Monday, October 8, 2012

"I'm just a giggolo"

Hey Dad!

I haven't received the envelope you sent. I'm not sure why because I got Lyndel's package and she sent that on the 26th. I am being transferred to Bremerhaven, a port city on the north sea. From what I read it is the second largest port in all of Europe and that 1, 350,000 cars come through it every year or something like that. I actually got to tausch there a long time ago and got to visit for a day. It's a lovely city and because it is on the water that means this winter will be less crazy than other places. I'm looking forward to that. I am not looking forward to leaving Sister Tidwell. She has been my little angel and a gift mostly certainly sent from Heavenly Father. Don't worry about money. I only need money to send Andre and Eli's packages but they can wait, it's nothing that needs to be rushed or anything.

I'm really sorry that they took the Elders out of your ward. I can't imagine how hard it will be for the next set that comes in. Did the mission president contact you and let you know before it happened? I loved conference too. I really was impressed by all the talks from the Relief Society meeting. It was just full of the spirit. As all the speakers talked about the enabling power of the atonement and then we stand to sing ''I stand all amazed'' I couldn't help but be amazed for all that Christ has done and feel the love from our Heavenly Father. It was a really neat experience and I'm so grateful that that was the song they chose for us to stand and sing.

This week for FHE we taught about Jacob and how he blessed his twelve sons with patriarchal blessings of things that he hoped they would remember so that they could stay on the straight and narrow. We then all wrote letters to our posterity of things that we hope they would remember and learn as they go throughout this life. I was scribe for Frau XXXXXXX and it was really amazing the advice she wanted to leave her posterity. I asked her if I could make a copy for myself and keep it. She was more than happy for me to do that and wanted to make sure that I sent one to Sister Openshaw too. We will be finishing the Book of Mormon with her today. I am excited to watch her face as we read the last two chapters.

I hope you have a less stressful week Dad and enjoy being with the family today. I love you very much and I am very grateful for you!
-Ariel nell

Black Mountain Retreat

Hey Mumma!

  Y'alls weekend in the mountains sounds fun! I'm glad that you all got to spend the weekend together. Well I did get transferred. I am headed to Bremerhaven, a port city about 4 and 1/2 hours away from Halberstadt. I feel a little jipped being transferred on General Conference weekend since we don't have church in our building ( we have to go to Braunschweig) but I called everyone and got appointments with them tonight so that I could say goodbye. It's weird packing all my things. I have a lot of books. I need to start slowly sending them home. A lot are just things I've collected since I've been here. My companion will be Sister Dean. She was in the MTC at the same time I was but just in another district so we are actually the same age on the mission.

  I REALLY enjoyed conference. I didn't realize just how badly I needed to hear from all the apostles and President Monson. I'm looking forward to next Saturday when we get to hear from President Monson again. It was amazing to hear President Monson announce the change for the missionary ages. I would have LOVED to go at 19. We have a lot of Elders in my mission already that are 18 because Germany was one of those countries with the exception to let the boys start sooner. I don't think there will be huge problems of flirting. It's an amazing piece of revelation and certainly a sign of the times that Heavenly Father is kicking missionary work into high gear. I think this will allow for a lot more sisters to come on missions. I'm grateful for when I did come otherwise I wouldn't have had a spot or scholarship at LSU but it will be such a privilege for all those girls who want to go and doubt those promptings to go between 18-21. I also think it will help a lot of youth to stay strong and focused on the straight and narrow and help them solidify their testimony of the gospel. I hope Eli does go when he is 18. What a neat experience it will be.

    So our P-day last Monday was really fun. Sister Tidwell and I enjoyed our time in Braunschweig and she was able to find some really fun cute dresses and really cheap boots. We even found a German version of Hobby Lobby. We spent easily an hour in there. It was wonderful! When we came home we stopped by Schwester Munke to pick up a cake she made for Sister Tidwell. She made the same beautiful huge cake that sister Openshaw and I got to eat several months back. We took it home and weighed it. You'll never guess how heavy it was, 17.6 lbs!

   Sister Tidwell and I got to do lots of finding this week and we had lots of interesting conversations. One man came out of his home to show us a book called the False Messiah  and just told us how wrong we were. I explained that Jesus is the Christ and that we were all brothers and sisters. He kind of looked appalled at that idea. He told Sister Tidwell to say "Hi" to Jesus for him. She said she would. It's sad how confused Satan likes to make people. The old man said at the end of our conversation that he would see us in the next life and he is right, he will. But he will be surprised at what he gets to learn. I hope he can be open to the gospel.

   Well Mumma, I hope you have a great 4 -day week at school and have fun with the family on your vacation day today. I love you and I'm very grateful for you!

-Ariel Nell

It's becoming fall...

Lyndel,
 First off, I have to say your husband is a great man and my favorite brother in law :) 
 
  A weekend in the mountains sounds fun. It's neat you got to be up there with all the Van Sant kids. Yes, we did hear the news at General Conference about the missionary ages dropping. That was so stinking sweet to hear! Just a sign of the times that Heavenly Father is kicking this into high gear. We got to get gathering and fast. Yes, I totally would have gone at 19 years old. I'm so proud of all the young people now who get to go at 18 and 19. Sister Tidwell and I were talking about it and she and I both noted that for many girls the years between 18-21, where many girls feel they should serve -  meet many doubts or do something that knocks them off the path or they get married and start a family. By lowering the age for girls especially, it will allow for a lot more girls to serve missions and raise a family at a time that is normal. I really hope Eli goes at 18 years old. All the Elders who I have had the chance to see come into the field change for the better by leaps and bounds in just a few months. A mission is the best thing anyone can do for their life and their future family. Basically, dropping the age = best idea EVER.
 
 XXXXXX is doing much better. He is out of the hospital and we were able to visit him. Some lady saw his Book of Mormon in the hospital and said it was a devilish book. He was so ticked. He said,'' Look, it even says, 'Another Testament of Jesus Christ' on the cover!'' He is so great. He is set to be baptized at the end of October. I'm praying that Satan doesn't throw him any more curve balls.
 
  I did get your birthday package for me! Thanks so much! My finger nails have been a lively mint green since I opened it. Thanks for the hair ties too, those are always handy and I LOVE my coca- cola glass. It sat on my desk and held my coloring pencils for when I study. But now it is sitting packed in my suitcase because I got transfered to Bremerhaven. I'm super sad to leave Sister Tidwell. She has taught me so much and has really helped me find the joy in life and has taught me to laugh. She is amazing and I can't wait to party with her and Sister Openshaw when we are all home. Sister Openshaw is finished with her mission in the end of November so I'll make sure to give her your cell number or something so she can contact you about the chandelier. 
 
   I'm proud of you Lyndel! Thanks for all the love and support. Keep being amazing. Love you!
-Ariel Nell

Monday, October 1, 2012

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God ....

Dad,
Thanks for all the pictures of mum and the party and of Emil and Fidel and the piano, super neat! I'm so glad to hear that everything went perfectly for Mumma and that she was so happy to participate in the whole process. I most certainly made sure to pray for her this week. Thanks for sending me so many pictures. I am just shocked at how beautiful the family looks and that Eli is a giant. I miss you all but no worries I'll be home before we know it.

I wasn't able to send Eli and email in German but I wrote him a letter that I'll mail out soon. I'll be sure to email in German today. I forgot about it last week.

No, I haven't gotten my package yet. Did you guys send it to Halberstadt or the office? It'll eventually come. I have packages for Mum, Andre, and Eli all waiting to go but no debit card so I hope that no one gets upset for late gifts. Yes, we have a CD player in the car and in our house. I'm really excited to get the Nat King Cole Christmas CD. Thanks for listening to Christmas music in July. Just one of the many reasons that makes you the best dad in the world. The glass blowing date sounds fun. I hope you guys are able to go and do it soon.

Well this week we had tausch and Sister Olsen from Bielefeld came to serve with me in Halberstadt for the day. It was neat to see how someone else teaches and how the things they said are really needed for the people we visit. This week Sister Tidwell and I got a lot of referrals. In this last little while we have been getting a lot and it really is a blessing. We go out finding everyday because we only have two progressing investigators and no one is interested to talk to us so it starts that nasty cycle of no one to teach which means very few lessons which means our numbers are not so nice. But the referrals are the key to get everything up. President Kosak called us this week and gave us a referral from the Idaho Falls temple visitor center. It was an older couple who live in Wernigerode. We were able to set up an appointment with them and visit them this week. We stayed for two hours and answered a lot of their questions and seemed to hit every topic under the sun like equality between men and women, the priesthood, Joseph Smith, keys, Prophets, restoration vs. reformation, temples vs. churches, tithing, Mitt Romney, etc. It was a really neat meeting and the couple was really interested but not willing to make out a new appointment with us. At least they are more informed and know where to go and who to get in contact with when they want to know more. I'm so glad that you have been pushing referrals and member missionary work. You're doing a great job!

This week at ASB, the dementia home we serve at, we just walked around to a bunch of different rooms and talked to people we never met before. It made me think of you and how much you would have enjoyed talking to everyone and also of all the times we went to visit Dot. Bruder Lau gave me a classical CD this week that has the Chopin Waltz that you play all the time at home. I like to listen to it over and over and over again because it reminds me of being home. I hope you're finding opportunities to play the piano.

I love you dad. Thanks for all your love and support. Can't wait to talk to you soon!!!
-Ariel Nell

My lovely little sister

Hey Lyndel!

I am doing something fun for p-day! Today is Sister Tidwells birthday so we decided to take a trip to Braunschweig and go shopping in this castle that was turned into a four story mall. To have the most time here today we had to catch a train at 5:41 and then arrived here in Braunschweig and now are emailing in an internet laden. Super weird. I haven't done that my whole mission but everyone else does it. So now I feel super crunched for time! So yes, we're going to have a blast today. Plus, Bryan sent finger mustaches to me and Sister Tidwell and I put them on on the train and have been taking pictures everywhere with them. My mustache kind of looks like Hitlers' and we found a street sign called Adolf straße so naturally I had to take a picture :)

   Awww! I'm so glad that you all threw a surprise party for Mumma. That's such a cute idea. I actually haven't read anyone elses emails yet. Yours was the first.

 Satan is gonna get a punch in the face if I ever meet him. We told Frau Görgens what happened with XXXXXX and she was REALLY upset. I told her I was going to punch Satan in the face and she said she would too and asked Schwester Munke if she would join in too. Haha, it was cute. XXXXXX is doing much better. I've talked to him three times this week. We weren't able to visit him in the hospital because it was in the Frankfurt mission and that's a no go since we're not allowed to leave the mission. His legs are still numb and he said that they will be numb forever now but he is getting better at walking each day and is very positive. I asked him if he read anything good in the Book of Mormon while he was in the hospital and he said that one day he started Mormon and then a few hours later he realized he finished it. Ha! So awesome.

 I'm so glad you love the rainbow picture too!! Frau Görgens artwork is lovely.

 Oh my goodness, FHE was hilarious. So we talked about Abraham and read about the covenant the Lord makes with him and then read the story of him about to sacrifice Isaac. I drew a not so great looking ram but it worked and made tails for everyone to write a sacrifice on that they offer. It was interesting to hear what was a sacrifice for some people and what wasn't.

 I'm excited for my birthday too!!! I'm gonna be an old lady. Speaking of which I found the longest grey hair in my life this past week. I pulled it out and taped it to a black piece of paper. I'll probably send it to Mum. Sick joke.

Aww, I'm sorry Mumma is upset I'm not there for  another Christmas. Yeah, it's not fun to not be with you all. The good news is that I get to call home on Christmas and then I'll be home 4 months later!! I like the My Favorite Place presents idea. It would make for some seriously fun presents.

   Well I love you Lyndel! I hope you have a fabulous week and that you all have fun celebrating Andre's birthday. I miss you bunches!

-Ariel Nell

New American

Hey Mumma!

I was just going to sign off when I saw that you wrote me! I'm so proud of you and for all that you accomplished. I made sure to pray for you this week and am so proud that you accomplished your goal. I agree, this election does not seem clear cut. I just keep wishing we could have someone like Moroni come and be our leader, that would be neat. Haha.  I'm sorry I wasn't there to celebrate  your American citizenship with you but believe me I'm celebrating in my heart with you! I miss you too Mumma but try not to be too sad that I'm not there. I get to talk to you all VERY soon and then I'll be home before you know it. And then we can just have Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice watching parties and have fun like the good old days.

  Today is Sister Tidwell's birthday and we decided to come to Braunschweig to go shopping in a giant schloss (castle)  that was turned into a four story mall. It's fun to be with her here and I'm hoping that we can have another transfer together. I'm sorry this email has to be short but I have to go since I've already been on too long. I love you Mumma. Have a fabulous week at school! I made you some Christmas ornaments for this year that I thought you would just love. I miss you! Be good!

-Ariel Nell

A-Merica ( like they say in West Side Story)

Andre!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY on saturday BIG BROTHER!!! I hope you have a great week and a wonderful birthday!

Woa! Thats crazy that Jake finished the appalachian trail. Did he just have the time of his life?
Great idea to throw mumma a surprise party.
Yay! No overtime work!
How are the trees there in Atlanta?

XXXX is still in the Hospital and he is coming out on Tuesday. We don't have to re-interview him but our district leader does have to come to another appointment with us to just check on him and see how is doing and then he can get baptized ASAP.

That's neat that you got to participate in the blessing of Lukas. That's cool that Ben did the blessing in Portuguese.

Are Ellen's parents moving near family in Ohio?

Make sure you take a picture of your new iphone 5. That's really nice that Ellen got you such a big present!

Exhausted as a missionary doesn't really describe it. I found a giant grey hair this week and the bags under my eyes are as big as the grand canyon. We could probably play hide and go seek in them.

The 26th is my year mark! Happy Halloween party :) Why is BYU playing GT? Are they in the same conference? That just seems really weird.

You guys will have fun in Ohio for thanksgiving. Biltmore Christmas will be fun too.

Sister Tidwell and I are closer than two peas in a pod. We're like water molecules. Yea, Transfer call is next week.

Eli is a giant! What is he now? 5'6''?

     Well this week was full of finding and finding and more finding. We talked to a lady who said she was the devil ( we just kept going). We actually ran into a lot of people who have had contact with the church in one form of fashion but are too old and say they can't or people who just don't want to talk to us. There was one lady who thought we said we were giving people the quran, and when we corrected what she heard and explained it was the Book of MORMON then she said she was Atheist and didn't want to talk to us. People are strange sometimes.

    Sister Tidwell and I are in Braunschweig for her birthday today to celebrate. We have finger mustaches fake tattooed to our fingers and have been taking pictures everywhere. It's hilarious and definitely brings a lot of laughs. Especially since mine kind of looks like Hitlers.

   Well I love you Andre! I hope you and Ellen have a fabulous week and that you have a supercalifragilisticexpealidocious birthday! :)

Love you Andre! Miss you!

-Ariel Nell