Land of My Forefathers!

11/10/14

This week was great!

I was looking up street names and found Winkelstraße! Winkel Street! So cool! I’ll go get a pic with the street sign some time. Also there are tons of old windmills everywhere!

Yesterday we took a small trail to our apartment and walked right through a drug deal, thought about teaching the word of wisdom … maybe next time. haha. I’ve learned that success is found not just in baptisms (especially in Germany). If I can just bring someone closer to Christ then my purpose is being fulfilled. Sadly the investigator from last week called us and said that he looked us up online and that we are too strict of a church for him … a lot of people here have that mindset, that what church you belong to is more of a club. We’re told all the time “I already have the bible and have too much to read already.” which reminds me of 2 Nephi 29. What’s also funny is that we will tell someone about the Book of Mormon and they’ll get all excited and interested, but then we try to give them a copy they say no, and that our book is true, but they just don’t have time… I never thought I would get that reply!

But the people are great! We got a referral from this man to go and visit his mother! She’s like 80 and she’s always wondered about what her son believes, so we went over and taught her the first lesson and she loved it! She got so exited! And she said she would read and pray about it! While we were talking to her, we were talking about the bible and the word “Jew” came up. She immediately got sad and started talking about Hitler and the Nazis. She told us this story of about when she was a little girl. Her birthday was the same day as Hitler’s and every house had a flag outside their window, but hers, for Hitler. Her father refused to put a flag up which made her sad because she wanted a flag up for her birthday, but then later she realized the severity of what her father did, and how brave he was. Because she said he could have been “taken” for that. I learned that Germany is still affected by the war, especially the older people.

I get to talk to so many amazing people, I just wish I could understand them! After every time we talk to someone, Elder O’Keefe has to fill me in … but it’s OK because it will come! We got to go to Hanover for Stake Conference, and Zone Meeting this week so that was way cool! Especially since Grandpa spent some time there! We also got our bikes fixed, and got to go to McDonalds! It’s so much better here … it’s sad! The work here is really hard, but remembering my purpose and always looking to improve is what helps! I love you all!

Till next week

Elder Winkel

Mom I’ve been working on learning hymns! Because I can read notes it’s not too hard! So thank you for all those piano lessons! I wish I had taken advantage of them!