The one where I finally get a visa 7/18/2017

I am in München 1 with Sister McAllister. My new address is:

Kirche Jesu Christi HLT, Alpenländische Mission 

Sister Carley Lundskog 

Francéstraße 6 

D-80997 München 

Deutschland 

So my first day here we had a lesson, in English. And then we taught an English class. Hahahahaha what even is German. Thursday we went to a less active families for lunch, and the mom stated that we don't need to keep the commandments since we are already saved. Her son (a nonmember) argued back with her and told her she was wrong. She also said we don't need the book of Mormon because we have the bible. Her son again told her she was wrong. (He's a Catholic and doesn't want to convert but yet he defends our religion like none other lol). It was interesting. She fed us stuffed papers (now I can finally say I've had stuffed peppers with the peppers) but the peppers were in a soup kind of with mashed potatoes. That's one of my favorite things that they do here. I had it a few times in Vienna (similarish... we had chili with mashed potatoes and it's to die for). We had pecan ice cream for dessert. After we visited with them we went to the mission office to fill our my visa papers with Sister Gildner. Then we went and had a picnic with another less active and had sandwiches and peaches and read in the book of Mormon. Friday we got up and went to the visa place. The plan was to wake up at 6 and take the 7:00 bus but Sister McAllister didn't get out of bed until 7...so needless to say we got there around 8:30 maybe, anmelded, and then waited in line for 2 hours to apply for my visa. About 30 minutes left in the line and they stopped taking applications for the day. They close at 3. It was like 11:30. It was a bummer. After that we had a lesson with an investigator. Her name is Katja and she is from Russia. The lesson was a mix of English and German. It was rough. She at one point said "why would God send 2 imperfect people to an imperfect person to teach about an imperfect church?" She wasn't happy. But she still wants to meet. Our other appointment on Friday fell through. Saturday we played soccer. It was the missionaries (we have elders and sisters in this ward, one of the elders is Becky Peterson's brother in law), some members, and some investigators. You know how Germans are known for being good at soccer? It's true, also south Americans are too, and that's what we had at soccer.. a bunch of Germans, a bunch of South Americans, and 4 American missionaries, 2 of which played soccer in high school. It was scary because they were all good at soccer and I hate sports. But it was interesting. We went from there to an appointment with an investigator who has a mental disability.  We read in the book of Mormon with her and answered her questions. She's very scared she's going to go to hell. It's sad. Our last appointment fell out on Saturday as well. Sunday we had church, I spoke. Our investigator/gospel principle class was really interesting because the teacher kept changing languages... He spoke German, Spanish, English, and Italian or something because there were a lot of investigators who didn't speak English or who didn't speak German so he just had to switch between all of the languages. It was kind of crazy. After church we taught a girl from Columbia, it was a Spanish lesson because she doesn't speak too much German yet. So we spoke in English to a member who translated to Spanish. It was a way awesome lesson because he shared his conversion story with her and it was such a cool story, the spirit was SO strong! We had a ward pot luck after that. Sunday night we had a stake sisters conference. It was so empowering. Also it was really neat because I understood the whole thing. In german. I had to translate a few words but I understood what was being said I just had to translate the words so I could learn them better. The young women got up and sang "Gethsemane" in english and I just wanted to sob it was so beautiful. They also gave time for sharing testimonies.. It reminded me of girls camp and now I want to go to girls camp and also be a young women's leader. Monday we left the apartment at 6:20, waited in line for like 2 hours and guess what? I have a visa! They didn't even care that I was over my 90 days. Hip hip I'm legal! We had district meeting and then 2 appointments fell out so we did some finding.

Hopefully that helps you feel caught up in my life hahaha. Packing was rough. Mostly because I don't know where all of my crap came from and why it wouldn't fit. I had to leave some stuff in Wien but it's fine cause I didn't use it or it didn't fit anymore anyway. But I was able to bring my stuff and get here with no problems. I traveled with 6 elders. No sisters. It was strange. Also 3 of the elders were dying and so it was interesting to hear their plans or talk about dating again. It was a strange and long train ride. 

As for how I'm feeling.. I'm feeling a bit rough. I miss Wien. I miss the ward, I miss finding there, i miss the people. I loved Wien. It really was a great place to be born and I kind of hope I can go back again on my mission. Munich is great, but it takes a really long time to get anywhere though. Usually 40 minutes to an hour so it's hard to feel productive or effective or whatnot.  

I ate toast with nutella and bananas while reading your email, that was the first thing I ate in the last like...24 hours. Sister McAllister and her comp didn't go shopping last p-day so we have been really low on food. 

So my diet has changed pretty drastically since I was in Wien. Mostly because there was no food here, and partly because food here is different. For breakfast I have toast and nutella, we have eaten out every day For lunch...usually from a bakery, on Saturday though we got Mexican and that was pretty good, dinner we usually make weißwurst and pretzels, or once I made pasta.

I have a request! Is there anyway you could get workout videos on a flash drive? Or a DVD (or even pdf through email) but a flash drive would be better cause I could use it on my tablet.  It could be in .mov form or .mp4 and I think it would work. I just want to have more effective frühsport and I think that could be fun? But we don't have weights or exercise equipment so I just am a pathetic exerciser but I want to be better! Have any ideas!? Is it even possible to get exercise videos on a flash drive? I don't even know. But if it is possible that could be cool. If not, if you just have some fun work out routines or could find some Pinterest stuff I'd love it. 

Sister Peterson (from our stake) and I just chat it up all the time when we see each other. I'm not going to lie I really hoped I was going to be companions with her this transfer.  I still really want to be companions with her before she goes home in December. She's awesome, and we have a good time. It would be way cool to serve with her.

Love yooooou

The one where the hills were alive with the sound of...me 7/4/2017

Hey. Hallo. Bonjour. Ciao. Hola. Servus. Hi. It's, me. 

So this week we made it our goal to go through all of our area books (somehow we had several, and since we used to have elders in this area we have theirs as well). So we have been going through the area books and have started going by former investigators. And....nobody has been home. We've also been trying to get to know less active members! And...nobody has been home. But we've met some cool people in the areas we've gone to. On Sunday night we just went dooring and there was a cool Australian guy who has apparently met Mormons before and absolutely loved them. He took a card and said he'd be in contact.. and then we ran into him like 3 more times that evening in different places and it was strange. But he was nice.

So the night before my first p-day Sister Hill asked me what I wanted to do. I told her I wanted to go hiking or take a nap. She looked at me like I was nuts. Because we are in Vienna and Vienna is known for 100000 things, not hiking. I'm still not sure what those other things are because we've had 10 other pdays and I cant even reremember what we've seen..but today was the best p-day of all the p-days because we went HIKING. Who even knew that there were mountains near us? I certainly didn't because all we see are buildings, but our tourist book said there was a mountain, so we went. And LOVED IT. I feel like my body and mind just kept screaming "thank you I love you this is where I belong" which is probably why I teared up as we entered the forest. I am once again one with my mountains (well not my mountains, my mountains are in Utah..) But I'm just very happy right now. I also got to pet a cat, so I mean, what more could I ask for? 

Wednesday we went on an adventure to talk to a lawyer. Pretty exciting stuff, I had to sign some papers about our apartment. After all was signed he asked me "so are you here on a German visa or an Austrian visa?" I responded, "neither. " I think he nearly had a heart attack, but so did I. So. What can ya do?🤷‍♀️

On Saturday all of the missionaries in Vienna got together and had a Wien finding day on Mariahilferstraße. We were able to do exchanges with the other sisters and just bring all of our finding and contacting ideas together. We all had one purpose, one goal, and it was amaaaaazing. I love missionaries.

Sunday, Kelsie and Nate came to my ward! (Sister+husband of my sister in law). Komisch, because the last time I saw Kelsie she was pregnant, and now she has a 9 month old baby! So fun to see them and [attempt] to translate everyone's testimonies for them. There was also a cute couple from Naples Florida visiting, which happens to be the only city in Florida that I actually know something about because that's the only place I've been. Turns out, when Jenni (my sister) lived in Florida, they were in the same ward. The world becomes so small when the church becomes involved. 

We have transfers next week and one of us will be leaving, so that's crazy. 

Ether 12:12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

Love you all, make good choices, remember who you are and more importantly whose you are, and enjoy celebrating the freedom that you've been blessed with!

Liebe Grüße, 

Sister Lundskog 

The One with all the tender mercies 7/11/2017

Hey, it's me, again! 

This week has been WUNDERBAR. So on Wednesday we met with our neubekehrt (recent convertss ) wife. From what we knew about her before was that she had absolutely no interest in the church, but she finally asked him if she could meet us so we taught her and she is AMAZING. Holy cow she just absorbed everything and said that she has been reading in the book of Mormon and she really loves what we teach and believe. She was the sweetest woman ever! After that we had Austausch (exchanges) and Sister Leonard came to Wien 1 to serve with me and Sister Hill went to Wien 3. Sister Leonard started the tausch by only speaking German to me, which I didn't know I was capable of speaking so much german! It was so awesome. We just spoke German all of time that we were outside, which was all day. We had the BEST DAY finding. I have never had so much fun finding and street contacting. We went to the university and talked to so many people and just had so much fun meeting people. We even set up an appointment with someone right there on the street!! (That like....never happens.. or at least it was the first time for both of us.) It was just way cool. Missionary work really can be fun! And it is fun! Sister Leonard and I just clicked with working together and just got so much done. It was just wonderful. Probably the best day so far on the mission. ♡

When we Tausched back on Thursday, a random number called us. It was one of the former investigators we had gone by on that had actually been home! We set up an appointment to meet. And then within 30 minutes of setting the appointment we received a text with him changing the plans of where to meet because he wanted to go by the Donau and have a picnic and go swimming. We told him we could only meet at the institute and that we would talk about the gospel. He canceled. And then over the next hour we received 47 texts from him (it killed our phone battery and we ran out of space on our phone). Needless to say.. if he does have actual interest the elders will take him. Lol. We were so excited to see our work paying off! Hahahaha. 

Friday we went to Salzburg again and met our new mission president and his wife and son. We are so blessed. President and Sister Brown are awesome and I'm so excited to work with them! We had interviews in companionships so they could get to know everyone. I introduced myself and he said "oh.. so you're the sister that needs to get transferred.." I'm off to a great start! They are super nice and they have some great ideas for our mission. Sister Brown shared her testimony and conversion story and I just tried not to cry the whole time because the spirit was so strong!

Saturday we got transfer calls! Except, due to my interview with the president, we weren't too surprised to find out that I'll be leaving and Sister Hill will be staying here in Wien. I am going to Munich tomorrow! It's going to be a nice change, and I'm excited! Our ward had a grill fest (nothing like an American barbeque but it was still nice). We had another little miracle happen there. A few weeks ago when we had been calling former investigators I called some guy from Canada (it was a really awkward phone call because he answered in French and I spoke German and then he spoke English and then I tried French and it was just a train wreck and ended in english..) anyway, he had said that his family was in Switzerland for the week but to let him know if we had any activities coming up, so I invited him to the grill fest and he brought his family and the ward just absorbed them as some of their own! He and his family were awesome. One of the families is going to try and get them to come over for a family home evening sometime and have the sisters come! 

Sunday I had to say goodbye to the ward. It was so hard. I love the ward so much and everyone there. After church we had lunch at a members. They gave us Knödel and soup und marillenknödel for dessert. It was an interesting time. They live like 40 minutes out of the city (driving) and so we were able to see some beautiful forests and hills and houses and the Donau on the drive there, and some more lovely scenery on the train ride home. SO PRETTY. I'm going to miss Austria! 

Monday we had 2 out of 3 appointments fall out, but we also had a wicked cool thunderstorm, so it wasn't too shabby of a day. We called lots of former investigators and we now have a potential! 

Today we spent the day packing and cleaning since I'll be leaving for germany tomorrow 

The church is true folks! And it's exciting!! Share it with everyone, the more people you share it with the more will accept it!

1 Nephi 9:6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.

Love you all! 

Liebe Grüße, 

Sister Lundskog 

(Pictures: train ride to Salzburg ft, elder Richardson; Elda, my favorite person ever,  GRILL FEST, Baagii♡, Sister Leondard and I, Sister Haynie and I, selfie, district selfie)  

The one where I tell about a week in the life... (6-27-17)

A week in the life...

The weather has been all over the place this week, we've had massive rain storms followed by extreme sun and heat followed by more rain..

Wednesday: brunch and lesson with Kat (she's so solid, I love her so much-shes the best.) Afternoon tea with an older member in our ward (packaged deal includes: being serenaded, 100 cookies, and watching really long videos that her son made at the zoo..fabulous.) to top the night off: ko'olauloa children's chorus (Hawaiian children's concert) with our investigator Andy. So so so fun. 《One of the little Hawaiian boys that sang came up to shake my hand after and smuggled some candy in my hand. So cute! I just wanted to give the little guy a hug but mission rules... all of the performers were so excited to see missionaries! We loved it and Andy absolutely loved how friendly and loving the Hawaiian people are.》

Thursday: met with our recent convert and then went home for our mission-wide wohnung cleaning day. Our apartment had so look much junk built up. (One of the piles of stuff we had to get rid of is pictured below) it feels so nice to have a clean wohnung, and spending the entire day cleaning made it feel even more homey ♡

Friday: finally had time to do our studies! Then we met with another one of our older members who gave us HOT chocolate and cake (it was 95 degrees and humid...but science shows drinking hot drinks actually cools you down...I'd beg to differ.) And then a byu student who is here for an internship took us out for Chinese food, and then she went dooring with us. She's wonderful.

Saturday: weekly planning! We also had a dinner appointment Saturday night...which we were there for 2 hours and still hadn't been fed dinner (lol) and there was no sign of a dinner any time soon, we had already shared our spiritual thought(s)..so we left. Lol classic.

Sunday: we both gave talks! And whilst Klingling a young man buzzed us up who was definitely not expecting us...but we were able to give the poor embarrassed (barely dressed) guy a book of Mormon. 

Monday: district meeting! Our district is made up of us (Sister Hill and I), the elders from St Polten (Elder Elwell and Elder Calccamugio or something), and the institutezentrum ehepaar (Elder and Sister Rowley; not pictured). 

Tusday: we tried to go to a palace but somehow ended up at a freemason museum and just stayed there because we had already walked around for 2 hours trying to find the palace.. 

There are so many miracles and tender mercies that we see everyday. It's amazing how the Lord's work continues to move forward regardless of the opposition and those who try to stop the work. We may not see dramatic or big changes, but the Lord's work will never stop. As we keep working and digging things will fall into place. 

“Ours is not a secondhand religion. We cannot receive the blessings of the gospel merely by observing the good that others do. We need to get off the sidelines and practice what we preach… Now is the time to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, become His disciples, and walk in His way” -Henry B. Eyring 

Embrace the gospel! Do your part! You will be blessed and you will see the Lord's hand in all you do!

Liebe Grüße, 

Sister Lundskog 

The one where we became one with our sweat (6-20-17)

Liebe Familie und Freunde, 

Joke time: Okay so there were 2 mormon sister missionaries, 1 (future) Catholic nun, a gay pride festival, and a mass of Jehovah's witnesses. 

The joke doesn't actually have a punchline, but that was last week summed up in one sentence. Apparently this last weekend was an international Congress for JW's...so there were a tooooooon of them. We literally swam through seas and masses of JW's. Which is cool because they believe in something, but it was hard because they wore name tags too and people thought we were JW's and JW's thought we were JW's and there were just a lot of JW's. But it was nice to see people in Austria believe in something and try to share it. There are so many people in Austria who claim to have be in a religion but don't do anything about it, so it was nice to see some people actually do something about their beliefs! 

We didn't have a lot of time to go finding or anything but in the time that we did have...

-we met a girl from America who is here as a Catholic missionary, but she'll be returning to the states in July to become a nun

-we accidentally ended up at a gay pride festival 

-we ended up in the middle of a (very) large group of JW's on the way to their Congress (which was awkward because they thought we were a part of their group and then realized we weren't and the awkwardness continued to escalate rapidly)

-melted in the sun 

-got more shin splints

-made someone cry

-got rejected 100 times 

-talked about the purpose of life 

-ate some ice cream 

-shared the gospel

-gave out a BOM in Hungarian 

-exchanged numbers with some potentials

-gave out several pass along cards 

-had a high man call us vampires 

-had said high man try to turn my bag into a baby 

Saturday we went to Salzburg for our last zone conference with President Kohler (not to mention...my first zone conference with President Kohler...) It was an awesome conference. President and Sister Kohler are absolutely amazing and have done so much for the mission!  It was also nice to see so many friends from the MTC! (Most of the people were the German group right before us but Elder Cluff and Sister Lau were from my group). Sooo good to see Sister Lau and exchange stories! It's crazy to think that 10 weeks ago we were leaving the MTC and such. Also the hills actually sing in Salzburg. It was so beautiful. My heart was so happy to see mountains and houses again! (I love Vienna...but I miss not living in the center of a massive city). 

Sunday we went to a musical fireside with Andy. It was amazing! Jenny Oaks Baker (Elder Oaks daughter) and her family came and played music and I bawled like a baby. It was wonderful and beautiful.

I cut Sister Hill's hair today and we went to a butterfly house!

Well, I hope all is well at home!

Alma 31:34-35; "O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee."

Ich hab euch lieb! 

Liebe Grüße, 

Sister Lundskog