Roman after baptism, me, the Svobodovi family, Sister Jorgensen.
April 16, 2012:
Christ was all about sacrifice
Well, Roman was baptized! And YES he took his earring out AND his skull ring off. So great. The baptism went so well, and we had really put a lot of effort into planning it and making sure members were involved and coming, and it paid off. Friday night we had a lesson with Roman, and he showed up without his ring but his earring was still in. One of the members told him that he needs to show that he is a part of Christ's Church on the outside as well. So when it came down to it, he was alright with relying on his faith, because Saturday morning when he walked up to the church his earring was out :). We were all so proud of him. The baptism was out in another city in the basement of a hotel in a little spa pool thing, and so we all met at the church and carpooled over together. We can't drive anyone but we drove the keyboard, haha. We got there and TWENTY people came to support him. It was amazing! Sister Jorgensen said that at the last two baptisms only 9, and then 5 people came. So that was a miracle! We had also invited a less active who plays the piano to come and play for the baptism, and she CAME! It was a good opportunity for her to feel the Spirit. We asked a couple in the branch to sing, and then a new convert and a Primary child gave the talks. Then after Roman was baptized and was changing, we gave the first lesson to everyone about the Restoration [of the Gospel] and baptism, which worked out so well.
Christ was all about sacrifice
Well, Roman was baptized! And YES he took his earring out AND his skull ring off. So great. The baptism went so well, and we had really put a lot of effort into planning it and making sure members were involved and coming, and it paid off. Friday night we had a lesson with Roman, and he showed up without his ring but his earring was still in. One of the members told him that he needs to show that he is a part of Christ's Church on the outside as well. So when it came down to it, he was alright with relying on his faith, because Saturday morning when he walked up to the church his earring was out :). We were all so proud of him. The baptism was out in another city in the basement of a hotel in a little spa pool thing, and so we all met at the church and carpooled over together. We can't drive anyone but we drove the keyboard, haha. We got there and TWENTY people came to support him. It was amazing! Sister Jorgensen said that at the last two baptisms only 9, and then 5 people came. So that was a miracle! We had also invited a less active who plays the piano to come and play for the baptism, and she CAME! It was a good opportunity for her to feel the Spirit. We asked a couple in the branch to sing, and then a new convert and a Primary child gave the talks. Then after Roman was baptized and was changing, we gave the first lesson to everyone about the Restoration [of the Gospel] and baptism, which worked out so well.
It was so neat to see Roman get into the pool and be baptized. Our [Branch] Mission Leader performed the baptism. Roman has been meeting with us EVERY day (literally) for three weeks, and it helped him a lot to be able to make this step. After he came back out, the Spirit was very strong, and one of the counselors invited anyone to bear their testimony if they felt like it. Some people did, and then two Primary boys with whom we did a Family Home Evening with Roman at their place, sang “Army of Helaman” and on the last chorus the Branch President got everyone to start singing. I caught it on film, and the SD card is going to Finland today so look out for that Mother! :) It was a great experience, and many people said it was the best baptismal service they'd ever been to. It took a lot of time to call everyone and get it going, but thanks to the [Branch] Mission Leader etc. we really had a great experience. I'm sure Roman won't ever forget that. Afterwards we all took pictures, and then I had made some chocolate-oatmeal cookies, and they got DEVOURED. Everyone was so happy! And it felt so great to be there, even though it was a little dungeon pool in a hotel. The Spirit can be with us anywhere as long as we are worthy.
Sunday was his Confirmation, and the Branch President performed the ordinance. It was great to see Roman, and he just looks and acts so much calmer and happier. I'm proud of him! And his ear is healing from his huge hole he had from his earring. What a great day. Unfortunately ALL four of our investigators who said they'd be at Church didn't come, so that was a pity, but hey Roman has the [gift of the] Holy Ghost :). After Church we had a lesson at the Svobodovi [family], and Roman came. We're going to be meeting with him this week every day to help him prepare for the Jičín temple trip in May. Next step is the priesthood.
Sunday was his Confirmation, and the Branch President performed the ordinance. It was great to see Roman, and he just looks and acts so much calmer and happier. I'm proud of him! And his ear is healing from his huge hole he had from his earring. What a great day. Unfortunately ALL four of our investigators who said they'd be at Church didn't come, so that was a pity, but hey Roman has the [gift of the] Holy Ghost :). After Church we had a lesson at the Svobodovi [family], and Roman came. We're going to be meeting with him this week every day to help him prepare for the Jičín temple trip in May. Next step is the priesthood.
Driving the Mission car.
This week I thought a lot about sacrifice. It's something I've never really taken the time to understand before. Giving up something we want and maybe even need now for something we want even more, or know is of greater worth, for the future. Sacrifice takes a lot of faith. And it's something I struggle with. Sacrifice, however, always yields results if we are sacrificing for something we know is good and righteous. So many nights I finally get to sleep, but then I realize that I have yet to account my day to the Lord. So I get on up and do that. And even though I want sleep--my body is dying for it--I know it is more important for me to talk to Heavenly Father. And you know what? I feel just as rested the next morning if I ask for help, and I have the Spirit more.
Or for example lunch hours. We are allowed one hour to eat and extra study slash do the dishes if they are out of control. And sometimes I have to decide to keep [talking to people] or something and cut my lunch time short, and even though I really would like the sit down time for just a few minutes to read the Liahona, [= Church magazine] I have seen the biggest blessings when we keep working if that's what we feel prompted to do. It's like that with the language too. Boy, is it hard to speak Czech, just like any other foreign language, but when I just buck up and keep practicing, it gets easier. I realized also that the more we lose our lives the more we gain them. (Scripture reference here, but do I have it memorized? No, sorry) [Matthew 16: 24-27] I realized that our lives really aren't our own. They really never should be. If we're living right we'll always be putting someone else's needs or interests above our own. Whether it be marriage or parenthood, or work, or your calling, the second we start thinking about ourselves we lose the Spirit and our relationships suffer. So that's what I'm trying to sacrifice more. My thoughts aren't always centered on my investigators. Sometimes I catch myself thinking of people or luxuries I had at home. And it's not worth it. It's another sacrifice I need to make in order to be happier.
Or for example lunch hours. We are allowed one hour to eat and extra study slash do the dishes if they are out of control. And sometimes I have to decide to keep [talking to people] or something and cut my lunch time short, and even though I really would like the sit down time for just a few minutes to read the Liahona, [= Church magazine] I have seen the biggest blessings when we keep working if that's what we feel prompted to do. It's like that with the language too. Boy, is it hard to speak Czech, just like any other foreign language, but when I just buck up and keep practicing, it gets easier. I realized also that the more we lose our lives the more we gain them. (Scripture reference here, but do I have it memorized? No, sorry) [Matthew 16: 24-27] I realized that our lives really aren't our own. They really never should be. If we're living right we'll always be putting someone else's needs or interests above our own. Whether it be marriage or parenthood, or work, or your calling, the second we start thinking about ourselves we lose the Spirit and our relationships suffer. So that's what I'm trying to sacrifice more. My thoughts aren't always centered on my investigators. Sometimes I catch myself thinking of people or luxuries I had at home. And it's not worth it. It's another sacrifice I need to make in order to be happier.
Easter whips.
Life is all about sacrifices. Christ was all about sacrifice, I mean, He performed the greatest sacrifice in the universe. Was any of Christ's life his own? No way. Can you see [a man truly following Jesus] coming home from a long day of work and his wife saying, “Hey dear, can you come help me with the dishes?” Or “Hey love, I've had a long day with the kids; could you go play with them?” and then [the man following] Jesus saying, “Babe, I'd love to, but I really want to just sit down and watch some football before I go to bed and do stuff. I've had a long day.” Heck no. Life's like that. We have to always be looking out for others if we are to be truly happy. I hope this mission changes me completely. I have a lot of maturing and refining to do. The hard part is getting this stuff to stick! You focus on something and try to get it to change your character, and you do a good job for a few days, but then you get distracted or forget and then go back to how you used to act and think. The application part is tough! My investigators are going through a lot! Man. True conversion changes character. I'm grateful for that. Good thing conversion is a lifelong, even eternal process!
Flying on a rainy day.
This week our homeless investigator touched my heart. Man, it is so rewarding to work with these people. We were out [talking to people] one day, and at 9 pm I saw [him], walking around with his hood up. I asked him what he was doing, and he said, "Trying to find a bed." and man, I just couldn’t even imagine. He's only 22. And both of his parents died of a stroke. His Mom died four years ago, and since then he's struggled. His siblings live far away, he's the youngest, and he's out on the streets. Last week he got that bloody nose and eye because while he was sleeping on the street someone kicked his face. I will never have to sleep on the street unless I want to, and for that I am so grateful. We really don't recognize how blessed we are until we talk to others and serve. Anyway, this week he showed up to a lesson just BEAMING. I asked him what was up, and he showed me some money he'd earned from a random job he'd found, and then he said quietly and so humbly, "And now I have a home and food." He's living in a hostel [= a homeless shelter]. And it makes him SO happy. After the lesson he asked us if he could borrow a plate and a fork from the Church kitchen, and one of the members here said, "Unfortunately you can't, but if you come over after English [class], you can have some of ours." These people are angels. It's incredible how selfless they are. I love them so much! All of them.
Pray for [our investigator, whose] family told him not to meet with us, and his ex-girlfriend wants him back, so he's going through an emotional crisis and doesn’t think he can keep meeting with us until things settle down.
And Daddy, I can’t believe you are already thinking about buying tickets to come get me. BAH! Love you all!!!
Mam vas rada! Doufam vsechno tento tyden bude dobry.
Sestra Satu
Pray for [our investigator, whose] family told him not to meet with us, and his ex-girlfriend wants him back, so he's going through an emotional crisis and doesn’t think he can keep meeting with us until things settle down.
And Daddy, I can’t believe you are already thinking about buying tickets to come get me. BAH! Love you all!!!
Mam vas rada! Doufam vsechno tento tyden bude dobry.
Sestra Satu