End of March

What a week it was here in Darmstadt! This week went really well for us and I learned a whole lot this week. That is what is cool about the mission is that you keep learning more and more every week. The lessons you learn on a mission are only learned out here. People learn them later in life but how lucky are we as missionaries to learn these lessons at such a young age. I really enjoyed this week and I would love to share some of the experiences we have had. My dad has ordered me this little type thing which I think is incredible because I am not the person to write things. Plus I type a lot faster so my letters will probably be a lot longer. Sorry for those who care but you have to put up with it :)

Can you believe that the month is already over? March flew by. But it was a month of miracles for Elder Nilson and I. We enjoyed our first transfer together and found out on Saturday that we are staying together for this next transfer. It has been so much fun serving with Elder Nilson and him and I get along really well. Sometimes we can get off on stories about high school which make it a lot of fun because it just brings back the good ol' days. But it's also been really cool because he is learning so much information at once. It has been cool because he is just an Elder who wants to do things right and loves the work of the Lord. It has been a blessing working with him. He told me this week as he received his call back in September he called his dad to come home. He said that as his dad walked in the door, before even opening his call, said, "Elder Emery will be your trainer." Now that is inspired.. It has been a blessing working with him. We have learned so much from each other and the miracles we have seen contacting people have been incredible to see. I love this work and especially having someone who wants to work just as hard is such a great thing.

This week we did a lot of contacting and boy was it fun. We got a whole lot done and met with a lot of families. But I always look forward to contacting time. I have these two moods. I can either go out and contact everyone I see. Or I can be in this mood where I don't talk to anyone. I love talking to people and meeting new people. The weather has been getting a lot better here in Germany so it has been fun contacting people because the people here in Germany mood swings are always on the weather. Which is totally fine because who doesn't like the sun right?!

Basketball has been super fun. We get a group of guys every week and we just play at our church here in Darmstadt. This past Saturday we had 4 Greek guys come and play basketball with us. That was a lot of fun. It is sometimes super frustrating because I can't move as well. But it is always so much fun when we play. These guys were actually some pretty good players. What was even cooler is after we played we gave them a tour of the church and they all took Greek Book of Mormons with them. They were intrigued by what Joseph Smith did. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. He restored the gospel back on the Earth. Without this gospel people are lost. It's so sad to see the things of the world. The world is getting worse and worse everyday. We know that because we are in that world everyday talking with people. I have never been so grateful for living in Utah and having everyone around me a member of the church. I am so grateful for that and for the friends I have. I have never been so thankful for the many people in my life that have protected me. I have made mistakes. But what's cool is through the atonement I forget more everyday what I have done. I know this atonement is real. I have used it in my life. I am thankful for my parents for loving me and supporting me during this tough time of my life to find the truth. But I can proudly say that I have found the truth. I know that because I have felt Gods love in my life. Its something I can't describe but only say that it is a peaceful feeling.

I love this church and this work. Days get harder and harder but I have grown so much that I know that the Gospel puts us back on the right path again. I am thankful for this opportunity to serve. I have had some amazing companions and I know I needed to be with them because I have learned something new from each and every single one of them. I am grateful for my family at home. They are my everything. I love my family and the support they give me. I know this work is the Lords work. I love being apart of it seeing people change their lives by finding the truth. If you want to know the truth it speaks in Moroni 10:3-5. That is a promise if you just open your heart and want to know the truth.

A couple things that I forgot to write.. This week we went to the temple and it was absolutely incredible. I love going to the temple because there is such a special feeling every time we go there. That was a lot of fun. Then last Monday night we had the activity for all the young single adults. We found a song and we gave each group 30 minutes to prepare for a dance that they had to perform in front of everyone. That was a ton of fun and we got them all filmed. I will have to send the one the missionaries made. 

Sorry I have written so much. I have this cool new keyboard. I want the world to know that this gospel is true. I want everyone to know that I know that.. When we abide by the Gospels teaching and keep ALL the commandments is where we find the true happiness. I have seen both sides.. If you need to change something do it NOW.. don't wait. I care for each and every single one of you. Have a great week. 

 

Elder Emery

Spring Time

Hey hey everyone, so good to hear from you all. You all sound like you are doing so well. I am so happy that I have the best family and friends out there. Everyone seems as if they are doing really well and staying healthy. I am so grateful for the family and riends I have back at home. I love the support you give me and I can feel your prayers. Pray for the missionaries during this time in every prayer. We need to find those people who are ready. And we need the prayers for sure.

This week we had a lot happen so hopefully I will be able to write everything down that I want to. It's already crazy that this transfer is over at the end of this week. We have our transfer calls on Saturday so hopefully Elder Nilson and I stay together because we have seen so many miracles. First thing, here in Darmstadt you can't get around without transportation. Problem was this week there was a massive strike.. So that meant we couldn't go anywhere. So we had to cancel a lot of appointments and change a bunch of plans. Our apartment is not to close to the city because we live up by the University. So we actually stayed with the other elders in their apartment which is right in Darmstadt. That was a lot of fun. So we actually did some splits. I went with Elder Bruneel, and Elder Lee and Elder Nilson went together. It was great working with Elder Bruneel again. I have seen a huge change in that kid. He is a good friend now and everything is good. We had a few appointments out in the middle of nowhere and met with some families. I always love meeting with the members because they are always so happy. The gospel really does changes peoples lives when you live by it right.

On Thursday, we were in Frankfurt for our Zone Conference. Elder Dyches from the 70 was there and we learned lots of valuable things in missionary work and in life as well. It was also so good to be there because I saw all of my companions there. Those elders have become really close friends of mine so it was cool to see them. That day was a busy day. We then came back to Darmstadt and we had an appointment out in Crumstadt so we went with a member to do his home teaching with him. It was about 6:30 and we met with this less active family. Super good lesson and we are meeting them this again this week. But what was the most amazing part was we got back into Darmstadt and we had to walk about 2 miles to the apartment. So we decided to just contact everyone we saw. On the way to the apartment we ended up giving out 3 Book of Mormons. We got back to their apartment about 8:00 and we weren't finished. We still had an hour to go contact. So we took about 10 more Book of Mormons with us and went contacting. Met a lot of people and ended up for the day handing out 10 Book of Mormons. It was a great experience. We were in that contacting mode. I love contacting. It really helps with talking with people and caring for people who you want to help come closer to Jesus Christ. It was such a sweet night and I will never forget about it.

All 5 investigators from Elder Nilson and I all dropped us or moved out.. So that was kind of a bummer. But we aren't going to let that affect us. We are finding and finding every day to help people accept the truth. We contact a lot of people everyday and it's sometimes frustrating because no one accepts it. But the lessons learned each day as a missionary are learned only as a missionary. You can't teach this to anyone at home. They need to come out on a mission. Yes, its super hard. But the lessons learned are indescribable. I love this mission.

This weekend was a good one. We had 3 families moving out of our ward so we helped people move all day on Saturday. We also found some basketball contacts and we are playing once a week with them. Which has been super good. It is really frustrating because it feels as if I can't play as I used too.. I also have lost about 5 pounds which puts me down at 195.. but the good thing is that I have grown 1 inch on my mission :) So that is good! haha

Anyways, everything is going well with me. We are staying super busy. Sorry I get side tracked as I write the letters home because there are so many things happening everyday and I just forget about them or don't know which ones to write. But things on my side are going well. I am really growing up. I feel a huge change in me every week. Living in the world is a scary place, but with the gospel it makes it a lot easier. Remember our foundations. Remember the happiness we can receive through it and it will be easier and easier not to give in. I will be sure to send lots of pictures today. I love you all. Have a great week.

Elder Emery

March Madness

Let the games begin, right? I can't believe it's already this time of year again and we are in the March Madness season. This is always one of my favorite times of the year. So enjoy the games and remember to update me each week. I am super excited to hear how it turns out this year since all of my buds are playing. Also, I was so sad to hear about our snake Slithers... Man that guy was older than I was. He was in the family longer than Annie and I both. I was super sad to hear that as well. But I know he is living with our Heavenly Father now :)

March is flying by.. I can't believe how fast the time goes by. Elder Nilson and I are still going strong and talking to a ton of people. In fact, this week was a great one. We talked to a whole lot of people. Whats funny is that Elder Nilson talks to people and gives out Book of Mormons; I talk to a ton of people and have great conversations and no one takes a Book of Mormon. But that is totally okay. I am still just proud of Elder Nilson. He has no fear and yet is still super excited about the work.

Going off that, as I have said we have contacted a lot of people who are super nice, but just don't have any interest in hearing about the gospel. What I have started to do that has really made me feel just as good as giving out a Book of Mormon is I tell people if they don't accept one, that "If you see a missionary in a week or month or a year from now, make sure you go say hi to them and ask them how they are doing." I make them promise with us that they will do it and most all of them say yes. Planting seeds for sure and it's been so cool because maybe now is not their time but in the future it could be and they will need tofind the missionaries to find it. That has been a really cool approach we have been using.

I absolutely love talking to people now.. When I first got out here I think that was one of the hardest things I had to overcome. As I have overcome it it slowly has been so awesome getting to know people and just talking. It has been a gift our Heavenly Father gives to all his missionaries but we just need to use that gift. Once we use it, the Holy Ghost kicks in and guides you on what to say. I'ts amazing having the Holy Ghost as a presence in my life. I know that many people can say the same thing. 

I can't wait till I get the type keyboard thing. Sometimes at the end of the week I just forget about all that we did because we are honestly so busy. I promised myself right from the beginning of my mission that I will be out serving right to the very end no matter what it takes. And I have to be honest but I am dead tired all the time. But when I make a promise I keep that promise. When I say I am going to do something, I am going to do it. Its always the worst hearing people say they are going to do something and then they don't get it done. That is a big characteristic I am going to be looking for in the future with friends and obviously my wife. But it's cool because I have seen the missionaries that are successful get things done. The ones that aren't just waste time and aren't happy. But I can honestly say that I am super happy and always trying to become better.

I went on a split this week with a good buddy of mine Elder Lee. He is from Provo and it was super fun and I learned a whole lot. I learned how happy you can be from him even in the toughest situations. I have learned that we can control our attitudes. We can control how we react to things. It was such a great split and I had lots of fun. We also talked to a lot of friendly people. The weather has been beautiful here in Germany so I think that is why more and more people are talking to us! That has been super cool.

The highlight of my week was this past Saturday. We had the Pinewood Derby Run. It was honestly so legit. The gym was full of people and there were over 130 cars that were built. Even some with real Motors and everything. It's so cool to see how creative people are and the ideas people can come up with. We as missionaries also built a few cars. I made my car with our Ward Mission Leaders daughters. They are so cute and they helped me paint it. I will send pictures for sure. But we were super busy all of Saturday and we talked to a lot of non-members there as well. Overall it was just a great event.

We have contacted a lot of people who just don't believe in God and they believe in the Big Bang and that we grew out of the earth. Lets be honest with ourselves people! Ha, just look at what the human body can do. I know with all my heart that we are created in the image of God. He gave us our bodies to come to earth and to learn and grow. I just feel sorry for the people who don't accept the gospel because the worldly temptations have overcome what they do. Don't let that be you. Please come to the gospel. Your life will change and you will be a lot happier. 

I love you all. I am doing well. The weeks all get mashed up into one now I swear. But I am enjoying the ride and every minute I have being a missionary. I am thankful for all the prayers and support. Let us all be in the service of our God. That is where the most happiness in life comes. Remember our Savior Jesus Christ, with him we can do all. Remember that he died for all of us and that is our way we can repent. We must do the things necessary to return to him. He loves us and wants us to return to him. I know that to be true. Have a great week.

Elder Emery