Me and my Mission President and his wife
There's me, binging on an oatmeal cookie
There's me and the only other natural redhead I've seen in all of Lithuania
March 29, 2010
Ta Dah - Pictures!!
Me and my Mission President and his wifeThere's me, binging on an oatmeal cookieThere's me and the only other natural redhead I've seen in all of Lithuania
Funny Story for the Week!
I was trying to talk to someone on the bus, and so I read my Book of Mormon until I found a word I didn't know. I asked him what it meant. He said, "to be burned. Someone will be burned." I decided that was not a good word to start a religious discussion about, so I said thanks, and left him alone.
Mucho Mylei!
SesePaul
Letter - March 29, 2010
So, another week has gone by. Things have warmed up a bit. It's been a frustrating week as far as the language goes. I am also a little under the weather. But besides that, we had a really nice Sunday yesterday. We really stretched ourselves yesterday, when we set a goal for one lesson with only have the day to knock doors. As of yesterday morning, we had not crossed the threshold of a door to share with anyone.
While we were picking up trash around the community last Saturday, I greeted a woman and noticed that she was crying a little. She told me that she was even a little familiar with our church, they had attended church once. I got her phone number, and we went by yesterday to visit her and their husband and bring them a cake. It was so nice to hear an "užeikite" (come in!) when we were standing on her doorstep. We shared with them, and talked about their palm Sunday. The husband and wife were just elderly good catholic people. Romas (the husband) only had one leg, but this seems to just have softened him rather than hardened him. We left them a Book of Mormon, and had a wonderful time together.
Also, I was pulled out of the last few minutes of primary because there were two young girls sitting on our couch in the lobby asking questions about our church. They were on a road trip and just happened to be walking by. We were able to have an entire first lesson, give them a Book of Mormon reading assignment, they committed to pray and come visit church next week, hopefully. They were really cute free-spirits who like Buddha too.
We have one progressing investigator. We were hoping that his entire family of six siblings and parents would also be interested in our message, but as of now, mom told us she is not interested in changing faiths. It was a little bit of a downer, but we still have high hopes for them. So, if any of you want to, I need prayers for Inga and her seven kids, Edvinas, Evaldas, Neringa, Skaiste, and the four youngest. Kind of different names. Huh?
I am sorry my English is so lousy. I am just lazy lately. My language brain has had it. Life is great! We see little miracles every day.
Love,
Sister Paul
While we were picking up trash around the community last Saturday, I greeted a woman and noticed that she was crying a little. She told me that she was even a little familiar with our church, they had attended church once. I got her phone number, and we went by yesterday to visit her and their husband and bring them a cake. It was so nice to hear an "užeikite" (come in!) when we were standing on her doorstep. We shared with them, and talked about their palm Sunday. The husband and wife were just elderly good catholic people. Romas (the husband) only had one leg, but this seems to just have softened him rather than hardened him. We left them a Book of Mormon, and had a wonderful time together.
Also, I was pulled out of the last few minutes of primary because there were two young girls sitting on our couch in the lobby asking questions about our church. They were on a road trip and just happened to be walking by. We were able to have an entire first lesson, give them a Book of Mormon reading assignment, they committed to pray and come visit church next week, hopefully. They were really cute free-spirits who like Buddha too.
We have one progressing investigator. We were hoping that his entire family of six siblings and parents would also be interested in our message, but as of now, mom told us she is not interested in changing faiths. It was a little bit of a downer, but we still have high hopes for them. So, if any of you want to, I need prayers for Inga and her seven kids, Edvinas, Evaldas, Neringa, Skaiste, and the four youngest. Kind of different names. Huh?
I am sorry my English is so lousy. I am just lazy lately. My language brain has had it. Life is great! We see little miracles every day.
Love,
Sister Paul
March 22, 2010
Letter - March 22, 2010
Labbas,
Here I am in Lithuania. The snow was melting today, so I decided to dress for spring. As I was standing at the bus stop near my house, a snowflake landed on this lady's hat, and didn't begin to melt for at least five seconds. I was fooled.
I just had my first chocolate filled croissant (sp?) and later, I ate an entire large pizza: the exotic had sweet hot chili sauce, pineapple, and chicken. (Lithuanian crusts are much thinner.) So, I'm sure you'd all rather know about the work here. It's been great so far. On our first day of meeting President and Sister Dance, we went contacting for an hour and a half. Since we were in Latvia, I just used English, but we ended up with three phone numbers in 45 minutes.
I taught my first lesson in Lithuanian on the 5 hour bus ride, since I had nothing better to do. I think she was teaching me more Lithuanian than I was teaching her about the Book of Mormon. We've been contacting on the streets, harvesting (apartment knocking), and contacting on the streets when we're not teaching. I seem to do alright on buses. I've been able to carry on a few conversations and get a few phone numbers, but there's something about talking to people on the street that is not quite as easy for me. Some people are fairly easy to understand.
Last week, we tried to go by a less-active's home, but we couldn't break-into the lock on the front of the apartment building, so we found an older guy on the bench in the park. We asked him where he's from, and he said, Siberia in broken Lithuanian (or so my companion said). He knew German better than any other language, but mine was pretty shabby after Lithuanian being poured through it for two months. His name was Vladimar. We talked a bunch about great authors and composers, and then later last week we taught him a first lesson. He's kind of crazy, so I'll have to let you know how it goes.
I've talked with people from all sorts of walks of life. We ran into some English-speaking anarchist Yogi-like guys with several several piercings, and we had at least a half-hour conversation on their way to an art museum. We gave them each a BofM with assignments. We'll see how far the Elders get with them.
One of the most fun experiences last week was while knocking in a pretty rough Dome (apt building.) We ran into an older Russian lady, and her son. I couldn't even remember how to say my name, but somehow, we told her we were missionaries. Then she started talking, and telling us something. She became a little emotional. I wanted to talk so badly. I think I experienced one of the gifts of being a missionary, as the spirit just washed over me. I felt so much love for her, even though I didn't know her. I couldn't understand what she was saying, but I found the words for, "I love you. God loves you. I know." (probably incorrect.) We set a time, when we will return with Russian Sisters, gave her a hug, and went on our way. I don't know what will happen from here, but if anything good happens, I will let you know.
I know the Lord is taking care of me. I feel like I've been able to concentrate on the work and not be too frustrated with the language or my weaknesses. I'm still the imperfect person I was when I came on my mission. I've even slipped up on some things, like my spelling. Still, I feel the Lord is helping me to celebrate in the little successes, to enjoy the conversations, to just keep going despite my forgetfulness.
By the way, I ran into an Elder Daniel Sestrand. You may remember his family from Vegas. He's a Russian speaking Elder in Latvia.
I love and miss you all!
Sesuo Paul
Hello Family! I had a few extra minutes, so I thought I'd continue. My email might not work for awhile since I'm changing servers.
Time is so funny while I'm adjusting. I'm always busy, but somehow these last five days have been an eternity.
I really enjoyed Jordan's wedding pictures. I was sad not to be there, but oh well.
I think the biggest advantage of being new here, is I can't tell when people tell me 'no.' It's not socially couth to talk to people on buses, but I got a phone number from this guy because I just kept talking to him anyway.
Yesterday, it was really nice to meet the branch members. Later, we were trying to find the apartment of the lady I taught on the way to Lithuania. She said she lived in building 32. When we got to her complex, the even numbered buildings were 28, 30, 34, and 36. We walked all over the place, but no 32. It was so bizarre. You all would've been impressed to see me working my way across a snow-mud field in my Sunday clothes trying to find this lady. I got four phone numbers yesterday. It was much more natural and easier than some of the other days I've been contacting. Apparently it's a plus to look extra cute. People start talking to me, and inviting me to sit by them. They ask me about the book I'm holding. Someone asked me about my idea of God. :) That was nice. I asked him what he does. He said, "my work has no name." Got to go.
S. Paul
Here I am in Lithuania. The snow was melting today, so I decided to dress for spring. As I was standing at the bus stop near my house, a snowflake landed on this lady's hat, and didn't begin to melt for at least five seconds. I was fooled.
I just had my first chocolate filled croissant (sp?) and later, I ate an entire large pizza: the exotic had sweet hot chili sauce, pineapple, and chicken. (Lithuanian crusts are much thinner.) So, I'm sure you'd all rather know about the work here. It's been great so far. On our first day of meeting President and Sister Dance, we went contacting for an hour and a half. Since we were in Latvia, I just used English, but we ended up with three phone numbers in 45 minutes.
I taught my first lesson in Lithuanian on the 5 hour bus ride, since I had nothing better to do. I think she was teaching me more Lithuanian than I was teaching her about the Book of Mormon. We've been contacting on the streets, harvesting (apartment knocking), and contacting on the streets when we're not teaching. I seem to do alright on buses. I've been able to carry on a few conversations and get a few phone numbers, but there's something about talking to people on the street that is not quite as easy for me. Some people are fairly easy to understand.
Last week, we tried to go by a less-active's home, but we couldn't break-into the lock on the front of the apartment building, so we found an older guy on the bench in the park. We asked him where he's from, and he said, Siberia in broken Lithuanian (or so my companion said). He knew German better than any other language, but mine was pretty shabby after Lithuanian being poured through it for two months. His name was Vladimar. We talked a bunch about great authors and composers, and then later last week we taught him a first lesson. He's kind of crazy, so I'll have to let you know how it goes.
I've talked with people from all sorts of walks of life. We ran into some English-speaking anarchist Yogi-like guys with several several piercings, and we had at least a half-hour conversation on their way to an art museum. We gave them each a BofM with assignments. We'll see how far the Elders get with them.
One of the most fun experiences last week was while knocking in a pretty rough Dome (apt building.) We ran into an older Russian lady, and her son. I couldn't even remember how to say my name, but somehow, we told her we were missionaries. Then she started talking, and telling us something. She became a little emotional. I wanted to talk so badly. I think I experienced one of the gifts of being a missionary, as the spirit just washed over me. I felt so much love for her, even though I didn't know her. I couldn't understand what she was saying, but I found the words for, "I love you. God loves you. I know." (probably incorrect.) We set a time, when we will return with Russian Sisters, gave her a hug, and went on our way. I don't know what will happen from here, but if anything good happens, I will let you know.
I know the Lord is taking care of me. I feel like I've been able to concentrate on the work and not be too frustrated with the language or my weaknesses. I'm still the imperfect person I was when I came on my mission. I've even slipped up on some things, like my spelling. Still, I feel the Lord is helping me to celebrate in the little successes, to enjoy the conversations, to just keep going despite my forgetfulness.
By the way, I ran into an Elder Daniel Sestrand. You may remember his family from Vegas. He's a Russian speaking Elder in Latvia.
I love and miss you all!
Sesuo Paul
Hello Family! I had a few extra minutes, so I thought I'd continue. My email might not work for awhile since I'm changing servers.
Time is so funny while I'm adjusting. I'm always busy, but somehow these last five days have been an eternity.
I really enjoyed Jordan's wedding pictures. I was sad not to be there, but oh well.
I think the biggest advantage of being new here, is I can't tell when people tell me 'no.' It's not socially couth to talk to people on buses, but I got a phone number from this guy because I just kept talking to him anyway.
Yesterday, it was really nice to meet the branch members. Later, we were trying to find the apartment of the lady I taught on the way to Lithuania. She said she lived in building 32. When we got to her complex, the even numbered buildings were 28, 30, 34, and 36. We walked all over the place, but no 32. It was so bizarre. You all would've been impressed to see me working my way across a snow-mud field in my Sunday clothes trying to find this lady. I got four phone numbers yesterday. It was much more natural and easier than some of the other days I've been contacting. Apparently it's a plus to look extra cute. People start talking to me, and inviting me to sit by them. They ask me about the book I'm holding. Someone asked me about my idea of God. :) That was nice. I asked him what he does. He said, "my work has no name." Got to go.
S. Paul
March 12, 2010
Letter - March 11, 2010
Hello All,
My mtc stay is coming to a close, and I'm very excited and sad about that. I will miss the temple. We were able to go for our last time today. The endowment has become a very special thing to me, and I'm so grateful for temples.
I thought a lot today about the kind of missionary, and the kind of person I want to be. The mission has had a profound impact on my life already. I was able to do a lot of thinking and writing today. Elder Bruce C. Hafen came and spoke last Tues. I really enjoyed the counsel from a father to a son who didn't feel he had a testimony: "Whatever you do, son. Please, just keep the commandments. Only through keeping the commandments will you be able to continue your search for truth unbiasedly. Once satan burdens us down with guilt, it will be very easy to justify sin and convince ourselves out of the gospel." I am trying every day to be as obedient as I possibly can. I find that I am always blessed when I do so.
I am enjoying hearing about home. That spring break energy is in the air. I thought of another hilarious story. So, I heard the elders down the hall arguing about whether I was Irish. I don't know who started that story, but, as I walked past, one of them decided to ask me. My reply, quickly came out in a thick Irish accent, "Where to-ya think'im frum?" This intensified the discussion; "See, I told you she was..." I eventually came clean. I also enjoyed learning what the word Habberdashery means. It's a word for hats.
I've only got a couple minutes. Know that I love you all very much, and am proud of you all.
Sese Paul
My mtc stay is coming to a close, and I'm very excited and sad about that. I will miss the temple. We were able to go for our last time today. The endowment has become a very special thing to me, and I'm so grateful for temples.
I thought a lot today about the kind of missionary, and the kind of person I want to be. The mission has had a profound impact on my life already. I was able to do a lot of thinking and writing today. Elder Bruce C. Hafen came and spoke last Tues. I really enjoyed the counsel from a father to a son who didn't feel he had a testimony: "Whatever you do, son. Please, just keep the commandments. Only through keeping the commandments will you be able to continue your search for truth unbiasedly. Once satan burdens us down with guilt, it will be very easy to justify sin and convince ourselves out of the gospel." I am trying every day to be as obedient as I possibly can. I find that I am always blessed when I do so.
I am enjoying hearing about home. That spring break energy is in the air. I thought of another hilarious story. So, I heard the elders down the hall arguing about whether I was Irish. I don't know who started that story, but, as I walked past, one of them decided to ask me. My reply, quickly came out in a thick Irish accent, "Where to-ya think'im frum?" This intensified the discussion; "See, I told you she was..." I eventually came clean. I also enjoyed learning what the word Habberdashery means. It's a word for hats.
I've only got a couple minutes. Know that I love you all very much, and am proud of you all.
Sese Paul
February 25, 2010
Letters - February 25, 2010
Dear Mom,
I just returned from an enhancement class. This is basically just a Mary-Kay appointment, where they talk about the importance of sister missionaries looking professional. I try to do so, but it does become tiring. I really liked the lady that did my makeup (what a calling.) She was very pretty and very done up, and she reminded me of you. I miss you. You are my best friend. Never forget that. I know we are both doers, and very busy, but always know that there is no one that I'd rather spend time with than my mommy.
It sounds like there are lots of wonderful changes going on around the house, and the Garden as well. I love that we are becoming a more simple people, finding joy, and cost effectiveness in living the word of wisdom. I especially miss your food being here at the MTC, where everything tastes like wax. Some days are great, though.
Janice Kapp Perry came and taught us last relief society. It was cool to hear some of her stories and sing her songs for about half the meeting. Also, we had the humanitarian mission directors speak to us in a fireside. That was such a wonderful thing. I enjoyed it very much to see all the great things that the church leaders are doing.
Ahnalisse,
I'm so glad to have received your letters. What a wonderful gal you are. I am so sorry to hear about your accident. I worry about your pinkie a lot, especially since I'm so proud of the wonderful musician you are. Your music resounds through our home, bringing beauty, and inspiration, and motivation (I am amazed to see your diligence.) It sounds like your writing is going through a growning period. The two things I felt lacking in as I graduated were language and writing. So, here I am learning a language, and then I'll come home and learn to write. What scholarships are you auditioning for? You go girl!
Dear Rachel,
Thank you so much for your letter. Letters mean the world to me as I'm so separated from you. I think my spelling is getting worse and worse here, the more I learn to spell in Lithuanian. I hope you will pass that on to the family so they can get a laugh. It's never a waste of time to do spelling words as part of your curriculum. Good spelling is foundational to good writing, through which you may change the world someday.
Carli, my love,
Why so silent? I must get a letter from you sometime. I want lots of pictures, of the family, of the wedding, of everything. I want to see the portraits we all got done by those photographers. I want to know about what you love learning about in school. I also want you to write me a paper on something, anything. Teach me about something you're learning.
Love everyone, miss you so much.
Hayley
I just returned from an enhancement class. This is basically just a Mary-Kay appointment, where they talk about the importance of sister missionaries looking professional. I try to do so, but it does become tiring. I really liked the lady that did my makeup (what a calling.) She was very pretty and very done up, and she reminded me of you. I miss you. You are my best friend. Never forget that. I know we are both doers, and very busy, but always know that there is no one that I'd rather spend time with than my mommy.
It sounds like there are lots of wonderful changes going on around the house, and the Garden as well. I love that we are becoming a more simple people, finding joy, and cost effectiveness in living the word of wisdom. I especially miss your food being here at the MTC, where everything tastes like wax. Some days are great, though.
Janice Kapp Perry came and taught us last relief society. It was cool to hear some of her stories and sing her songs for about half the meeting. Also, we had the humanitarian mission directors speak to us in a fireside. That was such a wonderful thing. I enjoyed it very much to see all the great things that the church leaders are doing.
Ahnalisse,
I'm so glad to have received your letters. What a wonderful gal you are. I am so sorry to hear about your accident. I worry about your pinkie a lot, especially since I'm so proud of the wonderful musician you are. Your music resounds through our home, bringing beauty, and inspiration, and motivation (I am amazed to see your diligence.) It sounds like your writing is going through a growning period. The two things I felt lacking in as I graduated were language and writing. So, here I am learning a language, and then I'll come home and learn to write. What scholarships are you auditioning for? You go girl!
Dear Rachel,
Thank you so much for your letter. Letters mean the world to me as I'm so separated from you. I think my spelling is getting worse and worse here, the more I learn to spell in Lithuanian. I hope you will pass that on to the family so they can get a laugh. It's never a waste of time to do spelling words as part of your curriculum. Good spelling is foundational to good writing, through which you may change the world someday.
Carli, my love,
Why so silent? I must get a letter from you sometime. I want lots of pictures, of the family, of the wedding, of everything. I want to see the portraits we all got done by those photographers. I want to know about what you love learning about in school. I also want you to write me a paper on something, anything. Teach me about something you're learning.
Love everyone, miss you so much.
Hayley
Family Letter - February 18, 2010
I was so glad to hear about the wedding details. How I wish I could have been there.
I wish you all good health. It's hard to choose the healthy food here, when I'm surrounded by all sorts of junk! I'm sure lucky to have stayed healthy so long with the sickness that seems to spread so quickly here.
Another week has flown by, and I just can't believe it. It feels a bit like the same day over and over here. I have to try hard to make things a little different each day. It's hard never being by one's self. People see my best, and otherwise, when I have no time to get away and just breathe. I'm still my good old fiery self here on the mission. Even gym lost it's savor for awhile. You can only play four square against the same people for days on end without exhausting the entertainment value.
My loved ones will be proud to know that my companion and I have been waking up the extra half hour early to work out, and even sneak in a little extra language. It feels good. Our new roommates are three sisters going to Salt Lake, and one going to Detroit. They love sweets, and they are always so nice to share. I even ate ice cream for my first time yesterday, since I've been here, and I had a headache all afternoon and evening.
I'm trying to slacken my stress-level as much as possible here. My teachers and everyone around me are very uplifting, but I still catch myself taking things a bit too seriously. Luckily, I opened my journal to the day that the girls and I made those Hanukkah dishes and just spent the afternoon together in the kitchen. That memory helped me remember to get lost in the joy of living a little more.
I wish my teaching skills were sharper. The language, forces me to be humble, but I still have to be careful to make sure I'm teaching by the spirit and relying on the Lord. There is a total difference when I'm trying to speak the words myself, and when I just let myself speak. Since my speech isn't very comprehensible anyway, the spirit's power of understanding is indispensable.
I really enjoy delving into the simple principles of the gospel. The quantity of doctrine found in the scriptures is greater than I could master and teach in English, let alone Lithuanian. I'm really excited that I've only got a month left. I love you all and miss you very much. I wish I had time to respond to some of your personal letters, but time ran short today for some reason. Did Skylar get my letter? Thanks Rachel and Ahnalisse for your letters. Next week will hopefully be a little more open. My hair just takes forever to do here, and it eats away my p-day.
Love,
Sister Hayley Paul
P.S. tell Jordan and Avalon that I get to see Elder Schultheis.
I wish you all good health. It's hard to choose the healthy food here, when I'm surrounded by all sorts of junk! I'm sure lucky to have stayed healthy so long with the sickness that seems to spread so quickly here.
Another week has flown by, and I just can't believe it. It feels a bit like the same day over and over here. I have to try hard to make things a little different each day. It's hard never being by one's self. People see my best, and otherwise, when I have no time to get away and just breathe. I'm still my good old fiery self here on the mission. Even gym lost it's savor for awhile. You can only play four square against the same people for days on end without exhausting the entertainment value.
My loved ones will be proud to know that my companion and I have been waking up the extra half hour early to work out, and even sneak in a little extra language. It feels good. Our new roommates are three sisters going to Salt Lake, and one going to Detroit. They love sweets, and they are always so nice to share. I even ate ice cream for my first time yesterday, since I've been here, and I had a headache all afternoon and evening.
I'm trying to slacken my stress-level as much as possible here. My teachers and everyone around me are very uplifting, but I still catch myself taking things a bit too seriously. Luckily, I opened my journal to the day that the girls and I made those Hanukkah dishes and just spent the afternoon together in the kitchen. That memory helped me remember to get lost in the joy of living a little more.
I wish my teaching skills were sharper. The language, forces me to be humble, but I still have to be careful to make sure I'm teaching by the spirit and relying on the Lord. There is a total difference when I'm trying to speak the words myself, and when I just let myself speak. Since my speech isn't very comprehensible anyway, the spirit's power of understanding is indispensable.
I really enjoy delving into the simple principles of the gospel. The quantity of doctrine found in the scriptures is greater than I could master and teach in English, let alone Lithuanian. I'm really excited that I've only got a month left. I love you all and miss you very much. I wish I had time to respond to some of your personal letters, but time ran short today for some reason. Did Skylar get my letter? Thanks Rachel and Ahnalisse for your letters. Next week will hopefully be a little more open. My hair just takes forever to do here, and it eats away my p-day.
Love,
Sister Hayley Paul
P.S. tell Jordan and Avalon that I get to see Elder Schultheis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
