Transfers...

Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Hello Family!!!

Well, I have the news you have all been waiting for. . . :) just kidding, I´m sure you are really anxious to hear where Ritchie is. :) But my mission president has decided to leave me and my companion, Sister Ley, together in Mainz. We were both so happy! We had Stake Conference this last week and Elder Texiara (I don´t know how to spell his name) from the 1st Quorum of the Seventy (in the area presidency for Europe) said that Germany was going to see more growth than ever before in Europe's history and it would begin in our Frankfurt Stake. It was really powerful. His wife spoke too and said that the days are over of South America getting more baptisms than in Europe, and it will be because of the members and the missionaries working together and joining their efforts. My companion and I felt a lot of responsibility on our shoulders but then as we did doors that night we talked about how we could develop better relationships with the members and get them more involved in missionary work. WE got so excited thinking of ideas. Then when we found out we would stay together we were really happy.

Oh mission life is great! Mainz is as beautiful as ever and we are finding so many new people and they are all younger people! Which means they can get baptized and raise their families in the church! Hurray! We had a lesson the other day with one of our new investigators. We taught him the first three lessons and started teaching him the commandment of following a prophet. As we were teaching him and as we showed him a picture of the prophet and the apostles he said, "Oh, you mean a prophet. Like God has called a man to be a prophet just like Moses." We said yes. Towards the end he said, "When I first met you I was just trying to decide if it was a good church or not. Now I see that I need to find out if it´s the right church." We said yes. It has been so awesome! We have also found other students and it has been truly amazing. God lives! and has a church with all the truth in it for us where we can learn about him and his plan and what wonderful things lay in store for those who keep the commandments.

A funny thing that happened this past week was Halloween. We heard it wasn´t a big thing in Germany at the beginning of October so we just never really thought about it since. Anyway, October 31st comes around and we had just chosen the best place to do doors and were happy and ready to do them. When we got off the bus we were a little surprised to see groups of children in scary costumes walking around. We were a little confused then realized, "It´s Halloween! Little kids are going door to door to get candy. And we are going to try to do missionary work." We tried a few doors and it didn´t work out so well, so we decided to go back into the city and contact there. But it was a funny realization to come to. Missionary work is funny sometimes.

Well Family there is so much to say, but also not enough time. I just love you all so much and hope that one day I can tell you all the stories. They are terrific. "Miracles every day, waiting just to be found. Out the door so much more, keep your feet on the ground. . . " (Thank you Tara).

I am excited to hear where Elder Fitzgerald ends up in Uruguay. One of the students we are teaching lived in Paraguay for 7 years. So that was fun to make that connection with him.

Last but not least, our mission president told us to send casual pictures to him of us for something. Anyway, so here is the fruit of that labor. This picture was taken this morning. :) Beautiful Mainz in the Fall is in the background. And I am sitting on some ancient Roman ruins. There are a lot of ancient Roman ruins here. It is really pretty.

I love you all family! Have a wonderful day today, and a wonderful week this week. And I look forward to hearing from you again.

Love,
Sister Melinda Fitzgerald

P.S.

Mom I haven´t gotten those pictures from Arthella. Did they get mailed back to her? Did she mail them to the office or to my apartment?

Oh as for 30th wedding anniversary, I say take a second honeymoon. Go to San Francisco and stay in a hotel on the beach. :) You can try to find the $50 deal again ;)