Monday, June 24, 2013 5:36 AM Transfers!

My Dearest, Darlingest Family

I hope that all is fairing well back at home! Kraków has been charming as of late. The past few days, the weather has been SO much nicer. The first part of June, it was a RAIN FEST. And the past couple weeks have been a HEAT WAVE. But Saturday and Sunday - ah. They were good. Still blasted hot, but SO MUCH better. Glorious glorious weather.

Let's see ... What to talk about. It's been such an insignificant week ... Ha! I'm just joshin' ya. It's been CRAZY awesome! And yes - TRANSFERS! So, ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hats! Here it is! The grand announcement! I am staying in Kraków! With Sister Allen! And we're getting a baby trainee! It's basically EVERYTHING I WANTED! Well, I mean, I wasn't like, "Please! Let me stay in Kraków with Sister Allen! And if you wanted to throw us in a three-some with a trainee, yeah! Let's do it!" But I did really want to stay in Kraków, and I really wanted to stay with Sister Allen. So it's basically my wildest dreams come true, right here. I am SO RELIEVED that I'm not going to be a senior companion just yet. I am SO not ready! And because of the way things are with transfers and lack of sisters and now the big boom of sisters, basically it was looking like my options were go be a junior comp somewhere else with someone equally inexperienced, or be a senior comp here in Kraków, with someone equally inexperienced. You can see my dilemma. However, it's all going to turn out JUST perfect.

Now that THAT'S out of the way. We can move on.

This past week we had our Culture Night for the transfer! It was SUPER awesome! We went to a Jarmark. Basically, it's the Polish version of Estes Park, and on a smaller scale. But it was SUPER fun, and it just felt like home! Ah, Estes Park. I love it. And it even had bagpipes! And they played Scotland the Brave! If that's not the coolest thing ever, I just don't know what is. So we hung out there for a little while, walked around the little tent things, learned Polish history - you get the idea. Super fun. Then we went to go get some dinner. We went to this place called Moa Burger. Apparently it's from New Zealand? Or coś takiego? Not a hundred percent on that, but they talked about Moa birds and how they're from New Zealand and went extinct or maybe not ... Something like that. Anyways. They've got really good burgers. Then we wandered the rynek for a little while and got McFlurries from McDonald's (somethings just don't change. Like Mickey D's). And then we walked around Wawel Castle. It was SO nice. And it was fun to hang out with our elders. They're pretty hilarious, those elders of ours. We've got Elder Dodge and Elder Walter. But we call them Starszi Wadge. See how that's the perfect combination of their names? Nice.

And we also call our egg stuff we make Wadge. Not necessarily in honor of them. Just because it looks like it should be called Wadge. Basically here's how you do it. You cook whatever random veggies you've got lying around the house (or other stuff ... for example, yesterday's Wadge contained fries, zucchini, potatoes, peppers, and onion), throw in cheese and eggs, and boom. You've got Wadge. I guess some people just call it scrambled eggs with stuff in it. But not us. We are more creative and clever than that. Also, I have made the greatest food discovery of this generation. It's called Banana Boat Pancakes. I will teach you the ways, children. You get one pancake. It's gotta be hot. You put Nuss Milk (or Nutella, if that's all you've got that's chocolate and spreadable) on said pancake. Then you layer it with banana and marshmellows. Then you pour buttermilk syrup over it. Then you top it with another pancake. And then you eat it. It's basically incredible. Incredibley full of sugar and delicious. So yes. That's my food story of the week.

Our cute little investigators are still workin' right along. It's pretty great. I love them. And I'm SO GLAD I don't have to leave them yet! Glorious glorious Kraków. I'm so happy to be staying here!

Oh right! Zone Conference! That happened! It was super awesome. We got to go to Katowice, which was fun, and it was just so great! It was so fun to see other missionaries and to hear President and Sister Nielson speak! It was also super weird, because it was their very last Zone Conference. And it was my very first. Strange stuff. But it was awesome, and they said some REALLY good stuff, and basically I'm going to be a better missionary because of it. So, mission accomplished, President! If motivation was your aim, you passed with flying colors. I also got to see Sisters Pearson and Blake and Elder Blom from my MTC days (you know, two months ago. So basically eternity), and that was super fun! I loved it. It was a beautiful day.

You know, the church is different here in Poland. Well, not the church, exactly. Just the people that are in it. There are NO families. It's just a bunch of individuals, which is SO foreign to me. And so sad! These people - these stalwart members - are kind of in it on their own. I mean, they've got their branch family and everything, but it's not the same, is it. I'm SO grateful to be a part of a family that's strong in the Gospel, and that supports me as a member of the church. What an incredible blessing that is! So you all better be SUPER grateful for everything you've got! Being here really makes it easy to see how blessed I am, and how much I've been given. And because of that, how much I need to do. When the Lord blesses you, He expects you'll share what you've got - be it knowledge or testimony or what have you (yes. I said what have you. No judging, peeps). Anyways. Church is awesome. And it's true. And you've just gotta love it.

Well, I think that's it, kids! I love you all bunches!

Siostra Young

PS - I don't mean to be a complainer or anything (really, I don't). Except here's the thing. It's summer. Surely you people (meaning Emily, William, Abigail, and James), can find, like, thirty minutes or something to email me. And it's not like I think you're all just sitting around in the air-conditioned house, staring at each other, bored out of your minds and refusing to write me. I'm sure you all have things to do. But seriously? It's summer. There should be some time to write me. Consider this an official call to repentance. Because I love you guys! I like to hear what you're up to and how stuff is at home! 

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - Katowice Zone Conference

From: http://nielsonsinpoland.blogspot.com/

This was NOT staged...even though it looks like it was!

(For those of you who wonder how we get everyone looking and smiling and keeping their eyes open for a photo, here is what it usually looks like right before we take the shot. I saw this and had to add it. But...when it's time to start, these missionaries settle right down and it's business as usual!)

 And this is the photo that gets blogged!
The Katowice Zone: The next morning we left the mission home at 6:00am found ourselves on a train to Katowice to meet with these great missionaries. Even though it was a beastly hot and humid day, it was great to be with them for our last Zone Conference together. Here they are by Districts:

 The Wroclaw District:  Sisters Bezdjian (Sister Training Leader) and Blake; Elders Stumpf (District Leader) and J. Smith. Sitting: Elder and Sister Durrant.

 The Krakow District: Elders Dodge and Walter (District Leader); Sisters Allen (Sister Training Leader) and Young.

 The Katowice District: Elders Dopp and Neuner (Zone Leaders) with Elder Rittmanic (District Leader); Sisters Packard and Pearson.  Sitting: Elder and Sister Reed.

The Kielce District: Elders Blom and Lanham (District Leader); Elders Brown and Meherg.

Zone Conference began with instruction from our Assistants and then the Zone Leaders.

Just before lunch, it was time for our 'Missionary White Handbook Chase'.

Each companionship was up to the challenge...

...as they flipped to the correct page to find the answers to the questions asked.

 The 'winners' got first choice of the prizes. Congratulations, Elder Walter and Elder Dodge, for a job well done!

It was time for lunch and Elder and Sister Reed with Elder and Sister Durrant had fixed a wonderful meal for a group of very hungry (always!) Missionaries.

 Lunch time means time to celebrate birthdays. 'Sto Lat' to Elder Dodge and Sisters Allen, Packard and Reed.
And now for the part of Zone Conference that everyone has been talking about for weeks (as they tried to figure out just what special article they wanted to leave behind...)

We started with the Zone Leaders, Elder Neuner and Elder Dopp...

Who were followed by Elder Rittmanic.

 Elder Lanham (smile!) and Elder Blom were next...

...and then came our Wroclaw Elders, Elder J. Smith and Elder Stumpf.

Elder Walter and Elder Dodge were up next.

Then came Elder Meherg and Elder Brown.

Now for our wonderful Senior Couples......We started with Elder and Sister Reed...

who were followed by Elder and Sister Durrant.

Ok, Sisters....your turns!   Sister Allen and Sister Young each gave me something to remember them by...

...as did Sister Pearson and Sister Packard.

 Last but not least, Sister Blake. Her companion, Sister Bezdjian will wait until next week to make her donation.

One of my favorite pictures.....the whole group! We love and appreciate each one of these missionaries. They work hard and strive to be obedient in every way. They love the people of Poland and want so much to bring them something that will change their lives for good. Speaking of the people of Poland...

Shortly after Zone Conference ended, we were privileged to hold a member/investigator fireside with the Katowice Branch. It was great to be able to say 'good-bye' to some very dear members and to meet the incredible investigators our missionaries are teaching. I love this work! It truly brings joy to one's life!
We arrived back in Warsaw after a very late train ride home. We got to bed just after midnight but what a great day.  One more Zone Conference to go.....

Monday, June 17, 2013 5:18 AM MEGA WEEK

Today is the first day of MEGA WEEK. It's the last full week of the transfer (I know, I know. Just wipe away the tears, you'll be alright, I promise!), which TOTALLY blows my mind. I cannot BELIEVE I've already been in Poland a full transfer! Well. Almost. And technically it's not a full transfer because they shortened it a week so all that would be taken care of before President Edgren gets here. But still! Crazy, right? SO CRAZY. Anyways. MEGA WEEK. Today is P-Day (MEGA awesome! Honestly, P-days are like little mini-Christmas's. There's the big build up of the week, then it happens too fast and it's over and the big build up starts again. I mean, obviously it's not on QUITE the same scale as Christmas. But it's pretty great!) Tomorrow is the one year mark in Poland for Sister Allen so we're going out to dinner (Babci Mailny, anyone? Okay. Maybe not. That place is a little weird. But it's VERY Polish, so it would be quite fitting). Wednesday is Zone Conference! Which I'm SUPER excited about, because I get to see Sister Pearson! And Sister Blake and Elder Blom. And it's going to be so great! Ah, my Polski MTC Rodzina. I love those people. Then Thursday is just Thursday. Which is fine. Thursday's are fine. Then it's Friday, which means planning and plancakes (our Friday tradition - we plan, then have pancakes for lunch. See that? Pretty clever, we are). Then Saturday we're doing Culture Night (not a hundred percent sure what we're doing yet, but it will be GREAT). Then Sunday we have church (woot woot!) and we find out where we're going for next transfer! PRETTY crazy stuff happening this week. Pretty crazy.

So. WE HAVE A BAPTISMAL DATE. No big deal or anything, just someone joining the Gospel and changing her life and being awesome! Her name is Dominika, and she's SO cool. We love her. She first started meeting with us with only an intellectual interest. She'd already read the Book of Mormon and LOVED IT (is that not AMAZING??!) and wanted a Doctrine and Covenants. Wha?! I know. Crazy. So we started meeting, and she had a little trouble with praying in the beginning, so we planned this lesson ALL about prayer, and we were going to lay down the law and be like, "Prayer. It's gotta happen. We're praying. Right now. Let's do this thing." But then she came to the lesson and we asked if she'd prayed, ready to lay down the law, and she was like, "Yeah. I prayed. It was great." Wha?! Again?! She's so cool! So last week we asked her to be baptized, and she said she wasn't sure she knew it was true yet, but that she would set a baptismal date and work towards it as a goal. So keep her in your prayers! She's so awesome, and we're so excited for her!!

Also. Ola. We had a lesson with her last week, and she told us that her friends were all being mean to her and making fun of her for meeting with us and that we're a sekta (basically a cult - and we get that A LOT around here), and that her boyfriend was starting to tell her to stop reading the KM. BUT she said she still wants to meet with us. And not just because she wants to pracitce her English (which was her original reason for meeting). I feel like she definitely has a desire to learn, and maybe she doens't really realize it yet. She's meeting with us, and I think she can kinda feel that it's because the church is true, but she hasn't put it together exactly. If that makes ANY sense. But she's so awesome, and we love teaching her. She asks a lot of questions, and she's just so real. It's awesome.

So the other night we went clear out in the boonies of Kraków for a lesson, and we got flaked. As per usual. Fun. So we decided to tract the building, right? So we knocked this one door, and the guy answers, and he's all groggy like he just woke up, and said he wasn't interested, but took an ulotka. So fast forward a couple floors of tracting, and we see this guy on the stairs. And he's kinda just awkwardly standing there like he's not sure what to do. And then he was like, "Any luck?", but he asked it almost after we were past him, like he decided at the last minute to talk to us. And we were like, "Yeah, it's great," and then we walked past him and reached the landing and he called after us, "Hey, do you guys have a minute? I've got some questions, if you have time." And we were like, "YES!" (I mean, we didn't yell at the boy - that would have been awkward. But we were thinking it.) So we taught this guy, Maciek, a lesson and answered his questions, and he was SO cool! He's Catholic, but he's interested in learning about other religions, and he said he'd read the KM for sure and he wanted to meet again, and when we extended the baptismal commitment, he was like, "Yeah, if it's true, for sure." Woot woot! So, we've decided he's getting baptized. Then he's marrying Ola (because that girl is in DESPERATE need of good friends and a good boyfriend, am I right?). Isn't it crazy how we make these plans - these super detailed plans - every single night, and they usually don't go through, but other amazing things happen because of said plans? God is just the greatest. His plan is about 80 thousand times better than ours, and in order to make his plan work out, we have to make our own plans. Plans that don't really work. Crazy, right? I think it's crazy.

I've been seeing posters for Superman. I sometimes wish I weren't in such a civilized country, where such things are advertised. It makes it hard to forget about them. Blasted adverstisments! But at the same time ... Well ... I a little bit love them. Dang it. Such a sinner. It's okay, we've all got stuff to work on, right? Right. So chin up, and we move on, and we progress. Woot.

So. That's where we're at, friends. Stay tuned for next week, because we're finding out WHERE SISTER YOUNG IS GOING TO BE SPENDING THE NEXT TWO MONTHS OF HER LIFE! How crazy is that? It's so crazy!

PS - Sorry for the overuse of that word. Crazy. But life is just crazy as a missionary! Sometimes there's no other word for it!

Monday, June 10, 2013 5:49 AM Monsoon June and the Muffins

This week has been CRAZY. Our weather has been whacked out of this world. It was POURING RAIN last weekend and Monday (we were positively DRENCHED. Ugh. So gross), and then it got SUPER warm. This weather. It's almost as bad as Utah here! And anyone who tells you Poland is only cold, it's some sort of arctic wasteland of ice and penguins - NO. Wrong, my friend. So very wrong. I've already got tan lines from my shoes. If I can figure our how to send pictures, I'll send one of the tan lines. They're pretty intense.

So we have this investigator - "O". She's super awesome. She lives in the same building as us (we don't think she knows that ... though we aren't sure) - actually, she's in the mieszkania right beneath ours. Which is strange. But whatever. Anyways, we really like her. And we taught her a lesson last week about the Word of Wisdom (that baby's a big one), and she was like, "Whoa! I do ALL those things!" So she went through the list, and she was like, "Coffee? Not really. Tea? Yep. Alcohol? Yep. Smoking? Yep. Drugs? Yep." And we were like, "Whoa now. Drugs?" But not out loud, just in our heads. That would have been weird. And she told us she and her friends go down to this little place and get marajuana muffins. And they just do it, and it's not big deal. What now?! So we committed her to not do drugs for a week (baby steps, right?), We'll see how that goes down. We feel like she'll come around the Gospel, she'll just take a while. Like, maybe a long while. But she'll get there!

Fun Fact - Polish and Star Wars are buddies. The little sand dune aliens? What are they called? Anyways - the ones with the brown cloaks and the glowing red eyes. They say, "O co chodzi?" Which essentially means, "What's the point? What are you getting at?" Cray cray, right? Also, there are other connections, or so they tell me. Fun stuff up in here in Kraków.

So. You guys are going to Oregon. And no one tells me anything about that. When do you leave?

Also. I'm assuming school's out. Also. No one tells me anything about that. For goodness sake, people! Keep me informed!

What to tell you ... Hmmm ... Basically, we're rockin' it here in Kraków. Sister Allen and I led the mission in lessons last week (18! Yeah baby! That's what's up!).

Oh - we had a lesson with a German guy last week! His name was Torban. He was super cool. We're giving him a German KM and someday he's going to get baptized. We've decided.

Yesterday we had dinner with the Onkens. I'm not sure I've written about them before. Or maybe I did, and you get to hear about them again. They're this SUPER cute family in our branch (the only one that's active). The dad, Mitch, is going to med school here in Kraków. His wife, Sarah, is from England. And they have two of the cutest children on the planet - Felicity and Spencer. They're so great! We love them. And Felicity and Spencer remind me of my daycare kids, and I miss them! So it's super fun to be around kids every once in a while. I really don't have anything else to say about them. Just that they're awesome!

So. Contacting. It's a real blast. Or not, if it's been a long day and you're tired. But I try to pretend it's a blast. It's always a little awkward, because you just walk right up to someone, and you say, "Hey. I know the Book of Mormon's true. Ever heard of it?" Of course, this is all in Polish. And sometimes you get a really weird look and they just walk away. Or sometimes they're like, "Yeah, but no thanks." Or sometimes, they're like, "What is this magical book? Can I have one? Can I get baptized?" Then you say, "Yes! Let's go find a font!" I've yet to experience that last one, but pewnego dnia (yeah, not sure on the spelling. Regardless, it means "one day").

A couple of our investigators haven't been answering our calls (which BITES). And we were talking, Sister Allen and I, about how we think maybe they don't want to talk to us because they've had to cancel lessons or haven't kept their commitments - they're embarrassed and maybe a little scared about how we'll react. Which is interesting, because in reality, no matter what they've done, we want to meet with them and help them progress. We love them, and the only way we can help them is if they meet with us and LET us help them. There's a parallel there to Heavenly Father. Sometimes we make mistakes, and we're embarrassed or scared to go to him. We don't want to admit we messed up, or we're afraid He won't want to hear from us. Nothing could be farther from the truth! He loves us, and the only way we can move past our mistakes, is by going to Him! Crazy, right? It's been so interesting, how much I've learned about Heavenly Father that I didn't expect since being out as a missionary.

Well, that's it for this week, friends! Love you all SO MUCH! And I PROMISE I'll send pictures next week. I don't know why, but I struggle with this picture sending thing! But don't worry - you'll get some soon enough.

One More Thing

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DADDY! (It was yesterday, wasn't it? - Sorry, things in Poland are crazy. I've lost track of normal things). I want you to know you're the greatest dad EVER (honest to goodness, cross my heart), and I'm so grateful for everything you do for me and for the great relationship we share. Honestly, I'm eternally grateful! Thanks for always being there and listening to my crazy stories and quoting with me, and overall being incredible. Love you TONS! 

Dearest Mother,

I love thee. SO MUCH. The work is grand. Sister Allen. She's just fabulous! She's super funny. And SUPER nice. And she is SO dedicated. Honestly. She works so hard! I think what I love most about her is that she really cares about me and wants to help me - that means SO much. And she's just become my friend, not just my trainer or companion or something. She's so great. I love her.

We got the MOST LESSONS last week in the whole mission! 18! Yeah baby! I'm just kinda excited about that. We rocked it!

I'll try to be more Anna in my next email - pinky promise!

Language is coming. It's still hard, and I'm still struggling (ew. I hate that), but it's coming! I can't wait to speak it for you guys at Christmas! It will be awesome - just you wait!

I heard about Jess' call! SO exciting! She's going to be fabulous! I was thinking and praying for you and Annlie last night (it would have been church time for you guys back in the States).

LOVE YOU!

PS - I'd love to read a copy of your talk ...

Monday, June 03, 2013 7:06 AM Hello from POLAND!

Okay. Apologies for last week. That will NEVER happen again. I so swear. Ugh. I HATED not emailing. Now. To recap the past two weeks. Let's begin.

May 20-22

We did exchanges. Ugh. Not a fan. I mean, I don't know. Maybe it's just because I have the best comp EVER. And it was weird. And all our appointments fell through, and even contacting didn't go that well. So that was weird. But there was this guy - he legit wouldn't believe I wasn't Polish! He asked Sister Holmgren where she was from, and she was like, "The States." And he was like, "And you're Polish?" And I was like, "Sorry?" because I didn't understand the first time around. Embarrassing. And then when I got it, I was like, "Oh. No." And he just laughed it off. But, like, four times in the conversation he told me I was Polish, and I was funny for pretending to not understand. Dude, if I understood Polish, I would NOT pretend otherwise. Seriously. So apparently I really do look Polish. Elder Walter said it's because I have high cheek bones, a sharp nose, and wide eyes. Może być.

May 23

We were supposed to go the Kielce for special training. Long story short, we missed our bus because we were told it was supposed to be a trian, so we took a later bus, but couldn't get to Kielce from Katowice. So we just went home and had our own personal special training with Pres. and Sister Nielson. That was fun. It was a good little motivational, "I'm going to be the best missionary ever!" sort of thing. Those are always fun!

More Specialized Training....(in more cities than we expected!)

Friday, May 24, 2013 (from http://nielsonsinpoland.blogspot.com/

Thursday morning we headed out early again (6:30am) for Kielce to continue President's Specialized Training with the Kielce and Krakow Missionaries. Traffic wasn't too bad and the weather was somewhat sunny.  As we drove a couple of things changed.  It started to rain and get cooler (and we already shipped our coats home) and the Krakow missionaries missed their connections (not their fault!) and wouldn't be attending the meeting. 

Now what to do with our Krakow missionaries?  President really wanted everyone to have this training.  Taking into account that we wouldn't be back this way again, he decided to drive to Krakow (with roads so crowded this time of year because of tourist season!) and hold training at 4:00pm.  So off we go.

Our Krakow missionaries were ready to meet and had everything set up, also.  Elders Walter and Dodge with Sisters Allen and Young.

Our great Sisters have only been in Krakow for three weeks.  They both were transferred in as we now have more Sister Missionaries.  Sister Young is learning quickly as she has only been in the country for 3 weeks.  Sister Allen, one of our new Sister Leader Trainers, is handling opening a new area, training and learning about her new Leadership calling beautifully.

May 24

We made tortillas, but I put in too much salt (I have no idea why I was trying to double the recipe. What a goob). There were still edible. Speaking of food - they have this carrot juice with fruit juice in it, and it's INCREDIBLE. Who knew carrot juice was so great? I love it. Also, I love cereal and dried apricots now. And - wait for it - I FREAKING LOVE PEANUT BUTTER! I don't know what Poland's doing to me! And Peanut Butter isn't even really a thing here! But you can find it, and thank goodness for that. I love peanut butter. It's like I'm not even the same person anymore. Freaky.

May 25

Boring. It was a boring day.

May 26 - SURVIVAL DAY

Oh man. What a day. We went WAY OUT to have a lesson with this girl in a little place called Brzegi (cutest place EVER. I want to live there. It's so fetching cute). It's a tiny town just outside Kraków, but it takes forever to get there because the bus schedule is a little whack. And we missed lunch because of how long it took to get out there. So I was starving. Then we had the lesson (it was great), and walked back to the bus stop. Only to see that the next bus wouldn't be there for AN HOUR AND A HALF. That was not happy news. So then we decided to walk to the next stop. Except, I have a tiny bladder. And she was QUITE full. So we had to stop, walk this sketch little path into the woods, and take care of business. Right there in nature. In Sunday best. Yes. This is my life as a missionary. Why? Why is my life so especially awkward? I don't understand. So then my feet were killing me (we walked for fetching ever) and I took off my shoes and walked barefoot part of the way like a wandering gypsy. Then we got to the next stop and had to wait another forty five minutes for the bus to get there. So basically, I was starving, I'd just walked a gazillion miles part way barefoot, and went to the bathroom in nature like a heathen. Survival Day. Who knew missionary work was so intense?

May 27 - SURVIVAL DAY PART II

Here we go again. We went to Aushwitz. I'm not really sure what to say about it, you know? It was good. I'm REALLY glad I went - I feel like it's something people for sure need to see and be aware of. However, I don't really feel like I need to go again. It was just hard. It was a very heavy experience. So that happened. Didn't get lunch again. We had to hurry back to Kraków in order to be on time. We didn't get to email. Which was REALLY awful. So we waited for a bus back to Kraków for about thirty minutes (it was WAY later than it should have been). And then we were on that bus for like five minutes, and it went to some weird little place and parked. And we sat there for about twenty minutes. Then we got onto ANOTHER bus (because apparently than one just wasn't going to work). And then, after being on that bus for about 5 minutes without going anywhere, they made us get onto ANOTHER bus! Honestly! And there were a gazillion people on this little bus, and we had to stand for the whole hour and a half bus ride. Ugh. It was ROUGH. Oh - and on the bus ride up, what song did we happen to hear? St. Elmo's Fire! On a bus to Aushwitz in Poland. IS THAT NOT THE CRAZIEST? I was pretty excited. Like, SUPER pretty excited.

May 29

We had a chill day. Which was QUITE welcome after the last two. Oh boy. We needed it. Also, I heard the song "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" in the mall. THAT rocked.

May 30

We went to Warsaw because Sister Allen had some meeting or something. So I did a free table with some of the Warsaw elders and Sister Barth and Blake. Basically we get a table, put all our pamphlets and KM's (Księga Mormona's - BofM's ... If you didn't connect those dots) and ulotki (pass along cards) and stuff on it and and contact. It was okay. Just kinda weird, because it was a big Catholic holiday and there was a big Catholic parade going on down the street.

May 31

We had pancakes. They were really good. I love pancakes.

June 1

It was a SUPER wet day. Oh my heck. So much rain. We were SOAKED. But we got a couple of lessons and KM's, so it was great anyways! It actually was a really incredible day.

June 2

Fast Sunday. Woot woot! I love me some fasting! We had dinner with the Onkens from the branch, so that was really fun! They're such a cute little family! Also, we had a lesson with this guy while we were tracting, that was pretty cool. And we were walking home, and we saw this girl, and I was like, "Let's have a lesson with her." So we walked by and contacted her and GAVE HER A LESSON. Yeah. SO cool. She was super awesome, and she was interested in the KM so we're going to meet again and get her one. Missionary work is so cool!

Kay - I gotta go. Hopefully this was an acceptable email! It was for sure longer than the last one!

Also - I got a new camera! His name is Zbyszek, and he's beautiful. He's another Nikon (I think he's one step up from Penelope - the one I broke). And I bought him a better protective case, so he's going to live! Also, I'm going to send Penelope home. Maybe you can take her in to Sam's Club? I can't remember if we got a warranty or not. Anyways. That's all.

Love you all SO SO much!

Siostra Young

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 3:49 AM Heyyyyy There!

Hi Everyone! SO sorry I didn't email Monday -we went to Aushwitz and didn't have ANY time to email. Like, literally no time.  ... Pres. said we could email today, but we're REALLY short on time. So this is all I've got time for. I just wanted to let you all know that I'm alive, and things are good, and next week I'll read all your emails and respond. Ugh. No time. Anyways. Poland is awesome! Krakow is awesome! Missionary work is awesome! YOU are all awesome!

Much Love!

Siostra Young

Monday, May 20, 2013 5:17 AM Hello Fam!

First off. I broke my camera. I don't know how. I'm just a genius. I pulled it out today, and the screen is all messed up and looks shattered. It's pretty thoroughly broken. I'll have to look for a new one next P-day. Yippee. Dang it, I just can't keep a camera! I think this is the sixth one I've gotten! Why do I always brake them?

Next up. Polish word of the week. Spoko. It means cool. And it's a great word. Make it a thing in America. Just say it. Spoko. Good.

The weather here has been QUITE warm. As in, I've already got criss cross tanlines from my shoes goin' on. Pretty spoko stuff. I'm hoping I survive the summer though. Already this hot, and it's only May? Oh baby. We are in for some fun.

Contacting. We do LOTS of contacting. Fun stuff, yeah? Oh yeah. The BEST stuff. Some people we talk to are nice, some are rude (I've been told I'm going to hell by one woman - that was a fun one. Also that the Book of Mormon is evil. And that our church is full of lies. We got some fun stuff goin' on up in Kraków), but most just don't really care. So it's great! We just breathe in the rejection and love it and live it! It's grand.

Polish food. We have found a rare Polish delicacy. I don't know what it's called in Polish, but we call it Scrambled Cake. Basically you make scrambled eggs, but instead of using eggs, you use cake batter. Pretty basic stuff. But SUPER delicious. It's pretty heavy, since it doesn't cook in the traditional manner, but it's good!

Polish food. It's great. I've had pierogi - that's pretty good. They're like little dumplings with onion and potate stuff inside. And I had some pasta with chicken and mushrooms that was Polish. Oh! And NALEŚNIKI! My. Favorite. Food. Ever. They're basically the Polish version of crepes, and they are SO good. I love them. Also, who knew? Poles really know how to make a good pizza! It's the greatest! Normal stuff means cereal, pancakes, pasta, yogurt, toast (I eat a LOT of toast) - you get the idea. Normal. And yeah - milkshake. No good. Nuss Milk is AMAZING.

The Heat (Miami). Ugh. I dislike them. Spurs again? I'll be pulling for them. I don't love 'em, but against the Heat I'll vote for just about anyone. It's really funny - the only NBA stuff you see in Poland is all Chicage Bulls. Polish blood runs deep.

 

Let's see ... What else to say ... I haven't got much! Things are basically the same as last week! So yeah. That's it.

Love you all OODLES AND OODLES AND OODLES! And sorry my emails are more interesting! I'll try to have an interesting week this week and see what I can do for ya.

Love, Siostra Young

Monday, May 13, 2013 5:34 AM Here We Are!

Dearest Family. Hello. Things are good.

So. Let's begin. With ... Food! Yay for food! Thus far, my food experiences have been pretty normal. We don't eat actual Polish food, like, ever. That's kinda nice. I'm picky, so it's all good. But their juice - SO GOOD! My favorite is apple, raspberry, carrot. And it's like you can even taste the carrots a little, but it's so good! Strange, but awesome. They also have this stuff very similar to Nutella called Nuss Milk. It's less nutty, and has white chocolate swirled with the milk chocolate. Basically it's amazing, and I eat it with everything. Because I love it. Mmmm. So good. I wish I had some right now. We did have one sketch food experience. We decided, last P-Day after emails, that we wanted milk shakes. So we wanded the city of Kraków, looking for milk shakes. Which we eventually found. So we order two strawberry banana milkshakes. So we're watching the girl make them, and she goes, fills a blender with milk, puts in a third of a banana, two sad looking strawberries, and whips that baby up. And gives it to us. They take the term "milk shake" QUITE literally. Also, it was disgusting. We're going to be more careful in the future of that ... But they've got really good pastries and bakery type stuff. They sell pretzels from basically every street corner, and they're pretty good.

So. Give me some news. What's happening NBA-wise? What movies are out? And could someone PLEASE tell me how the final season of The Office ended. I sort of need to know that.

Also. Mother. Would you be a dear and send me a recipe for tortillas? Because those are good. I love them. And we wanted to try to make them ... And also, please ask Emily to find some of those 30 minute workouts on Pinterest and send them to me. We don't have much to do during our 30 minutes of exercise ...

So, when we came to Kraków, we inherited an investigator named Anna (coincidence? I think not ... But maybe. There are a lot of Anna's in this town ... Basically everyone has the same name. Michał, Magda, Anna, Kuba, Bogdan, Łukasz ... All the same.) with a baptismal date! How spoko is that?! She's super awesome. Her baptism was set for June 1, but we're going to have to push it back because she wasn't a church yesterday because she was sick and she needed to be a church three times before her baptism. But anyways. She's great!

You know, there are a LOT of people in Poland who aren't interested in our message. Which bites. Because it's awesome, and they have no idea how much good it can do in their lives! We hear A LOT of people just say, "Dziękuje," as they walk away (these crazy Poles - sometimes "Thank you" means "no"). It gets a little disheartening. But all that just makes it even more amazing when we find someone who's interested and stops to listen to our message. It's so cool! My absolute favorite is when we give them a Księga Mormona and they're like, "Wow, really? It's for me? Thank you so much!" It's so incredible! Yesterday we were talking to this fourteen year old boy and told him about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, and when we gave him a copy, he was so excited! It was so cool! And when we have good experiences like that, it makes the bad ones not matter as much. Today I was reading in 2 Nephi chapter 2 about oppostion in all things. And usually, that idea kinda depresses. Like, great, for everything good there's something equally bad. That's just swell, now isn't it. But as I was reading it today, I thought about it differently. For everything bad, there's something equally good. For every trial and heartache we experience, there will be blessings and joy. When we go through hard times, we know there will ALWAYS be good times to follow. Things always get better. I love that, and I'm so grateful for that.

I've been told twice I look Polish. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing or just a common observation, but I think it's pretty cool. Maybe someday I'll SOUND Polish too! Ha. That will be the day! This language - she is a killer. And I know I'll get it eventually, but in the meantime ... Dang. It is rough.

Music. The rule is it has to be MoTab or a hymn. So. Not much we can do there. However, our mission president is leaving in July, and the next one doesn't seem quite as strict. So I guess we'll see what happens there!

The box. Yes. I kept one Polish hymnal and sent the other two home for you people. Because it's so cool! And yeah, we have plenty of Polish stuff here in Poland. But I didn't want to just leave it at the MTC. That would have been sad. Hence, it was sent to you. Mother. Don't be upset about the Prelude Chains. I kept one of the books - I didn't have room for both of them in my luggage. Things were pretty sketch as it was, and I need to get rid of some more crap already. Ugh. There's just so much junk I need! And towels. Yes. I'll be buying another one today, but I still have the one that Sister Nielson gave me that's for missionaries and is super thing and microfibery or something. So I've gotten by okay.

I'm going to attempt to send some pictures now. Wish me luck.

Much love!

Siostra Young

Oh look! Me! I'm eating a delicious pastry (that was JUST before emailing today!)

and I'm squirting water into a bowl from my water bottle with a filter because the water here is a little sketch. Cute, right?

Monday, May 06, 2013 8:29 AM Hello From Poland!

Family! Oh my heck! Hello, Family! I just freakin' love you people. Just so you know. So MUCH.

I don't know about printing things yet, but if you could send them via pouch mail, that would ROCK. I would love it.

So. Mother's Day. Here's the low-down. You need to call me (I'll give you the number in a second), so you need to figure out how to call abroad (if you don't know how to already). I'll be calling at 11 AM your time. So do what you have to do to make that work. Because of differences in time zones and crap, that's basically the only time I've got. So. Yes. Here's the number - ***. So call me at 11. And that's that. And I can't wait to talk to you guys! I know, I talked to you PRETTY recently. But still! I can never talk to you enough!

And now. Wow. Here I am. And I have SO much to tell!

Let's begin with the plane rides. Wow. SO LONG. Like, wow. I just don't even know what to say. But they were long, and I didn't sleep AT ALL. That was a bit of a bummer. Luckily I had enough adrenline pumping through my veins to keep me going. That was a blessing. I tell you, I never want to go that long without sleep again. It's just not worth it. Ugh. I don't even like thinking about it. I love sleep. 

So then we were in Warsaw, met the mission president, everything was great. Skipping ahead to our train ride to Kraków. We BARELY made the trian before it left (so that was a blessing). However, it was quite crowded because apparently there was some holiday last weekend. So there was no where for us to sit or to put our baggage. Hence we sat on our baggage in the little corridor thing. Yeah. This is also a true story. We literally sat in a hallway on our suitcases, my companion and I. And we talked to this FREAKING CUTE little boy named Kuba. SO cute. Oh my heck. And I tried to talk to him in Polish. He corrected me several times. However, when he asked what my favorite color was, and I said, "Róźowy and żółty," his mother gave me a thumbs up because I said it right. So that was a proud moment. A little bit later this lady with a cart of food and drinks ("Anything from the trolley, dear?" Yes - just like that) came by and made us move. With all our luggage. Which was a pain. So then we had to lug our luggage through, like, four train cars all the way to the front of the train. WHAT a nightmare. Luckily a nice boy named Piotr helped us, so that was cool of him. We taught him a first. He wasn't interested. But he was very nice, so whatever. Good enough. So then we got to Kraków and took our stuff onto the tram (also a pain), and had to pull it through some nice, cold, wet streets to our apartment. On the way I lost the back of my nametag. And then found it yesterday morning. So that was fun. Anyways. What an adventure. We finally got home, then we had to go get food (no one had been in the apartment the last transfer, so we had basically nothing. Like, not even dish soap. We lived like animals for a couple days).

So yeah. Here we are.

Fun story. We were out tractować-ing (when in doubt, add ować to the end of the word, and BOOM! It's Polish.) and we ended up in this building, yeah? So we knock on this door. Get nothing. However, the music in the room next to us stops and we hear someone talking. So we're like, "Yeah. Okay. We'll try this one." So Sister Allen knocks on the door, and this guy, wearing nothing but his underwear (yeah, that's right. You read it right. Super sketch), pokes his head around the doorway and is like, "Yes? I don't speak Polish. Let me get dressed." Yes. You do that. Here, I'll get the door for you. Just for PITY'S SAKE put on some clothes. So the guy gets dressed (and Sister Allen and I are just in the hall, trying to keep the laughter to a minimum) and then he comes back. So we said who we are, and he TOTES let us in for a lesson! Which was unexpected. And fun. And all a little weird. He was French (which explains the, "Oh, let me just answer the door real quick in my skivvies" thing. I mean, really. Why am I not surprised he's French?). So we had a lesson, it was fun. He was weird.

I'm almost out of time, so I've got to go! Love you SO SO SO SO much, and I promise I'll write more next time and send pictures! Things have been pretty crazy! Love YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Sorry! The computer was about to kick me off! Luckily Siostra Allen (whom I ADORE!!!!!!!) went and got me more time. So I was stressing, had to hurry and send what I had - you get the picture.

I ADORE Siostra Allen. She is AMAZING. Oh my heck. I love her. She speaks WONDERFUL Polish, and she's really good at helping me with it. She takes really good care of me. Man, I love her. She's the best.

The apartment is a little sketch. But fine. But sketch.

I'm going to try to send pictures, but I don't know if I'll be able to or not. It's all a little sketch around here.

Mission home was fine. There's not much to say, really.

Poland is beautiful! I love it thus far! I mean, I've been here not even a week. My opinion isn't very well informed. But so far so good! The language is kicking my trash.

The weather is beautiful! It's been nice and sunny today and yesterday! Before that it was really wet and misty and foggy and chilly. Like England ought to be.

 

Thursday, May 2, 2013 Day #2 and #3: New Missionaries and assignments...PLUS, an historic event!

From: http://nielsonsinpoland.blogspot.com/

Day #2: After arriving in Poland, our new missionaries walk from the Mission Home to the Mission Office.

 This is about a 9-10 minute walk.  It was a national holiday so there were not too many people out and about.  The few that were outside our missionaries spoke to and contacted them.  They were heading to the Office to receive instructions from our Office staff.

This is where they sign documents and learn how to access their MSF cards.  Sisters Wendel, Pearson, Lidtka, Blake, Barth,  Sister Jensen, Sister Hutchinson and Elder Hutchinson, Elders Bokinsky and Register with Sister Young, Elders Wolfley, Waskiewicz, Blom and Allen.

Meanwhile... their Trainers arrived at the Mission Home.

The Training Missionaries will meet with President while the Trainees are out contacting.  Then all will receive their assignments and find out who their new companions will be.  Elders Lanham, Van Bakel, Sisters Allen, Packard, Howells, Bown, Holmgren and Bezdjian, with Elders Harris and Mikolyski.

They were instructed on their responsibilities with the 12-week training course that New Missionaries  begin the first week in-field.  We are at the stage in the mission where all of these trainers went through this course when they arrived in Poland.  They are familiar with this and eager to go through it again.  Only this time, taking the lead role.
The Trainees arrived back at the Mission Home and now it is time to hear where everyone is going and who will be companions....

Sister Wendel will be companions with Sister Holmgren, and...

They will be serving in Lodz.  We have not had Sisters in this great branch for a number of transfers.  It will be great to have the Sister Missionaries here again.

Sister Young will be companions with Sister Allen.  They will be serving in...

...the beautiful city of Krakow.  President has not had Sisters in this city the entire time we have been here.  It will be great to have Sister Missionaries in one of our favorite places to visit.

Elder Blom will be companions with Elder Lanham.  They will serve in ...

...Kielce. What a great place for these two wonderful Elders.  Elder Lanham is the new District Leader there, and they have lots of great investigators they are working with.

Sister Blake will be companions with Sister Bezdjian.  They will be serving in...

Wroclaw.  This will be another great Sister companionship that has served in this strong Branch.

Sister Barth will be companions with Sister Howells.

They will be serving in Warsaw I.  They love each other already as you can see.

Elder Waskiewicz will be companions with Elder Mikolyski.

They will be serving in Szczecin.  Elder Mikolyski was our first assistant and is now going back out in the field to train and serve as District Leader there also.  Elder Waskiewicz will have a great experience in this small branch.

Elder Wolfley will be companions with Elder Van Bakel.

They will be serving in Lodz.  Elder Van Bakel is the District Leader there.  These two Elders are so excited to serve together.  They have many things in common.

Elder Allen will be companions with Elder Harris.

They will serve together in Bydogszcz.  What a great city for these great Elders to serve in.

Sister Pearson will be companions with Sister Packard.

Together they will be serving in Katowice where the Sisters are teaching some great investigators.

Sister Lidtka will be companions with Sister Bown...

and they will serve together in the beautiful city of Poznan.

After everyone was assigned, the combined instruction continued with everyone sitting with their new companions. We enjoyed a great spirit in our meeting.

Soon, we stopped for a 10 minute break and got better acquainted.

It is always amazing how fast missionaries find out how much they have in common and love each other. The Lord does know who needs to be with who.  We finished the training and had a great BBQ for dinner.  We ended Day #2 with a testimony meeting, nightly planning and then everyone hit the sack. Tomorrow will bring another big day.

DAY #3, Thursday:  Everyone was up a 6:00am, a quick breakfast and then off to the train station.  Our last group picture for this group: Elders Allen, Lanham, Harris, Blom, Van Bakel, Wolfley, Sisters Pearson, Packard, Lidtka, Bown, Elders Waskiewicz, Mikolyski, Sisters Bezdjian, Blake, Young, Allen, Holmgren and Wencel.  What a great group of missionaries. Now, off to their specific areas to do mighty works. (Sisters Howells and Barth left the night before as they are assigned to Warsaw)

We hired taxis and drove our transporter in order to get everyone to the train station.  All companionships got to the station and their specific trains on time.  (Whew!)

Same day, 8:45am: Since we have 5 missionaries transferring to Lodz, we recruited Elder Jensen to drive them there.  He drove to Lodz and back (quickly) because we needed our transporter for two other important events going on today.  Elders Wolfley and Van Bakel, Sisters Holmgren and Wencel.  As they headed out they stopped at the Wolska Chapel and picked up Elder Manwill who is transferring to Lodz as well.

President and I said goodbye to everyone and then headed to the Mission Office for Mission Leadership Counsel meeting starting at 10:30am.

On the way he was driving a little too fast, and today the Policja were out in full force.  He was accidentally going 85 kph in a 50 kph zone.  The Policja waved him over (this hasn't happened to him in a long time...) and stopped him for the violation.  This was right across the street from the Mission Office.  In fact, President was honking at two of our Zone Leaders as they arrived at the Mission Office and didn't see the Policja ahead.  It was a bad time to get a speeding ticket... especially in front of everyone! Well, there was a tender mercy extended. The Policja saw President's name tag and asked what that was.  President explained he was going to our office (pointing to it) and those were his missionaries (pointing to them), etc.  The Policja told him, "Bye, Bye" and off President went. 

This was an historic meeting in the Poland Warsaw Mission.  This used to be called Zone Leader Counsel.   It is now called Mission Leadership Counsel.  We had some new members of this meeting...two Sister Missionaries.  Their new calling in the Mission is 'Sister Training Leader'.  They attend this Mission Counsel meeting.  They added so much just in their first meeting with us.  We have three Sister Training Leaders in our mission.  The third is Sister Bezdjian who would have been here; but her train back to Wroclaw with her new Trainee was too late, and she needed to miss this meeting.

A great Mission Leadership Counsel.  Sisters Allen and Howells, with our Zone Leaders Elders Tingey (new Zone Leader in Warsaw), Raines (Warsaw Zone), Vernon (new Zone Leader in Bydgoszcz), Wilson (new Zone Leader in Bydgoszcz), Dopp (Katowice) and Neuner (new Zone Leader in Katowice).  Seated are Elder Tiner (Assistant) and Elder Zelezniak (new Assistant). When the meeting was over, it was time to take the second wave of missionaries to the train station so they can return home and do what they do best...  teach people the gospel.

What a busy and productive day, but it's not over yet. Just wait!