Pavla and I.
March 26, 2012:
Get ready for some miracles!
This week Pavla was baptized! Isn't that just the most beautiful, wonderful thing?! One of my investigators, someone I was able to see right from the beginning from having her approach us on the street, decided to become a member of this true Church! The only true Church. It was amazing. Something I cannot describe with words but something I am going to try and describe anyway :).
When I left Brno I asked Sisters Brimhall and Smith to please keep me updated if anyone got baptized so that I could try and convince President to let me go and see it. We had Pavla on schedule to be baptized that very next week, and sometimes we aren't allowed to travel such long distances for a baptism without taking an
investigator, so I was worried and a little bummed but still so grateful I was able to witness so many miracles during Pavla's investigation. It's just nice sometimes to see the end result, haha. So during transfers in Prague I asked President if I could go to Pavla's baptism. He said I could (he's so kind); I just wanted to make sure I got the permission beforehand. So off to Jičín. Then Wednesday night [the Brno Sisters] called and told me that Pavla would be baptized that Saturday at 10 in the morning! AAAAAH! I was so happy for them to have helped her make it all the way!
Get ready for some miracles!
This week Pavla was baptized! Isn't that just the most beautiful, wonderful thing?! One of my investigators, someone I was able to see right from the beginning from having her approach us on the street, decided to become a member of this true Church! The only true Church. It was amazing. Something I cannot describe with words but something I am going to try and describe anyway :).
When I left Brno I asked Sisters Brimhall and Smith to please keep me updated if anyone got baptized so that I could try and convince President to let me go and see it. We had Pavla on schedule to be baptized that very next week, and sometimes we aren't allowed to travel such long distances for a baptism without taking an
investigator, so I was worried and a little bummed but still so grateful I was able to witness so many miracles during Pavla's investigation. It's just nice sometimes to see the end result, haha. So during transfers in Prague I asked President if I could go to Pavla's baptism. He said I could (he's so kind); I just wanted to make sure I got the permission beforehand. So off to Jičín. Then Wednesday night [the Brno Sisters] called and told me that Pavla would be baptized that Saturday at 10 in the morning! AAAAAH! I was so happy for them to have helped her make it all the way!
Branch President Vit showing Pavla how baptism will take place.
So I called President immediately, and before I could even say anything he answered and said in his English accent, "Sister Izatt, I know exactly what you want! You want to go to Brno because there will be a baptism!" Hahah, I said, "That is absolutely what I want, President, she's a kingdom builder, and it will be worth every minute!" Hahaha, so he said I could go. It is a long way from Jičín, though, and busses are scarce, so I asked him if we could drive since we were still really good on miles this month (we are allowed 2,000 km a month--oh, and we drive a cute little red Skoda. I'll take a picture this week for you!), and he said yes as long as I pay for the gas. Ah, he's so great.
So we got excited, and then the next morning he called and said he'd like us to stay in Prague [over]night, because there is a better road from Prague to Brno than from Jičín to Brno, so we did. We drove down to Prague on Friday and weekly planned there and stayed with the Sisters and then got up BRIGHT and early for the 3 hour drive to Brno that Saturday morning. I was tired, and it's a bummer that I'm the only one with a license, but hey it makes me feel safe I guess, haha, so anyway, I drove the whole way and we listened to some Mormon Tabernacle Choir music and talked about our “Spirit babies.”
So we got excited, and then the next morning he called and said he'd like us to stay in Prague [over]night, because there is a better road from Prague to Brno than from Jičín to Brno, so we did. We drove down to Prague on Friday and weekly planned there and stayed with the Sisters and then got up BRIGHT and early for the 3 hour drive to Brno that Saturday morning. I was tired, and it's a bummer that I'm the only one with a license, but hey it makes me feel safe I guess, haha, so anyway, I drove the whole way and we listened to some Mormon Tabernacle Choir music and talked about our “Spirit babies.”
Branch President Vit showing Pavla how baptism will take place.
It felt SO GOOD to pull into Brno! Ah, that place is like home to me. I pulled into that chapel parking lot and walked into that building... so wonderful! Everyone was there, and I was so happy. I gave Sister Brimhall a big hug and Sister Smith, too, and then I met Sister Pysnak, their new companion, and she is just darling, and I'm praying I can serve with her, haha. Anyway, then Pavla walked in, and she looked so happy! She gave me a huge hug, and it felt so good to be there, and I was SO grateful for that opportunity! She changed into her cute white jumpsuit thing, and then the Branch President, who was going to baptize her, showed her what would happen. It was wonderful. I was asked to conduct the music during the program, and I was so happy I was able to do that. I just smiled so huge the whole time.
Me and Pavla.
Pavla looked so happy. It was so humbling and thrilling to know that something so wonderful was about to happen! My mission has really taught me how big of a thing baptism is. The gate to eternal happiness! Then we all walked down the hallway to the font, and I sat on the front row of the little chairs we had there and ducked so everyone else could see, haha, and she was baptized. It was amazing to me how natural it felt to see her go under [water] and come back up. It's something I will never have again--seeing my first baptism as a missionary of one of my investigators. It was so beautiful, and I know that Heavenly Father is so proud of her! She smiled as she came out, and President Vit helped her out of the water. After that everyone went back to the chapel to have the intermission musical numbers, and before we even got started, Pavla came rushing in dripping wet! The musical numbers are there so [the newly baptized] can dry off and dry their hair, but she wanted to hear them! Haha, so cute. So she came and sat next to me on the front row, and I whispered in Czech, "How do you feel?" and she smiled and said, "So good." I wish you could have been there, and I wish I had better words so you could understand what it was like! But maybe the pictures and your own mission experiences will help express what I'm trying to say! The Branch President came in a few minutes later from changing and was surprised to see her already there! We then sang the closing hymn, and I just soaked in everyone's faces while I conducted. I know it might be the last time in a long time I'll be in Brno with all of those people I love. It was so wonderful; so many people came to support her, and the whole active Young Single Adult group was there. The Lord was watching over her entire investigation, and the Branch worked miracles. We really did nothing except open up our mouths to teach her. Didn’t even [approach] this girl. She is so prepared. She is beautiful! And she is going to be a tool in building the Church here in the Czech Republic. You'll just have to meet her. She is wonderful. She has such a good spirit and is dedicated and excited and works hard. We then drove home to Jičín and got to work. What a miracle day!
Sister Pysnak (Melissa) and I in Brno. (I knew her in Utah.)
That whole night after that I was just beaming because it felt like such a dream that we'd been in BRNO that morning watching a BAPTISM. Haha, it's crazy how fast time goes and how many experiences we can have if we just get up and go in the mornings. We were in Prague, then in Brno, and saw a baptism, and back on the road to Jičín all before 11:30 am. Haha, crazy. Anyway, that night in Jičín we went [to talk to people]. I keep telling Sister J that I was sent here to learn patience. The more I learn to speak the language the sassier I get with people. This week a man told me something about how he "needs women" and how he "needs to drink." I just looked at him and said, “No you don’t. That’s a huge sin.” Hahahah, and he looked so shocked.
And another big thing here is that it feels like everyone has been [talked to] already. Sis J in her past 2 transfers has talked to a lot of people, haha, so she recognizes people on the street. A few nights ago though I realized that our AREA covers the other villages we are in charge of, even if it takes time to drive out there. So I told Sister J that we are going to have various “village days" over there to try and find more people. We'll see if it works. But if you only weed the middle of the garden… no good. So we'll see. She said she's down. We just have to be careful with miles.
And another big thing here is that it feels like everyone has been [talked to] already. Sis J in her past 2 transfers has talked to a lot of people, haha, so she recognizes people on the street. A few nights ago though I realized that our AREA covers the other villages we are in charge of, even if it takes time to drive out there. So I told Sister J that we are going to have various “village days" over there to try and find more people. We'll see if it works. But if you only weed the middle of the garden… no good. So we'll see. She said she's down. We just have to be careful with miles.
Sister Pysnak (Melissa) and I in Brno.
Anyway, Saturday night we [talked to] two young guys in the street on the town square. I was in my sassy mode so I wasn’t putting up with any of their gruff. They kept saying we were pretty things and that we should go get a beer with them. So I taught them Word of Wisdom, hahaha, and Sister Jorgensen pulled out the Book of Mormon and made them read something. Hilarious. And then one of them said to me, "You ACTUALLY believe in God?" and I said I sure do. Then he asked if we can sleep with people, and I said, "Sure we can! Right after marriage." Hahahah, he lost it and couldn’t believe it. But we kept a conversation going and exchanged phone numbers. We told them that if they come to Church we'll give them free Books of Mormon. [One of them] reached out for Sister Jorgensen’s and said, “Really? I can have this for free?” So we explained that theirs would be at the building the next morning. Later that night we got MANY a drunk phone call and text so that dampened the hopes of them coming to Church, but we kept praying for them and hoping.
Sunday we got to Church, and I was so happy that [our investigator] came to church! Love him! He is so great. The other 2 didn’t come. But halfway through Sunday School the door opened and a member peeked in and said, “Sisters, these investigators are here for you.” And in came those two. I scooted over and they sat down. Interesting thing is they paid such CLOSE attention like you wouldn’t believe. The Branch was WONDERFUL. The teacher welcomed them and taught about prophets simply and beautifully. I let [one investigator] hold my triple in Czech, and he read the Articles of Faith. After class I showed them to Priesthood [Meeting] and they said they'd stay and then that we could have a lesson after church. Fantastic! We asked two members to sit by them during Sacrament [Meeting]. So then when they showed up later the members asked if they could teach with us after church. Fantastic or what? That morning I had pleaded to, “Please Heavenly Father, bless us with two member lessons today if it be Thy will!” and He was just dropping blessings. Biggest blessing of all is that these members that came to the rescue are incredible. They are a couple that were baptized in the middle of the night in secret during communism. I hear that their story is in the new book "Daughters in My Kingdom" even though I have yet to find it. Anyway, after church we had an INCREDIBLE lesson with these two, and the Spirit was so strong and they set up with us again for tonight. They really are interested I think, so I hope that I can help them the best I can, even though the work really is in the Lord's hands. Although we must work our hardest to help the miracles keep coming. After that lesson we also had a lesson with [our other investigator] that was a cool thing because he usually doesn’t like meeting with us a ton.
I'm telling you--goals with faith are the way to work life! And I have realized that we must also work--and
sacrifice--in order for God to pull through the rest. We’ve got to do our part. And if we do, Heavenly Father really does pour out blessings with not enough room to receive them. We'll work harder on that this week. Miracles do happen! 2 Nephi 27:23. [= For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.]
Also last night we had a really cool meeting with the Branch President. I read in “Preach My Gospel” that we need to always introduce ourselves to the Branch Presidents immediately. In Brno the missionaries and the Branch weren’t really working together very well when I got there. So, I asked for a meeting in the [Branch President’s] home, and after that the work SKY ROCKETED. And last weekend he baptized our [investigator]. So I came here and asked Sister J what was up, and I got a similar response. So I asked if we could come visit. We only are allowed to stay for an hour for dinners, and he wanted to feed us, so we went on a walk beforehand with his whole family to give us more time to talk about things. I asked him how we can help him and what his goals are and what his vision is. He let us know that he needs us to find people who are really dedicated to the gospel. We agreed and talked about that. He agreed to help by mentioning member missionary work at Church and assigning Sacrament [Meeting] talks to people about that to get that going. He said that Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching are going well here. We then had dinner, and by the end I was so happy! Man! What a treat. So now we can build on what the Branch has already done. It's so wrong for us as missionaries to just take on the attitude that it is us against the world. I still have a TON to learn with that because to be honest that's how it feels at times, but this taught me that working with leaders really is something we need to do. After that we shared a spiritual thought with him and his wife. The Branch President here is SO HELPFUL. I am just so excited to work here. It really is a huge blessing to be on a mission and to be able to work with these wonderful people.
I love you all. You're in my prayers. The work goes forward!
Love,
Satu
Sunday we got to Church, and I was so happy that [our investigator] came to church! Love him! He is so great. The other 2 didn’t come. But halfway through Sunday School the door opened and a member peeked in and said, “Sisters, these investigators are here for you.” And in came those two. I scooted over and they sat down. Interesting thing is they paid such CLOSE attention like you wouldn’t believe. The Branch was WONDERFUL. The teacher welcomed them and taught about prophets simply and beautifully. I let [one investigator] hold my triple in Czech, and he read the Articles of Faith. After class I showed them to Priesthood [Meeting] and they said they'd stay and then that we could have a lesson after church. Fantastic! We asked two members to sit by them during Sacrament [Meeting]. So then when they showed up later the members asked if they could teach with us after church. Fantastic or what? That morning I had pleaded to, “Please Heavenly Father, bless us with two member lessons today if it be Thy will!” and He was just dropping blessings. Biggest blessing of all is that these members that came to the rescue are incredible. They are a couple that were baptized in the middle of the night in secret during communism. I hear that their story is in the new book "Daughters in My Kingdom" even though I have yet to find it. Anyway, after church we had an INCREDIBLE lesson with these two, and the Spirit was so strong and they set up with us again for tonight. They really are interested I think, so I hope that I can help them the best I can, even though the work really is in the Lord's hands. Although we must work our hardest to help the miracles keep coming. After that lesson we also had a lesson with [our other investigator] that was a cool thing because he usually doesn’t like meeting with us a ton.
I'm telling you--goals with faith are the way to work life! And I have realized that we must also work--and
sacrifice--in order for God to pull through the rest. We’ve got to do our part. And if we do, Heavenly Father really does pour out blessings with not enough room to receive them. We'll work harder on that this week. Miracles do happen! 2 Nephi 27:23. [= For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.]
Also last night we had a really cool meeting with the Branch President. I read in “Preach My Gospel” that we need to always introduce ourselves to the Branch Presidents immediately. In Brno the missionaries and the Branch weren’t really working together very well when I got there. So, I asked for a meeting in the [Branch President’s] home, and after that the work SKY ROCKETED. And last weekend he baptized our [investigator]. So I came here and asked Sister J what was up, and I got a similar response. So I asked if we could come visit. We only are allowed to stay for an hour for dinners, and he wanted to feed us, so we went on a walk beforehand with his whole family to give us more time to talk about things. I asked him how we can help him and what his goals are and what his vision is. He let us know that he needs us to find people who are really dedicated to the gospel. We agreed and talked about that. He agreed to help by mentioning member missionary work at Church and assigning Sacrament [Meeting] talks to people about that to get that going. He said that Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching are going well here. We then had dinner, and by the end I was so happy! Man! What a treat. So now we can build on what the Branch has already done. It's so wrong for us as missionaries to just take on the attitude that it is us against the world. I still have a TON to learn with that because to be honest that's how it feels at times, but this taught me that working with leaders really is something we need to do. After that we shared a spiritual thought with him and his wife. The Branch President here is SO HELPFUL. I am just so excited to work here. It really is a huge blessing to be on a mission and to be able to work with these wonderful people.
I love you all. You're in my prayers. The work goes forward!
Love,
Satu