I'M WEARING PANTS!!!/First lesson in Szczecin!! :) (2/26/19)

Cześć Rodzina!!

On Monday, we had a Branch activity that Sister Godfrey and I planned as a way to help our Branch members invite their friends to a church activity that wasn't church. We had an "American Valentine's Party" and it was actually a really big success! We had about 20 people there for our party which is a ton for Szczecin!! :) We all made Valentine cards, played some games, and frosted and decorated heart-shaped sugar cookies! (which we delivered to homeless people on Wednesday) We even had our really nice neighbor Mirosław come to the party!! We were so excited to get him involved with members of the branch and the other missionaries so quickly! And he was also able to meet the Elders and Elder Moody was able to talk to him for a while. Sister Godfrey and I are really wanting to start teaching Mirosław and his wife Anja! :)

On Tuesday, we did our weekly planning in this super cute cafe/cupcake shop. And yes.... we did end up buying cupcakes!! And they were SO GOOD!! And that's saying something, because I don't really like cake all that much haha. 

Cup and Cake (weekly planning).

Also, that night, we taught English class. We had 2 girls come AGAIN who had come last week! (Ewa and Kasia) We also had Monika and her daughter, Karina, come to the class. And that's not the best part... ALL 4 of them stayed for the religious discussion afterwards!! AND they ALL took a copy of the Book of Mormon with them!! :D Last week Ewa and Kasia left right after the class was done, so I was really surprised that they stayed. But yeah!! It was so exciting!!

Also, about Monika: She's this lady we met during our Valentine's Day finding activity who keeps telling us that she won't join our church, but still wants to meet with us. Also, she keeps telling us that her daughter would probably be interested in learning about and even joining our church. Which doesn't make sense to me that she supposedly has no interest in joining the Church, but is basically referring and asking us to teach her daughter. Hey, we'll take them however we can get them! If they want to learn more, we'll teach them more! :)

On Wednesday, we finished organizing the Chapel. We had this really cool and big timeline that went all around the room we use for English and also Sunday School. The timeline was of all the big events, people, and prophets from the Bible and the Book of Mormon (complete with pictures). Yeah, it's really cool! Anyway, we took that all down and just put it up on one wall so we could put a whiteboard and bulletin board up on the other wall. So that was a fun project that involved a chair on top of a desk so that a certain person, who happened to be the smallest of the group, could get up and nail the timeline to the top of the wall....... Don't worry Mom, I didn't break anything.. so that certain person couldn't have been me... right?? ;)

Timeline on the wall behind us as Vladymir's Birthday Party.

Also on Wednesday, we had a birthday party for a member of our branch. His name is Vladymir and he's Ukrainian and he is SO FUNNY!! Basically, he doesn't have any family or friends here, but he still wanted to have a birthday party, so he bought a bunch of food and we had a party! We had sushi and pizza!! And whoever told me that sushi wouldn't be good here in Poland you were wrong haha. Actually, I don't know if anyone actually said that to me... but yeah, it was good!! Oh! And some of the pizza had little octopi on it!! So that was a new one haha. Anyone want a piece??

On Thursday, I taught my first real lesson with someone!! We had a lesson with Monika (the one from the Valentine's day finding activity) and we talked about the Plan of Salvation (aka the Plan of Happiness). Man, that lady loves to talk. We learned a lot about her, especially for a first meeting she told us a lot about herself and her life and everything. It was really cool to see someone open up so quickly. We also will be meeting with her again so she is official our first Interested Person (aka "investigator") here in Szczecin!! Also on Thursday, we met another one of our neighbors. He is a 16 year old boy named Wiktor (Victor- in American haha). He actually lives on his own here in Szczecin to go to high school and visits his family on some weekends. I guess there are quite a few teenagers who do that. They live here in the city so they can go to high school, but their families live pretty far outside of the city. Most of them live with someone else they know in the city though, so it's pretty crazy that he's completely on his own. Anyway, he wants to hear more about our church too!! So we set up a meeting with him and the Elders too, and I think it will go really well! :)

On Friday, we took a train out to Gryfice for a meeting with a lady named Ewa. (Different Ewa from the one on Tuesday.) Quick funny story: We were walking down the sidewalk while we waited for Ewa. And we hear this dog and some wheels rolling behind us. It was this old guy in a wheel chair being pulled by his big dog. We move to the side to let them pass and then the dog takes off!! It was just like in a cartoon!! The dog is running super fast and pulling this guy in his wheel chair. And it's tipping and the wheels are coming off the ground and it's skipping over the cobblestone and swerving through puddles... and people are jumping out of the way... and the dog just keeps on flying down the road. It was hilarious and we just died because we couldn't believe it!!

Okay, back to Ewa and our meeting... First, Gryfice is such a cute town!! And we met in this park in the middle and oh my goodness.... it was BEAUTIFUL!! Lots of trees and a field with lots of green grass and a pond with ducks and swans and bridges over the water.... Ahhh.... it was just SO PRETTY!! And we met there with Ewa. Holy smokes does Ewa know her stuff. She has read the entire Book of Mormon, some of the Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, some teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, tons of conference talks from the Liahona magazine, and has really just done a lot of research on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And she had asked us to bring a DVD of "The Restoration" and the newest Liahona. Wow... We talked with her for a long time and she had SO MANY questions. And I'm sure we didn't get to all of them. But wow... we were really able to clear up a lot of incorrect information she had heard/read about the Church of Jesus Christ. She seems open to learn everything she can about our church. We should be meeting with her again soon!! :)

Friday night, we had our Culture Night!! Here in the Poland Warsaw Mission we get a Culture Night once per transfer (every 9 weeks). Basically we get a few hours to do something cultural. So, all 6 of us missionaries went out to dinner and ate Naleśniki. After that, we went to the Filharmonia and watched/listened (which verb do you even use here?) to a Symphony!! :D The featured piece was Stravinsky's "Firebird" and it was awesome!! It was so much fun to go to the Symphony! And in POLAND!! I honestly still can't believe I'm here....

At the Filharmonia for the Symphony.

On Sunday, I was given the assignment to officially be the ward chorister, which just means that I will be leading the congregation for the hymns during sacrament meeting. And if we have a branch choir, I will be the director of that as well. Haha, look at me now Mom, aren't you so proud?? XD :) We also had a "linger longer" after church, which basically means we just had a Branch lunch together. This random guy showed up who I guess comes around every few months just to mess with the members here. He just comes and argues and is super mean to everyone. So yeah... that was interesting. Dagmara leaned over to me and said, "He has Cruella De-Vil hair!!" And he TOTALLY did!! It was actually hilarious because I had been thinking the same thing haha. Anyway, eventually he left, but Dagmara and I then talked about Disney for a while. Turns out she loves everything Disney as well!! I was SO EXCITED!! Zach, she even started talking about Kingdom Hearts and Zelda!! CRAZY!! Anyway, I told her that she would have to come and visit me in Idaho and then we could go to Disneyland together. And she really wants to do it now haha. It would be SO GREAT!!

UPDATE: The creepy guy came AGAIN on Monday night to see the Sisters!! AHHHHH!!! It's okay, they told him we were in a meeting and couldn't be interrupted. Evaded....this time...

Also on Sunday, we went to the service place with all the kids and we made this cool yarn braiding thing with them. I guess they learn how to do it in Scouts. Oh yeah, scouts and the scouting program is actually huge here and they love it. Monika (the one who is at all the service things ever) was there as well and we were able to set up a meeting with her for this week. She had previously met with missionaries, so we're hoping to find out why she stopped meeting with them. And then start teaching her again!! :)

Monday was super great!! First off... WE BOUGHT OUR PANTS TODAY!! (dress slacks/pants that is).

Chocolate Chips and PANTS!! (the one time I'm more excited about clothes than chocolate...)

Also, we had our English class and Monika and her daughter, Karina, came again!! :D We found out that Karina really likes singing. So she will be coming to church and singing with us. And that's how we get people to come to church now haha! ;) But yeah, Karina is this super cool 18 year old girl and I love her so much already!! I feel like I already knew her before. And I really hope to start teaching her soon. We also had our first interviews with President Turek, Monday night. And it was so great! He feels like a Dad to me out here. That's the best description I have of the interview is that it's like sitting down and talking to your Dad for a while. :)

Quick thought for y'all: Have patience in everything!! Part of having patience isn't just waiting for things to happen, it's making those things happen. Another part of patience isn't just doing it on your own. We're supposed to learn how to rely on and ask the Savior for help. We were never made to go through life alone. Jesus Christ is there to help us and we just need to ask him for that help. I want to learn and understand how I can involve Him more in my life as I'm being patient through my trials. I hope you can have the desire to do the same. I know that Christ wants to help you!! Just ask!! :)

Love and miss you all!!

Siostra Shaylin Carroll

I roasted my mission president.... WHAAAATTT?!?!/Idaho Potatoes: Famous Worldwide (FACT!!) (2/18/19)

Cześć Rodzina!!

On Tuesday this week I had my first Zone Conference. (Zone is just how they split our mission into smaller areas.) I am in the North Zone!! And so, our Zone Conference was in Poznań with about 20 other missionaries. It was fun to see all of the other missionaries from our zone. I had met some from the previous Polish district, in the 5 days we overlapped in the MTC. So that was fun to see them! And also, Sister Lueck was there too. She's serving in Bydgoszcz, but she's the only missionary in my zone from my MTC district. Anyway, Zone Conference was a blast.

I roasted my mission president.... WHAAAATTT?!?!

Also, I learned that President Turek is really fun and likes to roast people sometimes. It's pretty funny. I was kind of nervous for zone conference just because I don't really know what President Turek is like yet. But I ended up making some jokes and even a little one towards President!! *gasp* But he just joked back!! Haha, I was so scared though... Nothing mean. No worries. Also, President Turek was born in 1979 Mom!! So he's only one year younger than you!! (don't worry I took that out of the big group one haha) CRAZY!! He's SO YOUNG! Especially for being a mission president!

Wednesday was a really special day for me! It was February 13th, which is my little angel sister's birthday. Candace would be 12 this year. As I've mentioned in some previous emails, she's my little sister who passed away after living for a day. So, on Wednesday, I was able to remember her even in Poland! We had to do the second part of my legal work today and so we were at the Urząd again. Haha basically the exact same thing happened. The Ukrainians were making a list and it was crazy and corrupt and stuff. And then the SAME lady comes out again and created order!! We have been so blessed when we go there! So, we ended up getting into an appointment, I got my fingerprints taken, and got my passport stamped and now we just wait for my actual residency card!! But with how fast and smoothly it went, I am even more convinced that this is where I'm supposed to be and that God needs me here! We should not have gotten through my legal work that fast, but we did. It was a miracle.

While waiting a long time for our appointment though, the Elders wanted to hear my life story haha. I didn't really know what to say or what to tell them, but I eventually got to the part of my life where Candace was born. And I was able to tell them how that difficult trial was actually able to help my family grow closer to each other. It really solidified and strengthened us as a family and in our testimonies of God's plan for us. I know that He does have a plan for us and that families can be together forever!! Isn't that just such a wonderful and comforting thing to know?! I love that and I'm so grateful that we know and understand that. 

Later on Wednesday, I was even able to release a balloon for Candace's birthday! That's one tradition that my family does every year is release pink balloons together. I'm so grateful I was able to even find a balloon (courtesy of Valentine's Day) to continue that tradition! :)

My balloon release on Candace's birthday :)

Thursday, Happy Valentine's Day!!! Talked to this random lady for a straight 25ish minutes on the street. Zofia was her name. She was super nice, but talked so much. She thinks that what we do as missionaries is beautiful and I'm pretty sure she wants to meet with us. So that's awesome! Haha, she legit reminds me of that one old lady in Anastasia who's like "go see Dimitri! But you didn't hear that from me!!" Anyway... Yeah! She asked where I was from and I told her Idaho. Straight up, the first thing that came out of her mouth was, "Idaho Potatoes!!!!" It was so funny! But hey, we're famous even in Poland!! ;)

Speaking of potatoes.. here's a super random quote from Elder Jenkins this week: "The only thing about America that doesn't need to be made great again, is Idaho Potatoes."

I just absolutely died. XD

On Friday, we made a TON of heart shaped sugar cookies for our "American Valentine's Day" party that we're having today (Monday). And we definitely listened to "the Nutcracker" while we made them. Haha, I really like mixing my holidays together I guess. XD

Making cookies :)

Also, on Friday, we stopped by to visit Maja because she hadn't been responding to anything!! And she was so nice and had seemed to excited to meet with us! Turns out, she's just been super busy. But oh my goodness, she invited us in and we talked for a while with her and her mom. Maja is just the cutest girl ever! She is so sweet and her English is so so good! (Which means I will be able to get to know her even though my Polish isn't all the way there yet... YAY!!!)

Friday night was THE BEST NIGHT EVER!!! Because we got the BEST NEWS EVER!!! As missionaries, we have only been allowed to email our families every week on Mondays. And then skype home for Christmas and Mother's Day. But now we are allowed to text, call, message, skype, facetime... WHATEVER we want.... EVERY SINGLE WEEK!!! Holy smokes I am so excited and we celebrated by making milkshakes and it was literally the most exciting thing ever!! *okay excited rant over haha*

We made Bigos which I guess is a super Polish meal. And it was SO GOOD!!

On Saturday, we met another one of our neighbors. And oh my goodness, I love them so much! They immediately invited us in and gave us chocolates, apples, cakes, and made us tea (fruit tea, which they miraculously had). We basically had an impromptu tea party. Oh my goodness I love Polish people!! Mirosław and Anja are actually going to be my Polish grandparents. I just decided that haha. But yeah, we got to know them quite a bit and were able to even talk about the Gospel with them. They even asked if we could pray together and THEY brought up the topic of religion. It was crazy!! And they just... ahhh.. I can't even describe. They are just the cutest and sweetest ever!! I love them so much!!

The apple we got from our neighbors!! <3

Miss and love you all so much!!

Love,

Siostra Shaylin Carroll :)

Good times in Gdańsk!! :) (2/11/19)

Cześć!!

Monday afternoon we were supposed to go to this service thing, but I guess it wasn't happening then? So, Monika (this lady we know, who is involved with SO MANY service activities, it's insane!)... anyway, with Monika and the other ladies there, we just ended up having and art class almost. Haha, it was super random and we were way confused because we had been told it would be where the service was. So we ended up doing art and someone had Michael Buble playing on their phone in the background....... which I'm pretty sure we're not allowed to listen to on the mission, but it's out of our control, so I wasn't complaining. ;)

On Tuesday, we did our weekly planning in this cafe/coffee shop which was SO MUCH FUN!! And we got the BEST hot chocolate ever. Yeah, weekly planning in Europe is so great!! Anyway, during our planning session, we got this random call from an Indian guy named Yaks (not like the animal, think like.. "say ahh" as in... pot haha!). Anyway, he told us that he had gotten our number from his friend Joseph who we didn't know either. We thought it was a prank call so Sister Godfrey just started talking to him about our beliefs and telling him about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And instead of it being a prank call and him just hanging up, he actually... basically just agreed with everything we said and he wants to meet with us about religion. So THAT was exciting!

On Thursday we got on a train and traveled to Gdańsk for exchanges! (Basically, exchanges are just when we just trade with another set of missionaries and we have a different companion for the day.) So, the train ride was about 5 hours to get there. Szczecin is so far away from everything haha. Fun times. BUT the good thing is, I LOVE riding on trains. I just think it's so much fun!! Also, it's like.. the "Harry Potter trains" like the ones you see them riding in when they go to school at Hogwarts! (sorry for anyone who won't get that reference...) But just know that I love the trains. :)

On Friday, I was on exchanges with Sister Dixon!! She is in her last transfer, so she goes home in 6 weeks! (Transfers in our mission are 9 weeks by the way, in case anyone was wondering.) Aaannnnnddd... yeah! I actually met her brother in the MTC, and he's going to Frankfurt, Germany. Surprise, surprise... his name is... Elder Dixon!! hahaha! And he was companions with my friend, Kelly Haskell in the MTC, so that was a fun connection.

Gdańsk is SO PRETTY!! They have some really old buildings here and also they have "Old Town" Gdańsk. So, just this super classic European looking part of town with the buildings, lampposts, cobblestone, shops, town square, etc. And it was a DREAM!! I loved it.

Old Town Gdańsk.

Also, I taught my first lesson in Gdańsk!! It was with a member of the Church... but STILL!! It was good practice! I was able to meet Magda and her mother, Bogusia.) And they were so sweet!! They even made Barszcz for us! (That's how it's spelled in Polish.) Aka... Borscht: basically it's beet soup common in Russia. And it was pretty good! I liked it anyway. But I love trying different foods, so to all you nonadventurous folks out there... be careful. XD

On Saturday, we took the train back to Szczecin and oh my goodness it was just the BEST train ride ever!! And no, I'm not just saying that because it was on a train haha. But we were in a cabin with this lady and her 2 adorable kids!! There was Bucky, her 2 1/2 year old son, and Małlida is her 8 year old daughter. They were SO CUTE and so much fun!! Małlida had this sticker book she wanted us to help her with and I'm sure her Mom appreciated the help because she was a typical crazy 8 year old haha. :) But I have never been happier to have stickers covering my entire arm. :) XD

Also on the train, we were able to talk to this man, Raymond, with the Elders as well. And he was super interested in learning more about the Church and he wanted to read the Book of Mormon (we gave him a copy) and he wants to meet with the Elders!! And we also talked to a 16 year old girl, Kamila, who does fire dancing, "gymnastics with fire" is what she called it. WHAT?! So cool!! We're really hoping to meet with her too, but we'll see what happens! So yeah, Saturday was SUPER great!!

Sunday was really great too!! We had 5 people come to church!! We almost double ourselves this week!! We were so excited!! And Sister Godfrey and I gave talks/spoke in church today. And yes, it was in Polish!! So, I gave my first full talk all in Polish yesterday. ("Full talk" meaning 15 minutes and longer than the one I gave in the MTC haha.) And we finished off the week with Sunday "Family Dinner" at the Williams'!! It's so fun!!

This morning, we got pastries from a bakery on the way to get our groceries for the week... just right down the street. Ahhhh I love Europe!! :)

This week, I want to talk about faith!! Faith is so important in everything we do. But probably the most important thing, is that our faith cannot grow without us acting on it. It is only after we take the first few steps and take action that our faith can grow and miracles can start happening. I encourage everyone to take those first steps of faith in whatever you're doing in life right now. Whether it be deciding to take a new job, figuring out where to go to college, searching for chances to serve, trying to find God in your life, or just trying to figure out what's next. I know that by taking those first few steps in faith, we can be guided as we continue to act in faith.

Miss and love you all!!

Siostra Shaylin Carroll

Family is the BEST/Contacting is a way of life here in Szczecin... :) (2/4/19)

Cześć Rodzina!!

This was another busy week!! As most are in the mission field.

Monday was p-day and we were able to go bowling and have a good time at Family Home Evening later that night.

Tuesday we did our weekly planning session! And it was really good! We got blankets and some herbal/fruit tea (don't worry, that's allowed!!) and planned out our week. (Actually there is really good tea here in Poland (caffeine free of course!!) and we even had the kind that Sister Einfeldt recommended. The lemon raspberry "Intensitea" tea.... Anyway, that's beside the point... during weekly planning, we were able to call a bunch of people in the area book (the book/binder we use to keep track of all the people we're teaching and the lessons we've covered and their contact info... etc.) We were able to get in touch with some girls who have been waiting for Sister Missionaries to be back in Szczecin and to teach them!! We set up 3 lessons for this week! And I cannot wait to meet them and finally start teaching. So Tuesday was pretty exciting because of that.

Also, that night we had English class. After class, we normally have an optional 15 minute religious discussion with the people who come. And Sister Godfrey and I were in charge of it. So, we taught a lesson on the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. It was my first time actually teaching here in Poland and it went really well! I was excited that I could actually say basically everything I wanted to and felt like I had enough vocabulary to survive haha.

On Wednesday night, I went tracting for the first time!! (This is where we knock on people's doors and ask them if they would like to hear our message.) As expected (haha, I'm not negative, it's just how Europe is!!), we had many people close their doors on us. I'm always surprised at how nice people can be when they're turning you down, but I actually really appreciate them at least being polite!! We went tracting twice this week and we actually had 2 people say that we could come back another time. So, hopefully they'll actually let us come back and teach them. :)

Fun thing about tracting here in Poland (maybe just Europe in general): Basically everyone here (in the city at least) lives in an apartment building. And so, to get into the building itself to knock doors, you have to be let in by someone. And people like to ignore their domofon (the phone the buzzers call so they can talk to you and let you in.) Basically how it works, is you press the button for an apartment number or type the number in and it calls up to them. You can talk to them and depending on the person they may or may not let you in. Or you just wait for someone who lives there to go in and you just go inside with them. haha! XD I was just thinking about the different ways people tract throughout the world. Some people knock doors, some clap at houses, and some have to buzz into apartment buildings. It's all pretty unique wherever you are.

On Friday we did another fun English Finding Activity and we went contacting. We're always able to meet some really great people while contacting and also some... really interesting people. I'm pretty sure we talked to AT LEAST 3 or 4 Bobcias (grandmas/old ladies) who had zero teeth.... not even dentures. THAT'S a new one. haha! But they were all very sweet! Except one... and she was kinda crazy, but also completely drunk. XD

On Saturday, we volunteered at Park Run! I guess this is a thing all around the world, not just here. It's just a volunteer-run 5K that happens in the park every Saturday. So that was a lot of fun! We just helped time them and hand out the card that told them what place and time they got. It's a pretty cool system!

Me and Sister Godfrey on our way to Park Run.

Later, we went contacting and talked to people about the Book of Mormon. We actually gave out 2 copies of the Book of Mormon!! It was so exciting! One of them was to a 14 year-old (8th grade) boy named Dawid (David). He was the sweetest, most respectful 8th grade boy I think I've ever met. He actually talked with us for a while about religion and his beliefs. He has a belief in God and in Jesus Christ. And he said he's been visiting a lot of different churches, so he's really open and has just been searching!! I am SO EXCITED we ran into him and found him. The Elders are really excited to teach him as well!!

Sunday for church, it was just the missionaries. Our super solid member in the branch, Dagmara, was out of town and Jan (the previous branch president) was sick. And no idea what happened with the other 2. So yeah, it was pretty sad that nobody else came. But we still had a really good meeting and a really spiritual and bonding testimony and sacrament meeting. I am so grateful to be with a set of Elders and the senior couple up here in Szczecin. I am so glad to have at least a small group of us here. :)

So basically to sum up the missionary work here: I have not gone to any houses here yet. But we talk to a lot of people on the street, in stores, on buses, on trains, on trams, and pretty much everywhere!! But yeah, pretty sure Europe just has this public transportation thing totally DOWN!!

Weather here: The weather feels like Utah or Idaho.. just.. humid so basically, the cold just has a bit of an edge to it. But it's really not as cold as people hype it up to be haha. Honestly, it's not even that bad. So, not to worry Mom!! :)

This week, everyone please find some way to serve!! I LOVE serving here in Szczecin! Honestly, service is just the best thing ever and it is a great way to love people and come closer to Christ! Christ served others and when we do the same, we are becoming more like Him and in the end that is exactly who we want to be most like; Christ!! But yes, I love service and I wish I had made more time for it before my mission because it makes others (and myself!) so happy!! And I forget about the things I'm worried and stressed about and I can just love the people. :)

Also family, some mornings here have been really hard. Not to worry, I'm doing okay, really I am. And I am so grateful to get emails from you every week because I miss you all like crazy. Thank you for being such a great support and strength to me even all the way across the world. I love you all and I'm so grateful that I get to be with you all forever!! :)

Miss and love you all!!

Siostra Shaylin Carroll

The Szczecin District having Sunday dinner at the Williams'.

Our backpacks on chairs...aaaannnnddd....

BOOM!! THE DISTRICT!!! :D

Making the whiteboard for our English Finding Activity.

Here's a little info about my companion, Sister Godfrey.  She is from Mesa, Arizona. We both like to cook and exercise together. And we have really similar tastes in food, so that's been working out well. She was born in Soda Springs, Idaho and now lives on a farm. She's 20 years old and went to a semester at BYU before the mission. She's been on her mission for a year and goes home in July. She likes sports and country music. And yeah! She's super great, really nice, works really hard, helps me to work hard. She is a great trainer and takes care of me and helps me know how to be a missionary!!