Great Week

Short week this week seems like I was just sending one of these a few days ago. This was an awesome week Monday we did a district p day, Bernburg brought John the guy that was baptized the night before. We played soccer and had a ton of fun.

Tuesday was a holiday and i was with another elder because we were on exchanges. We tried to do some finding but the Germans take their holidays seriously so nothing is open and no one is out doing anything. Then Tuesday night we had English class. (I like this part because I understand it all) we had quite a few people show up and we played charades with them. We all had a really good time.

Wednesday and Thursday were normal days not much happened but people would at least talk to us so that was nice. Thursday night the Romney s took us out to eat and we had a lot of fun with them. Its been raining a ton the last few days.

Friday we had to get up early to be on our train at 5:00 so we could go to Dresden for mission tour. Elder Kopischke of the seventy came and talked to us. He ran a fantastic discussion with us and I got a ton of revelation for myself. After mission tour we got back on the train and went home.

Saturday transfer calls came. Its crazy to think that I've been in Germany as long as I was in the MTC now. That 6 weeks went by so fast. Well anyways about the transfer calls. The only one in our district to be transferred is Elder Pilling from Bernburg. The rest of us are staying. Its sad to see him go, he was a fun elder to have.

After transfer calls we went to Köthen for Johanna's baptism. That was a really cool experience. It was a nice service and it was cool to see how happy it made her father to have one of his children find the truth. I can only imagine how much happier our heavenly father was to see it.

Then we had another lesson to go to after the baptism. It was a nice adventure finding it. We went with president and sister Romney. He didn't want to listen to his GPS because it doesn't like to use the Autobahn. But he still likes to have it on so we listened to it talk but didn't do what it said. We finally got to our appointment and we were only one hour late but Daniel, the kid we went to teach was gone. So we sat down with his parents and gave a little spiritual thought. We were glad to have his dad sit in on the whole discussion with us. (his dad is atheist his mom is a member) hopefully the spirit will touch his heart and he will take the lessons himself.

Sunday we had church and Johanna was confirmed. Its so cool to have been able to see an investigator through from beginning to end. Then after church we went to an eating appointment with Familie Staiger in Wulfen. They made these sausages wrapped in cabbage and they were really good. This week has been an awesome week. 

The picture of the cathedral I sent is the Dom it is over a thousand years old and took a hundred years to build. it is probably the biggest landmark in the city. the train station is the one in Dresden it is really big but the one in Leipzig is bigger. I would like to send a lot of pictures of the landscape but I don't get to see a lot. (daylight is only from 8:30 until about 4:30) 

I'm praying for all of you guys 

We will teach anyone

Johanna's baptism

Happy 2015

Well I said I would write you guys on Wednesday so here it is.

 We had a good week this week. A lot of preparations for a baptism.

Last Tuesday we sat down with Johanna and planed out her baptism. everyone in Magdeburg is way excited for it. it will be the second one in this area in 3 or 4 years. 

Wednesday we had district meeting then Elder Germann and I went with the Romneys to Barby to talk with one of our investigators named Daniel. Daniel is a 12 year old boy from a part member family and we set up his baptism for the 14. February. then the Romneys took us and the other two elders out to eat. New years gets a little crazy so we had to be home by 18:00 so we went home and planed and went to sleep. (we tried to go to sleep. there were so many fireworks that it was next to impossible. and they just keep going until 6:00)

Thursday we had to stay in until 13:00 (that gives time for all the drunks to go home) All the stores are closed in Germany on every holiday so it makes it basically impossible to find people because no one goes out. But we tried to find but had little success. 

Friday and Saturday were just normal days. We did a lot of contacting while we wait for things to get back to normal. We did have an eating appointment with Marion and Galia she made us some awesome lasagna and Marion wants us to come more often because she doesn't feed him that well all the time. were excited for him to be baptized but have a few big hurdles in the way. They met in Spain 3 years ago after she left her husband. he brought her and her son to Germany so that they could live because he qualifies for the German welfare. so he is the provider but they aren't married because she isn't divorced from her first husband. But once we solve all these problems both Marion and her 9 year old son Rafeal will be baptized. (she  was baptized in spain 12 years ago.) so pray that all goes well.

 Sunday was interesting we had a crazy guy in church he says he is the covenant adviser. Basically what he does is go to churches and speak false doctrine. He would be a client of yours mom he isn't right in the head. But all the missionaries bore our testimonies and kept the crazy guy from doing it. Then we went to Köthen and Familie Staiger fed us then we went to the church and the Bremberg elders Baptized John. (the black man in the pictures i sent) it was a really cool service and was the first one that a lot of people in my district had seen. 

Monday we had a district p day because it was the last p day for this transfer that we could do one. so we all met up here in Magdeburg and played soccer. it was a lot of fun. Bermburg brought John with them and I think it was a good time for him.

Then yesterday I was on tausch (exchange) with elder Glysmeyer and that was fun we had a lot planed but then we found out that it was a holiday in Saxen Anhalt so all the plans fell out and we tried to street contact. but of the 250,000 people that live in Magdeburg 20 were out and about. So then we went and planed for our English class and that was a lot of fun.

we are really excited for saturday this baptism will double the youth in the branch. its so cool and she is so awesome and ready. keep Johanna in your prayers this week. 

I hope everything is going good for you guys just know that I always pray for each of you. keep doing what you know you should and I know the lord will bless you. I have seen it so much in my life. I love you guys so much. 

I hope all is well until next week

love 

Elder Oldroyd

1st Christmas in Germany

We were so excited to get to Skype with Kyle on Christmas Day.  He looks great and says he is having a great time.  He is still struggling with the language but it gets better every day.  Christmas is a big deal in Germany.  It goes for 3 days.  Kyle told us that everything shuts down about 2pm on Christmas Eve and that is when everyone goes home and they do Presents.  Kyle was able to spend Christmas Eve at a members house and they totally spoiled him and his companion.  He sent us the pictures below of the gifts he received.  They are not allowed to do any contacting during the Christmas holiday so they spent lots of time studying and hanging out with the members.  They went to another members house on Christmas day for dinner and games and that is were he Skyped with us from.  Then they had a Pday on Friday because everything is still closed and they can't do contacts.  He was glad when they finally could get back to normal.  He had a great Christmas and is really doing well.  He looks and sounds happy.  Since he had just talked with us on Thursday he didn't have much to say in his Monday letter -

I don't have much to update on. nothing has changed since Christmas. I want you guys to know that I love you all and that I know this is the true church. I have never been so sure of something in my life. I just wish people would listen a little more.

Elder Germann

McDonald Gift cards are the Best