May 21, 2010

Dearest Family of mine -
I finally get to write you a bit of an e-mail here, which makes me happy to say the least. It's been an extra long period since I've written, but all is well, and I look forward to trying to recall some of the events that have gone on in the past 8-9 days. I can remember a little past yesterday morning at this moment...hopefully the memory kicks in.
Before that though, it sounds like so much is happening at home it's crazy! Happy birthday mom and dad :) I didn't forget, I promise ha. I'm glad you had such a good birthday celebration, it sounds super fun. Spencer holdin' down the fort while you all watch Robin Hood. Love it. Sounds like such a good time. Siblings, you seem like you are dominating life per usual. I'm always so proud of you all, and I do look forward to watching you girls rock the soccer field, and to just be around you, and partake of your amazingness. For real, you are the best little sisters in the world. Spencer, you know I love you and can't wait to do the music thing, and just hang out. I can't believe you are going through all the graduation business. That really does blow my mind. I can't believe you're graduating! Crimany.
The reason that I'm writing today and not two days ago, is because of the Zone Conferences, and the consequent trip we took to Katowice, and the Zone Conference held there on my P-day. The trip was absolutely amazing though, and I loved every second of it down there. But I'll start from Wednesday.
Elder Paya came in Wednesday afternoon, and that evening Elder Mehner and I went over to the Mission Home to confirm the plans for the Mission Tour he would be leading here. Elder and Sister Paya are from France, both converts to the church and have very similar stories to President and Sister Engbjerg. Elder Paya didn't serve on a mission because he was asked to stay and be the Branch President of a particular area. He was the first Stake President in the South of France, and he is just a neat man. He doesn't talk a whole lot in the car, but he is hilarious when he does, and very kind in general. Sister Paya is kind as can be, very sweet, served a mission in Italy, and we had a good chat on the way home from Katowice yesterday- she taught me some French. That language is amazing.
So Wednesday we confirmed the plans, and Thursday was the first Zone Conference for the Warsaw and Bydgoszcz zones at the Warsaw Chapel on ul.Wolska. I love seeing all the missionaries together, and it always brings me confidence that the work will go on strong as can be, years after I have left this place. It's something you think about as an older missionary, It seems impossible sometimes that you will ever have to part with this country, or that the country will go on without you- not that it can't LIVE without E. Rushton, just that I feel so part of it, if that makes sense. Anyway, the Zone Conference went very well- usually we as Assistants and the Zone Leaders have to prepare something, but when visiting Authorities are here, we don't have to. We felt pretty relaxed going into the conference for that reason. Elder Paya was very relaxed as he spoke. He and Sister Paya had two hours in the first half of the conference, and he got up and said "I don't know what I'm going to talk about. But we'll see where the Spirit takes us." He gave an amazing talk though about our purpose, and the power of commitment, and what it really means to have success as a missionary. It's not counted in Baptisms as the world might look at it, but rather in commitment, in dedication and exerted effort. The Lord makes everything else happen. It is his work afterall.
Right before we broke for lunch, Elder Paya asked Elder Mehner and I to lead a discussion for which we were not prepared at all, but it went wonderfully.
The conference was successful, uplifting, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it. President made a Powerpoint with all the transfers for the next month, and as a surprise showed it to everyone at the end of the conference. Transfers are wonderful, and painful at the same time. It's no fun to split from people you love, but it's part of growing. I, if you hadn't guessed, will be staying with Elder Mehner til the end.
Friday, a mission conference was held in the mission office, and TONS of people were there ha. 6 zone leaders, plus 2 new zone leaders who would be called in the next week, plus 2 sisters to represent the sisters, Elder Mehner and I, the Engbjerg's the Paya's, and their pet parrot. Ok, the parrot wasn't there, but there were a lot of people in that little room ha. The coucil was productive, Elder Paya at the end spoke about building Zion in the mission among missionaries and members, which I thought was perhaps one of the most appropriate topics for the work in Poland that I have ever heard. We need to build Zion, to build a society of the pure in heart. I could talk all day about it. Elder Paya spoke for 40 minutes and I loved every second.
Saturday we took off to Katowice in the morning where we would be staying the night for the District Conference the next day. Elder Tanner came with us so that Elder Mehner could stay behind to take care of our investigators at church. I drove us down through the beautiful Polish countryside- I don't know if you've heard about the flooding down here, but we saw quite a bit of it driving down. A couple low houses were flooded out completely. The ride was beautiful though, as was the Zone Conference. President and I drove out to visit Ania Cesarczyk in her home. She hasn't been coming to church lately and has just had some problems, but it was good to visit her. She was humbled as we spoke and realized that she needs to go to church. Her children don't exactly love the church, for no real reason, and that's also been a contributing factor. We had a sweet meeting though. I do love that family, and I just want them to be happy. It started pouring as President and I came out of her house- big crocodile tears pounding our car. President and I drove home feeling happy we could do that, and I was happy that I had a mission President like President Engbjerg. He loves this place just as much as I do.
District Conference the next day was amazing. Elder Tanner and I stayed in the Qubus hotel the night before, and I think it was the first time I've been with Elder Tanner one on one since we left the MTC. It was so nice to just talk to the man. He is such a good missionary and friend and it was neat to be with him. That morning before we left to the chapel, we sat on the window seal of our room on the 24th floor looking out at Katowice, the city where he was born, and the city I spent 6 months in and grew to love. We thought about how much we love this place, and how much our heart is here. It was a good experience. We made our way over to the chapel, and there we had District Conference.
Everyone from Katowice came. Ela and Carlos were there, looking happy as ever with Natan, Dominik came, Ania even came. Marta, that amazing investigator Elder Slagowski and I taught forever, is still being taught and is doing so well, and she came as well. Ola didn't make it out, because of some family business, but she wanted to be there. It was wonderful. Members from Wrocław, Kielce, Kraków all came out, which is a LONG ways away. There were 90 people in all. The talks were wonderful, Elder Paya spoke about building Zion again. If the members could really get that engraven on their hearts, the church will really take off here. There was a big lunch afterwards, and then we got in the Transporter (the white bus) and drove home. I was tired by the end of it all, but it was a priceless experience. Each day I learn so much, each day I realize how much I have to learn. I am such an imperfect person, but like Elder McLaws wrote in his letter, I'm trying my best to become more like Jesus Christ and the road is long, but I am on it, and I am trying.
I love being in Europe. I love speaking Polish and preaching the Gospel in this language. I love meeting all the amazing people that I have. It's been the experience of a life time.
Europe really is so different from the States. It's kind of hilarious. I think European people make it sport to point out how much influence THEIR country has in the country that their in. The Engbjergs never cease to talk about Denmark - in a very hilarious way that I completely enjoy, and yesterday in the car the Paya's were pointing out everything that was French. There was a lot! And then the Engbjerg's pointed out what was Danish. It was the clash of the titans, until they ganged up on the Americans and made fun of us for how we pronounce Pierre Cardin. I was embarrassed. :P Europeans are truly amazing, the culture and the knowledge you recieve just being here is almost too much to take in some time. Ha. goodness we must visit.
I've got to go, but I love you family. I love every day here in Polska. It is my European home. These are my people, and I love being here. I'll write you again on Saturday. Until then, I wish you a beautiful week, and tons of happiness. The church is true.

Elder Michael

p.s. Please pray for our investigators. There are many, but as you can see, I didn't see them much this week. THey are so close though!

Love you.