Joy and Thanks

Our experiences and blessings have been wonderful. Today in meeting we had three less-active members attend with us, one of which was also with us last week. Our Relief Society President gave a wonderful lesson about Faith, and mentioned a struggle she had overcoming adversity ( just the day before) and feeling the spirit in order to give the talk. The spirit she brought told us of her success over that adversity.

We had a fun Institute evening last Friday. There were 5 young people there and we enjoyed the lesson and games. Sister B made cinnamon rolls earlier and they were a hit. We have a fantastic new couple move into the branch from Utah and will be with us for 5 months. They came and joined us, though the husband was in the other room doing some homework. They both are anxious to help in the Branch.

We visited a gravesite service yesterday morning at a Friedwald. The German word for cemetery is "Friedhof" or "peace yard/field." This was a "peace forest." There is a trend here to bury deceased loved-ones in these special forest areas, among the trees and roots, mainly after cremation. It was a touching ceremony in a peaceful place.

After our experience at the Friedwald, we tried to find a lost member (unsuccessfully) and then visited a less-active member. She told us of her mother in a near by care center who is a member. We had no record of her so this helped us to find someone we can visit and help.

It is inspiring to see the progress Sister B is making with German. She still does not know the words to speak and much of what she hears are still unknown, but she reads in the scriptures very well with a pronunciation that is quite good. The Lord is blessing us in this regard, helping us both with the gift of tongues.

One language experience we had last night was a play we attended. Our second counselor (Branch Presidency) is an actor in this amateur acting club and they had their play performances this past week. The play "Für die Familie Kann Man Nichts" (For the Family you can't do anything), was presented in Schäbisch, a very strong local dialect. All the characters spoke this dialect except one (our brother) who spoke normal German. I missed most of the punch lines and Sister B. just enjoyed watching the others have a good time. It made me wonder whether I even know German at all. Still, it was funny.

We are feeling the strength of the Lord in this work. The last experience I want to mention is our teaching meeting with our young lady investigator. She has always been very accepting of us, and has included her sister in recent meetings. The last time we met, her friend from school was visiting and we taught them both, not the lesson prepared, but the lesson on the Restoration. This time the lesson was taught in German (all previous lessons were in English because the family is from Nigeria). It began with her (the friend's) question about how the church differs from her Catholic faith. It was a very spiritual evening and in the end she accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon, though at first she chose not to. We offered her the Book earlier and she felt that she could not accept it. As we continued to speak and read a passage in the Book of Mormon, she asked whether it was too late to change her mind and asked to have a copy. She has a sharp mind and is open to the Gospel. We pray that we will be able to continue to teach them. When I say we, the young Elders lead these lessons and we are basically participating, contributing as we can or are asked to. It is truly a joy to be a part of the work.

Thank you for all your prayers!