Being Led.

This week, I think I will keep my email short and simple.  I have one real story to tell.  But first a recap of this last week.

Monday night the branch president had a training about a church program new for the Czech Republic so we were there to help translate for him.  The one giving the training was a French man, he spoke English.  There were a lot of difficult things to translate, so we did out best and President Večeřa was thankful.

Tuesday we had our district meeting and and exchange with the zone leaders.  For one day I worked with an Elder named Elder Plaizier.  Something I learned from him was how to teach simple in a very Christ-like way - with many questions.  Christ asked many questions as a form of teaching and it works very well and helps the one asking the question realize things and get a spiritual witness of a truth being taught.  I will try to incorporate it into my teaching more now.  We had a few lessons that day that were very nice as well.  One investigator met with us after being in the hospital for some time due to an accident involving a tower crane falling over.  We are both thankful that he survived it.  The Lord blessed him.

Thursday we wanted to go find some young people at some college dorms.  A lady at the front desk said we can't if we are not visiting anyone in specific.  Insead we talked to her.  Her name is Seli.  She is from Croatia.  She isn't much of a believer in God, but when we introduced the Book of Mormon, she told us that if people were to live by the teachings in this book - the world would be better.  We invited her to meet with us and now she is.  We got the Book of Mormon to her the next day and she was ecstatic about having that book.  The book is true.

Friday we had a branch activity.  A family in the branch gave a presentation about when they visited Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas (Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Etc.)

 

Anyway, not much else other than missionary work for the other days, but for my story which relates to the heading of this letter.  It is not a miraculous story, but simple.  Let's remember though that the Lord works by small and simple things.  That is why it is important to be thankful for the simple blessings we do have and not take them for granted.  Last week we had some time planned to find some new people to teach.  We were walking around the city center.  A little bit into our "finding", we were on the south end of the city center walking toward the building.  All of a sudden I felt uneasy.  The thought came into my head that we were not in the right place.  I told my companion I felt this way and we decided we need to go south down a street from the city center.  About a third of the way down the street we stopped a guy and began talking to him.  His name is Karel.  We introduced ourselves and invited him to come to our building.  He agreed and we walked to the building.  We got there and taught him a lesson.  He said he would start coming to church.  Now, this story may seen small but it is a testimony to me that the Lord can guide us in our lives.  I didn't see an angel, but I felt the Holy Ghost telling me what I should do.

The Lord loves us and will help us daily if we allow and listen to the promptings.  These promptings are gentle and quiet.  This is why we are to live our lives in a way that our minds are clear, our hearts open, and our hands clean before the Lord.  I know God loves us and is pleased when we do what He askes and is sad when we do things against him.  It is my prayer that we can all receive the daily guidance of the Spirit on our journey back to our Father in Heaven.

 

Replace Fear with Faith,

Elder Bahr

 

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"Called To Serve"

The call to serve as a missionary comes in one way, by a prophet.  The ways to serve are many ways.  One of these ways I actually talked about a little bit last week.  This way is in our example.  This last week we had a zone conference.  There was a special guest there, Elder Lopez from the Area 70.  If you don't know who he is, he is over part of Europe in making sure the church is taken care of.  He is from Spain.  In our conference, he spoke about his conversion.  The spirit was very strong.  He talked about how his grandpa was atheist, is father is atheist, and that most of his family is as well.  He related the experience when he was younger and religion interested him. His family would question "Why do you believe in God? God doesn't exist.  We live and die and that is all."  He knew that something existed.  That is why he continued searching.  Missionaries found him and started to teach him.  He completed his story and told us how we need to live our lives worthy of being remembered with joy.  He told us how much of an influence we have on people.  He finished with pictures of missionaries in his life that have influenced him.  He would comment on some saying "This Sister greeted me the first time I went to church.", "This Elder sat next to me at church with a hymn book while we sang in a church meeting.", etc.  It was moving and inspiring.

Everyone can make an influence in someone's life in someway.  It can be as small as saying "Hi" to someone new at church.  You can be the key in someone's personal conversion to the gospel.  I pray that we will all step up and do what we can to help those around us whether it be holding a door for someone or inviting someone to church for the first time.  I know that God will bless you for your efforts, for no effort is wasted.  Replace fear with faith.  ;)

Yesterday we had 3 investigators at church.  It was nice to see.  One investigator said "I feel like I want to be baptized in my heart, but don't feel it in my mind."  The Holy Ghost is true and speaks to all of us of truth.  I have faith that Zlín will soon have another amazing member of the church.  The rest of the branch is just doing great.  I love the people here. 

As for all else this week, we had a good amount of lessons and I went to Prague with my missionary companion. He had a meeting in Prague.  So far, I have been to Prague at least once every transfer.  It is a beautiful city.  Being around the other missionaries there is great.  This work is true.  It is hard work, but satisfying.  I am blessed to be called to serve.

 

Enjoy yourselves,

Elder Bahr

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Happy Week!

I am happy with this week because I have heard so many great things happening.  I know the gospel is true.  Not much happed here.  My companion still has a cough and our mission president says to stay inside unless we have a lesson.  We taught a few people multiple times.  We try to teach whenever we can.  Our investigator Radek is doing great.  He is new as of last week.  He is reading the Book of Mormon a lot and says that he keeps reading because of how he feels.  Our other investigators are difficult to meet with.  Some progressing and growing in the gospel, some not really.  I pray that they will do better.  The gospel is true and will bless us as we do our part and LIVE the gospel.

I have heard much exciting news from home and it makes me happy.  One thing, my friend Rebekah back home recently got baptised.  Congratulations Rebekah!  Many other things happened back home that I have been told, but I won't bore everyone.

The members in this part of the world here in Zlín are great.  One member here we visit often, and since I have been here she has made so much spiritual growth.  She is happier, she comes to church and it is great to see her there.

I don't know what all to say this week.  I am happy to be here and know without a doubt that serving a mission is a correct decision.  It is amazing to see the growth in people when they learn the gospel.  I have taught many people and in each person I have taught, I have seen a new light glow in them, not a literal light but the gospel changes people to the better and it is visible.  Pretty much there is no way that this message cannot be true.  It is.  I can't remember if I have already said this, but even though we as missionaries are 'backstage' to God's show, there are many things we don't even see.  Many times as a missionary, well even a normal member of the church (not a missionary), we may do something and we don't see the outcome - but it has an impact on someone to bring them closer to their Father in Heaven.  Find a chance this week to help someone come closer to God.  It can even be through the smallest things.  Help someone with groceries, share your time, share your talents, be friendly and talk to someone, give someone a ride somewhere, etc.  I know that you will be blessed for your efforts.  Replace fear with faith.

 

Have a fantastic week,

Elder Bahr

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Cold Season, Great News!!!

Hello again.  Yes it is cold season, but that is not the great news.  That comes later.  This week was not too active.  My companion was sick this last week and I was a little sick at the beginning of the week.  I am better.  It wasn't much.  My companion is almost completely better now.  I don't know anyone that likes cold season.  We should be able to do more this week.  As for things we did do...  We taught a few lessons and taught the usual English class.  We had some great lessons for being sick. :)  Church was nice.  Two of our investigators came.  One is a new investigator.  We met him on the naměstí (town square).  He is a young man in his 20s and enjoys reading the Book of Mormon.  He is already pretty far in the Book of Mormon.  He says he keeps reading it because he "feels something."  He said that he these feelings are impossible to explain.  I know that the Holy Ghost is working with him and testifying.  It is great the see the spirit work.

Speaking of Book of Mormon.  Now here is the great news.  It is a historic day for Slovakia (the other country in this mission).  Last week the mission president President Irwin, called us to a mission conference.  In the conference he said that Slovakia is finally getting the Book of Mormon in their language.  They have been using Czech Book of Mormons for years and finally get it in the Slovak language.  President Irwin told us of what great deals and problems this has faced getting the book in this language.  It has had to make it through customs multiple times, problems in printing, and multiple other things.  It is a miracle we have it right now.  I can't remember all President Irwin said but it is a testimony to us all in this mission of how much the Adversary is fighting against the Lord's work.  It was a happy day last Friday.  There was also another reason why we had this conference.  President Irwin told us who the next mission president will be after him.  Just like missionaries' missions come to an end, mission presidents' do too.  I won't say who it is, I will wait for the church to put it out, but he will be a great mission president.  It will be sad to see President Irwin go though.  Good thing he still has till June.

My mission sure is a blessing.  I am thankful for the people I have met and will meet in the future.  I am thankful for the spiritual growth I have received.  I have an even stronger testimony of this church.  I know that it is true.  I don't know Joseph Smith personally, but I know he was called of God.  I don't know the prophets and apostles who live today, and I don't have to to know that they are men of God and speak in behalf of Him.  I know Christ lives and guides this church today like he did in ancient times.

 

Take care and Replace Fear with Faith,

Elder Bahr

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Hello Everyone!

I don't have much to say this week.  All is well and I am happy.  This week a couple small experiences made this week a good week.  We have been talking to a lot of people and have some people on plan to teach soon.  I found the new Ivo.  I taught in Brno my friend Ivo and We found someone here that is a little like him, so we have great faith in this.

 

This last Sunday was a great Sunday.  It was fast Sunday and many people bore great testimonies.  I felt the spirit and realized even more why I am in Zlín.  I am thankful I am here.  This city is often called Zion because is is one letter away from being it and because it has golden members and it is a great area to serve in.  The Lord has blessed me.  The members here are great.  Even the less active members are gems.  One less active has had smoking problems and recently all of a sudden stopped!  I have been here for a while and see the great change in her.  It is a testimony to me that keeping the commandments really does make people happy.  She appears to have a new light of joy in her.

 

Also we have a little news on our investigator whose wife is forbidding our lessons.  He is able to meet with us during the week and continue meeting with us.  His wife says no about church, so we are working with that.  He testified to his wife of this message, about how true it is and that is of God.  He is a true example of replacing fear with faith.

 

I must go now.  I've got to get to work and find more people to share the gospel with.  This gospel is true.  I know this and testify of it.  It is living.  It is of God.  This church is Christ's one and only church!  Take advantage of the opportunities God gives you.  He is your Father in Heaven and has blessed you all abundantly.

 

Have a great first week of February!

Elder Bahr

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Snow, Cold, Work, and Blessings.

It has been snowing a lot this week.  It is nice to be here and see God's beautiful creations.  The snow is pretty, the trees, the clouds, and really everything.  We spent a lot of time outside this week.  We met some people on the streets that seem cool and ready.  We will probably meet with them this week.  We were not able to get many lessons set up with people this week and a few people had to cancel.  We got some nice lessons in though.  Some of our investigators are having opposition in the family which makes things difficult for the investigator and for us.  We have been praying hard for one especially.  This one has been progressing along fine and has enjoyed the blessings, his family is not too keen on his meeting with us.  The family has good reasons, but we are working out a way to meet with the family to help their understanding in why we are here and what importance this gospel has.

 

We had last Friday an activity with our branch.  We planned, prepared, and ran an evening of fun for the members and investigators.  It was difficult but turned out well.  Throughout, I was sure that people would start leaving because no one was playing the games.  People started to do things eventually, I did a magic show portion, and we had a carefully prepared spiritual thought at the end about Christ and his atonement.  We told the story of "The Prince and the Pauper" and related it to how Christ came to earth to experience the same things as us so that he can know how to help us and so that he can have mercy at the judgement.  That is one reason why the atonement was important.  Christ knows our weaknesses and pains and knows how to help us.  We must come to Him though.  He is ready and willing to lighten our burdens.  At the end, the members told us they really enjoyed it and our investigators are asking when another one is.  We will probably have another one in a month or so.  It is a lot of work, so we will try to get members to plan it with us.  I think it will strengthen the members too to help plan.  :)

 

Church was nice too.  The talks were nice.  The topic was "Čím je evangelium pro mne?" (What is the gospel to me?)  I have a question for the readers now... What is the gospel to you?  What does it mean?  How can it mean more?  What will you do to strengthen your testimony?  It was great to see the members as always, and the spirit was felt strongly.

 

The church is true, the Book (of Mormon) is blue.  I am grateful for my mission.  I am happy I am here in Zlín again.  I know that Christ lives and God is our Father.  I am thankful for the hope that the plan of happiness brings.  If you don't know what it is - it is time to learn.  :)  I am enjoying my mission and wouldn't trade it for anything.  Until next week, Replace fear with faith and be happy.

 

Elder Bahr

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Transfers - Zlín!

We had transfers again today.  I am staying in Zlín another 2 months.  At the end of this transfer it will be 6 months in this wonderful city.  This city just gets better and better.  We improved in our lesson last week.  I hope to continue to be able to teach so many people.  My last companion and I really worked in getting this city up and going.  My new companion is Elder Jones!  He isn't really new because I served with him in Brno last summer, but none the less, we are working together in this miracle city of "Zlín - One letter away from Zion!"

I don't remember a lot from this last week other than running around, getting to lessons, and I currently don't have my planner.  I left it at home, so I will try to do my best in a recap.  Here are just a few things; we taught Ludvik again and he is just excited for baptism.  His baptismal date is planned for the 9th of January!  Pray that he will make his date.  :)  We visited some less actives and one is about to be fully active now.  We visited and taught the Kolomazníkovi, a family that the father is a strong believer, the mother is a long time non-believer, and their son is unsure.  We will continue to teach them.  They will make a wonderful addition to the Zlín branch.  Our other investigators are slowly coming along.  Pray for them.

The weather has been cold.  Snow and ice everywhere.  Today it started to warm up and is misting.  The streets and sidewalks are VERY icey.  Kind of fun though.

The work here is moving along well.  I am proud to be a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ.  I know this work is true.  I know the gospel blesses families.  When a family is built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ, it can be a place of safety, peace, and love.  The family will grow stronger and closer together.  I am thankful for my family; my parents who raised me in the gospel and to be a good person, my sisters who taught me to be a gentleman, and my brother who can find fun in everything and give smiles to everyone.  I am thankful for the family we have in the church.  After all we are all children of God and brothers and sisters to eachother.

Vyměňte strach s vírou a dělte se evangelium se těmi svými bratry a sestrami!  Until next week, take care.

Elder Bahr

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