I realized that it's been a month since I published a post, so I apologize for being a slacker. I have recommitted to being more diligent and consistent. I actually have a plan. Let's hope it works!
We have been asked by family and friends what our day to day experience is like here in the mission. I've only posted what I thought were interesting events, so this post is to let you know what we do most of the time.
We were not given an exact assignment. We were encouraged to support, encourage, strengthen and bless anyone and everyone we could. That would include active members of the church, less active members and non-members. The "how" of doing that is up to us. We have discovered that, even just in our mission, that is different for every senior couple. Some are in large, active wards with lots of Young Single Adults. Others, like us, are in tiny branches with fewer members and few to none Young Single Adults. But there are a number of ways we can serve, regardless of our circumstances. In today's post, I will share some of those ways.
First, though, I would like to explain our situation with the language. We've had many questions about this. I came to Germany with the expectation that most everyone spoke English, so it wouldn't be that important for me to speak German. Not True! Most people have had some English training in school, but they don't use it much so they are not comfortable speaking English. If I ask if they speak English, they usually respond negatively because if they say "yes", they think I will expect them to be fluent. I've learned to say, "Do you speak a LITTLE English?" Then they can say yes and we can try to communicate. I have a great desire to learn German so I can understand, whether it is a conversation or a talk or a lesson at church. My vocabulary is gradually getting bigger and every week I understand more and more. The hardest part is speaking and putting the right words in the right order. I can read and listen and do pretty well, but speaking is the last to come. People are very helpful, however, and they are kind and patient with me. Bob's situation is different, but still challenging. It's been more than 40 years since he lived here and spoke German daily. He keeps saying that if his companion spoke German, he would be doing much better. It sounds to me like he's doing great, but he sees much room for improvement in his speech. We're both slowly getting better. Our old brains just take longer! Bob bears his testimony, in German of course, every month. I have born mine twice, the first time was right after we got here, so I read it. But last month I could say it without notes because I've learned the words and phrases. I felt the Spirit carried my feelings to the hearts of the members. We both have lots of opportunities to pray in German. I'm getting much more comfortable with that. Bob taught Priesthood meeting and has given a talk in church. Preparing for those experiences takes a lot longer in German. One weekend the branch presidency was gone, and since Bob has been called as the Elders Quorum President, he was asked to take charge of the Sunday meetings. He also taught Priesthood meeting that Sunday. That was the same weekend that one of our branch members passed away. The widow called us and we went to their home to extend support. We took food the next day and have tried to lend our support and comfort. Bob was relieved to have the Branch President return the following week.
One of the primary things I do to try to bless others is "cook". It's a really good thing that I like to cook! The week before last, I cooked 6 out of 7 days and prepared two dinners on one of those days. It isn't that much every week, but every week it is at least 4 meals. We always have the missionaries for dinner on Sunday and sometimes others join us. Then we feed our District after district meeting on Mondays. I prepare dinner for our Institute class in Austria on Wednesdays. Thursday is dinner for our Gospel Essentials class in Ravensburg. I always take something fresh baked when we go visit less active members or new people we are meeting and befriending. We have invited neighbors in our building to dinner to get to know them better. We have also attended several baptisms in Austria, so I take food to those as well. And then we have had a couple of Pot Luck lunches at the church. As you know, when you cook you have to plan, shop and clean up, so it takes a lot of time. I know I wouldn't have to provide so much food, but we feel it brings us closer to people and shows our love for them.
One of our favorite things is to visit active, less active members and new friends and to get to know them better. I must confess my frustration at not being able to converse as actively as I usually do. You all know how I love to visit! It's a good role reversal. Bob talks and I listen! Sometimes it is a challenge to reach people, but we're excited when we can connect. Visits take a considerable amount of time. Most people live a fair distance away and we don't want to rush our time with them. We want them to feel they are important to us. So visits usually take several hours. Right after we came here, a wonderful sister in our great little branch offered to visit people with us. She speaks excellent English. She knows most of the people we visit and we all believe it is good for those we visit to have this connection with a member of the branch. She is a former missionary and she also offers to share spiritual messages. We really appreciate her willingness to help us. She has become a cherished friend.
We have had a number of opportunities for "physical" service, for which we are also most grateful. We really love providing this service as well. We have worked in some yards pulling weeds, filling holes, removing rocks, removing bushes, trimming bushes, resetting patio tiles, and sanding and painting a wooden partition for a patio. The young Elders sometimes join us, which is great. They are encouraged to do service frequently. We love feeling like we bless people with our time. But the best part is visiting with them and getting closer to them while we do the service. They are always so kind and loving to provide us with some food at the end of our service!
We are grateful Bob has had a handful of opportunities to give Priesthood blessings. We visited a member of the branch in the hospital and Bob and the Elders gave him a blessing. We had a special opportunity when a sister in the branch was going for heart surgery and requested a blessing. The day after the blessing, when she went for her surgery, the doctor could find nothing wrong and the surgery was cancelled. We all had our testimonies of the power of the priesthood strengthened that day. We appreciate the faith these wonderful members show when they request blessings. It is inspiring to us.
Lastly, I'll just add that we try to spend our time reading the scriptures every day, studying the language, studying Preach My Gospel and preparing to help with district meeting training. We mail notes and write emails, and try to get to know our neighbors in our building, including the children who we absolutely adore. And then things just come up unexpectedly (on the phone or visits at our apartment, etc) that end up filling up our days.
There are still questions to answer, so I will do that in the next post. This one is too long!
