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

WROCŁAW-April.21.2014

Hey Family and Frieeeendsss!

How is everyone doing? haha im doin so good. Im still in Wrocław. This city is getting prettier and prettier as it gets warmer. 

So lots and lots happened this week. Im not even sure if I can talk about like half of it. So on like tuesday I hopped on a train (by myself, sooo weird) for like 6 hours. And went into Warsaw and stayed with the AP's for the night. And the next day I got my trainee that is fresh out of the MTC! haha man so fun and cool to see these fresh missioanries from out of the MTC. It's so cool to see how excited they are. And they are soo golden! 

It has reminded me ALOT of how I was and actually how far my polish skillzzzz have come along. But my comp his name is Elder Hon! He is from Gilbert Arizona. He is such a stud. And he has alot of courage and faith. And he is wayyy better at the language than I was when I came in so he is learning it quick! Im really just tryin to help him jump into this missionary work quick! But im learning a ton from him. And we are just doin really good as a companionship.

So our train ride back to Wrocław from Warsaw was kinda rough. haha so we like go to our seats. And there is 6 seats in a cabin and it wasnt that packed so I wasnt sitting in the exact seat that my ticket said. But then all of a sudden our cabin fills up with people and we are packed. And this lady comes in and sits in my exact seat and so then ten mins later a guy comes in and tells me to get out of his seat. So i get up and I wasnt like gonna kick the lady out of my seat so I just stood in like the hallway. haha so my nice little comp comes out and just starts talkin to me and we kinda get to know eachother. And I loook down and like this 60 year old lady is sitting in her seat and this man comes and kicks her out of his seat. I felt so bad so we told her to come and sit in my comps seat. So she did. and so we stood for like 4 hours. we came to a stop in a small city and some people got off so me and my comp decided to go look for some seats. we found some decently further down the train. So we go back to our old cabin to get all our bags and it was just a hastle. So we got to move everything to this other cabin and the doors to get to the other part of the train stop working. So we are just smashed in the hallway with the bags with no where to go. It was pretty funny. Finnally we came to a stop and a worker came and fixed the door. We moved all our stuff to this cabin with just a young mom and her baby sleepin. But we were excited we found a seat for the last hour of the train ride. And I was excited to talk to this mom about the gospel. But right as we sat down she got up and was getting off in like ten mins. 

We told her we could help her cause she had lots of baggage and a stroller. She was just like really impressed why we were so nice and willing to help. And was just asking where we were from. I helped her off the train and gave her a little pass along card and just bore quick testimony to her that I know our message blesses families and I know that it can bless hers. The spirit was so strong and she was just touched by it. I got back on the train cause it was leavin quick. And she just kinda watched us as the train took off. 

I just have a big testimony that the little things that we do for people go a long way! "No effort goes wasted" The Lord and these people are grateful for those small things. And the average convert  comes in contact with the church 7 times before accepting it. 

Probably the coolest contact that I've had so far. we were contacting in a park for my trainee's first day. We approached a man on a bench and he swore at us and told us to leave. haha 

my comp had no idea what he said but there was only like one other lady in this whole park. We walked up to her and told her that we are sharing a message about God's Plan. She moved over and asked us to sit down. We were pretty shocked. 

We quickly got into our message. And she really listened. As we taught what we believe I got the prompting to just stop for a second. And just ask her how she was doing today. She kinda talked about how today was kinda hard for her and she was just not having much hope in her life. And just kinda of went off a little about how hard life is. And I was really trying to listen to what she was saying and listen to what the spirit wanted me to say. I asked her even though life was so hard, Had she ever felt love from God in her life? She started crying and said yes. I promised her that our message can help her feel God's life more and we taught some about why we are here on Earth, and just God's love for us.

We are set up to meet with her on Wednesday! so pray for us! Her name is Nela

So Easter sunday was pretty amazing yesterday. EVERY SUNDAY without fail just like hits me so hard and I just feel so blessed. But we had like 50 people in church and it was so awesome. Like 30 of them were from Germany. Just like 3 or 4 families. And it was really cool cause as we sang in Polish, they just started singing in German. haha but it still sounded so good. 

But just wanna say I love you all so much. I love the mission so much. And I know I still have tons to learn. Cause im learning sooo much Everyday.

haha its pretty hard. But my love for the Savior continues to grow. I know he lives. And I know that there is power and hope in the just thought of Him. I know he lives. And continues to always love us no matter what we do. Because of him, "There is Hope in the Future, And Power in the Future."

Love you all! Remember the Basic things daily. (scrip study and pray)

Im so blessed and love you all!

Here are some piczzzzz!

ofas

kocham was wszystkich!

_Starszy Fotu

Pics:

Chillen in the Train

Our Easter Feast

TRANSFERS!!!!!

Hey Family! This week has been pretty crazy! 

So we got our transfer calls on Saturday! haha so im actually staying in Wrocław...

But im TRAINING! haha im pretty stoked! But scared at the same time cause i don't speak polish. haha but i guess this transfer I've kinda depended on my mine alot more too.

But everything is going really good. I will go into Warsaw tomorrow and pick up the new Elder! Pretty excited for that! haha but im just so thankful the Lord has blessed me already with as much polish as I speak. But I still need to work harder than ever!

So this week we had a really awesome lesson with a guy named Tomasz on tuesday. And he is really humble and nice and just listens to us but has some good questions. It was his first meeting with missionaries so we wanted to make it really comfortable for him. We asked him how he was going and he said that His Aunt actually just passed away and he was pretty sad about it. Obviously we kinda broke off from our plans and went into the Plan of Salvation a little. And he loved that fact that Everyone will be ressurected. 

But we kinda lead the lesson into the Restoration. And it was just so cool to see where the lesson went as we went by the Spirit. Elder McConkie spoke about teaching with Power and Authority. And talks about how before the Lesson we prepare and work our best to be ready to teach the lesson. And do so by recieving revelation for what they need. But when the time comes you have to be willing to let go of you plans and go by the Spirit. He says as we do this, the Lesson then is not our lesson anymore, but the Savior's Lesson. 

It was really awesome cause at the end of the Lesson, we didnt even have to invite him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. But he said himself, "So I just need to read and pray now, and I can know if this is true."

We will meet with Tomasz this week so ill let you know more about that. But everything is going good. We also are meeting with a guy named Paweł today. He actually took the discussions in England. And knows alot abou the church already. But before was really stressing about recieving an answer if this was the True Church. Yesterday after sacrament meeting he asked me what other lessson he has to take. And he named off all the lesson he has already learned. And I told him it sounds like he has already learned everything, and he said, "So can I be baptized now?" hahah no one ever asks that.... But we are probably gonna re teach the lessons again so he understands. And he has a problem with coffee I think. So pray for him! But we need to make sure he knows what baptism means and everything. So we will see! Ill let you all know!

But im just super excited for this transfer. Im just gonna take all the faith this new missionary has and run with it! So im really excited! But it will be good for me and Ill learn a ton im sure.

Im learning so much and its so good how knowledge strengthens our testimonies so much. I feel like the more knowledge we recieve the more humble we should be.

But Im loving it! Like I told you all last week! A guy named Jan that I taught in Szczecin got baptized this past weeked! So exciting! And I will see him at Poland Warsaw Misison Conference in Warsaw when President Uchtdorf comes! Wow its gonna be so amazing! Im so stoked! 

But hey I love you guys! Miss you all a ton! 

Im just loving my mission, and see the blessings from Heavenly Father every day! 

keep the P.A.C.E and P.U.S.H (Possitive Attitude Changes Everything/ Pray Until Something Happens)

ofa lahi atu

kocham was wszystkich!

_Starszy Fotu

oh yeah they decided to make me district leader here too...... haha fun fun

General Conference!

Hey FAMILY!!!!

AH MAN SUCH AN AWESOME WEEK!!!! This time of the year is on of my favorites next to Christmas. Its so amazing I love it so much. We are really finding some cool people here in Wrocław and even willing to meet sometimes. But just hard to get them to read and pray. But I have so much faith that we will find someone awesome and willing. The Work is really going good. Something crazy that happened in Poland. In a different City called Łódź some missionaries some how met a Catholic Priest. And he asked them to sing in his a Catholic Mass. haha so President Edgren brought like 16 missionaries to this city and they practiced up. I dont got the singing skills to do that I guess....;) But I heard it was an amazing experience.

So Conference...... hahah man I dont even want to get started cause I could just go on for dayzzz.... But from the very beginning of Conference, something just hit me really hard. And of course starting out with Elder Holland's testimony is so powerful. But I really feel like the Prophet and Apostles and those that spoke really hit on the importance of Family and a warning for everyone to watch out for the World and adversary. So amazing. And it really hit me hard what the Gospel has done for me and my family. I loved the basics of Scripture Study, Family Prayer, and Family Home Evening. So so so basic but so important. I love it. And it took me back to when I was at home, when mom would gather everyone for prayer no matter how crazy it was, or when we would study the scripture together, sometimes in the car on the way to school. And of course Family Home Evening every Sunday night. I really believe these basics were so key for our family and still are. I know alot of my Testimony has come because of these things. The most spiritual testimony meetings i've had in my life and in Family Home Evening. And I know that I leaned on my parents and sibilings testimonies, while I tried my best to gain my own. Im not sure who said it in Conference, but Something about "Children being able to hear and feel the Spirit more powerfully." It's so true. And ive never been more thankful for family and my past heritage than in these past two months. 

Im loving my mission so much. So thankful for my parents who brought me into this world 20 years ago today! Along with the rest of the rascals in our family! I love them all sooo much. haha shoot i hate being 20. I actually told myself that I was just gonna skip over my birthday without noticing it cause i wanted to stay in the teens. But im excited for the future and to grow more. Cause I know i've never been so close to the savior, but i know I can still learn soooo much more about him. I feel like the more knowledge we gain, the more humble we need to be, and keep learning!

And last thing, A guy in Szczecin that I taught, named Jan....the first time we met he was just so amazed at this light that we had. And he was interested to find out more. But convinced that he would never be baptized. We had been teaching him for a couple weeks and he is just the most loving person, he always said, "you will know them by their fruits" and he was so impressed with the fruits of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My last day in Szczecin he wanted to take us out to eat. When we did he talked about how he would never become a member cause he loved his coffee so much. (Saying this as he drank his cup of coffee) This Saturday Jan will be baptized. Giving up his past life and becoming clean through the Savior's Atonement and living ALL the Commandments of God. He now says..."I HATE COFFEE!" hahah guys the gospel changes people. That is why we have this Gospel. To change through His Atonement and become better people as we focus on the Savior and what he did. It brings so much happiness in life and even into the next life. I love it so much. 

Share the power that you have gotten from the Gospel with others!

"DONT SLEEP THROUGH THE RESTORATION!"

We all have our part to do.

Love you all sooo much. Love my Savior. He still lives with our Heavenly Father.

So much ofa's and miłość.

_Starszy Fotu

oh yeah super funny and cool that Jabari got a shoutout from the profit. haha man so awesome. He needs to get on a mission too! He'd do amazing things. "Be the same person you are in the Dark as you are in the light." love you all!

PEAAACEEE!

me and my comp....

1)hahah wen tot some play for culture night.....had to leave cause it got a little crazy.....haha

2)Chillin at the Zoo past P-day

3)Poland is starting to get really green and pretty!

pic of Jan and I in SZCZECIN.