Small Things

Favorite pic from the Köln Dome

Highlights:

*That one time you tell an older gentleman that the missionaries are
his postcard from God telling him that God knows his name and loves
him, and he kisses your hand...

*You get offered a slice of pizza by a guy riding buy on his bike..

*You try to head to the Ubahn the normal way, and the Spirit says to go a different direction, and you start walking and he points to one person in the whole Bahnhof and says "That one!" and you talk to them and they want to learn more about the church.

*A new convert from Iran brings all the people he meets on the street to church and sets up appointments with you for them...and one of them wants to get baptized.


The Lord cares about the small things. They mean a lot to Him. He even wrote a scripture about it..."by small and simple means, and great things brought to pass..." or something like that.

If you ever feel like what you do is not enough, don't worry. It never will be.
haha
We're human.
But, we believe in a God who appreciates and treasures the small things.
So, even if what we have to give is small, it is accepted by Him Who created us.
By our loving Father.


Love you!!


Sister Roderer

Why?

Richard!!

Highlights:
 *referrals from our Iranian members just keep coming in!
*One of our investigators told the story of how they survived crossing the Mediterranean in a tiny boat that should have sank, and surviving death at gunpoint, while sitting in their living room, folding clothing for children in war torn countries and talking about faith in Jesus Christ.
*Spending the third hour of church with an adorable special needs daughter of an investigator, drawing cats and dogs and the story of Noah and the Ark.

We were on our way to Bonn today, and the Elders spoke with a couple studying at Cambridge. They were shocked to hear that we only skype twice a year and that we don't have more than weekly communication with our families. It made me take a second and think what it must be like for someone who doesn't know the church to wrap their heads around what we do.

Haribo Outlet in Bonn

I guess it would seem really strange! But you know what, it's not if

you know it's true.
I know it's true!

I made a list of things that I lost from coming in a mission, and then the things that I found. It amazes me that at the end of 18 months, I
can honestly say that I have lost nothing, but gained everything.

So why is it worth to try?
Why is it worth it to fall, and try again, and fall, and try again?
Why is the confusion worth it?
Why is the sacrifice worth it?
Why is the dedication and the discipline and the determination worth it?

Because it's true.
Because Christ lives and He can fix it.

People ask me all of the time why a loving God would let there be so
much injustice in the world. I tell them that the story isn't finished
yet. Justice is real, and it will all work out in the end. I believe
that with every part of my soul.
That's why.

Love always,

Sister Roderer

Mana from Heaven

It doesn't rain like this in the desert!

Highlights:
*Sister Markl is on the mend...and in the meantime we have had piles and piles of adventures! From catching allowed rides with the Elders to Sisters coming in from other areas to help with appointments, it's been a testimony to me that there really are angels among us.
*Had an incredible lesson with a girl from Kenya, who literally ran for her life because she believed in Jesus Christ.

Heading Back from the Multi-Stake Conference

*Came face2face with myself in a new way.
I'm so excited for life,
God is really good.
Hard or easy, rain or shine, this life is BEAUTIFUL!
*Got to go to Düsseldorf for church yesterday to hear Elder Christofferson in the multi-stake conference. Super cool!!
*Had a moment this week where I physically was not strong enough to lift something, and somehow was given just enough strength to move what needed to be moved. God really gives us "according to what we need".

Ok.

Power Split

I was on a power split with Sister Sant on Saturday, and we were at an apartment complex and saw this guy on the bottom level on his balcony, just watching the flies buzz by.
We went up to him and started talking about Jesus Christ. Turns out he's a Pentecostal Pastor. We showed him the Easter video which he LOVED.
All of a sudden I hear a
swish
And something whacks me on the shoulder.
Confused, I look down and see a large chunk of...
Bread?
Yes.
Bread.
Yes, please hit the one gluten-intolerant missionary in the head with bread.
Totally confused, we look up and see a lady on the top floor shaking out her kitchen tablecloth.
I make a comment about feeling like Elisha in the wilderness being fed by Ravens.
We keep talking, and then we get showered in...
SAND
We look up again, and there is a kid on a different balcony pouring a cup of sand out on our heads.
We took a couple steps back out of the splash zone to survey the situation.
The family was super apologetic and let us up.
We shared part of the Easter video and a card.


It made me think a bit about mana from heaven.
Our spirits as well as our bodies require daily nourishment. It requires care, thought, and time. And God is ready to give us exactly what we need in that moment. Though sometimes it doesn't look like the portion we would have picked out for ourselves.
Haha
Sometimes I'm like
"What!? I can't POSSIBLY survive on that!" But I can, and I do. And I'm so much, much better for it.
It reminds me of my favorite Mormon Message (Hope of God's Light)
Where he explains that answers come slowly, softly, and only as fast as we can digest them. And that "it is part of our condition as mortals to feel like we are constantly in darkness", when we really are not.
I guess my point is that there is enough mana for all of us, all of the time.
Sometimes even a little bit extra, haha.

I promise you that no matter how much you've feel you've lost, given up, or sacrificed, God repays in eternal proportions. He loves you. You are His precious child, and you mean heaven and earth to Him.

Love always,

Sister Roderer