Letter: 29 February 2016

I got transferred!

 
 

2+ hours south of Prague by car

I am in Ceske Budejovice and I am follow up training! And love it so far! Here is me and my comp and it is wonderful.

Yes, it is the biggest umbrella in the mission, just hard to carry the patio table.

Her name is sestra DeMann and we are the "Mann" team (Manners and DeMann!)

See you next Monday (today is my first Monday p-day ever!!)

Love you!

p.s. This is the prettiest area in the mission and we are so blessed to be here!

Letter: 27 February 2016

The Most Wonderful Calling of my Life!

This week I spent a good twenty minutes on a metro talking to a woman about how my mission calling was the best job in the world. She simply asked me what I do after I had asked her about her life and she was very impressed with all I had to say. Although I am extremely biased, I really do think that being a missionary is the best thing in the world.

Every day all day long I get to see how the gospel can change lives. I have seen it bring so much joy into the lives of those around me and I love seeing how it ties families together for eternity.

English Class

 My time in Prague is coming to an end and transfers are next week already! I am excited for what the future brings and to come to know what my mission president wife means when she says that being transferred to another city is like the atonement/ it is a time of change and strength. I know that my mission is truly changing me and helping me to grow spiritually.

This week we also had zone conference and focused on Joseph Smith. I know that he is a prophet of God and am so grateful for all that he has done. A scripture that really stuck out to me was D&C 135:33, "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fullness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!"

I know that we can gain a testimony of him as we read the book of Mormon and ask God, our creator. I invite you to do so this week and have your testimony strengthened.

S laskou,
sestra Manners 

Letter: 22 February 2016

Hello everybody!!

You are probably all rather confused why this is being sent on a different day. No, transfers have no happened yet! I was just very tried and swollen so President sent me and my comp home and told us to email on Monday because... I got my wisdom teeth out! I am probably the only missionary every to have had that happen! Well at least here in the Czech Republic! It was definitely an adventure. 

Post wisdom teeth removal!  Notice the swelling!

But with all trials there are blessings! We saw so many miracles this week! We got to see four people be baptized! every companionship in Prague had a baptism and it was so special! (One man broke his leg that week and they had to wrap up his cast in cellophane wrap! It was quite the sight!) My first baptism here on my mission was the man that baptized the most recent baptism that we have had. They just happen to be married to each other and they and their two adorable kids are some of the newest members of the branch (their daughter turns 8 in May!! I am so excited for her!). 

 We also had 5 confirmations this past Sunday! (Lucka has been ill and not able to be confirmed but she finally was feeling well and was able to come to church). Daniel also gave a talk and it was incredible!! It was probably one of my most favorite Sundays ever!

This week we also saw a lot of hearts softened! I truly do love my mission and can see miracles happen every single day. I try to write them down at the end of the day and discover as I do so, that I find more and more! It reminded me of a scripture that Daniel used in his talk!

Ether 12:6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

I know that it is by faith that we truly see miracles happen., As we rely on the Lord and trust in Him, he can truly change our lives and help good things come to pass. Never underestimate the power that faith can have in your life.  It truly is changing mine and the lives of those around me.

I love you all and so does Christ! 

S laskou,

Sestra Manners

Letter: 13 February 2016

I am loving my mission! It truly is like a fairy-tale some days and today was definitely like a fairy tale! 

We went on another vylet, that is the Czech word for an outing. We went to Kutna Hora and saw some beautiful churches.

They included a beautiful stained glass church built in 1388 and a church decorated with over 40000 bones from the black plague. 

I remember hearing about the two of these a lot when I was in the MTC so it was really fun being able to finally see them.  We got there by train and it was a lot like the train from Harry Potter! I loved it! 

 
This week feels like it went by in a flash and I often wish that time would just slow down a little. We had the most exciting days that included finding out that I will be getting one of my wisdom teeth out this next week, getting lost in the middle of Prague as we tried to find less actives and having such spiritual experiences as I testified to people on the street about our Saviour. 

The dentists here are very modern with good machines to look at my teeth!

I had one really awesome experience! we were contacting as a district and I stopped a young man that had already talked to an elder. I thought he would keep walking but he was intrigued as to why I was here on my mission and I so passionately loved my Saviour. We talked for over half an hour on a square about all sorts things related to the Gospel and I loved it! I could feel the spirit so strongly and I know he felt it too and he looked into my eyes and I told him that he could come to know that these things are true, too.

I love being a missionary!

S laskou,
Sestra Manners 

 

Photos: 9 February 2016

A few photos from the past couple of months!

A Christmas Choir!

Translating for our Family Home Evening!

District Lunch at a restaurant!

Teaching German class!

Lucka's Baptism on Saturday 6th Feb 2016

 

Leading music!

Letter: 6 February 2016

Well this week was wonderful!!! I really do love being a missionary!

I had a really interesting experience on the metro the other day! I was talking to a wonderful woman about the gospel and Christ and smiled the whole time since Christ makes me so happy. Another man got on the metro and sat opposite of us. I smiled to those around me as I carefully listened to this woman I was teaching. She had to get off a few stops later and the man across from us kept smiling at me as she left, I quickly looked for someone to talk to, thinking that this man would be it but before I knew it, he was walking over to sit next to me! He quickly introduced himself and mentioned that it is very unusual to see someone smiling to much on the metro. He said he noticed my name tag and wanted to ask if I could tell him more about my beliefs since he is also a Christian!! He had noticed all this simply from my name tag and a smile. I was so overcome with joy! It was a wonderful experience and although he quickly left but took a pass along card, I know that not only am I a testimony of Christ in my words but also in my actions. This completely changed my attitude towards smiling since sometimes I am not sure if it scares people or helps, but now I know it helps! So always smile! you never know how big of an effect you will have on others. 

Me and Lucka at her baptism!

Things are well in Prague and it was such an honour to be at Lucka's baptism today! We met her at the beginning of December on a metro and I started talking to her because she looked like a future young women's president! I think looking at people and seeing their potential has really helped me. I cannot help but imagine those we teach wearing a white jumpsuit and singing "zazrak vody krtu" (when I am baptized). I know that as I act on the Spirit and move forward with faith, overcoming my fears and not letting my doubts stop me, I am helping others to come unto Christ and fulfilling my missionary purpose. I am so grateful for every opportunity I have to testify of Christ and I know that every time I do so, it is helping someone to come unto Him. 
 

I know that our Saviour lives and loves us. Every time we do something that brings us closer to Him, He will have a greater influence in our lives and truly become the Prince of Peace in our lives full of chaos and confusion. I am so grateful that every day I get to represent Him.

S laskou,
Sestra Manners