Schönes Freues Jahr!

So this has been a very eventful week. We actually achieved the largest single key indicator I have ever had, unfortunately it was other lessons. We also found some new investigators, at least 1 of which I feel is incredibly promising. And we had a pretty eventful New Years--the first for both Elder Warby and I in Germany, punctuated by a January 1st trip through the more poor area of town, with fireworks going off like gunshots in the distance. Less then ideal: We spent as Little time as possible in that area, moving on to brighter--and perhaps more secure--locales.

Also this week I started--with the Whole mission--once more with reading the Book of Mormon, which will be for the 3rd time since arriving in the Mission field. A start. I am now studying the Book of Mormon in German, as I was before, along with the New Testament in German as well. It really is very enjoyable to get that new perspective that Comes from a new language. The parables of Matthew 13-15 in particular have interested me. Not only was it enjoyable to read through them in English and German, but with 2 different German translations, as well as ''Jesus the Christ'' from the magnificent James E. Talmage, I feel like I was able to learn an incredible amount in just a couple of days.

Actually, shortly, I would like to share what I recorded in my study Journal after reading one of the stories in Matthew 15, that is also recorded in Mark 7. The Story in particular that I am thinking of is that of the Greek or Phoenecian woman who Comes to Christ, hoping and begging to have her daughter healed from a evil Spirit. At first, Christ's Initial refusal to help her--or at least the fact that he seemed to lack compassion--bothered me. However, with further study of the parable in the Einheits, Martin Luther, and King James translations, as well as reading the Explanation given in Jesus the Christ, I was not only able to resolve my concerns, but also able to learn some beautiful principles for missionary work. I apologize here if I begin to advocate false doctrine.

From my Study Journal:

''When at first Christ refuses to answer the Canaanite woman, he is not just being cruel or impassionate. As it says in Jesus the Christ, he is teaching her, the onlookers, the disciples, the gentiles, and us as well.

''Let us compare this to the idea 'First, seek to obtain my word.' Israel, at the time, had not yet received a Portion of Christ's teaching, much less what one could call his Full Word. If they at the time did not understand, or if they had not even received the majority of the Savior's teachings, how were they supposed to Share it with others?

''Then, perhaps we can compare ourselves to each Person in the Story. First, the woman. She knew who had the words of Eternal Life. She knew where to go to obtain help for her daughter. And she endured embarrassment, seemingly Initial rejection, and a Trial of her faith to get there.

''Then, compare us to the disciples. Have we yet received the fullness of the word? Or, as Christ says in the Story of the Children--who he constantly exhorts us to emulate--are we filled with the Bread of Life? And are we ready to share that with others? Have we Partaken of the Fruit? (1 Nephi 8:10-12, which I also read today during BOM study).

''Or are we the Onlookers, merely witnessing what appears to be an embarrassing Scene? Are we Israel, for a large part ignoring the unfolding Events of Christ's ministry, or focusing on the physical Blessings? Or are we even the Gentiles, Aware of a political figure Jesus of Nazareth, but playing no role at all in the Scene or Scenes of his work?

''Or could we even take the place of Christ, be the bearer of the word, the sharer of the Good Tidings of Great Joy?

''Who Should We Be?''

Other then the remarkable steps I feel I have made in my personal study, life is good in Kassel. My back in doing well--push-ups, I have learned through painful experience, are to be avoided--but other then that it is well on the mend. Elder Warby is doing good, and a couple of rough lessons aside, is well on the way to being a competent missionary.

I also had my Exchange with Elder Süffert, an experience I greatly valued, as any opportunity to work with a new companion, to learn more ways, opinions, and methods of missionary work is always a great Blessing.

Other thoughts for this week:

Going back to Hamburg this Tuesday for a Mission conference. Yay!! I love Hamburg.

They announced that the Freiburg temple will be closed between February 2015 and May 2016. Guess what? That means it is very likely I won't get to go during my Mission to the temple. :( Maybe if I am in the area like, next week, or if right when it opens, but otherwise...

Transfer Calls ARE THIS SATURDAY. This could be my last week in Kassel with Elder Warby. I will not say that I want to leave, no matter how true it may be.

Not too cold right now. The Germans always said that last winter ''Fell out.'' Looks like that may be the case here too.

My last companion, Elder Poch, goes home this week. Shout out.

That’s all I got. I love you all!!