Week #27 in Chemnitz (26 August 2013).  It sounded like Reese had a productive week, although it was filled with some joy and some sadness as investigators made progress or slipped back.  Reese is starting to feel like a transfer--which the President suggested was likely--is imminent and he's going to miss Chemnitz.  He went on a Tausch with Elder Collins in Mittweida but they couldn't do any finding because Elder Collins had misplaced his ausweis (permit).  Reese was a bit jealous of Elder Kreizer and Elder Karlen because they apparently had a very productive day working with investigators at the university.   Here is a photo of Reese in the center of Mittweida, where he has been on several Tausches during his time in Chemnitz:

Here are a couple more photos from the week, one with some members who Reese has enjoyed getting to know and another of a meal with the zone leaders:

Week #26 in Chemnitz (August 20, 2013).  Reese described the week as "solid."  They continued to teach several investigators, a couple of whom have baptismal dates, and to work with recent converts.  There were some ups and downs but Reese was cheerful about the progress of the work.  One of their investigators has read the entire Book of Mormon and has a testimony of the gospel.  It might be a while, however, because his parents aren't yet comfortable with him joining the Church and he wants to honor their wishes.  Reese sent a picture of their Chemnitz chapel:

In one curious event, while tracting in Adelsberg this week, one kind older couple insisted that they take a 10€ note and buy lunch.  Reese and Elder Karlen resisted but finally relented.  This was a first.  Reese also mentioned a couple of dinner appointments, including one with a student investigator at which they ate Biryani, an Indian food, with their fingers. 

As far as P-Day, Reese said:  "Today was the best P-day I have had I think. We . . . met the ZLs and Kumar at Zentral and went out to Augustusburg!  We visited a castle [Augustusburg Schloss] and went down an alpine slide.  We also explored the city and it was just a lot of fun. I will not soon forget it."  Here is a great photo of Reese and Elder Dzierzon:

And here are a few more photos from the day:

L to R:  Reese, Elder Ashby, Elder Dzierzon, Kumar, Elder Karlen

Reese closed his letter with the following:  "All in all, it was just a solid week.  I really am doing pretty well and am enjoying it in Chemnitz. I hope that all the people who have baptismal dates will keep making progress and get the answers they deserve."

Week #25 in Chemnitz (August 12, 2013).  Reese said that he and Elder Karlen had "another awesome week.. . .  This week was really just as incredible as the last. We keep seeing a lot of miracles and I think we are continually blessed for acknowledging them.  That is one thing I have specifically noticed this week. When you really are thankful, you will be blessed further."  His letter was filled with investigators and teaching opportunities.  They seem like they are having a great time.  Reese had a ZTM (zone training meeting) this week, which he said is "always fun."  Here are a couple of photos from the ZTM that were posted on the mission blog.  The second photo is labeled "individualists." 

On Saturday, they met with an investigator who had received an answer to prayer and they were able to set a baptismal date. Reese said it was so "straightforward" that he "was caught off guard. . . . I should be expecting those awesome answers but I haven't heard one to this point." The same day they had a couple of other nice experiences with investigators. Here's how Reese described the day: "Saturday was the stuff of legends. Brazil status." (For those of you who are not soccer fans, Brazil is a soccer powerhouse.)

I close with a photo posted by President and Sister Kosak on the mission blog.  I don't know the elders but it is labeled "Harvest in Hildesheim" and captured for me something powerful about what Reese and his fellow missionaries are doing in Germany:

Week #24 in Chemnitz (August 5, 2013).  Reese's email this week was titled "A Week of Miracles."  He and Elder Karlen had a wonderful week of missionary work with a couple of great experiences with investigators, one of whom has been investigating for several years.  They also found a German family while tracting to whom they gave a Book of Mormon and who asked them to come back.  On Thursday they had district meeting with President Kosak, which Reese really enjoyed.  Here is a photo of his district with Sister Kosak (President Kosak must be taking the photo):

He also had an interview with President Kosak in German that he said was "pretty neat."  The next day, during a Tausch in Mittweida, they had an opportunity to give someone a priesthood blessing which resulted in the person whom they blessed immediately feeling a lot better.  Here is a picture of the train station in Mittweida:

Reese also sent pictures of an odd swing/teeter-totter that he and Elder Karlen had found, as well as one silly picture of him and Elder Karlen:

Reese also mentioned that he, Elder Dzierzon, Elder Karlen and Elder Ashby had donned their "bird shirts" (see below) and gone to play volleyball with an investigator.  I suppose the shirts speak for themselves:

It sounded like a wonderful week about which I'd love to write more of what Reese told us but the investigator experiences feel a bit too private.  Reese concluded his letter:  "I am doing really well six months in. Pretty crazy, right?  I love it.  Love you both."

Week #23 in Chemnitz (July 29, 2013).  Reese had another solid week of missionary work.  He was pleased because one recent convert, who had experienced a tough couple of weeks because of criticism from friends, really came back to fellowship in the church.  It is exam time at the university and Reese mentioned they dropped by one student investigator:  "We decided to go to his door, have the BoM already open, then give a really short thought (Mosaih 4:27 - fitting for a test taker) and say a prayer."  Reese said that it had been very hot (up to 36 Celcius) for much of the week:  "Sunday was so hot, and we still have to wear jackets at church. Germany needs to get some AC stat! . . .  It was sooooo hot this week. I hate the heat. I cannot sleep very well. Sometimes it feels like I am dreaming but I am awake and vice versa."  Here are a couple of photos of Reese with his district and with some members outside the Chemnitz chapel:

Week #22 in Chemnitz (July 22, 2013).  Transfer calls were this week and Reese found out that he was staying in Chemnitz.  He said that "Chemnitz is a great area, so I cannot complain."  The had the "mini missionary" for a part of the week and it turned out that he had actually been an exchange student in Provo and had seen Reese at high school before.  Small world.  Here is a picture of Elder Karlen and Oliver, the "mini"-missionary:

They did their usual service at the Tierpark (Zoo) and Reese went on a Tausch with Elder Dzierzon, who is one of his favorites in his district, partly because he is good at having "fun without taking away from the seriousness of the calling," which sounds like a wonderful trait.  Reese mentioned that, on Sunday, "We sang with the choir in sacrament. Two American business men came from Washington and [I translated for them.]  I realized how weird Americans are. I am now Euro I think...."  Here's a picture of Reese and Elder Dzierzon: