It was great to talk to you all. Skype is great! Yeah, that was so cool! I guess everyone is getting all techie now. Haha.
So I guess some info about Wesel would be pretty good. The city is really small. There are only 2 Elders there and its only a branch. So its kinda out of the way. It is actually on the complete opposite end of the mission.
My new district is going to have Elder Hardwick as my district leader... still. He was in Erlangen which was right above Nürnberg, and now he is going to my golden city Krefeld to be a district leader! That means I can go and have splits in a city that I already know! I am way excited to see some people there!
So when I got off the computer after talking to you all, I thought there is one thing that I would LOVE. That would be ties, but not just any ties. Harry Potter ties. Elder Peterson has a tie for each of the Hogwarts houses, and I have been pretty jealous of him. They are basic striped ties that simply have the crest of each house at the bottom. Those would be the coolest things ever! But let me know if you are going to get them and send them because there is a chance that I find them here.
Well, nothing really interesting has been going on this week since we last talked. We have been really busy with transfers and everything. I have packed almost everything (I am doing laundry) and I leave tomorrow at 8 am.
Oh and by the way, I am sending you a Christmas package! I got it as a gift from a member and I figured that you all would appreciate it as much as I would and seeing as I know how it *tastes*, you too can get a little piece of Germany, especially Nürnberg Germany!
Yeah, so the weather here has taken an interesting turn. It looks a lot like what London would look like. Dark, cloudy, and rainy.
Uhm, yeah, its been like 2 days since we last spoke, so I will give you a rundown of what we did. We had another 2 eating appointments yesterday and we also had a nice time getting Elder Petersons Drivers Lisence today.
Well, I am sure that next email will be filled with new and exciting stories!
Love you guys!
Elder Trevor Baker
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Christmas Caroling in Feucht
December 19, 2011 Merry Christmas Week!
So let's see what all has gone down here in Nuernberg... Well I guess I can start off by saying that I am getting the feeling like I am going to be transferred this upcoming transfer. We don't know until Christmas Eve, but anything can happen.
So this past week was jam packed full of adventures. Namely a scavenger hunt adventure that the Sister Missionaries set up for us in Nuernberg! We had a bunch of clues that we had to find at all these historic sites like statues and bridges and churches. It was way cool. We (Elder Peterson and I) even chased the sisters down some of the cobblestone streets trying to see if they would lead us to the next clue! It was way fun. I thought that it was funny because half the Zone showed up for it without even realizing it. It was definitely a cool Birthday for Elder Jongenjan (can you believe that he has been my companion for 4 1/2 months??) We even went to Vapiano which is this way nice Italian resturant right next to the huge cathedral in Nuernberg. It was a good pday.
Then after we had all those fun running around moments in the Old CIty, we went street contacting in Fuerth. We were talking to one lady and this girl in a wheelchair was riding by and stopped to listen and then kept going before we finished our discussion. So we kept walking and saw her pushing herself down this street so we walked up and asked if we could help. She said that she was trying to get home. We pushed her for what would have been a 30 minute trek had she pushed herself and got her to her apartment. We asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she said that she wanted to stay healthy and for her family to be happy. It really put things into perspective when I heard that. This was a girl who is confined to a wheelchair and the only thing she is asking for is for good health and for her family to be happy. Way awesome.
We also had another Elder accompany us for a day while his trainer was in Frankfurt. His name is Elder Rhyser and he is from Switzerland. He is an awesome Elder and probably the best teacher I have ever seen. It was fun going on a split with him.
We also had a ton of fun in Feucht singing and got some awesome meat on a stick. It was way cold though. I have some pics that I took that I am getting frustrated with because they won't send. Grr. I will probably send them with my gmail account.
So we ran into a couple of creepers this week too. Some "potential investigators" who keep asking if they can come over and where we are and "if the other boys will be there too." We dropped them so fast haha. There are some really weird people out there.
So we snagged a couple appointments for Christmas, which means that we will have a lot of food to eat. I am excited, it's always really good! There is Family Ochs who feeds us on a regular basis, Family Kirzinger, Family Schultz, and Brother Strenz. They all know how to make really good food.
So just a random tid bit of information. The Germans usually open their presents on Christmas Eve (which is called Heilige Abend) and then leave their shoes outside on Christmas Eve. Then Christmas morning they go outside and their shoes are filled with candy. (I should get some hiking boots or galoshes right?) Then they hang out with their family and then they have a Second Christmas day on the 26th. All the different Traditions and cultures are really cool.
Well, I hope you all get that skype thing worked out.
Talk to you soon!
Love you!
Elder Trevor Baker
P.S. I got your package Mom. That's the only one I got so far.
So this past week was jam packed full of adventures. Namely a scavenger hunt adventure that the Sister Missionaries set up for us in Nuernberg! We had a bunch of clues that we had to find at all these historic sites like statues and bridges and churches. It was way cool. We (Elder Peterson and I) even chased the sisters down some of the cobblestone streets trying to see if they would lead us to the next clue! It was way fun. I thought that it was funny because half the Zone showed up for it without even realizing it. It was definitely a cool Birthday for Elder Jongenjan (can you believe that he has been my companion for 4 1/2 months??) We even went to Vapiano which is this way nice Italian resturant right next to the huge cathedral in Nuernberg. It was a good pday.
Then after we had all those fun running around moments in the Old CIty, we went street contacting in Fuerth. We were talking to one lady and this girl in a wheelchair was riding by and stopped to listen and then kept going before we finished our discussion. So we kept walking and saw her pushing herself down this street so we walked up and asked if we could help. She said that she was trying to get home. We pushed her for what would have been a 30 minute trek had she pushed herself and got her to her apartment. We asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she said that she wanted to stay healthy and for her family to be happy. It really put things into perspective when I heard that. This was a girl who is confined to a wheelchair and the only thing she is asking for is for good health and for her family to be happy. Way awesome.
We also had another Elder accompany us for a day while his trainer was in Frankfurt. His name is Elder Rhyser and he is from Switzerland. He is an awesome Elder and probably the best teacher I have ever seen. It was fun going on a split with him.
We also had a ton of fun in Feucht singing and got some awesome meat on a stick. It was way cold though. I have some pics that I took that I am getting frustrated with because they won't send. Grr. I will probably send them with my gmail account.
So we ran into a couple of creepers this week too. Some "potential investigators" who keep asking if they can come over and where we are and "if the other boys will be there too." We dropped them so fast haha. There are some really weird people out there.
So we snagged a couple appointments for Christmas, which means that we will have a lot of food to eat. I am excited, it's always really good! There is Family Ochs who feeds us on a regular basis, Family Kirzinger, Family Schultz, and Brother Strenz. They all know how to make really good food.
So just a random tid bit of information. The Germans usually open their presents on Christmas Eve (which is called Heilige Abend) and then leave their shoes outside on Christmas Eve. Then Christmas morning they go outside and their shoes are filled with candy. (I should get some hiking boots or galoshes right?) Then they hang out with their family and then they have a Second Christmas day on the 26th. All the different Traditions and cultures are really cool.
Well, I hope you all get that skype thing worked out.
Talk to you soon!
Love you!
Elder Trevor Baker
P.S. I got your package Mom. That's the only one I got so far.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
December 12, 2011 The Weihnachtsmarkt
Well hello hello...
First off, I am so excited for Christmas here this year! I went last week to the Weihnachtsmarkt, and it was the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen in my life. There were rows and rows of little wooden shops set up in the square and every single one had these really bright lights on them. They were selling Raeuchermenchen which are those little Santa Clauses that burn insense, and steins (they hold your beer), and candles and wurst shops and different kinds of shaped glass sculptures and nutcrackers and basically everything that you can imagine that is related to Christmas. It was unbelievable. We should be going by for Elder Jongejan's birthday (which is today) and having some kind of wurst. We are also having a scavenger hunt today with the Nuermberg Elders, Sisters, and the Elders from Regensburg (Elder Mayle my trainer is there right now haha). It should be fun!
Well, I wrote down a few of the interesting/funny things that happened this week...
So we were riding on a bus on the way to Nordostbahnhof to go by a potential investigator and yet again, there were two teenage girls there trying to take pictures of Elder Jongejan and I. They looked like they were trying to read out nametags too so I pulled mine off and showed one of them and she goes, "Ahhhh..." This happens on a regular basis unfortunately.
So we also decided to branch out this week too. We tried some Malz Bier and Alkoholfrei Bier. Disclaimer: Malz Bier has no alcohol. It was actually pretty good. We tried both of them and the common consensus was that the Malz Bier was wayyy better than the Alkoholfrei one. It was cool. Course its about as "cool" as you can get as a Mormon Missionary.
So then on Tuesday with Elder Peterson on the way to district meeting, we were running a little late and decided to run to catch the U-Bahn. Well Elder Jongejan and Elder Anderson were ahead of us and decided to run and try to make it. Elder Peterson and I (In back) followed suit and tried to make it. On the way down to the platform I turn around and ask Elder Peterson if he has a pass for both of us. He said he did and I was like Ok good. I bolted up the escalator and made it to the top when I heard a crash. I turned around as the Bahn was leaving and saw Elder Peterson holding these two jars in his hand and clenching the other one, bleeding. I was thinking "Why does everything interesting happen when I am with him?" Well it turns out he tried to take one too many steps on the escalator and didnt quite make the last one. He braced himself with one of his hands and the glass bottle he was holding hit the sharp part of the escalator and shattered and cut his hand open. So it was a fun ride to the Church while I was trying to keep him from passing out because he was going light headed... Well that's yet another fun story that I have with Elder Peterson.
We went caroling this past week too, which was awesome! I have never (honestly) had this much fun while doing "finding time". I honestly cant stand finding time here but caroling is way fun. It's a great and meaningful (not to mention effective) way to spread the Christmas spirit. There is that singing quote that just came to mind haha. Christmas cheer... Well most times people try to give us money but we dont accept so they try insisting chocolate instead. The people here are really generous, I have never seen a more generous people anywhere, but the idea with this is just channeling this charity into different facets such as the gospel. That would be nice. I remember president Schwartz talking about using service projects as a way for people to come to recognize the name of the church and keep themselves preoccupied with great activities.
So I don't know whether I have gotten any packages or not. They all go to the mission office and we could possibly be getting them this week or next week. So I guess keeping up on those online tracking systems would be best. I will let people know if I get packages so there isnt some kind of rummage around frantically trying to find them.
We had a Christmas party with the ward which was so much fun. We did an acapella version of white Christmas, I was unfortunately sick so I had to sing the bass parts and not the high part. The Senior missionary couple took a video of it so I will see If I can pass that along. The ward absolutely loved it, we got a hugh round of applause. They even asked us to sing another song, so we did Deck the Halls and Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was a blast. Of course we came home laden with chocolate and baked goods. The ward is so awesome.
So like I said, I got sick on friday. Not much else I can say about that...
We also were at the church last night to watch that Christmas fireside and I really liked the quote from President Monson about how Christmas is what you make of it. I love the Christmas season.
On to some logistical things. I have some times for skype: I will be skyping home at 12:00 noon your time. That is 6:00 pm my time. Be prepared for high noon. I believe that Sean has a laptop with skype set up already. You should ask him so you don't have to buy a web cam. I will have approximately 1 hour and if there are any problems there is a phone number that you can call to figure out what is going on. So the skype name is -----and the phone number is--- that is a Colorado number but the phone is here, so the charge will be only to Colorado. I think the best option (if this is possible) is to see if Sean can make it and have him set the computer up in the living room or something. I will let you all work that out though. But if there are any problems with the time or anything, let me know.
Love you all and Merry Christmas!
Elder Trevor Baker
First off, I am so excited for Christmas here this year! I went last week to the Weihnachtsmarkt, and it was the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen in my life. There were rows and rows of little wooden shops set up in the square and every single one had these really bright lights on them. They were selling Raeuchermenchen which are those little Santa Clauses that burn insense, and steins (they hold your beer), and candles and wurst shops and different kinds of shaped glass sculptures and nutcrackers and basically everything that you can imagine that is related to Christmas. It was unbelievable. We should be going by for Elder Jongejan's birthday (which is today) and having some kind of wurst. We are also having a scavenger hunt today with the Nuermberg Elders, Sisters, and the Elders from Regensburg (Elder Mayle my trainer is there right now haha). It should be fun!
Well, I wrote down a few of the interesting/funny things that happened this week...
So we were riding on a bus on the way to Nordostbahnhof to go by a potential investigator and yet again, there were two teenage girls there trying to take pictures of Elder Jongejan and I. They looked like they were trying to read out nametags too so I pulled mine off and showed one of them and she goes, "Ahhhh..." This happens on a regular basis unfortunately.
So we also decided to branch out this week too. We tried some Malz Bier and Alkoholfrei Bier. Disclaimer: Malz Bier has no alcohol. It was actually pretty good. We tried both of them and the common consensus was that the Malz Bier was wayyy better than the Alkoholfrei one. It was cool. Course its about as "cool" as you can get as a Mormon Missionary.
So then on Tuesday with Elder Peterson on the way to district meeting, we were running a little late and decided to run to catch the U-Bahn. Well Elder Jongejan and Elder Anderson were ahead of us and decided to run and try to make it. Elder Peterson and I (In back) followed suit and tried to make it. On the way down to the platform I turn around and ask Elder Peterson if he has a pass for both of us. He said he did and I was like Ok good. I bolted up the escalator and made it to the top when I heard a crash. I turned around as the Bahn was leaving and saw Elder Peterson holding these two jars in his hand and clenching the other one, bleeding. I was thinking "Why does everything interesting happen when I am with him?" Well it turns out he tried to take one too many steps on the escalator and didnt quite make the last one. He braced himself with one of his hands and the glass bottle he was holding hit the sharp part of the escalator and shattered and cut his hand open. So it was a fun ride to the Church while I was trying to keep him from passing out because he was going light headed... Well that's yet another fun story that I have with Elder Peterson.
We went caroling this past week too, which was awesome! I have never (honestly) had this much fun while doing "finding time". I honestly cant stand finding time here but caroling is way fun. It's a great and meaningful (not to mention effective) way to spread the Christmas spirit. There is that singing quote that just came to mind haha. Christmas cheer... Well most times people try to give us money but we dont accept so they try insisting chocolate instead. The people here are really generous, I have never seen a more generous people anywhere, but the idea with this is just channeling this charity into different facets such as the gospel. That would be nice. I remember president Schwartz talking about using service projects as a way for people to come to recognize the name of the church and keep themselves preoccupied with great activities.
So I don't know whether I have gotten any packages or not. They all go to the mission office and we could possibly be getting them this week or next week. So I guess keeping up on those online tracking systems would be best. I will let people know if I get packages so there isnt some kind of rummage around frantically trying to find them.
We had a Christmas party with the ward which was so much fun. We did an acapella version of white Christmas, I was unfortunately sick so I had to sing the bass parts and not the high part. The Senior missionary couple took a video of it so I will see If I can pass that along. The ward absolutely loved it, we got a hugh round of applause. They even asked us to sing another song, so we did Deck the Halls and Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was a blast. Of course we came home laden with chocolate and baked goods. The ward is so awesome.
So like I said, I got sick on friday. Not much else I can say about that...
We also were at the church last night to watch that Christmas fireside and I really liked the quote from President Monson about how Christmas is what you make of it. I love the Christmas season.
On to some logistical things. I have some times for skype: I will be skyping home at 12:00 noon your time. That is 6:00 pm my time. Be prepared for high noon. I believe that Sean has a laptop with skype set up already. You should ask him so you don't have to buy a web cam. I will have approximately 1 hour and if there are any problems there is a phone number that you can call to figure out what is going on. So the skype name is -----and the phone number is--- that is a Colorado number but the phone is here, so the charge will be only to Colorado. I think the best option (if this is possible) is to see if Sean can make it and have him set the computer up in the living room or something. I will let you all work that out though. But if there are any problems with the time or anything, let me know.
Love you all and Merry Christmas!
Elder Trevor Baker
Friday, December 9, 2011
December 5, 2011 Christmas!! It's Coming!!
Hey Guys!
So this week has been pretty sick. We just got back from shopping and getting a Christmas tree which we bought for 15 euros. Sick!
Lets see what else happened.
So we had an ausstellung which is like a display we set up in the Fuerth inner city area. It was really cool to see how many members came and supported the missionaries. We even had Christmas songs to sing. Some of them were traditional German ones and some of the older people would walk by and start singing them along with us. It was really cool. We also talked to some people on the street who may have interest but so far we havent had anyone meet with us. It was so cold during the display and we were right outside of a bakery, so we went to pick up some hot chocolate inside and gave it to everyone. It was so cool, I wish I had taken pictures. Maybe I can upload some of the ones that Elder Jongejan took.
Well I finally left my area and got to go to Erlangen, which was a nice refreshing change. I was working with my district leader Elder Hardwick. He is from Washington state. I think and is a really cool missionary. I had a bunch of fun. We talked a lot about working out and some plans that we have for home. We had a good time and taught a couple of lessons which was cool.
We also stopped by one of the Christmas markets here in Nuernberg. It was ridiculous! There were Christmas things everywhere! I have never seen more Christmas in my entire life! They have a bunch of different things like these miniature propellers that spin when you light candles underneath. They also have some ridiculous adventskalenars. I am so excited for later today when I get to go check it out!
During this past week, we have been getting lots of Christmas treats from members. We get bags full of Christmas nuts and chocolate! Ugh I love it! I think that I will buy some Christmas chocolate and save it until I come home. Or just mail it. Yeah, that's better. I will definitely send some chocolate home. You guys do so much for me.
So on to the most important thing of the season. I am so excited to tell you all this. That I will be skyping home for Christmas! So the exact time and date has not been specified other than it being Christmas day. It may be around noonish my time, which means either really early for you all or it will be when you are opening presents! Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! Let me know what you all think would be the best time for skyping and I feel like this is adequate time for everyone to get skype set up.
So let's see what else... Thats right, we had ward soccer night which gets really intense sometimes. There are always some really good soccer players there and they usually school us but I have a great time running around and getting my heart rate up.
So there have been just a few thoughts on my mind lately. First off, this is the time of year where we can really think and celebrate Christ's birth. While talking to a lot of people, they are just way too caught up in the commercialism of the Christmas season. There are the few however who do have some religious background and love the time that they have to visit family and friends. If you are familiar with the movie The Grinch. Theres a line where he says, "That's what its always been about isn't it? Thats what its always been about!" There's more to Christmas than just gifts and presents. It's really to spend time with the ones you love. Kinda sad that I have to leave the continent to realize that. But whatever, life is a learning process.
Second, I see a lot of people here who want to believe in something. Some kind of higher power and existence. Some kind of purpose. I have never seen so many people who want to believe, who don't want to believe. Now, don't get me wrong. I am not ragging on the people. There are people out there who are ready and being prepared. But either, they aren't ready for it, or I am not ready. Life is a picky thing.
Well, just for some logistical things... If anyone wants to send anything, they should send it to the mission office. The address will be at the bottom of the email. I will be sending a couple of little emails clearing up some things as far as packages go. Thank you all so much!
Love you all!
Elder Trevor Baker
So this week has been pretty sick. We just got back from shopping and getting a Christmas tree which we bought for 15 euros. Sick!
Lets see what else happened.
So we had an ausstellung which is like a display we set up in the Fuerth inner city area. It was really cool to see how many members came and supported the missionaries. We even had Christmas songs to sing. Some of them were traditional German ones and some of the older people would walk by and start singing them along with us. It was really cool. We also talked to some people on the street who may have interest but so far we havent had anyone meet with us. It was so cold during the display and we were right outside of a bakery, so we went to pick up some hot chocolate inside and gave it to everyone. It was so cool, I wish I had taken pictures. Maybe I can upload some of the ones that Elder Jongejan took.
Well I finally left my area and got to go to Erlangen, which was a nice refreshing change. I was working with my district leader Elder Hardwick. He is from Washington state. I think and is a really cool missionary. I had a bunch of fun. We talked a lot about working out and some plans that we have for home. We had a good time and taught a couple of lessons which was cool.
We also stopped by one of the Christmas markets here in Nuernberg. It was ridiculous! There were Christmas things everywhere! I have never seen more Christmas in my entire life! They have a bunch of different things like these miniature propellers that spin when you light candles underneath. They also have some ridiculous adventskalenars. I am so excited for later today when I get to go check it out!
During this past week, we have been getting lots of Christmas treats from members. We get bags full of Christmas nuts and chocolate! Ugh I love it! I think that I will buy some Christmas chocolate and save it until I come home. Or just mail it. Yeah, that's better. I will definitely send some chocolate home. You guys do so much for me.
So on to the most important thing of the season. I am so excited to tell you all this. That I will be skyping home for Christmas! So the exact time and date has not been specified other than it being Christmas day. It may be around noonish my time, which means either really early for you all or it will be when you are opening presents! Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! Let me know what you all think would be the best time for skyping and I feel like this is adequate time for everyone to get skype set up.
So let's see what else... Thats right, we had ward soccer night which gets really intense sometimes. There are always some really good soccer players there and they usually school us but I have a great time running around and getting my heart rate up.
So there have been just a few thoughts on my mind lately. First off, this is the time of year where we can really think and celebrate Christ's birth. While talking to a lot of people, they are just way too caught up in the commercialism of the Christmas season. There are the few however who do have some religious background and love the time that they have to visit family and friends. If you are familiar with the movie The Grinch. Theres a line where he says, "That's what its always been about isn't it? Thats what its always been about!" There's more to Christmas than just gifts and presents. It's really to spend time with the ones you love. Kinda sad that I have to leave the continent to realize that. But whatever, life is a learning process.
Second, I see a lot of people here who want to believe in something. Some kind of higher power and existence. Some kind of purpose. I have never seen so many people who want to believe, who don't want to believe. Now, don't get me wrong. I am not ragging on the people. There are people out there who are ready and being prepared. But either, they aren't ready for it, or I am not ready. Life is a picky thing.
Well, just for some logistical things... If anyone wants to send anything, they should send it to the mission office. The address will be at the bottom of the email. I will be sending a couple of little emails clearing up some things as far as packages go. Thank you all so much!
Love you all!
Elder Trevor Baker
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)