Our Mission car.
April 23, 2012:
There is always more good to be done in this world
Dobry den! I hope you're all having a wonderful day. I got a haircut today, and I don't know if the Czechs just like cutting hair like crazy or if I just struggle with explaining what I want, but my hair is gone again. Oh bother! But hey, I still got time to grow it out. Neni problem! Sister Jorgensen also got hers trimmed up. We were both in the need of such an experience.
This week was awful lesson wise. NOT the greatest. But we saw some miracles nonetheless. It's been tough here in Jičín to find new investigators, because everyone knows us and has been contacted at least twice, or has a Book of Mormon, or has met with the missionaries, or just has no interest whatsoever. MAN, but we are going to find find find this week, and get our tires switched out in Prague. Which means I get more mail. YAY, I love mail. Haha.
There is always more good to be done in this world
Dobry den! I hope you're all having a wonderful day. I got a haircut today, and I don't know if the Czechs just like cutting hair like crazy or if I just struggle with explaining what I want, but my hair is gone again. Oh bother! But hey, I still got time to grow it out. Neni problem! Sister Jorgensen also got hers trimmed up. We were both in the need of such an experience.
This week was awful lesson wise. NOT the greatest. But we saw some miracles nonetheless. It's been tough here in Jičín to find new investigators, because everyone knows us and has been contacted at least twice, or has a Book of Mormon, or has met with the missionaries, or just has no interest whatsoever. MAN, but we are going to find find find this week, and get our tires switched out in Prague. Which means I get more mail. YAY, I love mail. Haha.
Children in English class.
This past week our investigator never showed up to our meetings. I was bummed, but sadly that's normal, so we just moved on and kept him in our prayers. Well, Friday while we were drenched from the rain while talking to people the phone buzzed, and we got a random text saying we can meet tomorrow. So I called it up, and it was [our investigator]! And AH, HE IS SO COOL. I asked him if he was reading and praying still, and he said, "Yes of course! I have prayed every day, and I read 80 pages of the Book of Mormon this week!" AAAAH, I WAS SO HAPPY! Hahah, oh man. And he then told me that he'd gotten a part-time job, and that's why he had a phone now. So great. So he comes to our meeting the next day, and he is just beaming. I asked him if he believed God listens to our prayers and why. He responded saying that before he thought about God and really prayed to Him he was just wandering from day to day, he didn't have direction, he didn't feel happy, and nothing would work out. He said that the week before when he started meeting [with us], he started praying, and right after Roman's baptism he found a job, which was something he was praying for, and to top it off, the job gave him a phone which was another thing he was praying for. He was so happy and was working all week, and that's why he hadn't come to meetings. So cool. He believes the Book of Mormon is Scripture, he loves praying, and he is meeting with us again tonight, and I called the Svobodovy family and asked if we could come have a Family Home Evening with them, and because the members here are such rockstars, she said ‘yes’. Can't wait! Keep him in your prayers. This boy is finding meaning in his life!
Cute Kuba.
[Our other investigator] answered a text I'd sent a few days before finally on Saturday, so we last minute met with him to just answer his questions. He came to the lesson and said, "Can you help me understand Nephi's vision on chapter 13 and 14?” And so we read that with him. And boy, was it powerful! I loved it! And because it was in English I could explain the hard things. It was really cool, and he's read a lot! I don’t know what his future will hold, but we're staying in touch.
As for Branch news, our [Branch] Mission Leader has been the biggest blessing. And when I first got here, I asked him to sit by our investigators and he did NOT look stoked and did not smile much. I asked Sister Jorgensen if that was normal, and she said she's never seen him laugh. So when he got called to be our leader I decided to do what “Preach My Gospel” says and make him our best friend, hahahah, and he is a crack up! Seriously. Working with him has been such a blessing. This Sunday he pulled me aside to ask me about some things, and he was just LAUGHING and cracking jokes. I mean the gospel, really DELVING into the gospel, changes people! It's such a wonderful thing! I love it! It changes the members, and I think that's another reason why we've been asked to have member lessons. Members feel the Spirit as well and are strengthened, and once that happens the work REALLY goes forward. Missionaries are great, and we have God on our side, but the MEMBERS are seriously what makes the people stay, and the Branches strengthen. I LOVE the people here. Seriously you all will just die from being so happy when you come here. It's SO great here. I just smile and laugh after lessons, because I'm floored at what these people do for us and our investigators! Such a blessing and miracle.
As for Branch news, our [Branch] Mission Leader has been the biggest blessing. And when I first got here, I asked him to sit by our investigators and he did NOT look stoked and did not smile much. I asked Sister Jorgensen if that was normal, and she said she's never seen him laugh. So when he got called to be our leader I decided to do what “Preach My Gospel” says and make him our best friend, hahahah, and he is a crack up! Seriously. Working with him has been such a blessing. This Sunday he pulled me aside to ask me about some things, and he was just LAUGHING and cracking jokes. I mean the gospel, really DELVING into the gospel, changes people! It's such a wonderful thing! I love it! It changes the members, and I think that's another reason why we've been asked to have member lessons. Members feel the Spirit as well and are strengthened, and once that happens the work REALLY goes forward. Missionaries are great, and we have God on our side, but the MEMBERS are seriously what makes the people stay, and the Branches strengthen. I LOVE the people here. Seriously you all will just die from being so happy when you come here. It's SO great here. I just smile and laugh after lessons, because I'm floored at what these people do for us and our investigators! Such a blessing and miracle.
Sister Jorgensen and I eating fish.
This week at District Meeting we had our interviews with President, and boy was that needed! I love talking to him. He makes me so happy! And I love knowing that he's proud of the work we're doing. In “Preach My Gospel” it says that God knew where you were to be assigned and who your Mission President was supposed to be. Boy, is that true! And he in this interview said, "I'm sure the Finnish Mission is great, but I am so happy you're here. We need you, the members need you, and this Mission needs you." And that was the best thing I'd heard all year. It's good to feel a part of something, it's good to feel needed, and THAT is why it's important to know we are all sons and daughters of God. That little piece of restored truth gives us meaning, hope, and purpose. Love that. It is so great to feel wanted, needed, loved, and important. Love for my friends is what makes this world go round.
Also I've been reading the book “Daughters of My Kingdom” in random study moments. You should read it; I really like it.
My language abilities are dying! I need help! Send your prayers on over please, thank you.
Also I've been reading the book “Daughters of My Kingdom” in random study moments. You should read it; I really like it.
My language abilities are dying! I need help! Send your prayers on over please, thank you.
Weeding the Church for service.
This morning I was pondering about how it sometimes really is hard to find people to teach here. And I don't want to categorize this country in any way, but unfortunately because of the communism that existed here, people's hearts have been hardened and minds fogged from religious life and experiences. The gospel is for everyone, absolutely, but those here who are educated have been taught in schools that God doesn't exist, that organized religion is bad, that organizations in general are bad, and that we only need ourselves to get through life. So many times on the street we ask people if they believe that God exists, or that even ANYTHING exists, and sometimes they say yes, that an energy exists, but that they believe in themselves, and that any success they see is because of their own doing. And that if God existed, He'd show himself more. But these people are God's children, and my heart goes out to them. I know that the harder I work, the more cracks in the shells these people have I will see, and the more understanding and love I will feel, and that will lead way to opportunities to share the gospel and touch their hearts. If you have any ideas, however, it would be greatly appreciated! That's why I'm working so hard with the members. Each soul is great in the sight of God, but boy do we need those kingdom builders, those pillars. So keep these people in your prayers. The more faith we get sent in this direction the more miracles we'll see! :)
Thank you for all you do for me. I am happy, and on the days that I feel a little stressed, or that the work is like running into a brick wall, I take a look at who needs us, what more we can do, and there is always more good to be done in this world. I'm grateful God lets bad things happen to good people, because then we get to be His hands and help and get helped in the process.
I love you all! Mam vas rada!
S laskou,
Sestra Satu
I love you all! Mam vas rada!
S laskou,
Sestra Satu