Monday, February 24, 2014

Letter #31 - ERLANGEN!!!!

Guten Morgen my wonderful family and friends!!! This week has been crazy and it seems like a month has really gone by, from Saturday and the baptism, to now. It's been so great though. My new comp is Elder Givens and he is from Richmond, Virginia and we work great together. :) I love it here in Erlangen. But the sad part, it is expensive to use the internet, soooo... not a lot of time to write crazy good weekly letters. But, I will try my hardest. :) But I HAVE A REAL SHOWER. Ha, I will start from Wednesday this last week and we´ll go from there:

Mittwoch:
Such a hard day. Had to pack forever, and then went to basketball, and talked to Mario forever. He is such a great guy, and he really is one of the greatest examples to me. I didn't get to get a picture with him, but he gave me his basketball, which I took gladly. :) I gave him mine, that is beaten up and ratty. He said he'll send me a picture of where he is going to put it in his house. :) I am so glad I got to meet him, and I just am so glad, that I can use one of my talents to bring others closer to Christ. :)

I JUST LOVED THIS WARD SO MUCH AND I HATE GOODBYES. That's the constant thought I had the entire week. :)

Donnerstag:
Transfer day! Met my new comp, Elder Givens and he is just AWESOME! Oh, and I am super excited to work in Erlangen. It's so beautiful, the apartment is wonderful, there's a university here, so a lot of young folks, and I am just ready to work. :)

Fritag:
We had Sport night at our church, WHICH HAS A BASKETBALL HOOP!! Ha, it was so so cool. And our investigator, Tom showed up. He's a cool kid, who loves basketball and naturally the Lakers, because thats the only team they know out here. We had one of the best lessons with him, and he said that he will start reading the Buch Mormon. He said he has never read a book before!! So we´ll see how that goes. :)

Samstag:
We had Stake Conference meetings, and a Priesthood session (or so we thought). It was actually Priesthood Leadership Meeting. So, we were with all of the Bishops and Counselors and it was awkward. Luckily President Schwartz was there, and told us to stay. :) Then, we had our Stake Conference meeting, and the entire Feucht Ward was there, and ah, I became trunky of my old area. :) All the members there were so nice, and all of us were happy to see eachother. :) It was a great time and President Schwartz spoke some powerful words which were great.

Sonntag:
Once in a life time experience. There was a broadcast, only for Germany, Österreich (Austria) and the Swiss, and it was broadcasted from Salt Lake City. Elder Bednar spoke, IN GERMAN, and Richard D. Hales, and a couple others. It was such an amazing experience, and I soaked up all that I could from the experience. It really ah, was so inspiring and to see Elder Bednar, talk in German, and be so grateful for his experience on HIS mission in Germany, was amazing to see.

I LOVE Erlangen. It's such a beautiful part of Germany, and I am glad I am staying in Bayern (Bavaria). Something I learned this week, was just, our potential. And how Satan will tell us, and do EVERYTHING he can, to tell us we came from somewhere else, that we are alone, this church isn't true, we don't have a testimony, or whatever. But, we are NOT alone, and we can ALWAYS win against him. He will always be there. But we, have the things, the tools, to protect us. I know that he is my enemy, and has brought me down so many times. So many times have I questioned my testimony of this Gospel, if it's really true, and if I really am worthy to be here. But then I remember, the way the Lord has shown me His love. Remember those experiences he testified of His love to you. Satan will tear you down so much, and Christ will always uplift us. Do the things that will help you have a testimony. If you feel like you do not, do the things that will get it back! Read the Book of Mormon, and ask if it is true. He is always there, helping us. I have understood, all that I can accomplish, BECAUSE I have given myself to Him. I am nothing without God. Read Alma chapter 26. It is the best missionary chapter ever. I love it. But don't give up. Don't give up on yourself, or your testimony. We are never alone. And for that, I am eternally grateful and I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


Elder Mayne


HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!! My english is terrible now, ha. But let me know if i can do anything ok?? LOVE YOU ALL!!!!












Monday, February 17, 2014

Letter #30 - Goooooooooodbye Feucht, my Heim :(

Oh man oh man, did this week end my time here in Feucht with a BANG. It was one of the most stressful, rewarding, awesomest, faith testing, spiritualest weeks of my life. :) I am being transfered to Erlangen, which is not so far, still in the same stake as Feucht and the same Zone. So, I won't be too far from my "home". But let's start with Wednesday, because thats when the exciting things happened.

Mittwoch:
So, on Monday and Tuesday, we started preparing for our street display that was on Friday, Valentines day, and by golly there was a lot to prepare for. But on Mittwoch, we did all that we could to prepare and then we had to catch a train, to go to Nürnberg. But, I couldn't find my planner and I needed it tonight. Ha, and so we spent 10 min looking for it, but with no avail. So normally, walking to Banhof takes about 12 min. So... we had 5 min to schaf (catch?) our train, and I got there in 4, and held the door for Elder Wichtermann because he got there in 5, ha. But, it was a miracle. Then, when we got to Nürnberg, our train to Ansbach, is on the very last gleiß (stop?), and we arrive at Banhof 3 minutes before the other train leaves, and we are on gleiß 1. So I had to RUN again, ha all the way down, and made the train with 30 sec to spare. And we were splitting, and Elder Ludlow was with me, going to Ansbach, because we were having the baptismal interview for Chris! When we show up, we find out Chris´s ex-wife showed up at his house, right as he was walking out, wanting to sign papers and what not. Satan knew how to hit him hard. So, we weren't able to have the interview, but we scheduled one for Friday and prayed really hard that it would go through.

Then, Elder Ludlow and I came home, had a really good talk on the train about life. Btw, I love this guy, he is my brother. Then we met up at the church in Nürnberg, because it was institute night. Then, Elder Wichtermann went on a split with our Zone leader Elder Williamson, and the Nürnberg elders had to leave (this may be hard to follow, just know it was crazy). So, we ended up sleeping over at the Zone leaders, becasue we would've been super late if we came all the way home. But, it was a great sleepover and I love Elder Allen and Williamson and they are great examples.

Donnerstag:
So it was a bad move, to sleepover. Ha, because we had to go home first, before distrikt meeting in Nürnberg, to go grab stuff for our suprise birthday party that we had planned. Then, we had to come back to Nürnberg, and then go to Feucht. So you could say we were pretty stressed. We remembered, after the fact, that we couldn't ride on the trains before 9 oclock with our ticket, so we got a ticket and will have to pay for it when it comes in the mail. So, that didn't help the day. We went to distrikt meeting, then went to Feucht, to our Church, in the pouring rain, and set up the birthday party for the Ackermanns and it was sooo worth it. The Ackermanns have been going through just a hard time, and so I wanted to help them out a little bit. The party was great, the kids were crazy, but it was super fun. :) It was amazing that we were able to do all this in one day. Then we came home, and remembered that we had to do everything for our street display tomorrow. So, Elder Wichtermann went to bed. Ha, and I ended up... staying up later than the average missionary should and finished most of the things that we needed to do. Fun stuff. :)

Fritag:
Street display! Gosh it was crazy. But, crazy good. We handed out hearts and candy and Buch Mormons and love. It made so many people happy and we got some potential investigators from it! It was so awesome! Then, I went on another split (I'll save the details, ha. Crazy) with Elder Ludlow, to Ansbach, to have our second attempt at an interview with Chris. Everything went through and he passed! The Reeders were SO NICE that they bought us Popeyes chicken, off the American military base there. My goodness, was I in heaven! Nothin' like good old 'merican food. :) Then, since we got home late again, we slept over at the Nürnberg elders apartment. Luckily, I had a toothbrush this time. :)

Samstag:
TRANSFER CALLS!! Crazy. Going to Erlangen and serving with Elder Givens. I am super excited and he is a cool dude, so it'll be fun. But, we shouldnt have slept over again, because we had to go back home, grab stuff for the baptism, and then come back. Ha, it was crazy. But we made it to the church, and made a program, and then had Chris´s baptism. Wow! It was an amazing experience. I was expecting the spirit to be super strong, and it was. When he got out of the water, I came around the font and hugged him and asked him how he felt. He said he felt that the weight on his shoulders was gone, that he can finally feel, happy. AH... it was soooo COOL! Then, he bore his testimony at the end and it was so powerful. I think, that I was more happy, that he just ended up making this decision, rather then it was his taufe (baptism). I think the journey and the relationship there, is what makes the baptism, so special. I am so grateful that the Lord trusted me in helping Chris make this choice. He is going to change many lives, because he changed his own. :)

Sonntag:
Hardest day ever. I had to say goodbye to all the people I loved, made relationships with, and really showed I loved them. The Feucht ward will always be my home, no matter where I am or where I go. I love the people there. I gave a talk about faith, and was a ball baby. The people in this ward, I just love them so much. They have really changed my life. It's amazing to see, how we have grown together. A lot of people expressed their love for me, and they gave me a lot of presents. The kids especially liked my talk. It made me feel loved and that I actually did something here. But just like a movie moment, I just looked into the chapel and closed the chapel doors. I was in my own little world, and thought about how wonderful this place has been. I am so grateful for the Gemeinde (Ward) Feucht. :) Thank you.

After that, we went over to the Ackermanns and had a going away party. Man, that was hard. The Ackermanns, are the missionares' favorite family. But I think, they mean more to me then just that. They are my friends, and my examples. They really have impacted my life, and I love them just as I do my own family. They are amazing people and I am SO blessed for the time I have had with them. They are amazing. :)

This week, I just have a couple quotes because this letter is super long, ha. :) President Monson said, ( I used these in my talk) "We can't direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." Then, "The future is as bright as your faith." :)

Thank you all for your examples and the wonderful impact you have made in my life. It really, has made me change and become better. Have a great week you all!! Ciao!

Elder Mayne























Monday, February 10, 2014

Letter #29 - HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!! I LOVE IT HERE!!

Ok so, I have not enough words to describe my love for missionary work and the things that happen. I have never had such a happy week, in my entire life. This week was an absolute blessing and has changed me forever. So with that said...

Montag:
I bought Lederhosen :) Ha, thats all i am saying. ;)

Dienstag:
Rough but great day. We had a great time at Gemigo, or missionary corrolation meeting, for the first time in a while with our ward mission leader, and it was awesome!! We are planning some great stuff for this ward. But then we had a Termine with Sasan, that fell through, which stunk. So we had to go do some other things that were needed. Sasan is so cool, just can't understand us too well. Pray for him, ya?

Mittwoch:
Totally random day. So Elder Ludlow called, because his comps were going up to MLC in Frankfurt, so he would have no comps for the day. So, we went to Nürnberg for the day and were his comps, ha. It was hard though, my German, I just was so down and couldn't talk to anyone. We went dooring at some student donheims and it was awesome, met some sweet people and gave out a lot of buch mormons.

Donnerstag:
Ha, so this is when things, just changed. We went to the Frenzel's and had some more Spätzle and it  was so good. She taught us how to make it and it was awesome. :) Ha and then, we came to the church, because we were going to cook lasagna, catch a train, and then drop it off at the Ackermanns. Ha so we get off the bus, and then I forget that I left my camera. I was on the verge of tears. I was just like, ok, I don't care, lets just go do this and then catch the bus after. So, we went to the Ackermann's and doorbell ditched them. Ha, I felt good afterward, then waiting at the bus stop was killer. But, I kept praying that it would still be there. And then I felt like basically, I had to earn it. There was one person that was waiting at the bus stop, an 18 yr old kid, with headphones and smoking. Ha, and I was like, I gotta go talk to him. So, I went and had a great convo with him. Cool kid that was visiting his grandma and is going to school in Nürnberg. Got talking about families and respect and what not... We talked all the way till the bus came. It was the same bus and we talked to the driver, and he had my camera!!!! Ah. It was such a blessing and we got a text von Sister Ackermann, saying she was super stressed that day and had no clue what she was going to cook for the kids and then we banged on the door. :) It was great that we got to help her.

Fritag:
Ah, zone training. I started fasting after the Frenzels, so i could have a great experience here. I loved it. I learned so much and I felt, so important to the Lord. I knew that he Loved me, and that I have a purpose here on earth. Ha, we watched one of my favorite mormon messages, trunkiest one too ha, Earthly Father, Heavenly Father. I LOVE this one, ha. I just had some amazing thoughts and insights. And ha, at zone training we had a fun activity that I will show some pictures of later. It involves doughnuts.

Ha but so, right after, we went to Gunzenhausen to have a meeting with Chris and Catalina. I had two doughnuts to eat, that I could have ate on the way. I was starving. But I thought "Father, I am turning over my natural man, my natural desires, and giving myself to you. Please, let some miracle happen." And wow, what a miracle did happen! We watched "The Restoration" dvd for our lesson and asked what does that make us want to do. Chris started talking about how he has been inviting friends to church and how he just knows, how can it not be true? His testimony was so strong and so, we asked him, how does he feel about baptism? He said, I want to be baptized!!! We are having it this upcoming Saturday!! Oh wow, everyone was just, stunned! And the Reeder's, the ehepaars, that have been teaching Chris, were so happy and it is so nice to see that he will be baptized, because they are going home in 3 weeks, ha. Ah, such an amazing blessing and believe me, those doughnuts tasted so good afterwards. :)

Samstag:
I GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE AGAIN!!!! Ah, this experience was such a blessing. This will be my preachy moment combined. I just learned, in this temple moment, how much the Lord, really does know me. I know I slip up sometimes and I am just like Adam, in the garden of eden, when the Lord asks, Adam, Adam, where art Thou? And Heavenly Father knew where he was, but he was making Adam, choose to act, choose to come closer to Him. I love Adam and how obedient he was to the Lord. Satan was right with him, in his presence all the time, as a real person! But not once, did he even take a second to consider breaking His Father's commandments, for Satan. He loved his wife so much also, and ah, I just had so many thoughts in the temple, that really, really brought me closer to my purpose of life. One thought that I had, that was so overwhelming that I couldn't help, but just cry, was the Savior's love for each one of us. I have never felt such an amazing feeling, in these two days. Friday night, I just prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for what has happened and I asked for a hug. I felt his love so strongly, I still cannot comprehend the feeelings I felt - and that I have been feeling, for every person I talk to.

I love my parents and their words of advice that go along exactly with the feelings I have had this week. I have lost my self in HIS service, and I have found myself. I have served Him with all my heart, might, mind and strength. I am ordained, to do this work. He walks with me, every single day. For that, words cannot express my eternal gratitude. :) For those who are going to serve missions or who are members that are doing missionary work, just serve. You will feel the Lord's presence, and His love. Of this, i testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Ask me questions if you need anything. Love you all :)

Elder Mayne



I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Family have a great week in DC; and friends, I love you all. :)












Monday, February 3, 2014

Letter #28 - We all can grow in the Lord’s hands

Hallo! It’s already been a week and I cannot believe how fast the time flies here on a mission. I honestly, hate it ha. I wish it would go slower. But the lessons I am learning out here, the miracles that happen, and the wonderful gospel that I am able to share with people, is truly a blessingJ.

Dienstag:
Super unexpected day. We felt, that the night before, what we had planned, it just wasn’t the right plan.  We just didn’t know what to do after we prayed several times. So we made some back up plans and just kept going throughout the day. We did a couple of Go- By’s in Neumarkt and then came home to eat lunch.  During lunch, Mario called! He called because the Basketball camp we were planning, wouldn’t be able to work out.  In Neumarkt, you can’t just rent a time in a gym, unless you are part of a club.
So we ended up talking to Mario for 30 min, about family. He was leaving work early and going to grab some medicine for his grandma that has Alzheimer’s. It was one of the best conversations I have had. - Ever. Mario, really is one of the nicest guys and I really do appreciate the impact he has had on my life. We are trying to meet with him, but Mario is in accounting and has taxes so he is busy till Easter. But I am just still strengthen the relationship and it’s been a miracle to see this.

Mittwoch:
We did a lot of good stuff today. Went again to do a couple of Go-bys in Neumarkt, and then we went with the sisters to print off pictures and get stuff for our Facebook walls that we are makingJ.  I’ll take more pictures when Ii finish it, but this wall is awesomeJ.  We then we went to basketball, and had another good talk with Mario, and obviously played some basketballJ.

Donnerstag:
Another unexpected day! This day was so great. So the sisters, are sick. And they asked for blessings. Since we are not allowed to go into their apartment, we went down to the keller of the apartment, pretty much with only a light bulb and it was freezing cold to give Sister Madsen and Sister Miller blessings. It was such a spiritual and an amazing experience.  To be able to have the power to act in God’s name, is such a blessing. Yes, sure it was in a musty, cold keller, but the spirit can testify anywhere and it was a great experience.

Fritag:
Ha-ha this day was not expected eitherJ.  This week was full of wonderful surprises. So today was Elder Wichtermann´s one year mark!  We celebrated by going to the Millers and doing service for themJ.  It was great to be with them again and it was funny, because they were getting a new mattress and were going to throw the old one out.  Well, we offered to take itJ.  So Elder Wichtermann got a new mattress for his one year markJ.  He was very happy about it.  We also got some antler’s (can’t spell) that we immediately hung up on our wall and made it a hat hanger.  Then, we went to our coordination meeting with the sisters at the Fahl’s and it was great. The sisters are great and you can tell, they just serve with their hearts, even when they are sick. We planned our street display on February 14th!  It’s going to be a blast and I am pumped about it.  Afterwards we went home, and had a whip cream eating contest after planning, to celebrate Elder Wichtermann’s one year mark.  I totally "whipped" him... ha!

Samstag:
Is it a surprise, if I say, it was a surprising day? Lame joke I know. But what a wonderful day!  We went to Catolina’s and had a great lesson on prayer. She is an awesome person and we get a long really well. We then went with the Reeder’s to an investigator that Brother Reeder knows, and who has been taking care of his dad. This guy’s name is Joseph and he lives in Ansbach, so he can’t be our investigator.  We were just there to translate for Brother Reeder. Joseph met with the missionaries before and then fell out. But this guy is super cool and humble, and he wants to start a döner laden in America, somewhere by Florida, so keep your eyes peeled. J  It was just nice to help this guy and talk to him and make him feel loved. We then went to lunch with the Reeder’s, because we hadn’t had lunch ha, and we had some good Pancette :) I love the Reeder’s and they are like my 3 or 4 grandparents.  I have too many. But Ihave gotten really close to them and love them :)

Sonntag:
Nothing really happened here, just had a great spiritual Sunday with our awesome wardJ.  I have made an awesome friend, his name is Nils and is President’s grandson. He is debating whether or not to go on a mission or go into the Army. We are super close and get along well, because he knows I am real and just talk to him. This kid is awesome. I know that when he goes on a mission, he will bless so many lives. He and I are making plans to catch up and chill when he comes to America.

This week, I learned a lot, about how amazing this plan is. The more and more I learn and grow closer to Christ, the greater the Love I have for the people around me. I know I am very hard on myself and struggle with that every day whether or not I have done enough and if I am doing what I am supposed to. But I had a moment, where I said stop. Take a step back, and look at how much progress you have made and how much you have grown. Wow. Did that change my perspective! It is really amazing, the person I was before the mission, in the MTC, and from now. I have grown so much, because I really, put my will, into the Lord’s will.

I recently had a question in my mind that I couldn’t find the answer to. And it was why the Lord would want us to be perfect, like Him because, if we needed to use the Atonement, because we sin and we could never reach "perfect?" But I realized, after I conversed with the Reeder’s, that in Latin, "perfect" means "complete" And so, being perfect, doesn’t mean doing everything perfect and what not.
It means growing, and being that "complete" being, at the end of our life, to return to our Heavenly Father. We are never going to be amazing at everything. But the things we fail at, when we make mistakes and commit sin, we are learning to trust in the Lord, repent and become complete.
I am so incredibly blessed and I know, that I am a tool in the Lord’s hands. He trusts me, to help His children. And because I have trusted in Him, I have grown so much.
I am so grateful for, everything that has helped me grow and to take that next step into becoming "complete", just as Christ. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!! Love you all

Elder Mayne


THANK YOU SO MUCH FAMILY FOR BEING AWESOME. PLEASE SEND THIS TO ERRONE: ha hopefully you have been doing that? But love you and have a great week :)