Radość‏

Dearest Fam!It's 9 am, and I have a train to Kraków in exactly an hour. I'm in the little Internet Cafe and luckily, because it's so early, it's relatively quiet and enjoyable. Everything in Katowice is so close, it is blissful. One minute walk from the apartment to the internet cafe, 2 minutes from the internet cafe is the Dworzec, the Train Station. Despite the closeness, we still run everywhere ha. Every time we catch a bus to Tarnowskie Góry, we are always running to it. It's hilarious. We always have this conversation in the elevator from the 15th floor down to catch the bus.
Strobes : Are we gonna make it?
Rush (looking at cell phone) : I dunno...yah we'll be ok.
Strobes : Good. (2 minutes later, still in the Elevator) Are we gonna make it?
Rush (getting out of the elevator, simultaneously looking at cell phone) (then his eyes grow real big) : RUN! Yup. But we never miss it! Ha, we're just always out of breath when we get on :PThat's so fun that Grandpa was down there. How cool. It sounds like everyone's doing very well. Go Rushton family! Sports domination! ArghHh!!!!! :P So cool. It's been such a good week, with a couple really clutch meetings and good experiences, which we are grateful for.Ela is really doing amazingly. We are so grateful for her and for the amazing human being she is. She is so spiritually in tune it's just a pleasure being around her and talking about the Gospel. Our usual Saturday meeting had to be rescheduled because she simply was too tired and felt like she had to spend some time with her child, but she planned to be in Church. We recieved the sad text message that they got up too late, much to their dismay, but they offered that we meet that evening. So we did. They picked us up at the bus station in Tarnowskie Góry, and Ela invited her sister to come with us, the one we met at her house and was way excited to meet us. The atmosphere of our meeting was...hilarious. Polish people are fascinated by wierd places ha. We couldn't really meet anywhere outside or her house so they took us to this water Park. Yah. There's an upstairs to the water park where there are tables and places to sit. But to the left, the entire wall is a huge window, looking right onto the indoor water park, which apparently is the hip place to be on Sunday evenings. :P And Europeans where little to nothing when it comes to swimming gear, both men and women. So that was interesting ha. We were just in awe - we took positions so that we sat backs to the giant glass wall of nakedness and then we had an amazing lesson. It was great because we answered Ela's questions and Grażyna's questions too, and Carlos, not speaking much Polish, wanted to understand so every once and a while we would catch him up real quick. The coolest part of the meeting was that, while we would catch Carlos up, Grażyna would ask Ela a question, about the Book of Mormon or something related to the church, and Ela would teach Grażyna and testify that the Book of Mormon is from God and helps us deepen our understanding. She told her sister why she's meeting with us, and the sincerity in her voice and eyes were joy-inpiring for me as I enjoyed secretly evesdropping, looking at Carlos, listening to these sweet Polish women discuss the true gospel of Jesus Christ. One of those testimony-builders that you remember for a good while. This Thursday we're meeting with Ela, and then going to Grażyna's house. I'm going to play guitar for them and then we're going to talk some more, meet Grażyna's husband, and so on. Apparently Grażyna's husband is a bit on the rough side, but the power of God is to the softening of the heart, so we'll see :)Sweet and awesome story of the week goes to Carlos ha. We drove out to visit Dominik, the 23 year old kid who has a baptismal date for the 12th of December who is in the Hospital, but has all intentions to get baptized on that day. Carlos took us out there with his car- about a 45 minute drive from Tarnowskie Góry. The drive out that was stunning. The Polish forests in the fall are simply unbelievable. Driving past the thin trees, all crammed right next to eachother, creates an amazing sensation. I felt like I was just rushing through the forests and mach speed, thousands of trees rushing past me on either side. So neat.We went and visited Dominik while Carlos sold his Peruvian goods at this little swap meet deal thing. We visited Dominik twice since last week- this occasion i'm currently describing and just yesterday. He used to be an alchoholic and a punk simply, but he's changed, and he's understand the Atonement and the power it has in his life. He is for sure getting baptized.Back to the story- after we visited Dominik, we went back to see Carlos. He had sold somethings and was ready to pack up. He packed up, we walked around a bit, and then we started to drive home. 2 minutes after driving in the car, the battery light comes on in the Car and it starts sputtering and Carlos cries "My car! Eldercito somethings happening with my car!" He was out of Gas ha. He pulled over the the said, said that he saw a gas station a bit back, got out of the car and started heading towards the Gas station. He left his car in an incredibly inconveniant spot howerver- people couldn't get into our out of this side street without pulling some Jason Bourne status maneouvers. So, E. Strobehn gets in the front seat, and I push us on to the most convenient place...the only place we could really move it to without power steering...the sidewalk ha. There we leaned against the car for a good 25 minutes, while old Polish man after old Polish man said "This is a sidewalk, you can't park here! Maybe in america, but not here! no sir!" I don't even know how he knew we were'nt Polish ha but we sat there. Carlos eventually comes running down the street with a Gallon of Gas, and fills it up. We made it back to Tarnowskie Góry, after Carlos tried to get us to drive his car "to make sure he was doing it all right" ha. The tempation was definitely there ha. :P We ate some good chinese food, and then headed home. Good stuff :)Carlos says he's 58 years old. Which is impossible! I just don't believe it. You have to see the man. He's like 40 at most ha. Ridiculous. He does speak the English ha. He went to school in Vermont and even lived there for around 7 years. He speaks very well. His Polish is another story ha. But he is a gold mine for contacts. All his contacts also are Goldmines for contacts. We met yesterday with Ola again, the girl who has the horses on the Ranches. She is amazing ha. She just texted me this morning and said she found this blog too, which is funny ha. We met with her and her good girlfriend, Karolina in this little Cafe. It was a good meeting, and they are both quite interested, and said their both coming to church on Sunday which is sweet! Karolina, is 19 and is hilarious. She;s the daughter of Gennig, the ranch owner. The seating situation was such that Karolina sat next to E.STrobehn and I next to Ola. They sat down first..and yah. So we taught and the lesson was good, and they listened- it was the time between the end of the lesson and our bus home that the Girls got giggly and goofy like most 20 year old girls do when their good friends. THe hilarious part was when Karolina looked at Elder Strobehn and said "Zostaniesz moim mężem?" Will you be my husband? O snap, Strobehn's face was pricless. She's not serious, just messin, but still, for missionaries it's hilarious when stuff like that happens. I think after church and whatnot she'll understand the missionary, member, investigator relationship. So, I've probably got to leave real soon and catch this train! We have Zone Conference tomorrow, with Elder Kerr from the 70, he came exactly one year ago, and he is the man! He's Scottish, and just full of energy and the spirit and it's just great listening to him. I'm way excited :)Transfers are going to be next Thursday, Sarah's Birthday! We're going to find out though by next Tuesday. I'm praying with all my heart that both Strobehn and I avoid this transfer. I really really really really want to stay here and see these people get baptized. There's just to much to do here, and I like these people way too much ha. So I hope I stay. :) I thank you fam, and everyone else for that matter, who prays for us and for our investigators. We feel the power of it all the time. Things happen, miraculous things, on a daily basis that can't be explained and I know that God is answering our righteous prayers for the good of these people. It's magnificent :) I hope I answered all your questions...I'm pretty sure i did? O, about my england trip- I had to renew my visa. Generally missionaries "born" in Warsaw struggle with Legal work...but I'm legally retarded. Ha. yes. I think everyhthing is aces now though. We'll see eh. :P Martnya, the ridiculously cool 18 year old recent convert who is simply the bomb, is going on a mini mission, which is way exciting! She is our greatest asset in terms of missionary help. She is always willing to help, and she is the epitomy of a converted human being. So, we're excited for her.O! Another cool thing we've started- we're going to the Branch President's house weekly and visitin with his family and teaching the Gospel. It's a good experience, but can be frustrating. Remind me to expound upon that next letter, because I will forget and I lack the time right now to explain like I would like to. Simply, his wife has a hard heart and doesnt' realize the blessings and power of having the caliber of man that president Krzykawski is in her life. He's the epitomy of quiet power, humble and just a good man. I love him and love working with him.Well family. I love you. Have a wonderful day :) Talk to you next week! You all are the best. I'll write you more next week~! See you!!!! miłość - Elder Rushton!

Tarnowskie Góry & Day of the Dead‏

Dear Family :)Thank you so much for the letters. Super exceptionally good today! I loved them so. I appreciate the guidance Pa and Ma. It helps tons. There have been some amazing developements with Ela, that I'll write about in a second here, but teaching her is amazing because she really is so rational. She is so open to spiritual truth, and though she really likes scriptural support, she is very open once we show her such scriptural support and ask her to pray about it. There have been a couple instances where we have taught her something about the Plan of Salvation and then backed it up with scriptural proof, and she just says, "wow... That is unbelievable. I've read these scriptures my whole life but never knew that truth." Especially with the Book of Mormon, which she believes is Truth all the way, it makes the teaching unbelievably fun, and uplifting. So, I especially appreciate that bit of background Father. Mom, Ania will appreciate your words of comfort and help. She's doing better and better daily. We've just got to have a good lesson with her. You sound like you're dominating with sports! How darn fun is that! Snap, I wish I could see some of these games. One of these weeks, maybe three weeks ago, we went to see Sebastian play in a soccer game, and Elder Strobehn and I both agreed that it made us miss watching our siblings play soccer and football and other things. Very rad Sarah with the Championship :) I was just thinking about Uncle John this week- he came down to SPencer's game? With his Girlfriend...? Poproszę o informacę! Info please! :PWell Family, to tell it to you straight, this week rocked my face off for a couple reasons. Firstly, I traveled practically across the entire planet. First to Warsaw at 8 o clock at night, got to bed at about 12. Woke up at 4 to catch my 7.30 plane to London. I sat in the London airport for 9 hours.....AHHHHH!!!!! I tried on like 80 pairs of Sunglasses in the Harrod's store there. I looked...amazing. :P Just kidding, they were sweet though. I read a lot, and I sat a lot. I ate real cheesecake and drank a liter of chocolate milk, and then I got back on my Plane to my home. I talked to a couple of amazing Polish people on the plane home. It's crazy how when I don't here Polish for a few hours I start to miss it a lot. When I heard this father and his daughter speaking Polish next to me, I had to talk to them. Polish is simply fun. I love it :) I made it home from England, stayed the night with the Assistants, and then the next morning was the Leadership Conference at the Wolska Chapel (the only real chapel in Poland). It was a grand conference, at the end of which we ate REAL MEXICAN FOOD! That was a treat :) Real sourcream and guacemole. How delish! There also was an Opera Singer from Utah, ( a member) who was singing at the International Opera in Warsaw. He came and sang for us. He was amazing. Really loud too ha. The worst part about that day was that I couldn't go home yet because I had to take care of one more thing the next morning. So my district left back to my beloved Zion, and I stayed in Warsaw. The next morning, we did that thing I had to do, and then I got on a train back home, and it felt so good to actually be home. :) I was tired and beat, but it was just revitalizing to get back to my city and resume the work. There is so much to be done! I feel like this is simply how missionary work is supposed to be done...we're busy all the time with people we love teaching. It feels like a fairy tale to be honest. :)I left to Warsaw Tuesday evening. That was Friday when I got back. That night we visited Ela and Carlos and then met with Ola, a girl who Carlos had known for awhile, who lives on a Ranch in Tarnowskie Góry. I don't know if I told you that already...I can't differentiate sometimes between these letters and the journal ha. But it was amazing. Carlos is really doing well- he has such a good heart and an amazing desire to share the Gospel with everyone. Half of our investigators are from Carlos. All of them are amazing human beings who want to know about the Gospel. We went back to visit Ola the next day- we were set up for a real meeting with Ela and Carlos that evening (real meeting meanig we actually sit down somewhere and teach as oppose to simply visiting her in her store) after we taught Ola. We made our way to Ola's- we taught her right on her Ranch. It was so sweet. :) We saw her horses, went and petted them, fed them carrots, and then finally we took some chairs, plopped em in the least muddy area, and then we taught the Gospel to Ola, her boyfriend Jarek, and the ranch Owner, Gennig - my nickname for him is Tiny. He is that typical rock of a man, short and stout Pole, and he comes off pretty rough. We sat there and taught the Gospel in the October frost as the sun came down. It was a neat experience. Jarek is an Atheist, but he listened and contemplated. Gennig is a hardcore catholic, but even he found the conversation interesting. Ola, after Jarek and Gennig both left, told us how interested she is and she feels that it could be true. She wants to come to church this Sunday, and we feel she very well may be baptized. :) Half way through that lesson I got a call from Carlos saying he couldn't come pick us up and we couldn't meet, because Ela was feeling sick. We were kinda bummed about that...ok really bummed. We salvaged the evening though- Gennig offered to drive us to the Bus Station (Ela replied to us telling her this story "HE TOOK YOU TO THE BUS STATION? GENNIG? For real?!" with a big smile) and we caught a bus to Ania's house and had a good lesson with them. They said they would come to church the next day. That morning Ela texted and said Natan, her son, wasn't feeling well. We asked if we could come visit them that afternoon. She invited us to her "humble abode". Which is a miracle. Quick Background- we've had conversations about Ela's mom and how she doesn't want anything to do with us, and how her Brother is against us and all this stuff, and we kept saying how we'd love to meet her mother and her sister and her brother, and Ela simply didn't think that would ever be possible. Well, on Sunday we went over there, to Ela's mom's house. Carlos picked us up from the Bus Station. "Woooow Elder! The Lord is really working here, I'll tell you! Woooow!" Love that man's trash. We got there, and had a good lesson with Ela. She had a few questions and we came very prepared. An hour later, her mother and older sister walk in, and are so kind to us. They both come in, we introduce ourselves and talk a bit, and then Ela's mom just starts busting out all types of food from hidden closets and drawers and stuff (Old Polish Babcias hide things in the coolest places). We were talking about having a good time. We set up a meeting with Grażyna, Ela's sister and the next time we come back to Ela's house, her mom is going to make us all this amazing POlish Food! We finally had to leave, which was a bummer. But the day was such a major success. We had another bus-chasing extravaganza, where the bus escaped us and we chased it down in Carlos' car. When the bus was a good 100 yards away caught in traffic, we bailed from the car and ran our brains off! My shoe was untied and as I ran I kicked it off in front of my and caught it, "right in the bread basket!" and then took off, sprinting not on street or cement, but through leaves and rocks and whatnot. We barely made the bus before it took off. We walked in our of breath, me holding my one shoe in my hand, every single person staring at us in bewilderment. "Yah, that's right, we're extreme bus catchers." We met with Ela and Carlos yesterday briefly and Ela was so happy and expressed how happy her family was to meet us. Ela knows the Gospel is true deep in her heart. She talked about it with her Sister and now her sister wants to hear the Gospel. That Family is simply not of this world. We love being around them so much. Every time we teach them, we feel equally built up as they do. That Sunday was the Day of the Dead, and it was quite a treat. After we left ELa's mom's house, we went to Sosnowiec, where Elder Brown and Anderton leave. We walked through this HUGE cemetary, all lit up with candles, placed on the graves of loved ones, by loved ones. It was a overwhelming sight and made me think a lot. It's amazing how many lives had been lived and were remembered just in that grave yard alone. It was very neat. We walked around in the freezing cold, telling a scary story here and there. It was a wonderful evening :) My last day of the dead as a missionary. I have to leave soon, but there's so much to tell.On Sunday we had a sweet Testimony meeting. There's the new Elderly couple, the Neiman's, from Canada. They are really trying to speak Polish and are doing a grand job. Elder Neiman got up to give his testimony, and not feeling fully apt to do it in Polish, asked me to translate and I did. It was powerful, hearing how his great grandparents left Poland to live in Canada, and now here he his, back in his true home Country, preaching the Truth. It was very neat. I myself bore my testimony and it felt so nice. I love those people there. We had a Halloween party set up by Martyna. She is seriously out of this world in terms of being on top of the ball and organizing events well. She did so so well and we had a great little party with tons of members and the missionaries. Very cool :) We've had some good meetings with her lately. It's hard to express how amazing she is, because you don't know the kind of change she's had in her life. It's as 180 as it gets. And you would never even believe that she was anything less than Mother Teresa her whole life. We visited Dominik yesterday in the hospital, for recovering Alchohlics. The kid is making amazing changes himself. He looks so good and he's reading the Book of Mormon and really set on getting baptized as soon as he gets out of the Hospital. As you see, life is good here. I love it more then anything and I can only pray with my whole heart that I stay here next transfer. I'd probably shrivel up if I had to leave.These people are gold, the salt of the earth, and they will be baptized. Please pray for us. We need the courage and the faith to do whatever is necessary for these people, and that is not always easy. Every prayer is so appreciated. Have an amazing week, and remember our Saviour. I love you family so much and am so grateful for this Gospel. I'm so grateful for all my friends who are serving on missions. I love them and am so grateful for them. I just got a package from Jimmy and it is amazing. Love you Jimmy boy so much, and miss you tons. Can't wait to go to Chicago with you :)Love you fam. Remember how lucky you are. I can't ever forget it whenever I think of you and what I'm doing right now. Til next week!z miłością,Elder Mikey Rushton

Travel and The Good Life- October 25 2009

Dearest family of Mine :)Thank you tons for the letters. They rock, yet again. For real :) I loved the video as well, mother. Thanks tons. You all look wonderful as normal. I really can't believe i've been gone for that Long ma. It doesn't really seem right ha. At the same time, I know the down hill is the shortest time, but it's also when you're going the quickest- when you can do the most! It's not fair at all ha. I love 100 percent teaching with Elder Strobehn. He is so old in the mission, but he's staying alive, and we are so happy teaching the people we are. He uses scriptures so well, and we kind of just teach in sync. It's fun, and the things you discussed in the lesson stay with you, after the lesson is over. I'm just loving it :) This week has been different for sure. Like I told you, I think about weeks, from Sunday to Sunday, so last week, I traveled toooons and toooons and I never ever wanted to get on a train again. And to be honest, the days have just slammed together in my brain, but some really neat things have happened from that last Wednesday I wrote you- I'll do my best to remember.First, answering you're question pop, Ania is doing ok. I had intended to talk about her more this week, after my lack of info in the preceeding letters. She is struggling with the normal hardships of being a single mom of Three children with out steady work. Which adds to a lot of troubles. She doesn't handle stress very well, she raises her voice semi-often to her children, and she needs to understand the gospel some more. We're trying to meet with her often, and it's coming along. I care tons about her and her family. They have so much potential. Their lives can be changed by the Gospel, but at the same time, they have to give the Lord something to work with. They have to be open for change and molding, and that is something Ania is working on developing. She says she is ready to change, and she says she will, but she has a hard time putting it into action. I sometimes am at a loss of what to do. She's a good woman, and her children are wonderful. They have simply lacked direction in their life for a long time, and I think I, as well as several members of the church, expect her to simply change on a dime. Her desire is there, and as her faith grows, so will her amount change. She will be a solid member of the church. She just needs some changing time. And we'll continue to do our best. O goodness it's so stressful sometimes. I've never had to raise a family. I know what I would do though, what I would change in her situation. I just can't force her to make those changes. I can only encourage, and that's what we're doing. Any advice is welcomed, parents especially. All prayers, also, are very welcome. In other news, we spent another weekend in Tarnowskie Góry, at another pizza place, discussing the Gospel. It's so intense trying to solve some of her concerns. She is by far, by a mile, one of my favorite investigators, and her interest in the Gospel and desire to grow in Faith us unmatched by any investigator i've met. Her Jehowa's Witness past has left her with several intense beliefs, and gospel concepts that she is having a hard time making sense of in the Church of Jesus Christ. For example, she takes all Bible scriptures very very literally. In Corinthians 14 it says that women should hold their silence in church, and if they have a question, they should ask their husbands at home. She is shocked when women speak in church. Part of me is just amazed that she has enough faith to just live that, despite the apparent unjustice. It's similar to the fact that women in the church do not have priesthood authority. That takes faith to accept and live. To her though, it's just part of the Gospel. But we know it's otherwise, through revelation. And to be honest, I've been searching for a good answer for her, but i've been coming up blank somewhat. Do you, ma or pa, have any higher wisdom on that topic? I have come to the conclusion that the culture in that time was significantly different than it is now, and that in that particular letter to the Corinthians, it's purpose was to correct improper behavior. Possibly the women were acting up? Grandpa, do you have any help for me? Ha, this is my "favor" letter I guess. I wanted to tell her that the church is no where near perfect, especially here in Katowice, but it is the church of God. It is still growing and will be growing here for a long time. It will get better, and it needs more than anything, strong members like Ela and Carlos who will bring equally strong people in. I feel Ela's pain more than she knows. It's hard when Church isn't to the quality you know it should be. But it never will get that way until we get enough solid members to support this Branch. So, she left, crying. I sat in a chair, dejected. I think she cried because she has such high hopes for everything we're teaching her. Carlos, came back a minute later, asking if we would go talk with them for a while, and we did. It ended up ok. We didn't clear it up yet all the way, but things will be fine, and she will someday soon be baptized. She is truly phenomenal. I pray you can meet her and Carlos and Nathan when you come :) Carlos has somewhat changed our missionary work here in Katowice. He is the epitomy of a member missionary. He is bold and he is amazing, and we love him and his Family. We were walking in the rain to the member who lives in Tarnowskie góry, when Carlos called. He asked where we were, and I told him. He said "wait there!" He drove up and took us to Kazimierz's house. It was amazing. The best part was, when he picked us up later, with a Girl he had knows for awhile. He had told her about us, about the Gospel, and asked her if she would like to talk to us. We drove to a little milk bar, and sat down and we taught a short lesson to her. SHe is very interested, Ola's her name, and she is also amazing. Her boyfriend and her own a small ranch out there. We look forward to teaching them too! Go Carlos!Tonight we have some amazing meetings with some SAWEET! people. Namely, Tomasz, our 29 year old lawyer who were trying to set up with probably the most solid female member of the ward. I think it'll work :P At 8 i'm getting on a train to Warsaw. Tomorrow morning I have a plane at 730 AM to England. I'm flying back that evening at 5 PM. There's our Leadership conference the next day at the Wolska Chapel, in Warsaw. Busy busy! It's so sad being away from our area, I seriously dislike it! But I think this is the last time I'll have to disappear for awhile. :) Fam, I think I'm going to have to end this. Don't have too much longer left. All is so well, and our investigators are really rockin the park. Just got off the Phone with Dominik who's in teh Hospital. We're hoping we can teach the kid so right when he gets out we can baptise him!Gosia's skin disease is not contagious. It's not so much a skin disease as much as...I don't know, an organism malfunction. She just has these random sores that just open up. It's so sad. It's not contagious though. She'll be ok. She really is amazing. Ok, pray for us here in Katowice. I love you so much Family and pray for you often. I know that all is well and it gives me such great comfort to see and hear from you every week. It's the best. :) I love you all so. Have a wonderful week. And any help there would be much appreciated. :) Feel better Papa and Mama. I love you both so much and am so glad that you raised me in this Gospel. Sisters and brother, hold tight and listen to the parents. :P Love. z ogromną miłością,Starszy Michael J. Rushtonp.s. I'm going to have to pull that money out to by my 89 zlot train ticket to Warsaw...we're out of Zone Funds and i'm at the bottom of my personal funds. But i don't need more money. We get our funds sooner than later. :)p.s.s Spence, I know exactly how you feel ha in the video. It's ok, enjoy it while you can ;) The teasing that is. Ha. Love you kid. p.s.s. I haven't talked to Jimmy Boy forever,and I worry he thinks I don't love him any more ha. But I think about him all the time. I sent him a box forever ago, and I'm not sure he got it. If you could pass that on, it would be much appreciated. Tell mama Grossman I love her too :) p.s.s.s AHH! I forget to tell you, that Fabian is coming back to Church!!! Yes!!! Major victory for the Lord's team! :) He as well as the member that fell away. Both are back and feeling good :)