Letter - May 17, 2010

Hello All!

We've had an interesting couple weeks. Last week we had a conference with all of the missionaries in Lithuania, and then yesterday, we traveled again for a district conference (equivalent of a stake conference) in Kaunas.

A note on Lithuanian food: mayonnaise and garlic are a must on everything. In fact, if you can have both together, that's even better. This flavor is so popular that they sell bottles of garlic-mayonnaise in a two-pack with another 28 oz bottle of ketchup. We had a Lithuanian teacher from the MTC passing through Vilnius, and a group of us went to have lunch together. I ordered a traditional "Chicken Pudding." I was just excited to eat chicken and rice. However, when the entree came out, half of it's contents, to my dismay, was a layer of baked mayonnaise over the whole thing. I distinctly remember the feelings of the "Undercover Brother," his aversion to mayonnaise. I feel that I have gained a new empathy for his lamentations.

It was wonderful to see the Lithuanian saints all in one place, to meet some of my trainers' converts, and see how happy they are to have the gospel. We heard a talk from Elder Paul, and others. The day before was special for our branch, because we had a 14-year old girl baptized, making her family a full-member family. They also called and asked if I would talk at her baptism. Knowing Austea, the Baptismee, was really shy, I said I would only talk if she would talk with me. To my surprise, she said yes. I was really touched by the spirit, as we stood together and spoke. I was very touched to think of my own baptismal day, and how much more that covenant has come to mean to me. I stuttered with my baby-Lithuanian, and she bore her sweet, young testimony. No matter how limited our ability to express ourselves, it is always the right time to share what we know. It's always the right time to lift those that hang low.

Myliu Jus,

Sesuo Paul