God Works

Why hello my dearest family who I love so much! I have some really neat stories!!! 

So remember that one time where I was singing on a bahn to the kid name kris and he almost got slammed in the bahn doors trying to give us his information.... WELL GUESS WHATTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

WE FOUND HIM!!!! God really wants Kris to hear the gospel!

Let me start from the beginning. After chruch yesterday we had an Eating appointment that went far to long. We tried to leave but a million different things happened that made us late getting out the door. We had an appointment scheduled with an investigator Marcus who lives an hour away. So we hop on the bahn praying that we will be ontime. Well a couple bahn changes later we realize that we are going to be 15 minutes late! In Germany you are NOT late. So I had to call them and tell them we would be late. It was really scary but they understood. So finally we get to the stop, jump off the bahn, run up the stairs, and see Marcus adn Marie wiating to pick us up. (from there we usually go to Marie's house). But because we were late we did not have time to go to her house so we had the lesson in the car. This TINY german car. But let me tell you... it does not matter where you have the lesson as long as the Holy Ghost is there everything works out! AND THE holy GHOST WAS THERE!!! It was a beautiful lesson that we had with marcus. So after our lesson we went back down to the Bahn. Well lucky for us the next bahn did not come for another 20 minutes!!! toll. So we just sat and waited and talked about the lesson. FINALLY the bahn came and we hopped on. As we are coming to the stop where we have to change bahns i have a prompting to look up. So thats what I did. And WHO did I see you ask..... KRIS!!!!  Remember that one time where I was singing on a bahn to the kid name kris and he almost got slammed in the bahn doors trying to give us his information.... WELL GUESS WHATTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

WE FOUND HIM!!!! God really wants Kris to hear the gospel! WE FOUND HIM!! I start FREAKING OUT!!! Jump off the bahn and Sister Shelley and I RUN over to him!! He was very suprised to see us and was a little nervous that we were going to start singing again... bahaha! But we told him we would not sing to him this time. haha. We talked with him for a while as we went on our way and guess what!! WE got his information and are setting up an appointment!!! SOOO HAPPYY!!! God Works everyone. Remember that! 

And!!! This week we were walking down the street and I started talking to this African Girl. She turned and looked at me and said, "I dont speak german!" Relieved I said, "HEY NIETHER DO I!!" We then had a lovely thought provoking conversation about the gospel in English. She told me that she was from Ghauna and had actually gone to church before. When she came to germany she had tried finding the missionaries but could never find them. She was so excited to meet with us. I got her name and address and then realized that she did not live in our area, but the Elders in our district were over the Area. So i told her that and told her they would be contacting her! She was so excited!!!! THE LORD is preparing people for his gospel! He is working hard so that every nation kindered tongue and people can hear his gospel! 

I am so thankful that I am a missionary! I love this work so much! I love being here in Germany and I LOVE MY SAVIOR!!!! 

Have the best week ever! Know that I pray for you all everyday! Have fun with Jacobs play and with school starting!!! I love you all!!! 

Josie 

And the train doors came tumbling down...

HELLLLO all you Americans... hows the american life treating you. I hope it is well. I am just ere in germany living the dream having fun!! Pressing forwards. Yea know, the good stuff. 

Okay enough jabber I gotta tell you two cool stories that happened before I run out of time

So this week on monday night we were coming home from an Essens termin and it was getting late. We were at the bus station and there was only one other person there. So being missionaries what do you do in a situation like that... YOu go over and TALK to them OFCOURSE! So we walk over and see that this person is not a person at all but a little youth. He was 15, smoking, and looked like he was about ready to fall over dead. I started talking to him and he said that he needed some pill... I got a little nervous but decided no, this kid needs more than that- he needs the gospel. He asked where we were from and eventually talking turned into the first lesson points that we have a lovely heavenlthy father. It was litterally like magic- as We were telling this boy these things he stopped smoking and actually listened. You could see his mind working and his countance change. Well the bus came so we got on together. We sat by him and continued to talk. We asked his about music- he said he lioved it. So what did we do.... I will tell you... right there on the bahn we got out our german hymn books and started singing. (dont worry there were only two other people besides us on the train and they had head phones in). At first he was embassared and was like WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!! haha. But we just kept going. At the end of the 1st verse we stopped. And he jkust looked at us. We asked him if he wanted us to keep going and he said, yes!!! So thats what we did! We sang all four verses of Nearer my gott zu dir! it was inceredible! AND!!!! the other two intenese dude that were on the train with us took out their headphones and were listening!!!!! The spirit was about to burst through the train it was soo strong. Well we continued talking to this boy and all of the sudden hie was like oh NO! this is my stop!! I was like NO! we need your contact information. I wipped out my planner and he started wiritng down his name but the train was starting to move and the door were slamming shut ask he ran to get off frantically writing... it was too late. He jumped off the train with my planner in hand.... and at the last second threw my planner back on the train with unfinished contact information... As the doors slammed shut we both just stood there looking at one another. This 15 year old kid looked devastated.As the train drove away he just watched us till we were out of sight. My heart broke into peices. tears werein my eyes as I realized that this boy, 15 years old- who was destraught when we first met him, had a new light in his eye when we left. And the fact thathe was not going to be able to hear more about that light broke my heart. PEOPLE!!! Do you realuize that this gospel the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST can change people. Just a glimpse of it can change someones whole outlook on life!!! We have such an incredible thing here! We MUST MUST MUST share this with everyone. I know that this church is ture and I have prayed morning adn night since Monday that this boy, Kris will find the church someday.And in some ways we are all like this boy Kris. So lost, searching for something to help us get through this life. But unlike Kris, we know who will help us get through this life. Our savior jesus chirst and father in heavebn. They are there. We are never alone. Remember how lucky you are to have this gospel in your lives!! 

I love you all. 

SIster Nilson 

HOUSTON... We have a Problem!!

Well my dear family... This week was transfer calls. It was kinda a sad
day. We heard that Sister Cluff is leaving. She is going to Rostoch and
will be trainging AGAIN! It is right by the ocean. She is super excited. I
am staying in Langenhorn and will be here for the next two transfers I
think. It is good because I really love this area. And guess what else... I
am TRAINING! What in the WORLD. My first thought was... okay I have four
days to learn the entire GERMAN language and be able to understand
everything...4 days...yea, that is doable... WITH THE LORD!! When I
recieved the phone call we were on exchanges and my sister training leader
pulled out every scripture on "whom the lord calls he qualifies" on me. So
I am just putting all my faith and trust in him and know that it will all
work out!!
This week was very busy for Sister Cluff and I! We had final lessons with
Bruder Soltani and Afshin, and it ended with 2 BEAUTIFUL BAPTISMS!!! It was
such an incredible experience!!! Earlier this week we had been praying for
an answer to make Afshin was ready for baptism. We knew Bruder Soltani was,
but were a little nervous about his son. On tuesday we had our lesson on
Tithing. I had prayed to feel whether or not Afshin was ready. As we talked
about tithing, Sister Cluff and I both bore our testimonies of the power of
Tithing. When we extended the commitment to pay their tithing after they
were baptized Afshin said "Ofcourse! Everything I have comes from god, the
least I could do is pay back 10%!!!" It was a Miracle and a answer to our
prayers. WE KNEW THEY WERE READY! These two men have been so prepared to
recieve this gospel.
On Thursday we had quite an interesting lesson with our Bishop, Elder
Larsen (our District leader), his companion, a joint teach, our ward
mission leader, and sister cluff and I. The room was very full and it was a
crazy lesson!! The Bishop was a little hesitant about them getting baptized
and there was a lot of back and forth.Two and a half hours later.... they
finally were able to have their baptisimal interviews! And they were
marvelous!!!! They know that this gospel is TRUE!
Sunday we got to church and the meeting was starting and both Bruder
Soltani and Afshin were not there. I ran out to call them and both of them
would not answer. I called at least 10 times... CRAZY STOCKER
MISSIONARY!!!!...haha. and FINALLY they answered. They said they were on
their way! That was A MIRACLE! Then I went back in and Sister cluff, Romy,
and I were all sitting their PRAYING they would make it for sacrement. AND
guess what happened... WE SANG THE WORLDS LONGEST SACREMENT HYMN!!!!! it
serisouly was four verses sung at the speed of a snail!!! ANOTHER
MIRACLE!!!! Then we saw them!!! At the end of the song they were there!!!
They stayed for all three hours oh church and then after were chagned into
their baptism clothes. Bruder Soltani wanted to wear a full jump suit and
was pumped, but Afshin was like DAD! You are NOT WEARING THAT! That is
embarrassing! BAHAHA! As the baptisimal service began both of them were
grinning from ear to ear. They were so happy! They got baptized and it was
such a beautiful moment!!! Seriously so wonderful!! We told them both that
they needed to wear under clothing under therr baptism clothes... but
apparently they got too excited and forgot cause once they were in the
water you could see everything!! Luckly they had on their good ole whitie
tighties on!! The ward members were laughing but they were so happy they
did not even care. Bruder Soltani thanked everyone from the baptisimal font
before getting out! It was so incredible. It was wonderful to see them so
happy! Both of these men have been so prepared and have both been searching
for such a long time and they FINALLY found the truth. It was yet ANOTHER
miracle! The service was incredible with the talks and testimonies. Afshin
has a daughter who is 4 years old. When we went into the baptism room she
pulled up a chair right to the font and sat peering over it. She was so
happy to see her father making these covenants with god. The ward members
that were their were so loving and kind it was marvelous. As Bruder Soltani
and Afshin  were leaving the baptism we saw in Afshin's bag about 100
tithing slips!! We were so Proud! They love this gopsel so much!
AND I SAY UNTO YOU!!!! GOD WORKS!!!!!!!! He is there. This is his gospel.
WE have his athority on the earth!! We have the priesthood! We can become
baptized and enter into a conenant with our father in heaven. HE LOVES US
SOOOO MUCH!!! I am so thankful for this oppertunity I have to be apart of
this great and marvelous work!!

I love you all soooo much and am so gratful for the example you are all to
me. ROMY got to some and visit me this weekend and it was so wonderful
having her their. Thank you to everyone and your letters!!! You are all so
wonderful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We had so much fun
together!! I lvoe you so much and am LOVING my MISSION!!! Everyone Serve
one... hehe! Love you!!!! ALL!!

Sister Nilson

Waiting on da Woad to Damascus

I hope you are all ready for this. Please strap yourselves in, because this week was absolutely SPECTACULAR. And by that I mean absolutely hilarious. IT'S GOING TO BE A BUMPY RIDE.

P-day Sister Cluff and I got invited to go bowling with the Elders and a wenige aktiv in their ward. We were cleaning before we headed out, I thought I would deep clean the bathroom. The drains were so clogged so what did I do... I became PLUMMER MAN!! Got my gloves on and went to work. You would not even imagaine the things I pulled out that shower drain!!! I am pretty sure it had not been cleaned out since 1830-when they bought the apartment for missionary work... (haha okay not really...) But seriously PEOPLE! it was NASTY!!! So after I had deafeated the terror drain of all times I looked over and saw the sink drian. I thought... man that probably is relly nasty too. I am going to clean that out. Well what I did not know (because I have never cleaned out a drain in all my life... THANKS DAD for always doing that...) is that the sink drain connects to that big silver pipe underneath it... So as I unscrewed the top ALL of it came tummbling down and all the sudden water was shooting EVERYWHERE and there was the nastiest poop looking stuff spread all over the floor!!  (the floor i had already cleaned). I burst into laughter and sister cluff came in to see me. Holding part of the sink in mu hand... it rocked!!!!  

Sister Cluff and I have had bikes sitting in our keller for EWIGKEIT and the only thing stopping me from forcing Sister Cluff on those bikes was a lack of a helmet..... so we bought one right when we got home. IT HAS FLAMES ON IT!!!!! we are so legit. So we ride down to the church while flashing everyone because skirts are really fun to ride bikes in and have a really nice lesson with a wenige aktiv from the Ivory Coast in Afrika. Afterwards, I pulled out the tire pumps to get some more air into the wheels before I left.... and instead of pumping air into the tires, the pump let all of the air out. So we were stranded down at the church, past curfew calling our district leader about how to use a german bike pump.Sister Cluff was about ready to burtst because I had made such a big fuss about how much FUN riding Bikes would be and then BOOM! No Air in the tire. I started laughing so hard I could not even contain myself. I had to hand the phone over to sister cluff cause I could not even talk to our district leader I was laughing like a hyena!! Basically i was delirious and on the ground laughing THE WHOLE TIME. Our district leader, bless his heart, puts up with alot. So we ended up having to just leave our bikes at the church and walk home... because GERMAN BIKE PUMPS ROCK! 

TUESDAY, Br. Wieckenberg and Manu ( a JAE (YSA) in our ward) bring over a desk to our apartmant so that I don't have to use a kitchen table for a desk anymore. While they are there we ask them to fix our light fixture that has been broken since before the dawn of time. Br. Wieckenberg drops the glass disk that goes over the light bulb as he is trying to screw it in, onto the floor and it EXPLODES into thousand of tiny sharp shards of glass, all over the carpet. So instead of study time we got to vacuum! And we are still finding glass all over the apartment haha. It is like an ester egg hunt everyday, except the egg is a shard of glass and you find it in your foot. So it is really easy. :) We had a lesson with Herr Sultani and Afshen and watched the Testmants. THEY LOVED IT! They have never seen it before and Herr Sultani started singing the Hallelujiah song when Jesus comes down. It was so cute.

WEDNESDAY, we had zone training meeting. President was there, so it was a party. It was actually one of the best we have had! Our district did a musical number, we sang Abide With Me in German and there was lots of harmonizing and it was very beautiful :) Afterwards we stopped by for our appointment with Marc Buckley (the man we got a referall for) We were really nervous and had no idea how it was going to go. We decided we would do our best to get to know them and try and get in a lesson that fit their needs best, if they would even let us. We got there, he is american, from Salt Lake City. His wife is German and his son was visiting from America for the Summer. They let us teach in English!!! BOOYAH!!!  We found out Marc used to be a member and has a daughter on a mission in LA. She made him promise to try taking the first missionary lesson with his wife and to see how things went. (She isn't a member) So we gave the first lesson and invited the whole family to read in the book of Mormon and pray together as a family. They accepted!! It is so incredible to be the missionary, knowing their is another missionary in LA (his daughter) doing the exact same thing we are doing and that she is praying soo fervently that her father will accept the gospel again. They are such a special family and I can not wait to see what happens.

Thursday was awesome. Sister Cluff and I went to go help an older man in our ward move into a new apartment. He has cancer and a lot of other health issues and can't do much, but he had to be there with us to organize his things. He couldn't lift boxes and things to take them over to the new apartment, so we had to have him stay at his old apartment while we took things right across the street to his new apartment. He can't stay alone in case he falls down, so we had this brilliant idea to ask a neighbor to stay with him while we were gone for a few minutes. So we go next door and Sister cluff knocks on the door and this crazy old lady opens the door. The second the door opens my eyes go wide and I think my jaw it the floor...yes... the LADY had NO pants on. She was a jolly woman, jolly like Santa Clause and has no pants on. Meanwhile sister Cluff is explaining the situation to her and had no idea what was going on. I tried to get sister cluff to stop asking her... thinking poor  Br. Wölfl (the man we were helping), but she did not get the hints I was throwing at her. Trying to stop myself from falling to th efloor in laughter I excused my self and Sister cluff left the door to go get Br. Wölfl. As she was leaving the door I saw her eyes widen... that was when I knew she had seen that I had seen... Do you see what I see...

Poor Br. Wölfl we had to leave him with this psycho old lady. I am sure he was terrified.Luckily he is so nice and went in while we left. However I am pretty sure he stayed there until we turned the corner to leave and then ran back to his apartment, because when we got there he was sitting in his apartment alone! we both knew EXACTLY why he had not stayed... 

Friday we rode our bikes all day! Yes, We fixed them and it was PURE BLISS!!! Sister Cluff is very little and had a hard time riding sometimes...but we just kept putting along... I was LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT! We had an eating appointment that we road them to and we parked them outside their house in some bushes so we could lock them to a fence. The whole appointment our legs were itchy and felt like they got stung by an insect.I was a little concerned but sister cluff seemed to be fine with stinging bubbling legs... Afterwards we realised there was some kind of venomous german plant that attacked our legs! That ROCKS! So we had some really cool skin rashes. We were so proud of them. We were also able to use it as an excuse for icecream! :) heehee It was perfect!!! (Don't worry mom... my legs are back to being rash free... no need to worry).

Saturday we got Tschussed by an investigator. Meaning they told us they did not want to meet with us anymore. That was really heartbreaking.It was hard for me. They have a little boy with austism that plays the Ukelele!! I had gotten Uk chords from katie last week to play I am a Child of God for him. I was really sad. They tried to give back their Book of Mormon, but we wouldn't take it. We told them to hold onto it, as a gift from us. Hopefully one day they will change their mind and give it another try.I know they will! 

Sunday we went over to the Timms home for our eating appointment. They are this crazy old couple. They are SO funny. They have the BIGGEST HOUSE we have seen in GErmany, and it is filled with the creepiest statues and rocking horses. I would not want to be there at night...

AND Guess what they fed us for dinner???? Cake! NASTY GERMAN Cheese cake, and apple cake. It was really healthy!  The whole time schw. Timm was going on about how important it is to be healthy (she is a health nut) and saying how she was just going to eat fruit and that when you eat too much cake you get fat and then cancer and then you die, all while she was eating cake crumbs as she served everyone cake. She ended up eating the cake crumbs off of sister cluffs plate! Sister Cluff and I just about LOST IT! It was so funny. They also wanted to feed us some raspberries they got fresh from the market, which somehow ended up in the oven. They seemed really surprised about that. The whole house smelled like burnt raspberries. Which to be honest is actually a really nice smell. They should make a candle for it someday. Br. Timm is realy cool, he is a construction engineer and designed the big football stadium here in Hamburg. So, we met a celebrity basically. He also thanked us for saving him from Hitler. We told him 'You're welcome' :) THREE CHEERS FOR THE RED, WHITE, and BLUE! 

Well that was our week. It was quite spectacular. OH! This is the last week for this transfer! So we will be getting transfer calls on FRIDAY! AHHHH! SIster Cluff feels that she is leaving again to train.On Wednesday when president was telling us that he needed 9 new trainers he looked right into her soul... So basically she is leaving... which we are SOOOO sad about.I love her and she loves me... We are basically just one big happy family. 

WE SHALL SEE!!!! 

Attached is the song that Sister Cluff and I have decided is the theme form this week. Please listen and keep us in your thoughts :) THANKS!!! Love you all!

big fat LIEBE GRÜßE!

I love you all!!

Have fun at SUNVALLEY! Tell the cabin hi for me... If it even remembers me.. I have not been there in AGES!!!! 

Well love you all!! 

Sister JOSIE Nilson. The missionarin in Langenhorn! SUP! 

Oh guess who I get to see this weekend ROMY!!!!!! She is coming to do a SPLIT WITH ME!!! YAYAY!!!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KATIE LAST WEEK! I am stupid and forgot to put it in my email... but did you get my card??? It rocks! 

Love you!

America!!!!! America!

Hello FAMILIE!!!! 

HAPPY 4th Of JULY!!! We had district meeting on the 4th this week and we sang AMERICA songs and recited the Pledge with an AMen at the end. Ah. It was simply beautiful. This week started out a little interesting. I got really sick and was out for the count on Monday and Tuesday. Thankfully one of those days was p-day so i was not out too long from serving the Lord. I Love being a missionary and I realized that even more this week when I was not able to go out and FIND people to teach!!! 

Ah. Being in Germany is marvelous! This week we were walking to an appoinment and it started raining. Never in my life have i seen rain like this. Think of South Carolina on Steroids!!!! We were instantly drenched and had to go home and CHANGE! it was that bad!!! My backpack was soaked and everything inside of it was wet as well. It ROCKED!!! BEST DAY EVER! So we hung things out to dry and everything is back to brand new! 

This week we had some amazing miracles. We did District finding this week and the Elders found a family that the missionaries had lost contact with. They set up an appointment with the family and we were able to go and teach them on Saturday. The Mom is from the Caribbean and the Father is German. They have a 13 year old son who is autistic and is the cutest little guy in all the WORLD! He LOVES Music! I was excited :)! We gave them the first discussion and I was able to give them part of the Lesson in GerMAN! it was a MIRACLE! haha. They committed to read the BOm and we made a follow up appointment! It is so grand! I love love love being a missionary. My favorite part of the whole lesson was when we started talking about Joseph Smith the mom remembered the story from when missionaries had taught her before. Her face lit up!! After sister cluff was done I asked her what that meant to her and why she had gotten so happy! She told us that she remembered the story and knows that he is a prophet of god!!! It was amazing!!!!! I was soooo happy! It was a great lesson for us.

This week was the week of contacting! We were able to get a hold of another investigator that we have not been able to reach of a long time. She is a philipino (totally spelled that wrong...) woman (Shout out to seth!) and we have not been able to get a hold of her for a while. I was able to meet her and Sister Cluff gave a brilliant spiritual thought. It was marvelous! 

Well my family... I do not have a lot of time left but I just want to tell you how much I love you. Being a missionary is so incredible. And although sometimes it is super hard... That doesn't even matter!!! Cause on that same day you meet someone who listens to your message or find a new family to teach! It is so amazing!!

Everyone keep up the good work and continue to have an amazing summer!!! 

Love you all!!!

Josie

OH!! P.S.! Our investigator H. Sultani with the baptism date came to church EARLY on sunday!!! And he was sick, but he came anyways because he said he did not want to miss the chance to take the SACRAMENT!!! He is the best!!! 

Okay love you all!!!!

Josie

NEVERTHELESS!!!

Hello my sweet family who I love so much!! You guys rock my world! Thank you for the Birthday package! I love you all soo much! The notes literally made my whole LIFE!! You guys are by far the best family ever!!! 

This week was such a dream! It was marvelous!!! Agnes my cute investigator from Ghana who would never even pick up the Book of Mormon read it!!!! She had a lot of African dreams... (she rocks) and so what did we have her read... LEHI’S DREAM! She loved the story when we were telling her! It is so incredible to see the Lord opening her heart a little more each time. I adore this woman!!

H. Sultani is still doing well. Due to the New Bishop in our ward we had to move his Baptism. Our new bishop is going to be gone for the next couple of weeks and wants to be there for the Baptism. So the new date is in a Month. July 21st. When we told H. Sultani he was very disappointed. It literally broke my heart into a million pieces. We explained why and he understood. But on a happy note his son started coming to our lessons!!! And now Afshen, his son, wants to get baptized too. So we told him that they could both get baptized together on the 21st and He was very happy!!! It was marvelous!!

We had Zone Conference this week and let me tell you it was a cherry on top of my little sundae!!!!! It was brilliant! Sister Kosak talked about the difference between Disappointment and Discouragement. She told us that Discouragement is dangerous. When you become discouraged and dwell on it you begin to weaken your faith. We forget that God is in control and that this is HIS WORK. She said to be careful that we are not weakening our faith. We already have the world against us as members of this church we do not need to add ourselves! That was really good for me to hear. Not knowing the language has been eating me up inside... but guys, it does not matter. Because look at everything I have! Sister Kosak said, “The remedy for discouragement is GRATITUDE!!!! Can I get am AMEN!!!! We receive so much more than we actually give. When we focus on the blessings we have it increases our happiness, which in turn increases our level of energy, understanding, and empathy. We all need to look for the tender mercies in life. Focus on all that is good. Never look down. Constantly be looking up to the lord!!! I love the LORD!! He WORKS! in 1 nephi 18:15-16 it says, 

15 And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea. And after we had been driven back upon the waters for the space of four days, my brethren began to ^asee that the judgments of God were upon them, and that they must perish save that they should repent of their iniquities; wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof.

 16 Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did ^apraise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.

NEPHI ROCKS!! Even though nothing good had happened to him. Even though he was swollen and sore we said NEVERTHELESS, I did praise God!!! When we are struggling with something and it is getting us down immediately think of Nephi and say NEVERTHELESS I will praise God!!! 

I don’t know the Language, NEVERTHELESS I know I have the spirit of God and he will help me through all mine afflictions!!!!!

This gospel ROCKS! I am so thankful for it. Remember God WORKS! I love you all so much! Thank you for all your prayers and fasting for me. Guys... you fasted yesterday and 8 investigators showed up at CHURCH!!!!!!!!! We have had 0 for the last MONTH!!!! That is huge!!! God answers prayers!! I love you all soo much! Thank you for all your love and Support!! 

Love you,

Jos

A watermelon hanging on the vine... on the vine, on the vine, on the vine.

Hallo Familie,

How is everything going? The pictures of you guys going fishing up at Chad's sister's cabin look incredible!!! How FUN!!! That is marvelous! 

Germany is Germany. We are just moving along. One step at a time. This week has been a really great week for both Sister Cluff and I. We have had some very spiritual lessons this week. I have been focusing on the spirit helping me in lessons this week. I am having a very hard time with the language-understanding and speaking- nothing seems to be working up there in my little mind! So this week I have been working on having the Holy Ghost with me so that I can say the things that the Lord needs me to say. I have once again learned how important the Holy Ghost is. As Sister Cluff and I have focused on the Holy Ghost. We have been able to have some very incredible lessons. One lesson with our 2 investigators with Baptisimal Dates, H. Sultani and Arshia, we talked about the priesthood. We were able to make this lesson a Joint-teach, and afterwards they were both able to receive a priesthood blessing. It was so beautiful. The spirit was so strong. And the words were exactly what they both needed to hear. It was cool to see God working through the blessing. The kid giving the blessing, is about our age waiting to go on his mission, had no idea about these two men. Who they were or anything, and the blessings were beautiful and direct from god. (at least that is what Sister Cluff told me... I could not understand them...BUT I could feel the spirit! TOLLBeans!). On Saturday in our lesson with them Arshia was not sure if he still wanted to go through with his baptism because of the hard times he is having in his life right now with his family and things.

 We were able to pull out pictures of our families and tell him a little bit about our lives and how we struggle, but because of the gospel we can get through anything. And I was able to speak a little bit about you GUYS!!! Only the loves of my life!! In broken german that I am sure made no sense... I was able to tell them about you. I showed them pictures and talked about you. Ah man. It was lovely talking about you guys and told Arshia that our lives are far from perfect,  but because of this gospel we can get through anything and everything. It was a huge blessing for me that I was able to talk a little bit about you guys and testify of this beautiful gospel. I know that the language will come, slowly but surely... it will come!!

We got a new Bishop this Sunday. Bishop Fachs! He is going to be amazing and is such an incredibly humble man. He reminds me a lot of you Father! We had an eating appoinment with his family last week and seriously the way he was eating reminded me so much of you! It rocked! haha. I know that it will be great for us. He is really excited about missionary work and is willing to help us with anything. 

I love my area and the investigators we have.

I love this gospel so much and am so grateful for this opportunity I have to share it!! 

In my personal study this week I read Lehi's dream. Two things that stuck out to me were these...

1st-the people that left the Iron Rod to go to the great and spacious building were "Completely Lost" They did not even make it to the building!!!!!! WHAT! Well that was not worth it... Sometimes we loose focus on what is really important, our end goal- To be with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and our families forever. When we loose that focus we loose ourselves. We need to remember to ALWAYS stay focused on the lord. And if we do stray, because we all do, we need to make sure that we can find our way back. Support each other. Have people that you know you can turn to. They are so important. Then we can be like the other people that "held fast to the iron rod until they came forth and FELL DOWN and partook of the fruit." The pathway is not easy, and when we are finished we are going to fall down because we are so weary, but it is WORTH IT. and we know we will GET THERE. We will not loose our way and be lost forever. We will get there. And God will help us every step of the way.

I love this gospel. I know that it is true! I love being a missionary.

Love you all

Josie