Me and Sister Dolinar in front of a gorgeous sunset Heavenly Father painted for us.
June 11, 2012:
The gospel has opened my eyes
Hi everyone. This week went by fast. It was a rainy cold week here in Jičín, although it supposedly is JUNE!! Come out sunshine! But we had a great week teaching everyone. We are still working with the boys, and they are doing well, and [our other investigator] is just a miracle. We are so blessed to have him here. The biggest miracle was yesterday, when [he] came to Church. We were so excited, because he brought his little three-year-old daughter who is just the best thing that's ever happened to me. She is a CRACK-up. She makes the best faces and reminds me a lot of myself actually, haha, she is the best thing and is my buddy. Anyway, we had Ward Council before Church, and because we're so obsessed with the members, we had already talked to all of them about all of our problems, so we didn’t really have to say much in the Council, because everything was being taken care of already! I think that was a pleasant surprise to the Branch President, and I felt really good about being equally yoked with the members. I love them all so much. Anyway, we also prepped the whole Primary and everyone for his coming, so the second [his daughter] walked in, all the kids were her friends, and she was just in heaven. It was great. And when we walked them to Primary after Sacrament [Meeting], one of the older members said to [our investigator], "Are you a member?" and he said, "Jeste ne. (no, not yet)" Aaaah, I was so happy. And then in Sunday School he was talking so much about Christ and what faith is, and it was a beautiful lesson. He said that he really feels the Holy Ghost at Church, and that's another witness to him that it is true. I love that!
The gospel has opened my eyes
Hi everyone. This week went by fast. It was a rainy cold week here in Jičín, although it supposedly is JUNE!! Come out sunshine! But we had a great week teaching everyone. We are still working with the boys, and they are doing well, and [our other investigator] is just a miracle. We are so blessed to have him here. The biggest miracle was yesterday, when [he] came to Church. We were so excited, because he brought his little three-year-old daughter who is just the best thing that's ever happened to me. She is a CRACK-up. She makes the best faces and reminds me a lot of myself actually, haha, she is the best thing and is my buddy. Anyway, we had Ward Council before Church, and because we're so obsessed with the members, we had already talked to all of them about all of our problems, so we didn’t really have to say much in the Council, because everything was being taken care of already! I think that was a pleasant surprise to the Branch President, and I felt really good about being equally yoked with the members. I love them all so much. Anyway, we also prepped the whole Primary and everyone for his coming, so the second [his daughter] walked in, all the kids were her friends, and she was just in heaven. It was great. And when we walked them to Primary after Sacrament [Meeting], one of the older members said to [our investigator], "Are you a member?" and he said, "Jeste ne. (no, not yet)" Aaaah, I was so happy. And then in Sunday School he was talking so much about Christ and what faith is, and it was a beautiful lesson. He said that he really feels the Holy Ghost at Church, and that's another witness to him that it is true. I love that!
Me and Ales.
Also a new convert, Ales, who was baptized in January, got the priesthood finally on Sunday, and he showed up in his new SUIT he'd bought during the week! It was great. And I was so proud of him! Oh, I have a picture of that... I'll attach it. Ok done. And so he was happy, and I was also grateful that [our investigator] got to see that. We have lessons on plan already with him for today (we're sacrificing Preparation Day hours to go out there, shhh, don’t tell President) and tomorrow and Wednesday. The members are so great. Ah, that's all I can talk about, because I'm just so grateful for everything they do for us.
Delivering thank you-cookies to members one rainy afternoon.
I realize that I sound really happy and excited in [mails], and I want everyone to know that it's not fake, I really am this happy. But I also go through tough times. Mission work is hard, it strains your heart and your mind and your soul, but we can still be happy through all that. This week we went and delivered cookies I’d made to less actives and to members, and the less actives didn’t want to come back. And that was sad to see. I left them a note that said, "We love you, we need you, please come back." (I found an Ensign article that said to do that), and yeah, I don’t know. It's hard. It’s sad when people reject the truth and the happiness we can get from being dedicated to the Lord. And it's awful when offense takes people away. And it's hard, but when we focus on the good in life, I think we start not really noticing the bad so much. What a great blessing that is as well. But when I come home (in six months?!), I will tell you the hard things. But for now, the good things are the only thing worth talking about. And I bet you, I won’t even remember the hard things when I get back. Because the good things totally override the bad.
Perfect.
God sent ME here. Not a robot. ME. And I have things to offer. We all do. We are all children of God, and the more I serve, the more I feel God's love for His children. It is an amazing feeling. I just REJOICE when people follow Him, and I feel sorrow when they reject Him and His teachings. Being on a mission has taught me a lot. I'm already having nightmares of coming home. Not because I don’t love everyone at home, but because I don’t ever want this part of my life to end. Parentals, GO ON A MISSION. Not only has a Prophet told you to, but so has the Stake President, and that means that God needs you. And I think you guys would just do SO MUCH for the work. Seriously. And it would be something you'd never ever forget. It's worth every sacrifice. Every hard moment. I love you all. The gospel is the best thing. Really. It has opened my eyes, it has closed my prejudices, and it is changing me, and thanks to it I'm learning to work, I'm learning to love, and I'm learning to forgive and move forward with the silly things that hold us back from eternal progression. Thank you for all the support. I love you all. I pray for you multiple times a day. Can't wait to see you in 6. Weird.
Sestra Satu
Sestra Satu