It's a Girl!

Hi Everyone! Well transfers happened and I said goodbye to Sister Mehr which is always sad, but I went to the Munich train station and picked up my very own brand new golden missionary! Her name is Sister Baker. She is from Teton Idaho (I guess it is close to Rexburg) and her mission is her first experience leaving the States. She is such a beast. So far, she has handled everything like a champ. She beasted her first Sunday, and her first eating appointment, and we had a lesson with a less active family with the Elders on Saturday which went a little crazy, but she just rolled with it which is a really good trait to have as a missionary. She never learned German before she came on her mission, so I'm trying to help her with it because it is really frustrating when you can't communicate with people. Normally, the rule is that you speak German whenever you aren't in the apartment and English or your native tongue when you are inside the apartment. She got here and asked to speak German all the time. I don't really mind because it's good practice for me, but of course, I'm not mean so we switch into English if something needs to be explained. It hasn't even been a week, but I already feel like I am learning so much from her. It is going to be a growing experience for both of us I think.

All in all, the week has been good though. On Friday we hosted a movie night in the attic of our ward building because it's perfect for that kind of thing. The movie was the Polar Express. Obviously, we the missionaries did not watch it, but we invited all of the ward members, their friends, our investigators, and basically anyone we saw on the streets. The turn out was pretty good. We got an appointment out of it with a family who is investigating the Church, so that makes it worth while. We made lots of popcorn that night and decorated the attic with loads of snow flakes that the Elders cut out. It was quite magical. 

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to take Sister Baker street contacting for her first time. It was just about 30 minutes because we had an awkward gap of time between appointments, but it was really cool. Sister Baker wants to share this gospel so bad, I can tell. I really love that about her. I love the desire that she has to really bring others unto Christ. We are going to channel that desire and really make things happen. This is the Christmas transfer. Miracles happen during the Christmas transfer. 

Oh! And speaking of Christmas, I didn't even tell you yet what our p-day was like last week. Sister Mehr and I demolished the Christmas market in Augsburg. Needless to say, it is beautiful. The Elders and a ward member joined us as we walked around to all of the stands and looked at all of the pretty things. The Elders made fun of us though because we were actually shopping. Why else would you go to a Christmas market? It was fun. We all got some things and some really good food. There is one stand where you can get everything imaginable for a nativity set. There are little buckets with baby Jesus in just about any size. We laughed at that one a bit. It was really fun though. I am just so blessed to be serving in this part of the world. 

I am taking Sister Baker to the market today :) This week we have a couple of exciting things coming up. On Wednesday we have the Christmas Conference for our zone. President is basically traveling all around the mission and doing this conference for all of the zones. I'm really excited though. I don't know what exactly we are doing, but Christmas is in the title, so it must be great. On Saturday, we have the ward Christmas party, and the missionaries were asked to sing The First Noel. I don't even remember the last time I sang a hymn in English, so we'll have to work that out. It should be fun though. I'm excited. We have been inviting people to that like crazy. 

But yeah, that's what my life is like these days. I hope you are all doing well and making good choices.

Love,

Sister Smiley

Pictures: Sister Baker and I with our tiny little Christmas tree, Sister Mehr and I on transfer day after getting her suitcases onto the bahn with some miracle, and Sister Mehr and I at the Christmas market last week