May 28th, 2011

Sister Christensen and I just established that we've both seen and fallen in love with the ridiculous made-for-tv movie, the 10th Kingdom. If Kelli ever reads this, just know that I'm thinking of you. :)

Can I just say that I looooooooooooooove specialized trainings? In a can't eat, can't sleep, over the moon, world series kind of way. That's how much I love them. This is why.

Lately I've been having all sorts of questions. Difficulties are a part of missionary work, of course, but I've noticed that I haven't been feeling as satsified from the work since I've come to Prague and I wasn't able to put my finger on it. I'm thinking that this is something that every missionary goes through at some point in the field--or maybe every person goes through it at some point in life. When there are so many changes, sometimes it's hard to figure out which ones are just a natural part of the changes that are supposed to happen and which ones are because something's changed that shouldn't have changed. So I've been talking it all over with God a bit. And he sent me some wonderful sisters from Ceske Budejovice to spend the night and teach me a thing or two (really they just came for training because it's too far to travel in the morning in time for it, but in one night and one morning I just received so so many personal insights from talking to them about the work--it was so wonderful!) and some inspired APs, ZLs, and President Irwins as well. I wrote down some questions I had before the conference and every single one was answered. I realized what our work here in Prague was lacking--"extra" contacting--i.e., contacting in the metro, while waiting to cross the street, on the bus, etc. It's not exactly something that every missionary here does, but I suppose it's something every missionary should do. I worked so hard in Ostrava to learn to use every moment as an opportunity to talk with someone, especially when we traveled in the tram, but with the move I've had to pay a little more attention to where we're going and I've spent a lot of travel time working with Sis. Chris on language things. But as soon as we began talking about it, I realized that it's really something that makes a difference--not only do we find more people, but in magnifying my calling even more I invite the spirit into the work more and allow myself to be led to those who need our message. I was able to put it into practice that night as we rode the bus to an appointment and it just made all the difference in the world! The guy didn't shout Hosanna and immediately hop into one of those lovely white jumpsuits, but I felt more like a disciple of Jesus Christ and that's the most wonderful feeling in the WORLD! I LOOOOOVE being a missionary!! Weeeeee!

Another wonderful thing that I learned:

So I told you about my prayer journal I think, right? I've been keeping a notebook with me as I pray in order to help myself notice and understand answers better. But last night I tried something different. Instead of just writing down afterwards the things that I thought maybe were answers, I wrote down every thought that came to me throughout the prayer. I cannot begin to tell you how different this prayer was from the other conversations I've been having with God. For one, my thoughts wandered far less than they often tend to at the end of the day. I really really felt Him talking to me. Like a real conversation. I knew that it was the way prayer was supposed to be--the makings of stories like Enos' and the Brother of Jared. And I received some beautiful, personal, long-needed revelation that maybe the Lord's been trying to tell me all along, I just haven't had the ears to hear it until now. I didn't want it to end! I found myself going to sleep on a spiritual high. I don't know if it'll work for everyone the way it did for me, but I would encourage every person who's looking for guidance in their lives to give it a go. Just kneel down with a paper and pen and write whatever comes to your head as you're praying. Answers come.

Ludek's getting baptized today. He's just so so prepared, I can't believe it. We met with him and another recent convert earlier this week--mainly we thought it'd help the recent convert because he's been struggling with his testimony. Every time we asked him to testify, he kind of side-stepped certain important truths--he called commandments "suggestions" and Ludek called him out on it! That man is going to be a wonderful leader in this branch some day, I just know it. :)

Also. I think there are some long-time investigators that we may be dropping soon. Let them think for a while until they are ready to change and the Lord can help other missionaries work with them. I am ready to find some new people. Can I just tell you how much I love finding? I.e. contacting, tracting, etc. (favorite finding past time: singing "who's that person who's gonna get baptized?" in between contacts.) I just love talking with people about this wonderful news that we have to share with all the world. It's so wonderful to see how people's hearts can soften within minutes. Because it's all so true and no sincere person can deny it.

Everyone, I just love you so much. :) You're all great. Tuesday Elder Pearson from the 70 is coming to talk to us again and it is going to be bomb.

s laskou,

sestra dean

Beks: Oh my, I just love you so much! You're exactly right. Thanks B, I'm praying for you. :) letter your way soon.

P.S. Update on Sis Stratton: she's alive! Minus an appendix and a gall bladder. In a few weeks it's possible that she'll go back out. Weeeeee!

May 23rd--I Feel Weird, I Feel Weird

So we're emailing for the first time in the CVUT University library, because I finally got my library card and it's cheaper. It makes me feel really out of place and suddenly aware that there are people going to school and living normal lives outside of missionary lives. Whaaaaattt?!

Being a missionary in Prague is crazy. Maybe it's similar to the temple square mission? Maybe.

Guess where the people we teach are from:
a) the Czech Republic
b) Slovakia
c) India
d) Honduras
e) Peru
f) Thailand
g) Russia
h) Ukraine
i) some of the above
j) all of the above

If you guessed a or b, you're probably like I was before serving in Prague. But sorry, you lose. J is the correct answer, ladies and gents--J!!

Can you believe this? I'm starting to get a brief feeling of what it might be like to teach in South America. Maybe I told you about Norris last week--she's from Honduras, 31, living with her binkyhead boyfriend for over a year in the CR who's also from Honduras. He's not so good to her, cheats on her, doesn't like children, etc. She doesn't have a job (doesn't speak Czech and only speaks English kind of well, so she's not so eligible for one here) and can't afford to move back home because her stinky bf won't give her any dough. So she's kind of sad at this point in her life. We met her through a member, Diana Wichterle, who's a member from Peru who was baptized here in Prague (Sister Wheeler taught and baptized her! woo!) and is married to a non-member Czech man. Diana is awesome because every time she makes a new friend she wants to introduce her to us. That's what it must be like in South America. In our first meeting we found out that 8 people in Norris' family are already members of the Church! She had already moved out of the house, so she kind of missed that boat, but she was really receptive to our message. We brought her the Joseph Smith video in Spanish and throughout it she was nodding and agreeing with everything. Then we talked about baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and she said that she would prepare for baptism on June 18th!! Woooooooo! She's just the nicest, most wonderful woman in the world and she deserves this happiness in her life!

AHH! Ludek's getting baptized this week! He's just so so prepped, I can't even believe it! We've been teaching him everything so fast--taught law of chastity last week, which was interesting because they are pushing us to teach things more specifically and boldly than in the past, due to a few problems they've had come up...I learned a few words I never thought I'd need to know as a missionary in preparation for that one. Niiiice.

People you may hear about in the future (based on how our meetings with them go today):
Gabor--the wonderfully happy Slovak. All he does is laugh. Martina--a high schooler who said it'd change her entire life if she knew who she was and where she was going in life.

Also. I'm now the official translator in Relief Society. I sit in the back and speak into a little microphone while all these women listen to me in their headphones. And I have to look up scriptures really fast and read really fast and there's this one woman who ALWAYS talks and NEVER breathes between her sentences and tells stories about really random things. So, I must confess, the English speakers may not be getting much out of her thoughts in future Relief Societies. It's kind of crazy and stressful. Yesterday I didn't know a word they said, so my translation came out kind of like this: "Well, I don't know what ------ means, but they said it. So the Holy Ghost isn't ------ and we shouldn't be ------- if we want to be able to recognize and understand his promptings." I saw a bunch of heads turn and smile when I said that. I'm just beginning to realize the extent of my power in this position. It could be really fun.

Something amazing for all you missionaries and wanna-be missionaries and converts and wanna-be converts out there--Jeffrey R. Holland, out of his talk "Missionary Work and the Atonement":

"Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why can't our success be more rapid? Why aren't there more people joining the church? Why isn't the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?...I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and he is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary."

"I believe that missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price. For that reason, I don't believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is."

"When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon and cast out, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known; the only pure and perfect life ever lived."

This work is amazing. God's plan is so complete, it even includes the trials and obstacles we personally need in order to grow and improve. I love this. And we're all a part of it, whether we're converting ourselves or helping someone else find himself. And Jesus Christ showed us how to handle it all, showed us that it's possible, and gives us that saving grace we need when we think we can't possibly make it through. Man, I love that guy!

And I love YOU!

S laskou,

Sestra D-izzle

That Czech guy that he [ward friend Tanner Sawyer in MTC] met is probably Ondra Tomsik. Czech/Spanish/English extroardinair headed to Canada Spanish-speaking. We were teaching his ma and the elders were teaching his girlfriend in Ostrava. He's really awesome--completely changed his life for the truth and now he's off to change the lives of everyone else. How cool is that?

Molly Huish, Rosemary Mitchel, and Staisha Stratton--expect letters soon!

Beks--I canNOT believe how long your binkyhair is!! It's unreal! LET'S GO MISSIONARY! (Challenging and Testifying Missionary, anyone?) I have a letter for you almost finished. It's kind of like a masterpiece.

Sister Wheeler--I am SO SO glad you saw Sister Stratton! It's so good to know that she's doing so well--finally, some sort of news! But Sestro, it's so wonderful getting to know all the people you taught here in Prague! Sometimes I meet/hear about someone new in the ward and the name brings to mind some miracle you told me of last year! I just LOVE Diana....I really think her husband will one day come around. He's come to church once since I've been here and they were going to come yesterday but Sebastian got sick. Uvidime... Also, we're hearing from Elder Pearson again next week. Remember how intense he was last time? I'm excited!

May 16th, 2011 Oh Myyy--This is How Cool the Czech Republic Is:

Everyone, please watch this:
https://lds.org/youth/video/the-first-step?lang=eng
A member here in Prague was asked to make this by the Church. He actually learned about the gospel as a foreign-exchange student in Utah. This is the language that I speak. This is the city that I live in. This is the gospel that I preach. How cool is that?!

Cool things from this week:

We brought an American to church with us. Her name is Becky. When we met her we found out that she's religious and she's been to a few different churches so we invited her to come with us. I was surprised at how willing she was to accept our invitation, but then Sister Chris reminded me that Americans are just really open people. Oh yeah.

My journal entry from Wednesday:

"We taught a pirate named Henry today and he is going to read the Book of Mormon." No lie, I don't think a person could look more like Jack Sparrow if he did it on purpose. Minus the eye liner, I suppose. He is even missing a hand! Seriously! He just wears this one black leather glove all the time and you can tell that he doesn't have fingers because sometimes he'll bump something and the fingers on his glove will move in unreal directions. But he's really open and a devoted Christian and really interested in the Book of Mormon. (Said he'd heard something about Mormon Tea when we contacted him on the street...not quite sure what that is.)

Biggest surprise ever--Martin Grochol came to church in Prague! He had to come anyway because he had a meeting for work nearby, but it was such a wonderful surprise. Also heard that Dusan brought his girlfriend to church with him yesterday! Woo! I don't know the details yet, but WOOO!

Ludek is a rockstar. Really. Taught him about prophets, tithing, and the Sabbath Day last week. He had questions about everything, but every time we asked him to live by it, he'd say, "of course. I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to do it." He's amazing. And the branch has just taken him right in. I'm beginning to look through the branch directory for a woman for him. Eternal families = my forte. :)

Sister Christensen is great. We get a long really well and laugh a lot together. But things have slowed down a lot since I've gotten to Prague. The area we're in has a lot of "eternal investigators"--people that aren't progressing towards baptism, but enjoy meeting with the missionaries for one reason or another.

I really love this work, but I'm finding there's so much work to do and re-do and I'm not exactly sure how to find a balance between helping Sister C learn and being as productive as possible. I've talked it over with God a lot though...I think we'll make it through.

I found a great scripture this morning. "Wherefore Ether came forth in the days of Coriantumr, and began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the lord which was in him." (Ether 12:2) If you follow the footnotes you'll find that all the best missionaries felt this way. There's nothing more liberating that bearing pure, solid testimony. I love it. :)

Everyone, you're all great. I'm keeping you all in my prayers.

S laskou,
Sestra Dean

Beks--I had no idea you were training! What a lucky greenie. If you have any training tips, please send them my way--I could use a few. I just began a letter to you the other day...I'll probably finish it next week and immediately send it off. Lurve!

McKenna--oh my--Soon MARRIED! Congrats, girl! I want to see pics!
Tiff Shaw--I'm in the same district as your distant relative, elder Andersen. What are the odds?!

Brie hansen--It's UNREAL how much my new comp reminds me of you. Seriously. She even does the silent laugh that you do and talks the way you do. And she paints.

May 5th, 2011

Cau čeče!

So, I know you've all been DYING to hear transfer facts, right? Yeah, I was too. Ish. But here we go....

I'm not in Ostrava anymore. I'm officially emailing you from the beautiful city of Prague, where I am follow-up training Sister Christensen. My first time having anyone in my district younger than I am, let alone my compydoo. Crazy.

I won't lie, I bawled my guts out when I found out I was leaving Ostrava. That city is the most wonderful place in the world. I feel as though we've built the Poruba Ostrava area up with our bare hands (and so so so much help from the Lord!). 6 months of seeing people grow and change--we've seen the members' faith increase a ton as well, as we've worked and brought solid new members into the branch. And we also have wonderful investigators like Dusan and Jirka, well on their way to becoming spiritual all stars. So I was a little sad... BUT last night a lot of my favorite people came to English and I was able to see them one last time, which was great. It was amazing to see how many people one can touch as a missionary--I didn't really realize how much of a difference my service has made until then. I just had overwhelming feelings of gratitude in that moment that I had chosen to serve a mission and that the Lord led me there. It made me feel a bit better about leaving, knowing that I had worked hard and by the spirit and that lots of similar opportunities awaited me here in Prague. Even as I'm typing this I feel that sense of impending miracles--I know they'll happen.
The VERY BEST part of this past week though: Sunday. Maybe the best Sunday of my entire life! I don't know if you remember, but my first few weeks in Ostrava we hovered around 35 people attending church regularly. But this past sunday we had 57 people at church. FIFTY SEVEN!! And FIVE of them were our investigators (including Jirka and Dusan, another man with a new baptismal date we just met the Sunday before, a 10 year-old son of a solid member, and the mom of a kid who just left on a mission). Our two wonderful members who were in America had just returned, so they bore wonderful testimonies about the truthfulness of the church and then MARTIN GROCHOL, that wonderful little czech man, bore his testimony!! I told him that it was my greatest ambition to hear him bear his testimony, and he really did it! And Jirka just ate it up--he said he felt really similar to Martin and really enjoyed it. There was so much talk about the Holy Ghost and even baptism, it was just beautiful. It couldn't have been any better.

Dusan's progressing really well. We talked with him a few days ago about prayer. We found out that sometimes he'd prayer while lying on his bed right before falling asleep (hey, we've all done at some point, right?), so we talked with him about kneeling and praying. He was a little unsure as to whether he could because of his leg injury, but said he would as soon as he felt it was okay. SO. He's been trying to sell this house that he rennovated so he can build one for him and martina to live in when they get married. It looked like it was all set and the buyers were happy, but on Monday they called and said they weren't so sure. He was really worried about it and prayed, telling Heavenly Father that he needed to sell the house and asking him for help--his first prayer on his knees. The next day the buyer called and said he still wanted it and they signed the papers. God's really preparing this man for something wonderful. It was difficult to say goodbye to him--he told me that we were like a part of his family. He bought me a necklace with a sun on it--actually really cool (he has great taste)--and gave it to me, saying that I was like a little sunshine that just brightened everyone's day. That was the last time I cried. I never want to take it off.

But now I'm feeling good about Prague. I think it'll be wonderful. Sister Christensen reminds me a lot of Sister Stratton (who, by the way, I just found out went home because of a bad illness! SO SO sad! Pray for her!). She's really happy and bubbly and talkative, but maybe doesn't love the Czech language so much. This will be fun because I just LOVE speaking Czech. :) Apparently our teacher in the MTC, Brother Rowberry, told her that he really hoped I trained her because we're so much alike. Wish granted, B. Rowberry (who I hear is ENGAGED--hodne blahoprani ti preju, cece, if you ever happen to read this). Here we already have a man with a baptismal date, whom I will meet tomorrow. Also: Elder Meiling is in my district. So, if he gets any letters from Danielle and I don't, I WILL know about it. :)

Anyways, I don't have too many other things to say that won't make me wish I were back in Ostrava. Oh wait, I should tell you--the last week of AWESOME APRIL was a week focused on giving baptismal dates. And last week we met with Jirka. That morning he texted us, telling us that he had some great news and was really excited to tell us. We were a little apprehensive because sometimes 'great news' for an investigator can be really hard news for a missionary (i.e. "I finally found a job but it means I'm moving to a city where there are no missionaries", etc). So when we met with him, we asked him about it right away. (Background: we had read Hel 5:30 with him the meeting before, which discribes the Holy Ghost kind of--or the voice they heard when Christ came, but relates to the HG). So he told us: "I prayed last night and I think I heard the Holy Ghost. I don't remember what it said, but I felt really good." So we gave him a baptismal date before we even said the opening prayer. 11 June.
Also, two sundays ago a new face came to church who seemed to know some people in the branch. Upon talking with him we came to know Cestmir, a man who'd met with the missionaries before, but then found a job and had to move out of Ostrava. He's back and knows God led him to this church. Bingo--golden. Met with him and he accepted a baptismal right in the first lesson. 28 May. Miracles miracles miracles!

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the best work in the world. Seriously, everyone should take part in it. Love you all!

s laskou,
sestra dean

P.S. July 5th...what an interesting date--I feel like it's something special. That should work. I will double check with president though. Also: our pdays here in prague are on Saturdays now instead of Mondays. Just fyi. Also: you are famous! Wow! Way to go easter journey! They forgot to mention Mary, the star of the show, who manages to fake tears in every performance and make it seem real. :) Another also: I just heard the Pres Uchtdorf might be coming to the CR soon. Woo!

Beks: I am DYING to get whatever it was in the mail...how long does it take for things to get from Taiwan to Prague? You are a missionary HERO, sista--God loves you! And me too!

WAHHHHH! I LOVE SEEING PICTURES! (April 26th, 2011)

Seriously--you all just look soooo great! Danielle is just so skinny! Ma, I forgot to tell you--I was showing someone pictures of our family the other day and someone could not believe that you were my mom. Most people think you look way younger than you actually are, according to all the pictures. Thought you'd like to know--live it up, you're gorgeous.

This week has been SO crazy, SO packed! I'm going to number the things I have to tell you so that I don't forget everything because it's all just so wonderful I can't leave anything out!

1. Last Tuesday we went to Brno (my birthplace!) for specialized training, which is what we have instead of Zone Conference each month. Lots of dying missionaries gave AMAZING testimonies...and the weirdest part is that they are missionaries who came out with my trainer, who died a long time ago. I remember meeting them and thinking to myself that they still have an entire quarter of their missions left! I'm starting to realize how fast time flies. I can't even waste a second!

2. DUSAN DUSAN DUSAN! He's still so cool--in fact, ever since President Irwin taught him with us he's become a legend around the mission. President is telling everyone during each specialized training how cool our investigator is! Woo! We talked to him again about baptism. He says that he's positive he wants it, but his girlfriend, Martina, just wants him to go a little slower. Her mom is a Jehovah's Witness, and I think she's just a little cautious when it comes to joining religions because a lot of JWs sign their lives away when they're baptized. But get this: he sent us emails of the potential cars he is thinking about buying and wants us to help him pick (Audi, BMW or Lexus...tough decision, eh?). He says that of course he wants Martina's opinion too, but he wants us to help him decide. It's amazing how much people trust you when they know you're sent from God.

3. Wednesday, as a part of Awesome April, was another ALL DAY, ALL CONTACTING mega session. But this time MISSION-WIDE!! As a district, we decided to beat our record from last time and go for 1300 contacts and at least 50 solid numbers (some of the 72-day numbers were a little quesitonable...I think a few girls afterwards were hoping to go on doubles with some of the Elders...hah--that's only kind of a joke) aaaaaaand we ended up with 1365 people contacted and 55 phone numbers! WOO! It's so amazing how much the Lord works with us when we set righteous goals! He really really wants us to succeed--I'm convinced of it. Every hour we re-grouped, prayed, counted, and went on splits with a different missionary. At one point, Elder Nielson and I made a goal to get 4 phone numbers in that hour--not unheard of, but something that definitely requires a bit of effort. Scheduled to regroup at 15:00, we found ourselves at 12:50 with only 3 numbers. But we were determined to work until the last second--we talked with everyone we could find and cut short contacts that were obviously headed nowhere--and at about 12:58 we got it! It was just another small miracle in a day full of miracles--in a lifetime full of miracles, really. God loves us! We also ran into Martin during the day and he came and contacted with me for a block. It was really interesting--like having a greenie or something....except he understood everything perfectly. It was a little glimpse into his future, I hope. :)

4. On Friday we met the next Martin Grochol! Really! His name is Jirka, he's 19, and AWESOME. We talked with him about what brings him joy in life. When we mentioned that faith in God can bring us lasting joy, he told us that he's been thinking he should start believing, but hasn't quite yet. Turns out, he's had some experiences with answered prayers, and really has begun believing all the while, he just hadn't realized it or done much about it. So we talked with him about this and then he asked us--so, what should I do? We took him to KFC right then and taught him about God and prayer. He came to church on Sunday and stayed all three hours! He said he really liked it! He's so so so cool, I'm kind of obsessed with him! WAHHH!

5. Speaking of Martin Grochol, on Saturday we had a meeting with him. He finally told his staunchly-Catholic grandmother that he'd been baptized into our church. And, well..she kind of had a conniption. So he came to us with all sorts of questions about polygamy and cults and such things. We were able to have a good talk about it, but he was a little unsatisfied with how little he knew about everything. On Sunday he came to church, passed the sacrament, and then left in some kind of hurry. When we called him about it, he told us that he was going to church with his grandma "searching for truth". I felt my heart break in a thousand different places and I couldn't pay attention to anything for the next two hours. I couldn't help thinking how hard it would be as a parent to have a child reject all the things you've worked so hard to teach them. Gloomy foreshadowings in my patriarchal blessing didn't really help me feel much better with this. But, as the clock of the church next door chimed noon, I couldn't help but think of the BYU bells and how they always chimed "all is well" at every hour. I got this sudden feeling of peace--that things would be okay. Sure enough, when we talked to him later, he said it was really weird at his grandma's church--something was missing.
This got me thinking a lot about my own testimony, how I came to know for myself, even though I don't know everything about every religion. But the glorious thing is that we don't have to be really knowledgable to know the church is true--we have to know what it's like to feel the Spirit and trust in those feelings and all the rest will come.

(I'm in the library right now and someone is drinking alcohol next to me...typical Czech Republic.)

6. Easter. Yes, I was whipped. Not hard, by any means, but yes, it's with the branches. Our clever Elders woke up at 5 AM to come and attack us while we were on our morning run. Unfortunately, Sister Laws looked out the window before we left and saw them, so they lost the element of surprise. I thought I was going to hate it, but we did it all in the spirit of good fun and Czech culture. Still, probably not a tradtion I'd take home to America with me. A lot of Czech women don't like it either. Then we went to Ostrava Castle with so many of my favorite Czechs (including Martin, Rosta, and Jirka!, among others) and then I played Risk for the first time ever and took over the entire world. I think that's a foreshadowing of baptisms to come.

Sorry, I know that's a lot. In closing, I just really wanted to let you in on a little secret: did you know we have a mission song?! Yeah, no one else in the world has this song, except for Czech Prague missionaries. Cool. I nearly cry almost every time we sing it. Here are the lyrics:

We come from places far and near to find the Lord's elect. With faith to work his miracles, our souls with strength are blessed.

Past martyrs of the land we place in reverence and respect. They died for freedomes we hold dear. And we will not forget.

The seeds are sown, the field is white, in Czech and Slovak tongue. Come join the harvest of men's souls, until God's work is done.

Chorus:
We are called of God to a land once cold, bringing forth his wondrous light. And with us the Lord labors here.


I love that so much. I really know the Lord is working with us here. I see it every day and I feel it as I'm typing these very words. This gospel is oh so true. Don't forget it, even for a second.

I love you! Next week I'll be emailing on Wednesday because it will be transfers and I could very well be in an entirely different city! AHH! I don't want to think about leaving...

s laskou,

sestra dean

P.S. Ma--don't send me anything expensive. If I could ask for one thing it'd be a Tide stick--the little kinds that look like a marker. Yes, I'm a messy eater. I don't really want anything else. Except maybe a letter from Danielle.

My pix aren't uploading at all today. Don't know what the big d is. I'll figure it out next week.

Beks: I have pics all printed, all ready for you view pleasure. :) Don't forget: God loves you, Sister! (direct quote from the asian compy-doo)

Who would have thought Easter would be such a sexist holiday? (April 18th, 2011)

I can't believe I've forgotten to tell you about Easter traditions here! (Dad, you'll get a real kick out of this...) Apparently, as a part of Catholic tradition, Easter here lasts three days (Sat-Mon), however the average Czech only pays any attention to Monday because they feel very little religious connection to the holiday, but they do happen to get the day off work. I'm not exactly sure how this, the biggest, craziest of the Czech Easter traditions, came to be, but in this little country, instead of pondering the resurrection or even reflecting on the upcoming spring,THEY BEAT WOMEN. No joke. They fashion these little whips by braiding a few sticks together (some whips are really thick, some are smaller--I think it depends on the decency of the man making it) and dangling some ribbons from one end. Then they go around and beat women while chanting something in particular (I've only heard it once or twice and they say it really fast, so I'm not sure what it means yet). Apparently it keeps the women healthy for the rest of the year. And then, in exchange for the beating, the women give men eggs or candy or alcohol. In some villages I hear that the men are completely drunk by the end of the day because they go from house to house doing it until they've each beaten everyone. And they don't really even have to know a woman to beat her. And the funniest part is that the Czech women LOVE it--they're almost more offended when people don't do it.
So yes, I will be spending next Monday battling my pride. :) Gotta love Czechs!

A few Czechs in particular that I love:

DUSAN DUSAN DUSAN DUSAN!!! AHH! He's sooo cool! He's begun referring to the church as "our church" and he's still reading from the BOM 15-20 minutes every day. He's even begun watching General Conference at home--says he's going through it slowly because he wants to understand everything. President Irwin was in town on Friday, so we actually brought him along to our lesson with him. Poor Dusan was so nervous when we told him that he was coming--"Really? He sounds like a really important man!" "Should I call him Mr. President?" We talked about Jesus Christ and baptism with him. Helped him understand that baptism was the gateway to further learning and growing, not a final destination (a common misconception here in the CR--one guy's been coming to church for almost 12 years and still isn't a member because he can't get over this). When we taught him about Jesus' baptism he got really surprised and said, "I didn't know that Jesus Christ was baptised. Wow--I think everyone should be baptised!" So he's praying about it and talking it over with his girlfriend. Also: we haven't taught him any commandments yet, but he's read about the Word of Wisdom and stopped drinking alcohol on his own. He also told us he's going to stop drinking coffee and tea too. He's just so wonderful and humble. It's amazing how much he trusts and believes us. He's a real miracle. Yesterday he was in Germany buying a new Lexus. Not at church because of that, but man is he loaded.

Petra Galickova: we've taught her once before. She's the wife of one of my favorite members, who served a mission in Washington state a while back, and speaks English perfectly. His first marriage to a member ended unpleasantly, so Petra's not a member, but a gem still. After our first lesson, I found myself wondering what sort of difficulties we could expect, because she told us that she has a lot of concerns, and I know she's already been taught by other sisters before. But yesterday we decided to start from square one: the restoration. Surprisingly, she knew very little about it, except that Joseph smith translated the BOM. She didn't even really have a great understanding of Jesus Christ. To shorten things, the lesson went really well--the spirit was really strong, and she committed to reading from the BOM and praying about it to find out for herself. I just really really want them to be an eternal family!!

Zuzana Tomsikova: mother of a cool young member who's leaving on his mission to Canada in a week or so, Ondrej. SO much potential here too! She has a lot of interesting questions--she's investigated religions her whole life, but it's never felt real or personal to her--things like, what do you picture in your head when you're praying? Or harder ones, that I can't answer regarding how it's possible to live with all of one's family at once. She's one of those people that has a strange ability to disagree with you while praising you and making you feel like the cat's pajamas, she is that nice. Occasionally it's difficult to read her because of this. People like this make me so grateful that Heavenly Father's helped me so much in my ability to speak and understand Czech.

Those are two of the three investigators we're teaching who are related to members (the other is a ten-year-old boy who's the son of an AMAZING member and her alcoholic husband...kind of a tricky situation). We joke a lot about how our calling is not only to find, teach, and baptise individuals, but devise ways to create eternal families! My mission has made me realize over and over again how important families are. Of course I've always wanted my own family, but I think that I'm really beginning to look forward to having my own family, for the first time in my life. And I'm learning over and over again how much I have to be grateful for when it comes to my own wonderful family. :)

Everyone, I just think you're all swell. Keep up the greatness, I love you!

Sestra Dean

Ma: you pick the day (or a few possible days) and I'll work around that, as far as calling goes. Break a leg!

Breanne Black: you just write the best letters ever! I was laughing and crying all over the place--thank you! I will be sending you a response asap. But it sounds like there are SO many Romania girls that have a little writing to do (i.e. Keilani = Korea?! and Trisha = BRENT?!)

Rosie: oh my goodness, those pictures made me the happiest little girl in the world. Serious face. Our kids are so wonderful. And I'm so SO excited about your friend coming to the mission--I hope I get to train her, I hope I hope!
and...Wayne Sandholtz?!

Also: Sisters Renata Blombergova and Eva Ivanova (members from Ostrava) met Christine Frye (friend that went to Jerusalem with me) on Temple Square of all people--I just received a picture of them together yesterday. What a great surprise!

Oh Helloooooo! (April 11th, 2011)

Cest ladies and gentlemen, cest!

Don't worry. We just had the greatest weekend of your life. Get this--Saturday: General Conference. Group cleaning the church service activity. Baptism. Major lunch out of the goodness of the woman who was baptised, Radka, who happens to be a chef. General Conference again. General conference again. Wowza. (Yes, President wanted us sisters to watch the priesthood session too, since we are here on priesthood duties. Can I just say those general authorities really seem to loosen up during the priesthood session? I almost died when Elder Eyring shared his story about the sailor--oh man! Gotta love that guy!) One of the greatest things about it: FIVE new members of 2011 in our branch were some of the only ones other than the missionaries to attend all of the sessions. It was so beautiful to see them all soaking it up and to talk with them afterwards about the things that really touched them. It's amazing how Conference just seems to lift everyone's spirits. Rosta sat there and took notes the entire time! It was just so wonderful to see the kind of progress these wonderful people are making.

Speaking of members, this week as part of Awesome April (don't forget the British accent) we will be doing presentations with members in the branch about missionary work. Our beloved President Irwin is really focused on getting the members here involved in missionary work and this is one of the ways he intends to see it through. We're giving each family a card that has a list of 20 or so things that they can do as missionary work, and a calendar where we can write in which ones they committed to do, etc. I think it's going to be really wonderful. Sister G has taught me a lot about the wonder of referrals in a mission where referrals are hard to come by. After serving in Provo and American Fork for 8 months, where they hardly ever tracted, but just fed off refferals, she has got a good thing d-o-w-n. Referrals are just a beautiful, beautiful thing. New investigators with a built-in support system. With someone who speaks their native language to answer questions--someone who will stay in the branch long after missionaries leave. Seriously, everyone--REFER! How can we not share the gladness of this wonderful gospel with everyone we know? Be a good friend, and share your eternal splendors.

Dusan is doing well, in a manner of speaking. Leg is still shot, which means he couldn't come to Conference, even though he really wanted to. But he's chugging his way through the Book of Mormon and we have contact with him daily. He hasn't lost any of his enthusiasm and he's eager to learn everything. I just love this guy! I will try to get some pictures of him for next week.

Had a meeting with Michal Filip last night. I'm afraid to say this, but that man has changed so much since we've known him. He says things that are completely different from what he said when we first met him. He just wants to throw insignificant questions at us (like about the archangel Michael and where it says that he was Adam in the scriptures) and doesn't want to hear our message. It's so difficult sometimes to know what really is the best for these people I've come to care so much for. Hey, but get this: we found out that Sister Laws and I met his younger brother our first week here in Ostrava. We were supposed to meet with him, but something happened and we couldn't, and then we lost touch with him. Last night we compared the phone number we had w/ Michal's brother's and it was the same. So I'm wondering if the key to getting Michal may be through his brother...we'll work on it. Pray for us, please!

Sometimes I feel as though this mission demands so much from a person. Don't get me wrong, it's great--but I'm understanding that the only way it's possible for a person to change so much on the mission, is because the mission demands so much. I absolutely LOVED all the talks on trials and learning from correction and pain and being healed. So many people ask us why bad things happen to good people, why it seems there's no justice if God exists. Maybe because of that, those talks meant a lot to me. God knows EXACTLY who He wants us to be. And He loves us far too much to take away the trials and the suffering. Isn't that so beautiful? He knows what we need to become perfect and He gives it to us without hesitation. And then as we, in our lack of perspective, despair while the trial's upon us, He cries right with us and gives us the strength we need to endure. Then, when it's over, we can look back and see a difference in ourselves.

I've grown so much as a person in the past 9 months. Amy Dean, I am just so dang excited for you! And Keilani Nielson, if you're out there reading this too! And everyone else who is dissatisfied with his life as it is now--find a way to share what you have and you will find that you really are blessed with so much more than you need.

Everyone, this chance at truth is just the best thing that's every happened to us. I love it.

And now I am going to play some ultimate frisbee. Oh yeah.

S laskou,
sestra Dean

I hear Lisa Ogles (Viehwig) is having a baby! AHH! AND Tiffany--awesome! P.S. Did I mention that my AP is related to Tiffany somehow? We spent a great part of lunch talking about all the random connections Elder Anderson has with that huge family in Eagle Idaho. Love them. :)

Beks: I just love you and all your Asian comps. They all look so small and fragile. Can't wait to hear all about the miracles that happen in the big city. Also: this weekend I've been having NieNie flashbacks. Maybe it's all the talks about pain.

Sister Wheeler (I don't know if I'll ever be able to call you Jocelyn...)--ahhh! Chci slyset vic o tom to muzu! Fotky, prosim? Muzes ocekavat neco postou. Mam te rada. :)