Dear family.

Your package you sent was exactly what I needed.
My time at the MTC is starting to get really fun but at the same time super stressful. It's slowly starting to make sense...the German that is. Me having pretty much no German experience might actually be a blessing in disguise. Apparently in Berlin, they use a more formal form of German and it's different from what people learn in school, so my district is really struggling because they have formed some bad habits and now find themselves in a situation that they are having to start fresh.

Found out some good news...My mission President will allow me to listen to the Killers!!! I am so excited!
I have missed you A LOT!
How is my dog? Is she doing okay?
The pictures you sent me are awesome!
Tell everyone that they need to write me!
You guys helped me in a lesson I was teaching to a little German woman, so thank you. I love you!!!
If you send any more treats, can it be salty stuff? I am all sugared out! I LOVED the wasabi peas...

I need Matt and Jenn to send me a family picture (4x5) to put in my photo album, so get them on that :)

Ich weiss, dass die Kirche Jesu Christi der Heiligen der Letzten Tage wahr ist.
Ich liebe meine Familie und wissen, dass ich mit ihnen für die Ewigkeit leben können.
Ich bete für euch die ganze Zeit und Ich liebe dich.
Im Namen Jesu Christi, Amen

Love, Elder Schmalz

More Pictures of Life in the MTC

Week 2 has been FANTASTIC! Right now I am teaching my 2nd investigator in German (actually more like German charades) but I think she gets the point!

 

So this week I was really discouraged about the language until I bumped into a kid that was speaking a language I can only describe as a cat puking up a hairball.....  So as I heard him making those disgustingly gruesome noises with his mouth I decided I had to hear this guys story, so I went and talked to him. His name was Elder Hunt and he has been in the MTC for 10 weeks and has been learning Armenian. He said that even  after 10 weeks he couldn't even bear his testimony.

It was that moment that I realized how big of a baby I was being!

I realized I needed to change and start being more grateful for the talents and skills that Heavenly Father has given me! I need to stop comparing myself to the other German missionaries.

I can teach a whole lesson in broken German and bear testimony of my savior!

That is pretty dang cool!

Elder M. Russell Ballard came last night and he started off by saying "I didn't want to prepare a talk tonight.......so we will see where the spirit takes us." His talk ended up being a hour long spiritual toppling talk that seriously blew my mind! He talked about the widows mite and how the Lord isn't asking for us to match the other missionaries stride for stride... but he is asking us to give all we have.

So yeah the spirit has taught me a pretty clear lesson this week and I know and recognize that I need to change!

I know this church is true and I love it with all of my heart and I cant wait to teach the people of Germany!

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about another huge thing that happened this week!

I was one of the 300 elders picked to sing in the priesthood session at general conference!!!!!

So keep an eye out for me!
 

Temple Trip

 

My Badge

The Sisters

My Roomies

My Thinking Bench 

Will you tell everyone that I love them and that I'm sorry I couldn't respond to all of them! I have very limited computer time and so far I don't know how to send pictures!

Elder Scott came and talked to us last night and it was amazing!

So far, with running and healthy eating, I have lost 5 pounds!!

My German is sort of coming along, I can teach a lesson with the help of the game charades.
 

We do have sisters in my district. 4 to be exact! I will tell you more in my letters!
 

The letters and packages from you have been such a tender mercy and I have absolutely loved them!

Give everyone hugs for me and take mini on a walk or something!

So far without me saying anything about it. I have been compared to a baby bear and Ferdinand the bull? what ever that is? I think its a book/story, so look up Ferdinand the bull and get back to me and tell me what its about!

 

Sorry this was not a very good email but they are kicking me off of this computer.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!

PS the elders in my district say your cookies are the best they have ever had, so yeah, you are the best! and tell dad his letter made my day yesterday! And that we heard Elder Scott speak last night and we sang Called To Serve.

Also...

This is the first time in history that they have ever sent so many missionaries to Germany. (Germany is the most expensive, least productive mission.) There are 50 in our zone! That's huge!

I cant wait to tell you even more about this amazing adventure and you are all in my prayers! also thank dad for his awesome example of love and leadership and have him give me his email cause I never got it!

 

Im not doing super great in German...

but that's when I compare myself to the rest of my district who all have multiple years of German under their belts. But hey, I CAN Beten (pray) and zeugnis Geben (bear testimony) in German so that must mean I am learning a lot!
I was called as district leader which at first was super stressful because I feel like I am so far behind my district in German. I feel overwhelmed because they are asking ME for comfort and guidance. I do know that who the Lord calls He qualifies.
I have a talk/video you all should look up. It's called The Character of Christ and it has changed my life. It's by Elder Bednar.
You are all in my prayers and I can't wait to hear from you. If it's not too much trouble to ask...Could you all send me pictures? I need pics of mom, dad, siblings, friends, family, Pearl, Mini.

P.S. The package was Wunderbar!!!
P.P.S. Gentry, your drawing is awesome! It's the first thing I see in the morning because I hung it right on my wall.
P.P.P.S. I'm already staring to spell things wrong and my sentence structure is all screwed up because of my German learning, so bear with me.

Ich Libe Dich!

Elder Schmalz

First letter! Short, but sweet

Gutentag!

So today is my 2nd day! Yesterday was good. Stressful, but good. My companions name is Elder Vellinga. He is from Chicago and he is pretty quiet. We are in a room with two other Elders. Elder Williams and Elder Glissmeyer. Elder Williams is a very talkative kind of guy and Elder Glissmeyer is seriously like 6 foot 6 or 6 foot 7 but is super chill.
I am the only one in my district that doesn't have 4 plus years of German experience, so pretty much I feel like an idiot, but its all good.
I love you more than words can even explain. I am praying for you. ♥

Love, Elder Schmalz

Ich Libe Dich!!!!

P.S. You should all write me some letters or do dearelder.com. It's pretty sweet!

MTC Delivery

Gavin had the best send off today by two of our cute little neighbors. All the sudden we notice as we are getting the car all packed and we are about to head out to drop Elder Schmalz off at the MTC that these cute four year old twins are running full blast towards our house. As they approach Xandi asks them what they are up to, and they respond "we're just here to see your missionary", cute, right? Then it gets cuter. Gavin comes out and asks to shake the boys hands and told them thank you for coming to see him off, then one of them says, "well, we came for a hug too". Melt my heart! It made Gavin's
day. It made my day. We have felt so much love and support today. I can literally feel the prayers of support and love comforting this mama's heart and I know my boy is being held in the hallow of Thy hand.

Visiting the grandparents on the way to the MTC

 

Last minute LOOOVES

 

 

Watching him walk away was one of the hardest things I've ever done. No joke. It hurt my heart.
BUT I know without a doubt he will love every second of this great adventure. The good and the bad of it all. He is going to be become exactly who he is suppose to become.

 

This is it... It's go time!

God on high, hear my prayer.

In my need, You have always been there.

He is young

He's afraid

Let him rest

Heaven blessed......

Bring him peace,

Bring him joy.

He is young,

He is only a boy.....

Bring him home! Bring him home!
 

Making it all official...Bawlfest 2014

In just a matter of moments I will be an official missionary mom, and Gavin will actually officially be Elder Alexander Gavin Schmalz. So many things will be changing, but the knowledge I have that he is doing what he is suppose to be doing is undeniable. I am so grateful for all the love and support that has been shown to our family, and especially him. We are so blessed. This gospel and the knowledge that we have has brought so many blessings to us as a family. I am so grateful for Gavin's willingness to put his life on hold just so that others can know of the peace and love that can come through our Savior Jesus Christ. We are so blessed!

Singing a duet with President Brinley

Our stake president, Ken Gibby with President Heaton, and President Brinley

See You In Two