Sto lat

Dear Fam :)
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes and love. I felt it all the way across the sea, each hug and kiss. I imagined myself yesterday that you all were singing happy birthday to me. It was a very nice thought, and your letters are the best present a kid could ask for, to be completely honest. You are the best, ever. The well of support and love you have shown me for the past however many months runs deeper then I could have imagined and it simply means a lot to me. Thank you for every word and letter. Mama, I appreciate the letter so much. I constantly think at how lucky I am to have a mother like you. Pa, it really is unbelievable that you haven't missed a single week. It's miraculous. You are an amazing example to me of what a father should be. Spencer, I loved your letter so much. It means so much that you take the time to write me and tell me what's happening in your life. I pray that you will have an amazing week. I can't wait to hang out with you kid. Sarah, you never need to feel like a lame little sister, because you and annie are the best there ever were. No one's little sisters write them like mine write me. You are super humans, and I love you so much. Annie, you sound like you are rocking the world. I hope you are feeling happy as can be. I love you all so much.
Birthdays on the mission, are as you can imagine, pretty much like any other day, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. We had driven to Kraków the night before to exchange with the missionaries there. The day was spent in Kraków, whiteboarding, and visiting investigators. We ate at the magnificent Babcia Malina's restuarant, and enjoyed ourselves. Elder Mehner and I made the 4 hour drive home, loving every minute of it. We shared life stories, laughed a lot, and just had a good time. I love Elder Mehner. He is a best friend, and a brother. He is, like most of my best friends, the epitomy of genuinity.
As we were talking yesterday, I got on the subject of who my really good friends from home were, and what kind of an experience college was for me. I got emotional talking about Jake, and Jimmy, Kory and Ryan- people who have always been there for me, who have been examples for me, and who are just simply the best friends a kid could ask for. I told Elder Mehner how just knowing them and knowing the kind of missionaries they are makes me want to be a better missionary, and helps me realize the kind of missionary I should be. Low and behold Jake is now an Assistant to the President, which just made me smile- I know Jakey boy is the Lord's missionary and is doing everything he can to serve our Father. I am so proud to be a missionary and to be part of this mission. Not just the Poland Mission (which I am very proud of) but the mission of Jesus Christ. It's amazing to know there are missionaries all over the world doing their best. The thought of it just makes me happy.
I've also come to realize that I've been blessed throughout my life with examples of true men of God. From my own imediate family to the leaders I've had in the Church. I've been blessed beyond measure, and I feel so grateful for that.
The mission is doing so amazingly well. It's a powerful experience to hear of all the successes that the Lord has caused to be wrought here in this country. One of our investigators, Marek, has decided to prepare himself to baptism. He is a 28 year old man, who is a solid guy. Each investigator has his or her own concerns and problems- Bogdan, Tomek and Marek are all preparing themselves to baptism, and we are doing everything we can to help them feel ready, and spiritually prepared to be baptized by that day. None of them are 100 percent convinced that they will be baptized on their own date, but I know they can. Elder Mehner knows they can. We're doing our best to have members on the lessons to support and guide them. We are doing our best to testify with the power of the Spirit, and pray for them. They need all the prayers they can get. I feel like each one is my brother- I desire so deeply to see them taste of the Gospel and feel the blessings that come from baptism. Please pray for them.
We just recieved confirmation from Salt Lake that Elder Hales will be broadcasting with us live on June 4th, for a MISSION CONFERENCE! here in Warszawa. We are so stoked! It's going to be the most amazing thing ever. I don't know if I ever told you, but the day that I came into the mission, Elder Perry was leaving it ha. And so we barely missed him, but now we're going to have a live Broadcast with Elder Robert D. Hales, who was President Engbjerg's mission President back in the day. Everyone can hardly wait. The month of June is going to be a month of Miracles- so will the month of may for that matter. There are almost 20 people preparing themselves to be baptized throughout the mission right now. 3 weeks ago, there were 4 people. Amazing things are happening :)
The Neiman's- my mission grandparents from Katowice, just walked into the office for a meeting today. It's always so nice to see them. Senior missionaries are as solid as can be. Especially the Neimans. They are hardcore missionaries, and I love them. It makes me breath a little more evenly knowing that they are in Katowice and will be there for quite awhile.
This last week was simply a busy one. Monday was the Standard of Excellence dinner at the Mission Home. It was delicious as usual- we had to do some solid cooking (i'm getting way good at making this carrot salad. I can make a carrot salad like nobody's business), and then some solid cleaning up afterward. We then had to prepare the Dobra Strona for the next day...so we didn't get to bed until 3:00 am, and then the next day we took off to Kielce for an exchange. The Kielce elders, Elder Tribe and Elder Nielson, are amazing. Elder Tribe barely has 5 months in the country and elder Nielson is halfway through his second transfer, so they are you as can be, but in that little city with only 4 members, they are working their heart out. I love and respect them for the work they do. They know what missionary work is all about, and are sincerely trying. We found 13 contacts together, which is always exciting. 13 potentials for baptism there in Kielce. I do love that place. It's an amazing experience driving through the Polish forests and grassland- it's so gorgeous. And the sunsets are starting to become more and more colorful. A true divine sign.
This was the week I was supposed to go on interviews with President, but we had to move it to next week- so next week we will be driving all across Poland, seeing the Southern and Eastern part of Poland and the missionaries there. It'll be an amazing experience without a doubt.
Ok. There is a full blown senior missionary party going on in this room where I'm trying to write, so focus is low. ha. I love em to death. They're telling me all about marriage and confirmations from the Spirit, and all sorts of stuff I'm not thinking about for 2 more months haha. I really do love the elder generation. They are so wise and equally hilarious. They just know how to laugh :)
We're going to play Sport's saturday with a bunch of investigators and members and missionaries. Just like I used to do for every single p-day when i was last in Warsaw. I really miss playing soccer- it'll be so fun to go and play today.
Yesterday was also one of the most beautiful, sunny days we've had in a long time here in Poland. It's little colder today, but it's ok. All I need is a few more sunny days like that to make me happy. :)
I pray all is going well at home. You all seem happy as can be, and I love to hear that. I look forward to writing you next week, and telling you about the trip with President. I do my best to remember everything, but I simply get tired these days and it's more difficult to remember everything I want to say. I'll try to write a list :)
I love you so much, I can't believe i'm 21. That feels way older then I really am ha. I love my mission and my Savior. Everyday is an adventure, and a blessing. No one except God knows the miracles that can happen in a given day. We just need to do our part, and He works the rest.
So much love, thank you to everyone who wrote me a little birthday note. It means a lot :) I miss and love you all.

z ogromną miłością,
Elder Michael