Letter: 27 June 2016

Goodbyes and New Beginnings

This week has been wonderful. I really never thought that it would ever happen! We are getting a new mission president! I am excited to see how this mission will just soar with all the new changes and things happening. What an exciting time it is to be a Czech Slovak missionary! I really can see how the Lord is blessing us a mission each and every day. I love being able to see and come to understand what it means to carry my corner as I serve here.
 

Sister Hill and I had the most interesting street lesson yesterday. I was really reminded of the importance of just keeping things simple and leaving those I teach with my testimony. We were walking home from church and talking to people as we walked and sister Hill said 'look's like those two men over there just came from church!'so of course, we went over and talked to them (I love trying to be more urgent with the message.. nobody within our reach or sight goes by without talking to us now! I love it!). The men were two Jehovah's Witnesses and we just talked to them and they had many question but were never satisfied with our answers. I really was trying not to get annoyed by them (thinking about how Christ treated all really helped) and I realized that even when they would try to tell us we were wrong or that the God we believe in is a god of confusion, I know that bearing my testimony and making sure they knew they were loved was enough. I am not here to convert others with my words. No matter what I do, I am nothing without the Lord on my side. However, when I simply share what I know to be true with others, listen with love and am patient, the spirit becomes the teacher and those who are prepared and elect will listen and learn. I am so grateful that my testimony of testimonies was strengthened!

My testimony of listening was also strengthened as we finally got to meet with a less active who was baptized a little over a year ago. We just simply asked her after game night if we could get a lemonade together and while we were there, over time she just opened her heart to us and shared all of her worries and testimony concerns and it was the most incredible listening experience ever. Sometimes listening really is all that it takes. As we listen, the spirit will share with us what we need to say and we will be able to know how to help our dear friends that we have come to love as we serve in this mission with our whole heart. 

I love my mission and I am so grateful for the honor I have to represent the Lord each and every day.

This church is true and led by Jesus the Christ. I know that He lives.

s laskou,

Sestra Manners

Starsi Dean and I celebrated our first birthday as missionaries

We went to Cesky Krumlov for our culture night

Letter: 20 June 2016

'All things work together for good'

As I read and studied in preparation for the wonderful people we would be meeting and teaching throughout the days this past week, my mind often reflected upon Romans 8 as we discussed it in district meeting. I love verse 28 which reads:
 
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

I know that this work is what God needs me to be doing right now, and despite challenges that may come or plans changing, all will work out for our good. Never forget that your Creator knows exactly what the game plan is, even when we do not. He will help you and lift you and love you. Just keep going forward and doing good. All is worth it! The blessings He bestows upon you in this life are minute compared to the ones he has in store for your in the life to come. Be patient, have hope and never ever give up. 

Some friendly Japanese tourists (each holding a camera!)

I have seen that happen time and time again this week. As I open my mouth and talk to others or just keep pressing forward even when people say no or even when I feel like nothing is happening, just then on the edge is when the miracles take place. For example, we were on a train heading to Prague for exchanges and I was sitting next to a woman who looked nervous. I had no idea what to say to her so early in the morning so I said a prayer of courage and just found myself opening my mouth and speaking. She said later on that it really helped her to feel peace and we are now good friends. As we left, she asked for our phone number and told us she would love to meet. When we called a few days later, she remembered my name and thanked us again for talking to her. 

Craft making activity!

Miracles happen on the edge! They are a part of His plan. 

God lives and Jesus is the Christ.

S laskou, 

Sestra Manners

Look what I found in the park!

Letter: 13 June 2016

Life as a missionary is magical!

I love how I go throughout the weeks and even days and I have no idea what will happen but miracles and blessings are always in store. But the Lord always blesses us as we are obedient, humble and strive to do our best. I know the Lord always makes up for the rest. 

Sister Hill finds a statue of one of her ancestors, see the resemblence?

This week, we helped a visiting group of students from the University of Arizona translate for school children (they had come to demonstrate science experiments)



The gospel is true. Jesus is the Christ and He lives!

s laskou,
sestra Manners 

P.S.  We found the tallest slide I have ever seen out in a forest today! 

Letter: 6 June 2016

Dear all,

I have truly seen miracles happen as we simply talk to all those around us about the gospel and find simple ways to share our testimonies with others.

We had so many good street lessons this week as we tried to focus on having a better quality of a lesson and finding time and it helped to find a lot of amazing potentials. One example happened yesterday when we were walking back to the apartment at the end of the day and a lady asked us on the street for money to help her kids escape the "awful city of České Budejovice" and it was really hard to have to tell her no since that was being obedient and we did not feel good about the situation. She told me I was an evil woman as we left after testifying of Christ and explaining to her that we are here to serve others and spiritually help them to come unto Christ. I felt really bad as we left since she told us we were awful human beings and we knew we were doing the right thing. I knew that the only thing that would help me feel better was to talk to others about Christ. 

The first person we talked to was the young woman named Monika and we taught her a wonderful lesson in the park and I knew that she could feel the Spirit because her attitude changed and she opened up to us more. It was incredible! We could have easily just walked past her because we were not in the best of moods but Heavenly Father really taught me the power of opening my mouth and thinking more of others than myself. I loved it! It just makes me want to be able to talk to absolutely everyone about the gospel.

I love the gospel and I know it is true!

s laskou,

P.S.  I have been losing weight (despite the ice-cream!) but still managed to break this chair one evening!  I wasn't too hurt and we both laughed.  

I asked Sister Hill to try Marmite.  Here are the before and after photos.

 

Letter: 30 May 2016

There is sunshine in my soul today, more glorious and bright!

The gospel is glorious! And we are shining even brighter with all this sunshine and the gospel combined! It has been a wonderful week and I absolutely adore being a missionary.

We ran into some tourists when we were visiting Hluboke today (the beautiful white castle that reminds me of a temple... I love it!) and they asked us why we decided to give up a year and a half of our lives and be here. And I thought of all the reasons why I am here and simply answered: "Because I love Jesus Christ."  Because although I am here for so many wonderful reasons and I find a new one every single day, I know I am here because I love my Saviour. I know that it is because of Him that all things are possible and I love Him for all that He has done for me.
 

This is the oldest member of our branch!

Life is incredible because of Him and every day I can show Him how grateful I am by trying to be just a little bit better and a little more like Him. And the wonderful thing is that as I try to do that more, the more I love Him.

I know that this church is true and that the gospel is a pure gift from God. W need to use it to our fullest! It will bless our lives forever as we simply live by its teachings and love God.

This week we had a really wonderful lesson on the street with a man and his son as we waited to go surprise visit a family with the elders. He simply asked us how he could come to know Christ more and didn't really understand why we had the Book of Mormon. Right there and then we started to teach him about the restoration and testified of Christ and I could feel this overpowering feeling of peace and happiness come over me, both ion my head and in my heart and I just knew that that was the spirit working through us to testify the truthfulness of this message to this young man. We were able to help him identify the spirit as well and it completely changed his behaviour.  I know that the gospel has that power to change each and every one of us because God loves us.  We are His beloved children with the potential to become like Him.

We then afterwards got to visit a dear sweet family that we are helping the elders to teach. They are a young mom and dad with three kids under three. We had made dinner for a less-active member who was not home so we decided to still carry out our act of service and visit them. This family has already changed so much because of the gospel and I love walking into their home and being able to feel the spirit more and more each time. This work is so true and is the greatest work we can ever do!

I love being a missionary. I know I was called of God by a living prophet today to serve here in the Czech Republic and help to bless these incredible Czech people that are loved by their Creator and Father in Heaven.

Ja vim, že žije Spasitel. On vás miluje. Ježíš je Kristus.

S láskou,

Sestra M

Letter: 23 May 2016

When I first started my mission, I heard so many missionaries who were near the end of their mission say that I will learn to walk with God as I serve. I feel like I am starting to understand exactly what they mean by that!

So many times we plan and pray and hope for things to go the way WE want them to. But I know that God always has the best plan and it is often very different from ours. However, as we follow Him in faith and rely on His Son, the greatest gift he has sent to us, all will be well.

I love the opportunity I have to kneel in prayer many times each day and learn to walk with God as I communicate with Him and then finish with an 'Amen' and begin to act. It is by acting and doing that we learn to walk with God.

Another thing I have learned is that we are NEVER alone. God sent us His Son and because He was once alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, we never have to be. Turn to Him when you feel alone and when you are happy and have a heart of gratitude. It is because of Him that miracles happen. It is because of Him that we can learn to walk with God.

I know that God is in the heavens and that Jesus is the Christ. Miracles happen because His church is restored. And His church has been restored because He loves us beyond compare.

In His sacred name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

S laskou,

Sestra Manners 

P.S.  PLEASE watch the video on this page.  It is all about the special conference with Elder Uchtdorf to create the Prague Stake!  I was in the big meeting but you cannot see me in the video!

First Stake in the Czech Republic 

 

Letter: 16 May 2016

Dear all,

This email is coming to you from a sister missionary that is now serving in the Czech Prague stake!!!!! We now have a stake in the Czech Republic!!!!! It was the most incredible weekend of my mission ever! President Uchtdorf told us that we will always remember this day (yesterday when he formed a stake in our mission).

It was such a spiritually uplifting weekend. President Uchtdorf came to preside and we had the privilege of hearing from him on Saturday and Sunday. He is such an incredible man! He was born in the Czech Republic so it was very special for the members to have him there.

I also got see all of my mission companions in one day because both Sestra DuBois and Sestra Daugirda were there! It was so special! I love all of my companions so dearly and have shared so many incredible experiences that are hard to put into words. I also saw so many wonderful members that I love and am so grateful to be serving in a mission where that is possible. The Lord has blessed me so much!

One of our dear friends that we teach was also baptised this weekend! His name is Tomas and he is our primary child!!! (We are the primary presidency in this branch!) and it was such a wonderful start to a beautiful weekend to see him make his first covenant with God. I have loved teaching this kid. He has a fireball of a testimony and enough energy that will help him serve a great mission in years to come!

The whole experience helped me to realize how much I love my mission. I love these members so much and it has been an absolute honour to serve amongst them. I am grateful for the opportunity I have each day to share my testimony and to help others to come unto Christ.

A unique experience for me happened on Saturday after our adult meeting. Sister Hill and I had the pleasure of meeting sister Uchtdorf. I got to speak a little German to her and she kindly spoke with us for just a few seconds but they were incredible. She encouraged me to keep doing the wonderful job that I am doing and gave us both a big warm hug.

I am so grateful for spiritual experiences that help me to know that this is true. The spirit is such a marvelous gift from our Father in Heaven.

I know that this church is true with all my heart. Jesus is the Christ.

S laskou,

Sestra Manners

 

P.S.  Thought you would all get a laugh out of seeing these attempts to take a "jumping picture" where we were off the ground..... these both failed!

 

 Better luck next time!