As of today I've officially been on my mission for 8 months. Unbelievable! Its just like Simon & Garfunkle said, "Time hurries on, and the leaves that are green turn to brown."
The work is going a little slow for Elder Jensen and I, but we're both doing our best to keep our spirits high and strengthen our faith. All we can do now is step up to the plate, organize ourselves, and keep on truckin'.
Despite the lack of luster in the work right now, I've really come to feel at home here in Erlangen over the past couple weeks and am very grateful to be working here. We have a wonderful ward whose enthusiasm for missionary work is definitely growing. Our district this transfer is also pretty legit. All four of us know how to work hard and play hard, and we've already had some pretty awesome times. Last week we went to Höchstadt, a Dorf in the Erlangen area, and picked up some awesome things at this Sozial Kaufhaus, which is basically a German version of D.I. Elder Achtmann found this amazing shirt (pic attached) and I was able to get me a Mr. Rogers sweater and a couple cool mugs. Our biggest adventure so far, however, was yesterday, when we had what Elder Achtmann and Elder Anderson called "Davy Jones Jambalaya" for Sunday dinner. It basically consisted of shrimp, clams, and...OCTOPUS that we found in the grocery store, (pics attached). It was actually pretty good (despite the fact that the octopus squirted sea water in my eye when I bit into the head) but my stomach was dyin' later that evening.
On a more spiritual note, Last Tuesday was Zone Conference, and probably the best and most spiritually uplifting Zone Conference I have been to so far. The theme this transfer was "becoming a better teacher" which I felt was exactly what I needed. There were two things in particular said by two different Elders that really spoke to me and helped me realize what I need to change. After giving us some tips fro street contacting, Elder Bond, our new zone leader, said that we don't do these things because they're gimmicks to trick people into listening to us. We do these things because we love the people, and we want to make sure that we give the German people a better chance to accept the gospel. As you all well know, I can have a little chip on my shoulder about somethings and always kind of tune out when Elders talk about what I usually refer to as "fancy contacting methods," but what Elder Bond said gave me the right motivation to be willing to try out new things and put forth an effort to become a more effective missionary.
Our new A.P., Elder Williams, talked about how we all reach a pint where we kinda slow down in our progression as missionaries and just float for awhile, and eventually either choose to rise up again or just kind of poop out (if you'll excuse the expression). I realized that I am in this state of floating right now, and must decide to rise to the occasion and work even harder to become the missionary that the lord as called me to be, because if there's one thing I don't want, its to just give up and coast for the rest of my mission.
Lastly I would especially like to thank you all for your prayers this week. In many instances they are what keep me going. I am still going and becoming a better missionary to bless the lives of the people here because your faithful prayers keep me going when things are at their toughest. I love you all and hope the coming week brings you health and happiness.
Alles Gute!
-Andy
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