AND DEUTSCHLAND WON THE WORLD CUP! That's right, we basically dominated. We couldn't watch the finale, but we had ward members texting us play by plays and it was pretty intense. They beat Argentina 1-0 in a 30 minute over time. At 11:30 last night we heard yelling and fireworks and lots of honking horns. It was pretty crazy. We expected to go out this morning and see remnants of party everywhere, but it literally looked like a normal day in Germany. That's just kind of how the Germans are. They have their moment of celebration, but then life just keeps going. I do know though that most schools are starting an hour or two later today so that kids can sleep in from watching the game last night. That's pretty cool.
This week has really been something. So far, summer here, has been super hot and humid, but randomly this week it started pouring rain and got pretty cold. We didn't know that was going to happen, but it did, so we pulled out scarves and sweaters and I got to use my umbrella a lot. Tuesday was the first day that is was really raining cats and dogs. It w
as perfect because there also happened to be a bus strike that day. Basically, we rely like crazy on the transportation system here, so when the buses go down, we go down too. The only option was to walk...a lot. So we did, in the rain. We didn't have any appointments that day so we were going out to contact potential investigators and referals. Literally, no one was home at all, so we spent that whole day walking around in the rain. It was thoroughly exhausting, but we did our best and had a pretty good attitude. When we got home for dinner that night, we wanted something super good and warm to eat. Sister Powell whipped out some chili and I found a corn bread recipe and made that. It was so good. I am actually really proud of how that corn bread turned out because I substituted a lot of ingredients too, and I don't want to brag or anything, but it was basically perfect. I take great pride in that corn bread.
Anywho, the next day, I woke up with a cold. That wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, but that's life and you just have to take what comes. I took good care of myself and bundled up a lot so after a couple days, it looked like it was going away WELL, that was not the case. Yesterday was probably one of the most amazing Sundays of my life. The sick thing is going to tie into it, but just roll with me here.
We went to church like normal and were sitting in our seats at nine because that is when sacrament starts. Right as it was about to start, one of our investigators and her less active boyfriend walked in the room. Missionaries have been meeting with them for a year and a half now. They are two super sweet people, but they have both been pretty nervous about coming to church. It's a scary thing to do when it is new. When they walked through the door I was ready to start crying. We have been meeting with them regularly and just trying to make sure they know that we love them and care about them. Them coming to church was an answer to so many prayers. It was a miracle.
Ok, so then, during relief society, I realized I was feeling sick again. I was going downhill pretty fast actually and really didn't feel like holding my head up any more. I was in that mood where you just want a good meal and a bed. WELL, we had to stay after church because later on that day there was going to be a baptism for an 8 year old girl in the ward and there was no sense in us going home. We just brought our lunch and study stuff with. We were going to heat up our left overs and eat it, when the family of the girl getting baptized invited us to eat with them. They had this fancy meal that they brought to the church and were going to eat before getting ready for the service. It was so nice of them and they insisted that we joined them. It was a super good potato soup and German bread. That was so nice of them. They really did not have to do that, but it hit the spot perfectly.
WELL, after that I really needed to lie down, so Sister Powell and I camped out in a classroom where she did studies and I fell asleep. I had about two hours so that was good. The baptism rolled around and it was super great. Seeing baptisms always makes me think of my own.
At the end THERE WAS SO MUCH FOOD. It was a major production. Basically the whole ward came, and everyone brought a beautiful plate of something. I tried lots of different things. When we were all done with that Sister Powell and I decided to head home because I could not do real missionary work. We began our trek to the train station and were about to walk up this gigantic hill. In my head there were two things I was thinking: I would really like to get to know the Weber family better, and I really don't feel like walking up this hill right now. WELL, two milliseconds later, the Weber family pulled up next to us, picked us up, and drove us home. Heavenly Father really does take care of his missionaries. It was just such a great Sunday.
Anywho, just so no one gets scared, I did call the mission nurse when I got home yesterday and she said that I have a virus that a bunch of missionaries seem to be getting right now. She told me to email and get groceries today, and then we are just spending the rest of p-day sleeping. Sister Powell is super patient with me, but yeah, it's a party.
Despite being sick though, life is really good. I wish I could spend all 18 months of my mission in Ludwigsburg because it is so great. Being a missionary here is the best. Heavenly Father really knows what He's doing.
So, that being said, I hope you all have a great week, make good choices, and drink lots of fluids.
Love,
Sister Smiley
Pictures: we kind of stumbled upon this castled one day on our way to an appointment and stopped to take pictures, my corn bread that I'm super proud of, and Sister Powell and I on the first rainy day.
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