Guess Who Translated Sacrament Meeting???!!!

April 27, 2015

Grüß aus Lübeck!!!

WHAT A WEEK. Here we are, on the eve of my 8 month mark!! Wahhh! Can't even believe it! But alas I say that every week, haha. Let's move on to the new stuff.

BERLIN. (highlight of the week) Friday. YES MOM Jacob and I did plan on standing next to each other in the picture.

Germany Berlin Mission Conference with Pres. & Sis Kosak

So it all started out on Thursday. The office sent a text out telling us to  go check our train times as the Deutsche Bahn (German Train) was striking Wed and Thurs. sure enough our planned train fell out so for like two days we kept going back to check other options to get to Tiergarten. We made it there just fine and stayed in an apartment with 8 sisters in total. Good stuff. Friday we walked to the chapel. Lots of missionaries were already there. It was SO FUN to walk in and see tons of missionaries, including people I had not seen for moooonths!! So we actually sat in the row behind Jacob (Elder Clarke), so we caught up some, he's funny. It is just so weird to think that we are on the other side of the world from California, and yet there we were! Good times. I saw all of my old comps too (outside of Trainer Norton) (implied) (hey Trainer Stacie when you see this online) WHICH IS ALWAYS WONDERFUL. Sister Harris and Murdock were just Heaven to greeeet!!!!

So the mission conference was about IPADS. We will be the first mission in Europe to get Ipads!!! Two general authorities were there, Elders Kearon and Nielson (think he just spoke in conference) THEY WERE HILARIOUS. Tell the Rich family that they chose the perfect namesake for their baby!!! They were so fun, and yet at the same time so full of the spirit. Something that they said, and is probably the most important thing that I took away from the meeting, is that the first Presidency trusts us. They said that many parents and members would have concerns about giving such young kids technology on a mission, but the First Presidency responded that they trust us, so they will do that. Sinks deep doesn't it!? It did for me. And I know that they represent Heavenly Father. I know that Heavenly Father trusts me. He knows that I can be effective in this work. What a blessing to know and feel the truthfulness of that.  After the General Authorities left, President and Sister Kosak spoke to us, and we sang a lot together. I love singing as a mission! It's probably one of my most favorite things. President and Sister Kosak sang this Russian song for us and it was just so coooool. I was dying. After it was all over, we chatted and took pics. Then back to Bahnhof! SIster Brim  and I DID get a Berlin Döner. DREAMS CAME TRUE. Although we walked like a mile to find a döner laden, it was totallllly worth it. We were sooo tired when we got home, but so spiritually filled. THanks for the good times Berlin.

Besides Berlin being awesome, we were able to watch the Restoration film again with Frau Devers and her husband and two of her kids, a 13 yr old and an 8 yr old. The 13 yr old didn’t say much, but the 8 yr old told us after how "still" she was after it was done, as she normally asks tons of questions and talks a lot (her words not mine) but she was totally touched by the spirit, that was way cool. Her husband said he really looks forward to coming to church, and he can see by the way the members are that there is something different about this church. Frau Devers told us that watching the movie a second time really strengthened her testimony of Joseph Smith, one of her concerns she'd had. So Frau and Herr Devers came to church, along with the 8 yr old daughter. It was awesome!! We met with Frau D this morning, and she told us that she is just DONE with smoking! She said she cleared all her stuff out. Man I could totally feel and just see the growth of her faith! She said so herself she knows it is growing. IT IS SO COOL TO EXPERIENCE THIS WITH HER. Sister Brim and I were saying how we really do nothing, it is all the spirit that is working on her. Man kann es einfach merken!

SPEAKING OF CHURCH. Guess who translated sacrament meeting???!!! THIS GIRL. OH man it was my first time translating EVERRRR. So the only people who need the Enlish translation are Mehrdad, an Iranian convert, and then.....uh the Bishop!!! haha no pressure there, right? So I sat outside in the hall with the little microphone and just blabbered away the whole time. Luckily the Deacon sitting out there with me probably doesn’t know English so he couldn’t tell if I was doing a good job or not, haha. Overall it was fiiiiiiiine. It was a solid first experience. I was getting really nervous right before the talks were coming, and I offered up a humble plea to Heavenly Father to help me. I felt just fine after that. Nothing too dramatic or anything, but all I needed was calm nerves. I asked, and I received. Big or little, I know that Heavenly Father is there for us. haha at one point I said "Uh, I think he's talking about an earthquake or something, but I'm not really sure, sorry!" haha that was my funny experience for the week.

Last week was a bit hard for me, but this week was much better. It is so interesting how quick and easy we can change our attitudes. I know that we ALWAYS have something to be happy about. For example, God is real, and Jesus is our Savior. Need we more? DIDN’T THINK SO. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Read it!! Reading and living the principles will make us happy, and will bring us peace.

Liebe Grüße

Sister Madison Mittleman

Just Meeting With An Investigator, That's Normal, (Right) oder?? NOT IN MY PAST 4 TRANSFERS OR SO.

April 20, 2015

Moin moin!

lololol Hermana  (Megan) Mittleman just throwin' out that they had a baptism like she's talking about the good book she came across the other day. ALRIGHTY THEN. hahaha nur spaß. THAT’S SO COOL. I was totally stoked when I read that!!! Man, that's really cool.

SOoooo this week was coool.

This guy we found last week met with us again, Edmund, we talked about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, He even came to church last week! That was a cool miracle. He couldn't make it this week, but we meet tomorrow, so hopefully we can ask him more about how he is feeling about it all.

We were able to meet with Frau D A LOT this week, which is reallly a dream come true. Meeting with someone who IS INTERESTED. I know what some of you may be thinking.... Just meeting with an investigator, that's normal, oder?? NOT IN MY PAST 4 TRANSFERS OR SO. Seriously can we all just take a moment to appreciate all the little miracles in our lives that we take for granted. Thank you! Now do it again!! We have been through the basics with her, the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith. We watched the restoration short film with her, and she totally cried!! We were all feeling the spirit there in her little kitchen pretty strongly. She is pretty informed, like I said. So a lot of the time she just asks questions about how things work, or doctrine specific questions. I love her! She came to church with her husband, and her 8 yr old, and their little baby. They looked like a normal cute little family sitting there! So we went and talked with her this morning, we were going to bring a joint teach, but that fell out. Schade! So there are some personal things she wants to take care of that are troubling her, so she is unsure if she will make the 9th of May. BUT she still knows she wants to get baptized SOONer than later. Both Sister Brim and I know she can totally make it. We are hoping that as we continue to meet and as she comes to church, and grows in testimony she too will realize she is ready, and worthy to enter into this covenant. We have still to start 'formally' teaching her husband and other kids, but that's a work in progress! They're such a cool family!!!

One of our less actives came to church yesterday, she actually knows Frau D and helped her in the process of choosing to meet with the missionaries!!! She had come last week, and last week AND this week she stayed allllll three hours!!! And then after the second hour, we were just sitting there waiting for FHV (Relief Society) to start, and all of a sudden she throws out 'I quit smoking!' and we were just speechless almost. MIRACLE. She is such a low key quiet lady, I love her. No quatschin around with her. We meet with her tomorrow so I am excited to talk more!!

So with G7 there were police EVERYWHERE in the middle of the city. They even rerouted all the busses to go around instead of through. That was a teensy bit inconvenient but okay. We came out of a store last Monday, and there in the street there were all of these people with flags and then this truck with music blaring out. Super awesome and had demonstration written all over it. hahahha there were a few moments like that this week, but other than, that, nothing too crazy!

Sister Brim is doin well! (No I am not just saying that because I know her mom reads my blog...shout out to Mamma Brim) I really love her, just the way she says things is hilarious!! And her German is solid. She can speak really fluently, although not always perfectly (lets be real no one can speak perfect German here) I am always impressed at how well she speaks for being almost 8 months out. I am really grateful that she is my companion, she makes me smile :)

Best thing this week was feeling the spirit so strongly with Frau D

Challenging.... agency is hard!!!! (But, alas, nothing we can do for that)

Funny moment- we were klingeling, and I pressed the bell, and then it got stuck!!! I could totally hear it ringing from inside and then this old lady opened the door and I was standing there trying to get the little button unjammed. Haha that was really funny. Wish y'all could have seen that moment.

Everyday, in my own life, and in just observing the lives and conversations of others, I am continually reminded of how hard life is. It's pretty rough sometimes. It's not easy. I have totally had those moments, where I just sit there and think, "why does this have to happen?"  WHY. That is a gooood question. After much thinking and contemplating I have realized the simple answer. LIFE IS JUST THAT WAY. I know that everything serves a purpose in our lives. I know it. I know that Heavenly Father has something in store for each of us. But we have to show our faith in Him and keep pushing forward. No matter how small our progress is. He will help us to understand. We don't understand everything He does. We just don't!!! Something we just have to accept. I know that through the Savior, everything is possible. We can get the comfort and strength we need. I know that God loves us. His plan is perfect. We have so many reasons to rejoice.  I love you.

wünsche euch eine schöne Woche

Sister Mittleman

ps WE GO TO BERLIN ON THURSDAY NIGHT AND WILL BE THERE ALL DAY FRIDAY WOOOOOOOOOO

Sis Brim & Madison getting caught in the rain!




I Have Endured And Yes Enjoyed So Many Long, Hard, Weary Weeks In Lübeck.

April 13, 2015

WHERE CAN I EVEN BEGIN

Just to begin let it be known that I have still not seen the last session of conference, so NO I have not seen President Uchtdorf speak in German.  We watch it in church in two weeks...

BUT ALAS on to the good stuff.

SO. Wednesday we had our district meeting. I gave a theme on making a personal study plan. Then later Sister Brim and I went to Oldenburg up in Holst, to visit a member and to do some dooring there. While there elder Peterson called and asked if we wanted to baptize a family. NA KLAR. Apparently a lady had called the church, and a member there cleaning was able to get her information. He gave it to the Elders as she is a woman, the elders thought it made more sense and would be easier for us to get a hold of her. So I called her up, had a solid conversation, and made an appt for the next day. THURSDAY we go check out the scene. So Frau Devers has been here in Lübeck since August, before she was in Bremen. She had a friend there who told her much about the church, and at one point she even was meeting with missionaries. So she knows a lot. But back then she had many doubts and wasn't totally on board. She said it took three years for her to really develop the desire to move forward. As we were sitting there amongst the chaos of her kids in the background it was just so coooool and aaawweeesome to see how perceptive she is to the spirit. She told us that she was really proud of herself that she had called us, and that we were there sitting across from her. WUNDER WUNDER WUNDER. As we gave simple testimony of the truthfulness of the restored Gospel, it was tender to see her start crying and glow with the spirit. OH MAN IT WAS AWESEOME. So she said she was coming to church and would bring her supportive but not interested husband. Sure enough on Sunday there she was!! She really liked it. In FHV (Relief Society) the lesson was all on gaining a testimony of the book of Mormon, haha THANK YOU lieber Vater im Himmel!

SO we went over this morning, planning to invite her to baptism. Sister Brim and I had prayed about the 9th of May, and we were just stoooked to invite her. We went through the restoration again, and talked about the feelings she is experiencing right now. She feeels the spirit so strongly and is so open. I cannot tell you how much of a miracle it is. Here's where it gets good. We told her how ready we could see she is, and then asked if she would prepare to be baptized on the 9th of May. She had already told us that she was planning on getting baptized right before then, and then we knew it was time to pull out a date. So at first she looked a little shocked and said, next month?! haha we just nodded excitedly. na klar!! Then she just kept going, well...yes. I mean, ok. Yes. haha she then said  that at first she was surprised but the more she thought about it, she can feel that it is right. HERRLICHER TAG. WUNDER.  MIRACLE: ALL OF THE ABOVE. naja. We were all just so stoked. Then she said that her husband actually wanted to talk with us, and asked if we would come over in the evening time so he could be there too. AND SO IT GOES. So we are going over for abendbrot wednesday night. Sister Brim and I walked outta there just overjoyed. We were just so happy and had to stop in the middle of the street to thank Heavenly Father for that miracle. SO MUCH has happened in little Lübeck in the past 4 days! The Lord's ways are totally unpredictable but perfect. He has a plan. How grateful am I to have stayed here in Lübeck another transfer.

Woooooow how to come down from that dream. I honestly don't think I have ever been so happy. Seriously, I have endured and yes enjoyed so many long, hard, weary weeks in Lübeck. But this past week has made it all so worth it. I wish I could tell you exactly how I feel.  Alma 26:16 rings true.

Well.  Sister Brim and I are doing well. She is hilarious and I looove her.

Thanks for all the pics of Utah!!! How funn!!! But where are all the pics of the new house!!! I wannnna seeee!!!! Glad you had fun!! Can’t wait to join you next time yo.

Sister Murdock is in Leipzig...guess who her district leader is..... Elder Clarke!! How fun is that! Next week we have a mission conference in Berlin, so I will get to see all of my missionary friends. Super stoked.

Saturday we went to the beach THATS RIGHT THE BEACH up in Travemünde. We chalked the plan of salvation literally overlooking the shore. I FELT SO AT HOME. It was heavenly!!! Not as pretty as good old California of course :)

Travemunde

So Innenstadt will be all "locked up" for the next few days with this whole G7 thing, there are lots of police people everywhere, we are supposed to be extra cautious. Sister Brim and I are curious and excited to see what all happens. Don’t worry we will be safe and follow the spirit!

Well! Again I wish I could tell you all how heavenly life is! I love being a missionary so much. I love Germany, I love the people here. I love giving this part of my life to the Lord. I love this city. I know this is where I am supposed to be. This past week has really just been a huge tender mercy for me. God is real. Through the Savior everything is possible. His pure Gospel and church have been restored to the earth. I know it! I love you. Have the best week!

LOVE SISTER MADISON MITTLEMAN

It Took Me About 45 Minutes, BUT I SCHAFFED IT.

April 6, 2015

IM STAYYYYYYING IN LÜÜÜÜÜBECKKKKK

Yes, it's true, I am now entering my fourth transfer here!! This will be twice as long here than in Braunschweig!!  Wild to think of it like that. As you may have noticed in past emails, Lübeck has been a refiners fire for me. And now it just keeps on rolling. SO LET IT ROLL. DEEP WATER IS WHAT I WANT TO SWIM IN.

In fabulous news, Sister Brim is staying toooo!!!! Much love about that!! Elder Whitaker is leaving, so Elder Peterson will get a new comp tomorrow. And my rad DL Elder Mace is leaving too! So his current comp, Elder Benfell will be DL. He'll get a new comp too. Oh and my fearless ZL Elder Carpenter is leaving to go be a ZL in Chemnitz; I'll miss all these toll elders but they will do work in their new areas!!!

So I had my baptism of Eis (ice cream) this week!!! There is a couple in the ward that always has this taufe durch eis (Taffy Ice Cream) for the missionaries. Friday morning there was this rad Easter breakfast at the church, and then we went to their house later in the evening. Basically it is just  A TON OF ICE CREAM that you have to eat all at once. Oh man, Br Riechel's face when he opened the front door, and then when he brought out the ice cream was just priceless. It took me about 45 minutes, BUT I SCHAFFED IT. Felt pretty sick later though, hahahha oh golly. I'll send some pictures.

EASTER morning we went and took a walk. This city is absolutely gorgeous!!! We talked to people in the street about what Easter and the resurrection means to them. We had some really cool conversations! That was awesome. Then we watched some GENERAL CONFERENCE. We watched some on Saturday too, then yesterday we watched all but the Sunday afternoon. That comes next week (oh the suspense!!) I loooooved conference!

Momma, I TOTALLY thought the same thing when the choir sang "Consider the Lilies". To think that seven months ago I was sitting there in little Mission Viejo, and yesterday I was sitting in a little dim room here in Lübeck Germany. I too was filled with awe and those sweet memories of that day!! It made me miss my family. So much has happened. I can't even begin to describe how much the time has meant to me. I love you.

Madison in front of her favorite view of Lubeck

Two of my favorite talks were from Elder Nielson, and Elder Runlend. 'Twas I, but Tis not I' SO TRUE. One of my favorite things about Heavenly Father is that He does not judge us for who we were in the past, but rather for what we are doing right now. He forgives us of our sins, and remembers them no more. Is that not the greatest or what? That is why daily repentance is so important, and taking the Sacrament each week. Through the Atonement, we can be born again, and become new creatures! So many possibilities await us if we will just get over the mistakes of the past and move forward with a perfect hope in Christ.  "No failure is final" Because of Jesus Christ we can try again. And again, and again. What a miracle!! I know that the Atonement is real. We must each find what it means to us personally, and we must each feel everyday that the Savior is there to lift us up. He suffered and died for us, because He loves us. I know I can never pay him fully back for what He did for me, but then again, He doesn't expect me to. He just asks that I try. So I will! I will do my best.  "If we do what's right, we have no need to fear." I love the Savior, and I know that He loves me. He is there. HE LIVES. Because He went through everything, so can I!

Happy Easter, a time of new beginnings!

Liebe Grüße

Sister Mittleman

I FELT LIKE I HAD WALKED INTO SOME GERMAN VERSION OF THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA'S LAIR

March 30, 2015

Last week of the transfer!! This time next week I will be either excitedly telling you I am staying here in der Hansestadt Lübeck mit liebe Sister Brim or excitedly telling you I am heading somewhere new in the vast green land of Germany.... Can you feeel the suspense CAUSE I CAN....

On a more serious note....

Yes, the rumors are true... I hit my seventh month mark!!!! Got me some DÖNER to celebrate. Feels like just yesterday and yet at the same time like foreverrrr ago when I got here. I can hardly say how much the time and experience has meant to me. I am so grateful to be serving the Lord in this blessed and lovely country. I love Germany. Need I say more?

Ok let's get to the good stuff.

 Most challenging thing of the week... the weird weather.

Sister Brim is doing well. She is absolutely hilarious!! We just have the funnest time together. She is friendly and just glowing with the Spirit. Shows people she cares in the way she talks to them. I love her :)))

Tuesday we tried going by on some referrals from a member on the street, but they were not interested. So we went by on this lady who was a contact in the area book (description: gypsy family- lolololol) I had tried her once or twice before, but she was never home. What do you think I am going to say next? Yes, yes she was home. Although the apartment building was pretty shady, their living room looked like a mini mansion. haha, strangely amusing. So we talked about the Book of Mormon, and she told us of her experiences with churches she has already ruled out as 'false'. She was really chill and hat sich total gefreut to get the BofM. We are going back tomorrow. It was awesome!!! Talk about being in the right place at the right time.

Wednesday we had a really cool district meeting. I MADE CINNAMON ROLLS. Yes from the recipe you sent me mom, A TOTAL SUCCESS. oh meine güte they were SOOOO gooooood. I will send a pic. Something we are doing now in our zone during DMs, are doing the lessons in 7, 5, 3, then 1 minute. So Elder Mace, district leader from England, rolled a dice to choose the first person, then that person chose the next person, and so on . haha nobody wanted to choose the sisters!!! Fine by me, but I do like giving the one minute lessons, those are hard!! Then later that day we had our tausch with our STLs, I went to Altona (hamburg) with Sister Clegg.  Came back Thurs afternoon. It was really solid, Sister Clegg is awesome. Really easy to talk to and make conversation with.

Thurs we went to a recent convert of about a year for a visit with the elders. the elders usually go, but the member invited us this time as well. HIGHTLIGHT OF THE WEEK. Coming at you. We walk in, AND I FELT LIKE I HAD WALKED INTO SOME GERMAN VERSION OF THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA'S LAIR. No lie. deutsche dunkelheit, candles, wack\really cool chandelier, almost minor classical music lulling in the background. He had literally built all this stuff into the walls, it was wild.  I was dying. It was so fun, He had a full spread of goodies for us as we talked. It was awesome. He is so cool, calls himself "crazy" (yes in english). Oh man that was definitely the highlight of the week.

Friday we met with Frau MH, brought Schw Becker along. SOLID. She has read and prayed about the Book of Mormon, but feels she has not yet received an answer. We talked about many things, recognizing an answer, Baptism, the Sacrament, and church attendance. She feels like maybe making the decision to come to church might be like practically deciding to join the church, from which she is afraid. (borderline german sentence structure??) Schw Becker gave awesome testimony of just coming and checking it out, and how awesome our church is, and why she should not be afraid to come. It was rad. I just felt so peaceful throughout that whole lesson. Frau MH is a real sweetheart with a strong faith. I love her so much! She goes on vacation this week, so we won't see her till next week (hopefully I am still here!!!)

Saturday morning right after we finished our studies, Chris from the ward called, and told us if we had no specific plans they needed help with a family moving. WHOLEHEARTEDLY ACCEPTED. Man oh man so we rolled over there in the bus IN PANTS. That was fun. sooooo sore after though! haha, our gml, Bruder Nowak, kept telling us how he couldn't recognize us in our jeans. Good times, good times. It felt awesome to help this family out, and serve there with some other ward members.

SO you have seen the “Because He Lives” video!! I love it. We have like a million little cards to give out, and invite people to learn more about the life and characteristics of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am so excited this week is Easter. The video is of course supposed to go on until Christmas, but especially with Easter this week, it is great to reflect on Jesus. I love the scripture in 2 Cor 12:10. Seriously, this scripture is golden. Christ went through everything for us. Everything! The song "I Stand All Amazed" comes to mind as well. I cannot even comprehend how much Jesus loves us, it is truly a miracle. He took on the world, and that makes it possible for me to take on everything that I am faced with. I can do everything through Him. I love Him.

SO STOKED FOR CONFERENCE. We will watch the morning sessions live. Women’s Conference on Saturday afternoon. Saturday afternoon on Sunday afternoon. Then Sunday afternoon the next Sunday (oh the suspense!!!) I really appreciate conference more as a missionary. My testimony of the prophet has really been strengthened as I have taught about the restoration of the  Priesthood and Gospel. I will be in Heaven. and with transfer calls Saturday morning it will just be craaaaazy fun!! I really hope you know how much I love this church, and this opportunity to serve a mission in Germany.

Have a happy Easter!!

Mach's gut liebe Familie!!

LIEBE GRÜßE

Sister Madison Mittleman

Pretty Weather, And Spending Time In A German Garten, What More Does One Need?

March 23, 2015

Greeeetings from Lübeck! Springtime is coming and it is slowly getting GORGEOUS. Two times this week I went out ohne jacke!!! ahhhh yeah!!! Also on the 28th I hit my 7 MONTH MARK. Wahnsinn!!!!

I GOT MY PACKAGE FINNNNALLLY.  I WAS STOKED: THANK YOU mommma the apron is sooooo cuuute and I have already worn it several times. Thanks for all the other sweet little things you put in! I looooved it and it maaade my birthday just straight up awesome!!! THANK YOU.

This week was reallly busy and fun! You should be getting a little postcard in the mail, but ill summarize a little more.

Monday PDAY.

Tues DUCK FINDING. So at a district meeting a little while ago when our zls came, elder carpenter told us of this time he and his companion bought these little plastic ducks and then put them on the ground near a pond, and just stood there. They would ask people if they thought their little duck family was eternal. AND HE SAID IT WORKED. Where do you think this is all going?? Totally sparked the curiosity of Sis Murdock and I (this was a little bit ago) SO we went and bought some little ducks, and then put them in the corner of our apartment, due to bad weather we didn't have the chance to do it. BUT since Sis Brim has been here the weather has been getting progressively better, so on Monday night, we said, "ok, if the weather is pretty tomorrow, then we do it" IT WAS; AND WE DID. oh meine güte. IT WAS SO FUN. We went out by this gorgeous mini lake, on a bridge, drew a little water on the floor with chalk, set the ducks down AND STOOD THERE. hahahaha oh man what a wild ride. We were right near a bus stop too, so every time a bus drove by (this is innenstadt in germany so that means often) it seemed like the whooole bus I kid you not was looking confusedly out the window. And of course everyone walking by was in awe and chuckles, or simply avoiding eye contact of any sort. Some people asked us what we were doing, and sometimes we would just ask people if they thought our duck family was eternal. Surprisingly, many people thought the duck family was eternal, but didn’t think that their own family could be together forever for that long as well. LAME, HUH?. haha giving testimony of the eternal family was fun and uplifting. This dude across the street washing off the patio of a restaurant came over and talked to us, and wanted a Book of Mormon. He is Muslim, but is curious about learning more. Then his coworker came over and told us we could come get some juice if we wanted. We talked to her too, she is from Spain, and is catholic. suuuper funny. She was curious about the differences between our churches, and about the Prophet. RAD. Needless to say, we had a swell time with our sweet little duck family. (Kudos to elder Carpenter for the idea.) Sorry no pics of that, when we do it again ill snap some shots!

Wed- chalked the plan of salvation with the elders here, aka elder Peterson and Whitaker. 

Chalk Art- The Plan of Salvation

elder Whitaker is from my group, and elder Peterson goes home next transfer. They are a funny little pair. So loooots of people talked to us and were interested in what we were drawing. Sis Brim claims not to be artsy, bus she soooo is!! After the elders left, we lingered for a bit. This one dude and I had a great conversation, while sis Brim played with his son. He knows much about our church, but is set in his faith. Still a solid talk of Christ and faith. when he was leaving, he thanked us really kindly, then he reaches into his bag and pulls out this little box of Niederegger chocolate and GAVE IT TO US. So nice!!! Yes I am cautious about taking candy from strangers mach keine Sorgen :))

Thursday-Sisters' Conference in Hamburg! I got to see Sister Harris, and I also met many new cool sisters. We were there practically the whole day. President and Sister Kosak talked to us, and the APs as well. All in english. (booo) I really liked what Sister Kosak said about self esteem; she defined it as the ability to solve our own problems. I had never thought about that before. Even if things are hard, as long as we know what to do to keep the Spirit with us, we will feel comfort, and we will not feel the heaviness of the trials or burdens placed upon us. That was a really uplifting day!! (President complimented me on my German and then hinted that I might be getting transferred; IT IS SO HARD TO TELL WHEN HE IS JOKING) (I love President Kosak!! Mal sehen about transfers.....)

We were going to Tausch with our STLs, but something came up with them, so we will do that next week...

Friday-district meeting. the zls came. That was really fun, as always.  I showed elder Pinyon a picture of Megan and her companion (herm. Gomez) and he  though that I WAS MEGAN AND MEGAN WAS HERMANA GOMEZ HAHAHHAHAHA OH MY GOSH I WAS DYING. That was a funny moment. We had an essenstermin with a family in the ward, and after we offered our help with anything, and she said we could help her weed the garten. lololol in my mind I was thinking yes of course some other day we shall return BUT SHE MEANT RIGHT THEN. So for almost two hours we were chilling on our hands and knees IN THE DIRT IN OUR SKIRTS. Oh my goodness it was soooo fun!!! Pretty weather, and spending time in a german garten, what more does one need? haha I didn’t even have a hair tie, so my hair was just all over the place. I will send a pic of the garten!

woooow this is a long email!!  (you’re welcome) but now to get to your questions...

Yes I am pretty good about writing daily in my journal!

Our little Muslim family we found doesn’t have time for three weeks or so, schade!

We took the man at the restaurant the Book of Mormon, and he said he will read and call us. He is a tiny little thing!

We go to visit frau MH this week with Schw Becker, she is praying to know if das Buch Mormon is true, so keep her in your thoughts!

Catherine is having a hard time with the ward, the language barrier is hard for her, but she continues to pray and read in the scriptures.

Another girl about my age, had met with missionaries a while ago, and then with school they lost contact, but we were able to make contact with her and we looooove her! She is coming back to Lübeck this week, so hopefully we will get to talk with her and she can visit church. She is really sweet and funny. :)

Best thing this week, was probably just everything!!! I loooved this week. I am feelin pretty good:)

Challenging? Uh..... Maybe having to leave my comfy bed each morning :)

Weelllllll thanks for all the love and support! I really feel it all. I miss you. Megan's emails are the best!! Love her and so proud she is having a solid time. I am eternally grateful to be on a mission. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, called of God. I know that through him, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ restored the true church and fullness of the Gospel. I know that Christ is my Redeemer. I love Him, and I love spreading the news of His life and purpose with others. STAY REAL.

liebe grüße

Sister Mittleman

PS Shout out to the Rich family for the cute announcement and talk!! loooooved it!! I was cracking up!!! Elder Kearon is actually coming to a mission conference we have at the end of April I believe, so I'll greet him for you ;)




My Heart Was Just FULL I TELL YOU FULL Of Love And Joy.

March 16, 2015

HALLO!!!!

Yes I am ALMOST 100 percent normal. Only a small cough remains. I have drunk lots o' tee this week!!!! Good thing my companion, Sis Brim is the best ever!! She has really been sweet and helpful and patient this week while I was sick.

Alright let's get to the good stuff.

On Thursday the weather was GORGEOUS  so we decided to buy a bunch of flowers and take them to some less actives/investigators/RANDOM PEEPS ON THE STREET yes that’s right. haha that was quite an adventure!! So the first lady we went to is a less active in the ward, since I’ve been here I have only been able to talk to her ONCE on the phone, and I’ve seen her ONCE in person at her door, but she had a besuch so she couldn’t let us in. BUT we went by, she opened up the door, looked at us for a few seconds, then said, KOMMEN SIE REIN. aka come in. AWWW YAAA. a miracle!! That was a really nice, visit, she talked much about her family and her current problems. We gave her some solid support and encouragement, and were able to say a prayer with her. She just kept getting more and more excited to show us pictures and give us chocolate as time went on. It was solid.  The rest of the flowers were mostly well received. Not gonna lie, if a stranger on the street tried giving me a flower on the street I MIGHT be a lil suspicious...so I can respect the rejection and the weird looks we got. But there were also many grateful and precious people who were happy to take them!! Doin work!

Yesterday we had ward conference! That was fun!! The place was packed. We were hoping that one girl we talked to a few times in the week would come, but she couldn’t make it for one reason or another. naja. The bishop and the stake president gave great talks. haha, one of the counselors had to translate the bishops talk for him, that was fun to hear a talk in englisch! After church the whole ward stayed and ate together. I got to talk to Sister Becker for a few minutes about how awesome their family is, and how they are seeing many blessings in their life right now. They are recent converts, and have been here in Lübeck since august. I looooovoe the Beckers!!! bruder and schwester becker are going through the temple this week, and I am just soooo excited for them!!! Seriously after we went home yesterday my heart was just FULL I TELL YOU FULL of love and joy. I was so happy. Man I never thought I could feel so happy as I have been feeling on my mission. TRUTH. I have had so many small experiences of just being so overjoyed and full of the Spirit. I LOVE IT.

So this week was a little slow otherwise. I mean, number wise one would say it's goin slow, but I totally think ITS HAPPENIN. Lots of looking for people who want to listen. It is hard, but I can feel the Spirit guiding us in many ways. Preach my gospel says that we can be satisfied when we feel the spirit working through us. AND I DO. All is well.

Thanks for the prayers, and support. I love being here, and I love giving all my time and effort to the Lord. I try to give it all, because I know that one day when I am home I will still wish I had given more. As a mission in our BOM study, we read Alma 5 today. I am sure that one day after this life, we will wish we had given a little bit more if we didn't. START TODAY. It’s all about making conscious efforts to change, and doing it!!! We are much more capable at that than we realize.

I know that the power of the Atonement is real, we can change into better people. Into the people the Lord would have us be. He has created us, and He loves us. He has a plan for us that is perfect and possible. I know it!

DEINE SISTER MITTELMANN

ps it has come to my attention that Zolander 2 comes out early next year....oh my goodness what a coincidence, I will be returning home right around then! GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT ;)

The apartment in Luebeck