Hellooo everyone!
Well, I made it! We arrived in Germany on Wednesday morning after about a twelve hour flight overnight! I tried sleeping on the plane but couldn't. So jet lag has hit me pretty strong for this last week. I'm exhausted whenever I try to study or listen. But it's slowly getting better.
Other than that, the transition has gone much smoother than I ever expected. I don't feel like I'm experiencing culture shock really at all, minus needing to work on the language. Our apartment is a huge blessing. We actually have a washing machine, microwave, fridge, and EVEN a toaster. I don't know if that's unusual at all for a mission living area, Europe or not, but hey, it's nice to have regardless.
It feels super crazy here still, though. I'm having some serious flashbacks from our time in Belgium. Even though they're two separate countries, they feel identical in many ways and much is exactly like I remember, I.e. The weather, climate, stores, buildings in general, smell (huge one), and in some aspects, culture. I think this might be the reason I'm not really feeling anxiety here, because even though we only spent a year and a half there years ago, I still feel like I'm "home". That's a stretch but it's the best explanation I got. Also, living in a developed apartment and having someone who knows the ropes helps a lot too. Who would have thought that this experience is easier than being thrust into a pig farm for a while? (Long but fun story. Email me personally.)
My companion is also super cool. He's been out five months and comes from Oklahoma. We get along well and it seems we have a lot of the same interests. Every other day we go on a 5k~ run and so that's great to be able to run outside for the first time in about two months. We get to see a lot of cool things. But yeah, so far our companionship is going great. Neither one of us have to push the other to wake up on time or get on our feet or keep working in whatever we're doing. Granted, right now it's easier for me since I still have the early mission enthusiasm, but I hope we both can keep it up! He is super enthusiastic about it. It makes me want to do better and work harder than before.
My first area is called Oberhausen and it's the smallest one in the mission land-wise. It's pretty populated though. It's pretty industrialized and we don't see much open area, and I hear a lot of missionaries kind of dislike it, but my companion is super positive about it and loves the area! So we won't be needing bikes or cars here, but just walk and use public transportation. I'm loving everything about it so far. It's nice not to have to worry about transportation so much. And the town is still pretty beautiful in my opinion. It has a nice feeling to it. The ward is awesome. We have about 100 members, only 50 active ones though. They're all super friendly and patient with my inability to comprehend 70% of what they're saying. I received a warm welcoming on Sunday.
But as stated before, the language is something I am concerned with as well. I'm not stressing about it because it's just going to come with time and I know I'll get it, but I'm still a little inpatient to become proficient at it. I just didn't focus on secular vocabulary at all in the MTC so I still need to learn most of it. That's what I'm spending language study time on right now. Also, my accent is horrible.
First of impressions with the people? Great! They're a lot more friendly than I ever expected. I know that a lot of people may be a bit rigid at times. However, I've quickly learned that smiling at them (albeit sometimes misplaced and awkward) is a great way to break through the barrier, often elicits a smile returned, and even sometimes a pleasant conversation, whether they accept your message or not. There are so many different ethnicities here. We have a bunch of Ghanians in our ward and they're so, so friendly. And we've talked to a bunch of Syrian immigrants and refugees. Many are religious, but it seems as well that many are without it. Those in the latter groups have generally been very friendly and many have accepted Book of Mormons. One, quite willingly, gave us his number and we're currently trying to contact him. This definitely is an exciting time in Germany. Many more natives, according to our records, are accepting the restored gospel, as well as those who are not from here. I'm excited to be a part of this! It'll still be a challenge, that's a given, but people are ready.
Well, I made it! We arrived in Germany on Wednesday morning after about a twelve hour flight overnight! I tried sleeping on the plane but couldn't. So jet lag has hit me pretty strong for this last week. I'm exhausted whenever I try to study or listen. But it's slowly getting better.
Other than that, the transition has gone much smoother than I ever expected. I don't feel like I'm experiencing culture shock really at all, minus needing to work on the language. Our apartment is a huge blessing. We actually have a washing machine, microwave, fridge, and EVEN a toaster. I don't know if that's unusual at all for a mission living area, Europe or not, but hey, it's nice to have regardless.
It feels super crazy here still, though. I'm having some serious flashbacks from our time in Belgium. Even though they're two separate countries, they feel identical in many ways and much is exactly like I remember, I.e. The weather, climate, stores, buildings in general, smell (huge one), and in some aspects, culture. I think this might be the reason I'm not really feeling anxiety here, because even though we only spent a year and a half there years ago, I still feel like I'm "home". That's a stretch but it's the best explanation I got. Also, living in a developed apartment and having someone who knows the ropes helps a lot too. Who would have thought that this experience is easier than being thrust into a pig farm for a while? (Long but fun story. Email me personally.)
My companion is also super cool. He's been out five months and comes from Oklahoma. We get along well and it seems we have a lot of the same interests. Every other day we go on a 5k~ run and so that's great to be able to run outside for the first time in about two months. We get to see a lot of cool things. But yeah, so far our companionship is going great. Neither one of us have to push the other to wake up on time or get on our feet or keep working in whatever we're doing. Granted, right now it's easier for me since I still have the early mission enthusiasm, but I hope we both can keep it up! He is super enthusiastic about it. It makes me want to do better and work harder than before.
My first area is called Oberhausen and it's the smallest one in the mission land-wise. It's pretty populated though. It's pretty industrialized and we don't see much open area, and I hear a lot of missionaries kind of dislike it, but my companion is super positive about it and loves the area! So we won't be needing bikes or cars here, but just walk and use public transportation. I'm loving everything about it so far. It's nice not to have to worry about transportation so much. And the town is still pretty beautiful in my opinion. It has a nice feeling to it. The ward is awesome. We have about 100 members, only 50 active ones though. They're all super friendly and patient with my inability to comprehend 70% of what they're saying. I received a warm welcoming on Sunday.
But as stated before, the language is something I am concerned with as well. I'm not stressing about it because it's just going to come with time and I know I'll get it, but I'm still a little inpatient to become proficient at it. I just didn't focus on secular vocabulary at all in the MTC so I still need to learn most of it. That's what I'm spending language study time on right now. Also, my accent is horrible.
First of impressions with the people? Great! They're a lot more friendly than I ever expected. I know that a lot of people may be a bit rigid at times. However, I've quickly learned that smiling at them (albeit sometimes misplaced and awkward) is a great way to break through the barrier, often elicits a smile returned, and even sometimes a pleasant conversation, whether they accept your message or not. There are so many different ethnicities here. We have a bunch of Ghanians in our ward and they're so, so friendly. And we've talked to a bunch of Syrian immigrants and refugees. Many are religious, but it seems as well that many are without it. Those in the latter groups have generally been very friendly and many have accepted Book of Mormons. One, quite willingly, gave us his number and we're currently trying to contact him. This definitely is an exciting time in Germany. Many more natives, according to our records, are accepting the restored gospel, as well as those who are not from here. I'm excited to be a part of this! It'll still be a challenge, that's a given, but people are ready.
I'm starting another round of Book of Mormon reading. This time I'm
focusing on a few personal questions about The Plan of Salvation that I'm hoping
to get answers and revelation for. I just finished reading about the visions of
the Tree of Life, located in 1 Nephi 8 and 11 I believe. In chapter 8 verse 23,
although this didn't directly answer the specific questions I had about the plan
of salvation, I read concerning what some people do, who were originally holding
fast to the Iron Rod and journeying along the narrow path to reach the Tree of
Life:
23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an
exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the
path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.
This is an extremely important behavior of people, on which we should take
note. Many people we've encountered so far ask us why our church specifically
is the one we need, if they already live good lives and participate in another.
The reason why The Gospel of Jesus Christ and His church has been restored to us
in these days, as soon as was possible on this earth, is that we are always, as
natural beings, in need of divine direction for our days. We need it to receive
not only joy, peace, and support in this life, but in the life to come as well,
through its fundamental ordinances. Some, sometimes, forget why the church is
here. They lose faith. They stop seeing the eternal significance of this iron
rod, and when the going gets tough, they let go, only to be lost in darkness. I
don't know if I'm writing this clearly or not, it seems like it's a bit out of
the way, but we must endure! Through this gospel, weak things are made strong,
and letting go should not ever be an option. I know that this church, and that
the Book of Mormon is true. I mean, I better; I went halfway across the world
to teach people about it.
I'm glad to be here. It's all so real now. I'm glad to finally be able to
be doing this. It's wonderful to finally be on a mission. I love you all!
I'll keep you regularly updated! Also I have two pictures, one of our building
and one of...the street. I'll send more interesting ones soon.
Love,
Elder Wallentine
p.s.: Extra happenings:
-I got cussed at, genuinely, for the first time in my life in German this
week!!!
-I ate a tortilla chip chocolate bar this week and it wasn't bad.
-I may or may not have gained another five pounds since leaving the
MTC
-The German word for squirrel is Eichhörnchen and it's currently
unpronounceable for me
-I heard Pokémon GO is huge everywhere now. It's gigantic here. It's
actually getting people outside and giving more street contacting opportunity to
us, even if people reply with "Kein Zeit" (no time) to us when we attempt to.
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