Currently I am sitting by a window (okno) and when I look out I see a chimney and pine trees with cloudy skies. (So the lighting is perfect.) It is so happy right now.
Well, I am starting with a quote from the maybe the coolest family in the Czech Republic to my companion and the other missionaries. "You got sent here because you were bad in Primary." (It was in Czech, but translated to that. It was all a joke, but very fitting sometimes.)
Another quote from one of the Elders serving in Jihalava "A mission is just a bunch of random weird things with some spiritual stuff in between--just enough to keep you here."
Oh I copied and pasted this because it is so good:
--
Sestra Baxter
Sometimes I feel like those quotes explain my life perfectly. I have never ever ever ever ever experienced so much rejection (getting dumped, I am sure, wouldn't even phase me now) or talked to so many people that believe so contrary it what I believe and what I am here to teach. And to back up the Elder's quote, I have been in the MOST weirdest places. For example, since we aren't allowed to meet in the building alone with men this one guy want to go to this Karvana (cafe-type thing). It was like in this book store and behind this book store was this cafe. But like you sat on the floor, and I am pretty sure by the time we got done teaching that lesson we were all high. Also, I am pretty sure I had a conversion with a possessed human maybe the other day. And I could go on . . .. But that is where the song "Press forward Saints" comes into my head.
Although I have had the randomest, weirdest experiences, I have had beautiful and wonderful experiences that keep me here ;-). For example, one day after I am pretty sure we spent the whole day talking to athiests, my companion and I were walking home and there was a sweet Slovak man who was Catholic who shared his testimony with us. I was so touched, and although we might have some different beliefs, it was SO nice talking to someone who believes in God and in Christ. We have a meeting with him this week! Also, we talked to this man to makes chapels for hockey players all about the world. He also set up to meet with us. We have English every Tuesday, and this last Tuesday we were going to give this kind women who comes with her two sweet young daughters (These girls are so awesome. In English we had a question, "What is your favorite book?" They both said the Bible!) a Ukrainian Book of Morman because that is where they are from, but they didn't show up. Two days after we saw the sweet family walking on the street and were able to give it to them. Also we got to go to TREBIC for our meetings yesterday. Wow that is just such a blessed city with blessed people!
"Honor Him with Our Thoughts
“As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them” (James Allen, As a Man Thinketh).
The way we think affects the way we live. Learning to be positive, optimistic, and discerning in the way we think affects every aspect of our lives. It also has great potential to lift those around us. More importantly, choosing to think of and pray to our Heavenly Father and His Son often allows Them to influence and teach us how to live in a way that is both pleasing to Them and edifying for us. The Savior’s counsel to “pray always” and “look unto me in every thought” teaches us where to find the help we need to live a life that honors God.
Honor Him with Our Hearts
Once our minds are open and we’re in the habit of thinking of our Heavenly Father, it’s easier to notice how He’s working in our lives. When we begin to see how He’s inspiring our thoughts and blessing us, feeling His love naturally follows. Feeling His love is what gives us the desire to please Him, honor Him, and do His will.
Humility and gratitude have a way of opening us up—our minds, our eyes, and our hearts. They can also help us see just how close our Heavenly Father always is to us.
Honor Him with Our Deeds
When God is consistently in your thoughts and in your heart, there’s nothing you can’t do. Life takes on greater meaning when you begin to live your life for Him. When you hear His promptings in your mind and feel His love in your heart, you can become an instrument in His hands (see Mosiah 23:10).
There’s a scripture in the Book of Mormon that says, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). When we can hear and feel God, He will lead us to individuals who need us and can benefit from our unique talents and gifts. We honor Him when we’re willing to serve those around us.
Leave a Legacy of Honoring God
Your life can be a powerful offering to God when you fill it with selflessness, humility, and gratitude. But it can be even more than that. Your life can be a powerful legacy that you leave for your own posterity and future generations. When you’re close to God and you spend your life loving and serving Him, you can’t help but leave a legacy of honor in your wake."
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