June 26, 2012:
I love how happy this gospel makes people
This week was perfect. The sun was shining, and Tomasz became a Mormon. Can life get better than that?! Ah, I was SO happy. Seriously, so so happy. God really helps us out in this work. Friday was the scheduled interview [of our investigator] with President, and [Branch] President Tmej had agreed to teach with us on Friday and then translate for the interview. We taught about fasting, the Sabbath, and tithing. He took it all. And loved it.
I love how happy this gospel makes people
This week was perfect. The sun was shining, and Tomasz became a Mormon. Can life get better than that?! Ah, I was SO happy. Seriously, so so happy. God really helps us out in this work. Friday was the scheduled interview [of our investigator] with President, and [Branch] President Tmej had agreed to teach with us on Friday and then translate for the interview. We taught about fasting, the Sabbath, and tithing. He took it all. And loved it.
Then President came, and I am always just so happy to see President, so I was just glowing, and then I love Tomasz so so much that having them in the same room made my soul explode. We went outside with [his daughter] and Sister Irwin during the interview, and a few minutes later they all came out, and Tomasz looked SO HAPPY. He was glowing. It was wonderful. I love how happy this gospel makes people.
The next morning was his baptism, and we were so excited. I was also so nervous that it wouldn't go through or something (I need to work on my faith), but Tomasz came. Of course he did. He loves this gospel. And he is so prepared. We pulled up to the Church, and right as we got there we saw Tomasz getting out of his car with [his daughter]. He was wearing a dress shirt and slacks, and [his daughter] was in a darling pink outfit, and I could have died I was so happy.
The Curtis couple from Prague had come down for the baptism, because we had taught with them last week, and they fell in love with him, so they came to support him, and she sang at the baptism, and anyway they were like “Sisters, calm down!” Ahahahah, but we couldn’t! It was honestly the best feeling in the whole wide world. We parked and ran inside, and Tomasz changed his clothes, and let me tell you, people look the best in white!!
We all met outside the chapel, and SO MANY people came to support Tomasz. It is amazing what a little love can do. We then prayed and got into cars; those who needed rides found them, and we were off. One LONG line of cars full of Mormons and about to be Mormons. Life was SO GOOD. And the countryside so pretty. The sun was shining, and I think it was God telling us He loves Tomasz so much. It was supposed to be a stormy day. But nope. Nothing. It was the prettiest day I have ever seen.
Life was so good, and my soul was on fire. There was a moment when I looked ahead of me and saw four or five cars, and then in the rearview mirror I also saw four or five cars. Over thirty people showed up. Thirty. In Jičín. It was phenomenal. I cannot describe my happiness when I get to be a part of all this.
The pond was gorgeous, and we all filed down to start the program. We sang, we prayed, and then Tomasz went to be baptized. The pond was a little deep where [Branch] President Tmej got in the first time, which was hilarious, so they found a new spot and did the ordinance.
I loved hearing [Branch] President Tmej’s voice loud and clear proclaiming to the heavens that Tomasz was getting baptized. Afterwards they all changed in the bushes while Sister Dolinar and I gave a short thought on the Book of Mormon, since that was Tomasz’s key to conversion. Then when he got back there was a short thought on the Holy Ghost.
We sang, we prayed, and then had a picnic. [His little daughter] was darling. All over the place, but everyone just loves her, so it was fine! And then Tomasz was just smiling ear to ear. He kept saying in English, "Good food!" Hahha, I was dying. It was fantastic, too, because Sister Tmejova bore testimony... oh wait, after the baptism people started bearing testimonies! That was also quite beautiful!
And she said that it was amazing how many countries were represented at this tiny little pond in Jičín. Poland, USA, Ukraine, Russia, and the Czech. Fantastic. The gospel brings us all together. I was so happy and never wanted the day to end. But it did, and Tomasz said he was so excited for the next day, his confirmation!!
So the next day was beautiful, too. We got to Church for our [Branch] Mission Leader Meeting, and then all 3 of us went down to get Tomasz from the bus station. He looked so happy and so good and clean in his shirt and slacks.
We went and sat down after greeting everyone, and Tomasz was confirmed [a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] during Sacrament [Meeting] by brother Martinec. Five people participated. It was wonderful. Just wonderful. And afterwards Brother Martinec gave Tomasz a hug, and after the Sacrament Tomasz got up to bear simple testimony. I love watching people develop in the gospel.
Tomasz is a special soul, and I love him very much. And I can almost feel a portion of what God's love for him must be. I am so happy here. Even when other things in my life are hard, these people remind me of what I need to be focusing on, and then I get back to work and feel that incredible love that God sent me here to feel.
After Sacrament [Meeting] we went to Sunday School, and Tomasz participated like crazy, and I can’t even fit everything into this mail! Then afterwards we had a ‘mix and mingle’ [= members stay and talk to each other], and it was fantastic. Tomasz fits in.
This work is true and good, and I'm being so blessed because of it.
I love you all.
Satu
I love you all.
Satu
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