Prepare yourself for a nice little cheeseball letter this time around. Mostly because it's Christmas and all and I am feeling rather reflective. I really thought by this time of year I would be a rockstar missionary. You know, doing my thing. Teaching like a pro. Speaking German like a pro. You know the whole sha-bang. And I am starting to realize that is not the case and it is starting to sink in that may not ever be the case...
Hardest part? Well besides having your heart slammed to pieces on the daily, contantly feeling like you are annoying people, and never feeling like you are measuring up? It's great. But really it is great. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Having your heart slammed just means that you have something so dear to your heart worth sharing. Constantly feeling like you are annoying just means you are being bold and forcing yourself to get out of the comfort zone and into the miracle zone. Not ever measuring up just means I am lucky enough to be in such a time of growth and change and forcing me to truly rely on Christ. So I repeat, it's great. Plus you should know that by now considering I literally end every letter by saying how much I love being a missionary. This. is. the. best.
So then comes the best part...and I have been attempting to narrow that down.. Literally impossible but one thing I have thought of in particular. The bean plant. Yes. A brand new wee little bean plant just peeking through the dirt. (what'd I tell you I was feeling cheesy this morning)
Let me take you back to my childhood for a quick sec. Particularly the 5th Grade science fair. Three little bean seeds. And you wait and you wait and you water and you put it in the sunlight and you wait some more. And what was the best part? Sure, it was great to have a bean plant the size of Texas and to harvest beans and to win the water efficiency award. BUT the best part was when it first poked through the ground. Just a teeny little glimpse of life, knowing that all of that work was actually working.
That is my favorite part of missionary work. We meet with these people and wait and wait for that first sign of life. The first sign of a testimony. The first step towards conversion. The first time they feel the spirit. The first time they might feel that we aren't crazy and that someone is actually listening to their prayers. The first time they feel the power that comes from the Book of Mormon. And then you get to watch it transform right in front of your eyes. Oh it is the absolute best.
Calvin's bean plant popped through this week. He told us that last time at the end of our lesson when he was praying he felt a warm feeling head to toe. Is that the spirit? Um yes. Has he never experienced that before? Yes. Do I take that for granted because I feel it all the time? yes. I was beaming for a full ten minutes. This is the best.
have yourself a merry little Christmas
AND I WILL SEE YOUR FACES VIA SKYPE IN APPX 72 HOURS
xoxoxoxo
s. heywood
ps: we took caroling up a few levels this week and went singing door to door. Just for future reference Germans do NOT carol. And are in complete shock when 8 Americans suddenly burst into a Christmas carol at the drop of a hat... But they must have liked us continuing. We got offered money and candy and people wanted to take our pictures and all the good stuff. Don't worry we only took the cheap chocolate.
pps: Münster continues to be flooded on the daily. 65 book of mormons gone only 35 more to go. whoop. whoop.
ppps: Someone stole our dead Christmas tree this week. Still bitter.
are we ready for Christmas? you. betcha.
Ate an 'Americaner' this week. Little taste of home.
Rain or shine spreading some Christmas cheer.
we can improvise. Be prepared is our new motto. Sorry boy scouts.
....Although.... we had some umbrella struggles this time around.... I will learn, don't worry.
Raise your hand if your companion makes you pancakes shaped like 6's for your 6 month mark? yep. she's the best.
we thought we would give you all a little taste of beautiful Germany.... hehe jk Here is the email 'cafe' we get to enjoy on the weekly. No they do not sell hot chocolate. But it's all good beacue the owner saves us two special ones every week. We are regulars.
Calvin.
And now that I have completed that completely random hodge podge of pictures here is one more for kicks to get you in the Christmas spirit. love ya. love Germany. love being a missionary. love life. Okay. I am done.
