from Sister Seamons

 "I think they have been a great match, because they seem to have gotten so much done!  I kind of almost feel sad that Joseph is leaving the area when so many great things are happening, but that's the way it's supposed to be.  I have loved getting to know your son.  He always writes so positively and seems so very, very grateful for everything.  Who could resist that? "

Sister Seamons  (Preston, Idaho) - mother to Elder Seamons, Jason's companion in Rosenheim

Dankbarkeit

A couple notes from responses to our email of questions:    Its been fun to tell a couple members already about thanksgiving and christmast tradtions about getting a real christmas tree and cutting it down. they love it and I am so grateful for having a family that would do such tradtions!  Unfortantly we didnt make it to our Thanksgiving dinner. the other two elders did and also the elders in Neuötting (where actually the family lives) but we missed our train as we were in another city helping a less active. They brought some home for us so no worries! :)  We really are so blessed and I have learned alot being here in Europe, we meet people all around from Europe and the middle east. They come to germany because its one of the safest places and where they can really have a life, family and job. We are so blessed to be Americans.

Happy Thanksgiving my wonderful family!

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving and remember to be grateful for all the many many blessings we have as a family and as people. Being on a mission has taught me a lot and I have learned and appreciate more the blessings we do have. We meet many people all around Europe and the Middle East here in Germany that come here to find safety, a job and not having to worry about big problems like that. We sure are grateful to be American and have freedom and to be raised in such a good place. We actually met a 20 yr. old boy from Mali that has been here only about 3 months. Its kind of a cool story, we went by a former investigator that we had before but didnt have anytime and we go by again and see that someone is there with her, we didnt want to disturb but decided to ring anyway. She let us in and this guy from Mali opened up about his life in Mali and Libya and all the hard things he has gone through including war, prison and coming here by boat. We dont know how blessed we really are in our living conditions. Afterwards she thanked us for coming and bringing our Spirit so that he was able to feel comfortable and open up to us so he could let it all out. I hope we all take the time this week to be grateful for what we have and not just this week but every week.

Some fun and exciting news for this week. We got transfer calls this last Thursday morning and President Miles called and asked Elder Seamons to pack his bags as he will be gonig to Vienna and then I got the news that I will be receiving a brand new Missionary! A Greenie, a Golden! We will be going Wednesday night to Munich and then coming back Thursday, it will be an exciting time and it will be great because we will go right to work. Its been neat to be here the last few months and see the progress as time goes on. As we find new people to teach and see them progress and being able to meet with them more and more. It has been a great time with Elder Seamons and I am grateful for his great example of diligent work and true love for these people. Ill miss that guy and his willingness to always be working. We were able to accomplish with the Lords help quite a bit and I hope I can keep it moving.

Some updates on Samra and Rita. Samra has been progressing very well as she has read everyday in the Book of Mormon and so cool to see her take notes and highlight things she likes. She told us her desire for baptism has grown and she really does want to be baptized, it was a humbling and exciting time to be able to see desire in her grow in just this last month, it really has been quite a miracle and it tells you the importance of reading in the Book of Mormon and prayer every day! Rita is also doing well, we met with her Wednesday with our Bishop and it went good, she brought up again her doubts and worries. It has been a big change in both her life and the life of her family as she has been meeting with us and trying to figure out if it is the right thing for her. It has been tough as there are so many ideas, decisions and what she really believes. She hasnt felt at peace with herself, when we are there it is great and she feels it is right, it becomes tough as she is alone and tries to receive an answer. The last few days though have been better. We met again on Saturday and talked about faith and also showed Elder Hollands talk last April in Conference and that seemed to helped as we focus on what we do believe rather than what we dont. We fasted with her on Sunday and she said that church was just for her! It was great and last night we called her and she said the fast really helped and even felt the support from us. As we fast and pray together in unity, miracles really do happen as we hope on and believe. We are still planning for the 15th of December for her keep her in your prayers and we know the Lord will do the rest! I love you all so very much and am so grateful for my family! 

Liebe Grüße, 

Elder Jerman

At night at the Christkindlmarkt in down town where they have set up many shops and things for Christmas.

a note from cousin Courtney

 I appreciate Jason's example of hope and love. I know he is also in a difficult area, but I picture him still being his happy, outgoing self and lifting where he stands.

Sister Courtney King - Japan Sendai mission (August 2013 - February 2013)

Harvesting the field

My birthday - wearing same tie as other 3 "Kerr"ent (cousins) missionaries

Family Family!

We had another great week and I know God is a God of miracles. We have a goal in our mission to get 290 children God baptized by the end of the year. We still have a long way to go but its been the coolest thing to refocus on that and work diligently and faithfully towards that worthy goal and then see the miracles come from it. We have for sure seen the miracles come from it. We set another baptismal date this week!!! Her name is Samra and she is from Bosnia, we met her and her family on the street about a month ago and she and her husband has been coming to German class that we are teaching. We have been meeting with her now for the last two weeks and she accepted a baptismal date for the 29th a December. God knows we can reach our goal and he is showing us as we believe and hope we really can work miracles through his power. This is his work and his glory and he needs us to fulfill his goal of helping his children receive immortality and eternal life. Its been so neat to meet with her as well as Rita and learn so much from them. I learn and my testimony is strengthen as we meet and discuss the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are so ready and it is humbling God is giving those who are prepared. One thing Samra said was she explained how she has always read in the Bible but now with the Book of Mormon she is understanding Gods plan and she said, "This book fills in the gaps of the Bible." So cool as we see how the Bible and Book of Mormon work hand in hand to give the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Rita is also doing well and every time we go over it is reconfirmed on how prepared she is! We met twice this week with her and had members present and its great that they are making relationships with her and beginning a friendship. Members are so important to be there and support her as she is welcomed in this church and ward here in Rosenheim. She needs that love and support more than ever right now as she is preparing for this change in her life. She visited her parents this last week and her brother was also there and she told them about it and her brother not being at all religious told her some things that made her doubt if this really was for her. It was a trialing time but as we met after she came back we told her how she knows she has received an answer and that she knows this is the right decision. We all need to stay strong to our faith in what we know to be true. We should doubt our doubts before doubting our faith. (mentioned in general conference) Its made me think about life and how its a journey of progression. There are times in life we were do fall, its apart of life, God is perfectly aware of it and he knows are weaknesses and concerns. He has us fall because he knows we need to grow and learn something in that time in our life. He knows we CAN get back up with his help and the through the help of the Atonement of Christ. We receive strength and are faith grows as we decide to get back up and keep going. God is a loving God and will help us through it all if we let him and if trust in him.

My birthday was great! Thanks for all the birthday wishes. We were actually on an exchanged with the Zone Leaders from Munich and I was here in Rosenheim with an Elder who actually served here. We went to a less active to do service, we cut and trimmed a tree and I loved it! I got to use a cutting saw and oh it was fun. That night we had a lesson with Rita and I shared a personal experience about attendance of church and the Spirit was so strong. Personal experiences are key as we show are personal feelings and experience the Spirit can teach well through us. It was a great birthday present to feel the love God has for me and for those we are teaching and for every single person and this whole earth!

One last thing this week is we got our bikes fixed!! Yep who knew we had bikes but we had them and have been broken ever since I have been here and we finally go them fixed and I absolutely love it! We have used them a couple times and they are so useful to go from here to there and the bike roads are very nice here in Germany so makes it even more fun. Just yesterday we took a bike trip to a city about 10 miles out and found a new investigator and went by an a less active that lives in the middle of no where!! I love bikes! Too bad the snow season is just around the corner, but no problem we will keep pressing forward. Love you all so very much and have a great week!

Love,

Elder Jerman

Day before my birthday at zone training.  I got a Döner and then they put candles in it! Great Elders I have to be around. 

One other thing, this one is for dad. DAD! I met a missionary that was in your 6th grade class! We were at zone training this last tuesday and we met each other and after the meeting he came up to me and ask if I knew a Roger Jerman! It was so fun to make that connection! He is a year younger than me but his name is Alec Deleuwe. Fun times!

My birthday in the mountains in Kiefersfelden. 

Praise the Lord!

Family!!!

I just dont know where to start but have we ever had a great and memorable week here in Rosenheim! Rita is getting BAPTIZED!! Yep you heard it, this is it and what an exciting time for her. It has just been a very humbling and neat experience these last couple days, weeks, and months working with her. I am just going to explain this all out because she is just so ready and so neat that we can be apart of it and help her through this great time. So a little background on Rita is that she was found from dooring back in July (before I got here) and they met with her once or twice but then she went on a long vacation and was gone for a while so when I got here in September she was getting back and we started visiting her weekly. Every time we had a visit the Spirit was really strong and she was taking it very well. I have mentioned before on how she would have these questions of the soul like our relationship with God and how we can recognize the Spirit. Its been neat to be able to teach from the scriptures and to have her better understand the gospel and she has been making progress these last few weeks. Especially as she reads in the Book of Mormon daily she said she loves to read because it helps her calm down and gives her peace in the morning and then that stays with her throughout the day. She has been keep all her commitments and we had tried before to commit her to baptism but she was a little unsure since she already was as a child. Its been so neat to see the Lord prepare and soften her heart in just a few weeks and let her see, feel and know the truth.

On Tuesday we met with her and invited her to be baptized on December 15th and she accepted!! Oh what an joyous time for her and as we have met a couple more times this week we have really seen how the Lord has prepared her in this time of her life. We sometimes wonder how and why things happen in the time they do but God know exactly our needs and when the time is right and now is the time for Rita. She is so so ready oh man I cant believe it. She understands and has a strong belief on what we believe. Its a lot of new things and it wont come all at once. Even for us we are still learning and progressing, and thats how it is for everyone as we keep growing our faith and love for the Lord. But she has planted that seed and that will grow and bloom with in and will bring so much happiness, it already has. A great miracle is that her two sons are supportive in her decision. She was a little worried to tell them but as she did they responded well and are happy for her. This is the time for Rita and we are seeing the in every way. Ah I am so thankful for the Lord and his work to his children to give them the happiness. And Rita is just beginning this great journey to everlasting life and happiness. Its a humbling time to be apart of it and grateful for Rita and the example she shows us. Especially her willingness to believe and act on that believe. As we all have faith and act upon the promptings of the Spirit I know the he will lead us to a knowledge of the truthfulness of this gospel. Its true, this church really is true!!

A mission is quite the experience as you work and work and then work some more even when you dont see a lot of success as you keep going and keep hoping the Lord will bless you and others and you will receive the happiness from it. Its worth it, every moment is and its a great time to keep hoping and believing. This work isnt finished yet, there a whole world out there, let us all do our part because alone we cant but together we can work miracles in the Lords hands. This is his work and his glory. Praise the Lord!

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week, especially you mom. Hope you have a great birthday and thanks for being the woman you are. Love you all!

Elder Jason Jerman

p.s.  Elder seamons and I thought it would be neat if both of our familes wrote their testimonies and then sent them and we could give it to Rita for her baptism. We are going to give her a triple combinations and then with that the testimonies of our family. She understands english very well so that will be no problem. I thought it would be a great fhe activity tonight and then send them off as soon as possible. That would be wonderful and I love my family!!

Elder Jerman

~Mom here is my birthday present to you. We got pictures by the Holy Ghost street. Hope you enjoy them and the others I send.

Elder Jerman lives on Holy Ghost Street!

Elder Jerman and Elder Seamons at Holy Ghost Street sign in Rosenheim.

4 Missionaries in Rosenheim, Germany live on "Heilig Geist Strasse" -                    "Holy Ghost Street !"  

Short but sweet

My lovly Family!

How are all doing this week? Fun to hear about a great week with friends and family. Its so great to spend time together with those we love and I thank everyone of you for the love you show me, I feel it and am supported by it. And sorry but this week is going to be cut a little short too as today we were at Frau Sherer s house and was helping her in her yard and house. We were actually at Frau Sherer s house on Halloween helping her out as she is trying to move soon. It was great though and I loved when one group of kids came to the door. They were the only ones but glad they can have some fun over here too. The day after Halloween was a holdiday here in Germany and our plans got kind of change around. We were going to take a bus to a city but found out the hard way that buses dont go AT ALL on holidays. But it turned out well we got to talked to many people that day and had some good conversations. Its great when someone does take the time and speak with you. Its so neat to rely on the Spirit to try and discern peoples needs just if you are speaking with them for a couple minutes. Something they say will can always relate back to the gospel as we listen with love and not think about what to say next. That sometimes can be hard especially when youve got to say it in German but its takes time and practice and just like conversion its a process. Our whole life is a big process of many different things, of learning and growing. We are so lucky we can get up everyday and make that decision to do good. I know that as we do that, we will bring good about others and ourselves as we serve. Its not easy and can take a sacrifice but as we serve the Lord, He will draw close to us as well as those we serve.

Rita our investigator is making some great progress as we met with her on Saturday with a couple in our ward who are both converts and when we are there, there is always a special feeling and I know she feels the Spirit. As we have the faith and ask our Father in Heaven we must also know that when we do recieve a answer we will act upon it with faith. I know we will be blessed as we follow what the Lord wants because he does know what is best for us. I love you all and things are going well here. Hope you have a wonderful week and love life!

I love my family!
Elder Jerman

Elder Young, Elder Hoggan and his apple Jack-O-Lantern and Elder Jerman

Here is us on Halloween night. Elder Hoggan carved an apple. We got home a little later but we celebrated with some ice cream. We were at an serving at an investigators house that night and one group of kids came by for candy. luckly she had some candy she using gives to the mailman but either than that she didnt but it was enough and fun to see one group but either than that nothing else. oh but we all wore orange ties, I gave one to elder Hoggan for the day it was great!

Elder Jerman

Elder Seamons and Elder Jerman in the inner city of Munich

email excerpt from Dallin Day in our stake

Sent by DeAnn Day in our stake.  
This is an excerpt from Dallin Day's letter today from Hungary.  Sorry no names, my boys aren't good with details.  Funny how our boys keep finding each other in pictures.

Other fun stuff: one of the other Elders in Pest is emailing right next to me, and he was showing me this picture of his friend on his mission with a couple of other missionaries, one of whom just happened to be Jason Jerman. Small world right?

Back on July 29th, Jason wrote:

 "Elder Lappalainens brother is serving a mission too in Sweden and he is actually working with Derek Day! Small world!" 

I asked "Jason, tell us how you guys figured out that you were  both serving with Elders from American Fork. "(even from the same stake)

He replied, "Well we were just emailing last week and Elder L turned to me and asked if I knew Derek Day and then he said his brother and Elder Day are companions as zone leaders. Elder L just told his brother through a email that I was companion and so then his brother told Elder Day and then they just figured it out! pretty cool!"

I called Sister DeAnn Day (Emily's mom) in our stake to ask her if she knew this fun information.  She asked her son about it in her next email and sent his response.

 

Here's Derek's email in response to your phone call.

"So here´s the full story of the Jerman incident.  Here we are on the computers 2 or 3 weeks ago.  My companion is going off and basically reading me his brothers letter home.  So I listen and then he says here is a picture so I slide over to see my comps brothers picture and there is Jason Jerman.  So I said, "Hey!  Your brother is a kid I know from home! (joke)  His name is Jason Jerman and is in my stake."  I said, his name is Elder jerman right?  He said, " I don´t know"  

So he writes to his brother and asks.  The next week it is all confirmed.  So mine and Jasons companions are brothers.  They are from Finland and their last names are Lappaleinen.  There you go, full story." 

So, both missionaries from the Day family, Derek in Sweden and Dallin in Hungary, have been emailing home when the missionary next to them shows them a picture and they recognize Jason Jerman from home!  

Gotta love it!