Letter - August 30, 2010

Dedication

Hello All!

What a wonderful weekend it has been. Surprise! I got transferred a week early, and am now living in Vilnius with a pair of Russian sisters. I will be training a new Lithuanian Sister in a few days, so I've been sent back to Vilnius to get a handle on some things. I have to say it's been pretty odd to work with companions whose language I don't understand. It was hard for me to leave Kaunas unexpectedly.

This Saturday and Sunday we were able to prepare the branch building and watch the Kyiv Temple Dedication. There really was a special spirit in the ward building on Sunday, and we missionaries were filled with feelings of gratitude and triumph as the first temple in all of Eastern Europe was dedicated to the Lord. This temple will served the saints of Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Russia including Siberia, Georgia, Armenia, and Khazakstan. President Monson gave us some beautiful words, encouraging us to turn our members and our families to the temple. He spoke of his family very tenderly, he invited many children to participate in the sealing of the cornerstone. I really enjoyed the words of President Gilbreth, as he spoke of Moses restoring the Keys of Gathering through Joseph Smith, that millions of saints would one day gather to hundreds of temples all over the world. The Kyiv temple is the 134th temple.

My new trainee and I will be building from the ground up starting this Thursday. Please keep her in your prayers. Her name is Sister Edgely. Summer's already on it's way out here in Lithuania.

Love Sister Paul

Letter - August 17, 2010

Because He Loved Us First

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been a time of searching and recommitment, as I've tasted a little disappointment. My first time extending the baptismal commitment was the week previous. The spirit was present, and Regina, the grandmother of one of our investigators, accepted to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. However, since then, she had a misunderstanding with her family (possibly about the fact that she was meeting with us) and has ceased all contact with us.

This Monday, we had a special zone conference in Vilnius. I know that our mission leaders are inspired. I'm grateful for the people the Lord has placed in my path, knowing that that is just what I will need. I read a verse in John the other day which was really meaningful. "We love him, because he loved us first." I want to serve, always, because he loved me first, not because of any rewards I may earn.I'm out of time to write. I attached a picture of us at Kaunas Castle. We held a car-naming ceremony at this historical site. We named the car "The Travolta."We also had a very large storm here in Kaunas. We are spanning our arms across the base of a fallen tree in the park near our house.Love you all,

Sesuo Paul

Letter - August 2, 2010

Bison statue at Kauno ąžuolynas Park in Kaunas, Lithuania

When it Rains, it Pours

Dear Family,

This week we had quite the cloud-burst as we were walking home from the Church toward our house. It was so dark outside, it looked like the Baltic version of 10:00 at night. We were dashing for cover as the lightning and thunder started to crash progressively nearer. We stopped under an over-hang, and I looked to my right and recognized a wizened elderly face we'd seen somewhere before. We didn't have much time, but I wished him a good day and we hurried on. I prayed that we'd run into him again, since it wouldn't have been safe or pleasant to start small talk at that moment. We made it home scared out of our minds, tired, and smelling like sewer run-off. During our lunch break, the rain took a break. The second we stepped outside, the onslaught resumed. The following morning we went to a park to do some contacting, and who should walk right in front of us but the man we had seen the day earlier. Although he was not terribly receptive of our message the first time we talked, this time he gladly accepted a pamphlet, said he would read it, and was excited to talk with us again. I know that there are truly people the Lord wants in our path.

We also spent a good part of our Saturday at Rumšiškės. Each of the branches in Lithuania prepared skits and picnic lunches. There was dancing and sporting and all sorts of merry-making. We also had the opportunity to see the Open-Air Museum of Lithuania, a gigantic museum chronicling the ethnic background of the four regions of Lithuania. I stood in front of a Jurtas and walked inside a railway car used to haul the intellectuals of Lithuania to their new life. I couldn't help but pause a bit to reflect on a few of my own blessings.

Jurta (a type of dwelling from Soviet GULAGS in Siberia)
Railway car dedicated to the Lithuanians deported to Siberia.
This train car was used to transport people 10,000 km to the remote region of Russia.

The following night, I felt the spirit especially strong as we were knocking doors. We returned to one stairwell that we couldn't break into the week before. Surprisingly, we were able to get in without a hitch. We were let in by a woman named Stasa. She told us that tomorrow would be the day her sister died 6 years ago, and she told us her life had been hard. She had such a good, tender, and wonderful spirit about her. She said, honestly, she wouldn't repeat her life again if she could. It had been too hard. She had seen to much heart-ache. She said she believes we are called of God. I don't know what will happen to her, but I know the Lord is mindful of the smallest sparrow, and that he knew Stasa needed a hello.

Much Love,

Sister Paul

Windmill at Rumšiškės, Lithuania

Display for the Open House that happened last week. We spent close to 20 hours trying to write that thing. A pottery craftsman in the Rumšiškės museum.
We've named him Japetto.