Yeah I've been dying to tell you this ever since I got the transfer call... I'm staying in Zwickau and I'M TRAINING a new sister! What the heck. I'm very nervous, very anxious, but hey, I'm excited as well! It's all going to be okay. I hope. Yeah! So yeah I don't even really know what to say other than I hope I can be a good trainer. I'm a mom already yay!!! I have been thinking about this a lot and obviously preparing and stuff, and every time I think about it I just feel so inadequate. Like there is no way that I can start running a program as a brand new missionary with an even newer missionary, after Sister Alton who they loved and literally idolized, leaves. What if the ward doesn't like us? What if they don't take us seriously? What if my trainee doesn't like me? What if I have nothing to teach her? Well, anyway, I was on the phone last night with Sister Smith aus Chemnitz to arrange travel plans, and I ended up telling her my concerns. She said that she had a really hard time with it too, but one of the members in the ward gave her a lot of comfort. The member said that 30 years down the road, our trainee won't remember how terrible our German was or how many appointments we made, but she will remember how much you took the time to love her. That was good to hear. If there is anything I can do right, I think that I can love her! Sister Alton taught me the things that I needed to learn, and I'll take those and run with them. There are a ton of things that I want to do differently though. Who knows, I might fall flat on my face but I want to try them because that's what I'm here for! I don't care if the ward doesn't think I'm the prettiest sister they've ever seen or that I am overly punctual and don't like to waste a ton of time at member's houses (I know its good to be over there, but 4 hours is excessive). Okay sorry, I ranted, but I'm excited for this new transfer even though it is going to be extremely hard. Hey, I have the strongest power in the Universe on my side!!
You are also never going to believe this, and actually you should probably be sitting down for this one. Are you sitting down yet? I'm giving you fair warning! Okay, here it is: I went shopping today and BOUGHT SOMETHING! Yes, I actually went into a store (two actually!), picked a few things out, TRIED THEM ON, liked them (even bigger shocker!) and bought them! 2 really cute shirts! I modeled them for you as proof, I'll attach them in a separate email to you and dad together. The black one with the flowy sleeves is super pretty, the picture doesn't do it justice. Sister Alton got the same one in a bright red.
Before I forget, I NEED your oreo cookie recipe asap!! Its the one with cake mix cookies and then you put them together with a cream cheese frosting? I kind of made a bet with Jared and Janina and I know they are going to win (at least I'm really hoping they do :-) ) Can you please send that to me within the next day or two?! Also, I need to know how much is in my bank account! I don't like randomly spending money without recording it.
That is SO exciting to be a temple ordinance worker! [I was just called last week and am super excited about it! Just like you, my daughter, I am a little nervous and anxious to learn everything and I feel slightly inadequate to the task, but the Lord called me, so He will qualify me! We are both going through a new adventure and I couldn't be happier about it! MOM] I'm actually a bit jealous. I so love the temple, it is my favorite place. I might get the opportunity to go again this transfer, we'll see! I have a goal to bring one of our less actives back to the temple!
That video of Gma was HILARIOUS! Made my day. What in the world kind of snorkel is that? That will be nice and comfortable for more turtle seeing! I'm excited for you to go to Hawaii. Is that coming up soon?
How is Sara doing? Is she showing at all yet? I heard she was nauseous all the time, I hope that is getting better. Thank you for all of the other updates! Sounds like life is going good back home as well! No, Brittney and Kyle aren't engaged yet, at least not to my knowledge. It'll happen eventually, but they are just planning general time things I think :)
So, the culture. I could just say European and that would suffice haha but I won't.
Food: Breakfast: Bread, cheese and apparently all kinds of meats. Kind of like abendbrot but for breakfast? Lunch is usually the biggest meal of the day. Very German foods include meat stew or pork with potatoes or Klöße (like mashed potatoes rolled in a ball around some bread. Weird to imagine but super super good, you would love them) [You know me very well babe! I love anything made of potatoes! MOM] and then rotkraut or sauerkraut. It's not too bad, it's just really heavy food. Best meal of the day is dinner though! Dinner is just abendbrot. It's like a smorgasbord of breads, hard and soft cheeses, spreads, meats and veggies. Usually some fruit on the side. I looooooove it. Generally though, they love their gardens and like to make stuff from them (that's not very hard considering some of these Garden of Edens have hundreds of different types of plants!)
Music: They surprisingly love English music. It's so funny, the little kids will listen to rap or some song and they have absolutely no idea what it's saying, but they'll learn the words perfectly and sing it. It's funny.
Language: so beautiful. I love German. I realize that I'm getting a lot better! It's still hard and I still pretend I understand the old people when they talk super fast and mumble-y, but I somehow know when to laugh at the right time and just go along with it! I'm getting better at talking on the phone though! That was the hardest part for me. My favorite thing to say is "doch!" which is somewhat translated to saying "duh!". It's my favorite thing when kids tell me how old they are and then I say doch! like "no way", and then we get into a little match saying doch! doch! doch! doch! DOCH! haha it's funny. The little kids are the best. They are patient with my language and they speak in pretty simple sentences as well.
Speaking of which, we had an awesome eating appt on Sunday after church! It was with the Hötzels! They are so cool. They are a younger family with two little kids. For the first little bit we just played with the kids and they read me their little books and made me hold their peeing little guinea pigs. The older girl stole my tablet and took a bunch of selfies and a 10 minute video of her guinea pigs hahaha. I gave the spiritual thought afterwards, and shared a little video about families. I had them write on little pieces of origami paper things what they can do to make their family happier. During the movie I put them all together in a Bascetta star! (google search it, I'm pretty cool for learning how to do that) All in all, it was really fun. It totally makes me want to have a cute little family someday, especially one that I can be with for eternity! Good thing I was raised in one as such a good example!
Well, pray for me this next week! I'm planning some fun things for us to do, so we will see how it goes! I love you a million Bascetta stars (I may have been a bit obsessed with making them this week while Sister Alton has been packing...!)!!!!!!!
Liebe grüße,
The one and only, Sugar Plum Fairy Princess
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