25.08.2014-Bratislava!!

Ahoj!!

So this week was rather uneventful besides the crazy thunderstorms we've been having. One moment it's bright and sunny and the next-black skies and a downpour. I've been wet so much this week! 

As for this week, here are a few things we did...

District finding! YAY! so Sister Wilson and I and Elders Christensen and Sharp contacted together to switch things up a bit. It was really fun and we got a cool appointment set up from it. We switched companions a couple times through out and I just love contacting around other missionaries! I always learn a lot like other  Slovak phrases or how to grab people's attention better.

We are preparing for a concert called "Who are the Mormons?" We're basing it off of the I'm a Mormon campaign. I'm really excited--we have an amazingly musical district! We're working with the members who will give their conversion stories and testimonies and then we'll sing!

Questions and Answers: 

1. Now that you have been in Bratislava, do you feel you have helped to influence the missionary work? 

A. Well, I sure hope so! Lots of people tell me I bring energy and enthusiasm... We're also preparing for a concert right now in the district and I'm in charge of all things musical! :D

2. Have you added new investigators to your pool?  

A. Unfortunately no. We've been having a rough time with finding people to teach...most of the investigators from last transfer dropped off and our members are all out of town!
3. Is L still on track for baptism at the end of August?  If so, will you be attending? 

A. I'm not sure honestly. If he still is, I probably won't go. It's pretty far...

4. Is it a pretty big ward there?  It must feel very different being in a big city again.

A. The branch is smaller than Jicin but still bigger than Zilina. I'm so excited to be in a big city. There are good things and hard things. The contacting is way different/easier-there's way more people. But tram contacting is hard for me. Also it takes a long time to travel anywhere.

5. What are you learning/studying in your studies?

A. I've been studying the Atonement a lot lately. I really love a talk by Elder Bednar on The Enabling Power  of the Atonement.  I've decided I take a lot of things for granted. 

[Watch how the atonement helped these families.]

I'm really loving Bratislava. The change of seasons is invigorating and I love being a missionary! We have so many cool people in our branch and so many cool things are coming up! I love you all and hope you have a great week! 

S Laskou,

Sestra WhitneySarah Johnson <3 

August 18, 2014-Bratislava

18.08.2014

Ahoj! 

Well my first week back in Slovakia was interesting...there were good things and bad things and a few weird things. It was wonderful to be back in Slovakia...I just love it here so much. And the language is so beautiful! So here's a few things from my week:

 

Monday: I got a feel for Bratislava and we helped Sister Belbi Minya finish packing everything up.

Tuesday: This was an adventure! So we took Sister Belbi Minya to the train station so she could go to Prague. The train was late and when her train arrived there were so many people trying to get on but we finally got all of her bags to her seat. Right then though the train left! So Sister Wilson and I were on our way to Prague. :) We called Prezident to tell him we were leaving our area and when the ticket checker came by we explained that we wanted to buy a ticket to the closest city. It was the same person who helped us to get the bags on the train. He was so nice and thought it was funny and didn't make us buy a ticket! It all ended fine...we got off about 40 minutes later. We got back to Bratislava just fine though. Then we had district meeting when we got back. A great quote from district meeting, "A wife is part of the family. She actually is the heart of it".

 

Weekdays: This week was very rainy! And a little chilly too. So one day this week we were contacting and heading to catch our tram when it started to rain lightly. We walked a little faster but the rain came harder and harder. So we did what anyone would-we took shelter under an ice cream stand! We bought cones and talked with the ice cream man while the rain turned into a downpour. The ice cream man was really nice and we talked about missionary work and why were serving missions. He at first thought I was a Slovenka but my accent gave me away! While there we tried calling the Elders to see if anyone was close or in the building were we had spare umbrellas but they were like us, pinned down 5 minutes from the building in the pouring rain. When the rain let up some we decided to make a run for the building. We got there and then headed out to rescue some of the Elders (they had a meeting they needed to get to). We were wet but we were going home so it was fine.

 

Saturday: While Sister Wilson and I were out contacting we heard someone yell, "Sisters!" We turned to find a YSA girl we didn't know with two friends. She introduced herself as a member from Slovenia and that she and her friends had been attending the YSA conference in Poland and were meeting up with the rest of the group to head home. We walked with them for a while and met 10-12 Slovenian YSA! They were so cool! I love meeting young church members especially here where the church is still small. Then we headed to Sports day. We played soccer in the park.

So the worst part of this week was when I got a phone call from Prezident McConkie. He was calling to say that Sister Baird and my extensions had been vetoed. Normally for the 30 day mission president extensions, he wouldn't need permission, he just informs Salt Lake so they can keep their records updated but when they said they weren't allowing extensions I guess that meant every type of extension. To say the least I'm a little crushed right now and highly disappointed. I guess I'll be seeing you in October after all...

To answer a couple of questions - My new companion is Sister Wilson. She is in her 3rd transfer now. Sister Jones trained her here in Bratislava and follow up trained by Sister Belibi Minya. She's really sweet and we get along well. We've talked about our transfer goals and so we're pretty well in sync. As for the missionary work -There are so many people here to contact compared to Mlada Boleslav! It's wonderful! We have a few investigators but really need to build up our pool. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week! 

S laskou,

Sestra WhitneySarah Johnson

August 11, 2014-Bratislava!!!!

Ahoj!!!

   So I'm super stoked to be back in Slovakia and a little sad to leave the Czech Republic.  Well this week went fast and I honestly don't remember most of it! But I'll do my best to give you the highlights. 

Monday: Our biking adventure, which you already know about...I'll send pics soon but I forgot my camera today! :( 

 Tuesday: Our last district meeting! It was in Jicin and was really good. I love my Czech district! We tabled together and then I made Halusky for everyone and afterward we had district meeting which was one of the best of the transfer. We talked about the goals we made at the beginning of the transfer and how well we did. We also talked about baptism and setting expectations. 

Wednesday-Friday: I don't actually remember..... I honestly have no clue nor do I have my planner on me to check...we met with N (our new investigator) and we worked hard-it's the last week and we wanted the area in good shape for the coming transfer. 

Saturday: We got our transfer calls! Both of my comps are training (Smith in MB and Steglich in Brno). We also visited a lot of less actives so we were busy.

Sunday: The missionaries who were leaving were asked to bear their testimonies.  After church we got pics with people and ate lunch with the elders and then Sister Steglich got on a bus to Brno (she's blinding in and training there) and Sister Smith and I went home to MB, visited a few people and I packed.  

 Today: Well, I traveled to Bratislava. It was an adventure and a half. We had to take a bus to Praha and then find the bus station (took us forever and we were dragging my heavy luggage) then the bus I was going to take was full so we had to find another. The bus I actually took was really nice and roomy though so it was fine. But that bus was delayed so I arrived late (1.5 hrs later than I had originally planned). But I'm here in Bratislava safe and sound. I'm with Sister Wilson this transfer and in my district are the ZLs (Elders Ringger and Garlick), and Elder Christensen (who's my district leader) and Sharp. It's my old district minus Sister Baird!! They closed an area here and moved a set of elders to Trencin to fill the hole left by the sisters.

 A few questions and answers:

Q. What language do you teach L in? 

A. Slovak and Czech. I speak Slovak while the others speak Czech. He understands Czech just fine (as most Slovaks do) but the sisters didn't always understand Slovak. 

Q. Will you have the opportunity to go back for his baptism? 

A. Quite possibly. Prezident allows us to return to former areas for baptisms but we just move our pday to that day so we don't lose work time.

Q. How many lessons did you teach this past week?  

A. Lots! We made standards (21 lessons) so we were pretty busy but still had time to contact and whatnot.

I just love missionary work! The lifestyle's crazy and the opportunities are amazing! I'm so blessed to serve with and around the missionaries I do. We have such great examples here-awesome missionaries and members. I hope you all have a enthusiastic week! Go and live up to your potential! Be a missionary! To quote Sister Smith: "Rise up!! Rise up!!"  I love you all and hope your week is grand!

S Laskou,

Sestra WhitneySarah Johnson <3

August 4, 2014 - Mlada Boleslav

Hello everyone!!!

SO I've lots to say today...hopefully time will stop. ;)  This week was grand! So of course we started with a district vylet (I realize I'm leaving out some details but you'll understand when I send pics...).

Then Tuesday was boss awesome!! We went to Liberec and tabled there. That means we first get permission from the city (obey the laws of the land and all that jazz), then set up on the namestie a table and whiteboard. Someone stands by the table and the rest contact around. It's so much fun and really draws a crowd sometimes. Liberec is a busy city (at least busier than MB) and it used to be part of Germany so there's lots of folks who speak German. Luckily for us we have a German speaker (well Swiss German anyway): Starsi Prochazka! But we had a great time there and the city is beautiful. Its one of the perks of having our district spread across three cities...we get to travel and see lots of places :)  Unfortunently it takes a long time. :(

We also did an hour of split contacting Tuesday night, which was crazy effective. We all split up down this long road (always within sight and sound...we're obedient!) and from it got a few numbers and two appointments. It's wonderful being in a threesome...we get so much accomplished!

Then Wednesday we had a new addition to our English class: J and E's mom! A few weeks ago, I was just calling trying to set up with old potentials (it was when we were stuck in Bakov) and I just called her number and had a nice long conversation with her. She said she didn't have interest in the Gospel or English classes but thanked us for our kindness. Then a few days later while meeting with J and E, they said their mom wants to come to English! So she came and she's awesome! She really enjoyed the spiritual thought (stripling warriors-moms love it) and is excited to come this week. (The story of the stripling warriors is found in the Book of Mormon, Alma, Chapter 56).

Thursday was about the same as any day-we did missionary work! But nothing out of the ordinary happened. Friday though was interesting...We went on a vylet with an investigator, Fi. He took us to his town and showed us around and we visited a castle and (most importantly) his family. He has a huge, beautiful family (7 siblings and awesome parents)! His mom is so fine with the fact that he meets with us.   And his mom invited us back to talk in a few weeks when they're back from Poland! Such a good day!

Then Saturday was good and bad. We had a great lesson with a less active and he promised to come to church and wanted to be better and we arranged to meet him the next morning and then that night, he text that he was at his cottage and so couldn't come with us. It was sooo disappointing! But today we had a very good lesson with him. We read with him a talk-If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments  by Elder Hales. We had a good long talk...

....but this lesson helped me realize something about myself. I've had lots of people throughout my mission tell me I'm really good with boldness in lessons but I think I've really learned how to balance that boldness with love this transfer. I think that one reason I came here to Mlada Boleslav was to learn more about charity and patience. Missionary work is not always easy. Sometimes it's so upsetting to literally have the key to eternal happiness and have people-members, investigators, and potentials-reject it. But I am so glad for 2nd chances which are made possible through the atonement. I love talking about potential. It's become my favorite subject during my mission. I have hope and faith that I can change and grow and I've already seen huge growth in myself. I also understand that this blessing is available to everyone! We're all sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, who wants the best for us. Sister Smith always tells us "Rise up! Rise to your potential!" and I know that challenge extends to everyone!

So now about Sunday...I received some excellent news from Prezident McConkie. He came to visit the branch and afterward he asked if I would extend for 30 days!  So another sister and I will extend and train in the same area and apartment for 30 days and hopefully the new sisters will be ready by that point to be on their own and if not they'll be moved into threesomes... I'll get back just a month later than originally planned. So yeah, that's my big news! :D

Then today was an amazing last pday in the Czech Republic before I head back to Slovakia. We went biking in Jicin with the elders and ran into so many problems (both my bike and Elder Prochazka's bikes broke) but it was fun and I'll send pics next week with more details.

I love you and next week I'll write you from Slovensko!!

S laskou,

Sestra WhitneySarah Johnson <3

July 28, 2014 - Mlada Boleslav

Ahoj everyone!!

First off, this week was less eventful than last week but a few really cool things happened!!

-Conference!! And more importantly, a special conference--it was the anniversary of the dedication of Ceskoslovensko for missionary work!

It was held in the some place and on the same date the original dedication took place-Karlstejn, July 24th. It was really cool! The entire Czech missionary force was there.

 We hiked up a hill (it was beautiful) and had a short training. It ended with a beautiful prayer by Elder Bushnell, one of the APs. Prezident told us during the training that sometimes we just need to hike a hill and say a prayer, so that's what we did. It was also a little sad because the sisters from the group above me gave their departing testimonies. (I missed Sister Jones' and Belibi Minya :( and I'm up next transfer!!). But all in all it was amazing and such a great training!

 -Another highpoint of the week: We had an investigator come to church!! It was great and he really liked it! And, he has a baptismal date for the last Saturday in August!

 

-Today we went to Liberec for pday and it was so much fun! We were going to take a lift to the top of a mountain and then hike down (for time reasons and because it's a hard steep climb) but the lift didn't run until 1! So we ended up hiking the mountain. :(  I'm glad to say I finished it but it's not something I want to repeat anytime soon... We're all  going to be so sore tomorrow!

-Well, a lot of our less active members dropped us (not really but it kinda feels like it). Some of them are really busy, some are out of town for the holidays, and a few are a little ashamed to meet with us because we're more direct than past missionaries. We still drop by and visit our members but having actual set visiting/teaching appointments didn't happen this week. :(

 

-Last week you asked me about my studies so let's continue on that theme...this week I studied a lot about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and about the Restoration and key figures in the Restoration. I really admire many of the early saints. They had so much faith and drive to always do what is right. I also noticed though that those who had lasting  conversions built their faith through the simple things like reading the Book of Mormon or praying or obeying the commandments of God. In contrast, those who had the testimonies of others as their foundation or built it upon temporal knowledge, and not personal, spiritual knowledge fell away (for example, look up a man named Ezra Booth-he joined the church because he saw the Prophet Joseph perform a miracle. he had a good start but didn't seek a more solid foundation though his study, application and most importantly, the Spirit). And we can follow the same pattern. Though our own study of the doctrines (and application!), we can gain a sure lasting  testimony of Christ as our Savior and Exemplar. Alma 37:35-"Remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in they youth to keep the commandments of God". And quite frankly we can all learn more thus, "seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118). So study well this week, learn lots and then apply!!

Sunflowers are fun flowers!! just like home ;)

I think that's all for today...I hope you enjoy your long, two week email and I love you all so much!! Have a great summer day where ever you are!

S Laskou,

Sestra WhitneySarah Johnson <3

July 21, 2014 - the lost email....

Ahoj everyone!!

    So first off an apology-I'm sorry you didn't receive a letter last week. (Seriously I sent it before all those pics-I've got my priorities straight.) So here's that letter from last week...

Well this week was grand!! Though it's been just like a Kansas summer--hot and humid!! I've gotten sunburned a few times (and yes mom, I've been wearing sunscreen!!)  But in other news here's a few things that happened this week:

-District meeting was in MB (Mlada Boleslav) this past week! We tried tabling and it went okay...we didn't have a very populated area but still got a few numbers. -Awesome meeting/lunch with the Len's. They are so nice to us and try to help us out (which is hard seeing as they live in Jicin and have a small family). But at least now they have a better understanding of the situation in MB (they both serve in leadership positions in the branch). They are going to try to organize a branch activity in MB so members here may come and investigators to.

-Something not so fun happened this week...we got stuck in Bakov for a couple of hours!! We went to visit a less active member and missed our bus so we walked to the next town over and got all confused and missed that bus too! Finally we found a train to take home but it still took forever! 

-And today we had an awesome pday! Everyone came to us and we went to the Skoda muzeum  and then played sand volleyball in the park! It was amazing fun and I have great pics!

 
Now about our work this past week:

One point of frustration for us is that we get numbers, lots of numbers, but no one seems to want to meet with us. Most say they're too busy during the holiday so try in September. It's frustrating because they're such cool people and we want to teach!!  

We're trying to help a couple of investigators learn to develop faith in Christ so we watched
Finding Faith in Christ and this week we are going to talk about His role as our Savior.
We are meeting with another investigator tomorrow and will be teaching the Plan of Salvation.  And, another one who has been out of town for surgery was able to watch the Restoration film and enjoyed it.

Q: What have you been studying?  A: I'm reading General Conference October 2012 right now and I really love it! I'm also reading in the Book of Mormon (of course). I'm in the end of Helaman right now. It's interesting to see how things always repeat and in every group, there's always a few righteous who are willing to listen to the prophet and change. I also read occasionally in the Old Testament, which I love a lot. :D  I really admire the faith of those in the scriptures and how things are always black and white but not always easy. I think of potential when I read...the potential of those in the scriptures, the potential we have as we apply the teachings. Really we can do so much if only we rise up and fulfill our potential as sons and daughters of God.

I love you all and invite you, as missionaries often do, to live to your potential this week!! Share the Gospel and be a force for good in the world!

S laskou,

Sestra WhitneySarah Johnson <3