I am writing this email from an Internet laden.. sweating to death.. while a large

homeless man smacks his lips at us.. naja

I am melllltttinnngggg in Germany right now

This week the winds picked up the air from AFRICA

and brought it up to Germany.. 

Not too bad right?.... wrong

Mixed with the Smog and German thick Humidity.. Its almost unbearable

outside..

Aside from my excitement to be sharing something with my friend 

elder dale.. I AM DYING

It has NEVER been this hot in German History..

If this air would have been around during the war... America

would've won ALOT quicker.. Every German woulda quit

and given up and gone inside to cool down..

Most germans have been hiding out inside..

but others just come outside half naked to party..

We have had to really change up what streets we walk down

oh the people you meet

This week we got a EMERGENCY call from a lady in our ward 

to quickly come over and help her..

( side note ) she is a little... interesting?

After arriving and taking off our shoes,

she hands Sister Fugel and I the vacuum and says

THERE IS A HUGE BLACK SPEEDY SPIDER HIDING

GO FIND HIM

-_- 

called to serve.

To reward us later for our efforts.. she dishes us up some 

already melted ice cream.. I was super hot so i just began to

eat it..

AND SHE FLIPPED OUT ON ME.. She apparently wasn't done

dishing up the ice cream and wanted to make sure everyone

had an even number of scoops.. #teamgermany

This week we had a little bit of down time so we decided to 

go visit a Less Active Sister in her Old Folks home..

She was SO excited to see us and before even getting a 

chance to pray she whipped out a board game and began

handing us the dice.. 

The game seemed ENDLESS..

Right when your about to win..

Someone can kill you.. so this took place for what felt like

FOREVER..

After 45 minutes of this nonsense Sister Fugel and i looked

at each other and decided to play dummmbbb and let the granny

win.. Every time we had a chance to kill someone.. We didn't..

So that SOMEONE could finally win..

She just sat there in her wheelchair giggling thinking we were 

just actually stupid and didn't know how to play the game..

We made her day to say the least.. I love them senior citizens

. . . . . . . . . . .

This week i had an opportunity to talk

with some sisters while we were on exchanges..

They had been down about the work and not seeing the progress

they thought they deserved to be making..

One sister was even complaining about how the current small city

she was serving in felt wrong to her and she felt like she should

be serving somewhere else.. somewhere bigger or prettier

Not knowing what to say or how to lighten their mood..

I told them..

Missions are not Study-abroads.. 

You cannot pick where you go..

Who you serve with..

and that shouldn't be WHY you go.. 

To see a cool place.. or for yourself..

President Gorden B Hinckley said it perfectly when he said

This isn't about you.. Its about the Lord and His Children

It doesn't matter where we go..

If we have a willing heart and mind..

I will go wherever you want dear lord..

Before arriving in Germany.. EVERYONE told

me to prepare to see NO success.. NO baptisms

and NO progress with people or ward members..

So i asked those people..

what exactly measures success? baptisms?

referrals? lessons taught??

I think the greatest success a missionary can plan

and should hope to see.. is within themselves and 

their testimony..

If you do help bring someone unto Christ.. That is AMAZING

And if that one person happens to even be you.. a companion

or a friend back home.. 

You've fulfilled your purpose..

Whether we are planting seeds

or harvesting the work from missionaries before us..

ALL MISSIONARIES are successful..

When you stop focusing on numbers.. the numbers come

I haven't had a progressing investigator in a LONG time..

Ever since i was back in Leipzig.. The work has been SLOW

Refusing to get upset or measure myself up or down..

Sister Fugel and i have been working hard..

This week we got word of a man who wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon..

I was on exchanges here in Hannover with another Sister..

We had just a few minutes to spare before our Train to Bielefeld..

so we decided to drop by and give this man a book of mormon..

We ran over to his house and climbed the 16 flights of stairs

and he was HOME!

When he saw our name-tags this German man was ECSTATIC!

He began to tell us that he lost his copy he found years ago..

We couldn't step inside.. (seeing as how we had no joint teach.)

So we stood on his porch and began to quickly teach him..

HE ALREADY KNEW!

He bore his testimony about the divinity of the Book and how

he had prayed about its truth and received an answer..

He had studied it out for the last few months.. On our website,

in the book and wikipedia..( although i don't recommend that one )

He said:

'' The MORMON is for me.. I know this church is TRUE!!!

You have the same organization as Christs TRUE CHURCH!!''

This book is Gods word.. Joseph Smith was a PROPHET of GOD''

He talked about the Priesthood, Restoration, God head and

many more important topics..

HE IS THE MOST PREPARED PERSON I HAVE EVER MET

We invited him to church the next day and he was there..

Glowing throughout the whole service..

He leaned over to me and said 

'' Its true... i finally found it... This is CHRISTS CHURCH''

He stayed after church to attend a baptism of an 8 year old member..

He loveddddddd it! 

He was right up front kneeling with all of the

children ha..

After we were settling back down in the chapel i was flipping

through my scriptures hoping to find one to share with him

In one of my folded pages he saw the picture of my family and i in front of the temple.

He said.. '' Though i am not yet a member.. I know

and i hope to go inside that specific Temple in Salt Lake City one day..''

I was confused as to how he knew about the Temple and the sacredness

therein..

So without question or words..

I leaned over to him and said

'' Brother Dirk... will you prepare yourself to be baptized in two weeks?''

His eyes filled with tears and he said

YES.. I thought you would never ask..

God has prepared people.. Even in the most unlikely of places.

When we focus on the people and not on ourselves or the numbers

The numbers come.. The people will be placed before us

I am so excited to help Dirk these next few weeks as he

finishes his life long search for the Truth.. 

I cannot take credit or pride myself or Sister Fugel on the

success we have finally got to see from the hard work..

My mission has taught me so much about turning outwards.

This isn't OUR baptism.. But the Lords.. and one of Gods children..

We are just a vessel and a tool that Christ can work through

to further help these people..

My mission has been the hardest time of my entire life.

I've faced more trial, sadness, heart ache and disappointment

then ever before.. I've never been so physically, mentally

and emotionally exhausted before..

yet I've never been so happy

The work goes on.. I have so much more to learn and to do..

There are mountains to climb

But i know all things are possible through Christ who Strengthens me..

Bis Auswiedersehn..

I love this video.. Enjoy

Line of the Week:

Me: Geez these skirts and walking shoes sure 

are getting to me and 

i just feel UGG

Sister Fugal: Ya..I know what your saying.. ESP in summer..

When everyones looks pretty and tanned and what not

Me: YAAA and to make it worse.. all the beautiful people

seem to be out chillin today. I just keep seeing pretty

girls and am like '' wow im strugglin and have hit my

missionary rock bottom''

( pause )

Me: Just GIVE UP SATAN you don't even have a body!!!!!!

Please watch the youtube video I have linked below. One of my favorites.

I love this video.. Enjoy

hello hanover.

HELLO HANNOVER

Last week after pday.. i feared id never live to see

another one!!

haha while walking home late Monday night

with Sister Madsen a group of 6 huge black men begin to follow us.. 

Sister Madsen and i got super super uncomfortable

3 of them surrounded Sister Madsen and talked to

her and the other 3 around me..

They underestimated who they were dealing with

Afterall.. I have seen TAKEN.. i know what im doing

We called our District Leader and kept him on 

the phone as we continued trying to make our way home and

ignore the cat calls and remarks..

One rather polite fellow asked if he could touch my bottom.

At least he asked.. right?

I declined obviously

We kept walking and ignoring and telling them to leave us

alone and finally we lost them..

Couldn't of thought of a better way to leave Bremen with a BANG!

Well exchanges went swimmingly..

It took all 4 Elders in Bremen to help me load all of my luggage

onto the train! Like ive said time and time again

the shoes all come with... or we aint comin

It was super super sad to say goodbye to my district in 

Bremen. We all worked so well together.. its a weird

lifestyle being a missionary.. living out 

of suitcases.. hello and goodbyes..

but ya gotta

do what ya gotta do. 

This is the life of a the life of a SISTER MISSIONARY

My new companion Sister Fugal is amazing.

She is from American Fork Utah and such a little

country girl. She loves trucks and country music

and has all brothers! We are so opposite but then

again so similar! We both like football and hate

the color pink... 

 haha and we have the exact same personality and sense of humor.

I lucked out! She is such a hard worker too.. We both

are older missionaries and together this week we

tore Hannover apart! It felt so nice to work along side

of her.. I have a feeling we will be together from here 

on out! Which is awesome.. Ive truly been so blessed

with companions on my mission. 

Since my arrival in Hannover.. I think i have 

yet to see anyone of German lineage..

Within just a few hours of arriving we hurried off

to our first appointment..

Not a clue of where we were and still sore from dragging

my 400 pounds of luggage we stumbled upon a small

African American Hair shop.. and we walked inside..

A man greeted us, pulled us up a few salon chairs.. 

and then called down the stairs:

'' Heyyyy mannnnn DA SISTERS ARE HERE''

Then much to my surprise up wandered 4 or 5 more

men all coming to sit and as they like to call it "preach the gospel'' with us..

I wish you could have seen the look on my face. haha it was hands down

the funniest lesson i have taught my entire mission..

One man told us.. he cannot follow the Word of Wisdom because

'' When i was a boy in my village.. i was behind my home and got bit by a snake.......the venom has made me addicted to alcohol.. and if i didnt drink it i will die''

He then proceeded to show us his non existent snake bite on his hand

he has a good point..

-__ -

ya ya yaaaa 

nice try babe

The missionaries here in Hannover rarely teach in German

because everyone either speaks Turkish, Spanish

or Twi.. Yes twi... like from africa.. 

bawwwwsoowweennyyaaamamabeattseebahbahhh

So it looks like ill have to be brushing up and learning some

small phrases in the above languages #swag

Well all is good by me!

I am so content and loving the time i have out here.

We have so much work to do and i feel i have 

so much left to learn.. But the knowledge that

my mission may end soon.. doesn't phase me..

The things i have learned will carry with me.. 

Something i have come to learn and realize is that

EVERY MEMBER IS A MISSIONARY

Missionary service doesn't stop after 18 months or

2 years.. Were laying the foundation for the rest of

our lives! 

SERVING THE LORD

keep it loose keep it tight

with love

sister deeds

line of the week:

Sister Fugal: Ahh i cannot wait to go back home and finish

up my nursing degree..

Me: ya.. i cant wait to go home and....let's see...just a minute...

( yes it hit me i have no plans for my future )

anyways..

Sister Fugal: It all just fascinates me! Medicine and the

human body.. Like Sphincters! all of it how it works

Me: Is that a pokemon?

Sister Fugal: ( busts out laughter )

We then laughed and laughed and laughed together

hahahahahahaha

Me: no but really... is it or is it not a pokemon?

pack your bags.

uhmm..

well..

Just a few hours after logging off last week

President called..

Which automatically ALWAYS raises blood pressure
and makes your heart stop beating..palms sweating
and sudden nausea.. Kinda like pregnancy..

I love him to death but you just know if hes callin.. sommmeethin is up

Our conversation went a little like this..

President: Sister Diederich.. i need you to
prepare Sister Madsen to be alone
my news is going to shock her..

Me: uhm... ok?? I can do that.. why?

( meanwhile thinking someone in her family has died or

something dramatic in those lines)

President: I need her to be alone..

Me: ????

President: I need you Sister Diederich

Me: for what exactly.....

President: I need you to be the Coordinating Sister Training
Leader.. which means your moving to Hannover..

Me:

BREAKDOWN

end of phone call.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

WHOOP THERE IT IS

I have received my assignment to be the Sister Training

Leader for the sisters over here in the West.. Which means
going on exchances with every Sister companionship

to oversee their training and help them along the way!

im speechless.

I am so nervous but so excited and honored to have

this new calling to finish off my mission with!

I was talking with the old Sister Training Leader who
is dying this transfer and we were talking about what
to do if certain problems like Lock Your Heart problems
arise with the sisters and elders..

We brainstormed..

I just said ill just tell em:

Dont POP it.. just LOCK and DROP it..

hahahah but for reals.. just drop it and lets focus

I move tomorrow! I am soooooo sad to leave
Sister Madsen and BREMEN
but i know she will do AMAZING!

She is in my group of Sisters i am assigned to 

so ill be seeing her lots and will still be close by!!
Sister Madsen is now taking over Bremen! It shocked her
but she is so ready im so proud of her!

I feel like i just got here and gave my HALLO
testimony.. now i just had to give my TSCHÜß..

Ill be riding solo on the train to Hannover tomorrow
to serve with Sister Fugel!

This last week brought mannnyy miracles.
People seemed to be being placed right in
front of us from everyone from our mailman..
who finally brought mail ( a wedding invite from nay nay..
lookin good andy she looks like a gem.. atta boy making me proud )

To our apartment buildings cleaning lady, random people

on trains and more!

I also made a shot from half court backwards at

Ward Sport night.. not to brag or anything. It was
a once in a lifetime kindof a thing.. #MissionaryMiracles

I am truly going to miss my district here in Bremen
Elder Santiago, Carter, Poch, Christensen and Sister M..

So in honor of my last district meeting..

Our DL leader finallllyyy approved my suggestion 

of building a FORT for district meeting

( all missionaries who have not experienced this.)

GET ON OUR LEVEL

I tied my spiritual thought into King Benjamins speech to justify
the fort.. it was magical.

  

This week i heard a story that seemed to tie in perfectly
with what i feel im going through right now on my mission
and in my life.. now dont quote me on this.. This is what i 

remember from it..

It talks about how God asked a man to move a mountain..

The man pushes and pushes and does not succeed..

He continually turns to God and tells him it is too

tough and that he cannot move it..

God tells him to keep trying and pushing and promises
him results! The man returned and pushed and tried all he could to move this mountain, but got discouraged when he had no success..

The man later returned to God, discouraged, and asked God
why he would give him such a hard challenge that seemed

impossible!

God answered telling the man to look at his strength and
all of the muscle he grew while trying to move this mountain.

It takes stopping and looking back on life and my mission
to realize just how far i have come.. God seems to always
put things in front of me that seem unbearable and too difficult
and i often find myself.. well i do 6/7 days a week asking why
and doubting myself and my capabilities..

Especially with this new calling..

But as long as we remember
that God doesnt ask us to move mountain.. he just asks us to

push.. Then i know that our best is ENOUGH! And through
him all things are possible!

Well i am short on time.. i have to pack.. again.

I just wanted to say i love you all and am so blessed
to have you all in my life! I feel your prayers and love
your support! The church is true i know it with my whole
heart!

I love bremen and was so happy here.. But i know
that the lord needs me elsewhere and i will GO!

Line of the Week:

( phone call received this morning )

Elder Poch: Hey Sister D.. sooo today were going to 

all wear P-Day clothes

Me: Ok.. whats the special occassion

Elder Poch: Parkour P-Day

Me: hahaha no really.. what are we doing

Elder Poch: No really.. Parkour P-Day

Welp.. you heard it here first folks..

Today district Bremen will be tearing it up
with a Parkour P-Day..

Its days like today that
i worry about my ability to be a normal
citizen again in a few months..

-_-

BYE

our awesome fort.

the laaaaaaast supper

RIP MJ

There comes a time in the life of every missionary were they experience... a joint teach never to be forgotten.. unfortunately

I will not say names or with which investigator but will just give ya an idea of how it went...hahaha

Here we go...

Upon the first 3 minutes of our arrival
( note: while still introducing and getting to know one another )
our joint teacher brought up and taught the law of chastity..

donno why..way to soon!

check that one off our list 

For the lesson we had originally planned, and planned our message to be on The Restoration and the importance of modern day prophets

then.. it happened..

There are no words for how.. or why

The following topics were brought up/ demonstrated
by our joint teacher in a matter of 45 minutes:

Polygamy
The term '' joint'' ( yes the drug reference )

Asking the investigator why he isn't married yet
A demonstration of the ''foxtrot''
The lineage of the Brother of Jared
The JT demonstrating how to properly kiss someones hand..
with our investigator
Michael Jacksons death
The Judaic Law
The Catholic symbols for the sacrament
Paprika potato chips

and last..

explaining to our investigator that the reason why we cannot come meet with him alone is because:

''The church fears you will grope the sister''

FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL

The only topic i believe we missed was..

The planned topic of the restoration annnnnnd perhaps we could have
explained where Kolob is

I wish i could say i was joking... but i can't

Completely speechless i closed with a prayer

Seeing as how we had failed to rope back in the long lost lesson,
I took the opportunity of uninterrupted prayer to teach 

a small and simple lesson on the restoration..

'' we are so thankful that after centuries of being lost, that the
gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth,, We know that

Gospel Blesses Families and that the Book of Mormon is evidence

that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God,, Bless us with the

knowledge that these things are true through the Holy Ghost''

We closed and then asked..
sooooo when can we come back?!?!

 haven't heard back from him yet.

on the bright side.
He now knows more church doctrine then the average mia maid

WIN

TEAM GERMANY 

This week once again.. EVERYTHING FELL OUT

Seemed to be a theme this week to have
people i love just walk away..
Super discouraging week as far as that goes..

Breaks my heart to watch people you care so

so so much about just give up that easily on things..

But i believe that God has prepared people and
everything happens for a reason.. I just have
to have the faith to be patient and wait for things
to come in their own due time.. The people that
care will make a place and stay!

The Reaping is this weekend.. ugh. we will gather around the phone

listening to the President making transfers.

I cannot lose my soul mate.. Sister Madsen.

Well.. only one more year till she moves
into Riverwoods with me.. whoops.. yup
i said it...

I'M MOVING TO PROVO.. judge me

Everyone keeps telling me im dying.. 

People who see me love reminding me.. 

18 more weeks.. and your home..

gag.

I'm just trying to focus and not count time but..

MAKE TIME COUNT

I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY!

however..

as much as i'd love to blame no mail on the
forgetful mailman.. i cannot anymore

WHERE U AT PEOPLE?!

as much as i do enjoy shoving the mailbox
with chocolate so i don't walk away unhappy
later that day.. I need you.

there  is your guilt trip loved ones

Line of the Week:

Man: Hey would you like to get together some time?

Me: Ya we would love to get together at the church.

Man: No.. i mean like would you want to get together
and meet and talk a little?

Me. No definitely, Ya we would love to get together at the church
and talk a little about the Book of Mormon

Man: Nevermind

worst day ever

but sometimes we just have to laugh it off