Ahoj,
Tuesday is when they celebrate christmas in the Czech Republic. In the morning we went to help at Salvation Army which feeds homeless people a christmas lunch. When we went to help, they said they wouldn't need us for another hour to clean up. We came back an hour later and they said they were delayed but that we could come back in 40 minutes. We had other things to do so unfortunately we couldn't help, but there was a line of homeless people waiting to be fed. It really touched my heart to see a family bring some tinfoil meals to these people. It was fun to watch them get big smiles on their faces and thank the family. Then we came home and did our studies. Afterwards, we went to the De Vries house for dinner. We at wine sausage, potatoe salad, and apple crumble. Then we watched the christ child video with them. They drove us home and we finished decorating our apartment and put ornaments on our tree.
Wednesday we went to the church and were able to celebrate Christmas with our district from 8-12. We played some card games together and watched the Book of Mormon videos. Then we did studies. Afterwards we went to dinner at Brother čadeks. He is in the bishopric and is an awesome man. He told us his conversion story about how he participated in the yoga camps and was baptized in 1990 the same day as my last mission president, President Pohořelicky. It was good to spend time with him. Then I had the opportunity to call my cute family. I love them so much.
Thursday we did our studies in the morning and then we took 2 trains to travel to žilina. It was about a 4 hour trip. When we got there, the Elders had prepared spaghetti for dinner at the senior couple's, the Dransfield's, house. It was so fun to see the Dransfields again. They showed us a video from a YSA conference where Olga and President Pilka (stake president) explained how the church started in the Czech Republic. They told us their involvement in yoga camps where they practiced yoga and then had a spiritual discussion after which they had to find a way to tie quotes from government officials into principles from the gospel. It was really interesting to learn more about it. She talked about how all baptisms that happened during the communist regime were done in a river in the middle of the night. Some pictures were shown with members during that time and Brother Čadek who we had dinner with the night before was in them.
Friday morning we went to the store with the Dransfields to buy some things for lunch. We bought 100 roles and it filled up our entire grocery cart. We got some really funny looks from people and a couple gasps. 😂 Zone conference was absolutely incredible. We introduced the new missionahad a talent show, played hot seat which is a game where someone goes up and you can ask them any question, and had a slideshow of pictures from the year. It was amazing to watch the year be summed up, it really hit me hard and I was fighting back tears. After lunch the training got more spiritual, we sang some hymns and then President Gerhing played his cello. Then we recieved training from the Gehrings about the titles Christ has and about fasting. Then one missionary who is going home bore their testimony. It was an incredible conference.
Saturday we went and visited a member with 2 little boys and talked about prayer and scripture study. She is an amazing woman and takes care of her boys by herself. She gets only 2-3 hours of sleep at night, yet she always is happy and has a smile on her face. She understands the power of the Atonement and I really look up to her. Afterwards, we had a lesson with a returning member who hasn't been to church in over 5 years. We were able to talk about her life, watch the Christ Child video, and help her see how God has been in her life. Then we came home and did our studies and weekly planning.
Sunday we had an awesome church about families and gratitude. We set up appointments with 4 members for this next week while at church. Then we came home and did our studies. Afterwards, we went to inspiration night and brought a returning member with us. We came home on the tram and as soon as I got on and sat down, I noticed a guy who was watching us and then he gave us a thumbs up. As I analyzed this man more closely, I could see that he was very drunk. I got a really bad feeling and the spirit whispered to me to put my guard up. Then out of the blue this lady started talking to us and asked about our name tags. That NEVER happens! As we were explaining that we were missionaries, this man comes over and bumps into the lady we were talking to, so she moved and the guy started talking to us. I immediately stood up and grabbed my companion and told the man he could sit down where we were. I pushed sister stilson and told her to go to the front of the tram. She went and the guy sat down where we were. We found more seats at the front of the tram, then 2 seconds later, this guy was behind us again and tapping us on the shoulder. Luckily, we were the next stop so we jumped off and booked it, checking behind us to make sure he didn't get off too. I'm pretty sure he stayed on the tram but to be safe we went home in a round about way.
This experience really strengthened my testimony. I know the Lord is watching over and protecting us. The spirit will always warn us when we are in danger and guide us on how to act in scary situations. I also know that Satan is working hard against us because we are in the last days and preparing for the Savior to come. It was absolutely incredible that the woman on the tram asked about our name tags and Jesus. She was so close to getting introduced to the fullness of the gospel. However, Satan put the drunk man in our path. I have the faith that we will run into that woman again and bring her the joyful message of the gospel.
Today was a busy day. We planned, cleaned, went shopping, and did personal study. Then we did some finding. We ran into one of our English students and 3 members from the ward. Afterwards, we went to meet up with the Elders for lunch. While we were waiting, this guy approached us and asked us for help getting some Czech crowns, the Elders showed up and we took him to an ATM. Afterwards, he invited us to lunch so we sat down and talked about what we believe and it was really cool. He said he might come to church on Sunday and bought our lunch. So that was awesome. Then we went around and visited a big cathedral and the Brno castle called špilberk.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
S laskou,
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