Thoughts, feelings, etc.

Hello!

First of all, I was skeptical about the keyboard, but it has revolutionized pday. I still am not writing as much as I'd like because there is simply so much to do each week. I also accidentally slept until 7:15 this morning, which may or may not have contributed to my poor writing...

I am doing really well on my mission so far! Sometimes it is hard to remember why I am here and what I am doing, but I am praying really hard to gain a testimony of missionary work. and it works!!! My patriarchal blessing tells me that "over time" I will learn to love this work, so I'm being patient with myself and just enjoying the ride.

My companion is just wonderful. She is really fun and active. SHe doesn't mind getting wet or getting her hands dirty. She tries to be outside as much as possible. She takes the lead in cooking and cleaning. She is a very inspired missionary and always seeks revelation from God. She takes correction and guidance joyfully. She is diligent in speaking German with me. She knows how to laugh and how to love. She is a great example to me and we work really well together. 

Living in a big city and in a four man also has really helped me a lot. Some of my MTC buddies never see other missionaries, which would be really sad. 

I feel like I'm learning how to bring more of my personal flavor to this mission. I'm feeling less timid. I can't wait! My companion has been here for three transfers, and she is convinced that I will be STL when she leaves after next transfer. Only time will tell, and I don't mean to be boastful, but I suspect that I will get my fair share of leadership in the mission. I am more comfortable as a leader, and frankly I really enjoy it.

WE are so lucky with our ward. We are in Dresden 2. Most of the missionaries have a tough time with their wards. They will bring people to church, and the ward will say "we don't want them." The elders work in Dresden 1, and the bishopric is difficult. They will only allow baptisms every other week. But our ward is AWESOME!!! WE are ripe for a Spanish branch any second now. Our bishop is German, but served his mission in Argentina, so he's got some Spanish. Our Deutscher women are also so happy to help us with Spanish lessons (even if they just sit there). Our ward is happy, supportive, and helpful. OUr ward mission leader is Gideon Menzel, aka my mission president's son. All our Spanish people are so cool. There is one family named the Birnbaumers, and they moved here two years ago from Bolivia. Their son, Alan, is in the bishopric as this 22 year old dude. THe mom, Mirta, helps us at least 3-4 times a week with Spanish lessons. She is so sweet, kind, loving, motherly, wonderful, happy, amazing, and awesome. Her mansion in heaven has an indoor pool. With slides. And a bowling alley. And their influence is so evident in the ward. THey welcome everyone in.

We meet a lot of Venezuelans that are fleeing their country. They stay in camps, and it is a whole process. Our friends Luis and Giovanni are in a camp, and they find out today if they move or not. WE are praying fro them because they are on tauf datum for this Sunday! It will take a LOTto make this baptism happen, but they are SOreadz. They just accept everything and understand it so well. WE were discussing who would baptize them, and Luis asks us: do they have the Melchizedek or Aaronic priestood?? We hadn't even taught them that yet!!! Our ward and community is awesome, and this area has tons of potential. Now that I have my feet under me, I'm excited to get to work.

I'm also excited for this upcoming week because my companion and Iwill be together the whole week!!!

Ookay I've got to go, but talk more later!

Abby