4-15-13: Hospital Happiness

Keep sending her mail--emails, letters, packages--she loves it all! Her address again is:
Kirche Jesu Christi
Sister Claire Woodward
Limburger Strasse 52
04229 Leipzig
Germany

My MTC teacher warned us that about halfway through our missions, we'd start to get a little frumpy...same skirt, same bun, and forget about makeup. Well, family, after being out only 2 months and having a week of visiting various doctor offices and hospitals and attempting to tend to my ailing companion at home, I admit I've already hit frumpy...french braid every day, stable earring studs, and waning makeup. It's hard to get dressed up for doctor offices. Still sporting a glamorous smile though, like this digital sideways one :)

Fortunately I am healthy. Unlike Sister Diederich who continues to develop Job-like ailments and then must try to explain resulting symptoms in German to people. Hospital charades are the best. Watching your comp give blood four times in three days? No bueno (we now would like to introduce the Spanish segment of this email experience). She is a real trooper. Most missionaries face discouragement when they feel like people aren't listening to their important message of joy. Somehow Sister Diederich can have a needle in her arm thrice and relish the opportunity to tell doctors what we're doing here in Germany.

We did venture out from our various infirmaries a few times this week, which was good especially because the sun started to shine! Once was me getting to run circles in our backyard as Sister Diederich watched from our window (missionary companions need to stay with each other at all times. I don't know if I clarified that earlier). There are a bunch of gardens behind our apartment where old people tend for tender plants and so while I was running around said gardens, a cute, little 80-year-old lady stopped me to talk. I didn't understand her at first and so she asked where I was from. Upon finding out I was American, she proceeded to tell me that Germany was at war with America when she was little, but Germany lost that war. I know, I was shocked too. I wish someone in one of my history classes would have told me sooner. *end of sarcastic remarks* Really, she was sweet and adorable. Just trying to enlighten naive 20 year olds about World War II. I brought her cookies the next day to thank her. Sweet little Frau Kühler.

We also made it to our weekly Book of Mormon class. And good thing too because Francesco said the closing prayer.  Which went like this:
"Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you that....*laughter* that I can brush my teeth... *more laughter*....AndthatmybaptismmademehappyInthenameofJesusChristAmen."
Sister Diederich made him pray again to show respect while talking to God and he prayed wonderfully, including the profound "Thank you that Jesus is my friend."
Good old Francesco shows us how to become more child-like every day. We love him.

We also made it to another zone conference and then a stake conference. Stake conference happens twice a year when a bunch of wards in a certain area come together for a larger meeting. Instead of our usual three hour block with sacrament meeting, sunday school, and priesthood/relief society meetings, we just have a two hour meeting with various talks from different ward members and leaders. It was really awesome. One cool thing about it was that instead of normal prelude music by an organ or piano, an orchestra made up of various ward members played hymn arrangements. Good old cultured Germany.

You know you're a missionary when...
You start measuring life in transfers (6 week periods).

Love you all. Every stinkin' person who takes the time to read funny and not-funny stories and hear once again that I know that this is God's church and that He loves all of us :)
--
Sister Claire Michelle Woodward

4-8-2013: The week I flooded our Wohnung...‏

Claire is looking on the bright side and appreciating the good, learning experiences she is having. She was a little homesick this week, but is feeling better now. Thanks to all of you who emailed her last week. I know she truly appreciates and feels your support.  --Shireen

Floods of Blessings

This week we were blessed. And also flooded. I'm going to focus more on the latter for right now. Because while I was showering one morning, I apparently didn't entirely close our little German shower curtain that hangs from the ceiling. Which resulted in water flooding our bathroom and study room. After realizing my mistake and the resulting detrimental consequences, I frantically began brainstorming ways to resolve the excess of water everywhere. After ruling out vacuuming up the water, I proceeded to employ every absorbent thing in our Wohnung (that is your German word of the day—use context clues) to soak up water and ring it out in the bathtub. I therefore succeeded in drying the unwanted floods from our fourth story Wohnung in a little under 30 minutes. I have included a picture for your viewing enjoyment; please note that floors should not reflect windows #newmissionaryproblems

Living History

The rest of this week was good and less...wet. Though probably not as exciting. Most of you know that I adore history. Possibly too much. But I was thinking about Romanticism this week and connecting it with missionary work because Romanticism portrays the common as sacred. And every day, we walk around and talk to people and visit people and tell them the same thing: that common men are really children of God. People have so many sacred experiences, but see them as trite and bane because their eyes are trained to see normalcy. I know that life is more than common though. 

As I think about history, I'm also a part of history! As is everyone. But it is a great time to be a missionary. We believe that we are led by a living prophet and apostles today, just as in biblical times, and twice a year we have the opportunity to hear from them through a broadcasted conference. This past weekend was one of those times and it was fabulous. Since Germany is eight hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time, we watched them in the evening at our church. If you care to listen or read any of the talks given, you can check them out here. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/04?lang=eng

You can also change the language if you want to go for German. I know I give you that option a lot, but it's only because I'm a good teacher. And by teacher, I mean someone who thinks people should practice their German.

The sum of those thoughts really are just this: I am one of 65,000 LDS missionaries serving around the world, with thousands more on the way. Adding goodness and light to millions of lives through Jesus Christ. Yes.

Das Wunder der Woche

So one of our investigators is the famous Francesco's mother, Frau Assisi. She's an artist and grew up in Switzerland, but had a really hard childhood. A few years ago, she went into a coma and when she woke up, she couldn't remember very much from her former life, which, as her husband told us, is probably a good thing. But it also makes learning new things hard and remembering what we teach her. It's a slow process, but it is progress and she loves coming to church and learning from us. 

Anyways, Herr Assisi was really against Francesco getting baptized when the sister missionaries were teaching him several months ago. However, as he saw how happy the Gospel made Francesco and how much the missionaries and ward members cared about his son, he let Francesco get baptized. And as we taught Frau Assisi this week about how we can talk to God through prayer, he came in and told us that though he wasn't a part of us, he knew we were good people and he respected us. He was very impressed with how we lived, taught, and served. Which is a real miracle seeing as he once forbade his son from meeting with us. Hurray for changing hearts!

Essen

When I return home, I would like to request never to be fed creamed spinach. Ever again. Just throwing that out there. See picture.  (Claire has always had a problem with mushy textures in food. When she was little we let her pick one food a year that she never had to eat, and she always chose mashed potatoes. I imagine creamed spinach had a similar gagging effect on her, and would have loved to see her face as she politely ate it!)

Quote of the week

Sister Diederich went to buy makeup this week and the lady who was helping her asked about where we were from (our lack of makeup vocab gave us away) and what we were doing here. 

Sister Diederich: "We're missionaries for our church. We're here for 18 months and teach people about what we believe."

Makeup lady: "Oh. Do your parents think that's weird?"

Us: "Um....no?"

At least I don't think they do. Mom, Dad, is it weird? :)

Simplicity

My German is still coming along. Sometimes the message (and verb) of what I'm trying to say gets lost in subordinating conjunctions, so I've been trying to simplify my sentences. The Gospel is simple and true, so our speech should be too. Plus it's really important to have verbs in your sentences because faith requires action! Adjectives and nouns are nice, but it is important to act to gain a testimony or get answers or get through school! 

Simply said, the Book of Mormon is true. The life of a missionary is great and awkward. Man, after that spiel on verbs, I just used two weak ones. Be strong regardless.

-- 

Sister Claire Michelle Woodward

4-1-13: Making awkwardness less awkward

Claire sounds like she is doing better this week, but still has limited activities because of her companion's health. I know she appreciates your support, your emails and prayers. Shireen

Good news: we made it into April.

Bad news: so did the snow. 

BUT the snow has given me excellent opportunities to talk to strangers about normal weather in Germany. They always check out my spiffy nametag afterwards.

Risking the Awkward

We had a tri-zone conference last week in Dresden and it was splendid. I am always inspired by the strength of other missionaries and get so pumped up for the life that I'm living. We talked about risking the awkward and starting conversations with people everywhere, especially during our travel time, even if it's not always about the Gospel. And by risking the awkward, they really meant being awkward. But that's okay because by saying something, anything, people notice our black badges and maybe will remember the curly haired girl who asked about the snow on Easter who wasn't from Germany. Being a missionary is awkward. But I love that part for some reason. And I know that God takes our awkwardness and weaknesses and makes them into strengths. Someday someone will be touched by my awkwardness and want to know more about why I'm here. Doing the awkward. And then they will read the Book of Mormon and it will change their lives.

Engaged in a Good Cause

Missionaries always try to engage themselves in good causes, whether it be service projects, teaching lessons, studying the scriptures, finding people who are interested in our message, or lifting people up. This week, Sister Diederich and I had an appointment with Sandra, our investigator from Columbia, and two ward members who spoke Spanish came with to help us teach. Sandra has a darling, energetic five-year old boy named Pablo and someone usually has to help entertain him so that Sandra can focus on the lesson. This week was my turn and I would just like to say that German Spanish kids are the bomb. Not literally. But in the pure, loving adorable way.

While Sandra learned about how Christ'S atonement makes it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father by repenting, Pablo and I had the following conversation:

Pablo: "Do you have a child?"

Me: "Nope."

Pablo: "Why not?"

Me: "Because I don't have a husband"

Pablo, pausing to reflect upon this revelation, then responds, "I can be your husband someday."

Apparently I'm on my way to being engaged in more than just a good cause :)

Das Wunder der Woche

I am part of a prolonged miracle right now. Because my companion is still ill as you all know. Unless you haven't been reading my emails very carefully. Regardless, we have the miracle of having so many members of the church here in Leipzig that want to be our parents. They all feel so sorry for the sickly missionary and her awkward, new companion. Charity is such a miracle. Sometimes we forget that. But people bringing you food and calling just to check in is a great blessing from the Lord. We love our peeps here in Leipzig and I'm so thankful for the organization of the church and for Germans with big hearts.

Quotes from the week...

We got some new elders this transfer and one is fresh from the MTC. He spent just 12 days there like me, except he only had two years of high school German. You can bet he's living the dream :) 

His companion: "I'm trying to have us talk in German in all the time. But there are some things you can't express in German."

Elder Huebsch: "There is nothing that I can express in German."

Thank goodness for companions that speak the language and for help from the Lord, right? 

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. Leipzig shut down for a few days because Germans love their holidays. I am so grateful for the life of Jesus Christ, for His atonement, death, resurrection, and love for all of us. I know He lives and I know this is His restored Gospel. Keep looking for everyday miracles.

-- 

Sister Claire Michelle Woodward

3-26-13: There and Back Again. Twice.

Due to somewhat unexpected trips to Berlin for varying reasons (including a rare sister missionary gathering), my email day is once again on Tuesday. With the way things are going, I should be in Berlin again next Monday. Just for kicks. And then I'll have been there and back and there and back and there and back. Whew. We have a combined zone conference (missionaries from a couple different areas in our mission gathering together for a meeting) in Dresden on Thursday, so I'm looking forward to going there too.

Birthday Bashes

Four missionaries out of the eight of us serving in Leipzig had birthdays in the past week. Including Sister Diederich. I know. Insane. I just wanted everyone to be aware of that. No stories or inspiring messages. Simple celebrations of joy. 

Field Trip

I don't know why I always associate hospitals with field trips. But that's what the labelmaker in my brain decided to call them. This past week, we went to visit one of our investigators in the hospital. Which hospital happens to be the same mental institution where my companion had previously visited a less-active member of our ward, Trihn. Trihn is this tiny Vietnamese lady (picture an older woman the size of a 10 year old) and on most occasions  she is pretty sad because she's had a rough life. We have had little luck in cheering her up thus far. 
Until we brought her back to the mental institution. Because what would make someone happier? Seriously though, we walked in the front doors and started towards her old wing, which happens to be where our investigator is, and she started smiling and telling me all about her the happy times here. She was stoked to see her doctors again and other patients. She thought it was so FUNNY that some of them didn't remember her anymore. I don't think she caught the whole reason why they're at a mental institution. Anyways, it was grand.

What was the best though was watching Mormon Messages there. Mormon Messages are little inspirational/faith building/comforting videos that our church makes. And Sister Diederich is the bomb at finding good ones. Please now pretend you are in a little waiting area in a mental institution, gathered around a little laptop with precious little Trihn, our 25ish year old investigator Tobias, our right hand man Mike who helps us teach a lot, and my companion. Jut watching Mormon messages.

While we were watching and talking about how we can overcome our trials, I realized I was the only physically healthy one there. I don't have depression, allergies, a thrown-out back, a stomach ulcer, an eating disorder, a broken leg, or anything. I am so freaking blessed. 
Pardon my language. I get too excited to be so blessed sometimes.

Even though we don't all suffer from physical maladies though, we all suffer from emotional and spiritual sickness sometimes. But there is a doctor for that and He knows exactly what we need. Christ came to visit those in need of a doctor. Sometimes people ignore their illnesses and hope it will go away by itself. But we know that our message is the medicine that every person needs. Take your daily vitamins people. 

Here are a couple of the Mormon Messages we watched. If you want to practice your English, watch this one: http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2176618422001 (It's called "mountains to climb")
If you want to practice your German, watch this one:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbADlV1uNeY 

(Mein neues Leben, or you can search for it in English as My New Life).  Watch both if you want to be bilingual.

This story got a little long. 

Sorry.

Poetry

So I've gotten in the habit of writing poetry as I study the scriptures, as I ride the Straßenbahn every day, and as I sit and contemplate the whole.  Zum Beispiel (did you study your German today?), here are a couple of little poems from this week:

Life can suck.

But only if we leave the vacuum on.

Life can really blow.

But only if we insist on using the leaf blower.

Life can stink.

But that's why we have flushing toilets.

Happiness is just a switch away. 

I will bless you when you sneeze.

God will bless you when you serve.

I will give you orange juice when you're sick.

God will give you strength and comfort when in need.

I will wish the germs away.

Good will take the pain from you.

Men can only bless so much. 

God will bless with loving arms unseen.

Also, someone at church on Sunday quoted Goethe and called him "Brüder Goethe” (Brother Goethe—using “brother” or “sister” before someone’s name is how we talk to members of our church). Baha.

Abnormality

So I'm not really living a normal missionary life right now because of my comp's health issues. But we get out every day and try to add some good into the world. Life can be draining. But it is so good too. And abnormality is a part of life and that makes it wonderful! I'm a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. People stare at me with my nametag and yell at my companion for not wearing boots in the winter. I love it.

 Sister Claire Michelle Woodward

3-19-13: In Poetry and Truth

I (Claire's mom) got a phone call from someone in Claire's ward in Leipzig this week. At first I panicked when I saw a German phone # on my caller ID, but he was just calling to tell me what a great missionary Claire was and that they were very glad to have her serving in their ward. It was a lovely thing to hear and made her seem not quite so far away for a little while.

So Goethe studied in Leipzig over 200 years ago "in poetry and truth." I'm doing the same thing. Because I try to think poetic thoughts and study the truth. I get to learn from the scriptures every day :)

This week was kinda hard. We moved apartments and spent a lot of time cleaning our previous one (a new set of elders is coming on Thursday and moving in), as well as sanitizing our new one. My companion is still battling health concerns, so we just do as much as we can with the allotted strength. 

Das Wunder der Woche

I realized last week I forgot to include a miracle. Sorry about that. Be assured that we still saw miracles. As I said, this past week was hard with a lot going on and a lot to do with limited time and strength. Wednesday was our last day in our old apartment and we still had some packing and resting to do before moving. To do those things, we need to be able to get inside our apartment. Except that I may or may not have left the keys in the door and we didn't realize that until that evening. And in case you don't know how doors work, you need a key to open them. Except that if there are already keys in the lock, apparently you need pay mucho euros to take apart the whole stinkin' door. But we got our spare key from someone in the ward and went home, expecting to have to sleep outside in the snow or in a creepy German cellar (NEVER go in one alone) and praying that something would work out, and when we turned the key....the door opened! With the keys on the other side in the door. That, my friends, is a miracle.

Untersucher!

That's the German word for investigator (someone meeting with us and taking lessons and hopefully getting baptized sometime). In case you didn't study your missionary German today. Take notes, people. This email spotlights Sandra, who is from Columbia/Spain. She has an adorable 5 year old son named Pablo and she just wandered into church one day because she heard people singing and saw the sign that all were welcome. She doesn't speak a ton of German and I only speak hotel Spanish (which includes the words for eating, clean, going, and everyone), but she feels the Holy Ghost and understands that. She told us how happy she is when she comes to church, meets with us, and reads in the Book of Mormon. She has a strong testimony of Christ already and she is just so great. That was my quick spotlight this week.

Tschüss!

We said goodbye to some friends this week and that was a little sad. I didn't realize how much transfer calls changed your missionary world. One of our zone leaders went home home (does America still even exist?) and sadly, one of the red headed duo, Elder Duff, left to serve in Freiberg. But that's also awesome for him because he gets to walk by the temple every day. Sister Diederich and I stay here together for at least another six weeks (hurray for being trained like a normal missionary!). So that is good. Wherever we are, missionaries across the world are united in purpose and that is comforting. We're bringing the light of the Gospel to the world! 

Things German missionaries say (actually just one thing):

"She would totally freuet herself if we bring flowers." (it would make her happy)

It's just impossible to separate English from German. 

Quote of the Week

This is from a prayer Francesco said (see last week's email too). Hopefully that's appropriate to quote. "Thank you so much for Bach and that he could live in Leipzig because his music is SO BEAUTIFUL and I can't wait to meet Bach in Heaven and thank you for happiness." Because God gives us joy :) 

Keep on trucking along world out there. I love you.

Sister Claire Michelle Woodward

3-12-13: Austria is not a holiday

People of this world.

All is still well in Germany. We were blessed with two days of sunshine last week, and have since returned to clouds, fog, and...snow. Lots of it. To show the weather who's boss, we ate ice cream in the snow on Saturday. Take that. We didn't go out a ton this past week because of my companion's health issues, but we still achieved a smattering of teaching appointments and our apartment is thoroughly cleaned every day as I jam to Tchaikovsky. Regardless of where I am, I learn so much from my trainer, from the people here in Germany, and from God. There is no place I'd rather be right now than on a mission--snow, smoke, graffiti, and all. 

Spotlight of the Week

There is a 22-year-old boy who just got baptized a couple months ago named Francesco and he is great. He's a little autistic, and he is so sincere and excited about life and happy to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So excited that he goes up to everyone he doesn't recognize at activities to ask if they've been baptized yet and if so, if they did it the right way (by immersion).  Haha. The real spotlight of this story is that he said the best prayer in the world at our weekly Book of Mormon class. He told Heavenly Father that he was so thankful that he could be baptized and for the Book of Mormon and for Beethoven and that he could play soccer with the Elders, which made it so he could have more energy at church. Prayer is the best. 

Quotes of the Week

One of the quotes of the week comes from Francesco. We played Pictionary as part of a Family Home Evening (a Monday night gathering for those without families here in Leipzig) and Francesco was trying to draw a frog. But it didn't look like a frog (picture a dinosaur/couch with circles surrounding it). Someone guessed "cat" and he said...

"Nein! Es ist wie eine Katze, aber GANZ anders." (no, it is like a cat, but COMPLETELY different.) You tell them, Francesco.

The next quote comes from me. I think my German is coming along pretty well. But sometimes I think it is definitely not. For instance, Sister Diederich and I were at an eating appointment and I asked if Germans did anything special for Easter. Except I didn't say Easter. I said Austria. (Oster is Easter and Österreich is Austria)

Oops.

In case you were wondering, people don't do anything special for the country of Austria here.

Surprises of the week

So...we are moving apartments! On Thursday! Which means if you wrote mail to the Blochmann address, I'll still get it (elders are moving into that apartment), but when you send future letters, mail them to the Berlin address or the one at the bottom of this email. Weird thing about German apartments: when you move, you take everything with you. Like entire counters, cupboards, showers, sometimes toilets. I know, crazy. Our district (6 Elders plus me and my comp) spent Thursday assembling desks, cabinets, beds, and walls. Just kidding about that last one, the people were kind enough to leave the walls there. Madness, though.

Every six weeks, we find out if we stay in the same city with the same companion and that is called a transfer. We thought I might be training a new missionary this transfer, but good news: I get to be trained like a normal missionary before doing that, so Sister Diederich and I are sticking together in Leipzig. We'll get some new elders (one more set) and one of our zone leaders (an elder over a bigger area of the mission) is going home this transfer too so...hurray for more missionaries! Somewhat related shout out...BECAUSE MY FRIEND SHAY LYONS IS GOING TO FRANKFURT AND WE WILL BE NEIGHBORS! Shay, I am so excited for you. Write me a stinkin' letter. Also, Marisha congrats to the Phillipines!

Speaking of...

Speaking. It is kinda hard. I'm kind of the worst person at small talk in the world. In English and German. But it's okay because I hope people appreciate awkwardness and then remember our real conversations better. Plus Sister Diederich is the best at making other people feel loved, no matter what we say and when people know that we care, they will listen to what we say. I love how Christ ministered and cared for people as individuals during His life and it is really amazing to see how Christ can change and heal people. God works with individuals, not the mass population of Germany or America or the world. As missionaries, we try to do the same. And it is so great. I know, I think I've worn out that phrase. Because it's great.

New Address:

Kirche Jesu Christi
Sister Claire Woodward
Limburger Strasse 52
04229 Leipzig
Germany

Love you and thanks for your prayers and support.

-- 

Sister Claire Michelle Woodward

3-4-13: Sunshine in Leipzig

I want to start off by letting everyone know how ecstatic I am to see sunshine. I saw my first sunshine in over a month on Saturday and screamed in joy to the discomfort of all those around me. We're so glad that the weather is starting to warm up. Also sorry parents, I haven't taken very many photos....

Real email start here.

Brought to you by...

Today's email is brought to you by the word "Geschwür" (“ulcer”). Not many missionaries know this word, but if they do, it's probably because their companion had a stomach ulcer. Like mine. We therefore got the opportunity to visit a German hospital, where Sister Diederich had a little surgery and I spent time with the Ehepaar (the senior missionary couple serving here). How Sister Diederich was able to speak doctor-German-talk I will never know. She's amazing. We've had to take it easy because of her surgery/pain, but yesterday was the only day where we were completely confined to our apartment. We have another doctor appointment this week and...we'll see what happens! Did you notice the plural pronoun? Because missionaries are united in cause, so if my companion has a stomach ulcer, I feel like I do too. Minus the excess pain she has.

A glimpse at Leipzig...

One of my favorite things in German buildings are the windows. They are so convenient. If you don't know how they're different from nasty American windows, look it up. My least favorite things in Germany include the graffiti (which is EVERYWHERE. And I mean on every building ever) and the constant smell of cigarette smoke. But you win some, you lose some. Other random fact about Leipzig: a bunch of people left after the Berlin Wall came down, so there is more than a smattering of empty, abandoned buildings. Mildly creepy? Yes. The creepiest one that Sister Diederich has shown me? See attached creepy teddy bear picture. Apparently some lady died and left all these bears to watch people from the windows. From a building where no one lives. Sketch.

Das Wunder der Woche...

In case you forgot your German words, that means the miracle of the week! We were at institute (a class for young adults) last week and this lady named Jeannine walks in and asks if we could teach her more about what we believe. Um...do kids love Christmas? So we talked to her about the Book of Mormon, prophets, authority from God, and answered a bunch of questions. She told us that there was something special about us, like a warm glow, and asked why we were so happy. She will soon know because we're going to teach her! Our task is to give people a reason to be happy in life, and that joy comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite being ill, we still got to teach a fair amount of other people this week. It was also a miracle my companion didn't die. Hurray!

Quote of the week...

Sister Diederich: "Germany is just like a Dr. Seuss book. Except that nobody smiles and it's always cloudy."

Amen.

Keep the faith, my friends and family.

Sister Claire Michelle Woodward