Well, we didn't do much in Stadthagen this week because we were only there until Wednesday morning. We did serve our less active sister for a few hours, which was awesome. We did a mission wide "harvest day", where we fasted and prayed to find new people. We met lots of cool people when we went finding and found a couple of people who want to meet with us. So that was really cool. We also walked around Stadthagen and gave out hundreds of temple invitations. We had district meeting, then an appointment with some Spanish sisters in our ward, then we spent the night in Köthem with the sisters there. Then we left early and went to the Temple and got to work.
This week has been a little crazy. There are 28 sisters here total, but only 16 in the two (elders and sisters) apartments in Freiberg, and then 12 in Dresden, who we basically never see. (The elders are all in one apartment in Meißen). We wake up at 5 and do morgen sport. Sister Koch and I have gone running. Then we get ready (quite a production for 8 sisters in one Wohnung) and do personal study. We have to be at the temple by 8:30, and the tours start at 9 (and we stay until 17-18ish). On Saturday, it was crazy busy. I ended up working a video room from 9-13, and after the first hour, I was by myself. It was weird being alone. I basically just say "Hello. Welcome to the temple. You can ask questions during and after the tour. Please don't take pictures and please silence your cell phones." (But in many more words, because German). And the I press play on a video that explains what temples are, why they are important, and what we do in them. Then the people are led through the temple by a tour guide, who is a member of one of the wards here. Then they go to a reception tent and can ask questions and learn more. It's pretty simple and way more tiring than it sounds, but I love it. Worth living with 7 other sisters in a tiny apartment. (Speaking of, it is pretty awful.) I've met some cool people and I even saw a group of members from Altona! It was awesome.
On day one, Sister Hammer and I were in charge of taking off die Überzieschuhe (shoe coverings) for a little. We sat in the back of the temple across from the sealing room (haha it makes us all a little trunky;) and helped people take them off as they went outside. The temple is such a sacred place. It is not technically dedicated, so it is still just a building, but there is a special spirit there. It was so nice to just sit in the temple and feel that peace. One sister pointed out the similitude between what we were doing and what the Savior did when He washed the feet of his disciples. It is very humbling for us and for the people going through the tour. I am truly grateful to be able to represent my Savior and help show people why temples are so important to God.
On Sunday, we had church with 16 missionaries. There were so many visitors who are here helping with the temple that we all had to sit up on the stand. We had a huge gospel principles class. I helped Sister Stephens teach a primary class. Actually, she just taught and I translated for a little American girl in the class. Fun stuff. There was also a mini piano/violin concert after church, so we got to stay
for that, which was cool. There are no tours of the temple on Sunday, so Sister Koch spent two hours after church telling people that. We took them around the gemindehaus because it is also a visitors center for the temple, so they can see pictures. My German is not the greatest and I don't ever explain things super well, but hopefully it makes some sense. Most of them said they would come back, so that's good. The rest of Sunday was Pday. So we basically just relaxed at the Freiberg Sisters Wohnung and ate food. It was fun and weird. It feels kind of like girls camp or a family reunion where it is messy (like a hotel room) and chaotic and fun, but also weird and I miss real missionary work and our people in Stadthagen. This is going to be a long week, but I am super grateful for this experience to serve here. I really love the temple.
Today, I worked in the reception tent with Sister Harger and Sister Jacklin. We give out little brochures that talk about the Freiberg temple and has pictures in it and answer questions that the visitors have. I love talking with people! Sometimes I don't understand exactly what they ask, but Alles gut. It is super fun and I like the one-on-one interaction.
Well.. Life is gut. Here are some pics for y'all. I love you! Schöne Woche!
Sister Simpson
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| District meeting minus two sisters |
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| We met this super cool former sister missionary who served in St. George. She was here with her family and they live in Southern Germany. They bought 8 of us ice cream. :) |
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| Köthen |
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