Monday, July 25, 2016

Another week in the wonderful Łódż!

Dear Family and Friends,

Dzień Dobry, wam! :) I hope your week was wonderful!! This week was full of a bunch of little things that made for a very eventful one! :)

For example, I spent this week being attacked by moths and queen ants, helped some Polish people write a poem in english about sunburns and slenderman (who even is that??), got told a woman we met with that I was not one of the sheep of Christ... I'm a goat... (haha!) and can now successfully stick my finger all the way through my shoe... 

No, I'm joking, those are just little side notes, but they made for an interesting week! :)

Our little Siostra Gheen got transferred to Katowice yesterday... It was so sad!! It was so hard to say goodbye to her. But I know that the Lord has so much in store for her in Katowice. I wish I could be selfish and keep her here for the rest of my mission, but I know that they need her down there. 

Well, this week was wonderful! We were able to meet with Tadeusz again this week, which is always amazing! We talked with him about keeping the sabbath day holy, and it was a wonderful lesson! He is so spiritual, and he just loves the Lord so much. Yesterday, I was able to sit by him in sacrament meeting, like I have done so many times before, but this time I got the biggest smile on my face as I watched his face light up as he listened to the talks. He just kept smiling and nodding, and it just made my day :) I even told him, "You are so happy today, Tadeusz! I love it!" and you know what he said to me? "Guess why? I didn't go shopping this morning!!" hahaha, best thing ever! :) It made me so happy to see that he had really taken to heart what we had talked about during our lesson :) He is the BEST!! I love that man. 

Also, the Elder's met a wonderful woman named Ela on the street this week, and we were able to meet with her! She is the sweetest funniest grandma I have ever met, and was just so happy to meet with us! Her happy attitude, and how excited she was to meet with us just made my whole day! We had a wonderful meeting with her, and gave her a Book of Mormon, which she told us she could not wait to start reading! :) I can't wait to meet with her again. She is wonderful! 

I don't have much else to tell you all this week! I'm sorry my emails have been a little less than exciting recently! But I'll just wrap this up with a little scripture I fell in love with this week during my studies :)

 "You know, brethren, that very large ship is benefited very much by very small helm in the time of storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves."
D&C 123:16

I promise you that no matter how small and unimportant you feel, you are of infinite worth to your Heavenly Father. You are the farthest thing from unimportant. You really do make such a difference in the world. The Creator of the sands of the sea and endless stars, all the things we call "miraculous and wonderful", also created you. And when He created you, He said, "This is my greatest creation." How wonderful is it, that such a powerful and mighty God that created endless worlds, loves us more than anything? I hope you never forget who you are in the eyes of God. No matter how small, or alone, or unimportant you feel, I hope you always remember the words of Elder Holland - "Heaven is cheering you on - today, tomorrow, and forever." :) 

I hope you all have an amazing week!! I love you!!

Z miłością,
Siostra Kamp






Monday, July 18, 2016

'Great things await you'

Dear Family and Friends,

I cannot believe it is the 18th of July!! Where has this month gone?! I hope you all had an amazing week! :) 

I won't keep you all too long this week! Not a lot of crazy things happened besides the miracles that come everyday with being a missionary... It's my favourite thing in the world. :)

But, my biggest miracle for this week was Tadeusz! I just love that man. He is so incredible, and so spiritual - I just love being around him. This week we were able to talk with him a little bit more about baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and what it means to endure to the end. Or... as Tadeusz called it, "enjoy to the end". :) He is AMAZING! I can't say it enough. The lesson we had with him this week was an incredible spiritual one. As we were talking about enduring to the end, one of the things that was brought up was the temple. :) When he asked about the temple, we were able to tell him a little bit about it, and tell him that one day, because of him, his family will have the opportunity to be baptized and receive this gospel just as he will, and they will all be able to be sealed together forever... I wish I could have captured his face in the moment we told him that. :) It was so wonderful! I cried. Everytime we meet with him, and can't help but think of his family on the other side, just waiting for him... It is the most wonderful feeling. Tadeusz is still preparing to be baptized on the 13th of August, and I don't think we could be more excited for him!! :) Another miracle that happened with him, was yesterday, he came to church - but this time, he stayed for all 3 hours!!! He is incredibly shy around other people, so it was such a miracle!! And the branch just loves him.. He fits right in. :) 

I don't have many other stories from this week, but everyday is an adventure! I love my companions, I love this city, I love the people here, I love this gospel, and I love my Saviour Jesus Christ so much. 

I'll leave you all with a little spiritual thought, just because it has been on my mind CONSTANTLY this week. I'm not sure why, but I just can't get it out of my head. :) I want to share the words of one of my favourite hymns with you all...

  1. It may not be on the mountain height
    Or over the stormy sea,
    It may not be at the battle's front
    My Lord will have need of me.
    But if, by a still, small voice he calls
    To paths that I do not know,
    I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
    I'll go where you want me to go.
  2. Perhaps today there are loving words
    Which Jesus would have me speak;
    There may be now in the paths of sin
    Some wand'rer whom I should seek.
    O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,
    Tho dark and rugged the way,
    My voice shall echo the message sweet:
    I'll say what you want me to say.
  3. There's surely somewhere a lowly place
    In earth's harvest fields so wide
    Where I may labor through life's short day
    For Jesus, the Crucified.
    So trusting my all to thy tender care,
    And knowing thou lovest me,
    I'll do thy will with a heart sincere:
    I'll be what you want me to be.
  4. I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,
    Over mountain or plain or sea;
    I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;
    I'll be what you want me to be.
One thing that the Lord has taught me on my mission, over and over and over again, is that He has a plan. I have spent the last 9 months (and I'm sure I'll spend forever) learning how perfect it truly is. I have never had to trust in the Lord as much as I have on my mission, and it has brought me the greatest joy. One of my favourite things about this song, is it is not just for me as a missionary... It is for me even when I don't have this little black tag on. It is for all of us. Not just this song, but the Lord's plan. :) 
I've recently found a scripture that has become one of my absolute favourite's, and I will just leave you all with this:

"For verily I say unto you, that great things await you." (D&C 45:62)

And they really do. :) With the Lord as our guide, we will never wander. My lovely friend Janina told me a quote the other day from a verse in the Bible, that I just love - "Man says, 'Show me, and I will trust you." The Lord says, "Trust me, and I will show you.""

I hope you all have a wonderful week. :) You are in my thoughts and prayers!!

Z miłością, 
Siostra Kamp







'Great things await you'

Dear Family and Friends,

I cannot believe it is the 18th of July!! Where has this month gone?! I hope you all had an amazing week! :) 

I won't keep you all too long this week! Not a lot of crazy things happened besides the miracles that come everyday with being a missionary... It's my favourite thing in the world. :)

But, my biggest miracle for this week was Tadeusz! I just love that man. He is so incredible, and so spiritual - I just love being around him. This week we were able to talk with him a little bit more about baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and what it means to endure to the end. Or... as Tadeusz called it, "enjoy to the end". :) He is AMAZING! I can't say it enough. The lesson we had with him this week was an incredible spiritual one. As we were talking about enduring to the end, one of the things that was brought up was the temple. :) When he asked about the temple, we were able to tell him a little bit about it, and tell him that one day, because of him, his family will have the opportunity to be baptized and receive this gospel just as he will, and they will all be able to be sealed together forever... I wish I could have captured his face in the moment we told him that. :) It was so wonderful! I cried. Everytime we meet with him, and can't help but think of his family on the other side, just waiting for him... It is the most wonderful feeling. Tadeusz is still preparing to be baptized on the 13th of August, and I don't think we could be more excited for him!! :) Another miracle that happened with him, was yesterday, he came to church - but this time, he stayed for all 3 hours!!! He is incredibly shy around other people, so it was such a miracle!! And the branch just loves him.. He fits right in. :) 

I don't have many other stories from this week, but everyday is an adventure! I love my companions, I love this city, I love the people here, I love this gospel, and I love my Saviour Jesus Christ so much. 

I'll leave you all with a little spiritual thought, just because it has been on my mind CONSTANTLY this week. I'm not sure why, but I just can't get it out of my head. :) I want to share the words of one of my favourite hymns with you all...

  1. It may not be on the mountain height
    Or over the stormy sea,
    It may not be at the battle's front
    My Lord will have need of me.
    But if, by a still, small voice he calls
    To paths that I do not know,
    I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
    I'll go where you want me to go.
  2. Perhaps today there are loving words
    Which Jesus would have me speak;
    There may be now in the paths of sin
    Some wand'rer whom I should seek.
    O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,
    Tho dark and rugged the way,
    My voice shall echo the message sweet:
    I'll say what you want me to say.
  3. There's surely somewhere a lowly place
    In earth's harvest fields so wide
    Where I may labor through life's short day
    For Jesus, the Crucified.
    So trusting my all to thy tender care,
    And knowing thou lovest me,
    I'll do thy will with a heart sincere:
    I'll be what you want me to be.
  4. I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,
    Over mountain or plain or sea;
    I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;
    I'll be what you want me to be.
One thing that the Lord has taught me on my mission, over and over and over again, is that He has a plan. I have spent the last 9 months (and I'm sure I'll spend forever) learning how perfect it truly is. I have never had to trust in the Lord as much as I have on my mission, and it has brought me the greatest joy. One of my favourite things about this song, is it is not just for me as a missionary... It is for me even when I don't have this little black tag on. It is for all of us. Not just this song, but the Lord's plan. :) 
I've recently found a scripture that has become one of my absolute favourite's, and I will just leave you all with this:

"For verily I say unto you, that great things await you." (D&C 45:62)

And they really do. :) With the Lord as our guide, we will never wander. My lovely friend Janina told me a quote the other day from a verse in the Bible, that I just love - "Man says, 'Show me, and I will trust you." The Lord says, "Trust me, and I will show you.""

I hope you all have a wonderful week. :) You are in my thoughts and prayers!!

Z miłością, 
Siostra Kamp







Monday, July 11, 2016

The miracle of change

Dear Family and Friends, 

Oh my goodness... I am still in shock with the incredible things that have taken place over the last few weeks - Miracles are happening every day here, and the Poland Warsaw Mission is starting to Change - It can really be felt.

I will start with the Zone Training that we had this past Saturday in Warsaw :) 

It was AMAZING. I was able to meet my new mission President, President Turek, his wife, Sister Turek, and their three adorable children (all under the age of 12, I might add! :) ) After spending the day in Warsaw with the Turek's, I cannot tell you all enough how much I know that they have been called of God to serve here. 

The training conference that we had in Warsaw was absolutely incredible. I couldn't believe how wonderful it was! For the first time on my mission, it was ALL in Polish. Not a word of English was spoken. It was INCREDIBLE. We sat down and I gave the opening prayer and soon it began, with the Turek's little family sitting at the front of the room :) They told us a little about themselves, and it was so amazing to get to know them! 
President Turek is from Poland, a city called Wrocław, but has lived in Germany for the past 12 years with his wife (who is German), and their three beautiful kids! President Turek told us all the story of his conversion over 20 years ago, and it was such a spiritual moment. I was amazed. He told us how his Family met the Church when he was 11 years, and described that their first Sunday visiting the church, there were only 3 people there, and they were... well... a little strange. ;) However, despite this, they kept coming back. That's when he pointed out to us... The people in this church are not the reason that we go to church. They may help, but the reason we keep going back, is this... That this is the Lord's church, and you can feel that every time you walk in those doors. I love that... It is so true. :) Well, he then continued his story, and told us that after some time, his whole family was baptized. He described that there were a few things we could learn from this story, and I agree. He said, above anything else, we should learn that it IS POSSIBE to baptize in the Poland Warsaw Mission. Even entire families. It is possible. The Lord truly would not send his missionaries to a place that He has not prepared His children to receive them. I have a very personal testimony of that. :) Despite small brach sizes, unsupportive families, strong Catholic traditions, and any other obstacle that is placed in our paths... it is possible. As he shared the story of His conversion, I felt the Spirit strongly testify to me that it was true. At times on my mission I will admit that I have felt that those truly prepared people seem out of reach. I have certainly had experiences where upon bringing an investigator to Church, only 3 or 5 people were there, and that person was never to return again, along with many other experiences. But, we spoke in this conference of FAITH and the faith to know that there are those people out there, like President Turek and His family. It was such a wonderful conference, and just exactly what the Lord knew I needed to hear. Despite my Polish being less than stellar, I was able to understand everything that was said in that conference. Not only just in my head, but in my heart. It was amazing. I can't say it enough - the Lord is in this. :)No, It is not always easy - Polish is very difficult, BUT - I have loved this spiritual process of learning it. :) I have learned so much more than a language on my mission. 

It was a truly inspiring Conference, and just what I needed to start this transfer.  Prezydent Turek is truly a man Called of God. Sitting there and listening to Him speak - He is a Powerful man, called at this young age to do this work. I know that God knew what He was doing when He called Prezydent Turek here. From the instant I saw their family, I loved them. I feel this loyalty to them I cannot explain. It just feels so natural having them here at this time. I cannot wait to serve with them. :) 


Well, in other exciting news... Our wonderful friend Tadeusz is preparing to be baptized on the 13th of August!! I don't even have the words to describe the wonderfully spiritual lessons we had with him this week... He is incredible. All I can say is that the Lord loves Tadeusz so much. I feel it every time we are with him. The lessons we had with him this week were some of the most spiritual moments I've ever experienced. Even though I don't have the words (or the time) to describe them in detail, I can tell you all - the Lord is in this. I have no doubt that the Lord led Siostra Carlson and Siostra Gheen to Tadeusz, and I have no doubt that the Lord is ever so present in Tadeusz's life. :) 

I wish I had more time to tell you all the wonderful miracles that happened this week... But, I don't want to talk your ears off either ;) So, I'll just leave you all with this :)

The Lord loves you, He knows you, and He has a greater plan for you than you can even imagine. Trust Him. :) 

Love you all so much!! Have a wonderful week!! 

Z miłością, 
Siostra Kamp







Monday, July 4, 2016

Because He Lives.

Dear Mom (and all my other lovely friends and family),

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!! :) I hope you all are having such a wonderful day today!

I have so many stories this week, but not a lot of time, so... I'll try to get through as much as I can!! :) 

This week I want to tell you all a little more about our wonderful investigators!! Right now, we are meeting with three of the most WONDERFUL people I have ever met. Their names are Tadeusz, Ola, and Agata! :) 
We were able to meet with Agata and Tadeusz this week, and those lessons were seriously a few that I will never forget. I know I always say that, but, in my defense... You all only hear about the highlights ;) So, this week my companions and I have been thinking SO much about our Saviour Jesus Christ, and because He lives what that means for us. We had such a wonderful and spiritual comp study on that topic this week, and all decided that that was something that our investigators really needed to know. That Jesus Christ LIVES. And because He lives, we live. I don't know if you all have seen the mormon message "Because He Lives", but if you haven't, I seriously recommend watching it! :) (And if you have... watch it again!) It is such an incredible video... Well, lucky for us, it is translated into Polish!! :) So, we watched that short video with Tadeusz this week, and I wish you all could have been there to feel the spirit that came into the room as we watched that video with him. My companions will back me up when I say that there was not a dry eye in the room. It was incredible! After the video, we all sat there for a moment, really just soaking in the spirit that was there, I think. After which, we all were able to testify of what blessings we have received "because He lives". Even Tadeusz was able to look us in the eyes and tell us how grateful he is for Jesus Christ... It was something I had never heard him say before, and I was just so happy! :) Tadeusz later in that lesson told us the most incredible story I have ever heard... It gives me chills just thinking about it. It is very personal to me, but... I think I'll share a little bit of it with you all. Not in detail, but, just a little :) During our lesson, we asked Tadeusz what he thought of the video, and he didn't say anything for a long time. He just looked down at his hands, and played with his fingers. Then finally, after what seemed like an eternity of silence, he said that after the lessons we have had with him, he always takes the same tram home. And he said a lot of things about that, but the one thing I will share with you all is this... He said, "Each time I have been on that tram after a lesson with the three of you.. I have seen my mom, and my dad, and my brother... Every time." Well, the amazing thing about that, is his mom, dad, and brother all passed away just a few years ago... Can you believe that? It literally gives me chills as I think about it. So many other things were said in that lesson, but Tadeusz truly felt the Holy Ghost in that lesson... and that is the most important. So, he is going to pray about a baptismal date this week :) He knows... I know he knows. This gospel is true, and I know he knows that. :) He told us he cannot deny it. 

Well, that is one experience that as I sit here typing I can't find the words to describe it. I really can't... It was a miracle. I wish I could find the words to do it justice. But... I hope that if nothing else, you all can feel a little of the spirit that was felt in that room as we talked about our Saviour, and as Tadeusz shared that miraculous experience. 

So many other wonderful things happened this week. Unfortunately, I don't have much more time. But, I'll just say one more little experience. :) 
This week, I had my first experience of being in a lesson where the person we were teaching (not one of our investigators) not only criticized and degraded me and my testimony, but also my Saviour Jesus Christ... It was just another one of those times that I find myself in every day, where I can choose to testify of Christ, or choose to just stay silent because I am afraid that the person won't like me if I say something to defend Him. But, this time was different. I realized something, as I sat there listening to this woman degrade the man I have grown to love with everything I am... I wear this little black badge, representing the Lord Jesus Christ every single day, but I have never truly had to experience even a little taste of how he felt as he was ridiculed. He was despised... rejected of men. I have never really had to experience that, especially in the way He did. But that day, I felt like I was walking hand in hand with Him a little more than I have before, as I boldly bore testimony to this woman... And I realized, that if I truly want to be able to say I represent the Lord Jesus Christ, I have to be able to "walk at least a little of the path He walked. Shed one of the many tears of sorrow, that He shed." (Elder Holland) And it was in that moment that I defended my Saviour, that I realized how much He truly meant to me. I never really understood the saying, "a testimony is found in the bearing of it" until that day.

But I want you all to know that I LOVE my Saviour Jesus Christ, and I KNOW, without a shadow of a doubt, that He lives. That He lived, and He loved, and He suffered, and atoned, and died, for us. And that He lives again. And because He lives, we live. We are never alone. We are never forgotten. We are never in any place too dark that His light can not shine. He lives, He is our Saviour, and this is His gospel. It is TRUE. And I will use the word "prawdziwa" (true) until the day I die. 


Well, I know that was a long email, and a lot to get through, but... This gospel is true! :) I hope if you all only remember one thing from my emails, it is that I know this gospel is true. I have a burning testimony of that, and I cannot deny it. 

I hope you all have the most amazing 4th of July!!! :) 
I love you all!

Z miłością,
Siostra Kamp