September in Warsaw!

So its startin to get cold here in Warsaw. And we are hittin the Golf Course today! Unfortunantly President Edgren wasnt able to come with us, cause we wanted to take him for his birthday. But we are gonna go to this golf place today. They have like a range and some holes. So we wil see how that is. We are pretty stoked for that!

This week was insane, but so amazing.

We had a meeting with President and just talked about what we wanted to train the mission on. And so we came down to the point that the brethern want us to first have a "model area". And then when we do training we can teach with spiritual power because we have applied what we are teaching. And we were starting from nothing cause we just moved into a new area. 

Elder Caskey and I decided we needed to start with a fast. And it was pretty amazing. As we fasted the next two days were probably the most rejection we got our whole mission. We couldnt even get past saying "dzien dobry!" (hello) to people on the streets. They all said "we have no time!", "im not interested"...etc. It seemed like the harder we tried the less success we had. But we kept pushing. We had a goal with 3 new investigators for the week. And as friday came we had 0. We were in a new area and we walked around for a bit trying to find a new building to tract. We rang through the domophone. After about ten numbers a lady answered and let us in. (this doesnt happen ofter) We walked up to her apartment and she was standing there with the door open and inviting us in. We spoke with Agnieszka and she had been praying for help. She has a son that is going off in the deepend and she personally needed spiritual strength. We had an awesome lesson with her. The next day we found another couple. They are from Ukraine. But speak polish. And they were the nicest couple ive met. We've been pushing to get people diving into the Book of Mormon and get them progressing. We committed Wiktor and Halina to reading the first book of Nephi this week. And they said yes and we had an awesome kneeling pray at the end of the lesson.

There were so many other miracles. But I have no time to write them. 

The Lord truely is moving the work forward. And its amazing to be a little part of it. 

Being an Assistant is pretty crazy. We are always busy. And driving is weird in Europe. Left hand turns are so crazy. I drove down a one way street (the wrong way) the other day. And we didnt even realize it til we got to the intersection and all the cars were comin at us. haha its was crazy.

Yesterday we had a surprise birthday party for President Edgren. And we scared him to bad that we thought he was gonna have a heart attack.

I love it out here. Im growing so much. And its so amazing to see the miracles here in Poland. But also the miracles back at home....Garrett getting married......miracle.

Oh yeah isaac just told me that he proposed a couple hours ago....ha and that was it..... so fill me in guys. But im sure she is amazing. Im excited for them!

Hey I love you all. I know our happiness lies in the happiness of others. And that as we do the simple things daily that we will continue to stay strong and become better and better. We can become better and recieve strength through the power of the Atonement.

Ill love my mission forever, cause of the love i've found for the Savior!

Love you guys!

_Elder Fotu

Warsaw!!!!

So im just gonna get right into it. So much to tell with not much time...

Im back in warsaw. Its getting cold already. The branch is amazing that I am in. I was trained here. And I love being at the only chapel in Poland. 

Some of the members still remember me, some think im a "greeny".

haha its fun and so filling. 

This last week we sent missionaries home and brought new ones in. 

We stayed at the mission home with the ones leaving, and then woke up at 3.30 am to take them to the airport. It was really sad. There really was some of the most amazing missionaries. And we returned to the mission home to find it empty. It was pretty depressing. 

We tried to sleep for a couple more hours. And next thing you knwo we were off to the airport again to pick up the new ones. 13 new missionaries! And they were so fresh and they quickly brought the momentum back into us. It was so amazing to see how excited and filled they were even though they were so wiped out from the plane ride. 

I took one with me out on the streets. Elder Summers from Alaska. Filled with so much energy and faith. But yet we stepped on the streets and he was SO SCARED! we approached a couple and I asked if they had a second. They said no, so i left them with a pass along card. I tried calming Elder Summers down a little. But I told him to go get the lady with the stroller. It was so amazing to see this fresh missionary hit the work so hard. He faced his fear square up and just spit out all the polish he could with this lady. (really good polish btw) 

After the lady walked on he came up to me and said "THAT WAS THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE IVE EVER HAD!!!" I told him "This is missioanry work. EVERY.DAY." He continued to go on about how he was going to love his mission sooo much! 

It was really cool to see someone faces his fears as he did. And even with rejection he was so excited about it. 

Later int he week we had Missionary Leadership Council. I had never been to this meeting cause I wasnt even a Zone Leader. And now I was being expected to Teach parts of it. It was overwhelming and really hard. But I prayed for help. And the spirit was so strong with me and kept me calm. And everything went so smoothly. 

I love my mission. My new companion (Elder Caskey) and I have been talking about how amazing our mission really is. As we were in the mission home with the 13 new missionaries and the 13 trainers we sang hymns. And I was standing in the back and just kinda watched. The spirit was so strong with me. I realized that everyone here was really part of something bigger. I love my mission. I love the missionaries. I look up to all of them.

My comp. Biggest stud. He really is so diligent, and loving. And we have alot of goals this trasnfers and we are gonna work so diligently to get them. We are so stoked. 

I love you guys. I know its all about the basics. It really is. It starts out in the morning. and you decide. No one else can decide for you how your day goes. Find the Lord's will, and align yours with it.

Love you guys! and am so thankful for the support I have. 

_Elder Fotu

Transfer!

So First of I have zero time.

Everything just got a little crazy. 

So first off I left Wroclaw.;( really im so sad. Most amazing city ever! We had the most solid invesitgator. Slawek. So amazing. He is so humble and I will let you know what happens with him!

So I got transfer back to Warsaw! And its pretty crazy. I am kinda really stressed. And I have no time. We have to leave. But President Edgren asked me to be his Assistant. Pretty overwhelming. I havent even been a Zone Leader. So I have no idea what im doing. But imma learn it quick. And figure everything out! So much to do. Next week we will have more time to explain. But right now we are just in charge of transfers, sending missionaried out, and bringing the new missionaries in. So I will see the new ones tomorrow! Im so stoked. Ill see Sister Woodward. So its always fun to see a familiar face.

So I have no time.

But this week I heard something really cool. I actually got an email and it was awesome. so this was the story......

Once a group of 500 people were attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and decided to do a group activity. He started giving each person a balloon. Each person was then asked to write their name on it using a marker pen. Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room.

The people were then let into that room and asked to find the balloon which had their name written on it within 5 minutes. Everyone was frantically searching for their name, colliding with each other, pushing around others and there was utter chaos.

At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their own balloon.
Then, the speaker asked each person to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker then began, “This is happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is.

Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness; you will get your own happiness. And this is the purpose of human life…the pursuit of happiness.”

Hey I have no doubt that we are in this life to help others. We are here to serve others and we will recieve so much happiness from this. My dream is to make make a family, while always relying on the Lord, make money, retire, and go on Humanitarium Trips with my family for the rest of my life and serve a mission with my wife.

I love it out here. Ive never been so happy. And I know that this is true happiness. The gold from my mission has been the relationships ive built with all of these people. I love them so much. And Im so thankful. The Lord wants us to be happy. So do what he has asked us to do and everything will be good. I know these relationships will last FOREVER. Not just in this life.

Love you guys. I love my mission.

_Starszy Fotu

Trasnfers coming up!!!

So this week was amazing. I dont got much time so Im gonna have to be quick!

First off we went to Legnica. A smal town outside of Wroclaw and had some solid lessons there. The members there (two families) are really into missionary work. And drive to church every sunday about an hour. President is actually thinking of putting missionaries in Legnica. But we had a two really good member lessons there. One man is named Bogdan. He is actually one of the members landlord. And so she invited him to take the lessons. And he seems to be progressing. Next is a kid named Krzysztof. He is young. A sister in the branch added him on facebook thinking he was a less active member, but turns out it wasnt the right person. But she asked if he would be interested in the gospel anyways. Turns out he is searching and has investigated man churches and religions. So we are excited.

Last is a kid named Slawek. He was the first kid Elder Stumpf and I talked to. He is 23 years old and studying law right now. He is just really humble and willling to listen to us. He is kinda of scared though I feel like and scared of commitment. But he really is golden so we have big hopes for him.

We have trasnfer calls this saturday. My companion goes into Warsaw on Sunday and then home on tuesday. Its crazy. But im excited, cause i really hope I stay in this city. The branch is so amazing and we have some good investigators right now.

The coolest thing is the relationships on our missions. I really feel like they are the Gold and treasures of a mission. Relationships with members, companions, and converts/investigators. They are the most amazing things. And they last forever. The most important relationship I think is the one we build with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

Its amazing to see all the joy that I have recieved from my mission. Im trying to always live in a attitude of grattitude. Cause I really am so blessed.

I love being out here though. I love my mission. its flying.

Im sorry this was so short! but I dont have much time! 

I wanna thank all you guys for your support! 

I know that if we are obedient then the Lord cant break his promise of his Spirit ALWAYS being with us. And I know that obedience starts with Charity and Love. 

Build Charity, pray for it. Obedience will follow. And the Spirit will always be with us. And that will answer many questions that we have and comfort us at all times.

Love you guys! 

_Elder Fotu

AUGUST........from Wrocław

Hey Family and Friends!

So this last week I hit another 1st day of the Month. Every time that happens I kinda freak out cause I went into the MTC on the First. So it just means that another month flew by....

So I got like 8-9 months left....

Time just continues to fly. I might have already shared this quote with you guys from President Uchtdorf. He said "The bad news is Time is flying, the good news is YOU ARE the captain."

So this week was really good. We had a good lesson with this kid named Marcel. He is super cool and the lesson went great. We asked him if he found out that all of this we were teaching was true would he be baptized and he said yes. So that was super awesome. We just need to keep him progressing and get the others progessing also.

In a couple weeks we have transfers. So don't send me anything to this address cause I might get transfered. Just send it to the mission office.

I went on a couple exchanges this week with the other Elders in my District. And it was really good I learned alot from them.

The coolest part about this week I think was in church.

So there is a man named Robert. That just become reactivited in the branch. And he has a girlfriend/wife. They are planning to get married soon. But they are like in their 50's. And Robert is just the most solid guy. Helping him get reactivated has been so cool. He is now our Branch Mission Leader. And we just mess around with eachother all the time. I actually gave him one of my old suits. And he wore it to church and looked super fly. So ill send you guys a pic of that next week. And this week im going to give him a haircut.

We are gonna start teaching his wife/girlfriend (Renata). And she is just eating up the Book of Mormon. She is really scared to pray for some reason though. So our goal is to help her pray this week. But it was really cool cause in church I wsa sitting with them. Robert got up and bore his testimony. And them he came and sat back down. Right after him I see Renata stand up. She was really really scared, and she was whispering to Robert, "w imię Jezusa Chrystusa tak?" Which means "in the name of Jesus Christ right?" I have never seen someone so scared to bare her testimony. She was crying so hard. But it was so cool to see someone do something, even though they were sooo scared. She had the most solid testimony. And said she would soon become a member of this Church. So cool and the spirit was so strong. When she ended her testimony she was so scared that her body like tensed up and she couldnt walk back to her chair. So Robert jumped up (in his fresh suit) and like ran to help her back to her seat.

It was really cool to see that, and all the members thanked her for her testimony after. And were really nice to her.

One other story. We were doing a whiteboard. And when we were doing it this time, there is a whiteboard with a statement or a question on it, and then a table with some supplies like books and what not on it. And then there is usually four missionaries there. Two sitting down at the table and the two other trying to stop people. It was my turn to sit at the table.

A big group of boys walked by and just looked at the whiteboard for a sec and then kinda walked off. A older but still younger guy stopped. And asked us what we were doing. In English. We told him about our message and he asked us about our beliefs. He was with this big group of boys. Before I knew it we had 10 younger boys and 2 older guys surrounding me and my companion at this table. They were all standing around us in like a half circle. They began by like asking what we believed. And then they shared what they believed while quoting scripture and what not. But the spirit there was so strong. Cause all these younger aged boys (around my age) were talking with us about Christ. And I could tell and feel that some of them were really trying to do what is right in their lives.

I came to find out that they were from Holland. And they were kinda of like a young mens group from their church. And they had earned some money to travel around Europe.

They did believe that we could become perfect like Christ was in this life, and completely without sin. One of the older leaders had said, "I remember the last time I sinned, and Im not going to do it again." I think they lived only according to the ten commandments.

But it was a cool experience to have that man people listening to you, and you could just bare testimony of our message and how the Book of Mormon could help them.

Hey im gonna head out. Thank you all for your prayers and e-mails. I really am so thankful.

I Wonder to myself every single day why I am so blessed to have what I have.

Love you guys. Keep up the good work!

See ya'lllll later!!!!

                           

                                       _Starszy Fotu

5 months in Wrocław!

Hey Family! Hows everyone doing?! 

I have been in this city for 5 months now! Pretty long time. But I love it. President Edgren actually talked about this at Zone Conference this past week that he is going to try to keep missionaries in their areas for a longer time. Which is really good so we can build good relationships with the members. We are really pushing for member missionary work. Cause that really is the best way to do missionary work. So I hope you all are trying to share the gospel with others, and inviting them to change their lives.

This week was really good. I learned alot from Zone Conference with other missionaries. I saw Elder Hon (the Elder I trained) He is such a stud, and he is actually already a district leader! Pretty sure that is like the first time that has happened here, someone in their second transfer being a district leader. But it is always fun to get with all the other missionaries and learn from them!

This week we had a meeting with the Dad that we found a couple weeks ago! His name is Rafał. He is the one that I talked with for a while with his wife and his daughter, and then I popped his daughter's balloon. I hope I told you guys about them. But he is just the most solid guy. He told me about he was always looking for happiness, and when he was in his early 20's he thought it was money. He built this huge company, and then relized he didnt want that. Sold his company and had a family and just hangs out with them all day. Most solid guy and he is super spiritual. We had a good lesson with him. And it came ot the point where we said he is happy right now with life and whenever we tried to extend an committment he just said, "we will see" with a big smile on his face. He said he really just goes off what he feels like he should do. Or what God tells him to do. And He is really sincere about that. So I pray that he will have the desire to Read the Book of Mormon. Cause he would be a kingdom builder and I just know his family would be so blessed.

Then we had a lesson with a couple named Robert and Renata. Most solid couple. Robert is actually a member that was less-active but is now our Branch Mission Leader. Such a solid guy. And his girlfriend/wife. They are to get married soon and she is just reading the Book of Mormon and trying to know if its true. We had a good discussion with her. And the spirit was just so strong. But we were giving her all these reasons to read and pray about all this and have faith. In the end of the lesson my companion just really bore testimony to her that we are saying all of this because we really do love her. And she was just so happy about that. I told her that i completely agree with my companion. 

I know that love is an never ending source of drive and energy. True love for others and for the Lord can do so many things that we cant even imagine.

There are just so many things that im learning. One of the biggest things right now is repentance. That is really what we are teaching. And so im trying to apply it to myself as much as possible. Filling in on all the little things and trying to become better everyday. I just know that if we are humble and able to recognize our Saviors attributes, and work on becoming more like him, we can. Change is what we need and it will bring true lasting happiness.

I like what I read today at the end of (sara) Sister Burn's letter today to her family. "Remember our end goal! Eternal Families!"

That really is my biggest desire to be with all my family forever. Love you guys. Im so thankful for your help and prayers! The Lord has blessed us so much! Keep doin the basics!

Love you all.

                                                     _Starszy Fotu

piczzz

1) Elder Hon and I

2) The senior couple that we serve every week (they call us their grand children we call them grandma and grandpa)

3) My comp, Robert and Renata, and I

Thankful Week

So this week was real good. Pretty had but im just gonna say it was good. Im learning alot.

The branch president here, President Cieleński, (he's amazing) challenger the priesthood brethern to go something this week to strengthen their family.

So I decided Im going to send you guys a letter with something that Im thanksful for every single one of you! so this might take some time......hopefully I dont have a sibiling I dont know about.......I remember when we didn't tell garrett for a while about litle baby emma while he was on his mission.

So we are gonna start out with Mom....Cause she's the most important.

I have no idea where to start. Since i've been on my mission, i've tried to think of a moment in my life where I have seen mom do something for herself. Mom wakes us everyday and everything she does is to help her 13 rascals. It's amazing to me. I've never met someone that has devoted their life to the service of others more than mom. And it's plainly out of love for us. And I know that Charity is the most important Christ-like attribute. So im grateful for mom cause she has taught me to serve and love others on my mission. And that really helps any situation I have.

Next is Dad!

Since coming on my mission I've noticed how crazy Dad really is. But im so grateful for it. Mom taught me love and Dad taught me how to work hard. How to motivate myself. How to hep others. And he taught me that if I had a dream that I can turn it into a reality. I've noticed how important it was for Dad to have Family Home Evening EVERY WEEK! I cant remember not having it. And i've seen how much that has had an impact on me. I remember sooo clearly Dad bearing his testimony and how strong the spirit really was with me. Im grateful for Dad cause he has taught me how to work hard for others, and work hard to recieve a strong testimony.

Alright everyone else is gonna have to be a little shorter.

Jacqueline (and Benj and Mischa)

So I dont know what was with me and Jacqueline, but we always got along. I remember playing Batman and Robin with her when i was really really young. But I have learned so much from her cause she has always had her priorities straight. She knows what is important and gets it done while being a good example for others. Im grateful for Jacqueline because she has taught me to keep priorities straight, be a good example for others, and have fun while doing it.

Next is MAHANA!!!!

haha Selu always knows what is important. And that was family and the gospel for her. I still remember her spending money to buy her sibilings clothes and shoes when money was tight for mom and Dad. She always showed love for us in so many ways. And was never afraid to stand up for what was right. Im grateful for mahana cause she has taught me to love people, and always do what is right no matter what others are doing around you.

Garrett.

I havent seen Garrett for 3 years almost. But He has always been the big brother that I needed. And always the perfect example. He was always willing to help the younger sibilings, and everyone knew if they needed something they could go to him. His example of going on a mission helped push me to be a better older brother in the home, and then to follow him to the field. Im grateful for Garrett cause he's been he perfect example for me.

Isaac is next....I loved Isaac cause he was always so humble. Willing to listen to anyone. And that is going to go a lonnnng way in the mission field. The humble learn quicker. But I remember that Isaac was getting huge and good at football and rugby, and I knew he'd always be better than I was, But I never told him that cause I wanted him to stay humble. Im grateful for Isaac cause he has taught me to stay humble, and relaxed even when things go bad.

Lennon...

Lennon reminds me alot of myself. But Lennon has always had no fear in doing things. He isnt afraid to share his testimony with anyone! And I know I've felt the spirit while he does and it's built my testimony. He has always been an example to all around him. Im grateful for Lennon cause he has taught me to never be scurred!!!! And to just go do it.

Kerstin...

Kerstin is always so loving, and willing to help. She works hard and has just the best spirit about her, making everyone around her want to be better. Im grateful for Kerst cause she has always had a light in her that i've tried working for, and taught me how to selfless.

Jared!

Jared is the man. He's got the testimony and he loves sharing it. Jared is a beast on the football field. But really he is a loving friend to everyone that he is around. And always laughing and having fun, with buidling up everyone around him higher than himself.

Spencer...I think Lennon, Spenc, and I are alot alike. Spencer is just a quite and humble kid. But when the time comes to work he ges it done. As a missionary you have to deal with pressure and performing under pressure. Spencer is never scared to face anything.

Olivia. (my other mahana)

I love olivia cause she always helps with everything. And she is a leader. (the boss) She is always doing what is right first instead of following. And she loves her family so much. I miss her and her laugh.

I forgot Connor. Connor is one of the most loving kids in the family. And really really good at helping. Always willing to help. And he loves to joke around and have fun. Im grateful for Connor cause he has taught me how to have fun and be a helper.

Last is my girl Emma.

Emma is a miracle and a blessing in my life. I love her so much. And miss taking care of her. Because of her struggle of coming into this life with her health. I remember being really scard for her. And cause of that experience, it really strengthened my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

Well family I love you all. I really could just sit on here and write for the rest of my mission about you all. Keep loving eachother. And keep doing missionary work. The Lord has blessed us so much. Because we have all been born of good and righteous parents. Starting with our grandparents! I love you all so much. (Grandma and Grandpa too)

But im working hard and continue to try my best to help those here in Poland experience the same joy we have. Loves

Ofa lahi atu! Kocham Was Wszystkich!

_Starszy Jacob Fotu