"How have you seen the hand of the Lord today?"

We had Zone Conference this week in Düsseldorf and it was awesome!! One of the 70, Brother Schütze and his wife spoke to us missionaries on a lot what we could do better while we are here in Germany.  He gave us awesome German tips and moves to win over the hearts of the people.  I have been trying to use some of those techniques :)  After the meeting I stayed in Düsseldorf for a split with Sister Nelson while Sister Sprouse and SIster Stoddard went back to Dortmund.  I am so grateful for splits because you get to work with someone and are able to learn from them, and you get to teach and meet different people that you would have never met or taught before, and you get to use those techniques to help out your own city!!  But one thing I realized is that the work is the same no matter where you go.  You just serve, bear testimony, and see the miracles that follow.  It'll happen no matter where you are :)  We taught a lady this week and she has been really confused while she reads the Book of Mormon.  We went over to help her and she opened up the book and then I saw one reason!  I said to her, "Oh thats why.  Schwester don't you know that you are in the end of 2 Nephi??"  And she says, "ya..."  And then I said, "Oh dear I still don't understand anything what is being said and I'm a missionary!!"  She put a smile on her face and we explained other ways she could study, and how to relate our lives with the Book of Mormon.  It felt so good to make her feel better about being confused  :)  I love little moments like that!  We were able to have an awesome lesson with our couple from Poland over at our Ward Mission Leader's house for lunch and lesson!!  I have a testimony of how much more effective lessons are when there are members there to back you up in doctirine and to testify as well.  We were able to ask them about baptism and if they wanted that, and the wife said that she knows what she wants but they want to do it together as a couple.  I love this gospel and how it brings people together!! I know that when they decide to be baptized that they will be able to live together forever for eternity :)  Ana Castro looked so good coming to church on Sunday :)  I love the members and how they welcome her and say hello to her.  Christian who was baptized at the end of September recieved the Aaronic Priesthood in church!!  What a great week and a lot learned and very excited to begin the upcoming one!  One question that SIster Sprouse and I have been asking each other at the end of the day is, "How have you seen the hand of the Lord today?"  I know that when we ask ourselves that we will always find something, big or small, there will always be something because Heavenly Father loves us and He always helps us!!  Bis nächstes mal! Tschüß

"Heavenly Father Knows!!"

There is nothing better than singing out of the window of our apartment and seeing our neighbors stop and look to see where in the world it was coming from!!  If they didn't know where the Mormon Mädels lived, now they do!!!  Tuesday night we were able to meet up with Valentina, an older lady that we have had contact with for awhile now.  She is really poor, and hasn't got enough to even eat a meal.  So we called her up and she let us come over.  We brought over some apples and bread..  It really opened my eyes to how fortunate we are to have food everyday and have meals everyday.  The poor thing.  We also explained the Book of Mormon to her and gave one to her in Russian so she could read it.  She was grateful for the food and the book, and the whole time she was offering us little goodies and I felt guilty when I had to take one because I knew that she had nothing for herself but she would not let us leave without taking something.  Man... And then a couple days ago we were called her and she told us how she does not want our book or our company anymore.  My heart ached and was sad for a lot of the day because I know this church can help her with her internal happiness, and can help her with her food situation too.  So Sister Sprouse and I will go back in about 2 weeks to see how she is doing and take over more apples and bread.  This work is mentally tiring sometimes.  But then there are the times where you are just on cloud nine because you see how Heavenly Father is just helping those that you love.  For instance, Ana Castro is an amazing new member in our family in the church and she is just so strong.  She still has a hard time at home with her mom and husband, but she gets through and she tells us with a smile on her face.  She is awesome and I will always remember these people here.  They give me strength, when I see theirs :)  On Sunday we were able to hear from our wonderful Prophet again.  He was in Frankfurt and all Deutschland were able to see him through Satelitte to hear his counsel to us.  He talked mainly on the topic of love.  We should reach out to those who need our help.  He told a story about an older man who had a birthday and he waited and waited all day for someone to come visit him on his birthday, but no one came.  Birthdays mean alot.  Even if people don't act like it is a big deal, it is deep down.  And then he told a story about when he was bishop he followed the promptings of the Spirit to visit a woman in the ward.  She had not been at church for a very long time, neither did the husband.  She opened the door and she says, "Bishop, how did you know today was my birthday??"  President Monson had no idea it was, he just followed the feeling of going by, and so he said, "Heavenly Father knows." :) But by the end of the conversation they had on the doorstep, both of them were coming to church!!  It really does make a difference to do a little something everyday for someone - it doesn't have to be someone you know but someone.  Someone is waiting for someone to reach out to them and you could be that person.  It matters.  I look for those opportunities but I am also forever grateful for the moments when someone helps and reaches out to me.  I love you all and let us all work to serve one another and follow President Monson's words of "May us all reach out to those who long for love from us and visits from us."  Bis nächstes mal :) Liebe, Sister Tuschling PS - I am going to start learning French :)

What an Awesome weekend!

On Saturday morning, we prepared for our journey to Hamburg to see the prophet!!  It was a 2 and a half bus ride and it was a cool Greyhound bus.  So there are some pictures of our adventures.  There was a wonderful woman that brought tons of food for us and the Elders and there is a picture of me playing chubby bunny with tomatoes haha.  Probably not a good idea.  I remember one time at Hometown Buffet I ate a tomato that squirted my dad straight into his eye!  Yup I basically did that but it was going out in all directions!! I love road trips!! 

Seeing the prophet and going to Hamburg was probably one of the funnest times I have had here.  I will never forget how I felt when President Monson came into the room.  I honestly felt the same way when I first saw him about a year ago at General Conference in Utah, my heart was warm, tears came to the eyes, and I just had a constant smile on my face.  I know that he is a man of God and that he speaks for Him for us in these latter days.  He spoke of how we need to choose to listen, choose to learn, choose to labor, and choose to love in order to reach our potential and to become the best person we can become.  He is one of the funniest people ever too.  He is just like a grandpa that you could listen to forever and forever.  At the end of his remarks, he was telling how he loves Germany and the German people and that his wife always tells him that he has a little German in him even though his ancestors are not even from Deutschland.  And at the very end he said, "Ich liebe dich."  Which means I love you :)  We love you too President Monson.  Thank you for visiting us :) For all those who was able to see you, we will remember it forever and ever.

One touching thing that I saw was from one of our members in Dortmund.  The Mimini Family is from Italy and they barely speak German but they are the most warm and loving family ever.  Well while they were sitting one row above us,  the dad started sprinting down the stairs to go greet President Monson because he started coming back to say hello to everyone in the crowd.  But what I didn't notice was that the young boy was following his father, and when the father looked back to see where his son was, I saw the tears in his eyes and on his cheeks.  It really touched my heart to see the faith and love he had for the prophet.  And later talking with them, the little boy told me that he was able to get a picture with him, and that he got to hug him :) 

Also in Hamburg, we were able to see some missionaries in the Berlin Mission since we were not in our mission at all!!  So all around I saw our Frankfurt elders hug all the Berlin missionaries because the last time they saw each other since the MTC!  Then the thought came to my head of the sisters I knew when I was in the MTC.  I only got to know like 2-3 in the MTC that were going to the Berlin Mission: Sister Tidwell, Moon, and Child.  Tidwell was there and it was so great to see her :)  Deep within my heart though I wished that I could see Sister Child.  We got really close in the MTC and so I wanted to see her so I asked everybody in the mission if they knew where she was.  So before and during the event, my eyes were searching the crowd like crazy!!  I started losing hope, because out of 6,000 people how could I see one person that I knew... ?  Then I look down and I see someone pointing at me with her mouth open and started sprinting towards me :)  Sister Child!!!  We hugged multiple times and just started staring at each other.  I hadn't felt like that since I found SIster Avery in the cafeteria in the MTC months and months ago..  And I think I got a little taste of how it will be like when I come home, tears, constant smiles, and just rejoicing!!!!  What an awesome weekend :)

To add to it as well, Ana Castro and Kathir were confirmed as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints  :)  After Ana was confirmed, she sat next to me and looked at me with tears in her eyes, and said again, "That was the right way."  Oh how I love the gospel and I love how it brings so much love and joy to people's lives.  I love it so much...  Thank you for all that sent me letters this week, I am writing you back as soon as I can :)  And thank you mama for the wonderful package full of goodies :)  You know me so well!!  Liebe, Sister Tuschling

Prophet in Hamburg

Happy 10 months!!! What a week!!! First off, we had a Gemeinde Fest (Ward Party) it was our culture party as a ward, and so many people invited their friends and had so much fun!! It was awesome.  We asked the Familie Zadi to come and play drums for us since they are from Afrika and that is their profession, and they did!! And he sang and played the drums and the Ward loved it!!!!!!  He almost had an encore going!!  It was awesome!  During the whole time Sister Sprouse and I were busy painting all the little kids faces :)  I painted many bracelets and a couple faces.  Children are so obedient and cute.  I told them to hold still and try not to move or breathe, and they do exactly that!!  I had to learn and not to ask them too much because they would literally do that too.  Example, I was painting a little boy's face and he wanted spiders and spider webs all over (Sister you better be proud of me!!) and so I told him not to move and not to breath either, and the poor little dear took my advice and did just that.  Then I had to explain to him that I was just joking.  He didn't think that was very funny..  Lesson learned, don't joke with children when it comes to breathing!  But they were so stinking cute afterwards when they saw the finished masterpiece from a Sister Missionary from Amerika with no drawing or painting skills.  They just looked in the mirror and smiled and then looked immediately at their mom and said that they loved it :)  Ana came with us to paint faces too.  She of course was so cute and was a little nervous, but in the end she painted some masterpieces too.  And then Saturday came around.  Saturday consisted of two very nervous sister missionaries, transfer calls, and Ana's baptism :)  Holy emotion rollercoaster!!  Sister Sprouse and I were so nervous we could hardly handle ourselves the entire morning!  Nine o'clock came rolling around and so we called in like normal, and waiting anxiously for the announcements of the transfers. They start with Düsseldorf district, then the Dortmund.  We hear some names but the when we heard, "and the Dortmund Sisters" our hearts dropped!!  One, because we are already together for 15 weeks! Two, our companionship is too much fun and we love each other too much too to stay together.  But then we heard, "will be staying together"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAHAHHHHH!!!!! That is exactly what we shouted for joy and we jumped and hugged and jumped and danced!!!!  We will be together for another 6 weeks to work and to learn and to witness more miracles that happen :)  Heavenly Father knows us and knows what we need and I am grateful to be with Sister Sprouse again for another upcoming transfer!!  And I love Dortmund!!!  So then after that we were able to enjoy the rest of the day with huge smiling faces that were as bright as the sun!!  Good thing too because it rained all day :)  Ana's baptism was the most spiritual experience I have ever had and it meant so much to her.  I have never seen such faith before in someone in all my life.  She came alone to her own baptism, and still not knowing much of the people in the ward, and still was willing to make a promise  with Heavenly Father and to come closer to Him.  She is such an example to me on how much faith one can have and faith can overcome every trial or transgression.  As I watched her enter the water, her eyes were closed but yet she looked like she already knew what she was doing, and she did.  She came out with a smile on her face, and as we greeted her with the towel in the back room, she had tears in her eyes, and said, "That is the right way."  Quietly we embraced the moment in a hug and she repeatedly said, "I will never forget this.  I will remember this mometn the rest of my life."  And I can testify to that.  I can testify that she will remember it.  Nothing will ever take that feeling of love and safety away for the rest of her life.  I always remember my baptism and I am grateful everyday that I am a part of Christ's church.  The one He set up when He was on the earth.  And I know that He lives :)  And oh don't get me started on General Conference!! How wonderful it is to hear from our leaders and our dear Prophet.  I am truly uplifted and insipired and know exactly now what I need to do here :)  I am ready to start that too.  God bless you all.  You are always in my prayers.  I love you all.  Thank you for your letters and your prayers as well :) Liebe, Sister Tuschling    **PS - Oh yeah, I forgot all us missionaries get to see the prophet in Hamburg on Saturday the 13th!!!!!!  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***

I feel like a part of the family here in Dortmund :)

I love the smell of baptism that is in the air!!!  The baptism of Christian Saal was really remarkable and it really touched my heart.  So many people came and it was amazing to see how members in our ward care about him.  It is going to be so amazing to see him grow in his future callings and as he gets to know the ward more.  I feel like a part of the family here in Dortmund :)  The baptismal ceremony began beautifully.  We took pictures outside of the culturall hall and began to sing Joseph Smith's First Prayer.  The Spirit was so strong and the Spirit testified to me once again that he was a prophet of God and that he really did see the Father and the Sohn.  And I know the whole room was filled with the Spirit too :)  Chrsitian chose Bischof Roth to talk about baptism and he did a wonderful job.  And then it was time for him to enter into the waters of baptism.  As he went under the memory of me went under with him.  I remember how it felt and at that point I was so happy for him because I know that he felt the same too!  I am grateful that Ana Castro came too.  She is getting baptized next weekend!!  She is so excited and is so strong in faith and courage.  She will be the only one in her family along with Christian, Kathir, and soon Kingsley.  She explained to me later that she has never felt that way before as she watched Christian under the water either.  She said she was at total peace and when we started explaining it, I knew that the Spirit was working, and my heart rejoiced.  She said that it was her witness that this was the right thing to do.  And I would have to agree with her.  There is nothing more special than making promises with Heavenly Father.  We make promises, and He always blesses us.  What is better than that?!?!  She then started talking about how worried she has been about telling her family so she asked how I told mine.  I told her how I told my sister Ashley Kay, my mother, my brother, and my dad, and even my friends.  She then went very quiet.  Then I suggested that we should practice.  We as missionaries always do roleplays and they work for us, so why couldn't it work for her??  Badda Bing!! It worked like a champ.  She left the church 2 inches higher because she knew what she needed to do!!  Something that is truly special about serving under President Lehi Schwartz as our mission president is that he is a dreamer.  He has so many goals and visions of how the mission could look like!!  And we often say that we are following Lehi's dream :)  And we are!!  He has such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and at last Zone Conference he told us a story and I would like to share it with you.  He said that there once was a little woman who lived alone in a tiny village in Germany.  She was expecting her baby boy to be born at any moment.  She one day answered the door and saw two missionaries.  They gave her the Book of Mormon and then left.  For a long time they didn't return due to travel and location of where she lived.  Then she was visited only by one missionary becuase his companion didn't think it was rational to go all the way out there for one pregnant woman!  So he traveled 2-3 hours to get to her alone, without his companion.  He got there and taught her what the book meant and what it could do for her life.  She began reading it and was so touched by the book that she named her baby boy after a man in the book named Lehi, without being a member of the church.  Later she ended up joining the church and later that little boy became a mission president.  My mission president.  Miracles happen and I have come to learn that one soul truly matters.  I love you all :) Bis nächte Woche!! Tschüß!