letter to the previous Sisters. As I mentioned earlier, we can’t exercise in the apartment because of him, so we go outside jogging but it’s recently turned so cold! :(:( anyways! On Thursday I was in a super happy mood hahahaha and I was singing 'Where are you Christmas?' in the shower .. full works, with my “hoo face”  I pull and everything in a squeaky American accent (From the Grinch)... hahahahahhaahhahaha and when I got out the shower I heard this horrific noise and I thought it was Sorella Nagliati taking the mick,,,, but when I asked her she was like 'errrrrrr no?' then!!!! The doorbell rang.... it was our neighbours GF saying 'DO YOU HAVE TO SING EVERY MORNING TO WAKE US UP!!!!!?????? WE CAN’T CALL ETTOR BOSCO (ward mission leader) EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS, SO WE ARE CALLING THE POLICE AND YOUR LANDLORD!!' so we were like errrrrrrrrrrrr uh oh!! and Sorella Nagliati was liiiike 'SORELLA I TOLD YOU, YOU CANT MAKE NOISE!!!' and I was like 'woops' and we were super scared the police would come or something.... but they never did! I think they were all talk and no action but now I think it’s hilarious ahahhaa!!!  I thought I was so funny... but our neighbour didn’t…oops"! We since figured that it must have been our neighbour making all that noise to take the mick hahahahha!

Another interesting story!

So, as we were waiting for Sorella Salvatore at the train station to pick us up to go to Jenny’s lesson, this guy across the road was smiling at us.... but I was getting really creeped out, so I told Sorella Nagliati... and she was like 'ha, weird!' Then the guy came over to us with an old man and the old man says 'hey, do you ladies know the price of silver right now?' and we were like 'errrrrrr... no?' and he was like 'oh, that’s a shame.... anyway this young man here wants to get to know you more...' then the old man walked off. We were like errrrrrrrrrrm hahaha 'ciao!' So he started asking us all these questions like where we were from etc! So we told him “we are missionaries” and gave him a pass along card... and he asked 'Is this your number?' and we were like 'yeah....' and he said 'and if I come to this address, you will be here?' (church address) and we were like 'yeah on Sunday 9-12' and he was like ok, ciao! SO WEIRRRRRRRRRRRD HAHAHAHAH, BUT SO FUNNY!

So, ‘The Stop Smoking’ course was a flop. Literally, no one turned up, but because we have advertised it we have to go for at least 2 more weeks, then we can forget about the whole thing.. awkward!

We have done pretty well this week with Dinner Appointments too! Yesterday.... we had lunch with the Colella family then with OUR NEW SIMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It felt so good to say this week when we reported to our DL that we have '3 NEW SIMPS!!!!!' he was super excited for us!! Anziano Molner is GREAT!!!!!

Now on a spiritual note… when we were at the Colella’s house, our spiritual thought was about Kindness... since it’s the Christmas season! :) We used a talk by Joseph B. Wirthlin. Here are a couple of quotes I love. 'Kind words not only lift our Spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years' and 'Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends' I loved the talk!! You will all have read it, it’s great!!! 

Final Post from Bern, 2 Missions in 1 Day & Hallo Deutschland!!!

It is ridiculously crazy how fast time has gone!!!! I've been out for 4 months already!! I'm about to start my 3rd transfer out in the field!! Time here in Bern has gone ridiculously fast … it's untrue!!!! I love this area.  I love Switzerland and the ward members so much. As a missionary, the ward really do become a part of your family!! I'm going to miss Bern so, so much!! Yesterday was a pretty sad day with it being my last Sunday in Gemeinde Bern! I had to do a goodbye testimony, which I really didn't want to do, but it was okay. And the members said how much my German has improved since my first Sunday here!!! I can only hope that Kaufbeuren will improve it even more!!! It's crazy how I'm going already!! We were speaking with the Zone Leaders Friday night after a dinner appointment and we were all thinking if one of us leaves it will probably be Elder Little. Zone Leaders normally have 4 transfers and neither of them have had that yet, and Elder Little just felt like he was going to be moved. It turns out Elder Dewey is moving to Wettingen (or however it's spelt) and I'm going!! So I don't actually know how I feel about it.... I'm excited but I'm also really sad to leave as well!! I'm going to Deutschland!!!! So, Kaufbeuren is a branch with huge boundaries, in the München Zone. My companion will be Elder DeLeeuw from Utah and I’m going to be in a car area!!!! I'm both scared and excited about that, since I haven't driven since passing my driving test over a year ago... :/ Kaufbeuren is a pretty huge area, which borders Austria and possibly a small border of Switzerland!!! So I'll be in Deutschland for Christmas!!!! Also Zone Conference is on the 10th instead of the 8^th, now I'm in a different zone.... But in better news, München Zone share Zone Conference with the Stuttgart Zone and from what I've worked out from the train time list they sent out this morning, Jake is staying in Heillbron, so I 'll see him at Zone Conf. :D Exciting!!!

So, I think I sent you a group photo from the Zibelemärti (Onion Fest.) It was actually such good fun!! We aren't allowed Zone P-days, but it unintentionally ended up as being one as most of the zone turned up and we just bumped into them, as we were going round!! So it was fine!! But it was such a good day!!! We still keep finding little bits of confetti all over the apartment... ridiculous!! But it was such good fun. I'll try and send a few more photos today!! 

So Tuesday we had Distrikt Versammlung in Interlaken!!! It was fun and we had a great role play as part of it, that I actually played a pretty big role - instead of leaving the talking to the other Elder... It was great!! We also had a Tausch with the Zone Leaders on Tuesday, so I was with Elder Dewey this time in Bern 2. It was fun and we had our inspection again, which we obviously passed!!!! :) That’s two tausches this last week, as on Thursday we had one with Interlaken and I was with Elder Lossau in Bern 2 again. I actually enjoy tausches. It brings a different perspective to the area, which is always good!! Also, the advent calendar was from Elder Little’s mom. She sent a package this last week with one for him and one for me - it was so nice!!! I'm going to miss serving with him to be fair. He's such a great missionary and I'm so glad that he is my trainer!!! 

Advent Calendar from Elder Little's Mum :-)

 Wednesday was great, because we had 2 dinner appointments, one lunch with our GML and family. I love our GML and his family. They're just the absolute BEST!!! We had Spaghetti Bolognese, which was the tastiest Spag Bol I THINK I HAVE EVER HAD - IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!! And the spiritual thought at the end was also pretty good. It was a Mormon Message based on a talk by Elder Wirthlin, (so quite old), but there was a quote that really stuck out to me from it which says: "Each of us have our Fridays... but Sunday will come." Don't ask why, but I just really loved that quote, and it really is so true. We all have our hard times, difficulties will come to all of us, but Sunday will come!!! It will get better, we can have joy in our life, as we focus on our Saviour and turn to Him. Our second DA was with The Scotts, (they’re an American family, who are here for Bro. Scott’s work). The food was so good, that we had to get the recipe off Sister Scott yesterday, so we can try it out some time!!!  We did a practice lesson 3 in English, which was so weird, plus we'd been on a tausch all day, so we hadn't planned it or practiced, so it was completely just done impromptu, and it was actually really good!! I love practicing lessons with the members. It's great for when a real one comes along!! 

I told you about Family Kaspar last week and the Schnitzel, right??? Well, we made them this week at home and they were so good... that is definitely one I will have to remember to make when I return home in 20ish months!!! So good!!! 

So SATURDAY WAS TRANSFER CALLS!!! CRAZY STUFF!! I still can't get over it!! But we had Football again in Zolikofen. It was sooo good this time. I think it was because it was so cold, plus the fact that I may not get to play for a while (come on, we all know how bad Americans are at football) haha!! But it was actually such good fun when you throw yourself into it... 

Then here goes the tipping point of this week!!! Saturday we received our first Church HQ referral. So naturally, we make contact within 24 hours!!! The phone number we received was invalid, so we checked up on SBB for how to get to the address. It turns out that it was either 2 hours there and then no connection back til the next day, or a whole day getting multiple busses back, or going through Fribourg, which would take an hour each way with frequent connections. But that would mean topping off the prison visits by leaving the mission!! So we called President and he said just go to Fribourg. Make sure you aren't out of the mission any longer than you have to be. So, yesterday we went to go by on this referral, going out of the mission to come back in, as they live in a little village right near the mission boundary. So that explains the photo!! That was an experience alright!! And I definitely think it tops the prison visits... haha!! 

"Just Popping Out- or through" - to do a Referral

 So for the second week of this fortnight….Monday was a chill P-day and we did a bit of shopping and stuff! Stuff to remind me of Bern, etc. And then we looked around the Bärner Weihnachtsmarkt (Bern Christmas Markets), which were pretty cool, but they were quite tiny as well... I'm guessing they weren't all out yet, so who knows!!! But Monday was a pretty cool last day in Bern!

Tuesday we did Raclette for our District Lunch just before district meeting, which was so cool!! Then after our DM we had a finding day prepared in Thun (in Gemeinde Interlaken). It was a pretty cool day and we did a few Tauschs. Me and Elder Simon worked together and we had quite a few amazing conversations with people! It was an awesome finding day and I really do miss the district!! We then had my last Institute. :( Major sad times!!!! We watched a CES devotional for it, which was pretty cool!! Then just chilled and chatted with the JAE!! I really miss being a JAE Missionary!! :'( 

With the Family Schirm - I love them!

Wednesday we had a couple of appointments with members!! We had Family Schirm for the last time and they did Fondue!!!!! SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOD!!!! I love it there! And we obviously had to get pictures with them, as it was mine and Elder Dewey’s last time there!!! I'll attach a pic! Then the plumber finally came round and fixed the sinks. We only waited like 3 weeks, but.... better late than never and all!!!! Then we had the Römers in the evening!!! I love them so much! They are a newly married couple in the ward; he's from Switzerland and served in London South on his mission and she's from France and served in Temple Square. They are such an awesome couple!!! Definitely one of my favourites!!! But then who isn't one of my favourites in Gemeinde Bern!!!! Then we went back home and I decided it was probably time to start packing, as it was transfers tomorrow!! So I did!! I just put it off as long as I could, because I really didn't want to leave... and the longer I put it off the less real it was!!! 

Thursday was a long, tiring but great day!!! We got up at 6 to get ready and be at Bahnhof for 7.30 for our train to Zürich. I may have explained before, but for transfers, everyone moving meets up at the major Bahnhofs throughout the mission, so in Switzerland, our one is Zürich. So we got into Zürich for just gone 8.30, bought my ticket to München and then caught up with missionaries moving or with comps moving, which was cool to catch up with some from my MTC group!!! Then I had a nice long 4 and a half hour ride to München with missionaries who were dying (going home- in case you don't remember mission lingo, haha) It was cool though!!! Then we obviously met up with those in München Bahnhof, as that’s the central bahnhof for the mission. It was so cool seeing others in my MTC group there and catching up before we headed to Kaufbeuren!!!!

Friday was a pretty awesome day!! I love it here already!!! We had an appointment with Fam. Spring. We had lunch with them, share a message and then do service!!! They own a farm with a stunning view of the Austrian Alps. I'll have to get a pic on a good day! So we helped him around the farm for a couple of hours, which was such good fun!!! I love doing service like that!!! Then in the evening we went to Familie Löflath! He is the Branch President and they have a relatively young family, the oldest is 10 I think and the youngest probably 2ish! They are such a great family!!!! So, early in December St Nick comes and fills your boots/stocking - whatever! You can probably research and find out a bit about this as I'm no expert!! So we got a stocking full of goodies!!! Soo cool!! 

A Gift from St Nick

Then Saturday In the evening I met our GML- Wolfgang!! He was holding an activity for the kids of older Primary age groups. His cellar, which you normally use to store boxes and rubbish (like an attic back home) is just one giant, awesome Scalextric set!!! It's so awesome, but ridiculously crazy at the same time!! So he asked us to help him out with this activity, which was just a Scalextric race. So fun!!! I'll have to get a pic of his cellar, as it's one of those that you have to see to believe!!!! So crazy, but so fun!!

Then yesterday was great!! My first Sunday in Kaufbeuren!!! We have an actual church building, unlike the one in Bern, which is cool!!! I had to give my testimony, which went pretty well!!! And a load of members who I spoke to were like - ”I thought you'd been in Switzerland from your German”.... I don't know if that's good or bad!!!!!! :S I'll take it as a good thing as I freakin' love Switzerland and miss it ridiculous amounts!!! Although I love it ridiculous amounts here as well! We are always busy with appointments and stuff that we rarely do street finding, crazy!! It's super weird how attached you get to an area!!! 

We had Gemeinderat yesterday and they said how they'll get a list up for us for next Sunday for Christmas. The members are so good here.  I'm pretty sure that we'll have so many appointments over Christmas it will be crazy!!!

Shout out to everyone who’s given me something for Christmas!! THANKYOU!! I LOVE YOU!!!! 

Being in a car area is so weird from a busy city with public transport! But it's fun!! I haven't driven yet, as I have to watch a church-made safe driving video, which we only started this morning. It’s based on simple stuff we cover in our Theory test back home... (I think it may be for the Americans and other countries who aren't so strict on the theory side of getting a license), but oh well!!! It has to be done before I can drive, so Endure to the End and all!!!!

Zone Conference came and went and I managed to catch up with Jake (Elder Robertson -  my cousin)!  More details in my next blog instalment.

WIth my Cousin - Elder Jacob Robertson at Munich & Stuttgart Zone Conference

Superheroes, Scones, Sciopero and Hobo Week!

Come staiiiiiiiiiiii?????

Well well well! Let me start by telling you all about my fortnight!

Week 1

Monday - IT WAS P’DAY! Me, Sorella Nagliati, Anziano Duffin and Anziano Mika went to Ikea aaaaaaaaand played Hide and Go Seek. It was so fun!! The other Anziani decided to play tennis instead... so it was just the 4 of us. It was so funny though, cus we had to be so discreet about it, so that people didn’t get mad or didn’t think we are weird. Then after a few rounds of that, we went to get meatballs and chips... but the hot dinner area wasn’t open. I WAS DISTRAUGHT… but Anziano Mika promised we'd all go back again for dinner insieme!! So.. I LOOK FORWARD FOR THAT DAY! … which better be soon, as the likelihood that he gets transferred this transfer is high, since this is his birth city and he’s been here for 4 transfers.. I think.. I cant remember! ANYWAY! so yeah eventually we'll get round to that!! We were craving it so so bad, but then it was shut hahaha

Tuesday - We had DDM! This week I did the spiritual thought about prayer, used the visual of the ribbon in each hand (on the end) and said 'Ok, tie a knot in the middle.. but you can’t move your hands'.  The idea was that it was impossible... but with the help of me; who knows how to do it (cross your arms then let go) ... Wow it’s hard to explain on the internet but I hope you understand haha! The idea was that we can’t do it without the help of another... and all we need to do is ask. Then I read a few scriptures! It went well I think! Then we had a few fun things: 'funny story of the week', 'language tip' and 'fact of the week'.  Then the addestromento (if that’s how you spell it) was by Anzino Kawai! It was really good! All about the importance of member missionary work! He shared with us a really good quote! "There is no substitute for a member - oriented proselyting program.  I believe it is the key to success" (by President Monson) He then gave us the 'FLOCS' keys to achieving good work with the members: Fearlessness, Love, Obedience, Creativeness and Sacrifice. Told us the 'golden hours' for FHE/spiritual thoughts with families... teaching appointments, finding while passing by members houses and street finding.  Then Anziano Woolsey made a pumpkin pie! It was really good!! Then Anziano Mika and Anziano Duffin made a chart of Disney characters, Super Heros, Harry Potter characters, match up for princes and princesses, cars, super powers and random stuff like that! Apparently, I am Jane from Tarzan, Wonder-woman and Hermione.  My match- up is Prince Charming. I am a 'mini with a GB flag on the top' (obvs) "rolls eyes"; my super power is 'the hoover lady'... I can hoover really well.. okaaay.... BUT the super powers were hilarious! They did stupid ones for us and really good ones for themselves … the little sneaks!!! One was 'the silent assassin' HAHAHAHAHAH funny story … will have to tell you another time.   One was 'the wonderful hi 5er' Anz Kawai is really good at Hi5’s; one was 'The Cat Impressionist'; Anz Moner can do really good cat impressions.  None of which are true, but they just thought it was hilarious... which it was hahahah! They’re mad! Then we had an appointment booked with a less active, who we were supposed to meet outside a shop.... she didn’t turn up, so that was the gist of Tuesday... wooo! haha

The day started crazy, cus we had nooooo electricity!  We didn’t know what to do and neither did the Anziani, so we had to call our landlord. He got here real quick and it turned out that cus we had the washing machine and dishwasher on at the same time we lost power.  He just had to re-set the mains... we didn’t know where they were, so I think he was a bit annoyed hahahaha. Apparently the Sorelle have asked before, so we left a note for the future Sorelle haha!! We had 2 appointments booked - one with a less active L and one with E (a member, she is SO NICE!!!) but they cancelled on us.. both of them. ALTHOUGH E invited us over for dinner for the Sunday, which was LUSH and it was at her non-member mother-in- laws house, so that was a great opportunity.  SOO that day... consisted of finding! We did casa and casa for a while (door to door) until 7.30pm, cus they got mad and started saying 'At this time?????' Not sure what’s wrong with 7 at night hahaha, but apparently it’s too late and we need to have mercy haha, so we ended up doing street contacting (oh our door to door are through the ringer things in apartments).  We also had a funny experience where a lady was like 'yeah come in!!' and we were amazed!! We got up there all excited.. she looked at us and immediately changed her mind hahahahaha - so that was weird!

How can you not love the missionaries - even after 7.30pm

Thursday - We had a lesson with G! We go to her house to teach English to and do a spiritual thought. She’s really nice! Her husband used to have lessons, but then didn’t have much time, as he’s a dental surgeon.  They’re a great family though and have SO much potential!! THEN we had an English course and it was SO GOOD!!! Me and Sorella Nagli teach the beginner course and on Thursday we only had 2 students!!! THEY ARE AMAZING!!! I can literally picture teaching them doctrine!!! One of them even prayed at the end for us and told us how he loves the spiritual thoughts we do and the way we view life and he said since knowing us, he is more grateful for things and knows how to pray from the heart! I WANNA TEACH HIIIM!!!! So HOPEFULLY this week we can set an appointment with each of them!!!

Friday - I still wasn’t feeling any better.... soooo Sorella Nagli wanted me to phone the mission nurse. Reluctantly I did (It’s just a cold!!!), then she told me she wanted me to go to the docs asap and get antibiotics! So we called our Ward Mission Leader for the number for a doc.. and his gf’s uncle is a doc, so we ended up going there. He gave us the visit for free. Didn’t even give me antibiotics, but some other medication and sent me on my way. It’s reimbursable though luckily!! then it turned out we totes crashed their date! They were supposed to go on a date.. She booked it off from work and everything then ended up taking us!!!!! We felt so so so bad!!!!!!! So we made them cookies and a thank you card!!! Sorella Millet (nurse) didn’t want me going out either, so we just studied and made food. I tried Yorkshire Puddings.... but we didn’t have a tray for them, so I had to do them single-y! They worked out well.... but took forever!!! and we don’t have gravy, so we tried with a stock cube and it was nasty and salty hahahaha. It was a weird experience!

Saturday - We went to see a less active called L who lives a trek and a half a way!!!! We got there and they had prepared a pranzo (lunch) for us! They are originally from the Dominican Republic and gave us their traditional food!! IT WAS SOO GOOD!!! and the guy (non-member) made a drink just from milk and freshly squeezed oranges... I was scared to try it, but it was superrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr good!!!!!! By the time we got home it was late! so we did some finding! That was it.

Sunday - WE HAD CHIESAAA! Then dinner at E’s mother-in-laws! With her husband A (non-member), daughter V and her mother-in-law! EVERYTHING WAS FRESH!!!!!! The pasta!!!!!! The bread!!!!!! Literally EVERYTHING!!!! It was so so good and she fed us SO SO much!!!!! We even got fed rabbit! It was weird and I was sad to eat it, but it was actually quite nice!!! We did a spiritual thought with them and it went really well!!! :) Then we did phone finding (where we go through our phone of numbers we don’t know and call them to see if they’re interested.  We called LOADS... and got 1 appointment!!!!! So I’ll let you know how that goes!! :) 

I have nooooooo idea about transfers!!! Me and Sorella Nagli think we’ll both stay... or at least hope!!!!!

………………………………………….

So Week 2 of the fortnight or as we called this week Hobo week!

Hahaha yeah that’s right... the last week of the month we call Hobo week. Just for one reason.... we run out of money! Espesh with us having to go to Rome twice this month, we are dried out hahaha! Thank goodness for personal funds!

This week has been tough. On the way home from Rome, when we were on the coach someone’s ringtone went off... It was Amy McDonald - This is the Life! It made me think of home, when I went to her concert with my family!

NEWS OF THE WEEK. I'm actually ashamed it has taken this long, BUT... I gave my 1st Book of Mormon away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) A guy who attends English course..... We are not sure of his name yet, but he always wears a hoodie that says 'Florida' on it, so we just call him that for now and he thinks it’s hilarious hahaha. We will learn his name this week though haha!! We did a spiritual thought all about the Book of Mormon, bore our testimony of it and I felt prompted to give him one. So I did!! :D and he accepted!! :D And we had a good old convo about church etc and he said 'if I say I don’t have time I will be lying and I don’t want to lie,  so I will maybe come to church.' This was on Tuesday though and we didn’t have his number to follow up, soooo he didn’t come! BUT now we have his number and we will follow up this week! I’m excited to see what happens!! He’s SO SO SWEET!!! 

This week, as suggested by Sorella Nagliati, I made scones again! It’s offish! IM THE SCONE QUEEN!! Hehehe … she loves them and I don’t do a bad job! hahaha

I'm the Queen of Scones - Sorella Nagliati loves 'em!

On Wednesday.... there was a scioperò (I think that’s how you spell it). It means that the buses go on strike, sooooooooooooooooooo we couldn’t go anywhere. We had to do finding local to our house! The funny thing is... the drivers drive the buses around the normal route and just don’t stop hahaha … it’s so strange!!! 

Then Thursday we had a lesson with D !!! She’s a recent convert. SHE IS THE SWEETEST thing!! I love her!!! She makes us cookies and cakes too aw! So cute! We did the gospel of Jesus Christ and it went really well!!

Friday we had weekly planning and as we had a really tough couple of weeks - we decided to change. We are doing the 'Be purified' thing.  It was a talk given by a Mission President I think. We fast and ask for revelation as to what we need to change - stop - or do! Then for 40 days, we work on the things we receive. I wish I had the letter/talk to explain. It’s really good, so we are trying that! I’ll try and find the letter (on lds.org of course!)

A funny quote of the week. We were in our English course on Thursday and we are doing verbs. 'I go' and they take turns in making a sentence and one guy says (he’s from Morroco?) 'I go.... to hell' and he was DEAD serious. It was so hard not to laugh.. I mean, of course that’s not funny... but it just sounded so funny and weird hahahahahahahah! I told him he won’t and not to worry … then we proceeded.

We then went to the Di Iuglio family and shared a spiritual thought.  Since we are struggling with investigators, we have decided on working with the members, so we can build a friendship and trust with them! :)

Then on Saturday we did finding in Pescara... had Correlation and Ward Council (that took up most of the day) . We also had the thanksgiving meal! It was so so good to eat a proper cooked turkey! I didn’t do Yorkshire Puddings cus we didn’t have the correct pans!

I tried making Yorkshire Puddings but we didn't have the right pans

Today we have had so much rain already!!! Well Hello December! ha!

That is pretty much all of my antics for this week! I’m sorry it isn’t much. This week we have prepared for a better week, so hopefully we won’t have many or ANY bidones!!!

Although it is hard being here sometimes, I know that this is where I need to be right now! I know that somewhere here in Pescara there is at least one person waiting for me and Sorella Nagliati! I know it! We just need to make sure we are in the right place at the right time! I know that this gospel is the only true gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that without a single doubt! I know that I am part of an eternal family!!!! Yesterday we had the primary presentation! IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL! We had to join them in singing 'I Have a Family Here on Earth' in Italian.. of course! and I LOVED IT! and thought of each one of my family! Then they played a beautiful video about families and I felt so so close to mine! I know Heavenly Father loves us all! I know that one day we can return to live with Him TOGETHER! How great is that!!??? I just love this gospel!