So I am back to my first district with my MTC companion. Enough said. It's been a good time. It feels like coming home. Sure enough I was sad losing Wiesbaden and everything there, such as Linh and my companion,but am ready to finish my mission here if I am needed. First day here the members had us over and explained ward activities with us and wanted our opinion and how we can be the most effective with missionaries. Thought it was really awesome how much they rely on the missions here. I love it.

The city reminds me also a little of Duisburg as we are right next to there and a member from Duisburg already found out that I was in Krefeld and demanded that I go in a split to Duisburg to meet him. His name is Piet Ahrens and he told me from my first time in Duisburg, if I was ever transferred to Krefeld or back in the district, he would demand an appointment with me and give me a Duisburg jersey with the team signatures on it. And he found out and already told the Duisburg elders and it looks like I'm going over to his house in a while. So pumped!

So it was hard saying goodbye. Didn't really even have the chance to say goodbye as it was conference and that was hard, but I got to say goodbye to Linh. Poor little guy just gave me the tightest hug he could and say

"we will see each other again, on the other side."

Goodbyes are always my hardest thing on the mission. Leaving home was no problem for me, but areas just stab you in the gut. It's total trash haha. 

Mike also had us over for pizza and we said our Goodbyes. 

Other than that, life goes on and have had the time to reflect on the mission. As I was riding to Krefeld they made me walk through the Frankfurt airport and had nasty nostalgia of first getting here and just remembered my first impressions coming to Germany, and then drove through Köln and saw areas where I contacted as I rode through. It was an emotional experience haha. Now I get to see Duisburg and my apartment and I have gotten to see the growth that I have made as a person. I think this ride and area was needed to help me look back and be proud of what I have been able to see here. I still have five months or so, so I get to make the most of it and make new experiences. I am ready for it and excited for the work. 

This old man I met along time ago called Bruder Krahn was waiting at the church. He is this old man there who works there for ten hours... But Isn't baptized haha. His wife won't let him be baptized so he doesn't wish to dishonor her and said he will just have to wait till she dies or someone can do his work for him. He is always so happy and tells us missionaries that we still need to baptize 240000 people here in Krefeld and gave us a huge pump up speech. His vision for Krefeld is lots of temples and says we have work to do. I love his enthusiasm haha.

"Where do you contact people?.... EVERYWHERE! THE SHOPS! THE TRAINS! THE STREETS! EVERYWHERE!"

So it looks like we have lots of work here too. He also has a poster that says. 

When someone has won, that means he was prepared 

When someone has one very well, that means he was very prepared

When someone has lost, he hasn't prepared. 

And then he looks at us and throws his fingers in the air. 

"A person must always be prepared!"

So that's what we get to look forward to everytime we are at the church haha! I freaking love it. This is my third time in the Duesseldorf zone and it's my favorite zone so no complaining. 

Anyways I am sure this is long enough. I love you guys and here is the address. 

Krefeld 

Thywissenstr. 80

47805

Elder Monroe 

Billy Johnson

Once again we were shocked with some crazy experiences. One meeting a man called Billy Johnson.

Me and this elder were on a quick split finding activity where we were just talking about the week. I saw a man about to cross the road so I ran to stop him before he crossed. He spoke perfect German and I asked where he was friend. He was from America and had no accent. I asked him if he believed in a life after death. 

He replied. 

I certainly do. Let's sit down and talk. 

He brought us to a Cafe outside and asked if we wanted coffee. We said no we don't drink and come to find out he doesn't either. He just smiled and looked at us, saying he has known us Mormons for a very long time. He was grateful for the examples we were for the church, even though this man was no member or at least so he said. 

He then told us he was once the General of Aviation for the airforce. He was a little older and told us about the Book of Mormon, how that book is the only thing that has held the united States together, and how he was grateful that the church is here. 

His face then changed and began to explain how we were preordained to be missionaries at this time. How God knew us and knew we were supposed to be here. 

He then told us to listen to the holy ghost and he will tell us who to talk to and how. 

Then crazy stuff happened. He quoted Helalman 5:12. No joke. He was sent there for me at the right time because I was going through a hard week and felt really down on myself. (I believe this guy was Mormon but who knows haha).

Then he told us it was time for him to go. I quickly asked him if he has read the book of Mormon and he smiled and said yes. So I invited him to church and said this is the only thing I can give you, is an invitation to church. He took it and pulled out of his wallet 100€  (a bit more than a $100) and told us to get dinner. Walked away and gave us a friendly wink. I will never forget him.

Other than that all is well. We went to go by on a less active called Javad. He is from Iran and he let us in. The friendliest guy ever haha. He brought us in and said. 

"I've been talking to my friend about the Mormon ways. He wants to learn more!"

Five minutes later this 17 year old Persian kid walks up the stairs with his father in a suit and his father tells us.

"It's time for my son to find a religion for himself. He must make his own decision".

Me and Elder Frost were just shocked so we taught about the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ and how we learn about Christ from the book. He took it and his father asked us how fast can someone be a member of your church? 

So he is going to church for General conference this Sunday. Perfect introduction for the church. 

I couldn't explain a better week as this one. So much more has happened this week and to me, it was great. The amount of experiences I've had on the mission truly opens my eyes to the fact that God is real. I will never forget Billy Johnson and how he has changed my mission. I hope one day he will find that out. 

I love you guys. 

Elder Monroe