Wassssgooooddd!

How's it going back home!?!? So Who all went to California? I loved the pictures! Holy smokes Tyler and Emma Look bigger already! It's crazy! They look so different! I hope California was wayyy fun! Looked really fun. I

m sure Lizzy and Sara are so sick of the little ones after that longggg drive!

The weather here is pretty hot! It's usually like high 70's or low 80's. And we walk and ride the bus and trains everywhere! So I sweat so lots. haha So ive lost a couple pounds since being here!  The food is actually pretty dang good! The Milk here is really weird. I bought some milk like acting like i know what i was doing in the store. The milk tasted sooo bad. It was like super sour. I guess i got a weird one. But all the milk here is weird. They still have McD's and KFC and pizza and zstuff here! But we go to this place called Amrit Kebab alot. And these things called Kebab are wayyyyzzzz good. like a tortilla with lamb or chicken meat in it. And yeah dont know how to explain it but their good. They're actually a turkish food but all over Poland.

Pretty excited for Garrett to go to BYU! he better work hard! hahah I saw that picture of him holding Taylor and Joe's Weddings. hahah so funny. 

This week has been way good! we are basically in the process of finding more people to teach and trying to get all the members involved! Its hard cause we dont have many but members dont realize how big of a roll they have in missionary work sometimes. But i've heard a couple stories of people bringing others to church! That is soooo awesome! Holy smokes! The work is growing like crazy!

haha I had my first actually like lesson. Obviously I have no idea what was going on. But this guy named Robert wanted to meet with us and we had the lesson and i asked my companion what was going on. haha he said the guy pretty much just wanted to meet cause he wanted a member in on the lesson. So that he could try to sell us all insurance. And they guy told us that we should just talk to a pope and become catholic. so that was kinda a fail! But you never know maybe he will take our lesson to thought and maybe later down the road! But we got a couple meetings set up this week! And we do tracting in the conda complexs which is like crazy. haha people hate us. haha but they mostly just kinda look at us with a confused look and just say nie dziekuja or nie mam czas. haha and shut the door. But I just stand there with a smile. So its all good!

I actually am trying to just talk to people on my own now! which is way scary!  I say Dzien Dobry!!! Jestesmy Misiojnarzamy Kosciola Jezusa Chrystusa Swietych w Dniach Ostatnich dziliemy sie przeslaniem o Jezusa Chrystusa i rodzina dzisaij!!!! Which means Good day we are missionaries and we are sharing a message about Jesus Christ and Families. And if they are nice enough to stop they say something.... But i have no idea. and I just say.... nie rozumiem ala viem ze ksiega mormona jest slowa boza. haha which means I dont understand BUT!!! The book of mormon is the word of GOD! And I just try to share my testimony!

So its pretty funny cause they are already looking at me weird cause my skin is brown. And Then they get and even weirder look usually. But its awesome! haha I know the Lord has definitely helped me these past weeks do every. He has blessed me with The Gift of Tongues for sure! And Gift of Understanding! Im starting to understand more and more polish everyday!

I bore my testimony in Sacrament meeting yesterday! haha in my terrible polish! But they understood it I think... But alot of members came up to me after saying thank you. So i guess that means it was good or they were just being nice!

Last thing I wanna share is about Trials! Everyone remember that "After tribulation comes the blessings!" I really didn't have that much of a trial going through the MTC and I've never been so happy and everything was going my way! Getting to the field it was super exciting! But the first few days were probably that hardest that i've ever had in my life. I honestly had litte moments where I didnt want to be here at all. BUT!!!! I prayed like crazy. Heavenly Father was there for me! Im so thankful for that trial that he gave me! Because now I am sooo much stronger! That is why Heavenly Father gives us trials! If we can fight through those we will be a better person! I love the mission field sooo much now! I'm so excited for this work. If any one is going through a trial I promise that if you fight through it Heavenly Father will bless you more than every!

Love you all! Let me know how all the kids Sports and what is happening at home! Keep sending pictures! 

Love you all!

Oh send me some recipies! haha Im a pretty dang good cook now! jokes. pretty bad. 

But i wanna make some stuff. So send me like cookies and bread recipies. The recipie that sara's mom had for that easy bread maybe. Thanks for all the support!

I can really feel your prayers. I pray for all of you every night!

Lovezzz!

-Starszy Fotu

First Week in Poland: Dzien Dobry Rodzina!

Czesc ludzie!

Well I'm definitely in poland now! Its pretty INSANE! So getting here was crazy cause I didnt sleep for like almost 40 hours straight. I couldnt sleep on any of the planes. And Im still a bit jet lag but im getting over it quickly. Right now it is 14:07 (2:07) That is how they tell time here. they go by the 24 hour time. But How if everyone at home. I dont even know where to begin!

So we got to the Airport and luckily we got all of our baggage, but President and Sister Neilson were there waiting for us! Along with Elder Zalezniak and Elder Raines. They are the Assistants to the President! But we just went to the Mission home first and had interviews and what not.

As the AP's took random groups out to contact on the streets. hahaha it was insane. So crazy. But so good too. 

My first contact it was just me and Elder Zalezniak from Australia. (I knew of him before coming, from a friend Dauffisi in BYU Hawaii) He's half tongan half polish. haha weird mix. But he's so smooth.

But we walked outside and saw a lady walking her stroller. He went off in polish with her and we talked for a little. He asked me to share my testimony. haha I do so in my terrible polish.

She had a little baby girl and I tried to tell her that i have a little baby sister at home about her baby's ago. haha and she asked someythin in polish and all i said was "tak tak tak" which means yes yes yes. haha Elder Zalezniak just smiled at me and kept going on. Right before we left this sweet little lady she asked in her broken english, "So you left your daughter at home to come here and serve a mission" So i guess i told her that I had a little child at home. And she asked you have a little girl at home (in polish) and I said "tak tak tak" haha

So my first contact went kinda weird. but Elder Zalezniak straightened it all out for me! We contacted more throughout the day. and the people here either just keep walking and say "nie mam czas" which means i dont have time. Or yell at us and say something about hor they are catholic.

But we went back to mission home and got paper work done, for our legal work in poland. We had dinner and then we got assigned to our areas and companions! I was assigned to stay here in the Warsaw I branch! And my companion is Elder Garfield! he's a boss! He is from Washington DC and has been here for about a year. 

His polish is unreal. But yeah he pretty much just talks to whole time and I try to sneak my testimony into his talk. But how we tract is we just walk up to everyone on the street and say Hi we are sharing a message today about The Book Of Mormon and Jesus Christ, or Families. And USUALLY the people just keep walking or get mad at us. haha it has been something weird to get used to. I usually just laugh. hahaha and say "milego dnai" haha "have a nice day".

Its pretty crazy. But very good. And very hard. We probably only talk to like 15 people a day and that is only because they are nice enough to stop and talk to us and about 12 to 13 of those people say im sorry but thank you very much. Im Catholic.

This is definitely the hardest thing that I have ever done. But its so good. I know the Lord will bless me in his work! I'm very excited to learn the language even though I have no idea how the language works. But I know the Lord has a way for me to learn it.

My last story that I'll share is from on Thursday. So Me, my comp (Elder Garfield) and 2 other Elders were doing something called a FREE TABLE. And we set up a table and try to get people to stop and talk to us. We sat there for a while and tried to get many people to stop. Usually you have more success to do that but mostly the same stuff happens. 

But I was passing out Ulotki which is little flyers. And we had been doing this for about an hour. I gave one to a man and he walked a couple more steps and stopped. And looked at the flyer and said "I dont speak Polish" hahah I responded with "GREAT! I DONT EITHER!"

luckily I had a Book of Mormon in English with me in my backpack with my testimony in it that I had prepared earlier. 

I gave it to him and he was very interested in the Book and was asking questions. He was in Poland going to school and from Egypt. I bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon and shared as much as possible. He said " I will read some of this and you will hear from me" "I want to know more" The spirit was so strong with me at that moment. And its amazing how much love you can have for someone without even knowing them. Our main motivation should be out of the Pure Love of Christ. And If you have that for everyone around you the the Lord will help you and his power will be with you! I want to learn polish so I can share this message with EVERYONE! 

So the people here are amazing! and I love them. Some like to call us crazy things. There is a lady that is homeless that is always by our apartment and she couldn't hate us more. haha she like was yelling at us the other day and pretend spit on us. And whenever we are talking to someone, she will ride by on her little push scooter and say "don't listen to the them! They are of the Devil!" hahaha there are a lot of insane "in the membrane" people here. But its ok. 

I'm so excited for this work and what Heavenly Father has in store for us!

The work in Hastening everybody! And You all are part of it! The members need to work hard to keep the missionaries schedules full! I don't care where you live! Listen to "the work of Salvation" broadcast! Something that President Packer said was " The greatest teaching done in the church, is done by the Mothers"

Mom has done very well. The best that she could have done. I appreciate my parents so much since Ive been here! Remember what all your parents have done for you. 

Something that everyone needs to remember is that "Contention is of the Devil" Contention can ruin absolutely anything. Mom always said to be a PEACEMAKER. If you can try to get rid of contention in your lives as much as possible it will bless you soooo much! Your lives will be so much happier. No matter what someone does, always try to be a peacemaker. Love you guys! Remeber The Savior Jesus Christ always!

Do Zobaczenie! Do Widzenia! Kacham moja rodzina! Viem ze moja rodznia mozebyc razem na zawsze!

                                        

-Starszy Fotu

Elder Fotu has arrived!

Dear Brother and Sister Fotu-

Just a short note to let you know that your son, Elder Fotu, arrived in Warsaw today safe, sound and happy!  If you would like to see pictures of his arrival,  we would like to invite you to view them at  nielsonsinpoland.blogspot.com.  We appreciate all you have done to raise a fine son who is willing to serve the Lord.  

Warmest regards, President and Sister Nielson

Last Week in The MTC!

Dzien Dobry Rodznia i Kolegą!

So I'm so excited! This week has been very exciting! Ive never felt the Spirit so much in my life than this week. It's so awesome. I will feel it at the most random times! But I leave on Monday at 6:00 am! If I call any of you it'll most likely be around 8:30 to 10ish! So be ready monday morning! But Im so excited for Poland! I am nervous cause of the Language but im so excited to get there and meet the amazing people. The first day we get there they take us to this place in Warsaw call the "Rynnek". haha its a typical super busy part of a City when there are just tons of people. And we contact. haha they are just throwing us out there. So excited. slash gonna look like a lost johnny lingo in Poland. woot woot.

No but im just gonna jump in and pretend like I know what im talking about! And just say the whole time "Dzien Dobry!!!!" Czesc!!!" Jak sie masz?!?!?!?" Tak tak tak". Which just means hello hello! how are you." and then Tak tak means yes. So im just gonna say yes to everyone even though ill have no idea what they are saying. hahaha gosh im so excited.

What Im more excited for is Sunday! "The work of Salvation"! cant wait to sing the in Choir and listen to the Apostles and Prophet! gezzzz cant even explain how excited ive been for it!

But I kinda need to have grandma and grandpa's numbers! cause i wanted to call them from the airport! So if you could send me those. On sunday I might check my e-mail one last time. before I leave the MTC. So let me know!

Everyone pray for me that I can survive in Poland! That I can recieve the Gift of Tongues! And that all the Polish people wont beat up the ONLY brown kid in the country!

Alright funny story. We were outside in the MTC and as missionaries going to Poland we teach each other lessons and I at the moment was acting like an investigator! haha So im chillin then in the middle of a lesson with 2 sisters teaching me in Polish.

And my companiong Elder Anderson is sittin next to me on a bench. This Elder likes to sleep alot. He loves going outside for Personal Study just so he can find somewhere to sleep. haha So Me and Elder Swicegood try to encourage him to get to work and study. Its happened many times.

But anyways he decides to take a little nap while im in the lesson. And all of a sudden i hear "WHAT THE HECK! WHAT IS THAT!" hahaha i turn around and he has this big black spot on his fresh white shirt. A bird had dropped its business off on him. hahaha so funny. we were all laughing so hard.

Talk about the Lord really tryin to tell him something. ;)

but yeah it was super funny!

I am prayin for Grandma's knee. I heard about it! Hope she gets better. Ive really felt Grandpa Fotu with me lately and its really nice to know he's there sometimes. I know he is probably doing missionary work like crazy up there though!

Geez I love this Work so much. And its going by way to fast. Only 104 weeks in a mission. In like a couple weeks I will have already done ten of those.

Im so excited though. Thank you so much for the prayers. They help so much I promise!

Love you guys! Dont send anything more to the MTC! Cause Im leavin on Monday! and Dont send anything to Poland cause its lots of ZLOTY! "Money" in polish!

"The Work of Salvation" Meeting

Hello sister Fotu,

My husband and I attended a training meeting at the Marriott center today and we ran into your son, Elder Fotu. We took a picture of him and thought you might enjoy seeing him. We were very impressed with your son! He was very friendly and excited to be leaving for Poland soon.

After the training meeting we were leaving the Marriott center when we noticed your son wearing a badge that said Starzy Fotu. We quickly recognized that he was wearing a Polish name badge. We enjoyed talking to your son and feeling a connection with your son as we have a son, Elder Vernon, that is currently serving in the Warsaw Poland mission. He just hit his year mark this week. We live in Highland and our son attended American Fork High School.

If you haven't discovered sister Nielson's mission blog make sure you check it out www.nielsonsinpoland.blogspot.com Sister Nielson has some great information about the mission. I sure hope the new mission president keeps a mission blog too.

Angella Vernon

MTC: Week 7

Good Morning Family!

Sounds pretty crazy at the house! Like Always! I hope Selu does well in her tournament! I'll definitely pray for her! Tell Kerst I said congrats thats awesome! Keep letting me know how everyone is doing! 

I kinda knew on Saturday that Grandpa had passed. I miss him too. My testimony has grown so much though since thinking about my family the past week or so. Makes me super sad sometimes. But I'm so grateful for all my family and ancestors.

So talking about me leaving. We thought we were for sure leaving on the 1st of July! But in the mail today we got our travel plans!!!!!! So exciting. And we leave on the 24th! our flight leaves at 11 AM! Dont come to the airport though! hahah I'll call you guys sometime that morning. probably about 9 ish. We fly straight to Amsterdam, Netherlands! so longest flight ever. hahaha Everyone in our district is super super excited right now cause we just found that out like 20 mins ago. But Im SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to get to Poland! Except Im kinda scared cause I feel like a dont know any polish! hahah i know some but not nearly enough. hahaha I couldnt be more excited though!

So yeah if you could send me that duffle bag whenever! And the garments would be great too! I'm not sure how many more I need though. Cause I got Enough to last me like 8 days before I have to wash them. So I'm thinkin I might need like 8 more bottoms and 8 more tops. I can buy them here too if you guys want me to do that. Just need money on my card. After this i will go check how much is on it. Then let you know. Thank you so much for the packages. I really appreciatte all of them! All the pictures made me smile really big. Emma is already looking huge!

But I cant really think of anything else I really need...besides LOTS OF PRAYERS! I need help with this language! Ive been learning alot but I'm gonna push it so hard this last weekish!

Im super super excited for the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles to come on the 23rd! wow its gonna be amazing! I will most likely be in the Choir! So you guys better be watchin for me cause I know it is gonna be broadcasted! And you better watch to listen to Prophets of God!

I'm so excited for the Work right now. Cause its absolutely exploding! But I know that you all should be practicing Misssionary work! Every Member a missionary! Its a commandment from God that we do all we can to spread the gospel! Everyone send me what they can in the next week cause you wont want to be sending it to me in Poland! But make sure you dont send me anything after the 22nd! cause that is the last day that we can get mail!

I only got 1 P-day left!

Going to the Marriot Center this week was pretty amazing! Soooooo many missionaries it is ridiculous! It took like 30 to 40 mins just to walk in between here at the MTC and there. Its so sweet though!

Ill send some pictures!

I'm kinda all over the place with this e-mail! But let me know how everyone is doing at home!

Every Gym time i'm playin volleyball, which is the bomb. Uhhhhhh i'm gonna get alot of pictures this last week of my teachers and everyone!

Send me whatever!

Miss you all! Keep praying for me!

MTC: Week 6

Malo e leilei family!

So lots of good news from you guys! I guess some bad news too. Thank you very much for the Fasting and Prayers for me! They are surely helping I promise! I appreciatte them so much! Cause I need all that I can get!

So this morning after coming back to the MTC from the Temple where I wrote Grandpa's name on the prayer roll. I found out he's got little time left. Made me think of the spiritual moment I had with him when I left. When I said bye to him for the last time. hahaha my eyes are watering up super bad right now. Tryin to hold it in so everyone around me doesn't think I'm weird. But I learned how much I am grateful for my grandparents when I lived with them in Hawaii. Dad please tell Grandpa I love him so much. And thanks for his example. Gosh the tears are flowing like crazy right now. But I'm so thankful for all my grandparents cause of their faith and examples to me! But also because ever since I've gotten here I've noticed how thankful I am for my parents since I've been here. And their testimonies. And I know that their testimonies first started with my Grandparents testimonies. I'm so thankful for my family and friends. And Ive noticed that since I've gotten here. My testimony has grown so much since I've gotten here. And I feel like I've already experienced so much but really I have so much more to experience. Tell grandma Fotu that I love her too. haha I have to stop talking bout this or i'll just cry this whole time. (why am I cursed with this crying thing)

But anyways I'm excited for Selu and Kerstin! Please let me know how they do and tell them to keep working their hearts out. And if they stay close to the Lord they will be 100X better and happier! I promise! Search the scriptures like crazy! I didnt know Lennon had to get surgery on it! Well I know what it feels like so tell him to keep his head up. Keep working hard. And being nice to everyone! One of my biggest regrets in high school was not saying Hi to everyone that I saw. I want them to remember that! Be happy! And don't be too cool. Cause I know I thought I was. And GO TO SEMINARY!

hahaha anyways.....

The garden sounds sweet! be sure to send me pictures of it! Send me pictures like in a letter or package! I want some of the kids and everyone!

So somethin exciting! I am pretty sure I'm leaving on the 24th! of this month! So its comin up!

But guess what! The First Presidency and The Twelve Apostles are coming on the 23rd! You all may have heard about it!

It's gonna be at the Marriot Center! I'm sooooo sooooo excited for it! And I'll be singin in the Choir! But it should be broadcasted all around the world! So make sure you all watch it!

It's called "The Work of Salvation" I think..... So watch for me!

More importantly.... Watch it so you can hear the Prophets of God and what they have to say to us!

So quick story before I'm done....only story I could think of to tell you.

So im singin in the Choir on sunday, and I've met this kid John Ursua since I've been here! I kinda knew him before. He went to West Lake and Cedar Highschool. But yeah we're singin in the Choir! and The whole time he is just making me laugh during the practice. So we are just busting up laughing. And Everyone is looking at us like we have a different color of skin or something..... just kidding. But yeah it was funny cause the Camera in the actual performance came on me and he's sitting there kicking me and trying to make me laugh. But I didn't. But next morning I'm gettin my breakfast in the cafeteria and This random Elder comes up behind me and starts singing... " I feel my saviors love, In a super high voice." And I was so confused but it was him. But yeah probably not that funny of a story. All the poly kids here and super funny and cool.

But yeah anyways I'll send some pictures of some stuff. Saw Elder Talon Shumway and Elder Jake Shumway come in. And Sister Wright and Sister MikChesney? Dont know how to spell. But I saw them when they were pulling up. Pretty funny. But they seem to being doing well. I told them to make sure if they need a blessing or anything then they can ask me or any Elder's.

Ive had the chance to give like 3 blessings since i've been here. And it's so awesome to have the Spirit direct you what to say in the moment! I love it! And I don't even remember what i said in those Blessings.

But I gotta go! I love you ALL!!! Keep studying the scriptures like crazy! I promise it will change all of your days! And Pray as much as you can!!!!

Do Widzenia!

-Starzy Fotu