Concentration camps and the Good Word

Dear Family!Yes! Katowice is truly a gold mine for missionary work. It is so so different then any other city I have ever been to, but it most certainly has it's own little charm. This is for sure lol. We live in a building called the "Super Jednostka". The Super Unit. It is HUGE! Just one giant block really close to Centrum, so we hardly ever ever have to take tramwaj's and buses places, which rocks the casbah, I must say. But we live on the 15th floor, outlooking the entire city, and it's just the time of year that every night when we come home, the sun is setting softly over the city, and with the pollutional haze, it just looks stunning, honestly :) I love it man. There used to be about 4 different companionships who lived in this building, but now, it's just us, and the Sisters. Good place though. Nice apartment. How did Lunch go with Sister Brown? I went on exchanges with the boy this last Thursday, and loved it. He and I have practically indentical musical tastes, and he's a super nice and just cool kid. We had some neat conversation and did some good missionary work. We had a meeting with a girl who lives in this city called Żory, an hour outside of Katowice, and she had to meet at 9, so we left way early, with no study to make it out there. She is a character- not because she is wierd, she is as normal and kind as they come. She is super intriguiged with our beliefs, and had chatted with MTC missionaries for a couple months before randomly showing up to Church by herself a couple of weeks ago. Since then, she has read barely any from the Book of MOrmon, but has submersed herself deeply in the deepest and most confusing of doctrine, and since this time felt lost, and several other emotions. She now feels that the church is not true, but as Elder Hughes so wisely pointed out, she has no real idea what she doesn't think is true- just a lot of random doctrine which have no support without the basic truths of the Gospel. SOOOO, we have a lot of work there- she's going to have to soften that heart of hers and read the Book! But we had a great exchange in Sosnowiec- the sister city of Katowice where the DL (Elder Brown) lives. Love that kid. I hope I stay here with him in this district for a while. But let me know how your lunch was! Way interested. :)I saw Elder Burt today and his family (his mom gave me a hug from you. Lol o geeze) at Auschwitz. It is in a city an hour away from here along with Birkenau, Auschwitz II. It was such an experience. So intense. The entire camp has been carefully renovated and you can just feel a small small ounce of what really happened there as your led through the different Blocks where people were kept and experimented on and all of the terrible things that happened there. We will for sure be visiting there when you come- I know you all would want to. Birkenau is a bit differnet then Auschwitz- less renovated and way more intense feeling. Just seeing hut after hut- seeing the facilities, seeing the train tracks, the same train tracks that led car after car of helpless victims that were just unloaded into these conditions that make you shiver. SIster Harth, who is from Germany and I, who would not have stood a chance had I lived in Europe at the time, walked through it and it she made a comment how she couldn;'t believe that everything that happened, was all done in German, it made her sick. She commented how it was amazing though that her and I were now there walking through it together. Definitely something everyone should see. We have been busy as can be lately- we've had some crazy adventures this last week for sure haha. One that you would probably like to here was when Paweł, the one with the high voice led us to this older investigator yesterday. The whole Śląsk is this southern area, with Katowice in the center, with little cities surrounding it, connected by tramwaj and buses. This investigator lived in Chorzów, 30 minutes by tramwaj. So we road there with Paweł, who never stops talking, and has no regard for personal space in the slightest. He just gets right up in your grill and it is actually ridiculously hilarious. ELder Hughes and I were just laughing here and there. But it was good- he has sucha good heart and is such a good member. Just a tad eccentric, but wouldn't have him anyother way. We met with Ania, and her family a couple times, the most memorable being the Sports Saturday event we had for children. There was a Polish woman, Ola, who was joined the church in England and lives there, but came home to visit for the first time since she joined the church. She is kindof really ridiculously intense and when she came for her vacation, she basically dominated primary, and turned sports saturday into an uber-primary activity. It's hard to understand it without seeing her in action...but it's the exact thing that i can see myself taking in, enjoying watching Dad hold back his frustration :P I was geting frustrated. But, it turned out to be ok- we played soccer and Sebastian loved it. He is one amazing Kid and we're really trying to help him love the Gospel. He really hasn't been taught much at all, so he's still at the begnning stages, and really only knows about the do's and don't's which isn't very motivating for a 10 year-old kid who's been pretty exposed to the world already. He is a sweet kid- just a bit too smart and talented for his good. WIth a little balance that the Gospel could give him, and his family in general, he will just be a superstar here, in life and for the Church. Which is exactly what we need. Michał is the cutest little kid. I carried him on my shoulders from the field back to the chapel, and Elder BRown was with me. I started to do the only beat boxing i know how, cos he likes it, and elder brown did the little hand wave thing and said "Ballin!", and then Michał did the same thing "Ballin! Ballin!" o goodness it was so funny :) We have some amazing investigators who just need to be asked to be baptized! I didn't get to meet with a couple of them, because I had to go to Warsaw for the last time to finish some legal work (finally got it mostly under control, I owe the Office ELders my life for helping me so much) but I will get to meet one, Ryszard today, who apparently is amazing. Aga, is the other- a younger music-scene girl who is already friends with Martyna, one of the recent converts.Martyna and Natalia- 2 recent converts who are coooool as can be! Kingdom builders all the way. THey are so willing to help and are the kind of people we need helping. They have sincere and kind testimonies and are just amazing. We feel so lucky to have them here in Katowice. ANdrzej Pappelbaum did not get baptized yet, but will be as soon as he gets his mieszkanie (aparment) problems worked out. I admit, I was worried a tad when I left, but he has been to church the past two weeks, and amazingly enough, he won some sort of free trip to the Czech republic! Ha. It's the best. He is doing well though. Which makes me so happy. I really have seen the Gospel work miracles in his life. It's been one of the best experiences. Because I don't know many of my investigators quite yet, I just want to comment on a few members- first the Branch President is the man. So kind, is so on top of the ball. Men like him are the future of Poland. We need more men to take his spot, who can take his spot. That's who we need to find these days. There's the District President- President Pawlik, who is probably 30 years old at the most- his wife is from California. Their children are so well behaved and amazingly brilliant and they speak 100% fluently POlish and ENglish. THe oldest is 10 years old! THere is an 8 year old one and they are just ridiculous! So cool though :)Well I've got to wrap this up. I'll have more concrete stuff about my investigators and such next week. We're bound to see some success soon here. As we work hard, the Lord provides the rest. Elder Hughes is still the man. He is so good for me lol. Keeps me trying harder and harder. I loved your letters so much. I love you all so much and I know you know that. You mean the world to me. How blessed we are to have the knowledge of this Gospel, the knowledge of the Atonement and of God's plan for us. I will always treasure that in a different way since being out here. I've been reading Grandpa's book again for some of study. I just love it. It makes me feel like i'm sitting there talking there to him. Thakn you for the awesome Polish letter Grandpa :)Ok really got to go! Love! Til next week! If you have any questions, want to know about somehting in particular let me konw. THe weather here is nice, not too hot, and becaus we live so high it always feels beautiful~!TO next week my amazing family. Seriously. You are the best :)Starszy MIchael Joseph Rushton Jr.

The Dirrrty South!!

FAMILIA!YES! I am in Katowice and I have had one of the craziest, most fulfilling and brilliant weeks of my life. Just so busy, so much change and goodness, I will obviously have to give you the shortened version, but it'll be good. It's like the Plates of Gold- it had to be shortened, but it was for our Good, so we could enjoy everything that was written lol. Kind of like the Plates of Gold. I'm so glad you got the package :) Victory. I loved the video of you opening it! I haven't watched the sunday dinner one yet, but I loved how much you guys liked everything. That chocolate is so luxurious, but it is the best. Hopefully you've enjoyed it among the other goodies. I love how long it took to open the coin purse. But you did it ha. Hope you can find some use for it all :) You all are amazing. Thank you for the package- i look forward to getting it. You all look so darn good. Just the same fam. :) SO this week truly has been just me going at 300000 miles per hour, getting thrown into a new city, traveling all over, and just good stuff! I think I'll keep it chronological, for the sake of clear understanding.I wrote you last monday, and didn't yet know who my companion would be. I found out the next day that it would be Elder Hughes! I couldn't believe it lol. No one ever serves with someone twice unless their and AP or something crazy happens. But I am with Elder HUghes again! And couldn't be more glad. He is the 6,000,000 dollar companion pop, if you remember. He really is one darn good missionary and learned the most when I was with him, and I have no doubt I'll learn some more ha. We probably will only have one month together, before the next mini-transfer comes out, which is not long at all, but it'll be amazing! Tuesday, we had Zone P=day in Warsaw. We got their pretty early, and caught a bus out to the Kabaty forest where we would do all our sports and BBQ and whatnot. When we got there, Elder McRae pulled up in the Huge van, and it looked like he was alone. But when he stopped, the sliding door opened, and ELder Broadbent, i mean Mark Broadbent popped out!!!! I flipped! Ha it was so so so good to see that man. He had just gone Study Abroad, and had hung out with all these girls from my ward at BYU who I hung out with, as well as Sydney Hancock, one of Christine's ultimate best friends, so that was crazy too! He gave me a letter from them that they had written the morning before. Pure craziness. BUt the Zone p-day was amazing. Talked to Mark (E.Broadbent) tons and played amazing Capture the Flag, and yes. That night we drove to Katowice. I had packed up all my stuff the day before in Bydgoszcz and so we all drove up to Katowice where teh next Zone P=day would be. I kinda had 2 p-days...which was way fun lol but I felt way lame. Kind of. Still really enjoyed myself. That night started my Threesome time with Elder Antczak and Elder Hedges ( a fellow Red-head) who would be "dying" 3 days later. From that day on, we spent so much time meeting all the investigators I would be taking over for, and helping a couple people who would be getting baptized that upcoming Saturday. The busiest days of my life. 6 meetings a day. Nonstop. I still haven't contacted on the street in Katowice yet. It's been insane! THe investigators here are a m a z i n g ! I will surely talk about them all with time, but for now I just want to talk a bout a few. Firstly, there is Ania, who is the single mother of 3 children. Her youngest, Michał, is 4 years old and is the happiest little kid, way wild, but very happy. Sebastian, is 10 and is obsessed with soccer. Good looking athletic kid, who needs this church in his life. He could have such an amazing future. Then there is Małgosia, who I have not met yet. But she is 14 and is apparently close to baptism. She struggles with some concerns, but as soon as she gets back from vacation, we will meet with her. Ania, was supposed to get baptized this last Saturday, but it had to be post-poned a bit because of something that was brought up in her interview. She will still get baptized soon, we're just wating on an answer from authorities higher than us. BUt she is amazing as well. She has a strong spirituatl testimony. She is so funny, but she will most certainly get baptized soon. She's about 38 years old, and I will send pictures as soon as I figure out by which means I will send them to you. SHe really loves Elder Antczak and Hedges, but she's taking the transition well. Next is Martyna and Natalia. Martyna was baptized in March and Natalia is her best friend. THey're cute way nice young girls and Natalia was just baptized this last saturday. They will both be amazing amazing members too. Seriously, so cool. I'll send you all pictures of everyone! They have really turned their lives around to join the church and really feel the truth of it all. It's a privelege to teach em.The Katowice Branch is somewhat known for the crazy members here. Bydgoszcz and Katowice are completely opposite of eachother. The character list is long, but i'll give you a few. First is Michał. He is crazy and sends really really creepy e-mails to missionaries. That's enough about him. He's really not mentally stable.Gosia is 28 ish and rocks the world because she is so normal and amazing. She is the relief society president and does such a good job.The branch President here is amazing- haven'y met him yet, but I hear nothing but amazing things.THere is Paweł next. Somethign happened to his vocal chords, so when he talks, it's like he just walked out of Practice with the Vienna Boys Choir. Wicked high voice! He has such a good heart though and in actuallity is not wierd. He just comes off as wierd. Amazing member though. Very excited about missionary work. There are so many more- I don't really know too many people yet, and I can't really explain the different feel of the branch in the alloted time I've got here lol. But, essentially the bramch has serious personaltiy, and I love it. For every not-100%-there member, there are a couple really really solid members. Missionariy work is going splendidly here, and there will be some growth in this transfer! I love it here so much.Kato is way dirty compared to any city i"ve been in, and way more real. Real life prevails- the first 10 minuites of Elder HUghes' stay here, we thought we saw a dead person. Just laying on the sidewalk, eyes open, way dirty, and old. He started breathing though eventually. I've seen more then 1 1-legged pigeon and way more larry's then usual. IT is a coal city- the śląsk, is what they call it. THe south in general is just a bunch of cities all crammed together. It is a good place. I really do love it. I loved serving with ELder Antczak and Hedges for the last 4 days. IT was so much fun, and so powerful meeting all these peolple.ANdrzej did not yet get baptized, not cos he doesn't have a testimony, cos he really does- he wants to have his feet firmly on the ground before he gets baptized in regards to his apartment and finacial situation, so that he can be a good, reliable member. Righht now he doesn't feel relaxed, because he doesnt have a firm place to live. ANd i respect that tons. He came to churhc this last sunday. ANd i will go down there soon to baptize him. Today, i saw probably one of the coolest things in the world. This old old old medievil castle, just in ruins. BUt it was well-enough preserved to walk thorugh it and explore. Oh it was amazing! I'll send pics. We ahve to go there when you all come. :)SO, it is official. Way too much happened this week, for me to properly explain. I hope you got a bit of the craziness and enjoyed it. I'll surely explain each person in better detail thorughout the weeks. I love you all so much :)The greatest part of this mission is seeing the GOspel change people's lives. Seeing it help them not only understand life and it's purpose, but to find happiness throughout it all. i love you so much, thank you for the videos and amazing support. You all are the best! TO next week!Elder Michael j Rushton Jr, :)

I left my heart in Bydgoszcz-August 10th, 2009

My Family!Transfer news has not yet hit the press, but soon enough, I will know who my companion will be. I already know where I will be going- tomorrow is Zone P-day, so we're all going down to Warsaw, but I will not be coming back. Transfers aren't until a week from now, but I'll be spending this entire week in my new area, of KATOWICE!!! It's one of the biggest cities in the South of Poland and it is affectionately named the Dirty South by all missionaries. Everyone who serves there loves it with all their hearts. I'll be taking over Elder Antczak(who is going home)'s area and his investigators and I am so stoked for that! The Branch there is apparently one of the kindest, most willing to help with missionary work and the Branch President is the nicest man in the world. I look forward to cofirming all of this while I'm down there :) No idea who my companion will be, but I'll be on of the South Zone Leaders, over the cities Kraków, Kielce(elder McRae opened this city), Wrocław and Zgorzelec (elder Hughes opened this city) on the German border. It'll be saweet! Elder McRae was just there with Elder Antczak the transfer I was with Elder Hughes, and he told me about all the amazing investigators they have there. So, it'll be one beautiful ride down there. My only worry is that I won't be staying there for long- I've only served in 2 cities for 6 months a piece...i wonder how much Longer I can keep that up! I'm so accustomed to staying and falling in love with a place it'll be a bummer if I leave Katowice after one transfer. But we'll see :) I just packed all my stuff yesterday, for the second time in this country lol. It's the best. Elder Harvey has packed 6 times. To wrap that up though, I am super excited!Elder Beaty is staying here and taking over as Bydgoszcz DL, and I hope Elder Harvey stays here to take care of our investigators. He's kind of freaking out that Transfers aren't out yet. Kind of dying lol. I'm coming back here this upcoming saturday to Baptize Andrzej (you say it Andre, like Andre the Giant, but the r is the "rg" from garage, kind of wierd to say, but yah lol. And pappelbaum is exactly how you'd think it'd be.) I pray everything with him is in order. He's staying at this Members empty room that she usually rents our for tonight and tomorrow before the renter of the room comes to take it. The Lord really is providing a lot of help with Andrzej- I'm really praying it will work out. And I do have the hope that it will work out. The prayers are all very welcome. We're meeting with him one last time before I leave. I actually just talked to him on the Phone ma, and he told me, that when I have contact with you, I need to tell you that he reads that letter (I translated it into Polish the best I could) everyday, with the Book of Mormon. It means a lot to him, and he is very grateful for it. I'm going to miss Andrzej- i'll certainly be in contact with him though. No doubt about that. The days preceeding a transfer where I actually move are devestatingly tiring for me. I feel like it's a mini end of my mission. Trying to wrap up everything with these investigators to make sure the next missionaries can do the most with them, contacting potentials, making sure my companion knows everything he needs to about the city. It's kinda intense. The lack of order to my day is probably one of the hardest parts about it all. I look forward to getting everything all settled down in Katowice (cat-oh-vee-tsa).This last week has been great though :) We've had a couple crazy adventures and miracles too, one of which seriously stuck out to me- even as it was happening I was kind of in awe, but too tired to really rejoice in the moment. Last week I said we were going to meet with two families- one lives right on the Rynek, in the center of town. They weren't there. But they live so close it's not really a big deal, we'll find them soon enough. The second family though, lives in Fordon, which is like the Lake Elsinore of Murrieta, except it's still considered part of Bydgoszcz. But it's way the poop out there. So, we catch a bus and head out there, not really knowing which stop to get off on exactly. I ask someone, and they let us know- a younger kid kind of one-ups him and says he'll show us the way, he had nothing better to do. So we got off and walked down to the street we were trying to find, talking Gospel the whole way there. He was kind and sincere- he didn't want to meet, but he was interestedin the Book of Mormon, so we gave him a spare copy we had. He led us right to the street where this family supposedly lived. We walked to the number, number 38, and I stood in a but of confusion, because it looked nothing like the woman had described it, but we walked inside anyway. I gave the family a call right there. When the mom picked up, I said who I was, and she hung up on me. I was dejected right about then. So far out of the way, in the middle of no where, to find this family, who just hung up on my face. But we decided to tract the building anyway. Nothing really came of it, so we headed to the Bus stop, to head home. At the bus stop, I asked a man which bus goes to centrum, and he kindly helped us and said he was taking the same bus and actually going to the same stop and he would help us. He was there with his little daughter, who looked impeccably like my dear little sister, Annie. Short red hair, freckles and a cute little smile :) We ended up talking the whole 30 minute ride home, and in the end got their number and said we could come over and share our message this next saturday. It was amazing. Here, this somewhat promising family rejected us, but in the outcome, the Lord led us to an amazingly promising family who we have good contact with. It was something very beautiful for me and Elder Harvey. I loved Ryan's anology about how our relationship with God is that of a father, and how often life is like when we learn to swim, and our parents always step back a little farther, and it can be frustrating, but it pushes us for the better, and if we ever do start to fall, they will bring us back up immediately. I felt that 100 percent in this instance. His hand was right there, lifting me up. We met with Janina, the Less active who has not missed a day of church since about a month and a half ago when she came back, and with Jurek Choleczynski, another man who is less active simply because of his work schedule as a Security Guard. Both were nice meetings- Janina's was nice, but hard at the same time. She is back and is a good lady. She is definitely a stubborn one and we got into an off topic argument about Nephi and Laban and whatnot, but it was good in the end. She is incredibly kind and will surely help others join the church. Sorry for the vagueness, it would take far to long to explain lol. Jurek was sad to see me go, and I felt the same. He is such a funny man. He always says he's "too stupid" to understand God's ways, but knows they are right. He says he's beyond faith- he just has a conviction of the truth these days. He does have amazing faith, and is a great member. I bet the missionary who led him to the church is darn proud. I was proud and I've simply had the pleasure to teach him for the past while. We met with Andrzej 4 or 5 times this last week preparing him and getting everything ready for his Baptism. It looks like his Baptism will take place in a really really not pretty pool that we have to get shipped in from Lodz (a city)- it's a do-it-yourself pool. We've tried so many options, but this looks like the only one that's really going to work. The major plus is that we'll be able to do the whole thing right there, at the chapel. Which really makes it all worth it. Andrzej is ok with it either way. :) Church was good, but sad. I bore my testimony for the last time there for awhile, but it was good. I really do love this Branch. They are so amazing. It's hard to comprehend the beauty of a self-sufficient branch without being surrounded by several branches that have the Missionaries as the beating heart, the central organ, without which all chaos would break out. This branch, despite some issues with a Branch President, is full of worth Priesthood holders, familes, great and caring people who have so much potential! I hope every missionary who serves here realizes that and takes advantage of it. I probably would've have used them all a little more had I realized the beauty of it earlier in my time here. So yes, I will be sad to live them behind. But Katowice's branch is also amazing. Maybe not as dependant, but very amazing. Maciek, our 18-year old investigator, is the bee's knees. He is our buddy, because he is so darn cool, but he realizes why we meet and he has been praying about a baptismal date hard. I know he will be a Branch President here in the future. He is the epitomy of a Kingdom Builder. He has sucha good head on his shoulders, he is caring, mature, and good-natured and sincerely seeks after the kingdom of God. He has more common sense than most, and will be one amazing member of the church. I hope I write home that he has a Bapt. date soon. Well Family, this is my last e-mail from this beautiful Library overlooking the Rynek here. How glad I am that I have more time in this beautiful Country, that round 2 of the Mish is merely starting. It will be something special, I have no doubt. I have so much left to do here, so much the Lord wants me to do, and it'll take a lot of self-improvement and self-criticism, as well as several more amazing companions, investigators and faith-building experiences on the way. I wrote to you once, now that I think about it, from Katowice when i wrote the Mission Song down there with Elder Daly. I really liked it. :) :) :)Thank you for the Letters again. My family truly is as great as they come. How I miss you all, but relish in the fact that we have more then a little time together after my Mission :) I wish you could see the things that I see sometimes- see the people who really want to change their lives, see the people who really understand what Faith is and who not only proclaim it by the means of their words, but live it more then anything. I love my time here. Everyday is a treasure. I've felt so much stress here lately because I know that my time here is winding down, and that I would be leaving. I can't really imagine that feeling of leaving this country. I need to give my all- and there is a lot to give. I love this Gospel family, and I know how much everyone needs it, whether they know it or not. It is the way to happiness. It is His plan for us. How grateful I am that we find ourselves in it :)Tomorrow is Zone P-day, it will be amazing. Have a beautiful week! Be safe Spence playin ball, you bruiser you. My Gimli axe is awesome eh?! It was real as could be ha. I miss you kid. Glad you enjoyed efy. Sarah, hope you are doing good, sister. You are so darn funny and amazing. I love you so. Annie, I love you so, it was crazy seeing that girl that looked like you. Maybe she;ll get baptized and you can meet her. Made me remember how much fun we would all have together, on the tramp, or on the lake, or anywhere :) Love you all so much! Have a great week :)Elder Mikey Rushton p.s. Ma, that scripture from D&C 121 is the exact one i read to Andrzej. That's amazing :) p.s.s Pop, I know how much you wish you were at Home. I'm so grateful to have the family and the love we do. Andrzej talks a lot about how he never really had that. I do feel way too blessed too often these days.

The Castle Malbork

Hey ma pa spence sarah and annie babe- I have 5 minutes to write here, but will write you more tomorrow. We visited the castle Malbork (you can for sure check it out on Wikipedia) but somethings went haywire and we just barely got back...by haywire meaning we woke up at 3:45 in the morning so that we could make it back here in time to e-mail, but construction on a train station led to lots of confusion and we ended up having to go back to this city, Tczew, like 6 times lol, after getting an hour away from it. So tomorrow will be the real update. Sorry for the wait :) I love you all and am doing grand. We have some great lessons tonight- one with Andrzej Pappelbaum, and another with this girl Ania and then English class. Should be grand :) I'm tired and no doubt smell kinda wierd, but sometimes we just have to live with it :P Talk to you all more tomorrow, thank you so for the letters! I'm going to read them right now. Have fun spencie and be safe up there. I have no idea what you're doing lol other then efy and you are at the lattanzio's. But i'm sure I'll find out. Love :)

Good good men. Fast letter.

Rodzina Moja Kochana! I have 45 minutes to be at a meeting with our man Brother Pappelbaum, so I'm going to have to make this one a quickie :)We couldn't meet with him last night- matter of fact we didn't meet with anyone, because people had to reschedule and whatnot, but we're meeting with them all again sooner then later. Andrzej will be there today- his Landlord showed up at his house last night and told him he had to leave immideately- he's been searching for a new apartment, but they wanted him to leave right then and even started packing his stuff. He asked for the decency to stay till Sunday, and they finally agreed, but he's in quite the tight spot. He is progressing so well, and really needs to find a mieszkanie (apartment) so that he's not stressed out about living on the street, which should never happen to him! and focus on his baptism. So please pray for him. Ma, he will love your letter so so much. Thank you so much :) This week has been one of the most tiring of my entire mission with out a single doubt. I went on 4 exchanges in 5 days. It was insanity. But it was so grand :) My first one was with the District leader here, Elder Rasmussen, and it was amazing! We worked hard, had a couple meetings, very good stuff. We taught a meeting to Andrzej, with Brat Michael Issac- the first Branch President of Bydgoszcz almost 25 years ago. He is African- American and is the man! He speaks such fluent Polish it blows my mind, and is an amazing man. Andrzej, having to take care of apartment-related things, was late almost an hour, but Brat Issac stayed. So we heard his life story, how he joined the church. It was amazing. I could spend my whole time telling you the story, but the bottom line was, he knew the missionaries, and they taught him everything, but he refused to get baptized. He had them over everyweek though for lunch, with his Polish wife. One week the Elders came over very sad, and he asked why. A lady who was ready to get baptized completely bailed 2 days before the baptism, and was out of contact, AWOL. They had already reserved and paid for the pool, and she wanted nothing to do with the church. He told them, by the end of the meeting, that he would be Baptized then instead. He is the man. in the time he was Branch President, 100 people got baptized in Bydgozcz. In 3 years, 100 people got baptized, in one city! That includes all the amazingly strong members that are still here today. The next exchange was with Elder McRae, my brother. Oh it was so good to work with him! Sweetest mercy. It was amazing- working together a year later then we had first started together when I had 2 months and he had 6. A year later, and a bit more ability in the Polish language, we dominated the day, and it was just amazing. He is the man, as well. My dream is to serve with him again, somehow. Although, probably not likely lol. Dream right?Next exchagne was with Elder Adams in Poznań, which was also amazing. My 3rd exchange there, with 3 different District leaders. It rocked though :) It's such a beautiful city, and we talked to some choice people after struggling almost the whole mornign with no success. The mission more and more, is directly a mini-life. We endure the hard times, the struggles, and if we endure it well, the Lord blesses us. I think the mission is so beautiful because you experience all these life-truths, and gospel-truths in hyperspeed. You endure for a few hours, and the Lord blesses you. In life it's often a lot longer then a few hours- but if we endure it, we will be so blessed :) Poznań also is doing very well. Wish I could expound more!The last one was with Elder Peatrowsky, who is 6 months on the mish and is one cool kid. He's from Nebraska, and we just had a jolly good time here in Bydgoscz. We worked hard, had some amazing meetings- one of which was one of the most intesnse philisophical meetings I have ever had- and the other being a first meeting where I asked a woman to get baptized, after she claimed she was sitting in the true church of God! She's moving this week, so we're going to set a firm baptismal date for her next week. Her name is Teresa. She's older, and I've only met her once, so I don't have a good judge of her character yet, but she seems amazing. So, It was a busy one! But I loved it. It's the best being able to serve with so many different elders and share points of view and feel the spirit together and help people come to Christ and feel the power that can come into their lives as they align it to the will of the Lord. AH! I have got to run, but I love you family so much. This work is going so well here. We're meeting with 2 families in their homes today, so that will be exciting! Next P-day is Zone P-day in Warsaw, so I have no idea when I will e-mail, but there will be an e-mail next week. And i'll know about Transfers next week too! So exciting! I look forward to telling you where I go :)I love you so, and know this Gospel is true with all my heart. How grateful I am for it. Enjoy the pictures and have an amazing week. Be safe, and have fun my siblings and parents. To next week!Elder Mikey Rushton :) I am spartacus~!

Tczew, the city that keeps pulling you back lol‏

Hey ma pa spence sarah and annie babe- I have 5 minutes to write here, but will write you more tomorrow. We visited the castle Malbork (you can for sure check it out on Wikipedia) but somethings went haywire and we just barely got back...by haywire meaning we woke up at 3:45 in the morning so that we could make it back here in time to e-mail, but construction on a train station led to lots of confusion and we ended up having to go back to this city, Tczew, like 6 times lol, after getting an hour away from it. So tomorrow will be the real update. Sorry for the wait :) I love you all and am doing grand. We have some great lessons tonight- one with Andrzej Pappelbaum, and another with this girl Ania and then English class. Should be grand :) I'm tired and no doubt smell kinda wierd, but sometimes we just have to live with it :P Talk to you all more tomorrow, thank you so for the letters! I'm going to read them right now. Have fun spencie and be safe up there. I have no idea what you're doing lol other then efy and you are at the lattanzio's. But i'm sure I'll find out. Love :)

Szczecin. Bydgoszcz. Yesz.

Hallo Famila :)
How ridiculous is it that you are on the lake! Ah! I'm glad you are enjoying yourselves and having an amazing time with the extended family. I send my best greeting and would hug everyone there if I could lol. Thank you so much for writing me lol- especially you ma, that's like 3 or 4 texts full :) Thank you :)
It has been another incredibly busy and crazy week, that will probably make you tired again, Pop, if I go through it all, so I'll give the lay-out, and comment on the highlights.
Tuesday, we had Interviews with President, which were grand. President is such an amazing, kind, loving man, who is so full of insight and power. You can see in him how much he simply cares about us all. He was very kind to me, invredibly complimentary and truly was grateful for my leadership here in the NorthWest. I've loved every second of it. Since I was Six months in the country I've been here...I'm coming up on a year in the country very soon. I am officially an older missionary. Whoo :/ So strange. But, I was we made commitments for ourselves, and I commited to learn a scripture a day. Which I will certainly need to work on. Cos that's a lot of memorizing. But it will be very good for me.
President also dropped a hint...more like told me where I would be going next transfer, but I don't want to say, just in case it changes. I'm already falling in love with the place in my heart. Wherever I am called, that's where I'll go. I'm more then sure though I am leaving here- just because I've been here for so long. Elder Harvey has been in 6 cities already- he's only 4 months older then me on the Mish! Lol, I am an uber exception when it comes to staying in one place. But sincerely, I wouldn't have it any other way. The Lord so closely knows what I need and he knows how close my heart grows to these places.
That is one thing I have grown to just know, without a doubt. That the Lord does work through inspiration- Elder McLaws' letter this week blew me off my seat, it was so good. A couple things are kind of hard to appreciate without being on a mission, but when he said, "These are my people" that hit a tune with my heart. Especially here, in this small city of Bydgoszcz- I just love these people. Especially the ones who will listen for two seconds and let their heart contemplate the message of truth we present them. I know the Lord knew that I needed Bydgoszcz, and someone in Bydgoszcz needed me.
SO- after interviews, we drove to Szczecin. I talked to Sister Engbjerg for the Second half of the ride and got the scoop on how Her and President met. It was rich :P President bought us all ribs for lunch, and this crazy good soup. He really does spoil his missionaries. Kind of ridiculous ha.
We got to Szczecin late, and went up to the Branch President's apartment, Elder Daly's, and there we slept.
Zone Conference was truly amazing. I loved it- there in that new Chapel, on the 3rd story of a building in the city center. It was amazing. :) We had the chance to prepare a Zone Leader presentation, which went well. We talked about someting I felt very passionately about, and I think the Zone accepted it very well. Elder Rassmussen said it was the best part of Zone Conference. We talked about equalizing our time and being more effective- not simply being out on the streets all the time- which happens so much! So we made a plan and some ideas aimed at helping us as a Zone spend less, more-effective time on the street, and more time in the class room teaching. The dying missionaries gave their testimonies, which is always powerful- it's neat for me to see their close-to-last impressions at the end of their mission.
Elder Harvey and I stayed in Szczecin for exchanges the next day, because there are only three trains from Szczecin to Bydgoszcz, so this was by far most convenient. I was with Elder Daly, and we had an amazing day! So very good contacting- found some very neat people- especially one lady who was a frytki (literally means a french fry, but slang for one who tans very very often :P), but a very very kind lady with two children. She set up- tons of potential. Szczecin has only been open for a year now, and there are only 2 solid members. Henryk, who just left to Russia for 10 months, and Agnieszka, a cute 21 year old girl who is converted as can be. She's the one I gave a baptismal interview to last exchange I had in Szczecin who just blew me away with how ready she was. So, a family would do wonders for this literally miniscule branch. :) Elder Daly is still the man. I read in my journal a couple days ago how we first met. So funny :P
E. Harv and I caught a train back at 5 in the morning. We got up at 4:15, and I wanted to die. But we made it to Bydgozcz at around 9, went home and cleaned up, and had a respectable day.
The week, despite the fact that we spent 3 days in Szczecin, turned out to be quite fruitful, and leads to my highlights.
Andrzej Pappelbaum, is the man. He is progressing so well- he is truly sincere in his commitment to be a member of this church. He really, really likes me- he says I was the one who led him to this church, to this better life, and I was worried when I left, he would fall away, cos that often happens here in Poland. But we've had some amazing conversations lately, and he knows I will be leaving, and his only request is that I baptize him before I leave. How can I refuse him that :) He accepted the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity in a snap- he is really realizing the powerful feelings of the spirit he has whenever we meet, or he is at church, or anywhere near the Gospel. And that is so rewarding. He was especially touched when I told him that my family was praying for him, that they even know who he is. He is divorced, lives alone, and doesn't really have any family these days- he says I'm his brother, and I really do feel it. He is an amazing man. He will be a strong member of the church. Please continue to pray for him- if you want to write him a letter ma, he would super appreciate it :) If you have the time.\
Maciek, our 18 year old investigator, is also on fire. He has such a true and earnest desire to learn the truth, it is amazing. I love talking to him because he is so rational and has a maturity far beyond his years in terms of really thinking before he speaks, and being sensitive to the Spirit. I love teaching him so much. I played some piano for him too, and he loved that. He's praying about a baptismal date for the beginning of September, and he came to church last Sunday. We're meeting with him tonight :)
Good stories...dang it! I got nothing lol. Hmmm...ok I will be on the Look out. I'm sorry :P
Any questions y'all have? I wonder if you all are always wondering about some aspect of life here that I never remember to mention. Let me know :)
The transfer is just flying by- only 2 weeks left here :( I am really going to miss this place.
Next week, we're going to the biggest castle in all of Poland, Malbork, so e-mail might be later, or earlier then usual. Probably later though.
I hope you have an amazing day today, and please be safe. Everyday on the mission is a gift to me. I love it so. I know the Lord called me here to Poland for a reason, and I look forward everyday to finding those who are ready. Some days are slow and long, others fly by- but it's all a balance. It's when we well endure the slow and long, that we see the successful days. I've really learned that tender lesson of Godly hesitance- he doesn't always immediately step in, because he respects our agency and knows also the purpose of this earth life- to grow and learn. Also, if God always immediately intervened, every time we sinned, we would be immediately punished- realized that from reading an ensigh article. :)
I love you so fam. Have an amazing week, be safe, have fun and remember to pray for the people in Poland and for opportunites to share the Gospel in your own lives, in some small way. It is how the work rolls forth.
To next week :)

Starszy Michael Rushton Jr