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
May 24, 2011
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
April 25, 2011
Letter - April 25, 2011
He is Risen! Happy Easter!
It's been a great week. I really enjoyed the opportunity to take the sacrament, to start over, and to rely on the enabling power of the atonement. I was able to sit next to a wonderful new convert, her name is Vida. She received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then we began to sing the sacrament hymn, "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." I was surprised to look over and see tears of joy just streaming down her face. I was so happy just to share this Easter Sunday with her. One Elder also spoke and shared a wonderful testimony of the Savior. I am so grateful for the examples and testimonies of all the members here. They strengthen me so much.
I feel that a mission is a great gift to me, that I am learning a lot. Most of all, I'm learning to follow the spirit "Liahona" and build faith. Today I read first Nephi 16 and really enjoyed Nephi's account of how the Lord brought him understanding. It was a hard week for me physically as I have been down with a cold, but I was also able to receive a priesthood blessing of healing which contained some of the most inspired counsel I have ever heard. I feel that I have gained a better understanding of who God is. This new understanding will affect the way I live my life every day.
1 Nephi 16:29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.
Because Nephi's family gained a new understanding of the nature of God, they also felt that it was an important time to "tarry for a space." Though I will still do plenty of missionary work for the rest of my mission, I want to serve with more forethought, so that I can know where we need to be and when. Had the family not tarried for awhile, they would have missed enjoying the last of Ishmael's time here on Earth. I miss so many blessings when I am too busy and too rushed to feel the spirit. Listening is a spiritual skill. Hurrying is not among the Christ-like attributes.
1 Nephi 16:33 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning; and after we had traveled for the space of many days we did pitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of a time.
It's been a great week. I really enjoyed the opportunity to take the sacrament, to start over, and to rely on the enabling power of the atonement. I was able to sit next to a wonderful new convert, her name is Vida. She received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then we began to sing the sacrament hymn, "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." I was surprised to look over and see tears of joy just streaming down her face. I was so happy just to share this Easter Sunday with her. One Elder also spoke and shared a wonderful testimony of the Savior. I am so grateful for the examples and testimonies of all the members here. They strengthen me so much.
I feel that a mission is a great gift to me, that I am learning a lot. Most of all, I'm learning to follow the spirit "Liahona" and build faith. Today I read first Nephi 16 and really enjoyed Nephi's account of how the Lord brought him understanding. It was a hard week for me physically as I have been down with a cold, but I was also able to receive a priesthood blessing of healing which contained some of the most inspired counsel I have ever heard. I feel that I have gained a better understanding of who God is. This new understanding will affect the way I live my life every day.
1 Nephi 16:29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.
Because Nephi's family gained a new understanding of the nature of God, they also felt that it was an important time to "tarry for a space." Though I will still do plenty of missionary work for the rest of my mission, I want to serve with more forethought, so that I can know where we need to be and when. Had the family not tarried for awhile, they would have missed enjoying the last of Ishmael's time here on Earth. I miss so many blessings when I am too busy and too rushed to feel the spirit. Listening is a spiritual skill. Hurrying is not among the Christ-like attributes.
1 Nephi 16:33 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning; and after we had traveled for the space of many days we did pitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of a time.
April 12, 2011
Letter - April 11, 2011
April Showers
Dear Everyone,
Can you believe how the time has flown? I’m sorry for being so terribly silent through emails. I have seen miracles happen here in Vilnius lately. We have three investigators who have set dates to be baptized. That’s unheard of. Each of the companionships here in Vilnius are doing equally well. I attribute it the blessings first to The Lord, but also to the faith of the members, who fasted in March for the missionary work of this area. The weather has been rainy, sometimes icy, and sometimes sunny, but always changing it's mind a couple times a day.
It was a spiritual feast to enjoy General Conference this week. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be serving in the mission field right now. I am hopeful as ever that we will continue to find humble men and women who wish to follow Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to hear from a living prophet and apostles. How wonderful that this year is the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible as well as the 75th anniversary of the Church welfare program. I hope to finish a faithful mission, to serve with every last bit of strength I have. I still lack courage sometimes (I know, hard to believe.) In some ways, I’m striving to get back some of that trainee fire that I had to talk to more people. I’m doing better missionary work than I’ve ever done, and there’s still a long way to go.
We will see one of our investigators baptized with two others on the 30th of May. He, along with two others, will be the first convert baptisms in the Vilnius Branch in about a year. The members here are so wonderful I can hardly stand it. They are some of the most giving people I know.
The investigators’ name is Vitalij. He started coming to English Class a few months ago. One lesson we invited all our students to come with questions about us which they would like us to answer. Rarely if ever do our students actually take us up on the offer, but he did. We were able to answer his questions to the class and give a simple testimony before showing, yes, the Restoration film. A week later, he asked for a Book of Mormon, and attended a baptismal service held that day. He read the entire book in a couple weeks, and accepts every commandment we teach him. He is humble and good. He said the Book of Mormon was pretty hard for him to understand the first time, so we taught him to pray for understanding. He says he can feel the spirit helping him to understand, especially since this second time through he’s reading in Lithuanian rather than Russian. I can hardly believe it. I can hardly believe how happy he is to receive the gospel. Hearing so many ‘no’s on my mission, as I’m sure everyone does, has just helped me to value all the more those ‘yesses.’
Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His Church. Thomas S. Monson is His prophet. This is His work. I Love you all.
Sister Paul
You will complete your full-time missionary service here in the Baltic Mission on Friday, 24 June 2011 and return home. Further details and information relating to your departure will come to you in a few weeks.
You have answered the invitation of the Savior to follow Him. The principle He taught His disciples applies to you as well: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” You have had your hands on the plow as you have been diligently serving. Keep your hands there and your attention fixed on the task at hand.
In fact, now is the time to lift your focus and diligence up one more notch. The Lord has work for you to do. The salvation of His children, who are your brothers and sisters, is depending on you. I have several suggestions to help you finish strong.
1. Keep the missionary schedule exactly.
2. Set daily and weekly goals and accomplish them—set goals for proselyting, study, and Christ-like attributes.
3. Keep diligently studying your mission language.
4. Keep your departure date to yourself.
5. Invite your companion (and district members) to never mention or discuss your departure—focus on today and talk about your investigators and how to accomplish your goals.
6. Invite your family to not discuss post mission plans in their emails—ask them to help you focus on serving with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.
7. If you have educational deadlines or to-do’s, get them done on preparation day and forget them.
8. Mentally avoid making plans or thinking about your home-coming. Focus all those thoughts to a month or two beyond your departure date and keep your thoughts vague. This keeps you from dwelling or getting caught up in events beyond your mission.
Dear Everyone,
Can you believe how the time has flown? I’m sorry for being so terribly silent through emails. I have seen miracles happen here in Vilnius lately. We have three investigators who have set dates to be baptized. That’s unheard of. Each of the companionships here in Vilnius are doing equally well. I attribute it the blessings first to The Lord, but also to the faith of the members, who fasted in March for the missionary work of this area. The weather has been rainy, sometimes icy, and sometimes sunny, but always changing it's mind a couple times a day.
It was a spiritual feast to enjoy General Conference this week. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be serving in the mission field right now. I am hopeful as ever that we will continue to find humble men and women who wish to follow Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to hear from a living prophet and apostles. How wonderful that this year is the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible as well as the 75th anniversary of the Church welfare program. I hope to finish a faithful mission, to serve with every last bit of strength I have. I still lack courage sometimes (I know, hard to believe.) In some ways, I’m striving to get back some of that trainee fire that I had to talk to more people. I’m doing better missionary work than I’ve ever done, and there’s still a long way to go.
We will see one of our investigators baptized with two others on the 30th of May. He, along with two others, will be the first convert baptisms in the Vilnius Branch in about a year. The members here are so wonderful I can hardly stand it. They are some of the most giving people I know.
The investigators’ name is Vitalij. He started coming to English Class a few months ago. One lesson we invited all our students to come with questions about us which they would like us to answer. Rarely if ever do our students actually take us up on the offer, but he did. We were able to answer his questions to the class and give a simple testimony before showing, yes, the Restoration film. A week later, he asked for a Book of Mormon, and attended a baptismal service held that day. He read the entire book in a couple weeks, and accepts every commandment we teach him. He is humble and good. He said the Book of Mormon was pretty hard for him to understand the first time, so we taught him to pray for understanding. He says he can feel the spirit helping him to understand, especially since this second time through he’s reading in Lithuanian rather than Russian. I can hardly believe it. I can hardly believe how happy he is to receive the gospel. Hearing so many ‘no’s on my mission, as I’m sure everyone does, has just helped me to value all the more those ‘yesses.’
Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His Church. Thomas S. Monson is His prophet. This is His work. I Love you all.
Sister Paul
You will complete your full-time missionary service here in the Baltic Mission on Friday, 24 June 2011 and return home. Further details and information relating to your departure will come to you in a few weeks.
You have answered the invitation of the Savior to follow Him. The principle He taught His disciples applies to you as well: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” You have had your hands on the plow as you have been diligently serving. Keep your hands there and your attention fixed on the task at hand.
In fact, now is the time to lift your focus and diligence up one more notch. The Lord has work for you to do. The salvation of His children, who are your brothers and sisters, is depending on you. I have several suggestions to help you finish strong.
1. Keep the missionary schedule exactly.
2. Set daily and weekly goals and accomplish them—set goals for proselyting, study, and Christ-like attributes.
3. Keep diligently studying your mission language.
4. Keep your departure date to yourself.
5. Invite your companion (and district members) to never mention or discuss your departure—focus on today and talk about your investigators and how to accomplish your goals.
6. Invite your family to not discuss post mission plans in their emails—ask them to help you focus on serving with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.
7. If you have educational deadlines or to-do’s, get them done on preparation day and forget them.
8. Mentally avoid making plans or thinking about your home-coming. Focus all those thoughts to a month or two beyond your departure date and keep your thoughts vague. This keeps you from dwelling or getting caught up in events beyond your mission.
March 21, 2011
Letter - March 21, 2011
Blossoms Everywhere
Special thanks for your letters. I have many true friends in the St. George 4th Ward. Your testimonies lift me even more than you can know.
What a blessing. We were able to have a lesson with member participation and a woman named Nijole. Then she and the member came to church on their own. Yay! We love members! We love members!
Wow. This week we had three lessons with member participation. Members make such a wonderful difference. They have a special ability to relate to our investigators. They can often share personal experiences which help.
We had a miracle 3-new-investigator night. After a lesson, we had a really short of time left to harvest. We relied on the spirit to know whether to harvest where we were or somewhere else. We felt that we should harvest near our home. We don't often to this because we know that most buildings have been knocked fairly recently, but we were let right into the first door we knocked. There was a nice elderly couple and a grand daughter who let us come in and visit. We were able to testify simply and in unity of the restoration. How great is our call.
Our progressing investigators right now are Egle, Nijole, and Rasa. We have been able to start having member presents with each of them. Truly this is the Lord's work. As the spirit has touched them (especially through prayer and church attendance) they are starting to have an increased desire to courageously follow the example of Jesus Christ.
There will be a baptism this Saturday of a woman I contacted back in September. We hope that all three of our investigators will be able to attend. It was a great week, and our work was blessed by the teaching and training we received while attending the Sisters' Conference in Riga.
Special thanks for your letters. I have many true friends in the St. George 4th Ward. Your testimonies lift me even more than you can know.
What a blessing. We were able to have a lesson with member participation and a woman named Nijole. Then she and the member came to church on their own. Yay! We love members! We love members!
Wow. This week we had three lessons with member participation. Members make such a wonderful difference. They have a special ability to relate to our investigators. They can often share personal experiences which help.
We had a miracle 3-new-investigator night. After a lesson, we had a really short of time left to harvest. We relied on the spirit to know whether to harvest where we were or somewhere else. We felt that we should harvest near our home. We don't often to this because we know that most buildings have been knocked fairly recently, but we were let right into the first door we knocked. There was a nice elderly couple and a grand daughter who let us come in and visit. We were able to testify simply and in unity of the restoration. How great is our call.
Our progressing investigators right now are Egle, Nijole, and Rasa. We have been able to start having member presents with each of them. Truly this is the Lord's work. As the spirit has touched them (especially through prayer and church attendance) they are starting to have an increased desire to courageously follow the example of Jesus Christ.
There will be a baptism this Saturday of a woman I contacted back in September. We hope that all three of our investigators will be able to attend. It was a great week, and our work was blessed by the teaching and training we received while attending the Sisters' Conference in Riga.
March 13, 2011
Letter - March 7, 2011
OH Boy!
My heart swells with gratitude as I approach my year mark in the field. It will be next Monday, March 15. I'll also be heading to a Sisters' Conference, so I don't know if I'll be emailing next week. Gratitude has become an increasing important part of my life and of my mission the longer I serve. Gratitude, as President Monson talked about in October General Conference, brings wholeness to life. Gratitude kind of checks my ever-increasing desire for excellence.
Yesterday was an especially fun day in church. I got to lead the 2nd hour gospel principles discussion. It was a real test of my language skills. I'm really just getting a hang of some of the simpler grammar principles of this language. By grace, and with a lot of smiles and help from the class, we were able to have a romping gospel discussion, have a great balance of input from the class members. I really really enjoy when things "get a little out of hand," in other words, the class-members were excited and commenting.
We have met a great investigator, his name is Vitali, and he is from English Class. In English, we invited our investigators to ask questions they want to know about us in English during the next class period. He followed the commitment, came with a list of questions, and even asked for a Book of Mormon. The next week, he was taught a first lesson, attended the baptism following hour, and then came to the full three hours of church the next day. It doesn't stop there. He's coming to family home evening tonight. He has seen something different in us, and he's willing to know more. That's a miracle!
My heart swells with gratitude as I approach my year mark in the field. It will be next Monday, March 15. I'll also be heading to a Sisters' Conference, so I don't know if I'll be emailing next week. Gratitude has become an increasing important part of my life and of my mission the longer I serve. Gratitude, as President Monson talked about in October General Conference, brings wholeness to life. Gratitude kind of checks my ever-increasing desire for excellence.
Yesterday was an especially fun day in church. I got to lead the 2nd hour gospel principles discussion. It was a real test of my language skills. I'm really just getting a hang of some of the simpler grammar principles of this language. By grace, and with a lot of smiles and help from the class, we were able to have a romping gospel discussion, have a great balance of input from the class members. I really really enjoy when things "get a little out of hand," in other words, the class-members were excited and commenting.
We have met a great investigator, his name is Vitali, and he is from English Class. In English, we invited our investigators to ask questions they want to know about us in English during the next class period. He followed the commitment, came with a list of questions, and even asked for a Book of Mormon. The next week, he was taught a first lesson, attended the baptism following hour, and then came to the full three hours of church the next day. It doesn't stop there. He's coming to family home evening tonight. He has seen something different in us, and he's willing to know more. That's a miracle!
February 10, 2011
Letter - February 7, 2011
Gediminas Castle - Vilnius, Lithuania
So...Lithuanian
Today, we visited Gediminas Castle. It's right in the Center of Vilnius, and is the national symbol of Lithuania. We saw pictures of Lithuania before it was dedicated, how desert-like the land was. We were amazed. The country was dedicated for missionary work next to the Castle. In the dedication prayer, the land was blessed with rain. Now, the country is drenched many months of the year.
Fun Fact: Lithuania is the first country to have it's national anthem sung simultaneously around the world.
Fun Fact: Google The Baltic Way sometime. We read about how there was a human chain going through all three countries of our mission in demonstration of solidarity against the Soviet union. PUIKU!
Missionary Work: We currently have three women that we hope will come and bring their families to sacrament meeting. The first, her name is Rasa, and she has two children and a husband. The second is Jurgita, she has a son. We are hoping to have a member present with Jurgita and a member named Audrys. Unfortunately Jurgita's son has been ill so it's going to be really hard to find time to meet. The third is Nijole. Nijole, who feels that she should be baptized, but has doubts about how her acquaintances would react. She doesn't know if she can explain her choice well, and consequently wonders if it would be a wise choice at all. Again, we need to work hard to find answers in her behalf.
We live in a wonderful age. We're seeing many prophecies come to pass. Last week, we visited with man named Giedrus. He showed us a picture which reminded me of an Isaiah scripture. It was him standing on a tractor. It was a huge soviet-looking thing. Then we saw a picture from another angle, and could see that it was just a tank with the tracks taken off and wheels put on in place.
This is Isaiah 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Won't that be a wonderful day, when all our tanks look like his? So, this man is such a character. He also served us tomato juice. Sister Alldredge and I kindly accepted it and gave it a taste and thanked him. "You're welcome, my sister says it's good for your heart. " He remarks as he raises the bottle, chugs, and puts it back in the fridge. The juice didn't look so appetizing after that.
Love,
Sister Paul
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