Week 27 Krakow! Loving the missionary life!

Cześć!

Ok, I have 7 minutes to write this letter, ready, set here I go.... ;)

So Kraków is absolutely amazing! It is a beautiful city full of happy wonderful people, I absolutely love it here! :) Also, the branch is amazing. Relief Society was just officially organized with a presidency called this past Sunday. Its a small branch, but the members are amazing and there is such a special spirit there. I absolutely love all of them. The work is amazing, Sister Swenson and I whitewashed and well Sister Allen and Sister King, the sisters before us did a great job of finding potentials and already setting up a bunch of lessons for us, its wonderful. It is quite the contrast from last transfer, I'm loving it.

I love being a missionary, I love the gospel and I love my Savior. I love my Heavenly Father and I'm so grateful for everything He gives me, which is SO much. I am so blessed.

I love you all of you, have a great week.

Siostra Ellis

p.s. sorry that I didn't have much time to write 11/12/2013

Week 26 A crazy eventful week, memorable to say the least

November 4, 2013
So this week was all over the place, so much so, looking back its really funny everything that happened. Sister Lenhart and I are still laughing about it. 

Tuesday, Wojtek was baptized. It was an absolutely wonderful experience and the joy of his decision was felt by all of us. 

That night....one of our investigators that had a baptismal date (not Dagmara or Lucyna), turned out to be, well...possibly dangerous and we followed the Spirit and left as fast as we could. 

Wednesday, the amazing Jola spent an hour telling us all these lies from off the Internet and trying to tell us that we were wrong and sadly misguided. We bore our testimonies, still gave her a hug at the end, and she said she'd give us a call if she changed her mind. I have hope she recognizes the truth and accepts the gospel one day soon. 

Thursday was Halloween and we were able to read stories to some kids in school, which was enjoyable then we went out to Inowrocław to teach Dagmara and Lucyna. It was a 45 min train ride, then we got lost and ended up walking for another 45+min, just to get there and have them ask why we came, they thought for some odd reason we were cancelling. But it ended out well and we have another lesson with them on Tuesday and the Branch President is coming along. He sees the potential in them as well and wants to help, which we're so very grateful for. (Shout out to all the wonderful Branch President and Bishops out there and everything they do). 

We then had culture night that night and spent it listening to Mozart's Requiem, with Lydia Kagele (part of the American family) and then looking at the graveyards with the beautiful lanterns.I have fun pictures, but the computer isn't letting me send them right now, next week. 

Friday was All-Saint's Day. Poland in general doesn't celebrate Halloween. During All-Saint's Day they spend that day...and the entire week-end remembering their family and their loved ones who have died. It was interesting seeing the contrast between those depressed thinking about life and 'how little time they have left until the end' to the members who were thinking about how they need to do more temple work for their ancestry. Sister Lenhart and I went around writing resurrection scriptures on the sidewalk, no one was willing to talk, but we wanted to help anyways. 

Saturday, I was sick the entire day, and never left the apartment sadly. But I received a blessing Sunday morning before church. I am so grateful for the Priesthood and all those that live worthy to hold it. I'm not sick now. Yesterday was full of the Spirit and wonderful opportunities to talk to people. Then transfer calls came: I'm going to Kraków with Sister Swenson. She was MTC companion's with my current companion Sister Lenhart. President Edgren gave me a very nice compliment on my Polish, so apparently I'm doing better with the language than I realized. 'Dzięki Bogu, na prawdę- Thanks to God, really'  Gift of tongues is real! 

I'm grateful for ups and downs that make great memories! :) 'The down's make us appreciate the ups even more, and make great memories to laugh at later' 

I'll be leaving Wednesday, taking a 9 hour train to Kraków, staying with the sisters currently there (Sisters Allen and King), and helping them get to where they need to, then welcoming Sister Swenson to Kraków Thursday afternoon. 

I'm so grateful to have the knowledge that God, the Greatest Being, is my Heavenly Father. He loves me personally and is helping with the very finite details of my life. :) 

I'm so glad to be on a mission. This is the true church. Jesus Christ is our Savior and I'm grateful for His loving Atonement. 

Miłego Dnia! 

Love, 

Siostra Ellis 

Week 25 Miracles happening all around

Yes, there are miracles happening in Poland. The Lord's Hand is evident everywhere.

First off, there is a baptism on Tuesday, his name is Wojtek, the Elders have been teaching him for the past transfer, and its awesome and amazing.

Second.... We are now teaching three people, who are progressing and preparing to be baptized on December 7. They are Elżbieta, Dagmara and Lucyna. Elżbieta met with the missionaries last year and had a baptismal date, somehow the missionaries lost contact with her and when we got back in touch with her, she still wants to be baptized and is now keeping all her commitments. Sunday was another miracle with her, as she had told us that she couldn't come to church because of a floral class she has for her job. We had promised her that if she desired to keep God's commandments that a way would be made available to her, but she had felt like it was good enough to just go to her old church that week, and wasn't showing signs of coming then to our surprise, yesterday as we were greeting members before branch conference, she walked in! First thing she said was "you were praying for me weren't you?". I'm reminded how much prayers make a difference.

Then Dagmara and Lucyna, they are for sure an amazing miracle story. Saturday night we received an unexpected phone call. Someone had called the Wrocław sisters trying to get a hold of missionaries for the Inowrocław area (closest area is Bydgoszcz). So the Wrocław sisters (yes, wonderful Sister Blake and her trainee) called us up and told us the story and gave us their number, we called them and set up for the next day (yesterday). Funny enough, we originally thought they said 'inowrocławska' which is a street on the bottom of Bydgoszcz and not that far....then we figured out that it was in Inowrocław, which is a 45 min car ride. Second miracle and wonderful blessing: Brother and Sister Kagale drove us out there. The lesson was absolutely amazing as the first things they said after we started was: 'So we want to become Mormon, how do we do that? Is there something like Baptism? Who decides that and how do we prepare for it? What do we need to do?' We answered their questions and they are happily preparing to be baptized on Dec. 7. It was an amazing, perfect lesson, where they actually were telling us our role as missionaries. How they needed us to be the guides to prepare them for baptize and to help them know what to do, and we reassured them that that is exactly what our purpose is, that's what missionaries do. Our work is to be guides for the investigators, so they know how to strengthen their relationship with Heavenly Father  and their Savior Jesus Christ and what steps they need to make/ what they need to do in order to prepare to make that sacred covenant of baptism with their Heavenly Father.

Miracles are happening all around and I feel so blessed to be an instrument. Its all the Lord's work, we are just blessed with the privilege to enjoy being an instrument and seeing the Work being done. Yes, the Lord is hastening His Work, what a glorious time to be a missionary and to even be alive :) We are all so blessed to live at this time in history.

 

Funny story this week also....Sister Lenhart and I have been living below our privileges ;) As we just figured out yesterday how to make our futon beds into actual beds instead of couches.... a week before the end of the transfer. :) Now we have actual beds, its wonderful :)

Transfer calls are next Sunday, how fast time flies, I'm willing to do whatever's next :)

Also random happy thought, we are teaching a wonderful mom, Ania, her family is so adorable and precious.

 

Some random scriptures I was going to include last week but forgot:

Alma 34:16

D&C 123:11-17

2 Nephi 22:2

 

część polski (a piece of Polish)

"Moja dusza brzydzi się grzechem. Moje serce lubuje się w prawości, i będę chwalił święte imię mojego Boga." - 2 Nefi 9:49

 

Have a great week everyone! Remember to S.M.I.L.E. :) (spiritually minded is life eternal- eternal perspective means the greatest joys are ahead of us, and even more reason to rejoice now for the many blessings we have right now. :))

 

Also, thank you so much for all your prayers, support and love. Thank you for all that all you do to further the Lord's work, whether full-time missionary or not. Thank you so much.

 

Love,

Siostra Ellis

Week 24 Life - a time of learning

October 21, 2013
This week went well and I love being a missionary! It is such an honor to represent my Savior Jesus Christ and to be an instrument in bringing others closer to Him. 

This week Sister Lenhart and I tried some new things. Sister Lenhart, last transfer had drawn the plan of salvation in sidewalk chalk on the sidewalk, so we decided to do that here. We did it two different times, first time was by the chapel and we drew an arrow at the end pointing towards the door of the chapel, saying 'witam' (welcome). The other time was by a park in a busy area. We sadly didn't have a lot of time to actually teach after drawing it, but it was there for everyone to see and learn from and enjoy until the next time it rained. It was so much fun. Also, during one of the rainstorms Sister Lenhart and I went to an underground tunnel area that connects the tramwaj stops, and Sister Lenhart sang while I contacted. 

This week I've realized how grateful I am to have an eternal perspective and the knowledge of why we're on earth. I like how my companion explains it: "Life on earth is like going to school, we leave our parents for a little bit to learn and to grow and then we return home" Right now we are separated from our Heavenly Parents, but They still want to hear from us. Heavenly Father has given us the gift of prayer, so we can still communicate with Him, despite being separated. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer for our sins, pains and to overcome death so that we could have an Advocate, so we could talk to Him in the name of our Savior; and so one day we could return home to Him. Heavenly Father has set up everything perfectly so we can return home in His presence one day, all we need to do is follow our Savior, Jesus Christ. His infinite love can strengthen and uplift us. His love motivates me and comforts me, I know They are both here for all of us, because of everything They help me through on a daily basis. This eternal knowledge not only keeps me going, it brings me joy :) I love my Heavenly Father and I love my Savior Jesus Christ. 

I hope all of you have a great week. 

love, 

Siostra Ellis 

Week 23 A mission - a wonderful blessing and opportunity

October 14, 2013
This week was awesome. Full of new experiences and new things to be learned. Lately I've been sick, I learned an important lesson about slowing down and taking care of myself, but also of having the wonderful opportunity to get out and work. 

Met an amazing young woman named Klaudia this week. We met her on the street and she saw us first and was excited to see us. She readily accepted the Book of Mormon and at this point already read 20 pages. I'm super excited to teach her this week. 

We're still teaching Jola. She is absolutely amazing. She has such a strong spirit. She has had such amazing spiritual experiences. Some of which include having dreams of parts of the Book of Mormon before reading it. She knows that the Book of Mormon is from God and has already read a lot of it. Its such a blessing and privilege to teach her. 

Something I was really thinking about today was about the blessings of being on a mission. I am learning life-skills that will bless my future children and generations to come. I am being guided by my Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost, being personally taught on what I need to do. It is such a blessing to be on a mission. Then, of course, the most important part of the mission, which I rejoice in: being able to share the gospel and see it help others and being able to serve my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. A chance to show my gratitude for all They so willingly give to me. 

'count your many blessings, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done', truly I am amazed, humbled and grateful for how much I am blessed with on a daily basis. 

As my mission president, President Edgren just said in a letter to the Polish missionaries: "keep the faith, trust in the Lord and thank Him for the ride". 

Also, something I'm very grateful for: the Atonement. We could not change, grow nor learn from mistakes without the blessing of the Atonement. We could not change ourselves into who we can become without the Atonement. It is a liberating, joyful gift to have. 

2 Nephi 31:21

2 Nephi 9:49 

Miłego Dnia! 

Love you all, have a great week! 

Siostra Ellis 

Week 22 Onward and upward!

October 7, 2013
This week went well, and Sister Lenhart and I are now teaching an amazing woman named Jola. She had already read part of the Book of Mormon and had tons of questions before we even met with her the first time. She is wonderful and is actively seeking truth. It is purely evident that the Lord has prepared her to accept the gospel. Our second lesson is this coming Wednesday. I'm excited :) 
I just found out (literally a few minutes ago in an e-mail from Sister Blake), that a wonderful lady Rebekah, that I had talked to, around the second week being in the country, finally has met with them and desires to be baptized! :D My heart soars with this, she never had time to meet with us and every time we did set up, it fell through. I have spent many nights praying for her and I am so glad she has finally been able to meet with the missionaries and finally has the truth she's been looking for.  (I think I may have even told about meeting a Rebecca those many weeks ago, its the same one!) 
General Conference was absolutely amazing! I hope all of you were able to listen, enjoy and learn from the wonderful talks given.
I would love to add my witness that I know my Heavenly Father lives and loves me and each of you. I know that He knows me and the situations that I'm in perfectly, He has everything planned out for me to succeed and so does He have a plan for all of you to succeed-to return to our heavenly home one day. We're all in this together, let's get everyone Home. Let us all be instruments in the hands of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ in bringing all of our fellow brethren and sisters closer to Christ, and eventually back to our heavenly home. 
Somethings I noticed stressed in General Conference: applying the Atonement (truly the most magnificent, loving gift from our Savior and our Heavenly Father that could ever be given us), covenants (these promises aren't just what we need to do, but also ensure that Heavenly Father can help us in every way possible.) Also through application of the Atonement and these covenants we make, we are becoming more like our Savior. That's why we're on earth, to become like our Heavenly Father by following our Savior, Jesus Christ's perfect example. 
"Fear not, only believe' is the Poland Warsaw motto, and it is a wonderful motto to live by. 
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is our Savior Jesus Christ's church. This is His gospel and He directs His church through a wonderful prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I am grateful for this knowledge. 
Have a wonderful week everyone, and know that I care about and love each and every one of you, and more importantly your Heavenly Father loves you beyond comprehension and there is nothing that He will not help you with. Just ask and see :) 

Love, 
Siostra Ellis 

                                                      Bydgoszcz

                            Watching Gen Conf with the Elders at Kagele's home

Week 21 Exchanges, Great week, & Upcoming General Conference

September 30, 2013
Cześć! 

Hope everything is going well for everyone! 

This week was great, its definitely colder now, winter is coming fast and it is COLD! Its going to be interesting to see how freezing cold this winter gets. 

So this week was an adventure. We've had lessons and we 'whiteboarded' (or more 'display-boarded'-we set up a display showing different things about prophets, explaining how we have prophets and apostles now and we went and talked to people about it). The highlight this week was for sure exchanges. So Monday, I was supposed to leave for transfers, but as soon as I boarded the train, Sister Lenhart answers the phone and quickly tells me to get off the train. Apparently Sister Bown's train was full, so we postponed exchanges for an entire day, that was very entertaining. Tuesday evening, about a two hour train ride later I arrived in Poznań. That night, the next day and Thursday morning was probably about the most non-stressful days I have ever had on my mission. Yet, we were still teaching lessons and being diligent and productive. (Which I didn't realize was possible, as I usually have at least a little stress). Sister Ott and I had so much fun and it's amazing seeing how much both of us have grown in just the past two months. We have both learned so much in just the past two months. 

So about General Conference, because of time zone differences of course we can't watch it at the same time. 

This is the schedule as far as I understand: 

Relief Society is on at 4 pm to 5:30 Saturday night, then Saturday morning (live) session at 6 pm to 8 pm. 

Then on Sunday Priesthood session is from 11:00 to 1:00, then Saturday Evening is 2 to 4, then Sunday morning is a live broadcast at 6 to 8. Then Sunday evening is 10 to 12 pm, which obviously, we'll have to watch at a later time, during P-day probably.  I'm excited to be able to listen to it in English :). 

Polish wise, as far as I understand only the live sessions of Sat morn and Sunday morning are available in Polish at those times I already mentioned, then all others.... come later I presume. 

An excerpt from 'Preach My Gospel' (pg. 75):

"We have frequent opportunities to sustain church leaders. Sustain means to support. We are to prepare ourselves so that when the prophets and apostles speak, the Holy Ghost can confirm the truths they teach, and we can then determine to follow the counsel they give us." 

Quote from 'Four Titles' by President Dieter F. Utchdorf (April 2013 Priesthood session)- think about missionary work: 

"This is a most noble labor that will challenge our every sense and stretch our every ability. Do we desire to see the heaven's open and witness the promptings of the Holy Spirit showing us the way? Then let's take up our sickle and put our back into this great work-a cause much greater than ourselves!" 

Another quote from the same talk, (remember, none of us are meant to be perfect at this moment, just striving for it and our Savior will help us every step of the way.)

"Let us never lose sight of our Advocate and Redeemer as we walk toward Him, one imperfect step after another" 

I love you all, remember to focus on what's most important! 

Love,

Siostra Ellis