The Uchtdorf Conference

Monday, 8th:

We apparently took the wrong train home, even though I KNOW I read the right board and went to the right platform and got on the right train that it said to take. We got to our area, waiting about an hour for a bus that never came, took a train all the way back to Linz, and then finally made it back to Wels. We doored 1 house in the wrong stop, so it counts as missionary work. ;) The ticket guy was merciful to our situation and didn't fine us. And we made it home. I'm still convinced it wasn't my fault, and I literally don't know how there was the wrong train at that Gleis. It was exactly the right one. 

Tuesday, 9th:

We had interviews with President. He's awesome, as always. :) 

We did some Distrikt finding, always a party. 

We quick dashed over to the Unuharhemhen family, who forgot we were coming to teach the two little girls, so we made a new appointment for next week. 

Wednesday, 10th:

Bianca taught us the 3rd lesson and rocked it! 

Mohammadi - We went by and helped with English homework. 

Thursday, 11th:

We took Bianca finding and she killed it, than we had some Mexican food for lunch because our Columbian Elder is going home and was really really wanting that kind of food. He almost starting crying tears of joy. 

We helped decorate for a Tanzabend and met for 10 minutes for a "gmk" that was really just talking about how to make Easter handouts. 

Friday, 12th:

We helped make the Easter handouts, in which the 2nd counselor in the FHV made us cut Jesus out of the brand new special Easter pass-along cards, because she thought He looked a little psycho. I was mildly peeved, but did it anyway because it's her project. But just saying, having an "Easter is Christ" card without a picture of Christ just isn't the same. 

We helped slice veggies for the buffet at the Tanzabend and tried not to listen to the pumping tunes in the background. 

Saturday, 13th:

MLC! We traveled to Munich and ate lunch with everyone before starting a mission-wide fast, then sat for about 6 hours and got spiritually uplifted and sore. It was solid. I started crying when Sister Neumann surprised me by being at MLC and then jumping into my arms for a hug. She goes home in a week or two, and I didn't think I was really going to see her again before that. It was good to reunite. We didn't get a story time with Sister Brown because MLC went so long, but we all hopped in bed excited for Sunday! 

Sunday, 14th:

The Uchtdorf Conference! The long-awaited day! Some Sisters woke up at 4:30 to get ready, since we had to catch a train at 6:30 (turned out to actually be 7) to get to Salzburg in time. There were a lot of happy reunions as more and more missionaries joined us on the way to the conference (I saw my pal, Elder Buss, again!). I felt cool because I was able to guide people along the way a little bit. When we got to the church, there was a lot of excitement. I saw Sister Spratt and it was basically one of those stereotypical running-through-a-meadow-with-arms-wide-open to get to each other through the maze of chairs and people. We exchanged Almdudler and Rivella, and many hugs. Then once we all got settled down and sat down, we had our own personal missionary sacrament meeting, and that was soooo cool, watching all of the Elders passing the sacrament and listening to Präsident Brown give his talk. Then we had a 5-minute bathroom break before we all had to be seated again. We sat in anticipation for what felt like an eternity, when finally we saw Sister Uchtdorf in the foyer. As Elder Uchtdorf walked into the room, we all stood and smiled, and he smiled back and said, "Sie sehen gut aus!" The next little bit was a lot of him joking around as we tried to take pictures ("Smile! Eyes open, please!"). Fun fact: I sat right behind him. ;) Literally on the first row of missionaries. He and Sister Uchtdorf were just absolute angels, and exactly what you would expect. And even better. ;) We each got to shake their hands (he has a solid handshake). They both spoke on missionary work (more specifically, more effective and natural missionary work). I'll try to send my notes next week. :) We also sang our mission song, "Er Ruft", for them, and I cried. The Browns tell me it's a spiritual gift. ;) That's how you know I've cried a lot in front of them, haha. When they left, it was a mad run to take more pictures, get everyone a lunch Sack to break our fast, and then getting everyone on their way to get home. It was amazing and beyond words and everything I needed to hear and I just don't have time (or the writing skills) to do it justice. We weren't allowed to take any pictures while they were there, but we had an Elder taking "professional pics" to get approved, and once those are approved we might be able to send some out. 

Monday, 15th:

Did more Distrikt finding, just without Distrikt rat because of the conference. It was pretty solid, even though absolutely no one was interested today for some reason. 

We helped Arash with his English homework again.

Tuesday, 16th:

Distrikt pday - We went to a technology museum, and then got groceries, and then I ruined some Spanish speaking kids in ghetto-basketball and ghetto-football! We had originally planned to just play alone, but because it was a ghetto court people flocked to join us. People were taking pictures and videos and everything. Those kids were actually solid players. I scored a couple goals and we basically just had a lot of fun together. I loved it. :D Then we left and went to the church to drink water and play card games.

We are now trying to make our way back to Wels to visit Sister Unuharhemhen for our appointment, round 2. We'll be helping to clean her apartment as service, too, so we don't even need to stress about changing. 

Favorite new word: bildhübsch - "pretty as a picture" 

Favorite funny story: Thrashed the Elders at Fußball. ;) 

Favorite spiritual thought: The Uchtdorfs! Notes to come. 

TLDR: The Uchtdorfs are the literal best, and just as sweet and precious as you'd think they'd be. 

Love y'all!

LG,

Sister Hamilton

Pics:

The conference, reunion with Spratt and the crowd of missionaries on the bus.

Flowers as decorations for the Tanzabend, 1920s theme and very American. 

JAE practicing for a group dance for the Tanzabend

The plastic sacks we helped make. 

There were these guys in bunny onesies handing out carrots and a piece of paper to advertise something, but the carrots were very appreciated.