Week 40 -- This week

How was this week? Spiritually challenging and powerful. For those of you who know what this means. we hit standards!

This week we had an Exchange and this time Sestra Hamblin came to Liberec with me. It was so fun and we had a few miracles including finding Pavel who ended up coming to church and genuinely loves it all AND running into an investigator Pavla who we put on baptismal date because she already knows it is true. Its been a fun time. This week Sestra Stokes and I have bonded on deep levels of embarrassing moments.

Also this week, we found out that Sestra H's baby was stillborn. I don't think I could explain what we have felt as we have been helping the branch members keep their faith strong, but seeing the H family at church alone was a testimony to me that when we commit ourselves to the church and Christ, nothing can stop us. All members of the church are like a big family but for a second I would like to talk about the branch members here in Liberec. They are tender to tragedies, they support one another in their callings, they are wonderful teachers and attend activities when they can. They are not perfect, but they do their best. I am grateful for the example of the H family to strengthen my commitment to the church. I know that they too have understood more of what it means to rely on the church in times of trouble. 

This past Sunday's sacrament meeting was so special. It was also the primary program. Which consisted of 2 eight-year old boys and S who is maybe 3? It was so cute and everyone felt a special spirit there.Even the investigators who came.

At game night we played Dr. Who Risk. That experience affirmed my opinion on Risk and Dr. Who. I am not a fan of either haha. It was actually fun but I wouldn't do that on my own again.

This next week we are celebrating the second annual Thanksgiving here in Liberec! Last year was a hit and all the food was hosted by America. This week will be full of baking and cooking. Someone anonymously appointed us, the sisters, to roast a 14 lb Turkey. We also nominated ourselves to take on rolls, cookies, and deviled eggs for 50 people. Pray for us and enjoy your own Thanksgiving!

mám vás ráda!!!

-Sestra Hale

Blue White and Red, for Paris. lit up every night.

Dr Who Risk

Making Czech sweets.

Week 39 Tooth Acupuncture and Power Hour

Get this. On Tuesday we went to Prague on an emergency dentist trip. Sestra Stokes ended up getting her nerve extracted from her tooth. It was terrifying to watch. At one point the dentist stuck 3 needles in Sestra Stoke's tooth, took an X-ray, then LEFT THE NEEDLES IN HER MOUTH to go look at the x ray for a second. I looked at her with fear. She had no idea what was going on because she was numb. I told her to constantly keep her mouth wide open. Crazy right? The dentist and assistant laughed when we asked to take pictures. That's pretty cool that Sestra Stokes lost her nerve on her mission.

Once at a past training, a missionary explained a hard working contacting hour as a 'power hour' That has been a theme that has stuck with me. This week was that theme in action! We did a cool chalk display and I truly was worm after constantly talking to e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. We taught a ton of people! POWER HOUR. This also happened later in the week. Those are my favorite hours and sometimes I dread starting them because of my lack of faith...but I know if we talk to everyone we can, SOMEONE will be placed in our path that we can invite to come unto Christ. Once I contacted this man and he said he already read the Book of Mormon. I tried to get his opinion out on the table so we could dissect it and serve the truth but he continued to slander the book and ask if I have read it. "of course I have read it, I'm a missionary" He told me that it was a lie and a shame to the church. It is these moments that my bosom is on fire and my testimony is exploding within. There is no man on earth, no power or tragedy that could change my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I have received my own answer that it is the word of God, not only once, but multiple times as I read and study it. It makes me sad that those who reject it are so closed to the idea of this historical record of Jesus Christ's teachings with the people on the American continent. Its not fair to themselves to reject it. -This is one reason I am a missionary.

Our investigator J is so cool. Our member was late to our lesson with him and as we were walking to a nearby bench I told him that I had a favorite street performer and he was playing nearby. So J goes 'would you like a song?' WHAT!?!! Apparently he knows my favorite guitar man and he asked him to sing a song for us Americans. Now whenever I see the performer we say hello. Back to J, he is so cool and we only had time to do a building tour with Sestra H. It was beautiful and perfect and he should be coming to church this next week. It's so cute because he says he doesn't have the clothes to come to church. But listen, do you think Jesus would care more about your clothes, or that you are following one of his commandments by coming to church? :)

It's been a great week. Sestra Stokes knows a lot of the Sons of Provo songs by heart and frequently raps them to me. I want to be like her some day.

MÁM VÁS RÁDA!!! -Sestra Hale

p.s. We just got invited to go to Eva M's house for dinner tonight. Who is excited?? I cant wait to laugh with her!! She is like the czech/older version of Raven Simon.

Also, we bought a Christmas tree and a flower topping for a grand total of 2 dollars!

We only have a few more minutes on these computers but just to let you know, I will send pictures later. These library computers won't allow any attachments.

Week 38 Poslouchej

I always say "Poslouchej" to Sestra Stokes. It means "listen" and she always gets mad. haha

THIS WEEK:

We went trakting and trakted this super old woman who invited us into her house. She was so cute and her house smelled like her cat. We taught her about prayer and she couldn't understand a lot of what we were saying, not only because of the language barrier but because she is partially deaf. I asked what her cat's name was and *in detail* we got a story of where the cat came from, what kind of sounds it makes when it wants to come inside, and how long it has been hers. It was precious. She also gave us some donuts for the road and watched us walk down the street because she thought it was dangerous for us.Then 2 doors down I hop over a little piece of wood on a porch to ring the doorbell. Another very old woman came out and literally yelled at us asking if we were blind, and because of our religion, we intruded her yard, and we were stupid.  That was an exciting evening.

Then we met with our investigator A who at first said she was done with faith and didn't want the Book of Mormon anymore. We asked if we could just talk to her and throughout this on-the-edge-breakup, we calmed her down and she thanked us a ton for bringing her back to the world out of Hell. It was turned out to be a very spiritual time with her for a moment. Sestra Stokes shared a story that I was tearing up over. 

J is another investigator and we taught him the Restoration and it went exactly as planned. You know how you imagine how teaching will go before you actually go on a mission? Certain questions that will come up, how everyone will feel, etc?...His lesson was just like that. He is such a kind man. We're very excited for his progress.

This week we received a call from a member telling us the exciting news of a grocery store having an 'Ámerican Week' so we went there and bought muffins and pancake mix. The pancakes were phenomenal and I made maple syrup (Thank you Sister Young) and it was a nice piece of America. Long live 'Merica.

One time we were on a bus with the Elders and Starsi Vickers was talking to us about how crazy the language is. He said this "Geez! It's like you say the wrong thing, and you bless someone a chair!" we could not stop laughing. He is so right.

WE FINALLY HAVE HOT WATER AND AIR

It was kind of funny that after all this time, the repair only took a total of maybe 40 minutes. Our repair man-Vladimir-was so cool too. We were studying at our desks which faced away from the kitchen where he was working. At one point he had to leave and come back, so as he was walking out he sang a little quiet tune saying "I'll return immediately" (vratím se hned). Once he left we were both laughing. He was so nice and now we are so warm! Sometimes I wake up in a sweat in the middle of the night. Its a comforting yet disgusting feeling. #blessed

LASTLY-we had a beautiful district konference on Sunday. At the end we (the sestry) were keeping the Jarošovi boys entertained in the back of the chapel because Sestra Jarošova was talking to other people. I can't tell all details now but there was a lot of chaos and at one point, Tonda grabbed a hold onto my skirt and almost pulled it off of me. Good thing that only me, Sestra Stokes and Eva saw the whole thing. It was so funny and I was so embarrassed!

Other than that, the work is great and Sestra Stokes is cool. That's it for Liberec. Enjoy this week!

s laskou,

Sestra Hale

Some cool graffiti

Our first photo together - it's going to be a great transfer!

One of my favorite street performers

Pancakes! America week at the grocery store.

That is ještěd there in the distance

This is a lake that we contact by sometimes.

SO GRATEFUL FOR VLADIMIR AND HIS MIRACLE WORK TO REPAIR OUR COLD LIVING QUARTERS. 

we CAN be cute :) 

Week 37 , Liberec Round 2

If I were to explain Sestra Stokes in 3 words, they would be: Marry Poppins, random and funny. I love her and that's it. She also did my hair this last week AND made rolls and oatmeal bars for us. She's winning my vote all the way!

As for our water heater. I feel like this is a fun game for you all and us to figure out when it will actually be fixed. As of right now, nothing is fixed but Prezident is involved, and we bought space heaters that are phenomenal.

We met with a guy and his friend that I met on my second day here in Liberec on a bus. They ended up being super cool! We thought they were just going to waste our time but they were sincere, honest, and we talked about doctrine basically the whole time. It was great to teach them about our different message and about life after this. I love testifying to people, It's become one of my hobbies.

During lunch one day we walked into the town hall (the sign out front said that you could také free tours) so we got a free tour that started when we walked in! It looked so cool and we ended up going to the top of the tower and getting phenomenal pictures of Liberec!

E. M.is one of my favorite members. She works so hard throughout the week  that when she isn't working, she is either a phenomenal teacher and spiritual or SO FUNNY. We played signs at Family Night and she could NOT stop laughing. We were all falling out of our chairs. One day I might try to secretly record her laugh..that's allowed right?

Halloween for us was basically another day besides the fact that we ate eggs and ice cream for lunch, started fasting, cleaned the church building with the elders, and as we were talking to them during dinner hour, we had The Prince of Egypt soundtrack playing in the background. It was glorious. I painted my nails and wore all black except for my orange stripped skirt.

Who's excited for this next week? JA JO! ME! The weather the past 2 days has been glorious. We have seen the sun and earlier today we only had on cardigans. Score!

s laskou,

Sestra Hale

Liberec must have a council that meets often and discusses how to make Liberec more random. This graffiti is found everywhere in all shapes. Lots of cats, monkeys, hearts, and this elephant. 

The Radnice. We toured this. it was a really sketchy stair path to the top tower.

The view from the top tower of the Radnice.