Tis the week before Christmas!!

December 19. 2011

Well hello, hello, hello, my dear family!!! This week has been a wonderful one full of surprises and fun, so I'm just gonna jump right into it

Well, our companionship grew this week! Elder Page, who was Elder Rhodes' companion here in Olomouc, was emergency transfered to Brno to be a zone leader since a zone leader there is going to be an Assistant to the President - So for at least the rest of this transfer there is a Trojice in Olomouc! We helped Elder Rhodes move into our apartment last Tuesday after Starsi Page left and have been working together - it is so great. Elder Rhodes is a fun, great elder who I get along super duper well with. We have very similar senses of humor and laugh a LOT here as a threesome. It's going to be a wonderful way to spend Christmas.

So with that, we are now as a threesome running 2 areas! So we're definitely keeping busy.

Anyway, I can also tell you're just a little anxious to find out what's going on with the call. Are you just a little excited?! haha, how crazy to think we'll be talking in less than a week! Anyway, this is how it's going down - no test call this year. They did them last year and there wasn't a single problem in the whole mission, so they just cut them out this year. So we are giving you our number and you call us! We talked in comp study today and think it'll be better for you and us to do it later at night - because we are a combination of 2 areas, we have 2 cell phones - so Starsi Buhler and Starsi Rhodes will do their calls at 8:00 pm Czech time and we'll do our call at 9:00 pm Czech time. Does that work? anyway, I think that is 12:00 pm CA time if we have our time zones down straight. Hopefully that should work!  I'm sure all will work out just great, though! I'll be able to tell you all about my Christmas day, which will be fun, too!

So for Christmas, we have some fun things on plan! We are going to the a member's home for Christmas Eve dinner, which I am really excited for! She is such a great member and has 3 little kids (12, 10, and 5), and it is going to be a wonderful experience with her there. She's going to make us the traditional Kapra (carp), which will definitely be something to remember. Out on the namesti now are all the tanks of live carp. Very fun tradition haha. Here, Christmas Eve is the big holiday. They decorate the tree, have dinner, then open presents all on Christmas eve. Kinda different, but it will be so much fun to be with them for Christmas.

We also had our branch Christmas party on Saturday, which was great! Three of our investigators came, and a lot of the members invited people to come. It was a very fun day - got some pics too!

And now, for some people to pray for and some miracles of the week:

Well, with the forming of our Trojice, we are now all working together with one of our investigators to help her prepare for baptism. She is so cool and really recognizes that baptism is the beginning of a new life commited to the Lord, and the branch completely loves her. She knows that smoking is bad for her, but keeps doing it to help with stress. She's pretty stressed out right now - she's working, going to school, and is like 7 months pregnant. Lots on her plate, and it's hard to really focus on the Gospel when someone is so stressed out. Please pray for her!

We're also continuing to work with another investigator. We had a couple great lessons last week on prophets and the word of wisdom, and he agreed to try to live according to it! An awesome member in our branch is great about helping him out. He came to one of our meetings last week not having drunken coffee or smoked the whole morning, which was so cool - he told us that when he thought about our meeting and woke up that morning, he just felt a spiritual influence that he didn't need to drink coffee or smoke. We testified that that was an answer to his prayer at the last meeting when he asked Heavenly Father for help in overcoming his addictions. It was such a testimony builder to me that the spirit has real power to influence us and our actions and choices if we are willing to listen. Since then, he has drinken coffee, though - it's not going to go away all at once. But please pray for him to have the strength to overcome all that is necessary for him to make a promise with his Heavenly Father through baptism!

We also had a way cool opportunity last week to do service! Service is rare here - people don't get it. You know, the whole "I don't know you but want to help you" thing - they usually don't trust it. But one of our potential investigators allowed us to help her move last Tuesday! We helped her out for about an hour and a half, along with her friend. It was so cool - at one point she just asked us - "why are you helping me?" We got to testify that we follow Jesus Christ and we help all people, whether we know them or not. At the end of the service, we talked with her and her friend, who are both Catholic. The told us that they had heard lots of myths and rumors about what we believe, but want to hear "what mormons believe from mormons." We had a lesson with her later in the week which went great, and should have another this week. It was a testimony to me of the power of service in opening peoples' hearts to hear the message of the Gospel.

Well, I'm just about out of time. Know that I love you and am a very happy Starsi. I can't wait to talk to you all on Sunday!!!

S laskou,
Starsi Mullen 

Joseph meets the Mikulas!! December 12, 2011

December 12, 2011This is me and the Mikulas! It was last monday - basically, kids recite a poem or song to Mikulas (the golden santa pope guy), and if it's right they get candy from the andel (angel), and if it's wrong the certy (devils) take their souls do pekla (to hell). It's not as cruel here as it sounds it would be. It's kind of just a joking thing - instead of the boogyman, parents warn their kids to not go to hell. kinda funny for a country that is so nondenominational...haha. But here I am!

Christmas will bring a phone call from Joseph

December 5, 2011

Hello, family! Well, that sounds like quite the week at home. Crazy how much is going on! Needless to say, I'm praying for you all that everything will go well. That's crazy about the winds in Farmington - but how cool to see an entire community come together to help and protect eachother. That must have been quite the sight.

Before I continue, I want to make sure to answer your questions! Here it goes:

1 - YES! Thank you so much - I loved it

2 - Not yet, but I think it's because of how they do christmas packages. They give them all to us on the 23 at the conference because it's kinda, no REALLY, hectic with all the packages coming into the office for missionaries. So I think I'm gonna get them all just on the 23. Thank you!

3 - As far as birthday package stuff goes...hmmm, one thing I would like a lot is a transcription of the night before I left, including the advice from my favorite Aunties! Other than that, probably pictures...ooh, and maybe a bag of brown sugar and chocolate chips! maybe butterscotch ones! Then I could make rob's oatmeal cookies. That would be delicious. So there are a couple ideas.

4 - The call will be on Christmas Day, and you'll get an email with details on that as it approaches from the office. I'm not sure on all the details, so it'll be best to just wait for that email. I'm excited too!

5 - see email sent earlier.

 

Now, for a little bit about my week:

 

Well, this week definitely had ups and downs, but the ups were great! Definitely the best up is how well one of our investigators is progressing. He got back from Germany last Sunday, and we had 4 lessons with him last week. We kind of started over a bit, really going in depth about the role Jesus Christ plays in his life. He's not from a Christian background and never understood when we or anyone else said Jesus Christ is our Savior. It was so cool to go back to the very very basics with him and teach him about repentance. We got him talking and sharing more in lessons and something is starting to click. He still doesn't understand fully the incredible role Christ plays in his life personally, but he is willing to act and learn, and that's all we and the Lord can ask! He's reading in the Book of Mormon on his own, came to church again for all 3 hours - it's great. He prays in every lesson we have, but doesn't "know what to say" when he prays alone, so his personal prayers are lacking a little bit right now. But we plan on continuing to work with that and help him understand that he can tell his Heavenly Father anything that is on his mind. But we also solidified a baptismal date for him on January 7. He really understands baptism now - he told us that he has felt the influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time in his life, but it always comes in spurts and leaves. He said he tried holding onto it, but it just wouldn't stay. We taught him the difference between the influence and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and how we receive the gift through confirmation. He really got it and wants the gift of the Holy Ghost for himself - that constant companion that will never leave, as long as he remains worthy. We have another lesson with him tomorrow and will teach the Word of Wisdom. We know he smokes, so please pray for him to accept it and understand the power that comes from keeping the commandments.

 

The sister I spoke of last week came to church again this Sunday for all 3 hours! She's doing so great now. The branch continues to love her, and the other Relief Society sisters are doing great at teaching her and helping her come back to full activity. This is 3 weeks in a row that she has come to church, and we haven't even challenged her - she is doing it because she knows it's right and knows it helps. It is so great to see.

 

Well, not much more time today - sorry! I wanted to make sure I mentioned here at the end really how much of a gift your letters are. Marmee and Tata, every letter I receive from you is a priceless and precious gift. I read every one with a huge smile. Tata, I got your letter you wrote me on Thanksgiving and was just so happy. I'm glad you got to see me, even for a little bit, in your dream and talk to me. I wish I could have shared in that dream. I miss you both a lot, but know this is where I need to be. (And who knows, maybe I will go to Brno next transfer!) The Gospel is true - how grateful I am for it!

 

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

 

(ps........dum dum!)

Happy First Day of Advent

November 28, 2011

Well, Hiyawatha!

How are you all doing? It sounds like you had a wonderful Dikuvzdani (thanksgiving in Czech), and I certainly had a wonderful one, too! What a fun time to just be with family! That is so special. Please tell everyone who wrote me a little note thank you thank you thank you. I loved hearing a little snippet from everyone who I love so much.

Thanksgiving here was a true blast. We all gathered together and had a delicious meal Sister Erbova and Starsi Erb made. I mean ALL the trimmings and trappings - turkey, stuffing, yams, carrots, salad, mashed potatoes - and to top it all off a hearty piece of homemade pumpkin pie! I haven't tasted Costco's in a long time, but I'm almost 100% sure that it was even better. It tasted so good! What a wonderful taste of home.That is Starsi Buhler on my right, btw - and on my left is Starsi Rhodes (closer) and Starsi Page (further). They are all great missionaries and it is a true privilege to serve with them all. It's a fun district.

Well, unfortunately there isn't as much to report this week as far as the work goes...it was a kind of a difficult week as far as teaching goes, and also considering I just emailed last Thursday haha. One of our investigators was out of town in Germany all last week, but just got back yesterday, another has been in Slovakia and gets back today, etc. But we are excited for this week - it should be much better!

There is one really cool experience I had on Friday though that will definitely go in my memory banks. We went to the a members home on Thursday after Thanksgiving dinner and helped them move a grand piano out of their apartment and down a flight of stairs. Our help was definitely needed. But then on Friday we came back to help bring up an upright grand that they had traded/bought into their apartment. The switch was mainly because of space. I was so inspired, though, by this family. President Slezar is our Branch President here, and we walk into their home to see both a picture of the Savior Jesus Christ and a Proclamation on the Family on their kitchen wall. After we moved the piano up, we all sat down and had tomato based gulas (goulash) which was delicious. Starsi Rhodes shared a spiritual thought about music, sharing D&C 25:23, and we all went into their family room/living room. I sat down at their old-and-new upright grand and played "Prineseme svetu jeho pravdu" (We'll bring the world his truth/Army of Helaman) while the Slezarovi (President, Sister Slezarova, and their three adorable little kids) and the other Elders all sang. I last minute thought of it and recorded it as a video on my camera - something to look forward to. But it was just such a special moment for me. It wasn't extraordinary - but it was at the same time. I just felt such a wonderful spirit there. It felt so good. I love being a missionary here in Olomouc.

One more experience I wanted to share happened yesterday - A sister we have been working with came to church again! Oh mylanta, it made me so happy. I sat next to her during sacrament meeting (when I wasn't playing the hymns) and it was just so perfect. Her apartment is currently without electricity, water, and power because of some accident that happened on the floor of their panelak, and she was sick with a sore throat, and she still came to all 3 hours. That's what it is all about. There's kind of a saying (that's mostly true) in our mission about Czech people - they don't handle sickness well. Usually, when somebody has a cold, they can't come to church, and you can't come visit them...haha. But this sister has felt the spirit return to her life as she's come to church, and now she's not looking for excuses - she's looking for opportunities. It's such an amazing change to see. We can't visit them this week because of what happened in their aparment, but she said that we'll probably just see each other next Sunday. How cool is that? It's a testimony builder to me of the power of going to Church.

Well, with some extra time I have from not sharing stories I want to tell you a little about what's going down with Christmas festivities here in Olomouc! Horni and Dolni Namesti (the main upper and lower town squares) are all decked out with a big skating rink, tons of trhy (stands that sell all kinds of fun stuff), and a GINORMOUS Christmas tree all decked out in lights. Oh, it is so fun! I wish you could be here to see it and walk it with me. But I'll be sure to take lots of pictures! We looked at some of the trhy on our way here to email and I found one that is selling a handcarved czech nativity, complete with a manger scene. Ooh, I'm gonna have way to much fun on P-days hehe. I have lots of cash that you've sent me in cards (thanks, Marmee!), so I should be good haha.

Christmas here sounds way fun and way difficult simultaneously. As Christmas gets closer, people get less and less willing to meet usually because they want to just spend their time getting ready for the holidays. So that's kind of a bummer...but we're determined to work hard and do the best we can. We have a goal of reactivating more less-actives, which I'm excited to start on. We think they'll be more open to meeting with us near Christmas and think it'll be a better use of time than just contacting or tracting.

On December 9 we're doing a branch singing display, singing koledy (Christmas Carols) and contacting people. I'm super excited for that! Then, on December 17 we're having a branch Christmas party. On the 23, we have a mission Christmas conference which should be fantastic. We have a couple of families in the branch who have already invited us over for christmas dinners (Dvorakovi, Musialovi, Slezarovi), so we definitely won't be lacking on food - sister Dvorakova i think is going to make us the Christmas Carp! I'm excited and scared simultaneously for that one haha...

Then on Christmas we have Church! That'll be great. It'll only be sacrament meeting, then we have call-in reports early so we finish all the proselyting by around 1:00. After that, we are asked to just stay together as missionaries and not relax with members, so they can keep a professional relationship with us. So we'll probably go and celebrate Christmas at the Erbovi as a district - open presents, etc. Then you get to call us! I think how it works is the mission will send you our phone number (no skype - sorry...) and on Christmas eve you give us a 60 second test call to set up a good time. Then on Christmas we get to talk! We had a specialized training last Friday in which President Irwin made everything clear - we get 45 minutes! Hooray! So much better than 15, huh? The white handbook says that we should only have about 40, so President extended it for us. So that will be very fun! Another fun side note about Christmas - on Christmas day we are allowed to watch a couple of approved movies! Oh man, am I excited haha. Basically any appropriate movie goes - Disney, etc. We have already agreed as a district that one of the movies we watch will be the Emporer's New Groove haha. So that will be very fun, the highlight of COURSE being our phone call!

So yeah! Know that I love you all and think of and pray for you every day. I'm loving this work and am just so excited to continue serving here in Olomouc. We have a lot to be grateful for and a lot to look forward to. The Gospel is true!!!

S laskou,
Starsi Mullen

Happy Thanksgiving

November 21, 2011

Wow, what a fun day this is! I open up my email inbox and I have messages from all the people I love! I truly am grateful for you!

 

So sorry I forgot to let you know about the P-day switch - we actually didn't even know until after I sent last weeks email haha - but I sure am happy to be emailing you now! So sorry about the email debauccle...but know that I LOVED version 2 haha.

 

How much fun Landon's party sounded!!! Wow - that was so fun to read about. He is a special little boy! That's so great that you got to be a part of that even from so far away - technology truly is an amazing gift. But unfortunately, as much as I'd like to, setting up a skype camera on our lessons probably wouldn't go over very well haha. So I guess you'll just have to be a fly reading an email instead of a fly on the wall haha.

 

I bought a new coat on Monday that looks great and is nice and warm - I think you'd like it. It's a gray peacoat I bought out at a store near Tesco. Thanks so much!!!

 

Now for a couple stories of the week! We had a leadership training in Brno and, since my entire district is either zone leaders or district leader, I got to go along too haha. While they had their conference, I went with a bunch of other missionaries and  did a singing display in Brno. I've described the one we did in Prague a while back, but this was great. We sang songs and contacted people about the Gospel - doesn't get much better. I ended up getting 2 phone numbers from some cool people who I talked with also, which was great to be able to pass on the Brno elders. They were very grateful, and I pray that they will be willing to meet with those elders.

 

We are making awesome progress with one of our investigators. We have taught her all of the doctrine from the first three lessons (and some) and she has accepted it all. And, last lesson, we focused on faith and how we can grow it. She told us that she sees our faith as like a huge tree, and hers (in her words) is like a flower right now. But it's a flower! She still had been avoiding prayer, saying she was waiting until her faith was stronger before praying to our Heavenly Father. We used an analogy to address her concern by saying that was kind of similar to waiting for a plant to grow before you water it. She laughed and said that "was logical" - that's one of her favorite lines. "That's logical." Then she smiles and laughs. She told us she always just feels so good around us and in the church building, and she knows it is the Holy Ghost. She still sees baptism as a long ways away, but is just learning and soaking in everything we tell her. She's awesome.

 

We have also been continuing to work with another investigator. He has accepted a baptismal date, which is awesome, but missed church last Sunday because he made an emergency trip to Germany. So that was kind of a bummer...but we're getting back in contact at the end of this week, which I'm excited for. I think that what he needs now is just immersion into the Gospel. Last week we had a couple lessons, one with the Branch President, and he came to FHE game night and played pingpong with us too. Please pray for him to be willing to just jump into the Gospel of Jesus Christ - I know he'll be blessed as he does.

 

One of our other investigators is doing great also, but he is still having a big problem getting to church. He accepts every doctrine we teach him, reads in the Book of Mormon on his own, prays multiple times daily, and feels the spirit way strong. But he will never be fully immersed in the Gospel until he starts coming to church. I have a testimony that that is true. What he needs now is a way to make it to the building at 9:00 am on Sunday - just not quite sure how that'll happen when work conflicts so often and he has a wife and children back in Slovakia to provide for. So please pray for him, too.

 

One last experience teaching last week - we have been teaching this man, who is what we call an "eternal investigator". He comes to church most weeks and loves meeting, but just can't bring himself to commit to live all the commandments and get baptized. So on Monday we decided we were going to have kind of an ultimatum lesson with him - either be willing to change, or we can't meet anymore. I was nervous for it, because it's always hard to drop an investigator. The lesson started well, but it was quickly going downhill. Contention was creeping its way into the lesson. And when contention enters, the Spirit exits. So about halfway through the lesson I actually excused myself for a bit to grab a whiteboard marker from the other room and said a prayer to be led by the spirit to what we should say that would help him to have the desire to change. Prayer works. I came back in and just started talking about what needs to happen. I testified that because we love him we are here to warn him that the "happiness" he gets from his lifestyle now will not and cannot last. I caught a different perspective of missionary work - that we are here to both comfort and to teach - but that both are done out of the deepest love for these people. His coutenance changed, both physically and spiritually, as the Spirit of the Lord humbled him. I could feel the spirit guiding me as to what to say. I don't even remember everything I said. But he left the lesson with a lot to think about. After the lesson, I was exhausted - it was a special experience for me. We told him we would give him a call later this week to see if he's willing to move forward. I pray he will. But what I know now is that we have done our part. The Lord has done His. Now it's all on him.

Know that I love you and am grateful for you all. Today we are going over the Erbovi and Sister Erbova (the senior couple) is making our district thanksgiving dinner. And she is going all out - turkey, potatoes, homemade pumpkin pie (we'll see how it compares to costco's haha), and all the trimmings. I'm super excited - it will be a great thanksgiving, although just a little far away from you all. But know that my prayers and thoughts will be with you all in Utah as you also celebrate this season of thanks.

 

Life is good.

 

I'm grateful for you,

I'm thinking of you,

and I love you.

 

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

 

As parents we want to express our gratitude for Joseph's service and for all those who serve and in particular to the Erbs, the senior couple, who took these boys in as their own on Thanksgiving Day.  We will be ever grateful!!

Joseph bids Bernie farewell

November 14, 2011

Well, hi there! This was a good week halfway around the world haha. I'll tell you all about it!

But first of all, I just want to thank you for what you did for Bernie. I would be flat out lying if I didn't say I was sad. When I read your email, a couple tears came. She will definitely be missed and was a big part of my childhood years. But I need to tell you about an experience I had last night. I was saying my nightly prayer out loud (Starsi Buhler goes into the other room and we both do our nightly prayers out loud. It's a great way to really talk to our Heavenly Father) and almost immediately after I started the prayer, I felt completely overcome with peace and comfort. The thought just came to my head that Bernie was OK and free from hurt right now. It was very peaceful and I just felt like it was OK. I have to admit that at the time I was wishing that that meant she picked right back up with her 101st life haha - but thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did for her. That was really what moved me to tears - that you made her some popcorn that she could at least smell. She always LOVED that smell. That you stayed up with her and held her. Thank you so much...so much for that. I am glad that she is free from pain now and went peacefully out knowing that her family loves her. Thank you.

As far as Thanksgiving goes, the senior couple (starsi and sister Erb) are inviting us over to a big thanksgiving dinner at their apartment, so we should eat VERY well to celebrate this year. She is a very good cook and, while perhaps the rolls might not be AS good as Aunt Cyndy's, I'm sure they'll be delicious haha. Thank you very much for the offer, however. It's much appreciated.

I'm so proud of you, my missionary Marmee! Way to go. That is way exciting that your friend stayed for your class! Keep it up - missionary work is so important, and I wish we had an awesome gospel essentials class teacher like you to persuade people to come to church hahaha!

So now for a couple stories from the week...

First off, we had a great lesson with an investigator about the plan of salvation. She understood all of the doctrine and said it sounded like a really cool fairy tale and laughed a bit. We responded by saying that it's the BEST story ever because it's real! haha - she laughed and said it made sense. We told her that the reason it makes sense is because it's true. She is way cool and is definitely a breath of fresh air to teach. Our main obstacle with her now is just getting her to pray. It's really a hard thing for her to overcome. Please pray for her, and if you have any advice on how we might be able to help her pray, please pass it on to me - we're open to anything and everything that can help her develop a relationship with her Heavenly Father.

We also had a good lesson with two other investigators on Saturday. It was our first formal lesson with them. They own a window food stand that we pass several times every day and we have talked with them quite a lot. The other elders had them as investigators but passed them to us because they were having a hard time keeping up on them since they live further away. So we had a lesson with them where they definitely felt the spirit. One of them is definitely more hesitant and said that she honestly thinks that this message can't help her, that she has her own faith, and that the spirit around us is just because we are friends. But the other was definitely more open. Right from the opening prayer she said there was something different about us. She said it was like a light. We testified it was the spirit. We could see a change in her from the start to the end of the lesson. We asked them if we could return several times to share the message we are here for in its entirity. She said of course. It was a great lesson, and we pray that they will have time to be able to continue to meet. They're usually very busy, but we are praying that they will be open to letting us in more often to teach them about this wonderful gospel of happiness.

One more quick story - we had a District conference for all of Moravia and Slovakia in Brno yesterday. It was great! I got to see so many of my fellow missionaries and it felt so cool to be among so many saints here in the Czech Republic. We overflowed the Brno chapel, out into the hallway, and into the extra rooms that had speakers in them. It was way cool. I said "I haven't seen that many members of the church at once since I got here!" haha. It was great, and the spirit was so strong. President Irwin gave a great talk about when he was a boy that I want to share quickly. He said that at his school there was a group of boys who were notorious for bullying all the other students, especially the new ones. He being new, President Irwin tried his best to avoid them after school, but one day they were waiting for him. They picked him up and tossed him over a low fence into a huge pile of horse manure. He said that after he was tossed in, the other boys laughing, he had the distinct thought - "Well, I'm in it now. I might as well spread it around." He then started to pick up handfuls of manure and chucked it at the other boys. Everyone was laughing in the congregation. But then he likened it to the church. He said boldly to every member present - "You are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints. You're in it now. You might as well spread it around." It was so cool - it was exactly what the members here needed to hear. And me. That's the responsibility of us all - let's spread it around!

I love this gospel and the message I get to share with people. It can be scary sometimes for sure. But I just need to remember how great this message is and get out and go to work.

I love you all,
S laskou,
Starsi Mullen

It will be Olomouc for the Holidays!! Hooray!!

November 9, 2011

Heya! Greetings from........Olomouc! Yes - I get to stay! I am so excited to be able to stay here in this city for at least another 9 weeks. It is going to be a great transfer. Starsi Ingalls is going to be a zone leader in Pardubice and my new companion here is Elder Buhler. I am way excited to serve with him. He's as tall, if not a little taller, than I am and is an awesome, hard-working elder. We just picked him up this morning, along with Elder Rhodes' new companion, Elder Page. Both of them came from Prague and I'm super excited for our district this transfer. Starsi Rhodes was joking that we'll be contacting machines - he said "who doesn't want to talk to 2 tall, dark and handsome american boys who speak czech?" haha, I thought that was funny. But yeah - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my birthday all in Olomouc - boy, am I excited!!!

 

I'm so sad to hear about Bernie...if you can, give my puppy a hug or belly rub from me. When it's time, it's time. But let her know that I love her. Give her a few extra goldfish if she'll eat them. maybe popcorn. Thanks for taking good care of her.

 

So This week was great! Despite a lot of change in the mission, we are all looking forward to continuing the work. Just in the last week, two of our investigators have accepted baptismal dates, along with 3 other people from the other elders' area. Way exciting! It feels so good that we are really helping to grow the church here in Olomouc. One of our investigators accepted a date last night at Elder Ingalls' last lesson with him - it was a cool moment where the commitment just clicked with him. So he is going to get baptized on January 7, 2012. Please pray for him to get to church - that's really the only forseeable huge obstacle with him. Getting to church. I'm super excited for him, though. He is an awesome guy.

 

We also had an awesome lesson with one of our other investigators - she said that when she is around us she always feels so good. We extended the baptismal invitation and she said that right now she just doesn't know. Not no, not yes. We prayed about it and felt that the 7th of January would be a good date for her, and she said that she thinks its too early. I think she just doesn't quite trust herself. She thinks that she is too young to make such a big decision, because she said that her beliefs and religion is something that will stay with her for the rest of her life and beyond. And she's right. I'm so happy she recognizes the real life change baptism is, and now just pray that as we continue to meet she will feel the Holy Ghost confirming that this is the right path.

 

We've also been continuing to work with another investigator - he came to church again for all 3 hours and enjoyed it - he said that he feels a spiritual strength from it. We also had a lesson with him yesterday and he said that when we talk, he gets a feeling that what we are saying is more than just a story or pretty words, but it is really true. How cool is that? So we will continue to work with him and try to help him accept baptism also.

 

ALSO, the sister from the branch who had not been back for so long came to church again last Sunday and stayed for all 3 hours! It was so cool for us to see her renew her covenants again and enjoy the spirit of church. At our meeting yesterday, she told us that church was "zajemave", which at first I was scared about (sometimes that word, interesting, can have a bad connotation). But we came to discover that in fact she loved it - she said it was interesting because she said that the sacrament meeting testimonies and especially the relief society lessons were exactly what she needed to hear. She said that she felt like church was directly addressed to her. It was a way cool moment. She explained that it is very hard for her to forgive herself sometimes, and Satan was working really hard to pull her down and think that she wasn't worth anything, like I explained in a past email. But she said that now she feels like she is overcoming these feelings. It is such a testimony to me that church is so important for all people and if they come prepared, they can really feel the spirit testify to them of truth.

 

So a good week! I will be emailing again on Monday for P-day. Life goes on. We're working hard, doing what we can to help others come unto Christ. It's the best.

 

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

(PS, how fun that Alicia and Amanda came with the kids! Wish I coulda been there to play, but I know where I am is a good place. Tell them I say hi and have a gingerbread "mistake" for me!) 

Happy Halloween 2011

October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!!! I'm so excited to be emailing you this week - then again, I'm excited to email you EVERY week, so nothing new here haha. I hope all is going well back in CA - it sounds like you've been having an eventful couple weeks! The ward harvest festival sounds like a blast - that's definitely one thing I miss here in the Czech Republic - there aren't many branch activities. It's kind of a catch 22 - we as missionaries and the members don't want to spend inordinate amounts of time on an activity that will have 10 people at it, and people usually don't want to go to a party that isn't well planned...so it's definitely something I miss. But despite that, we are having a service project this Saturday in Prostejov, a nearby city, which I am excited for.

 

Thank you thank you thank you for the pictures! Landon is SO CUTE!!! I love his costume and huge smile. Can't wait to see that little boy again. And TYLER! Holy cow, how did you get so tall?? By the time I get back from the Czech Republic you'll be taller than I am! And I have to write a little hello to my girls (and their pet cow) - Hi, Kylie and Avery!! I loved seeing your pictures and am glad you had a fun time at the halloween party! I hope that you have a spooky and happy halloween and get lots of candy...but remember to not eat it all at once, otherwise you'll be giving your daddy some extra work in the future hahaha. I love you all!

 

So before I say a little about my week, here are the answers to your questions!

 

1.  Yes, I have received your letters and a response is on it's way in the near future! I love you, Gramma and Gramdpa Jensen!!!

2.   My camera is the Panasonic DMC-FH27. It's a great camera, too! Still working on the descriptions for my last SD card - it's full, and I'm already on picture 110 of SD card number 3! So that'll be something to look forward to for Christmas haha.

3.  Hmmmm, not really...Like I said, not much to wish for when you're serving the Lord full time! One thing I would like are some easy basic gospel doctrine-based object lessons to do for FHE and such - that would be nice! But surprise me! haha

4.  Transfers are going to happen a week from Wednesday. There is a high likelihood I will stay in Olomouc, but it's all up in the air. We'll just have to see what happens! I will find out on next Monday evening, so realistically I won't be able to let you know what happens until 2 weeks from now. Sorry! But whatever happens, I know it's from the Lord and what is supposed to happen.

5.  I should be fine on the winter coat - it's starting to get colder, but my trench from home is still plenty warm. Still no snow as of yet - when it gets colder, I'll definitely go buy a good coat (and don't worry, I won't skimp on it)

 

Halloween isn't really celebrated here...sad...a few days ago they had a "spirit festival" on the namesti where there were games and all of the kids carried around these paper lanterns for the spirits; but no candy, no trick-or-treating, and not really any costumes.

 

BUT, something that is kind of cool is what's going on at Dolni Namesti - all the christmas lights are going up! That's right - they're already decorating the namesti for Christmas. There are lights all around the square and they're setting up an ice-skating rink in the middle of the namesti. It's way pretty. I do have to say that I hope I stay in Olomouc for Christmas!

 

So now for a little about my week! Last week was the temple trip to Freiburg for the branch, which was way sweet for them...but unfortunately that made it hard for us to get members at our lessons this week. But despite that, we still were able to see miracles happen. Let me tell you about some of them!

 

First off, we've been continuing to work with one of our investigators, and I think he's do really well. He has done meditation for spiritual strength for a long time; but he came to church for the first time yesterday and told me that he feels a very similar spiritual strength from being in Sacrament meeting/sunday school/priesthood. So that was way cool to hear that he is recognizing the spirit - he also committed to reading the Book of Mormon from the start - I'm super excited for him. His big struggle now is making the step to commit to be baptized, so we're trying to help him see the personal nature of the baptismal covenant and how blessed he can be from it.

 

Unfortunately, one of our other investigators couldn't come to church yesterday because she was packing to go to America today! She and her son are taking a trip home for a month and will be back in December. We talked with her on the phone and she said that she definitely wants to keep in contact when she gets back and continue to meet and come to church - so that's definitely exciting, and I can't wait for her to return and to keep talking with her. She is so special.

 

K, so last Friday was kind of disappointing - we had 5 appointments fall through, which was kind of discouraging. But after we were waiting for one appointment that fell through, we started contacting and met a way cool girl.  She is pretty young - 16 - but is definitely a deep-thinker. We were afraid that she would just be a "Laska girl", but as we talked we came to find out that she is a believer, and had an experience that helped her change the direction of her life. She was already into smoking and drinking at a very young age, but she decided that that was not a good direction for her life and quit smoking and stopped drinking. That's really, REALLY rare for a Czech. So she already lives the word of wisdom, which is awesome, and we had a first lesson with her last saturday where we talked about baptism. She didn't accept or reject the invitation, and told us that she would think and pray about it. So we'll see where it goes from here - it's all up to her and the Lord now.

 

Well, that's all for this week - I love you so, SO much. Thank you for your prayers and continuous love and support. It means a lot to your Starsi. I love this work I am doing - and even when it's difficult, I just think of why I'm here and move forward. It truly is the greatest work I could be doing right now.

 

S laskou,
Starsi Mullen

 

(ps...BOO!)

Try Reading It!!

October 24, 2011


Hi, family!!!

So this week was pretty good overall!!! We had a zone conference in Olomouc last Tuesday, which was awesome. I loved seeing all of my fellow Elders, and especially my MTC brothers. It's amazing how close we get here doing the Lord's work. It was a wonderful conference, and we got a couple new things - first off, we received the Book of Mormon Liahona in both Czech and English! They gave each companionship like 17 Czech ones, and they are wonderful! We have already used them with investigators, and it is such an awesome tool to use in getting people interested in that sacred piece of scripture. President Irwin has also given us 30 minutes of extra study time daily that we can use until we read through and get to know that Liahona. To all of you reading this email/blogpost, try reading it! It is so well written and designed and is a perfect introduction to the Book of Mormon.

The second thing that we received last week was a portable DVD player! It's way nice - we can only use it in our apartment, but it is way nice to be able to watch clips from "The District" while we're waiting for dinner/lunch to cook. I really do think that watching those clips makes me a better missionary, which is way awesome!

Now, for a few stories from the week - first off, one of our investigators is doing awesome! We had a lesson with her on Friday about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and she was fascinated. She said that she really likes meeting with us because she thinks that we are "true Christians" and, despite some opposition from her friends, keeps meeting. She said that some of her friends told her that the Mormons are "weird", but she said that she just replied "well, I don't know about the guys that you met, but the guys who I meet with are really cool" haha. So we had a lesson with her that she loved. We talked about the 5 basic points of the Gospel, and she pulled out a binder and started taking notes about it because she "didn't want to forget anything". She is so cool. So anyway, we had a way good lesson with her, then she came back later that night for our game night and stayed for everything, including the spiritual thought. We're meeting again on Tuesday - please pray for her. Her main obstacle is just belief - she doesn't believe in God or Christ yet. And that keeps her from praying, because she says that it doesn't make sense to pray to someone that she doesn't know or believe in, and when she tried it, it felt kind of like just talking to herself. We're working hard to try to help her understand who her Heavenly Father is and how she can come to know Him. But in our last lesson, she told us that "maybe in 10 or 12 years I will be a Christian" - we smiled and joked afterwards that maybe it'll be in 10 or 12 weeks haha. But we just keep on working with her and trying to help her come closer to Christ.

I also had a really cool experience this week talking to Starsi Egger - I called him up and talked for a bit about how things were going in Plzen, Lochotin. I came to find out that our newest member there is doing so well! Unfortunately, he lost his job at Billa, a grocery store here - but it has kind of been a blessing in disguise, because now he can and has been coming to church every Sunday. He came to all sessions of General Conference. He found a new short-term job at a bakery. And, even when he works until 3 in the morning at the bakery to get ready for the next day, he comes to church at 9. He told the elders that it's not a big deal. Oh boy, does that feel awesome! Truly how great is my joy for him. It truly is indescribable - I am just so happy for him, seeing him going strong in following Jesus Christ.

Then, yesterday, guess who came to church? Our investigator and her son!! Her husband couldn't come because his father was visiting and he stayed home with them while his wife and son came to church. It was so great. The branch just ate her up - everyone who knew even a lick of English were practically lining up to talk with her and introduce themselves. She had a great experience, stayed for all 3 hours, and her son even loved Primary! It was a definite answer to my prayers. She is actually going back to America for a couple weeks starting next Wednesday, so we're praying that she will continue to meet and talk after she returns. She is so special.

So there are a few highlights of the week. I'm emailing from Prague because I came in to get my visa renewed. It's been great to see all of my fellow MTC elders and sisters here, and I'll be heading back in a little bit to Olomouc by train.

I'm excited for the surprise package and pics! and as far as Christmas goes...I honestly don't know. I'm happy and content with all that I have. The only things I can think of are kinda BORING hahaha - I'd like an extra battery for my camera (there have been a couple times where I wished I had just a little more battery life haha), a package of just white long balloons (I've used almost all of the white ones I have for spiritual thoughts making sheep...people love them), a couple plain black sharpies, and a couple thin tip black sharpies...and I always love pictures! But that's really all I can think of. I'll love all that you send, though, because it'll be from you. I love you so much.

Until next week,

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

One Precious Child at a Time

October 16, 2011
Hi family!

To start off, yes, I did get Aunt Sue and Uncle Steve's package and the Whitings - thank you so much! Letters in response are being written or are already on the way. It sounds like you had a wonderful experience with a little bonus trip built in to visit family! I hope you said Hi to all of them for me! Also, know that my prayers are continuously with Aunt Sue and also with Lyndie's baby (Sherry told me a little bit that she's having some sort of shivers).

This week was great here in Olomouc - much more success than last week! I just wanna tell you all about it, so here it goes -

So we had another lesson with our investigator from the USA which went awesome! She was so open to listen about the Book of Mormon and how she could know of its truth - it was so refreshing. Plus, it was kinda cool to teach someone in English - it's kinda nice to be able to say everything you want to exactly how you want to say it haha! She also brought her 5 year old son to the meeting, and he is hilarious. She asked him if he wanted to come with her to church and talk about God, and he said "Yes, mommy, I would love that!" How cool is that?! So we had a wonderful lesson with her, gave her the Book of Mormon, and she said she would read from it and pray about it. She said that she could definitely see how this requires a lot more faith - but we assured her that God will answer her sincere prayers to know of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. She talked to her husband, and she said that he's willing to come with her to church next Sunday (they were going to come yesterday, but Filip came down with a fever on Saturday), and she wants to keep talking about the Gospel with us! So we might start teaching my first investigator family! How exciting is that?! So we're way excited to move forward with them.

We also had a lesson with another invetigator last week - we've really been struggling to help her to pray, because she says that it's weird and unnatural to pray to someone she doesn't believe in. So we're kind of in a catch 22 with her - she can't build a relationship with God until she starts praying and trying to reach out to Him, but she doesn't really want to pray or act until she has some sort of relationship with God...so that's kind of hard. She said she would talk to us more about what she's feeling on Friday when we're meeting with her next. Last time, we watched the Restoration video with her, which was really good for her - but now it's all on her. If she exercises even that "particle of faith" from Alma 32, and tries, we know her faith will grow and she will come to know it is true. But it's going to take a bit for her to really start growing and progressing.

Also, something kind of exciting was that we reestablished contact with another investigator last week! I was getting kinda worried because she wasn't answering her phone - but I finally got to talk to her last week and she said that she was in Prague and just got back to Olomouc and wanted to meet again! So that was exciting - we have a lesson set up for this Wednesday.

We also picked up another new investigator this week. She is around 20 or so and is a Roman Catholic, which is quite common here in Olomouc. Olomouc is apparently the Catholic capital of the Czech Republic. Anyway, I contacted her solo last week and she actually came to our first meeting on time! That doesn't happen too often haha....but she came and we had a pretty good lesson. She was really interested in the fact that God and Jesus Christ are two separate beings, and was really interested in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. We gave her a copy and challenged her to read, ponder, and pray about its truthfulness. She said she would, and we set up a follow up meeting for this Wednesday - we're excited to continue meeting with her, and pray that she will do all that is necessary to qualify for Moroni's promise to know that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God.

We're continuing to meet with our other two investigators, but we know that they only will start really progressing as soon as they start getting to church - so we're really pushing for them to be able to come to church. They are awesome though - one of them always makes everyone in the apartment kneel when we pray and calls on someone to pray, even if they don't really know how to do it. He'll then explain it in super-fast Slovak and tell them to pray, which they do. It's way cool and way funny simultaneously. I love it.

But now for my favorite story of the week! We have been going to the house of a part-member couple at least once a week since the beginning of the transfer. The wife has been a member for quite a while, but has also been inactive for quite a while, and her husband is Catholic. We've been meeting with them for a while and both of them have trouble with commitment. We have invited them to come to church every week of the transfer, trying to help them realize its importance, but to no avail. So last Tuesday we went over there for our lesson. We had decided to share with them President Uchtdorf's talk from conference about each person being so important to God, and it really struck a chord with them. As we were watching it, the husband logged onto his facebook, posted the video of the talk to his blog, "liked" it, and added the comment - "Poslouchejte" (listen). It was cool. Then, after it, his wife told us that Satan definitely tries to appeal to her feelings of inadequacy and nothingness. I followed a wise sister's advice (she said that we just need to look her in the eyes and tell her that God needs her at church) and bore testimony of God's love for her and for him individually, that he wants us to be happy, and that the greatest happiness comes from keeping his commandments. It was a cool moment. So we challenged her to pray to her Heavenly Father to know if they need to come to church this Sunday. At the end of the lesson, she asked right out in her prayer - "Help us know if we need to go back to church." We left that night praying that she would receive an answer throughout the week that she needed to come. Fastforward to last Saturday - I called up their house and talked to the husband...and he said that they weren't sure if they were going to come and would just leave it as a "prekvapeni" (surprise). I was bummed, because in the past "not sure" always ends up being "surely not." So come Sunday morning, we weren't expecting them to come....so you can imagine how big my eyes and smile were when I saw her walk through the doors of the church building! I went up and asked her "So did you pray about it?" She said that she prayed last night about if she needed to come, and here she was. It was so cool, and all of the members who have been around for a while all were so happy and surprised to see her. Her husband unfortunately didn't want to come, but we hope that will change next week. I was talking with one of the members of the branch here and she said that it was an absolute miracle - she hasn't seen that sister at church since 1996. I have a testimony that prayer works. God will answer our prayers and will tell us "all things that we should do" - even come to church. He loves each of us individually and knows us, as Aunt Cori says, "by heart and by name."

How grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the hope and happiness it brings into people's lives. This work truly is the work of God, and I am so humbled by the opportunity to be an instrument in His holy hands to help His beloved children, one precious child at a time.

I love you all,

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

I love to see firsthand the changing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Ahoj, rodino!!!

I loved getting your email this week - it sounds like your vacation has been wonderful! What a cool experience you're having together. The day with Landon sounds like a blast! Do send pics ASAP. Also, if you could send some pics of Chris and Jenna's new apartment I would love that. How exciting! I have been getting your mail and also received your package last week - thank you thank you thank you! I can't wait to bake those up and have a taste of home. I also loved getting the blog printouts - after planning at night I'll sit down on our sofa or on my bed and read em one after the other. It's way fun to hear how my friends are doing all over the world. What a blessing it is to serve the Lord, no matter where you are in the world! 

So now about this week...yeeeeeeeeeeeah...this week was a little rough. We came out on a super high last week, and this week kept us humble haha. That's usually how the Lord works, right? Anyway, we had a bunch of investigators either drop us or all of a sudden stop answering their phones, which was disappointing. It's always a little sad to see people turn away from the happy and joyous message of the Gospel, but everyone has their agency. But despite being a disappointing week in some respects, in others it was awesome!

First off, I have to say here that I'm amazed at how time flies. It's crazy - I'm approaching my 6 month mark, and it just feels like a moment. And, from all I've heard, it just gets faster and faster. So I'm just trying to make the best of every day and moment I have, soaking everything in and letting it all out in the work of the Lord. I love it here - I really do. 

And, to answer your question, yes, the leaves did change colors, and now it is officially winter in the Czech Republic! haha. It's starting to get nippier, but my trenchcoat we bought before still is enough. In the next couple weeks, though, I'm gonna have to go buy a warmer coat. But all is well! 

And, yes, we did get to watch conference!!! It was SO good! I loved every minute of it, and can't wait to show some of the talks to investigators who couldn't make it to conference to see it. We just watched it with DVD players on the TVs in the building in Olomouc - we watched in English (except for one session for me, see below) in the relief society/game room, and the branch watched it in Czech in the chapel. It was a great experience, and I definitely came away spiritually nourished. I especially loved Elder Holland's priesthood talk - it was just so good. It was fiery, but he gave his talk with a love that was so deep for each member of the church. How grateful I am for apostles of the Lord!

Now, a few cool stories for the week...

First off, we're continuing to meet and work with one of our investigators, which is so cool. It is so refreshing to teach someone who is so willing to learn. We started teaching her with the Erbovi, the senior couple in Olomouc. Senior couples are such a blessing - what Elder Holland said in Priesthood was so true. Them being here is a blessing to us and to everyone in this city. Our last lesson with her was wonderful, and we taught a lot about what the Holy Ghost is and how we feel it. One thing we've been struggling with her about is that she still does not believe in God, which is a huge step to make. But in the last lesson, we were talking more in depth about what she DOES believe, and she said that she believes in a (quote) "Great Spirit" that is around us that helps us. Alma 18 instantly popped into my head, and we opened right up and read it, where Ammon teaches Lamoni by asking if he believes in God. Lamoni answers that he doesn't really know what God means, so Ammon asks him if he believes in a "great spirit", to which Lamoni replies yes. Ammon then says three words - "This is God." It's beautifully simple teaching. So we read that and she was impressed at how simple it was. Starsi Erb then explained that we are made up of a physical body and a spirit, which she 100% agreed with, as her family prays to her ancestors. He then explained that the father of that spirit is God. It was a way cool moment for her - it was silent for a little bit, then she smiled and said "now that's logical." It just clicked with her. We have another meeting with her today, and we're excited to continue talking about God, Jesus Christ, and His restored gospel.

We are also working with two other investigators - We had a good lesson with them last week where we gave them each a Kniha Mormonova - the spirit was strong, and they could feel it. We invited them to general conference on saturday, and one of them came (the other had work or something)!!! She watched Saturday morning session with me in Czech and loved it - she said that she could feel the spirit during the meeting, and especially loved it when the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang. So we're hoping that our lesson tonight will go well with them as we talk more about Joseph Smith and the restoration.

We are also continuing to work with two other investigators - we had sports night again on saturday, which was great - one of them even brought his boss who is a 35 year old Czech guy who is super successful, is not a believer, but wants to learn more about God. I think we can help with that haha. But it was great, and we also had a great lesson yesterday with them about obedience. We taught them about the law of heaven and that blessings in the long run come from obeying that law. It was a great lesson, the spirit was strong, and we're moving forward.

Now for the last story of the week that I have time for - this one actually happened just about an hour and a half ago. Last week, we contacted this gal who is from (of all places) Minnesota! We talked with her for a bit, and came to find out that she had a lot of friends in Seattle that were members and had been to church with them a couple times. She is such a fun person - she's in her young thirties, married a czech guy she met in Prague while teaching english abroad, and has decided to settle down in Prerov, a town just outside of Olomouc. She also has a 5 year old son, and is just such a fun person to talk to. She is so funny, and really reminds me of Natalie (Love you, sis! *hugs*...oops, not allowed to do those right now...*handshake* haha). Anyway, we had a first lesson with her and the Erbovi today and it was so cool. She has such a strong relationship with God, and is super sensitive to the spirit. We taught her about our personal relationship with God and also the role prophets play in that relationship. It was a really good lesson and the spirit was so strong. I am so excited to keep talking to her - we have another lesson set up for wednesday. Please pray for her - we know that Moroni's promise will ring true to her if she'll take the step of faith and do what he asks. She just needs that spiritual confirmation that this is right. 

How grateful I am for the gospel and the power it has to change lives and touch hearts. I love this opportunity I have to serve and see firsthand the changing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is true.

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

Happy in sharing the message that makes people the happiest!!

Hey, Family! Oh boy, was this week awesome - I just want to jump right in and tell you about it! So here it goes:

The first big news of the week - our investigator in Plzen was baptized and confirmed this week! They had the baptismal service Saturday and apparently it went really well. The spirit was really strong, Starsi Egger said. They did it in the river that runs through Plzen, and he said there were swans all swimming up and down the river. I'll forward a pic starsi Egger sent me. Starsi Egger's greenie, Starsi Osterloh, was the one who baptized him, and President Holub confirmed him yesterday at Church. What a wonderful feeling! I have to admit I was a little sad that I couldn't be there to see it. I would have loved that. But I just laid in my bed on Saturday night thinking "This is what it's all about." I look forward to the day when I can return and shake his hand as fellow brothers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am just so happy for him. I think back to when I first contacted him on the tram...I often think "What if I hadn't talked to him? What if I got scared or shy or something?" It motivates me to talk to everyone. This word is so important. So SO important. And I am so happy to see him coming unto Christ by making sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father. It's the best.

So that was WAY exciting! Good stuff going on in Plzen, even though I wasn't there to see it.

And there's good stuff going on in Olomouc, too!

This week was the most successful week teaching-wise of my mission. We ended up teaching about 21 lessons, and picking up 5 new investigators, which is awesome! A couple cool stories to share from the lessons:

We picked up 2 new investigators in one lesson last week when we started teaching investigators we had contacted before. They're way cool. They're both in their 30-40s I'm pretty sure, and actually contacted us! It was way cool - we were in the building doing weekly planning (we don't always do that, but that morning we both agreed that we should do it in the building that day), and were about to leave, and just as we walked out the door we ran into some of our investigators! They had a little time, so we went back into the church building and started teaching them a lesson. And as we were teaching, we heard a knock on the door - not usual to hear. So Starsi Ingalls goes to answer it as I continue the lesson, and there stood a guy  who was wondering if he could learn English from us and maybe, if it was possible, bring a friend along to learn English and maybe talk about God. ANO, PROSIM! Haha so we set up a meeting for last Monday and it went so great. We taught them English for a bit, then started teaching lesson 1 with an emphasis on prayer. It was great - we have another meeting with them tonight, which I'm way excited for.

We are also continuing to work with two other investigators. We had 2 way cool lessons with them this week, one of which I wasn't there for (I had exchanges last Wednesday with Starsi Peterson). At the first, we taught them about the Restoration again, mainly because he is a lot newer of an investigator than his friend. It was so cool - we had given them a Slovak restoration pamphlet, and they loved it. He was basically teaching his friend all about the apostasy, Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon. It was way cool to see. Then, on Wednesday, Starsi Rhodes and Ingalls had an AWESOME lesson with him, in which they got them back on track for baptism. They both had a concern with baptism, because they have been baptised before. But they used pictures of baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost to explain that this is something totally new for them. Apparently a light turned on in their heads and they just got it. One of them apparently said "What do I have to do to be able to do that?" Way, way cool. We're rescheduling their baptismal dates at our meeting on Wednesday when they return from Slovakia, and I'm super excited for them.

We are also starting to work with the girl who I had a bench lesson with from last week! We taught her on Tuesday and it went really well. She is such a happy person and is so willing to try new things. We focused the lesson on how God is our loving heavenly father, the gospel blesses families, and the importance of prayer. It went really well, and she even said the prayer at the end! We have another appointment set up for tomorrow, and we are praying that she will really feel the spirit as we teach of the restoration of the gospel.These next couple lessons will be crucial for helping her move to really progressing in the Gospel. Please pray for her!

So all is going well here in Olomouc, and it sounds like you're having lots of fun on the East coast, too! What a fun trip you are having! Be sure to give that little boy (and his parents too) a big hug from his favorite stryc! haha

I have gotten the packages from everyone and am currently in the process of getting letters sent in reply! But until I get those mailed, thank you everyone for your love and support and other goodies haha. I love you all, and pray all is well. Know that your Starsi is safe and happy in sharing the message that makes people the happiest!

S laskou,
Starsi Mullen