October 12th

Hallo Meine Lieben!! Was Los!!

Well, I had an awesome letter written, and then the computer deleted

it, so.... Here's to round 2. Haha. (It's going to be a longer one,

sorry) This week has been one to remind me of how grateful I am to be

a missionary. To be a part of others' lives and to learn along side

them. This special power in my calling is one that isn't found often

in life and I'm grateful I can see the power that Christ has work

miracles in others.

Recently, I learned of something amazing from Sister Seare, who is now

serving in Spandau. Remember that one time Sister Montierth and I (in

Spandau) went by on a less active woman, (who hadn't been visited in

ages) who upon answering the door, began to softly cry and explain

that her husband had just passed away? She is now completely active,

attending church EVERY Sunday, reading in the BOM and calling the

sisters to report what she's learned. How amazing is that! I am so

grateful I could be a part in helping her come closer to Christ. Ich

war überaus glücklich!! Often we don't hear the results of our

efforts, but when we do, it makes it even more worthwhile.

Birgit is doing amazingly this week! She has now gone 3 weeks without

Alcohol! She is a total champion and can do anything she puts her mind

to. We are working on getting Gen. Conf. on a USB so she can enjoy it

and we can incorporate it into the 12 step program. We read in the BOM

with her this week, and laughed in excitement as she expressed her

desire to be a missionary someday too!

We were also able to visit the Ukaj family this week! And since we

haven't been able to see the, for 3 weeks now, it felt like a happy

mini- reunion! Yet as we walked in, we noticed something heavy was

weighing on Alma's shoulders. Come to find out that the government may

send her and her family back to Albania because of the refugee

situation here. Albania had been deemed a "safe" country, and want

more room for those that are coming from "unsafe" countries. She and

her family have no desire to go back, as they've just begun to build a

solid foundation in Germany. Plus her father in law is in desperate

need of a life saving operation, but the money is nonexistent. And as

Alma is explaining all of this to us in her broken German/English, she

is feeding us like Queens. Seriously the most selfless person.  We

shared some comforting scriptures and a general conference talk and

assured her that God is aware of her family. My heart was so heavy.

What a sweet thought it is, two young Americans sitting across from a

tender hearted Albanian woman, facing the possibility of uprooting her

entire family, and we are telling her, 'Just hold on. Believe. God

knows you and your situation. Hold tight.'

When I take a step back, I realize just what a special opportunity it

is to be here. What a glad message we have to share, and special

opportunity to impact others' lives in ways that matter more than

anything this world can offer.

My heart has never felt so heavy and yet so light at the same time.

Heavy with concern for those we teach, yet so light with the knowledge

that He is there. That God has indeed shown His hand in this work, and

He is very aware.

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before

your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my

Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to

bear you up."

D&C 84:88

Love you all! Thanks for being amazing, and always supporting me!