Gdansk and the Youth

Dearest Fam :) Thanks for the ridiculous amazing letters. I love them, again :) So, shocker- I didn't go to Ukraine, not because my legal situation is magically solved...but because 10 minutes before I got on the train to go to Lublin, where the Office Elders were going to pick me up and drive me to Ukraine, I got a call from them, the Office Elders (Slagowski and Burger) telling me "Stop! Don't get on the Train!" Ha. So I didn't. Turns out the big time Lawyer called them minutes before they called me because he didn't think that the Border would let us back into Poland once we were in Ukraine. I would have for sure seen Todd in that case :P I was pretty bummed to be honest- I'm sick of being illegal! AH! So looks like back to England with me. Kurczę! While on the topic of traveling though, I DID go to Gdańsk on exchanges, and just got back yesterday night. Left Sunday after church (:P I was thinking about what you were saying ma, about being busy on Sunday...it's a different story on the mish, that is for sure. But I'm used to it already lol, it's for sure different at home :)) Gdańsk is the city by the sea- one of the major Tourist spots, because it is absolutely beautiful. The District Leader apartment is right on the Rynek, and that's where i stayed the night, with Elder Carlen. The cultural highlight of the exchange was seeing one of the oldest, and by far the most awe-inspiring and ancient chapels I have ever seen. The thing was just epic as could be- stone tiles with engravings from centuries ago and the ceiling was SOOOOO HIGH is was insane. And, therein is contained one of the craziest pieces of Catholic art I have ever seen in my entire life- I took a picture of it, and I saved one panel (the most interesting one) to this e-mail. I'll let you find out what is so intersting- I think Ry would flip out if he saw it. So crazy.We had some good contacts- the city is Incredibly large compared to Bydgoszcz. The most miraculous thing that happened, and it truly was a miracle, is that I ran into that African-american- Mike- again. The one I met in Warsaw with McRae, teh one I miraculously ran into with Elder Meacham when i was in Gdańsk for one day- again, the 2nd day I have ever spent in Gdansk, I ran into him again. He is amazing as can be- he really wants to meet...I just don't know if he wants to meet with the Elders in Gdańsk as much as he wants to meet with me. He's a musician, we've ran into eachother several times, obviously not on accident- I hope I get to teach him. I felt in Warsaw that he had major potential and that maybe I would get sent to Gdansk just to teach him. SO that was truly amazing. Tender mercy for sure :)Elder Harvey and I feel blessed beyond comprehension because of the amazing young investigators we have. We have Maciek, who we met last week, who is way interested, who wants me to teach him piano, and I think will get baptized. There's Natalia number one, who is cute and way interested in the Gospel, and then Natalia number 2 who is in her fourth year of Music School, playing the cello. We had a break through lesson with her, teaching her about the Plan of Salvation. She really wasn't so interested at first, but after the lesson, she was quite eager to meet again. There's this young couple we met, Michał and Natalia (so many Natalia's!) and they too are intersted to meet. And then there's Ania, who we met and was golden as could be, but we lost contact with her and it broke our hearts! But yesterday, while I was on exchanges Harvey set up with her and taught her and she too, is stoked to learn more. Seriously, it's amazing to have one young investigator, but all the people I just mentioned are between the age of 18 and 25. And we need young people in Bydgoszcz branch. We've been looking for em, and the Lord has led us right to them :) It's been a major testminony builder in regards to what Elder Causse taught us- these men are truly ordained of God.Andrzej is doing well. He made it to the ward picnic I told you about Ma, and he loved it. It is so true what you said about people, when their rich, being sometimes hard-hearted and how Alma says, even rejoices in the fact that these people are so poor they had to humble themselves. Andrzej is at that truly humble state, and often when we first start talking, or he first comes to an activity, he is somewhat saddened, but by the end he is chipper as can be. I think he's starting to put the connection together...when he's at church, surrounded by this atmosphere, he is happy, full of hope and faith. He feels the Spirit. He is certainly progressing, we just got to help him keep his head up and remember the blessings the Lord promises those who follow Him.I don't know if I ever told you about Chip- the American we semi-often meet with and...I can't say teach, cos it's more like seriously discuss lol. He's a super neat man, was a photographer for 25 years..good at what he did, traveled all over the world, and ended up married to a Polish woman, now living in a city that is hard for him to pronounce. :P It makes me feel for the American and British elders. He has so many doctrinal questions, that even though they often lack a firm basis, he insists that we prove them wrong. It's tough for sure. In Poland, people are often simply to stubborn to listen- they say they're Catholic, but so few of them even open the Bible it's kind of crazy.The Priests in times of communism used to be the only ones who could even have a Bible. So the doctrine would be presented in a very sheltered, and not fully truthful way. I just resently learned that. It explains a lot. Just yesterday a lady said, in response to our question, "Are you a believing person?" "You know, just like stereotypical Pole, believing, but not practicing." Most people believe that there is something up there, they just have no true Idea what. Or why we're here. I've really learned the importance of knowing doctrines, very simple doctrines, so well, that we can present them in a way that everyone can not only understand, but it would be impossible for them to misunderstand what we are saying to them. I learned to love that aspect of missionary work here in Poland. It's furthered my own testimony tons, which I am so grateful for. These young people we teach are open to what we have to say, they consider the possibility that this wonderful message we share isn't just some magical story we've created that's almost to good to be true...but it just kind of makes sense. God loves us, so he wants us to be happy. The Gospel is the best plan in the world for that happiness. I love it :) But Chip- it's a good experience. For sure :P Janina came to church again, which was good. One more week and she'll be an active member :) Woo! I can't remember if anything else epic happened....I love Bydgoszcz so much...it feels like home and I'm scared to live somewhere else in a month or so. I love living in the same place for 6months- I really get to truly know it, inside and out. It's my city :) But it also makes it really hard to leave. I always go through withdraws, and such. But, again wouldn;'t trade it for anything.You sound like you had a wonderful week, with soccer, and football, and your girls time at Target lol. :) I'll be sending you some pictures way soon, I'm sorry I've been ridiculous at that. Thank you Grandma Diane so much for the money :) I truly appreciate it :) HOpe your doing so well! I despise my lack of time to write everyone who writes me. It eates me a part! I get so many amazing letters and have truly no time at all. Writing in my journal these days is a Herculean feat. BUt I will continue to try- we have some long train rides coming up- Zone Leader meeting on Thursday :) I'll let you know how that is.Well, my family, I love you :) I love this Gospel, and I am so grateful for every day I have here. Have an amazing week. I love the PMG thing you are doing down there Dad and Spence. It's amazing. Never forget to pray, and to read, at least a little bit everyday. It has so much power, I don't know what I'd do without it.Have an amazing week, remember who you are. Love,Starszy Michael Rushton :) p.s. Glad you got the chocolates, love you Jakey boy. Smacznego. pps Truly, thank you so much to you who send me letters, I would write you an e-mail every week if that were legit. For reals, it means more than I can express. I will write you back.