4 Dec 2016

HELLO AMERICA!

Elder Platter and I are getting along pretty well. Everyone said that we were like the same person, and it's pretty true. We even look like each other, and we are the two shortest elders in the whole mission! Go team. He certainly is different than Elder Berlin. The first thing is that he really doesn't like hitting the streets like Elder Berlin did. So it's pretty relaxed. I feel kind of off, though, not talking to people nearly as much as I did... We're coming up with a lot of ways to talk with people, which is nice, but we're not really doing anything bout it. Like, in the last week, we've spent a total of two hours finding people. It was also the slowest week I've had here, too. I think we need to talk to people more. His Polish is really good, though. He knows a lot. And everyone else agrees that I'll be staying here for a while, too, but I'm ok with that- I really want to start seeing this branch progress!

Man, New Years Eve was WILD! We had to go in at 5:00 because it was too dangerous outside, but I'm pretty sure that's the norm everywhere, but we decided to set our alarms at 11:58 to experience the new year, and then go to sleep, but it sounded like a war outside. I don't think there's any laws concerning fireworks here, so they were going off right outside our apartment, and there were just explosions constantly for like, half an hour straight, and there were screams of people who were celebrating the countdown, sirens going off of the many ambulances helping people, and our room was just totally bright. A little more intense than back home, that's for sure. And the scale y'all're thinking is probably much less than it was. It was INSANE!

We do have fast and testimony meeting. Usally all the missionaries will get up and say something, but the members are pretty good at getting up. I think they don't really get the point of it when there's so few people. At least, that's what they've said. I just really want them to spend one sunday at our ward in Utah, and show them how great church is when it grows, and that we just need to stick it out for a bit longer! 

We haven't been able to meet with any of our investigators still because of the Holidays, but things have been going along nicely. And I would like to send out a formal apology for not being the happiest-sounding in the e-mails. But Poland is a sad place. We meet people from out of country, and they tell us how great it is to actually see a smile on someone. But all of you must know- I'm not feeling down. I don't want to leave here. Because we need to show these people the light and happiness that this gospel actually brings people. Because I've seen what happens to people when they accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is something that should bring people to frolicking and jumping on the streets! Because it's something that makes all the bad and sad things that have ever happened here and to the people nothing.

So yeah, I'll try to look at the good things more from now on :)

Love,

Starszy Liechty