Home!

Thanks to Uncle Pete for
catching us in deep anticipation

See you Friday evening... our house! 

Maggie's return (take 2)

 This just in:  Maggie's flight is taking off in 1 hour. 

If you have a minute, come to our house this Friday, April 30, for a "drop in and see Maggie". We'll feed you something between 5:30 and 7:30.

Maggie will be speaking at our Milo Way chapel (2625 East Milo Way (4910 South), Holladay) on Sunday, May 9 at 10:50am. We won't be feeding you (You should be cooking for your mother that day).

Dahlem

Here's what the mission blog said about last week:

"These terrific missionaries thought they were going home, however, volcanic ash grounded their plane for another week. Sister Habermann's family couldn't wait so they jumped in their car and drove from Münich to pick her up. The others are back to work and are still smiling."

So Maggie and Sister Pruden (her mtc comp) are in an apartment in Dahlem. Maggie emailed: "Looks like they'll have to find a new speaker for Sunday huh? Sad I'll have to wait so long. Maybe it will help me regain my ability to teach the gospel in English again... Sorry about the disappointment, but there is still gold to be found here in the mission!.. We are going to be staying in Dahlem - so we can go visit everyone here in Berlin! Love Sister Mags"

New Countdown

Maggie's flight was canceled. She'll now be arriving on Tuesday, April 27 at 4:30. We'll update her Homecoming talk date when we know.  It's all because of.the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano

Last email

   I have learned so much in these last eighteen months.  The Lord has shaped me, purified me and taught me.  My greatest desire is to now apply all of it!  I know there is a God.  I know He lives and that He knows us.  He answers our prayers and guides us.  He loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His son, Jesus Christ, so that we could return to Him.  Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  Christ is in the middle of everything we do.  He is my hope and my peace.  Repentance is real and works.  I know with all of my heart that Joseph Smith was a prophet called from God.  He saw God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ.  That has been confirmed to me over and over on my mission.  This is something that was always "weak" in my testimony and I am proud to say that I know, without doubt, that the Restoration really took place through the power and direction of God.  The Book of Mormon is proof that this is true.  This book contains a strength and a power found within no other book.  I love the people in Germany, I love the culture, I love the language.  I am going to miss it greatly but know that there is a time and a season for everything in this life.  I am ready to take the jump of faith into the unknown.  Through our faith there will never be anything we cannot accomplish.  Faith starts action, fear stops action.  I am ready to overcome my fears and trust in the Lord with all my heart. 
   See you soon!

Last post

 

I played an April Fool's joke on Maggie and Nick - told them Dad was going to offer a prayer at General Conference. When they both believed me, I emailed their mission moms and asked them to tell them the truth on Thursday (4/1). Sister Pimentel wrote:  "I can't believe she is headed home so soon. Sister Ryser is one of those missionaries we would like to keep forever. I know that would not make you happy but she is dearly loved." 

 

 Haojian and us

Manfred!

 

Manfred's daughter and and him, with missionaries.

 

Manfred started to realize that we don't have a lot of time to eat so he'd prepare food for us: carrots, tea, cookies, a piece of bread with meat on it. Ha ha.

March 29:  Manfred received the Priesthood on Sunday.  We came by that night with one of the members and he had his certificate saying that he received the Priesthood hanging up. He told Sis. Hung he will have to find a frame for it!