November 19, 2012 Thanksgiving Week

Well, it's Thanksgiving week!

Well, I have been like a day ticker for Elder Anderson now, I have been able to say exactly how many days he has before he goes home for the past transfer now. It's at 3, by the way.

We had a nice day at church and made out some appointments for the week. Unfortunately our investigator didn't show up, so we have to work on that a little bit.

Yeah, I don't know what else to talk about. Writing these things gets harder and harder as the weeks go by. Oh and remember when I said I had 100 days left? Yeah, that's already down to 87. Ridiculous. 

1.  Did you get transferred? I am staying in Gera.

2.  When does Elder Anderson head home? He goes home on Friday morning. He leaves Gera on Thursday morning though. 

3.  Who is your new companion? He is Elder Turner. He is a transfer younger than me.

4.  Where is he from? Despite the fact that we were at the MTC at the same time, I can't put a face to the name. But to answer your question, I have no idea.

5.  Do they ever eat turkey in Germany? No, they actually eat more goose and duck.

6.  Do they have any sort of Thanksgiving holiday over there at some time of the year? The only one that I know about is called Erntedankfest. Thats like a German thanksgiving. It literally means Festival of thanks of the harvest.

7.  Are you still in Gera? Yep. I am here for another transfer. Probably until I go home.

8.  Have people started decorating for Christmas like they have started to here? Oh gosh, yes. The mall here is filled with stuff and the Markt is also decked out.

9.  Do they have a Christmas market where you are like they had in Nuremburg? Oh yeah. We are actually singing in it this year too. We got a contract with the city to do a show. I am certain it will be well documented because of the Senior Couples that are coming.

10.  What are three adjectives to describe you as a person? Well, my companion said, smart, teachable, and serious. I on the other hand like to think of myself as cunning, unbroken, and humorous. I will give you an example. Elder and Sister Kempe were in our apartment taking pictures of our bed (we need a new one) and then Elder Kempe said to me, "You should have been on a mission 50 years ago. We would have had fun!" Then he looks at Elder Anderson and says, "Ugh, and you're the big bad Zone Leader." Haha.

11.  What are three adjectives to describe your mission? I don't know if I can condense everything in my mission book into three adjectives...

12.  What was the best thing that happened this week? I get a new companion! Just kidding... Or am I? 

13.  What are you going to do for p-day? Getting Elder Anderson ready to go home. He has 3 days left!

14.  When will you send more pictures? Uh, soon? I am not sure. Probably during transfers.

15.  Any funny things happen lately? Uhh... 

16.  When is your next zone conference? No idea. I should probably figure that out.

17.  When is the next time you will be in Frankfurt? Probably when I leave. I never go to Frankfurt.

18.  If someone mails you something to the mission address, how do you get it? Someone brings it to the Zone during transfers. Then I get it sometime around district meeting or splits or something.

19.  Do you think you'll be able to go to the Frankfurt temple some time? Yeah, like on Feb. 14th. Haha.

Thanks by the way for the money in the account. I will think of it as my Christmas Package.

Love you guys, have a great week!

I am actually excited about some of these things going on at home! You should also see if the missionaries can skype, I know that if they could, they would love that. We are told not to ask members so we aren't a burden, but since I have the Kempes, I will most likely be skyping home for Christmas!

Elder Trevor Joseph Baker
Kirche Jesu Christi
Germany Frankfurt Mission
Corneliusstrasse 18
60325 Frankfurt am Main
Germany

November 12, 2012 Lots of Traveling this Week

Well, here we go!

So another week has gone by and here we are. I guess the biggest news is that Romney lost. Meh, I'm not home yet. I will deal with it then.

It was interesting that lots of members in the states are depressed about it or are refusing to discuss it. I personally feel that it should be discussed, but not in church.

I have heard countless members here who say that they like Obama over Romney and that's ok. It doesn't mean I have to agree with them. I had already made the decision not to talk about it with any members other than missionaries.

The question of WHY we should talk about it isn't a religious one, but a political one. Obviously the members who didn't like the outcome are conservative and as Americans we are told to be involved in political activities. 

If you don't like how it ended up, learn from it. Correct your mistakes and try it again. It's not like the only day to be politically active is on election day; there are other things that can be done. 

Pretty much, don't let a letdown, push you off onto the sidelines. It just means you have to work harder next time.

That's my spin for you guys.

Well, other than that, I spent a few days in other cities. I was in Weimar on Tuesday and Wednesday, and I then went to Jena on Thursday then returned to Gera on Friday. Elder Anderson got there on Saturday. Pretty much, it's been a busy week.

Oh and as a side note, the Elder Anderson I am serving with now isn't the same one from Nuremberg. That Elder Anderson already went home. 

I find out on Friday who I am getting... yay! Then transfers are next week... they certainly fly by.

1.  Do you know your exact return date yet?  (Don't check if it will make you trunky.  I can wait to know). Feb. 14th, 2013

2.  Are the winters in Germany more humid or dry? Humid. Wet and miserable.

So other than that, there really hasn't been anything special going on. Its been a stressful week but I am doing good. I will try to get some pics to you this week too.

Talk to you later!

-- 
Elder Trevor Joseph Baker

November 5, 2012 Remember, remember...

Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason, why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.

Well, that's my thing for the day. It's the fifth of November, and I celebrated by eating toast with a cooked egg in the middle of it, where the breat was taken out and the crust was left. I love the movie V for Vendetta...

Anyways, on to more important things. I have officially 100 days left as of today. (Don't worry I am not counting, I have a calendar that tells me) and Elder Anderson has about 17 days left until he goes home and I get a new companion.

I guess the most important/interesting thing that has been happening is the hints I am getting from my companion and everyone else in the Zone that I am going to be training for my last 2 trasnfers. Elder Anderson has even told President Schwartz that he wants me to train. I have thought about it a lot though and I would do it if it comes to that.

1. Does Germany have Daylight Savings Time? 

Yes! I was so happy when I heard that I get an extra hour. I was still exhausted at church though. Sister Doerlitz said I looked like it. Haha.

2. So how is your new camera? 

Uh amazing. I haven't had the chance to take a lot of pictures with it lately but I will be going to Weimar tomorrow so we will see what will happen.

3. Any exciting news in Gera? 

Well, we are having trouble leaving people to make their own descisions... that's always annoying. You know, people making their own choices. We were planning on setting a baptismal date but we need to cover some other things before that is done.

4. Do people get flu shots in Germany? 

I think so, I have seen some ads around but I am not sure if that is what they are for. It's something to do with shots so I am assuming flu.

5. How is Elder Anderson's Trunkiness quotient on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most trunky?? 

Probably like a 5. I am getting it out of him. It's just a matter of time! Hahahah!

6. Has this transfer been flying by for you, too? 

Yeah, I don't know if its that I am excited about christmas or what, but I am excited!

7. Do you think you'll be able to skype again at Christmas? 

 If I stay in Gera then yeah, I will be able to. If not, then I will make it happen somehow.

8. What are you doing today for p-day? 

Chillin. I am also going to take a nap.

9. How is the ward?

 They are doing good, they have made some good progress, but we still need to work on some things.

10. Have you learned any new German words lately? 

Pech. It means sucks. Like "He had Pech" means "Sucks for him"

11. Do you think you'll be able to have a good conversation with Herr Hablutzel when you come back? 

I can usually talk about what I want to talk about. I can talk about anything with him.

12. What is the part of Preach My Gospel that you think we should focus on first in Family Home Evening? 

Maybe the missionary lessons. Yeah, that would be good. Cover the first lesson for the first week.

13. What is the best part of your day? Sending emails.

14. Any questions for us at home? Did you vote?

I will be considering doing something for band during the fall semester. Tell Emma to keep in mind that I haven't touched a Euphonium in over 2 years let alone played one in band. I think it would be really fun.

Have a great week!

-- Elder Trevor Joseph Baker
Kirche Jesu Christi
Germany Frankfurt Mission
Corneliusstrasse 18
60325 Frankfurt am Main
Germany