Halo halo!
It's so good to be writing you today :) We are, right now, in Szczyrk- the city in which the European Youth Conference will be held in July of this year. It's a city high up in the mountains deeper in the South of Poland. A bit deeper then Katowice. It's so good to be here though- I was able to see a couple of the amazing youth that I've come to really love. I saw Wiktor, who served a mini mission down in Katowice. He's going to serve a true mission after he goes to BYU - I for a year. He's an amazing kid.
This last week truly has been insane, but I've loved every second of it. There were difficult parts, but the over all experience was a positive one.
First off, we finished transfers late last Sunday night, when we stopped over at President's house, after District Conference had been held that morning (which went very well). On Monday, we helped President make calls to the missionaries being transfered, and one of those calls was made to my new companion, Elder Mehner. He is Elder Antczak's trainee, and on of my very best friends out here. President called him on Monday afternoon, around 4 and said "Elder Mehner, how fast can you pack your bags? We need you down here tonight." President wanted Elder Mehner to be here to greet the new missionaries along with Elder McRae, Packer and I. Elder Mehner was so sad to leave Łódź, but at the same time was excited to come back to Warsaw II. He made it in at 10:30, we picked him up and drove home. I love Elder Mehner so much and I'm so glad he's here with me til the end up here. It made the next two days so much easier and more enjoyable.
When new missionaries come in, we dedicate our lives to them for the 2 and a half days they are here. There were four of them - Elder Leimer from Germany, who's mom is American, Elder Smith, one of 11 children in his family from Connecticut, Elder Beachum, a linguist who already graduated from Duke who is from North Carolina, and Sister Smith, from Logan, Utah. We had a good time welcoming them in and i relished in their reactions at the first sight of Polska. I remember my first day so very clearly. It was like yesterday. Being with them was absolutely hilarious, and very fun. Contacting on the Rynek was very enjoyable. The day was ideal as could be, just like when my group was on the Rynek for the first time, and every single one of them had an amazing time. Elder Beachum contacted a nun, and it was amazing! President took some good pictures of the day. We headed back home, ate some pizza hut pizza, and they all crashed. Elder Mehner and I cleaned, got some medicine for one of the elders who wasn't feeling well, and took care of some things at the office, and then got to bed.
Tuesday was the sight seeing day. Elder Mehner and Packer took over the sight-seeing, and Elder McRae and I took some time for Elder McRae to have his last meetings. It's strange how similar last meetings are to any other normal meeting, or how last days are just like any other day. And that's how it should be I imagine.
Elder McRae and I made it back in time to help Sis. Engbjerg make the amazingly delicious meal for the new missionaries, and that was an experience ha. Cooking with Sister Engbjerg is like being in a culinary school for me. I was learning quick how to make all of these random dishes ha. It was really neat though :) She is so patient and kind, but helps us understand how everything needs to be done. Anyway, the meal was made and everyone was fed, and a Testimony meeting was held afterwards. Sitting there, hearing their testimonies, I was so excited for them, and for the adventure that awaits them. They don't even know the glory of what their are beginning. I let them know it, and bore my own testimony. They went to sleep, and we did the dishes, and then slept again.
Day three, the Wednesday, the missionaries found out who would be their trainers, and where, and it was all very exciting, just like when I found out. I remember the melancholy feelings of having to do something completely new to me, and now it seems insane that I ever felt like that. So many months later, missionary work is my life, and I love it. It is my passion.
They were all excited to go off with their trainers into their cities, and as they left Elder Mehner went back to prepare Dinner for the dying missionaries who were all already in Warsaw, going to Adam's for their last tie trip. We cooked for the next 4 hours, and at 6:30, everyone ate, and it was good to see all my brothers that I have come to love once more before they all get on the plane home. Elders McRae and Slagowski, Packer and Harvey, and Henrie were all my companions at one point. At the testimony meeting, it was good to hear and see the strength of these men, and I was proud to be in the same mission as them.
The next morning, 3 hours of sleep later, we picked them up to go to the airport. It was a strange thing to watch my companions and a couple of my best friends check in to go home. It was a bitter sweet experience. I knew I was going to miss them dearly. Elder McRae has been an example to me my whole mission. Elder Slagowski is my brother. Seeing them leave, I was proud of who they were, the kind of mission they had served, and that they deserved to go home happy as can be. I shed tears, more because I would miss them and I would miss being in this experience with them, but I knew that I would see them again.
That was yesterday. We took a nap to regain our energy, and had a good day yesterday. I'm glad to be here in Poland. I love it here with all my heart, and I am so grateful for the 3 months I have to be with Elder Mehner and President here in Warsaw, and I plan on seeing a lot of good happening. The Lord still has so much that he wants me to do I feel, and I am excited to work.
I love you Family so much. I'm experiencing so many new things at once it's hard for me to remember them all and keep you updated, but I'm trying. As you can see, life is sometimes 100 percent different, but it's enjoyable. I love working with President- his love for the missionaries is so amazing and he simply wants the church to grow, and to grow the right way, and he's doing the best he can, and an amazing job at that. It's a challenge to meet with all our investigators like we'd like to, but the Lord will provide a way. Bogdan, Sylwek, Tomek and quite a few others are so close baptism. Pray for them, and for us.
You all sound like a million dollars. I love those surpise Uncle John visits, they are the best ha. Have so much fun at Grandma and Grandpa's and I'll be thinking of you all. I love my Savior and it is a privelege to do his work. Have a wonderful day:) Til next week!
z ogroną miłością, Elder Michael
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
March 19, 2010
Dearest Family :)
I haven't even had the chance to read you're e-mails yet, but I look forward to reading them in the car on the way home tonight. It's more and more refreshing to write you these letters. My life seems crazier then ever with this new schedule. P-days are always somewhat insane- they're half p-day, and half running around trying to finish random things for the office, but it's good. We just got back to the office after the Saturday session of District Conference. Elder Lopez, an area seventy, came to participate and he gave a wonderful talk.
I did skim the e-mails and saw that Spencer got his wisdom teeth out and that Sarah has braces- both events very dental, and very crazy ha. I'm glad to hear that all is well though. Sarah, I'm sure you look wonderful with the braces, and you'll look so good when their off. One of the women in the Branch, Karolina, just got braces, and she's 33 years old. We're lucky ducks to have them when we're so young ha.
Goodness! I am tired these days, but happy. It's a sad thing to have two dying companions. I will miss them so much and the thought of having to take over this area isn't the most comforting in the entire world. I know it'll be an amazing experience, but I know my learning will just start as soon as E. McRae and Packer leave. I'll have to really figure it all out in the school of hard knocks ha. It'll be wonderful though.
I can't remember the last thing I wrote to you all about, but this week has been so full! Elder McRae was on interview trips, so I spent a 3 days of the week with Elder Packer, and it was a really good experience. I've come to know E.Packer a bit more and we taught quite a few lessons this last week- I really loved it. He is a kind and loving man, who loves his family like I love mine, and we really had a good few days together.
One of the neatest experiences of the week was when we dropped in on a less-active woman, knowing that she had been sick for a little while and would probably be home. We rang her door, and she came and opened it, and invited us in. As we walked deeper in, we saw that her visiting teachers were there and were just at the end of their lesson. It may seem like such a normal thing for members of the church in the States, or England or other areas where the church is well founded, but for me this was a small miracle, and it touched me so deep. The way these women bore testimony and were so obviously trying to fulfill their calling and help their sister gave me hope, which is what everyone really needs down here in Poland. Ironically enough, one of the visiting sisters was having us over for dinner the next day, and we had the chance to visit with her, and the sister that was teaching with her and to understand their story a little better. Again, I was given hope. These women understand the gospel so much, and it just made me happy inside. Elder Beaty, in one of the little miracle stories we include in the Dobra Strona, said that conversion is the greatest miracle, and I've come to wholeheartedly agree with him. When a person is touched by the Spirit of God, and feels the truthfulness of the Gospel, they cannot deny it. They know it is true. They feel it in their hearts when they are in Church and when they read the scriptures and pray. It's like Sister Klaudia Górniak said (the sister who had us over) "I don't see how people can go inactive, how they can forget about the Gospel. It is so sad." I feel the same way. But women and men like Sister Górniak give me hope for the Kingdom of God here in Poland. It will grow. It must grow.
I'm still coming to grips with my new area and the people around me. My hearts still torn in two places, however I know I belong here and I am glad to be doing what I am. I'm learning to love my new area and responsibilities. The greater responsibility can lead to greater stress, but I enjoy it nonetheless.
These investigators of ours are stuck in spiritual mud I feel like. I don't know what's holding them back, but it's something that we're having a hard time solving. In the end it is their decision. I just wish they would choose righteousness, and choose the road that we know will undoubtedly lead to happiness. Keep praying for them please. They are so close.
This morning we did have a good first part of p-day and did some shopping for Elder McRae and Packer on the Rynek, and that was a beautiful experience. Not the shopping so much ha, but the Rynek itself was a sight not to be forgotten. The weather was so clear, the temperature ideal as could be, and everyone on the Rynek seemed to be enjoying themselves. I was loving life :) We all were, just strolling along. I flashed back to my first day in Poland, walking on that Rynek, practically blown out of my boots at the sheer beauty of the Rynek and the buildings and everything. I couldn't comprehend how beautiful it was. Today I felt the same way. Most Ryneks are beautiful in Poland, but this Warsaw one holds a special place in my heart. It was the first place I did missionary work. Maybe it'll be the last :)
It's hard having companions go home. I tell people how long I've been here and the first thing they say is, "it's not long til you leave too!" It's so hard hearing that ha, but I am excited for my next companion. I don't know for sure who it will be, but I have an idea. President really involves us in terms of transfers, and talks to us a lot about it, so I have a good idea, but can't really say much. It'll be nice to get into a good groove though. After these missionaries go home, Elder Tanner, Beaty, Hobbs and I are next, and that's in a few months so I won't really have to deal with missionaries going home again after this group ha. It sounds so stressful. We'll see how coherent I sound in the next e-mail :P
I'm doing ok on sleep. It's less, but I'm doing ok for sure. I wish this letter sounded more exciting and full of life, but I am tired and can't collect my thoughts as well as i'd like to. I'll do my best to remember more for the next week.
Juggling these responsibilities is a new game for me, and I don't have it down yet, so it does cause a bit more stress. Elder McRae has been here for 8 months in the office. He knows how it all works, and I'm just learning. I know President is really going to miss him and Elder Packer, and i've got to fill some big shoes. I'll learn though ha. I've got to right? :)
O! The suit. It is gorgeous as can be. I'll send you a picture on monday probably ha. That is so nice of Grandma to pay for it. I used all the money in my account...buy I can't explain to you how good this suit looks. In terms of current suits that I have, other then the one I just bought, I have one suit coat, from the blue suit we bought in LA, and that's it. The pants on that suit were destroyed, and my other suit as well is trashed as can be. I really don't like asking for new things, and I appreciate the suit so much, it will last me for a long time- far after the mission. It's from the company Digel. You can look on the internet father and check it out.
We've got to run, but all is well. I had a nice experience driving with President Engbjerg, and he is simply as kind and sincere as can be. He is excited for me to be here, as am I. He is a man of God and I respect him so much and will try to do my best here.
I love this Gospel. I love preaching truth to these people, and seeing people change. I'm praying to see people change a little bit more, and do what they need to to grow and come to Christ. I love you so much family. I'm so tired- please excuse the tone of the -mail if it's not the normal. I love you all so much, I'll write you a letter on monday spence and sarah and annie. Again, I love you family so much :) Have a beautiful sunday tomorrow.
Elder Michael Joseph Rushton Jr.
I haven't even had the chance to read you're e-mails yet, but I look forward to reading them in the car on the way home tonight. It's more and more refreshing to write you these letters. My life seems crazier then ever with this new schedule. P-days are always somewhat insane- they're half p-day, and half running around trying to finish random things for the office, but it's good. We just got back to the office after the Saturday session of District Conference. Elder Lopez, an area seventy, came to participate and he gave a wonderful talk.
I did skim the e-mails and saw that Spencer got his wisdom teeth out and that Sarah has braces- both events very dental, and very crazy ha. I'm glad to hear that all is well though. Sarah, I'm sure you look wonderful with the braces, and you'll look so good when their off. One of the women in the Branch, Karolina, just got braces, and she's 33 years old. We're lucky ducks to have them when we're so young ha.
Goodness! I am tired these days, but happy. It's a sad thing to have two dying companions. I will miss them so much and the thought of having to take over this area isn't the most comforting in the entire world. I know it'll be an amazing experience, but I know my learning will just start as soon as E. McRae and Packer leave. I'll have to really figure it all out in the school of hard knocks ha. It'll be wonderful though.
I can't remember the last thing I wrote to you all about, but this week has been so full! Elder McRae was on interview trips, so I spent a 3 days of the week with Elder Packer, and it was a really good experience. I've come to know E.Packer a bit more and we taught quite a few lessons this last week- I really loved it. He is a kind and loving man, who loves his family like I love mine, and we really had a good few days together.
One of the neatest experiences of the week was when we dropped in on a less-active woman, knowing that she had been sick for a little while and would probably be home. We rang her door, and she came and opened it, and invited us in. As we walked deeper in, we saw that her visiting teachers were there and were just at the end of their lesson. It may seem like such a normal thing for members of the church in the States, or England or other areas where the church is well founded, but for me this was a small miracle, and it touched me so deep. The way these women bore testimony and were so obviously trying to fulfill their calling and help their sister gave me hope, which is what everyone really needs down here in Poland. Ironically enough, one of the visiting sisters was having us over for dinner the next day, and we had the chance to visit with her, and the sister that was teaching with her and to understand their story a little better. Again, I was given hope. These women understand the gospel so much, and it just made me happy inside. Elder Beaty, in one of the little miracle stories we include in the Dobra Strona, said that conversion is the greatest miracle, and I've come to wholeheartedly agree with him. When a person is touched by the Spirit of God, and feels the truthfulness of the Gospel, they cannot deny it. They know it is true. They feel it in their hearts when they are in Church and when they read the scriptures and pray. It's like Sister Klaudia Górniak said (the sister who had us over) "I don't see how people can go inactive, how they can forget about the Gospel. It is so sad." I feel the same way. But women and men like Sister Górniak give me hope for the Kingdom of God here in Poland. It will grow. It must grow.
I'm still coming to grips with my new area and the people around me. My hearts still torn in two places, however I know I belong here and I am glad to be doing what I am. I'm learning to love my new area and responsibilities. The greater responsibility can lead to greater stress, but I enjoy it nonetheless.
These investigators of ours are stuck in spiritual mud I feel like. I don't know what's holding them back, but it's something that we're having a hard time solving. In the end it is their decision. I just wish they would choose righteousness, and choose the road that we know will undoubtedly lead to happiness. Keep praying for them please. They are so close.
This morning we did have a good first part of p-day and did some shopping for Elder McRae and Packer on the Rynek, and that was a beautiful experience. Not the shopping so much ha, but the Rynek itself was a sight not to be forgotten. The weather was so clear, the temperature ideal as could be, and everyone on the Rynek seemed to be enjoying themselves. I was loving life :) We all were, just strolling along. I flashed back to my first day in Poland, walking on that Rynek, practically blown out of my boots at the sheer beauty of the Rynek and the buildings and everything. I couldn't comprehend how beautiful it was. Today I felt the same way. Most Ryneks are beautiful in Poland, but this Warsaw one holds a special place in my heart. It was the first place I did missionary work. Maybe it'll be the last :)
It's hard having companions go home. I tell people how long I've been here and the first thing they say is, "it's not long til you leave too!" It's so hard hearing that ha, but I am excited for my next companion. I don't know for sure who it will be, but I have an idea. President really involves us in terms of transfers, and talks to us a lot about it, so I have a good idea, but can't really say much. It'll be nice to get into a good groove though. After these missionaries go home, Elder Tanner, Beaty, Hobbs and I are next, and that's in a few months so I won't really have to deal with missionaries going home again after this group ha. It sounds so stressful. We'll see how coherent I sound in the next e-mail :P
I'm doing ok on sleep. It's less, but I'm doing ok for sure. I wish this letter sounded more exciting and full of life, but I am tired and can't collect my thoughts as well as i'd like to. I'll do my best to remember more for the next week.
Juggling these responsibilities is a new game for me, and I don't have it down yet, so it does cause a bit more stress. Elder McRae has been here for 8 months in the office. He knows how it all works, and I'm just learning. I know President is really going to miss him and Elder Packer, and i've got to fill some big shoes. I'll learn though ha. I've got to right? :)
O! The suit. It is gorgeous as can be. I'll send you a picture on monday probably ha. That is so nice of Grandma to pay for it. I used all the money in my account...buy I can't explain to you how good this suit looks. In terms of current suits that I have, other then the one I just bought, I have one suit coat, from the blue suit we bought in LA, and that's it. The pants on that suit were destroyed, and my other suit as well is trashed as can be. I really don't like asking for new things, and I appreciate the suit so much, it will last me for a long time- far after the mission. It's from the company Digel. You can look on the internet father and check it out.
We've got to run, but all is well. I had a nice experience driving with President Engbjerg, and he is simply as kind and sincere as can be. He is excited for me to be here, as am I. He is a man of God and I respect him so much and will try to do my best here.
I love this Gospel. I love preaching truth to these people, and seeing people change. I'm praying to see people change a little bit more, and do what they need to to grow and come to Christ. I love you so much family. I'm so tired- please excuse the tone of the -mail if it's not the normal. I love you all so much, I'll write you a letter on monday spence and sarah and annie. Again, I love you family so much :) Have a beautiful sunday tomorrow.
Elder Michael Joseph Rushton Jr.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
March 7, 2010
Dearest Family :)
It's Sunday evening, and this isn't going to be the main letter I send off to you all, but I just want you to know that the week, and especially the weekend was brilliant. I am tired as can be, and I haven't been in a car so much in a very long time, but I am so happy and satisfied with the amazing experience I just had for the past few days. Ola is not yet baptized- I pray this next week it'll will happen. She has new work that is keeping her incredibly busy, but it'll be ok.
Tomas Kofod and his wife, Ane Marie, are so cool. Amazing human beings. Their english accents would rock your face off- Sister Kofod sounds like she's straight from America, and so does Tomas. He sang so beautifully and their conversion stories were incredibly powerful. The missionary that found and baptized Tomas didn't baptize a single other person his entire mission, and felt somewhat like a failure. Little did he know. I'll write more as soon as I can. Possibly tomorrow morning- i'm not sure.
One of the concerts was in Katowice- and that was such a good feeling to be back there. I love that city. I was sad that Carlos and Ela couldn't make it, but I'll hopefully see them next week.
I've not gotten much sleep, and i'm feeling it ha. I look forward to sleeping this evening- we'll see how that goes. I'm starting to learn that the Office doesn't sleep. No sir haha. I'm doing my best to man up and enjoy it. I've adopted the 'wake up and splash the coldest water you can find in your face' technique that you taught me father. I thought that was so ridiculous back then. Now it saves me in the first minutes of drowsy near-concsciousness.
Thank you so much for the e-mails from Elder McLaws. He sounds like he is in love with that country. Taiwan was made for him, and vice versa. I feel the same way about Poland. I love this country with all my heart. I hope you find this letter to Jakey boy. I can't believe we've been out for so long, and I can't believe their taking us so soon. It's a crime. But Carpe diem to the very last minute. I can only imagine how many missionaries' hero you are. You can add me to the number. Suck the marrow out of it all.
I could write you 300 pages about the last 3 days, it's ridiculous. The longer I write the more I'm worried that it won't be possible. Tomorrow will be incredibly busy in the office, and the day after will be Zone Conference in Warsaw for the Warsaw and Bydgoszcz Zones. It'll be wonderful. And slightly stressful. But more wonderful for sure.
We were in a meeting with President- Elder McRae, Packer and I- and I recieved a text message from Elder Slagowski. I was worried that something was wrong so I opened it as quietly as I could; our meeting was winding down anyways.
The text message read "Kamila zostanie ochrzczona." Kamila's getting baptized. I slapped my hands together out of pure excitement, and E.McRae asked me what happened, and I told everyone. It looks like Kamila's heart is really being softened. I'm so excited for her. I'll without a doubt be going back for that baptism too. From atheism, to baptism. Miracle.
Friday was the day Elder McRae and I picked up Tomas and Ane Marie, and we drove 6 hours to Wrocław for the South Zone Conference. We barely made it to the end, to see E. Slagowski and Terkowski give their dying testimonies. I cried tears of joy and sadness. I was joyful from the power and genuine spirit of love that flowed from the mouths of my former companions. They are my heroes as well. I will miss them, as well as everyone else that is leaving on the 26th of this month. I'm not ready for them to go home. So many of them have been my brothers and friends, and now they are leaving me. Not because they want to however. I am proud of them all. Elder McRae and Packer will give their dying testimony on Tuesday. That will be strange for me. I've talked to E.McRae for practically my entire mission. Unbelievable.
Ok, I've got to leave- we've got to finish some work. I'm glad I could jot this down for you all. I love you family so much. I pray that everything will continue to go as smoothly as it is now. I know you would write me a letter either way, ha. And i'm grateful for it. I love you my family. I've written that in letters for the past eternity I feel like, and I'll write it til the day I die. In the mission, and literally.
I love my mission. I adore growth and adversity. I adore problems and challenges and things that are hard for me to do. It's how we grow and learn. I had to translate for Tomas this morning in Łódź and it was a challenge, but the Lord blessed my to say what needed to be said. I was a wonderful experience.
I love teaching people the Gospel. I love how much sense the Gospel has. Everything can be explained. There is an answer for everything. Every single thing. We may not always be ready for it, but it is there. I love my Savior, and my Father in Heaven, for the blessings that i've been given to live here, in Poland, in this body of mine, surrounded by these people. Everything has a reason. The Lord knows us, and knows our trials and discomforts and struggles, and will never let us struggle more then we can handle. I remember Ryan's comparison when he compared our life to learning to swim. It's perfect. I love my cousin so much, and my best friends, and for everything they teach me. From the letters that i have closely followed for the past 20 something months i've been inspired to better teach these people here. I am simply grateful. I don't know why I was given what I was. I remember what Burke taught us, and now it makes so much sense why that was the theme of our floor in 2100 Stover Hall. "With great power, comes great responsibility." We are so blessed, and so much is, therefore, required. Everyday is a day for growth and learning. Oh how grateful I am for this.
Have an absolutely wonderful week. I'll write a lot in my Journal about the last few days so you can read it later.
Tomas was so humble and kind. His testimony was deep and true. President Engbjerg is such a man of God. I respect him and love him very much.
I heard more Danish in the last 3 days then ever in my entire life. It was hilarious. But it was wonderful. That language is crazy. I have no idea how E.Ockey speaks that stuff. :P
I love you family. Talk to you next week.
p.s. Ma, I don't know if you had the chance to send a second e-mail, but if you did I didn't get it. Maybe you didn;t have time, or maybe it sent and my e-mail just didn't get it, either way, it's ok :) I loved the first one, as well as yours father. You are the greatest parents in the world. I really do want you to come to Poland if you can. You have to see this place. It is fantastic :)
It's Sunday evening, and this isn't going to be the main letter I send off to you all, but I just want you to know that the week, and especially the weekend was brilliant. I am tired as can be, and I haven't been in a car so much in a very long time, but I am so happy and satisfied with the amazing experience I just had for the past few days. Ola is not yet baptized- I pray this next week it'll will happen. She has new work that is keeping her incredibly busy, but it'll be ok.
Tomas Kofod and his wife, Ane Marie, are so cool. Amazing human beings. Their english accents would rock your face off- Sister Kofod sounds like she's straight from America, and so does Tomas. He sang so beautifully and their conversion stories were incredibly powerful. The missionary that found and baptized Tomas didn't baptize a single other person his entire mission, and felt somewhat like a failure. Little did he know. I'll write more as soon as I can. Possibly tomorrow morning- i'm not sure.
One of the concerts was in Katowice- and that was such a good feeling to be back there. I love that city. I was sad that Carlos and Ela couldn't make it, but I'll hopefully see them next week.
I've not gotten much sleep, and i'm feeling it ha. I look forward to sleeping this evening- we'll see how that goes. I'm starting to learn that the Office doesn't sleep. No sir haha. I'm doing my best to man up and enjoy it. I've adopted the 'wake up and splash the coldest water you can find in your face' technique that you taught me father. I thought that was so ridiculous back then. Now it saves me in the first minutes of drowsy near-concsciousness.
Thank you so much for the e-mails from Elder McLaws. He sounds like he is in love with that country. Taiwan was made for him, and vice versa. I feel the same way about Poland. I love this country with all my heart. I hope you find this letter to Jakey boy. I can't believe we've been out for so long, and I can't believe their taking us so soon. It's a crime. But Carpe diem to the very last minute. I can only imagine how many missionaries' hero you are. You can add me to the number. Suck the marrow out of it all.
I could write you 300 pages about the last 3 days, it's ridiculous. The longer I write the more I'm worried that it won't be possible. Tomorrow will be incredibly busy in the office, and the day after will be Zone Conference in Warsaw for the Warsaw and Bydgoszcz Zones. It'll be wonderful. And slightly stressful. But more wonderful for sure.
We were in a meeting with President- Elder McRae, Packer and I- and I recieved a text message from Elder Slagowski. I was worried that something was wrong so I opened it as quietly as I could; our meeting was winding down anyways.
The text message read "Kamila zostanie ochrzczona." Kamila's getting baptized. I slapped my hands together out of pure excitement, and E.McRae asked me what happened, and I told everyone. It looks like Kamila's heart is really being softened. I'm so excited for her. I'll without a doubt be going back for that baptism too. From atheism, to baptism. Miracle.
Friday was the day Elder McRae and I picked up Tomas and Ane Marie, and we drove 6 hours to Wrocław for the South Zone Conference. We barely made it to the end, to see E. Slagowski and Terkowski give their dying testimonies. I cried tears of joy and sadness. I was joyful from the power and genuine spirit of love that flowed from the mouths of my former companions. They are my heroes as well. I will miss them, as well as everyone else that is leaving on the 26th of this month. I'm not ready for them to go home. So many of them have been my brothers and friends, and now they are leaving me. Not because they want to however. I am proud of them all. Elder McRae and Packer will give their dying testimony on Tuesday. That will be strange for me. I've talked to E.McRae for practically my entire mission. Unbelievable.
Ok, I've got to leave- we've got to finish some work. I'm glad I could jot this down for you all. I love you family so much. I pray that everything will continue to go as smoothly as it is now. I know you would write me a letter either way, ha. And i'm grateful for it. I love you my family. I've written that in letters for the past eternity I feel like, and I'll write it til the day I die. In the mission, and literally.
I love my mission. I adore growth and adversity. I adore problems and challenges and things that are hard for me to do. It's how we grow and learn. I had to translate for Tomas this morning in Łódź and it was a challenge, but the Lord blessed my to say what needed to be said. I was a wonderful experience.
I love teaching people the Gospel. I love how much sense the Gospel has. Everything can be explained. There is an answer for everything. Every single thing. We may not always be ready for it, but it is there. I love my Savior, and my Father in Heaven, for the blessings that i've been given to live here, in Poland, in this body of mine, surrounded by these people. Everything has a reason. The Lord knows us, and knows our trials and discomforts and struggles, and will never let us struggle more then we can handle. I remember Ryan's comparison when he compared our life to learning to swim. It's perfect. I love my cousin so much, and my best friends, and for everything they teach me. From the letters that i have closely followed for the past 20 something months i've been inspired to better teach these people here. I am simply grateful. I don't know why I was given what I was. I remember what Burke taught us, and now it makes so much sense why that was the theme of our floor in 2100 Stover Hall. "With great power, comes great responsibility." We are so blessed, and so much is, therefore, required. Everyday is a day for growth and learning. Oh how grateful I am for this.
Have an absolutely wonderful week. I'll write a lot in my Journal about the last few days so you can read it later.
Tomas was so humble and kind. His testimony was deep and true. President Engbjerg is such a man of God. I respect him and love him very much.
I heard more Danish in the last 3 days then ever in my entire life. It was hilarious. But it was wonderful. That language is crazy. I have no idea how E.Ockey speaks that stuff. :P
I love you family. Talk to you next week.
p.s. Ma, I don't know if you had the chance to send a second e-mail, but if you did I didn't get it. Maybe you didn;t have time, or maybe it sent and my e-mail just didn't get it, either way, it's ok :) I loved the first one, as well as yours father. You are the greatest parents in the world. I really do want you to come to Poland if you can. You have to see this place. It is fantastic :)
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