July 25, 2011

^Sis Niebergall, Sis McCappin, Sis Laubaugh, Sis Faerber,

^Trisha and her companion, Sis. McCappin from Australia

Family! I love you so much!! How are you all.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGE! I wasn't expecting to get it so soon so I was very happy! I loved the ring and I loved all the letters and candy and was so happy to get everything that I asked for. Thanks for being willing to send the flip flops. I've kinda been walking around barefoot in public bathrooms. I'm sure you'll love hearing that, mom.
Jeff and DJ- everyone here always asks why you decided to go on a mission, even to the elders. My advice is to find out now why you want to go so you aren't stumped and so you have even greater motivation to go.
Yes, I saw grandma! It was so great! She was in my peripheral vision and I thought "wow, the person behind me is kinda close to me" So I turned around and it was her! I kinda gasped really loud and gave her a big hug. It was nice to see her!
So dad? Were there people that needed you specifically on your mission? I want to hear these stories, I've never heard them before. Mom, you are an amazing person. You do not need to worry about what's going to happen. I have a 100% firm testimony that Heavenly Father will take care of you. I've seen Brittany around a few times! It's always so good to see her. I've also seen Elder Jolley!
Yes, I have access to a tape player now so you can send me tapes if you'd like! I know I'd love to get them! I hope you got a little taste of our District. Our Elders are crazy, but they're so great. Dad, thanks for the skirt advice and also the advice on passing gas. I just don't want to kill my roommates/compainion. This MTC food is powerful I tell ya! P.S. Entschuldigung = excuse me in German. I'm not sure if that's how you spell it. I can see pics as far as I know... I saw the pictures in Mindy and Tyson's e-mail. I would prefer for friends to send dearelders to me and not e-mails. There is NO time to read e-mails. Also, we're only supposed to e-mail family and I want to be 100% obedient. There's an Elder whistling and humming and I want to PUNCH HIM CUZ I CAN'T FOCUS AND I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME!
So there was this amazing lesson this lady gave and she was talking about the Loaves and the fishes (John 6:2-14) and about how a little lad brought the 5 loaves of nasty bitterness and 2 small fishes. It really wasn't enough, realistically, to feed everyone. But when Christ laid His hands on the loaves and fishes it became more than enough. I know that is the same with us. Without Christ we really can't become all we need to be, but when we rely on Him and with His help, we become more than we could ever have been. I know this church is true! I'm so blessed to have it in my life. I love you all SOOOOOOOO much! I pray for you every day!
Love, Sister Niebergall
PS- Oh, one thing I forgot to say was that people always compliment other people while I'm wearing my little ugly robe so I always pretend like they're complimenting me. I think I'm funny.

Hallo Familie!

Don't mind my spelling and grammar. I have to write fast like a crazy mad man!

We're trying a new method of e-mail today so I hope its less stressful! I love the MTC it's so amazing! So- there are 5 Hermanas that live next door to me and they left today so I wonder if Brittany will live next door to me! That'd be pretty awesome!

So I have a lot of things that I realize I need. I would love if you could send me that Hilary Weeks song book and also scan the song "Where Can I turn for peace" from my big huge LDS favorites book. I would love that if you could send that to me (not in an e-mail please. E-mail time is precious. I also need flip flops for the shower, I've been showering bare foot and it's kinda sketchy (as Sister McCappin would say.) Also can you google how to keep no show socks on your feet? Danke Bitte. Also- can I get some cute hair things like flowers and bows and apparently they have these headbands that are elasticy and form fit to your head so they don't kill your mastoid process. those are either at target or sally's. If you can't find them its totally fine. it'd just be nice to switch up my wardrobe. Also can I get my cute blue shoes and my cute blue pink and black checkered shoes? There are so many sisters with cute shoes and I really want mine. Also, there's a glue in in the front of my old scriptures called emergency numbers. Can you please send that to me? ALSO sorry, I think this is the last thing. I need Logan institute's address so I can ask one of my institute teachers to send me something. Also can you send a picture of the view from my Logan apt of the temple? It's on my laptop. Just choose the one you think looks best. Also maybe send a necklace? My neck feels pretty bare and boring. Just find a pretty one!

Yes- Dear Elder is same day delivery except Sundays. PLEASE keep writing e-mails because it's kinda sad to not get a real e-mail from you. So e-mail me like normal and whenever you want you can PLEASE send me a Dear Elder? I was worried about my family because you guys didn't send any letters this week. I thought you died. I was surprised to not get letters from you guys. ALSO Siblings I want to hear from you too please? I BEG YOU! :) Danke!

Okay so this week flew by. We taught Karl Heinz some more and he decided to get baptized! Yay! (Even though he's not a real investigator) But I just felt this incredible unexplainable love for him, even though I knew he wasn't a real investigator. It made me think of those in Germany waiting for the gospel and I'm so excited to take it to them.

I'll tell you a little about our District. We have Elders Coleman (England) and Tolbert (Delta). They are the best companionship ever. They balance each other out, proper man from England and hick from Utah. It's quite the combo. Elder Coleman likes to quote Harry Potter and sing the Star Spangled Banner. Elder Tolbert likes to call Elder Coleman Elder Lantern. Get it? Silly Elder. Elder Coleman doesn't understand why he calls him that. It's humerous. Then there's Elders Petersen(Kansas) Gren (SLC), and Billings (Chicago.) They're a fun combo- really entertaining and full of the spirit. Elder Petersen is our District Leader. He's an army guy. An army guy as District Leader? Can you say ELDERS AND SISTERS DROP AND GIVE ME 50!!! Then there's Elders Hall (Bountiful), and Butcher (Texas). Hall is a music major and very musically geeky and Butcher is another army guy. They sometimes don't seem to get along too well. Then there's Elder Hadfield (Brigham City) and Brandley (Spanish Fork) They seem to get along really well. Elder Hadfield is a jock and Elder Brandley is kinda just there. I can't really tell what his hobbies and stuff are, but he's a really hard worker. He's been having problems with his leg so keep him in your prayers.

Speaking of keep us in your prayers, our district is dropping like flies. Everyone is getting sick (I haven't yet.) We have 9 out of 13 that are sniffling, coughing, throwning up- the works. I pray I don't get sick, I just need to take my vitamins.... but I haven't since I've been here because I'm afraid of throwing them up like I did last time.

Sometimes here at the MTC I wish I had Tapatio.

Mom- I don't know if I will write e-mails the same time every day now. I think I'll write more in the mornings. Well at least I'll print out your e-mails and log off so I don't use my precious writing time. Seriously. It's intense e-mailing. Last time I wrote a little index card of what to say but this time I forgot. So if I miss anything I'll send a hand written letter.

P-Days are great. You just get to chill, do laundry, e-mail your family, wear normal clothes (except while e-mailing or eating breakfast in the cafeteria.) They have this great luxery of sack breakfasts and lunches and we love to get those because it gives us more time to get ready for the day instead of waiting in line for hours upon hours.

Jeff, what classes are you taking? Sarah and Deej-do you know yet? Rae- how's your summer?

Sister McCappin and I still get along great. She's here for all the right reasons and she's really fun to be around. I love Sister Laubaugh and Sister Faerber too. They are so so great- I'm so glad we're all going to Berlin so we can fly together and be each other's support.

Sorry I'm not able to answer your questions in this e-mail. I'm going to wait til I get your Dear Elder today and write back a hand written letter. It wouldn't let me print off your Dear Elder confirmation.

I don't really know what else to write since I don't have my note card of what to write. I'll be sure to do that again next time. It was helpful. I really appreciate everyone's letters that I get. It's like Christmas when we get them. So please don't hesitate to send letters! *(Are you getting the hint, family?) I love e-mails but I'd love to hear from you other days too. :)

I know this gospel is true. It brings such great peace to me. I know that we can live with our Heavenly Father if we follow His commandments and stay close to Him. He loves us so much! He has made this perfect plan for us to return to Him and I'm so grateful for that. I'm grateful I get to teach people about these things! I love this gospel. I love my Savior. I know He lives! I love you too!!

Sister Niebergall

Meine gute familie! I'm in the laundry room and its crowded and everyone is trying to find a washer/dryer and it is CRAZY! I think next time I'll just wait to write NOT in the laundry room. Live and learn I guess! It was also really hard to find a washer and I'm paranoid people will steal my dryer. Hahaha. It really is craziness in here.

Oh by the way, meine gute means my goodness. Its my new favorite saying. I love the MTC soooooo much. It is great fun and a lot of work and the best thing I could be doing. I'm so happy to be here! Life is so good. I love being a missionary. I just found out I can't attatch photos. That's so sad! I'll have to fill up my card fast so I can send you some pictures. I love being here! Yes, I remember my companion's name now. Haha, it's Sister Stephanie McCappin (facebook stalk her if you want. I dunno if she has it) She's 26 years old, has her master's degree in developmental psychology and she's sooooooo cool! We work really well together. I've realized I have to rely 100% on the Lord when I teach. My thoughts and remedies aren't enough for someone to feel the spirit so I have to petition the Lord for His help. Yes- we have taught an "investagator" already, and yes- it was in German. It is intense, but I love it and I know the Lord is helping me so much. I've also learned fasting and prayer makes you humble and brings you closer to the Lord. I had a great fasting experience with Sister McCappin. We fasted that we could learn the language and I've already seen such a huge improvement.

So, it was awesome, on Friday I had a really strong impression to write an anonomys encouraging note to an elder who was really frustrated with learning the language. He later said in a testimony meeting that he needed that note so much and he knew it was from the Lord. I'm glad I could be an instrument in the Lord's hands. It was a great experience.

Thank you for the immunizations. I hope that is everything I need.

The other day I got cup cakes from someone and they didn't say who it was from. It was so nice of them to think of me and send me some delicious intense cupcakes. There was an orange flavored one mom, and I thought of you. Thank you soooooooooo much whoever it was (if you're reading this). They came very much in handy.

I'm sad to hear that Rachel was so upset, but I know I know I'm in the right place and I'm loving it. 18 months will seriously fly by. Can't believe I've already been here almost a week.

I have a rekindled love for soccer. Its been forever since I've played with just girls so it was great to be able to go all intense and totally kick the spanish sister's butts! Hahaha actually we lost, but who's counting? It was a lot of fun nonetheless.

THere's a roommate here that I love- Sister Jana Laubaugh (stalk her too) She's like my soul sisters. It's a good thing we're not companions. We would be kind of inappropriate. She's fun.

There's a website that I would love if you guys used- dearelder.com. It's online and they send me a printed letter. It makes me happy to get them. So... hint hint.

I'm pretty sure someone walked in on me in the shower today. Good thing it was my backside so they didn't see my face and I didn't see theirs. Awkward! Also- people love to do 3 part harmony in the showers. Ich liebe it.

My sunday lessons (since i wasn't at the table to tell you) were 1) the atonement and 2) my missionary legacy.

I know the atonement is real and that it doesn't have an expiration date in this lifetime. Don't procrastinate it though! Become more like Him! He wants you to return to Him! I love you! I'll answer your other questions in hand written letters! I LOVEYOU SO MUCH

Bet youweren't expecting to hear from me already!

Jul 06, 2011
Hello!!!!

Yes, it's true, I'm e-mailing you. I guess that's what we're supposed to do. I have 30 minutes to write. Good thing I'm a fast typer. Well, first of all- everyone took such great care of me at the MTC. Seriously every step of the way I was helped. It was awesome. I got my German books, they led me to my District (speaking nothing but German..AHHH) where I met my companion. Her name is Sister Mc-something...... I feel awful for forgetting. But she's from AUSTRAILIA! Sweet huh! She seems really nice. Then they took me to this computer lab where I had a welcome orientation thing, which i couldn't really hear because it was loud... So I hope I didn't miss something important. Anyway, then I learned about the gym rules and attire and no jogging dates. Haha I don't know why that made me laugh. But yeah! Now they said I could e-mail and I was really surprised. So I still don't know my P-Day, but I'll find out soon enough. Well........I don't really know what else to say. I love you guys! I know that the church is true and I'm so excited to serve. So so excited. Everyone here is so nice. I'm excited to be here. Everyone that has a chance should serve a mission. I haven't even been here that long and I already love it. Anyway! I'm so grateful that I was raised in the gospel with a great family and now I get to go and share it! Woo! K- I love you guys! Pray always!

Love,

Sister Niebergall