2-1-16

Dad's bishop.  Does that mean I don't have to give a homecoming talk?

I'll find out my release date sometime next transfer.

So, the inactive family wanting to reactivate called us almost every
day to say that they've read in the scriptures, said a prayer, or had
questions.  Satan's working hard on them though.  The cool thing was
that they recognized that and asked us for help.  We sent the Elders
to them.

We also visited another less active, and the day before the
appointment told us that she was going to have a friend over she wants
us to teach.  Less actives and in-actives are amazing.  I love working
with them.

This transfer is really weird because I know I only have six weeks
with Sister Bray.  I wish I had more.  She's so amazing and hard
working.  Our work styles are very similar and I can talk with her
about anything.

I also have to learn how to find my way around a giant city in six
weeks.  I can find the church and our apartment, so I think I'm good.

And, a German complimented my German!  First time ever.  Other people
have told me that, usually other missionaries or people from other
countries.  But to here it from a German.  That made my day.

How do you feel? Dad's bishop.

I love you and wish you the best of luck,

Love,
Rachel

What happens when I braid (Sister Bray braids) my wet hair plus humidity

 

 

 

picture

1-25-16

This week has been mental.

To start, I have to pack and said goodbye to everyone.  Because they changed transfers to Tuesday, it's a lot more crunched. The Bishop was really sweet and wanted us to come over, but it didn't work.  So he but his phone on speaker and had everyone say bye to me.  His wife made me cry.  She started out by saying "Sister Peterson, do you know what I think of you?" Then proceeded to compliment me for a good five minutes.

Then I took a four hour train ride to Dortmund.  It's basically on the opposite side of the mission, and one of the top ten largest cities in Germany.  Very different from Feucht.  They have buses and subways. But my house is purple, so I'm good.

The cool thing though, is I got to spend two days with my trainer, Sister Brown before sending her home. (Transfers changed, but the tickets for leavers was already bought.  It'll be the same for the next group too). That was an entertaining adventure.

Then it was just me and Sister Bray.  She's from Singapore, American, beautiful, and crazy.  I like her.  This is her last transfer, so we're going to make it the greatest transfer ever.

Then, on Saturday, I met the Rodrigez's.  A half American, less-active family.  We meet with them every week, but have been pretty stubborn, and hadn't been to church in a really long time.  However, this Sunday they came to church because their little girl missed Primary.  Yesterday night, we get a call from them.  The wife said that they'd been talking and realized how much happier they were after going to church and want to reactivity.  They want to life Mormon standards, go to church every week, the whole nine yards and asked us to help them do it!!!  

It's moments like this that you realize how wonderful church attendance is.  It changes lives.  People can feel the difference of when they go to church and when they don't.  And it was even cooler, because the Ward had changed it so Sacrament was first, so they came to all three hours instead of the two hours they usually do.  Which was perfect because Relief Society was perfect. They talked about Elder Hales talk, "Meeting the Challenges of Today's World" and afterwards she asked us if it's bad to mix two religions.

Church is so cool.  And I'm very grateful for their little girl who missed Primary.  Little children certainly are more in tune with the Spirit.

Wow, this is a long letter.  But like I said, this week was mental.

I'm jealous of your French toast.  But my house is purple. See:

Rachel's favorite color is purple:)

Purple.

I love you all so much!  Your awesome.

Love,

Rachel

1-18-15

Tina has not been to church.  In fact, she has not been home and her
phone number no longer works.  However, before she left a friend of
hers sat in on a lesson with her and is now investigating.  He's name
is Jesse, is from Ghana, and is married to a German with two girls.
He loves the scriptures and it's been so cool to show how the Bible
and Book of Mormon go together.

I didn't know you had to stand up for your beliefs like that.  That
must have been hard.  But I'm so glad you did.  You're the greatest
mother in the world.

I'm being transferred and head out tomorrow for Dortmund.  Which is a
4:14 train ride using the fastest train possible.  Gotta love being in
Nürnberg Zone.  Far away from everything. It's sad to say goodbye to
everyone.  This Ward is so strong and care so much about everyone.

I hit my year mark this week.  It's been interesting to look back and
see the changes.  The biggest one would be that I'm more confident in
who I am and what I stand for.  Hilary Weeks  it right.  I found God,
then I found me.

Well, that's all I can think of.  I'm really bad at this.  I don't
remember yesterday, remembering a week is a work out.

Love you all and thanks for all you do!



Celebrating the year mark with French Toast!
Thanks Sister Riser for the Pics

1-11-16

So wait.  Were you in the trailer?

Tina didn't come to church.  I don't know what else to do but keep
loving and teaching her and hope that she'll make the decision
herself.  Cuz that's the only way this is ever gonna work.

 This week was a bunch of go bys, dooring adventures, and finding
activities.  It was fun, but I don't really remember what happened.
As usual.  I'm terrible at this.

Oh, some Russian people we could really communicate with thought we were
part of the Three King thing and gave us Russian candy.

Yep, that's all I remember.

Hope y'all have a great week:)

Love,

Rachel

1-4-16

I'm so glad you're in primary again.  It finally snowed! Enough that it'll stay!

New Years was crazy.  President highly suggested we go home at six if
we didn't have any appointments.  Drunk people with fireworks is not a
good idea.  It was weird when midnight struck.  Our apartment was
positioned so that we would have to lean out our window to see
anything, plus it was super foggy.  We could hear them though.  And
see flashes of color.  Until about four in the morning.  It was crazy.

Yesterday was awesome though.  We managed to get an appointment with a
super busy inactive.  She was very open about what she struggles with
and agreed to have us reteach her the lessons.  She even pulled out
her schedule to see when we could come again.  It's not for two weeks,
but the fact that she's so open and willing is incredible.

I'm sure primary will be healing.  Watching Frozen did that for me.  I
was nervous about seeing it -I hadn't once Nicole died- but in the end
I feel like I've been able to recover more within these two weeks.

I hope you all have a great New Year.  I love you all.

Love,

12-28-15

I love the picture.  It was a nice surprise.  You were also very sneaky and only boring stuff was to be seen on the custom form.  I'm happy the frame survived too.  I love it.  And everything else.  It was funny, I pulled out the pen, and Sister Riser said "Is that a dolphin!?"  It was hilarious.

I'm good on clothes actually.  While they do wear out faster than suits, most Sisters leave cloths behind when they move areas or go home, so there's a constant supply of clothing.  When the zipper on my black skirt broke, I managed to find another one.  Although I do understand why they leave things behind.  They do get worn, and wearing the same things every week is boring.

It's so cool that you shared the pioneer stuff.  On Saturday, we watched 17 Miracles.  So good.

So, we went to Tina's to bring her to church.  She wasn't there and her phone was off.  The Hausmeister said she was at a friends.

I'm so happy I got to see you guys Friday.  I loved the chaos and excitement, it felt like home.  I'm so glad you're my family.

I love you all and have a wonderful New Year.

Love,

Rachel