Loving life in Lublin

We received an email two weeks ago with Lance's proposed return travel itinerary......August 19th!

Here is the update for the month of May:

May 5th
"Lublin's awesome!  Loving the life here."
Lublin, he says, reminds him a lot of a Medieval town.  He makes the comparison to the scenery in the movie Braveheart.  It's very much how he had imagined Poland would look like.

The week was busy with Zone Conference and teaching many lessons.  They have one person who is very interested in the message, though he has been agnostic.  He came to sacrament meeting and had some questions that a member in the branch was able to help answer.  So that was good for everyone!

Last week, their lesson in Sunday School was about the church in Christ's day and this next week's lesson, they will talk about Christ's church today.  With smaller branches, they typically have just a sacrament meeting and a Sunday school lesson.  Lance thinks they might start implementing Priesthood and Relief Society lessons soon.  He says they have a few regular investigators right now who attend sacrament.

He says he focuses more of his studies to leading the branch and Sunday school.  He did a study recently about "secret combinations" to get a better idea of what that means.
Cain was the first to accept secret combinations as an oath between him and Satan.  Due to pride and selfish desire to gain glory from man, secret combinations have been administered to men since that time.  We learn a lot about this concept in the Book of Mormon.

2 Nephi 28:9 reads:
Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish docrtines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.

Lance explains that secret combinations are always administered in darkness and secretiveness.  They are used to get power, to murder, to rob, to get gain, to overthrow all nations.  The Lord does not work in secret abominations.  Visit https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/8?lang=eng to read more about the reality and the dangers.

(As I read this scripture, I personally find this to be so fitting for our day.  I see secret combinations at work all around us.  They are being used to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries....including our own personal freedom.  There was a time when I didn't, couldn't, understand why there would be conspiring men.  It was hard for me to fathom why anyone, any group of people, would want to impose upon me and my happiness.  I completely and fully understand it all now and it is very disturbing.  I am extremely grateful that my eyes are open and I can make educated and inspired decisions!)

Lance reminds that we have the power to overcome these conspiracies.  Be aware of the pattern!  Protect ourselves through the fundamentals.  Read scriptures, pray, meditate, attend church, make sacred covenants with God, etc.
(And remember, secret and sacred are NOT one in the same.)

He concludes his email by expressing his excitement that we are going to be Skyping for our Mother's Day call!  I had called the Mission Office to make sure my calling plan would allow me to reach Poland.  The elder that answered my call told me the good news.  So exciting!

"The Gospel's true."

Rockin their "pan" hats!

May 12th
Lance's 21st birthday!  And the day after Mother's Day!  What a great time to be alive.

I sent him a birthday package too late, so he didn't get it in time for his actual birthday.  I did send some balloons so he could make his own party.  Little did I know that a family in his branch was planning a celebration BBQ for him!  This sweet sister and her husband don't speak much English (and I speak NO Polish) sent me pictures on FB of the celebration.  My husband and I even got an invite!  Too bad we couldn't hop a plane to Lublin...cuz I sooooo would've.

Our Mother's Day call via Skype was absolutely wonderful!  I took lots of video of our conversation for Lance to enjoy when he gets home.  His reaction to seeing us was SO priceless!

Russell and Tiff

Our chat was so wonderful!  He looked so healthy and happy and just glowing.  We got to meet his companion and share a few words.  What a wonderful young man and mission companion for my son!  Lance filled us in as much as possible on how things are going.  Much of our time, though, was spent on filling him in on our doings.  Russell has an exponentially longer beard than the last time I sent a picture, so Lance was cracking up.  Tiff was leaving for Arizona the next day to start her new job, so it was great to have her there with us, especially so Lance could wish her well.  Lance asked about everyone in the family and friends.  It was great to share with him all that has been going on, though I do try to keep him updated in our weekly emails.  It was just an overall wonderful experience to chat live with him!

Lance begins his recording by expressing how wonderful it was to see us all over Skype.  He says we all look great and healthy.  His dad wore his "pan" hat during the chat and I brought out a little Polish flag so he could see we are always supportive of him and Poland.
His spiritual thought today pertains to reconciling some differences in our beliefs and those of a predominant religion in Lublin.  Lance says the missionaries do not Bible bash.  Instead, they use the complementary scripture that supports our position as the "other sheep".  He uses the concept of "knowing a prophet by their fruits".

Matthew 7:15-20 explains this very well....
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

The complement to this in the Book of Mormon is found in Moroni 7:5-6...

5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.

6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.

So how might we know if a prophet (or any person, for that matter) is sincere in their intentions?  If their fruits are charity and perfect love for all mankind.  If they are meek, humble, full of charity. They are not puffed up, prideful, search for reasons to argue, and do not try to stir up the hearts of man.  False prophets, or false Christians, will be like ravenous wolves.  They are caught up in their pride.  By that, all charity is lost.  So by their ACTIONS (their fruits), you shall know them.  The things they say, their body language, their vibe, the things they desire, everything manifests into your actions...whether they be good or bad.
Christ-like attributes are a give away for someone who has charity, for self and others.

Lance closes his recording by again, expressing his love for Lublin and the people there.  He loves teaching the Gospel.  He appreciates our prayers and love.  He prays for us everyday, too.  We'll be reunited in three months!

May 19th
"Hey, good morning, Parents!  This is Elder Kotter calling in from Lublin!  Lublin's pretty sweet.  Super pretty.  It's been raining like straight for the last week and half.  So much that there has been some flooding in parts of Poland."
On the docket for his P day activities today:  rent bikes and peddle around the town.

Things are great.  Working hard and TONS of lessons with a lot of people!  They extended an invitation of baptism for one man.  It's looking promising.
They had a couple from Utah visit their branch this week while there doing research for genealogy.  I received an email from them praising Lance's work and his character.  Such a wonderful surprise!

There is a family in the area that attend church regularly, though they are not members.  Lance says they are an AMAZING family!  They had Lance and his companion over for dinner and Lance said it was wonderful, just like home.  All healthy and natural.  I was happily to hear from her on FB...she is into yoga and healthy lifestyle.  I love that I have a new friend in Poland!  Lance also mentioned a young woman from Taiwan who was leaving to go home to be sealed in the temple.

Here is the picture I received from my new friend:

 A picture of Lance's friend from Taiwan.:

The spiritual thought he shares today is taken from his lesson on repentance in Sunday School.  He shares 2 Nephi 2:6-10.  Read the passage here:  https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2?lang=eng
An essential key to obtaining the power of the atonement is through repentance.  Repentance does not dictate that we need to be "super sad" or anything, but it's an exciting change.  It's a fresh outlook on God and life in general.  Confess our sins to God and compensate for them.  Then FORGIVE.  Ourselves and others.  If we don't forgive ourselves, then God cannot forgive us.  Move forward with determination in our new lives.  So, repentance means to forgive ourselves completely and quit reliving the past.  It's good to remember the lesson we learned from those experiences, but use the lesson as a positive affirmation of our new selves.  "I love repentance!"

Lance says one of his goals of his mission was to better understand the Holy Ghost and better understand Him.  He feels like he has been able to accomplish that.

"The Gospel is true!"

(This recording was exceptionally fun as Lance struggled several times to come up with the English words for things.  Cracked us up!)

May 26th
"Looks like it's going to be another beautiful day.  I've been trying not to get sunburned, but you know how hard that is for a red head!"

They taught a lot of lessons and met with quite a few people.  They've extended a few invitations to baptism, so they're hopeful.  He loves to see the fruits of teaching people!  He says he can't believe how fast time flies.  He is very grateful for everything he's learned over these two years.  He's been thinking about plans for when he gets home.  He wants to become a health and wellness counselor...helping people with their basics.  Lots of great opportunities in that field, for sure!

He's been reading a lot out of Jesus the Christ lately.  In the book, the author gives a great breakdown of the parable of the talents.  To read this story, click here:  https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/25?lang=eng

Lance loves this story!  Everyone is given gifts...many diverse gifts and talents that enrich our lives and the lives of others.  The Lord expects us to use our gifts.  If we don't, we can lose it and become miserable.  And if we want to increase our talents and gifts, we can ask for them and work for them.  We are ALL capable of receiving more!  Line upon line, precept upon precept.
2 Nephi 28:30 reads:
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

It just goes to show that we need to use and develop these gifts.  We have the ability to help ourselves and others to grow.  We balance each other out and build the Kingdom of God.

We can at least pray to recognize the gifts that God has given us, or those we'd like to obtain.  They are attributes of God's character within us.  What a great prospect!  Some take more time to develop.
Ether 12:27 states:  
And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Lance says he has learned this during his mission.  Through experience and hard work.  Such as gifts of leadership and boldness.

He feels like this mission has blessed his life more than he can even comprehend at this point.  He believes if he were anywhere else, he wouldn't be learning half as much as he is right now.  This is where he's supposed to be.

In two and a half weeks, President Uchtdorf will be visiting Poland and Lance is very excited!  He plans on recording the whole talk on his voice recorder.

Majdanek

Wrap

Castle

Hurdy Gurdy

Another month down, three more to go!

Yes, I have begun the countdown!  I spent a large chunk of time yesterday organizing pictures from the last 21 months so that I might begin the task of printing them for his scrapbooks.  And I do believe it's going to take that long for me to get it all put together!

April 7th

"The weather has been way nice and everything is going so awesome!"
They were able to watch most of General Conference and it was exactly what he needed to hear.  He specifically mentions the talks by Elder Holland, Elder Bednar, Elder Ballard, President Uchtdorf, and President Monson.  Much of what is heard in General Conference is also taught by the mission president in Zone Training so that the missionaries can teach the members.  Zone Training was excellent and they all came away feeling "pumped up".

One topic that was focused on is why people followed Joseph Smith.  Some of the reasons they came up with are that he had the Spirit with him, he had such strong confidence in what he believed, and that he KNEW he is a child of God.  He lived his life in accordance with this knowledge.  They also read in the book of Moses that Moses went to pray and sees God face to face and comes to the understanding that he is a child of God.  When satan comes to tempt him, Moses is able to withstand the temptations and even cast satan out.  It's a good example of what we can also do when faced with temptation.  Remember that we are children of God and we have more power than anything the adversary can dish out.
Moses chapter 1 reads: "For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  This is God's vision for us.  So we can strengthen each other in the knowledge that we are His offspring.  Lead by example, lift others up with your actions and words, serve with compassion, etc.

They were asked in Zone Training to think of a time they felt the most faithful.  Lance says it was when he opened his mission call to come to Poland.  He remembers feeling that no matter what was in his way, he could accomplish it.  That faith carried him through times when he would struggle; like when he would forget things or the language seemed too difficult.  God is willing to provide help whenever desired and we need to trust in Him.  Be 100% obedient to the commandments (the first two focus on LOVE).  And be sensitive to and be worthy to receive the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  Recognizing the Spirit in our lives comes through experience.  Just trust Him, have faith, be obedient to the commandments, act on the promptings, be patient.  And, using the Atonement.  The struggles we face help us grow.  Lance says he has felt that at times, especially during this mission, that once given responsibility, he felt the weight of it and couldn't always see the blessings like he may have expected.  Ultimately, the blessings are there, if we are willing to recognize them.  God helps ease our burdens and lighten the weight so that we can more easily bear them.  Instead of worrying, ponder.  Ask, "Why are things the way they are?"  Control what you can control in your life.  And put the rest in God's hands!  Read Helaman 5:12 here:  https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/5.12?lang=eng

April 14th

"It's been a pretty big, full week of stuff!  We got our transfer calls!  I'm sure you already know about this since we told Brother K and he probably told Sister K and she probably told all the moms on Facebook..."

But actually, no, she wouldn't tell us!  So we had to wait till P day to find out!  It was torture but I survived.  Turns out Lance was called as Branch President in Lublin, which he was VERY surprised about.  Surprised and excited and nervous.  He feels this position will teach him a lot and hopes to do well in his responsibilities.  As always during his mission, he is putting all faith in God to help him.
He is going to miss his current area and companion, though.  Especially the branch president of the Bydgoszcz branch.  Lance is also going to miss a member family who made the missionaries feel like they are a part of their family.  He will also miss his companion and the many branch members.

Bydgoszcz Branch President

Sister K set up a service project

Some of the members in Bydgoszcz

Bydgoszcz missionaries

Games

One of MANY meals at the K's home

Anyways, he sums up what he learned from this General Conference.  He learned how important it is to stand up for what we believe in. Be steadfast in the Gospel.  People might not always believe what we do and even criticize us, but we should always do what is right.  Speak out to make it known that we follow Christ and we do it with love.  Like "What Would Jesus Do?" to remind us how to change the world through righteousness and Christ-like love.  And all things are possible with faith, hope, love, and righteousness.  

Lance points out that we chose to come here and we ought to do our best to profit from the plan that God has given us...to serve, love, and do what is right.  He testifies that the Gospel is true, that we have a living prophet, modern day revelation...the fullness of the Gospel.  Though not all believe that God still calls prophets and apostles, we do.  

April 21st

This week's email came on Tuesday instead of Monday.  In Poland, they have a national holiday the Monday after Easter Sunday called Smigus Dyngus, so everything was closed down for the day.  So we are glad to receive an email, even if it's a day later than usual.  But he says Lublin is a beautiful town.  There is a castle and a shopping center called a rynek.  There are a couple of concentration camps there, one nearby and the other is Auschwitz.  He doubts they will go see those, though.  

His new companion!

Lance says his new companion is very faithful and a hard worker.  He says they get along great and have a lot of great plans for the work.  Lublin is somewhat of a college town, so they have been meeting a lot of people his own age, which they have enjoyed.  He also explained how it works for him to be Branch President AND a missionary.  Basically, he is sustained as Branch President.  So another elder in the area proposed the sustaining, and it was unanimous.  They have a great family in the branch that has been very helpful.  He says they love missionaries, which is nice!  Here are some pictures a member of this family posted to Lance's FB page...

I can see they are being loved and cared for by this wonderful family  

In light of the Easter season, his spiritual thought focuses on the Resurrection.  He points out that it can be hard to believe in such a concept.  But thanks to more clarification through the Book of Mormon and modern day revelation, we have a better understanding of what it means.  There are many difficult concepts in the Bible that the Book of Mormon clarifies. Truly, it is one of the "sticks of Judah" spoken of in the Bible!

April 28th 

Lance begins by describing Lublin's beauty.  Parks, buildings, nature.  They have been teaching many college students, including some who are very open to the Gospel message.  One investigator even came to church and the Spirit was very strong.  

"It was a really good week!"

Lance points out 6 fundamental attributes of Christ's church.  They're all written in the Bible and Book of Mormon.  

1. Revelation - Through prophets and personal revelation.  All through the Holy Ghost.

2. Authority from God - Priesthood power to guide the church in God's name.  

3. Organization of the church - Order 

4. Fundamental principles and ordinances - Baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, temple ordinances

5. Ordinances for the dead - Proxy ordinances

6. Spiritual gifts - Tongues, discerning spirits, healing, being healed, etc.

See https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-cor/12?lang=eng

It makes sense that those attributes would be found in Christ's church. 

Interesting foot note.  The records that comprise the Book of Mormon were being written BEFORE the book of Revelation was written.  

As with all scripture, faith is required when reading to know if it is truth.  

He closes by sharing how much he loves this mission and his new companion.  He says this companion is "way chill" and a great missionary. 

Lance feels like this mission has transformed him into more of who he already was.  

"The Gospel's true.  The church is true.  Joseph Smith was a true prophet.  Book of Mormon is true.  It's all true.  It's a matter of faith and the only way to find out is to pray."  

How time flies...

...and not just in my busy world!
Time is speedily moving along for Lance in the mission field and that is giving him a bit of anxiety at the thought of having to leave.  For those of you who read my little blog, you know that Lance LOVES life in Poland!  Of course there are some set backs and challenges, but they don't dissuade him from his goal.  And that goal is to bring the awareness of the full Gospel to those who are interested.  He can present the ideas, but it is up to the person/persons to ask of God themselves if these things be true.  He has had some really wonderful spiritual experiences that have had a profound impact on him.

Here is a recap of the last month.

February 24th:
His area is experiencing some great spring like weather and he's been loving it.  He mentions that he's really only had one month of really cold weather.  Unusual for Poland, but much appreciated by the missionaries!

This week he was able to go on exchanges with an elder from Norway, which went really well.  He also got to see an elder that he'd trained and is now a trainer, too.  Lance says, "I'm so happy!  It makes me happy to see 'my boy' training another young missionary.  It's so crazy!"
They met with a woman that Lance says is way awesome.  She seems really ready for the message.
Transfers came through and he and his current companion are staying.  He's really glad he gets to stay in Bydgoszcz, even though two elders in his area are being transferred and he'll miss them.

They've been meeting with a man from Hungary.  Lance says he is incredible!  He is searching for truth and is very open, so Lance feels really good about that.  "The work's going awesome!"

They had to stay in one day to clean their apartment for apartment checks.  He says he is much cleaner now and so it's easier for him to stay on top of it.  He referred to himself before this mission as a "mini hoarder".  And I would have to agree with him!

He speaks very highly of the branch president of his area.  He says he's "like the COOLEST member I've ever met!".  They also got to have dinner with a member family in a nearby town named Torun.  He says the town was the most beautiful he's seen yet.  Probably because it has what he calls a "Renaissance" feel to it.

Torun

Copernicus's birthplace!

This week's spiritual thought is about the Resurrection.  He has been reading about it a lot in the book of Alma and in a companion study book.  In Alma 41, we learn more about how we are the ones who judge ourselves.  We choose our behavior and thus, choose our consequences.  What you do is restored to you.

Alma 41:7 - These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or evil.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, we read the term "quickened" in conjunction with our personal resurrection.  In other words, we'll be resurrected within the energy vibration of which we have chosen.  He proposes an interesting idea...according to our agency, there are some who may refuse resurrection.  Perhaps they are more comfortable remaining in their current state of existence.  And resurrection is certainly not going to be forced on anyone.  Resurrection is natural progression of choosing to live a mortal existence.

He closes this recording with a challenge to re-read Alma 40-42.  The Gospel gives us so much hope!

March 3rd:
"Seriously, life is awesome!  It's March already, which is crazy.  I can't believe time is going by so fast!"

This week was really good, he says.  He's working with solid investigators now.  He mentions a sweet woman who they are passing over to the Sisters.  They've begun meeting with another man, including the meetings with the man from Hungary.  Things are going well with them...he says they're all so "humble".  They've also met with a few other people that they hope will follow through.  He says they had members come along for their lessons.  He hopes that these members will be able to strike up friendships with the investigators since the missionaries are always coming and going.  It's a double edged sword, at times.

In Alma 56, we read a story about "The 2,000 Stripling Warriors".  If you haven't read this story, it's a must!  Lance knows that Alma is probably my favorite book and I refer to it often.  It's intense yet so inspirational!  Follow this link to read for yourself:  https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/56?lang=eng
Verse 46 reads: For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go lest they should overpower the army of Anitpus.
Verse 47:  Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
How fitting that Lance should share this scripture this week as it is something I think on often.  Do not doubt your faith.  I may doubt people, circumstances, etc., but how powerful it is for me to not doubt my faith!  For me, not to live in the fear of death (or fear of anything, really), but to go forth for liberty, peace, and all good things.  Attracting the positives, putting my whole trust in the Lord, that which is harmonious will come to pass.  It's okay to be disappointed in the circumstances...just stay positive and hopeful that you will be "delivered".  This is a virtue I live by (with much success) in my life!

Lance closes his recording by sending his love to us, his brother, and all the family.  He feels like he's a better person since he's been on this mission.  He is applying the atonement to his life!

Sent to me from a member in Bydgoszcz

March 10th:
Things are awesome, as usual.  Lots of sunshine and warm weather still.  He reflects on this time last year in Szczecin and how much colder it was then.
Speaking of Szczecin, Lance is going on exchanges there with another elder.  And he gets to see his good friend, whom he hasn't seen since leaving there.  He's SO excited!  He will also be checking in with some of the other people he was involved with when he was serving there.
Here a picture I received from his friend:

In Bydgoszcz, they're still working with the guy from Hungary. Lance feels like he's very accepting of the Gospel and is moving forward.  They are also meeting with one of their contacts from last week, who is now coming to church.  He says things are going so great!  He thanks us for our prayers on his behalf and asks us to pray for those they are teaching.

His spiritual thought comes from his reading in Alma again this week.  He says the main idea that has come to him through this reading is how pride is so damaging, it can bring down a whole people.  He also refers to a talk by Ezra T. Benson called "Beware of Pride" (refer to https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng&query=beware+of+pride).
In this talk, President Benson makes the comparison that pride equates enmity.  Enmity toward God and our fellow man.
What can we do to avoid this pitfall?  Choose to be humble.  Forgive others who've offended.  Give selfless service.  Forsake our sins.  I would like to add, give up that which has no positive effect.  Become more in alignment with God's will.  Choose to be positive, happy, cheerful, diligent, virtuous, helpful, prayerful, and faithful.

Lance says he is continually learning something new, and he loves it!  He appreciates our constant prayers.  Life is good!

March 17th:
Life's awesome in Bydgoszcz!  It's actually been fairly cold and rainy this week.  He's loving it, though.
They're still teaching the guy from Hungary.  Things are going really well!  They often have the branch president on their lessons, and Lance loves him!  Says he's a fun guy!  He says, "I'm a spaz and he's a spaz too, so we just spaz out together!"  They've created a great bond.  Lance truly loves his branch!

His trip to Szczecin was a spiritual experience for him.  He said from the moment the train pulled in to town, he was impressed upon by the Spirit.  He was euphoric!  The senior couple picked him up from the train station and they went straight to the chapel where he met with his group of friends.  He was especially excited to see one young man that has become a close friend.  Lance and this young man went contacting the next day together.  Lance says that was on of the coolest experience he's had!  It's a very strong possibility that this young man will be putting in his mission papers soon.  Lance is just amazed that this was a guy he found one day just sitting on a bench in the park one day last year.

Lance was also able to reconnect with a couple other people that were baptized while Lance served there last year.  One of them has really done well...passing the sacrament, very faithful, very appreciative and loving!  Lance says that he views Szczecin as a "sacred city" and hopes to serve there again before his release.

His spiritual thought touches on the Atonement again.  The Atonement is a lot of things, but the main idea is that we can cleanse and purify our hearts.  It washes away all things, even our pasts.  Just by applying it in our lives.  Forgiving ourselves completely since God is always first to forgive us.

It's all very metaphysical to me, which I find so fascinating!

March 24th:
"Hey...it's Elder Kotter!  How's it going???"
The weather's rainy lately and he misses the sun.  But, that's how it is in Spring!

Lance went on exchanges to Poznan and it was successful!  Things are still progressing with the Hungarian man. He's been busy working with the opera crew in Bydgoszcz by teaching them Hungarian.  Another investigator is still progressing.  So that's good.

Lance was on his way for exchanges to a town called Gdansk with the DL there, who is a young man that Lance trained.  He's SO excited to work with him again!  Things are great, though the rain is making people stay inside more than usual, so that means fewer lessons.

His spiritual thought for this week focuses on charity and love.  He says that charity is one of the most important virtues.  Charity is the pure love of Christ.  Jesus Christ showed us the truest acts of love.  He's the best example of what charity and love can do!  Cleave unto charity.
Ways we can cleave unto charity:
Always look at others the way God would look at them.
Serving others as Christ serves us.
Always pray to have the love for others that God has for us.
Live and love and act as Christ would.
Have hope that we can be purified as Christ is pure.

Lance says that he vowed to himself that he will always follow Christ and show others who he follows through his actions.

Finally, he shares a story that as a mom sends fear straight through my soul.
Lance and his companion were contacting at an apartment complex when a "weird" looking guy comes out and tells them to leave.  He then pulls out a gun from a side holster.  He cocks it and points it straight at them.  They walked away and went to the next set of apartments, and sure enough that same guy shows up to intimidate them again.  Thankfully it didn't turn into anything more serious, but those are the things that remind me...not everyone appreciates the Good Word.  Lance says it was a good reminder of how important it is to be as Christ-like as possible.  Otherwise, you can lose that love for people!  Love is what helps you forgive.

May God bless us all!

Preaching the Gospel in Bydgoszcz!

January 20th

First week in Bydgoszcz and Lance loves it already!  He says it's "seriously the best!"
He says the town is very similar in size to his hometown in Utah.  The people are friendly and many people stop to talk with the missionaries.  He and his companion are starting out this transfer right.  They've got one person who is very interested at this point.  This man has promised to read the Book of Mormon and find for himself if it's true.  So they are very excited about his progress!  He feels this transfer is a blessing.

He shares Alma chapter 12 from the Book of Mormon.  The chapter lays out the plan of salvation.  Alma explains it well so that most anyone can understand.  Adam and Eve chose to learn through the full expression of free will.  It's best to have the opportunity to be faced with both the good and bad so we can make a more educated decision.

Lance had zone trainings recently and he was able to see one of his past companions, which he was happy about.  In his zone, they have Poznan, Szczecin, Gdansk, Bydgoszcz districts, so he and his companion teach the missionaries in those districts.  He loves the work!  He enjoys translating for the American family in his branch.  He thinks they are an amazing family!  He has become friends with those he serves with.

January 27th

The weather's cold so they keep their apartment very warm.  He's decided that he hates the cold.  "It's horrible.  It hurts!"

No meeting with their current investigator this week, though they're not too worried.  They gave him a baptism date.  He says one of the biggest lessons he's learned is patience and trust in the Lord's timing.  He points out that God knows what we need and when we need it, so we ought not get frustrated.  We just need to do our best, keep our covenants, and align ourselves with God's plan.  Everything will work out!

Though they receive their fair share of rejection, they don't let it get them down.  He's found that it helps him keep his emotions in check.  Even when they get yelled at, threatened, and attacked, they keep on going. They ask themselves, "What would Christ do?"...and that is to just love and accept people.  God loves all His children!

Sunday is always a miracle day, he says.  He gets to translate for the 3 hour block and he has enjoyed it.  He says he keeps his energy up by drinking water and taking shots of peppermint oil.  He really relies on the Spirit to know what the speaker is saying so he can translate correctly.  He loves the language and plans on continuing it even after he's home.  He says he'll probably pick Welsh back up when he gets home.  He thinks it'll be easy considering the difficulty level of Polish.  But they had a great teaching experience later that day.  They contacted someone who invited them to meet at a certain address.  Turns out it was a large Catholic church.  They were invited to an upstairs room to teach a small group of young men.  It was a very spiritual meeting.

Those in the meeting all left with their own copy of the Book of Mormon.

February 3

The Superbowl was yesterday and Lance was curious as to which team had won.  His companion was rooting for the Seahawks, so he was wondering if they'd won.  The weather's been nice there and they've enjoyed the spring like temps.  They taught quite a few lessons over the week, including their usual Sunday miracle day!  He prayed and fasted that day to find people who are ready to hear the Gospel and are ready to change.  They had their prayers answered that very night.

His brother's birthday was February 1st and he sends his love and well wishes.  He ate a brownie from an American brownie mix and had an MSG reaction.  I know what that's like considering I also have the same physical reaction to it.  So, he learned a valuable lesson not to eat bad food.

He mentions again that he feels like the mission has helped him become much more patient.  He shares a scripture story from Mosiah where we are encouraged to be patient in our afflictions and be faithful that we will benefit from our trials.  Put our trust in God.  Mosiah 24:14-15
Follow this link - http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/24?lang=eng
How do we get patience?
Step one:  Hope, faith, and prayer
Step two:  100% trust in the Lord
Step three:  Do everything in your power to not get angry or frustrated. Choose to be calm and cheerful.
We all have weaknesses but when we try to overcome them, He makes them strengths.  We're not perfect but Mosiah 4:9 helps us put our trust in the Lord.  It takes charity, faith, hope, prayer, scripture study, hope, attaining knowledge!

He closes this week's recordings with his testimony of Joseph Smith being a true prophet.

February 10th

Lance starts out by hoping we received the snow that we prayed for.  He knows that Utah counts on the snow pack in the mountains for our water for the summer.  In Poland, the weather's been really warm.

He shared his regular everyday schedule:
Get up at 6:30, get ready, work out, eat, shower.
Personal study at 8:00 in the Bible, Book of Mormon, Preach My Gospel
Comp study at 9:00, read from the Missionary Handbook.
Language study at 10:00.
Out on the streets teaching from 11:00 to 1:00.
Lunch from 1 to 2:00.
Then more teaching till 5:00 for dinner.
Back out for more teaching until 9:00.
Plan for half an hour, pray, and take calls from the 4 District Leaders in the Zone.
Call into the APs.
Write in our journals and go to bed.

He gives a review of Our Heritage and shares his feelings about the history of the pioneers.  He has the utmost respect for Joseph Smith and those who were the first members of the restored church.  Many of his ancestors on his dad's side are those pioneers and most of our state was settled by them.  He's very grateful for their sacrifices.

He's making plans for what he'll do when he gets home.  School is on the docket now, which is a change since he didn't care at all before he left for his mission to go to college.  He has learned a lot about life and people during this mission.  He has a genuine concern and love for his fellow man.

A month's worth of missionary work!

12-23-13

Preparing for our Christmas phone call, he kept this week's recordings and email short.  He did advise us to jot down a few questions or thoughts that we might have for our call.  We had already done that...because we had been preparing for a few weeks for the call!
He says that Zoliborz had still had nice temperatures and no snow.  Unusual for Poland at this time of the year, to say the least.  He says that's made it feel less like Christmas, even though Warsaw is decked out with massive and beautiful light displays.  They are having a little get together with the other missionaries in his area and exchange White Elephant gifts.  The missionaries have been caroling as a way to meet people.  He's learned some great Polish carols that he promises to sing to us when he gets home.
The Christmas season is a great time for the missionaries to teach those who will listen about Christ.  Often, they will talk with people who don't understand that when we pray, we pray directly to our Heavenly Father, in the name of Christ.  This can be a new concept to many who aren't familiar with the Restored Church and how Jesus Christ taught when he was on the Earth.
Lance has become pretty comfortable with the language, to the extent that he translates during meetings for those who only speak English.  He explained to us the syntax and other aspects of Polish but it still seems too complicated for me!
He closed his email with the time and the phone number we were to call on Christmas Day and expressed his excitement at hearing from us.

12-25-13

Our Christmas call was a success...eventually!  We were scheduled to call at 12:00 p.m., our time.  I began the process at 11:55 but the call wasn't connecting.  I got on line to look up further calling instructions, but still no luck.  I started to get panicked.  My older son got on my cell carrier's website only to learn that the International calling plan I had bought wasn't everything I needed.  We ran over to the neighbors to use their phone, but it also wouldn't work through their plan.  Finally, I called Lance's companion's parents in Idaho and asked them to call Lance and let him know we were working on it.  Thankfully, his companion's dad was able to patch us through on a conference call.  We were about 25 minutes late getting through, but at least we were able to talk!  We all got some time to talk with him and hear his happiness.  He always tells us through his emails and recordings that he loves it, and that's what we heard again on our call.  Now the count down to Mother's Day!  I will have the right calling plan figured out then.

Christmas Eve

12-30-13

Lance starts out by expressing how great it was to hear our voices on Christmas Day.  Even though there was all the confusion, it was still wonderful!  We all owe a debt of gratitude to his companion's parents!  Thankfully, they travel to our area often so we will be taking them out for Indian food to thank them.
They were able to go to the Branch President's home for Christmas Eve for a get together.  They had dinner and reenacted the Nativity.  He said it was a lot of fun.  I'm so grateful for those in Poland who go out of their way to include my son in their activities! After the activity, they went to Catholic Mass.  This was the second Mass he's attended since being in Poland.  Christmas Day had them at the chapel for most of the day with games, food, and entertainment.  Then our phone call was a great end to his celebration!
He closes by sharing a short spiritual thought about holding on to faith and revisits the story of Abinidi in the Book of Mormon.  Read the story in Mosiah chapters 11 and 12.(http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/11?lang=eng)

Christmas in Warsaw

1-6-14

Happy New Year!
Lance got his transfer to a town named Bydgoszcz (bid-go-sh-t...or something close to it) and he's so excited!  It's a beautiful town, he says.  He's also excited to serve with his new companion and serving as Zone Leader.  His former companion is going to continue on with an investigator they've been teaching.
The missionaries got to teach in a town named Prague (prah-guh) on New Year's Day.  They were doing a white board lesson on the street when they were confronted by a group of drunk guys.  Lance knew, from past experiences, not to talk to them, but this group wouldn't leave.  Eventually, the missionaries had to get away.  But they got followed onto the tram.  Lance ended up getting punched in the side and slapped in the face!  Lance was able to call the police, which diffused the situation.  Soon, some of the people on the tram began to stand up for the missionaries.  It all ended peacefully, which is good.  This is definitely not the first time he's been attacked.  Let's hope it's the last!
Lance shares Mosiah 29 which describes the qualities of a good government:
Verse 16 - Now I say unto you, that because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you.  
Verse 17 - For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!
Verse 26 - Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law - to do your business by the voice of the people
Verse 27 - And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.
Personally, I'm very thankful for the Book of Mormon which gives us so many warnings as to the best and most effective way to live.

Photographic proof that Lance does sing!

1-13-14

Well, Lance loves Bydgoszcz!  No surprise there.  He's loved every place in Poland!  He says this town reminds him a lot of Szczecin.  Old town feel and lots of friendly people on the streets.  Their apartment is really nice...it even has a bidet, which is fairly unknown here in the States.  His new companion is enthusiastic and loves the Polish people, so they're going to be a great companionship.
Lance had to buy a new set of luggage.  He says the set he brought from home is "completely destroyed".
He's lined up for some exchanges to several towns which have names I can't spell.  He and his companion are involved in getting the zone trainings and conferences planned.  He has really enjoyed being so involved in the workings of the mission.  He feels like he has a deeper understanding of what the needs are.  He says it's fun and he loves it.  A little nervous, but he's excited!
He has a couple investigators now.  They get to teach a couple lessons this week, along with the zone meetings.  He has so many great and wonderful things to say about his fellow missionaries!  And he loves the branch he's in.  There are almost 40 members...and everyone in leadership positions is Polish, which he says is "SO great!".  He especially loves an American family living in Bydgoszcz.  This family has been very involved with the missionaries and the whole mission experience.  They had the missionaries for dinner and they all got to know each other and had a nice dinner.
And, he got word that someone he and his companion in Szczecin had been teaching got baptized this weekend!  They had a wonderful phone conversation, which made Lance so happy.

As his mom, knowing that he's being cared for, making great friends, and enjoying this mission has been the most comforting and joyful experience!

We miss him but wouldn't want him anywhere else right now.

Playing a game

Laughing!

Games

Buddies

Thanks, Kelley!

A few weeks' updates!

11-25

No snow yet…and Lance is hoping it will just “give up” like it does sometimes in Utah.
They’re kicking butt and moving forward. He expects to get a baptismal date soon for someone they’re teaching right now.  Another man they’re teaching came to Gospel Doctrine, where Lance taught on the topic of the Gathering of the House of Israel. He loves that topic. Jacob 5 in the Book of Mormon, which Lance calls the biggest parable we have, covers a lot of the subject matter. He points out that the Gathering is all saints across the world building Zion where ever they live. He mentions a great book, “A Companion to your Study of the Book of Mormon”. Lance says it’s probably the most helpful book he’s read yet to help him explain to others things within the Book of Mormon.

He had a few experiences that led him to dub this week “drunk person week.” He says that winter can become depressing and one way people may deal with it is to spend time being drunk. He says they went tracting to a “communist block” and saw a lady sitting on the curb looking sad. He and his companion decided to talk to her. It didn't take him long to realize that she had been drinking when she came at him, threatening to give him a kiss. He backed away quickly and explained that wasn't going to happen. So, they all agreed it was time for them to part ways. “It was super funny…and super weird!”
His next experience happened when they were teaching a lesson on the street. During their discussion, a drunk couple came up and began interrupting. When they were asked what they wanted, the woman came up to Lance and tried to snuggle up against him. He backed away and told her he had a Book of Mormon for her. She got really excited and gave him a drunk lady kiss on his forehead and then the couple just stumbled off. But they were able to finish the lesson in the end!

He says his mission is like an adventure every day. He’s learned to embrace change. The Gospel doesn't change but people do. When we get into a rut and aren't progressing, we become depressed. So if we can change, for the better, we feel much more accomplished. Thanks to our agency and mortality, we can work on those things we consider to be weaknesses and turn them to strengths. Recently, he came up with a list of things he feels that he could get better at. He is now working on making them strengths.

The Gospel has changed his life and he has seen how it has changed the lives of many people around him. He points out that it never gets old, becoming some sort of hobby. It’s simple yet it’s the fundamentals of life. He loves the Gospel. And so do I!

 

12-2

Still no snow, just super cold. “But, it’s good. And it’s beautiful!” He says it gets light around 7:30 and dark around 3:30. And the sun just barely gets up above the horizon, like a constant sunset. They’re walking their feet off…he’s got “missionary feet”!

They’re still teaching a few investigators and things are progressing with them. He’s had the opportunity to visit with a few “atheists”, which Lance enjoys. He says they spend a lot of time sharing our beliefs on life after death. And how our lives are of divine importance and that we all have a great purpose. They also address that God is our loving Father and we can gain a personal relationship with Him through prayer.

Lance shares his feelings on the story of Enos, a prophet from the Book of Mormon. The story of this amazing prophet can be found here: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/enos
The story has had a great impact on how Lance views prayer. Enos prays with mighty faith for his loved ones and for the people.  Enos gives us a good example of how we would want to pray…with sincerity. Lance encourages us to look up the topic prayer in the Bible dictionary and read.
“As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.”
Pray not in vain, in a rote manner, but with a sincere heart. Align our will with God’s will.

Lance bought a cookbook and has been making his own pierogis (dumplings), which are similar to raviolis. They are a very popular food in Poland. He loves the Polish language and has been translating during their Sunday meetings. He says it’s a bit of a work out trying to keep up, but knows that he has been blessed through the Spirit to be able to do it. They had a great celebration at the mission president's house for Thanksgiving. He says it was great to get a taste of traditional American Thanksgiving food.

12-9

Finally got some snow…and even received his Christmas package I sent! Last year it took him over a month to get his package, this time around it took about a week. I included some pictures from Thanksgiving so he could see his family. He was most impressed with his brother’s beard. I guess beards are a big deal in Poland.

Lance caught us up on the investigators they’ve been meeting with lately. It sounds like they are covering some great doctrine. He shares the story in Acts 19 where some disciples were baptizing in the name of John instead of in the name of Christ. When Paul explains the importance of being baptized in the name of Christ, they re-baptize properly and receive the Holy Ghost through the proper authority. This is an important story in the scriptures about baptism.

Lance says most everyone has a dog. So he has met a lot of people just by being friendly to their dog. And if he needs directions..."A Polish person will run and jump in front of a car to give directions! If they don't know where it is exactly, they'll call a friend and get those directions!"

Lance concludes by sharing his belief that he is serving for the right reasons. He's not there because he HAS to, he's there because he wants to and he loves.  He is grateful for his conversion to the Gospel and hopes to impart to others his enthusiasm and joy.  Matthew 10:39 encompasses his feelings...that when we follow Jesus Christ by losing ourselves through the service of others, we find a new life.  Again, Lance encourages us to re-read "Jesus the Christ".  It's a great book and I think I'll take him up on his challenge.