Everyone--I've been transferred! I'm going to Hohenstein which is the second smallest village in our mission, and it's in the east right by Zwickau in the Leipzig zone. I have a car and I'm in a drit with 2 other elders, but I'm the only one allowed to drive?  I don't know what that's about so we will see. I haven't driven IN FOREVER. I'm excited, BUT sad to leave Elder Halbleib and my first area. He's training a Ukrainian elder who doesn't speak English very well so we are praying for him. 

 

This last week was super interesting! Tuesday was just a normal day meeting with Manfred and Bianka! I won't see Bianka before I leave so that's also sad, but it's okay. Then we had Distrikt meeting which was awesome. It was Elder Mika's last one, and so we played volleyball and had a BBQ in Berlin! Crazy that Mika's going home.. but anyway the craziest night was Saturday. We had just come home from a long day of service at a member’s house, and I was on the phone talking to the sisters about their transfers and I set my hand on the stove (I know I'm stupid) and I didn't know Halbleib had made tea...I burned my whole hand pretty badly. So we ran to the store to get ice and stuff. But on the way home we were walking and this guy grabbed something out of his car and Elder Halbleib looks down and he's holding a gun.. but I didn't see it then all the sudden (we are like 30 m away or so) and he starts shooting it in the air or at someone who knows we didn’t want to look obviously so we just started running--it was sketch. That was such a crazy night and we got home way late and anyway I'm alive don't worry mom:) 

 

Yesterday I had to say bye to the ward and it was sad. They’re so awesome and strong and it'll be weird being in a new area. But that's where I'm supposed to be! Can't wait for what's ahead. Have an awesome week and thanks as always for da support. Ich habe dich alles sehr lieb

 

Elder Rhondeau

Last week was good! We had a food zone conference in Berlin with the Berlin and Neubrandenburg zones! It's always fun seeing others from the MTC group! 

 

Honestly I don't really know what to write about in the weekly emails anymore because we just kind of do the same things but last week we did some finding on the streets, and met with some less actives! A lot of the less actives don't live in Frankfurt Oder anymore, so we'd go by where they live and they aren't there... so we walked a lot! But it was fun. We played soccer down by the river and surprisingly had no one talk to us. We can't proselyte in our normal clothes, and so we have to wait and see if people talk us and it's usually wayyyyy effective. But no one did so we were bummed:( I was also sick on Saturday and so we couldn't do anything really. But Sunday we went to Beeskow with Manfred. That's a little town and it's amazing. Still has the original castle walls around it! We met with someone who got in bike crash and talked with her about how she's doing. Manfred has random lady friends all over it’s so funny. He's also throwing an 80th birthday party NO JOKE called "Project Manfred 80". So funny. I taught Young Women's again, and saying the Young Woman's theme out loud with them is hilarious. We have a good time, and I'm the first Elder to really connect with the two 14-year olds so that's good.... I guesss?? I'm teaching Caroline the guitar this week and also how to cook for her Personal Progress. so I'm excited:) 

 

That's all from this week, but I hope you've all had a wonderful week and I know that when we search for the Lord in our lives, He'll be there for us no matter what. Love you all! Thanks for the support. 

Elder Rhondeau

SO I'M IN MY 4TH WEEK OF THE TRANSFER AND THERE'S NO WAY THAT'S POSSIBLE. We have so much planned and coming our way, and it's most likely my last one here so I'm kind of bummed. 

BUT last week we met with the mayor of Eisenhüttenstadt... yep. We planned a soccer tournament, service projects, and translating with her and it was way cool! She was super nice and I wish I had pictures but sadly I don’t. We taught V. some more, and he is ready to be baptized so we will have that soon we hope! He said he would study more and learn more but we have a soft yes I guess so we are stoked! He's really come around. I had a Tausche in Berlin again, and we met a man who is struggling.  He is from France, but thinks he's from another galaxy (literally). He has plans written out for a time machine in his bathroom, and has these wild birds that fly to his window, peck the window and he opens it and they come inside and he feeds them. Not kidding it was the weirdest/coolest thing I've ever seen and I was in awe. I did learn one thing from him; through all his crazy writings on his wall he had one that said "why would you let someone else live your life."  I have been thinking about this so much and the plan God has for us and how we become who we are truly meant to be through Him. His plan is truly incredible, and I'm grateful for Him and the life we are able to have. 

   

We had interviews, and it was awesome seeing President Fingerle.  He wants me to get Facebook this week (!) so I'm excited because usually you have to wait 6-8 weeks and do some tests but he said I could get it when I take one of the tests! Pretty stoked, but it'll be weird. 

Well it's Mothers Day this Sunday..THAT MEANS I CAN SKYPE WHATTTTT YES!! So stoked! I am so  grateful for mothers and all they do--especially grateful for my mom as always. Love you all and have a great week!! 

Elder Rhondeau

Happy Mai! 

Another month gone by! Weird. This last week was okay? I guess? Not the worst but definitely not the best... but still had fun with Halbleib and made progress with a few investigators! 

Started out with Manfred and Friends, and that's always a crack-up because Manfred is just so funny. Then we met with V.  So…let me tell you a little about this guy. He's from Ukraine originally, but now lives in Poland and we aren't sure his life story he tells us is all that true…

Why? Well, it is literally the story of the Karate Kid. Everything. And his eyes see through your soul and it is just such a weird experience every time.

 

District meeting and Englisch Klasse were good EXCEPT they're so sassy to us. We wanted to play “Simon Says” cause their English isn't good at all, so we thought that'd be a good idea right? Guess not because it started out with Peter (a student) asking if we were 5-year olds because the game was childish and they kept roasting us... so we had to switch courses a little. Ugh…Germans sometimes. We met a man named M. from Syria. He invited us over to his house and that was so sad. He lives alone, and used to be the head of major Syrian department with a really good job and a family. Now, the only "colleagues I have are cigarettes, tea, beer, and whiskey." It was hard to see, but he loved us and we go on a walk with him 2 or 3 times a week now to the river and he came to church yesterday! So hopefully we can help him in some way and just being his friend. ALSO we were playing soccer by the river for P-Day sport, and we ended up teaching the whole first lesson to a student!  It was super cool and he's way nice. We have a meeting this week, so we are excited. Frankfurt Oder is progressing faster and faster! 

Last week I read in D&C 50:12, and it says "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." I love that, and last week i met and saw a lot of sad and lonely people. But I know when we try to come to Christ, our light will grow brighter. I've seen it here so much. 

Grateful as always for your support throughout the week! Thank you thank you thank you!

Liebe grüße!

Elder Rhondeau