Just a quick shout out to Brother Slocum--Thanks for the letter! I just got it the other day. I can't lie...I love getting mail. Now I understand why missionaries always tell their friends to write them.
First off, I must say that I'm concerned with what is happening here in Switzerland...I have seen more mullets this past week that I think ever occured in the 80s. What is going on here?? Just because you live in Europe does not mean the mullet is cool. Meine gute....what is happening? I have seen so many different mullets...it's sick. Just don't do it. Remember Nancy Reagan, my friends: Just say no!
Ah, I'm glad I could get that off my chest. It's been bothering me all week.
Anyways...
Last week I said we were going to the Matterhorn today. We decided to push that back to next Monday so more people can come and decided instead to go to Luzern. Yeah....we woke up and it was POURING outside. However, we decided to still go and when we got to Zürich to pick up our train to Luzern, the elders there called and suggested we come another day since it was cloudy and you couldn't really see anything. Schade. That's okay. Now we're not in a rush for tonight. Sister Russon and I decided to challenge ourselves more and set up a committment with a family in our ward and did a "Set a Date." We challenged them to share the gospel with their friends and neighbors and have someone that we can teach with them within two weeks. Our part was to also find someone to bring and, I can't deny it...it was hard! Sister Russon and I really struggled. Whenever we doored, people close the door on us or interruped us, telling us they weren't interested and then closed the door on us.
We decided, yesterday, to check on one of our neighbors below us to see how she was doing and such. A few weeks ago, we made some cookies and took them to our neighbors so we could get to know them better. So we dropped by again and she invited us in before we really said anything. We talked with her for awhile and she told us everything that's been going on in her life and when we invited her to the Fuhrer household tonight, she said that she would be there, for sure!! I was getting really worried and trying to figure out what I was doing wrong as a missionary. Fortunately, the Lord reminded me and now we can introduce her to a wonderful family in the ward. I was reminded that the most important thing to do as a missionary is to love the people and make sure they know it. That's the basis of our religion: Christ and his love for us and everyone. I love the gospel!! And I love sharing it with people.
I've been met with frustration this past week...and some things have been really difficult, but the Lord is mindful of all of us and I know that he's watching over me as I do His work. I've been so greatly blessed, it's important to constantly remind yourself of the blessings in your life. They're all around you. Don't forget the tender mercies you experience each day!
Let me tell you about one of our investigators, Nelson. He's 22 and from Nigeria. He's had a hard life, you can tell, yet he's always happy to see us. When we talk to him about the Gospel, you can see his understanding of it deepen. He knows it's true and has told us that he knows it to be true the past few times we've met with him. I love telling people about the power of prayer: through it and the power of the Holy Ghost, we can know the truth of all things. Heavenly Father wants us to have the truth in our lives, but we first must show him that we truly desire it. We have to have a "broken heart and a contrite spirit," meaning that we must sincerely pray. We must truly want the answer and then, when we have it, be willing to follow what we're told.
I love being here, even if it can be frustrating and at times discouraging. The truth has been restored on the earth and I love it! We can all have that joy that the gospel brings to our lives--isn't that such a great blessing?? We can all have it!
Yesterday, I played in church with Sister Russon and an older man in the ward, Kuno. We played Brother Beebe's arrangment of "How Great Thou Art" (In German, "Wie Gross Bist Du") and I must say, I love sharing my testimony through song! I'm especially grateful for the experience because I still can't understand everything people say to me, nor can I communicate as well as I would like, but through music, I can share my testimony and I know they can feel it, I know that they can understand what I am unable to say. What a blessing!
I hope everyone is well. I would love to hear from you all! I recommend sending letters to the mission home since I don't know what's going on with transfers. I think I'll find out next Thursday. If it's better, you can email and I'll just write back or email, if I can. I love and pray for you all!
Alle Liebe,
Sister NeSmith
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
In other news...
Marlene cancelled.
However, we have 2, possibly 4, new investigators! I'm excited about that. One of our investigators brought his friend to church and he wants a Book of Mormon, so he's coming next Sunday to church and we'll be able to teach them another lesson there. Hopefully we'll be able to meet with them outside of church as well.
The chances are pretty high that I'll be transferred from Frauenfeld at the end of the transfer. No idea where I'll go. I'd love to stay, but we don't have any sisters coming in this transfer and 2 are leaving, so there's a good chance I'll go to Ulm (Germany) or another place that's in my zone, but I can't remember the name...I wonder where the Lord needs me next?
One of our investigators took us out to dinner (insisted going to the most expensive place in his town) and guess what we had? A US steak! Although it was amazing, it was weird because they cooked it with cheese and herbs on top. Good, but kind of weird....
I'm afraid this is the mass email that will have to do for today. Sorry! These next few Mondays we'll have little time because Sister Russon has a few places she wants to see before she leaves and I want her to be able to go her last few weeks here.
Today, we're going to Stein am Rhein...I have no idea what's really there, but I heard it's cool and it's close, so we're going. Woo! I realllly hope you and dad are able to come next summer to pick me up (I understand if you can't. It's okay) because I want to take you all everywhere! Next week, we're tackling the Matterhorn. YEAH!! So stoked. We'll have to leave at about 5 am since it's a 3-4 hour train ride just to get there, but it'll totally be worth it. Woo!
As for pictures, I think I may just print them out and then send them home through the mail because, 1. I keep forgetting about the cable, and 2. It may take up too much time and we have to pay for our internet use here. Agh. We'll see. I will certainly send photos home soon. Promise!I love you all!Liebe,Rachel/Sister NeSmith
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Guten Morgen!!
Mensch, there is just so much to tell you all--I have no idea where to start! I do, however, have some very interesting stories that just tesitfy to me that this is the Lord's work!
Let me tell you, first, about Paradise. Ahh...I visited paradise last Tuesday, so I had to wait a week to tell you about it. Schade! Sister Russon and I went to the home of the Gaggia family for dinner last Tuesday. Mrs. Gaggia is a professional caterer, and let me tell you...the food was divine! We had a traditional Swiss food. If I could remember what is was, I'd tell you...just know that it was amazing. We ate outside on her patio and it was so wonderful! Ah! Their backyard opens up to a field and then there are some old buildings (some storks built their nest on the top of the factory's chimney) and then it's just completely open after that. The grass is such a vibrant green here and it's all just so gorgeous! Good food, wonderful company, and such a picturesque view made last Tuesday a paradise and certainly something I'll never forget. I wish I could describe it better for you, but honestly, words really can't describe things here, it's so gorgeous!
Later on in the week, we visited Don in his shop in Wil. I was really excited for this because, well...Don, meine familie, is from Kansas. KANSAS! And guess where? Overland Park. He visits Olathe every September though because his best friend lives there (really close to us, too. Crazy!). It was interesting talking with him because he couldn't get over the fact that I was also from Kansas and kept saying what a crazy coincidence it was and asked my companion, Sister Russon, if I was sent here because he was from Kansas. Nope! When he said what a coincidence it was, I was filled with the spirit and was able to testify to him that it was no coincidence that I was sent to Frauenfeld at this time. (I must say that I was a bit surprised by the words that came out of my mouth, my friends, and I know that the spirit took over to speak to him, because the words I spoke to Don were very direct and bold....not how I normally speak)
I told Don that nothing is a coincidence and that everything happens on the Lord's time. I was sent to Frauenfeld for a reason and that I was sent to speak to him for a reason. It was no coincidence. Noone but my trainer knew that he was from Kansas and that I, her new trainee, was also from Kansas. Präsident Matern simply knew that I was suppose to go to Frauenfeld; he didn't know why.
Isn't that amazing?? Everything happens for a reason. I was sent here at this time to speak to certain people. There are people here that need the gospel and each day here testifies to me that I was called to this mission to speak with these people. It's amazing!
Other exciting news:
We have an appointment this Thursday with the first person I met when we did a Tür-zu-Tür approach. Stoked!
People have a difficult time pronouncing my name. Is it bad that I kind of find it funny? I helpt them out...people just seem really confused about how to pronounce my name. There's a boy in the ward that looked at my name and said, "Hey, it's like Joseph Smith, but with N-e in front of it!" Precisely, young man...precisely.
I've been trying to find a cello to rent here, but it's so expensive! Everything here is ridiculously expensive. I was beginning to become discouraged, sadly...but then, on Sunday, there's a couple in my ward (they work at the mission home, too) that said that they've had a cello in storage for about 20 years and that I'm more than welcome to borrow it. So I tried it out and it's actually pretty decent! The Lord is mindful of everyone, my friends. He is. Anything that's a concern to us is a concern to Him. He knows each and everyone of us and He knows how we're feeling! AND they said I can use it my entire mission! What a blessing!! I'm playing in church in 2 Sundays (if I get the cello back, that is...it's in the shop getting the fingerboard reattached. Yikes...), otherwise Sister Russon is playing a piano solo.
O, Mensch...there's so much more to tell you all! I wish I had more time...and also my camera cable. I'm sorry that I forgot it. I meant to send you pictures this week. I'll do my best to send them next week.
I love you all! And I would love you even more if you wrote! I know you're busy...I understand!! I didn't think I would be so busy. I still have so many people to write back. I'm sorry to those who have yet to hear a response from me. I promise to send them out in the next week.
Liebe,
Rachel
Mensch, there is just so much to tell you all--I have no idea where to start! I do, however, have some very interesting stories that just tesitfy to me that this is the Lord's work!
Let me tell you, first, about Paradise. Ahh...I visited paradise last Tuesday, so I had to wait a week to tell you about it. Schade! Sister Russon and I went to the home of the Gaggia family for dinner last Tuesday. Mrs. Gaggia is a professional caterer, and let me tell you...the food was divine! We had a traditional Swiss food. If I could remember what is was, I'd tell you...just know that it was amazing. We ate outside on her patio and it was so wonderful! Ah! Their backyard opens up to a field and then there are some old buildings (some storks built their nest on the top of the factory's chimney) and then it's just completely open after that. The grass is such a vibrant green here and it's all just so gorgeous! Good food, wonderful company, and such a picturesque view made last Tuesday a paradise and certainly something I'll never forget. I wish I could describe it better for you, but honestly, words really can't describe things here, it's so gorgeous!
Later on in the week, we visited Don in his shop in Wil. I was really excited for this because, well...Don, meine familie, is from Kansas. KANSAS! And guess where? Overland Park. He visits Olathe every September though because his best friend lives there (really close to us, too. Crazy!). It was interesting talking with him because he couldn't get over the fact that I was also from Kansas and kept saying what a crazy coincidence it was and asked my companion, Sister Russon, if I was sent here because he was from Kansas. Nope! When he said what a coincidence it was, I was filled with the spirit and was able to testify to him that it was no coincidence that I was sent to Frauenfeld at this time. (I must say that I was a bit surprised by the words that came out of my mouth, my friends, and I know that the spirit took over to speak to him, because the words I spoke to Don were very direct and bold....not how I normally speak)
I told Don that nothing is a coincidence and that everything happens on the Lord's time. I was sent to Frauenfeld for a reason and that I was sent to speak to him for a reason. It was no coincidence. Noone but my trainer knew that he was from Kansas and that I, her new trainee, was also from Kansas. Präsident Matern simply knew that I was suppose to go to Frauenfeld; he didn't know why.
Isn't that amazing?? Everything happens for a reason. I was sent here at this time to speak to certain people. There are people here that need the gospel and each day here testifies to me that I was called to this mission to speak with these people. It's amazing!
Other exciting news:
We have an appointment this Thursday with the first person I met when we did a Tür-zu-Tür approach. Stoked!
People have a difficult time pronouncing my name. Is it bad that I kind of find it funny? I helpt them out...people just seem really confused about how to pronounce my name. There's a boy in the ward that looked at my name and said, "Hey, it's like Joseph Smith, but with N-e in front of it!" Precisely, young man...precisely.
I've been trying to find a cello to rent here, but it's so expensive! Everything here is ridiculously expensive. I was beginning to become discouraged, sadly...but then, on Sunday, there's a couple in my ward (they work at the mission home, too) that said that they've had a cello in storage for about 20 years and that I'm more than welcome to borrow it. So I tried it out and it's actually pretty decent! The Lord is mindful of everyone, my friends. He is. Anything that's a concern to us is a concern to Him. He knows each and everyone of us and He knows how we're feeling! AND they said I can use it my entire mission! What a blessing!! I'm playing in church in 2 Sundays (if I get the cello back, that is...it's in the shop getting the fingerboard reattached. Yikes...), otherwise Sister Russon is playing a piano solo.
O, Mensch...there's so much more to tell you all! I wish I had more time...and also my camera cable. I'm sorry that I forgot it. I meant to send you pictures this week. I'll do my best to send them next week.
I love you all! And I would love you even more if you wrote! I know you're busy...I understand!! I didn't think I would be so busy. I still have so many people to write back. I'm sorry to those who have yet to hear a response from me. I promise to send them out in the next week.
Liebe,
Rachel
Monday, April 5, 2010
If you love me, feed my mailbox in Frauenfeld!
Guten Abend, Familie! Though, I believe it will be the morning when you read this...so Guten Morgen! I have been assigned to Frauenfeld and to my trainer, Sister Russon. She's insanely nice and patient with me in my "Golden" ways (instead of "greenies," we're called "goldens" because we have this strange power or something, I guess. More on that later). Things have been a bit unusual since she was singing in an Ostern Chor and so we had rehearsals for awhile each day. So it hasn't been the most normal of days yet...but this week it'll pick up, I'm sure since the holiday is over.
Oh man, there's so much to tell you--I don't even know where to start! I was able to teach the man sitting next to me on the flight to Atlanta the first lesson and I gave him a Book of MormonBook of Mormon. He really wanted to talk more with us so he gave us his contact info right away and started asking us when we were going to meet with him. Unfortunately, Zürich was none of our areas and so we couldn't really give him an answer, so he asked if we could email and gave us his email address also! So awesome!
and a pamphlet on the Restoration. It was AWESOME! And then, when we got into Zürich and arrived at the mission home, we dropped our stuff off, met with the President and were told our areas and companions, and then we left! Time to contact on the streets of Zürich. There weren't any sisters to go with the three of us that had just arrived, so we were on our own. There was an elder (from Liberty!) that was with one of the elders from my distrikt at the MTC on the other side of the street. It was pretty difficult, I'm not gonna lie. We didn't understand Swiss-German (and we still don't), but we were able to talk to someone and give him a
You're probably wondering about the language, yes? Well...it's interesting. It's DEFINITELY different than hoch deutsch and it's pretty difficult to understand, but I have improved a great deal in the few days I've been here. I can't lie...I don't really believe the other missionaries and people that tell me I have good German--they're just trying to be nice...but I was told that the people here can understand me really well, which is certainly a blessing.
We have a couple of investigators here (woo!) and one even came to the 3 sessions of General Conference that we watched! Because of the time difference, we won't watch the last session for a week or two and we'll actually watch it in Sacrament meeting right after we take the Sacrament.
Everyone here is so incredibly nice! Especially the members--they're so sweet! But really, everyone here is just incredibly nice and very polite.
I haven't really looked around Frauenfeld yet. It's an interesting little town. Okay, it's not small compared to American cities, but compared to Wien, it's like a village. It's a quaint area, and I look forward to getting to know the members and the people and culture of Frauenfeld. If you're wondering: No, there are no mountains. We can see the mountains a little bit if we take a train about 15 minutes outside of Frauenfeld. I'm hoping we'll be able to see more of the city throughout this transfer, especially since I'll be taking over this area! This is Sister Russon's last area, so I'll most likely stay here and another sister will come in.
For P-Day today, we climbed a mountain in Chur! We had to wake up at 5 to get ready and make the morning trains, but it was so worth it! I love the Alps--they're gorgeous! Unfortunately, I don't have pictures today since we're at an internet cafe in Zürich and didn't decide to come here until we were leaving Chur. I'll post pictures soon. Promise!
Wish I could write more, but I'm afraid that will have to wait a week, since PDay is just about over. Love you all!
Sister NeSmith
Oh man, there's so much to tell you--I don't even know where to start! I was able to teach the man sitting next to me on the flight to Atlanta the first lesson and I gave him a Book of MormonBook of Mormon. He really wanted to talk more with us so he gave us his contact info right away and started asking us when we were going to meet with him. Unfortunately, Zürich was none of our areas and so we couldn't really give him an answer, so he asked if we could email and gave us his email address also! So awesome!
and a pamphlet on the Restoration. It was AWESOME! And then, when we got into Zürich and arrived at the mission home, we dropped our stuff off, met with the President and were told our areas and companions, and then we left! Time to contact on the streets of Zürich. There weren't any sisters to go with the three of us that had just arrived, so we were on our own. There was an elder (from Liberty!) that was with one of the elders from my distrikt at the MTC on the other side of the street. It was pretty difficult, I'm not gonna lie. We didn't understand Swiss-German (and we still don't), but we were able to talk to someone and give him a
You're probably wondering about the language, yes? Well...it's interesting. It's DEFINITELY different than hoch deutsch and it's pretty difficult to understand, but I have improved a great deal in the few days I've been here. I can't lie...I don't really believe the other missionaries and people that tell me I have good German--they're just trying to be nice...but I was told that the people here can understand me really well, which is certainly a blessing.
We have a couple of investigators here (woo!) and one even came to the 3 sessions of General Conference that we watched! Because of the time difference, we won't watch the last session for a week or two and we'll actually watch it in Sacrament meeting right after we take the Sacrament.
Everyone here is so incredibly nice! Especially the members--they're so sweet! But really, everyone here is just incredibly nice and very polite.
I haven't really looked around Frauenfeld yet. It's an interesting little town. Okay, it's not small compared to American cities, but compared to Wien, it's like a village. It's a quaint area, and I look forward to getting to know the members and the people and culture of Frauenfeld. If you're wondering: No, there are no mountains. We can see the mountains a little bit if we take a train about 15 minutes outside of Frauenfeld. I'm hoping we'll be able to see more of the city throughout this transfer, especially since I'll be taking over this area! This is Sister Russon's last area, so I'll most likely stay here and another sister will come in.
For P-Day today, we climbed a mountain in Chur! We had to wake up at 5 to get ready and make the morning trains, but it was so worth it! I love the Alps--they're gorgeous! Unfortunately, I don't have pictures today since we're at an internet cafe in Zürich and didn't decide to come here until we were leaving Chur. I'll post pictures soon. Promise!
Wish I could write more, but I'm afraid that will have to wait a week, since PDay is just about over. Love you all!
Sister NeSmith
die Schweiz rockt!
Guten Abend, Familie! Though, I believe it will be the morning when you read this...so Guten Morgen! I have been assigned to Frauenfeld and to my trainer, Sister Russon. She's insanely nice and patient with me in my "Golden" ways (instead of "greenies," we're called "goldens" because we have this strange power or something, I guess. More on that later). Things have been a bit unusual since she was singing in an Ostern Chor and so we had rehearsals for awhile each day. So it hasn't been the most normal of days yet...but this week it'll pick up, I'm sure since the holiday is over.
Oh man, there's so much to tell you--I don't even know where to start! I was able to teach the man sitting next to me on the flight to Atlanta the first lesson and I gave him a Book of Mormon and a pamphlet on the Restoration. It was AWESOME! And then, when we got into Zürich and arrived at the mission home, we dropped our stuff off, met with the President and were told our areas and companions, and then we left! Time to contact on the streets of Zürich. There weren't any sisters to go with the three of us that had just arrived, so we were on our own. There was an elder (from Liberty!) that was with one of the elders from my distrikt at the MTC on the other side of the street. It was pretty difficult, I'm not gonna lie. We didn't understand Swiss-German (and we still don't), but we were able to talk to someone and give him a Book of Mormon. He really wanted to talk more with us so he gave us his contact info right away and started asking us when we were going to meet with him. Unfortunately, Zürich was none of our areas and so we couldn't really give him an answer, so he asked if we could email and gave us his email address also! So awesome!
You're probably wondering about the language, yes? Well...it's interesting. It's DEFINITELY different than hoch deutsch and it's pretty difficult to understand, but I have improved a great deal in the few days I've been here. I can't lie...I don't really believe the other missionaries and people that tell me I have good German--they're just trying to be nice...but I was told that the people here can understand me really well, which is certainly a blessing.
We have a couple of investigators here (woo!) and one even came to the 3 sessions of General Conference that we watched! Because of the time difference, we won't watch the last session for a week or two and we'll actually watch it in Sacrament meeting right after we take the Sacrament.
Everyone here is so incredibly nice! Especially the members--they're so sweet! But really, everyone here is just incredibly nice and very polite.
I haven't really looked around Frauenfeld yet. It's an interesting little town. Okay, it's not small compared to American cities, but compared to Wien, it's like a village. It's a quaint area, and I look forward to getting to know the members and the people and culture of Frauenfeld. If you're wondering: No, there are no mountains. We can see the mountains a little bit if we take a train about 15 minutes outside of Frauenfeld. I'm hoping we'll be able to see more of the city throughout this transfer, especially since I'll be taking over this area! This is Sister Russon's last area, so I'll most likely stay here and another sister will come in.
For P-Day today, we climbed a mountain in Chur! We had to wake up at 5 to get ready and make the morning trains, but it was so worth it! I love the Alps--they're gorgeous! Unfortunately, I don't have pictures today since we're at an internet cafe in Zürich and didn't decide to come here until we were leaving Chur. I'll post pictures soon. Promise!
Wish I could write more, but I'm afraid that will have to wait a week, since PDay is just about over. Love you all!
Sister NeSmith
Oh man, there's so much to tell you--I don't even know where to start! I was able to teach the man sitting next to me on the flight to Atlanta the first lesson and I gave him a Book of Mormon and a pamphlet on the Restoration. It was AWESOME! And then, when we got into Zürich and arrived at the mission home, we dropped our stuff off, met with the President and were told our areas and companions, and then we left! Time to contact on the streets of Zürich. There weren't any sisters to go with the three of us that had just arrived, so we were on our own. There was an elder (from Liberty!) that was with one of the elders from my distrikt at the MTC on the other side of the street. It was pretty difficult, I'm not gonna lie. We didn't understand Swiss-German (and we still don't), but we were able to talk to someone and give him a Book of Mormon. He really wanted to talk more with us so he gave us his contact info right away and started asking us when we were going to meet with him. Unfortunately, Zürich was none of our areas and so we couldn't really give him an answer, so he asked if we could email and gave us his email address also! So awesome!
You're probably wondering about the language, yes? Well...it's interesting. It's DEFINITELY different than hoch deutsch and it's pretty difficult to understand, but I have improved a great deal in the few days I've been here. I can't lie...I don't really believe the other missionaries and people that tell me I have good German--they're just trying to be nice...but I was told that the people here can understand me really well, which is certainly a blessing.
We have a couple of investigators here (woo!) and one even came to the 3 sessions of General Conference that we watched! Because of the time difference, we won't watch the last session for a week or two and we'll actually watch it in Sacrament meeting right after we take the Sacrament.
Everyone here is so incredibly nice! Especially the members--they're so sweet! But really, everyone here is just incredibly nice and very polite.
I haven't really looked around Frauenfeld yet. It's an interesting little town. Okay, it's not small compared to American cities, but compared to Wien, it's like a village. It's a quaint area, and I look forward to getting to know the members and the people and culture of Frauenfeld. If you're wondering: No, there are no mountains. We can see the mountains a little bit if we take a train about 15 minutes outside of Frauenfeld. I'm hoping we'll be able to see more of the city throughout this transfer, especially since I'll be taking over this area! This is Sister Russon's last area, so I'll most likely stay here and another sister will come in.
For P-Day today, we climbed a mountain in Chur! We had to wake up at 5 to get ready and make the morning trains, but it was so worth it! I love the Alps--they're gorgeous! Unfortunately, I don't have pictures today since we're at an internet cafe in Zürich and didn't decide to come here until we were leaving Chur. I'll post pictures soon. Promise!
Wish I could write more, but I'm afraid that will have to wait a week, since PDay is just about over. Love you all!
Sister NeSmith
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