Sister Sierra Marlene John
OCT 27 GER-FRA
2007 N 900 E Unit 13
Provo UT 84602
I hope her writing continues to be as prolific once she leaves the MTC, but she has said that she is starting to have problems switching from German to English, especially when she is stressed or anxious; she speaks German! The miracles of the MTC!
Yesterday Sis. Bakker and I taught a lesson to one of our investigators named Yang. Yang is from China but moved to Germany to go to university. He's studying Biochemistry. He's super smart. But he wanted to know more about God so we decided to teach him. Yesterday we read the story of Ammon teaching King Lamoni. He teaches King Lamoni that the Great Spirit is God. It was so cool to see Yang read that story and then be able to apply it to himself. After we read the story and talked about it a bit, we taught him that he could talk to God through prayer and asked him if he'd be willing to pray to know that God is real. He was kind of nervous at first, but we reminded him that God is our loving Heavenly Father, and he wants us to talk to Him. We thank Him for the blessings He has given us, and we can also ask Him for things that we need. Then Yang got this look on his face and said, "But I'm so small. God is the Great Spirit, right? He's everything. And I am so small. I don't think I can ask Him for help because I'm not important enough."
My heart melted.
Sis. Bakker and I just looked at each other and then I got to tell him that God DOES love him. He is our Father in Heaven and He loves EACH and EVERY one of us. It was such a cool moment and it almost couldn't have gotten better. But then I said a prayer and then Yang said one of his own afterwards and it was just...... Meine gute it was so cool. This is why I am so glad to be a missionary. The lessons that Sis. Bakker and I have taught to our other investigator, Doris, haven't been going so well. But that one lesson with Yang made up for everything. I am so happy every time I think about it. I know every lesson won't be like that, but I want them to be. I now have a very clear and defined goal and I am so excited to work towards it.
So, other than miraculous lessons this whole week has been pretty good. Sis. Bakker and I have gotten really close to the Italian and Romanian sisters. Which really isn't that hard to do because they're AMAZING. I love them so much. But we played basketball with them the other day and it was so much fun! We can technically play with the Elders, but Sisters have to block Sisters and Elders have to block Elders. And with how short my companion is, it's not fair if we're the only sisters playing in that game. So we haven't played at all. But this week we did and it was so much fun. Then I got hit in the face with a ball because two of the elders were being inconsiderate and shooting at our hoop that we were playing at. I was a little bit less than happy. But it's all good because they left after that and I didn't break my glasses and I didn't have a bloody nose so it was all good.
Conference was so good!!!!!!!!! There were a lot of talks about parenthood and it was really cool because as missionaries that's kind of how we have to act for our investigators. We get to be their "parents" and teach them and love them. Especially love them like a real parent would. And the talks about women were FANTASTIC. I really liked them because I've been struggling with thinking that I'm not good enough and that maybe I really don't belong here and why did I think I could be a missionary in the first place? You know, the usual self-doubt that I carry around every day of my life. But after those talks, and our district discussion (which I'll talk about in a moment), I just felt so much love from my Heavenly Father that, I'm okay. I'm not perfect but I don't need to be. I'm doing my best and that's all that matters. That's all he really cares about because He doesn't call the qualified, but He most certainly qualifies the called. That's something that I really know now. (bold added by mom)
So. District Discussion. We had one Saturday evening after conference and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've had here at the MTC. Which is pretty impressive considering all the spiritual experiences that happen every day. Really, we didn't do anything other than just share our thoughts and our feelings about Conference. Elder Smith pointed out to me that I am amazing. Elder Clemente shared his personal testimony on how blessed he thinks our district is to have sisters and that we're amazing examples to him and all the elders in our district and zone. Elder Van Dam shared him testimony that we are angels and that we love people so much more easily than the elders and that we will teach people they could never get through to. Basically, it felt like the entire discussion was about how I needed to look up and stop thinking that I'm doing it wrong. Because I'm not. And my goodness gracious, I love those Elders so much. That night is my most favorite memory I will take with me when we all finally leave here.
Speaking of which, we're officially over the hill! 20(ish) days and counting and then we'll all get on a plan and leave for Germany. I'm really excited, but also really sad. I love my district family so much. Which is another thing that I've learned here: I never knew I could love anyone as much as I love my district. They're all such amazing people. There are only six of us, but it's great and I love each and every one of them. Elder Fugal is amazing and his tech savvy is something that I admire. Elder Smith has some really great insights and never skips a prompting to share them. Elder Van Dam always has a smile and is such an example of faith. Elder Clemente is always able to make us all smile with just a few words and has such a strong testimony. And Sis. Bakker is my awesome companion and is able to make friends so easily.
Every one of my district family members are so special and so bright. I don't want to leave them. I almost wish we could stay together in the MTC forever. Almost. But Elder Clemente would go crazy and then we would all follow suit very quickly. But really. I want to do my best to make sure I stay in touch with all of them as best I can for as long as I can. Because they're just too cool to not know.
I have to go finish laundry now, but I'll try and send some pictures later. Elder Fugal said he would help me figure it out later today so hopefully we can do something. Until then, he's set up a flickr account that he's posting all of his pictures to and sending us all the updated the link so I'll put that below. Elder Fugal has red hair, Elder Smith has blonde. Elder Clemente has dark hair, and Elder Van Dam is the one with brown hair. And then Sis. Bakker has curly orange hair. And I'm me. Hopefully you can figure out who everyone is from that.
I love you all, and I miss you. But I know that the Lord is watching out for you because I can feel it every time I think
about it. Please re-read the conference talks and really think about them. They're truly amazing and they come from the prophets that have been called of God. And that's pretty neat.
Love, Sis. John
Forgot the link to the pictures. Heh. Sorry. Here it is.
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