September 19, 2024: See there's no sun rising, but inside I'm free

 I didn't write an email last week, sorry to all of my weekly subscribers. We had very important matters on our hands (playing paintball).


Things have been amazing though! We've been working really hard- probably the hardest I have so far on the mission and it feels awesome! Elder Haws and I work really well together. It can be a lot to balance sometimes, because the more people we find the more we have to keep track of and it's easy for people to fall through the cracks. It's totally worth it though, and we're seeing the hand of The Lord in so many things we do. It's also amazing to see the Lord use imperfect people like Elder Haws and I, in our weakness, to accomplish his gathering, and it really feels like it is happening. I can feel my faith increasing day by day. 

Here are some highlights from the recent 2 weeks:
- we set a baptismal date for our friend Rohit!
- we tried to go "thank you card" contacting, but everyone we talked to was so confused about our motives that we decided it was not for the German population.
- we had an exchange with the ZL's, who currently have 6(!) people on baptismal date. We decided to take some notes from them, because thats unheard of in this mission. They influence some of the next points on this list. 
- we decided we need to have a vision for the area, something specific we are working towards. Our vision is making this branch a Ward, and although it is a lofty task, and one that we don't expect to happen within our short time here, it is driving us to put in 100% every day, and we know it can and will happen if we keep the gas and the next missionaries do the same. 
- we did a service project with the branch picking up trash along the river that flows through our city
- we got a new senior couple in Trier! We surprised them with a city tour from our newly baptized member Harry (who is a certified tour guide). 
- we had interviews with our mission leadership!
- Harry made us his version of tacos. 
- we had our little game night with some YSA and our mission president said that we can't go unless we have friends there. So, we invited like 50 people. Only one dude could make it, who could speak no English or German. He invited 2 friends, one of which could speak a bit of German. We're pretty sure there was a miscommunication because they seemed like they were ready for a party when they showed up, and then we went to the church basement with some food and like 5 people ready to play board games. That was really funny, but they were super polite and respectful.
- little miracle, we went finding in the city center for the first time in a while because its super touristy. We remembered why we don't usually go there after about 10 minutes. But, after about 30 minuted we randomly bumped into a guy who had told us he was too busy earlier in the week to meet, but he had time now and we were able to teach him! It was really cool to see how the Lord used our good intentions and efforts to make something happen, even if it wasn't our original goal.
- our washing machine has been broken for about a week and a half now. It should 🤞 be fixed tomorrow night. 
- and a lot lot more.

So many amazing things are happening. I feel like I've been walking my whole and I finally got to the part where I can run. Israel is being gathered and its a blessing to be a part of it!

Tschüss!
Elder Tage Rex

Teeter totter
Batman
🤌
For those who know german- try to find the problem with the bookmark in my hand!







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