Liebe Familie und
Freunde,
What a wonderful week has
past! I realize I say that every week...but it's true...being a
missionary is wonderful!
Last week, we were able
to have zone training and zone conference in the same week, one Tuesday, one
Friday. Kind of felt like I was living in Stuttgart all week because we were
there so much! I have developed a love for Stuttgart though, and enjoy the time
we have to be there. At zone training, we talked a lot about the
Christlike attributes as found in Preach My Gospel. (I LOVE Preach My Gospel!
It is a wonderful tool and I am so grateful for it.) We focused on knowledge,
which is interesting, because I have never really thought 'Knowledge' to be
considered a Christlike attribute. I then stumbled upon a quote by Elder
Russell M Nelson that says 'The glory of God, indeed, is intelligence.' We must
strive and learn all we can in this life so that we can more strive to be like
our Father in Heaven! I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for all that
I have learned while here on the mission.
Wednesday and Thursday we
had Austausch (exchange) again! Because of the new calling the church has made
for Sister Training Leaders in each zone, we have the opportunity to go on
exchanges each transfer -- something different from what you did, Mom! (We also never got emails, iPads, instant pictures
either!) This week, Sister Clark went to Pforzheim to work
with Sister Holman, and I got to lead the exchange here in Göppingen with
Sister Ackerman. I was so nervous! Sister Ackerman was trained here in
Göppingen as well, so it was nice to have that extra 'security blanket' with
Sister Ackerman knowing the area if we were to get lost (which we didn't up
until the last few minutes finding our way to the Eislingen Hauptbahnhof.)
Sister Ackerman and I had the opportunity to meet with a few older women in our
branch, a less active, and did some follow-ups in nearby Eislingen. I love each
opportunity on exchanges, because I learn so much. It's always weird
working with another missionary who is not your companion, but I really
enjoyed working with Sister Ackerman because she is such a hard working
missionary. She has a lot of opinions and isn't afraid to say them, but she is
a great example of someone with a firm conviction for the Gospel and rock solid
testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel. She has a great command
of German as well, so it was great working with her and being able to work with
someone outside of Sister Clark with my language skills. Even after all
that, it was great being able to be reunited with Sister Clark. I am so
grateful that we have a strong friendship and bond and that we work really
well together: I will be sad the day I have to get a new companion!
Zone Conference was fantastic!
At Zone Conference we were able to hear from President and Sister
Miles, as well as our Stake President here in Stuttgart, President Thomas
Schneider. President Schneider has come to Göppingen and spoken in Sacrament
meeting a few times, and I have had the opportunity to meet him and talk with
him, but in German. It was a little odd to hear him speak in English at zone
conference! He gave wonderful feedback to us as missionaries in his stake
and how we work, and how we can better work with the members. He said that as
missionaries, we strive to develop and have the qualities of faith, charity,
love, etc, in doing missionary work. The members have those traits as well! The
one trait we have, that they don't, and that we need to help the members
develop, is courage. Courage to invite their friends to church, courage to
invite the missionaries over with their friends, courage to share the gospel.
It was an interesting but enlightening perspective, and the frustrations we
have had in the past working with our members has now changed to, 'what
can we do to help them have courage?' I am so grateful for the church leaders
here in Germany. Although different from home, and oftentimes I find myself
heartsick for my homeward and stake, I am forever grateful to be in the service
of these wonderful German people and the members here.
At the close of zone
conference we had a testimony meeting, where all the missioniaries who had not
previously attended a zone conference had the opportunity to share their testimonies.
It was great! I was able to share my testimony the night (two months ago
exactly!) I arrived in Munich, and I was grateful for the chance to share
it again. I can already feel a growth within myself!! It was also a neat
experience to share my testimony with my trainer there, my wonderful and sweet
companion Sister Clark. She has become one of my dearest friends, and as this
transfer comes to an end I am saddened to think she may be leaving. At
least we have two weeks left together; make every moment count, gel? President
and Sister Miles both shared testimonies and thoughts on the work here in
Stuttgart. We LOVE the Miles, and are so incredibly grateful for their
service to us. They are a stellar example of missionary work, and living
Christlike attributes. I hope to be like them one day.
Saturday we were able to
teach Ainhoa again! This sweet little girl is progressing so well. Her
childlike faith and developing testimony is something to be envied; she is one
of God's prepared to hear the message of the Truth and she cannot wait to be
baptized! Yesterday during Sacrament Meeting Sister Clark and I sat with
her, and saw her write in her journal, 'Am 31 August wird ich taufen lassen!
Ich bin so begeistert.' (Translation: On the 31st of August, I will
be baptized, I am so excited!) Her baptism will be Saturday August 31. We can't
wait!
We have not been able to
get a hold of Destiny for a while. We have been praying that we will be able to
meet to help him continue progressing, but it's been difficult. Satan works the
hardest when he knows good things are about to happen and I know that Destiny
is being challenged and needs to be reminded that Heavenly Father loves him and
that he can overcome whatever road blocks are in the way of finding eternal
happiness through the first step of baptism. I know prayers in his behalf
would be a great blessing and example of faith as he progresses towards his
ultimate goal of baptism and confirmation.
Queen is doing well. She
has started reading the Book of Mormon, and we are hopeful to make the 2 hour
trainride to Heidenheim on Wednesday to teach her. We also have a potential
investigator named Abi, who is also from Nigeria. (We have joked about that if
we keep teaching the way we are, they will need to make a Nigerian branch
for Göppingen!) He met with the elders in Ellwangen, who are in our district,
and because he lives in our area Ellwangen referred him to us. We are so
excited to teach Abi; from what we hear he is 'hungering and thirsting' after
the truth and is yearning to learn more.
Hopefully we can meet
with Barbara and Andreas this week! Barbara has a lot to do, as she is getting
ready to put on some kind of play, but we are praying that the next time we teach
her, Andreas can be there. Sister Clark and I still cannot deny the fact that
we felt a very strong spirit upon meeting Andreas; we know that there is
something wonderful in store, and that perhaps it is his time to accept the
Gospel. All we can do is pray, fast, and follow the guidance of the Spirit in
what to teach him and Barbara so that they will be receptive and accepting of
the Gospel.
All in all, it was a
great week. For some reason I got a little bit homesick, but because I
recognize that it's AUGUST and that school is almost starting!! Didn't school
just get out? :) (Natalie is one who has always
LOVED school and would start counting down in August when it would
start.) Give this next school year all you've got! Work the hardest
you ever have. It'll pay off! :) Time has gone by very fast!
Keep the flame of your
faith burning, my wonderful family and friends!! This Gospel brings so much
happiness, who wouldn't want to share it? Although I have hit lows and highs
and have been challenged beyond my beliefs here on the mission, it is safe to
say that I have never been happier. This work is sacred and special,
it is glorious and great and it is His work. I am grateful to be
able to share the truthfulness of the Gospel to Heavenly Father's children in
Germany at this time!!!
Until next week!!
All my love,
Sister Natalie Motto
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