Ok to start off with, I re-read my email from last week and I sound really depressed. So I am sorry!!! I mean I was super sad and it is still hard not waking up in Austria but life is good! I had time to say all of my goodbyes and am simply now grateful for the wonderful memories and experiences that I had in Austria. The whole "Do not cry because it is over, but SMILE because it happened" Has been my ongoing mindset. Don't worry every person here in Munich wearing a dirndl or lederhosen will get a warm Austrian welcome from this girl! haha Before I start on Munich I want to just share what happened my last few days in Linz.
Last weekend, our Salzburg Stake had their stake conference! Melanie came with us and it was great. Guess who else was there? My mission president, President Miles! Touchy subject...one day after receiving my transfer call. Well everyone in the ward was telilng Meanie to go talk to the mission president and to beg for this and that. Not good. Our mission also came up with the rule that we are not allowed to travel back to baptisms anymore. Everyone was saying to ask if I could come back to Linz for Melanie's baptism. So anyways, all of a sudden, a member had gone up to President and asked him to talk with Melanie and I. So we did. It was really great. After having a prayer and talking about the Gospel and the temple and everything. Melanie began to ask President about me coming back to her baptism. With tears in her eyes and so much faith, I thought it may work. Well President then began to talk about how much he loved the love and friendship he felt between us missionaries and Mel. He then got his scriptures out and read the following, putting in Melanie's name...
D&C 18:15 "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul (Melanie) unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"
It was in this moment, where I will never forget the feeling of peace and the Spirit so strong. It was so true. My joy was indescribable. I was of course crying at this point. Melanie was too. President then went on to say that people needed me in Munich and that I would not be able to come back but that we could skype for 20 minutes before or after the baptism! I am grateful for my mission president. I then thanked him for letting me serve here in Linz and I testified that he was an inspired man because he sent me to Linz just at the right time. It was a really spiritua and memorable 15 minutes. Two days later, as we taught Melanie about the Plan of Salvation and the expectations God has for us, Melanie decided that she will follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ and be baptized on November 16th 2013. I came to Linz to help especially one of our friends and sisters, Melanie, learn about our Savior Jesus Christ. Although I wont be able to see her at her baptism, my joy is still indescribable. Melanie and a few members and our bishop came to see me off on transfer day from the train station. Melanie gave me a note and included a part saying that people need me in Munich just like she needed me. Not many more things get better than that.
After a roller-coaster of emotions and train rides, I arrived here in Munich safe and sound. I met my new companion, Sister Packer! Yes, she is the Apostle, President Packer's granddaughter. Pray that Sister Packer only writes good things to her g-pa! hahaha No it will be great. Munich has so many people and they are all in need of the peace, joy, and blessings the Gospel of Jesus Christ has to offer. I am excited to see what miracles He works this next transfer. So lets hear it for new adventures, new challenges, new memories, and new miracles. I love this work. I love our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love the ability to pray and communicate with our loving, Heavenly Father. I am grateful for His plan for each of us. I am grateful for the experiences that make us want to cry because they are over, but instead we smile because they happened! As in the words of Melanie, Life Is Beautiful!
XoXoXoXo
Schwester Jaynes
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