It is so weird to think that it is the morning in America when it is 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon here. It is also so weird when I wake up at 6:30 in the morning and then think "Wow, a lot of my friends in Utah are still up doing things." It is so crazy!
Birko got baptized yesterday!!! It was so wonderful. I have been in Germany for less than 2 weeks and I already feel so close to her. She is such a wonderful example to me!! I gave the talk on baptism (in German), and I am just so glad it is over. It went a lot better than I expected though. After Birko was baptized and came out of the fount she looked so happy and was seriously beaming. She is going to be such an asset to the church here in Germany. Her story is really cool. She studies geology and they took a trip over to the states for a field trip. They came to Utah and she had a free day to explore and she went to Temple square and absolutely fell in love with it. She came back to Germany and then met with the missionaries, she soaked everything up like a sponge and was golden. Her testimony is so strong, and I KNOW Heavenly Father had prepared her. (I forgot my camera today so I'll send pictures from the baptism next week)
My German is getting better. I am understanding A LOT! It is hard for me to speak, but I generally know what people are talking about. It has really amazed me! So we are teaching this boy named Abraham who's mom is a less-active. His Mom and her boyfriend own an Italian restaurant so when we teach him, we teach him at the restaurant. Friday was his birthday, so we baked him a cake and made birthday hats to take over to him. That night we ended up staying for dinner and talked with Johanna's (Abraham's mom) friends and they are interested in the church! They want to learn more! It was awesome!! Another cool thing was was that I understand almost all the German that was spoken that night. Sister Stowell was even impressed by how much I understood. The gift of tongues is real!
I think I am going to be here in Munich for a long time. Sister Stowell keeps telling me that I am just the sister that Munich and our investigators needed. Every time I get stressed or overwhelmed I just remind myself that the Lord needs me here and it all gets better. It is cool to think. I honestly think I will probably be in Munich for 7 months, but we will see, who knows what the Lord has planned for me.
So before my mission, everyone told me how hard my mission was going to be because it was in Europe and people would not want to learn about the gospel. That is not true! I mean ya, we aren't teaching tons of people like the South American missions, but we are teaching. We are finding people that are interested and people are getting baptized! The people are ready here, they really are. We might not have the high numbers/baptisms like other missions do, but we are finding people. One of the General Authorities said that Germany is like a sleeping giant, and I really do believe it. T he work is hard here, but I imagine no matter where you go, it is hard in a different way. People are being prepared, and we just have to have the faith to find them.
Sister Stowell and I get a long sooo well. We are like the same person, with a few differences. We are having a blast and laughing a lot together. I am so grateful that she is my trainer. You know how last week how I said I was going to probably going to gain 100 pounds?? Well not anymore! We decided we needed to eat healthy so we can have more energy. We have been running every morning, eating healthier, and now we decided we will only take the stairs. Do you know how many stairs their are in Munich??!!? They are everywhere!! We are always on the transportation system because we serve in the city, so we are always climbing up stairs. I hate it, but I know it is good for me. :) haha
O!! By the way, it takes 4-5 days to get a letter. That isn't long at all!!! I was so happy when I got your letter mom! Thanks for sending it!!! ahh!! I loved seeing all the mission calls! Thanks for updating me on that!! Will you tell Tyler and Tess congrats for me?!?!
Well time is short. Today we are hanging out at the church with our district. The Mason's who are the couple over the YSA made us lunch and now we are going to play some games.
I love yall and pray for yall every day!!!!!!!!
ICH LEIBE SIE SO SEHR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BIS NÄCHSTE WOCHE
Sister Allman
Helaman 10: 4-5
Sister Allman! Hey my name is Kate Lewis and I have been called to your same mission! I report to the MTC on June 12. I got your blog from Courtney Bingham. She is one of my best friends and she's dating Matt Duffy, who I hear you know pretty well. I think we have a lot of mutual friends! Anyway, I'm just looking for some advice! The packet says to wait and buy winter clothing when you get there. Is that what you did? What kind of winter gear have you needed? Thanks in advance! I'm looking forward to meeting you!
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