Monday, October 28, 2013 6:17 AM 'Ello, Friends!

Hey, everyone! Another week in the books. Crazy how that happens. Time. She is just a flyin'! And sometimes crawling. But that's alright too.

Speaking of time flying. Are we all aware of what yesterday was? For those of you NOT keeping very good calendars, it was my 8 Month Anniversary! When the heck did THAT happen? Good grief! Next transfer will be my half-way point! Half? When did HALF of my mission happen? Man. This freaks me out. It's just freaky. 

And. Now. Speaking of next transfer. Transfer calls are NEXT Sunday! Crazy, right?! Where did my TRANSFER go?! (Oh. Yes. That's right. I spent it in Warsaw ...) Okay. Not even. I was only in Warsaw about a week and a half in total. But still. This transfer went by crazy fast! I can hardly believe it's almost over! I'm guessing next transfer I stick around in Łódź. Which I'm TOTALLY okay with. But, I guess we'll see! Transfers are a little hard to predict. So - stay tuned! Next week I can inform you all of my location for the next two months of my life! Which will include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. CRAZY!

So. I'm a missionary, right? And my name is Siostra Young. That's my name now. So it's weird, if I'm telling people a story, and it's from pre-mish, and I'm about to use my actual name, and then I'm like, "... Sister Young ..." Because guess what? Now, when I say my name, I feel like I'm swearing. I know. It's ridiculous. But I can't do it! I can't say my name! I feel dirty when I say it - like I'm breaking rules or the commandments or something. You can kiss the Celestial Kingdom good-bye! It's just weird. Being a missionary is such a strange experience. What's going to happen when I'm home someday, and EVERYONE calls me ... Anna. What the heck is THAT going to be like? And I'M going to be using first names too! Ugh. Freaky. I'm getting dizzy just thinking about it. Sorry, parents. I might have to be Siostra Young forever. We may need to look into a legal name change or something ... It's just going to be too weird.

I hope I'm not about to burst anyone's bubble when I say this, but sometimes, being a missionary is hard. I know. It's okay. And sometimes, you have rough days. Because somedays, people do NOT line the streets, waiting for their turn in the font. Weird, right? It's weird. But. Occasionally, it happens. But you know how you tell when you've had a REALLY rough day? When the ulotki people snub you. EVERYWHERE in Poland, on every street, by every mall - basically everywhere - there are people with flyers. They just hand them out. You know, advertisements for sales or guitar lessons or lawyers and whatnot. We call them ulotki people. And they'll do pretty much anything to get you to take their paper. They'll shove it into your hand. Or maybe a dozen of them (you know - so you can pass them on to your friends). And sometimes, you just don't want their stupid papers. You're going to throw them away in a few seconds anyways. What's the point? But also, sometimes you feel bad for them so you take the dumb paper and put it in your bag and throw it away later when they can't see you. Usually it's the latter (because I'm a bleeding heart and I care about humanity and I want even the ulotki people to feel like their job is successful). You know you've had a pretty crappy day, when you see those ulotki people, and you psyche yourself up to take their dumb paper, and then, as you walk past and look at them and prepare to say "Dziękuję," and smile politely, they don't even hold the stupid thing out to you. They snub you. Right there on the street. What the heck? Am I so repulsive to you? I have been NOTHING but kind to you people! I was even going to take your ulotka! How DARE you?! Somedays I have this experience. It's pretty great.

We have an investigator. Her name is Beata. She's getting BAPTIZED. (And when I say this, I actually mean it this time!) She's SO legit. The elders found her tracting (yes! TRACTING! Of all proselyting activities!) and then gave her to us, and now we teach her, and she's basically incredible. Her Baptismal Date is November 23, but we're going to have to move that because she hasn't been in church yet and she's going to be out of town the next three weeks with family and different things. But she's so awesome! When we were talking about baptism, she was like, "So, I'm a Catholic. I was baptized a Catholic. Does that count?" And I was thinking, "Oh boy. Here we go again!" I HATE this question. So I'm like, "Well, you remember how we talked about Priesthood authority? Well, we believe that only this Church has it. So you kinda need to be baptized in this church ..." (or something to that effect), and she was like, "So it doesn't count?" And I was like, "... No. ..." And she was like, "Oh. Well, alright! I was just wondering." I'm sorry, WHAT?! Usually, the conversation takes a very different (and ugly) turn at this point. Beata! I love you! She's so cool. And she REALLY likes the Book of Mormon. She says she wishes she had more time so she could read it more (she's quite busy. Going to med school and all that jazz). Isn't she INCREDIBLE!??! I'll keep you posted on her. She kinda rocks.

Last week we went to Warsaw. It was fine. Sister Wendel's blood levels are all looking a lot better. She's still not feeling 100%, but she's doing better! Yay for that! So, on the way home from Warsaw, as we sat on our train, we got to talking. About hair. We're girls. We do that. And then we decided to color our hair. Just like that. All very spur of the moment. Sister Wendel chickened out, but I didn't. I colored my hair that night. Well, technically Sister Wendel did it. And she did a FABULOUS job (seriously - if you need your hair colored, call her up! She's good!). So my hair is now nice and dark again. With maybe a tinch of red (tinch. It's a word). I quite like it. I've attached some before and after pictures for you all. Just, you know, because that's fun. I really do love that color. It's a lot like I had at home - we'll see if it sticks around or comes out like it usually does. It was funny - at institute I was talking to the elders, and Elder Finch was like, "I like your hair that color. You should make it permanent." And I was like, "Well. Alrighty then. Thank you." I was thoroughly amused, because I would LOVE for my hair to be permanently this color! It just so happens, my hair isn't a big fan of keeping dye in it very well. But it's fine. I'll keep dying it and life will go on.

Well. I think that's about all I got for this week. Next week will be more interesting, I'm sure. It's going to be a BIG week! Remember Mega Week back in Kraków? This is going to be the Łódź verson. And we've named it Forward Unto Dawn Week. Elder Caskey named it. Apparently it's from Halo. But I'm letting it go because I think it sounds cool. And it does, right? Right.

Well, as always, much love from Poland and your favorite sister mish! (Come on - we all know I'm the favorite!) LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH! Thanks for the prayers and support and love! Talk to you all next week!

Love, Siostra Young

Monday, October 21, 2013 5:39 AM Hey All!

Dear Family.

Prepare yourselves for a really short email. Sorry. I just have basically nothing to say. And it's been a little bit of a rough week.

Sunday - yesterday - was District Conference in Warsaw for the Warsaw District (aka Stake Conference). Missionaries were only allowed to go if they had investigators (or so we were told. But we were also told that the Lublin elders went. So. Not really sure what to say about that), so we got special permission from the branch president to have Sacrament Meeting yesterday as the missionaries. And it was SO awesome. Man, can I tell you how nice it was to hear the Sacrament prayers in English? It was incredible. And it was really cool to do Sacrament meeting, just the six of us. Then we bore our testimonies and had lunch and language study together. It was a really nice Sunday.

We're heading into Warsaw again tonight. Sister Wendel has a doctor's appointment for tomorrow morning. Just some more bloodwork. Hopefully we won't have to worry about that for much longer, and everything will be back to normal, and she'll be feeling better.

... Yeah. I don't know. I really don't have much. I'm sorry..

I don't want you guys to go into Worry Mode over this email, okay? I promise I'm alright - everything is fine. I'm just tired all over, and I don't have a whole lot to report.

Love you all!

Siostra Young

Monday, October 14, 2013 5:30 AM 'Ello, Fam!

Hey guys! Sister Young here! (As per usual ... I don't know who else would be emailing from this account ... But whatever. It seemed like a good thing to say.)

Let's begin with my questions, shall we?

1. What are the names of the three musketeers?

2.. What is Devin's last name?

3. What are the plans for Halloween? 

4. When is the first Jazz game of the season?

5. How are my Giants doing?

Great. Now that that's out of the way. On to the show!

This week was PRETTY rough. Sister Wendel is still working up to 100%, so that's been a little sketch. She's doing a lot better, but she's still not quite there yet. Room for improvement. It's great. But it has been a little rough on us to be spending time in the apartment instead of out on the streets. With that as our backdrop ...

Monday. P-day. We went with the elders to Ratagast Station (sorry, the spealling is iffy) and then a Jewish cemetary. Apparently the largest in all of Europe. That was really fun.

Tuesday. We finish watching General Conference at the Lloyd's. Yay for General Conference! After that, things took a turn for the worse. We went to a meeting with Ewa (who was late, as per usual. It's just her style). And we had decided that we were NOT leaving that meeting until she had committed to a baptismal date. So. In we went. It was BRUTAL. In a really good way. But brutal. We were in that lesson for over an hour and a half, but in the end, we got the commitment. November 2. Things were grand. Then we had our lesson with Milena, but Ewa was still at the church, and they wanted to talk because they hadn't seen each other in a long time, but we had to get to the lesson because we had other stuff to do and we were STARVING to death. So we finally got them seperated, and took Milena to the mall to have dinner with her while we did the lesson. We were literally SO hungry we could not wait. So. We did that. We were also planning on giving her a BD, but it wasn't going to be as intense because she already told us she wanted to get baptized. So we go, we order our food, we're waiting, and she tells us that she's done investigating the church. We were TOTALLY blindsided. It was AWFUL. So then we talked about it, and ate dinner, and that was that. So she's gone. We got home, checked the mail, and I got a letter! Yay! In fact, I got TWO letters! One from my Mama, and one from my Siostro Emily. I was pretty excited. I read Emily's first. And it was REALLY good, but it made me sad. So I cried a lot. And then I read Mom's. And it was ALSO really good, but I think she forgot a page in there somewhere, because is ends quite abruptly, talking about Abby driving, and that's that. So then I cried a little more. I think I was just emotionally dead at this point. Hence the relentless tears. It was rough. Man.

Wednesday. We had Zone Training. It was fine. 

Thursday. We did a whiteboard with Elders Caskey and Fogg. That was fun.. 

Friday. We did a whiteboard with Elders Finch and Wolfley. That was fun too.

Saturday. We went to clean the church with the rest of the missionaries and Ewa (it was supposed to be a YSA activity, but she's the only one who came. What a bunch of punks). That was a blast. I love cleaning churches. Then we all went to this crazy lightshow they were doing at Plac Wolności, which was INCREDIBLEY awesome. Oh my heck. I can't even describe the coolness of it. But they project these cool images and colors and patterns and jazz on the fronts of these buildings, and played them to music, and it was the coolest lightshow I've seen in my ENTIRE life. SO cool. Sister Wendel got it on her camera (I forgot mine), so maybe someday I'll be able to show you guys! It was seriously so cool! Way cooler than it sounds, I assure you.

Sunday. We had church. Ewa came, but left early. So later Sister Wendel called her to ask how she was and ask if she was still planning on the second of November, and she was like, "Nope. Actually, I'm not planning on getting baptized ever." Ewa say WHAT? Yeah. That's right. Apparently she's been seeing a fortune teller to commune with her deceased mother, and her mom's telling her not to get baptized - that she shouldn't "limit herself" that way. I don't know what the heck THAT crap's supposed to mean.

That was our week. Now, not only do we not have the two baptismal dates we were planning on, we don't have ANY investigators at ALL. Last night was pretty rough. There were more tears. I think I have done FAR more than my fair share of crying this week. That's gotta stop. I'm so over that.

In other news (and this is much MUCH happier news), Anna got baptized in Kraków on Saturday!!!!! I'm SO HAPPY for her! She's SO incredible, and I'm SO excited for her! Ah! She's just the best! It TOTALLY bites that I didn't get to be there, but still! It's awesome! She's so cool. I love her so much.

This is an awkward story for you. From Warsaw. I forgot last week. So. I was in Warsaw, right? And Sister Tobler wanted to run stairs for her morning excercise, and I graciously volunteered to  be the middle person so Sister Howells could stay in the apartment. So I'm sitting in the hall. Just sitting there. I just woke up, so I'm quite a sight. My hair has been haphazardly thrown on top of my head in a bun, mascara is smudged under my eyes, I'm wearing sweats and a Captain America shirt - you get the idea. So I'm just sitting, and the elevator comes up to our floor. And I'm like, "Cool. Because that's what I want. Someone to see me. Looking like this. Oh well. Probably some old woman coming in after a morning walk." Psych! Out walks this young, really well-dressed, attractive guy (well, the attractive part isn't for sure. My contacts weren't in. But he looked promising.), and he's like, "Hej!" and I'm like, "Cześć ..." and he walks away, and I just hang my head in shame. Just not cool. But whatever. It's over now. Psych again! He comes back a couple minutes later, pushes the button for the elevator, and starts talking to me while he waits like I know Polish or something. And I've got NO idea what he's saying. So I'm like, "Przepraszam?" And he repeats it all, but I'm still gettin' nothing. Which is now obvious. So he looks at me, and says, "Co robisz?" What are you doing? Uh huh. That's an excellent question. So I'm like, "Tylko siadam tu jak moja koleżanka biega na ... oh crap, how do you say that? Um, stairs?" Yep. That's what I said. I'm just sitting here while my friend runs on the ... (and I think after this part you probably understood the rest). It was PRETTY bad. So then we talked about running on stairs for a minute, and finally - MERCIFULLY - the elevator arrived. So he's like, "Do zobaczenia!" (which, literally translated means "to the seeing" aka "see you later!"), and I'm thinking, "Not on your life!" (like I want to see this kid again after THIS experience. Who needs all that noise? NOT me) but instead say, "Miłego!" And that was that. It was bad. Oh my life. I just experience the most awkward things.

Well. That's it. 

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! 

Siostra Young

Monday, October 07, 2013 5:34 AM 'Sup, Dzieci

Well, my friends, I'm in Łódź again. Home sweet home. Kinda ... I mean, I suppose it's home for the time being. So it's fine. We'll go with that. Home sweet home. I really am glad to be in Łódź again though. Warsaw was fun and all (I actually really did love it - more on that later), but I was sick of living out of a tiny carry-on suitcase and being without my cute koleżanka and not talking to my elders and senior couple and all that jazz. It is NICE to be home.

So. Warsaw. WHAT an adventure! It was pretty crazy! We did a few whiteboards, and those are always fun. My FAVORITE was the one with Starszy Waskiewicz, my MTC Brother. I love that kid! And he's so funny! We were inviting everyone to general conference, and when he'd pass out ulotki, he'd say, "Proszę bardzo, coś dobrego!" Which basically means, "Here you go! Something good!" Ah. I love him.. He's so great. Also, on that occasion, I was handing out ulokti and zapraszać-ing people, and this guy, was like, "No thanks, Sister." In English, with a weird accent. Um, excuse me? Alright then ... So I went on with my life, passing out ulotki and zapraszać-ing people, and he comes BACK, and he's all, "Are you hungry?" I'm sorry, WHAT now? So I'm all, "Nie. Dziękuję." Who needs all THAT noise? And then he's like, "Do you speak English?" and I was like, "Tak, mowię po angilsku," but I was trying to speak Polish, and I HATE it when people try to make me use English! And then he said something about Germany - like, that I was from Germany or something? -, and was like, "Then why are you speaking Polish? I don't understand any Polish." And I was like, "Oh, uh, sorry. I speak English. I'm from the States." And he was like, "Oh. Well. Are you hungry? I was about to go get some food ..." Hm. Yeah. No. So I was like, "Yeah, no thanks. I'm good." And he was like, "Are you sure?" "Um, yeah. Thanks." So then he walked away. It was all very odd. And then later, I was telling Waski about it, and he was like, "Sister Young. Was he handsome?" Pft! NO. But it's so Waski to ask a question like that. I love the kid. 

Let's see ... what else happened that was exciting ... I'm really drawing a blank here! This whole week has been bizarre and freaky fast. I guess that's what happens when they take you out of your hometown and you end up with Warsaw for a week. 

Conference was SUPER awesome. Man. I loved it. And we even got to watch it all in English! I LOVE English! I mean, Polish is great and all, and I really do love it, but my comprehension isn't near as good as in English. For obvious reasons. I can't WAIT to get the November Ensign and read them all! 

So, while I was in Warsaw, it was FREEZING cold. And, because I had a limited amount to time to get my stuff together and it wasn't that cold, I just grabbed a light scarf and went on my way. That was NOT enough in Warsaw. So ... I bought some stuff ... Namely four scarves, two hats, two earwarmers, and a pair of mittens. But I'm going to use them all winter! And maybe for the rest of my life! Because they're really cute! So it's fine - don't worry about it. I will be warm and snug and happy in Poland. Except for the fact that I have not yet purchased a big winter coat ... I need to get on that. Hm. Maybe next week ....

Speaking of Warsaw. It was SO fun. And I feel kinda bad about that. My poor cute companion was in the hospital, and then in the mission home, suffering, while I was chilling with Sister Howells (who is SUPER awesome) and Sister Tobler (who is ALSO SUPER awesome. And hilarious. And reminds me of Emily a lot, so THAT was super fun!). I feel bad about this. But I had to make the best of things, right? It's fine. I'll just justify my job some more, no worries. But you know what? Sister Wendel and I are going to have a BLAST the rest of the transfer, so it'll all be okay. I am so happy to be with her again! I love my comp!

I think that's about all I got for ya, guys. It was a crazy week, but now that I reflect on it, fairly uneventful as far as big things go.

LOVE YOU ALL! SO SO MUCH!

Siostra Young

September 30, 2013, 4:43:08 AM Greetings! From Warsaw! What?

I know. Another Warsaw story? Will they ever end? Good question, Reader. I've been wondering the same thing.

This story begins on Monday. (Because there are actually TWO Warsaw stories this week. Woo hoo!) I came to Warsaw on an exchange. And I was QUITE nervous about this. Mostly because I'm a chicken and have a little bit of an inborn dislike for Warsaw (I don't know what that's about. There's just no explaining it). So I got here, met Little Baby Missionary Sister Tobler, my comp for three days, and we went to the apartment and everything was dandy fine. And I was like, "Hey. Maybe this won't be so bad!" Good news - it totally wasn't bad! In fact, it was a BLAST! I absolutely loved it! I just got to hang out with Sister Tobler, preachin' the Gospel, changin' lives - you know, missionary work. And it was so great. Sister Tobler is so fun! She's from ... Utah ... somewhere. And she's so great. She goes (went?) to BYU and is studying something about speech (as in, like, speaking. Not as in, like, speech and debate kind of speech). She's just great. I love her. And I got to go to District Meeting and GUESS who I got to see?! ELDER WASKIEWICZ! My BFF! If that wasn't the happiest reunion of my life, I don't know what was! (Okay, actually, I just walked into District Meeting and Waski was like, "Hey Sister Young!" And I was like, "Hey Waski!" And that was it. But it was still pretty great!) And we talked for just a minute after, and it was so fun! But - here's the crazy part of the story - my little Waski has grown up! He's like the more mature, but equally hilarious and now freakishly spiritual version of the Waskiewicz I knew in the MTC! I couldn't be prouder! Ah, Waski. What a champ. And we also did a free table and we talked to some super awesome people later that night - it was just a super cool day. Full of miracles. As per usual. So then I went home on Wednesday. The rest of the day was uneventful.

Sister Young & Sister Tobler

Thursday. Sister Wendel and I had to do more legal work and get our new Karta Pobytu's in Łódź, and we had NO idea what we were supposed to be doing, so we wrangled Elder Caskey and Elder Fogg along to assist us (and it's a good thing we did, or we would have had some serious struggles. Bless their cute little elder hearts. They were exceedingly helpful. And Elder Fogg - what a goob. He's so funny). So that was basically our entire morning. And then later that night we went to institute. That fateful night at institute. I was just sitting at the table, talking to Elder Fogg (because he really is funny), and then Sister Wendel informed me we were going to the actual lesson part because our investigator wanted us to go. And I was like, "Eh. Alright." So we went. And we were sitting in the lesson, I was feeling a little self-conscious about my Polish in front of all these Polish speakers, and I looked over and saw Sister Wendel slouched over in her chair, and I remember thinking I wished I could do that too, but I was trying really hard to pay attention and get something out of the lesson. And then, like, 30 seconds later, I heard a thump and looked over to see her on the floor - out cold. THAT was a bit disconcerting. So everyone leaped out of their chairs and surrounded her and they were trying to wake her up, and Ryszek called the emergency people, and I (much to my chagrin) just sat in my chair, completely stunned. Sister Wendel was out 30 to 40 seconds before they got her back. Finally I got it together, and me and some others helped Sister Wendel out of the room and we got her lying down until the emergency people arrived. So they came and Ryszek (he's one of the members, by the way. He served a mission in London South a couple years ago, and he's SUPER awesome. And he was GREAT English. Which we all love) acted as interpretor for us, and it was decided that she needed to go to the hospital in the amublance. So Ryszek and Sister Wendel got in the ambulance, while I waited for Elder and Sister Lloyd to come get me and take me to the hospital. So we finally all got to the hospital - Sister Wendel was doing okay, but not great. She wasn't in danger of her life or anything, so that's good. She was just really tired and weak. They ran a gazillion tests, we waited and waited and waited, and then, around midnight, they sent us home with a couple perscpritions for pain-meds for her head ache. Because that's why we went to the hospital. Sister Wendel had a head ache. Yeah, NO. Ridiculous. So we went home, slept, and the next morning they called and told us to pack because we were heading to Warsaw. So we got in the Lloyd's car and drove to Warsaw, chilled at the Mission Home for a couple of hours, and then went to the hospital for more waiting. She was admitted to the hospital, went up to her room, Sister Edgren and I hung out with her for a while, and then we went home to get to bed. So I slept over with President and Sister Edgren. SO weird. I had a room all to myself. I slept in a room ALL BY MYSELF. That was FREAKY weird. Then the next morning Sister Edgren put me in a three-some with Sister Howells and Sister Tobler, and I've been with them since. It's been a pretty crazy week, to say the least. Oh man. It's been so crazy. I haven't written so much in my journal in a LONG time. However, the good news is, I got to go to church in the ACTUAL CHAPEL! In the only church building in Poland! That was SUPER AWESOME! And I got to see my Waski again - that was super fun! And Sister Tobler, of course! And I got to meet Sister Howells for reals, instead of the five minute, "Where you from? What are you studying? Okay, well, good luck in [insert name of Polish city here]!" So it's been great. And last I heard, Sister Wendel's doing well, and HOPEFULLY we're heading home to Łódź today or (more likely) tomorrow. So yep. That's that.

Also. Just, you know, so it doesn't sound like I'm completely neglecting Sister Wendel here - she's doing well! They're running a few more tests today, and they think they've got her diagnosed. Apparently hypothyroidism has been the problem here. But she really is doing a lot better, and I miss her terribly, and I can't WAIT for her to be feeling good enough that we can go home! She's been SUCH a champ though! Man, I love that companion of mine! She's the coolest!

I hope J-Man and Babsie had AWESOME birthdays! I thought about you both a lot!

Fun News - Yesterday I got a whole slew of letters from the Peacefield Ward Young Men and Young Women! That was SO AWESOME! It sort MADE MY WHOLE LIFE! And all the other missionaries were like, "Whoa! You have a gagillion letters!" And I was like, "Mmmm hmm. That's called coming from the COOLEST WARD EVER." Okay, so no, I wasn't that sassy about it. But yeah. It was fun. So pass along my thanks for everyone!!! (Especially Malia Jones for the One Direction updates - that was my FAVORITE! Ah man. I love it. It was so funny. And you know what? I'm grateful. No one else keeps me informed of these things.) And the pictures were cute too! When did the YM/YW groups getso gigantic?! That's crazy! Also - extra big thanks also go to WILLIAM and DAD. You win the Best Family Members of the Week Prize. Abby and Jame - seriously? You're both in the picture - I KNOW you were there! And you didn't write me? Your favorite sister? That's a kick in the chicklets. But Dad and Will - props. You guys rock. I'm proud. And Will - thanks for the Hercules quotes! I forgot how hilarious taht movie is. I'll write it on my list of Movies to Watch when I return.

I've been reading Acts recently, and I've just started Romans, and I gotta say - everytime Paul refers to the people he's talking to as "Sirs" I laugh to myself. Because it reminds me of Charlie Brown. You know? How Macy always calls Charlie Brown "Sir"? That's what I think of. I love it. Paul, I doff my cap to you. Well done.

Speaking of the scrips. I started the Old Testament recently as well (because I decided I should read the whole thing. Pray for me). I was reading about Noah, and I was thinking. How often do we think about the logistics of that Noah's Ark deal? I mean, yeah, there's the building of the ark. That's pretty cray-cray. And THEN, God commands him to get TWO (or seven ...) of EVERY animal? And then stick them all in the ark? What the heck?! How is that task NOT impossible! I mean, first, there's the gathering of the animals. THAT couldn't have been easy. Herding cats? Yeah. Noah's done that. And how far did he have to go for these animals? Was he traveling the world for years, gathering them? What must THAT have been like? And then once you got them all together, you've got to make sure they aren't like, eating each other. Keep the lions on one side, and the antelope on the other. And then, you shove all of them into this giant ark you've just made, and you've got to make sure they're all staying in their little cages and what not - I mean, seriously. How is this part of the story not in the Bible? I'll tell you. It's because it kinda doesn't matter. All it says in the Bible is what God commands Noah to do, and then it says that Noah was obedient. And that's it. That's all we hear. For me, that means that this stuff - I mean, it's crazy, and I personally find it fascinating and these are going to be among the first topics of converstation I have with the Big Guy (if I can find a way to make that work out), but it's not that important. Because the fact of the matter is, God makes it work out. If He commands something, even something like this, He's going to make it work out. All the little things that sound like they might be a problem (or the massive things, in this case) - He just makes them work! And THAT's the beauty of it. God. He's got a pretty good plan, you know? Just go with it. So that's what I learned this week. Fun, right?

Well, that's all I've got for you this week, kids! Remember - God made you special, and He loves you VERY much! Good bye!

(But seriously. Warsaw. They just can't get enough of me. This is the third Monday in a row they've found a way of wrangling me up north. Enough is enough! I'm sorry, Warsaw, but ŁÓDŹ is my city now. There's only so much Sister Young to go around! If I'm here again next Monday, don't be surprised. I'm sure they'll think up another excuse.)