"Silly Romania Girls . . . " (January 31st, 2011)

Oh my little dears!

Can I just say that I love getting emails from you? (I also got one from Grandma and Grandpa Bellows today--I LOVE you! Thank you so much!) Even when you don't have so much to say. I'm so glad that you enjoyed North and South--that's the sort of stuff healing is made of. :) Thank you for the address. We actually just got the conference Ensign on Tuesday, so I don't need one any more. It's kind of neat to have it spread out so much, because I forgot a bit of what happened at conference. Now I can read it all over again and by the time I've soaked it all up, we'll be having another General Conference! I'm already excited for it! I forgot to answer your questions a few weeks ago: yes, that is Elder Meiling playing a song on the piano that he composed himself. Are you impressed, Danielle? :)

This week has been a little slow for us as well. Which was a bit surprising for me, since we had such a good week before. I can really see Satan trying to work his magic on the potential superstar, Michal Filip. He cancelled on us three times this week: one because of work, another because there was a miscommunication when we set up, and another because someone robbed him on the tram and he had to go to the police. So we didn't see him at all, although we talked to him a few times. Keep him in your prayers.

Martin, on the other hand, is absolutely fabulous. Most new members seem a little shy or uncertain at first--sometimes they have a hard time transitioning from an investigator to a full-fledged member because there's still so much to learn. For this reason, missionaries still meet with new members for a year or so after baptism. However, Martin seemed surprised when we still wanted to meet with him--"What for?" he asked, when we called him up last week. :) It's wonderful that he's transitioning so well--he's supporting some of the investigators way better than many of the old, solid members do. He's already thinking up how he can introduce us to his friend, Lukas. He received the Aaronic Priesthood yesterday. And third hour yesterday we were combined and had a "How to Work with the Missionaries" workshop in order to encourage people to get excited about teaching with us. One of the missionaries asked for ideas from the members as to how they could be involved in missionary work....Martin was the only one who brought up the idea of finding friends and family members who'd be interested. Ha! He's going to be a great missionary some day. Also: he's never tried peanut butter before. EVER. He was asking me the other day if it really is anything like butter. Ma, can you even imagine that?!

You would not believe how many people cancelled meetings on us this week. It was a little frustrating, I'm not going to lie. After Michal cancelled for the second time last week on Saturday, I found myself in our apartment trying to yell some sense into him from halfway across Ostrava. Luckily he didn't hear me. But the Lord has a way of lifting our spirits the way only the best of friends could. Afterwards we boarded the tram and began talking with people. Lately I've been trying to speak to more girls and young mothers (because they tend to be the most intimidating for me), so I began looking for these people. However, I sat down in a seat, prepared to talk to the woman sitting behind me, when I noticed an older man trying to get a peek at my nametag, which was turned just enough to make it difficult for him. Finally, I held it out to him. He read it at last and nodded, knowingly. So I got up and talked to him. His name was Oliver, a nice grandpa-ish Catholic man. He asked me a lot of questions about the differences between our beliefs and we also established that we had a lot in common. But it was wonderful--he wasn't disapproving at all, but really interested. And I found that I was given the words that I needed to say to him in a way that helped everything make sense to him. I told him about the Book of Mormon and he said that he'd be interested in reading it, so we exchanged phone numbers. And, as if that wasn't enough to warm my heart, his granddaughter was sitting next to him--31-year-old Katka, who had Down syndrome. She was so cute and pleased that she was older than me. He was taking her to the movie theater just then, just the two of the them on a little date. It was so touching. And we both agreed that she was of the stuff that heaven is made out of.

Every time I find myself even slightly discouraged the Lord has a way of cheering me up. And He knows exactly how to do it--He doesn't offer me a cookie or chocolate that lasts a few minutes (if I'm disciplined) and will just be worse for me in the long run, but He reminds me of the real reasons we have to rejoice in life.
I know that there are many moments when people find themselves overwhelmed by all the problems that exist in life. I meet people that seem to be stuck on that every day. There's never enough money, no one is healthy enough, people are mean and hurtful. But here's the thing: if you spend all your time trying to look at your own nose it'll start to seem a lot bigger than it ever was to begin with. And you'll live your life looking ridiculously cross-eyed. We can choose to focus on these hard parts of life, or we can remember how blessed life is! And I guarantee you that if you are looking for the good things in life, God will give you something to shout about. Something delightful and beautiful that can make all the difference. We live, after all, so that we might have joy. :)

Another great little joy in life: I got a letter from Captain Ballsy (Molly Huish, ladies and gentlemen), as well as from my wonderful Romania girls! However, I had to laugh....they accidentally sent me all the letters for Sarah Leonhardt and probably sent her all the letters for me. :) I didn't intend to read them, but I was checking to make sure that they were all for her when I noticed that SOMEONE is going on a mission!!!!!! KEILANI!!! (Seriously, I better hear some more about this sometime soon...) And then I just realized that too many things were happening and I needed some source of information so I read them all. Don't be mad. :) But if someone would be so kind as to send me Sarah's address I will forward them all to her. Hopefully one of you reads this every once in a while. Love you girls!

Another thought: what's keeping Danielle from sending all those letters I just KNOW she's been writing to me in all this spare time she seems to be having?

Everyone, I just LOVE you to itty bitty pieces! This is really the greatest life. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Cest!

Sestra Dean


P.S. Here are some great scriptures that I read in personal study yesterday about hope--maybe you'll come to the same great conclusions I did: Moroni 7:40-41, Ether 12:33, Alma 46:39.

baptism baptism bap-bap-baptism! (January 24th, 2011)

Hellllllllllllllllo rodino a pratele!

Martin's baptism was absolutely perfect. Seriously! The talks were great, we missionaries sang "Lord, I would Follow Thee" and the acoustics in the pool room (yes, it's basically in a swimming pool...like where we used to go in Auburn, but smaller. I know) made it sound really neat. Martin was all laughs before hand, but afterwards he said he felt something that he'd never felt before in his life--that he felt so clean. It was so beautiful to be a part of that. So. In loving memory of Martin Grochol and his baptismal date of January 22, here are 22 things about Martin:
1. 23 years old
2. really skinny
3. has one younger sister and his parents are divorced
4. doesn't have a great relationship with any of them
5. when he finally worked up the courage to tell his mom about his baptism, the only response she gave was that she had to work
6. was hit by a car on his way to school when he was 12 and completely lost his memory--seriously, the guy doesn't remember a single thing from before the age of 12!
7. used to do karate and wants to get back in to it
8. owns an online store and works as a health consultant, as well as working for his dad building some sort of garage
9. is learning English--his favorite thing to say is "big boss"
10. gets along with everyone. really, it amazes me sometimes
11. is always joking. and after a vast majority of his jokes he says, "delal jsem si srandu", which basically means, "i just made a joke".
12. likes techno music
13. always wore this particular red jacket every time we saw him. until one day sister laws and I spotted him from the tram because of his red jacket. We told him later that day that we'd recognized him because of his jacket. the next day he came wearing a blue jacket. He told us that he if he could be recognized by that jacket, he was probably wearing it too much and had decided that he'd wear his blue jacket 2 days in a row and his red jacket every 3rd day to even it out. haha!
14. was raised atheist. but was so open to trying new things that his testimony grew rapidly.
15. is really self confident and doesn't fear anything, as far as I'm aware.
16. can't sing to save his life! seriously! WAYYYYYY worse than Dad (I hope he never reads this...). Sometimes we would sing at the beginning of our meetings with him. He really tried, but has absolutely no sense of tune. One day in particular I just couldn't help myself and busted up laughing several times during the song. Fortunately we were already good pals by then, so it didn't matter so much
17. has a really squeaky voice for someone who's already 23--like he's still going through puberty. Sister Laws and I wonder if it maybe has something to do with that accident when he was younger. He never acts like he notices it, but his voice changes pitch mid-sentence rather often.
18. always calls us "buddies"--another English word he likes
19. the first thing we taught him to say in english was "if I told you, then I'd have to kill you"--we tried to get him to use it on another Elder during English class, but he didn't. skoda
20. when he first tried on his baptismal clothes he said he felt like a spaceman and began walking around like he was on the moon
21. after his baptism, Olga (who came! it was really SO good for her to see it...and to know that she was supposed to be baptised that day too. afterwards she kept talking about how excited she was for her own. and she came to church the next day and stayed the whole time and actually got a little dressed up for it) asked him if he was going to come to her baptism. He said, 'Of course--i'll come and baptize you myself!" He was mostly joking, but Sister Laws and I think it's a great idea! We'll work on it. :)
22. I asked him afterwards why he'd wanted to get baptised (probably something I should have asked him a long time ago, I know) and he said, "Because I know this is the right path." Once he told me that he was looking for a way to find satisfaction in his life--on Saturday he told me that he was more satisfied and he knew that through God's true church he would be truly happy with his life. Cool, right?

Whew! Hopefuly the next person is baptised sometime before the 10th.

Other than that, we actually had a really fantastic week! In fact, President Irwin himself called us unexpectedly last night to tell us that "we'd made an old man proud." It's really weird--he's called us FOUR times in the past week--two of them were just to talk and ask about our week. That NEVER happens. Every time he calls, I about have a heart attack and worry that we're getting unexpectedly transferred again or something.
One of the times he called, it was to tell me that we can move the call to whenever we want, I just have to let him know beforehand. All signs say go.

Speaking of MICHAL, the MIRACLE!! We gave him a baptismal date last night--for the 26th of February! The meeting was SO spiritual, it was kind of draining. But we explained baptism and the holy ghost to him in a bit of detail and shared experiences we'd had about being led by the spirit. Then we told him straight up how much of a miracle it was that we found him. He almost cried during part of it! We were supposed to practice english with him afterwards, but he said he didn't feel like it. Instead he asked us to show him the plan of salvation again, so we pulled out the pictures and went over it all again. Then, in his funny czech accent, he said, "It's true," in English. (actually we didn't understand what he said at all at first because he didn't pronounce it correctly. ha) The big skoda (or pity, in english) is that the branch is having an activity the 26th, which means we'll have to move it to the next saturday--the 5th of march. Which is after transfers. And chances are that one of us will go. :( But maybe we'll be able to come back. I think there are enough good people in the ward to fellowship him well. He gets along with basically everyone we've introduced to him so far. No one really his age, but I think it'll be okay.

Something funny: a lady we've taught a few times who was at church last week called us and told us that her daughter wants to be baptized! Miracle, right? When we taught her about baptism, however, the main thing she wants is to have two names like her dad (she's 10). :) We told her we don't do that and she was a little disappointed, but still is considering it. Then the member we were teaching with explained all about the second names we get in the temple and how they're a big secret--laid out the vast majority of temple ordinances for her and made it sound really fun. sister laws and I almost fainted. How helpful of her.

I'm not sure if we have a co detector, but the mission will fund it. I'll check.

Bad news: I had to buy a new camera today. Mine started having seizures during Martin's baptism. Bad timing, right? But not too bad--only $150 for the camera and an 8 gig card. I'm forwarding an email w/ pics that sister laws took of the baptism.

That's about all I have. I love you all so much!
Shout outs:
Beks: a letter is on the way! I just lurve you!
Chri: and Corey: I forgot to wish you happy anniversary! Woo!
S. Wheeler: ahahahahahaah! again! You're so great!

s laskou,

sestra dean

January 17th, 2011

THEY'RE REAL THEY'RE REAL THEY'RE REAL, I tell you! Miracles, I mean. Thats what I've felt like shouting in the streets lately. Let's just take a quick look at our all-star line up right now, yah?

Martin Grochol: getting baptised THIS SATURDAY! A few days ago we ran in to him while contacting in the city center. He's such a hoot, we have so much fun with this kid. It's like a party all the time--no one can really call it work. I mentioned to him that he would make a great missionary the other day and he said, "yeah, maybe I will be." I know, right?

Artur Chlad: kind of a rough-looking character I met on the 1000 day. Young, but has a chipped tooth and a gaged ear. Tends to just sit and listen when we teach, but says he feels something really different around us. I see a lot of potential in this guy, even though hes slightly gun-shy when it comes to organized religion.

Rosta: Met him exactly one week after 1000 day. Has already read through 2 Nephi. Came to church yesterday. Middle aged and a little goofy--looks like he should be in a cartoon or something, because he doesn't really have a neck--but in a very sweet, endearing sort of way.

MICHAL FILIP!!!!!! This is the biggest miracle I think Ive seen on my mission. Here's how it all went down:

So, as you know we ride the trams a lot here. Which means a lot of time to talk to people on the trams, which can be pretty hard sometimes. But S. Laws and I have made a special effort to get better at this because we know there are a lot of opportunities for us to find prepared people this way. Last transfer we mostly contacted people on the trams by asking if we could practice English with them. About 80 percent of the time people would ask where were from and then we'd get to share a message with them. I know, a little wimpy. So more recently we've been learning to be bolder and begin our conversations the way we'd contact anyone on the street--talking about families, or the purpose of life or something like that.

Miracle part A.
Last Monday, we were about to head to the church building for a meeting with a kid that never showed. However, we ran into a member on our way and missed the tram we originally wanted.

Miracle part B.
When we finally boarded the tram, S. Laws got on ahead of me and began making her way towards some likely prospect. Ahead of her, I saw a man that immediately struck me as different in some way. Probably in his late 20's or so, in a nice suit, he looked like a real "kingdom builder" as they tend to call it. A little intimidating, but for some reason I just knew that if S. Laws didn't talk to him, I needed to talk to him.

Part C.
Sister Laws talked to him. Afterwards, we talked about it and she'd felt the same. But the contact was really short--she told him she was a missionary and talked with people about the purpose of life. He said he really wanted to talk to her about that, but he had to get off at the next stop. She gave him a card and told him to call. This all happened in about 50 seconds.

Part D.
A few hours later--he actually called!! Said he wasn't a believer, but he had a Bible and he listened to a lot of people's takes on the purpose of life and wanted to hear ours. Set up to meet with us.

Part E.
After rescheduling a few times due to his work schedule, we met with him and a friend he brought along. A successful financial advisor, Michal has more questions than anyone I've ever met. He asked us about everything and was really impressed that we financed our own way. We were able to testify boldly that we knew our message was true. We gave him the Book of Mormon. Awesome.

Part F.
Met with him again with a member, Sister Michalska, who also had her own search for truth. Began by telling us that he really liked the BOM--that he'd read the Bible and thought it was such a pity that it was so old, that it'd be wonderful if there were something else to support it. Talked about the plan of salvation in great detail. Really liked it and said it all made sense. Said he felt something different around us and wanted to meet again. Prayed at the end!! AHHHH!

Parts G - Z, but it's still not over.


Quotes of the week (roughly translated):

"Look at you, you're just so different from everyone else in this city. You two are like little sunshines, while the rest of the world walks around in a cloud. The people who reject you just don't know what they're doing."

"I feel closer to God when I meet with you. Sometimes it lingers for a while afterwards, but it's totally different than my normal life."

"I feel something really different right now. In a good way. It makes me want to find out more about you."

"I think that maybe I was supposed to meet you."

"People in this church are like a big family--this is how it should be."

--Lately I've really felt the impact we have on those around us. We really are representatives of Christ and people can see that in us, they know that we're somehow different. I LOVE that.

This life is just so so good.

I am just about to ask pres about the phone call. I'll let you know asap.
One other thing--can I get Grandma and Grandpa Dean's address? I have a Christmas card for them that I never mailed.

Fam, everyone, I just love you! I know this is the real deal. It can't not be, with all the things I've seen in life. It works. Just tell everyone to try it, they can find out on their own.

A few shoutouts:

Beks: got your letter! Just sent one to you that I thought I had mailed quite a while ago... Man, I can not get over that picture of you contacting someone through the car window! Go get 'em sister!

Adri: I don't know if you read this, but I think you're home now. Address, please?!? I love you!

Corey: thanks so much for the email! You're awesome--I'll write more to you next week, promise!


Everyone else: mam te tak rada a mejte se moc fajn!

S laskou,
sestra dean

Hele! (January 10th, 2011)

Rodino, atd--nazdar!

Hello! This week has been a fabulous week--we've had EIGHT(!!) new investigators, 6 member lessons, 5 other lessons, 100 hours of speaking Czech, and still 2 people progressing towards a baptismal date. Not that numbers matter so much, but I figured it might be interesting for you to see what a good week for us looks like. Our biggest struggle is still getting people to come to church--a lot of people leave to go out of town on the weekends, especially students who are studying away from home. Some of them go home EVERY weekend--can you believe that? Even older people, in their 30s or 40s go and visit their parents often if they don't have a family of their own yet. A lot of them can't even begin to imagine how we stand being away from home for a year and a half without any trips back throughout. But Martin still comes every Sunday--yesterday he even answered TWO questions at church, one in Sunday school and another in priesthood. He's just SO cool! We told him for the first time that serving a mission is a possibility for him last week--he'd never even thought it possible before, but I could see it working over in his mind. I really just want him to serve a mission and then come back and find a nice Czech Mormonka and have an eternal family. That would be my greatest dream. He's awesome.

Olga didn't come to church--she was sick. Apparently she had a fever or something, but you can never be too sure with Czechs. At the first sign of sniffles, they quarantine themselves for days on end and won't permit themselves to do anything until they are better. It's absurd, sometimes. But she's still making progress. We're a little concerned for her--we haven't seen the great change in her that we tend to see in others who become really converted as they progress towards baptism. But she's willing to do everything and be baptised and she says that she wants that certainty in life, which is a great reason for baptism. And when I called the other day, she was reading the Book of Mormon! She's going to get baptized, because she wants it, but I think it's going to still be a lot of work with her even afterwards in order to help her find spiritual strength on her own. Please pray for her.

We've seen a lot of great results from the 1,000 contacts day before Christmas: 6 of our 8 new investigators have come from our interactions on that day! We've been making a bigger push as a district for member lessons and new investigators and it's really helped me push myself and plan ahead in order to make my personal visions into a reality. Sersiously-- I. LOVE. THIS. WORK. ! It's so neat to see the hope in people's eyes as we promise real blessings to them that really mean something. One of our new investigators has cancer--she's maybe only in her 30s and has a young daughter. We taught her with a really solid member in the branch and the entire lesson was basically showing her how the gospel of Jesus Christ can help her find answers to her questions and give her something to hold on to when things are unpredictable. She cried a lot, but the Spirit was there and it really felt like our work was the work God Himself might do if He were here. In reality, I suppose He is doing it, right here, right now. I can feel Him in it, which is the best part.

I received a letter from Petr Bandik recently--about how his spiritual conversion came primarily after his baptism. I love hearing things like that! That baptism is just the taking off point for people. I've noticed in the scriptures it says over and over again that people are 'baptised unto repentance'. Often, as a missionary I've just focused on the repentance leading up to baptism for investigators, but now I'm beginning to realize that our work merely frees them, is a catalyst for even greater growth in these individuals than I could ever imagine. God knows what kind of people He wants them to be. The gates of baptism just lead to more change, more happiness, living more completely--repentance. I love that.

Sister Laws and I are getting along really well. There are a few differences to work out, as there are in every relationship. I'm learning a lot and being humbled in a lot of ways. I've always been the sort of person who wants to put her two cents in...sometimes it can lead to taking over lessons. And she tends to worry about schedule things a bit more than I do, which is a struggle for someone who comes from an alwaysthelastonestochurcheveniftheylive5minutesaway sort of family. :) But I love it--I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Oh family, I just love you so much! One request, if you please: could you send the most recent conference Ensign? We STILL haven't gotten it. :( But bummer.

In Petr's email he said that he got your letter--he said the DVD was perfect for him, because he loves hearing people's testimonies so much. :) Good work!

I'm glad things are going so well--it's so good to hear updates on everyone in the fam. A few shoutouts:
Ma--Tragically, I finished the peanut butter and the granola this week, and shed a quiet tear in rememberance of how beautiful the past few weeks have been because of them. And I'm wearing toewarmers this very moment and life just couldn't be much better.

Corey--thanks so much for your letter! I love you two so much!

Gayann--where are my Bek updates?! You're hogging all the news! I want to hear more about the girl with the mother who's objecting to baptism! Oh--I just remembered...you're sailing, aren't you? Okay, well I suppose that's a pretty good excuse. :) Catch some rays for those of us caught up in a European winter.

Sister Wheeler--I think you read this...sometimes. But OH MY--HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I laughed SO hard at your email! (I'm still getting used to seeing 'Joce' at the end of it.) I promise, your secret is safe with me. BUT I want the DEETS!! What happened? Anything too 'oooo, awkward!' or was it pretty typical? Hahaha. Ha. I'm so glad to hear things are going well for you--are you still thinking about nursing? I'm excited to meet this new sister! Only one of the new mongolian sisters is here already--in Prague. We're thinking the other new one may come here to ostrava with us, because otherwise she'd have to be in an area where sisters are already blinding in AND follow-up training. That could be interesting, but I remember how much you loved a threesome, so I'm okay with that. Sestro, I'm still learning how great of a trainer you were all the time. I'm so grateful that I was able to serve with you! I hope you do read this and know that I just love you to itty bitty pieces!

Shelly & Smelly--I want to hear from you!! Whose sisters are you anyways??

Daddio--I've made another resolution to break out the harmonica more often. We'll see how it goes. I heard rumors of a harmonica floating around elders apartment that says 'made in czechoslovakia' on it--if I can get my hands on it, I'll bring it home for you. :)

Ahh, live it up everyone! Life should be wonderful!

S laskou,

sestra dean

January 3rd, 2011

Cauky Binkyheads!

I'm doing pretty well myself. The weather's getting loads better here--hardly even cold (that is...when I'm wrapped up in a big sleepingbagcoat and boots and a scarf--but today we went to the grocery store and I started burning up!)

Martin and Olga both have baptismal dates for the 22nd of January--not quite yet. Things are going pretty well for them--Martin came to church again on Sunday. He even fasted with a real personal purpose! Awesome. And he actually called us up last Friday and asked if we'd like to meet with him, even though he hadn't planned on it. The only bad thing is that he drank some champagne on New year's. We went over it with him so many times, what he would drink, because we knew it'd be hard for him. But he said his friends forced him to. He's just not used to having to resist that sort of temptation yet.

Olga is also still progressing. And still hitting on Martin. Haha! Poor guy. Did I tell you that Olga has a big crush on Moroni? That picture of him burying the plates--she always looks at it and talks about how hot he is (more or less). But it's okay, we just tell her she can read about him.

In answer to your questions, I am eating well. As in, enough. In fact, the problem is eating too much some days--the members here LOVE us Sisters and invite us over for meals on a regular basis (we usually have at least one meal appointment each week). But they forget that us sisters can't eat as much as elders. Or I'll tell them that I don't have room for it all and they'll say "Oh, you can find room, I'm sure". So I'm learning to give myself very small portions, if I get to be the one to dish myself up. Sister Laws has a new year's resolution to not eat any sweets, so I'm doing that with her for the time being. We'll see how long she lasts--on sunday the elders made chocolate cake and she sat right next to it and drooled over it and asked them how good it was but never ate any. :)

My apartment is on the second floor--it's pretty small, like a college apartment. And kind of old--i.e. the toilet rocks back and forth while you sit on it. But it works--we're not really home enough for it to matter, I think. On p-days we usually go grocery shopping or for whatever else we need. Today we bought a 'stick blender' at a big costco-like store--hellllloooo breakfast smoothies! Then we email. Then we do whatever else we want--today we're going bowling with the elders. Sometimes we write letters. Usually sister laws sleeps some, but I just find myself tireder after naps. My companions always seem to be tired all the time. So far I've missed that boat, but I'm afraid what might happen to me as I continue being a missionary...

Something funny: It's not really custom here to ask, "How's it going" or even say hello if you don't know someone. But I like doing it anyway, because it starts conversation and intrigues people. Sometimes people ask me why I want to know, which makes me want to laugh (they do that when I ask their names often too, after we've had a long conversation).

Another weird thing--often people don't feel comfortable calling me by "Sister Dean" here, so they call me Ashley. Or sometimes I just tell them my name is Dean, without the Sister, and then they think that's my first name.

Oh no, I'm running out of time. But I love you all--Smelly, I hope you figure out what to do with school. Pray about it to make sure you're not just trying to escape. But a new beginning could be kind of fun. Michelle--send me pics of your new shirt! Chris and Corey--have a baby already!! Beks--why am I not getting your emails any more?! Everyone else--mam te rada!

S laskou,