Well, hello!! Yeah, I'm totally old now that I've been out for more than 3 months... HAH! It was cool, I took a bit of time last week and looked through my journal. That is absolutely priceless to me! (P.S. thanks for getting me into journaling as a kid). I read the first page that I wrote in shaky handwriting on the plane ride to Utah. Man, time flies (literally)! It's cute to see that I had no idea what was coming, and the joy and happiness and growth I was about to embark on! Here is to another 15 months of trying to teach and be an example of Christ, and learn lots myself along the way!
That's a party that you got to go to the State fair with Ruth twice! Lucky! The food sounds soooo good. What in the world is a pizzarito...? [Pizzarito is a burrito with a flaky crust and pizza fillings inside it, cheese, sauce, sausage and pepperoni! MOM] That german store was so cute, did you get anything in it? [I didn't buy anything in the German store. It just made me think of you. MOM] I could probably send you cooler stuff for cheaper. There might be a surprise box showing up in the next month or so... We shall see...
This week was again pretty exciting. I'm pretty sure every day/week can be fun and exciting if you set your mind on it! We made some new goals and they've been pretty successful! We decided that we need to focus a bit on 1. finding new investigators and 2. doing real service for the ward. Well, pretty much everything that goes well works through the ward, so we started by making a giant poster with all of the ward members on it. We decided that we are going to visit EVERYONE on the ward directory during this transfer!! It's a big feat, but I think we can schaff it. So this week consisted of going by members, sharing a message and really getting to know them, and then sincerely asking them for referrals or service projects. We got a really good turn out on the service side! We set some things up for this coming week so hopefully that will go well! We also set up a TON of appts. this week, so we are going to be super busy! On average, our area would have 1-2 appts. a day, but we are setting up like 4-5! Don't worry, we are visiting the older people last because we know they need a bit more time to talk :) [I love how much you love the older people! I think you got that from me. They are soooo cute and so wise and so funny! MOM] It's also been a really successful way of meeting the members by bringing them a birthday gift! I mean, I make the same origami stars for everyone but they are pretty cool and different colors.
Another interesting thing this week, one of our investigators committed to baptism on Oct. 24! So yeah, that's really cool! I'm not really letting myself get overjoyed about it though, because I'm not entirely sure he is ready for that. He has a lot of progress he still needs to make, and we will see if he is willing to make it! It's a good amount of time though, and he has good support. Because of this though, I did have a really cool thought. I love the fact that with baptism, it isn't simply just something that the church does to get more membership. It is hardly that at all! There is a high standard of worthiness that you need to attain to be baptized. It's a matter of being able to take on the covenants you are making. If you are going to follow the example of the Savior and be baptized, you have to show a willing heart to give up quite a bit! But it's SOOO worth it, isn't it? Like I just can't imagine living without the blessings of following the Word of Wisdom, law of chastity, tithing, family history work, reading my scriptures, fasting, it could go on!!! There are no holes or gaps in being obedient to Heavenly Fathers wise guidance.
So about Zwickau. I tried to take a few pictures today to show you what it's like. It's actually pretty big, and the ward actually covers Wilkau-Haßlau, Rottmansdorf, Cainsdorf and a few other dorfs, which are like villages. Zwickau is a city. The best visual I can probably give you is downtown Anoka! But it has a big Innenstadt, or city center, and we live on the outskirts. I guess you could call it a suburb? But it's so beautiful, I feel like it will definitely be my favorite area. It just feels like home away from home here. Not too busy and loud, but you can get to that pretty easily! [I think every area might be your favorite area! I know you and you love everyone and everything! Haha! MOM]
I didn't give up on my goal to run every morning and man it feels GOOD! Some mornings were harder than others, but I knew if I could get myself outside I'd be motivated. It really makes a difference in my day, I have lots more energy and am even happier! Funny to remember back home, whenever I would get cranky you would tell me to go work out. It always fixed it! We also started a thing.... We decided that we are going to avoid all sweets (chocolate, ice cream, etc..) for the entire transfer until the Pday before transfers. I mean, inevitably we will have them sometimes at members houses but other than that nope! But the last pday of the transfer, for one day we can have all of the things we missed out on! I thought that was a pretty fair deal, and makes it seem a bit more special. I also planned out all of my meals for the week and only bought those groceries! Man, you save a ton of money and wasted food when you do that, plus you eat a lot healthier!! I know this paragraph doesn't have a ton to do with missionary work, but it's just who I am, I like that health stuff... I reeeeally miss going to the gym though. How are you doing with motivation, you getting ready for Hawaii?! :-) [I'm proud of you for staying healthy and eating right and exercising!!! You are my role model! I am trying to do the same but I don't have the same strong will and motivation, just the desire. I keep trying though! You totally kicked butt on our fitness log last week! That's awesome! MOM]
[About the video she posted on FB] Haha we just found a little setting on our tablets to make a funny video, and said "On Sunday, we go to church! Come with!" Probably the worst accent I've ever heard. I am nowhere near fluent or Native-sounding, but I definitely put time into learning the accent and I think I'm getting it! A lot of sisters just settle with "sister deutsch" which is basically a simple conversation, compliments and then gospel subjects. NO WAY! German is a handy language, and I want to be able to SPEAK it! So yes, slowly but surely I'm getting it. I feel like its easier in places like South America where everyone only speaks Spanish and they don't understand you if you speak English. Here, most people know a few words, and the younger generation is really good at it. Jared speaks perfect English, and Janina pretty much as well.
Overall, things have been going really good with Sister Grisham and I. We have so much fun and work really hard together, its motivating! We like to sing the pioneer children song a little differently when we walk: the sister missionaries sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked ANDDDD walked!! Haha yeah, I hope we stay together for at least two transfers. (Crazy to believe the holidays are right around the corner, what in the world??)
PS. The Minnesotan in me just has to talk about the weather and its BEAUTIFUL! Perfect long sleeve or cardigan weather. I hope it stays like this for awhile. We are both just basking in the cool weather.
Love you a million walks around Zwickau (I do it for the calf muscles!)
Love, Sister Macey Ingalls
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