May 7, 2010

Dear Family!

We totally get to talk to eachother on the phone tomorrow! How rad is that? I can't wait to hear your voices- it'll be wonderful. I love those little videos you send always. They make me smile so darn much. It's so fun to hear you all singing good ol' Elton :D THAT will be so fun to rock out in a couple of months ha.
This week has been a completely crazy one, filled with a couple experiences I never could have dreamed of having here on the mission, but I loved every day of it.
Firstly, last Sunday was 100% amazing. It was one of the greatest Sundays I've had on the mission- especially here in Warszawa. There were 12 investigators in our branch- several of them are very seriously investigating the church and plan on being baptized, which is wonderful. The meetings were all very enlightning- especially the 2nd hour when I was asked to come into Primary to translate. I always loved Primary here in Poland, but this last week was extra hilarious.
Since I was last here, all the American families have moved away, so Primary consists of a few Polish children, and recently a couple Ukrainian children as well. This last sunday there was one Polish child, Adaś, a Ukrainian girl, Dianna, and Dawid, her little brother. They are very smart kids, and the lesson went very well (we talked about prayer, using Daniel and the Lion's den as an example of how we can pray always when we are in need of help or comfort), except little Dawid is only 2 years old, and he loves running into things/people, so all lesson, he would just run from one side of the circle to the other, slamming into people, chairs, walls. I almost cried out of laughter. Primary kids are the best.

The next part of the Sunday that blew me away was the Priesthood meeting. Priesthood meetings in Poland can quickly get out of hand, with people volunteering false doctrine, and explaining doctrines that aren't completely true. But that's why Brat Robert Magnuski is in our branch. The lesson was on the Holy Ghost, and there was some confusion as to the doctrine of the Godhead, but Brother Magnuski got up and explained it all with such clarity, power and authority, it blew my mind. I was translating for one of the American men who is here working in Poland, Brother Lewis (who is in the Branch Presidency now) and as I was translating everything he was saying, I was just in amazement at how masterfully he taught the doctrines of the Gospel. It was the perfect example of that principle that "we as missionaries need to teach the Gospel in such a way that no one can misunderstand it..."
After the meeting block, there was a Break the fast, and everyone stayed and thoroughly enjoyed the atomosphere of love and the Spirit. Everyone was so darn happy, I just loved it. Seeing everyone's happiness in just being at the chapel with eachother was something sweet for me. It was a good day :)
From Monday to Wednesday, President Engbjerg and I were driving all over Poland- I did most of the driving because President had tons of things to read over, and whatnot, but it was a wonderful experience to spend so much quality time with that man. I love him tons- he is an amazing friend and it is a pleasure to be around him, to learn from his amazing example humble and loving leadership. I has so much love inside of himself, yet he also knows when things need to be done, and how to do them in the right way. We visited the Lublin, Białystok, Kraków, Kielce, and Katowice Districts for interviews, and I shared a Spiritual thought with them all. It was a wonderful experience. I could write so much more about it- we stayed in some really neat hotels, and I ate the best breakfasts I've had for the last 2 years. We went running in the old town of Lublin, which was absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait for you to someday see a European city centre. It's unreal :) Just a walk back in time, to cobble stones, and beautiful architechture. The Districts in all those towns are doing super well- I admire a lot of those missionaries- I'm especially proud of Elder Beaty and Elder Hobbes from my group. They are all doing so well, and working as hard as they can. It's amazing to hear about the miracles the Lord is working in those cities their working in.
On Thursday we met with our investigators, and had a couple amazing experiences. Premise to experience number 1 - I met this couple - Beata and Bartek- on the Rynek the first day these last new missionaries came in, about a month and a half ago. We've been so busy I never had the chance to call an set up a day, but I called about 2 weeks ago, and asked if we could meet. The crazy thing is, I called from a different number then the one I gave them, and when she picked up, I said "Hi, is Beata there?" And before I could even explain who I was she said "Oh cześć Michał! Co słychać?" O hey Michael, how are you doing?" She remembered who I was, after a month and a half, just by my voice. I was blown away right then. She said they couldn't meet that week, but she would call when they came back from vacation a week later. Low and behold, a week later she texts and says, "Hi Michael, we'd love to meet this next week if you have time." We didn't really have time until Thursday, so we set up for that day. She texted me the day before to make sure where we would meet. She called us. This is not normal for the brand new investigator-missionary relationship ha. SO- we met on Thursday in this amazingly rad cafe on the Rynek, and had a super good meeting, and it ended asking if we could meet again soon and teach some more. They said they would like to, and that we'd be in touch. We were so happy after that meeting, and looked forward to setting up later in the week. You can imagine our amazing shock and happiness, when a mere 6 hours later Beata texts us and says, "So I'm thinking it would be good to meet this next weekend if that's possible?" We can't wait to meet with them again ha. They are sooooooo cool. Goodness.
2nd amazing experience was when we had our meeting with Bogdan. He won't be baptized today- we're hoping next week will be enough time. But, we had Brat Magnuski on the lesson. Bogdan had tons of questions, and as he asked one question, Brat Magnuski would answer it so skillfully with clear, beautiful Polish and Bogdan had all his questions answered, by a Pole. With the power of God. It was amazing to hear him explain the Gospel to Bogdan, and to see Bogdan take it all in. Brat Magnuski is the 13th member of the church here in Poland and the oldest active member by far. He is an amazing example to me of what Gospel knowledge can be if we study everyday, if we ask questions and find the answers. It was powerful.
I've got to wrap this thing up- we've got Sports Saturday in a second here (going to play some basketball...so excited!), but I quickly have to recount yesterdays day. Because it was hilarious. It was the Sisters conference for all Sister Missionaries in the mission home, and President Elder Mehner, and I were the cooks. We got there at 10 AM, and left at 23:00. The entire time in the kitchen. It was insane. But we made some darn good food ha. I'm so glad it's over though. It was good in the moment, but 13 more hours in the kitchen might do me in. :P President is a man of many talents- I'll send you pictures from everything. We made burritos, as hard core as you can possibly imagine, curry, naleśniki, amazing chocolate cream cakes, and then washed 203204934 dishes. It was worth it though. :)
Ok I've got to sign off, but we'll be talking tomorrow! Woooo! Can't wait to hear from you. Happy mothers day mama :) You really are the best mother in the entire world. Your example of love, true dedication to our family is something I will always remember for eternity. I love you so much :) Thank you for everything you do, have done for me. I love you from the bottom of my heart.
I love being here. It is the best. Each day is a new day and adventure. Carpe diem.

Elder Michael Rushton