Light the World

Droga Rodzina i Drodzy Przyjaciele,

Dzień dobry, wam!!

I hope you all had such a wonderful thanksgiving! :) 

I've been spending this whole week counting my blessings, and I know I say this every week - but I really am the luckiest girl in the world. In the spending of the past two Thanksgiving's in the service of my God, I have come to realize how evident the Lord's hand really is in our lives. I will never be able to explain how grateful I am for this opportunity to serve, and for the wonderful relationship I have developed with my Father in Heaven and my Saviour, Jesus Christ. ​I have so much to be grateful for!!

I cannot believe that this week will be December! The streets of Łódź are completely decorated for the Christmas season, snow completely covers the ground, and the Polish Carols have officially started playing! It's the most wonderful time of the year! :) 

I don't know if all of you know about this, but every year the church comes out with a special Christmas video for the Christmas season, and something we can all do to remember the Lord Jesus Christ during this special time of year :) If you have not seen the video yet, please watch it!! :) It is wonderful! You can watch it on: mormon.org :)

I have completely fallen in love with this years theme of, "Light the World". As we go around the streets of Łódź sharing this message of Christ, my heart just swells every time! I love my Saviour so much, and being able to talk to everyone about Him is the biggest blessing in the world! On the website, there is a "25 day Countdown" until Christmas of something we can do each day to remember the Saviour, and "Light the World" :) Siostra Van Woerkom and I cannot WAIT to do it, and I encourage you all to do it to! It is going to be wonderful!! 

As far as everything here, it is still going well! I am still in love with being a missionary, and still more in love every day with this gospel. Our investigators are doing well as well, and so are the members :) Unfortunately the flu bug has been going around lately, so we haven't had as many meetings as we would like... But the work will go on! :) We missionaries are starting to be taught by our members how to sing some Polish carols in preparation for our branch Christmas party, and we are all loving that! I've been able to play my violin during some of the songs, and it is the most wonderful experience!!! 

I'm so sorry I don't have much to tell this week, but I am so grateful for you all, and all the prayers that you send on our behalf! You have no idea the impact they make, not only on us, but the people we talk with each day :) I am so grateful for you all! 

Have a wonderful week, and a merry beggining to December! :) 

Kocham was bardzo! 

Z miłością,

Siostra Kamp

Watching the cheesecake bake for Thanksgiving... We were so impatient! :)

Our little Thanksgiving feast - Polish style! :)

The district together for Thanksgiving dinner!

Elder Reid after he learned how bad of an idea it is to use a rag as a whip...

Our district!! :) I love them all so much!

Goldfish from Sister Van's mom! They are inexistent in Poland! But we let one of our english students, try a few and he was in love! :)

My wonderful family send us a fruit basket and flowers for Thanksgiving! I am the luckiest girl in the WORLD!! I love them!! We were so spoiled!

My favourite missionaries! :) *as I crouched next to them* "Sister Kamp, don't be silly, come sit on Grandma's lap!" What would I do without these two? :)

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Dear Family and Friends, 

How are you all? :) It's crazy how much I've thought about you all this week! I hope you are doing well! 

This week I don't have a lot of time, but I just wanted to tell you all how incredibly grateful I am for you all! I will write so much more next week, but until then... 

I am so grateful for every single one of you! For the love, support, and prayers that you send my way every single day. I really can feel your prayers, and they are such a strength to me. I cannot thank you all enough! I am grateful for the most wonderful family, and for all they have given me these past 20 years. I could not ever be able to describe how much I love them, but I am so grateful for the eternity I have with them. <3 I am grateful for this gospel, and the Lord. For everything that they have given me. Everything I have, I owe to my Saviour and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be able to serve Him. 

There will be more to come next week, but I am just so grateful!! My heart fills to the brim every time I start to think of all my blessings. I am so lucky. :) 

I hope you all have the most WONDERFUL Thanksgiving holiday spent with those you love! We are blessed beyond measure. 

Do przyszłego tygodnia!

Kocham was z całego serca!

Z miłością,

Siostra Kamp

Elder Dooley, Elder Musgrave, and Elder Byrd!

Some of the Elder's in our zone

It's always the best to see these crazies!

Ania and Iza! I love them so much!

Ania's new puppy... Yes, I was in love...

Zone conference - My favourite Elder and Sister Tufts from Bydgoszcz were there!!! Yes, tears were shed when I saw them.

From Siostra Van "Siostra Kamp getting excited about food."

 Our cute little choir with their hymnbooks

Pics with my favorite little babcia, Zosia

"Never in my life!!" :)

Dear Friends and Family,

How is it already the middle of November?! Time flies way too quickly. 

I hope you all had an amazing week! :) 

This week was wonderful, of course! It's impossible to have a bad week when you are so blessed!! 

This week the miracle that is on my mind is something so small, but it just makes me smile so big everytime I think of it :) So, although of course there are others, that's the one I'll share with you all this week! 

We met with our lovely friend Edyta this week, and her cutest baby ever - little Lila! :) Unfortunately, the lesson didn't exactly go as planned, because Lila was a little restless and Łukasz had been called in to work. But, it was still wonderful to see Edyta and Lila :) I just love them so much!! Small extra side note: We had made some brownies this past week and dropped them off at Edyta's with a little note because they had all been sick, and when we came to her house this week we were all sitting on the little couch and out of the blue she just smiled and said, "Oh, look!" We looked, and hanging on the wall in the corner of a little picture frame of their family was the little note we had written them :) We all laughed, and Edyta said, "Łukasz even put it there!" It was the cutest thing ever. :) I LOVE THEM. 

Well, after our meeting with Edyta, we were on the way home and I was feeling a little down in the dumps. I'm not sure exactly why, but before I could think too much about it, Siostra Van and I saw this cute little lady walking down the sidewalk carrying some grocery bags. We walked up to her, and asked if we could help her with her bags - it was cold, and wet, and pitch-black outside - and she just lit up like we had asked if we could give her a million dollars! :) It was the cutest thing! She happily agreed, and we set off toward her house - ""her bags in one hand, her arms in the other, and talked to her all the way home :) She even asked us all about our church! It was so wonderful, and she just kept saying, "Never in my life have I met such beautiful, kind, loveable girls. Never in my life." hahaha! It was the cutest thing! I was so grateful that we had that little opportunity to serve her :) I didn't think my mood could get any better after that, but as we were walking away from her house we heard her call out, "You know what, girls? It's a shame you didn't give me your phone number! I was looking forward to talking more about your faith and Jesus Christ!" 

WHAT. 

I KNOW. 

I couldn't help but think, "Is this real life?!" :) So, obviously we quickly ran back and gave her our number, and the address to our chapel! She was so excited, and told us she would call us sometime this week :) I am so excited to meet with her again, and I am just so grateful for the little miracles like that the Lord gives us every day. I am SO BLESSED. :)

I stumbled across one of my favourite verses in the Book of Mormon this week, and wanted to share that with you all to end :) It is found in 2 Nefi 25:25-26.

"We are made alive in Christ because of our faith... We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

Christ is the center of everything we do, and I am so grateful for him. This verse says it all. :) I know that my Reedemer lives. He loves you all so much, and I can feel that every time I talk with you :) As we go into this Christmas season (it's never too early ;) ), I pray that we will remember the reason for the season :) Because He lives... We are made alive. 

I love you all, and pray for you every day! Have an amazing week!!

KSOKSO! (XOXO)

Z miłością,

Siostra Kamp

I was really excited when I took this photo, because we woke up to snow!! But then later that day, it snowed sooo much!! Unfortunately by that point, I was too excited to even think about taking a photo :)

Our beautiful friend Viola took us out took lunch this week! :) I love her so much!! 

We are made of the things of eternity...

Dear Family and Friends,  

Cześć, wam!! :) 

Oh man, I have so much to tell you all - and just no time to do it! 

This week was amazing! I fell in love with Poland even more this week (I know... I didn't think it was possible either...) as we were able to celebrate "All Saints Day" and "The Day of the Dead" with the wonderful people here. I got a new little taste of the Polish culture, their history, their traditions... It was amazing to be able to serve them this week in a day that they hold so dear to them! Serving them on their cmentaries, helping them clean the graves and light their candles that go on for miles and miles, getting to know them and their stories... My testimony of the wonderful plan our Heavenly Father has for us - the Plan of Salvation - was strengthened so much as we were able to look into the eyes of these wonderful people who we love, and tell them with 100% certainty that they will see their loved ones again. I will never be able to describe to you all those moments that I had... Sometimes I wonder why my Father in Heaven sent me here to Poland, out of anywhere in the world I could have gone... And maybe that is a question to which I will never know the answer. But, it's in those little every day moments like that, that I am overwhelmed with gratitude to Him, for letting me come here. I will never be able to thank Him enough for letting Poland -these people, this culture, this history, this country, just everything - become a piece of me. It is an experience that somehow I can never find the words to describe, but one that will be written on my heart forever. 

How wonderful is the Plan of our God.

"We are made of the things of eternity... Endings are not our destiny."

-President Deiter F. Uchtdorf

I don't have much time for anything else today, but I hope you all know how much I love you! Thank you all for all you do for me. I am the luckiest missionary in the world! 

Have a wonderful week!! 

Kocham was z całego serca! 

Z miłością,

Siostra Kamp

We made J some Taco Soup, and he loved it! "AMERICAN FOOD! WHOA!!" haha :)

Celebrating Halloween - Carving... things.

Year Mark!

Year Mark with my MTC Siostry!! Warsaw Oct 28th! ​

Elder Dickson with his carved... something! He's a doll!

Saw my favourite Sister D!!!!! Our typical MTC comp selfie. :) I love her so much!

My two favourite people in one photo. Elder Einfeldt and Sister D! Love them!

The masterpieces!! 

In Mama Kamp's email:

This week was the holiday "All Saints Day" and "Day of the Dead" which are SUCH big holidays here. It was wonderful to be able to spend the day serving on the cmentaries helping others clean the graves and set up all the MILLIONS of lanterns :) I didn't think it was possible to fall more in love with Poland, but the more I learn about these people, their traditions, their culture, their history... I just love this place SO much, mom... I can't even describe it. T invited us missionaries to come with him to the cementary where his family is buried, and he told us so much about the tradition of all saints day, the history, so many stories, and so much more. And we were able to serve him, so it was an incredible day. I loved it. 

We also met with T this week, with Elder Reid and Elder Dickson! It was an amazing lesson :) Prezydent asked us missionaries to only teach people of the same gender, and that was really hard for me to hear because I just love T so much... I've taught him for 5 months now! But... I prayed about it, and I agreed with Prezydent - that's what we needed to do. So, us and the Elder's met with him, and from now on T will be meeting with them. :) It was hard, but I know as long as we are obedient we will be blessed so much. 

(pictures from Siostra Barney)

The best year of my life!

My dear family and friends, 

Where does the time go?!

It seems like just yesterday I sat down at a little desk in Provo, Utah, struggling to sum up all that had happened that week in one little email to you all for the first time as a missionary... Now here I am in Łódź, Poland - one year later - and still struggling to find the words to put to my feelings! I can't even begin to tell you all the joy and blessings that have come into my life this past year, and all the wonderful experiences the Lord has given me. It has been the most incredible journey - and I am the luckiest girl in the world. 

Even though I don't have a lot of time today, I wanted to share with you all a few of the MANY things this past year in the service of my Lord has taught me... I could go on forever, but I'll just share 12 little things - one for every month I've been here. 

• Search for the Lord, and you will always find Him. 
• The hand of God is manifest in every single step of our journey. Even when we struggle, even when it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, He is right there - always by our side. Look for Him, and you'll always find Him. :) 
• Jeremiah 29:13
• The Lord will never leave you comfortless. 
• I promise. And He did too. :)
• John 14:16-18
• It is not our job to worry about tomorrow :) 
• All we need to worry about - is what we can do today, to be worthy of His tomorrow. No matter what it is, His tomorrow will ALWAYS be wonderful. :) 
• Joshua 3:5
• We need never be discouraged, for the Lord our God is with us. 
• "The Lord is SO present in our lives, that when we die - we will be surprised how familiar His face is..." -Richard G. Scott 
• Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10
• The light of this gospel, the hope of this gospel, can be seen in you :) Don't be afraid to share that with others! Sharing hope and happiness?! What could be better than that?! :)
• 1 Peter 3:15
• Questions and Faith can co-exist! Having questions is not a bad thing! :) Questions allow us to grow our testimonies. But there is a difference between a question, and a doubt. Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. :)
• The Lord does not call the qualified... He qualifies the called. He sees you perfectly, and He knows your potential. He can see what you cannot. Trust Him in it all, and you will never be on a road that leads to anything other than happiness. :)
• The Lord sees our Saul-like person, and our Paul-like potential... And for that, I will always be SO grateful. 
• We can talk with our Heavenly Father every. single. day. And He delights to talk with you! You are His child, and He LOVES you. 
• On my mission, I have truly learned (and am still learning :) ) what it really means to pray. It is different being a missionary, and not being able to tell my parents every detail that happens in every day, because they are so far away. But I have truly come to know that when I pray, I can tell all those little details to my Heavenly Father, and He loves to hear them. :) No matter how small of a thing it is, your happiness is His. Your struggles are His. YOU are His, and He is there for you every step of the way. :) 
• Yes, faith is a choice, but it's the most rewarding choice in the world. :)
• "If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow - and every other day - is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we do not recognize it as such. Why? Because your Heavenly Father wants it to be!" -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. :)
• "For God LOVES His children." -Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
• My Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, atoned and died for ME.
• How many times I have looked my sweet friends here in Poland in the eyes, with tears in mine, and told them with no doubt in my mind that the atonement of Christ was and is for THEM. That Jesus Christ knows, and loves THEM with all His heart, and is there to carry them every step of the way... But have never felt worthy enough to think that He did that for me, Alexis Kamp... But he did. Let him love you. Let Him comfort you. Let Him carry you through it all. You're never alone - He is always there. 

I wish I had more time to tell you all the amazing spiritual experiences I've had, that tought me those things and so much more... But I testify of the truthfulness of all these things with everything I am.

In my studies this week, I found a verse that describes exactly what I want to sum up in this email. :) The prophet Nephi, and a random sister missionary in Łódź, Poland, write...

"I know the Lord God loveth His children. Nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." :)

I don't know it all, and that's okay. :) But of this I'm sure - The Lord loves you SO much. :)

And so do I.

Have a wonderful week, and a happy Halloween!! :)

Z miłością,

Siostra Kamp

The district :) Left to Right: Starszy Dickson, Starszy Byrd, Starszy Alvarez, Starszy Reid, Wojtek Kapela (he just finishes his mission, and is now back home in Łódź!!), Siostra Van and I :) 

More of the boat, and more of the miracles!

Dear Family and friends,

Coming to you live from....

"THE BOAT"!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Transfer calls came and went, and I am the happiest missionary in the world!! I am still here in Łódź, my home away from home, with my wonderful companion Sister Van Woerkom!! :) There is no way to even tell you all how grateful I am to still be here in this city that I have fallen in love with, and to be able to spend this holiday season with the lovely Sister Van!!! I could not feel more blessed. The Lord is SO good to me!

We've had our fair share of miracles this week, just like every other! But, there is one in particular that I have been looking forward to sharing with you all week! :)

Well, travel back in time to about... 4 months ago! I was serving here in Łódź with the lovely Sister Carlson and Sister Gheen! :) We were tracting one night, when we got let in to this random apartment building! We started from the top, and worked our way to the bottom. Everyone we talked to shut the door in our faces, but... It was one of those times that you can't help but know there is something wonderful waiting! :) You love these people so much, and now matter what life throws at you, you just keep going! So, we got down to the bottom floor, and knocked all of the doors - nothing. Then, the last door... (I know! It sounds like President Uchtdorf's talk from this past conference!!) We knocked, and it seemed like no one was home. But ever so slightly I heard the little crack of someone lifting up the flap to look out the peep hole. :) Sister Gheen and I looked at each other smiling and excited - but no one opened the door. So, we decided to come back another day, and with that we started to walk out. But it was the craziest feeling, and I know my companions felt it too, but I couldn't help but feel like someone was watching us! So, I turned back to look at the door, smiled, and then kept walking. Then all the sudden, the door opened, and we heard a woman asking us who we were... OUR HEARTS! They were beating so hard! :) We ended up talking with her for a few minutes, but she didn't have much time because her little baby was going to sleep! Her name was Edyta, and she was our miracle that night. :)

Now, fast forward to about 2 weeks ago... Sister Van and I had decided that we needed to go see her again! The last time I had been there was with Sisters Carlson and Gheen, and it was about time we went back to her!! So, we set aside a time to go see her, and long story's short - she was SO HAPPY to see us!!! :) She welcomed us right in, and was just so sweet! It was the most wonderful meeting! We were able to tell her more about what we believe, who we are, and find out more about her and her family! After all was said and done, she told us to come back soon, and that she would be waiting! :)
Well, Sister Van Woerkom and I went back this past week again, and the biggest miracle happened! We rang her domophone, and a man's voice answered with a simple, "Tak?" ("Yes?") As soon as Sister Van and I heard his voice, we both looked at each other with big eyes and the biggest smiles! Her husband!! :) Their whole family was home!! As soon as he heard who we were, he buzzed us right in and welcomed us into his home. That in and of itself was such a miracle!! I couldn't believe it. Then, the next thing I know, we were all sitting around the dinner table eating blueberry cheesecake, laughing, and getting to know them more :) That was just the beginning though! Łukasz told us that Edyta had told him all about us, and that he had been eagerly waiting for us to come back and visit so he could talk with us about our beliefs! He asked about our church, and before I knew it we were talking with him and Edyta about the Restoration. :) I wish you all could have been there to see the way they looked at us as we talked, and how closely they listened to every word we said. It was the most incredible experience... When we finished talking about the prophet Joseph Smith, Łukasz just looked at us and said, "What next?? I am listening to the very end!" My heart was SO FULL, sitting there in that home, being able to talk to this sweet couple, holding hands as they listened to every word we said. The whole time we were there, I could not help but think - the Lord loves this little family SO much. :)

It was such a miracle, I can't even find the words to tell you all! I feel like my emails never do these experiences I have justice... But, I hope if nothing else - that you all know how much I love this work. How much I love the Lord, and this gospel, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This is everything to me, and being able to meet people like Edyta and Łukasz everyday and share the joy of this gospel with them... There is nothing better in the world. :)

I have so much more to tell you all, but I better get going! I hope you all have an amazing week!! Do something to brighten someone's day today :) No matter how small!

I love you all! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Z miłością,
Siostra Kamp

Random splash from the past, because my lovely Sister Craig is on a plane right now back to Canada, and I already miss her! Good luck with everything, my dear! The Lord has SO MUCH in store for you :)

Our lovely friend Tadeusz! 

Our english class!! I love these people SO MUCH! :) 

When you get your transfer call and YOU GET TO STAY TOGETHER!!!!! :D

A giant telephone? Guess who gets to start making phone calls (in Polish) this week??? ;)

Culture night with the Elder's! Museums and Polish dinner! 

Błogosławiona ponad miarę

Droga Rodzina i Drodzy Przyjaciele,

I am seriously overwhelmed by the amount of love I have felt from you all this weekend... I can't thank you enough for all the emails, letters, love, and prayers you all sent my way! I am so blessed, and the luckiest firl in the entire world!! <3 I'm without words. Bez słów. Thank you all SO much, from the bottom of my heart. This birthday was one I will never forget. 

A lot of amazing things happened this week - the Lord never fails to amaze and surprise me with His miracles. 

We were able to meet with our lovely friends Grażyna and Jola this week, which is always wonderful! We talked with both of them about the Book of Mormon and I just have to say - it is something SO amazing to me... The effect that one little book, 521 pages (in Polish) can have on not only someone's heart, but life in general. Each person we meet is going through their own trials, and has there own questions - but somehow that little book is able to touch the heart of every person who sincerely reads her, and answer the soul's biggest questions, no matter what they may be. I am a witness every single day to the power of the Book of Mormon, and the wonderful changes she brings to the lives of my investigators as they read her. How it is possible that something so small can bring such divine joy and eternal happiness to all of us who read her, is something I have thought of constantly this past year - and there is only one answer... The Book of Mormon is from God. And that I know, with everything I am. 

I don't have much more time this week, but as I told you all earlier, my heart has been overflowing with from the love I have felt this week. I am so grateful that I was able to spend this birthday in the service of my God, and the lovely people that I have fallen in love with here - I wouldn't have had it any other way. :) Life is funny, because the only thing I wanted for my birthday this year, was to forget myself, and spend it serving others. That's exactly what we did, and I loved every minute of it - but what I wasn't expecting, was how much service I would receive from others... I was overwhelmed with the amount of love I received: from the Lord, from my family, from my companion, from you all, and from the lovely people here in Poland. <3 I can't tell you all enough - I am so blessed. The Lord is so good to me. 

Thank you all again for all you do for me, and for the love you constantly give me! I love you, and I am so grateful for you! I hope this next week, I can bring these people the kind of happiness that you all brought me this week :) 

Miłego tygodnia, życzę wam!! Kocham was!!

Z miłością, 

Siostra Kamp

Romans 8, 38-39:

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

*Below:  Birthday Email from Lexi to me (Mama Kamp).  I had to share this sweet email!  It was many prayers come true, and her little p.s. at the end made me laught out loud.  I love her so much!

Dearest Darlingest Mom, 

Oh my word, I can't even thank you enough!! The birthday package, the flowers, the cake, the love... I was OVERWHELMED on Saturday, by the love I received!!!! Thank you SO much, mom. From my whole heart!!! It was the most amazing birthday in the world... :) I'll tell you a little about it! Here was my day:

1. I woke up a little early (which is usual, because I like to read my scriptures and pray before I start the actual days activities!) and went in the other room to read. Normally I leave the door open, so Sister Van and I can still see and hear each other, but she woke up and said, "Stay in there!!" then shut the door really quick! hahaha! So, I continued to read, then about 30 minutes later she said, "You can come out now if you want! :)" So, I did, and the ENTIRE APARTMENT was decorated in streamers and balloons, and she had made me pancakes for breakfast!!! Oh my, it was the cutest thing in the world, and so so unexpected! I love her so much!! She also brought this little jar of maple syrup with her from the US (we don't have that here), and made me use some of it for my special day! Oh my, she's the best! I forget how good syrup tastes!! But yeah, it was the cutest thing in the world. :) And i have these favourite Polish candy bars, and she had boughten me 5 of them, and written me the cutest little note... I seriously felt SO blessed, and the day had just started! 

2. After that lovely breakfast, I opened up the package you had sent, and I'm pretty sure I cried the whole time! Happy tears of course!! Mom, it was so much more than I could've ever DREAMED OF. I honestly felt more blessed than ever as I read all the letters, unwrapped all the presents, and just literally felt the love pouring out of that box. I'll never be able to tell you how much that meant to me... It was such an amazing blessing. <3 THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! 

3. We then sat down to study, and during studies we got a knock on our door 3 different times!! One, the most beautiful flowers ever!! Two, these cute little cake chocolates!! I seriously was dying... I felt so spoiled already.... :) You're the best mom in the world. <3 I'm so lucky. And then last, our doorman Janek! He came and brought me a little candy bar!! Oh, he's the cutest. 

(Also, I think I got about a million texts and phone calls from investigators, members, and english students wishing me a happy birthday... I AM SO BLESSED!!!!!!) 

4. Just when I thought my heart couldn't explode more, my mission President, his wife, and their three little kids called me and sang "Sto Lat!" (happy birthday in Polish) to me, and wished me a happy birthday... What other mission president does that??... I felt like the luckiest missionary in the world. :)

5. My lovely friend Tomek from Bydgoszcz came all the way down to Łódź to visit me, and tell me happy birthday!! We all went to lunch together, and he even did a finding activity with us and the Elder's :) Oh, he is wonderful, and that completely made my day too! 

6. Then, at the end of the day, I got a call from Sister Barney, and it turns out her, and all my other sister's from the MTC and Elder Ashworth had a combined phone call going, and they all sang to me over the phone!!! I talked with them all for like 20 minutes, and it was just such a special moment for me... They all called each other to plan this special phone call for me, and it just touched my heart so much hearing all of their voices again, all in one place. It took me back to the good times with them in the MTC, and was amazing to think.. Here we are, almost a year later... We've all grown so much... But we are still the best of friends. It was just the perfect topping to the perfect day. 

I had the PERFECT birthday, mom. It was spent doing what I love - serving the people I have grown to love here in this beautiful city!! But also, they all served ME... I did not expect that... and I will never be able to thank the Lord enough for all that happened that day. My heart is OVERFLOWING, still... I can't even believe how blessed i am. :) 

I'm so glad everything is going well at home, mamuś!! I don't have much time to reply more to this email, but... I just want you to know how grateful I am for you, how much I love you, and just how much I thank the Lord for you, dad, and my sissies. I am the LUCKIEST girl in the world... My heart is going to explode! I thought of you all all day on Saturday, and said countless prayers, hoping you could all find the joy in that day, and not be sad! Reading that Debbie sent you flowers melted my heart, and was just such an answer to prayer... :) I'm so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. 

I have to go, but I love you SO MUCH mom, and seriously can't thank you enough for this package... I will NEVER be able to tell you how much it means to me. 

I hope you have an amazing week, love!!!! I will talk to you next Tuesday!! (because of transfers)

Love always, 

Lexi 

P.s. funny side note- since I never speak english anymore (for like the past 6 months!) it's getting harder and harder to talk haha but this week, I was talking to Sister Van in english for some reason one day, and all the sudden she just looked at me and said, "You know... Your english really sucks. ;) From now on, I think we should spend language study like this: For a half of an hour, you can teach me polish, but for the other half, I am going to teach you english again. Sound good?" As soon as she said that, I died laughing, and just had to tell you!!! :) 

P.p.s. Don't worry... My english is FINE!! ;) 

 On the way to Warsaw for Zone Training! Getting lost leads to... adventure! :)

Some of the zone!

I love them!!

My lovely companion decorated our apartment for my birthday!!! I love her SO MUCH. Yes, it is like 10.00 in the morning, and pitch black outside... haha!

Cake and Flowers from my family! :)

My friend Tomek from Bydgoszcz came to Łódź for my birthday!

Surprised Elder Reid with birthday breakfast and presents this morning! Happy 21, Starszy!!

Who knew so much love could fit in this box?!?! <3 

Pictures from Siostra Van's email: