A few weeks' recordings in a nutshell!

October 14th:
Lance starts off by describing his area.  It sounds like Zoliborz is beautiful in the fall.  There seems to be a sort of mist that has an amazing "Poland" smell to it.
His week was productive!  He went on an exchange with another elder in Bialystok.  The town and the branch in the town are fairly small. It's about 3 hours away from Warsaw and he got to ride the train...which he loves.  He says the scenery reminds him of how he imagines the Medieval days would have appeared.  
As District Leader, he goes on exchanges with all the elders in his district and he enjoys that very much.  He gets to know the elders and meet lots of people in their areas.
One of the elders in his district is going to start following Lance's diet plan, so he's glad he's been able to be a positive influence in the health area.

The spiritual message he shares with us this week is about the blessings that come from serving a mission.  One important aspect of this mission for him is the deeper understanding he now has of living a consecrated, Christ-like life.  Living a life consecrated life can be tough sometimes, but it is possible!  See the talk by Quentin L.Cook that inspired Lance to consider this topic here: http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/05/personal-peace-the-reward-of-righteousness?lang=eng

Lance goes on to share his feelings on how we can recognize and follow the promptings of the Spirit.  Listening thru a prayerful attitude and strive to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  Our actions have a huge effect on this.  One thing he has learned on his mission is that if it brings forth good fruit, if it enlightens, if it uplifts, if it's positive and affirmative, then it's of the Spirit.  And we need to act upon it.  When prompted to do something, don't wait, just act on it immediately.  He lists four steps that he uses to apply this in his life:
1. Live worthy of the companionship of the Spirit
2. Pray for it, for enlightenment
3. Listen for the promptings (keep your mind open, scriptures, etc)
4. Act

He concludes his recording by expressing his love of Poland, the Polish language, and his mission.  "I just love everything!"

October 21st:
Lance begins by expressing his amazement that he's been in Poland for a year at this point.  Well, October 23rd, to be exact.  He says time is flying by so quickly.  His responsibilities as a district leader keep him so busy, but he enjoys every minute of it.
They went to see the play "Singing in the Rain" for their culture night.  They had bought seats in the back, but just before the play started, they were offered seats on the front row.  He found out later why the front row was empty...they all got wet from the "rain"!  He said it a fun time for everyone!
They were able to teach about 12 lessons on the street.  He says it was a good week for contacts.  He met a young man who was listening to a metal band that Lance had seen live before his mission.  So, it was a good ice breaker.  They had a good conversation and left the young man with a Book of Mormon.

His spiritual thought was inspired by a couple of talks he had read recently.
One was about four types of missionaries:
The first type of missionary was the one who is super disobedient and goes home because he can't handle it.
The second type was disobedient but finishes out the mission but doesn't accomplish anything.
The third type was obedient but does it out of duty.
The fourth is the consecrated missionary who is obedient and does it because he wants to, not cuz he has to.

The other talk was about purifying ourselves through a forty day process of giving up things and behaviors that aren't beneficial.  He gives an example of the symbolism of animal sacrifice...that we don't need to sacrifice an actual animal, but the animal within us.
So to begin your 40 day process, start with a fast.  Ask God to help you discover those things you could benefit from changing and what kind of attributes and characteristics you would like to achieve.  Write down what revelation you receive and review it every night before bed.  Pray in the morning for the strength and ability to achieve what you have written, then in your nightly prayers, review with the Lord how you did.
Lance has been doing this for a few days and feels more spiritual than he ever has.  He feels like he's been an obedient and good missionary, but this has helped him work on the things he'd like to improve upon.  So he can be the best he can be according to his own judgment.
I would like to add that sacrifice is not a term I use in my daily life.  I use the term "willing offering".  When I attempt this forty day purification for myself, I will willingly offer up to the Lord those things/behaviors/actions/thoughts/etc. that I feel would benefit me and my spirituality.  Because God loves all His children, regardless.
(I couldn't find the talk references on lds.org)

He concludes his message by thanking us for his last package (which included a TON of CDs), a few healthy treats, and the wedding announcement of a friend.  So far, we've sent him a package every month since he's been in Poland.  Costs about $30 each time, and so worth every penny.

October 28th:
Lance starts out his recording with a weather report.  This week has been nice weather, no need for a coat, and just great fall temps.  He says he does appreciate Utah's weather; whereas before, he used to complain about it when he was here.
He shared a funny story from last week.  He said that as he and his companion were doing their language study when they heard accordion music coming from their street.  When they looked out the window, the guy playing looks up at them with a huge smile and starts jumping around while playing.  I guess he was going to every window and playing till someone looked out.  Lance says they've seen him before on a Tram...where he was playing for everyone.
They have a new investigator that Lance has asked us to pray for.  He says the man seems very open minded.

The spiritual thought Lance shares today is something that was inspired by Mosiah 24 (see http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/24).  God gives the people in this scripture story the comfort and strength that they need during their time of affliction so that the burdens are light upon their shoulders.  God does this same work with us in our own lives.  The trials aren't taken away, but made light.  Only, that is, if we want the Lord's help.  Can we be humble and ask for help?  And then give it all to God?  It's up to us!

He concludes this recording with a summary of what is going to be happening this week.  They are planning on putting on an Open House on Halloween in their chapel where they put up displays and offer refreshments and give tours.  In Poland, there is two days of Halloween, which they call the Day of the Dead and the next day is All Saints' Day.  He loved one of the CDs I sent...his favorite song is this one:
http://youtu.be/nLGMglXJVaU

I knew he'd love that CD!


Some pictures from a trip to the zoo earlier this month:

"It's positivity. And it's the best thing to have!"

Warsaw Uprising Museum

I'll be attempting to combine two week's worth of recordings/email correspondence in this post.  For whatever reason, I've gotten behind.  So I'm finally catching up, thanks in part to my awesome friend Betsy who gave me a little reminder nudge last night!

Every Monday morning at 5:00 a.m., we go straight to the computer so we can hear (download) Lance's words...and if we're lucky and he's still on the computer, we can have a short chat session.  He isn't too fond of typing either, so the recordings are where we get most of our details.

Last week's correspondence begins with him sharing what the weather has been like in Warsaw.  Winter is making an early appearance.  He says that it's "alright cuz I've got a coat and stuff."  He does plan on stitching up the holes in his winter clothes.  Another great skill learned in the mission field cuz he didn't do such things before!  The area of Warsaw he's in is called Zoliborz, which he says is very beautiful.  He promises to take more pictures before next transfer.  There is a nice park with a small lake that they visit everyday to meet people.  They met a guy there who has shown a great deal of interest, so they are hopeful for him!

Lance is loving being District Leader.  He has really gotten to know the missionaries in his district much better because of it.  He had his first district meeting recently and he felt it went really well.  He was a little nervous at first, but it ended up being "really fun".  He makes phone calls every night to make sure they're all safe and good.  He says it has really helped him know better how to help and serve everyone.  Plus, he's learning how to better himself and be a better leader.

The spiritual thought he chose is "the tongue of angels".
He begins by quoting from the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 32:2-3.
Verse 2:  Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels?  And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?
Verse 3: Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.  Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
Lance points out that the tongue of angels are the words of Christ...words of truth and faith.  Positive words full of hope, optimism, enthusiasm.  Words of affirmation, salvation, manifestation.  When we speak truth, we are speaking the tongue of angels (2 Nephi 33:1). He goes on to quote Ephesians 4:29, which reads:
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."  When speaking, speak the truth with faith and hope.  Use our words to build, not destroy.  Use our words how Christ would to manifest happiness in our lives.

Our words have power!

This week's correspondence begins with a report on the weather...still very cold, but it sounds like Fall is beautiful sight to behold there in Warsaw!  He says they taught a lot of lessons on the streets, which always makes Lance happy.  He asked about everyone's lives and how everyone is doing.  He always makes a point to ask about specific family members and ask me to send on his love to them.  It sounds like he's loving the mission.  He comments that he enjoys being DL.  He learns something new everyday.  Most important to him, is to lead by example.  He speaks very highly of every missionary in his district.  I think he's made some life long friends!

On Sunday, they had a visitor, who studies religions as his specialty, come to church.  He is writing a paper on our religion and wanted to experience it for himself.  Afterwards, he interviewed the missionaries, asking many authentic questions.  He commented after the interviews that out of all the religions he's studied and experienced, there is something unique and different that he found very appealing.  Lance says it was a great experience for everyone.

His spiritual thought for this week is from 2 Nephi 2.  He quotes verse 14: "And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon."  He goes on to read verses 16 and 26.  (See http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2)
I am very familiar with this concept as I have done my own personal scripture/spiritual study on this topic.  So I was quite pleased that Lance chose this for his spiritual thought!

Lance points out that we ALL have free will, or agency.  The ability to choose.  To act or not to act.  Another way to say "not act" is "being acted upon" because if we don't act, we're allowing things to act upon us.  Because we're here, we have opposition.  We are always enticed by one or the other.  He uses a personal example of if he were to be prompted to speak to someone and chose to act upon that prompting, he would receive the reward of that action.  If he chose not to act, he would be acted upon by receiving the consequence of that failed action.  God expects us to exercise righteous action.  If we choose to use our agency for good, we will receive that which is good.  And vice versa.  We MUST act or be acted upon.
By freely choosing to be obedient to God's will, knowing that God's will is pure, we will not fail.  We could get up or give up.

He also says that 2 Nephi 2 is probably his favorite book in the Book of Mormon..."It's very powerful and cool.  Yeah, it's legit."

He ends his recording early this time because they are leaving to find a place where he could rent a cello to play at a musical fireside coming up in a couple of weeks.  He also thinks he will be able to see all the sessions of General Conference since he's in Warsaw.  He's looking forward, as are we, to hearing from the Prophet.

Warsaw Uprising Museum

Lance attends "The New Zealand Embassy concert celebrating an anniversary for strong Polish and New Zealand relations"

Last week was pretty eventful for Lance!

He begins his recording by filling us in on the the weather, which has been raining and cold. But it didn't deter them from teaching lots of lessons. They use the buses, trams, and metros to get around and he enjoys sharing the gospel while traveling. The people are a bit surprised when he starts up a conversation, but for the most part, the people are polite.

Lance was invited to attend the New Zealand Embassy concert with another elder in Old Town, Warsaw, by a renowned violist from BYU. The concert was to celebrate strong New Zealand relations with Poland. The concert included ambassadors from New Zealand, Malaysia, Russia, Argentina, and Poland. He said it was a little intimidating when they first walked in because it seemed so "high class", but they were able to talk to everyone and represent the church well.

The violist from BYU emailed me to let me know how she felt about the experience. She said that both Lance and his companion represented the church "with poise and grace". Lance was very impressed by her and asked me to send her his CDs.

They were able to mingle with the ambassadors and the musicians. She points out that the Elders' ability to speak Polish so well impressed everyone, especially the pianist who commented on how beautifully they spoke. Most of those in attendance had never interacted with LDS missionaries or Mormons, so the missionaries left a strong positive impression. She received many authentic questions about the church afterwards.

A professor emeritus of viola and a founding member of the International Viola Society

Two of the concert artists

The concert artists being introduced by the New Zealand ambassador to Poland

The picture on the wall is of Poland's own Chopin

Lance LOVED the music, which he said was very Baroque/Medieval/Renaissance/Old World. The Polish violist played a song that Lance says was a perfect musical description of Poland..."It was the best song I've ever heard!" He had some great conversations and received some good advice on music and schooling. They all left a lasting impression on him. He ended the night by sharing the Gospel with the taxi driver and presenting him with a Book of Mormon!

This week's spiritual thought Lance shares is on talents. We all have God given talents and gifts...and with these talents, we can build the Kingdom of God, as well as creating a happy life for ourselves. He says that if you're not sure what your talents are, then prayerfully ask, "What am I good at?" I would like to add that we can ask ourselves, "Where are my passions? What makes me enthusiastic?"

Through prayer, self examination, and desire, we will discover what we are good at, even if we don't recognize it as a talent at first.

We must be ready to commit our time and effort toward fully developing these talents. Have faith that God will help us and have faith in ourselves that we can achieve whatever it is we honestly desire. We will attain the abilities we need for our desired talents!

Then we should act on these talents. Use them everyday, exercise them in your own behalf and on the behalf of others. Sharing with others is a great way to cultivate those talents. The main point he emphasizes is to pray for what we want to gain/achieve/accomplish...and it will show up for us.

Lance uses the example of Lehi, a prophet of the Book of Mormon. In 1 Nephi, Lehi is describes as a "visionary man". Not that he's unrealistic, but he has a goal. His gift/talent is that he is a prophet. He has a vision from God and desires to make it happen. He sees this as a worthy goal.

He closes his recording by extending his love to all his family and friends.

Warsaw is awesome!

Things sound great in Warsaw.  Lance in an area called Zoliborz, which he says is amazingly beautiful and green.  He says that during the war, everything was destroyed and when Russia rebuilt the town under communism, they build a bunch of plain square apartment buildings. Here are some pictures from the internet:

He misses Szczecin and the missionaries he worked with in the area.  The train ride from Szczecin to Warsaw took about 6.5 hours.  A friend from his Szczecin branch accompanied him on the ride because he had some business in Warsaw, so Lance was glad to have some company...plus they practiced Polish.  They met a woman during the ride and ended up teaching her the first lesson and gave her a Book of Mormon and invited her to attend church. He says, "I just love those experiences on trains when you get to teach people.  As much as I can, I try to have those experiences because they're so cool you never forget them."
He met up with three other Elders when they arrived in Warsaw, including his new companion.  The other two were leaving the next day for their new town, so they took the opportunity to share the Gospel the rest of the day.  They worked and worked, he says!  Because Warsaw is a faster paced city, there is more rejection.  A person will often stop just long enough to say they don't have time.  Which can be disappointing, but they still were able to teach a lot of lessons.  He feels like he knows Polish so much better now and can actually communicate quite well.

He points out that the church supports itself in Warsaw.  The chapel's not a part of an apartment building or part of a member's home.  The members of the branch do the majority of the responsibilities at church instead of the missionaries.

He's getting along great with his new companion and has a lot of respect for him.  Lance says there are 12 missionaries in that district, including himself, and he is enjoying being District Leader. It's a lot of responsibility, but he feels it a good opportunity to become a better leader.  He says this mission has taught him everything he needs to do in life and is so grateful he chose to serve.

Lance begins this week's spiritual thought by quoting 2 Nephi 4:23.  "Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time."  Nephi shows here that we can pray during the day and receive our answers in our dreams.  Often our dreams contain symbolism that our direct answer to prayer.  Lance says he makes it a habit to write in his dream journal so he can contemplate what he's learned and review it later.

He shared a couple other scriptures, but this one I feel is a good one for us all to read.
D&C 76
1: Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior.
2: Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doing none can find out.
3: His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand.
4: From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail.
5: For thus saith the Lord-I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness, and in truth unto the end.
6: Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.
7: And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
8: Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
9: And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.
10: For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will-yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man.

District Leader in Warsaw I

Transfers are in and Lance is going to the Warsaw I district as district leader.  He says he's excited yet nervous at the same time!  In fact, he says that DL can be a fun calling...he gives credit to his last DL for being an incredible example of what a good leader can do.  His new companion hasn't been in Poland for long, so he's excited to meet this new Elder.  Lance started out in Warsaw when he first arrived in Poland almost a year ago. He says Warsaw is a LOT different than Szczecin...more fast paced and much of their contacting is done on buses.  He says he loves Szczecin and is sad to leave it behind, but plans on returning someday in the future to visit "his town".

His spiritual thought this week was based on how to know if something is of God or not.  He gives the example of times when we may be simply sitting in church and suddenly feel like we are being inspired by the Spirit.  He suggests that when something like that happens, we ought to stop and ponder on what the Spirit is trying to teach us.  Often those little inspirations come from something simple, because the Gospel is simple.  The best way he says to remember what it was the Spirit witnessed is to write it down.  He also gives an interesting possibility that deju vu is a recognition from God that you are on the right path.  The Spirit will always reveal it to us.  Perhaps deju vu is another sign, another way God confirms the path you're on is right.

Lance also points out that we are given little promptings of the Spirit regularly, yet we may ignore them sometimes.  When we do that, the Spirit withdraws until you come seeking and listening again.  He says he has learned to just follow the prompting without questioning.  God encourages us to ONLY do good.  It's that split second after receiving that prompting that the adversary influences to make us second guess ourselves.  It's always a good idea to study it out in your mind and your heart...ponder and pray to know if it's the right thing to do.  If it is of God, you'll know by the fruits of your actions.  Chapter 7 in Moroni helps us to understand this concept (see http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/7?lang=eng).

Does what you want to do encourage you to: Do good?  Follow God?  Give you peace?  If so, then apply some action!

"Today's a way good day!"

It appears they will be hearing on their transfers very soon.  And just when I finally mastered how to spell AND pronounce Szczecin!  

Lance begins by thanking us for his package, which contained healthy foods and toiletries, as well as another copy of his CD.  Good news, he reports, is that the mission president has given them permission to listen to other music besides MoTab.  So that means he can officially listen to his own music!  

He says that he and his companion are out on the streets for at least 8 hours a day.  They've taught 18 lessons on the streets this last week.  And he reports that his feet hurt so bad!  He says that he has noticed that as they are teaching a lesson to someone that is interested, there are various distractions that always show up.  As an example, in the midst of teaching a lesson, a person will come up and try to interrupt by making random comments and ask distracting questions.  He says that he knows this is adversity at its finest.  So, they just ignore the random person and continue teaching the lesson.  Eventually, that person will give up and leave.  

He shares an interesting story from his train ride to Bydgoszcz for their recent conference.  They met a nice young woman who happened to have a harp with her, which she let him play.  He bought a copy of her CD.  She plays for events like Renaissance fairs so they had a LOT to talk about!  There was also a young man there who became interested in the conversation.  So Lance and his companion were able to do some teaching and make some new friends.  

This week's spiritual thought has to do with fears.  He points out that as humans, we all have fears of some type or another.  It's just a part of life.  Sometimes we just ignore them or blow them off.  He says to make a list of those fears and give yourself an opportunity to look up the scriptures that "destroy" those fears.  Dissect and eliminate the fear with prayer and scripture study.  

He gives a few scripture references that showed up for him in conquering his own fears.....

2 Timothy 1:7

Psalms 27:1

D&C 122:7-9

And finally...his favorite scripture of all time...the one that changed his life...

2 Nephi 1:15
"But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love."

He goes on to mention the importance of "trials" (a.k.a. tribulation, adversity, burden, complication, difficulty, etc.).  Trials help us to grow closer to God.  Without these annoyances, we might as well be like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden...innocent.  There would be no reason to want to improve and grow.  God is always there to help, but we HAVE TO ASK.  It's up to us to use our agency.  

Mosiah 24:15 tells us how we can overcome these trials (see http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/24.15?lang=eng). 

Instead of asking God to just take it all away, they asked to be strengthened to overcome.   

Lance closes by saying "It's the life!"

Adventures in Poland!

As a mom, I sometimes forget that Lance is an adult and not my little boy anymore.  I have been reminded over the last year that, indeed, he is a grown man.  Living in a foreign country, sharing the Gospel with those who will listen.  And he does this of his own free will.  We have missed him a lot over this last year, especially during family functions and gatherings.  Yet we wouldn't want it any other way.  At times I want to shout, "Hoorah for Israel!"

Lance hasn't received his package yet, but I'm sure he will soon.  He says, "I feel so close when I get a package.  It feels like I'm opening up home."  I've been able to send him a package once a month since he's been in Poland.  When he was in the MTC, I sent him one a week.

He starts out his recording with catching up on his week.  They've been meeting with a man from India.  He calls him Mohit because the guy reminds him of a friend from Utah with that name.  Lance says the guy believes in God, but is new to the idea of free will and other simpler aspects. They taught a total of 18 lessons last week, 14 of which were street lessons.  They meet many of their contacts in the local park...

He says they speak with everyone.  They don't pass one person without at least giving a card or something.  He says they just bare their testimonies with boldness, followed by asking the person what it would mean to them to know about this plan...and hope that someone will be open to hearing the message.  At times they get brushed off, but it doesn't seem to discourage him because he loves teaching the Gospel.  He also says they refer to the Restoration as soon as possible because it stands out.  If you'd like to read more about the Restoration of Jesus Christ's church, visit http://mormon.org/beliefs/restoration.

For this week's "spiritual thought", Lance refers to chapter 10 of the book of Moroni where the prophet Moroni lists some examples of the spiritual gifts that we, as children of God, are blessed with.  Lance says we are born with many gifts and we can attain more gifts during our lives...we need only ask of God then act upon it.  We all have a variety of gifts, though we're not all blessed with the exact same gifts.  If it were like that, we wouldn't be able to benefit each other.  We are more enabled to serve others, which in turn serves ourselves. He also suggests that we write them down, similar to how we would write in a prayer journal.  He says for his personal study time that morning, he reviewed his Patriarchal Blessing and picked out all of  the blessings God has promised him, then wrote them down.  Then he is going to "work on them" to see how he can help accomplish these blessings.

And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will. - Moroni 10:17

He says to find out God's definition of the gifts he has individually been blessed with, or would like to receive, he has used the book "True to the Faith" (see http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/36863_eng.pdf), the scriptures, and much prayer. Referring to the scripture in Moroni 10, he shares that if there be an end of gifts, it is because of the unbelief of man (Moroni 10:24).

Lance gives the example of those who believe there are no more miracles.  If the scriptures are right and God is unchanging, then why would miracles end with the death of the Savior?  Why would He stop speaking to mankind?  I believe it is only when people turn a deaf ear.  If you want to know, ask God then be willing to receive the answer.

If there is a gift you want to receive, ask God, write it down, then go to work.  Lance shares the example of the gift of discernment.  He says it is the way we can see the difference between a teaching of Jesus Christ of a teaching of satan.  Helps us discern that opposition.  Also to help us know if someone has bad intentions.  He invites us to read D&C 46, 1 Timothy 4, 1 Corinthians 12.  I know these scripture references well.  I have 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 framed and hanging on my wall.

To conclude, he shares by sending his love and greetings to those who have been so supportive and encouraging.  He says he loves this Gospel and loves this mission.  He is glad to have another year of service in Poland, but looks forward to coming home to go fishing with his dad, go to concerts with his brother, see his nephews, and attend my yoga classes.

I am also looking forward to that day.