My Mission Has Truly Changed Me

May 19, 2013

 

 Ahoj, rodino! Your favorite Starsi is doing fantastically. We are having a wonderful experience in Jihlava and are seeing the Lord's hand truly guide the work.

 

We heard from the Bellovi that Sister Monson had passed, which was also very sad for us to hear. The words to the hymn come to mind "We ever pray for thee, our prophet dear."

 

I'm happy to hear the update on everybody at home! Please send all my love and lots of pozdravy (greetings) to all of them. I also look forward to reconnecting with them all in a year or so. How exciting for Elder Flinders! I'll have to write him a letter or email or something. And luckily I'll be able to see Peter before he heads out. Send my congratulations to Carissa and Marissa for me, as well as to David. What a wonderful seminary class we had (and what wonderful teachers as well! Haha - I'm not biased, of course!) It's weird for me to think that time has really passed there in Granite Bay while I've been here. I'm sure much has stayed the same, but time always brings its changes and surprises as well. I look forward to reconnecting with my "sleepy little town" in the future - but my, this summer certainly won't be very sleepy, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

 

If it's OK, I probably won't try to hassle with a box - But I'll try to fit everything that I need or want to take home into 2 suitcases (don't worry, I won't throw away the Brigg's and Riley bags haha!). The rest of the stuff I'll just give away. Is there anything that you think would be good to keep? I probably won't throw away the suits, but if it's OK with you I might give away/donate some white shirts, pants, belts, and maybe even shoes. I'll try to pack in and bring back as much as I can and just give away the rest.

 

So here are the answers of this week.

 

 1. Did you get your package? It’s your last one! - Yup I got it, and it's yummy! We must have a sharehold in See's and Trader Joe's by this time haha. I love the chocolate pretzels and gummy penguins, and I've been sharing the fruit leathers and one of our investigator families love them! Thanks so much. The pens are also much appreciated.

 

 2. Are the new members continuing to do well? - They are, we just had a lesson with them before we came to email. She is so spiritually strong and is a wonderful example to her daughter. They still haven't missed a Sunday of church since she's come back and are staying strong keeping all the commandments. The missionary couple here have been an incredible help and source of strength for her and I'm so grateful for them.

 

 3. How are your other investigators progressing? - We had a great lesson with one earlier today (he's so great!)  There are some investigators who I've just really clicked with who I want to stay in contact with for life. There are so many wonderful people here.

 

We also have had sweet experiences  with so many here. It's such a blessing to be a tool in the Lord's hands to help His children feel His love. I know that He loves us all so, so much.

 

 4. Tell us a little more about your branch members.  How many children are there? - Hmmm, let's see. In the branch we have quite a big primary. The children are wonderful and MY is Jihlava going to have quite the Young Women's program in a couple years! Haha.

 

 5. Tell us about the most spiritual experience(s) of your week. - This week we had the privilege of having a wonderful training in Hradec Kralove for the HK zone. It was a first because usually we just join Praha zone and have it in Praha, but this time was special. We had a wonderful experience there as we had some trainings with very special practice sessions. Usually we have practices in teaching skills and we teach other missionaries, but this time we had 2 hours of practicing outside talking to people! It was very uplifting and our zone found a lot of potential investigators for the missionaries there in HK. The day before I was on an exchange with Elder Heath in Trebic and it was such a wonderful experience. We had a wonderful time, speaking Czech together as normally as we would English, going out tirelessly to work. We had a fantastic day and the best part about it was that we didn't talk or even feel the need to talk about what will happen "in a year or so". It was just a wonderful, dedicated day to the work of the Lord. It's kind of poetic - we were companions in the MTC, then about 1 year ago we had an exchange together when I was in the office, then we had another exchange together last week. I really love and appreciate Elder Heath and all he has done for the work here. Anyways, getting to my point of a really powerful spiritual experience this week, it was at this training that all the members of my group present had the opportunity to bear our departing testimonies. There were four of us there - Elder Heath, Gabrielsen, Story and I. It was so touching for me to see how each of us has grown so much. When the time came for me to bear my testimony I felt so deeply and realized so clearly how much I love my mission. I love it so much. It truly has changed me. The focus for the departing testimonies is how your mission has changed or affected your life, and it was a very spiritual experience for me to reflect on and share what I have learned and how my mission has truly changed my life for the better. Writing it all in an email just doesn't seem to suffice, so I'll fill you in more on my feelings "in a year or so". But it was definitely a spiritual highlight. I have such a strengthened testimony of the power of the Gospel and of the reality of our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

After the conference, we were in the car starting to drive out of Hradec Kralove and the spirit kept poking me to get out and talk with people - so Elder Payne and I asked the Bells if they could pull over for just a couple minutes while we talked with a couple more people and they said no problem. So we jumped out and with a smile on our faces talked with some more people about the gospel. It was a wonderful experience and we found 3 more potential investigators for the gospel for the missionaries there in Hradec. I just love missionary work!

 

Something else that I was super excited for - I heard from Elders Gabrielsen and Osterloh that some familiar names now have baptismal dates from Praha! I'm so thrilled for them.  How exciting to hear how good they're doing. I love these people so much!

 

I must end now, but I hope that my email has given you a taste of how blessed I feel to be here. I love Jihlava and all these blessed people. I know that Heavenly Father loves them, too. I know with all my heart that this gospel brings happiness, happiness that lasts and will last forever. I love the Book of Mormon and know that it is a book from God written by His prophets. I know Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw and did what he said he did. I am so grateful that you raised me to discover these truths for myself and that I now, with all the assurity of heart, know these things to be true. I love you, my family.

 

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

Looking Forward to Yet Another Wonderful Week

May 12, 2013

 

 It was great to talk to you yesterday and here I am, emailing yet again. It's amazing how the weeks fly! But we are looking forward to yet another wonderful week, including a specialized training on Friday in Hradec Kralove!

 

I realized who the email was from, he was a guy who we taught in Pardubice on an exchange and he asked for my email address - if you could somehow group all the emails that I've received from Czech people/people from the mission I'd really appreciate it and I'll respond to them all in due time. Everything truly is going wonderfully. Elder Payne is doing a great job and is learning so much this transfer. I think back to my first transfer and know how at times it felt I was trying to drink water from a fire hydrant! But he's great and will continue doing wonderful work over these next two years.

As I said, this last Sunday was amazing. There were 33 people at church! Quite the contrast to the 9 or so that were there the first week. The Lord's work is continuing to roll forth like a stone cut out of the mountain without hands. It will fill the whole earth.

 

We're going to have to talk with President and Sister Irwin about those arrangements, but I would be all for it if you would. They have been such a huge part of my mission and I think our time in the Czech Republic would just be made perfect with a visit to them at the end. But it'll depend on their availability as well, since they themselves will have just recently returned. So we'll see what they say. They are amazing, and you will love them so, so much!

 

So here are a few answers that I thought of...

 

1.  Where does the branch meet in Jihlava?  How big is the Trecin branch?  - The Branch in Jihlava meets at the address Masarykovo Namesti 53, it's a blue building right in the center of the city on the main town square (which is the only town square in Jihlava haha). I think you're thinking of Trebic branch, the one in my district, right? If so, that branch has about 35 or so active members, with 4 of the member families all being related to each other!  So church is like a family reunion every sunday! But they are both fantastic branches.

2.  How do most of the people get to church there? - Most use public transport (the trolly buses), but some have cars.

3.  Do you have a car?  How much walking do you do a day? - No, we don't, but Jihlava is quite small so we don't have any need for one. We take the buses a lot and have a monthly pass that we update every month. We walk a decent amount every day, which is nice exercise.

4.  How far from the center of town do you live?  How does your apartment compare to past apartments? - We live an 8 minute bus ride from the center, so we aren't far at all. The apartment is quite small but nice and has plenty of space for all that we need (a bedroom, a kitchen/study room, and bathroom). No complaints with the apartments in the Czech/Slovak mission!

5.  How is Starsi Payne doing?  Are you truly getting along okay?  - Yes, we truly are getting along well. There truly is nothing to worry about with Elder Payne. He'll be a great missionary and already is.

6.  What are your goals for this week? - This week we are setting out to continue to work with the less-active members and recent converts, and we're also continuing to work with all our wonderful investigators. One of them will be baptized on the 1st of June, just into my new transfer, so I'm looking forward to seeing some great photos!

As for me, I'm just jumping into the work, trying to be as good of an example as I can be for Elder Payne and as good of a servant as I can be for the Lord. I feel that there's still so much to learn, but I have realized more than ever before over this last week just how much my mission means to me. It means everything. I love this mission. I love these people so, so much. And I love you all, too. This is God's work and His glory.

 

I look forward to writing you next week,

 

Zatim se vsichni mejte hezky,

 

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

 

Looking Forward to a Mother's Day Phone Call

May 6, 2013

Draha rodino!

Wow, what an amazing week it has been here. This is such an amazing blessing to be here with these people at this time. I love these people. I love them so, so much. I can't even imagine that another week has blinked by. I'm looking forward to talking with you all on Sunday! Again, feel free to prepare any questions you want to ask. I just want to talk and answer questions. It'll be nice to talk to you all!

It sounds and looks like you've had a great week there in strong Boston! I sure do love you all and love the pics of Landon and Mary Claire - family brings such joy, doesn't it!?

So now, here are a few answers per my routine:

1.     How is your investigator doing?  Is her baptism still on for next week? - Well, if you have seen the emails I sent earlier, you now know that she was baptized 2 days ago. We had a lesson with her on Monday and asked her if it would be better for her to move the baptism forward or back one week, since the 11th wouldn't work for most of the branch. She said that she's already decided to be baptized and knows it's right, so it didn't matter. We prayed about it and decided that the extra time would just be time for doubts and temptation, and since she was ready now, she agreed to be baptized. The service was amazing and there were so many people there that we had to add in 6 chairs into the room with the spa where she was baptized. She is so connected with all the members already, especially the relief society.  It was so great seeing her at church yesterday - she was hugging and giving the european cheek kisses to all the relief society sisters and they are doing a great job friendshipping her. It is such a privilege for me and Elder Payne to be a small part of her conversion story and be tools in the Lords hands to bring the gospel into her life. She bore her testimony in church after President Svoboda confirmed her and it was such a powerful, spiritually mature testimony about her search for the truth and her answer from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. She has already asked us how she can serve to help the church and she and her adorable daughter will be such a strength to this branch. I am so grateful that Elder Payne and I were here to finish the work that was started by other missionaries.

2.     Are the time and phone numbers I mentioned above correct for our call next Sunday? Do you wish  to make any adjustments in the time? - Everything was correct and we'll be excited to hear from you! The time is still good for me if it is for you. Looking forward to it!

3.     Did you receive your “last package” yet?  Hard for us to believe that we will never send another missionary package to the Czech Republic. - President has told me that the package has come! President Irwin joked that we are the most popular companionship in the mission (seeing as Elder Payne has a package waiting as well haha)

4.     We haven’t as yet received your box with your painting, but those things can take considerable time and so not to worry.  All your other packages have arrived safely and intact. - I'm not worried, as well. I'm sure it'll get there fine. There's all kinds of trinkets and papers and letters and things in there to sort through. And of course the painting! Yipee!

5.     Have you had or will you have any additional training opportunities with the APs or ZLs this transfer? - Yes, we will have a specialized training for HK zone in HK on May 17th with the Assistants, President and Sister Irwin, and the whole zone. I'm really looking forward to it!

6.     Is Starsi Payne continuing to acclimate to the rigors of missionary service and progressing in is language skills?  He has the best trainer in the entire church to guide him you know. - He has been doing really well here! We have seen incredible success this week teaching and have been blessed to teach a lot, more than I ever have in my mission. I am so blessed to be here with Elder Payne. Czech is certainly a doozy of a language but he's doing great with it and is learning and solidifying new words and little grammar principles every day.

7.     If you see anything in a shop that you would like to purchase as another keepsake of your mission by all means just feel free to use your card and buy it.  You can be sure that we will undoubtedly also shop during our return visit in July and August as well. - Thanks, I'll keep that in mind! I've found a couple other fun little things (old Czechoslovakia coins from the 50's, etc.). 

 It is just such an incredible blessing to be here. I love these people and this branch!

We also began teaching a golden girl this week - she's 19 years old and is so open! She told us that she is searching for something more in life. She believes in God but isn't baptized as a member of any church. We felt the spirit very present in our lesson with her last Thursday - when we stood up after the prayer, we asked her if she felt the peace - she said she did. I thought of all those times you pointed out the spirit to me in primary, Marmee ("did'ya feel it?") - so we're really excited to see what will happen with Marketa this week.

Again, we are just so blessed. I feel I am drawing even closer to my Savior in these weeks. I am learning more and more to follow the promptings of the spirit without delay. This work is truly a marvelous work and a wonder. The Lord is laboring here with us and we feel His help and support. I love you all so, so much, and I'll talk to you on Sunday!

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

I want to run through the finish line!

April 28, 2013

 Dearest family,

Ahoj!

It's good to be writing you all yet again. Man, these P-days come quickly. But I am loving my time here in Jihlava. I am so privileged to be here in Jihlava at this time. I remember asking President Irwin the question in my interview before I came "is there a specific reason for why I'm going to Jihlava?" His response: "It just felt right." Well, here we are and it feels very right. I am so happy here.

We have seen so many miracles this week in the work. The most notable have been with our investigator. She is going to be such a strength to this branch. We taught her 4 times last week and her testimony has grown so much. In the period of 1 week, she has gone from hesitating about baptism, to seriously considering it. Then came Thursday's lesson. From the moment we sat down, the spirit was so, so present. We talked about the spirit she has felt with the missionaries. She told us how, despite the fact that she's never had so many external problems in her life, she's never been happier. We saw the spirit teaching her in the lesson. It was incredible to see. By the end she said she now knew that this was the truth. She has received so many witnesses of the spirit and is now acting according to them. She came to District Conference with her little daughter. She felt the spirit so, so strong. Even her little 4 year old was talking with the returned missionary here  and was crying. He asked her " why are you crying?", to which she said, "Because I'm so happy!" We had a lesson with her later that day with the Bells, the wonderful new humanitarian aid couple, at her house and watched the Restoration video. The spirit was so, so strong as all of us bore testimony of the calling of the Prophet Joseph and of the beautiful feelings of the Holy Ghost. She cried seeing his story, saying that it has been the same for her. 31 years of searching and she knows by the power of the Holy Ghost that she's found it. She feels she's ready for baptism and knows that it is truly a commitment for eternity. She told us after the conference that she wants to one day serve as a missionary or a temple worker. This experience of teaching her has been spiritually uplifting and inspiring for all involved.

So I just had to tell you about that first so I didn't run out of time. Now for some answers!

1).   How has it been with elder P. What have you learned from him? - I have learned a lot from Elder P about good, solid work. He will put his shoulder to the wheel and push with all his might. When I teach him something or suggest we do something (such as using our P-day time to teach a lesson...haha) he doesn't complain but justgoes with it, excited to be a part of the Lord's work. He's a great worker and is a great people's person. People who meet him love him becuase he is Elder P in every situation he's in and doesn't have to change it.

2)   Has it been a weird adjustment coming out of a leadership role?  Have you had any contact to know how things are going for the ap's? - Surprisingly it hasn't been too weird. I thought it would be a lot of a harder adjustment, but being here and just going to work and seeing the fruits of our efforts is so wonderful and rewarding. Elders Gabrielsen and Osterloh gave a great training a week and a half ago and are doing a great job from all I've seen and heard.

3). We sent your package on Tuesday. Hopefully it will get there in time. When should we send our last letters....like two weeks before?  How weird is that? - Yeah, 2 weeks before would probably be the latest I'd send them. And don't worry, if it gets delayed, the office forwards them onto the missionary who got transferred home.

4). Any instructions yet for the Mother's Day phone call like time of day etc etc?  This will be a fun one for us!! - OK, so here you go - Please call on Sunday the 12th of May ( that's mother's day, right? They don't have that holiday here haha...) at 6:45 Czech Republic time. We'll have 45 minutes again, so I'm looking forward to it!

5). anything we can do for you back home? - Just keep praying for me. I want to run through the finish line of my full-time mission with all speed.  Pray for all these people. And keep being the wonderful Mullen clan!

6). Most importantly tell us about your people this week...your accomplishments...your disappointments...and all the good things. - As I said, we have truly been blessed. I'm out of time to write, but know that we have seen so many miracles! This is the Lord's work and He's in charge. He is strengthening me and supporting me. I love you all.

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

Boston Strong

April 21, 2013

 

 Hello hello hello! So good to be emailing you yet again! Where'd that week go? I'm so thrilled to be here in Jihlavska knihovna emailing my favorite family in the world! I have a lot to write and tell, so I'm excited to jump right into it!

 

It's good to hear little Mary Claire is doing well except for the runny nose. I laughed when I heard about Landon's "artwork"...oh the joys of parenting! And I haven't even been a parent yet, but I'm sure those joys are certainly memorable. Please give little Mary Claire and Landon a hug and kiss (and a nice gently strong handshake!) from me! 

The news about Boston has been quite the buzz here in Jihlava as well. We were teaching a recent convert and her mother last week when they told us what happened. I for some reason didn't feel worried about the Mullen clan, comforted that all would be well. I knew that if anything would happen, President Irwin would let me know and there was no panic inside me, which was a blessing. People here are shocked at what has happened and it has definitely caused a lot of sombre contemplation.

 

I was also touched by your recounting of all the events. Boston is Strong! I'm grateful that the people have taken this horrifying event and chosen to let it unite them instead of divide them. That's the goal of this life, isn't it? To seek to improve and magnify every situation we are put into and to choose to learn and grow from it instead of letting it canker our soul and heart with hatred. I heard a recent devotional from Elder Holland called "Isreal, Isreal God is calling" in which he mentioned that that was one of the qualities of the Savior - he improved every situation, by healing the sick, forgiving the sinners, purifying the temple, and so on. What an example to all of us.

 

We look forward to the "box filled with love" - thank you so much. You are so thoughtful and I love you all so much. We have no requests - thank you so much!

The activity sounded like a great success as well! Those activities are so important. We talked about that this week - in the 12 week program we watched a video clip about ward/branch activities and how much good they can do for missionary work. I remember Brother Flinders week after week promoting ward activities, I'm sure putting hours and hours of preparation and planning along with the activities committee, and I just didn't get the why of the activities. But now I get it. Just one more thing my mission has taught me. He was a great example to me, along with many others, of magnifying their calling to do much good.

 

So here are a few answers for you this week:

1. How have your lessons gone? Any new investigators? - Well, this week has been amazing! We have seen some wonderful miracles and are striving to stretch ourselves in the work. We were so blessed last week with so many lessons going through as planned and even getting some unplanned lessons in! This upcoming week we have on plan to go for 21!

 

We're being so blessed with a "new" investigator this week. She was really close to baptism a little over a month ago, working with the missionaries who were here, but she went to the spa for a month and we had limited contact with her. But we had a miracle happen last Wednesday. We had just taught a lesson to a recent convert family and decided to stick to our plan and go to the local high school to ask if they could advertise our English class on their bulletin board. We were on our way when we talked wih the niece of a member here who came up to us. We had a nice talk and during our chat a lady walked up with a little girl and asked us hesitantly "Is one of you  named Payne?" It was our investigator! She had just gotten back to Jihlava and we ran into each other. Some of the members were at the building, so we went with her to the building to reconnect with everyone. It was incredible how everything worked out - just as we walked up to the building, we also saw the Pages, on their last day in Jihlava! It was such a blessing orchestrated by the Lord for her to reconnect so immediately with her member friends. We're thrilled to be back in contact and Heavenly Father is really looking out for her! We have run into her almost every day in Jihlava (that's one way to keep daily contact haha) and yesterday morning she had texted us before church saying that she didn't know if she'd come because she felt sick. We called her and talked for a bit and she said she'd try to compose herself and come - and although she came about 15 minutes late, she came! She stayed for all 3 hours and talked with the members afterwards. She's amazing and gets along really well with them all and will be such a strength to the branch. We saw her again today on the namesti and she said she's so, so glad she came to church yesterday, despite not feeling good. We're so excited to teach her!

 

We also started teaching a married couple who are hilarious. The dad is obsessed with American military and wants to meet Tata! We've truly been blessed this week.

 

2. We are sending your new debit card in the package so look for it...any other requests? - Nope! But thanks!

3. Have you been on any splits this past week? - Yes, I was with Elder E here in Jihlava last Thursday and Friday. It was a wonderful exchange and he's a great missionary!
4. What are you doing for your P day today? Are there any neat castles to visit in Jihlava? - We're going to try touring the Jihlava underground, get some czech adventure patchwork pants, get haircuts, shop, and be missionaries! No real castles close, but it's a charming city!

 

Unfortunately I'm out of time to email, but know that I love you all so, so much and pray for you daily. I love what I'm doing and am so excited for this upcoming month. It'll be the best month ever! I love the gospel I'm sharing - it's true!

 

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

The Lord is in Charge!

April 14, 2013

What a wonderful email! I am so, so happy to hear that little Mary Claire is safe and healthy. Chris and Jenna sent me some photos and she is so cute! Isn't technology just amazing!? Countries and oceans away I can see a picture of her taken a couple days ago. What a blessing. That's great that you'll be able to go and visit. Be sure to give her lots of grandparent love haha (somehow I don't think that you'll have a problem with that haha). I love the name and I remember you showing me pictures of Mary Claire, Tata - what a wonderful namesake.

 

I'm so sorry to hear about Aunt Cori. She will most certainly be in my prayers. I was singing some of her Saints on the Seas songs to Elder P the other day along with "Stand a Little Taller" - it was cool because when I mentioned Stand a Little Taller, he started singing it - he totally knew the song! But even better than the songs and music is who you are, Aunt Cori, and I will be praying for you to get better soon. I wuv you!

 

So here are some answers to your questions first before I go into the experiences of the week:

 

1.  How long on average does it take for mail and or packages to get to you in Jihlava?  As the weeks melt away, we  are interested to know what the "cut-off date" realistically is for us to either send a package or letters.  How weird is that to be actually at the point where we are thinking of those logistics? - Mail takes about 2 weeks average to get to Praha (9 days to 3 weeks is usually the wide frame), and packages about 3 weeks. Then I can get them at the next available opportunity (usually a specialized training). The specialized training in May is in the middle of May, so packages I'd send within 1 week or so and mail I'd send at latest mid-May. Hope that gives you a good idea. It's weird for me to be thinking about that, also.

2.  Are there any "last requests" for specific things from home?  Please let us know.  ANYTHING is fair game! :) - I honestly don't know. I just asked Elder P and perhaps some good peanut butter would be appreciated haha. But honestly, I'm very content. You have been so good about sending me packages and you really don't need to stress over sending something. But I always love letters! I've saved every letter I've received from you both and have sent them home in those packages (those'll be fun to go through haha...lots of papers...). Thanks for everything.

3. What have been the highlights of this week for you and Starsi P? - Wow, we have been so blessed in our efforts this week. 4 new investigators started learning about the gospel last week in Jihlava and they are wonderful people! The first is a woman in her 50s who has been a believer her whole life but is the only believer of her family. She had felt that her faith was dwindling and didn't know if her prayers were being answered. We met and set up a meeting and we taught her in her home last week. She is a wonderful lady and is so ready for the gospel. We are visiting her again tonight. She is very sensitive to the spirit and we're really excited to be able to get to know her better. 

But those weren't the only miracles of the week. This week, we are also going to begin teaching a wonderful couple in their 50s. They contacted the office through email asking if missionaries in Jihlava could teach them English. We were a bit concerned handling the situation because we wanted to use the situation as a finding opportunity but didn't want to be just teaching English and not the gospel (we were not set apart to be English Teachers, after all!). We went to their house and told her up front that we could only come to teach English if we could also teach them the gospel and share a spiritual message during every meeting. Her response was "Great! We're believers anyway, so that's no problem!" We're going over there on Tuesday and will be returning on Friday. What a tender mercy! This work is truly a work of miracles.

4. How was new missionary training in Prague last week?  I'll bet it was wonderful to revisit the mission office as an "alumnus" and reconnect with the APs and the Irwins, Munros, and Curtis'. - The new missionary training was wonderful and inspiring. I realized that it was the first training in about a year that I didn't have to prepare anything for! It was kinda nice haha.

 

Anyways, I'm so blessed to be here. I was very touched by conference this last weekend. All the talks were inspiring, but one thing that stuck out in particular was Sister Dalton's address when she said "Whate'er thou art, act well thy part." It really touched me - now, I need to act my part well. I need to be a good, active missionary right up until the last moment. Then, I need to be a good member missionary, a good son, a good uncle, eventually a good husband and father. Whatever I find myself being, I must act my part well. So now we go to work! We act our parts as best as we know how and seek to uplift all those around us and share the light of the Gospel - the light of our Savior. I love being a missionary in this place at this time with this companion. The Lord is in charge. I love you all.

 

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

We Love Jihlava

April 8, 2013

Well, hi there! It's so good to hear from you all. This has been a good week in the field and we're excited for the continuing prospects of the work here. 

I'm actually emailing from Praha today because tomorrow we will have Progression Training, so here we are! It was very fun and convenient how it worked out - President and Sister Irwin took the Bells, the new senior couple who will be in Jihlava to replace the Pages when they go home in the next couple weeks, down to Jihlava so we arranged to hitch a ride back with them to Praha to save some time and money travelling tonight (plus to get to have a ride with President and Sister Irwin!). It was very fun to be able to interact with both of them again. I love them so, so much. So yes, here we are in Praha!

We heard from the Irwins that Elder Holland's talk was sweet and very inspiring and we look forward to seeing it this weekend. Conference weekends are some of my favorite weekends here in the Czech Republic and are very conducive to missionary work! I'm mindful of last conference - it was then that our investigator and her daughter came for their first lesson and stayed for a session of conference. I'm so looking forward to it (and yes, it'll be in both English and Czech, which will be nice and convenient for us.). 

Please tell Starsi Coleman (I just can't call him anything else - sorry! I'll have to get used to it later haha) that the feeling is mutual and I'd love to pay a visit and would love to meet up with him in Cali as well. It's a real blessing and privilege to serve with someone that you would consider your close friend as well as your companion, and I loved those transfers with Starsi Coleman because of that blessing we had. I remember every companionship inventory racking our brains to think of something that we could improve in our relationship...and we'd end up just looking at each other, showing a glint of a smile, and say "well, I've still got nothing." 

How exciting that baby Mullen should come this week! I will be praying that all will be well.

So here are some answers before I continue on:

1. Are you acclimated now to your new city and did you inherit any active investigators from Elders Engstrom and Rhees? - I love Jihlava - right now we are working with 2 main investigators they left in the area. The first is very soft-spoken but really thinks about what we teach and understands well. He's already in Mosiah in the Book of Mormon.  So we hope that it'll go well. The second investigator we actually haven't met with, but we hear she's amazing. She sounds like a choice lady. She has a little daughter. She went on vacation for a month to the spa (they have these spas here in the Czech Republic where people go for up to a month at a time to heal - they have massages, baths, relaxation stuff, really clean air, etc.) and will be returning on the 17th of this month. We've stayed in contact and have been texting her reading recommendations from the Book of Mormon, which she's been reading. She's also stayed in contact with 2 sisters in the branch, so we're hoping she'll still be on board when she returns next week and will be excited to again work with her. 

2. How and where is your apartment? Where does you little branch meet? - our apartment is on a street called Brezinova (I can't remember the number, but it's a brown little panelak) and it's a nice little place! It's in a bigger panelak with lots of apartments in it and the apartment is actually owned by the Branch President and his wife. The meeting house is in a building right on the main Namesti! (Masarykovo namesti) It's a great place with a perfect location. It is in the only blue building on the namesti and is close to the pillar in the center of the square (across the street from the big cathedral, building number 53). It's a great place, though, and fits our needs perfectly.

3. How is your health? We haven’t asked that question in a long time. - I'm doing great - It's been cold in Jihlava for the past couple weeks but the sun broke through today and is shining, so the heat is well-welcomed by Elder P and I! 

4. Have you had new missionary training with the APs and President Irwin yet? - Nope, that'll be tomorrow. I'm excited for it! It's kind of nice going to a training without having to worry about the logistics of everything - the travel plans that I used to have to make came in the email without me having to go onto jizdnirady.cz! haha. But I'm really excited for what we're going to learn tomorrow. It's incredible how time flies.

5. Tell us a little more about Jihlava. - So, a little more about Jihlava! Well last week we had a nice showing for church, there were 23 people there! The branch president has 2 children and his wife is wonderful and there's another mom with 2 kids who come every week. Then there is the returned missionary superstar (he's the branch mission leader, second counselor in the branch presidency, in the district young men's presidency, and is also working and going to school!), his mom and niece. Then there's  the relief society president who was baptized at the yoga camps, and brother L who is also a long time member. Another brother also comes faithfully but can't stay after sacrament meeting because of his bad back. Then there's a mom and her daughter (the mom's son is serving as a missionary now in Canada!), and a recent convert family. Then you have the senior couple and us, and that's the core of the branch! They're amazing, though. They have a branch goal (can't remember if I already told you this) of having a member at every lesson with investigators. How cool is that!? So last week we taught 8 lessons with members in this little branch. I just love these members so, so much. As for the city itself, there's not much I can say (you know how brilliant my sense of direction is haha), but it's a beautiful little city with wonderful people.

6. How is Starsi P doing? How is his language coming along? Did he attend college prior to his call? What are his interests, talents, strengths? We emailed his mother last week, but haven’t heard back from her yet. - Elder P is amazing. His Czech has improved so, so much in these past 2 weeks. He didn't do any college prior to the mission because he was actually a Navy Seal candidate. But he is so mature and understands how important missionary work it. He is a great people person and everyone who interacts with him loves him, no matter how much or little he speaks. He is great at opening up the youth in the branch and has a great love for people. I hope that this transfer is inspiring for him and that it will set him on a good trajectory for the rest of his mission. 

We're working with lots of people right now in our area and are just trying to help them catch the fire of the gospel. They are wonderful people but it's so hard for some to understand what the gospel means. It's a lot to grasp at once.  The people here have an incredible history. So we continue to search and find and teach those who will receive us. I love this work and am excited for this upcoming week. Elder P and I are keeping a constant attitude of "just one more!" in talking with people. It adds a great spirit into our companionship as we keep going just a little bit further. We've seen some cool miracles from it this last week and are visiting 3 people at their homes who we spoke with at the very end of our finding time when we were about to end or finish or turn back. I know that the Lord blesses his missionaries. I love this work. I love you all. My prayers are with you. 

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

Happy Easter Wherever You Are!!

March 27, 2013

 Hello, family!

So sorry about the lack of email yesterday, no office here in Jihlava for us to conveniently email at haha. But I am so excited and happy to be here. My new companion who I am training is amazing and I have so much love and respect for him already. He is a work horse and is so willing to just jump in with both feet into this experience. Unfortunately the library where we usually email is also closed, so I can't email in full today, we're just sending a short email today from a little cafe with only one computer haha and will write in full tomorrow. We are already seeing miracles here and it is exciting to be back out in the field. I'll send the email in another message for the elder's family - please tell her how much I appreciate her son and all he's done to prepare to be here. It is a privilege being his companion and feel as though I'm learning from him as much, if not more, than I am teaching him. I love you so much and will send a longer email with the details tomorrow. I love missionary work!

S laskou,
Starsi Mullen

Ahoj! So good to be writing you. Now we are in the library and it's open and we're excited to email and fill you in on all the juicy details! I am here in Jihlava and love it. As I wrote in my short email yesterday, my companion is Elder P and he's amazing! I really enjoy working with him and we have had a wonderful first week. My how that week flew by! It's exciting to be out in the field "on the front lines" again.

I loved your emails and hearing about all the happenings at home! How exciting for Libby to go to Africa! What an adventure that'll be. Please continue to send my love and best wishes to all the family. I sure do love you all!

The class schedule looks wonderful and how great that I'll even have MComm with Darren. I loved the picture and seeing that Darren is still Darren, just older and wiser and changed by his mission as all of us have been. I love my friends and feel so blessed to have each of them in my life. I think back to it and realize how much of a wonderful influence each of them had on me. Thanks be to God for good family and good friends!

I'm also continuing to pray for Jenna and the baby! Everyone who I show our picture to just rave about how cute Landon is and when I tell them that Jenna's expecting a baby girl in the next couple weeks, they just love it.

So here are my answers to your questions!

1)  So tell us about this transfer week and what you did with the new missionaries to make them feel excited. - We had a wonderful week of transfers! We picked up the new missionaries and took them on the Prague Walk as usual, and it was a blast. The new missionaries are amazing! We got them metro contacting from the beginning and had a wonderful day with them. It was fun, too, because we didn't tell anyone that I was training, so it was a surprise on Wednesday when President called my name to pair up with my new companion. There is such life and faith that comes into the mission with a new group of missionaries. The work continues to move forward!

2)  Who is the new AP....he will have big pointy shoes to fill for sure!!  We assume that Starsi Gabrielsen stayed on to train the new AP - Yes, Elder Gabrielsen will be AP along with Starsi Osterloh! He was trained by Elder Egger as soon as I left in Plzen and he'll do an amazing job. He's a fantastic missionary and everybody loves him. So I'm super excited for him and Elder Gabrielsen to have a fantastic transfer together.

3)  Tell us about your new companion.  We think he's one lucky elder to have you!! - Ah, I could spend the rest of the email talking about him! He's from Utah, Lindon area I think, and is the oldest of 4 boys. He has a great go-get-em attitude and will have an amazing 2 years here. As I said in the last email, he's a work horse and does everything I encourage him to do. We'll be on a bus and I'll say "Elder, that lady looks like she needs the gospel" and he'll go talk to her with me or even by himself while I speak with someone else or listen in (ready to jump in if he needs any help with the language.) It's not easy coming into a foreign land like this with a language like this one doing all the things we're doing (contacting, tracting, phone calls in czech, extra studies for the 12-week program, etc.), but he's doing a great job. I'm learning so much from him as I hope he learns some things from me. We serve each other like there's no tomorrow (it's a battle to be able to iron one of our own shirts before the other one gets to it haha) and it brings a great spirit into our companionship. I'm so looking forward to these upcoming months serving and learning with him.

4)  Where are some of your other MTC brethren assigned? - Well, Elder S went back to Brno, Elder M is a Zone Leader in Olomouc still, Elder G is an assistant, Elder S is in Ostrava, Elder S in Liberec, and Elder H is in Trebic in my district! How exciting is that!? So we get to bookend our missions together.

5)  Any surprises this transfer?  Who besides Elder Coleman has the BIG transfer? - So 5 Elders had the big transfer -  No incredible surprises, just lots of inspired moves! I got a very nice email from Brother Coleman - please thank him for me and let him know how much I appreciate him and how much I loved the 2 transfers we served together. I look forward to catching up with him more in the future.

6)  Did you decide to send your painting home or will you hand carry it when you come? - I sent the painting home packed up with some other things in a big box. So keep an eye out for it coming. Thanks!

7)  When is p day for you?  We assume it's back to Monday beginning next week. - Yup, P-days will be on Mondays from now on. This week was an exception because of Easter, but from now on it'll be on Monday.

8)  What were the sweetest moments and memories of your final Sunday in Praha?  Are you okay? - Yup, I'm great. In Praha it didn't really even register that it was my last Sunday there. I've spent so many Sundays there that I didn't even realize that there would be a last one! But it was a sweet Sunday. Bratr C had the other missionaries stand up who were leaving and when he had me stand up he said how long I've been here and how much they've appreciated my work there - he then announced that I was going home that week (mixed me up with Elder Coleman haha), to which I quickly corrected "Ne, za dva mesice! Jeste mam dva mesice" haha. It was a wonderful Sunday, though. I love that branch and those people so much.

So I must end now because of time, sorry I can't write more! We are seeing miracles here in Jihlava. It is a small, lovely branch. On Sunday I was reminded of my first Sunday in Plzen. There were 9 members, the senior couple, and us. I got to play the piano, which was a blessing (nobody in the branch knows how, so when a missionary doesn't know how to play they have to sing a capella or to a hymn CD), and the people are amazing. We have a wonderful branch mission leader who is a returned missionary. He served in Wisconsin and wants to study at BYU next year, so we might see each other around often! I love these people already and they are so on board with missionary work! Just between yesterday and today we had 5 lessons with investigators, and all 5 were attended by one of those faithful members. They are huge examples to me. I love these people. I love my companion. This work is true and continues to go on. We've seen what the Lord has done in Plzen in the last 2 years - I'm thrilled to see what'll happen in Jihlava.

I love you all.

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

Joseph's Last Week in Prague!

March 22, 2013

 

 Well it sounds like it was a fantastic family weekend in Granite Bay! How exciting. Please send my greetings and prayers to everyone there. Isn't family just the best!?

Go ahead with the plane reservations for the trip, that'll be a fun trip! My feeling about the traveling is that probably the easiest and least-hassle way to do it would be to only sleep over in 2 cities - Praha and Brno. All the places that we would want to visit are easily accessible for day trips from one of those 2 cities. As far as the hotels here in Praha, I haven't a clue as to where is good - sorry I can't be of help in this area!

How cool that the Smilanick's ran into the Bohne's (or it might have been the Ostergaard's) in London. They'll have a wonderful mission there in Zimbabwe.

So here are some answers for my favorite family! haha
1)  Did you get your Easter Box?  How about the cookie box?  We think there is plenty to share. Ha Ha!!  Just no clues again this year! - Yes, I got both of them, and wowzers! There certainly is plenty to share. Thanks so much. All of the missionaries send their thanks - I gave a box to each district in Praha and HK zones and they were so appreciative of you. Missionary after missionary told me to thank the both of you. Especially Elder B, Elder Coleman's trainee, send his thanks for the pen, Tata. He absolutely loved it and it is a common sight for me to look out at the missionaries at specialized trainings and see them taking notes with a hand-carved olive wood pen. Thanks for that gift to each of them.
2)  Do you have any idea whether or not you are staying in Prague?  If you are not staying, do you know where you are going? We think you mentioned there are like 5 elders and 6 sisters coming this transfer.  Are we remembering correctly?  And that two of the sisters are Slovak speaking.  How cool is that. - Well, I do know that I'm not staying in Praha, but as for where I'm going, that's not for certain yet. President's final decisions for the transfer will be made tonight and then he, Elder Gabrielsen and I will call all the missionary companionships tonight to inform them of the transfer. You're spot on with the group breakdown, there's 4 Czech Elders, 1 Slovak Elder, 4 Czech Sisters, and 2 Slovak sisters. It'll be a fantastic group and I'm thrilled for them to arrive. One of my favorite responsibilities of being Assistant is getting to pick up and be with the new missionaries that first day.
3)  We will be registering you this coming week.  We sent you your schedule.  Does it look okay?  You can decide about art vs english after you get home.  We do however need to ask you about Isys.  Is your first preference to have it at 930 on Tuesday/Thursday or at 2 pm on Tues/Thurs?   It's with the same teacher either way and is the one Chris had and recommended. We will go for your first preference and leave the other as a backup. - The schedule looks fantastic, thanks again for all your work to help me out with it! I'd say for Isys to go for the 9:30 one first to keep my afternoons and evenings as open as possible. I never would have even considered taking an earlier class before my mission haha, but waking up at 6:30 for 2 years does have its effects haha.
4)  Any other changes to your schedule that you want?  We will register you this coming week!  Very exciting! - No other changes, that looks great to me. Thank you thank you thank you!
5)  Are the Irwins still planning on coming to the States for conference?  We would so love to meet them one day and thank them in person!! - Yes, they are still planning on coming. It'll be a blast for you to be able to meet them - you'll absolutely love them.
6)  How are your investigators doing?   We got your pictures plus some from sister Munro and a couple from the Martins when you were there in Brno for training. It looks like you had pizza! :)  We love these glimpses of your life.  You always look so happy, but then you are "our happy boy"! - Our newest member is doing great and the sisters continue to meet with her often to teach the new member lessons. Another investigator unfortunately had to cancel our meeting we had last Sunday but we're still in contact and hopefully he'll come to church. I'm glad you got the photos - Whenever a senior couple takes a picture with me in it, I always wonder how quick it'll be until that picture ends up in your email box haha. That's wonderful and I am so grateful for all the senior couples we have here in the mission. They are a light for the work here.
So this week we have set a high goal and are going for it full speed. We have been mindful of something that Elder Causse trained on when he was here a year ago - that when a companionship can teach 20 lessons a week, baptisms will double. So we decided to really go for it this week and we're totally going to achieve it. We are being so blessed in our efforts to find and teach new people in pursuit of achieving our worthy goals. Let me tell you about a couple miracles:

So after last week, where we literally didn't have hardly any time to teach investigators, we were both really praying for an opportunity to help someone at church. As we drove up to the chapel, I saw a middle-aged lady I'd never seen before walk into the building. So when we went inside, I looked around and saw her sitting alone in the chapel. I introduced myself and sat down and we began talking. She is amazing! She told me how this was here first time at one of our meetings and she decided to come and see what it was like. She has been searching for a true church since she was in her 20s and is so sensitive to the spirit. We set up a meeting for this last Tuesday and it was amazing. She has so many individual beliefs that coincide perfectly with the doctrines of the church and it was cool seeing those lightbulb moments for her. She agreed to another lesson this coming Tuesday and has already been reading the Book of Mormon. At the end of our lesson we knelt in prayer and she said her first prayer she's ever said out loud. The spirit was very strong and we are so excited to see her progress.

So after church on Sunday we had a lesson with one of the relatively recent converts we're working with, and afterwards went to visit a family from Nigeria to drop off a French Book of Mormon they requested. We didn't get to teach them, though, because the father was not home, so we continued on and spent some time finding. We walked around for a bit talking to a couple people and talked with this French girl  who is studying here for a semester. She didn't have interest in meeting but we wrote down the time of some activities, then she took a portrait photo of us for a photography project she's working on, and we parted ways. I'll return to this story later. As we tried to return to our car, we took an accidental (or so we thought) turn and met  a man who has been living in the Czech Republic for 20 something years. But he is amazing and it was such a tender mercy to teach him as he invited us into his office. We're returning tomorrow and are very excited. 

SO fast-forward to Monday evening. We had just finished some office work and went to cross the street to the building to go to the YSA family home evening dinner that the Curtis' host every week. We go to cross the street and who do we see walking up to the gate? Our recent contact and a friend. We walked into the building with them, so excited and shocked to see them actually here, and guess who just "happened" to be there at FHE? ... a French exchange student who is a member. Miracle! We brought him over and said "We have some French friends for you!" He was a little confused and stunned at first, but then he managed to get out "bonjour" and they were off. They had a wonderful experience and are coming for another lesson on Monday before FHE. It was a testimony builder for me to know that truly no effort is wasted.

So then, after FHE, we taught someone who is a real seeker of truth. We read from the Book of Mormon with him in Alma 32 and there were times that he read it and was about to comment on it but had nothing to say. He then said "well, it's true. That's it, I have nothing more to say. Full stop. Let's move on." How cool to see the spirit work with him at that moment. We're also meeting with him Monday.

Another miracle has to do with the branch choir. A recent convert's daughter, came at the end of church to choir and absolutely loved it. She talked with the choir director afterwards and promised her to come to church tomorrow for all 3 hours and to choir afterwards - something that she wouldn't do as an invitation from us. How cool to see the members doing missionary work. She is also going with all the YSA to an activity in Brno for Easter weekend, which will be a wonderful opportunity for her. I pray that she'll feel the spirit  and will continue to be willing to keep learning. The spirit's working with her for sure!

The last experience I want to share before I run out of time happened last Thursday. Plzen branch has moved into a new building and they were holding an open house for the members and public. President Irwin spoke with the branch president there, and arranged to have a missionary choir come to sing a series of short concerts throughout the open house night. So I got to return to Plzen! How cool it was to see that branch thriving in that beautiful new building! My first investigator on my mission turned member was there as well and is still super active in the church. It was cool, though, to see all the members and when we saw them, I saw a little light of recognition come on in their faces as they said "you were here before, weren't you?" Almost 2 years ago that was. Wow.

Čas letí křídly blesku, rodino!

I love you all so much and look forward to letting you know where I'll be next transfer sometime next week. My prayers and thoughts are ever with you. I love you so much, Marmee and Tata. I am so grateful for you and for all you have done and do for me. I am so blessed to have you as parents. 

Know that your favorite Starsi loves you all, as Heavenly Father and our Savior love us all, and I'm praying for you!

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen