March 26, 2010

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