1 Transfer Down









Hallo Familie!!
This week was pretty slow. We had a lot of lessons fall through. So we were left to do a lot of social media work and finding little service opportunities. We had a shorter transfer so that the ones going home will get there before Christmas, instead of a week after. So this transfer was 4 weeks instead of 6. We're still in Feucht but we're also taking over Nürnberg as well. Nürnberg is a pretty big city so there's a lot of work to do. They have 6 missionaries in Nürnberg. Last Sunday they had 17 friends of the church there! That's insane! Sister Barden and I are excited for this change. There's not a whole ton we can do in Feucht so we're excited to add Nürnberg. I think I'll finally be able to experience the busy missionary life. There's a lot of YSA here so it'll be a lot of fun for me. They also have a group that plays Frisbee every Saturday so I'm excited to run around a little bit haha. 
On Saturday we went over to visit and make cookies with Familie Schwab. This is Lara's family. We're really trying to be a good example for them. Lara isn't very active in the church so we've been trying to invite her and set up a good relationship between us. There is also Svenja who is planning on going on mission so we're trying to help with that as well. On our way there, we did street contacting. It was my first time doing it by myself. It was scary but I know it won't get easier if I just sit back and watch. During this, we got caught in a protest against forced immunizations. There were a ton of people walking down the street and chanting. We watched for about 20 minutes and it was still going. It was a bit frightening. This was my first time seeing a protest or march in person and it was a lot. Now you know that I'm actually living among all the protests you hear about on TV. 
Our goal is to get rid of all the Finde Christus pass along cards that we have. They're a Christmas edition, so we're trying to have them all passed out before Christmas is over. It's been easy to use for street contacting. If someone doesn't have time then you just hand them a card that will take them right to our website. If ya'll want to go Check out the website it's Finde Christus. It's really cool and that way you get a feel of what my mission is doing. But we went to Nürnberg to street contact and give out cards and I met some really nice people. One man who wasn't interested told me that I have a great smile and I look so happy. It's like you said dad, my smile will help open people's hearts. 
Sunday was really special. We had 2 friends of the church there, Falko and Bernd. Falko is the young guy we have a zoom call with every weekend. Bernd has been investigating the church for about 5 years but is hesitant to be baptized. He loves the church and the Gemeinde (ward). But he's seen too many people get baptized and then leave the church. So we're going to teach him about the parable of the sower. It was only Falko's 4th time going to church in the 6 months that he's been getting taught. At the end we were able to talk to both of them and they started talking about the WoW, which is something Bernd struggles with. They started teaching each other about the WoW. Falko told Bernd that he can stop drinking coffee, it just needs to come from his heart. It was super cool. That night Falko texted us asking if kinder punsch was against the WoW. It was so cool to see how much he wants to be involved and become better. 
We then had lunch with Daniel Schwartz and his family. The Schwartz family is very well known here in Feucht and Nürnberg. The parents: Lehi, is the stake president currently and he used to be the mission president of the Frankfurt mission for a long time I believe. Their kids are all involved in the leadership of the Gemeinde. One is the bishop, Daniel is the elder's quorum president, and their sister is the Relief Society president. The ward is a literal family and it's so cute. But Daniel served in Boise so it was fun to talk to him and speak some English. One thing I've noticed while being here is that fancy yogurt parafaits is a popular dessert. They're super good and I might bring that trend back over to the states. 
Yesterday we had some free time so we decided to go out and pick up trash. I've never felt so judged in my whole life. It was very strange. It was not the reaction I was expecting at all. But I just have to remember that people will judge and hate but it doesn't change the message. It's the same with the gospel. People will judge and mock us, but it doesn't change the light we have or the joy we're able to bring to people. 
This week I've been studying the 4th missionary. I think I'm a bit on the edge of the 3rd missionary. I'm obedient and try my best but I've been withholding my heart. I've discovered that I need to gain some charity and love the people here enough that I treasure their salvation. Right now I'm mostly just talking to people in order to practice my German and fulfill my purpose as a missionary. But it's not enjoyable that way. So I'm trying to get better and wanting to talk to them and give them the greatest gift. So if anyone has any advice about how I can become charitable, lose myself and give all of me to the Lord it would be much appreciated. 
Don't worry mom, I'm very well taken care of here. The members are the sweetest and have been inviting us over. They also love to give us sweets. We've re-gifted so many cookies and chocolates, but we still get so many back in return. There was this one woman we visited, we gave her a giant chocolate bar. We tried to tell her that we only wanted the little pieces of the brownie looking thing and she loaded us up with all sorts of cookies. 
That's pretty much it for this week. Love you all and please reach out if you have advice!
Sister Nielsen 
1-2. Our cookies with Lara 
3. We like our hot chocolate and Caro (the same as pero in the states :))


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