Grüß Euch Familie und Freunde!!
Hello from rainy Göppingen! Yep -- STILL love the rain!!!
This week was a little slower, because Sister Clark got sick. She woke up Tuesday morning with a really bad headache, and Wednesday and Thursday had to stay in because of a pretty yucky migraine. We have been working with the mission nurse to get her all healed up, and thankfully she is doing much, much better. I've been able to practice my little nursing skills, and although it was hard to stay in and not work, I am so grateful Sister Clark is better and this week we can compensate! :) I'm so glad for the power of prayer because I've been on my knees a lot this week that Sister Clark would soon heal and feel better. It's hard to have someone you care for deeply not feel well.
Last week we met with Ainhoa quite a few times in preparation for her baptism. It is so exciting! This sweet little girl has taught me more about childlike faith than I could ever have imagined. Her faith and incredible desire to follow Jesus Christ is to be admired. It is now, as an almost 20 year old young woman, that I recognize how the Lord says we need to be more childlike in our faith. We taught Ainhoa the third lesson, about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the importance of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ainhoa is so excited to be confirmed so she can have that 'warm blanket' and Comforter and Friend always with her.
Saturday, after a week of healing (for Sister Clark) and planning for this upcoming week, we went to Esslingen to show Ainhoa and her mother the baptismal font. We walked through the process of going into the font, and talked with her brother Piero of how to baptize her. Piero just turned 17 and Ainhoa is very, very excited for the chance to be baptized by her big brother. I love the time we get to spend with Ainhoa, Piero, and Sister Giraldo. My heart swells with warmth and joy in thinking of this beautiful promise Ainhoa is about to make. I honestly, truly, and deeply love the Giraldo family. My heart gets heavy of the thought at one day when I get transferred from Göppingen, when I will leave them. That being said, I am so grateful that our branch has a good relationship and friendships with the Giraldos, so they will feel more welcome and stay active in the Church (so important, you are right Mom & Dad!) I am also grateful for the chance I will have to keep in touch with them, when I do leave, and maintain that special friendship and bond between missionary, member, and convert.
Sadly we have not heard from Destiny in about a week and half. We are praying we will have the opportunity to meet with him this week, as well as that he will come to church. Right now he is not progressing, which saddens us because of his goal to be baptized, but we know that the Lord will bless us and Destiny with strength as he progresses forward. It is always hard when your investigators do not progress, but it is with faith and diligence that we continue onward and know that as servants of the Lord, when we do all He asks, we will be blessed. Due to the time spent in the apartment we were also unable to visit with our other investigators. I missed our daily routine this week -- getting out into Göppingen, finding people to talk with about our Savior, helping our investigators testimonies grow and develop. It made me appreciate that we are able to do that every day and so this week I have a strengthened focus on setting our sights on success in His work. Although I really disliked being cooped up, I have faith that the Lord will take care of His work when we couldn't. :)
This week is a promising one!! We have more lessons with Ainhoa, a meeting with a few less actives, Finding Days for our district (dooring, streeting, follow-ups, etc etc) district meeting, a "field trip" to Munich (to renew my passport at the US Embassy) and preparation for Ainhoa's baptism! We talked with some wonderful Germans on the street who appear to be searching for "something" and we are praying that we can share with them the PLAN and why they are here on earth. I'm am so grateful for what I've learned in my home, in church, and in the temple about WHY I'm here -- my joy is great!!
It is with great happiness that I express my deep love and huge appreciation for thís work. Some days are so hard and exhausting and in those moments I never want to give up, pack up, and go home because I have the constant reminder of what (more like WHO) I represent. My testimony grows in those moments when I realize that wonderful things come to those who sacrifice and those who work hard in righteousness. There is nothing like that ONE moment on your mission, when your ten year old investigator looks at you with big brown eyes and asks, 'What does it mean to have the gift of the Holy Ghost?', and then the Spirit fills the room as you testify what an incredible blessing the gift of the Holy Ghost is in your life. It is in that moment you pass somebody on the street, when everyone as walked a different direction or refused you, who finally will listen to your message (it's even better when they take a Buch Mormon!) It's moments of quiet peace during personal study, as I sit and ponder a question in my heart, and through sweet personal revelation, an answer is given, and I KNOW why I am here. I KNOW why I am a missionary. It cannot be put into words. It is felt in the drive and urgency to proclaim the Restoration of His Truth to an unknowing people, His sons and daughters, that only begins to explain the way I feel about this work.
I am so grateful to be a missionary. Your prayers, support, letters, love, emails, and thoughts are such great sources of strength, and I am so thankful to have such a great 'back up crew' at home in Utah. :) Thank you friends, Lindon ward members and family who have sent me loving and supportive letters and cards this week -- it truly boosted and buoyed me up! You are very appreciated.
Last week we met with Ainhoa quite a few times in preparation for her baptism. It is so exciting! This sweet little girl has taught me more about childlike faith than I could ever have imagined. Her faith and incredible desire to follow Jesus Christ is to be admired. It is now, as an almost 20 year old young woman, that I recognize how the Lord says we need to be more childlike in our faith. We taught Ainhoa the third lesson, about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the importance of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ainhoa is so excited to be confirmed so she can have that 'warm blanket' and Comforter and Friend always with her.
Saturday, after a week of healing (for Sister Clark) and planning for this upcoming week, we went to Esslingen to show Ainhoa and her mother the baptismal font. We walked through the process of going into the font, and talked with her brother Piero of how to baptize her. Piero just turned 17 and Ainhoa is very, very excited for the chance to be baptized by her big brother. I love the time we get to spend with Ainhoa, Piero, and Sister Giraldo. My heart swells with warmth and joy in thinking of this beautiful promise Ainhoa is about to make. I honestly, truly, and deeply love the Giraldo family. My heart gets heavy of the thought at one day when I get transferred from Göppingen, when I will leave them. That being said, I am so grateful that our branch has a good relationship and friendships with the Giraldos, so they will feel more welcome and stay active in the Church (so important, you are right Mom & Dad!) I am also grateful for the chance I will have to keep in touch with them, when I do leave, and maintain that special friendship and bond between missionary, member, and convert.
Sadly we have not heard from Destiny in about a week and half. We are praying we will have the opportunity to meet with him this week, as well as that he will come to church. Right now he is not progressing, which saddens us because of his goal to be baptized, but we know that the Lord will bless us and Destiny with strength as he progresses forward. It is always hard when your investigators do not progress, but it is with faith and diligence that we continue onward and know that as servants of the Lord, when we do all He asks, we will be blessed. Due to the time spent in the apartment we were also unable to visit with our other investigators. I missed our daily routine this week -- getting out into Göppingen, finding people to talk with about our Savior, helping our investigators testimonies grow and develop. It made me appreciate that we are able to do that every day and so this week I have a strengthened focus on setting our sights on success in His work. Although I really disliked being cooped up, I have faith that the Lord will take care of His work when we couldn't. :)
This week is a promising one!! We have more lessons with Ainhoa, a meeting with a few less actives, Finding Days for our district (dooring, streeting, follow-ups, etc etc) district meeting, a "field trip" to Munich (to renew my passport at the US Embassy) and preparation for Ainhoa's baptism! We talked with some wonderful Germans on the street who appear to be searching for "something" and we are praying that we can share with them the PLAN and why they are here on earth. I'm am so grateful for what I've learned in my home, in church, and in the temple about WHY I'm here -- my joy is great!!
It is with great happiness that I express my deep love and huge appreciation for thís work. Some days are so hard and exhausting and in those moments I never want to give up, pack up, and go home because I have the constant reminder of what (more like WHO) I represent. My testimony grows in those moments when I realize that wonderful things come to those who sacrifice and those who work hard in righteousness. There is nothing like that ONE moment on your mission, when your ten year old investigator looks at you with big brown eyes and asks, 'What does it mean to have the gift of the Holy Ghost?', and then the Spirit fills the room as you testify what an incredible blessing the gift of the Holy Ghost is in your life. It is in that moment you pass somebody on the street, when everyone as walked a different direction or refused you, who finally will listen to your message (it's even better when they take a Buch Mormon!) It's moments of quiet peace during personal study, as I sit and ponder a question in my heart, and through sweet personal revelation, an answer is given, and I KNOW why I am here. I KNOW why I am a missionary. It cannot be put into words. It is felt in the drive and urgency to proclaim the Restoration of His Truth to an unknowing people, His sons and daughters, that only begins to explain the way I feel about this work.
I am so grateful to be a missionary. Your prayers, support, letters, love, emails, and thoughts are such great sources of strength, and I am so thankful to have such a great 'back up crew' at home in Utah. :) Thank you friends, Lindon ward members and family who have sent me loving and supportive letters and cards this week -- it truly boosted and buoyed me up! You are very appreciated.
I love you all, and I wish you a wonderful week!!!
Bis nächste Woche!
Liebe grüße,
Sister Natalie Motto
Bis nächste Woche!
Liebe grüße,
Sister Natalie Motto
First one I've read. How exciting to hear about the work in that part of the world!! It was 25 years ago when I was just a Golden ("greenie") in Deutschland. Looking forward to following this blog!
ReplyDeleteMark and Kellie - Having also served in Germany around that time (as well as my husband) -- which mission were you in?? Thank you for "finding" and reading our sweet missionary daughter's blog…she is a treasure to us and a wonderful asset to the German people and her mission. We are very grateful that she gets to be back in a land we love so much and call our second home.
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