Wk 22 RLF May 22

Look!  It's our favorite Germanas!

We were noticing how different these tags are. They have 2 sets of name tags.  Catalan is different in subtle ways.

 

Well dear friends and family, here we are, 3 days from my 5 month mark. It is going by too fast!!! Time needs to slow down.  

I never want to not be a missionary.

 Its literally the best to be able to talk about Christ to whom ever I want.  I can literally go up to a random person, tell them Im  not from Spain and ask them if I can get to know them better, and they're alllike, HECK YEAH!! So then we talk a minute until they ask why I'm in Spain nd this is where it gets fun, I say I'm a missionary for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, Boom and then testify about  how families can be together forever BOOM Bang and suddenly I have their name number and address and a time to meet with them next week.  

Or sometimes it's even easier.  Sometimes we're walking through a town of Gypsies and they ask us if we're the Mormons and we say Heck yes!  And they tell us we're beautiful and we say thanks and invite them to come to family home evening with us and all 9 of them say sure, no problem! So we will see what happens Tuesday when we meet with these amazing Gypsies.  

Then sometimes, we have a family of inactive members who introduce us to their non member cousin, and he gets baptized by the inactive dad.  And they all come to church and are incredible.  SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS 

And then sometimes nothing happens, literally everyone cancels their appointment, they basically all stop talking to us, and we have no investigators to meet with.  

Or sometimes you get into a Sita where some people want to Bible bash, and your companion literally owns them but they still refuse to accept that we know what we're talking about.  

Sometimes it's all miracles and you and your companion are owning the streets, and sometimes, it's emotionally so trying you can barely roll out of bed without wanting to cry.  

But you wake up on time anyway

You say your prayers anyway. 

You study everyday anyway. 

You contact the mean looking Spanish lady, or the creepy drunk man anyway. 

Because this is the lords time, not yours.  

Because this is the lords work and you're going to do it his way, and you're going to be perfectly obedient, because that's how you get miracles and we ended all the help we can get.  

Hug a missionary, feed a missionary, help the missionaries we can't do it without the members.  

I know this church is true, and I love being a missionary.  It's been almost 5 months and I can't imagine doing anything else.  

The work will roll forth no matter what, the Lord is building his kingdom and we get to be apart of it!!! 

 Best thing ever.  

I love you all!! Talk to you next week

Wk 27 BJF May 18

Words to live by according to Elder F this week.  I completely agree and the confusion also stems from the length of letters to produce simple sounds. Ich liebe dich!

I added this one. "Let's see, can I buy a vowel?"

I found this in some funny German memes. It basically says vacuum.

Mother's Day & Rachel's Birthday May 14

I was so lucky to be able to talk to Rachel from Spain today!  It is rare for her birthday to land on Mother's Day, but rarer still to be able to talk to her and her brothers.  We were all able to sing to her together from 3 continents, 4 countries and 3 different time zones.

We did it through Skype and Rusty (not me) brilliantly managed to get a clip here for all to see (which will be coming soon). Technology is so amazing!

These missionaries are pretty incredible and they all sounded so happy and committed in their love for the Lord and those He has asked them to serve.  I am so thankful for the blessings and opportunities he affords us each day so that we can learn to become like our Heavenly Father.  His tender mercies and their ability to see the miracles God performs on a daily basis, keeps them focused on being the best they can be as they introduce the gospel to those who are seeking.  Many are from other countries now.  Benjamin carries 4 different BofM with him. Their Pday is on Thurs because people are home Monday and easier to contact. He and Rachel show many teaching aids on their IPads that most missionaries carry.  Daniel carries a flip phone that he and his companion share and hands out pamphlets in the streets. Generally people don't stay in their houses during the hot days in Africa and are reachable and teachable outside.

Each has a method that has been tried and true in the areas they are serving.  With inspired leadership they use the best tools available in order to be effective in their work and ministry.  I think of them continually as I go about my day since they are challenged to stay focused and are busy all day long contacting people and developing a great love for those who show an interest.  They teach them with great love and care.  The challenge seems to be going without radio, news, television, movies, or entertainment through social media that daily distracts all the rest of us.  They are fixed on their faith that through obedience to the God's commandments and rules of the mission, they will be led to those who are praying for help because something is missing in their lives. The Holy Ghost is also known as the Still Small Voice and the Comforter.  Heavenly direction and personal revelation come in the form of promptings that need limited distraction in order to be heard. They are looking for those who see and recognize the light and knowledge of the gospel to change their lives. Gospel means Good News!

I am so thankful for my 3 kiddos who are serving the Lord together in the Mission Field. As I heard each of them bare their testimony in their language, the words just rolled off of their tongues like they had been doing it for awhile.  Becoming fluent, they may not know every word in the language, but they will understand and know the language of the Spirit.  I look at myself here holding Benjamin and think how little I knew about life and parenthood. I have learned so much through the years and I have grown. I have learned that “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.” Einstein said that and I agree. My love for these little tikes and their Father has grown and will continue to grow throughout all eternity.

Wk 21 DTF May 15

Enoch in Nampa, ID

Dearest Daniel,

What a blast! I am so excited to see you so happy. You take things in stride with complete unwavering trust in the Lord. Thank you Dan for inspiring us all. We miss having you around but now I get to treasure my Mother's Day gift!

I will put the video of it on the google drive so you can download and watch for next pday.

Keep up the good work and remember how very much we love you and are proud of you. Saying goodbye was brutal and way too soon. I did read about other mishmommas out of power. Some could only talk without video. We were so blessed to be able to video chat in 4 countries, 3 continents in 3 time zones. I consider that a mighty miracle. God uses these means for His purposes.

Love,ma

Dear Ma,

A miracle i needed for sure! but for all my excitement i made a foolish mistake. i forgot to wish my loving mother a happy mothers day. i love you mom, thank you for everything yopu do. i miss you like crazy. 

Love, D

Elders F and T with their Muslim convert.

He called these the Jesus Caves but that is all I know, ha.

How much would they charge for a ride in this Matatu?

 From Elder Tucker:
 I will share some pictures I got.  Last monday it was raining a ton!  After emailing we went outside and the roads were covered in water, not just a little but they had turned into rivers, literally! We were almost swimming when we were trying to get home it was a blast we had so much fun!  For the most part the water was up to our knees.

Here are some more stories for you, cause I know that's what you skim over these for ( cause lets be real who actually reads this.)

Story number one!

"Elder you up for a run?"- Elder Fuller

So on this run/swim home, it was impossible to get a matatu.  We ended up walking towards home for about two hours.  After about an hour of walking Elder fuller looked ant me and asked this oh so wonderful question.  We proceeded to run through the flooded streets of Mombasa at night, screaming the song "Singing in the Rain", and sprinting through puddles.  At one point Elder Fuller thought he was stepping in a little ditch-ish thing and it turned out to be a creek so he just falls in to water about to his pecs and is screaming!  It was so funny we had an awesome time.

Story Number 2!

We had a baptism!!! This was with a brother named H. he was a Muslim when he got married the first time but his wife divorced him and took everything and left him with his two kids.  He got remarried to a Christian woman and she died and her last words to him were "Find god"  whatever religion he felt comfortable in. It was just really spiritual, so he showed up to the church one day. After teaching him the plan of salvation he got super happy.  Now he is baptized and he is super awesome!  The baptism was kinda fun though because we don't have an actual chapel, so the church has these like protable fonts, which are essentially blue dumpsters. I got to baptize someone in a big blue dumpster, and it was absolutely fantastic.  I am so glad to be helping these people come unto christ!

Story Number 3! 

I actually had a drunk man who was scared for Jesus here because in the bible it says "he will come as a thief in the night", so he was saying"if jesus comes as a thief in the night, the kenyan government will burn him because that is what they do to thieves".  Sometimes people take the bible so literally it is hilarious.

As well this week I got to talk to my family and that was an awesome experience.  Just two more times then I will be headed home.  Still feels like I am super new on mission.

Also to my mom, I love you and happy mothers day, to all the mothers who read this.  Also to the Missionary Mommas of Kenya and around the world, I am grateful for all the prayers and faith you give us you don't know how much it means to us missionaries!

Love Elder Tucker

Wk 21 RLF May 15

 

 

I don't know if you can print out stories to read later but that would be nice cuz I could send you a ton. I love that you posted The Race!

Here is one I condensed it is one that is floating around now from Elder Strong in Ghana. He thot the first 3mos were an adventure, getting water, making his own food, etc. Then reality started to set in and he could not believe he was teaching right on the street sitting on the ground across from a sewer. He was actually really struggling with it and asking if this is how the Lord wanted him to spend his time. One day was particularly bad and he was thinking of calling it quits. About that time, he saw a Utah Jazz jersey on a boy walking up to him. He asked if he could see it. He was so excited to see something familiar, something from America. Upon closer inspection the jersey was for junior jazz team that he was apart of growing up. This one had his same number "0". It could not be but he turned it inside out just to see, and there was his name scribbled when he was 10yrs old. His mom gave to goodwill years before but here it was right now in Africa, right before his eyes! How could it be? The odds were astronomical! Yet for this Elder, he knew that it was a message from God directly to him that he was exactly where he needed to be and the Lord knew the needs of his heart.

I love this true story!

I love you Rachel and I know the Lord will see to the needs and inmost desires of your heart. He lives today. He loves us!

So super stoked and excited to be able to talk to you in a week!! 

I hope you saw the time best for Dan is after 4.

XOxo,ma

 

 

Wk 26 BJF May 11

Aw the glow!  After the long cold winter, they are relishing the sunshine.

What is it about climbing and being on top!  My boys have always wanted to climb higher and higher.  Even the playground wasn't good enough.  They usually wound up in the trees.  I used to get "the look" from mother's as I sat lazily on the bench.  Hey, they got themselves up there...they can get down.  Actually I did a lot of hovering and though I am not a helicopter parent, I am on the edge.

Elder Warr is a big guy.  I love his laugh that you can hear while they are greeting the sheep.

I have a picture of him sitting in a tree when he was very young.  That grin is exactly the same, I am sure.  What fun!  I love how there is a little path to it, complete with seat installed.

With castles so old, I would love to see a sped up version of the events that took place here when the castle was being built high enough to tower the trees.

Very symbolic picture of the road they are traveling.  There is light at the end and all along the way. They never travel alone and though the road is long, they are always moving forward.

I can just smell the air of this little town.  Clean, fresh and crisp in a German springtime!

Hehehe dads arms are kinda fuzzy but he's not the hairiest guy I've
seen. His mane is quite tame comparatively haha. I like the gradual
change from the ridiculously high fence to the shorter one, and dads
pose next to his finished project.

It's nice to see Baileys smile too, they might roast in the summer I
think we need another tree in the yard, or maybe some sort of pavilion
awning kinda thingy I dunno.

On Mutters Tag I'll just be at the Bonn church building so nothing too
special. Troy was a special blessing for the Offenbach Elders and of
course Cmas is also a special time.

That story is also slightly insane, the planning for such a moment is
just indescribable. The big man upstairs is pretty smart.

Sunday will be quite the funday, talk to you then!

-Elder Fuller

Wk 20 RLF May 8

 

I love this girl so much, she has pinned up everything I sent her.

True dat!!

Airport welcoming committee!

Look at that spectacular blue of the Mediterranean Sea (Balearic)

Ohhh wow its been a minute!  

It's true the Lord teaches us every hour of everyday.  

 If we ask the question "what Lack I yet?"

I promise he will show you.  

He has been teaching me as I've seen people reject the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have learned that my ways are not his ways and that the more I trust in him the more he can make things happen that I never could have even dreamed.  

The Lord will change us through the atonement of Jesus Christ and this girl has a total of changing to do.  I'm grateful I'm learning too be more humble and accept his will instead of mine. And the examples i see from other missionaries just blows my MIND.   

I will now be considered a young adult in the mission world.  

With new responsibilities, and no excuses of I'm new.  So that means I am supposed to understand Spanish and be able to speak it.  They say I'm doing pretty well!  The gift of tongues I hope :)

Our elders are having a baptism tomorrow and then we have 4 dates for baptism so far this month.  We have a lot of Faith!  But a lot has been falling through for us, so what does that mean?  

Well it just means we need to be more obedient, work harder and trust the Lord has a plan that we can't see. 

We had stake conference this week in the bug beautiful chapel in Badalona.  It was amazing to see how the church has grown in only 50 years.  They want so badly to have all the blessings the United States or South America have but the work here is much tougher because their roots are so deep into Catholicism.

And let me just ask you a favor.  If you know missionaries, invite them over for dinner, bring a friend to church, help them out some how!  We cannot do this work without members. 

We need everyone in this for the long hall.

I've been watching President Holland's talk the first great commandment.  

I highly recommend all to study it, it's been my theme these past 3 transfers.  

What really Is the reason were here and why is it so hard?  

Well if it was easy everyone would do it.  

I'm learning how to be a disciple of Christ and it is not easy, but seeing someone come out of the water completely perfect and then receiving the gift of the holy ghost is really what I live for.  It a miracle, it's incredible.  I love it when people come into the savior nd they just get that moment of click! Wow....there is  Christ, and wow...he died so I could have all I've ever wanted and more..he died so I could be perfect like him.  Ahh gives me butterflies just thinking about.

I love preaching this gospel and seeing the changes in people, that's what this life is about, this life is the time for men to meet God, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is how we prepare. 

I've Faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, receive the gift of he holy ghost, nd endure to the end.  

That's it.  Simple.  Not easy.  But simple.  

I love you all!  And if there's anything I can help you with please don't hesitate to write me.  

See you in 15 months 

Hermana Fuller