Monday, August 04, 2014 3:38 AM The Great Tczew Adventure

Tczew.

By raise of hand, who has heard of Tczew?

Right.

Better question.

Who knows how to SAY Tczew?

Okay. T-ch-e-v. Now. Say it all together, nice and fast. Tczew.

Ah. There it is. Good job.

On Monday night, I had the great pleasure of exploring Tczew with my friend Elder J. Yep. That happened.

And now, wihtout further ado, THE GREAT TCZEW ADVENTURE.

It was Monday. We had P-Day (we wandered around Jarmark Świętego Dominika - it happens here in Gdańsk every summer, and has been for the past 754 years. Quite the history). It was delightful. After that, Elder J and I went to catch our train. We were both scheduled to go on exchanges to Bydgoszcz last week. So. We went to buy our ticket. I was at the machine, trying to buy our tickets, and they didn't have the train we were supposed to take as an option of trains to take. So I was like, "Ummmm ... Okay." And I bought us tickets for the next available train - about 30 minutes later than the train we were told to take. We went up to the peron, J and Monty and Elder Ja and I. We were waiting and stressing. Well. All of us waiting. I was the only one stressing. But we had the wrong ticket and there was confusion and we weren't sure what train we were going to be on and so on and so forth. Stress.

Meanwhile, a train pulls up. The original train we were supposed to take. So Elder Ja grabs the ticket from me and walks up to one of the train people and was like, "Hey, is this our train?" And he was like, "... No." So Elder Ja took our ticket and walked up to a DIFFERENT train guy and said, "Hey, is this train going to Bydgoszcz?" Um. We already KNOW it's going to Bydgoszcz. Dumb. And the guy was like, "Yeah." So Elder Ja was like, "Cool." He handed me my ticket, took my suitcase, and threw it on the train. And then basically pushed Elder J and I up the stairs. And I was like, "Excuse me, this ISN'T OUR TRAIN." And Elder Ja was like, "It's going to Bydgoszcz!" And then the door shut, and I said, "I'm going to kill you. I'm going to kill him - Elder J, I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill you!" Elder Ja couldn't hear me. The train was already pulling away. But I was upset. It was stupid. I was stressing HARD FLIPPING CORE. Elder J was really chill though. That was nice. One thing led to another, things were CRAZY, and Elder J and I had to get off in Tczew - one stop south of Gdańsk. Because we had the wrong ticket. More stress.

So. The two of us were in Tczew. We walked into the train station to buy a ticket to B-Town. I went up to the window to talk to the lady, and asked for the next train to Bydgoscz, and she was like, "Okay. The next train is at 21:30." That translates to 9:30. At night. And I was like, "Ummmm ... What? That's the next one?" And she was like, "Yep. Do you want tickets or not?" And I was like, "Uh. I'll get back to you." So I went over and explained the mayhem to Jourdy, who mostly thought it was HILARIOUS, and we decided we needed to call B-Town. We didn't have a phone. More stress. So we went phone hunting. I told people we were lost and asked if we could borrow their phone for a second. I don't know - I've never been on the other end of that onversation - but I like to think I'd let some poor sucker borrow my phone for a second. Not these people. RUDE. So finally this one lady - after telling us we couldn't use her phone - helped us find a pay phone and a place to buy a phone card. That was nice of her. I guess. I'd rather she just lent us her phone, but alright. It's fine. I was still freaking out, so Elder J volunteered to call. Bless his heart. So he called. He did a stelllar job. Bydgoszcz freaked out a little bit, because we weren't going to get in until about 11 at night. And then, we waited. An hour and a half. For our train. It was a great time.

We wandered around the mall in Tczew. It was SUPER lame. We got hungry. We found a decent kebab place and ate.

Then we got on our train with a bunch of other late night travelers. We stood the whole way to Bydgoszcz in the back near the party of drunkards by the bathroom. That was nice. Then we finally got in and everything was fine and I slept like a ROCK.

The exchange was nice. I LOVE Bydgoszcz. I'm going to miss that city.

The train ride home wasn't nearly as interesting. We were on the right train and everything. But it was fun. I love train rides.

The rest of the week has been pretty mediocre. In a good way.

So. That's it! Pretty exciting stuff!

Oh. And this morning, my BEAUTIFUL companion Monty blew up balloons and put up streamers for my birthday. And we made pancakes during comp study. We're buildling comp unity, so it's okay. And she also got a me a cute pink whale stuffed animal and a scarf that is my exact favorite color of coral. I LOVE MY MONTY. It was lovely.

And after email, we're going to go see a castle with Stanley and the elders. It's going to be a GREAT day.

Love you all SO MUCH!

Sent: Monday, July 28, 2014 4:34 AM The Most Uninteresting Week Ever.

Sooooooooooo. Head's up. Next week, we're probably going to Hel. And the next week, we're probably going to Malbork. And the next week, I'm probably going to Warszawa. And the next day, I'm probably going to America. So the emailing is all a little questionable from here on out. I just wanted you all to be aware so if the emails are short (or if they don't happen at all, but I'm going to try REALLY hard to not let that be a problem) you don't freak out. Consider yourselves warned, chillin's.

Let's see, let's see.

What happened in my life last week.

...

Not much, apparently.

Monday: Sopot date. JADWIGA.

Tuesday: Zone Conference.

Wednesday: English is cancelled until September. So.

Thursday: PIONEER DAY! But that means nothing for us in Poland. Bohdan.

Friday: Magda and service. Planning.

Saturday: Wio and Klaud. JADWIGA TEMPLE PREP. Stanley and pierogi.

Sunday: Lunch at the Tufts with Marinella, Janina, and the elders.

Yep. That's it.

Exciting stuff.

Shoot, I don't even know what else to say! Sorry, this is the MOST BORING EMAIL EVER TYPED. Seriously though. Apologies. I can't even think of any funny stories.

Pathetic.

But.

I LOVE YOU ALL FREAKING A TON!

Oh - guess what?! On Saturday, for Culture Night, I'm going to the POLISH SUPERBOWL. It's probably the only Superbowl I'll ever go to. It's going to be big.

That's all.

Much love!

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

Monday, July 14, 2014 4:54 AM Nature. Mm Mmm. Not A Fan.

So what else is new? I'm still not a fan of nature. Or creepy crawlies. Or slimy things. And yet. My life is fraught with disgusting experiences with those things. What is THAT about?

On Tuesday night, we did a whiteboard with our starsi. That was nice. Except for the part where A BUG FLEW INTO MY EYE AND THEN GOT STUCK THERE. That was fetching disgusting. And it freaked me out. So naturally I freaked out. I was just sitting there, minding my own business, talking to Monty and Elder Jaeger for a second, and then he says to me, all matter of factly, "There's a bug in your eye." And then I said some angry loud things for a second (because there was a bug in my eye! What the flip would YOU do in a situation like that?!) So then Monty had to extract it's small corpse from my eye. It was every bit as gross as it sounds. Ugh. I'm getting ill just reminiscing about it.

On Saturday, Monty and I were in a park. And it was VERY wet. It rained from sun up to sun down. But we've got to contact, and we've got to contact somewhere, and there aren't really people anywhere, so a park. That is what happened. Anyways. We were in the park. And then she was like, "Oh look, a toad!" And I was like, "WHAT?! Gross! ... Pick it up!" She said no. But then we found another toad, and she picked up that one. So as she's holding the toad, I pulled out my camera to take a picture (because what else would you do?), took a picture, then I was taking another one, and she was like, "Oh!" So I look at the picture I just took, and there's no toad in her hands. It had literally JUST leapt from her hands. So I freaked out, and screamed, and ran halfway down the path in case it was coming after me. GROSS. But I survived, so it's cool. Also, later down the path, we found the TINIEST FROGS ON THE PLANET. They were literally half the size of my pinky fingernail. It was CRAZY! They were adorable. (Well, as adorable as slimy nature can possibly be). I made Monty hold one of those too. And then, we found a GIANT snail. It was disgusting. But Monty held it. She's a trooper, that comp of mine!

Okay.

So.

I know this was a SUPER lame email. But I gotta run.

LOVE YOU ALL like CRAZY a lot!

Monday, July 07, 2014 5:27 AM I Blinked.

Dear Everyone.

Welcome to the fastest week of my entire existence.

Monday. P-Day. Shopping.

Tuesday. Bydgoszcz.

Wednesday. Sister Swenson. English. Jadwiga. MY BROTHER WENT TO THE MTC.

Thursday. Chalk and Talk. Grill. Sopot. Lena.

Friday. Magda. Manekin.

Saturday. Sister Swenson. Wioletta and Klaudia. Banana bread.

Sunday. Church. Magda. Stanley.

And that, my friends, is all she wrote.

This week was crazy flipping fast. I don't even know where it went! I'm sitting here, looking at my planner and the things crossed out and circled and all the arrows and numbers, and flip! I don't know when all of it even happened! It's weird. REALLY weird. I don't think I've ever had a faster week in my whole life. Which is saying a lot, because I WAS once an elementary school student, and summer as an elementary student literally flies. I feel like I was emailing you all, like, two days ago. Which, I'm not gong to lie, is pretty nice. I'm definitely not complaining. It's just freaky weird.

So that's nice.

Let's see ... Can I possibly expound on ANY of the above listed happenings of my life ...

Bdygoszcz! Duh! Oh lands. I love that city. It was so fun to go back again! We had Zone Training on Tuesday. It was really nice. And guess WHAT!? I'm possibly probably going to Bydgoszcz for exchanges again this transfer! And I'm possibly probably going on my exact birthday to that beautiful promised land! It's not for sure (as far as I know), but it's looking pretty likely! What I wouldn't GIVE! Ah. Please bless that it happens. It would rock my whole world.

Oh. Sister Swenson. Because that's possibly confusing. So! On Tuesday night Sister Swenson came up and hung out with us (hung out? Okay. Well. We did missionary work. We didn't just hang out. But you get the idea) for the week! It was super fun! And we got to see a bunch of members, and that was cool! So that happened this week. ... Alright, I just reread this explanation, and it makes a total of 0.00071 sense. So. I'm going to try again. Once upon a time, there was Sister Swenson. She started her mission in Gdańsk, and she was here for forever basically, and now she's going home in two weeks. So. For reasons that are too complicated to explain, she had to come up for something, which ended up not happening. But she was here. And she spent basically forever here, so it means a lot to her, so she wanted to see a bunch of people while she was here. So we did. The three of us saw a bunch of people while she was here. Then she went home to Warsaw. It was nice. Oh. Er. Not the fact that she went home. The fact that she was up here. We had fun while she was up here. THAT is what I'm trying to say. Ugh. Words. They're so ... difficult.

And we totally had the Fourth of July last week! It was a good time! We did normal missionary life things, and then we had Manekin with the fam and Stanley (who's basically part of the fam anyways). It was delicious. Of course. I'm not sure why Manekin was the restuarant of choice for Independence Day. Naleśniki aren't really very American. I feel like Billy's American Diner (which does, in fact, exist - I haven't tried it yet, but there's no way I'm leaving this country until I do) would have been a more appropriate choice, but there you go. I like naleśniki as much as the next kid.

MOM. I GOT MY PACKAGE THAT WENT TO WROCŁAW ON TUESDAY. And I've been eating Sweet Baby Ray's on literally EVERYTHING ever since. It rocks. Thank you SO SO MUCH! How I have missed BBQ sauce! It's delicious. I've never been happier. And everything else - it's all delicious! The Cheese It's, the marshmellows, the peanut butter, the Fruit Roll-Ups - I'm living the dream! THANK YOU times a thousand. God bless America, and her delicious American foods available only in America. (William, Annlie - treasure your lives. You are lucky, beautiful people.)

In other news. (I'm sorry - I think I overuse that phrase, but I REALLY like it, and it always seems to be indispensable as I'm emailing. It's just such a good change-of-topic-er.) MY BROTHER WENT TO THE MTC LAST WEEK. Yeah. THAT happened. I'm dying here. I don't even know if the kid's going to read this, but William. If you are reading these words. I LOVE YOU. (And if you're not, I still love you. Don't worry about it. You just won't know it, because you aren't reading it ...) And I'm REALLY proud of you. And I tell you what, I think about you basically all the time. Because you rock, and I miss you.

I made some banana bread on Saturday. As previously stated. Guys, it was really good. Like, REALLY good.

So. Um. Yeah. That's it. That's my week. It was very exciting. (I think ... it was so fast, I can hardly remember what happened. But as far as my memory allows me to remember, it was very exciting.)

Much love!

Siostra Young

Sent: Monday, June 30, 2014 4:51 AM I Freakin' Love Gluten.

Hello my lovelies! How are we all doing today?

Me? I'm doing alright. I'm having a slightly emotional day. Because duh. My brother is leaving for Mexico in two days. So, naturally, I'm a wreck. Mostly because I couldn't be there for his farewell. And because I won't be there when he leaves. And because he won't be there for a solid two years of my life. That's a LOT of life. Especially when we add on the year and half (give or take 7 weeks) that I've been absent from his life. You know. I am not a huge fan of this. I couldn't be prouder of my cute brother William. I really couldn't. But the absence is SO MUCH! Bleck.

Anyways.

I love gluten.

Sister Montesinos lets me eat gluten all the time, and I don't even have to feel guilty about it. I love it.

I'm going to miss all my Polish pastries. They are beautiful. What will I do without them?

Dumb question. I'll eat AMERICAN pastries! I'll be okay.

I'll still miss them, but I'll be okay.

Anyways.

My life.

So. There's this member here. I've mentioned her before. Her name is Jadwiga. You guys, she is my FAVORITE HUMAN ON THE WHOLE EARTH. I love her. And she loves the Gospel. It's a big circle of love. We went over last week, and she had her two granddaughters over. She explained who we are and what we do as missionaries, and then she asked us to introduce ourselves and then share our testimonies. It was SO ADORABLE. And then, we were getting ready to eat (because she LOVES feeding us), and she explained about what prayer is and why we pray, and then had me say the prayer over the food. It was so stinking cute. She is WONDERFUL. I wish everyone in the world knew Jadwiga. I want to take her to America with me. That's how much I love her. Lands. She's wonderful.

The weather here has been SO WEIRD. I'm wearing sweaters still. SWEATERS. It's the last day of June, and I'm wearing a sweater. Not gonna lie, it's rocking my world. I am SO happy. Everyone else is a little upset because they want sunshine and heat, but I'm like, "Psh, forget that! Bring on the rain!" Okay. Actually, the rain is SLIGHTLY annoying. Because contacting in the rain is not the most fruitful of contacting. But still. I am a fan. I'll take rain over searing heat and blinding sunshine any day of the year.

I LOVE MONTY.

Last week Łeba was SUPER fun. It was cold. But it was really fun! We took a two hour drive with Stanley and the elders out to the city of  Łeba, and from their we took a ride - in the pouring rain, mind you - on a little golf cart dealio out to these HUGE-O-MONDO sanddunes that exist up be the seashore. It was so cool! It was also freezing and wet, but it was so cool! It's like, you're in this Polish forest, and then all the sudden your on the set of Hidalgo, because there's just sand, and it's everywhere! It was a good time.

Yep.

That's about it.

Love you guys!

Siostra Young

Monday, June 23, 2014 3:07 AM Bromance City

Um, yeah. The past week of my life, I've been living in a Bromance City. I'm a sister, and I've been living in a Bromance City.

Brief Explanation:

There are different sized cities in this mission. Different sized cities and districts have names. For example, I'm currently serving in a Double Date City. One elder companionship, one sister companionship. (I know. Don't read too much in to it, okay? It's just funny.) When I was in Bydgoszcz, I was in a Third Wheel City. There were two elder companionships, and one sister companionship. Cities with only elders are called Bromance Cities. There's only one of those left these days. Oh. Correction. There are two. There used to be more, but the sisters are taking over. Anyways. Now, all Bromance Cities have two companionships. But it used to be, in days of yore, that Bromance Cities had one lone companionship. Since I'm a sister, I'm never going to have to experience that agony. But I've served around enough elders who have survived such a city to know they are NOT fun.

We were elder-less basically ALL week. Elder Jaeger and his trainee (Elder Jourdan) had to stay in Warsaw Monday to do legal work. And then, it didn't work, so they had to stay Tuesday too. And then that kept happening for A GAZILLION DAYS. And they finally got back on Friday night. Sister Monty and I discovered that we would NOT survive a Bromance City. It's not that we don't love each other. We're pals. This companionship is beautiful. But sometimes, you need more than just your comp - especially because you're stuck with your cmp 24/7. Even with a companion you love, that's a LOT of time. So. That was nice. We were both excited to see our elders return.

Oh hey guess what? We have a fun investigator these days! Her name is Barbara. We call her Barb. (When we're talking about her. Not to her face. She might not love that as much as we do.) She's SUPER cool though! She asks a bunch of questions. And she's easily distracted. And she talks a lot. ... She sounds like a four year old ... Okay. I promise, she's cooler than a four year old. We love her. It's a good time.

We also met with Jadwiga. Bless that woman! She's so cute! I love her. Lands, I love her. She had us sing for her, and made us pierogi in broth for dinner. She's literally the most adorable woman on the planet.

Um. Yeah.

Our week wasn't super interesting ...

Also. I gotta run.

Because guess what? We're going to ŁEBA today! I don't exactly know where or what that is, but I'll let you know next week! Stanley (... Um. ... Stanisław. Because we're in Poland) is taking us out there with the starsi. Gonna be FUN!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Siostra Young