May 23 2016

I am so blessed... I am also aware of the fact that I am so prone to complain about things that are happening in my life. I don't know how the Lord deals with me sometimes. I suppose he's got some other children who are less obidient than I am, so I guess He's actually pretty pleased with me. This transfer thus far has been absolutely rediculous... we do not deserve to be seeing the success that we're seeing. Every day we're seeing ways that the Lord is working here, with our investigators, as well as with our Members. In Church yesterday, we had some people come. We're currently working with a Less Active/Part Member Family, and now the Husband and two of the sons are on Baptismal Date. Our crazy, bolt from the blue, golden investigators M, and his wife E, are both on Baptismal Date as well. Their friend, J, has been studying the Gospel with us at their side in their home, and we've taught thus far with A, C, J, A, and V (members). I prayed for a miracle, that they would all come to church, and also that we would be able to help them to be recognized by the branch here, so that they could be supported by everyone. Not only did they come, but there were so many members who were there! A C gave a talk, J (his daughter) did as well, Priesthood meeting was great, and at the end, after Sacrament meeting and everything, I asked President Ambrož if we could ask all of our investigators who are preparing themselves to be baptized, to stand up, so that we could let everyone see that these people are preparing and they are going to need the support of the branch. He said we could. So we asked, "Everybody who is here, who is preparing themselves to be baptized on the 18th of June, please stand up." J, M, Ea, J, D, and P stood up, and we sat in silence for about 5 or 6 seconds, and then we said, "we have some new friends who are going to need our support and help to be baptized." and then we thanked them, and asked them to sit back down. I ask that we all pray for them, as they prepare. The biggest thing that we're up against right now, is that 4 of the 6 people, smoke, and are struggling to quit. Do we simply do what we feel's right, and then trust in the Lord... I don't know. That's one of the things though, I feel like we have no idea what we're doing with these people, and yet, they're progressing in the Gospel. M and E actually have 3 pictures of Temples on their wall now because that is their goal, and they understand Baptism to only be a first step. In so many ways I feel like we're flying blind, but maybe that is what the Lord is trying to teach us (me), that He is the one who's in control, and that we just need to do our best, and trust Him to do His part. We also need to trust His part, and trust His ways. I hope above all things, that the progress of these people will not be hindered by what we do as missionaries, but will be brought to pass, and I pray that we are actually helping, because, like I said, It feels like we're flying blind. I've never been this far with any investigator, let alone 6 of them all at the same time. This transfer is nuts, and it's the best ever. Sooooo Busy. I hope that we're doing what we need to, and I hope that our efforts are enough, to see the miracles and tender mercies of the Lord That's all for now, currently we have 6 people on Baptismal Date, and they are progressing really well. Tonight we're going to watch the Restoration Film with the H, they're that Family, with 3 kids. By the way, when they came to church yesterday, they brought their oldest son (3 yrs old), and he behaved himself incredibly. Also, really quick, Check out the front Page of LDS.ORG, OUR MISSION IS ON THERE, TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST STAKE OF ZION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC! WITH A VIDEO! Love you all! we'll email again next week, Čau for now! Elder Dean

More Photos from the historic conference.

Ceske Budejovice District

May 16 2016

I won't mess around, This weekend we had our historic Conference, wherein the Czech Republic recieved her first Stake of Zion, and this is a HUGE deal for Everyone here! The entire church in the Czech Republic has been under the direction of one man at any given time ever sinse the church was origionally organized here over 20 years ago. The guy in charge of the church here, for the last three years, has been, President McConkie, my Mission President. President McConkie has two major roles here in this country. He is the Mission President, and he is the President OF THE CHURCH here. Everything Church, must go through him, period. This means that he has a big role. Anything that has to do with callings like Branch President, District President, Church Finances, or anything Chruch must go through him. That means that a lot of his time is devoted to helping the members, and other church leaders here in the country. And that is one of the reasons why we can only have around 80 missionaries in this mission. At one point, during a training a while back, President McConkie told us, his missionaries, "I don't want these keys, they're heavy!" And this has been his vision ever since he became the Mission President just under 3 years ago. This weekend we had the Conference. We had the first session on Saturday in a really nice Hotel, the Hotel has a HUGE room for conferences (convenient), and the church rented it out for the Conference. We saw members from all over the Czech Republic coming and asembling together for this amazing occasion, and I specifically remember seeing the Večeřovi... they're the Branch President and his family in Zlin, Rememeber Zlin? That was my first city, I served there my first transfer, and while I was there, I couldn't understand anything anybody was saying. All of my communication with members was done in fear for the fact that I didn't understand anything anybody was saying, ever. Well now, Now I was seeing them again, after nearly 8 months, and I was able to actually talk to the people that I had grown to love! So the Saturday conference was good. The General Authority who came was President Uchdorf, and he came because he was actually Born in the Czech Republic, so he came and established the first stake. On Saturday, we didn't actually talk about the stake at all. President Uchdorf simply shared with us his Testimony, and talked about the importance of maintaining faith, and growing steadily. Like an oak, he would tell us, grows quite slowly, however they are known for being very strong. "that is like you" he would tell us. On Sunday, was the REAL Conference... this was the Big one. The Church rented out the nicest place for the conference imaginable. This Conference session took place in a Massive Theatre on an Island in the River in Prague. This place is HUGE and waling in, with members everywhere, and the spirit just getting us all excited, it felt like walking into a Temple Lobby. We dropped off our Bags and other things in the lobby, the people who worked at the building took them and labled them, and then brought them into the back just like if you were going to some nice opera or something. We walked up the stairs, turned the corner to come into the main room, wherein were hundereds of chairs set up, and everything was red and gold and there were huge stained glass windows in the back, and up front, was the stage, big bass colored curtains, and a long table, behind the table were a bunch of chairs for all of the people to sit who had a part in the program. We all got in there, and there was so much noise because everyone was once again so excited to see each other. Several previous missionnaries returned this weekend just to see this conference, as well as past Mission Presidents. President McConkie eventually got up and told us all to be quiet, and then we all eventually got seated. Just as people around us were still talking, Elder Marccuci and I were waiting patiently... and then I looked to the doors next to the stage, up front, and I saw them open, and then I just knew President Uchdorf was coming in... as I saw his face appear, I stood up, and nobody else was standing... but I stayed standing, soon enough, people got the message as they turned to see President Uchdorf walking up to his seat, and then the rest of the conference stood up too. kinda funny. In this Conference, President McConkie conducted, and there was a sustaining to have the first stake on zion in the Czech Republic, and then they announced the names of the Stake President, and his counselors. The three of them were asked to stand, and they were sustained. Then, a very spiritual moment, when the Patriarch... The first ever Czech Patriarch was called, and gasps were heard throughout the entire conference. The new Stake President had actually visited our Branch here in CBud just a week before, he had given a talk, he had previously had a district presidency calling, now to be the first Stake President. His name, President Pilka. At the time we had no idea that he would be the Stake President. I guess that makes two times now where I've been around people before their new callings had been arounced... first was President Pohořilictky, and now the new Stake President. This conference was incredible, President Uchdorf talked about the oak trees again, and he talked about the blessings and the benefits of having a stake. I'm out of time, but long story short, we've got a stake, and it's super awesome. So we're happy that President McConkie's going to be able to give most of those keys to the new Stake President. President Uchdorf told us that Origionally, a different apostle was assigned to go and establish this stake, but that while he was in the temple with President Monson, President Monson told him that HE should go instead, and so... here he was. I love you all, and I'm happy to send home such good news. Čau! Starší Dean

May 15 2016 A Stake in Czech Republic!

May 9 2016

I guess I'll just start by saying that it was really a treat to get to talk to you all Yesterday. It was 4:30pm my time when I started the skype call... I knew that it would be about 8:30 in the morning for you guys. It was great to see your faces, and to hear your voices. I found myself praying last night, after coming home from the skype calling... praying, for dinner with Elder Marccuci, and in my prayer I realized that you had probably just gotten home from church. I remember thinking for a second, "nice, just got home from church, the'll just give me a call and..." and then I remembered that I won't skype you again for several months. For the first time in several months, I had a little drop of homesickness, but then I remembered where I was, what I was doing, who I am, and all that... and I'm fine now, but that little drop, touched me. I wonder if I wasn't supposed to feel that drop for a second, to remind me that I did give up a lot to be here. Remembering that fact, that I gave up a lot to be here, helps me to want to give everything I've got while I am here. I love my mission, and I cannot wait to see what will come still. The experiences I have and am having here are priceless to me, and I wouldn't trade them. From the Joy, to the tears, this is truly the Lord's work. I am so happy that Kennedy is strengthening her Testimony about the reality of the Gospel. Learning to grow up spiritually is a hard thing to do... believe me, I cry at least once a week out here... throwing spiritual trantrums for an ever so patient Father in Heaven. Here's an example, Me: "Heavenly Father, please help me to know Christ better." A trial comes and I come whining: "Heavenly Father, why are these things happening to me? I am only trying to become more like your Son Jesus Christ, life's supposed to be improving when I live the Gospel!" Then, two weeks later, I recieve some personal revelation: "Elder Dean, Have you ever considered Christ's life before?" Me: "I guess not..." Heavenly Father: "Well... His life was really hard... People didn't really like him... They actually killed him, remember?" Me: "Oh yeah... Hmm..." Heavenly Father: ". . . . " Me: "So, I guess that means that, If I ask you to help me understand the Savior better, I will likely have to UNDERSTAND Him better." Heavenly Father: "There ya go..." (Heavenly Father has a Sense of Humor I think... rather... I know He does.) Kennedy, I love you, keep up the good work, and throw away the bad work. I can see you're growing so much. Good Job! I am so happy that Claire is strengthening her Testimony and has a desire to attend the Temple. Claire, I am so proud of you, and I love you so much. You have three older siblings, maybe sometimes you feel like you are the last... but that is not true, I love you sooooo much, and I am sooo happy to hear that you will be going to the Temple to do Baptisms next year! Whenever Mom takes Clayton or Kennedy to do Baptisms, you can still go, and you can wait there in the Lobby upstairs... I know that you want to go down into the font area, but if you want to be at the Temple, Claire, just imagine how much your Heavenly Father also wants you to be there! I promise that if you go to the temple with Mom when she goes with Clayton to do Baptims, and you wait in the lobby, I promise you that you will be able to feel your Heavenly Father telling you, "Thank you Claire for coming, I want you to be here, and you are always welcome in My House, I love you so much!" Claire... Jesus said, "let your Children come unto me, and forbid them not." Please don't let your age stop you from going to the Temple. If you go anyway, I promise you that your Heavenly Father will MAKE SURE that you feel Him CLOSE TO YOU. I am so happy that Clayton is growing up so fast! Clayton, the Gospel is the only thing in the world that you can study for the rest of your life and never feel like you conpletely grasp it, but it's always worth it because life just gets better the more you apply the Gospel. This is an Eternal Gospel, and God sends Mortal men and women to go teach it... that'd be like dad sending you to fly to Oregon and do a Carhart Install all by yourself after never having done it before. I know that the Goepel it true, and Clayton, I want you to go READ Alma Chapter 32, which Talks about FAITH... and how Faith is like a Seed. You are absolutely right, Faith is like a seed... and the Book of Mormon talks about that... exacly how you described it, like a seed. Love you all, I gotta go. Till next week, Love you and remember our Heavenly Father has a plan, just be willing to follow it. Čau! Starší Connor Dean

May 2 2016

So I'm staying here in CBud. Elder Pickett and is going to be serving in the Office in Prague. It was actually quite interesting. I was sitting in the shower one day before we recieved transfer calls, and I was thinking about what would be happening, and while I was thinking, I began to pray, that I would be able to know the condition of my District for next transfer... while I was praying, I had a thought come to me, "Elder Marccuci is coming to CBud, and Sister Demann is leaving, and Sister Manners is staying here in CBud too, and she's going to be training a Greenie." After I recieved the thought, I kept it, and I didn't think much of it... Transfer Calls came on Saturday night, and Elder Pickett received his, and then He handed the phone to me. I said, "hello!" and heard President McConkie, "hello Elder Dean! You ready for Transfer calls?!" "Yeah I'm ready" I said. then President McConkie said, "okay, Elder Dean, you're staying in Cbud, and your next companion in going to be Elder Marccuci." I then realized what was happening, and then I said, "I totally knew it! And Sister Manners in Training!" to which President replied, "Haha you Got it!" I think I was able to recieve this type of revelation because I'm the District Leader... interesting. anyway, here's my letter to President McConkie. ..................................................................................... Dear President, I'm so happy that I am here in České Budějovice with Elder Marcucci, and I feel like it was such a tender mercy that Heavenly Father revealed to me before Transfer Calls who I would be serving with, and the state of my District. I don't feel like I used that Revelation appropriately, seeing as I simply have told a lot of people about it, and I hope I'll be forgiven of that quickly. My Father in Heaven is so merciful to me, and I am so grateful that I am just here, serving my mission. Elder Marcucci just told me today on the Train, "Elder Dean, you're almost half way done with your mission, can you believe that?" I cannot believe how much my heart aches to hear that. I suddenly found myself asking, "Have I done Anything to help this mission? Am I doing what I've been sent here to do? I am already about 1/2 of the way through my mission and I have not helped ANYONE come closer to christ... at least, none of our Investigators. Some have been Dropped, some have stayed pretty much the same. Others have been found, but then dropped. President, I know that It shouldn't matter what happens on my mission, if I help people or not, because if I at least TRY to do the right thing, and live correctly, everything will work out in the end. I'm excited to be begining this new transfer with Elder Marccuci, The members here are all excited to see him, they all remember his Uncle serving here, and they all want to meet Elder Marccuci. Elder Marccuci is making a difference here in CBud, and he's not even met the members yet. This Gospel it True, and I cannot deny that. I am so honored to be serving with you Presidnet, you are such a strong and powerful priesthood holder! You have become a 2nd Father to me, and no doubt to all of the other missionaries who have ever served in this mission. That's a lot of missionaries. There have been a myriad of missionaries who have helped the Church here to get to this point. Speaking about the upcoming Conference, you told us, "Good Job." but in so many ways, I know you were also thanking all of those missionaries who have served in this mission. I have no right to come to you and whine about how I feel, because we're all bound to succeed some day, those of us who strive to succeed. I know that you are so loved by so many people, and I know that your Father in Heaven loves you and your Family. I wish I could do more for this mission, and I wish I could do more for you, and I always wish I could do more for the Lord. Sincerely, Elder Dean ...................................................................................