The Famous Bostalsee, Setting A Record, And Spiritual Stuff

Hallo Alle!

Its Thursday again. Who would've guessed time really does fly.

Well last Saturday we had a ward activity going to a lake (Bostalsee). Youve definitely heard of it. Its the hottest tourist attraction in ALL of Saarland!! Sarcasm aside it was actually really fun. We drove about an hour or so away, all together and walked around the lake for about an hour and got lunch. Its funny cause since Saarland doesnt really have many tourist attractions, they really turned this normal lake into every single tourist attraction ever. They have a petting zoo, copes course, seafood themed restaurants, a rainforest themed lodge with food and kids shows, rentable boats, and literally everything you could think of. We actually had a lot of people at the activity. Half the ward was there. If we were back home that would be like at least 80 maybe 100 people, but half the ward here is about 15 haha. It was actually really fun because I talked with and got to know a couple members some more, and we actually had 3 nonmembers there who came, and started to become good friends with everybody! One of them was Christine, who has come to church quite a few times, but the last time we taught her was the first night after I arrived in Saarbrücken, so it was cool to have her there. There was also two other nonmembers who one of which we hadnt met before (our ward clerk, Peter, invited them cause hes awesome), and the other we have only met one time over Zoom, but regardless it was awesome to have them there and see them making relationships with members.

We found out last week that we set the record (at least for last week alone, I dont know about all time) for most Book of Mormon referrals recieved in the mission. Last week in total we got 6 orders for a Book of Mormon which is incredible! Our mission website findechristus.org is really taking off. If you have any German friends, or know any Pennsylvania Dutch, have them check it out!

Also side note, I have definitely noticed a progression in my German (speaking and understanding), however sometimes its really weird because somedays I will be able to reply or talk in German correctly without a second thought, and sometimes I am speaking a third language that only I understand. Lets hope this next week there are a lot more of the correct German days.

We had another lesson with Pei-Chaun whos from Taiwan, and it was so cool to see the Spirit work with her. We asked last time if she had tried praying, and she said that she didnt really feel much, but that it doesnt change the fact that she still has a ton of hope. She was just smiling. That really hit me hard. The Gospel is a Gospel of hope, not one of fear or worry. Even though she didnt recieve an answer the first time she prayed, she has faith to try and try again, and she barely knows anything about God and Christ, let alone the Gospel! That right there is called faith folks.

This week I also noticed something really important. I was thinking about Elder Holland's talk from this past conference. I really need to give my whole self over to the Lord. Because He created everything, nothing we give Him is something He doesnt already have. We can give up anything, but the only thing that He doesnt already have is our hearts. I can do everything Im supposed to, but unless my heart is in the right place, and not till I give up whole self to Him, will His will become my will, and His heart becomes my heart. Why does Elder Holland really always know how to chastise me....

Also feel free to email me whenever youve got nothing better to do (Im looking at you sis...)

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk, talk to yall next week.

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