June 2, 2014 - Zilina

Ahoj! 

 

This past week was a little stressful because of all the traveling and bizarre happenings but it was really fun and we saw some awesome miracles! We were worried our area might slip a little with all the craziness but we maintained it pretty well!

 

So first off, we had our koncerts in Trencin and Zilina. They went really well--just a few minor mishaps. Like when one of the elders almost sat on a member... But mostly it was just beautiful and we had a great turn out in both places.  We read  The Family: A Proclamation to the World with songs in between the paragraphs.

This was the program:

Welcome and paragraph 1 followed by Families Can Be Together Forever (Everyone singing with E. Brousseau on guitar)

Paragraphs 2 and 3 followed by I am a Child of God (everyone with S. Kane on piano), Nearer My God to Thee (sisters singing with me on piano and E. Brousseau on guitar), and There is a Green Hill Far Away (guitar solo by E. Brousseau)

Paragraphs 4 and 5 followed by I Often Go Walking (my district singing and me on guitar) and What a Wonderful World (Everyone with E. Brousseau on uke)

Paragraph 6  followed by Love is Spoken Here (everyone with S. Krauel on piano) and For the Beauty of the Earth (everyone with E. Brousseau on guitar)

Paragraph 7 followed by O My Father (Duet by S. Barid and E. Brousseau with S. Kane on piano)

Paragraphs 8 and 9 followed by Abide with Me (Elders. a capella. beautiful. arranged by yours truly ;). it was a powerful closing number).

The concert was so fun and we did an excellent job. 

 

Then on Wednesday, we went to Bratislava to attend the party for the service project. It was a crazy adventure. First it was a hassle trying to actually get to the place plus I was breaking in brand new heels (just so you all know hiking up cobblestone hills in heels is not fun). But eventually we arrived. It was a beautiful building and actually looked like a mini white house. Everything there was really expensive (the carpets, grand piano in the front room, plates with the United States seal). Plus there was imported American candy and food.  When we arrived Kate, the ambassador's wife was so happy to see us and asked that we would do what we did before-mingle and get to know people and bring everyone together. She really is impressed with us missionaries...we're bilingual charming young people ;). Shortly after Kate and the ambassador spoke along with someone from the hospital. It was really cool because she had us missionaries raise our hands and when she thanked "the Mormon missionaries for their hard work and support", you could hear "Mormoni?" all around the room. The church still struggles with getting positively recognized so this project was very helpful! And hopefully this will generate more service projects.

 

We had some miracles at church this week...we had three of our investigators come! Two of them had committed but were super shaky and one was a complete suprise! 

 

As for our investigators...

M: Still no change. Sadly the Elders see her all the time in town but we have been unable to get ahold of her. We don't really know what to make of it because she was progressing so well. 

Our doctor friend: She is sooo cool! She really wanted a Book of Mormon. She was willing to pay for one, we told her it was free. ;)  Found out she has kids, so this just keeps getting better and better. We have a meeting set up this week and she has great questions so I'm looking forward to seeing her progression.

As for our other investigators, they're doing well but we're having a hard time progressing people to baptism. 

 

This coming Sunday is Branch Conference which means Prezident McConkie will be coming for church.

And somehow it's already June. Sister Baird and I got an email today for "missionaries departing on October 16th." It was quite wretched. It feels like time is speeding up.  Transfers are next week and there's a high chance I'll be leaving here...I've been in Zilina for 6 months now! But we'll all find out next week so until then, I love you all and wish you a beautiful day!

 

S Laskou,

Sestra WhitneySarah Johnson <3