Another week down. This one actually flew by, which was an answer to my prayers! I can't believe how much progress I have made with the German language in three and a half weeks. My vocab is super subpar (aka only church lingo) but I learn more every day. I had a really cool experience with the language this week. In class, they have us do role plays with certain gospel principles that we will teach. We had the German Chief (boss) come in and teach us for an hour. He had us all find a scripture in the Book of Mormon that has strengthened our bekherung (conversion (totally spelled wrong)... I chose Alma 26:12. He had us turn to our mittarbeiter (companion) and bear testimony of the strength that passage has given us. So, of course, he decides to sit and listen to me bear testimony. I was really praying for the Spirit to help me speak because I did n't want to make a fool of myself infront of the head teacher, and as I bore what I knew to be true, the german just came to my mouth. I know that my grammar wasn't perfect, but I spoke Einfach und Machtful (Simply and Powerfully). After I finished, he looked at me and said "Sister Johnson, your german is so good." and then continued to congratulate me. That was kind of crazy and cool. 

Since then, I have had so much more confidence opening up my mouth and speaking what I know to be true in a language I really don't know. Das Ist SUPER COOl!

On Sunday, a Nashville Tribute band did the devotional. It was so cool because we all haven't listened to music in weeks and then we got to sit down and listen to some contemporary Christian for an hour! It made me realize, just like anytime I go to a concert, how badly I want to pursue music in some form, because of the profound influence it has on all of us. 

I want to thank all of you for your support and love for me. You have no idea the amount of power it gives me to know that so many of you are cheering me on as I consecrate a year and a half of my life to the Lord. So thank you:).

SO I guess instead of 18 missionaries going to Frankfurt this transfer, we have 30. 12 are in the England MTC (slightly jealous) and 3 arrived this past week. They all already know German fluently, so they're on the fast track. One of them actually grew up in Frankfurt. Listening to him speak fluent german really motivates me to be so much better than I am, and to lean more upon God to help me use german as a tool rather than a barrier to help people.

You know that you're weird and not cool when you can't sleep because you are so excited to go to Germany in two weeks. Our teacher finally told us about all of the attacks in Europe. So many people have no hope, and we're being sent out like a literal army of God to help them find hope. It's pretty amazing if you step back and realize everything God does for his children.

Last thing! We learned this week about being accountable. Something that really stuck out to me in this lesson is that Christ died not just for our sins, but for our weaknesses, too. Whatever we are weak in, that is God given, and through our reliance on him we can overcome ( uberwinden-- they say this in soccer when they cross the ball here at the MTC, it's hilarious) all of them. Our amazing teacher, Sister Ahlm, who I absolutely love, challenged us to get on our knees every night, and instead of simply repenting for what we’ve done wrong, give an account of everything we’ve done that  day and to ask God how we can do better, and then to really think about and ponder what our best looks like. Then, as we go throughout the next day, try to be just a little bit better than the day before, and then rinse and repeat. This has helped me so much. When I do this I see where my weaknesses are and then I can better improve. There's a scripture that says something along the lines of "blessed is  he who seeth his weakness, for I will make that weakness a strength unto him". So poorly paraphrased, but I know this to be true. We cannot become better if we don't know how we aren't perfect. I hope this gives you encouragement, and I pray that it blesses your life as it has mine.

I love all of you, and please keep me updated on your lives, even if you think I won't care. Because, surprise,I do.:)

Mit Liebe,

Sister Johnson

P.S. 

So elder Webb closed lined himself playing volleyball (like ran into the black string that holds the net to the pole) and he got a concussion and a wicked red line all across his neck. So, what do we learn from this? I can get hurt at anytime anywhere. I am in just as much danger in the MTC as I am in any other country, so please don't worry about me. I am on the Lord's errand and he will protect me. Just in case you were being those worrisome parents.

2 weeks and I will be in Deutschland!!!!!!!!  I seriously can't wait.