Monday June 29, 2015 Gera, Germany

*Note from Mom: Cassidy’s last email title was, “Who would have thought THAT would be a problem.” We didn’t really know what she meant by that…*

Well, to start things off, I didn't really explain my last email title. The problem is that we have TOO many people to teach, and not enough time to find! Don't even ask how that happened! Especially in this mission. We have been so so blessed. It's not even us who has found all these people, they have just been given to us. Work hard, and be obedient. It is just easier.

Montag: We taught the Meckel family. The two oldest girls are now on baptismal date. Not until October. We are working on moving it up. We will see. We also just got a text that they canceled our appointment for today:(

Dienstag: We taught Frau Dhillion from the Bible because she doesn't like/accept the Book of Mormon...yet! She also always feeds us peppermint tea with fresh peppermint from her garden. It’s really good! We made our way with the car to Dr. Hoofalon straße (road). We went by on a less active and also the crazy lady that we meet out in the pouring rain a couple weeks ago. She's now safe in her house:) We went by on a contact and he is like the nicest German man we have ever met! He bought us mugs and then filled them with candy! It’s really cool and has some cool Gera stuff on it. We also met with Michael this day. He actually READ!! Yes!! This has been what he have been waiting for!! Progress...he's making progress! 

Mittwoch: Distrikt meeting. Then we went by some Werdau members that Bishop asked us to go by on. Elder Young was mad because the less actives all let us in, but before they wouldn't let the Elders come over. Sometimes...people just need sisters. We also found a guy here from Brazil. He’s a ballerina for the theater here. He’s cool and we get to give him a Book of Mormon sometime soon. A new kid also came to English class. He is from Syria and we are starting a German class for him! He is going to bring his friends...which means like the whole ausländer heim (foreigner’s home)! 

Donnerstag: I have written down that I need to do a better personal study because I fell asleep during my personal study. Woops...I'll work on that! We taught Michael. He's still doing well! Had some concerns about the Golden plates. But we focused on having a testimony instead of worrying about the little details. Then Frank. He is all hung up because he thinks the Book of Mormon has bad grammar in German. We will clear that up next time. It's hard to have a controlled lesson with him. Then Schwester Riemann, she is SO sweet! We talked about the Book of Mormon. She has a hard life, but we think that she is starting to gain some hope because of the things she has started doing again! Prayer, scripture study…good things! We then had an appointment with Lutz, another less active! He’s SO funny! But he was also serious for our lesson and we all felt the Spirit really strong. Claudia, his friend was there. She started crying in our lesson, and then when Lutz said the closing prayer. We are bringing her a Book of Mormon tomorrow. See what I mean by people are just dropped into our hands?

Freitag: We helped Sch. Dörlitz in her garden. Sister Medley mowed grass for the first time! Sch. Dörlitz made us wear these huge guy sweatpants so we didn't get our crappy exercise/work cloths dirty. People are funny! Herr Strauss bailed on us again because he had to work. Then we did weekly planning.

Samstag: It rained…and rained. Herr Strauss fell out again! But we got to teach Micheal! We talked about the Sacrament! It was a good lesson! Then we got to teach lucy! We had the feeling that we should talk to her about missions. We also had the feeling that we should ask her if she has ever thought about going on a mission. She said yes! She had an experience the other day with a friend and she told her friend kind of randomly that she wanted to go on a mission! God has a plan for everyone. He knows what He's doing! 

Sonntag: Michael came to church! That was really fun! Then we ate at another Kosak family’s house! With President Kosak’s dad, and brother, and his brother’s wife! We ate Rouladen! First time ever in Germany! It was good to say the least! I had some pretty funny, embarrassing moments in German this day. If you thought I was blonde before, you should see me trying to communicate in a different language! I’m still the same person...just a little more spiritual! 

Well, not a lot of time, and I didn't really take any more pics this week! Sorry! I will send some next week! Oh! And maybe from my Ipad I can send a couple! 

This week I’ve just realized how blessed I am! I don't know, my heart is just filled with gratitude. I’m SO blessed! I have a great family, great friends. I have the Gospel. I’m on a mission! I feel have the Spirit with me every day! I have joy! REAL joy! Not just worldly joy. Really, there isn't much more in life to ask for. Remember to be grateful for what you have in life at the moment. Remember especially to thank Heavenly Father for it. I love you! 

Liebe, Sister St. John

 

Our district! Ignore my hair...it needs work. It has almost no layers. Maybe ask Brooke what I could do about that? I'm terrified of going to a hair cutting place here! They don't know how to cut hair! I'm really actually worried that they would shave half of my head or
something! That's really in style here right now! Along with mc hammer pants. No joke. I think of Brittney every time I see them for some reason! Ok...but our district. So fun! Four Sisters and two Elders. Elder Young, by Sister Medley goes home in 5 weeks. Elder Thompson served in Gera right before we did. They serve in our area with us.