Current Events

The Webers brought me to their home a bit away from the city after church on Sunday (I have to note here that I understood much more this week, and I even made a few friends, one of whom is 89). We had an amazing lunch outside. Then nine-year-old Johanna and I put together a wooden turtle, painted our nails (no, she didn't have anything opaque enough for my toenail), and generally talked about awesome nine-year-old things. When she went to play with her friend, I took a nap on the couch. Dinner was also amazing! I got the chance to peel baked potatoes with a knife (they don't have peelers) for a salad. I also got to mix bread ingredients with my hands (not that it worked out, it was just a big doughball shaped like bread) and make a cake. The salad and cake, in general, will be posted.

Monday I had a nice walk around their neighborhood in the countryside. I read President Monson's book, Faith Rewarded, about the Church behind the wall. Leipzig is mentioned several times. I also watched Luther, a movie about Martin Luther. It got me excited to go to Wittenberg with the Seiperts on the Reformation Day (it's a holiday here). It was there that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the cathedral.











Here I am wondering why the horses are ignoring me, only to find out that one was looking during the taking of the photo!

Tuesday I had a miserable time at the Uni again, reflected by the cold morning rain. I was so grateful to be wearing boots (yes, I know Tanya, it's a miracle!) and a coat borrowed from the Webers' daughter who is studying in France. I got to the Uni right as they opened, avoiding long lines, but each person told me to go to another office with explanations I couldn't understand until one wasn't opened . . . Then I walked to the university library and looked around for a bit. It's a grand place. If I'm allowed to get a job, I'm going there first. I read all of The Alchemist on the library's steps. (Wow, what a read. I'm going to have to read more of his books. I looked up a bunch of stuff in my Bible Dictionary and Topical Guide.) Then I walked straight through the Clara-Zetkin Park to see how long it would take me to get to school by foot. Let's just say that park is a lot bigger than it looks on a map. I'm considering a bike more seriously now. Bike riding here is a bit intimidating to me since they have a traffic lane. If I can move to Germany, why can't I figure out how to ride a bike in the city? Getting a handy is still up in the air.

When I got to the church, I felt so discouraged about not getting things done efficiently, I sat in the park for a long time. Finally I went into the church where zone conference was being held. I was invited in to hear Elder Zwick speak to the missionaries. He spoke about never limiting yourself because you don't think you're capable of more. His message really lifted me, and I got free lunch! To make things even better, Felix said he could go to my appointment at the bank with me. Although the guy who helped me knew English really well, it was really comforting having someone there with me. Felix is also going to go with me next week to get my student visa. He works for the red cross and has some amazing privileges. He doesn't have to pay German taxes because he's registered in Switzerland. They pay for his apartment, he gets to travel, and he teaches classes about rescue. He has traveled to Iran and Iraq and because of those stamps on his passport, he can't go to America for a few years.

I finally met Katja, Francy's sister. Her English is practically perfect. I was very impressed with her. Then I headed back to the church and found out that Gita never showed up for her baptism, which was disappointing. The sisters asked if I could do a mini-mission next week. I could except for Thursday when I have orientation. That would be cool. I practiced the organ until the fireside started. Those boots I was wearing came in handy. They were perfect for playing the organ! Let me just brag a little: I think I did really well and I got a lot of compliments. Elder Zwick and his wife spoke, this time about being happy and pure. Elder Zwick said that in the Mayan language, they say, "How is your heart?" instead of "How are you?" It was hilarious to listen to the translator try to say the Mexican villages and Spanish and Mayan words. Eventually he said, "The little town," instead of "San Christoval," etc. I think it really helped my German to hear both the English and the German.

After the fireside, I spoke to a lot of people, all in German and felt really quite good about it. I helped Sister Weber load her car with food and we went back to the house. There are a lot of nice and nice-looking young men . . .