Week 28: Absolute Drench

Last Wednesday, we welcomed a new missionary, Sister Curtis, to Slovakia, and her first area is Trenčín.  What luck.  On the bus ride to her apartment, I told the lady next to us that Sister Curtis is fresh from America.  The lady asked how long the plane ride was, to which Sister Curtis replied, "A year and a half."  Oh my, she'll learn sooner or later.

We learn from the Book of Mormon that if you pray, but you don't have a sincere heart with the intent to act, "your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing" (Alma 34:28).  I don't know whether this is just a missionary problem, but sometimes it is really hard to stay awake during morning prayers.  I realized that I cannot have a sincere heart with the intent to act if I'm sleeping.  To add purpose to my prayers, I pray with a pen and my study journal before me.  If it's an evening prayer, I review the day, thanking Heavenly Father for things and asking for ways to improve.  If it's a morning prayer, I think of the goals I want to set for that day, asking Heavenly Father for help in accomplishing them.  I write the inspiration I get in my journal and study about it in the scriptures during my next study session.  

It's not New York pizza, but it's something.

Zelenáč

First time trying Kofola is never the best (it's an acquired taste.)

He likes taking pictures of ice cream.

If you wanted to know what Slovakia looked like, now you know.

Panelák tracting

Bednár is a československý name. One of our apostles, Elder Bednar, has Slovak origins and once upon a time came to Slovakia, looking for his ancestors. His nephew served in this mission, and his name is written all over the area books.

Cellar of Sister Alžbeta

[Mary:  middle column, fifth word down that starts with "A" is Aillery.  Name underneath starting with "P" is Raymond.  I remember just enough from my one semester of Russian at BYU to read that.  Kak gela means "How's it going?"]

We all get a lecture from Leo about Ukrainian/Russian.

That's the face that says, "I'm about to destroy you in two turns." I won't tell you whose face I'm talking about.

Why can't this family just move to Slovakia so church can be this big every week? (Plus Leo Slav-squatting)

Nice.

In the heaviest rain I had ever witnessed, walking through a relatively deep puddle didn't soak my sock, because I was already drenched past the point of no return. Umbrellas would have done us no good with the heavy rain combined with strong winds. If you've ever taken a cold shower with all your clothes on, you know how it feels.

If you look closely, you can see water pouring out of my shoes.