Well, here we are. I am sitting on the train to Leipzig as I
watch the trees pass by and the beautiful Germany scenery change, I can hardly
believe that my time in Hannover has come to end. I tried to spend the last few
days just enjoying every minute and moment of my beloved Hannover. The sun peeking
through the window as we rub our eyes and roll out of bed at 6.30 in the
morning. The smell of fresh trees and green grass as we open the door at 10 to
star our work. Even the horrible smell of brewing beer as we turn the corner to
walk to our train stop at Altenbeckner Dam. The old buildings and homes, the
cobble stone sidewalks that ruin your suitcases. The old rickety trams in all
their green glory. It feels as if it were yesterday that I arrived in Hannover.
As I stood in the Train Station for my last 10 minutes I just watched as the
people of Hannover walked by. 90% of them being my beloved African friends.
Whom I will miss so dearly.
We spent Monday going by on some friends. We stopped at the
train station to meet Jacob. As we showed up I called Jacob to see where he was
at, of course he replies "I am on my way be there in 5!" Which
actually means I just got on the train and I will be there in 30 mins ha-ha. So
we waited in front of the Burger King until a little short African man walked
around the corner with is crazy white smile. As he approached us he just shook
his head in disappointment upon my leaving and expressed he was tired of all of
the people he loves going always. I had a good chat, and he shook our hand
about 15 times before he turned around and walked back into the mass of
people.
Next on the list was Lydia. We walked up the stairs and when
she opened the door, to my surprise she was her cheerful happy self again. It
has been so hard for me to see our deal Lydia is so much pain due to her
pregnancy. She finally received a priesthood blessing on Sunday, and it is
amazing how it just works. She still has some pain, however not nearly as bad
and she can actually laugh joke and smile. I told Lydia on Sunday I was
leaving, however I think she was in so much pain she just couldn't understand
that I was going. When we showed up on Monday and I asked, Lydia is there
anything I can do for you before I leave she turned to me and asked, "What
you’re leaving for good?" We had a good talk, and she wanted lots of
pictures. I had a hard time explaining that I couldn't call her but I am hoping
that in six weeks I can find some way to get in contact with her. She just
repeated over and over stay safe and keep praying. It never ceases to amaze me
the astounding faith the African people have.
With that there is some amazing news I Hannover. They are
creating an English speaking branch!! Oh I am so excited for them, and so happy.
It will help the work along so well. Even though I wasn’t there for the change,
I am so happy to have been part of the process of helping the work along. There
are so many prepared people there and I am so excited to see those prepared
have a place where they can turn to and a place where they can feel
comfortable.
We had a few more visit and ended our night with a family
home evening at the Metzigs. They are one of the most amazing families that I
know. It was great to spend my last night in Hannover with them and their two
daughters. We sang songs, made jokes and even had a little paper mâché time. As
the time approached to go I couldn't seem to let myself let the people I love
so dearly go. However I knew I had to I walked down the stairs with the up most
spirits that this family’s path will forever be entwined with mine.
Well here is the rest of the email for the week. I arrived
promptly 1.18 in the Leipzig train station on Tuesday. Where my warm loving
German companion greeted me. Her name is sister Kronwitter. Ah she is one of my
most favorite sisters in the mission. She came in with Sister Egbert's group of
missionaries, and was trained by my favorite STL sister Lartey. She is a
convert to the church and was baptized about 2 1/2 years ago. Sister Kronwitter
makes everything a party, and I am so excited to spend my last 6 weeks with
her.
Chemnitz ha-ha hmm what to say about this city, Well
actually it is beautiful here. I feel like I have finally entered into real
Germany. The people, the homes, the smells and the nature. We took a long drive
to a member's home a few days ago and along the way I was taken away by the
rolling hills and historic nature of the old buildings. The member we went to
go visit is an 84 year old power house. She pulled up in her little red Suzuki
from the train station. As we pulled up to her old home it was just like
something out of a movie. The grass hadn't been mown in what looked like 6
months, all the trees and bushes we over grown. As we entered into the old home
there was a stair case so steep that it was pretty much a latter. As we climbed
up the stairs to the little kitchen, the smell German food hit my nose, and I
could tell that we were in for an eating adventure. It was Schnitzel and
potatoes not too bad, however the schnitzel was just sitting in a puddle of
butter which she ladled over our potatoes and said "Isst du, das
schmeckt" Meaning it is because it taste good. Ha-ha! Afterwards we helped
in the garden where she took us up her 5000 mile long staircase in her back
yard leading to her garden. Well more like a mess of all different kinds of
vegetables and fruits just growing everywhere. She had a huge swimming pool in
her garden, which she turned into a pond with giant gold fish. For being 84
years old though, she is extremely fit. She works in that garden every day and
lifts things that are so heavy I couldn't do. It is amazing to me! Ah she is
one of the funniest old ladies I have ever met. Even if I couldn't understand
80% of what she was saying in her think sechisch accent.
Later that day we went out to go finding and got caught in
the rain. After about 20 minutes of walking around, and being soaked all the
way through finally we sat down in front of an apartment building and just
prayed that heavenly father would make it stop. We got up, and continued to
find however, it didn't. Nah ja, we just had an experience and it builds are
character. It was a good bonding experience for sister Kronwitter and me.
On Friday we meet with our friend Zahn Hoa. He is sooo cool.
He is a 29 year old student from China, and has been meeting with the sisters
since January. He is so ready to be baptized, but however is stuck on the
knowing everything before being baptized. He knows he needs to, but just wants
to know everything before he does. The spirit was so strong in the lesson
though, as we talked about some of his concerns and then he just up and
randomly said he will tell God he wants to be baptized and he will ask him if
he should. Also that he is going to read 20 chapters in the book of Mormon
before we meet next. He is really so cool! I am so excited for him. Please pray
for him. He is good, and I am so excited for him.
It is just such a different feeling here and I am so happy
to serve. There is so many wonderful things awaiting here I know it.
I was reading an amazing talk from October 2011 general
conference called the opportunity of a lifetime. I will just end with one of my
favorite quotes from "Your mission is a training ground for life. The
experiences, lessons, and testimony obtained through faithful service are meant
to provide a gospel-centered foundation that will last throughout mortality and
into the eternities. However, for the blessings to continue after the mission,
there are conditions that must be met"
The church is true, God loves us more than we could ever
know. I know that we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father, and I am so
happy to be a part of is wonderful work.
I hope you have a wonderful week,
Love Sister Toma
