Toks Gynenimas (That's Life)
Wow, what an insane week. We've been fed by the natives a surprising amount, and it's taken a heavy toll on our digestive systems, especially my companion's. It's mushroom season here, and some of our investigators have cancelled last-minute because they're out gathering. It's the duty of every Lithuanian to know what kind of mushrooms are safe, how to prepare them, how to store them, what to serve them with, how they should smell, the best areas and weather to pick, and how to use mushrooms in almost every dish. They also have many desserts in the shape of mushrooms, so as not to leave them out of any phase of the meal.
Never assume you know a city. Never assume you know the bus line. In an attempt to save some time, I hopped on to a private-line bus with my companion. The bus stopped just about two blocks from our investigator's house, but we decided to wait for the next stotele (stop.) What we didn't know, is that this bus doesn't stop at every bus stop. I began to worry as the driver passed our intended stop, and then was progressively more livid at myself as he passed yet another, and another, until he was on the highway, and driving through forest, and then in a completely different area of town. We got off a good 45 minutes travel from our intended destination. Bad Sister Paul.
Our most shocking "being fed" story is from our friend Elana. She asked if we wanted some "L----" and I didn't recognize the word. She said, " YOU don't know what L---- is? I'll bring you some." She brought us a slab of raw bacon from the country, cut into thick slices, to eat just plain or on bread. For those of you who don't know this about me, I'm not a big meat eater, nor a big pork eater ( as is obvious by my ignorance of the word for Bacon in Lithuanian) and I'm especially not a raw pork eater. I did my best to pretend, but Sister Edgin and I were naughty and hid raw bacon in a bag so as not to have to eat it. I hope she never knows, because I really think she's wonderful, and am so proud of her desire to begin reading the Book of Mormon. We challenged her to read the first fr chapters, and she said it was too few. So instead, we challenged her to read the first ten, and she said that sounded better. That night, we drank some fresh Ginger tea that she made so strong, it just burned.
So, if you want to experience missionary life, eat some raw bacon for me, or get lost on a bus out in yonkers, or better yet, invite others to come unto Christ by eating their wonderful cuisine.
Sister Paul
September 27, 2010
September 20, 2010
Letter - September 20, 2010
Brick Upon Brick
33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Doctrine and Covenants 64:33
So, after being out for a week with a cold and with trainings from the Mission President, we are back to the streets. I am happy to say that we're being blessed in the work. We had two investigators in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. I almost couldn't believe it. I had the chance to share the above scripture with our beloved branch Relief Society President, and her daughter who is struggling with depression and side effects of her antidepressants. This verse I want to send to you, my loved ones. If you're still the wonderful people I left you, your load is 3x what it should be. You have high expectations and demanding calls.
Fall is definitely upon us here in Vilnius. The weather is what I consider November weather for Las Vegas, just the point where you want to put something on over your t-shirt. If this is the September weather, I cringe to think of the Lithuanian November weather. We shall see. With my leadership, things are quite different than they usually are. Sometimes we get lost. Sometimes we are working long-hours. Sometimes we forget to eat. Sometimes we're pouring over a map while the rain is pouring down upon our small umbrella. We're always making friends, and inviting them to hear about the gospel. We're both very enthusiastic...sometimes to the point of frightening Lithuanians with our copious " Laba Diena!"s. We're excited to make great strides in the language.
Must Go,
Love Sister Paul
33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Doctrine and Covenants 64:33
So, after being out for a week with a cold and with trainings from the Mission President, we are back to the streets. I am happy to say that we're being blessed in the work. We had two investigators in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. I almost couldn't believe it. I had the chance to share the above scripture with our beloved branch Relief Society President, and her daughter who is struggling with depression and side effects of her antidepressants. This verse I want to send to you, my loved ones. If you're still the wonderful people I left you, your load is 3x what it should be. You have high expectations and demanding calls.
Fall is definitely upon us here in Vilnius. The weather is what I consider November weather for Las Vegas, just the point where you want to put something on over your t-shirt. If this is the September weather, I cringe to think of the Lithuanian November weather. We shall see. With my leadership, things are quite different than they usually are. Sometimes we get lost. Sometimes we are working long-hours. Sometimes we forget to eat. Sometimes we're pouring over a map while the rain is pouring down upon our small umbrella. We're always making friends, and inviting them to hear about the gospel. We're both very enthusiastic...sometimes to the point of frightening Lithuanians with our copious " Laba Diena!"s. We're excited to make great strides in the language.
Must Go,
Love Sister Paul
September 6, 2010
Letter - September 6, 2010
My new companion and I in Vilnius enjoyingsome Lithuanian food.
My Kaunas companionship next to a Siberian-Style Jurt.We're doing "The Baltic Squat."
Miracle: My companion and I were waiting at a bus stop, when a woman asked us whether the bus which had just pulled away was the 20. I answered that the twenty would come in about 8 minutes. My companion, very new to the field, just smiled. This woman so appreciated our smiles, she said she felt like weeping. She thanked us for our help, and seemed "pricked in her heart." We hugged, and told her that we have come here to share a message of hope with people. We planned to meet again the following day.
In last week's email, I messed up while typing. I originally said they were Lithuanian sisters but they're Russian speaking sisters, so, I really improved my Russian for a week instead. :)
Love Sister Paul
August 30, 2010
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.
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
August 17, 2010
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,
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
August 2, 2010
Letter - August 2, 2010
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.
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.
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.
July 26, 2010
Letter - July 25, 2010
Miracles
Hello Family!
Hello Family!
Sister Alldredge and I have officially walked on water. The attached pictures are of our recent adventure outside the mall. We spent 10 min. inside giant hamster balls, just to let off a little steam. The following is the account in her words:
" I have never understood Newton's, 'for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction' law as well as when I got in that ball. It was literally impossible to move anywhere! You'd try and run in it and you would just end up looking like a hamster, cuz your ball wouldn't actually move anywhere. Anyways, Sister Paul and I both got in these balls and tried to "duke it out" but we only ended up by each other for like 30 seconds and then we drifted out of range."
" I have never understood Newton's, 'for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction' law as well as when I got in that ball. It was literally impossible to move anywhere! You'd try and run in it and you would just end up looking like a hamster, cuz your ball wouldn't actually move anywhere. Anyways, Sister Paul and I both got in these balls and tried to "duke it out" but we only ended up by each other for like 30 seconds and then we drifted out of range."
As our ten minutes ticked away, we realized how fortunate this time-limit really is, for preventing serious oxygen deprivation. Our lungs are bigger than most 10-year old boys'. Oh what a great time. 
Now on to a few real miracles: we've been blessed lately with people who are interested to meet regularly. On inventory, none of them were found through our own rigorous finding efforts. I know that the Lord has heard our prayers of faith and has blessed us according to our obedience. One woman brought herself to Church having already heard the discussions from the missionaries, and telling them that she no longer wanted to investigate. She had been meeting with us for quite awhile, without much foreseeable progress. Our lesson with her last Monday was for me, a very special one. We were trying to answer a question that she had on the Word of Wisdom, and she brought up her dependence on coffee herself, and then proceeded to ask us how she could quit. She committed herself! She is a very hard person to read, but the commitment shows that she is ready to make some big steps.
We spent a good portion of our week assembling a display for an open house that was held last Friday. We lamented over the hours that we couldn't be out finding, but again the Lord blessed us for doing our best. A member, Kazimerius, came up and told us that there will be a girl here tonight that will ask to be baptized, and I had a hard time believing his words, since he's in his 80's and fairly senile. (My previous memory of him was the prior week, when he was posting the Lithuanian flag in honor of a holiday. He ardently forbade me to stabilize his tipping ladder, because he would rather go to God.) A few minutes later, his friend and granddaughter walked in, and asked how she could be baptized. She is 11, and had seen something about our faith on television, and decided that since it was time for her to be baptized, she would choose this faith. She was excited and touched by the message of temples. Seeing youth like herself makes Joseph Smith's life much more believable.
The time has run short again. Thanks for all your prayers.
Sesuo Paul
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