President Uchtdorf Conference

Man probably best week of my mission. I know I always say that but this time I really mean it. 

So first we got transfer calls on wednesday. President is keepin me here in Wrocław for my third trasnfer here! Im good with that cause i love it here. My companion is Elder Stumpf from Germany. He's a tall kid and a stud. Speaks better English than I do. But so we are pretty stoked to just od work this transfer! This is actually his last transfer on his mission. He's served here in Wrocław before. And so he was really excited to get back. 

And then obviously we had the Poland Warsaw Mission Conference. All the missionaries. And all the members that could come were there! It was so amazing. On saturday we had a meeting with President Uchtdorf and he actuallly shook all our hands first and just kind asked who we were. hahaha it was super fun and super spiritual. My comp obviously got a hug cause he is German. But man so good the spirit was so strong as everyone spoke. And I could tell that President Uchtdorf really did have a calling from God. And he was an Apostle with those Preiesthood Keys. Pretty amazing. Something ill never forget for sure.

Something that really hit me was when he talked about our calling as missionaries. I love how he speaks cause he is up beat and really bold at some points in his talks. But then he will get really quiet and just lets the spirit sink in to what he is saying. It's so amazing. And he just really hit on how our calls to poland are not just by chance. But a calling from God. The spirit was so strong there. Everything he said was just so good and I just soaked it all up. In the End his testimony couldnt have been more powerful. He said slowly, "I know we have a Savior. He lives. I know him." It was just so good and I cant even explain it. 

But yes everything has just been amazing. After the conference we had a train back to Wrocław that was about 7 hours total cause it was a little late. But we made is back.....

hahah everything was good til this morning we are doing language study.... and the washer (for our clothes) like exploded. really it sounded like a bomb when off. We go running into the bathroom and you couldnt see anything but we opened it up. And like all these pieces were broken and we actually layed it on its side and the whole bottom was blown out. so thats fun....

ahahha so not really sure what we are gonna do bout that yet. But uh yeah imma gonna call the mission office about this when im done here. 

Everything really is great. And im just really excited to hit the ground running right now and find those that are searching for the truth. Im so thankful for all your prayers for me. I know that they help. And I know that we have a responsibility so share this gospel and repent and change our lives. 

Love you all. Miss you all! But never been so happy! 

z miłośćą

_Starszy Fotu

June 9th, 2014

So this week just flew by, like every week. But we were supposd to get transfer calls on saturday but they actually moved it to this wednesday and tuesday. So how its working out is if you are transfereing to a new area then you will just bring all your stuff into Warsaw for the President Uchtdorf Conference and then leave there with your companion. So I really couldnt be more exicted for this next week with The Poland Warsaw Conference. Its gonna be amazing to be there with all the missionaries and members. And an Apostle too.

This past week was really good. I dont know if I already told you guys about this guy named Mieczysław. But I met him on the streets about three months ago. And we've kinda met off and on. But he come to church a while ago and after I was talking to him and he was saying that he felt like only rich people come to this church and that these people are too good for him. And I was really confused cause there arent likre rich people in Poland. But as he was saying this our branch president who is just super humble and actually like disabled and on crutches comes up to him and like welcomes him and is just super friendly. Mieczysław was really impressed by that. And we've met with him off and on. But he has never taken a Book of Mormon cause he didnt see the need for it. A week and a half ago he finally took a Book. And we text him EVERY day and give him reading assignments. And have been meeting with him every week. So he really is our only progressor so far. But alot of exciting things are happening. The baptisms in this mission are really shooting up. So we are excited to find those ready to recieve it!

This past week something funny was.....

So there is this family here in Wrocław and they are The Zań family. Is their name. And they are sooo amazing. Its like this younger couple. And they have 4 boys that are just about as crazy as my brothers. Probably crazier in church actually. But they have one named Samuel and he is 8 years old and about to be baptized. haha and he comes running into church the other day and he looks at one of the misisonaries here in Wrocław and says "Elder! loook!" And puts these sunglasses on and says "Gangum Style!!!!" hahaha and starts dancing around. They are just like hilarious kids. And President Zań is the District President. And he got up on fast sunday and talked about his Son samuel saying something in the car about how the gospel is true and stuff. And President Zań finishes his testimony and sits down. his son Samuel comes up right after and says "I'd like to confirm the words of President Zań, that I know this church is true." hahah notice how he used President Zań instead of saying i'd like to confirm the words of my father. But they are just hilarious. I'll send a picture of them. It's nice to have some crazy kids around and just feels like home to me. 

This week really has been awesome. This morning I studied what the message of the REstoration is? and Why its important? Some things I came up with were....We can now recieve a remission of our sins and be able to access the Atonement more. We can recieve the complete companionship of the Holy Ghost. And we have a better knowledge of the Nature of God, The Atonement, The Plan and purpose of life, and how we can recieve ETERNAL happiness. Doctrine and Covenants 128:19

All of these result in some kind of Joy. This gospel simply tells us how to have joy. And I've never doubted that. Im just so happy I can be here in Poland trying to make others happy. And I've never been so happy because of it. Always remeber what true happiness is. And remember where is comes from. Our Loving Heavenly Father. Who loves us with a perfect love.

Love you guys! Have the Best week ever!  Im thankful for all your prayers! I know they carry me throughout my mission!

z miłośćą

                  Starszy Fotu

Dzien Dobry!!!! Its June......

So This week just flew by! We had another awesome week...

Miracles......

First off..... This morning as we kneeled to pray before we left to the Library to e-mail.....

As we prayed I was about to close my prayer and realized that I needed to pray for an oppurtunity to find those searching the truth during our P-Day. I prayed for the oppurtunity. I've been e-mailing for a little while now and this girl leaned over next to me and said "Hey....Are you Mormon..." haha I said yep! she responded..."Yay!" hahha and we talked for about 15 mins. She had a best friend in France that was Mormon and was her english teacher. And is actually from Macedonia. And is studying here in Wrocław. She is super super nice. And really wanted to come to church. And talked about how missionary work was just allowed into her country! Heavenly Father heared my prayer and answered it! 

So also I dont know if you guys remember the Lady that we met about 7 weeks ago named Nela. We met her in the park on my new traniee's first day in the country. And she began to cry when we asked her if she had ever felt God's love in her life. And we hadnt been able to meet with her since this past week! She took the restoration very well and came to church! And we've past her off to the Sister's but im excited for her. She is so nice and the members her were really nice to her when she came to church.

Exciting things are happening in the mission. Our mission President is commiting everyone to alot of new and exciting rules. And he really is just changing the mission and it's culture. We are really focusing on being united as companions and districts and just as a mission in whole. Cause this mission is so small and every missionary knows or has heard of most missionaries.

Yesterday we had a funny moment when this really loud old lady come up to us as we were singing.....And she just thought we were so interesting and gave us some little flyer about Catholic Church going on.....She walked off.....Ten mins later she came back and asking where we all come from.....But instead she just guess where we were from....All of us are actually from the states but she said.....pointing to my red headed comp...."you are from Ireland" the next elder "you are from Jerusalem." and then she didnt say anything to me. And just asked which of you speaks the best polish. I definately dont but everyone pointed to me and (in poland you start with sir or man instead of every saying "you") and she pointed and me and said "The Obama Sir?" haha so i either get like im from Mexico or I guess im black now.....

But really everything is going really good. I've never felt so blessed in my life. And there are hard times but the attitude changes those hard times into good times. Its all the mindset.

But i continue to try and become better as a missionary and a person over all really. 

I love it here! Miss you all so much! 

Continue to do the simple things. Reading and Praying and Going to the temple.

And share your testimonies. That is how strong testimonies come is through sharing them with others. If you think you have little faith, then act on it. And share that little belief that you have. And you will see miracles happen as you do so! 

Love you guys!

ofa lahi atu! Kocham was wszystkich! wtrwaj do konca!

trzymaj się!

_Starszy Brązowy Fotu

Dzień Dobry!!!

This week was pretty awesome. We saw alot of miracles happen. The mission field is full of them. I feel like Life is full of them. But we can notice them more in the mission field I feel like. A couple transfers ago I was talking to a senior couple (The Gay's) about their family. 12 kids. All married in the temple. Except one that is going to be married. All boys served missions. And I asked them abou ttheir sons getting home from their missions. And what the biggest difference was for them being home. They said "How strong the spirit is always with you as a missionary"

Time is going by wayyy too fast. I felt like a just got to Poland a couple months ago. And this week I'll hit 13 months. Crazy. Dont worry though im not counting. I keep telling myself that if i keep thinking about how long i have that time will go slower. But we are just so busy and im having so much fun and learning so much that it just keeps getting faster and faster.

Yesterday (sunday) was awesome. We had a investigator in church. Named Paweł he is doing ok. Has a problem with the word of wisdom though. But the coolest hting was seeing like 5 or 6 less-active back in church. Just an awesome day. And later in the day we did a white board and singing on the rynek. As the 5 other missionaries and the senior couple sang i was just out tryin to talk to people that stoppped and looked to see who we were. I met the most humble kid that i've met in Poland so far. And this past week i had but wondering why it was so hard to find those humble ones that are searching. Cause I know that there are hundreds of hearts that open to the gospel everyday, but why is it so hard to find them.

This kids name is Tomasz. I thought he was super young at first. But he said he was 21. I told him I was 20, ahha he was stunned and said he that I had 25 years. haha in polish whne you say how old you are, it translates to "Mam dwadzieścia lat"="I have 20 years"

But anyways I shared the restoration with him. And he seemed someone interested in it. But nothing amazing. Till I told him that I read and prayed and recieve an answer from God. He was stunned! He said "How!!! How did you get an answer? I pray all the time but I feel like I never get anything?" I told him the feelings that i've had from the Holy Ghost and Promised him that he could feel those things and know its from God. He was really excited. And I told him why im here in Poland. Cause I know that our message changes lives here on earth and also in life eternal. 

So im pretty stoked for him. Ill let you guys know. He took a book and is really excited to meet. 

Last miralce. Maybe I already shared this with you guys. I cant remember though. So like a couple weeks ago me and my comp were on a Tram (mini train) and there are people called controllers that come on and make sure you have your Ticket or Bilet. We buy things called urban cards for a month and just carry them in our wallets. We came to a stop and we saw these controllers get on to check everyone. I went to get my wallet in my back pack, I was like freaking out cause I couldnt find it. The Lady came to my comp and asked for his. After she check his she just walked past me. 

I left my wallet at home, and these controller people are known for being mean and strict, just passed right by me like I wasnt even there. 

It was crazy! Saved us alot of trouble. I know the Lord is watching out for us!

Im lovin my mission. I think too much. Cause I keep thinking about Garrett's story that he e-mailed me about going home, and The Stake Pres releasing him, and taking his tag off. And I just wanna cry. haha sometimes ill look in the mirror without a tag and I just look way weird.

Everything is going good. President Uchtdorf is coming soon! couldnt be more excited.

Alright last thing....

For personal study i've been studying repentance since that is what we are preaching on the streets. And I realized that we need to be living repentance to our fullest if we want to call others to repentance. Doesnt sound as bold as It is, We tell these people that God wants them to change their lives for the better, and they have receive more happiness. But I was trying to figure out how I can live Repentance more.

But first I figure out where I am at right now. List my talents, What i think im good at, and then my weeknesses. What im bad at and what I can work on. And then writing these things downs makes you really notice how imperfect you are. haha But Im working daily to get rid the things I dont want and build new attributes instead. Its been really good.

Find out who you are, and then find out who God wants you to be. Always have that Eternal Vision in mind.

Loves

ofa lahi atu WAS WSZYSTKICH!!!!

_Elder Fotu

Dzień Dobry!!!!

Hey Family and Friends!!!!

Hope everyone is doin gooood. So this week was awesome. It was really really rainy! but today the weather is real nice! It was good to see my family again! Just wanna give a shout out to Lennon! And his big BIRTHDAY!!!! I dont even know how old you are! man time is going by wayyy tooo fast! 

This week we really good. We are really pushing for like active member lessons to get the members excited about missionary work. And it was really cool on thursday we took a little train ride to a city like an our away. Called Legnica. And we had a less-active lesson with a man name Tomek. He is so awesome. and has been a member for like 13 years. and just is having a hard time but I know he still has a strong testimony. And so we are workin with him. After our lesson with him we had a member lesson with a little family. A single mom and her 3 kids. And they are just so awesome. We like practiced teaching them in Polish and they are like American/Polish. Speak both perfectly. They're names are the Call family. And there mom just loves missionary work so much. They want us missionaries to come to their city and just go out and contact with her family for a day. So we are excited to do that. It's just so amazing to see the faith that these members have.

This week I learned alot about Christ and he can heal everyone. The script 3 Nephi 17:8 is really good. But I was kinda stressin about preppin for District meeting this week and just didnt know what to prep about. And then on thursday our branch president asked me to give a talk in Sacrament about the Atonement. haha so i was really stressin.... cause speaking and preparing a talk in polish.....haha its somethin else. so stressful. 

But stress can be good and its actually exactly what i needed at that time. As I studied the Atonement a little. I first tried to think of what the Atonement included. The suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, Death on the Cross, and Ressurection. But I asked myself.... "Why did Christ have to suffer?" Why was suffering needed... Ive heard a million times in my life that Christ "suffered" for our sins? haha maybe this is just like super simple doctrine and I didnt know about it but my testimony of Christ on my mission has grown so much. Cause I know he lived. 

Then I read on Alma 7:11-12 I think it is. 

I just know that Christ suffered for the little pains that we have. And every single pain. I think suffering for sins means....Well we all have sin. And those sins create feelings of guilt and pain. He suffered that pain so he could know how to help us while we experienced it. As we repent and give our hearts to him he will be there for us to heal us.

But im really just lovin my mission! Today Elder Noland Dodge is coming to Wrocław on exchange with me. So im pretty stoked for that cause we hung out a little before the mission.

Uchtdorf is coming sooon! haha gosh im so excited. 

Quick story. yesterday we were in a park. One of the coolest parks in poland. really pretty. And we were just walking through it. talking to people. We saw a family up ahead. But there was a left turn where just a younger girl was walking by ourself. Usually we choose the family but for some reason we chose to go talk to this girl. We talked to the girl and her name is Gosia. She is super awesome and just really religous and everything went well as we talked about Baptism and Repentance. And then into the Restoration. She was really interested. And at the end of the contact she said she left her house for a walk wanting to talk with God. We exchanged contact info and everything so hoping to start teaching her pretty soon! 

MIracles are everywhere! One last one. President Edgren committed all missionaries to this new contacting way with baptism, repentance and into the restoration. 2 weeks later the baptismal list that we get every week went from 6 names to about 25. Its amazing and the Lord is hastening his work! Thousands of Hearts open to the Gospel every day!

Love you all! Remember the daily basics!

ofa lahi atu

z miłośćą

_Starszy Fotu

A Message of Hope and Warning.

CZEŚĆ  Family and Friends!!!!

Wow one of the most amazing weeks this past week!

So First off we found out that we can SKYPE home for Mother's Day!!!! haha I was so stoked when I found out. Im so excited to see everyone! 

So we had a Zone Conference in Katowice this past week. The best by far Zone Conference that I've been too! So good. And some really amazing things are happening in the mission. So first off....

President Edgren has committed everyone to contacting on the streets for 2 hours a day and 5 days a week with preaching Repentance and Baptism. So what we do is walk around with a picture of Jesus and John the Baptist baptizing him. It's amazing cause its really what these people need and what we really have been called to do. We talked to people on the streets about why we sin, and they feelings that is creates and how it moves us away from God. But we also talk about how we can be freed from these feelings and have a fresh start through baptism (by someone holding the proper authority). This then leads into the message of the Restoration. 

It's something that is really hard to get used to actually. I have to completely adjust my approach to people on the street. And I have to use alot of different polish that Im not used to. But I know it has already brought results! And "Real Growth" in the mission. It's amazing cause it is something that everyone holds. Is that feeling of guilt and shame from mistakes. And it's something that everyone needs to be freed from that. 

Repentance is something that I've really been studying these past few transfers. And its something that is so much more broad than I thought it was. The Atonement of Jesus Christ isnt just for the sinners, but for Good men to become better. It's for everyone of us to use through out our lives. And the word repent was been understood as a punishment or just confessing sin. But I know that Repentance is a hope-filled future, that brings eternal happiness in this life and Salvation to us all. All of this is possible becasue of the Atonement that was performend by our Savior. 

Im so excited to Preach repentance to everyone. It's what they need and it's what we as missionaries have been called to do. I can already feel more succesful as a missionary. President Edgren is an amazing guy! I know he has the keys to leading the work here in Poland. And the growth is happening. In Thailand they actually started contacting like this and their Baptisms tripled. 

It's pretty amazing to see the Lord hastening his work. 

I love it out here so much! I finally got over my sickness. Now me and my comp are just ready to hit the streets this week! 

The other day we actually got let in tracking! By a young Dad and his wife. (Dawid and Estera)

They are like missioanries for their church but the Lesson went really good. They are really faithful and she is actually expecting her first baby on the 7th. haha so anytime. It was funny she was HUGE. And super exciting for them. But yes they dont have much time right now. cause of that. But they took Books of Mormon and are gonna read and Pray. So pray for them please!

That was the first time I have ever taught a family  on my mission! so amazing.

Im loving it out here! The Lord continues to bless me with the language so much.
I tell people that im polish on the streets all the time and they say, "Serio?" haha then i tell them im just messin, but they think its pretty funny. 

Come to know Your Savior. Repent and become like him. And then share it with others as you do so.

Love you all. Wtrwaj do końca! Kocham Was Wszystkich! Tęsknię się za waszami twarzami;)

z Miłośćą Bliżniego

_Starszy Fotu

My Zone Leader Elder Dodge

Lone PEak Prideeee

chillin waitin for a trammmmmm

me and my little traineee. i lovvvveee him.

me and the statue right outside our house.......

Cześć!!!

So Isaac got his call! Going to New Jersey! wow so awesome! I know Collin Walker and Kim Josse are there! I dont know if there is more than one mission though?!? And you guys kinda forgot all those details like when he leaves and what not.......

haha but its all good. I know he is just goin to kill it out there. And he meet alot of Polish people there! So he will taste a little of my mission, and send me some referrals!!!

But this week has been really good. And REally hard! We had alot of rejection! But we worked so hard and just hittin the streets all day! But we were really so blessed also!

Right now we have a guy named Paweł that we are meeting with. Took all the lessons in England, I think i've already told you about him. But he just has a problem with recieving an answer and following the Word of Wisdom! But yeah he is doin good. He showed up to our Branch Grill on sunday! and that was a success. We had 6 investigators there. So that was really nice. I will send some pics of it.

But Paweł also came to church on sunday. And after church we met with him. And President Zań here gave him a blessing for help with the Word of Wisdom. The spirit was so strong when we gave him that blessing. And President Zań bore testimony after that he could over come this if he really wanted to but only with the Lord. REally good quality lesson. So we are praying for him everyday. And trying to meet with him as much as possible. 

Yesterday in church we had a lesson by A senior couple here. Elder Jensen really lead out it bringing less-actives back, and really just missionary work in the branch. This branch just has so much faith and love for eachother, and for others that are not members yet.

He talked about a Leadership Book produced by the church. And it gives 3 traits of a Leader that I found very good and helpful on what kind of missionaries we need to be.

First.....Vision-They have to have that vision of where they want to be and where they want to help others get to.

Second....Humility-They have to be teachable! The humble learn so much faster. We have to be willing to learn from everyone around us! The more knowledge we get the more humble we need to be.

Lastly...Love-The power and motive behind EVERYTHING we do! When we find the love that we should have for the Savior and for others around us. We will do all we can to help them. This love can be found through hard work, faith, and prayer. Its a gift from God that we can recieve. I feel like everything hangs on this last trait. Find out what true love and charity mean. And strive to be more loving and charitable everyday.

Everything is just going really good. Tomorrow we have Zone Conference and Im just so excited to learn more and recieve some direction of where President Edgren wants to go under the direction of the Lord.

I love my mission.....yes I hit the half way mark this week........BUT IM ALWAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF MY MISSION!

Love you all! Im workin hard. I know we are gonna find someone that is so prepared soon. Thanks so much for everything! 

ofa lahi atu

one love

z Miłośćą

_Starszy Fotu

oh yeah i am a little sick...;( but im gettin over it fast!

picsssss

me and my comp!!!!

my and the Branch President here!!! so awesome! love him

and wrocław had a party for John Paul......haha