Monday, September 26, 2016

"What?! I'm one of you now!! :)"

​My lovely family and friends,

I apologize for not being able to email you all this past wekk! It was a little crazy, but I hope you all are happy, healthy, and doing well! :)

This week was a good one - as usual! It was a little different than other weeks, because every single one of our meetings fell through except 2 of them! BUT! It was amazing, because even though our meetings fell through, we quickly discovered that there was somewhere else the Lord needed us to be at that time. For example...

One day, the meeting we had planned didn't work out, so we went to a nearby park to talk with people there. We were walking around, not finding any people, when all the sudden I saw this group of random horses just there, eating the grass in the middle of the park! My first thought was, "Oh! I have to take a photo for me sister!!" So, we ran over to where they were, and then, we saw a woman sitting on a bench that we hadn't even noticed before because it had been hidden by some trees! As soon as we saw her, I couldn't help but laugh a little to myself, imagining Heavenly Father, knowing that we needed to talk to this woman, probably thinking, "Let's see... What can I do to get them over there to where they can see her.... HORSES!" haha. Well, it worked! :) We ended up talking to the woman, our lovely friend Dorota, for quite a while, and were even able to give her a Book of Mormon, which she absolutely just cherished! She had come to the park seeking comfort from the Lord, because her husband had passed away a few years before and she had really been missing him that day... For that half hour, we mostly just listened to her, and it was wonderful - just to be able to be there for her to cry to, and to be able to tell her how much the Lord loves her. We were able to testify to her of the Plan of Salvation - that she WILL one day see her husband again, and it was incredible... I have no doubt in my mind that our meeting that day didn't work out because the Lord KNEW that one of His precious children, in that moment, needed us more somewhere else. Dorota couldn't stop telling us that the Lord had sent "his angels" to answer her prayer, and I just couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the love the Lord has for her. He knows us all, and loves each of us perfectly, and I feel so blessed to be on His errand right now. ​

That was just a small little miracle, among the many I'm lucky enough to see every single day, but it just meant the absolute world to me. :)

Also this week, we were able to meet with our friend Irfan! He is so wonderful!! The lesson we had with him was absolutely amazing, and it was so visible how touched he was by the spirit. We love being able to talk with him, because he is just so spiritual, and soaks in every word we tell him... It's amazing!! I have to share something funny with you all about that meeting we had with him though! :) After our meeting with him, that we had yesterday, we were walking to the tram stop and he said, "Hey! Let's go get some ice cream!" to which we had to apologize, and tell him we don't buy things on the Sabbath. He asked about that, and we explained it, then just as quickly as we had replied, he said, "Okay, great! What else don't we do?" :) (including himself!) I looked at Sister Van to make sure I had really heard that correctly, and... I had! haha! So, I laughed a little, to which he quickly said, "What?! I'm one of you now!! :)" I love that man! hahaha! Well, before we could answer, we were stopped by this nice girl handing out flyers for a gym! We talked with her for a few minutes, complimented her super cute boots and invited her to english club (she was excited about that! :) ), then went on our way! I didn't think much else of it, but when we were walking away, Irfan turned to me and said, "Lexi, why did we not share our message with her?" I WAS IN SHOCK. hahaha! I couldn't believe what I had just heard! There I was, the missionary, and I was supposed to be sharing the gospel with everyone I could, and then there was this sweet investigator of ours, asking me why I wasn't doing that! It was a very humbling experience, and I just couldn't help but smile, and thank him for that! I promised him that this week we would go back to the mall in which she works, and we would find her and share our message with her. He was happy about that. :) Then, as we parted ways, we asked him what he was up to for the rest of the day and he said, "I don't know! Right now I'm probably just going to go to Piotrkowska a street) and get a beer." and before we could even reply he said, "Wait! Do we not drink beer?!" and we said, "No, we don't drink beer.." to which he quickly replied, "Ohhhh, okay! Then I am going home to eat some dinner, I mean! :)" HE IS THE BEST! hahaha! 

Oh my, I'm sorry I always talk your ears off, but I love you all so much, and I hope you have an amazing week!! Thank you for all your love, prayers, and support :) It means the world.

Z miłością,
Siostra Kamp

No idea what this is, but it's so cool! :)

My lovely Jadwiga with her little grandson Sebastian! Cutest. Thing. Ever. 

Little Wiktoria!! She is the cutest thing I've ever seen. :)

My favourite Janek :) My grandpa in Poland!! I love this man so much.

Sister Van and Janek!!! Two of my favourite people!! :)

District lunch... Tuna melts. :)

Wandering a forest! :)

The random horses in the park! These are for you, Emily!!


My lovely friend Agata from Bydgoszcz sent me the cutest package in the world. I love her SO much!! :) 

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Our "Happily Ever After" isn't just a dream.

My lovely family and friends! 

I just want to thank you all for all the love, support, and prayers you send my way. I'm the luckiest firl in the world to have you all, and I thank the Lord every day for you. :)

This week was another amazing one! The sun was shining all week, and everyone was just so happy! We met so many people on the streets this week, and the Lord truly blessed us with so many miracles :)

I'll keep this email a little shorter, but I have to tell about one!
So, rewind to last Friday when we were planning for our upcoming week this week! We were going through the days, thinking about things we needed to do on each one, and when we got to Saturday, we both agreed in a split second that on that day we needed to go back to a prak we had gound a few days previous. It was awesome! Anyway, fast forward to Saturday! We came to the park and there were so many people! I was so excited! :) It was a missionaries dream! So many popel to share the gospel with, that you don't even know where to begin! haha :) But anyway, we had a lot of wonderful conversations with people, which was great! But the one I want to talk about is Staśka!! :) We saw her sitting on a bench as we were walking, just reading her little book, and we knew we had to talk to her! She was this cutest little grandma with pink hair... Who wouldn't want to talk to her?! :) Anyways, we ended up sitting on the bench with her, talking to her for what seemed like hours but also like minutes, and it was amazing. She completely opened up to us about the struggles of her life, and how heartbroken she had been by her husband's recent passing. It was the most tender moment, and an amazing one at that, because I was able to look her in the eyes, and tell her that I know, with all of my heart, that she will see her husband again. With tears in her eyes, she told us that that was all she could ever hope for - the chance to see him agan, and thank him for everything, and tell him she loves him. It was in that moment, as we testified of the Plan of Salvation and eternal families and sat there comforting her... It hit me. I really do believe it. It is not just something I say to comfort others... It's true. We can, and will, be with those we love forever, even after death. Everyone dreams of their "Happily Ever After", but... the wonderful thing is, it doesn't have to be just a dream. :) I was able to show Staśka some photos of my family, on that wonderful day we were sealed together for eternity, and as I did that - I couldn't help but think back to how I felt that day. Sitting on that little park bench in the middle of Poland, I was reminded of that little glimpse of eternity the Lord gave me when I was sealed to my 5 best friends. :) 

Families are forever, and I will testify of that truth for the rest of eternity. :) This gospel is our road map to our "Happily Ever After", and I cannot even express how grateful I am for the gift of this gospel. :) I thank the Lord every day for sending me here to Poland... He hasn't only allowed me to share in the journey of others coming closer to Him, but, He's brought me closer to Him as well. I love Him more than I can even say. 

That's about all I have time for today, but I love you all, and hope you all know how much you mean to me! But even more importantly, how much you mean to your Father in Heaven. He loves you more than you can imagine! 

Z miłością, 
Siostra Kamp

I will never get tired of Polish sunsets!

Siostra Van is OBSESSED with Watermelon!! :) I love it so much!! 

Last Monday, we visited the most BEAUTIFUL Botanical garden!! :) Excuse all the photos, we loved it! :)









English class games are always a hoot with our students!





Monday, September 5, 2016

"I've heard this before..."

Dear Family and Friends,

Witam was serdecznie!! :)
How are you all? I hope you had a wonderful week!! Do I start all my emails like that?... Well, it's still true! :) 

I have so much to tell you all, and not enough time (the classic "Sister Kamp excuse"), so I'll just get right to it! :)

Oh my, this week was such a miracle for me. The Lord has seriously blessed me with the most amazing city, the most amazing companion, and the most amazing investigators. :) 
This week, we were able to meet with my favourite people in the whole world - Ola and Julia!! I have been talking Sister Van's ear off about them for the past two weeks!! They had been so busy with vacations and work that they hadn't had time to meet, but by the time they were able to meet this week, Siostra Van told me that she already felt like she knew them because of how much I talk about them! haha. :) They are just amazing, alright? You'll see! 
So, we went to the chapel to wait for them, and as soon as they walked in, they yelled, "ohhhh!" and ran up and hugged me!! It was the best thing ever. :) They introduced themselves to Siostra Van, who they just fell in love with, and then they turned to me and said, "Well, let's go!" They are just as excited to hear this gospel as I am to tell her about it! :) I love it. 
Sooo many things happened in this lesson that i wish I could tell you all about, but for lack of time I will just tell you all one little part. We talked with them a little bit about the Plan of Salvation this time, and it was the most wonderful thing. We talked with them about what we did before this life, and they just loved it. We told them that we lived with our Heavenly Father, and that He not only knew us each personally, but loved us more than words can describe. As our father, He taught us about His plan for us, and we were so excited - we shouted for joy. :) We shared one of my favourite scriptures with them - Romans 8:16 - that says, "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. " And after we read that, the most amazing thing happened. Ola just looked at me and said, "I think... When the spirit of God testifies to us of something, that's why we get that warm feeling in our heart. It's the spirit of God reminding our spirits of something... Sometimes, when I read the Book of Mormon, or I hear you say something, it just sounds so familiear to me, and I could never figure out why, because obviously I have never heard these things before. But, now you are telling me that before this life I lived with God, and He taught me these things, and about His plan, and I can't help but think - maybe that's just it. Maybe, I have heard this before. And each time I feel that warm feeling after I read or hear something, maybe that is the Holy Ghost reminding me... I have heard this before."

I literally was teary-eyed as she said those things... It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Just that very morning, Siostra Van and I had read in our Preach My Gospel books, "Those that have been prepared by the Lord will recognize you as servants of God. The gospel will have a familiar ring to them." That is exactly what happened in our lesson today with Ola and Julia. I bet you all can imagine how I felt after that... :)

Siostra Van shared a scripture with me that reminded me of our meetings with Ola and Julia - D&C 50:22 - "Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified, and rejoice together." How perfectly that describes it. We rejoice in getting together to talk about Christ and His gospel, and after each meeting, we all leave more edified, having been taught so much by the spirit of the Lord. :)

Unfortunately I am out of time, but... This gospel is true. I wish I could look you all in the eyes and tell you how much I truly know that. It is true, all of it, and I am the luckiest girl in the world to be able to share this with others. I am the most imperfect person, trying to share the perfect gospel of our perfect Saviour - and sometimes I cannot imagine how He can trust me so much to bring others this message... But honestly, I will never be able to thank Him enough for the fact that He does. :) I love this gospel with everything I am. It is the best of me. 

Thank you so much for all of your love and support! I love you all more than you know!!
You're in my thoughts and prayers!

Z miłością,
Siostra Kamp

Thursday, September 1, 2016

"A jeszcze 10!"

Dear Family and Friends, 

Cześć, wam! I hope you all had a wonderful week! 

I realize last week my email was incredibly long (I could just talk about all of my experiences, and how much I love the Lord and this gospel FOREVER!!), but I will try to keep this one a little shorter. :) 

This week was so wonderful! The Lord gave us so many miracles! He is so good to us, truly. We spent a lot of time on the streets this week, talking to everyone who would listen, and it was amazing!! :) Siostra Van and I's new saying is, "Rozmawiamy z wszystkimi... a jeszcze 10!" which means, "We talk with everyone... and then 10 more!" :) It is amazing the miracles the Lord has given us when we have that attitude! Even just last night we were walking home, and we were about 10 yards from the door, when we saw a man coming toward us. So, we looked at each other, about to walk in the building, and said at the same time, "A jeszcze 10!" hahaha. AND, He was AMAZING! We talked to him for so long (as long as our curfew would allow!), and hopefully will be meeting with him this coming Wednesday!! :) Miracles! I just have to say that I love my companion so much! When she came here, she brought with her a new sense of excitement for this work, and it is just so contagious!! Everyone we pass on the street is greeted with her warm little "Dzień dobry!" and a big smile, and they just can't help but smile back at her. :) I love it! I am so grateful to the Lord for letting me serve with her. 

We met so many wonderful people this week! I've been in awe of the people the Lord put in our path! Something that seemed to come up repeatedly to me this week, whether it be in conversations with others, my personal studies, a short visit to my favourite Janina in a little hospital room, a little note from an investigator, or anything else - is hope. My eyes have been opened so much this past week to the hope that comes from this gospel. There is a hope in this that is so hard to put into words, but so easy to see.. The hope God has for us, and the hope we have because of Him, is so obvious to me every day. I see the hope that develops in someone the first time they open up the Book of Mormon, and find an answer to their questions, or the hope that comes from that first prayer they offer. The hope of a better tomorrow, and the hope for second chances. Hope is such an incredible thing, and I have no doubt there is a reason it is listed in the Preach My Gospel book as a Christlike Attribute. This gospel, His gospel, is hope. And how wonderful it is to know - that hope is only the first step into an eternity of joy and blessings. This gospel is so much more than a simple "I wish" statement. 

I found a scripture this week during my studies, and I have absolutely fallen in love with it, so... I think I will end with this. :) 

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is it you." (1 Peter 3:15)

After reading that, it became the goal of my week, and even the rest of my life. :) To sanctify the Lord in my heart, and to always be ready to bear my testimony of Him to anyone that desires to know of the hope that is in me. Surely every bit of the hope I have, is because of him. :)

Well, I love you all so much, and am so grateful for you all in my life. I can't tell you that enough!!
The Lord loves you so much, and so do I! I hope you have an amazing week!!

Z miłością,
Siostra Kamp

Siostra Van's first Kebab! I love being able to see all her "first"'s! :)

Waiting for the train to go to Zone training in Warsaw! :)

The goofballs. Our Elder's definitely keep us laughing!

Service on the działka!