Su Šventom Kaledom!!
Hello Family!
Merry Christmas to you all. This last Saturday, a young girl which Sister Alldredge and I taught over the summer was baptized. We both wish that we could have been there. It is wonderful to see the Lord preparing the hearts of the people here, little by little. We are seeing some hopeful investigators sprout out of the snow, like daisies. Speaking of which, we had daisy tea last night at an investigator's house. The word for daisies is equivalent of "calm flowers," or calmies. Kind of cute, eh?
We enjoyed a wonderful zone conference, enjoying a Christmas pageant afterwards. Sister Alldredge and I were Shepherds. Each zone conference is like a re-charge session. The spirit has a way of speaking to the heart that is unlike anything else. There are questions, trials, and worries so deep that I find myself overwhelmed and unable to express them. The spirit really can act like a balm, drawing out the natural man, consoling, cleansing, and really changing one's desires. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission. I have a testimony of the power of prayer.
Yesterday at Church, I was feeling troubled that someone a few weeks before had walked into the church, looked around, and left before any of the missionaries talked to him. I was so busy running around with church preparations that I didn't say anything to him either. I said a prayer, promising that if I ever saw someone new in the church building, I would immediately introduce myself. During the third hour, I saw someone in the foyer, and instead of talking myself out of it, I went and talked to her. Turns out she was just passing by after doing some grocery shopping. We are hoping to meet with her and her family before Christmas. I know that we are surrounded by opportunities everywhere to do missionary work. Last night we went knocking. We are focusing on finding and teaching worthy males who can become Melchizedek priesthood holders. I felt a desire to pray for this specifically, and we were able to teach two lessons to men last night. I know that the Lord is waiting anxiously to bless us if I will just exercise the faith to express the desires of my heart.
I am so excited for Christmas. I know that my Redeemer lives. I am so grateful to be able to serve Him at this time. I could not ask for better learning experiences, or a more wonderful people to serve. We visited in the home of a mother and son. She's 73. He's got to be in his 30's. They live in one room without a kitchen. There was no where to sit together. The walls were decorated with pasted grocery ads. Donatas, the Son, has autism. He is very intelligent, speaks four languages, but sometimes his thoughts get stuck on a track that just repeats itself. He had brought his mom to church the previous Sunday, and we set a time to meet. He seems to already have read the book of Mormon, or most of it, and has even received a spiritual witness that it is true. His mother has a desire to know more of our message because of the impact it had on her son. The spirit has really prepared this family.
Love,
Sister Paul
December 20, 2010
December 13, 2010
Letter - December 13, 2010
My hands are still numb....
Dear Family,
The Baltics are a beautiful place around Christmas time. I am immensely enjoying the opportunity to serve here. However imperfect my offering may be, I feel the Lord really does accept my sacrifice. I feel a sort of longing, maybe a sadness today, as I think of less effective or less diligent moments in my service. However, I know that there will come from these reflections a more committed Sister Paul.
We've been teaching a wonderful progressing investigator. His name is Gediminas. He is one of the first doors I harvested while serving with Sister Edgin. He has read through first Nephi and is living the Word of Wisdom. It's great to see him searching one step at a time for the truthfulness of this message. We always have to teach with members present since he's a male. At the end of the Word of Wisdom lesson, I said, " If you will keep this commandment, you will become more sensitive." Of course, Gedeminas got this confused look on his face, since, by inference, I had just called him insensitive. I was sure glad the participating member chimed in, "She means, spiritually sensitive, that you'll be able to feel the spirit testify to you."
The Lord sends us wonderful experiences to keep us going. Last Saturday Sister Alldredge and I were searching for a couple named Hortas and Irma. Their teaching record had mysteriously ended in 2006-ish, and our efforts late on a previous evening had ended in frozen failure. We returned, found the building, and tried the doorbell at the bottom of the stairwell. There was no ring and the apartment seemed vacant. We then knocked a few neighboring stairwells and headed off to our next activity. As we neared the bus stop, I looked up to see a passing man with a pleasant look on his face. I said hello, and he seemed to recognized us as missionaries. We talked, and I asked if we could come by and share a Christmas message with him. He said "Sure. Here's my number *******, and my name is Hortas. If my wife answers, her name is Irma." Our jaws just dropped. We told him that we had prayed that morning to find him. He smiled. " My wife and I have been living near Kalingrad for a couple years and have just returned." We are excited to go by to see him tonight.
I've got to run. Thanks for all your prayers.
Love,
Sister Paul
Dear Family,The Baltics are a beautiful place around Christmas time. I am immensely enjoying the opportunity to serve here. However imperfect my offering may be, I feel the Lord really does accept my sacrifice. I feel a sort of longing, maybe a sadness today, as I think of less effective or less diligent moments in my service. However, I know that there will come from these reflections a more committed Sister Paul.
We've been teaching a wonderful progressing investigator. His name is Gediminas. He is one of the first doors I harvested while serving with Sister Edgin. He has read through first Nephi and is living the Word of Wisdom. It's great to see him searching one step at a time for the truthfulness of this message. We always have to teach with members present since he's a male. At the end of the Word of Wisdom lesson, I said, " If you will keep this commandment, you will become more sensitive." Of course, Gedeminas got this confused look on his face, since, by inference, I had just called him insensitive. I was sure glad the participating member chimed in, "She means, spiritually sensitive, that you'll be able to feel the spirit testify to you."
The Lord sends us wonderful experiences to keep us going. Last Saturday Sister Alldredge and I were searching for a couple named Hortas and Irma. Their teaching record had mysteriously ended in 2006-ish, and our efforts late on a previous evening had ended in frozen failure. We returned, found the building, and tried the doorbell at the bottom of the stairwell. There was no ring and the apartment seemed vacant. We then knocked a few neighboring stairwells and headed off to our next activity. As we neared the bus stop, I looked up to see a passing man with a pleasant look on his face. I said hello, and he seemed to recognized us as missionaries. We talked, and I asked if we could come by and share a Christmas message with him. He said "Sure. Here's my number *******, and my name is Hortas. If my wife answers, her name is Irma." Our jaws just dropped. We told him that we had prayed that morning to find him. He smiled. " My wife and I have been living near Kalingrad for a couple years and have just returned." We are excited to go by to see him tonight.
I've got to run. Thanks for all your prayers.
Love,
Sister Paul
December 9, 2010
Letter - December 6, 2010
The Perfect Picture for your Christmas Card!
Dear Family,
I got a kick out of how wonderfully Amish Sister Alldredge and I appear in this picture. Transfers were last week, and we're now serving together in Vilnius. In this picture, we're in Riga, not Lithuania.
Thanks for all you're doing
Sister Paul
Dear Family,I got a kick out of how wonderfully Amish Sister Alldredge and I appear in this picture. Transfers were last week, and we're now serving together in Vilnius. In this picture, we're in Riga, not Lithuania.
Thanks for all you're doing
Sister Paul
November 27, 2010
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
November 8, 2010
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
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
November 2, 2010
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
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
October 25, 2010
Letter -October 25, 2010
Shto? I mean Snow?
So, I'm back from Riga, and trying to get back into the Lithuanian swing of things. I just got a phone call, and it turns out that someone we found and taught in Latvia now has a baptismal date. I think that would be cool to say I "have" a convert in Latvia.
So, Friday was our first snow. It wasn't enough to stick, but I enjoyed it anyway. Just the night before, Sister Edgin and I had a laugh together, as I made a not-so-graceful exit off the bus... As the bus pulled off to our anticipated stop, I wasn't sure if Sister Edgin knew that we should get off. So, I quickly headed toward her end, only to see her stepping off. As I tried to follow her, I was shut in by the bus doors, with my Book of Mormon and hands outside the bus, and the rest of me in. I had a good fight with the door, and then decided to extricate myself one hand at a time. I then took a walk of shame toward the previous bus stop.
I hope you're all enjoying your bananas. Sister Edgin and I were so excited to buy some bananas to eat with her new jar of peanut butter. Unfortunately, there was not a single banana in the entire grocery store.
So, what else? Oh yeah. I love member missionary work. So, yesterday, our progressing investigator Laime was coming to her first three-hour block of church. At the end of the lesson Laime asks, "How can I feel and recognize the Holy Ghost?" There were several answers given in the lesson, but class had to dismiss so that Relief Society could begin. I was doing singing time in primary, but my companion told me that a couple of acquainted members sat next to Laime after the prayer, and just listened to her. She was emotional. The spirit has truly begun to work in her. The members comforted her and offered some of their own experience. Though I wasn't there, and my trainee couldn't say much, she was in good hands. After church, we said quick good byes as she headed home with a member. Good grief. That all members could and would be like unto these members. There is a beautiful mom and two kids which we found a few weeks ago on a bus. They were taught a lesson with the missionaries and Russian Branch President this week. If all goes well, they also are setting their sights toward baptism.
Sister Edgin and I taught a wonderful first last night. We could feel the spirit guiding us as we spoke without fear of the language. I know that we said things that touched this woman's heart. Even though she has decided not to investigate, it was a wonderful experience to be a mouthpiece for the Lord.
Time has run out. Thanks for all your prayers. Thanks so much for the package, family. I really enjoyed celebrating my birthday from you. Jordan, you've always had good taste.
This is me celebrating missionary work after that investigator last night decided not to investigate. The
work is still worth celebrating.
I also took a few pictures of notable things at the
grocery store this morning.
Full legs they sell in the freezer section.
The selection of bacons, the nearest being pure fat, and the progressively pink ones having a higher meat content.
2-foot high cookies they sell for special occasions.
The children's play area in the middle of the grocery store.
I forgot to take a picture of the egg-stand. They don't
refrigerate their eggs here.
We have also bought slippers. It's considered unhealthy and improper to walk around the house without slippers.
So, I'm back from Riga, and trying to get back into the Lithuanian swing of things. I just got a phone call, and it turns out that someone we found and taught in Latvia now has a baptismal date. I think that would be cool to say I "have" a convert in Latvia.
So, Friday was our first snow. It wasn't enough to stick, but I enjoyed it anyway. Just the night before, Sister Edgin and I had a laugh together, as I made a not-so-graceful exit off the bus... As the bus pulled off to our anticipated stop, I wasn't sure if Sister Edgin knew that we should get off. So, I quickly headed toward her end, only to see her stepping off. As I tried to follow her, I was shut in by the bus doors, with my Book of Mormon and hands outside the bus, and the rest of me in. I had a good fight with the door, and then decided to extricate myself one hand at a time. I then took a walk of shame toward the previous bus stop.
I hope you're all enjoying your bananas. Sister Edgin and I were so excited to buy some bananas to eat with her new jar of peanut butter. Unfortunately, there was not a single banana in the entire grocery store.
So, what else? Oh yeah. I love member missionary work. So, yesterday, our progressing investigator Laime was coming to her first three-hour block of church. At the end of the lesson Laime asks, "How can I feel and recognize the Holy Ghost?" There were several answers given in the lesson, but class had to dismiss so that Relief Society could begin. I was doing singing time in primary, but my companion told me that a couple of acquainted members sat next to Laime after the prayer, and just listened to her. She was emotional. The spirit has truly begun to work in her. The members comforted her and offered some of their own experience. Though I wasn't there, and my trainee couldn't say much, she was in good hands. After church, we said quick good byes as she headed home with a member. Good grief. That all members could and would be like unto these members. There is a beautiful mom and two kids which we found a few weeks ago on a bus. They were taught a lesson with the missionaries and Russian Branch President this week. If all goes well, they also are setting their sights toward baptism.
Sister Edgin and I taught a wonderful first last night. We could feel the spirit guiding us as we spoke without fear of the language. I know that we said things that touched this woman's heart. Even though she has decided not to investigate, it was a wonderful experience to be a mouthpiece for the Lord.
Time has run out. Thanks for all your prayers. Thanks so much for the package, family. I really enjoyed celebrating my birthday from you. Jordan, you've always had good taste.
This is me celebrating missionary work after that investigator last night decided not to investigate. Thework is still worth celebrating.
I also took a few pictures of notable things at the
grocery store this morning.
Full legs they sell in the freezer section. 
The selection of bacons, the nearest being pure fat, and the progressively pink ones having a higher meat content. 
2-foot high cookies they sell for special occasions.
The children's play area in the middle of the grocery store.I forgot to take a picture of the egg-stand. They don't
refrigerate their eggs here.
We have also bought slippers. It's considered unhealthy and improper to walk around the house without slippers.Sister Paul
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