Say What???

Well... sometimes as soon as you start getting comfortable life sweeps the rug out from under your feet. Sister Blackhurst and I were just settling in getting ready for this next transfer when we got a phone call from President Stoddard. I just watched Sister Blackhurst as she took the call- and she looked at me and her mouth dropped and then she mouthed 'your getting transfered!' .... WHAT?! I freaked out- because as a new missionary you normally spend 12 weeks in training with your trainer and I've only been here for half of that! Heavenly Father must have something else in mind for Sister Blackhurst and me. I'm getting transfered to Herne- I have no idea what the area is like or who my companion will be or anything! (It'll be a way fun adventure:)

It is sad to say goodbye to Wetzlar- I have grown to love the ward and the people here so much even though it has been for only one transfer. I was talking to my companion about it, and she said something that made me feel a little better- she said that it is better to leave an area sad, because then you know that you have put your heart into it and given it your all, then to be happy to leave. As I reflected on that I realized how true it was, the people we have worked with these past 7 weeks have progressed so much and have come so much closer to the savior. Yesterday we had Tina and Diana and her son Jamie and church! :) I was so happy to see them there. Diana decided not to go to a family brunch to come which was a big sacrifice for her, but she said that she felt like she needed to come if she wanted to get baptized. I am so excited for her- even if I won't be here for it.

Next week will be full of new adventures, and new experiences! I'm excited to see what Herne will bring! :)

Braunfels Castle

Farewell Interview with Wolfgang

Braunfels Castle

Found a huge "Benjamin Bluemchen" doll in shop window.
One of my favorite German childhood cartoon characters.

Bishop Meiser and his wife

My first Schnitzel

The Power of a Missionary

There is a special calling and power when you are set apart as missionary... I think I am only just beginning to realize that- but watching people as we teach them and seeing the spirit that we bring with us work in their lives is a testimony to me of the way Gods hand is evident in our lives. This week we had an appointment with Diana who was doing great last week- we walked in to a cloud of smoke and yelling. Diana, with a cigarette in her hand was getting angry at her son. She was close to tears and wanted us to leave! As we talked at the door we asked if there was anything we could do for her. With tears in her eyes, she said 'come in girls'. We talked with her and I was amazed as I saw her begin to smile and laugh. After we shared a spiritual thought she even asked us if she could say the closing prayer, which though simple was pure and precious and I could feel that heavenly father was working on her heart. 

Just one more week left in this transfer and i'll be out 2 months! That is for sure a strange thought. It feels like just yesterday I was leaving home to start my mission! My companions and I are working hard on getting to know the ward members and less actives. I have had a personal goal to meet more people on busses! Sometimes we don't get in our language study so I try to talk to as many Germans as I can, so that I can learn faster. On the bus I started talking to this cute Turkish lady named Ümi. She taught us how to make pizza crust and bread dough but more importantly we started talking about families and she wants to learn more about how our families can be eternal! After praying all week to be able to talk to someone who was interested in the gospel it was a blessing that we were able to met her. 

Lots of people ask me if it is hard being in a tri-panionship (as Sister Petersen likes to call it) but I don't think so. They are both such amazing missionaries and they both work so hard. I think one of my favorite parts of the day is companionship study- hearing the insights from both of them is always so enlightening! I am going to miss Sister Petersen when she goes home. (although I won't mind the extra space we will have in the already packed apartment haha)

Those are just some of the highlights of the week, which ended with a bang. literally. We had an appointment with Tina and Ahmet (some investigators) and from their apartment we could see the fair that was happening in Wetzlar for the 'feiertag' (celebration) and it ended with an awesome firework show over the cute old city. It was beautiful to see the fireworks reflecting over the old bridge in the water and see them light up the cathedral below. I just had to smile- and think heaven was applauding the missionary work in Germany. :)

Love you all

Sister Shurts

From the Scribbled notes of a Sister Missionary 

Happy About Cancelled Appointments?

So, the best news that happened this week was that someone canceled an appointmet on us! ... that may sound a bit odd- the best part was that it was because it was the sister of Marlies (who has been in a coma for 2 weeks now) called and canceled and said she was rushing to the hospital because Marlies had woken up!!!! :D We were soo happy the rest of the day I just couldn't help smiling all the time! Heavenly Father is really working little miracles everywhere!

We met with Wolfgang at Moo's this week (an adorable little bakery that is delicious) and talked with him about the plan of salvation and the book of mormon- he just ate up every word that we said, and he asked so many question and wanted things clarified and kept saying that it all made sense. I am so happy for him. We are praying about setting a baptisimal date with him in the november! That wasn't even the best part of the lesson- at the end of it he says to me and broken english, "Sister Shurts, you need a gooder back pack, und i have won here vit me" right after that he pulled out this little kiddy back pack with dolphins and "fans of the wild' written on it! BAHAHAHA and he was tottally serious, and made me take it! - to be completley honest i love it- and were it more acceptable i would wear it everywhere! He was able to come to church with us yesterday and I wore it then so that he could see that I was using it! He is really progressing quite a lot, he talked with all the ward members and loved listneing to the last session of conference with everybody!

I have been learning a lot about faith, but mostly the faith to know that if I do what I need to and remain worthy I will have the spirit with me. We have an single mom investigator from Ghana and she has been on and off coming to church for a couple years now. My companions felt like dropping her just because she hasn't made any progress- but there is somehting about her that told me- just wait a little bit. I have just been praying so hard for her all week, she has such a good spirit about her and such a good heart. We met with her today and I was able to bear testimony about the importance of the sacrament.  As we talked with her there was such a good feeling in the room. Even her crazy hyper active son was calm. We talked about the importance of taking the sacrament and the power it has after you are baptised and the power and strength we recieve once we have made those covenents with God. She started tearing up as we talked and said that it was something that she had always wanted and just had a hard time working toward. She is going to pray about a baptismal date and so are we!!! GAH!!!

The seasons are starting to turn here in germany- once we get out of the ghetto where our apartment is the area really is beautiful. I don't think I am quite as homesick because the weather is almost identical to that in Oregon. It is sporadically rainy and randomly sunny. The mornings are filled with fog and (aside from all the second hand smoke) it is nice. I have loved going to small little dorfs outside the city and meeting with people in their little cottages next to rolling green hills! Guys... i think i'm turning into a german! I love it here! I am so thankful for the opportunity to be in Wetzlar! -

I hope you all have a good week!

Love Sister Shurts

From the scribbled notes of a sister missionary

What is your passion? Learning from people everywhere! :)

I had an interesting discusion with a cute old German Lady on the bus last Thursday- we were talking about what makes people interesting- and we both came to the conclusion that it is a persons' passions. I was able to share with her my testimony and the excitement and enthusiam I have about serving a mission- but the more that I have thought about it, the more I have really begun to internalize that thought. Being a latter-day saint is not just a title that I wear, or even a name on a badge. Everything that I am and everything that I want to become is made possible through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've decided to talk to people about their passions, when I meet them, because when you find out what someone really cares about you really learn a lot about who they are.

I loved listening to a part of General Conference this weekend- we will get the rest of it next week- but it was awesome hearing the guidence and direction that the Lord wants us to hear. We wanted to get a couple investigators to show up... but... they flaked on us- oh the sad life of a missionary- haha  

A sequel to last weeks ambulance incident- Marlies is in the urgent care and is still in a coma. I am really worried about her and her family. But I am just amazed at how the Lord is guiding his work here. Her son and sister who had previously not had any interest at all in the church let us talk with them for over an hour about the Plan of Salvation, and they both asked us to come over more often and teach them the lessons. I walked out of there just shinning- 

Once we get out of industrial Wetzlar the countryside in Germany is Beautiful! We took a train out to Marburg this week and there was a gorgeous castle and cathedral that we saw on our way to visiting some less active members. Sometimes I wish I had canvas and paint to be able to capture the beautiful scenery of Germany. I know that I have been here almost a month but it doesnt feel like it, sometimes I walk out of my apartment and still laugh and think- "echt? bin ich wirklich in Deutschland??" *am i really in germany?* We have several apointments a day and I want to keep that up and actually increase the amount. I just don't want to waste any of the lords time while I am here in germany. 

My German is getting better although there are lots of little things that I still need to work on. My companions are helping me with that, they are great. We have such awesome discusions and I am learning so much from them! - Although I think I am wearing them out, they are constantly telling me that I have way too much energy!! haha but I can't help it! I just get so excited and want to keep going and do more things. Sister Petersen wants me to let her know if I ever get tired so that she can take a picture and document the rare occasion haha. Thats been most of my week so far! I can't believe that it is going by so fast! I miss you all and am so greatful for your encouragment and prayers! 

Love Sister Shurts

From the Scribbled Notes of a Sister Missionary

9/29/14 So... this week I learned that it is smart to know the emergency 911 number for the country you are in

So... this week I learned that it is smart to know the emergency 911 number for the country you are in. I'll spoil the ending and say that everything turned out ok, but Sister Blackhurst and I were pretty freaked out! We had an appointment with a lady who had recently gotten baptized but was in a wheel chair and could not get around that well. As we were teaching her all of a sudden she began to have seizures and was shaking uncontrollably, her head was tilted back and her lips started turning blue. I jumped up and grabbed the phone and then realized that I didn't know the 911 number!! So while Sister Blackhurst stayed with her I jumped outside to shout for the gardener- but right as I did Marlies stopped convulsing and went limp- I was so worried because I thought that she had just died right there! Sister Blackhurst checked her pulse as I dialed the Emergency number that the gardener gave me. Thankfully her sister Ulla came around the corner right then and I gave her the phone so that she could explain the situation. Marlies was breathing but she was not doing well at all. The ambulance came a minute or two later and took control and zipped her back to the hospital. We stayed with Ulla to help her calm down for quite a while and despite all the scary things that happened I couldn't help but feel calm. As we sat with her, Ulla (who had no previous interest in the gospel) asked us to say a prayer and we spent a long time talking about the love of our heavenly father and the blessing of having a savior who knows all of our struggles. I think that that is one of the greatest blessings of of the Gospel and of being a missionary- because despite the trials and hardships that we may be facing, the Gospel of Jesus Christ can help everyone individually. I learned a lot about Faith this week. If heavenly Father had not prompted us to visit Marlies that day, she would have been all alone while she was having her epileptic attack. It has given me more determination to act in such a way that I will always have the spirit with me- so that I can be a tool for good in the Lords hands.

We have several people that we met with who are really interested in learning more- I am soo excited for them- I didn't realize how quickly you can learn to love someone you've only known for a few weeks. Wolfgang is an old German Doctor and we have been teaching him since I got here, but he is so open and ready to learn, we took him on a temple tour this week and he really is starting to see that this is the path for him! :D

Our week has been pretty eventful, we have been all over the Wetzlar area and also around Frankfurt. This week I have had a personal goal to contact more people on buses and trains. I just want to start up conversations with people and as our Mission President said, 'Teach when you Find, Find when you teach' Bear testimony in casual conversations- leave our number and invite them to learn more. It seems so easy but in reality it is hard to just talk to people who really don't want to have any part of you! The other day we ran into an old baptized man who scolded us for wearing finger nail polish! But we also were able to talk to people about family and the Book of Mormon! The more I think about it- the more excited I get haha, idk, I am just excited to be here and work hard in Wetzlar!

Love Sister Shurts

9/22/14 Loving the Missionary Life! Loving Germany!!

Soo.... 2 weeks in germany down... it doesn't feel like it- Everyday we are on the move and doing something different. My companions are always laughing at me because any time we get on a train I am just staring out the window in awe. I still can't believe I am here. I think growing up in a tiny one blinking light town is not helping me figure out how to run through large cities to catch trains and busses to get to appointments, but it has been fun to always be on the move. I can't think of any other time in my life when going to bed sounded so nice (and i've only been here 2 weeks!) 

We have a lot of investigators and my companions are awesome and always working hard to do their best. I am really excited to build up the church in Wetzlar we have 5 missionaries in our ward, 2 elders, 3 sisters. I just really feel like now is the time to grow! and I think that the Members in the area feel that too. I have learned a lot about trust in the last couple weeks. Trust in myself, trust in my companions, but most of all trust in the Lord. I was really nervous at first to talk to people on busses or trains or on the street- which probably doesn't sound characteristic of me- but honestly it was pretty hard. But then earlier this week, I felt like the nervousness of being here began to wear off, and I was just able to be myself a little bit more. And that meant being able to talk to people all the time, and when you talk to people and are interested in them- then they become interested in you! And it is in moments like that, that I can explain why I am here in Germany, and that I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints! I seriously LOVE saying that- I can't keep the smile off my face when i do! 

On Friday we had a meeting with a single mom in Giessen, she was having a hard time and her 5 year old son was crazy hyper. Before the appointment my companions told me that this little boy was litterally insane and there was no way to have a good lesson because he was jumping and yelling and screaming the whole time. I thought about it a lot before we went in, because I wanted this mom to feel like she was loved- so I said a quiet prayer in my heart to be able to find a way to calm little Jamie. We went in and he was there - first of all he was way cute- but also a little crazy- not that bad honsetly (but maybe thats because I have experience with crazy children haha) anyways- as we started the lesson I had the thought to tell jamie cool stories from the book of mormon. So I called him over to the table and we drew and talked about Nephi and Samuel the Lamanite and Jeus coming to the America's. Afterwards the mother and my companions were so surprised at how calm he was- they just had never seen him that quiet! I thought it was really special (even though it made me miss my siblings) it was a bit of a Tender Mercy. 

I love Germany so far! It is a little bit of a different culture- as we ring doorbells, I have decided I have seen my fair share of old men in their underwear and the cigarette smoke is a bit annoying- but the people are down to earth and so fun to talk to! I have talked to people from Russia, California, Bavaria and many parts of Germany- Everyone has their own story to tell- I think that is why I love this so much- because you can learn so much about people. I think there is a speacial spirit as a missionary that really helps you feel how much Heavenly Father loves each and every one of his children. 

anyways- love you all! 

Sister Shurts! 

9/14/14 - First Update from Germany!!

With Sister Jaursch, Michaela's MTC companion, in front of
Preston England Temple

Michaela and Sister Jaursch

So... I'm like in Freaking Germany! I really don't know exactly what I expected, but I do know that I didn't expect to be quite so tired. I finished my MTC training- but I don't feel at all ready- I guess that is where faith comes in. If I press forward in faith then I know that the Lord will provide a way, and make up the difference. I learned so much from my companion in the MTC, Sister Jaursch was an absolute Angel who didn't speak a lick of English- ok i lied, she could say 'how are you doink' but that was it. I learned so much from her about listening and how to communicate and also how to understand her thick accent! We may not have understood eachother all the time, but we learned to love eachother. Can I just say right now, that I'm in love with all the Germans? I don't know if that is allowed but they are awesome! So if I don't come back it is because I married a German and decided to stay in Germany! It was so fun speaking just german for 2 weeks and really learning how to teach the gospel in German. 

In all honesty it was a fun but tough 2 weeks. I have never used my brain so much! But I really just felt so good while at the MTC, it was an amazing experience to be able to learn and grow- and speak SO MUCH German! 

I flew alone from Manchester to Frankfurt and after being forgotten for a couple hours at the airport, running to catch a few busses and not eating for like 12 hours I arrived in GERMANY! Now for the news you have all been waiting for... My first zone in Germany is in Friedrichsdorf, and my area or town is in Wetzlar! My trainer is sister Blackhurst out of American Fork Utah, and I actually have another compaion (we're a trio) and she is also from Utah.. surprise! 

We stayed at a Hotel the first couple nights as all the new missionaries or 'goldens' as they're called went through an orientation.

We went to Frankfurt and did street contacting! It was a glorious sunny day and I was exhausted (but I think I was too excited to really act tired) I think the highlight of the week has been that I have been able to listen to Elder Ballard twice since getting here in Germany! It is so cool to listen to an apostle of the Lord. The first time was a Frankfurt Mission Conference and the second was double stake conference. It was such a great way to start off my mission right and really make goals to do the best that I can for the next 18 months. Wow, that is a daunting thought- I can't believe that I am already here on my mission living in a tiny apartment taking buses to foreign cities and getting lost. haha but it isn't too bad!

I'm really excited to jump into this next week and really get my feet on the ground and understand what it means to be a missionary! :) LOVE IT!!

from the scribbled notes of a sister missionary 

Michaela and Sister Mittleman on the temple grounds
at MTC in England before flying to Germany.

Michaela's first apartment

Michaela's first comapnions: Sis. Peterson and Sis. Blackhurst