Sister Ingalls Jr. - (Aug. 6)

Hey Mom!

Those pictures of Trayson, Charlee and the cat in the jump chair thing are hilarious! I think I've actually squeezed myself into that as well at one point..

Haha yeah, I feel you on the coming up with exciting things that happen in the week and writing them pro email. It’s true, I do it because I love you! It is hard to put a week into words. Like there’s good things, of course to report, but Monday I’m tired and like, uhhh what did I do this week?!

That’s really funny you asked about the culture of breastfeeding in Germany. To put it short, Europeans are very liberally with their bodies.. They just really don’t care sometimes! I think there are some pretty extreme cases and not too many people do it very publicly, but nobody really cares. They are just liberal with their bodies.

The name of my group email last week was pretty lame, I was just thinking of the part 2 of the scripture and how I found that to be true. My group emails are getting slightly lame but I like to believe they are helping someone. It’s cute, Mrs. McCormick usually answers my group email and sends good motivational stuff.

Oh, Brenda Heath messaged me on facebook and I feel super bad because I didn't respond. I'm really just staying away from Facebook at the moment because thats what Pres. Leimer asked us to do. So can you send her a little message for me?

I’m glad we aren’t using Facebook for a while. While training other sisters, I see that while some use it very effectively, the majority struggle. President Fingerle always said scrolling is a sin… haha… true. But President Leimer asked us to just take a step back from it so they can plan something effective and really think it out. I’m really glad, I just deleted it off my phone and tablet. It’s sad, some people have used it super wrong and lately a couple of missionaries have been sent home. It’s really, really, really sad. But I mean, the rules and safeguards are laid out very plainly for us, so you definitely know when you’ve done something wrong.

As much as I don’t like Facebook and am very... hesitant with it, it has taught me a lot. They are trying to build a sin resistant generation against abusing technology. Just like they have in the past against alcohol or smoking. It’s really cool, and I think it’s also really cool that the safeguards we have as missionaries are translated into safeguards for the rest of your life.

This week was a good one, definitely one for the books! Mishell wants to be baptized, and that is a huge exciting thing! I do love helping people prepare for baptism. It’s definitely a testimony builder. I hope she can stick to the really quick schedule, as she agreed to be baptized in 3 weeks! I love her so much eek!

Also... A crazy call from President came yesterday. Sister Baldock has been reassigned again! At the end of the transfer, she'll be going to the Bulgaria mission! LIKE CRAZY RIGHT?! Yeah that was really unexpected. She will be going to the Turkish area and helping with the work there. Wow. The Lord has a huge work for her! She was all like, “Awhhhh man I just picked up prepositions in German”!! Haha she's funny. We had a really good time together and I’m really excited for her. Her name has gone to the first presidency quite a bit😂

That probably means that I'll stay here again next transfer! That'll be crazy, 5 transfers is a ton. Who knows, might as well just finish my mission here and do 6 transfers! I’ll just move my records here and become a part of the ward. I already joke with the members about that. I’m not complaining, this area is absolutely amazing and there is so much to do.

I’m lovin’ the work here! I’m happy and healthy, life is good. Slightly tired but I just have to get over and go enjoy it. I can be tired later :)

I’ll just bring the nametags back for you then. Sorry they never got there, that’s really sad! I should actually be getting my Arabic nametags soon which is pretty cool! Unreal that I’ve gotten to learn this language. I’ve met the coolest people because of this language. It’s amazing.

I love you a million Swarma! Oh man, I tried it for the first time on exchanges with Sister Walker this week! Do you know what a döner is? Oh man I think you’d love German street food. Swarma is roasted chicken in Arabic bread with delicious random sauces and salad and pickles! Oh, it was heaven.
Much love, Sister Ingalls Jr.