Babcia Malina and Translating

Dearest Fam-This week was brilliant. Packed to the rim with...a lot of different activities, and I am sitting here happy to be writing you again.This morning I was in Kraków and the city is simply gorgeous. It is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Polish city that was not destroyed in World War II. Right in the middle of the city, there is the Rynek- filled with tourists from all over Europe and the rest of the world. Branching off is the Wawel castle- it's like it's own city inside. The whole thing was breath-taking. Probably the most amazing was the air-balloon we rode to about 180 meters off the ground. That was a horse of a different color. Sweet mercy I can't remember a more amazing sight. Fresh air filling your lungs, you just look out on the entire city of Kraków from a more peaceful, lest touristy side. I really loved that part of the day. We finished our day with Babcia Malina- Grandma Raspberry the famous resteraunt on the Rynek. Soooo delish!I've had a couple experiences this week- one in particular, that I don't think I'll ever forget. We had Zone Conference on Wednesday- and Elder Hughes and I had to organized the food, and our presentation, and just to ensure that our Zone was there and got out of there in time at the end. The conference was incredibly inspiring and uplifting for us all. Our mission is much smaller these days- there were only 23 of is all- including the assistants, President and his Wife- so only really 19 missionaries (there are only 3 zones now dad). We are only 2 and 4 man districts across the board- and every one is going to have to work with renewed focus and excitment and most importantly witht the Spirit, helping these branches grow and helping the members get involved with the Missionary work- with the incredibly strong culture wall- so many people do not get baptized simply because their family would disown them- the process is made 100 times more possible with members who lead their close friends to the church. We're trying to build the Kingdom of God here- and it is going to take a serious joint and unified effort. Solidarity is going to need to take on a whole new meaning. ANd we're working towards that.After the conference, Ania was there with her family. President had requested her presence for an interview. We as missionaries knew what it was about, but Ania didn't really- she had a hunch, and asked me if I would be the one to translate, and I was very glad to. The meeting had a sweet spirit to it- President Engbjerg is so loving and kind he helped Ania feel at ease.She had been so worried this past couple weeks that she would recieve a negative answer back from the higher (much higher) authority. SHe didn't know what she would do in such a case. We had the interview and at the end President pulled out a large envelope that had been express shipped from Salt Lake City, to Frankfurt to Warsaw. I explained this to Ania, and as I did, her eyes grew 5 sizes. President pulled out the smaller envelope within and explained who it was from, and explained that he had only seen a signature from the first presidency 2 other times in his life. He read the letter, Ania sitting on the edge of her seat. The letter was written in very very complicated English- I looked at it, and started to translate it and after about the third sentance I looked at her and said "Ania, you can get baptized." Tears filled her eyes, she hugged President and threatened to hug me, but shook my extended hand :) She was just so excited. She had been waiting for a few weeks now and was just so ready. She was sad because ELder Antczak was supposed to baptize her. SHe looked at me and with a smile said, "Well, Antczak was supposed to baptize me. But now it's gotta be you." I said I could do that. It'll be this Friday at 18:00 here a local nice pool facility where Natalia was baptized, the first week I was here. I am so excited for Ania. We're going over to her house tonight to teach a lesson and eat some birthday cake for ELder Hughes, who just turned 21 on Sunday. The Spirit was strong and I felt so blessed to be part of that experience and simply part of teacing Ania and her family. The woman has suffered a lot in life, and is suffering now for her choice to join her church- her boss fired her because of her choice, as a single mother she's struggling for work, but her faith and dedication is strong as anyone I've ever seen. Her neighbors have hit her, and when they went to court- Ania who had to defend herself against the intense lawyer highered by the wealthy neighbors, she was put to shame and made to look crazy. She was frustrated as could be- but never once has she taken it out on God. It's amazing to me and I'm so proud of her for her faith and dedication. She hasn't missed a sunday since her teaching became serious. This will be an amazing thing for her children, who we will continue to work with. I loved Jake's letter so darn much, because it sums up in far more susinct words what I feel. Seeing someone come to the Gospel is the joy of my life. Seeing someone find the true happiness that comes from following the examply of Christ and accepting baptism and living his Gospel is simply the best. I love being around such people. They are full of light and joy and the spirit is so often felt around them. When people reject the truth or reject the conviction or answer they have recieved that pain is just as bright and deep as the joy we feel from those sincere followers. I had a great phone conversation with Andrzej Pappelbaum this week. He will be getting baptized at the end of the month and he has a job and a place to sleep- he is working with his Friend, a baker, who is providing him with food and a place to sleep as he works at his Piekarnia (bakery). He seemed so peaceful and happy and it was like talking to an old friend, spekaing to him again. He told me to tell you all that he's"not leaving this road, ever" because it has given him the peace and joy he's been searching for his whole life. I'm so proud of him to and I know the Lord is and will be even more so as he is baptized. He said every blessing I ever promised him, he has received. It really was a different experience teaching Andrzej Pappelbaum- I feel like the Lord loosened my tounge with him more then any other investigator. I learn a little bit more about dedication and sacrifice every day I work among these members who are working and living in small branches that lack a lot (in terms of orginization) that is found in bigger ones, but who give everything they have to the branch. The church is so young here and there is so so so much work to be done, and these members need to be strong. They are the backbone of the church here and I am just amazed especially with some of the members who are ready to help in a heartbeat. They don't let the odds or the circumstances get them discouraged- they just soldier on with a smile on their face. They are my heroes and I love them so. There is one member here, Gosia, who is a prime human being- the salt of the earth. She could run her own company, and she is just amazing- she is so patient and loving in all she does in the branch and she just inspires me. I would hope I would be such an example sucha situation. There are several others like Gosia- she just sticks out in my mind. These people know that if it's true, nothing else really matters. They don't just say it- inf act they rarely do, but they show it on an everyday basis. Goodness, I am running out of time. I love this city of Katowice and I love serving here with Elder Hughes. The man is a rock and I respect him more than I can say. He has taught me so much and just inspired me everyday to be better missionary and always push myself to the next level. Again, it's like Jake said- life is a sprint, especially hte mission- i think I can sprint it out. :) Snap Jakey boy you write so well. Elder Hughes and I taught sunday school, which was a good experience. I get a tad nervous speaking in front of crowds in Polish, but it's starting to wear? away. It's kind of crazy how long I've been out here, and It scares me how fast it's going. I'm so glad for everyday I have to be out here, to be working hard, because once it's over, it's over and you can't rewind. Every day is worth something- there is some good to be done and I see that so much on my mission. Even if the plans are blank- there is good to be done. Just get out there and work and the Lord will show you what to do. I just can't stop thinking about how blessed I am to be working with the people I am here in Katowice. Especially Ania and Gosia and Sebastian and Michał. I've gotta send you all pictures soon. Martnya and Natalia are also just rays of light here. Martyna, who really turned her life around, said something so enlightening to me this week. FOr background, she is truly the most giving person I have ever met. She just gives and gives and gives and she is just the epitomy of the people we are serching for. She said " A year ago, I used to drink all the time and lay around. Now, I am living." I loved it so much. The Gospel does enable you to truly live, to make the most out of life and yes. I love you fam so much and you sound like Coldplay, Ingrid Michaelson and the Format combined- really really really good. I miss you and pray for you constantly. Please pray for us and our success here and especially that the members can develop the courage to invite their friends. We need them to. So much love.Elder Rushton p.s. Thank you little bro for the doubl;e e-mail. Made my day. :) YOu starting stud. ha. Love you.