1) Sister Parson's visa didn't go through. So that was awkward. She got reassigned to Independence, Missouri, and it was all just tragic. We tried to be really good and strong about it, and had a few moments. Some of you already know about them--blood sweat and tears, man. But anyways. So. She wasn't coming with us.
4) Plane drama made concise: Our plane to Dallas got canceled, so we ended up getting on different flights, but really did make it to Prague in the end, though it was six hours later.
5) I got to talk to this woman on the plane from London to Prague, and she was really so wonderful. It was so good to hear about other people's beliefs and be able to share ours for a couple hours with someone who was so genuine and nice. I gave her my blog name so I hope she reads!
Okay, now some more things that happened in Europe. I lost my luggage, first of all, which really could have been a set back, but honestly, I was just happy I didn't have to carry around 150 pounds of my stuff. Who knows why I have so much stuff? I'm probably going to move away to India one day and donate all my wordly possessions to the chuch. Just kidding, but not really.
So we got off the plane, lost some luggage, and finally met President and Sister McConkie. It was so good to see them after we had all been so thrown around by airplane security for 24 hours. They took us to McDonald's, and we had to order for ourselves, which really wasn't that bad, and the chocolate shake tasted so weird but for some reason McDonald's are really nice here which I personally don't understand at all.
Can I just say how annoying it is that the spell check on this computer is saying that every word I type is wrong? All I see is red.
So, prague at night was really beautiful (nothing compared to the daytime though), and we stayed in this little kind of creepy place overnight, where we (kind of) slept and were picked up the next morning by the APs. We went on a Prague walk for about 20 minutes, and President told us about the history of the church in this city. It was incredible! These people are so strong and have been so prepared to receive our message. I know so strongly that this is where the Lord needs me.
OH! So before, President takes me into his office for an interview and tells me that Sister Parsons would be flying in the next day.
WHAT? really? I couldn't decide whether to punch something or jump up and down with excitement, and so I settled on a healthy excitement that kept me in my seat while inside I was dying.
Anyway, then we came back and got assigned our companions and areas (I can't believe how concise I'm making this, really..) I was so excited to finally be assigned to a place and get to slovakia and teach the people. I was assigned to Košice, which is the furthest city away from our mission home, over by Ukraine. My companion is Sister Seninger, who is literally the most wonderful, energetic, happiest human. She has been out for a year and has spent six months in Košice. Her Slovak is wonderful and her contacting tactics are even better. We were going to leave on our (9 hour) Train right away, but turns out, I never got my luggage! Haha! SO we ended up having to stay in Prague with the sisters there.
So the next day we got to contact in Prague before we left on our train. It was so fun. I was so tired and really probably not myself at all, but it was so great to finally be talking to real people. We taught a girl an entire lesson on a park bench and gave our number away to a couple people! I really can't understand czech. But the gift of tongues is so real! Although I could never directly translate what anyone was saying, the spirit was always with me so strong and I could always understand and answer them. It was so incredible! This truly is the Lord's work!
Okay so after a lot of luggage stuff, I ended up only getting one piece of luggage and leaving for my city. The train ride was long but the countryside is beautiful.
As soon as we got to Košice, we started contacting out on the namestie, which is so beautiful. It was dark but I was still really in love. Our apartment is up on this little hill and we can see the entire city! SO beautiful!
The more I am there, the more I love it and I love the people. I can't write about everything right now, but I love our newly baptized members and we have so many miracles with people everywhere! I am surprised at how many people are willing to listen to us and I'm always so grateful when the Lord answers my prayers. This is happening! Missionaries on earth are a testament of the Lord's restored gospel and that He surely will be coming again soon. I am so grateful for this privilege.
Hey, the computer stopped correcting me. Haha
Church was SO good. I play the piano because no one else does. Everyone has such love and faith in us and in the Lord. An 18-year old member from the Ukraine just randomly showed up and said he had biked 200 km from poland to get here, and was staying for 2 days, and would bike back. Haha he was so awesome. (He asked all about Dad and his mission to Ukraine. (in his broken english.)
Right now, we are in Bratislava. Today we had training in Brno in the Czech Republic, and then came back with the Bratislava sestry (Who are Sister Parsons, Sister Eggers, and a czech sister) and will stay here until Thursday morning because on Wednesday I have to get my visa things taken care of. I am excited to proselyte here, but I also miss Košice, and it is hard to be away from our area and from our members there for so long.
Oh! I tried both cvičkova and halušky. No worries. And I ADORE the food here. Bread and cheese for life. Weight gain for life.
I love you all and am praying for you! I am grateful for all the support I have and am especially grateful for the spirit I am able to have with me all the time. This truly is where I need to be right now, and I know that I and others will be blessed for it. Until next week!
P.S. Sorry this email was crazy hectic. My life is crazy hectic and I LOVE IT. Will send pictures soon.
P.P.S. Proverbs 3:
5 ¶Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Sestra Abbott
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