This week was so awesome!!!

Boy oh boy has the time flown by or what?!? This Saturday is already transfer calls!!! It just seems like yesterday that I got here in Dortmund!  I have found to love this place, the people, and my companion and change will be a hard thing to grasp but with the grace and strength of God I know that it will be okay.  I congratulate all those who are enganged and getting married from the branch back home.  Thank you Sister Murray for your letter.  I definitely did a happy dance when I received it :)  This week was so awesome!!! Okay every week is awesome but that is a mission for you!!  Miracles happen every day!!  We were able to spend FHE the Petzold family for a BBQ.  German BBQs are quite different from back in the states.  Well dinner with the Petzold family it is.  She made delicious potato salat and Br. Petzold grilled the meat.  Not just a couple different types of meat but they had 5 different kinds.  Let me repeat, 5!!!  Sister Tuschling and Sister Garlick are still aching from that dinner appointment but man was it good!!!!  We were able to help her clean her house as well, which needed some love definitely and it felt soooo good to help someone when they desperately need it.  I love service because you get to forget about what is going on within you and just work out everything by your actions.  And I have a testimony to those that you serve, are those that you love.  So my advice is to serve the one you love and the love will grow even more.  I promise :)  We were on the train headed back home and our appointment came out to be a little later than we thought so we were already pumpkins by this point.  So we are on the train and I get out my German Dictionary to try and figure out a word our friend used during the appointment and this couple started staring at us.  We were two American girls from the old West speaking German in an American accent on a U-Bahn with the name "Church of Jesus Christ" on our names tags, looking up German words, what is there not to stare at haha  Well anyways we start talking with them and then out of no where two teenage girls sprint from their seat to the seat in front of us to listen to us.  It must have been our accents or something because they were soooo curious of where we were from and what we were doing.  You betcha we gave them passalong cards and they said they'd call :)  I love sticking out like a sore thumb.  But I love it even more because we never have to stick out alone.  The talk from President Monson is constantly on my mind which is called, "Dare to Stand Alone."  Love it!!!  My favorite day this week by far was Friday.  It was our Finding Day.  We fasted Thursday for people to open up their hearts to us and help us recognize those that are ready for the Gospel and my testimony was strengthened.  On Friday we left the apartment with high hopes and goals that seemed high to acheive but we still were stoked to be out on the streets preaching the gospel.  We made a plan to go the University and to just do doors at the dorms.  That was inspired of God.  We ended up being there for only an hour and a half and we had 10 people to go back and teach.  What!?!?   That is unheard of!!!  At the end of the day we went to a cute little pond called the Phönix See where tons of people go and ponder about life.  Perfect place to go talk to people because there is a reason why they were pondering :)  We almost regretted going because it was Friday night, in Germany, and it was getting pretty late but we endured and made a goal of talking to people that were alone on benches.  We then saw an olderly guy sitting on a bench by himself looking off into the See with pondering eyes so yes of course we went up to him.  We told him that we were missionaries for our church and Sister Garlick asked him "Lesen Sie gerne?" Which means, do you read gladly?  And he said yes, I have tons of books and I have no television.  Why do you ask?  Then we explained the Book of Mormon.  He said that after this we was just going home and said that he would read it.  We handed him a card and told him to call us.  We left with smiles on both of our faces until we realized we didn't get his number.  Kicking ourselves we started heading home.  10 minutes later we were still bumbed about not getting his number and as we were about to cross the street, there he was!!!  He came up to us and we started chatting more about the church and about his life.  He just went through  a life and death heart operation and it really opened up his eyes to what his life truly meant and had many questions.  We asked if we could have his number and he gladly gave it to us.  I know that Heavenly Father places us in the exact right place at the right time to find His children that are ready to hear His word.  And I also know that He gives us a second chance at contacting that person when the missionaries forget the most important contact information!!!  I love this work and I cannot wait to start teaching these new faces :)  One new thing that we are doing with a less active is going through the Young Women's program.  She was baptized when she was 19 but then was less active really quickly so never had the chance ever to do it.  At first she was hesitant to do it but then after I suggested doing it with her, her heart opened.  So now I, Sister Tuschling, age 23, one a mission, am starting the Young Women's program to obtain my Young Women's Medallion!!!  I love it!!!  Bis next week!! Tschüss!!

A good week

This week we had so many miracles happen, and we absolutely were astonished and amazed at what the Lord can do when He wants things to be done.  We met with the William Family to see how they were doing because Joseph has been way super sick.  He was in the ICU in the Krunkenhaus for a couple of days and we were really worried about him.  So we went by and he was home!!  He looked tired and it took all the energy he had to say hello and greet us.  We gave them their quad that we got for them for their baptismal gift to liften up their spirits.  I know the power behind having your own, brand new pair of scriptures in your hands, and so we hoped that this would work too.  We gave them to both Peace and Joseph and they LOVED them.  They could not stop talking about the word of God and how merciful He is and how He blesses His children.  Their faith alone astounds me everytime we go over there.  A couple days later we were able to see their Joseph, Peace, and Isaac together as a family and Joseph looked like a new man.  He had a little hop in his step too :)  They couldn't stop talking about their baptism!  So we were able to decide that it would be this next Saturday at 1:30 :)  After 2 months of trials and hardship, they are ready to take that leap of faith.  They are so ready and they are so excited to go back to Nigeria and to spread the gospel more!!!  This week is going to be really cool.  The Alpine Germany Mission and the Frankfurt Germany Mission together (including all the missionaries) are fasting on Thursday to help find new people to teach.  Then the next day, Friday, we all are finding all day!!!!!!!!!!!  We have no appointments on Friday and everyone will be on the streets looking for the elect!!  Sister Garlick and I are soooooo excited!!!!   Another mission like Portugal did this and they found 1,000 new people to teach!!

Following the Spirit

I have truly learned this week that everything we do matters but when Heavenly Father wants something done, He is going to do it!!!  The missionaries have been teaching a woman named Dani for about 2 years now.  She has met with the Elders but always seemed to love the sisters more.  So for the past 6 months Sisters were allowed to be here in Dortmund.  That is when Sister Garlick (my wonderful companion) came into the picture.  She has been teaching Dani her entire mission and always made progress with her.  She has had 2 previous baptism dates but every time the day came up, she could not handle it and her husband never allowed it.  So we have not been able to meet with her for about a month.  Then the BYU Orchestra came into town and she actually housed some of the students.  That Sunday she came to church for the first time in a while!!  We were so excited and got an appointment with her.  Sister Garlick and I head over Thursday afternoon to teach her.  We really could not figure out what needed to be taught so we went in with a plan of following the Spirit (which both of us love!)  We sit down and start eating and out of no where she says that she does not want to put it off anymore and it would just be easier to get baptized.  Me not knowing most German still did not pick it up at all so I kept on talking about who knows what haha.  The door rang and so she left the room.  That very moment Sister Garlick grabs my arm and asked if I understood anything at all and that is when she told me that Dani wants to be baptized as soon as possible!!!  I could barely hold it together then we whispered to each other the game plan = follow the Spirit more.  I was able to answer some of her questions and bear testimony about being the only member in my family and how I got to know the church and my journey to where I am now.  We then were able to commit her to be baptized on Sunday!!!!!! WHAT!!!!!  Sunday!!! In like 3 days??? Oh ya 3 day plan for a baptism!!!  And the beautiful part about it is that when she told her children, they were so excited for her!!! Her friend told her 16 year old son, "You know you can be baptized too" in a joking fashion and he responded, "Warum nicht?"  Why not!!!  Oh how Heavenly Father knows us and loves us and wants all of us to be happy.  Yesterday on Mothers Day, Dani a mother of 3 beautiful children set the example for her family to follow.  Her husband was in tears when she hit the water and took so many pictures so that she could remember this special day forever.  The Lord works in mysterious ways and I cannot even comprehend it.  I barely met her twice!!  I am so grateful to be able to bear simple testimony about trials and hardships and able to help her a little bit.  I am so blessed to be able to witness her family come closer to Heavenly Father. 
PS - I received a beautiful letter from the DR today and my heart was filled with everlasting joy!! Thank you Hermana Avery!! I love you!

Just smile and laugh

We had so many miracles happen this week I don't even know where to begin or how to explain all of them.  One that really moved me is last Monday night we had an appointment with a 22 year old girl who is married already named Ana and she is the sweetest little thing you'll ever meet.  We walk into her cute little appartment and she has all the drinks set out for us already with delicious chocolade and alles!!  Before we can even say the opening prayer, she looks us in the eyes and says, "Sisters, ich weiß dass das Buch Mormon wahr ist."  Which means I know that the Book of Mormon is true.  Mind you that this is only like the 3rd official time of teaching her!!!!  So we both look at each other and then at her and we all just jumped for joy and then we asked her how she knew and she told us that she was looking in the Bible for the answer and asked Heavenly Father if there was another book that He sent to us (or something like that haha I still don't understand everything completely) and then she opened the Book of Mormon and started reading and the answer was right there where she randomly opened up to it!!  We asked her to be baptized that night and she agreed!!! Yesterday was her first day at church and she said it was interesting and she cried during the closing hymn in Sacrament Meeting and then we had a church tour.  We are meeting her again on Friday and I cannot wait!! I love this work and I love being a missionary!!! It is the best thing in the whole entire world!!!!! And laughing with your companion is the best way to stay away from tears and sorrow.  When life gets too hard, just smile and laugh :)

Dortmund

 Dortmund is a blessing from Heavenly Father.  I have only been here since Thursday but holy cow miracles are happeneing EVERYWHERE!!!  Not even joking.  I got off the 3 hour train from Frankfurt and I was looking for my new companion when I found her sprinting and jumping towards our direction.  Her name is Sister Garlick from Utah and is such a little fireball and a lover of missionary work!!  She is so funny, so gung ho about everything and her positivity is the best thing I have ever encountered here in Germany. She is only a couple transfers older that I am so her German is better than mine but I can understand her and she loves my bad broken German and encourages me :)  We have started a Wunder Wand!! A Wunder Wand is a "Miracle Wall" because all that has happened already!!  We put up little sticky notes after writing on them the miracles that happened throughout the day.  They are all color coordinated too :)  The people here in Dortmund are so nice!!!!  You talk to them and its like they don't even see your name tag but even when they do they still smile and talk to you!  It is beautiful!!  We met with an 82 year old woman the other night and she truly is the cutest thing I have ever seen.  We talked about prayer and she always wants to give us money for some reason but we never take it... until we started praying.  I guess she has never prayed before so when she started praying, she prayed to Heavenly Father that He would allow us to take her money to go to the zoo.  Of course we had to take it because that would mean Heavenly Father doesn't answer prayers!! So we took the money and will be going to the zoo next week :)  She was happy and gave us sea shells on our way out haha.  Sister Garlick has been working with a family of 3 named the Williams family.  Peace, Joseph, and Isaac are from Nigeria, Africa an have already committed to be baptized :)  They called us and asked if we could help them move from their old apartment to their new and of course we couldn't deny!!  We were lifting chairs and moving all of their household items all afternoon in skirts :)  I love missionary work :)  We were pretty sore the next day.  Good thing my companion is a tough one!!  We actually talked to 4 more people that day and they all agreed to have us come back to talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!  And we found out where another one of our people lives right next door.  It is like Heavenly Father wanted us to help them so we could find these people.  Not including kids, we will be teaching 7 people on that street :)  Yesterday after church we went to teach the Emeka family.  They are also from Nigeria who the Williams referred us to.  They are awesome!!  After teaching about baptism and things were just feeling to right and me being a greeny still was nervous to ask them to be baptized ended up asking them to read more out of the Book of Mormon until next time we meet.  But before the closing prayer, the mother Anna looks me in the eyes and asks, "Do we have to make an appointment with somebody to baptized in your church?"  Heavenly Father knows us and knows what we need to do and if we don't do it, He'll take over haha.  So we will be working with their family (8 members) to enter into the waters of baptism.  As we were walking out, we were thinking that life couldn't get any better.  We have 2 families that want to be baptized!!  We stopped and said hello to this man and we introduced ourselves as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and we teach about Jesus Christ. And he says, "Hi my name is Dennis.  And I would like to be a part of your program.  How can I join?" (OF COURSE YES!) We gave him a card and talked about where the church was and we would love to meet there on Sundays.  And then he says, "Well can I give you my number and then you can call me?" (OF COURSE YES!)  We got his number and we were on our way back home still marveling how many people asked us to be baptized yesterday.  Miracles are happening here and I am so very grateful for the opportunity to be here and to just be the tool Heavenly Father needs us to be.  It is His work and we are meerly his workers and I can truly testify of that.