Monday was another pday. We were able to go and just explore more of Poznań. We live in a good spot, just really close to the city center. And we live in what is considered the "Old Town District" so there's a lot of cool things close by. We went and visited Cathedral Isle and went inside the cathedral there. Apparently it's the oldest cathedral in Poland!! CRAZY!! And I live about a 10 minute's walk away from it. Wow. Living in Europe is so cool! Also, I guess Poland's first leaders (kings and queens) have their tombs in the cellar of that church. We didn't go on the tour, so we didn't see it, but I might have to go back there.
The oldest cathedral in Poland!! (this one is on Cathedral Island).
Me in the oldest cathedral in Poland.
Comp took this pic while I was looking around Plac Wolności (The big, cool, random structure thing).
Later, I was of course able to call home for a while which is always such a blessing! Then, we had family night with everyone at the chapel and had a good time playing games and being together.
Tuesday was pretty full with planning and whatnot. We did our studies as well. I was able to study my patriarchal blessing for part of my personal study. I don't do that nearly enough. Some really cool things stuck out to me this time. The whole blessing is honestly just incredible! And I find that the more I read it, the more I appreciate it. After planning and everything, we went out contacting for a while (about 2 hours) and talked to people on the streets. Not too many bites, but we found a guy named David who is originally from New York, but is stationed on the military base in Catania, Italy (Sicily). We asked if he'd want to meet with missionaries there. He said that he would. He's interested in knowing more about what we believe because he's seen missionaries a lot and he knows some members of the Church as well. So, we were able to send a referral! Whoo! Later, we messaged people on Facebook. I was talking to a guy who said he had seen missionaries a lot. And he said this, "To be honest, my day has never not been brighter after meeting a Mormon kid. Just radiating positivity." So that was really cool to hear!
Wednesday was WAY busy!! We first had District Council, then 3 meetings, and then English class! Wow! And in all 3 of our meetings, our investigators brought up baptism! It seemed to be the topic of the day! Our first meeting was with Kasia! We had a lesson planned, but right away, she asked about baptism. And so we talked about baptism instead! She also asked about temples. So we had a really cool lesson about both. We were able to talk about temples and the work we do there. She loves that we do the work for our deceased family members. She thought it was so kind and loving that we do that for them. We were able to watch the video about the Rome Temple with her too and afterwards, she wanted us to send it to her.
Us with Kasia (redhead) and Ola (brunette).
Immediately after that meeting, we met with Ola and she had questions about the priesthood and baptism. So that's what we talked about. We also talked more about revelation and how it's important to receive personal revelation from God to find out truth and what we need to do in our lives. At the end, we asked her if she would prepare to be baptized on March 21st. She had a baptismal date back when she lived in England, so it's not the first time. But she seemed really surprised and said she wasn't expecting us to ask her that. So it's good! We're increasing the expectations!! She didn't give us an answer, but she said she would pray about that date. She's so close!!
Next, we had a meeting with Piotr. We taught him the last half of the Plan of Salvation. Then, he started asking questions about baptism too! We talked about that and how it works and everything. And then, I was pretty bold with him... I asked him if he thought the Book of Mormon and the things we teach are true. He said he had no doubt that they were true. Then, I asked him if he would pray about baptism, because if the Book of Mormon is true, and the things we teach are true, then the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's true church on the earth today. Before, he had been agreeing to read and pray. But this time, there was such a change in his face and body language. He was so sincere and deep in thought when he said, "Yeah, yeah. I will definitely pray about that." That was a pretty cool experience! We are working on getting these children of God on the covenant path!! That night, we also had English class, which went well. We're still learning the new program, but English Connect is WAY awesome!!
Thursday was so great! First, we were able to drop by and visit Bożena. It was fun to see her and talk with her for a while. Then, we went to the chapel for our lesson with Claudia!! Holy smokes it was AMAZING!! First, she whips out this notebook that she started for her scripture study. ON HER OWN!! And she shares what she wrote about the scriptures we assigned her to read. She said she plans on it being full someday. I have never seen someone so eager and excited to learn about the gospel. Wow!! We finished teaching about the Plan of Salvation! And then we talked more about baptism with her. She is ready for that. We read 2 Nephi 31:17-21 and talked about what we need to do to return to God again. Then, we extended the invitation for her to prepare to be baptized on March 28th. She seemed calm and said that she had actually been thinking about baptism on her own. (And she often uses the phrase, "So if I were to get baptized, I would have to..... [blank], right?" It's so cool!!) And, she said that YES!! She would prepare to be baptized on March 28th. And she was even okay with us telling people about it. Now THAT'S commitment!! A bit later in the day, we discovered a scheduling issue and asked her if the 27th would be okay, and she said, "Yup, 100%!" She is so AWESOME!! I am soooooo excited for her!! :) :D
Us with Claudia right after she committed to be baptized on March 27th!!
Friday we were in Kraków for exchanges! I spent the day with Sister Hadley and it was a blast!! (She and I have the same birthday, which is way cool!) In the morning, we had a meeting with a lady named Dorota. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and it went well. The Spirit was strong and she listened and asked good questions. She liked that we weren't afraid of answering her questions, because I guess the priests in the Catholic church have always avoided answering her questions. That's one thing I really like about the Church of Jesus Christ, is that we are encouraged to ask questions and to find answers for ourselves. Whether that be through asking someone, or through study and prayer, or both! Asking questions is a good thing!! Anyway, she had a lot of questions about the existence of God. I was able to give her the Book of Mormon challenge and show her the scripture in Alma about King Lamoni learning about the existence and nature of God. She was excited to read about that.
Later, we did a Finding Activity and some studies. Then, we met with a man named Tom. He is awesome! He's an American, but he's living here in Poland. And wow... he is so ready to learn about the gospel! Just so focused and wanting to hear what we have to say. He makes eye contact, is completely focused, and asks good questions. We also taught him about the Plan of Salvation. He said it makes sense and he believes it. He's so cool! Seriously, the whole time, I just felt like his faith is so strong. I felt the Spirit very strongly during that meeting and just could tell that he's special. He's prepared. Sister Hadley and I had a lot of fun together on exchanges! It was so great!!
Me and Sister Hadley on exchanges.
Make your own pizza at Pizzatopia in Kraków!!
Happy Leap Day!!!
"Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy." (Luke 6:22-23) Hehehe... XD ;)
Happy Leap Day!!
Saturday morning we took a train back to Poznań. We got back, quickly unpacked, and bought salad for lunch after church. Then, we went to service! My favorite!! I was working with Joseph (from Zimbabwe) almost the whole time. It was fun to talk with him! Turns out, he played as the drummer in a Jazz band! So if I ever wanted to start something, I would have the drummer for sure haha! After service, we went to the chapel and had a meeting with Martyna. She has been working a little bit on her family history, which is awesome! We started doing President Nelson's challenge with her. To help her study the First Vision and prepare for this upcoming General Conference! It was good! I'm so excited for General Conference!!!
Sunday was great! Well, Elder Long attempted to set me up with some random person. He and a guy were talking about a guy named Wiktor (who was not there). Elder Long asked how old Wiktor was and then he said, "Well, you know... Sister Carroll goes home in a view months, so...." There I was just minding my own business as I made a salad. And what does that get me?! Set up with some random Pole, I guess. Nice try, Elder Long. Just because it worked with Elder Jenkins and Sister Emett, doesn't mean it'll work for you to set me up with someone! XD
Anyway, church was great! We had Branch Lunch afterwards and also self-reliance. We had Ola, Martyna, and Claudia all at church! It was awesome! Talking with Claudia today was so great! She was talking about how there needs to be a temple in Poland! She really wants a temple here. Wow! Not even a member yet, and she already wants that! So cool... she also went on talking about all the significant, little things that happened leading up to meeting me. And just how lucky she is that we met. She said, "It had to have been God's plan. The timing of everything. What a blessing!!" She said without that she wouldn't have any of this in her life. (Meaning the Church, the gospel, the people, etc.) Also, she fasted today too! For a full 24 hours!! Man, this girl just jumps right in!! She's amazing. And she is so excited to be baptized and especially to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!! She's excited to have that feeling (that she has at church) with her all the time!! She literally jumped up and down and clapped her hands! It was so cute! What a blessing I have to know her and to teach her!!
Love and miss you all!!
Siostra Shaylin Carroll
Relief Society with the District Relief Society Presidency.
The most photogenic apple you will ever see.
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