Christmas Box and Skype for Christmas

December 21, 2015

   My companion [Elder Gunther] is good, the work is getting better.  We usually do the meals together so it is really nice. We do not have a car.

   Our apartment is not decorated for Christmas because my companion and I are both Scrooges and enjoy the concept of ‘Bah Hum Bug’. The Christmas season is actually a little bit harder here [for missionary work] because a lot of people here travel for Christmas. I like my companion, he really likes to work, and he likes to work the same that I like to work as well so it is really cool.

   Church this past Sunday was pretty much like a normal Sunday but we sang Christmas songs instead of normal church songs.

   I got my Christmas package Wednesday night (December 16^th) and I have not opened the presents yet because it is not Christmas yet!--but I do like the things which I have seen so far (mom note: some items were left unwrapped).

   I have tried the lebkuchen and it is pretty good I think, but I like your homemade cookies better though.

   Scripture for the week is Alma 22:1515 “And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.”

Quote of the week:

"Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;

The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay."

   It sounds like you got a full Christmas time this week. I have everything ready to Skype on Christmas day and I am really excited to see everyone. All missionaries Skype unless they themselves choose call home.

   Not much to say because I will see you later this week. I love you and can’t wait to see you see you Friday on Skype.

Love everyone,

Elder Spencer Fisher

Celebrating a Birthday on a Mission, Bad Bentheim Ward, and Thanksgiving plans

November 9, 2015

Elder Fisher’s dad asked: “Well, you're a year older but the question is, are you any wiser?  Did your companion sing happy birthday to you in German?  Any cake?”

Elder Fisher in his new suit.

And here is Elder Fisher’s response:

   Well the wise man built his house upon the Rock and I haven't even built a house yet so that might be saying something dad. My companion and most of the Germans sang the Happy Birthday song in English so that was pretty cool I guess. I didn’t get cake—but I got an apple pie from a member in my ward like 3 days after my birthday so that was good. As for the rest of my birthday, we spent it at a district meeting and the district sang Happy Birthday to me. We then had a lesson with a less active member and it was super spiritual and good.  For the last part of the day, since my companion had a meeting the next day in Hamburg, we drove somewhere and overnighted in a place called Leer (about 80 miles from Bad Bentheim) and those elders made dinner for us and it was a fun day (just not a lot happened).

   As for the Bad Bentheim ward, yes, we do have a branch ward mission leader. We are not sure what we are teaching in our monthly Sunday school (which is next week) but I am sure it is something good. We usually check it a few days before so we are not quite sure yet. Our ward does have the annual Primary Sacrament Presentation--it is next week here and the whole ward is so excited about it too.

   Since our ward covers so many cities, we work a lot in certain cities.  We decide which city we are going to visit and we go and work in one city for a few hours.  Then we switch cities after a few hours and basically, we set up our appointments to go with the cities we are.

   As for Thanksgiving, Germany doesn't really celebrate Thanksgiving but we have a zone conference that day so it is kind of a celebration for the missionaries.  However, there is a lot of Christmas stuff out already but the stores are not enclosed malls here--I would say everything it set up pretty close to how the W_______ Shopping Center near home is set up—all the doors open to a central area and the center area is open.

   I am looking forward to our Christmas call—you asked if I could read part of the Christmas story…can I read the scripture from Luke when the Angel visits the shepherds in the field?   I am excited to meet my future sister-in-law at Christmas during our Skype call.  I hope that they can get everything for the wedding planned, too.  Instead of holding up my pictures for the photos, I heard of these things called cardboard cut outs and that might work for me so I can be in the family pictures.

   Scripture of the week 1 Corinthians 13:4 "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up," 

Quote "I don't know many things, but I know some things" -someone

   Thanks for all of the stuff and the birthday email, I hope you have a good week. Love ya mom and dad.

Love

Elder Spencer Fisher

6 More Weeks in Bad Bentheim, Teaching Sunday School, and Sequoia!

October 26, 2015

Companion exchange pictures (from another missionary's blog)

   Everything is real good here in Germany. My companion and I are staying together for another transfer together in Bad Bentheim so that means that this is the first city where I am staying at least 3 transfers!! I am happy, happy, happy!  I am so happy too because I absolutely love this area that I am in right now.

   We usually teach the Youth Sunday School during church but this month we had an investigator at church so we had an investigator Sunday School class instead and that was good (Sunday School is only held once a month).

   As for the Bad Bentheim ward, most of the primary kids in our district (a group of wards and branches) are actual from our Ward and we have about 20 kids. We have a very young branch.

Another photo of missionaries (from the same missionary blog)

   There is not too much to report on but I did meet someone that went and visited the Sequoia National Park a few years ago and we had like a 20 minute conversation about where that person has been (mom note: Sequoia National Park is a favorite family vacation place). It was a good conversation and the person said to call and come by sometime and she would make us an apple crisp or something like that. It was a good day.

   We always hear things about the refugees from the Middle East coming to Germany but there are already a lot of people from the Middle East here in Germany so it isn't too noticeable I think.

   

   Since we have to be in our apartment by 6 pm on Halloween, I’m not too sure what are plans will be but I think we will probably do extra studying or weekly planning or something, not to sure right now.

   It is really weird seeing all these younger guys going on missions (mom note: Elder Fisher is turning 19 next week—and to hear him talk about the ‘younger guys’ is interesting!). It is truly a life changing experience. Do you actually have Elder A’s email address I would like to send him an email. J. is going to Canada?--that is cool, but it still isn't like the Germany Berlin mission.

   Scripture for the week 2 Chronicles 32: 7-8  "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah."

   Quote of the week, "I am not a people person." By a husband a of a member of our Ward which made me think of my cousin J____ who said "I just don't like people"

   I pray for you guys every night. Love you mama. Love you dad and thanks for supporting me out here and being a good example for me too about what I ought to do.

Love

Elder Spencer Fisher

From the Germany Berlin Mission Blog: the Oldenburg zone during October Zone Conference

As a bonus, if you are a fan of The Piano Guys, they recently held a Worldwide Broadcast with music and conversation, you can watch the video online at this address:  The Piano Guys Face to Face