Dear Family of mine -
What a beautiful morning to be writing to you all. It's been California weather here for this last week, and we've been loving it, but the lack of air conditioning in Poland, and the lack of fans in our home make for a sweaty week as well. But it's been fantastic.
I just saw the video of Elder McLaws and Elder Lysenko. How unbelievable is that. I got so excited just seeing Jake- it's been awhile since I've seen that kid's mug live in action. I admit I didn't expect that the first time I'd see it live would be on CNBC haha. Makes you proud to be a missionary, seeing your friends teaching in action on the other side of the world. Simply amazing.
Graduation has officially come and gone. I remember telling you, Spencer, that you'd be graduating right before I came home. That seemed like an eternity away. You were a baby back then. Now you're the big man on campus, rocking the casbah there in the home town. There's a new high school??? Who'dve thunk it. Massimo pizza? Dad chaperoning an all-night party on the beach? Life will certainly be different ha :P Just kidding. Sarah and Annie, you look adorable. I can't believe you graduated middle school sister. High school is just waiting for your presence. You will rule that place.
The weeks are just flowing through my fingers, I can hardly believe it. This last week was a beautiful one. I can't remember a single thing that happen, but I know that we were busy, and I am tired after it all ha. Ok, I'll recall what I can.
Firstly, this last Sunday, I was schocked again when Michael-the same man who I baptized and confirmed- asked me to ordain him a Priest and give him the Priesthood. I was shocked, and felt amazingly priveleged to participate in something like that. It's always a wonderful experiences- giving blessings, and ordaining. I always remember when Dad would ordain me, or bless me, or I would watch people bless their children, I thought that must be such a nerve-racking experience. I feel like I've come to understand the power of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and how God is always willing to tell us what to say, to put the words in our mouths. Giving Michael the Priesthood was an amazing experience.
I did have several experiences during this week where afterwards I just felt so strongly that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ on earth. One of those experiences happened yesterday as we met with Damian. He is an investigator that Sister Castleton (now Sister Broadbent) and Sister Squires had found when they were together. That was when Elder McRae and I were together almost 20 months ago in this Branch. He has off and on investigated since then and has come so close to baptism on several occasions, and we've been doing our best to work with him. Yesterday we had an amazing meeting with Sister Monika Dublicka present. Testimonies were born, and love was expressed for this amazing man. It was a powerful experience for me as I realized why we were sitting in that room, why we had planned a lesson, why we had invited Monika and why she had decided to come. It was because we love and care about Damian and his eternal happiness. There is no other reason. The Gospel is true and it has the power to change lives. A man who will give his life to God will find that God can make so much more out of it then he could do alone. Damian, like everyone on this Earth, needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his life. It gives us understanding, peace, hope, and joy. It helps us become more like our Savior and to serve and love. It helps us realize what really matters in this life. Everybody needs that. Surely some of those things can come from other sources, but I know without a doubt that those other sources cannot seal those feelings in a man's heart like the power of the Holy Ghost can. I felt that yesterday, and so did Damian. We are fasting with him today, and hope to see him baptized in a week.
Bartek, the boy we contacted on the Rynek, is unbelievable. He is really going to get baptized at the end of this month, probably a couple days after, or before I go home. I hope it is before. He has the desire in his heart to know if it is true, and is willing to go the distance, to pay the price by reading, praying, living according to the commandments. It's a neat expereince, and I'm so grateful the Lord is allowing me to have it will I am still here. Brother Jan Herman was on the meeting with us last time, and they just clicked like a couple of Legos. It was super rad.
Oh, before I forget. Carlos and Ela and Natan from Katowice have officially moved to France. They feel like that is where they need to go- they have had their struggles in Poland and they feel really strongly that France is where they need to go for awhile. I talked to them on the phone the night before they left, and I was just praying that everything would be ok for them. I can't believe their actually leaving Katowice. They really are my Polish family. I love them so, and I feel so warmly their love for me. I am so grateful I met them on here in Poland. Hopefully I'll find a way to visit them in France sometime in the semi-near future. We'll see. There's always study abroad right? ha.
Elder Balija is my new companion who joined and made us a 3-some. Elder Balija is from Napa, California, and is an amazing kid. He's a convert to the Church, from when he was 9 years old, but his parents were never really active. His Aunt invited him to church when he was in his early teenage years and he started to go. He had tons of support from friends in the Ward, and he's here on a mission, and is a wonderful missionary and a good friend to be around. He and Elder Mehner came to Poland at the same time. I've loved every threesome I've ever been a part of, and this one is equally amazing. We've been waking up at 6:00 every morning and playing Basketball as a district at these little courts about 5 minutes away. I love it. :) It's been so nice to excersice like that. Excersize? Excercise? Crimany.
Our mission is officially tiny looking. We just took a mission picture, I'll have to send it to you- but it's tiny! But powerful at the same time. And it'll get boosted back up at least by 5 companionships. It is so strange having to take care of little things before the Engbjerg's leave, trying to make the transtition as smooth as possible. We just did transfers for the last time. We might have to take another look at it. We're making a notebook of all the things the President Nielson will need, and Elder Mehner and Balija are being prepared to take over. It's crazy. I won't be here for any of those amazing experiences their going to have.
Today the Engbjerg's are hosting a big party for our Branch to say goodbye to all the members. It's going to be a neat experience to see everyone, and to eat the best gravy and "creamy potatoes". When we go to Denmark someday to visit President, I'm sure Sister Engbjerg will make THE GRAVY and you will be convinced of my craze. Ha Sister Engbjerg thinks I'm addicted to food. I kind of am. I don't know what happened to me, I just appreciate a good taste these days. :P
I didn't want to write this, but I only have one more letter to write to you all after this. That is unbelievable. I've loved writing these letters every week, summing up my life for the week. I still want to do it when I get home ha.
I love you family. I love every day here. I look out the window sometimes and think how I won't be able to be here in just a couple of weeks, and it's hard for my brain to grasp. I don't think I will fully understand until I see ground outside of Polska. I love this place.
Have a wonderful week, be safe, have fun, read your scriptures. I love you.
Elder Michael
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