I'll tip my hat to that!

This week an old man tipped his hat to me. I was sitting on the train and I was having a conversation with a young student when he boarded and sat down across from me. I invited him into our conversation and he smiled and jumped right in. Once the student got off we continued to talk. He told me that he had spoken with many missionaries before and was always impressed with how friendly and open we are. He said that he is always drawn to the missionaries when he sees us, that there is some sort of light in our eyes that is inspiring. He had to get off he train at the next stop but as he stood he turned to me, and with a quick little bow took off his old hat and explained to me that, "in the good old days taking your hat off for someone means great respect, and that I truly wish you a wonderful day and a wonderful mission" Basically that was adorable.

This week was wonderful, now that I look back on it I realize at a lot of appointments fell out... But it was still great. We met with Frau Kocher again. I love her. Like really. She humbles me with her desire to change and become a new person. She has had such a hard life and because of that she has turned for comfort to things that cause addiction and pain. But she is so willing to turn her will over to the Lord.

We also had a baptism in our ward this week. Callisto is a man from Africa that the elders have been teaching. We had the baptismal service early Sunday morning. It was the perfect way to end the week.

We got there super early to help set up. Elder Von wallwitz, elder Roberts and I had a musical number together. We sang "I am a child of God" in Portuguese, German and English. It was really beautiful. I really love to sing, it may not sound that great, but I love to sing anyways. :)

Cute little moment of the week. I was sitting in church and watching all the people: when I noticed this little boy whispering something to his mom, and then look at her questioningly. She gave a nod of approval and this little boy- very quietly walked to the back of the room all by himself and sat down next to a cute old lady who was sitting alone in the back. This woman patted the boys head and then out of her brief case pulled a little bag of gummy bears! That little boy was grinning from ear to ear as he walked back to his mother triumphant! The best part was that, he wasn't the only one! Throughout the course of he meeting there were two other little people that got some gummy bears... I have to say I was quite tempted to steal that coveted spot and get some gummy bears myself!

I know that this work is the work of God. That the power by which God moves is through faith. And if we have faith his his son, Jesus Christ miracles can happen. I would tip my hat to that :)

I love you all

Liebe Grüße

Sister Shurts

Sister Bates and I on a split having a blast.... Doing missionary work??? Haha

I can't miss this!!

This week was awesome. It kind of felt like a lot of things started to fall into place. Ok a couple of things fell out of place, like our door... and also the hungarian family that we had been teaching is no longer interested in learning more... and I got stung by a bee!! but other than that- this week was fantastic!! Some of the highlights were, having a drunk man sing to us, and give us free heidelberg postcards. I also got to go on a lot of splits this week... there may or may not have been a lot of delicious german chocolate involved.

Ok, story time though. The other day I was on a split with Sister Terry- and we both had no idea what we were doing. I felt really flustered and knew that I was supposed to be doing something else. So we sat down and said a prayer and then got moving because we both had the impression to go by on one of our many back up plans. We ended up knocking on some doors on this one street and there was this lady who was on the phone. She asked us what we wanted. And Sister Terry said that we wanted to share a small thought with her and a short video. She answered a little bit shortly- "A video about what" I was quick to reply, "Jesus!!" she looked at us for a moment, turned around and said into the phone, "Sorry honey, there are two girls at my door who want to teach me about Jesus, I can't miss this!"
Best moment of my life.
Basically I thought about that a lot. And really- how often are we so busy with life, that we ignore things. Sometimes we just need to realize the importance of the time that has been given us- hang up with life- and say, "sorry, but I can't miss this!"

all the best

Sister Shurts

Sunshine in Heidelberg

Sunshine in Heidelberg!!

So I like forgot to mention last week that the weather was over 100 degrees most of the week... I was a nasty gross sweating machine. But hey all I gotta say is I am so glad I don't have to pull a handcart in this weather!!

There were several cool things that happened this week. First off we had two zone trainings! One in Kaiserslautern and another one in Heidelberg! The theme of trainings was the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today. I was able to speak at both of the trainings (which stressed me out) but it also gave me the opportunity to really think about what his message means to me personally. Who I am and what I believe stems from a question that a fourteen year old boy asked in 1823... And the miraculous answer that he received. :) as a sister training leader I am able to work with a lot of different sister missionaries, and this week we asked them all to do something- and I would like to extend the same invitation to you guys. To read and ponder the message of the restoration of the gospel and think about what it means to you personally.

This week... I found myself smiling at random moments, because of all the sweet tender mercies of the Lord. I met a cute girl on the street this week and was able to set up an appointment to meet with her...

Later this week when we showed up, she wasn't there, but her family was!! And they invited us in, and want to learn more- their faith in Jesus Christ was so strong, and their life story was amazing as well.

Hey are from Hungary and have lived all over the world. But throughout everything he one constant in there life has been Christ. We also had an appointment where we taught about the Book of Mormon in German, as it was translated in Spanish for a deaf woman from Peru. Can I just say... I love my mission :)

I hope you all have a fantastic week and enjoy summer!!

Sister shurts

From the scribbled notes of a sister missionary

Sister Williams and I at zone training... Love this girl :)

Sister wahlquist, the gublers elder Roberts and I set up for zone training :)

Momdays :) emailing at a cafe in Germany loooove

Gute nacht liebe Altstadt!

This week was full of so many little miracles and fun moments!! I think the highlight of the week was Last night I was sitting on our window sill, enjoying the sun set and the warm breeze right before bed. When all of a sudden a little girl in the apartment across the street opened her window and waved at me! Then in her pink pajamas and sing song voice she called out, "gute nacht Liebe altstadt!" Or goodnight dear old city :) It was the cutest thing ever. And it made my whole week. I totally felt the same way. Good night dear old city! What a blessing it is to live where I live and to experience the things that I get to experience.

We met with Monice this week- and his two adorable kids. He is awesome- We were even able to pick him up for church on sunday. That was my favorite quote of the week, "Sister... this was awesome, I think I'll come back next week" YEESS!!!! :)

This week we celebrated the fourth of July! Sister Wahlquist and I dressed up in our patriotic red white and blue clothes- and no one was the wiser! As the fourth came to a close sister Wahlquist and I stopped at the Kiosk near our apartment and talked to Ozgur (the owner of the shop) and he gave us free bratwurst - as usual - and told us all his dreams about moving to america and becoming a hermit in the mountains. haha he is awesome I sure love him.

I also went on a split with week with the amazing sister Roundy! We had such a great time. Basically we did WORK! :) I went into the split praying for the chance to find a new investigator for the sister. But as the day wore on we were not seeing much success. It was seriously right before we were going to head home, that we met someone who was so excited to learn more he just couldn't wait to get our number and insisted that we set up an appointment right then and there!!! :) and then we ate icecream, and talked and laughed and enjoyed ourselves. That is the best part about being a missionary- you are allowed to enjoy the little moments.

I just wanted to let you all know how much I love and appreciate your support and prayers!

I know that peace comes when we give up what we think we can control and turn everything over to the Lord.

All the best

und Gute Nacht!

Sister Shurts

from the scribbled notes of a sister missionary 

Me and my old sister training leaders

my wall