The winds of change

Dear Family and Friends,

This week I have lots of thoughts on my mind. Lots of changes are happening here in the mission field. Lots of growth in numbers as well as personally in every missionary. It depends not if you are a Sister, Elder, Senior Missionary, wife of a Mission President, or the Mission President called to preside over, worry, and care for the others; missions are about growth. It is about accepting the atonement in you life and BECOMING that who God expects you to be. About understanding the atonement and allowing others to become what the Lord expects them to be.
 
President Monson said. "Missionary service is demanding and requires long hours of study and preparation that the missionary himself might match the divine message he proclaims. It is a labor of love but also of sacrifice and devotion to duty."

I testify to that which President Monson said, Missionary work is demanding. Missionary work requires humbling yourself. Missionary work requires the ability to see yourself the way God the Father sees you. Missionary work requires men to turn outward when they only thing they want to do is turn inward. To love others even after the have turned you down. It is about sacrificing the current self inorder to become that which the lord requires to work miracles. It is about devotion, to God, to authorits, to rules, to personal testimony in order to accomplish the growth which the Lord has promised. 

I am thankful for the chance I have to be here in The Germany Berlin Mission. To be lead and guided by an inspired Mission President, Henry Kosak. I am thankful for his example of always striving to personal grow and improve The vision he has not only for the area he has been called to tend, but the missionaries that he has been called of God to preside over in love and honesty. I am thankful for his blunt German ability to help missionaries become what the Lord expects us as missionaries to be.  I am thankful for the atonement of Jesus Christ that has allowed me, Sister Kimberly Bohne,  to grow free from worry about past mistakes. The atonement that allows me to fallow my mission President, as he follows the spirit of God, in changing Germany. I feel blessed to serve here. I feel blessed to have the chance to work with so many wonderful dedicated Elders and Sisters. For the chance I have of being here in Germany as the lord hastens His work. For the incress of Sisters and Elders in our mission. It is just crazy cool to see the hand of the Lord work here in Germany.  

President Brigham Young said he knew the gospel was true when he "saw a man without eloquence, or talents for public speaking, who could only say, 'I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that the Book of Mormon is true, thatJospeh Smith is a Prophet of the Lord.'"

^{I, much like this man have no talent for public speaking, and even less so for writting. I want to add my simple testimony to all those who have come before me. I pray that the spirit will testify to you that the words I speak are true. I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He know us by name. He wants what is best for us. I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, because Daddy in Heaven loves us He sent his son Jesus Christ so that we can make it back to Him. I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, The atonement has a really power to change. To make us into the people we dream of being but don't have the ability to become by our selves. This life is about staying on the straight and narrow as often as possible and always striving to move forward. Repenting when we take a detour and having faith that Christ will make up what we lack. I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. That they in reality spoke with him. That through Joseph Smith the priesthood power of God was restored back upon this earth. I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, That God continues to call men as Prophets, Apostles, Area authority, Mission presidents, Stake Presidents, and bishops to bring to pass His work. I testify that EVERY person when in the service of God will be stretched, that they will be expected to grow. I give my testimony that every person in the service of God, when serving with all their Heart, might, mind, and strength will be positively different in the end. I am thankful for the atonement of Jesus Christ that helps erase the stupid mistakes, short comings, personality flaws, that we ALL have at the beginning of this change. I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that this which I have written is true.}

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The Sisters I am Living With

 

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First week in Berlin

Hello Everyone,

Wow this week has been a different week then any other in my mission. Wednesday evening I got a phone call from the Mission office telling me that Sister Hinkle and I needed to be in Berlin the next morning rather then Monday (today). We had many great appointments set up, saying by to everyone, all being changed by being called to Berlin. We ran by Mirja`s house, as well as Mama Czinioka´s home to say goodbye. I am going to miss that ward a lot they have truly helped become the missionary I have been called to be.
Thursday as I got to Berlin I found out that I would be companions with a Sister Dean until we both get our new companions Monday. Sister Dean is known as being the funnies/craziest sister in our mission so I know this was going to be fun. Sister Dean will also be working in Marzahn with me. We will both be opening new programs. Also we will be living in the same 4 women apartment....I just hope our new missionaries survive this next little bit :P
Thursday-Sunday we spend in our apartment All DAY. Sister Dean was sick and was ordered to bed by Sister Kosak. We joked that we were working hard at being obedient laying in bed all day. It was for sure one of the hardest orders I have ever been given on my mission. I thought often of dad saying the worse thing about not working is that you can never take a break from it. Sitting inside all day was I believe harder then knocking doors all day long. But naja.
In just a few hours we will be headed over to mission office to pick up our new companions. I some how convinced Sister Dean to wear a Traditional German dress to pick up her new comp...you will see pictures on the Blog! :) :) :)
Well I am doing good. Super excited to meet my new comp in just a little bit. I am sure she will be great.
Okay so we took one ,,Break" this week. We went to a Valentin's Day dance that the Marzahn Ward was putting on. It was so much fun getting to know the ward. The Bishops wife is from Texas and has only been living here for less then 4 years. We ended up talking a ot. She is right now setting up an appointment with one of her friends that she really wanted to teach about the gospel but was a little scared using the Elders. The ward is SO excited to have sisters! I am excited to work with them! I feel like we are going to do great things here!
Well I hope that you all have a wonderful week. Sorry there is not much to update you on. I could tell you about all the crazy noises Sister Dean makes, but it is more then the sounds Ashley makes so it would take awhile, and really would not be so uplifting.

Schöne grüße

die Sister Kimberly Bohne
 

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Weekly Highlights 4 Feb 2013-10 Feb2013

Weekly Highlights 4 Feb 2013-10 Feb2013 

Monday:

We had a few adventures but we will explain them next week when we have pictures. ;) We had dinner with the Diener family and the Mansour family! It is amaizing to have a great ward and members who are always seeking opportunities for missionary work. It is awsome to work in a ward where they truly understand the three-fold mission of the church.

Tuesday:

We had brunch at Sister Glen's! She is the lady that gave us the rootbeer. We talked about grace and love. We read a quote from Believing Christ by Robert E. Stevenson. It's under the Saved by grace section around pg. 68. Yeah this is us saying that you should find the book and read it. :)

Wednesday:

We were invited to the Relief Society presidency meeting and we asked to give the spiritual thought. As a compainionship last week we studied "Use time wisely" chapter 8 of Preach My Gospel. In it, it says: ''Do all you can to leave your area stronger than you found it. Meaningful goals and careful planning will help you accomplish what the Lord requires of you. As you care for the people in your assigned area, you will account to Him and to your mission leaders. ''

Compainionship Study

Read Jacob 5:11–13, 61–64, 74–75, and answer these questions:

• •How does the Lord feel about His children?

• •What kind of effort does the Lord require of His servants?

As we read in Jacob we related the tree to our ward here in Langenhorn. Like many other wards in the church this ward is getting a little older. They look back on the good ol' days. As a missionary it is hard to watch and hear a ward walk about how they ''once were strong. How they once were united.'' We decided to change that.

In Jacob 5:11 it talks about the Lord also being grieved to watch this ''Langenhorn tree'' get weaker. 'And the Lord of the vineyard caused that it should be digged about, and pruned, and nourished, saying unto his servant: It grieveth me that I should lose this tree...''

We felt inspired through this and other scriptures that one of our callings here in Langenhorn, or Germany in general is that of Strengthening the branches, wards and stakes . In verse 61-62 it says

61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may preparethe way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.

62 Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall aprune my vineyard.

We shared our testimony that the Lord will work with us. We know that the natural fruit is most precious. We as members, missionaries, ward leaders are those who have been called to labor diligently preparing our "tree" for the last time. This includes working with the active members, working with the fruit that has fallen from the tree (inactive members), and those who the Lord has placed around the tree to be grafted in, (investigators).

The lesson went well it was great to see the hope our leaders had as they were reminded that the Lord truly is watching over their tree, and that he is laboring beside them.

Thursday:

Today started off with District Meeting, Lunch, and finding. We had a great time walking on the streets of down town Hamburg. We were able to place a Book of Mormon and have some great street lessons. Today we also saw the first fruits of all the sport we have been doing, all the salads we have been eating, and all the stairs we have been climbing. Today while finding, a man "elevator looked" checked Sister Hinkle out head to toe MULTIPULE times.To which she says to Sister Bohne after walking away; '' That whould not have happened 20 pounds ago!" Sister Bohne is so proud of all the hard work of her little daughter but alittle afraid that she will have a lot of lock your heart problems... Go Sister Hinkle GO!!!!

On to more important matters...We regained contact with Bertha and Luis!! Whoot Whoot!! We set up an appointment for Saturday. Yay!

Friday:

TRANSFER CALLS!!!!

First we have got to explain the family tree of missionary life. When a missionary trains the one the train is considered their child. When your child trains you become a grandparent. If your ''mom'' trains another child she becomes your ''sister''

SISTER HINKLE IS A MOM!!!!!!! She will be picking up her new companion in Berlin a week from today on the 18^th of February. They will both return back here to Langenhorn to carry on the work.

Sister Bohne is a GRANDMA...and a Mom all at the same time. Does this remind anyone of Father of the bride 2? Young mothers, aunts the same age as the cusions, yep we are on a mission. Sister Bohne will also be picking up here new companion in Berlin on the 18^th of February and will then be headed to Marzahn, Berlin to open up a new program.

It has been a blast working together. We have really enjoyed the time that we have had to be able to learn from eachother. Grow in our testimonies of the importance of the spirit with us 24/7. We are excited to be able to continue to learn and grow as we take on these new roles!

Saturday:

We ate tacos at the Fuchs's again. Sister Bohne was supper happy, she loves tacos!

We stopped by a "costume" party held by the primary. Sebastian Mansour showed up to it by himself. We are so proud of him!

We met with Laarni today and spoke about how God is always there for us. We sang Lead kindly light together. She is making so much progress! Her faith grows stronger everyday.

We also met with Bertha and Luis! Had a wonderful appointment. We talked about the "why" of the gospel using President Uchtdorf's talk Forget me not. We didn't think about the name of the talk until after Sister Bohne had told them that she is being transferred. It was a very very good lesson and we felt the love of God with us.

Sunday:

Sister Bohne had the opportunity to Bear her testimony. The entire congregation felt her love for them and the strength of her testimony. The words might have not been elequent but the spirit was there.

We met with Mirja and Olivia tonight and had one of the most spirit lead conversations we have ever had with them. We took turns sharing conversion stories. It was a great opportunity to strengthen all of our testimonies.

We are happy that we have one more week together! We will let you know the fun stuff we do next week!

Sister Bohne and Sister Hinkle

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Langenhorn Young Single Adults Class

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28 Jan- 3 Feb 2013

Monday:

We went to Elmshorn to spend time with Sister Odenwalder and Sister Katalin. We then did a tausch (companion exchange) with them. Sister Hinkle and Sister Katalin stayed in Elmshorn. Sister Bohne and Sister Odenwalder went back to Langenhorn. Both of us had a great time and we ate dinner at a members house. It was a fun day.

Tuesday:

So Sister Hinkle helped teach Sister Katalin how to do door to door approaches.Whoot Whoot! It was really fun. They spoke to quite a few people from Poland, or at least tried to. First time acting like she is a trainer...foreshadowing maybe? Sister Bohne and Sister Odenwalder did sport with Sister Mansour. We talked about her sons and how we could help them progress in the gospel. It was cool to see as we took intrest in her life she become more intrestend in the message we are teaching. Sister Hinkle and Sister Katalin got a little lost traveling back to Langenhorn to tausch back. It turned out to be a blessing in disquise. After we finally made it back to Langenhorn, Sister Odenwalder and Hinkle visited Laarni together while Sister Bohne and Katalin vistited a less active member named Erich. It was a busy, fun and learning experience.

Wednesday:

Sister Bohne got her other package! Needless to say we have both been super sore these last few days. THANKS MOM FOR THE SPORT DVDS.

We taught a lesson at Mirja's house. Her sister and nieces and nephew were there. So we taught a little lesson about having a shield of faith, repentance, and forgiveness. It was fun to teach 3 children under the age of 9. Her nephew who is 8 in unsure about being baptised. We have talked with his mother and we are going to start teaching him the lessons. It is cool to see a little boy thinking so much about the convenents he will be making.

Later that night we went to the Mansour's and read the frist chapter of 1 Nephi with them. It always amaizes us how when we just read the Book of Mormon the spirit enters the room.

Thrusday:

We went to the Back's for dinner and our conversation was great. Our lesson was good as well. As Sister Back drove us home she and Sister Bohne spoke about the Pioneers and how they stayed on their path even when it was hard, and how we must do the same thing.

We then went to the church and did sport with Mirja and her niece and nephew. A few others were suppose to be there but ended up having to work. Sister Hinkle got her butt kicked in basketball (We know not a huge surprise). :)

Friday:

Sister Hinkle got Packages today, they were waiting in the office!!!!!! She has a better relationship with the post office now. :) We had a great conversation with Olivia. She shared what she had been studing with us. She has one of the strongest tesimonies that we have ever heard. We just love her! We are so proud of the progress she is making! Sister Bohne hopes that one day she can be as strong as Olivia!

Saturday:

We did finding today. Sister Hinkle actually had fun. We we appoched an older lady at a bus stop. She looked at us and said "I cannot be confirmed, I was born under the reign of Hilter and he has forbbiden it". We didn't know what to say. Unfortunately her bus came and we could not finish our conversation. Yep we did not think we were ever going to hear that on our missions.... :P

We had a great appointment with Khalil. We were able to understand eachother a little better. We also had a great appointment with Laarni. Mirja came with us and was able to say things in a way that Laarni was able to understand. It was quite a good missionary day.

Sunday:

Proud Mother Day! Christian Mansour one of the sons of an inactive that we have been working with got up and bore his tesimony. As he stood up he said that he is so thankful for the blessings of this church. He said first looking to heaven "Thank you God" Then looking at the congregation and said " I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I just want to thank God he always seems to find me through angels, missionaries and members". Every single member of the congregation was beaming with joy. Sister Bohne and I just about cried. We felt like two little proud mothers. What a wonderful start to our Sunday.

Bruder Wenke taught a wonderful lesson about Jesus Christ with assistance from Sister Hinkle.

Sister Bohne had the opportunity to teach the young single adults. Daniel was in her class and we talked about the plan of Salvation. Where we were , why we are here and the steps we have to take to return back to God. She challenged him to pray about being baptised and hopefully we will be setting a date later this week. The spirit was SO strong!

We then met with Laarni and were surprised to find out that she invited her neighbor and her neighbors son. It was a little bit awkward at first. Just think of walking into your neighbors house and seeing two nuns sitting in the living room (yep that is us). Laarni had the chance to explain why she is meeting with us, and by doing so seemed to strengthen her own testimony. By the end we were all great friends.

Sister Bohne and I acomplished the goals that we set for this week so we decided to celebrate with fruit salsa. Tastes better than it sounds. Olivia was unable to come to church today so we met her at the church and shared salsa with her. We had an amazing conversation, we shared our favorite scriptures with eachother. The spirit was strong. Once again we are so proud of the person that she is! Once again

Hope that your week was as fun as ours! We love you and miss you all. 

Shöne Grüße von Langenhorn! 

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Weekly Highlights Jan 21,2013-Jan 27,2013 aus Langenhorn

Weekly Highlights Jan 21, 2013-Jan 27,2013

Monday. So today Sister Hinkle decided to be a good little girl and send her loved ones the packages that have been sitting on our apartment floor the last....1 month;P. We showed up at the post office innocent little girls having NO IDEA how much shipping costs....Well Sis. Hinkle hopes you enjoy the packages because they will be the last ones you get! Needless to say she spent more money on packages then we both have on food this month. HAHA-Sis Bohne :)

Later that night we went over to Family Cziniock's for dinner. Like little slackers we had been so focused on the 72€ packages we had failed to think about the spiritual thought that we would be giving. It is a good thing that on a mission we are always in 3; both missionaries and the spirit. It is a good thing that Monday the spirit did not take a p-day and had been thinking about a lesson. As we opened our scriptures we felt prompted to read 1 Nephi 19:23 and then do what we did with Sister Glen the week before. As we asked Denny to ask a question, then open the scriptures, the spirit filled the room. The question that Denny asked is should I go on a mission? A question he has been thinking about for the last few months. As he opened the scriptures he landed on Moroni 8:2 My beloved son, Denny,(we had him put himself in the scripture) I rejoice exceedingly that your Lord Jesus Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to his ministry, and to his holy work. OH MY GOODNESS......Stuff like this only happens with the spirit!!! We love serving with the spirit!

Tuesday: ''Holy Toast Batman, we got a package!''<-(Sister Hinkle) Sister Bohne got the lovely package filled with vitamins and Stevie sent be her mother. Still Sister Hinkle has a problem with the post office....Sister Bohne is utterly confused as to why... ) :P

Also had a wonderful appointment with Laarni. We went over the Baptismal Questions for the first time with her. She was totally solid except with the idea of coming to church every Sunday. After bearing our testimony's about church we explained we would focus more on it during our appointment on Sunday.

Wednesday: Today we talked with Sister Braukhof (The Oma of Sister Bohne here in Germany) We talked about eternal families, and were able to bear our testimony of gratitude about the decision of our parents being sealed for eternity! It is crazy how your own testimony is strengthend as you bear testimony...Sister Hinkle is now super marriage hungry...JK JK JK HAHAH-Sister Bohne

We also met with Regine at the church. As we sat down and were getting ready to teach she told that we should play a game....way to throw a wrench in the missionary style... but that is ok Sister Bohne and Sister Hinkle were prepared. We ended up playing a roundhouse story game. This is were we all take turns drawing a part of a picture as we tell a story. Once again the 3^rd member of our companionship took over, yep the spirit played to. The story was of a women who was sitting outside one day when she found a book under a tree, can you guess what book?!?! As she read in this book she ended up going on a journey. In the middle of her journey she was standing on a BIG rock (Helaman 5:12). As she was on this big rock a storm came and tried to knock her off. Well long story short she stayed on the rock and then ended up reading Moroni 10:3-5. She went into a pretty meadow knelt down and followed the council in Moroni. At this point we just started having a conversation with Regine. It was super cool to hear her testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it has been helping her as she reads in it. She is making so much progress, solid progress!!!

Thursday: As always we had district meeting but, today was special, we ate breakfast too! French toast, AMERICAN SYRUP (snuck off a military base) and fried potatoes! YUMMY! We had a great time and we got to know each other better. We also received a referral from the Elders.

We got a call from office that Sister Bohne should go and get her drivers license. This time we only waited 3 hours in the DMV, I guess waiting in the DMV line is an international thing.

We then went on a treasure hunt to find the Martenz family. It was an adventure! We went to a few different homes, met some really nice people and eventually found the Martenz family. They had no interest but it was fun.

Friday: Oh my goodness AMAZING appointment with Family Bastan-mehr! Fatima got on line to show us some pictures of her family, and ended up on facebook. We were not sure at this point how we were going to pull it back into a lesson. As she showed us some pictures she went on a Sister Missionaries facebook page where this sister missionary was playing by the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. She asked what that beautiful building was and we were then able to get on to lds.org and have her listen to a conference talk in Farsi! IT WAS PERFECT!

We were invited to Families Wiehe's for dinner. Sister Wiehe was the only one at home. This time we were prepared. We wanted to talk about eternal families at the end. So like GOOD little missionaries we lead the dinner conversion in the direction of her eternal family. As we finished eating Sister Wiehe asked us if we had a few minutes to watch a short home movie and see pictures of her husband who passed away from cancer. It was touching to see the love she had for him even after all the years apart. But is was even more faith building because of the peace she had about the past, and the hope she has for the future because of the covenants they had made. We bore testimony about how much our family means to us especially our mothers. We shared Alma 56:47-48.

It was one of the most mother/daughter type lessons that we have ever taught. The love of God was in the room with us. Sister Wiehe is one AMAZING women.

Saturday: Had a great lesson with Laarni about why coming to church was so important. We were able to bring Cynthia Fuch as a joint teach. Cynthia is 19 years old and headed out on her mission to the Alpine mission in a few months.

The lesson went so well. The spirit was strong. Cynthias testimony was perfect. And tomorrow you will read if she came or not... HAHA

Sunday:........ So we came to church. Guess who was also there. Yep the stake President. Daniel also showed up again for the 2^nd time! Olivia Wiehe, daughter of the Sister we had dinner with, also came!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then as we were singing the intermediate hymn a member came up to us and told us that there was an investigator sitting outside.....LARRNI!!!! WOOT WOOT! 

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