ADHD strikes again! But here is one of my outdoor recommendations

 If anyone has been following my blog, I sincerely apologize. I sometimes find myself "girl bossing a little too close to the sun" and then dropping off the face of the internet after trying to start an outdoorsy blog. However, if you're like me and remember about this blog roughly a few times a year, you're in luck, because it is likely I will only post a few times a year.

Now that we've sorted that issue out, let's get back to some of my outdoor recommendations!

This week, I'm recommending the Kula Cloth for when you feel nature calling and there is not a bathroom in sight. So...what is a Kula Cloth you ask? According to their website, it is "an intentionally and obsessively designed reusable antimicrobial pee cloth!" (https://kulacloth.com/pages/faqs).

So instead of having to lug around toilet paper and a bag on your hikes, you can attach this little cloth right onto your hiking backpack, pole, belt, whatever. Here is mine on my backpack

I like the Kula Cloth more than the pee funnel things they make for women (I have not had very good luck with them). The cloth also builds on "leave no trace principles" as it goes with you and is reusable. I have had this specific cloth for a couple years now. The cloth snaps together (like in the photo) to give you some privacy after wiping, or if you don't care, you can leave it open for the UV rays to dry it.

                                            (here you can see my first one in the wilderness)

It is very easy to clean. Sometimes I throw it in with my clothes in the washer, or I'll wash it by hand, and then hang dry it. Honestly, I contemplated making this my regular TP for having to go #1. It doesn't leave anything behind on you and could easily be washed between uses and dried before you have to go again (which might save me a fortune in toilet paper).

If you are unsure how to use it, their website does have some good instructions, but it is pretty simple. Make sure you pick a spot at least 200ft away from water sources and squat down (and by squat, I mean squat ALL the way down, otherwise it gets messy). Use the non-printed side (or in my case with the all-black, use the dimpled side) to wipe or pat dry. And that's pretty much it. 

If you don't want a stealthy version like mine, they have some really fun prints on their website for sale (I am not paid for this at all just as an FYI). Just last year, a friend of mine purchased one with a rattlesnake print, it was pretty killer.

My rating on the Kula Cloth would be an 11/10 because I have not gone back to using TP for needing to pee in the wilderness. I've used this on hikes, camping trips, river trips, and birding outings. Honestly, I want more of them.

I hope you find this recommendation to your liking and let me know if you try it out! It really has made fieldwork and being outdoorsy easier! 

Until next we meet.

6 Weeks Down and 9 Weeks to Go!

Hey guys.
It's been about 5-6 weeks since I last checked in.

So far half-marathon training has been excruciatingly hard but equally as rewarding.

While Joseph was gone in June I took this lovely little girl with me. Aná has been a decent running companion and has shown me that humans are pretty much the ultimate endurance machines. There were a few times Aná wanted to stop running and I didn't (even though I'm slow as sludge).

After Joe got back from his trip he decided that in an effort to support me, he was going to train for the half-marathon with me! It's been really helpful having Joe support me as now I know that I am not alone in my workouts each day. Sometimes he goes out with me and other days he goes while I'm at work - either way it's motivated me to continue going each step of the way even when my calves feel like tight little knots.

Recently we hit a mile stone. We ran 5 miles together in the evening heat of 98 degrees. We also started getting smarter with our gear and energy. We started trying out different energy chews and have found that the Extreme Jelly Bellies are one of our favorites. We also got some hydration belts because from here on out, our date nights on Fridays will be a longer run!

After our 5 miler, I realized that I needed new running shoes. The shoes I was using were pretty old. They are around 7 years old at this point. I got them for my mission and have logged miles on them there and miles on them here. It was time for a change.

I ended up getting a brand that I've never had before and never heard of. I got On Cloud.

So far they have been pretty great. They are ultra light and have more support in my arch as well as more space for my toes (which is super helpful!). The next week will test them out really well as this Friday we both will hit a new mile-stone (pun intended). We will be going 6 miles on Friday which is further than either of us has ever run in our lives!

Wish us luck!

Why Am I Doing This?

I'm training to run a half-marathon.

Okay, I know what you're thinking. What in the world has possessed you to even do this?! Well...I'll tell you.

On June 6, 2019 I got a text from my sister, Sam. It went something like this:

Sam: "Wanna run a half marathon with me in September?"

Me: ................... "You are gonna run?!"

Sam: "i listened to a really good podcast about making impossible goals, and this feels like the most impossible thing ever😅 "

Me: "Have you done a 5k before?? Or you just want to go straight for the 13 mile kill?"

Turns out my sister has never run a 5k before. And for whatever reason I was compelled to do this impossible task with her. Maybe I just wanted a change in my lifestyle, a reason to start running again, or maybe I've lost my mind. Only time will tell.

Last week was my first week of training on a 14 week training calendar and oh. my. goodness. Running is a lot harder now than it was 5 years ago. (That whole sentence hurt to write! When did I get older?!)

In my training, I'm doing a test of a program for work. It entails that I set a goal with the program and certain objectives and then the Bot automatically texts me at specific times I set to ask me about my progress in my goal. In addition to the interactive reminders, I can ask friends and family to record supportive messages.

The messages have turned out to be really helpful for me. They have gotten me about of bed at the butt crack of dawn more than once. And it really helps to not just have an alarm that I can snooze, but an interactive text message that forces me to think about my goal. I'm constantly thinking about it! Which in turn helps me remember to text my sister about it.

Here's to another 13 weeks of training. Race Day is September 14th, one week before my birthday. And right now, I can't think of any better way to celebrate life right now than to prove to myself that I am capable of the impossible.

Thanks Sam for asking me to join in your quest of impossible - let's make it possible!

I Was Diagnosed with PCOS. Let's Talk About That

First, a little explanation.

Since Joseph and I have been married, we both knew that we would love to have a decent sized family...seven children to be exact. He grew up with a lot of siblings and I had three and I love them a lot. We just wanted to the same for our children - to have siblings.

Fast forward to February 2016. We decide that we want to start having kids. I delve into research and ask other mothers questions like, how long does it take and what is normal. From what I gathered 6 months was pretty normal. 

I tried my best to patient but every month grew harder and harder. I saw my friends having babies left and right and people who got married after me were already pregnant and having children of their own. My heart ached and still, I knew that there other women out there who have been trying longer. I tried to quash my sorrow, but every month my excitement was torn to shreds before my eyes. I thought maybe the disappointment each month would get easier, but it never really does.

In November 2016 I was having an annual check up and I asked my doctor about it. At this point it had been over 6 months. She decided to have me take a blood test to check and see if everything was alright because by her opinion, we should have been pregnant already.

December came and so did my results. I had PCOS. What is PCOS, you might ask? PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. A quick google search will tell you,

 "Higher than normal androgen levels in women can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) during each menstrual cycle, and can cause extra hair growth and acne, two signs of PCOS."

 In reality, PCOS can vary from woman to woman and it actually more common than you think. It just seems that no one talks about it. My particular form is the one mentioned above - my body doesn't ovulate. Well, at least right now it's not. After my diagnoses I was prescribed Femara. This was supposed to help my body ovulate. It is now March and alas, I am still not pregnant.

It has now been a year. 

This month my prescription has been changed to Clomid. Clomid is supposed to help my body produce and release an egg. I am hopeful that it will work in the next coming months so that Joe and I can have a growing family.

I am writing this because I feel that this topic have been deemed a taboo. Infertility struggles are a hard topic to tackle and I just hope that this story reaches someone who needs it. There is hope (thank you modern medicine). Hold on, your time will come. Just as I struggle to wait for my time and have hope that something will work, you too, can hope for the best and stay strong.

Spiritual Running

Something really crazy happened to me the other day, but first, a quick back story.

In December I lost my beloved Grandpa Dallas Mangum. He was a really good man and he loved to play the guitar. At his funeral I didn't cry. I knew he was someplace better than here. However, just after Christmas I was driving around St. George. A song came on by Fleetwood Mac; the song is called, "Go Your Own Way." For some inexplicable reason it reminded me of my grandpa and caused me to cry. (It's also a very catchy song)

                                 

                                    

Now fast forward to last week. I added this song to my list of classic rock songs that I enjoy working out to and the strangest thing happened. I was running on the treadmill and this song came on and I began to run faster. My mind brought up visuals of my grandfather before my eyes and suddenly I was on the verge of crying. And then it happened, I was no longer running for myself or to be fit. I was running for him, one of the greatest men I know, my grandpa. In fact, I ran faster than I have for awhile and I didn't stop. I put that song on again right after it ended and I kept running for him.

At last we come up to the crazy thing that happened. I was sitting in my Contemporary Native American Issues class. Somehow we had gotten on to the topic of Hopi runners. Not only does this tribe run for competition, but for religious/ceremonial reasons. They run for their people. My teacher, Dusty Jansen recounted a story of when he ran an ultra marathon. He recalled that on his way back to the finish line he was making deals with God to finish this race. As he turned the corner, his little girls called out to him, "Go daddy!" He proceeded to cry and they came and ran with him to the finish. When he reached his wife, he was sobbing. It had become a spiritual experience for him.

And that's what happened to me. Running became so much more than just working out or trying to lose weight. It transcended all temporal and became spiritual. It became a memorial, a dedication to my grandpa and maybe even to all my family past, present, and future.

I really hope that when I run from now on that I'm not just running for something like losing weight, but for myself, my family, and my God.

I dedicate this entry to my grandma: Judy Mangum

A Look Into Today

I've been away from the blog for some time now and felt it was time to come back.

Right now, I'm in my second semester into the Social Work program at UVU. So many things race through my head all day and all night. The central theme of these thought that I carry home from school are: Who am I? What am I? What do I want to become? Who do I want to become?

It might be helpful seeing as one of my assignments this year in my diversity class is finding out who I am and my biases and then working on removing them. It might be tough to find biases in myself. What I mean is, I know I have them, but it might be tough to face them. Time will tell.

I've decided to come back to blogging to express myself and share my artwork, school work, and community work with friends, family, and anyone who needs to see it.

A view from my apartment

Recently, the snowy weather has reminded me how much I like to write poems and use words to express my thoughts. Here is a little haiku I wrote just now:

Waking Up - A Haiku

How still the air is

As I wake from dreamy sleep

Sun beams through windows

I'm hopeful that I can continue to be creative while being so busy with classes and homework and I hope that, maybe, it will inspire someone else as other's creative work has inspired me.

Matisyahu and Understanding the Gospel

As a recently returned missionary, I've had many thoughts, especially concerning the Gospel. One such thought hit me quite profoundly as I walked home listening to my iPod. I was listening to King Without a Crown by Matisyahu (one of my very favorites by the way). This is song is quite packed with lyrics that go very fast and the once blur of words was absolutely clear to me. I thought, most songs that I listen to for the very first time, although I like them, I don't understand every lyric that is being sung. I usually jump in somewhere in the chorus where they repeat stuff. (Admit it, you've all done this.)

I thought back to the first time I had heard the song in January. I could hardly understand it and I'm pretty sure I tried to sing some of the lyrics...with different words. But the more and more I listened to it, and the more I read the lyrics the clearer the fast jumble of words became! Everything was being clear, but it took a bit of time and effort. I still sometimes, to this day, mess up on the lyrics.

How is this like the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Well, it's like this. At first, we learn about the Gospel, and we like it, but we don't actually comprehend all that is being said or taught. Then as time goes by and we take efforts into learning about it, our understanding is expanded. This is the way God works, He doesn't give us everything all at once and expect us to understand it on the first go. It states in Doctrine and Covenants 50:24 - "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." (Emphasis added)

When we really get down to it, the Gospel is so alive that we are continually learning to understand it clearer every day of our lives. When we allow God to touch our understanding, He will reveal His doctrine and will so that we can understand it, but only "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little" (2 Nephi 28:30) until the whole picture becomes clear to us.

The Gospel is a beautiful thing that we can discover if we do our part and "learn the lyrics".

Here is the famous song itself, "King Without a Crown" by Matisyahu

And KAPOW - 12/1/14

Well....IT'S FINISHED. I am done, I am on my way home but not before I tell you the CRAZY AWESOME miracle that happened my last week!!!

We went to go to an appointment from someone we found the week previous and as we got there she had brought her friend with. Then she said, I think this Book of Mormon comes from you, and I thought, nah, I didn't give that to you.

She handed me the book and on the inside cover there was a note to another person (her other friend) and signed at the bottom was Sister Schmidt and Sister Rimmasch.

NO. WAY. 

Can you believe this?! This is crazy. A Book of Mormon that was given out in about Feb. or March. to another person, found its way into the hands of someone else, of whom we then doored into only because an investigator from Berlin moved to Leipzig and lived in that building and that investigator was in Berlin was found by one of my previous companions. Can you just read that one more time?

Yes, my friends, the Lord works in very mysterious ways and I like these mysterious ways because they always turn out really cool!

Oh, and for a grand total of BoM's given away from my mission, 102, and we are giving one out tonight. THE LORD'S WORK MOVES ON. I love this! 

And then this weekend was a party because it was the first advent and my last Sunday and so people just gave me stuff and fed me. It was fabulous. Lovely people, this is my last email and I just wanted to say:

Christ lives. Remember why it is that we celebrate Christmas. It wasn't just because he was born, it is what he did for us and what price was paid that we might enjoy the freedom of choice and peace in our lives and a hope for a better world, even a hope for ever lasting life. This I leave you in His name,

Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love

Sister Rimmasch

Soon to be Steph. Amen

AND ALMOST THERE - 11/24/14

Well...my companion and I have discovered that we LOVE doing doors!! It is so great!! We see miracles every TIME. For example, I felt like I needed to take a Chinese Book of Mormon with me. (Hello we are in Germany) and we did some doors. Then we were almost done and the VERY LAST door we did was a Chinese man who happily accepted the copy of the Book of Mormon. Like, whoa. What, are you serious? (Yes, I just quoted the district 2 thank you, missionary jokes are getting way too old. HA)

Or another one, we did doors and the girl already had a Book of Mormon in her native language and set up a return appointment with us on the spot. Talk about miracles of actually doing work. Seriously, you do work, you see miracles. That is just how it is.

We also had a lovely appointment with our self referral. Man, this man is definitely searching for the truth and it is absolutely awesome! I love it when people have such great questions and really are searching after the truth. So nice.

Also, I discovered...that I like to attack my companion in empty elevators and tickle the crap out of her...it just happens that she falls on the floor dead. I think I will do it next time when someone is actually in the elevator. Bwahahahhahahahahaha. And we totally bought comp toothbrushes...THE HOBBIT!!!!

Yes!!!

Well friends only one email after this and then I am slowly on my way home. I will take my dear sweet time. Please enjoy the hilarity of these pictures

The Countdown - 11/17/14

This week...oh man.

We did exchanges this week. I was in Chemnitz with a German companion! Cool!! We had a great time and found 2 different people! SWEET! I like finding people!

This week we did something special. It's called Pioneer Day. On this day, we plan no appointments and are not allowed to use Trams and Buses or S-Bahns. Too bad on this day, my foot had been acting up.,..so I basically limped the whole day around Leipzig. 8 hours of finding! We walked to Lindenaur Markt and back and then over to Straße des 18. Oktober. Cool! We found a new investigator and three different new contacts! How cool is that!!! Yes. Unfortunately for me at the end of it all, my foot was left with a giant bruise and I am still wondering what the world happened to me...na ja

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAREST MOTHER!!! :)

However, this week we tried out the SURVEY. Oh my best things to ever hit finding!! It is really nice! It really helps people to find interest and works like a charm. I think I would be a really good sales woman when I get home. Sweet.

Had some weird experiences. This guy... that I met in March...decided to call and wanted to meet...upon meeting him, we found out that he just wanted to hang out...so I basically had to tell him nice offer, but we got some work to do. Yes, even on Sunday! TSCHÜÜÜÜÜÜßßßßßßß

Yeah, so that is that. I guess I should probably start cleaning out my apartment slash packing things....that is super weird. I am not sure what to do with that. Does anyone have any tips on that?? ACK!!!

My ward is doing really good though! They invited my investigator to go bowling with them....without the missionaries!! That is good work right there! People being friendly without me having to ask them. That is a real good thing! Invite the investigators of the missionaries to be your friends and do stuff with you! It will make the missionaries faint and then it will be funny!

LOVE YOU ALL

Got about...14 days left. 

Anndd...we out!

Love

Sister Rimmasch

Soon to be reinstated as Steph

Yeahh - 11/10/14

Okay, people. 3 weeks.

This week was cool. We had Zone Training Meeting and!!! the Elders and Missionary Couple in Magedburg are going to check out some cemetaries for me and see if they can find my ancestor buried there!! How cool is that then?! Family history in the country of my family. So neat!

Also, even though I am in Germany and there are some many wonderful foods to eat, my district LOVES Subway. Plus, it was Sub Day, were each Sub was one euro. Needless to say, that is all I ate that day because we bought a ton of Subs as a district! Hahaha.

We have invited so many people to baptism this week! One it even going to pray about a baptismal date! We are so excited to be assistants in the Lord's work, because it is His work!!! We even so little miracles everyday!! The Lord really does take care of His children, sometimes we just have to pay attention.

Even at the end of my mission, I get to learn all the time. This week, one of my investigators asked if I would pray in English. Let me tell you, I have not prayed in English since who knows when. But seriously. I was a little nervous, but went for it anyway. As I prayed in my native language, I felt such a Spirit that is was almost emotionally overwhelming. It's tiny experiences like these that make a mission up. And Moments are just the little molecules holding life together. 

I was privileged to watch a baptism yesterday. Does anyone realize HOW cool this is? It is literally the first step in making it back to our Heavenly Father. He really wants us to return, so he set up a way for us, namely, baptism. So cool!!

Being on a mission is interesting. You meet so many people from so many different places with so many different ideas and stories. It is really cool and changes your whole perspective on everything. 

Also this week, I was at an eating appointment and do you know what happened? I tried to cut something in half, slipped and got sauce all over myself, my companions face, and the members' nice white shirt. Yup. Bummer. Good thing, nobody seemed to upset. I just laughed for the most part. Bwahahaha. Yes, I did this on purpose! (no I didn't...awkward. HAHAHA)

LOVE YOU ALL SEE YOU SOON

Tschüß!

Love

Sister Rimmasch

November 3, 2014

This week I was confined to a Trio once again...but it only lasted two days, so it's not a problem! Haha.

We had some good times this week! We had a service project! My favorite!! We helped someone move in to their new apartment...and here's the think in Germany, most of the houses do NOT have an elevator. (what's up with that?!?) Anyway, we had to make a chain to take everything up and they were so happy with us that they gave us ROOTBEER. Man, I miss that stuff so much. That's okay, I will just drink it all the time when I get home. ha.

 Also, we had a Halloween Party in the which one of our investigators came...that was really good though!  I really like it when the people I teach come to ward activities. Contact with members that stay in the area are essential! Please! Invite your friends and missionaries to the activities. That really helps...a lot!

We had stake conference this weekend!  Part of the Stake Conference was in a city called Böhlen. That was cool. I got to play in the orchestra and sing in the choir. Too bad I am sick and basically suffered through the whole thing....lammmmme. Haha. But I  made it, no problems...or too many anyway. I really stood out in the orchestra...I was wearing yellow...everyone else: black and white. Oops! Hahaha

Also on this day, we went to a members house. In the which she gave us Black Forest Cherry Cake...as I was eating it, I thought it tasted kind of werid, but I didn't want to be rude. Then...the hostess said, something is not right...she went to check the box...yes. There was Alcohol in the cake. Mensch!! That is so unfortunate. Needless to say, we did not eat anymore. Too bad the little kids may have already had two slices...Welcome to Germany, where you have to check the box on Cake and Icecream to make sure that there is no alcohol in it. Hahaha. Hahaha.

Anywho, we are teaching some great people! Including...a real German person!! Yes! Most of the people I end up teaching aren't actually from Germany...but he is! Heck yes, and he's super cool! And very German. Well done, Germany.

Also, sometimes in my spare time aka, during lunch, I like to copy things out of the Arabic Book of Mormon because that is the native language of two people I know here. They are so cool!

Also said bye to some people this week, they went home, but that's okay, we replaced them with new people...:D Like always. Haha. But I miss them! Life is good, the Gospel is true and the Book is blue!

Love

Sister Rimmasch

FINAL COUNTDOWN - 10/27/14

Well....it is now the FINAL COUNTDOWN!!! It's the last 5 weeks of the Germany Berlin Mission for me.

So let me tell you about last week! :D

It was pretty great. We had some interesting experiences walking in the rain...seriously, it rained for days..or what seemed like days. HAHA. 

We had a nice eating appointment at our Bishop's house this week...with Rouladen. Sorry Germany, our Rouladen is still wayyyyy better!! WAY TO GO RIMMASCH'S FOR MAKING AWESOME FOOD. Not that I am prideful or anything...okay, yeah I am. HA. 

We have had some really good times with the Book of Mormon this week! Lots of our investigators are really started to catch on how important this Book is. Because, when we read the book, and we know that it is true, then we know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet, that what he said was true and that this is the true church of Christ. The Book of Mormon is basically what we call the Key Stone of our Religion. Without it, we have nothing. With it, all of what we say and know is TRUE. And absolutely true. Pretty cool, huh?

It's really fun having younger investigators, they are about my age and students! Being able to really connect with them on a level of Peer is super important! That is usually why is it better to have members with us, they have friendships with them and support them with all of their questions.

This weeks open house was SO FUN. Let's just say...PING PONG...I mean, TABLE TENNIS in a Skirt! Yes, that just happened. We have a cute member who plays on a team and beats everyone...but then our investigator came! He is pretty dang good and beat this member in one round. Not bad!! They are now friends. (HA) 

Things are getting crazy as there are only 5 weeks left for me...like...insanity here people!! I am staying in Leipzig for the next 5 weeks with my trainee so nothing changed with us, but everyone else in the district has a new comp. I am thinking about pretending to be Russian to the brand new trainee coming in...I don't know if I can hold it for 5 transfers...I could probably pull of British though...hmm...we'll see!!!

MISSIONS ARE GREAT. And Prayer are answered every day! I thank you all for always praying for me! Every prayer helps me be the instrument God needs to bring light, truth, and happiness to His Children! Thanks for alles! 

COUNT DOWN: 35 days 

ps We made french toast and my companion had a pool of butter on hers...after we cooked it in butter. oh man, Sister Jensen! How are you not fat!? Yeah, nice.

Also, I made that Schnitzel!! We make gourmet food at our apartment!

Love

Sister Rimmasch

Miracle Friends - 10/20/14

This week was nice...not really that cold...except sometimes and full of weird miracles. Personally, I think those are the best types of miracles. There are so many different kinds of miracles, I could be typing forever, but then again that would be super boring. Ha.

So...miracle one.

We got caught in the rain. Yes, this is a miracle, just wait. So, we got caught in the rain and so naturally, we took cover. As we waited for the rain to go away, a man walked by. (we were in town) and I smiled and waved. He must have been surprised, because he turned around came back and introduced himself to us. As we told him what we do, he wanted to meet and make out an appointment right away! :D

Miracle two: We got a random phone call from a contact that same day after walking around for HOURS. He called and said he was sorry he hadn't met for awhile but he wanted to meet..TODAY. Well, of course we were super stoked and changed around ALL THE PLANS and met with him instead. He is super excited to learn more.

Miracle three: Oktoberfest....So there is this street in Leipzig call Straße des 18. Oktobers. So obviously, we went there on the 18th of Oktober. Who could miss out on such an opportunity. As we walked around trying to talk to people, we may or may not have run into an Oktoberfest...yeah. People where just walking around in Lederhosen and Dirndls. Typisch Deutsch. Yeah, super funny, but that't not the miracle. We went by on our contact on this street and SHE WAS HOME. She is from China and wants to learn more! Yes, I love these people! Student are literally the best!

Oh, I saw some breakdancers in the middle of town, they were soooooo good! They drew a HUGE crowd and I thought...why did I not learn breakdancing? I could have drawn a huge crowd to come and hear about the Gospel...so those of you preparing to go on missions, learn breakdancing! :D Of course, I took a film and pictures! It was great!

Well my friends! Time is flying and I've 42 days left! Insanity!! Keep up the good missionary work where you are at! People need you there! The LORD needs you where you are. (unless He tells you otherwise!) Love you all!

Love

Sister Rimmasch

Well hello there. - 10/13/14

Well...I joined an orchestra this weekend. Yup...I joined the Stake Orchestra and will be playing in Stake Conference in a couple of weeks!! SWEET! Blessings of what happens when you finally repair your violin and take it with you to the church on a Saturday. It was totally 'coincidence'. There is no such thing. Haha.

We had Zone Training Meeting this week. We spoke a lot about the enabling power of the Atonement. Seriously, it was so good. The Atonement not only cleanses us from sin, BUT it enables us to change our very natures. I do not think that would be possible without Christ. He made it possible for repentance and possible for us to change our hearts. It was great. Please, if you  haven't already, study the Atonement.

I had my interview with President. I will most likely be staying in Leipzig until the very end. Sweet! That is about....49 days! Crazy!!! It was quite funny. I guess I will be needed to sign up for Institute when I get home...wooo!!! It rained pretty hard that day, and two of our appts. fell out, but that wasn't a problem. We had still a Word of Wisdom lesson and it went fabulously!!

We taught out Chinese investigator again. She is so great!! She follows all her commitments and even said that she loves prayer and she reads in the Book of Mormon EVERY NIGHT. People! Is this not amazing?! A girl who had no contact with the gospel four weeks ago is reading this book every night and prays everyday! What an example of Faith!!! So great.

We also saw the Lichtfest this week. It is the 25th anniversary. We went with one of our investigators and we there was SO MANY people there. (Dad, I don't think you would like it...:) ) But it was great! We had a good time and saw cool stuffs.

We also played basketball with our investigators. It was so fun! It was really good for our investigators and we got some good exercise. So that was good!

We had an actually German meal on Sunday, YES!!!!! It was so good, it was about time. Everyone likes to make other delicious foods, but it was the first German meal my poor comp has had. Hahaha.

Life is great and I have 49 days left before I am done with my mission....CRAZY. But then, the real mission starts!!!

Love,

Sister Rimmasch

PS

pictures from the zoo

KONFERENZ - 10/5/14

Well my friends, if you didn't watch conference, I would suggest going to the LDS account and watching it for yourself. It was pretty awesome.

We had exchanges this week in which I had to say goodbye to my trainee for a day. That was kind of lame. But yeah, so that happened...but then I got her back, it's okay.

We had some fun times randomly running into investigators...like everyday. I got daily contact with some investigators just by walking out the door...kind of handy I suppose. Haha. Actually really handy, you have no idea. It was great.

I also witnessed an act of beautiful kindness this week. I got off the tram to my surprise I see someone I know running after the tram. What had happened is someone had left their child on the tram so he dropped all his things and ran after the tram. He got the child back and a bag of apples which he then proceeded to hand to me and we walked back to the worrying mother of the child. So...yeah, that was the most Christlike thing I have seen for a while. It warmed my heart to know that people of all nations still have the Light of Christ burning ever so brightly in them. Look out for these people, they are everywhere. :)

And sorry for the lateness of the email, but we were at the zoo. I don't think I was built for the zoo...four hours and I was a gonner!! Next time...there is no Leipzig zoo next time, I've already been twice! ACK!

8 weeks and it's all over...just kidding. 8 weeks and it will all be beginning

LOVE

Sister Rimmasch

PS

congrats AJ and Cami for running a marathon! And their kids for running the mile!

New Companion

Sister Rimmasch and her new missionary, Sister Jensen.

LEIPZIG RULES - 9/29/14

People, did I ever mention how much I absolutely love Leipzig? And just how great it is to be a missionary?! Well...Super cool, let me tell you.

So for my birthday...we went and bought Oktoberfest stuff...aka a Bayern Flag...and a new outfit. Yay! And...yeah. Oh well! But this week we had miracles so it doesn't matter!

Using the 12 week programm to train has really made a difference in missionary work! It is so great! We love it! I like the part where we watch clips of the District. Super fun. This week we also got a new missionary couple. They are really nice and sweet. They brought me my packages! :D How nice! They are spunky and ready to work! Woo hoooooo! We love hard workers!

We had some good lessons! One of our investigators brought his girlfirend to our lesson and so...NEW INVESTIGATOR. Sweet. Also, someone stopped us on the street! He had met with missionaries before and wanted to start meeting again! Cool!!!

We tried out some new finding this week. We thought of it through inspiration! Pick a card finding!!! We wrote down some really deep questions and walked around the down town and asked people to pick a card! It went really well!  We had good gospel conversations and found a new investigator! MAN! PEOPLE LEIPZIG IS JUST BEGGING FOR BAPTISMS!! Super cool! So excited!

We also had an investigator from China come to church!! For testimony meeting! She asked me a really funny question. Why do people go up and announce their problems to the public? HAHAHA. I have no idea. People, watch what you say up there! :D Still it was funny.

Anywho. Lovely day lovely day...we are going to the harvest festival today! Bwahahahaha! Super excited!

AND General Conference is this week! I challenge you all to go with a question in mind and really pray for an answer and look for you answer because you'll get it!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Love 

Sister Rimmasch

a picture of me and my trainee at a members place 

and the sunrise this morning!

Miraclesssss - 9/22/14

Yeah, so this week...this week...diese Woche....ACH. Sorry, that was just my brain turning into German...haha. My bad...

ANYWHO. Training is AWESOME. I get to learn so much as well! And my Padowan learner is real great! Fast learner and ready to do all the crazy things that missionaries do that I am pretty sure no one else in the world does. Bwwahaha.

So some cool things about the Lord is that if you prepare yourself and say you are going to be a certain place at a certain time, he provides a way for you to get people. Yes indeed! I had the spontaneous thought that we need to do some finding at Augustus Platz and so we went! We walked and talked and thought maybe Sister Rimmasch is just crazy but them BAM. My comp was all, I want to talk to these two girls. That is what we did and then...BOOM. They were new investigators. Take that, Satan!

We invited our new investigator to baptism this week...he said yes. Wait, what? Yeah, that's right, he said yes. Of course we do not have a date yet, but we will be setting that this week for him! :) I love these people! MAN.

Oki, here's the cherry on top. We were at church...and just a little slow getting into class...you know...talking to people...my bad. I turned around and there was this man there...but I recognized him...from Berlin. From Dahlem. (I was in Lankwitz and was there on exchanges...) WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE MY FRIEND? Turns out this man decided to move from Berlin to Leipzig to study and I happened to know him. What?! My heart was so full of joy (I never thought I would see him again) that I could not even frown. What a great birthday present from my Father in Heaven. I know he is watching out for me! :D

I then had a FHE / birthday party at a members house...she only felt bad though because my name was spelled wrong on the cake...but that's okay!! HAHA No problems. But Leipzig is great and it feels like home to me! Everyone of the members wished me a happy birthday! :D How nice!

Keep up the good work at home!

Love

Sister Rimmasch

LEIPZIGGGGGGGGGGG - 9/15/14

Well if you can imagine this crazy week you will get tired just reading about it! Ha. So...in the midst of a billion Sister Sleepovers, I had the opportunity to take the new missionaries out finding. So that was fun. And then the next day I had trainer meeting and learned how to be a trainer and then the trainees came in and I got to introduce my area...LEIPZIG and then I receive my trainee....who I just happened to take out on her first finding! WHAT? Yeah, crazy, I  know. Then we jetted ourselves down to Leipzig to do stuff, then to Halle for yet another sleep over back to Berlin to see Elder Bednar and then back down to Leipzig. WELL THEN.

Now that that mess is over....WELCOME TO THE FINAL COUNTDOWN. (11)

So I am back in my area of Leipzig and I get to train! (Sister Jensen) It is pretty cool being a trainer because I get to learn as well. How sweet is that?! There is lots of work to be done and two willing hearts to do it! We are gonna raise Leipzig back up from the depths! :D

Being in a meeting with Elder Bednar this week was amazing. I felt the Spirit so strongly I wasn't sure if I could actually hold it all in, I thought I was going to explode. Amen. But you know what, it was so cool, I received answers to questions I didn't even know that I had. And he said something profound, One cannot possible convince one's self that this Gospel is true, you actually cannot talk yourself into it...it is only by the divinity of the Holy Ghost that we know things are true and sometimes we surprise ourselves by what we say because the Holy Ghost works through us to teach us. That's why testimonies are so cool, because sometimes the people don't know that they know it, until they say it. SUPER COOL.

Anywho. Had some fun times this week going to appointments in Sachsen...where people speak Sächsisch, the dialect of German that all Germans tend to hate and you know what? I totally understood every word. Oh man. That is just hilarious! Hahaha. Welcome to my life, my German is a mixture of High German, Berlinerisch, Sächsisch, Bayrisch, and just a touch of Swiss. It's not my fault, I've always had a German in my Distrikt except for two transfers. This time she's from Munich so another Bayrisch! Hiliarious.

Anyway this email is WAY too long. So enjoy these photos I choose to send to you! Ha.

Love

Sister Rimmasch, Queen of Leipzig. (not really)

There is a picture of my DDR face and the

giant mass of missionaries in Berlin...HA