Hello Everyone, 

I hope you have all had a good week! Mine has been pretty good but a total blur!

It's crazy how each day runs into the next - there is just a continual cycle of language study, gym, gospel study, meals, devotionals. I am learning so much but everything melds into each other, which is sort of good and sort of weird. 

Let me say now that I have just completed printing everyone's emails so I can respond this week via letters. Everybody's letters this week have really strengthened me. I try not to focus too much time thinking about all of you because I know that I will become homesick and lose focus but it has been such a blessing to hear from so many of you. Your love and strength keep me going. 

Sestra Merrill (going to Bulgaria and my fellow descendant of Wee Granny aka Mary Murray) told me something this week that was really cool. She said that around 1977 (I can't remember exactly when) but she said that Spencer W. Kimball set Poland apart for missionary work. The blessings I receive due to the diligence of my ancestors is never ending. They are such a part of my life and I encourage you to look into your family history and discover the incredible feats that your predecessors have done for you, that have led you to the place you now are. Cool connections are everywhere!

Basically, our district is super tight now. We don't all have the same humor or tastes but we have all started to grow together. This week we really made it a goal to be more unified. We are trying to study and help each more with the language. Before we were all sort of doing our own thing and advancing at different levels and learning different vocabulary. We then realized what we were losing if we couldn't communicate and practice together. Now we are all learning the same 5 new verbs each day (our teachers have challenged us to learn all the verbs in a book we have called 301 verbs - however in Polish each verb has two forms to use in different scenarios so really that is 602 verbs and 10 a day... WOW) Each day during language study we devote time to work together on a different principle (i.e. conjugation or case change - the awesome thing about Polish is that they conjugate nouns too - woohoo even more to learn.) Honestly, I really am loving Polish. I am trying to learn different sets of vocab or rules everyday and it's coming. Last night our district (again our district is all of the missionaries in the MTC going to Poland) started "Tender Mercy Thursdays" where we all go around and say how we have been helped that day. It helps us to realize our blessings and God's hand in our lives. It helped me to look to be grateful and happy, which is such a superior way of living. As a district we are still trying to "find ourself" but are doing really well and progressing together.

Our zone is also really tight knit. (again our zone is made of multiple districts ex. we have the Bulgarian district, Adriatic North district, Slovak/ Czech district and a few others all in our zone) We do laundry together, play volleyball and kickball together, eat together and most importunity learn a lot from each other. We all have the goal of SYL (speak your language) meaning if I know a word in Polish, even if it's only one in a sentence I use it. It is so inspiring as we all speak together in our respective languages and self-interpret/ translate on the spot. A lot of our languages are really similar, it is neat to be able to understand other elders and sisters going to other places too. Most of our zone got their flight plans today. They leave a week fromMonday, which is so soon and sad. In just over a week our district will become the eldest district in our zone (our zone receiving two last week) which is crazy to think about since it feels like we just got here. It is also different because our Polish district arrived alone on September 4th but most of the others all came together, which means in a week and a half we will have about 3-5 new districts to train and help. It is both exciting and daunting! Our entire zone and the teachers we have are really great examples, most of us are all so different so it's a good mix and it gives a lot of perspectives, which is nice.

This week we have a new mock investigator, Olek. He is 18 and agnostic. We have only taught one lesson but we teach the next one today. Teaching is a little less daunting now and my ability in expressing myself is coming. Starszy Whiting and I have different styles of preparing, planning, and teaching. Last night we finally talked about how we need to come together to teach with more unification and hopefully with the Spirit. It's a little tough because we don't want to step on each other's toes but that is something we are going to try and work on. Yesterday we started TRC (I forget what it stands for) but we teach volunteers in the area who speak Polish, mainly returned missionaries at BYU. This isn't an acting exercise but more like a lesson with church members. yesterday, S. Whiting and I were able to teach a woman actually from Poland. It was very humbling but also gave a good sense of what to expect. I am told TRC becomes missionaries favorite part of the week... I'm look forward to when that is true.

Really quickly I just wanted to share something I've learned this week. I have never wanted to be too pushy about my beliefs but at the same time I often don't think people want to hear. I realized that as a representative of Jesus Christ I need to boldly bear my testimony to whomever I feel prompted. I think I underestimate other's desire to come unto and follow Christ. I am trying to find the balance and look at others the way their Father in Heaven does. 

I am very grateful to be serving at a time like this. Being here I feel more than ever as a soldier in an army. Serving alongside my Sister, Kristin, my friends Zach and others is a blessing. I know that through the strength of Christ we can overcome all challenges and hardships. Heavenly Father and Christ live and they love us. The only way we can know if this is if we pray with real intent, with real faith. If we do our part to investigate truth and learn for ourselves what is right and wrong we will be blessed with truth and happiness.

I can feel all you your prayers and support. Live up to the great potential you have and be a positive force and influence to those around you. Be an example. Also, look to the examples around you because you are blessed with them for a reason. I love and pray for you.

Love, 

Starszy Kimball