Drit Life (Week 68)

Skyping the fambam

Happy Mother's Day!

We went to east side gallery, the long
part of the wall, again. :)

East Side Gallery--Berlin Wall

East Side Gallery--Berlin Wall

East Side Gallery--Berlin Wall

East Side Gallery--Berlin Wall

So this week was a lot of Tausch. We went to Greifswald and then Sister Harger came back to Marzahn with me. It was a blast, she is awesome. We picked right back up. It was a pretty short Tausch, and also we had to go to a doctors appointment (for my bloody noses.. thanks to my dear companion telling Sister Fingerle. The doctor told me to use a tampon or tissue when it bleeds and to go to the ER if it doesn't stop. German doctors, they're brillant). We did have time to do a bit of finding, which was good. And get baklava. 

We also went on Tausch with the Spandau Sisters. I went to Spandau and got to be in a drit with Sister Vail and Ha. It was awesome. I loved every second. We met with a crazy African less-active lady named Happiness, and she wanted a blessing so the elders came. She made us delicious African food. 

We had a street display in Frankfurt (Oder) with our district. It was good. I had several good conversations and even met a Persian guy who was Christian and wanted a Book of Mormon. Unfortunately, the elders didn't bring one and my Farsi is pretty bad, so hopefully he calls the elders. Street displays are always great. 

Yesterday we had ward conference and we sang in the choir for it. It was mostly all about mothers because it was Mother's Day. They handed out flowers to all the mothers, but had too many, so this little girl came up to me and gave me some. I said, "ich bin keine Mutter" and she responded in English, "but you'll be one one day." It was the cutest thing ever, I had to take the flowers. None of our friends came to church, which was a little disappointing. We are trying to find new people to work with who have interest, so that'll be our focus this week. Here's to more fun finding stories. We did have an eating appointment with the Ortliebs. I love them so much, they're the cutest family ever and totally want to help with missionary work. Schwester Ortlieb says hi to the VanDams. :) 

I read these two verses in Jacob 6 the other day that I really liked:

"And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts."

I know that God has His hand constantly stretched out to help us. We may not always notice it, but it is there. He doesn't always take away our trials, sorrow or pain, but He can comfort us and fill us with his love. People ask me all the time "Where is God? Why doesn't he do anything?" I have asked myself the same questions. But I've learned that God loves us. I've experienced His incredible love as I've reached up to Him. He can't help us if we don't reach out to Him, but once we do, He will encircle us in the arms of His love. I've felt that over and over when I feel that I can't go on anymore on my own. His love in indescribable. I've always done things on my own and the reached out to God when I am desperate. But there have been days and weeks in the last year where I didn't think I could make it through the day, and I know that God held my hand and walked with me at the pace I could. His love and heavenly help is always there, whether we feel like we need it or not, in hard times as well as in good times, and I am so thankful for that. 

I love being a missionary. I am so grateful.

It was so good to see you Sunday! I love you all more than you know! 

Liebe,

Sister Simpson

I spy with my little eye two sister missionaries

On the way to Tausch #trainridesfordays

Tine cute german car in the middle of nowhere

How we feel after lots of tausching

Berliner Straße. We had to.

Just a street in the middle of nowhere berlin. Nothing sketchy. ;)

Trying to eat healthier like..

And then this very necessary Rewe run because hairibo was only 65 cents

DRIT LIFE ft nice weather