Guten Tag!!!!
How is everyone!? Well I am in Linz, Austria! When I first arrived in Graz, I said that Graz had my heart! Even though I have only been here for a few days, Linz may steal it :) Wow there is so much to say and not a lot of time to type it. Soooo saying goodbye to Graz was pretty rough. Saying goodbye to Charles...even rougher. The people and relationships you have on a mission really are so priceless. Knowing that I probably will not see Charles again in this life made me really sad. I have seen Charles change. I have seen his testimony grow and become so wonderful.I have seen the light and hope of the Savior come into his eyes and life. Charles was our last appointment in Graz. I cried a lot. Charles did too. A few days before I left, Charles told me that he had a surprise for me. As I entered into "miracle house" and then into Charles' humble room for the last time, tears came. My very first appointment on my mission was there at Charles' place. We taught him the very first lesson - the Restoration. A month later he was baptized. I cannot count how many times I had been in that apartment. It was in that room where I really came to know what being a missionary was all about. It was in that room where I saw the Atonement as a reality. I am really grateful for the that room. Bugs, weird smells, broken couches, and all. I am grateful for our Loving Heavenly Father who allowed me to enter in that room and see the miracle of Charles Akhigbe take place.
Well back to the Charles' surprise! As soon as we walked into his room, Charles had something behind his back. haha I actually had my companion record it, so you will be able to see it one day. :) Charles began to say that he liked me a lot. That i was his sister and friend. He went on to say that there was someone who LOVED me...and that someone was Jesus. haha! On a simple computer paper in color, Charles had typed: "Jesus loves you." He went on to say that he knew that Lord would always be with me wherever I go. How cool is that? Charles has the faith of a young child. He is great. He keeps saying he is coming to Utah and going to the SLC temple. And i hope he does. I will never forget Charles Akhigbe. He taught me a lot about life and what true faith in the Savior means.
So once I was able to pull myself together somewhat, I headed to Vienna! From Vienna, I took a train to Salzburg where I met with other missionaries! We had a few hours so we went around Salzburg. Its not everyday you get to kill some time in Salzburg! It was beautiful! The entire time I was just anxious to meet my "Golden"! Well she finally arrived! Her name is Sister Shonherr! She is from Germany!!! She is the sweetest. Her english is not so good and my german is not so good, so there is never a dull moment! She is 19 so that makes her one of the "Stripplings"! We say that all the young new missionaries coming are like the stripling warriors! The Lord's toughest children who have been reserved for 6,000 years! So cool. And I get the chance to be with one all day, every day! So cool! Training is really intimidating, but all i am trying to do is make sure she feels loved and be an example. Because I do not know what else to do! haha
Linz is a beautiful city! The ward here is SO excited to have Sister Missionaries here! I think i heard that probably 1,000 times on Sunday! Some members have NEVER seen sister missionaries in their entire lives, so that was really neat! Well my time is up! But i guess we can just skype next Sunday! haha I love this work. I love the opportunities the Lord gives each of us to learn, progress, and become more like Him. He is always there for us. He wants us to be happy in this life, it is up to us to choose to do so! Jesus is the Christ. His Atonement is real.
Alles Liebe,
Schwester Jaynes
XOXOXO
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