I realized just now that today marks 5 months since people stopped calling me "Adam" and started calling me "Elder Williams"... weird. (ps is that a "trunky thought"?)
This week I had two major breakthroughs, as far as personal and emotional developments. The first came in the form of a postcard from London. It came last Monday. I had been beating myself up the weekend prior over silly things. You know how I am and stress. It seemed that all of these expectations I set for myself and the missionaries around me are not being lived up to. I realized that I was setting standards that even the perfect missionary would struggle to meet. And so, up until this postcard arrived I was trying to figure out where or how to draw the line between pushing myself and those around me without it becoming a burden. This postcard simply said, "Hi Elder W. Greetings and support from England! Your reader, Mary" I am going to assume that Mary is a member from England who found my blog somehow-and not some other Mary that I know who took a trip to London. (the story sounds better that way) Besides being deeply touched by the thoughtfulness of Mary it got me thinking about the expectations and the undue stress I am putting on myself. It's so easy out here to look at the immense amount of work around us in getting the gospel out there and understood by the people of Trenčín. It's even easier to trick yourself into thinking that you are the ONLY that even cares. But Mary gave me a wake-up call for sure. There are 14 million members around the world who are supporting all of us missionaries. The Prophet and Apostles talk about us and our needs weekly, and countless prayers are uttered in within the temple and in the homes of millions of people. And that doesn't even include the numberless friends and family members that aren't members but still love and support me. So to all the "Marys" in the world, thank you :)
The seond breakthrough: I learned how to make the perfect tortilla. Coupled with the salsa sent by the Woods= an answer to prayers
I'm sorry to say that besides the postcard it's been a pretty lousy week. Nothing much has happened nor changed. Working out kinks in the companionship, headaches from the language study, trying to find people to teach, you know, the usual.
s laskou,
Elder Williams
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Photos and An Update
Bojnice Castle
All the Slovic missionaries--minus Elder Evans Train Station
Owning Vienna 
Bacon slab
Sometimes Monday rolls around and I panic a little bit. "What am I going to write about this week that anybody back home would care to hear about?" Sometimes I just have to think a little and then some event or experience will come to mind and I go off that. But right now Im just drawing a blank....
Taylor and I worked pretty hard this week. We have set a goal to tract as much of Trenčín as we can and this week we knocked on 289 doors. Give or take. I thought our goal of 300 doors would be an easy undertaking, but we are working on a section of town with tiny ponneloks. Half the battle is getting into these buildings. One evening we did "window tracting" as we now call it. Most of the ponneloks in this area doesn't have a speaker so if the person wants to find out who is at the door they either have to walk all the way down and open the door or just stick their head out the window. Most everyone chooses the easier route. We talk to almost everyone inside the building from their windows. No one wants to let us in though....
We did manage to get into one building and actually talk to a gentleman by the name of Valdamir. He started off saying he is a devout Catholic (who isn't?) but when we showed him the Book of Mormon and had him read the introduction he said, "This book is about Jesus Christ. It is a true book." He is leaving for Hungary soon so we have an appointment to return. :) See, there are people here who recognize truth. We just have to work hard to find them!
Last night was a dream come true for Elder Taylor. Taylor loves soccer, excuse me, I mean "futbol", and he played in college. Well last night we went over to one of our inactives who plays for the Trenčín team and then a teammate of his came over. Taylor was just loving it. Discussing futbol over kofola with two pro futbol players. What exciting lives we lead.
We tried to have a game night saturday night. Its something that they do in some other cites, I think its either a great thing for missionaries to do, or the biggest waste of time. It depends on my mood. Taylor came from Bratislava and they have one of the biggest game nights in the zone and was absolutly disgusted to discover that we do not do that in Trenčín. So we tried it out. We reserved a lane at the bowling alley and invited everyone that we have ever talked to. No one came. So we're going to try just redouble our efforts in teaching more people and getting more members so that game night can run on its own in Trenčín. We'll see how it goes....
I noticed that the pics I sent never went through.... faaaaaantastic. Thats an hour of my pday wasted. I think I'll just mail my card home sometime soon and not worry about it.
Shout outs: Congrats to VDG on the marriage! Who knew it snowed in Mesa?? Also to Rachel Wallace (I guess no longer a "Wallace") on her marriage. Heard it was beautiful!
Welp, I hope everything's fine back home! Peace from the east!
Elder Williams
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
They Call Me the Child Whisperer
This was quite the week for us here in Slovakia. Heres why:
Saturday my mission had the first baptism of the year in Bratislava!! (first of many, so get used to these kinds of emails... :) Elder Taylor spent about 16 weeks teaching him so we were both able to attend. His name is Peter and is from Latvia. He is about 21 and has not had very many opportunities. Currently he's trying to find work and is technically homeless. He does live in an abandoned building and apparently has rigged up quite the set up. The gas is still running in that building so he tore a pipe from the wall and figured out how to turn it on. He´ll light it for warmth and heat water for baths. I picture it looking like a blow torch sticking out of the wall. Sometimes the flame goes out in the night but instead of dying from carbon monocide poisoning like a regular person Peter just wakes up. "Ya, I just wake up with a little headache and I light the gas again and go back to sleep."
The baptism was great. I got to meet more of the members in Slovakia. We actually have children here! Who knew! They are all so great. I assigned myself to sit near the kids because Ive heard horror stories of these "demon children", as they are affectionately known by some members. Especially at baptisms. Jumping in after the ordinance, etc. I wasnt about to have the first baptism ruined by some kids. (and you all know how much I LOVE kids....) When they were starting to get rowdy during some talks I looked at the mom and pointed at me and the kids. She gave me the go ahead and I separated those that needed to be separated and started a quiet game of tic tac toe with the row of "demons". Following the baptism the mom thanked me as well as some other members. I have been dubbed "The Child Whisperer" Greeeaaaat.... I guess Friendly Pines trained me well.
I've found that the church here is full of these young 20-30 something women who have no one around them who they want to date and literally no one who can take them to the temple. Ive never thought of being the only Mormon and my appreciation for these modern day pioneers has really grown. Im adding young Melch. Priesthood holders to my "to baptize list" along with bishops, stake presidents, primaries, patriarchs, YW/YM groups, etc etc. A lot to do.
Yesterday we had to go to Bratislava because Elder Taylors girlfriend sent him a package to his address there. I wasnt sure how I felt about the situation. My entire p day would be sucked up in Blava and I wouldnt have time to clean or take a nap. But I would be able to hang out with some other missionaries and do some actual shopping. So I decided to have a good attitude and just enjoy myself. Sometimes that is hard for me.... I finally got an acceptable bag. I can carry all of my necessities and I still look chic. Look at me, being all "euro".
Taylor and I are realizing the importance of planning specifically and witnessing the results. Last week we planned on finding a mom with two kids with an iffy relationship with her husband. When we met with Sister Prachárova we asked if she knew anyone we could teach. She described a family exactly as we described. Weird, right? We wouldnt have time to find them that night as it was getting late, but we gave Sis. P a copy of the Family Proclamation and challenged her to share it with this family. She said that she didnt have a close relationship with this family but that she would try to get closer to them so that she could share it with them. Look at that: an inactive doing so much missionary work!
A second experience worked similarly. We both planned on where we would tract the time we would be there and who we would teach. We imagined another family, a potential Melch. Priesthood holder especially, and planned what we would teach. Low and behold we tracted into this near perfect family. They werent going to let us in, but I wouldnt shut up and continued testifing that the things we teach help families grow in unity. We sat down, talked about the Book of Mormon and family prayer. The husband is very interested in learning more and the wife is just pleased that her husband is looking into religion. We set an a return appt. and it was just as good as the first. We explained the temple and family history. He loves the focus on the family and told us about his research about our church hes done. Hes even done some family history work using our website a couple years ago! In the four days that we had last met he read all the way to Jacob and prayed with us for the first time. It was definitely a miracle find and definitely a fantastic way to start off this week.
We actually had an English class this past week as well. 4 people showed up! Thats 4 times as much that usually comes! I taught the advanced class which usually means we sit and talk and I help them say things a more "english-y" and less "slovak-y". I love it!
I heard about the shooting that happened in Tucson. My heart and prayers go out to the Giffords family and especially to Judge Rolls family and the other victims of the shooting. Hearing about it made my stomach churn. It was a strange feeling. I have spent the last 4 months totally immersed in learning and teaching the hope of the gospel and being constantly on the look out for those who might need our help in any way. It was a little bit of a wake-up call that there are those who dont care about the well being of anyone but themselves and resort to violence when disagreements arise. I'm renewing my own determination to understand the people of this country and their needs. I am confident that between the message missionaries have to share, our own listening ears and willingness to serve we can meet every need of the entire world. I just love it!
Love ya ya´ll!!
Elder Williams
Saturday my mission had the first baptism of the year in Bratislava!! (first of many, so get used to these kinds of emails... :) Elder Taylor spent about 16 weeks teaching him so we were both able to attend. His name is Peter and is from Latvia. He is about 21 and has not had very many opportunities. Currently he's trying to find work and is technically homeless. He does live in an abandoned building and apparently has rigged up quite the set up. The gas is still running in that building so he tore a pipe from the wall and figured out how to turn it on. He´ll light it for warmth and heat water for baths. I picture it looking like a blow torch sticking out of the wall. Sometimes the flame goes out in the night but instead of dying from carbon monocide poisoning like a regular person Peter just wakes up. "Ya, I just wake up with a little headache and I light the gas again and go back to sleep."
The baptism was great. I got to meet more of the members in Slovakia. We actually have children here! Who knew! They are all so great. I assigned myself to sit near the kids because Ive heard horror stories of these "demon children", as they are affectionately known by some members. Especially at baptisms. Jumping in after the ordinance, etc. I wasnt about to have the first baptism ruined by some kids. (and you all know how much I LOVE kids....) When they were starting to get rowdy during some talks I looked at the mom and pointed at me and the kids. She gave me the go ahead and I separated those that needed to be separated and started a quiet game of tic tac toe with the row of "demons". Following the baptism the mom thanked me as well as some other members. I have been dubbed "The Child Whisperer" Greeeaaaat.... I guess Friendly Pines trained me well.
I've found that the church here is full of these young 20-30 something women who have no one around them who they want to date and literally no one who can take them to the temple. Ive never thought of being the only Mormon and my appreciation for these modern day pioneers has really grown. Im adding young Melch. Priesthood holders to my "to baptize list" along with bishops, stake presidents, primaries, patriarchs, YW/YM groups, etc etc. A lot to do.
Yesterday we had to go to Bratislava because Elder Taylors girlfriend sent him a package to his address there. I wasnt sure how I felt about the situation. My entire p day would be sucked up in Blava and I wouldnt have time to clean or take a nap. But I would be able to hang out with some other missionaries and do some actual shopping. So I decided to have a good attitude and just enjoy myself. Sometimes that is hard for me.... I finally got an acceptable bag. I can carry all of my necessities and I still look chic. Look at me, being all "euro".
Taylor and I are realizing the importance of planning specifically and witnessing the results. Last week we planned on finding a mom with two kids with an iffy relationship with her husband. When we met with Sister Prachárova we asked if she knew anyone we could teach. She described a family exactly as we described. Weird, right? We wouldnt have time to find them that night as it was getting late, but we gave Sis. P a copy of the Family Proclamation and challenged her to share it with this family. She said that she didnt have a close relationship with this family but that she would try to get closer to them so that she could share it with them. Look at that: an inactive doing so much missionary work!
A second experience worked similarly. We both planned on where we would tract the time we would be there and who we would teach. We imagined another family, a potential Melch. Priesthood holder especially, and planned what we would teach. Low and behold we tracted into this near perfect family. They werent going to let us in, but I wouldnt shut up and continued testifing that the things we teach help families grow in unity. We sat down, talked about the Book of Mormon and family prayer. The husband is very interested in learning more and the wife is just pleased that her husband is looking into religion. We set an a return appt. and it was just as good as the first. We explained the temple and family history. He loves the focus on the family and told us about his research about our church hes done. Hes even done some family history work using our website a couple years ago! In the four days that we had last met he read all the way to Jacob and prayed with us for the first time. It was definitely a miracle find and definitely a fantastic way to start off this week.
We actually had an English class this past week as well. 4 people showed up! Thats 4 times as much that usually comes! I taught the advanced class which usually means we sit and talk and I help them say things a more "english-y" and less "slovak-y". I love it!
I heard about the shooting that happened in Tucson. My heart and prayers go out to the Giffords family and especially to Judge Rolls family and the other victims of the shooting. Hearing about it made my stomach churn. It was a strange feeling. I have spent the last 4 months totally immersed in learning and teaching the hope of the gospel and being constantly on the look out for those who might need our help in any way. It was a little bit of a wake-up call that there are those who dont care about the well being of anyone but themselves and resort to violence when disagreements arise. I'm renewing my own determination to understand the people of this country and their needs. I am confident that between the message missionaries have to share, our own listening ears and willingness to serve we can meet every need of the entire world. I just love it!
Love ya ya´ll!!
Elder Williams
Saturday, January 8, 2011
It's A New Year!
Its 2011!! Did 2010 fly by for anyone else? It was definitely a year of changes for me and I am sure this coming year will be one of even more growth. Heres hoping it will at least. :)
Hope everyone had a great New Years. Taylor and I went to Zlina and we were able to stay up til 12:30! (President has us on a long leash, I know) I got to meet one of the new missionaries, Elder MacNiesh (sp?) from Virgina. After meeting him and going out contacting with him I couldnt help but wonder if I was like as a "greenie" missionary. Probably. lol I did manage to get him thinking that I was the senior companion- until he kept asking what these people were saying and I had to admit I didnt know. "Man, you dont know much, do ya??" Thanks MacNiesh... lol
We had to be inside by 6 Friday night so I made hot wings and hlušky and we played cards til midnight. Then watched the fireworks from the balcony. (which didnt stop until about 1) We had a little impromtu nerf gun war with some random nerf guns in the apartment. (It will never cease to amaze me the things you will find in a missionary apartment) Twas a fun night for sure.
The next morning (President let us sleep in until 7:30, SO nice lol) we had our first district meeting since the transfer started. Elder Evans is my new DL and its going to be an exciting transfer for us I think. Everyone seems to be on the same page as far as doing new things. :)
Some shout-outs before I forget: Congrats to Rob Starling on the engagement! Mad props for it popping the question in Paris. And to Julie Jackson for graduating from the UA! Man, look at these people, moving on with their lives.
Things are doing well for Elder Taylor and I. We pretty much have the same resolve to change things up in Trenčín. We were looking at the map of Trenčín and decided that we will tract the entire city. All of it. Then branch off and try our luck in nearby villages. But we cant do that until weve given the entire city a try. He was able to meet the branch on Sunday as well as the President. I get the feeling that hes nervous. My Slovak is pretty awful-as to be expected, and Taylors isnt to good either. Taylor has been serving in Bratislava where they use a lot of English. Here in Trenčín? Nič. His Slovak is going to improve so much. And so will mine, because now Im pretty much expected to speak. And so I speak. But we get the feeling President wonders how two missionaries with bad Slovak are going to move the work along in Trenčín. By small and simple means.
We were able to meet with a part member/inactive family last week and they love us. When we invited them to come back to church the Mom said, "Well, I want the whole family to go to church but me and Martinka are sick so we will go next week." Then when we asked if we could come back they said, "Why dont you come by every Monday?" We are very excited. Taylor and I are going by tonight and we will be doing FHE with a spiritual thought with them and making sure that it doesnt turn into something where we are wasting time. We shared a nice spiritual thought and the mom knew she needed to be going back to church. I was actually surprised how well things worked out over there. its amazing what just a visit and an invite can do. :)
Thank Aunt Patti for selling those books for me! Thats great she was able to get that much back for some of them. You can all go out to dinner on me! :)
Well family, not much else to report. Hope all is well and that you guys arent too cold in Arizona!
Elder Williams
Hope everyone had a great New Years. Taylor and I went to Zlina and we were able to stay up til 12:30! (President has us on a long leash, I know) I got to meet one of the new missionaries, Elder MacNiesh (sp?) from Virgina. After meeting him and going out contacting with him I couldnt help but wonder if I was like as a "greenie" missionary. Probably. lol I did manage to get him thinking that I was the senior companion- until he kept asking what these people were saying and I had to admit I didnt know. "Man, you dont know much, do ya??" Thanks MacNiesh... lol
We had to be inside by 6 Friday night so I made hot wings and hlušky and we played cards til midnight. Then watched the fireworks from the balcony. (which didnt stop until about 1) We had a little impromtu nerf gun war with some random nerf guns in the apartment. (It will never cease to amaze me the things you will find in a missionary apartment) Twas a fun night for sure.
The next morning (President let us sleep in until 7:30, SO nice lol) we had our first district meeting since the transfer started. Elder Evans is my new DL and its going to be an exciting transfer for us I think. Everyone seems to be on the same page as far as doing new things. :)
Some shout-outs before I forget: Congrats to Rob Starling on the engagement! Mad props for it popping the question in Paris. And to Julie Jackson for graduating from the UA! Man, look at these people, moving on with their lives.
Things are doing well for Elder Taylor and I. We pretty much have the same resolve to change things up in Trenčín. We were looking at the map of Trenčín and decided that we will tract the entire city. All of it. Then branch off and try our luck in nearby villages. But we cant do that until weve given the entire city a try. He was able to meet the branch on Sunday as well as the President. I get the feeling that hes nervous. My Slovak is pretty awful-as to be expected, and Taylors isnt to good either. Taylor has been serving in Bratislava where they use a lot of English. Here in Trenčín? Nič. His Slovak is going to improve so much. And so will mine, because now Im pretty much expected to speak. And so I speak. But we get the feeling President wonders how two missionaries with bad Slovak are going to move the work along in Trenčín. By small and simple means.
We were able to meet with a part member/inactive family last week and they love us. When we invited them to come back to church the Mom said, "Well, I want the whole family to go to church but me and Martinka are sick so we will go next week." Then when we asked if we could come back they said, "Why dont you come by every Monday?" We are very excited. Taylor and I are going by tonight and we will be doing FHE with a spiritual thought with them and making sure that it doesnt turn into something where we are wasting time. We shared a nice spiritual thought and the mom knew she needed to be going back to church. I was actually surprised how well things worked out over there. its amazing what just a visit and an invite can do. :)
Thank Aunt Patti for selling those books for me! Thats great she was able to get that much back for some of them. You can all go out to dinner on me! :)
Well family, not much else to report. Hope all is well and that you guys arent too cold in Arizona!
Elder Williams
It
Its 2011!! Did 2010 fly by for anyone else? It was definitely a year of changes for me and I am sure this coming year will be one of even more growth. Heres hoping it will at least. :)
Hope everyone had a great New Years. Taylor and I went to Zlina and we were able to stay up til 12:30! (Presdient has us on a long leash, I know) I got to meet one of the new missionaries, Elder MacNiesh (sp?) from Virgina. After meeting him and going out contacting with him I couldnt help but wonder if I was like as a "greenie" missionary. Probably. lol I did manage to get him thinking that I was the senior companion- until he kept asking what these people were saying and I had to admit I didnt know. "Man, you dont know much, do ya??" Thanks MacNiesh... lol
We had to be inside by 6 Friday night so I made hot wings and hlušky and we played cards til midnight. Then watched the fireworks from the balcony. (which didnt stop until about 1) We had a little impromtu nerf gun war with some random nerf guns in the apartment. (It will never cease to amaze me the things you will find in a missionary apartment) Twas a fun night for sure.
The next morning (President let us sleep in until 7:30, SO nice lol) we had our first district meeting since the transfer started. Elder Evans is my new DL and its going to be an exciting transfer for us I think. Everyone seems to be on the same page as far as doing new things. :)
Some shout-outs before I forget: Congrats to Rob S on the engagement! Mad props for it popping the question in Paris. And to Julie J for graduating from the UA! Man, look at these people, moving on with their lives.
Things are doing well for Elder Taylor and I. We pretty much have the same resolve to change things up in Trenčín. We were looking at the map of Trenčín and decided that we will tract the entire city. All of it. Then branch off and try our luck in nearby villages. But we cant do that until weve given the entire city a try. He was able to meet the branch on Sunday as well as the President. I get the feeling that hes nervous. My Slovak is pretty awful-as to be expected, and Taylors isnt to good either. Taylor has been serving in Bratislava where they use a lot of English. Here in Trenčín? Nič. His Slovak is going to improve so much. And so will mine, because now Im pretty much expected to speak. And so I speak. But we get the feeling President wonders how two missionaries with bad Slovak are going to move the work along in Trenčín. By small and simple means.
We were able to meet with a part member/inactive family last week and they love us. When we invited them to come back to church the Mom said, "Well, I want the whole family to go to church but me and Martinka are sick so we will go next week." Then when we asked if we could come back they said, "Why dont you come by every Monday?" We are very excited. Taylor and I are going by tonight and we will be doing FHE with a spiritual thought with them and making sure that it doesnt turn into something where we are wasting time. We shared a nice spiritual thought and the mom knew she needed to be going back to church. I was actually surprised how well things worked out over there. its amazing what just a visit and an invite can do. :)
Thank Aunt Patti for selling those books for me! Thats great she was able to get that much back for some of them. You can all go out to dinner on me! :)
Well family, not much else to report. Hope all is well and that you guys arent too cold in Arizona!
Elder Williams
Hope everyone had a great New Years. Taylor and I went to Zlina and we were able to stay up til 12:30! (Presdient has us on a long leash, I know) I got to meet one of the new missionaries, Elder MacNiesh (sp?) from Virgina. After meeting him and going out contacting with him I couldnt help but wonder if I was like as a "greenie" missionary. Probably. lol I did manage to get him thinking that I was the senior companion- until he kept asking what these people were saying and I had to admit I didnt know. "Man, you dont know much, do ya??" Thanks MacNiesh... lol
We had to be inside by 6 Friday night so I made hot wings and hlušky and we played cards til midnight. Then watched the fireworks from the balcony. (which didnt stop until about 1) We had a little impromtu nerf gun war with some random nerf guns in the apartment. (It will never cease to amaze me the things you will find in a missionary apartment) Twas a fun night for sure.
The next morning (President let us sleep in until 7:30, SO nice lol) we had our first district meeting since the transfer started. Elder Evans is my new DL and its going to be an exciting transfer for us I think. Everyone seems to be on the same page as far as doing new things. :)
Some shout-outs before I forget: Congrats to Rob S on the engagement! Mad props for it popping the question in Paris. And to Julie J for graduating from the UA! Man, look at these people, moving on with their lives.
Things are doing well for Elder Taylor and I. We pretty much have the same resolve to change things up in Trenčín. We were looking at the map of Trenčín and decided that we will tract the entire city. All of it. Then branch off and try our luck in nearby villages. But we cant do that until weve given the entire city a try. He was able to meet the branch on Sunday as well as the President. I get the feeling that hes nervous. My Slovak is pretty awful-as to be expected, and Taylors isnt to good either. Taylor has been serving in Bratislava where they use a lot of English. Here in Trenčín? Nič. His Slovak is going to improve so much. And so will mine, because now Im pretty much expected to speak. And so I speak. But we get the feeling President wonders how two missionaries with bad Slovak are going to move the work along in Trenčín. By small and simple means.
We were able to meet with a part member/inactive family last week and they love us. When we invited them to come back to church the Mom said, "Well, I want the whole family to go to church but me and Martinka are sick so we will go next week." Then when we asked if we could come back they said, "Why dont you come by every Monday?" We are very excited. Taylor and I are going by tonight and we will be doing FHE with a spiritual thought with them and making sure that it doesnt turn into something where we are wasting time. We shared a nice spiritual thought and the mom knew she needed to be going back to church. I was actually surprised how well things worked out over there. its amazing what just a visit and an invite can do. :)
Thank Aunt Patti for selling those books for me! Thats great she was able to get that much back for some of them. You can all go out to dinner on me! :)
Well family, not much else to report. Hope all is well and that you guys arent too cold in Arizona!
Elder Williams
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