I'm Heading Out [to the Baltic Sea] (week 41)

Crazy that another transfer has come and gone. With two transfers finished training my companion, it already looked like I was going to be heading out, but I guess I didn't expect what would happen this time for transfer calls.

Yes, I've been transferred. I'm headed up to Greifswald on the East Sea, about three hours outside of Berlin. It's basically in the middle of nowhere. I'll be honest—I didn't ever want to end up up there, and to leave three weeks before Christmas is killer. New area, new companion, new ward, new everything... On top of that, I'm training again. My companion, Sister Barlow, is already in Greifswald, but I'll be completing her second transfer of training. The only plus that I can see in this situation is that WE HAVE BIKES so I'll be getting my thigh muscles back! I'll definitely miss the subways and busses and busyness of Berlin. I didn't think it was possible when I left Hildesheim and came here, but I think Neukölln is now my favorite area. My heart is broken to leave. AND THREE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I know that I'm supposed to be there and that there are people who need me in Greifswald, but still...

If you're wondering what we did for Thanksgiving, you'll be disappointed. I think we literally had the opposite of Thanksgiving this week. My companion didn't have any money left over for this month so we couldn't even afford to buy groceries last Monday. I've been eating rice and eggs and salami slices for seven days straight. Thankfully we had a few eating appointments and the members gave us some good food—for which we were VERY grateful!

In regards to the missionary work, we had a really cool experience in the subway last week! We were on the way to visit Sister Hashimoto's aunt and I was reading a German copy of Jesus the Christ. I had ordered an English one to read but had found a German one at the church, so I brought it with me to read while we were traveling. As I was reading, a guy in his 20's came up to me and asked me about the book, said he was Christian, and thought it was cool that we were missionaries. I told him a little bit more about it and explained the Book of Mormon as well. He had to get out but we gave him our card. There were a ton of people around us on the subway who also got to hear more about the Mormons and the Book of Mormon—score! See, missionary work is easy! Simply living the gospel brings others closer to Christ. And especially in a world full of turmoil and greed, WE MUST BE ANCHORED IN CHRIST. I would quote Ether 12:4 right here but I've only got in memorized in German and no one would understand that. Go look it up yourselves.

Let's see what's in store for me in Greifswald. For now, this is Sister Seamons reporting from Berlin for the last time.

Wish me luck!

Sister Seamons

JOSEPHINE EBERHARD. We've been teaching her English
and have found a special place in our hearts for her and her family...
I'll never forget this shy but spunky girl. :)

We love the Eberhard's (and Inga and Dillen):)!