Letter - November 22, 2010

Here are some lovely pictures from the leadership training in Riga. We red-heads were on the prowl for investigators.
We, of course, don't speak a lick of Latvian. (Latvian is similar to Lithuanian, but all the first syllables have accents, and all the endings are truncated. I would compare it to a drunk-sailor trying to speak Lithuanian.) However, someone I contacted in English now has, or had, a baptismal date. Yay!!
Also, here is a recent letter I wrote to President Dance:

Dear President Dance,

What a wonderful opportunity it was to hear from President Scwitzer. I have personally found a lot of joy and challenge in applying his inspired counsel.

Sister Edgin and I have put in three hard months together. She has taught me very much, more than few people have over the course of my life. Our week was hampered by the fact that Sister Edgin had food poisoning, but it seems that all is better. I feel a sort of sadness and excitement with transfers coming up.

I find that with the increased comprehension of the language, that there is a certain level of freedom and joy in missionary work that has come about. I can help more in branch auxiliaries. I can express more of my personal life experiences. The one thing that hasn't changed is the heart-break that can come when investigators don't follow the witnesses of the spirit that they have received ultimately accepting baptism. I know that I am called of the Lord. The feelings of sadness drive me to want to be better. I want to be a more kind person, President. As I understand the people more, they also have the ability to try my patience, my charity in a whole new way. I find myself lacking in the Christ-like attributes.

The application of President Schwitzer's teaching for me is a deepening of my level of personal consecration. I feel that this can only help the missionary work. Sometimes I wonder, President, whether I'm in a sort of Zion's Camp. I want so badly to see some results of my service here. I long to see someone accept baptism. However, I know that the personal growth I experience because of these times will have impact far beyond these 18 months. I didn't think I was coming here to experience growth. I thought I was coming here to "perform" if you will, or "produce results." I little expected that the product being refined was me. I feel a new acquaintance with my Savior because of this time. I think of his ministry, of his life and example, and I feel often his influence in my life. I am humbled, it is "wonderful to me."

Thank you for the opportunity to serve,

Sister Paul

Letter - November 8, 2010

D&C 103: 9 For they were set to be a a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men

We've had some really neat experiences this week. Sister Edgin called a couple of phone numbers which we hadn't called in forever, and we had some really wonderful lessons come out of it. One of their names was Gabija. Her parents are scientific researchers. She loves to think and reason empirically, and she's also eager to understand the process of personal revelation by the means of faith. She mercilessly studied 2 Ne 2 and Alma 34. She has decided to wait awhile to investigate because her mother has forbidden it, and she's a Senior in High School. We know that she knows where she can turn when she's grown up a little.

Our second miracle's name is Elina. She's a free-spirited Latvian who's studying architecture. She, and I as well, love Eckhart Tolle. On our most recent lesson, she started bringing up concerns that caused her to doubt that Christ could really be the Savior. She expressed a desire to know. Sister Edgin, guided by the spirit, taught about the role of prayer in knowing truth. We knew that this could be a big hurdle for her because her background is in meditation. We invited her to say the closing prayer, and she said she had no idea how to do it. We taught her again very simply, and then she said her very first prayer with us. The spirit was incredible as she thanked God for our meeting, and thanked him for his guidance. As she closed, we sat for a moment and she said, "I want to feel tickles all the time."

This is His work. What a wonderful time it is to be alive. Thank you all for your prayers. Things that grow more slowly generally live longer. I'm definitely experiencing some slow growth. With any luck, something's going to stick :)

We also had some wonderful upside down apple cake this week. I thought I'd send you the recipe:

Melt butter in the bottom of baking pan.
Cut 8 cups of apples and line the bottom.
Sprinkle cinnamon.
Put little pieces of butter on the top.

Then, mix batter in separate pan:
5 eggs
2 cups sugar
200 g butter (between 3/4 and 1 cup)
200 g gretine or sour cream (between 3/4 and 1 cup)
2 cups flour
2 spoons baking powder

This truly is a season of plenty.

Thanks for all your Prayers,

Sister Paul

Letter - November 1, 2010

Happy Halloween!

I feel that the Lord has just kept us going with little tender mercies along the way. We've had some wonderful opportunities to really bond with a few of the members as they've spontaneously befriended our investigators. Last Sunday, I felt impressed to speak with a member. She opened up to me about how her husband is struggling with his testimony. Later that day she told me about how she had begun efforts to really magnify her church calling. She even participated more in Sunday School. Just a simple conversation at the right time can really make a difference. I've seen such a change in her countenance, just from knowing that I cared. Maybe it's just my perception that's changed, but I think that when we seek to work with members more, it not only helps them, but we're happier and work better. I'm so grateful for the examples of the members here.The 3oth was a branch Halloween activity. So Happy Birthday Rachel. I celebrated on my side of the world. We found some really scary clothes from the 80's underneath my bed last week. We decided to use them as our Halloween costumes. I really enjoyed making chili for the group. The only problem was, that the chili at it's normal strength was far too spicy for the Lithuanians. They were all red in the face. OOPS!! I guess the trick is on them this year. (I am hard pressed to find anything spicy here.)The 31st had its share of tricks for us. Sister Edgin and I were on our way out to go knocking when she noticed water flowing out from our washing machine door. Our unplugged, and apparently possessed washer, had begun leaking through the entry way. We had to call our landlord over. That washing machine has given us tons of trouble these last two transfers. Sometimes it would run all night before we could open the door and get our clothes back. It was so fitting that this infernal machine would give us trouble last night. With the flooding, the landlord finally got the message, and we should have a new one this week.Today is Day of The Dead in Lithuania. There was a new statue at our bus stop in commemoration. There are so many who do not know about the plan of salvation. Through this plan, we can celebrate every day as the Day of the Living. Let us remember the sacrifice of our Savior every day. What a blessing it was yesterday to read a letter written from Aunt Marylynn about Sarah being sealed and Christiana receiving her endowment. Woot Woot for eternal families!

I love you all

Sister Paul