It's been a great week! 5/4/14

We are such hipsters....

I feel a lot, a lot, a LOT better! I thought my body was breaking down last week. But everything is better now. Better than better, because we're both staying ANOTHER transfer together here in Mannheim! It was really a surprise, even though we did have some feelings...but it really was crazy. That's six transfers in Mannheim for Sister Lehman, and we'll be together four transfers. That is a really, really long time to be with a companion...but it's okay, cuz Sister Lehman is so cool and we get along really, really well. I love her!! I'm so happy we get to work together more. After her...I might only have one more companion. So weird!! But cool thing is that you guys can see her next Sunday, haha. You all have to be really funny cuz I told her how funny you all are and how I'm probably the unfunniest (is that a word?? German has kinda messed up my English) in the family.

I'm not sure what we're doing next Sunday. It really snuck up on us. We knew it was coming...but then yesterday afternoon we realized that next Sunday was actually May 11 and we haven't asked anyone. But don't worry, we'll figure it out this week and see if we can send you a quick email letting you know when/where we can do it. No fears!

I have letters for a lot of people ready in my bag. I just need stamps now. That's usually the thing that keeps them in my apartment the longest, haha. I just have to get out and buy international stamps. But I've promised myself that I'll get them out today. I forgot my camera card reader, so sorry about the lack of pics this week. But the hike last week was really fun and nice! Sister Lehman and I bought a 'comp unity' item last week. Matching hipster glasses! So we've been having fun having 'hipster moments' of the day. Sad to say I'm not a very good hipster...I can't get that blank/slightly depressed look to look good. Mostly I just look in pain. But you guys can see for yourself whenever I find my card reader. ALSO I made that cinnamon roll cake the other night to celebrate the start of our fourth transfer together. It's SOOOO good. Sadly I used up the rest of the brown sugar...but it was so worth it. Ughhh I felt like all

Cinnamon Roll Cake

that sugar and butter clogged up my arteries. Totally worth it.

It rained a lot last week, which sadly cancelled the ward activity! :( But we have a Gemeindewanderung (ward hike) in a couple weeks, so hopefully that'll make up for it. Also we got a new Bishopric (sp?? whatevs Bischofschaft) yesterday! We are so pumped. The new one is really young, but we're so excited to work with them. We really feel that this new change is going to get Mannheim going. Woooo! AND two cute eight year-olds are getting baptized on Saturday. We've been teaching one of them the lessons at the request of her Grandmother. She's so cute. She's actually Jasira's little sister. So we're really excited for Saturday.

This week was pretty good, but of course there were plenty of trials. Something that I really learned this week is how much the Gospel can bless families. Yesterday we were at an appt. and it was really, really bad. That poor family--the whole family was there, and it was just so sad to see how they treated each other. We left crying and I felt so horrible all night. It might sound corny or cheesy, but the principles taught by the church (and obviously by Christ) really do bless families and make families what they should be. Basically...all I learned was that the Church is true and that its really structured to help support and teach families, because families are so important! Okay...that wasn't groundbreaking, but you hear all these things throughout your life, and then coming out here and seeing it happen (or not happen) is just a huge testimony-builder.

Today we're celebrating Cinco de Mayo!! Woo happy Monday! I'm not sure exactly what we're going to do. I think we might go to Frankenstein castle. I'll take lots of pictures and hopefully be able to send some next week.