December 17, 2012:
Missions are the most magical thing in the world
Hello again!
This week has been full of beautiful adventures. Because it's a mission. AAAND it's December. We got to perform our "traveling Christmas choir" TWICE this week! We were called Monday night and got informed that Thursday we'd be going to BRATISLAVA! Oh Slovakia, here we come. So we did that, and all the Sisters sat in the back of the huge mission van while the Assistants to the President (APs) drove down to Slovakia from Prague, hahahaha. We sang the whole way; it was great. Those poor Elders. And then we had another concert yesterday in Uherske Hradiste, so we got to bus down in the van twice this week. The concerts went well. And it is always fun to do something a little out of the ordinary.
The biggest miracle of the week, at least to me, happened on Saturday. We had the Branch Christmas party at the Jičín Church building, and the father and son of this new family we are teaching came which was great! BUUUUUT, an even greater thing happened. But, this story starts about five months ago...
Missions are the most magical thing in the world
Hello again!
This week has been full of beautiful adventures. Because it's a mission. AAAND it's December. We got to perform our "traveling Christmas choir" TWICE this week! We were called Monday night and got informed that Thursday we'd be going to BRATISLAVA! Oh Slovakia, here we come. So we did that, and all the Sisters sat in the back of the huge mission van while the Assistants to the President (APs) drove down to Slovakia from Prague, hahahaha. We sang the whole way; it was great. Those poor Elders. And then we had another concert yesterday in Uherske Hradiste, so we got to bus down in the van twice this week. The concerts went well. And it is always fun to do something a little out of the ordinary.
The biggest miracle of the week, at least to me, happened on Saturday. We had the Branch Christmas party at the Jičín Church building, and the father and son of this new family we are teaching came which was great! BUUUUUT, an even greater thing happened. But, this story starts about five months ago...
When I was here in Jičín, I tried really hard to get a good relationship with the Branch President, and that really boosted our area, I think. We visited his in-laws as well which are members, and we asked them all who we could start praying for in their family. The in-laws showed me pictures of their family and their baptisms, and they told me about [a family member] who had chosen not to be baptized. [This family member] stuck in my mind for whatever reason. Something just kept me praying for him. He was mentioned a lot. And I made an effort to always pray for him and mention him whenever we visited these families over the next few months. One day while at the in-laws home doing something, [his] daughter was there! And her and I totally clicked when I heard her playing "kissanpolkka" on the piano, and I taught her the rest of it. We all ended up playing instruments together, and when we left, this daughter clung to my waist and walked us out to the car. Well, so that was that.
Then we came here again, and about three weeks ago it was Fast Sunday. While I was thinking about what to fast for, [this person] came to my mind. I hadn’t thought to talk about him with my companions yet, but I explained who [he] was, and that for some reason he'd been with me for so many months, and I asked them if they could include him in their fasts as well. So they did. We were invited to dinner at the Branch President’s home this week. I don’t know WHY exactly, but they really love the way I did and I guess, do, missionary work. And without trying to sound cocky, because that’s not why I'm telling this story, it's been really helpful to have such a good relationship with them, and when I left they both were sad and told me that I was the best missionary they had ever worked with. And they don't compliment much. So I took that as a reason and purpose to really keep working hard and not let them down. So they invited us over to dinner, and I was excited for them to get to know my companions as well now so that the area continues to grow when I go home. Sister K told me that her [other family member], had been in bed that Sunday and had heard a voice to tell her to get up and go to Church. So she did. Sister K said she thinks that maybe this is her time.
Then we came here again, and about three weeks ago it was Fast Sunday. While I was thinking about what to fast for, [this person] came to my mind. I hadn’t thought to talk about him with my companions yet, but I explained who [he] was, and that for some reason he'd been with me for so many months, and I asked them if they could include him in their fasts as well. So they did. We were invited to dinner at the Branch President’s home this week. I don’t know WHY exactly, but they really love the way I did and I guess, do, missionary work. And without trying to sound cocky, because that’s not why I'm telling this story, it's been really helpful to have such a good relationship with them, and when I left they both were sad and told me that I was the best missionary they had ever worked with. And they don't compliment much. So I took that as a reason and purpose to really keep working hard and not let them down. So they invited us over to dinner, and I was excited for them to get to know my companions as well now so that the area continues to grow when I go home. Sister K told me that her [other family member], had been in bed that Sunday and had heard a voice to tell her to get up and go to Church. So she did. Sister K said she thinks that maybe this is her time.
During dinner I went over to their table, introduced myself and plopped down right into their conversation. Later that night, the Branch President brought [a lady] over and said, "Sister Izatt, she would like to invite you and your Sisters over to dinner at their house this week." I GET TO TEACH this man I have been for whatever reason praying for for months. Isn’t that such a miracle?! The very best part of the miracle is that while I have been known to really get into members’ homes, and I've been really good with working with them, I have never had success with getting any referrals, try as I might. And it bothered me, because in my setting apart blessing it said that, "Members will be looking for a missionary they can trust their friends and family with, and you will be the missionary they will finally trust." I shared that with my companions at the beginning of the transfer and prayed that that blessing could please be fulfilled. And it totally has been. And with people I didn’t think it would happen with! Isn't that just the greatest thing? Heavenly Father totally prepares His children for His gospel, AND He always knows what's going to happen. That's why He can make promises. Who knew that the last full week of my mission would finally be when this blessing would be fulfilled? I am so happy.
We are having our Traveling Mission Concert in Jičín this week, and we have been passing out fliers like crazy. My goal is to invite all of Jičín, hahaha. My companions are down though so here we go. I made 800 or so copies, and we have passed out about half of them. It will be a great missionary opportunity if we make it one.
The season is beautiful. Everything has lights on it. I loved being in Prague today for part of our Preparation Day. I love it here. I love speaking Czech to people, and even though I butcher all the grammar and still call male things by girl adjectives, people are patient, and I love trying to communicate. We won't be perfect for a while. But that's what mortality is for! Learning to love the ride and being patient and happy with our imperfections. I have really fallen in love with the world and work around me. I cry now when I pray at night. I will miss this oh so very very much. Missions are the most magical thing in the world.
I love you all. Merry Christmas!
Love,
Sestra Izatt
The season is beautiful. Everything has lights on it. I loved being in Prague today for part of our Preparation Day. I love it here. I love speaking Czech to people, and even though I butcher all the grammar and still call male things by girl adjectives, people are patient, and I love trying to communicate. We won't be perfect for a while. But that's what mortality is for! Learning to love the ride and being patient and happy with our imperfections. I have really fallen in love with the world and work around me. I cry now when I pray at night. I will miss this oh so very very much. Missions are the most magical thing in the world.
I love you all. Merry Christmas!
Love,
Sestra Izatt