So I'm currently training a guy called Elder Frost! He is from Texas, super awesome, 6.8 and you guessed it, plays basketball. He's pretty chill and we get along way good. He's got good goals and I think I will find lots of support from him and I hope I can do my best for him. We've already had an exciting first day for him. We get right back after the training conference and we get a phone call from a sister who needed a blessing. We head on our way and I teach him how to do a blessing in German. Realized I had no oil on me as I used the last of it in Köln, so we had a problem. Quickly rushed our way to a store, but the appropriate oil and bought a small container, and headed there. First day got to do a blessing so that was cool.

Also had a lesson his first day. Jessica called us and said we could meet today. So we went our way over there and taught her about hope. Apparently she is getting her kids back because the government sees the problem with her husband. But the husband is very angry and tries to sneak into her house. She lives on the second floor and tried to break in through the window so now Jessica literally has protection from her husband. Insane. 

We taught her about the book of Mormon and what it's about. We then later that night dropped a book of Mormon with a note in there from us. We shared about 3 Nephi 18 about the families, but also the importance of coming to church. She sent us a letter and said no one has ever written her a nice letter like that so I think we scored on that one.

Mike was baptized as you have probably seen. He is super happy and I am excited to teach him the last lessons. He will be a great member and he is already a hundred times happier as he was before. It is truly the coolest experience ever. Honestly something I can't express in words. 

It was sad to say goodbye to Elder Harman. Got one good last goodbye and he met the guy who was taking his place. That was an emotional experience haha. I'm gonna miss that guy. We got along really well.

Also got to say goodbye to Elder Ockey. He was one of my comps in Saarbrücken. He's going home as well. Way weird to see so many people I know go home... I'm going to miss them a bunch. 

So there you have it! Life is going well. I'm the new district leader here and training a guy as well. Let's see what's in store. 

Much love 

Elder Monroe

1 Goodbye to Elder Ockey

2 Elder Frost

3 Goodbye to Elder Harman

4 Baptism of Mike

Spending the night with President

This week. Man I have no idea honestly. So much happened. I guess it started really on Friday.

Friday we had lessons with two of our progressing baptismal dates who are so awesome btw. It's about 8 p.m so we decide to call it a night and make some dinner. We were cooking and having a good time so much as to put on my leather jacket with snow flakes pajamas, my 2 dollar aviators and a cooking pot on my head. We were having a jam singing session in the apartment as we cooking but then we got this phone call from sister white who also serves here in Wiesbaden. We answered the phone and we were still doing our rap like we were on fire. But sister White kinda killed the attitude haha but said.

Guys this is serious!

Found out the other sister was extremely sick so much as she was passing out. 

So we booked it out of our apartment and I was wearing the same get up except for the pot on my head and we ran all the way across the city. (5k) and I think I set my own PR.  We even ran through this massive German parade so I took my name tag off cause it didn't look the most appropriate at the time.... and I guess my style was in fashion. I had four people call me out saying I was a legend and one asked for my WhatsApp. (Texting contact service whatever it is) but we were running as hard as we could and I was sweating buckets in my outfit. 

Get there and find the sister passed out on the floor. Gave her a quick blessing and members were already on their way. Elder Harmon my man lifted her down seven flights of stairs as fast as he could. It looked quite majestic I wished I took pictures...Haha. 

Launched her in the car with the American members and sped the way there and find out the hospital is closed.... like really? 

We drive around the side and see some ER'S smoking at a no smoking zone so that was great but we were desperate so I ran up ahead and told him we had a girl unconscious and Elder Harmon just ran her in, more like forced her in. So they put her on a stretch in the hall and put some IV's in her and then we get a call from President Boyer asking us the situation. We found out her American health insurance didn't really work so we had to spend a lot of money to have her spend the night at the hospital and members were about to pay (bless their hearts) but we obviously didn't want that. President Boyer said he was on his way and arrived in Wiesbaden at around midnight or so. Just then the other sister got extremely sick and ran to the bathroom and that was bad. It was almost as bad as the other ones and here is where it gets crazy. 

We asked to get her admitted but they won't because she wasn't registered in the city correctly even though she was. In every city you have to do a thing called "Anmeldung " which is us logging into the city. Apparently they were supposed to put a sticker on it which I have never gotten before. So they wouldn't let her in to get cared but they knew the situation with the poor sister. So the American members got pretty furious at the hospital and it was a great time. 

So President Boyer and us just hung out in his car and drove around with him picking up food and supplies for the sisters. That lasted about 2 hours, but then we realized Elder Harmon left his wallet at the hospital so we go all the way back only to find out the sister is still chilling in the hall even though we paid lots of money for her in a room. They didn't even do nothing for her for the 4 hours she was there. So we really made a scene and they kinda got riled up enough to do something. I don't think we were their favorite people haha but we got what we wanted. 

President drove us home at around 3 in the morning and the other sister who wasn't admitted was cared by an awesome member at their apartment and we crashed, only to wake up the next day at 6:45 to see how the other sister was doing and we hung out there for a few hours and we finally got them both to their apartments. 

Fell asleep again and the next day....

I got it. Throwing up and all that jazz and then Elder Harmon got it and that's how the week went. 

Sorry about the email last week I thought it sent but found out like none of them sent. Problems.

Totally recovered and up for a new week.

Members are so awesome and we got lots of service to do as well as appointments everywhere.

Elder Monroe

1. My outfit for the emergency

2. Cookies from American members

3. Garden work (Elder Harmon gave me a haircut lol. We were low on funds.)

Like What?

Hey yall so I've been transferred again to the freaking awesome city of Wiesbaden. And I'm just gonna tell you all, this place is awesome.

First off we live in the basement of a manor, and it's freaking huge, relatively cool, massive bathroom, literally looks like a legit house. Like this place is where dreams are made yall. And I'm comps with this guy called Elder Harmon. The man is the dream companion. Way cool and super easy to get along with. We just crack jokes and do missionary work in an area with... 

AN AMERICAN WARD! 

Let's go! And we got an American base with taco bell. Dreams come true yall. Like we freaking got Krispy Kremes.

Today for pday we went to Burg Eltz again. Good time but this time without bikes, and we hiked the whole way up and checked it out.... And Mormons were everywhere. It was great. Me and elder Harmon got some way good pictures together and it was a good time.

But you know time is always limited on Pday and we were doing all we could do to make it back to our train and it was a five kilometers from where we were. And we were already 30 minutes later than we wanted to leave to depart. We were in the souvenir shop and just realized the rest of the district just left without us and we were in a bad situation, so we booked it the entire way but realized we went the wrong path, so instead of our trains stop we ran the entire way to another train station in the wrong direction and I was dying. But we didn't give up the whole time. And quite literally right as we saw the train station we saw our train pulling up and we sprinted to the finish. Just like cross country days but had a bit more of a quick and boost cause we needed that train. We get to the station and saw there was no way to our platform but one.... We were so desperate because we ran the entire way as hard as we could to catch this train and we both looked at each other and thought

Forget it we need it. 

So we did the most retarded thing possible and ran across the tracks and got the train and met the other missionaries at the other train station. But we did it. But then we didn't have water and that was another problem. So we get to this train station where we transferred positions or trains but we had fifteen minutes. So we doored this village looking for water and one man bless his heart gave us a six pack of carbonated water. We didn't care we chugged those things down and thanked the man for his generosity. One of the three Nephites yall haha. Finally on our way back right now.

Anyways I left Köln in good condition. Me and elder hunter did some work there and left a couple people in good condition. Cassandra will be one day baptized and she reads everyday. She is currently in Mosiah I think but the one that really got me was our boy Gero. The man that investigated the church in 2001. He is the guy I found in an ancient area book who saw the missionaries and three days later I just randomly called him and asked to meet. He was surprised and we continued meeting and before he was baptized (cause I kinda grilled the guy our first lesson and gave hard testimony) he really felt the spirit and is currently in Alma. He loves it and we read it with and before I left he personally thanked me. The man just stood there and said thanks, that if I never made that call he wouldn't be in this condition. It really got me and he said he will miss me and promised me that he would be baptized when he reads the book and gets the confirmation that it is 100% true. Honestly he already knows it true but he is really sensitive to the spirit and he will be baptized. Man is a legend.

So far so good. Honestly So much more to write about but I'll give yall a break. Love you all and I am truly one of the happiest guys right now. I've got an awesome district and perfect conditions. 

Much love

Elder Monroe

Elder Harmon is top left and they are all great. 

Breaking records

Yea so I broke a personal record of mine. This week we made a goal of breaking some records we got. So we worked all day everyday at the university and we got a whopping 15 new investigators! Sunday we were at 12 and we wanted to beat 14 so we booked it and I saw three guys on a bench, taught them the first lesson and introduced the book to them and they were down! Set up another appointment with them. Ended the day with 3 more. #Recordbreaker

Cassandra is awesome as always as she is still reading. She couldn't come this week sadly because of illness but she still does her best. 

Found an old guy actually whom we've already met a few times. His name is Jürgen Schmidt and has had a hard life it sounds like. His father once worked for the SS and was extremely abusive to him and his mother so he really needed a confidence booster, as he fights anxiety and tries to care for his mother who is currently on her deathbed. Insane. Next time we go by I think we will see if we can give her a blessing.

Met lots of Chinese students who were learning about God for the first time. Really cool actually and introduced them to what the Bible and the book of Mormon was. Let's just say they had the most simple but powerful questions. For example where is God, what is his relationship to us, and how do we feel his presence. Inspired questions and it's kinds fun. 

Another Chinese guy we are teaching is called David. He already read the Bible once but he told us it made absolutely no sense to him so he wanted a direction that would help him understand the core basics of the Bible, which honestly is the atonement of Jesus christ, Plan of Salvation, and our relationship with God and following the footsteps of the Savior to avoid sin, so we can live with God again. He seems to really like it as well.

Met another guy from Turkey, and the next day he was to fly to Istanbul. I met him in a park and talked a while about religion, and apparently he really likes Americans. I had a very good conversation with him about God and such and he liked it so much he wanted to meet the church in Istanbul. I guess there is a German branch there I found out which was cool as well as a Turkish branch, and you guessed it the Branch president is American. He was so excited to meet the missionaries there but sadly there are none there due to war. So we will see about skyping him and teaching him cause that would be cool. Haha. He also invited me to his house after my mission to go to Istanbul for a week so he could show me the city and his family and he would buy me food. I almost accepted but you know, stuff. I love that guy.

It's been a good week and we get transfer phone calls this week. Who knows. Probably got another one here. 

Love yall

Elder Monroe

This old lady we blessed gave us gave me a blessing in return. The old original John Taylor translation of the book of Mormon. 

And the district natürlich. 

The gift of tongues?

Well this week I think I have had the most insane experience on my mission. Like it was extremely unique.

So we were contacting around this river/neighborhood and I saw a man sitting on a bench and I just had the impression to pray before I spoke to the guy. I did so and right as I finished the man looked up at me and kinda waved. I did as well and just how he was and such in German... But this guy couldn't speak a lick of German or English. He spoke Spanish. And he started speaking in Spanish.

But here's the crazy part! 

I understood the guy and somehow spoke it back! Like this never happens!? I didn't think this was how it worked but the guy was astonished. He told me he lived in Spain for seventeen years or so and just moved to Germany. I told him we are missionaries of our church and we could help him out. He saw the badge and took a card but no number... Darn! Who knows what will happen with the guy in the future but that was really cool. 

But other than that we have been on our toes. We have been grinding in some solid finding and we have about 3-5 appointments a day with solid people but the one that really seems to be making progress is Cassandra! She went to church and loved it and the members were awesome and friended her. She then went home and texted us saying she likes it and asked about prayer. We told her we do it when we show thankfulness and concern. We also showed her a scripture about faith and that seemed to nail the casket shut. She loved it and says she no longer feels alone and feels good. Now we are just trying to get her baptized.

I could tell you about all the others but right now she is showing so much progress. Like I said we are quite busy everyday. Last week we got six investigators and this week we already almost have another six. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FINDING! Haha and they actually come to appointments to! Like after the first lesson this man pulled out a cigarette and we asked him if he wanted to stop. He said yea!

So we told him to throw that cigarette on the ground. 

And he did! Haha and now he has been making so much progress with smoking as we follow up with him and we haven't even taught the commandments. Let's go! 

All is good here and I got the card mom. Haha won't lose it.

Much love yall. 

Elder Monroe

Pictures while finding and me chilling with Elder Golden. 

Yea yall, so this has been one of the most craziest as effective wise as well as I don't know wise. Like really I don't know. For example...

This week I... 

Have been proposed to. 

Asked on dates. 

Oh yea and of course I got to play for Elder Rasband! That was great! 

Anyways there is this crazy woman around here who found me and asked... 

"what comes after love?"

And I was like I have no idea. Hey do you know where KFC is? 

But then she just flipped out and asked me to marry her and stuff so Elder Golden pulled a quick one and just gave her their card and said phone number and booked it. Haha worst idea ever, because now she calls them like five times a day and asks them for "Monroe" and starts speaking French as to where I am. They blocked her of course but it keeps showing records that she keeps calling. Haha! I'm invincible.️

And then one day we were contacting near our apartment and the rain was insane. Like so hard the first five minutes my umbrella exploded and was placed in the trash. The was depressing. She and I went through lots together. :/

But like anyways I was still contacting people and I contacted a girl who actually looked pretty cool! Then I noticed she was sobbing and kinda asked if she needed help. (Elder Hunter was nearby contacting someone else.) she just stood there and honestly just started sobbing even more, so I like tried to help her and asked for the problem. She didn't want to say so I gave her my card with my phone number and said if you need to talk let me know. 

Well two hours later or so she starts texting me. First she apologized about the situation and then we talked to see how we could help. Then she told me how nice I was and how handsome I was and wanted to go out and I was like shoot. So I explained as a missionary I can't really go on dates... So she asked if we could be best friends... So I explained what we do more as missionaries and such and how we don't go the movies for a while and stuff like that until we go home. She didn't understand but was still down for the lessons. Cool. 

Next day was the appointment with her and I was looking for her and thought I saw her. So I smiled and waved... Apparently it was someone different and she smiled and waved back too! Well turns out this lady lived with Mormons for a year in Utah and she loved them so much. She is from Iceland and wants to see the Mormons here and have the lessons. We will see but that kind of blew my mind. Haha

Then we found the real person. Her name is Alva and we had a good lesson. She listened and had great questions. She is currently a progressing investigator and keeps commitments. 

And for the Elder Rasband conference... Well let's just say it was awesome! So much power behind his words. The idea of where our works on the mission, how perhaps we may not see much in the future but the missionaries in the future will benefit from our works, and how much of an effect we have had on the work. We find lots of investigators, but not too many are baptized, so he gave a little pump up speech. 

He also stated that we change our attitude and how effective we are with our testimony of Jesus christ and who he is, and this atmosphere leads to a loving and obedient mission. We are already quite obedient, but now it's time to clean the places where we can do better. True love comes from christ, and when we develop that we can grow a relationship with our investigators and members like no other. 

Oh and then we had stake conference and I met EVERYONE from Duisburg. I missed them so hard. Man and Ali (the guy me and Elder Burch searched a suit and tie and all that jazz for so he could go to church) was there! He goes to church every week, every activity, and is very involved. He just needs to be baptized! For some reason he is too scared to be baptized but also wants to serve a mission as an Arabic speaking missionary and boy, we need them! Man I miss that place. I even got to meet the crazy awesome old guy Bruder Suhl, the guy we would hang out with every Friday and read the scriptures with. 

Everyday now seems to be booked, as we have four appointments a day. These are our normal schedules. So far it's been good and life goes on. 

Much Love

Elder Monroe

Clock is ticking

Hey yall so transfer 10 came by and I got a new guy. His name is Elder Hunter and yea! We will see what happens.

Otherwise we had many lessons today. People who are ready it seems, for example our great pal Cassandra is meeting us still and trying to come to church, except the problem is this Sunday is stake conference so that's a bit of a problem as it is in Düsseldorf. Looks like we have to wait till next week. She cracks me up and she is interested. Let's go. 

Another one is Gero! Who might actually come to the conference with Elder Rasband! Like I didn't even say "hey come along." but just that we couldn't set up an appointment on Saturday morning as we had an important meeting with an apostle of God. Apparently that piqued his interest and he really wants to go. I can't say no. 

Oh yea and I just sent Elder Stark home. That guy has been extended twice. Don't even know how that is possible but it is. It was fun serving with the guy and "may the force be with him." haha

And I guess another thing yall might enjoy is when Elder Stark and I were trying to get on a street train near our house this man was  driving by and his trunk randomly opened, and cartons of beer just launched everywhere. Like all over the cars and everything behind it. Everyone on the train just started laughing way hard, but what was really funny is that there was already a guy there in his Machine cleaning the streets and all he did was simply turn around and just wash the street, nothing happened. Everyone got back in their cars and it was back to normal. I guess this happens a lot here because most the time I am on train, people just bring beer on the train and then they either throw it somewhere or just drop it and then the train smells like beer the rest of the day. Like I have become way acquainted with the smell of Alcohol and Marijuana. Haha. I don't know if that is a good thing or not.

Had another cool experience on the train. Someone once again spilled his beer all over the train and people came to my seat for safe haven and such. Then these other kids came around my seat and asked me. 

"Woah! Are you a priest!"

(My companion was on the other side of the train talking to someone.)

And I was like yea! In a way. More of a missionary. 

And they thought it was so cool. And then as they asked these questions, other people listened and started asking questions. Like I had an audience of 8 people. And as they left I gave them cards because sadly I had no time to get their info and they nodded, smiled, and went forward. Coolest thing ever. Maybe we should bring ten year olds with us or something.

Other than that that was really all that was remarkable this week. Let the good times roll. 

Love yall

Elder Monroe 

I think I'm gonna die

Well yours truly is playing a piano piece for Elder Rasband the Saturday after this one. Elder Ritchie will be singing as I play and my brain hurts right now so send prayers my way. My pride is going to need it here pretty soon. Just gonna say. Haha!

All is good up here in Paradise! We had this huge ward meal festival thing from "around the world". As almost all of our members are from somewhere across the world, everyone brought food from their country including Madagascar, Albania, Turkey, everywhere. Our bishop though came wearing his wedding ceremonial clothes from Eritrea(his wife is Eritrean) and that was quite interesting! I'll just say that, especially his dance moves haha!

We had a lesson with one of our new investigators Cassandra and she is making progress. She is so cool and ready for the gospel. She was previously Buddhist, so previously she wouldn't kill anything, which meant flies as well. And then the flies went crazy in her house and she decided it was either her or the flies, so she sent an email to the Australian group of Buddhists... They replied with a blank email so she burned them all. Haha! She still wants to be religious but doesn't know which way so we are there for her. She wants to come to church!

Than this random Chinese girl I met on the train was just staring at me for a while on the train, so I was like "hey whats up?". Apparently she lives in my building and we told her to come to church and stuff and she was like

"Why not?" That's exactly what I thought too! Haha. She is really cool and her name is Yui. And we have a teaching appointment as well with her at this bread shop in our apartment building so it's really easy to say hi. Cool stuff.

Right now at the moment we are on our way to Leverkusen but bad news... I lost my wallet lol. It must have fallen out of my pocket on the bus but no worries I know exactly what bus it was as well as when I was on it so we should find it very soon, and we were the only ones on the bus so that should relieve a couple more concerns. Prayers everyone. 

We are also on our way on a higher note, to see some dope monkeys! Apparently there is this park here where people and monkeys get to hang out with another and chill. So far this week has been very eventful and insane is what I can definitely say. 

Oh yea and one of my investigators started writing me from Saarbrücken. His name is Daniel from Egypt and he was that one guy I was talking about a long time ago. Apparently he has interest on the church again and asked me when church starts because he wanted to check it out. So that was pretty cool! Then he asked me if I need help financially and stuff, but yea I don't need money haha. Hope he went to church... Don't know yet. 

Other than that it is a real good week.

Love yall and hope it's good. 

Elder Monroe

1. Us at Cologner dome

2. Goat pal

3. I miss my bird! 

4. This epic ride where I lost my hat and someone had to ride it again and save it

Fast Month

The ward has been kind enough this month to do a "fast month" for us this month, and where one member fasts a day and then another does as well the next day for specific blessings for us. So far it's been pretty good.

We went out once again in the soaking rain and we found two great people, one in particular who seems really quite ready and enjoys the standards that we live by. It was just extremely odd how friendly people were that day. Especially in the rain. They just stood there without any umbrella and just ate it up. Awesomeness. 

As for another guy we found this guy called Oleg, who is from Ukraine and had interest, as we sent him this always there video for Easter about christ. 

He just replied. 

"Who are you guys?"

We answered and he remembered us and asked if he could have the lessons again and asked where we were. I just answered General conference and he asked if he could come. So yea he totally came for conference and loved it. Then we had a lesson with him the next day and is making commitments. Hope to see more success from him. He seems quite solid and all the members like him, so that should be great. 

Conference was great. The famous "stand up" part really got some members. (Some spoke English and watched it in English with us.) Poor brother Marki just stood up and started sobbing. It was great. Haha the spirit was quite powerful that session. I loved it.

Easter time was an interesting time to do finding. Let's just say we got roasted. Haha they asked us as religious people why are we talking to people on Easter and not celebrating it... I think they just wanted to get rid of us. 

Not really much to say. Just a normal week with member appointments and activities from the ward. Let's see if we can do amazing things here. 

Love yall. 

Elder Monroe

1,3 Places we contacted

I have already met a couple of really friendly people here in Köln; one of which I believe is already ready for the gospel. We shall see.

We were in the City of Leverkusen on our way to an appointment and I just had the feeling to talk to this guy, turns out he wants to be a missionary and come closer to God. He is a German student with already very high standards and we explained to him everything about the book of Mormon, and how it brought us closer to christ. 

He loved it and asked for a copy so of course we gave it to him, and not long after he (as we got his Facebook) he started asking us questions about the book and did a lot of research on it. We were a little afraid but he came across the section of the baptism of little children... And he loved it! And he keeps telling us about it so that's cool! We hope he makes progress. Just a cool little miracle that we saw.

We were also giving these invitations out to our ward conference to some members when we ran into the house of this older man from turkey. At first I thought he was an odd guy, but he invited us in because he keeps telling us everything he was grateful for because God was there for him, because he was literally broken apart and placed together. Craziness. He wasn't supposed to survive but somehow did, so in his gratitude he goes around and collects bottles. (Bottles cost money here. Around 25 cents a bottle). With the money he collects from bottles, he buys vegetables and fruit and rides around on his bike with this food and gives it to the poor people who need it. He says he is extremely happy with his life even though he lives in a very trashy room. (Think of a small garage.) And thus garage is already full of fruit, vegetables and glass bottles that he has collected. It really increased my perspective with what I should be grateful for and how I can be more serviceable myself. His life was literally a life of service. I hope we meet him again.

Other than that our area where we are serving is quite enjoyable. I so love it here. Like everyday is simply so nice. I can't explain it. The members are just so friendly to us and I am happy with what I am seeing. I think these next couple of days is where we get to focus on finding by the university as that is where we live, but we have just been so busy with member appointments! I dunno, I guess that also goes along the lines of gratitude here for me.

So yea! Gratitude and service. I decided to focus more on this subject after I met the man and my scripture for the week now is.

Mosiah 2:17

When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.

I love it here yall! Hope you the best. 

Much love 

Elder 

Culture shock part 3 - Transfer to Cologne

Hey yall so I got transfered to Cologne, aka a freaking huge city of a million people and I have no idea where to go or where to start. I guess I can start with my first day.

The moment I got off my train with my suitcases and such I watched a hobo get in a fist fight with the train ticket checker people. That was intense. And then I went to buy food at the KFC here and this chick was waiting for her food and was a pain to the lady working there. Then she screamed and yelled, picked up her sandwich and threw it in the trash and ran away. This old German guy though made me laugh so hard. He flipped out with his hands over his head and just started screaming and ran up to me and pointed at her as to what the heck just happened. I didn't know either. Elder Koch if you are reading this he sounds just like you when you scream.... Haha! 

Oh yeah and the train station was also on strike so we couldn't take the trains and such. It was a great first day. 

I will always miss saarbrücken. Lots of good memories were had there and the members were way hard to say goodbye to. I loved them so much. Great people and I will always remember what they did for me and taught me. 

For example with the investigators there as well. Gulmeral, or in other words the lady we taught English to saw me going to the train station with my luggage and she flipped out and said it wasn't fair that I had to go and that as I was a "volunteer" I didn't have to listen to the president because that is not what volunteer work is. Haha sorry about that, but then she gave me an ackward hug and I had no idea what to do. White handbook would have roasted me on the spot. I felt the book burning through my soul. 

Now for Cologne. Our apartment is massive! Well okay but we live on the 15th floor on a huge building so we have a sweet view of the entire city of Cologne and my new companion is Elder Stark. He has four weeks left so I will be sending him home pretty soon so I am doing all that I can do know how this city works and how to even balance my time. We have no time to contact as we are constantly on our way to appointments at the church for activities with the members and such. Lots of young people here to in the church that are awesome! So much food! It's a miracle! Elder Stark loves cooking and he cooks fast and huge Mounds of food. It's heaven on earth. Apartment is sparkling in cleanliness and life is good. (And this guys personality is legendary. He is hilarious. It's gonna be sad that I only have four weeks with him.) 

We have massive groceries stores right next to us like a place called Real (walmart) and barber and restaurants at our apartment complex. This is so much fun and easier here. Like I feel guilty not contacting for multiple hours a day, because that was all that we did in Saarbrücken. Here I just do a lot of contacting on trains and honestly said, I need it. My contacting on trains is trash! Haha the guy gave me his number and such but I felt so ackward and I know he did as well. I have lots to learn here.

On a higher note the members adore us here. First couple of people I met were way open and just cooked us food. It's nice! 

I don't even know what to say right now other that I am happy, excited and totally lost. This place reminds me so much of Duisburg. In fact they are right next to each other. The church looks exactly like the one in Duisburg and I got hardcore area trunky. The city smells like it to. Haha I guess big industry and stuff like that will always be the same. 

Really all to say, oh and BTWs Saarbrücken. We got Elder Ritchie in our group. He's being trained here haha. 

I love yall! My third area is going to be a blast! 

Elder Monroe 

1.Elder Deus and Elder Stark. These guys are amazing. 

2-4.Saying goodbye to a couple of awesome members. It was a stab in the gut when Bohan said he would really miss me and didn't want me to go. Ya gotta hold back tears for that one yall. It was a good seven months. 

5. The Bonn University. 

 

Best Email Ever

Yea so things are looking up here for us this time around. Not only is today my year mark but this week was probably the best week I have ever had for finding. But here is really what happened.

Starting on a low note Stalin just told us he doesn't think it is possible to live the law of the Sabbath day because of work and we took off his Baptismal Date... But he is still willing to meet with us. So we haven't officially lost him yet,but it looks like it is going that way. 

Phillip is just really busy as well, (that's just the problem of having college investigators) but he is also still willing to meet.

But on a higher note! The Espinoza family gave us a very long text, just saying how much they appreciate us and love the spirit we bring. They invited us again over to their house and I just love their family. This family will probably be the hardest family to say bye to when I go... If I go. (Transfer calls is in a week)

Then we decided to go finding by their house, when we were about to door an area and an older lady who lives in this large complex saw us through a glass door they had there. Turned out it was Sister Franz! And we told her we were just dooring and I totally forgot where she lived but she quickly rushed us inside her house where we found out that her husband was lonely and needed company. So we chilled for an hour and ate cookies while talking about his mission stories back in the day. Turns out this man converted the entire ward of Hagen back in the day and he always visits the members there whenever possible. His stories are hilarious. Old Germans are the best. 

Now with finding, we literally got I dunno how many potentials and investigators. Me and elder Neighbor are killing it here. For example last week we were about to go finding and this guy who lives in our neighborhood (second contact the first one we also got his number) just let us in. As we were teaching him some lady at the bottom of the stairs needed help bringing groceries up and our friend we were teaching says

"I got help!"

So we helped her out and we found out she was also American! And she liked us and had interest on the church as well so we have a dinner appointment now with our friend and this woman with her family. Pretty awesome. 

Then we met this old lady on the street who was just loaded with bags and backpacks. She was carrying groceries home for a long ways so we talked to her and she said she said she always noticed us on the streets and such and she loved how happy and friendly we are. So on that note we took her bags and helped her carry these bags and such a very long way up a mountain and she was really grateful. She spoke a little English with us so we told her we just started an English course! She said she would think about it, but then she came! We had a wonderful lesson prepared and she was so happy! It was so awesome, because we were playing a game where we drew a paper out and we would draw it. (Pictcharades). She got the last one and it said.

"What is your favorite book?"

She said she couldn't answer that question but commented that she loves books that help her find answers to life's questions and help her become a better person. So we just looked at each other with big eyes and Elder Neighbor explained his favorite book, aka the book of Mormon. She loved it and read a bunch and now she wants it! So we set up another appointment with her to read some more of the book. 

Now another miracle is this random guy we met on the street who said. 

"Mormons! I love you guys!"

Great! So we talked with him and then he lead us into a Cafe and had an awesome lesson with him where we answered his questions and now he came to the conclusion that he wants to live in Utah.... Lol. But he says he wants to repent and make changes in his life as well as read from the book of Mormon. Than he showed us to his house and is desperate to meet again, but literally at the moment we are so crammed pack with lessons we had to adjust our days around. What an awesome feeling. 

Another guy was a referral from the French elders! He has already made so much progress but he lives closer to Saarbrücken than he does to the city of metz. (Metz is in France). So they called us up and we just got another solid guy working on Baptism just like that. Mokrane is his name and I look forward to meeting with him. Let's turn this mission in a Mexico mission! Haha (regarding success and such).

Really cool seeing these things in life. My year mark came around and time we are checking out the zoo again today. Last week we checked out an American diner where it was all 50's style and American 50's rock was in the background. It was legendary. I ordered a six patty burger. (720g) and that was pain. It was massive. Like every bite was pain, but amazing. Kudos to you Elder Neighbors mom for paying for a luxury dinner!

Oh man. Life goes on I hope it keeps getting better.

Love yall

Elder Monroe

1. Massive burger of doom.

2. Chilling in the mall 

3 We looking good

4 with all American Diner

Once again... Your ups and downs

Man it's been another rough but good week. I am just going to say this mission is bipolar. It really feels like it.

I am just going to say we have had lots of days where we had three appointments and they all fell out and it was one after the other. And it is so weird. Everytime someone sets up an appointment with us, all of a sudden all of our investigators write and say they have time with us. So that's great. We are just at the point of setting solid appointments with our investigators.

We had another very good lesson with Stalin. We kind of roasted him on reading and praying and he took it seriously and came to church the second time so that's always awesome. But then he dropped the bomb on us saying he doesn't really have too much time to meet with us this next month so we are fighting with him on that one as well as his schedule. It's starting to turn into that stressful part of the transfer. :/

And we invited like 3 Investigators to our Nye family meal plan but ya know... They all called us and said they can't make it. Schande. That's a rough one but we still had a good appointment with their family anyways.

Now back to our favorite Espinoza family. We still meet them weekly but we had a very important yet extremely powerful lesson with them regarding the priesthood and how we use it in our families. We talked to Darin (the father) and how it is an honorable calling, in which we tend and care for the family. We showed the video "Power of God" and the church did an excellent job on that video, as it is a video where Thomas S Monson shared the importance of the role of a priesthood holder in the family as well as those around the world. Darin usually just loves talking and is a great energetic guy... But this time he was very quiet and the silence in the room was so powerful you could have heard the dust hit the floor. There were three dogs and two kids in the room who were usually quite loud, but after this moment everything was quiet and the kids randomly just got very quiet. So legendary. Than he looked at us and the poor guy was sobbing as we bore testimony to him and the power of the role he holds. Apparently he (not too much details) had struggles in the past as well as with the family and they were under stress with a few things as a family and caused conflict. He said that he needed to hear exactly what we had to say and will continue to make changes in himself. He than began to thank us and really appreciated what we did for him, but in reality the man and his family has done so much for me. I love this gospel and how it has changed the lives of others including my own. Many people we meet say all the problems and war come from religion and there is no need for it, but as a witness of this truth I say otherwise. A pure and righteous belief in God is when we show charity and love to all, and is easier and more powerful when we follow the commandments of God and live it. Only by the experience of living it and understanding what the scriptures say will change a man to live righteously. As Elder Ballard says in Pursuit of Happiness. "Confusion and misunderstanding is the reason why all wars and contentions happens". This misunderstanding leaves when we pray, read, and live it.

Another book along with the book of Mormon that is awesome to read is "A marvelous work and wonder". I would recommend it and if you want another testimony booster about the church, it is awesome.

Now to end on an easier note... As a missionary we meet people. And you know, one understanding from the mission I have received is that there are strange people out there. I don't think I wanna hang out by Johanneskirche anymore haha. There is this huge church here that is famous in Germany and all of the people that are either high or drunk hang out there. I don't know why but they do. We contacted someone there and was way cool. He wanted to know if God was there. About to get his information but this Very Big Russian guy comes behind us and he is totally drunk. He can't stand up straight and is literally tripping all over the place. Just think of an overexaggerated drunk and you got him. Our contact freaked and left and it was literally just me and this guy. He had a large cigarette with weed in it and he kept asking me for a lighter. Obviously as a missionary I am too poor for that stuff and said I don't have anything. Over and over he asked me and yea, I got nothing. But he was SOS drunk that he kept dropping his cigarette on the floor and he accidentally kicked it and ruined it. Than he realized he had no cigarette. So he asked me for a cigarette. Didn't have one sadly and he was desperate to get a cigarette from me. Then he said he wanted to fight me, so I replied I am not good enough to fight. Sorry. :/

"Oh... Okay."

Than he asked me again for a cigarette, so I got one of those pass along cards and rolled it up like a cigarette and gave it to him. The sucker took it and then asked for a lighter. Didn't have one, so he told us he needed help going in a direction cause he can't walk straight. So we help him out and then he goes up to the Rathaus and starts taking a leak. So we book it and he chased us for a good way. But we good cause he couldn't think straight.

Anyways that was our week really. Hope all goes well. 

Much love 

Elder Monroe

1.Sunset home from zone conference

2 Darin is the guy on the right

3 Yours truly

4 smore sunlight.