Nice, Good Week.

 What is new everyone? I hope all is well. I have had an interesting week. It may not seem interesting in the same way to you, since you didn't exactly experience it, but for me it gave me some great insights and helped me realized some important things. I know that as we live according to the gospel and apply it to our own lives, we will learn much and see the importance of this church. So here is my week. :)

30.7.12

P-Day started out great... the turn out will be seen in due time. We did our personal studies and planned a great lesson with the girl I mentioned in previous entries that was met in the Bilá Hora Park. It was going to be a great lesson. I was excited to have it. That morning, we also sent a message to get confirm where we would meet. We went on later in our day and went shopping for our food for the week, did our emailing home, and then did some nice letter writing. It was a nice relaxed P-Day. A couple hours before our nice lesson with that girl we called her because she didn't reply to the message we sent earlier. She answered the phone and the conversation went as follows (translated):

Me: Hey, are you still able to meet? :)

She: I actually am not home right now.

Me: Okay, when can we meet then?

She: Ummm... Never.

Silence (I was speechless)

Me: So, you are not interested?

She: Yes.

Silence

She: Goodbye.

Me: …. bye.

She seemed like she was so ready a couple days ago. This experience broke my heart because I know what kind of happiness this girl was missing out on. I pray that she will run into missionaries later on in life and realized the importance for the gospel. After that, my whole night was ruined. I don't know what caused this experience to be so affecting on me, but it gives me a small perspective of how much our Father in Heaven loves us.

Other than that, today was a quick, normal day. We have a busy day tomorrow and 4 lessons on plan, all within a few hours. Util then. :)

31.7.12

Videli jsme velký zazrak dneska! After what happened yesterday, I woke up with reluctance and you could probably guess why. That experience from yesterday totally extinguished what I had burning inside me. It was, to me, one of those kind of experiences that make you question what went wrong and why I am out here. Because of this, last night I prayed to see a miracle. I expressed to my Heavenly Father that I wanted to see something that would bring my testimony back up to where it was. Today, my testimony shot up more than it was at yesterday. We had a lesson with a young kid named Ivo. He had been contacted on the Naměstí by Starší Štrobl a couple weeks ago. He told us today that he had actually been recently looking some stuff up about Mormons and then Starší Štrobl and him met a couple days later. Anyway, so we started out lesson and had Brother Čadeni (the former branch president) teach with us. We talked about how through the Book of Mormon, things that are done wrong in the past are made right. Ivo, Brother Čhadeni, and us missionaries felt the spirit very strong. After a little discussion about the Book of Mormon we had Brother Čadeni give his testimony on it. His testimony was great. We then watched a video that we got at our last zone conference. The DVD is of a few members here in the Czech Republic giving their testimony then part of a conference talk explaining the importance of the Book of Mormon. We started the video and it went most of the way through when I started to worry if it was too long. (It was only 15 min.) Then it ended and we talked about it. We asked our investigator a couple questions and testified and then he replied, saying "After watching the DVD, I have to read the book!" Then he said "If the Book of Mormon is what you say it is, I will read it from cover to cover at once!"

After he committed himself to read the Book of Mormon, we talked about baptism. Now about 5 minutes before the lesson started, Elder Štrobl and I were deciding whether or not to give him a baptismal date. We talked about it and were thinking September 1^st, then we thought, maybe a bit longer may be good... We never made an exact decision but in the lesson we asked him; "When you find out that these things are true, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God?" He said yes. Then we decided to go for a date so we asked him to prepare for the 1^st of September. In response he said "That is a long way away... but yeah, definitely." Wait!!! Take a pause. Did you hear that?!?!? He said it was a long time away and it is only a month!!! Can you say PREPARED?! People here are never that easy about it. They always say that even two months away is soon! But he said it is a long time!

This is just great work here. Ivo is so ready and willing to follow Christ! He wants to change his life around and his desire just motivates me to work harder. Ivo just recently texted us and said "I want to change. I have read the prolog and introduction already and even have my book at work! I will do everything to know the Book of Mormon is true and to come to know God."

Just his desire to learn and grow in faith proves to me that God does exist and is our Father in Heaven, who love us. I know that the decision to serve a mission was THE RIGHT CHOICE. I love the gospel and I love the Savior, Jesus Christ. I look forward to all the other miracles I will see on my mission.

2.8.12

Wow, today was kind of a rough day. We started out having a little bit of contacting people on the way to a lesson we had, and it went alright... like normal people nicely declined and I am fine with nice declining. We had our lesson that turned out to be like the lessons usually are. We tried to teach the restoration for the third time. Like last time though, our investigator always turned the conversion around to how much she dislikes her mother. Dislike, to put it nicely. We left her a chapter to read about the Christ-like attribute of charity. After this lesson, we did some more finding. We walked around, trying to go where we felt right in the area we planned the night before to contact. People got more ferocious than earlier in the day. It really frustrates me. So many people don't know what they are saying "No." so bluntly and easily to. Now after we did this and endured it for some time, we had a nice dinner at the Čadeni's. We had chicken steaks and potato wedges. It was very good. We then shared a spiritual thought at the end. We talked about Joseph Smith and the restoration through him. The spiritual thought went well and then we finished off our evening with more contacting.

3.8.12

Today was another rough day. Oh man. First, our lesson canceled on us and we tried to call them, but they just "Red-Buttoned" us. That simply means that they press the end-call button on their phone when we ring them. So, we walked to a park to go contacting in. We talked to people and peoples' replies to us just hurt me. For example we would say "Dobrý Den" (Hello) and they would get mad and show us how unhappy they could get. It makes me frustrated sometimes. I know now, how Nephi feels in 2 Nephi 33:3, when he says;

"But, I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry."

For me, I, Elder Bahr, have said what I have said and see it of being great worth and especially for my people here in the Czech Republic. For I pray for them often and my heart continues to ache for them, because of them; and I pray to my God and know that he will hear my prayer.

People here really don't know what they are saying no to. It makes me so frustrated too. I have all these feelings going through my body when people say no so quickly. I can see a little bit why I am in this mission though. This mission is very difficult. It is in fact the most difficult. People may disagree, but from words I heard from an apostle, this can be labeled as the most difficult. I have had some trials and tests of faith and patience. There are things I need to learn. I have already learned a couple things, but I have much learning to go.

4.8.12

We had a nice amount of service today. We went to the Všiansky, a family in the branch, and did some service for them. We helped put some hay for rabbits from one big bag into a bunch of little bags and we helped take stuff up into their attic. For a few minutes he showed us his shot-putt "field" and had our own Olympics, as he called it. He got first place, my companion got 2^nd place, and I got 3^rd. It was all good fun. After we did a couple hours of service, they fed us lunch. We think it was duck. A story about this duck can be shared later. After we did that we came home and did some planning for the week for our investigators. We have two people scheduled to be baptized on September 1^st! It is going to be great. We went contacting on the naměstí after that. A namestí is the Czech word for town square, which word I like better than the English way. Then we went to our district language study and went home. Today was an average day.

Well, that is all for this week.  I am glad to be serving.  I have been able to learn patience this last week and that is a great thing to learn.  It is a Christ-like attribute too.  I am happy for all the blessings that I have received and that my family has received.  I am greatful that this mission has changed me thus far and I only await for the rest ahead of me.  Everyone take care this week and don't forget to what?  ... Replace fear with faith.  Oh, I love that quote.  Until next week!

-Elder Bahr

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Nice, Good Week!

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Nice, Good Week.

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Missionary Life is Fun.

So this week I am going to try my weekly message in a different way.  I am going to do a day by day summary, sometimes more than a summary... if the day was good.  Not every day will be included.  Anyway, here it is.  Tell me what you think; Is the message better in this form or in the previous form?  I hope that my stories inspire you and uplift.

Sunday, 22.7.12

Today we had church.  The speakers were first Starsi Meiling, then a member that talked for ever..., then it was another member that was interesting to listen to, but I didn't understand everything so.  But it was a good church service.  Starsi Meiling has a strong testimony that shows me that testimonies don't need to be long to be powerful.  I felt the spirit when he spoke.  After that, we had dinner at the Martin's.  The Martins are a senior couple here.  They are awesome.  At their house, we had "Czech Hotdogs".  They are Roliks that have a hotdog in the center.  As the main part of the meal we had macaroni casserole.  For desert we had a brownie thing, more like cake, with ice cream.  At the end, I was assigned the spiritual thought.  So I decided to do a magic trick.  I did one that uses quite a lot of distraction.  Then I spoke about how if we don't focus on the important things, we will miss them, even if they are right infront of us.  I felt the spirit working through me.  It was a nice experience.

After dinner, my companion and I went to our place to do studies before call-ins.  Then we had call-ins and language study.  Nothing too much today.  Tomorrow is P-Day though.

Wednesday, 25.7.12

It has been a couple days later since I last wrote.  I am happy to write.  A couple days ago was P-Day.  For P-Day, we went to Petrov (a big kostel) and went to the top.  It wasn't much, but it had a good view.  There was a room though that had a bunch of artifacts that were quite interesting.  They looked like some important catholic person's robes and gloves, etc.  After that we went to Family Home Evening.

Tuesday, we did a singing diplay and I was able to use my pitch pipe.  It worked out well.  I found some nice people and got a meeting set up with someone.  I feel like since I have started serving with Elder Strobl, I speak more from the heart.  Elder Strobl really knows how to tune in to the spirit.  It is great.  I have learned a bunch from him.  I have already learned how to have sincere prayer.  He prays from his heart.  He knows that prayer is communication with God.  From learning from Elder Strobl, I feel like my prayers are more meaningful.  This transfer has been a really good experience for me to turn into who I can be!  I learned from Elder Strobl also that studies need to be diligent and focused.  He knows how to keep himself in the work, on the street and in studies.  I have learned to teach by what the spirit guides you to say.  I have learned that I need to be humble enough to accept what God wants me to say, rather than what I want to say.  Elder Strobl does a good job with that.  I learned and continue to learn still that I should be  thorough in ALL planning.  My companion pretty much even plans how many steps he will take and how many breaths he will breathe.  Lastly, thus far, is how important it is to diagnose a problem and then structure a perfect lesson that packs a punch.  Really, Elder Strobl is great!  We then, in the evening started an exchange and I went with Elder Stradling.  He is from Arizona, however, his family moved to Idaho recently.  Anyway that brings us to today;

So today, we had a lesson that went well.  I learned from it to be simple.  Once your companion explains something, check for understanding and move on!  We would explain something then the other companion would explain it again.  It just gets long-winded and is unnecessary.  I also heard a great quote about the Book of Mormon.  I really like it.  It is powerful.  Here it is; Elder Holland "No wicked man would write such a book and no good man would write it, if it weren't true."  Otherthan that, we had a pretty normal day, then we exchanged back.  It was a nice exchange.

Thursday, 26.7.12

Today was amazing.  Many great contacts and of course the "NE!!"  In all, it was a good day.  First we started our day by contacting in a park called "Bila Hora" which translates to white mountain.  It is a small park on a hill.  We went in and pretty much no one was there.  I thought to myself, we are going to get nothing out of this.  At thie end of walking up a bunch of steep paths and doing some "off-road", trying to talk to someone on a mountain bike who was riding around off the trail... away from us, we walked down the hill.  At the very entrance of the park, one of the only entrances, was an old lady and a younger girl.  I origionally thought that they wouldn't be interested either.  I tried it anyway.  We began speaking and the younger girlold woman walked away and the girl put up an immediate wall.  We continued speaking with the girl a little bit.  As we listened to the spirit, we touched her heart.  We talked about exactly what she needed.  We spoke about how through Christ, and following the instructions he gives us, we can receive help in this life and be happy.  She then asked us if we had any material that we could leave with her.  Also, we had the goal of getting an A# (appointment and a lesson) and we came out with that too!!!  I know that if a missionary is in tune with the spirit, he or she can speak what the Holy Ghost is saying; that, that is going to crack the shell that has been built and touch the heart of the listener.  I also have faith in goal setting.  If we set rightous goals, God will work anything out to give us success.  We planned where to go, when and how long to be there, and what to talk about and we were led to those who are spiritually ready to hear the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  Todady was just awesome.  We planted a lot of seeds taht other missioanries will harvest later.  We were led throughout this whole day to those who are ready and we were led to what to say.  I know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is our redeemer.  Through him, we are cleased from sin and we are blessed.  If we look for small miracles, we will most definitely find them.  God abundantly gives us blessings as long as we follow his commandments great and small and as we do our part.

Tomorrow we have a lot on plan.  We have a zone conference and then 4 lessons back to back till the rest of the evening.  One of our lessons with George, will be awesome.  As we were planning, we received revealation that were different peices of the lesson that fit together in harmony.  I am excited.  The lesson is very simple, but will pack a BIG punch!!!  Get ready for more journaling tomorrow!

Friday, 27.7.12

Zone conference went great.  We woke up, got ready and left.  On the way there, we met up with the Ostrava missionaries.  We got Billa breakfast and ate, then sat down for the conference.  Conference was good.  We talked about yesterday's experience about the girl in the park during sharing time.  After that we had some trainings.  Sister Irwin spoke then Elder Coleman (an AP) spoke.  President Irwin then gave a great training on how we should keep our vision in mind and continue to build off the last week's goals, instead of going up then down in numbers, then up and down and so on...  Also he talked about what the Book of Mormon means.  It is here to testify of Christ, it is evidence that we can hold in our hands of Christ, it is the foundation of a tesimony of the true church of Christ, it gives us more knowledge about our relationship with God and how we can strengthen our relationship, and many other things it is.  After President Irwin's training, we had lunch then started the zone leaders' trainings.  We talked about how we should be inviting people to be baptized, come to church, read and pray about the Book of Mormon, and share the gospel with their friends.  Then the assistants to the president gave their trainings.  We spoke about how the word of God, the scriptures have had people protect them, even if they lost their life in the process, just so we can have the blessing of them today.  We were taught that we should use scriptures more.  I am thankful for their training.  I also learned that we can relate almost every scripture to anyone's concerns.  For me, the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly a multi-use medicine in life.

After the training, we had a few lessons on plan, in which we could use our new skills we learned or improved at the training.  We taught one of our lessons with President Irwin.  He is truly a man of inspiration.  He was called of God to serve here, definitly.  Teaching with President is the best, because he knows exactly how to help us and the investigator.  We finished our lesson and had two other lessons, which is odd to be able to do on a day that is a specialized training (zone conference).  Now I get to do this journaling and express how happy I am to be serving here in the Czech Republic as a missionary and desciple of Christ, and that I get to do it for two years.  It is a blessing to have the gospel in our life and to be able to have the freedom to share it with those we love.  The church is true.

Saturday, 28.7.12

Today we woke up and did some planning for the day and also for the week.  It was weekly planning!  After a little of that, we met two kids around our age and went to sports day.  These two kids, we met one of them on the bus home last night and he asked if he could bring his friend too!  We and other missionaries and their investigators got to the church building and played vollyball and soccar!!!  It was fun, except that I got a little burnt. Oh well, missionary life goes on.  After that, we went back home and finished up our weekly planning then we had a couple lessons planned, but they both fell through.  Oh well, it happens.  We decided to do some calls instead so we could plan some meetings for next week.  Then when time came to, we went to our weekly missionary language study called "Polar Bear".  We went to dinner as a district first and our food took really long so we got to the building a little late for Polar Bear.  When we finally assembled for it, we had a great time learning the language together, like always.  My companion and I had to catch a tram so we could get home on time, so we all ended our language study and went home.  Today, was an average day, but a day of my mission that will be forever treasured.  Time here is short and we should embrace every minute of it.  It reminds me of a verse in the Book of Mormon.  It is when Jacob the prophet talks about the Nephites living out their days as wanderers and a lonesome people.  It is in Jacob, chapter 7, verse 26; "...and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream..."  It is interesting how fast a mission goes.  It is really like a dream. Here I am coming up on my year mark at the middle of next transfer!!!  I remember when I flew down to Utah to enter the MTC.  I feel like it was very recent.  When I think about who I was then, I see a child, in a way.  It also does truly feel like a dream.  As I sit here and try to imagine that day flying down, it all went so fast.  I don't know how to explain this more than I am doing now.  You all who have been missionaries, know this pondering state that brings you back to those days, which bring back feelings and emotions that are very unique.  It is just weird.

Long story, short; this was a good week.  It was filled with testimony builders and strengtheners.  I used to be worried because I felt like the mission wasn't changing me very much or as I was expecting it would, but now that I look back to see where I used to be, it is amazing.  It is like going on a nice beautiful hike, like the ones that my dad, my sisters and I would do almost every year in the Wallowa Mountains; You are hiking up the mountain and you see small things along the way, like small streams, high mountain flowers, and meadows, and you think almost nothing of it.  However, when you go up enough distance, you can stop and take a look from a further distance and what do you see?  You see all these little things put together creating a bigger more beautiful picture!  You can see on for miles; lakes, mountain ranges, huge mineral diposites in a cliff side, giant waterfalls, different layers of trees due to elevation, where you started the hike, and so on.  As I have gone through my mission thus far, I feel like little to nothing has changed.  Now that I think back, I am the same exact Preston Bahr in personality, but I am different in subtle, but strong ways that make me a better person and prepare me for life to come as a husband and father.  I know that missions are not only two years of ones' own life to serve others.  There is a bi-product.  It prepares the one serving for the future.  People who loose themselves in the work, find themselves.  This gospel is true and applies to us in every aspect of our lives - work, school, friendships, faith, etc.  You name it and it is there.

This week's challenge for the readers is to first, find something in your life that you want to improve the situation of; then second, read the Book of Mormon.  You will find help.  I promise you.  :)  If you don't think so, Relace Fear with Faith!  Even if you don't get an answer as obvious as when someone has food stuck in their teeth, you are showing the Lord that you want help and he will provide revealation to you.

Everyone have a good week!

~Elder Bahr

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I am going to LOVE this Transfer!!!

This week has come and gone.  Like I say a lot of weeks - time flies.  Well, I guess that I just emailed last Wednesday, but still...  Sometimes I don't know where it goes!  This week was transfers, so not much was able to get planned, therefore we had few lessons.  My new companion is great.  He is in his 3rd transfer, but he is teaching me SO much!!!  I am excited to see what we can do this transfer.  He has taught me the following already!!!;

~Sincere prayer.  Every one of his prayers are different and I can tell they are from his heart.  I feel like he is actually trying to communicate with God, and he is.

~He has super diligent studies.  I always see him studying.  He starts out with a nice foundation of reading the Book of Mormon then moves on to some conference talks in the Liahona.  Then he studies for our investigators.  I admire his love for missionary work.

~Next, he Teaches by the spirit.  He talks to people on the street or in lessons about what needs to be said.  We were on the street one time and he walked up to some guy with his little girl.  Elder Strobl started to talk to him about faith.  Turns out, he didn't have and faith and it is just what he needed to hear.

~He is very humble.  Even if he may not speak the language very well, he surly speaks from the heart.  He is not afraid to talk about what the spirit is telling him, even if he may struggle here and there trying to explain it.

~Lastly that I have learned from him is that he is very thorough with his planning.  He plans in the most intricate detail so he can be the most effective.

Overall, I am happy and rejoice in what this transfer is going to turn out to be.

I also got my package from my mother that included some Snickers, Home-made strawberry and rhubarb jam, some nice comfortable shoe inserts, a nice pitch pipe for our singing displays, and a nice little gadget to help me journal more and include in my emails all that I would like to say.  Thank you mom and dad.  I love you both so much!!!

So last Saturday, there was a baptism!  Not ours, but it was still a great event to be at.  The girl being baptized was surprised that there were so many people there.  There were a little over 50!!!  A lot of missionaries but also a bunch of members, and her mother who was very proud of her.  During the service, there was a special musical number and it was very good.  It was a quartet.  However, it sounded like more than them were singing.  It was like heaven opened up a little bit.

We then had a good church meeting yesterday.  The speakers were first Starsi Meiling, who was a missionary that finished last transfer.  He was asked to bear his testimony.  Then there was a member that talked forever..., then it was another member that was interesting to listen to, but I didn't understand everything so...  But it was a good church service.  Starsi Meiling has a strong testimony that shows me that testimonies don't need to be long to be powerful.  I felt the spirit when he spoke.  I want my mission to change me just as much as Starsi Meiling.  I didn't know him long, but I can tell how ready he is for life, because of his mission.  After that, we had lunch at the Martin's.  The Martins are a senior couple here.  They are awesome.  At their house, we had "Czech Hot dogs".  They are Roliks that have a hot dog in the center.  As the main part of the meal we had macaroni casserole.  For desert we had a brownie thing, more like cake, with ice cream.  At the end, I was assigned the spiritual thought.  So I decided to do a magic trick.  I did one that uses quite a lot of distraction.  Then I spoke about how if we don't focus on the important things, we will miss them, even if they are right in front of us.  I felt the spirit working through me.  It was a nice experience.

Also, this last week we have noticed quite a trend in people's speech.  This week almost everyone who we talk to for more than 5 minutes talks about how they have their own faith and it is in them.  That, honestly, is one of the most useless excuses ever.  Why do you think Christ went around and taught people so much?  It is because he was sharing it because it is something to be shared.  I have a commitment for everyone who reads this: Share the gospel with 3 people this week.  It is not too much to ask for because for me... I do this ALL day.  Three times is nothing.  I promise if you do this, WITH LOVE, you will feel joy.  Joy sounds like a small prize, but this is not just any regular joy.  You will know what I am talking about when you do it.  No one knows this joy till they experience it.  :)  Share what you know with people, desiring their salvation.  I know this gospel is true and I am ecstatic to have 1 and a half more years to do this.  I love this church.

When you talk with these three people; replace fear with faith and you will touch the hearts of these people and feel the spirit work though you.  Everyone take care this week!  Thank you for all your support!

Evangelium Ježíšě Krista je pravdivé a dává spasení!!!!  Dělte se to!!

Starší Bahr

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Transfers!

Here is the big news.  I am staying in Brno, serving with Elder Strobel.  He is from Rexburg, ID and has been out for a couple transfers.  I had the privilege to serve around him in Ostrava.  He is funny.  President Irwin also said that this transfer would be exciting.  We have young missionaries training, a Sister missionary in her 3rd transfer in Slovakia, she will need to learn slovak now and that is the first time in 8 years a sister has served in Slovakia, and a Czech Elder in slovakia serving as District leader AND Zone leader.  Sounds like president has gone mad.  I love him.  :)

I don't have a lot of time because I was sending pictures home and was replying to other letters, but next Monday will be more.  :)

We had a great group of people at Family Home Evening.  Just before, we were in a park contacting people and we found a man from Portugal.  He was really interested in what we had to say.  He came to family home evening that evening.  He had a good time and will meet missionaries in Portugal when he arrives home.  There were also a couple people from Denmark.  It was a good group and the lesson at the end went well.

Also, we had a lesson with our investigator who had bad experiences with religion in the past and it was the most spiritual lesson I have had.  The room was just filled to the ceiling with the spirit and good impressions.  He is progressing nicely.  Not too, fast, but he is doing well.

English class is going well.  Many people come.  It is fun for everyone and they enjoy it.

The branch is amazing.  There are currently two preparing to serve missions and they should be getting mission calls in the mail soon!  There is also a sister that wants to serve, so she may be filling out paper work soon.  The branch is very well supported.  They know how to run all the activities and they turn out great.

Other that that, I don't remember too much that I can tell about now.  I am excited to be here and serve the Lord.  I know this work is Divine.  People's lives truly change and it is a blessing to have the gospel on earth in its fullness.  When the world is getting worse, the gospel is there to teach us how to live happy and show us the correct way to Christ.  I love this work and pray for you all.  This weeks challenge is to bring a friend to church.  I don't know if I have already done that, but do it and you will receive joy in knowing that you and your brothers and sisters are coming closer to their savior.  Replace fear with faith!

Until Monday, 

Starší Bahr

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Good, Simple Week.

I think I will start of this letter with an analogy I thought of this morning.

 

A couple weeks ago was a good week (last week).  This week was not as good.  I would like to liken last week's success to polished gold.  We worked hard and won gold.  Last week we made goals and exceeded them.  This week was a bit different.  We made goals and did not make many of them.  This week was tarnished gold.  It does not show it's brilliance.  However, they were both gold.  Yes, one is not so good to look at, but they are both gold.  They both have great worth, to God.  Numbers are not everything.  As long as we do our best, it has great worth!

 

So now for a few things that made this week what it was;

 

We did a singing display on the street with the young single adults in our branch and it went great.  The young single adults loved it.  It even strengthened some of their testimonies.  Yesterday in church a member, who came to sing with us, who is also preparing for a mission, said that he thought the singing display would not be fun at first, but it actually pumped him up even more for his mission.  It reminds me of when I went on mini missions back home.  I know that the full time missionaries I served with had a huge impact on my desire to serve a mission.  When I was younger, I has not enthusiastic about a mission and I probably wasn't going to go.  I am thankful for the opportunities to see what missionary work is like.  I am glad to be out here serving God.  I know this is the right choice for any young man in the church!

 

After English class (we teach English), we showed the Restoration video, which tells about the restoration of the church of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  After we showed it, one lady in there said she felt emotional during it.  That was the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the truthfulness of it.  We just need to help her recognise that.

 

Last week, we also had a lesson with someone who had traumatising experiences with churches in the past.  He said that this lesson was the best he has ever had.  We missionaries still don't know why, but I am glad that he enjoyed it.  The church is true.  :)

 

A couple fun things that happened was that I got knighted by a member here.  All we have to do is speak with the Brno accent/ dialect.  We went to a castle just outside of Brno and she used a sword and everything.  It was fun.  Now, I am a Brno-ite.

 

Also, yesterday was 104 degrees in the sun!!!  Then in the evening, there was a CRAZY lightning storm.  It went on for a few hours and, well, I don't know how to explain it, but a couple lightning strikes actually freaked me out a bit.  Maybe it will be in the news.  You'll have to google it or something.

 

Anyway, I am glad I am here and I know the church is true.  Replace fear with faith and live without regrets.

 

Question of the week;

In Alma 34:14 it says the atonement of Jesus Christ is infininte and eternal.  Why?  Study Up!!

 

Čau, Starší Bahr

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