Two More Weeks!!

Moje Drahy Rodino,

Fun fact: "drahy" means both "dear" and "expensive" in Czech--sometimes, when I'm addressing my letters to you, it makes me think of how valuable and classy you are. Isn't it interesting to look at the meanings that other cultures tend to combine into one idea? I remember in an anthropology class talking about how an Eskimo language included upwards of 20 different words for snow. I thought it silly at first, but really--dirty snow is very different from white snow, and fluffy snow is nothing like icy snow. I love learning about the way other people think. For example: around Christmas in the Czech Republic, Czechs eat carp and potato salad. Every year someone dies from choking on a carp bone (don't worry Ma, I'll avoid that). And, around December 6th Miculas (St. Nicholas) walks all over town with his sidekicks Angel and Devil. They greet little kids and ask them if they've been good--if they have, they'll recite a poem and the angel gives them a sweet and some approving look, I'm sure. If they haven't been good, however, the devil opens up his knapsack and uses it to transport their souls to Hell. Neat, huh? Also, on Christmas there is no Santa to bring them gifts--Jezicek, or "Little Jesus" does instead. I wonder what kind of gifts little Jesus would bring to a country that is 80% atheist--? He's almost become a fairytale to them, it seems.

Anyway. There has been a fragile atmosphere around these parts as of late. The earth won't stop crying, which is comforting in some ways because Sister Stratton and I have been feeling somewhat fragile. I had a terribly real dream Saturday night about Dad and Mom splitting up and woke up crying around 3:45 in the morning. I finally fell back asleep, but woke up with embarrassing swollen eyes--doubly embarrassing because it wasn't even real and there's no way it ever would be. But you know what embarrassing, swollen eyes do to the rest of the day--I just felt all silly and buggy. Until the rain started up and I felt that I had someone to cry with. The beautiful part is, however, that, when I awoke, I was able to feel confident that my parents have solid testimonies and they love each other and the Lord and, because of that, they will do whatever it takes to keep the family together forever and happy forever.

It has been a fragile morning for Sister Stratton. We went and did sealings at the temple, which were amazing. It's such a powerful ordinance, and yet, the people administering the ordinances were so happy and comfortable. Initially I thought that maybe that was somewhat irreverent. But I realized that the ordinances are just as sacred as life in general is. That IS life. It's real work involving real people--why shouldn't we be cheerful? Anyway, there was a woman doing sealings with us who looked like she had undergone chemo--she was in bad shape and I had a difficult time telling whether the man with her was her son or her husband. Sister Stratton's Aunt Betty has cancer--the chemo wasn't working, so she's stopped doing it. Sister Stratton's having a difficult time with it. Will you pray for her and her aunt Betty? She could really use all the peace and comfort and strength that your prayers can give her. I just love her so much and I wish there was more that I could do for her.

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer! Really, life is just great. We have TWO WEEKS left! Can you believe it?! Last Thursday we taught the 1st lesson in Czech again. It was incredible! Really! And I don't say that to brag of myself--it was definitely not my doing. Yes, I prepared as well as I could, but I think the real difference came when my companion (Elder Bracken) and I decided that we wanted to make our focus understanding our investigators. So we did that--we figured out what was important to them--they were a newly wed couple--and we tied everything back into their marriage and how, because of God's love and plan for them, they can be together forever. The spirit was so powerful and our words didn't get in the way of the overwhelming feelings of unutterable joy. For the first time, I could really see myself as a missionary in the Czech Republic, teaching people about God's plan for them, about who they really are. I am beginning to understand how God gets His work done. It's astounding, really, that little 19 and 21-year-olds can saunter half way around the world with two months of language classes under their belts and bring salvation and eternal joy to people. WOO! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!! Also: the "investigators" we taught just so happened to be the girl that I had been emailing back and forth about the Czech Republic before I came to the MTC (Jessica Roylance) and her new husband! It was so great to finally meet her--we just embraced like old friends. Don't you just love new friends that automatically feel like old friends?

Something I've been thinking about a bit: I always think of you and the ------- family whenever I learn some great missionary tactic. Last week we talked about asking questions that encourage the investigators to bear their testimonies or say some truth, which will enable them to feel the spirit as they speak truth. Such as, "how do you think your family could benefit from the principles of the gospel?" etc. Things like that my help them realize how much they really do love the restored gospel.

I love you all so much! In 2 WEEKS you'll be getting a phone call from meeeeeee! Weeeeeeeee!

Na shle!

Sestra Dean