Talking to Everyone...
Talking with everyone is so essential. Tuesday afternoon we went contacting in a neighborhood of homes. We stopped to talked to a couple of older men out working outside. One was interested to know more about what we are doing here, and asked for our information. The next day we were in a completely different part of our area, walking by a park to go harvest. We saw a couple playing badminton and I had the feeling, "Go and Harvest. Contact them when you get back." So, we harvested, and then headed home. We said hello, and they invited us to play. We told them we'd love to another time, got to know them, and invited them to an upcoming church activity. We exchanged information. When we called the first man we contacted two days previously, he was so excited. He said, "Hey! Do you know, you've already met my son!" What a wonderful blessing that the Lord leads us to families who are prepared.
May 30, 2011
May 24, 2011
Letter - May 23, 2011
A Beautiful Sunday
It was truly a beautiful Sunday yesterday. Our new convert Vitalij gave his first talk in Sacrament meeting. It was more or less his testimony, and his conversion story. I took a few notes so I could tell you more or less what he said. Even better, he received the Aaronic Priesthood during the priesthood hour.
Hello Brothers and Sisters. I want to testify that I know that God truly is. I know that he prepared me even years before I met the missionaries. He helped me to overcome habits. I remember the first day I walked into the church. As I neared the building, I hesitated, not knowing whether I wanted to go in. I almost changed my mind and walked-past, feeling that somehow going inside was going to change my life forever. When I entered, it felt warm and friendly. When the missionaries greeted me, I felt that I had known them for many years. My baptism day was very peaceful. I fell asleep without a blink that night, and woke up the next morning feeling peaceful. I know that this is God's true church. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.
That's our Vitalij. Isn't he great? The Lord is preparing the hearts of the people of Lithuanija and of the Baltics. We have had many many baptisms this month. What a blessing.
Sister Paul
It was truly a beautiful Sunday yesterday. Our new convert Vitalij gave his first talk in Sacrament meeting. It was more or less his testimony, and his conversion story. I took a few notes so I could tell you more or less what he said. Even better, he received the Aaronic Priesthood during the priesthood hour.
Hello Brothers and Sisters. I want to testify that I know that God truly is. I know that he prepared me even years before I met the missionaries. He helped me to overcome habits. I remember the first day I walked into the church. As I neared the building, I hesitated, not knowing whether I wanted to go in. I almost changed my mind and walked-past, feeling that somehow going inside was going to change my life forever. When I entered, it felt warm and friendly. When the missionaries greeted me, I felt that I had known them for many years. My baptism day was very peaceful. I fell asleep without a blink that night, and woke up the next morning feeling peaceful. I know that this is God's true church. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.
That's our Vitalij. Isn't he great? The Lord is preparing the hearts of the people of Lithuanija and of the Baltics. We have had many many baptisms this month. What a blessing.
Sister Paul
May 6, 2011
Letter - May 2, 2011
The Field is White
Sorry last week's letter cut off suddenly. It probably didn't' make a whole lot of sense. I don't know where the last paragraph went. Anyway, I want everyone to know that my cold is gone, and the weather is nice and cold here once again. I guess I can be grateful that it's not hot.
This past weekend was very special for Sister Jansen and I. We saw two of our investigators baptized. The first was Julija. She's 12. Her mom was baptized about a month ago, and seeing her mother take this step of faith softened her heart as well. She was so so happy. It's a pity her mom wasn't there, because her little brother had the flu. We missionaries put on a dessert buffet of different varieties of a Lithuanian dessert called "log." It's basically a log of frozen chocolate with assorted candy-bars mixed in. When it's set up, it's thinly sliced and it looks like the center-cut of a log.
The other investigator's name is Loretta. She's got a cute 4 year old daughter, is a dance teacher, and loves health food (she even gave me a carton of wheat-grass for Easter!) It was really cool that she got up and bore her testimony on Sunday, and then right after a branch-member who is one of her former students also was able to share her testimony. She is a former investigator of our trainers, who we just happened to call one night three months ago. It was awesome to see that sometimes people just need a little more time. It gives me hope for people I have previously taught.
We hope to see another investigator, Vitalij baptized this Saturday. He's the first investigator that I've taught from beginning to end on my mission. (Loretta and Julija were taught by members of our district after we found them.) Our work here in Vilnius is being incredibly blessed. The whole mission is wondering what is going on in Vilnius because there have been so many miracles. I feel like this scripture is the theme of my mission right now: Jacob 4:7 Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weaknesses that we may know that it is by his grace and his great condescensions unto the children of men that we may have power to do these things.
I love the Baltic people. I know that the Lord loves each one of these people SO much. There's a lot of missionary work that goes into this area, and from the outside, it may seem like there's very little result. I struggled with similar feelings for a long time. However, I would not trade places with any missionary in the world because I know without a doubt that every member of the Church here (as anywhere) is by miracle. I've gained a glimpse of how, "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." I have gained a new appreciation for the phrase, "If it wasn't hard, it wouldn't be worth it."
Love you all, hope things are going well for you. Thank you for your prayers and concern and letters. They mean the world to me.
Sister Paul
Sorry last week's letter cut off suddenly. It probably didn't' make a whole lot of sense. I don't know where the last paragraph went. Anyway, I want everyone to know that my cold is gone, and the weather is nice and cold here once again. I guess I can be grateful that it's not hot.
This past weekend was very special for Sister Jansen and I. We saw two of our investigators baptized. The first was Julija. She's 12. Her mom was baptized about a month ago, and seeing her mother take this step of faith softened her heart as well. She was so so happy. It's a pity her mom wasn't there, because her little brother had the flu. We missionaries put on a dessert buffet of different varieties of a Lithuanian dessert called "log." It's basically a log of frozen chocolate with assorted candy-bars mixed in. When it's set up, it's thinly sliced and it looks like the center-cut of a log.
The other investigator's name is Loretta. She's got a cute 4 year old daughter, is a dance teacher, and loves health food (she even gave me a carton of wheat-grass for Easter!) It was really cool that she got up and bore her testimony on Sunday, and then right after a branch-member who is one of her former students also was able to share her testimony. She is a former investigator of our trainers, who we just happened to call one night three months ago. It was awesome to see that sometimes people just need a little more time. It gives me hope for people I have previously taught.
We hope to see another investigator, Vitalij baptized this Saturday. He's the first investigator that I've taught from beginning to end on my mission. (Loretta and Julija were taught by members of our district after we found them.) Our work here in Vilnius is being incredibly blessed. The whole mission is wondering what is going on in Vilnius because there have been so many miracles. I feel like this scripture is the theme of my mission right now: Jacob 4:7 Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weaknesses that we may know that it is by his grace and his great condescensions unto the children of men that we may have power to do these things.
I love the Baltic people. I know that the Lord loves each one of these people SO much. There's a lot of missionary work that goes into this area, and from the outside, it may seem like there's very little result. I struggled with similar feelings for a long time. However, I would not trade places with any missionary in the world because I know without a doubt that every member of the Church here (as anywhere) is by miracle. I've gained a glimpse of how, "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." I have gained a new appreciation for the phrase, "If it wasn't hard, it wouldn't be worth it."
Love you all, hope things are going well for you. Thank you for your prayers and concern and letters. They mean the world to me.
Sister Paul
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