Katowice are the Bee's Knees!

Hello Family!It has been an eternity since I last wrote you! It blows my mind that it was merely a week ago. So much has been going on, and I'm happy as can be down here. You all sound like your keeping busy as can be, which is always good. Elder Antczak had his very last day in Poland on Sunday and his Parents were there- I met them and then I talked with Antczak for a bit and asked him how it felt to see his parents. He said it was like they never ever said goodbye to eachother. Which is exactly what it'll be like when I see you all- I have no doubt in my mind. I hope school is going well and you all are happy as can be. Parents, you sound quite busy as well. I can't believe how hot it is over there! It's just starting to cool down over here. We did comp study this morning wrapped in our comforters ha. Comfy. Such a funny word. Comfy haha.Reading Grandpa's book makes me step back and think so much about my own experience here in Poland- it is so so very different- especially what Grandpa said about how much he missed the humility and lack of materialistic life-style when he returned to the states, I often feel like people here are drowing in exactly such pointless endeavours. The pure in heart are often those who have been humbled and are open to spiritual truths. My point though was, despite the fact that Grandpa's experience and mine are in diferent cultures in different times, the Gospel is being preached just the same and people are listening. There are the pure in heart, and they here His voice. Ania and her family are littles pieces of gold in this beat down town. We had the chance to do family home evning with them twice since the last time I wrote you. Małgosia, the 14 year old daughter, who was away on vacation, just came back the first day we had Family Home Evening. She is so pure in heart and really is searching for truth. Her little brothers completely adore her and she is an anchor for her family. Both experiences were amazing- the first one, the Sisters came with us because Ania's neighbors yelled at the E.Antczak and McRae when they last came, almost 3 months ago and even hit Ania. But Ania made it sound like she got beat up, which I am way confused about- cos when we saw these big bad neighbors they were all over the age of 80 for sure. I kind of chuckled lol. But, the idea was way foreign to the entire family, and there were definitly some tears and some screaming from little Michał, and resistence from Sebastian, but it was an overall amazing success. Doctrine was taught, hymns were sang, a game was played and Ice cream was eaten. And the family was happy :) Round 2 was last night, and Elder Hughes and I were the only ones to go over, and again, it was successful. We teach as simply as we can with best object lessons and we try to just keep it interesting. There were no tears, not as much resistence and the doctrine was taught, games were played, pierniki was eaten, and again, there was success. ha. Sebastian really likes me, cos I can spank him at soccer and be like his older brother- I really love him too- he is brilliant as can be and has so much light in him and his future. He needs the Gospel in his life= the ordinances and priesthood just as much as the organization at this point. He has the world going for him in terms of God-given ability and life, he just needs some good direction the Church would give him. Ania is doing so well. So much desire to be good and progress and be ready so when we here from the higher authority, she will be ready to get baptized. She loves to mess with us- yesterday when she came in, she says "O it's been such hard day, I need some coffee!" And she takes a glass and drinks something dark. I go over and smell it, and it smells like Coffee- but then she started laughing and Sebastian, always ready to explain for his mother and defend her brought the box- it's this fake coffee stuff that tons of members drink here cos it's without caffeene?. And yes. Ha. SHe's hilarious- but she's done a magnificent job of raising her kids - miraculous even. They all love eachother so much and are all there for eachother in a heartbeat. So good to see. They will be great members and such a presence in the Branch. As if I had to say it, I love working with them more then anything right now. Sebastian is still working towards liking the Church, Małgosia is meeting with the sisters and loves the Gospel and asked me about serving a mission lol. The newly converted members, Natalia and Martyna, are still doing amazingly well. Can't remember if I talked much about them last time, but yes, so good! Martyna has a testimony like an oak tree- it's just stuck in there, and keeps on growing deeper. She's made such an amazing drastic change and endures serious persectution from her old friends for not drinking or smoking any more and I respect her so darn much. She always helps on meetings and is just the bomb. Natalia is still learning but is equally amazing. She went on her first meeting with us this last week with an older man named Ryszard. She was way worried going into the meeting, but once there she did so well. Ryszard who is into Jewish studies, informed as at the end of the meeting that they always leave with a kiss- Natalia looked like she just got hit in the face with a pan haha. He kissed her on both cheeks with a smack, but didn't stop there. Elder Hughes was next ha! Both cheeks again, while elder hughes muttered his protests. I knew there was no avoiding it, so i just leaned in and took it like a man. It quite hilarious. Natalia still talks about it ha.AHHH I have to go soon but I forgot to talk abouit my exchagne with Elder Henrie! It was so amazing! It was like everything that was somewhat tougj about our companionship just melted away and we had an amazing exchange in the land of Wrocław. We worked hard, and really enjoyed ourselves together. He was proud of who I am as a missionary and said my Polish was just grand. I am reminded on a daily basis how much work it takes to really be amazing at Polish and am working on it constantly- but it was just a good day. Wrocław is by far the prettiest city I have yet seen. I could live there for a year easy. Just gorgeous. Look up some pictures- I need to send some more home lol. Tomorrow is Zone Conference and we're excited! It's my first Zone Conference I've ever had held int he same chapel I go to church at. It'll be nice to feel right at home. I'm stoked! It also marks the day I got into the Country, 1 year ago. Completely nuts. The time is flying far to fast! And there is so much to do, so many people to find. I haven't even talked about the neat people we've met on the street. In truth, we're spending lots of time teaching Ania and her family, and meeting with other investigators - none who are intensely progressing yet, but we're really trying hard and I feel good abotu the work we are doing here. One more tidbit about a member here- Kazimerz Szwed. He loves missionaries so darn much. He calls and then talks for at least 45 minutes- but the truth is he lost everything for the church, but yah. THe hard part is that he likes to have missionaries at his house for long periods of time on Sunday to feed them and chat about life. Like for 3 hours. Which is way too long!!! So we're trying to work out a peaceful balance with him too. He's a good man who knows the Gospel is true, and I like him. It's just a tough situation lol. Got to go family. Love you with all my heart and am so glad that I have the chance to serve her ein Poland. I love the work of the Lord and am eternally gratful for th Truths that i have grown up knowing. The work will go forth, especially through the members doing missionary work, so look for chances to share the Gospel, through example through inviting someone over for dinner or whatever. SOmething small can lead to something eternally lasting. I love you all with al lmy heart and thank you so much for the letters. Have a beautiful week. You are the best.z ogromną miłością,Elder Rushtonp.s. Some city names in Poland are just in plural, all the time. So people talkimg about Katowice always say things like, "Katowice are amazing! They have lots of good things to see." wAY FUNNY. Love you :)