Transfer 7: September 26, 2016

I have been thinking lately about the concept of happiness, and what it is. Why are we happy, and what do we call happiness? What is happiness? I would invite everyone to think about this and ask yourself, What is Happiness? I love my mission. that is a fact. Don't ask me why though, its one of the most difficult things to try to describe. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I one again fell short to get a lot of pictures. Here's the thing, in CBUD it was litterally one of THE BIGGEST tourist places in the world, so I was getting pictures every week, and several pictures at that. any pictures that I get out here are simply pictures, in the appartment, in the church building, with somebody after a lesson or maybe I can sneak in getting a pictures during the day of some cool things. The missionary white handbook says that we should never look like a tourist, and we've been asked to use cameras mainly on P-Day, so for me to take pictures during procelyting is technically disobedient. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week we helped a member family, the Ekkerts, build a dresser in their appartment. Brother Ekkert is from the United States, and he married a czech. They live here now, and he doesnt't speak a lick of czech... their kids are learning both Czech and English. It's the funniest thing hearing little kids speaking english again, Iemme tell ya, it's really weird to hear children speak english over here. After helping brother Ekkert, they let us stay over for dinner, it's funny because we speak only english with him, and we speak english with his wife, but whenever we only talk to her, we speak Czech haha! on Thursday we travelled (slept on the bus) to Brno for Zone Conference. It was a good feeling for me to be back in the zone that I started in. I love the Brno church building. Zone Training was godo, we talked and learned about how to teach people who do not believe in God. These type of people should be taught to know who God is. The base of Everything that we do and teach is one foundational principle, "God is our Loving Heavenly Father" without this, the Atonement, The Savior, The Plan of Salvation, Prayer, Baptism, Repentance, and other things would become far less significant. When people first begin to believe in God, it is essential that They begin to immediately picture in their mind a Father figure, because without this, the image becomes that of simply an "energy" or "being" and that at once becomes mysterious and confuzing. There is power in knowing that we are Children of God, On Friday all of our lessons fell through, so we went tracting, or at least that was the plan, as soon at we started a man told us to leave the appartment complex, we told him that we have the right to do what we're doing, and he still refused to let us tract. It's funny though how much people feel our authority because the man suddenly got really afraid when Elder Andersen asked him, "Pane, Jak se jmenujete?" (Mister, what's your name?) "me? Uh, wh.. why me? who are you?" he responded. we still were kicked out of the building unfortunately. On our walk back, we met two people walking in the opposite direction, it was a man and a woman from Africa. When we stopped them, we started speaking czech and the man said, "where are you from?" in english, which threw us off a bit. We told them and told them about who we are and stuff. They clarified that they hated people who believe in God, because we always are trying to force other people to believe what we believe. We clarified that we simply invite people (if they feel like we're making them, that's a lie, the spirit does all the pushing and convincing). And then we just talked, and showed them that not all believers are violent and biased towards other beliefs and oppinions. We are simply trying to do what we believe and feel is right. They opened up after that. In the middle of the conversation, I got punched square in the back, and I stumbled forward, almost falling into the guy. I turn around and standing there is Opposition Lady (we've pretty much offically named her this now). She growled like a dog under her breath and then attempted to spit on me. pretty sure she missed... pretty sure. and then she walked passed us, and the guy and the girl who we were talking to just stood there dumbfounded. As Opposition Lady was walking away, the guy who we were talking to called out to her, "Hey, what was that for?!" She didn't respond. I got my bag and everything situated again and then looked up to them with a knot in my throat and said, "I don't know everything, but I do know this, that there is a God in Heaven, and He loves us, and He loves you, and It doesn't matter what happens to us, we are here to tell you this because it is true. I know it is true." I don't know why God allows these type of things to happen, but I believe that it touched these people's hearts to see how we reacted to opposition, they were in fact blaming us for being violent as missionaries, trying to "convince" people, but they were able to see how we reacted in the face of opposition and violence. I believe it touched their hearts. On Saturday we had Weekly Planning, it was a very long weekly planning. One of the men we're teaching is a Seventh Day Adventist Minister. It is very humble of him to allow two ministers of another faith come and teach him so we treat him with a lot of respect. We both feel like he knows that the Book of Mormon is true, but if the Book of Mormon IS true, that would mean that he would have to give up his Job, his career, his dream, his faith, and his friends, and possibly some extended family. This man is deeply passionate about his current faith, believeing that everything must be proved through the bible, and that nothing else is the word of God. He says that whenever he does anything and is not sure about it, he will compare it with "the Word of God", which he defines to mean the Bible, and absolutely nothing else. We've determined that with him, we're going to allow the spirit to do the heavy lifting. The Lord declared, " I am able to do mine own work, and I will hasten my work in it's time.". We have counciled with the Lord and we now know that He wants to fight His own battles with this guy. We're going to be doing a lot of testifying. On Sunday, we had a man come visit from the Stake High Council. He spoke about Happiness and how we can obtain it, and what it means to be happy. It's explained in greater detail in my letter to President this week. anyway. I got some more pictures from Elder Andersen, I'll sent them, they're good from a companion's camera because I'm in more of them. and I know that you like me to be in pictures. So here ya go. Love you Mom. I love this work, and there is a lot of power in chosing to see the good around us. I've learned that it's very easy to see only the things that trouble us, but if we just lift our eyes to the only one who gives us light, he will help us to see great things, and He will help us to overcome any obstical. I also would like you to consider the Savior, and what He has done and what He is doing, right now, as you read this. What does He think of you, you might be suprized what you find. The Gospel is Beautiful! in one of these photos we were in a park with a bunch of kids, they were playing Ninja, it's a game where you have to try to hit everyone's hands to get them out, but it's turned base, if you are confuzed, ask Kennedy, I'm sure she knows the game, classic. We met them in the park after drawing something with Chalk about the plan of Salvation. S Láskou, Starší Dean​

Transfer 7: September 19,2016

This week I want to talk about some things, I always feel like I never get enough time to write what I really want to. I awlays take time to do other things, I am going to do everything I can to get everything down right now. I love my Companion, his name is Elder Ethan Andersen, he is from Utah, and he is awesome! He is so knowledgable about the scriptures, and he is currently reading the old testament. He is teaching me things about the scriptures that I had no idea about! not to mention, he is spiritually so strong and listens to the promptings of the spirit. I am constantly impressed with his strength as a child of God and his stability in the Gospel. He is humble and he has imense faith, enough for us to push for goals that normally are not possible in this mission, but because of our faith, the Lord has promised miracles among us. This transfer is starting out great, we had a burst of inspiration about what we want to accomplish, I remember when I first arrived here, Elder Andersen turned to me and just stuck out his hand, all five fingers he had, and I read his lips as he silently said, "five". At first I was not sure what that meant, "Five", I was unsure, but I was sure of one thing, I wanted to make this transfer a transfer where I would use the skills that Heavenly Father has built up within me during my mission. I was sooo pumped and ready to just get to work and kick some spiritual butt. As soon and Elder Andersen and I got the chance to sit down and discuss our personal goals and visions for this transfer, we found out very quickly that this transfer is going to be Big. I found out that Elder Andersen had done some praying, and seeking revelation for our area, which the transfer before had been run by 4 missionaries, now, with Elder Andersen and I, it is only the two of us. The Lord saw fit to pull out the two other missionaries and just let us two run this area, so our area just doubled in size. that means that we have both of the phones as well as a bonus. As Elder Andersen was praying, he recieved what he later confirmed to be revelation that the Lord is praparing 5 people to be baptized this transfer, and that if we do everything that is in our power, the lord will do wonders among us. As a companionship we decided by revelation that we each prayed for, and with discussion and conscious effort to listen to the voice of the spirit, we have decided that the Lord wishes for us to assist Him in his work to achieve this end of helping five people come to the covenant of baptism by doing two things. First, we will do everything that we possibly can to work together with this branch, which is quite strong, to bring those who are seeking truth into the gospel. This Branch in its current state is strong and stable enough to support five more converts and to integrate them enough and successfully by the end of this transfer. The Second Thing, is that we are committing ourselves to a challenge, to be consciously doing everything and anything that the Lord wants us to do. If there is a time when the Lord wants us to do somethings spesific, we trust that He will guide us to this end. We concluded our plans by creating several goals for Elder Andersen and I to work on together throughout the transfer that will help us towards achieving our main two goals. As soon as we began to implement our plans, The power of God became very powerful in our work, as we both have felt His presence in our midst, and knowing that we are actively working with people beyond the veil, in seeing things happen that we just know that it could not have happened any other way, we know that the Lord is acting by way of His power among us because of our Faith in Him. As a result and as a by-product, the Adversary has also been pushing us more than I have ever experienced before on my mission. It is quite strange really, I feel more empowered than ever before, but also I feel more opposed than ever before. This opposition has even come to make itself manifest in the form of a Woman, a woman who we see almost every other day. This woman was first met my first day here in this area, although we were not aware at the time that she would become the outward expression of opposition that we see today. When my bus arrived in this area, I got off with my suitcases, and Elder Merrill, my District Leader helped me and my companion to get my bags to the apartment. Elder Merrill ran into this woman when he was talking to somebody before grabbing my bags. This woman walked over to him (he says), and just looked at him. As he talked to her, he noticed that she was not talking at all, just standing there. Suddenly she spit on the ground in front of Elder Merrill, and then walked away. Elder Andersen and I ran into her a few days later when we were on our way to a tracting location. We were walking on the side walk, and then this woman (who we were seeing for the first time) came around the corner on roller blades. Elder Andersen and I were just talking, and then we started hearing somebody again of us just yelling at us at the top of her lungs. I looked up to see this woman just rolling towards us on her roller blades, her hands hug at her sides stiff like a board, looking me right in the eyes, and just yelling at us. When she got close, I split off to the side thinking that maybe she just wanted us to get out of the way, she turned and started roller blading right towards me. When she got to me, still yelling, she pulled back both her arms and then rammed into me punching me in the chest with both arms. As I stumbled back, I saw as she then turned to my companion and as she rolled up to him, reached back and then punched Elder Andersen right in the face, but she slipped a little on her roller blades and only clocked his chin a little. I approached and got between her and my companion, and then she backed away. We turned around and started walking away, and she just kept yelling at us and we walked away. Since this incident, we have seen her three more times, our mission president is aware, no problem, and one of these times, we were in an entirely different city, we were in Zlín for District Meeting, and she crossed the street where we were and started getting angry at us but before she got to us our district leader informed us to get out of there so we left. The Adversary is very aware of what we're trying to do, and the fact is that he's going to and is losing. I'm out of time, I've gotta go, but I just want everyone to know a little more about what is going on over here, and I want everyone to know that I know tha tthe Gospel is true. S Láskou, Starší Dean

Transfer 7: September 12, 2016

I would write more but I actually have to go. very quickly, We created our transfer vision, and we both think that we can, if we do everything that Heavenly Father expects of us, we can help five people come to the covenant of baptism this transfer. We have prayed about this and have come of with a series of goals to help us to achieve this. The Branch here is the strongest branch that I have ever seen. I have served in many small branches, and this one had TWO young men passing the sacrament! Yesterday was my first sunday here, I was asked to translate for a few visitors from the States who came to visit their czech family members, and as I was sitting in the back of the chappel translating into a microphone for the people who were wearing headsets so that they could hear what was happening in english, they called out over the pulpit, "we have a new missionary today, we're inviting him up to share his testimony" So that's what I did. It was awesome. this branch here was the first place the church was organized in the czech republic, and so the members here have a long history. Truly it is an honor serving here. This branch has a very strong organization, the branch ran just fine of sunday when the branch president wasn't here. This branch even has a Branch Missionary, her name is Sister Huťková. I will send a few pictures, just lerned also that we will not be driving, that is a relief for me.

Transfer 7: September 5. 2016

I sit here at a computer in the library here in Uherské Hradíště, a city not too far from my first city, Zlín. As a matter of fact, Uherské Hradíště is actually in the Zlín District. I remember that my first District meeting ever was actually here in Uherské Hradíště. I'm going to refer to this city as UH, just like I refered to České Budějovice as CBud. It is such an awesome opportunity to be able to serve here, I'll be able to go to some district meetings in Zlín, so that means I'll likely get to see some old friends, that is soooo fun! I am no longer the District leader, I'll be serving with Elder Anderson. Our District Leader will be Elder Merrill. He is in Zlín and both he and Elder Anderson came to the mission at the same time. They are both one transfer behind me, and Elder Merrill will be training a new missionary in Zlín. I will be the oldest missionary in this district... that hurts. As we sit here emailing, Elder Anderson just recieved a Text from the Office Elders informing us that we will need to get Drivers Licenses because we'll be having a car here in UH. That's a scary thought at first... Elder Anderson is an amazing missionary, I have seen that he is very tallented, he bought a Violin here in the mission field and has been teaching himself in his free time. He can already play some hymns! UH has always had two companionships over this city, but for some reason, They are shutting down one of the areas, and that means that it's only going to be Elder Anderson and I here. that means that our district is only going to be 4 missionaries. 2 in Zlín, and 2 here in UH. When it comes time for Training, we'll likely have to drive to Brno ourselves. To be completely Honest, I'm a little scared to start driving around here, but, if that's what the Lord wants, I guess that is what is going to happen. I can be happy about that. Driving is fun! I left CBud this morning at 7:00am, by bus, and then I arrived in Brno 2,5 hours later. I thought that the bus was going to stop at the main bus station in Brno, but it actually only stopped at some random bus stop right next to the Train Station. I had to ask for directions and drag my four super heavy suitcases around for about 25 minutes before I made it to the main but station. I prayed that I would get help, while dragging my suitcases, and then a lady stopped, and looked at me and said, "what are you doing?" (in czech). I explained, and then she took one of my suitcases and helped direct me to the Bus Station. She showed me how I could more easily pull all three suitcases at a time, and then she went her way. Just another example of the many miracles that we see daily as missionaries. After getting to the Main Bus Station, I found that a Bus to UH was just about to leave, that worked out perfectly. ...................................... Yesterday we had the awesome opportunity to see the Temple rededication. It was the Temple in Frieberg Germany, and although we didn't get to actually go to Germany, we were able to go to the chapel in Prague, and the Chapel had become a temple, only for those 247 hours, and nobody was let in unless they had a temple recommend. As I walked in, a man asked me in czech if I had my recommend, I showed it to him, and then he said, "Vytáme vás na Chram" (Welcome to the temple). As I walked in, the spirit was so palpable, it was very quiet as everybody sat watching the screen of the broadcast from Frieberg. When I was seated, I began to rest from the journey from CBud, and I becan to stop sweating haha... I realized bit by bit that I was litterally sitting in, at that time, the temple. As I sat there waiting for the program to start, the spirit came over me and I knew that I had completed the assignment that the Lord wanted me to complete in CBud, and I felt my Heavenly Father's love for me, and I felt that He was pleased with me. I remembered the beauty of the Gospel, as the hymn hummed through the air from the organ, "I will follow God's plan for me" The world was left outside, here I was at home, in a small chapel on the other side of the world, I was at home, this was the feeling of Heavenly Home, and the feeling of the spirit was pure, no other influences or distractions. This was the home of my Savior, and I felt that I was a guest, and not only a guest, but I felt that My Heavenly Father was So happy to have me there. An honorary guest in the house of the Lord. The program was great, but this experience before the program began, as we sat there and just prepared for the program, was what my Heavenly Father knew that I needed. On the Bus today, travelling alone of course, I thought about my life experiences and considered on the beauty of the Gospel. I remembered back to the times when I was young, especially those times when my Siblings were just born. I remembered sitting in a hospital chair in the corner of some room, my parrents handing me my little Brother, or my little Sister. Holding them in my arms, I always cried although at the time I don't think I trully understood why. Thinking about this I considered the pain a child must feel, taking his or her first breath, how much new lungs full of dry air must burn those first several minutes. The Spirit having come from the Presence of our Heavenly Parents, into a world where they are ready to give it anything and everything they've got, and the first thing they feel, is pain. But they are fighters, these are children of God we're talking about here, they have just acted in immense faith to come into their second estate. The spirit bears record of the divine heratige. I am so grateful for the knowledge that the Lord's Work and Glory is to bring to pass the Immortality and Eternal Life of man. Right now, the world population verses church membership calculates to be about 0.02 Percent. 0.02 percent of the world population are members of the church. Our Father in Heaven has a perfect plan to make it all work out, and how privdleged we are to be a part of that 0.02percent, to have the opportunity to serve, and to help to bring to pass the Immortality and Eternal Life of man. This Gospel is a Beautiful thing. Oh how the Lord takes us in our weak and frail state and changes us to become Sons and Daughters of the Most High God. We have no need to fear. for this we'll sing, and we'll shout, with the armies of Heaven, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb! Elder Dean