Monday, July 21, 2014 5:19 AM It Was Hel.

Well. You know, we had a beautifully planned P-Day for today. It was going to be beautiful. It was going to be Hel. To znaczy, there's a peninsula north of Gdańsk, and it's cool, and it's called Hel. And we were going to go there today. But alas. Our plans were foiled - as so often happens - and we are NOT going to Hel. So we had a plan. And it was Hel. And now it is not. So instead we're having a date in Sopot, Monty and I. It's going to be beautiful. Just not as exciting as Hel. ... And it doesn't lend itself to as many jokes as Hel does, if I'm being honest. I've gotta say, we've definitely been living the whole Hel thing up.

But enough of that.

You know what's really awesome? Gratitude. Mmm hmm. Gratitude is the best. Last week, Monty and I were having a crummy day. Nothing was happening. We were both a little grumpy. It was lame. So we decided to play the Gratitude Game. Czyli, we took turns saying something we were grateful for. And what do you know, it worked like a charm! After that, we were both happy as clams can be! It was great.

So I've been thinking about gratitude. And things I'm grateful for. And if you feel A List Of Things Sister Young Is Grateful For coming on, you're a genius.

1. MY FAMILY

Well, shoot! I've got the best family in the world! Who WOULDN'T be grateful for that? I've been spoiled silly with family. I'm so grateful to have a family strong in the Gospel. I'm so grateful to have a family with so much love for each other. I'm so grateful to have a family that rocks. What can I say? God loves me.

2. EMAIL

What would I do without email? How would I talk to you guys? Letters? Meh. That would take FOREVER. And the Polish mail system isn't even that great. That would be tragic. Email is the handiest thing ever.

3. OPPORTUNITES TO LEARN
Cough cough TRIALS. They're not fun, but dang are they important. And without trials, where would be anyways? I wouldn't know jack squat. Trials are important.

4. GDAŃSK

I love this city so much. I feel SO blessed to be able to finish my mission here. And I also feel EXTREMELY lucky that I got two transfers here - especially coming off two transfers where I only got to stay in my city for one. It's really hard to come to city and love it and then get snatched out of it after a few weeks. I feel REALLY lucky that I got to stay here for longer than that. I love this city, and I love this branch.

5. GRATITUDE

How original, right? But I am really am grateful for gratitude, and the way it turns our focus to the things we've been blessed with rather than the things we lack. It's fabulous! It makes me happy. And I like to be happy, so it all works out quite nicely.

6. TRAINEE

You guys. I am SO lucky. I'm SO glad that I get to spend my last transfer with a trainee. It's so cool to see his beginning, and to be living my ending. It's like the whole mission is splayed out before me. And it's so fun to be able to help him. Seriously. I love it. And I love it even more, because guess what? My cute brother William is off in the world being a missionary right now, and I don't get to be with him, and that's kind of a bummer. But I DO get to be with Elder Jourdan, who's in a very similar stage of his missionary life. So it's almost like being with Will. And I can help Elder Jourdan in the way that I hope someone is going to help my brother when he gets to Oregon. Cute, right? I love it.

7. COMPANIONS

Glory be, I've been spoiled silly again. This time with companions. I have had the best companions ever! I've been SO SO blessed! I don't even know why. Apparently, God still loves me. I have met the most wonderful people, and learned so much from them, and they are amazing.

... Well. I could go on LITERALLY for forever. But I don't have time. Also, my fingers are tired of typing. Co zrobić? Life is hard.

But.

I LOVE YOU ALL OODLES AND OODLES!

Siostra Young