Welcome Home

Dearest Family of Mine -Well, I'm slightly mentally and very much so emotionally exhausted today as a result of recent events. Yesterday, we were teaching a lesson in Carlos' home to Kamila and Łukasz, and while we were talking, my phone flashed indicating a call was coming in. I looked at the name- "President Engb..". Elder Slagowski and I looked at eachother in fear- Kamila shortly made fun of us because we reacted so ridiculously at a telephone call- but we explained the situation, and then she understood what such a telephone call could mean.I didn't pick up, and we finished our lesson which was absolutely amazing. Somewhat ironic. Kamila finally understood more clearly what she has to do to really believe in God- after reading the Alma 22 account, she finally grasped that really desiring to believe is much more than just 'claiming' "I want to believe" but it's actually being ready to give away all our sins to know God and understand His gospel. It ended with the Spirit being there very strongly.After they left, I called President back. He told me that it was time for me to leave. He said, (this is yesterday, aka monday) that I have to bring all of my stuff packed to Warsaw for the Zone Leader Meeting that will be held on that day, and then he'd tell me then what I'll be doing next. Sister Bautner is coming to Warsaw as well. I slightly protested, but I could tell the decision was very much so final. Elder Slagowski talked to him next, and I started to cry. I looked at Carlos and realized that I was leaving this place for real. We all shed some tears that afternoon, and prayed, thanking the Lord for everything that we have been blessed to experience together. I cried a lot that night. I'm going to miss my Polish home something fierce. I've come to love these people more than I thought possible, and now, I don't even get to say goodbye to them on Sunday. But I know there's a reason for everything. Ela, Carlos, Dominik, Ola, Marta, Kamila, Łukasz, Ania, and all these members, especially Martyna and President here have become part of my family and I am going to truly miss them from the bottom of my heart. I've spent so much time with them and I've seen their lives be changed by the Gospel. They have gotten in the steady routine of coming to church and their presence can be easily felt. I am so proud of them and am so grateful for the 6 months I've had to serve here among these people. It's meant the world to me. I've come to love these companions with whom I've served here more then anyone save Elder McRae. The work has been powerful and so demanding that we've had to give everything to the Lord and give it something a little extra and it's built friendships that will last my whole life. Elder Hughes, Elder Strobehn and Elder Slagowski here have grown to be my brothers. Elder Strobehn and I saw some of the most amazing miracles of my mission, and Elder Slagowski has jumped right im and showed so much love for all of our investigators and I trust him with my life, and with all of our investigators. He'll do a wonderful job, and I hope the new missionary who comes here will feel how lucky they are to be here.Whoo. I'm leaving, and it's hard to register. I've spent more time here, then I spent at BYU. Unbelievable.Wherever I go though will be good for me. I've just got to take it with the attitude the Lord would have be take. I 'll let you know where I am next week :)This last week has been a beautiful week. I'm going to miss everything about this city. My epicly large building, in which i live, on the 15th floor. The amazing branch. The dirty city. The beautiful sun-sets. My fantastic district. Riding the 820 bus to Tarnowskie Gory to meet with my favorite people. My ridiculously amazing companion. All of it. Curses. ha. Blessings I guess is what I should say. Cheesy, but accurate.I've got to leave, but I loved your performance Spencer. You sang so well. I'm going to watch it real quick before I go to clean my apartment and pack. I can't wait to hear about what will happen with BYU :) Allora did so well too. I love that Missy Higgins song. Sooooo good. Haven't heard it for so long. Your voice is sounding beautiful cousin. I hope you are doing super well :)I always feel so wierd whenever I have to leave somewhere. It's not a fun experience, but at the same time it's a slight appraisment of what I've put into an area. At least here, that's what I feel like. OH! I went on exchanges with E.McRae this week and it was fantastic, we ran for so many buses. I forked out 50 zlots to take a taxi to a meeting. So ridiculous. But so worth it ha. I love serving with that kid so much. I feel so glad I've had the chance to communicate with him so often during my mission.Ok, i've got to finish. Thank you so much for your fanstastic letters. You seem so busy there at home. Which is amazing. I love this Gospel with all my heart. I love to see people catch the Spirit of the Christ and change their lives. To really change. It's not easy, but oh so worth it. That is, afterall, why we are here. To change others and to be changed ourselves. All for the better.I love you family with all my heart. Keep being amazing and being safe and loving life. Til next week-z ogromną miłością,Starszy Michael Rushton Jr. p.s. Ma and Pa, I would love for you to come see Poland...goodness. I've got to think about it for a week, and I'll give you the result next week. I would love to spend a couple days in Katowice for sure...yah. I'll have to write you next week about it. Love you so. Happy Valentines Day. :)

Conversion of Dominek Redzinski

Conversion of Dominik Redzinski
Dominik's conversion is a miracle in every sense of the word. He has realized what it means to rely on the Lord, and to change. It has been a strong testimony for each one of us priveleged to work with him, that with the Lord, all things are possible.
As a young teenager, alchoholism, drugs, and poor "friends" dominated his life. Dominik came to realize that these things do not bring happiness, and about this same time he met Carlos Bernabe, and consequently, the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Dominik and Carlos met while Carlos was selling his Peruvian goods on the streets of Tarnowskie Gory. Dominik, then a 'punk', turned to Carlos as a friend and confident, telling him about his desires to change his life around. Carlos told him simply and straight from the beginning, "I cannot help you, but Jesus Christ can."
In his super-missionary way, Carlos arranged a meeting with Elders Antczak and Hedges, in his car. Dominik showed the faith to come to the meeting, and thus started his true transformation.
Dominik made the effort to take the bus an hour to Katowice to meet with the missionaries, and felt the power of the meetings, but at times his discouragment at having to conquer the 'natural man' inside of him was overwhelming. He took a break from the meetings as a result.
Elder Strobehn and I, one day attempted to regain the contact with Dominik, but he had no number or address. We took a bus up to Tarnowskie Gory in hopes of finding him. When we arrived, we got off the bus, and there standing not far off, was Dominik. The second meeting we had, in Carlos' car, we asked him if he would be baptized, and he agreed. That was in October.
Since then, we have been in constant contact with Dominik, meeting several times a week, helping him in his sincere efforts to change. His actions reflected the sincerity of his heart- Dominik would travel an hour to church every sunday, and quickly gained a love for the people there. He would read the Book of Mormon daily, and ask us any questions he had, obviously wanting to truly understand.
After conquering the most difficiult of addictions, Dominik was left still addicted to cigarettes. He desired to get baptized, but didn't think he could kick this last habit. Elder Slagowski and I continued to teach him, knowing his righteous desires. One day, his desire to be baptized and live the Gospel overcame his desire to smoke. One day passed, then 7, then 14, and as his excitment to get baptized grew, his desire to smoke lessened. The Lord has worked miracles in Dominik's life, every step of the way.
Dominik was baptized by Pawel Gorski on Saturday, surrounded by all the members who had kept believing in and supporting him. He is a member of the Church, on the beginning of his road to everelasting conversion, and happy as can be.