April 18 2017

So first things first, I just want to apologize to my family for not emailing yesterday. The entire Czech Republic was shut down today, and we were told to push our Preparation Days to the day after. That means today. This last week has been a good one. I must say that spending Easter in another country, as a missionary, has helped me to understand at least a little better, why we have Easter. On Thursday, the Czechs celebrated the beginning of the Easter season. Due to the large number of Catholic believers, and due to the Catholic church being one of the only churches in the Czech Republic, the Czechs celebrated Green Thursday, Good Friday, (something) Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Each of these days leading up to Easter is to remind the people celebrating about why we have easter. Each day is associated with several things leading up to the Savior's crucifixion, burial, and Resurrection. I didn't have the opportunity to participate in any of the catholic traditions, nor did I want to, and all the things we did participate in were with our members. But it is good to see that the Czech people, even though they claim to be extremely atheist, they are actually quite religious. I recently began thinking more about the Savior. During district meeting, we silently studied the scriptures and at the end, we had a testimony meeting. Each member of the district bore his or her testimony of the Savior. I was surprised to find that I was having a difficult time remembering my testimony of the Savior. I of course know that it is there, I know that I have one, but when I bore my testimony, it was more of me just saying what I know, but I wasn't really feeling it. I have since thought more about where my testimony is, and what I need to do to strengthen it, and keep it, and be constantly improving and never regressing. I took time to look back and think of as many times as I could remember when the Savior stood by me, and I knew it. I could think of many. I also thought of times when I felt like my relationship with the Savior, and with my Heavenly Father were the strongest. I realized that those times when my relationship with my Heavenly Father was the strongest, were on my mission. I remember a talk from a recent General Conference, wherein we're asked, "can you remember when you felt to sing the song of redeeming love, and can you feel so now?" I have been asking myself, "can I feel so now?" I am sad to say that I have not been feeling that strong desire to sing that song of Redeeming Love recently, but I am happy that I have come to the realization that I want to sing it more. I want to be closer to my Heavenly Father, and to my Savior. I want to feel like they are my friends, that I can go to them whenever, and about whatever. I remember while I was in CBud, I was challenged to pray every night, out loud. to just speak to my Heavenly Father, and to just talk to Him. I remember how I did that, and how much it helped me. I want to do that again, and I want to work towards being able to sing the songs of praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation once again with a full heart, and with an eye single to the Glory of God. Yesterday, Monday, our whole district got together, and we all gathered in Prostejov, where we visited the home of each member. We all met up in the morning, because the Czech tradition is for all the men to leave the house Easter Monday morning, and to go to visit other people, neighbors, friends, family, and to get candy for the kids. Kind of like trick or treating for us. The other part of this Czech Easter tradition is for the men to carry these vine whips made out of willow branches, and upon arriving at the home of another person, would whip the women below the waist with the willow branches, supposing to symbolize the living willow branches giving life and youth to the women. Interesting... But that is the tradition, and I remember calling the Mission President, "So President, uh... what are we, and what aren't we allowed to participate in for Easter?" He simply just said, "no whiping, stay away from large groups of people, there are going to be a looottt of drunk people." So we traveled around as a district, four Elders and two Sisters so the Sisters were safe with us while out walking around town. We visited the home of Every Active member in Prostejov, and they were all supposed to be surprise visits, but for some reason, 90 percent of the members were expecting us to visit them! We visited the Matlovi first. they gave us some super pretty painted Czech Eggs, hollowed out, and good for decoration. Then we visited a young member who usually lives in Prague, however she was home with her parents for the weekend so that was good. Then we visited the Slezarovi, he used to be the branch president, and they are the family with three kids who all have red hair. they are soooo cool. Then we visited the branch president's home, and his wife was not feeling too well, so we just dropped by and said hello. At each member's home, we sang, and read scriptures about the savior. I just want to end this email by saying that I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven, who is willing to reach out to me and say, "my son, I love you, and I wish not for you to be any more distant from me than you now are, and I want for us to have a lasting and more powerful relationship, one that will carry you through the trials that are soon to come in your life. I have led you, and I do lead you, but I am not a God of fear, I am your loving Heavenly Father, and you are my son." I am so happy that my Heavenly Father sees fit for me to see at this time, that I need to have a stronger relationship with Him, and with His son. Just as an ending thought... I was reading in the new Testament today. I came across a verse talking about the Wise man, who built his house upon a rock. On this occasion, some words sprang out this time that were more express than others. The words were to this effect: "This shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock, and the rains came, and the winds came, and the waters came and [they] beat upon the house, but it did stand, because it was founded upon a rock. " Now... I was thinking about this, and I realized that my relationship with my Heavenly Father is not weak, so much as I am just being "beat upon" constantly by the adversary, but I have somewhat forgotten that relationship. and now I have realized that, and now I can work on it, and I am so grateful for that. I love you all, and I know that the Savior lives. He IS REAL. Anybody who is feeling like they are not good enough, or anybody who may feel like their relationship with their Heavenly Father is not as good as it should be, or anybody who may feel like they are the only people who struggle with these type of things, Please take comfort, and know, that there is a missionary over here, who is doing the Lord's work every single day, and still sometimes has a hard time feeling the Lord near... I don't say this to discourage you, but to remind us all, that we live in a life of Trial, and we are to learn Patience and Faith on the Lord. He is there, He walks with us, and He offers us Peace... Sometimes we need to just get out of ourselves, and come to Him. Praying alone sometimes is not enough. He expects a lot more out of us. We are His Children after all... He expects a change of Heart, not just a change of Behavior. The Lord will never discourage you, don't suppose that which is evil to be of the Lord, for none of those attributes are of Him. He will encourage and uplift, inspire and comfort. If you have desires to do good, and to be the Son or Daughter of God that you truly are, THAT is good enough to come to Him, the Savior, and to begin to let Him change you. I continue to sin, I end up kicking myself nearly every single day, and I find myself pleading with the Lord for forgiveness... If you find yourself repenting due to fear, stop it, re-evaluate, and then repent out of love, not out of fear. Listen to conference, and learn more about this principle if you are confused. I love you all, and I will send some pictures now. s Laskou, Starsi Dean