Goodbye Germany, Hello Utah

June 29th, we packed up everything we had with us into 13 suitcases & started our new journey to Utah.  We left our van to one of Trek's coworkers (we will miss that van so much) & checked into the military airport.

And then it became official.

Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland!

We will forever miss you.  A piece of our hearts will always remain in Germany.

We arrived in Baltimore several hours later where we gathered up ALL our suitcases & walked them to the airport hotel where we were staying for the night.

Then of course we HAD to get Chick-Fil-A as our first meal back on US ground.

The next morning we woke up early & boarded another plane headed to Salt Lake City where we'll be living for the next 3 years.

My dad & my brother were there to pick us up & took us back to my parent's house where we'd be living for a few weeks until we could move into our new rental in Salt Lake.  It was good to be home.

My friend Nancy had sent Trek a bunch of fun things for Father's Day & a graduation gift for Lorien.  We had fun opening those right after we arrived.

We were home.  It feels so good to be with family again.

 

Cadence - Elder Anderson! - August 30, 2023

 Сайн байцгаана уу! How are you all this week? This week was super special in our mission because Elder Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to visit us! Because of his visit, the whole mission got the opportunity to come together and meet with Him. He gave us some wonderful guidance and advice for how to improve as missionaries in this part of the world! One thing he really emphasized was improving our English teaching skills. He explained how our ability to receive investigators from our English classes is directly tied with our ability to shine Christ's light in our classes - so we must work on teaching to touch people's hearts, not simply to provide them with a service. He also taught us how to better teach about the Savior and help people become truly converted. Everything he said was so simple and powerful and exactly what we all needed to hear. Since then, I've felt more motivation to tackle the area I'm currently in and turn it into the best place I can. I felt so blessed to be taught directly by an apostle and it was such a cool experience!

Elder Andersen also taught two firesides here. The first was an interfaith fireside for all the people of Mongolia. We all invited as many English students and investigators as we could and had an amazing turn out. Elder Andersen ended up teaching over 600 people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what we believe. Historically, this was one of the biggest Christian gatherings in the country so it was pretty awesome! The second fireside he taught at was dedicated to the members in Mongolia. He talked about the importance of talking about Jesus Christ with everyone around us and explained the difficulties of building a church in such a difficult part of the world. He spoke on the importance of each member in Mongolia and the role they play in growing and supporting the church in this area of the world. Both fireside were huge successes and super motivating. Hopefully, this spark will help the church begin to progress more and more here.

Because all the missionaries had to go to the city to see the fireside, I got to run into so many people I've worked with in the past and it was one of the coolest experiences of my whole life! I ran into so many people I taught in the past who ended up becoming members! Some of them had difficult situations that I thought would prevent them from baptism but they endured with faith and were able to be baptized! I also ran into many of my favorite members in all of my previous areas and I felt so much love and joy to see everyone again. I have faith that this is what the celestial kingdom will be like one day. We will all be reunited with all of our friends we had the privilege to come across in this life. I feel so blessed to have met and built relationships with so many amazing, wonderful people. They have changed my life!

On top of all of those spiritual highs, we had zone Conference together as an entire mission! This zone Conference felt so special and spirit filled and I felt my desire to improve and work harder increase. I really truly want to become better so that I can help people and not waste the little time I have left. There is so much work to do here in Mongolia and I want to make the most of it and help as many people as I can! I had fun seeing all of my mission friends again and I even got to take a picture with my old mtc district again. It was fun to be reunited with them!

Work in Darkhan has been going okay. Our English classes are basically non-existent and nobody comes to church anymore but I have more faith and hope in changing that now. We are going to work hard to get things up and running again with the time we have left here. I am thankful to come back to this area and serve these people again. I am simply thankful for the work in general, even the hard parts. The mission is hard and lately I've been so tired but I wouldn't have it any other way because I feel and see the Lord blessing me and my family every day. He helps the people we work with and he helps us according to our faith. I know this to be true.

Other fun stuff:

- Got to ride the train to the city and back with all the countryside missionaries! It was a party

- My MTC district recreated a picture that Sis Greathouse drew of us

- I taught a training at Zone Conference with the ZLs about unity with members

- I got to shake Elder Andersen's hand twice

- I saw my favorite grandma in the city!

- We got to do a sleepover in my old area with my old comp and it was a nice flash into the past

- No one came to our English class yesterday....but we ate at a fun member's house

This week, in preparation for Elder Andersen's visit, I studied many of his talks. I studied one talk called "Trial of Your Faith" and I loved this one quote:

"How do you remain “steadfast and immovable” during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others. When faced with a trial of faith—whatever you do, you don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view. "

Recently a lot of people in our ward have been stepping away from the church because of the trials they are going though. Granted their trials are really really difficult. I sympathize with their hardships. But I also know that the Chuch was given to us to support and help us. Coming to church should not be a chore or a task: it is meant to help us by giving us peace, rest, support, and hope. When we go through trials, the best way to overcome them is to go to church, study the scriptures, and pray. These things are the best way to find help from the Lord. Many (including myself) often forget this and think that if we are too busy, we can skip the simple gospel things. So my new goal this past week and moving forward has been to grasp a firm testimony of this concept so that I can help others find the support and hope they need from God during the trials of their life. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ can bless your life. That is why God gave it to us. Please turn to the gospel during your times of peace and times of trial and you will be blessed throughout each. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Potter

Cadence - First week of Training! - August 22, 2023

 Сайн байцгаана уу! This week was super special! First off, the Gift of Tongues is so real! Before this transfer, I was understanding the language okay (enough to do the work at a basic level). This past week, I have understood things perfectly! It's crazy how the Lord blesses you with exactly what you need if you sincerely ask for it. He will always help you do the work He asks of you. I feel so blessed to be able to finally understand people! I think the struggle I had with the language for so long before helps me empathize with my companion more too because I know exactly how hard and frustrating it is. But my comp is learning so fast and is a great listener so I love working with her.

This week I got to meet with so many of my favorite members. And surprisingly, they all remembered me! The Mongolian people are so kind. Even though I could hardly speak to them the last time I was here, I felt their love for me as we reunited. Seeing the ward branch president again was a tender mercy moment for me. He is one of my best friends and my Mongolian grandpa.

Another mini miracle this week was meeting so many cute English students. Their friend group of 5 ended up coming to mutual which was so surprising. Then, they came to a member baptism we had after mutual. Then, they showed up at church the next day! It was crazy! At the baptism, I was helping them sing along to "I am a Child of God" and it was one of the most special moments I have had here in Mongolia. Despite not knowing what the church was or who God even is, they sang "I am a Child of God" with so much conviction and it was the cutest thing ever! I felt the Spirit confirm to me that is fact is true. I know that we are all children of God, no matter our belief, circumstances, or experiences. I am so thankful for the plan He has for each of us.

English classes have unfortunately decreased in numbers. We've been getting a consistent 2 students each class. Our YSA FHE and mutual numbers have decreased a lot too since the last time I was here which makes me sad. However, this is a golden opportunity to take a dying area and build it back up again. I am excited to tackle Darkhan and put in hard work and love in order to make it the booming place it once was. Sister Quincy and I are going to work our tail off trying to find people too so that we can build our numbers in all areas of the work.

Also, exciting news: Elder Niel L. Anderson is coming to Mongolia to speak with the missionaries next week! So everyone in the mission will get the opportunity to come together for the first time ever! It will be so cool! We are also doing Zone Conference next week and as STL, I have to plan a training for that so wish me luck! It will be such a cool experience!

This week, I was studying in Moroni 7, and learned about the goodness of God. In 

Moroni 7: 13, it says:

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

I know that God is good. He gave us the key to happiness and goodness. He made a plan for us and gave us ways to follow Him by doing good. In order to do good, we must believe in Christ and follow Him. Christ's purpose on Earth was to help us live with God again. I know that if we seek to be good and seek Christ, we can live with Heavenly Father again one day. I am thankful for this life and for my Savior. This week, I invite you to seek Christ more fully in your life so that you can become good and become like Him. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Potter 

Cadence - Goodbye new home, hello old home - August 16, 2023

 Сайн байцгаана уу! How are you all this wonderful week!

Let's just say this past week was the best week in my entire mission. Firstly, I am so thankful to have served in the best area in the entire mission. I worked with some amazing, wonderful people, and I've loved every fun, difficult, confusing, and wonderful moment. This past Saturday, we had the opportunity to host the best mutual activity ever! We took 12 cute kids up to a member's summer home (a 2 hour bus ride away) and do service for the members. We made some yummy food together, carted dirt down their driveway, played volleyball, soccer, uno, and more. We also hiked a huge hill and explored a fun forest together. I think that experience was the best experience of my life and I feel so grateful for the testimonies of all the cute youth that came. It was so hot and tiring, but they didn't complain once and just enjoyed the experience which was awesome!

I found out last Friday that I would be training, whitewashing, and be a solo STL (Sister training leader) in the countryside, so that was a lot to take in. But despite the craziness of this new transfer news, I felt at peace knowing that I can do hard things because Christ is giving me strength and because He is by my side in all aspects of the work. It is so comforting to know that He is watching out for me and helping me every step of the way. I was also blessed with the opportunity to go back to an old area of mine! I missed Darkhan a lot so I was excited to come back and train here since this was the area I was trained in too!

On Tuesday, we met the new trainees and had so many meetings on being leaders, trainers, and trainees. My trainer's name is Sister Quincy and she is the sweetest and cutest companion. I'm also keeping my streak of being comps with only 6 ft sisters haha. We hopped on the night train Tuesday night and had to lug all of our luggage up and down 8 flights of stairs and on and off the train. We were exhausted by the end but made it safely and just in time to start getting to work.

We've only been working in Darkhan for 1 day so far but there isn't much happening here right now, so I am excited to tackle it and find so many people to teach and serve. There is so much potential for growth here! Last night, we ran into a bunch of my old English students and it was like a family reunion all over again. I missed them so much and I can't wait to start working with them again! I also missed teaching in person English classes so it will be fun to finally do that again. We also met with one of my favorite members last night and I can't believe how much I missed Taniya egch. She helped me so much when I was in training so getting to see and meet with her again was such a blessing.

In my scripture study this week, I came across an amazing verse about God's plan for us. Mosiah 7:33 says:

33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

I thought this verse was so powerful but didn't think much of it until later in the day when we were visiting Taniya egch. At the visit, she was talking about all the struggles and trials she was going through in her life recently. Many of her family members were leaving the church, she was suffering physically with health issues, and she felt like her prayers weren't being heard or answered. Immediately, this verse came to my mind again. Sometimes, Heavenly Father will not answer our prayers right away. Sometimes, we will be left to struggle and our faith will be pushed. But this is not because God doesn't love us. He never forgets us. But Heavenly Father loves us enough to let us struggle and learn on our own. He let's us experience hard trials so that we can learn and develop trust in Him. Without the hard times, we cannot feel the greatness of the good times. I am thankful that Heavenly Father loves us enough to let us struggle. And I testify that He always hears us. He is aware of our trials. He does not leave us alone because Christ is always there to succor us. Through Christ's grace, we receive strength and support from Him and Heavenly Father. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Have a wonderful week everyone!

Love,

Sister Potter

Final Good-byes

Good-byes are hard.  REALLY hard.

After we got back from our amazing cruise, we had only a few days to say our final good-byes to friends who have become like family to us.  We will never forget the wonderful people we grew to love here in Germany.

The day before we hopped on the plane back to the states, we met all the kids' friends at the pool one last time.  We are going to miss these friends & this wonderful pool that provided hours of entertainment over the last four years.

And as our last good-bye. . . as we went to bed at the hotel on base one last time, we had a knock at the door with this amazing candy bar sign waiting for us.  Our friends, the Jacksons, have been our long-time ding-dong-ditch friends.  Every Christmas we spend the entire month of December leaving surprises on each other's doorsteps & then running away before we can get caught.  They surprised us & ding dong ditched us one last time.  I'm going to miss them.

And that was that. . . our time in Germany was done & new adventures awaited us in Utah.