Week 14 Same old Same old

First of all -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!!!! My birthday wish for you is that I hope you pass Anatomy and all classes with flying A's this year AND I hope your hair continues to grow healthy and beautifully. I love you so much!

Really nothing too exciting happened this week except:

-We met with Z, a 16 year old who is intelligent, we asked if she read out of the Book of Mormon and she said she tried..SHE READ 80 PAGES! 

-We had a lesson with V, the Ukranian, in a hippie place. I ordered something that I had no idea what it was. They they brought out this weird pitcher with a glass handle sticking out of it like a spout except it was my handle, and this watery coconut bottle (looked like a coconut shell with a hole in the top). And it tasted horrible. What a disaster. When I paid, I apologized for not drinking it and making a mess and said I was not from around here. 

-We met with a Lithuanian lady. Her name is A who laughed SO hard at the end of our lesson because she thought we said the word in Czech for 'wonderful' but we really were asking if 5:30 was a good time to come by again. Seriously she could not stop laughing. 

-At church yesterday Bratr Křečnička sat by me and pulled my hair, made me laugh when I was leading the music, and kept messing with me. I could not stop laughing.

I love the members here! They are so cute! 

The weather is cold and rainy! 

I love everyone back home -Shout out to my singles ward for being AWESOME and sending me letters of love! 

And I love being a missionary! Its so fun to learn something everyday in the Gospel or in Czech tongue. 

Oh....and we love playing with snails and poking at the slug's eyeballs so they retract back in their heads. 

-Sestra Hale

 We tried blue Fanta for the first time and it tastes like flowers. refreshing!

This is yummy yummy Czech southern Bohemian bread made from sauerkraut.  It is so good. But not too good with garlic cream cheese on it. Just alone it tastes good :)

My comp is nuts. We love running home in the rain!

 I forgot my umbrella and it was raining and we had to wait for a bus.

We can't get over how weird these snails are. We usually pick one up and touch it. DON'T WORRY. I carry hand sanitizer on me always. 

Week 13 Pedometer Week

Ladies and Gentlemen.....I used my pedometer this past week. Sunday to Sunday. We did usual missionary work including walking all over C-Bud and seeding a town and tracting twice. We also went running one morning. GUESS HOW FAR WE WALKED. 58.9 miles! The missionary life is the life to live.

This past week flew by. Sometimes I sit at the computer on P-Days just in awe at how time flew by so fast. So FUN STORY: We bought Kebab's for dinner earlier in the week and after talking to the guy for a minute he asked where we were from because we had an accent. When we said we were from America he thought it was so cool! So he gave us this container/bottle of something to eat with our kebabs because it was perfect. It was NASTY! like liquid sour cream. What in the world? 

MISSIONARY WORK STORY: We did a chalk display (my first one). So we went to a busy part of town and drew the Plan of Salvation on the ground in chalk. Then contacted about it showing people what it was and teaching them about where we came from and where we are going. I have never taught so much in an 1.5 hours before! I didn't get any numbers or lessons set up but I taught the P.S. in less than 5 minutes by myself and taught it multiple times. Awesome! DISTRICT LEADER COVENANT STORY: During call-ins last week Elder Davis committed us to contact on EVERY bus since we have bus passes and we take busses everywhere. So here I was my first time ever to bus contact. I sat down with a seat open next to me then BAM! A man sat next to me. "Here we go" I said to myself. So I said hello and asked how he was doing, he thought it was cool I was from America and spoke to me in English then BAM! he asked me if I had a boyfriend and then BAM! asked me if I wanted ot go with him to whereever he was going then BAM asked how old I was. It's just great. The only black man in C-Bud that I have seen hit on me. This is the life... To even out the field though, the next day I sat down in front of a lady and after asking how she was, I found out she was deaf. So we continued to talk the entire bus ride! In Czech! With zero sound and minumum mouthing words. We were able to communicate that she loves small dogs (I whipped out my picture of me and Lexi) and I also gave her a flower that I recently picked (she loved that) and she was telling me it is sad to see people sleep on the side of the road. And! We agreed it was hot on the bus so I told her I would open the window except the Europe bus windows are intricate and I couldn't. Anyway-it was so cool! She was very cute :) MIRACLE STORY: None of our investigors come to church. Since I have been here (in this city) anyway which is...5 weeks. sad right? Well there are these less actives who always promise they will come to church but don't. But WHO CAME THIS SUNDAY! Yay R and J! I just love church here. The people are THE BEST and so unique. I've never met people like Czech people before.

For our P-Day today we went to Česky Krumlov. The pictures do not do justice SO when all my friends and family and future husband allow me to take them on a tour of my mission in the future we will go to this place. Absolutely beautiful and enchanted. We walked through the Garden of the Castle. It reminded me of The Maze Runner because there were 15 foot tall hedges on either side of us for a while! Also, it is just so awesome to see all the red roofs on all buildings and then random turquoise clock towers. GAH! beautiful.

-Sestra Hale

p.s (some family business)...........HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! I demanded my district to write down Friday as your birthday in their planners and remember you on that day. I love you!!! And Starsi Lanham loves your middle name!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY SISTER ROXANNE REYNOSO FOR GRADUATING AND NOT EVER HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT SCHOOL AGAIN!!!! 

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRADY FOR GRADUATING AND NEVER HAVING TO DRIVE UP NORTH AT EARLY HOURS OF THE DAY TO SCHOOL FOR ALL DAY LONG!!!! 

Your pictures look SO good and I am so happy for you all! 

I am also a little weirded out that everyone will be done with school by the time I get back so...bare with me until I graduate in 1000 years too! I'm so proud of both of you!!! I love you!!! and am I right? those fancy ropes and scarves mean you graduated with honors? HOLLA HALE/REYNOSO  POWER! 

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 The enchanted garden

 Baptism! I tickled my comps because I was so happy to have them by my side. 

Thats why they aren't paying attention. woops :)

 The Namesti (city square) at night

 I call this one "it decompose" or "da moose, da moose"

 the best shot I got of Česky Krumlov!

 I would like to have this view every day from my bedroom window.

 It's not a GIANT angel but normal size and a cool angle. That would be scary 

if it was the size of lady liberty.

  I love being a missionary.

Be Jealous!

Week 12 - Brno, Baptism and a new friend

Dear family,

Flowers are EVERYWHERE. This land is gorgeous and I wish I could share the beauty with everyone back home in the desert. Truly beautiful, breezy, cool, sunny, colorful weather here. I wouldn't mind living here when I am retired.

This past week we traveled a lot! We went to Brno on Tuesday for my progressive training (which I was supposed to have my 2nd week in the field but due to Visa work we had to wait). That training was great and informative. Sister McConkie taught us about health and how we can endure a mission physically, we were tested on the 12 week program WHICH I HAVE MASTERED AND CERTIFIEDLY PASSED IN (what a rollercoaster of learning. Loooong rollercoaster) and practiced inviting people to baptism which at this time I have personally done multiple times. I love how the 12 week program sets up all the newbs (greenies) to do the big tasks. It helped me get over the fear of inviting people to baptism. I came here to change lives and the way lives are changed are with the Gospel of Jesus Christ-involving the ordinance of baptism with correct authority. Not hard at all. OH MY GREAT, It was soo nice to see my MTC group. My Starsi's are all so cute and experienced and European! I feel like a proud sister to all of them. It's so great. Pictures will be sent next week.

On Saturday we went to Prague to support and witness the baptism of Libor! My first baptism and it was phenomenal. Seeing him was so great. I walked in, shook his hand and told him how excited I was to be there. He loved the support. Bratr Prahař was able to come from the Jičín branch. I really think it helps to have members at baptisms. Libor was so cute! Pictures will be sent next week as well.

Here is the story of M, I cannot write justice for our experience with him. It is just not possible BUT I know what I wrote will be enough to make your day. 

There is this man who was contacted last transfer who is probably in his 70's. Fun fact: his mother who is 93 is still alive! So anyway he is in C-Bud just about once a month and HE calls US when he is here because he loves the sisters. Jasný. SO we met him today. On first contact he kissed our hands and complimented us. Then we asked if we could go to a Kavarna (cafe in English, I think..) and he said sure. As we walked he often put his hand on our backs to guide us along and he put his arms out to stop us before the street we crossed. Verrry kind-like. a straight up grandpa. Once we got to the Kavarna we chatted for a little to get to know each other and he was so cute! He stopped me a couple times and complimented my Czech then blushed and sat back in his chair. As he spoke and as he agreed, he would tap Sestra Behunin's wrist, hand, or knee as he spoke. He also did the Czech arm rub multiple times. As we explained the Book of Mormon, he was so accepting and so believing in it. He loved Moroni's promise and would hold up or scoot the Book of Mormon towards-facing the right way-as we spoke about it. So nice and sweet. THEN....climax time....he said he had something for us before we ended. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a Harmonica. A Harmonica! He asked us what we wanted him to play and since we dont know any Czech music he started playing a Ceske Budejovice song and the Iowa song called 'Going Home' and also Silent Night. We were in a kavarna and he was so awesome to play for us. Climax #2 when the worker asked if we were done he jolted up to pay. He moved so fast in such a motion that it made all 3 of us jump. So he paid and Climax #3 He kissed our cheeks. Our cheeks so sweetly! We were laughing at how sweet and lively this man was. He kept blushing! Then while walking us back to the building where we met he managed to grab my hand once, direct us across the street by guiding our backs, and  kissed our cheeks again! 

That is the story of M. We are excited for next time. He said we have to take a picture and we said we have to record his Harmonica playing. 

Also I looooved skyping with you all! LOVED it! I was so pumped for the work afterwards! Thanks for being an amazing family. 

Ill talk to you later! Love you! 

mám vás rada!

Sestra Hale

Mother's Day Skype Call - screen shot:

Week 11 C-Bud South

Its just been one of those weeks when no one shows up for lessons and no one for church. Also we seeded and tracted a place called Borek with zero success and twice this week men creeped on us. The weather is up and down but for the most part cold and rainy every day. I will come home looking like Edward the Vampire with this kind of weather. (I recently told her I was going to the lake with some friends - she was super jealous that we were experiencing SUNSHINE in Arizona!)

We had a training in Prague this last Tuesday which was awesome and helpful. We learned not to be afraid of the word 'křest' (baptism) but to invite with confidence and to also explain that it is a promise with God as we extend the intivitation so it is clear. President and our AP's are so great. Our APs right now are Starsi Cowley and Starsi Earl. I think that is his name...GUESS WHAT! I saw Starsi Geier and Starsi Nelson who were in Virginia for a while. Yay! 

Tomorrow we have progressive training in Brno. I am excited to see the whole MTC district tomorrow. Reunion! 

Sister Behunin and I are losing English. Basic principles seem wrong when we talk. It's fine. Czech is our new native language anyway. I feel weird praying in 

English too. We taught a man from England and while I was english praying out loud before our lesson begun I was simultaneously praying for my english prayer that it would make sense haha. 

We had a great sports day in which those kids from a couple weeks ago kept showing up to and they even came back to our church building with us and they got an exclusive tour! My favorite is N she has the best laugh and the longest hair. It stuck out of her jacket like a tail as we played volleyball. 

This work is tough. Worth it? Absolutely. I am attending the baptism of a man from my last area this coming Saturday! I am so excited. I was the one to extend him the invite to be baptized. His reaction "do you really think I could be ready by then?" 

he is so gentle and prepared! 

Pray for Sestra Behunin and me. Sometimes its easier to lay back and not be 100% focused but we need the help more now than ever. Pray for our diligence and for the people here to be ready to make a wonderful change in their lives. Because it truly is a wonderful change to know you are a child of God and you have a purpose. I know the things I teach everyday are true and the work we are doing is worth it. Maybe not now but down the road absolutely. 

I love you all and make sure you tell your moms/grandmas they are great on Sunday! Because I WILL! Take care and have a phenomenal week.

Milují vám. 

I know I always write that but I recently learned that verb is a deep word for love. So i will from now on write 

Mám vás rada!!!

It still means I love you but not that deep deep love. :)
-Sestra Hale

Just a gorgeous walk.

  Band picture on the steps.

These are EVERYWHERE! I make lots of wishes everyday and 

blow them all out then run away from all the little flying cotton 

bombs I released into the wind. 

This happens pretty much everyday.

We are eating amazing Kebabs in the namesti.

  LOOK AT THIS NASTY SLUG. 

We saw slugs everywhere today-seriously I measured it in my head. 

On the path today there were slugs everywhere. 3 feet from one another. Not all were this huge.

 Hand modeling is Sister Behunin.

We named him Petr and I may or may not have dropped him on accident 

when I picked a flower. 

We heard a snap and I froze. I think I killed him!​