Monday July 27, 2015 Gera, Germany

Hallo! Looks like you had a fun week! I was thinking about Fiesta days this week! I hope you ate some good food! And enjoyed the rodeo! I had a pretty event filled week also! It went by very fast! 

Montag: we had a half p-day. We met with a member and then the Meckel family. Schwester Meckel started crying when we told her that transfers are coming up. Sometimes I guess I just don't realize that we actually have an effect on people’s lives. 

Dienstag: We taught Michael. It's hard to have a focus with his lessons now that he doesn't have a specific goal! Have goals people! It helps you have direction in life! I hated goals/to do lists before my mission. You should see my desk and notebooks now! FULL of goals! We also had Gemeinde Abend (kind of like a ward FHE). Oh! And then we ate pizza with Tony and Lucy! That was a fun little dinner/lesson. We made Lucy a planner like ours and gave her topics to study every day. She's really bored for the 6 weeks she has of summer. So we have been trying to keep her busy! ;) 

Mittwoch: Distrikt meeting, talked about setting miracle goals. I liked it a lot! God is a God of Miracles. If he can work miracles then, then why not now? We took a bus home from DM. It was HOT! No AC there either. Then we taught German and English class. I like this part of the day. The people are so nice and so eager to learn! I love it! Plus I get to speak English and not feel bad about it. 

Donnerstag: This day was Buchenwald concentration camp. Our visit to Buchenwald was really amazing. Walking into the camp there is an indescribable feeling that was there. The feeling was heavy, almost like you could touch it. Everyone there had a reverence of respect. It was quiet, the wind was blowing, and the sky was grey. I could imagine it looking and feeling the same about 80 years ago, as it did this day. So many people died and suffered there. So many children and young teenagers also. To see pictures and think of what the people had to go through makes me cringe. I don't know how the people that survived did it. 

I had seen a few Holocaust Museums before, but not an actual camp. I had felt this heavy feeling, and had the sense of reverence before. However, I had never learned, or realized what I learned and realized in Buchenwald. As I was listening to the history, and feeling what had happened there an overwhelming feeling of pure love swept over me. It was a Christ like love. For all these people that died, and suffered in Buchenwald, and in World War II itself. The scripture in D&C 18:10 came to mind, "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." I know that is true. I know that it’s true now, I know that it was true then, and I know that it will always be true. However, because of the things that people went through, and even just the remembrance of what the people during World War II went through, people have seem to lost their faith. I don't blame them. It would be hard to believe there is a God while being in a concentration camp. However, because I have the knowledge that God loves me, and that he loves all of his children, I can go through trials in my life with hope. I have the assurance that as long as I live the gospel of Christ, and keep the commandments, that nothing in life can go permanently wrong. Things may change, and things may be hard, but I know that as I live the gospel my Heavenly Father will watch over me. The importance of knowing who we are and what we mean to God is very important. If we forget how much we mean to our Heavenly Father, then we will lose our self-confidence, and self-worth. This week I read a talk by President Uchtdorf, called "You matter to Him". One line that really hit me was about how compared to God we are nothing, yet to God we are everything. God created the universe for US! Do you know how amazing that is? He did all of that for us! That makes me think that he loves us very much! I wish that more people could have this knowledge, so that they could go through trials with the assurance that God loves them! 

I read "man’s search for meaning" when I was in school and it is about someone in a concentration camp, but how he stays positive. I don't remember if he believed in God the whole time, but he had a WHY. Find your WHY and stick to it! 

Freitag: we went finding!! WAAHOO!! I’ve never been so happy to have finding time on my whole mission! We found 4 new contacts this day, and hopefully they will all be new investigators this week! We also met with the Meckels in their garten (garden)! Pascal bought Schwester Meckel a garten! SO cool! At the Meckels garten there was a guy that we were talking to and he asked Sister Medley why her last name was different from mine. We explained that we weren't related and he was totally shocked! He said that he thought sister Medley was my MOM!! I was dying!!! Oh sooo funny! And better yet, he thought she was my mom because I was short!! haha! I must look REALLY young! Plus, Sister Medley has a birthday this week, so I guess she's just starting to show her old age of 20!! Ha! Funny!  Then my favorite part of the week... Weekly Planning.

Samstag: We had a joint teach with Michael about the organization of the church. God is smart, that’s all I have to say about the organization of the church. Just Wow. Then we had finding again! We found another contact!! YES! Then we met with Lucy and she made us pancakes! SO good! And we had a lesson that I think went really well. We love her so much! And she is making great progress and learning so much from her studies! We are proud! 

Sonntag: The whole Meckel family didn't come to church, but Fynnlay and Nele came! They are very good and love primary! The ward is good to them! We then ate at Schwester Dörlitz's house. I dread the words "alles muss aufgegessen werden!" Which translated means: "here, I cooked enough food to feed the stripling warriors and I expect you and Sister Medley to eat ALL of it!" I honestly almost threw up after this eating appointment. At least it was good! 

I really learned a lot this week and loved every minute that I had! I'm enjoying my time with Sister Medley! We are working hard. We try not to think of transfers very much, but we know they are coming. Wish us luck. I pray for you always! I'm also so proud that you read together as a family. Have fun camping siblings. I can count on one finger how many times MOM has suggested that we go camping and it’s this time! Have so much fun and enjoy the nature. Remember how much you mean to God. He created everything for you! I love you so much! 

Mit Aller Liebe, Sister St. John

*Note from Mom: included below are Cassidy's pictures from the concentration camp she was able to visit. Just a warning that a few of the pictures are quite graphic.*

Us with Sister and President Kosak. He still wears his nametag inside of his jacket! We love them! 

 Buchenwald gate

 Barbwired fence

 Role call line up place

 The crematorium. Pretty horrible, but I thought you might want to see some pictures.

 The bunkers were all torn down after the American soldiers invaded the camp, so they weren't there anymore. However, the block numbers and places of the bunkers were there. We listened to a audio tour and it told us things about specific blocks. Very interesting.

 

 A panorama, and the little camp.

 They put 2000 people in a stable built for 50 horses. Awful.

 Some of the original fence.

The depot, where they held all the clothes and food.

Another view of the crematorium. 

We went on another hike today. it was beautiful and raining and fun! 

 

Monday July 20, 2015 Gera, Germany

In 9 months...

Let me just start off by saying that I have to write my email on my iPad and it's not very fun. So...It may be short today! Sorry!! It looks like everyone is having SO much fun! The flower field is beautiful! I miss the mountains, and actually being awake for sunsets. So...As you all know, I will hit my 9 month mark on Wednesday! I know, you are all thinking the same thing as me...Like, "how could this be? It was like last week that she left!” But at the same time I don't remember her being home. That's about how I'm feeling about it. If you could do me a favor and just pray that it would go a little slower that would be nice!

A little overview of my week…

Tuesday: we taught Michael. I ate liverwurst at geminde abend. It wasn't too bad! And we taught the Meckels.

Wednesday: normal day with district meeting, studies, English, German. Then we went on exchanges. I went to Chemnitz with Sister Kromwitter. She's German!

Thursday: I was still in Chemnitz, we did a service project with the Elders there. Then we came home. While I was gone…Sister Medley had a lot of appointments. One of them being with Michael. To make a long story short, he doesn't feel prepared to be baptized anymore. Really really sad, because he could have.

Friday: We did weekly planning, taught schwester Wolf, and visited a couple members. (I needed to use their bathroom. There are no public bathrooms).

Saturday: We handed out balloons to little kids that said "I'm a child of God!" That was fun! Then we went park finding. Then taught Sandy, he wasn't drunk this time so that was good. Taught Michael about temples with schwester Dörlitz. And also met with Lucy! (We aren't supposed to have favorites...but we do. She's definitely it!)

Sunday: This was a great day!! Because guess what? The Meckels came to church!! Oh my goodness we were soooo happy! Everyone but Aja came! And also President, or former President Kosak was there! We were very happy! We also met with Lucy again this day and talked about the importance of having the Spirit with us.

Today: We switched some P-day hours so we can go to Buchenwald on Thursday!!! We are very excited! We met with the Fügmann family today and they said to tell you hi! We will later meet with the Meckels! Then...the real week will start. We are busy, but always having fun! The weather isn't so bad anymore.

A lot happens in 9 months. And I don't think anyone but me will ever get the full effect of how I've changed, or what I've learned. But I can tell you it's amazing, and the mission is worth it.
In 9 months I have....

-used 1 can of hairspray. That's it
-lived in 4 different cities in 2 different countries (MTC counts)
-been with someone 24/7
-eaten my body weight in potatoes
-been the happiest in my life
-worn a selection of about 10 skirts, and 12 shirts
-been the saddest I've ever been in my life
-learned more about East Germany than I thought I ever would
-talked to hundreds of people...in German
-gained 15 pounds
-ordered my OWN food, in German, more than once
-given out 100's of pass along cards from our church
-learned that I can do anything if it's in English
-read the Book of Mormon in German
-received calluses on my feet from the many miles I've walked
-noticed ALL of my weaknesses (a mission will do that for you)
-have turned some weaknesses into strengths
-eaten turkey liver, fish with scales on it, liverwurst, African food
with mystery meat and my fair share of bakery goods
-gained a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father then I thought
was possible
-learned how to use the Atonement every day in my life

In 9 months I will...
- hopefully doubled and strengthened all of the good experiences that I've had
- take what I've learned so far, and apply it to my life, and through
the eternities

9 months...goes fast. I hope it slows down. I only have this opportunity once! I love you!! Have such a fun 24th of July week! Don't forget that it's about pioneers! (I didn't know that until I was like 16...so remember to teach your kids what it's about too!;) Love
you all!

-Sister St. John

Panorama for dad especially! View from the castle. These "mountains"
are actually the biggest that I've seen here in Germany! 

Monday July 13, 2015 Gera, Germany

Der Tempel und die Segnungen davon

Title translation: The Temple and the blessings there from. Or…The temple, and the blessings from it. I don't know how to put that into right sentence structure. :)

Hallo!! Summer here in Germany, or in Gera at least is now in full swing! The kids only get 6 weeks of summer! So everyone in America should be grateful for their summer break! 

Montag: We had a wonderful lesson with the Meckel Family! We talked about the Doctrine of Christ. We made another little puzzle with a bridge that you have to build that gets you to the other side. It's fun for the kids and gets everyone involved. We also made the kids Baptisim calendars and helped them know how to do those. At the end of the lesson we watched a Mormon message about the blessings we can receive when we live the doctrine of Christ. It was really focused on the family. The Spirit was very strong while we were watching it, and I cry anyway every time we watch this film. But, Schwester Meckel also started crying. When it was over I felt the strong impression to just bear my testimony of the family. I got through my tears just enough to bear a short, but very strong testimony of how the gospel could bless their family. It was maybe the strongest testimony that I have ever given. I have never felt the Spirit help me as much as it did in that moment to know exactly what to say and how to say it. As I was set apart by our Stake President, he promised me that I would be able to speak the language as if I was born here. Most of the time I look at that promise and think it will never happen, but...sometimes, when I am talking with the Spirit, I can see this promise fulfilled. 

Dienstag: We taught Michael. He is really struggling right now to find his testimony. We talked a lot about the Word of Wisdom, and his is still hung up on that Jesus drank wine, so he doesn't see why it’s bad. If anyone has any suggestions with this let me know. Also, we were supposed to teach Sandy, but he didn't show up. So, we finally had a little bit of time for finding. We then went to Frau Dhillion! She is an amazing cook and always has some kind of small dessert made for us! We had Gemeinde Abend and watched the Testaments auf Deutsch, which, I have almost memorized by now! It's funny! Then we had a little Gemi-Co with Bruder Krause. 

Mittwoch: We had an appointment with Sch. Morgner. A less active in Werdau that we found a couple weeks ago. Her daughter was also there. We were just talking for a while and then her daughter said, "Ok, I have to tell you something" and she proceeded to tell us how grateful she is that we came at this time to help her and her mom. She talked about the timing and how we were very open and how they connected with us very quickly. It was another moment on my mission that I KNEW without a doubt that I was supposed to be there to help these ladies. Sister Medley and I were in the exact place at the exact time we were needed. I am very grateful that God has a specific plan for each of us. We also taught Frank, English and German this day! 

Donnerstag: We went to Leipzig for a zone conference with our new President! But, before I tell you about that I have to tell you something pretty typical of me! As we were leaving I forgot my name tag, so I ran in to get it and Sis. Medley held the door open. My keys were still IN the door INSIDE our apartment. I didn't even think about it and just walked out and let the door close! Shoot. My keys. But hey, no problem because Sis. M. had her keys with her. Wait...problem, the keys are still in the door so Sis M's keys don't work. Ugh! Looking back it’s funny, because Bruder Krause helped us out while we were in Leipzig! So...Leipzig. President Fingele is amazing! He has 5 kids! 3 of them were with him as well as his wife! During this conference, we focused a lot on the family! Our new mission theme is "Faithfully we Baptize, Focused on the Blessings of the Temple." We talked about setting 2 baptismal dates for our investigators. One for themselves, and then one for a passed away family member in the temple. I LOVE this focus and I'm so excited to see it used in our mission! It is a little hard to do so because both of the temples in Germany are closed right now until 2016...but! We will make it work! 

Freitag: We met with Sandy! Also made an appointment with a contact for next week. Also a little bit of weekly planning! 

Sammstag: We finished our weekly planning, did some finding, an appointment fell out, we had a joint teach with Sch. Dörlitz and Michael! Then we went and ate with Lucy!! We love her to death and she's a very good cook! She even made me fries!! :) 

Sontag: Church, it wasn't so hot so we had all 3 hours. Michael came today which was really good because it was all about temples!! YES! We ate by Sch. Kretchmar! Rouladen! 

That was basically all for my week! I will send some pictures really quick! Love you!! Hope you have a GREAT week!! 

Alles Liebe, Sister St. John 

A garden in Gera! Reminds me a little of temple square, just without the temple! 

We went on a "hike" to a castle here in Gera today!  

And a jumping pic because why not?

Monday July 6, 2015 Gera, Germany

Well, I think one thing in common with us this week is that it was HOT! I honestly think I have been sweating for a week straight. Also, for some great reason, Germany thinks it doesn't need AC. It does. Also, it’s a great feeling to get out of the shower and never be really dry...ugh! Not going to lie, I like the dry heat better! The humidity is only good if you are by an ocean. Anyway, you sounded like you had a great week full of summer fun. Having cousins over is always fun. Enjoy every moment! 

As for my week....

Montag: The Meckels fell out and so we had an extra hour of P-day, and a few hours free to work. So...Lucy called us and she was in the town! We went, got some dinner, and then went to a park to have our own little Family Home Evening. Sister Medley and Lucy stuck me in this spinney thing and spun me till I was way dizzy. They decided to film me trying to get out of the spinney thing and the video is pretty funny! I wish I could send it to you. After that we had a really spiritual lesson. We love Lucy! She is like our best friend!

Dienstag: We went by on a member in an old folk’s home, and he was busy, so we couldn't visit him. Then we went by on a contact. He wasn't home. We then taught Michael about obedience. We found a video, its president Uchtdorf giving his testimony. Of course in English, However, HE translated it into German! So, we heard Pres. Uchtdorf speak German. Very cool! We then Taught Frau Dhillon from the Bible, and she fed us food with raw tomatoes. I managed to eat them without throwing up. We then had an appointment with a new investigator Claudia. She is 19 and very open to learn. She also accepted that when she knows it's true, she will be baptized. 

Mittwoch: Diskrikt meeting! The Elders made us root beer floats because it's the fourth of July week! They had some root beer extract or something, and it actually tasted pretty good! After Distrikt meeting we went by a member in Werdau and she wasn't home. It was SO hot this day. Honestly like upper 90's and so humid. I was wet. Everyone was just wet. Gross. We got home, and ate lunch. What? We actually had time to eat lunch? That’s weird! We did some studies, which is actually one of my favorite parts of the day, and then did some finding! Not very many people were out though because it was so hot. Extreme weather conditions...not prime for missionary work. 

Donnerstag: We taught Michael about trying his faith. We felt strongly that we needed to invite him to be baptized on the 25th. Before we invited him, we read a few scriptures and we got on the topic of how Sister Medley and I don't have a perfect knowledge of the Book of Mormon, or the Gospel, but that we have a testimony of it and that’s what’s important. We then invited him. He said yes! And He said before he thought that he needed to know everything in the Book of Mormon, but that now he knows he just needs a testimony. He doesn't quite have a testimony yet, but I know he will get one before the 25th. We will be working a lot with him these next few weeks. We also taught Sandy, he is also a new investigator. Then had German and English class. That’s fun! We have like 4 or 5 young guys come from the Middle East. Syria, and Iran, and Iraq. It's interesting to hear how things were for them there. They are cool! I will send a pic of them. They think my blonde hair is cool. Then...we taught Raymond. Our African. Also, Tony, a newly returned sister missionary came with us! She served in Ukraine! It was a pretty horrible lesson because he doesn't let us talk and isn't willing to do anything...we decided to drop him after the lesson. However, Tony is awesome and misses her mission! We went out to dinner with her and ate at this American style little diner! 

Freitag: We made some Tauf (baptism) calendars for the Meckel kids. Put scriptures on every day, and things they should be doing every week. We also had weekly planning... which, oh my goodness it was SO hot in our apartment. We live on the top floor, and there is NO AC! Honestly....Germans and their energy saving. We had an appointment with Herr Strauss. We showed up at the park. He gave us the Book of Mormon back. Told us he didn't need it, gave us some presents, and said he wasn't interested. That it wasn't for him, but thanks anyway. I cried. We visited a less active, Sch. Wolf. She was kind of baptized without a testimony. We will have to work with her like an investigator. Sad. Then, Sch. Riemann had a lot of people over at her house, so we didn't get a good lesson in. Also sad, and a little frustrating. Sister Medley also tried to talk to a lady on the Bahn and the lady got up and moved like in the middle of the conversation. haha! It was a had to be there moment. We were done with this day. 

Samstag: AMERICA DAY!!! We wore red white and blue with the rest of America! There is a cool scripture about our country in Ether 2:12. It talks about how our country is the Promised Land, but only if we serve God. A German told me the other day that 50% of Americans go to a church every Sunday. I like to think that 45% of them are LDS. We talked to a man this day who talked to us about how he thinks America is going to start world war three. He was very concerned about it. I think he will be dead by the time that happens, so he shouldn't be worrying about it. (He was very very old) We got to visit the Zaumsagel family! They have a house in East Germany. Very cool! We taught Michael the Word of Wisdom, with Sch. Kretchmar as a joint teach. Michael and Sch. Kretchmar wore red white and blue for us. Very funny! Then we went and had a lesson with Lucy! We got to go to her apartment! It was really fun to finally see where she lives. There really is the Spirit in her room! It’s amazing the feeling from outside just walking around, and being inside a house with the Spirit there. 

Sontag: If this tells you how hot it really was, we only had 1 hour of church because of the heat. We ate with the Brykaski's. They just came from a trip from southern France on some island. The pictures looked amazing! I want to go sometime. He is also a good cook, so we enjoyed ourselves. Then we went with Lucy to a garden party from Frau Dhillon. She had lots of friends there and it was good to get to know people in a casual way. Lucy brought her guitar and Frau Dhillon wanted us to sing and play something. We sang Love at Home. It sounded bad, but…people were curious what it was and we got to talk about why we were in Germany and all of that fun stuff! We then went finding and had 5 good conversations. Which is when someone will actually talk to us, we teach a gospel principle, and invite them to do something, like meet with us, or look on our website. This is more success then we have seen in a while! We got home, filled the bathtub up with cold water, put our feet in, and then did studies. 

This week I realized how thankful I should have been at home in Utah for a lot of things. One being AC. Actually that was the main thing. Also our freedom. We live in a good country. Or at least you do for now. I’m thankful that I am on a mission. Not going to lie, sometimes it's hard to keep my desire to be out here up. Of course I would never just up and come home because it was too hot one day, but sometimes it’s hard to just be out. I’m sure you can imagine that, but I think unless you have been on a mission, you won't really understand it. I am also thankful that the Savior is always with me. I just have to call on him. He is always there. He helps me be motivated, He comforts me when I miss my family, He helps me when I don't know what to say, He loves me when I feel alone. Never take the Gospel for granted. No matter your situation. At home, on a mission, just remember how blessed you are to have this wonderful Gospel in your life. I love you all! Have a great week! Don't die because of the heat, and I will try not to either! Enjoy your AC! Ich Liebe Euch für immer und Ewigkeit (I love you forever and ever). 

Liebe, Sister St. John

 Us with tony! We got milk shakes and burgers!

 She didn't say, but we're assuming this is the group of Middle Eastern people that come to English class.