Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles

The stress of another transfer's end is seeping in. Luckily, this week was full of more experiences to enjoy. 

I went on exchange with Elder Guthrie, he is the district leader in Lublin. I have gone down a couple times but just for the day, this was my first chance to spend some real time there. With the weather changing, the days getting shorter, and being on exchange I felt like I was back in Katowice nearly a year ago. The season change is taking me back to the beginning of my mission and it's weird. Elder Guthrie is awesome, he is a super likable, happy guy who is also an obedient, hard working missionary. We had dinner with the Gładun family (Sister G made some gołąbki [cabbage and meat in a tomato sauce] - so so good). It was a good time. I am good friends with a couple of the Elders down there so it was a ton of fun. 

The day I returned was Elder Garrett's birthday. We celebrated by going out to Manekin. It is a funky naleśniki (crepe) place and the food was so good. We went as a district for lunch and it was so much fun.

We went to Łazienki Królewkie Park yesterday day for lunch (since it was fast Sunday) and saw a Chopin concert. We went to a fair on Saturday in Wola (our dzielnica of Warsaw) in the old Jewish ghetto. It was a fun week. 

I was sick for a couple days, it was lame but I drank lots of tea and am all better. Luckily, my ailment didn't stop the work. We met with Bogumił. We met his daughter Kasia (Kate) who just started the IB. Bogumił is super cool, he is studying Hebrew right now and there are so many great connections we have made together about the Bible and gospel truths. We met with Arek after a couple weeks of flaked/ canceled meetings. He has been faithfully coming to church every week but it was nice to finally meet with him. He is a super sweet guy and we are just trying to help teach him so he understands his worth, potential, and plan from Heavenly Father. 

There was a baptism this week, the sisters in Warsaw II have been working with Anna for a couple weeks and I got to be there at her baptism. The Spirit was so strong. I have been focusing a lot on the companionship of the Spirit in my prayers and studies and as I have been more mindful of His presence I have felt his light, comforting influence frequently. Anna is an example to me, she is already so faithful and ready to work, she is exactly what the church needs and I know that her life has already been blessed personally thanks to the gospel of Christ.

On the topic of great members we met with Filip Borowski this week. I cannot relay how good our meetings are with him. I learn so much every time. He is an incredible teacher with so much genuine power and comfort. The topic of the meeting was something that Elder Garrett and I discussed in companionship study this past week.

We were commenting on the nature of talking with people on the streets. It's come to my attention that people who stop on the street and 1. listen to us, 2. exchange numbers with us, or even 3 set up with us don't follow the norm. The "normal" thing to do would be to walk past us. What we do isn't "normal". Those that stop are the extraordinary. A miracle has been described as divine intervention that we cannot imitate or fully understand. I would say that every success we have as missionaries is a miracle. There is already so much truth in the world along with varying experiences and understanding. It's a marvel that some people are willing to open themselves up to us. We don't argue with people, we don't convince people about the authenticity of our message. We missionaries strive to invite others to come unto Christ relying on the power of the Holy Ghost. Some of what we have to say will make sense and be in accordance to others paradigms but other principles or doctrines will differ, maybe even clash. I know that it's a miracle when people accept what we have to say because it is the Spirit that let's them know. I don't like to teach much without first inviting others to pray and seek Heavenly Father's, our God's, confirmation of the truthfulness of what we claim. Heavenly Father wants us to know and understand His plan for us, we won't get it all at once, honestly we will comprehend very little but I know that by filling our heart and mind with impressions, feelings, and thoughts our Father in Heaven will let us know personally His will. It takes humility, it takes change, and it is worth it because it helps us become our best self. It is a miracle that Heavenly Father directs us by the power of the Holy Ghost because I cannot imitate nor understand it fully but thanks to my own witness and experience I am sure of His divinity. It is a wonder and a miracle to me that thanks to Christ's Atonement our Savior and Father understand our circumstances perfectly and work together in unity to guide us by the light and influence of the Spirit of God. 

If you want to find truth humble yourself and open yourself up. There is truth all around us, from all sources and Heavenly Father is the author of it all. He will protect and lift us and explain how it all connects to help us reach our potential. 

As it says on every box tymbark juice (my favorite brand) "kochaj życie!" "love life!"

Starszy Kimball

"and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them" - Mosiah 4:10

Diligence has been on my mind a lot ever since the missionary leader training meeting at the beginning of this transfer. I feel like it affects my work most when I think not only about being diligent on my own but with other missionaries. It is impossible to be diligent alone as a missionary but it is also challenging to be diligent with others because it requires constant love, patience, and unity. I don't feel a lack of any of those really, especially in my current companionship with Elder Garrett - we are feeling strong. Balance is just a tricky principle to work on. This whole focus has really changed my mission. It requires us missionaries to break the pride and expectations set by the culture we have here in order to put our efforts into being obedient and hard working in a way that will lead most effectively to us fulfilling our purpose.

We had zone conference, about half the mission again with both Warsaw zones (including missionaries from: Warsaw, Łódź, Kielce, and Lublin). It was fun, exciting to see everyone and filled with the Spirit and revelation. I have noticed just how often I am feeling the Spirit. Having the constant companionship of the Spirit leads and guides me in light and with that there are so many burnings in my heart indicating to me the truthfulness of things around me which bring me peace, comfort, and self-empowering hope. The focus of this zone conference was planning and goal setting. As soon as the topic was announced I knew it was a conference for me. President Edgren shared a story about a farmer who spent all day trying to accomplish errands but whenever he found one and tried to accomplish it another one would arise and by the end he had achieved nothing that day. It describes me a lot of the time, the overwhelming stress I have had enough of. This story illustrates how silly it is to take everything on but it is so hard for me to focus on one thing when there is so much to do. I have been receiving council from scriptures, church leaders (from their talks, for example when President Uchtdorf came to visit), and local mission leaders to focus on improving a little bit every day. That's the real goal, to be consistently, gradually improving. President taught well the balance we need. He also talked about the worthlessness of good intentions when nothing is done with them. It reminded me of an interview I had with Ms. Robinson for CAS. CAS (creativity, action, service) is a requirement of the IB diploma te help create well rounded graduates who contribute to society. Ms. Robinson was the only teacher I had all five years during my time at La Chataigneraie - I learned a lot from her example and actions. During this specific interview she caught me off guard with the question "after pondering about your experiences from doing all of these activities what is your biggest strength and weakness?" I took a moment and then answered that i felt like I had pure intentions, I wanted to help others and do the right thing but my execution was weak because I often became too busy and overwhelmed so I didn't accomplish what I wanted to and missed reaching my potential. This conference addressed this same concern. My mission is giving two things I lacked greatly before 1. hope 2. confidence. In order to reach our potential and accomplish what we can we need to believe in ourselves and as I read this morning, that is most easily done when we believe in God. When we believe in others we trust them and so it is when we believe in Christ, not merely that we know He is there rather we are sure that as we look to Him He will lift us up and help us improve. I know that we can become those better people we envision but it's not all at once, it's not one big project, it's not even two years in the mission field but it's all about the daily dose of hope, diligence, and love. 

I am also constantly being reminded of the little acts of love and service I need to be doing all the time - this will require no check list but an adapted mentality. Something else I want to work on. 

I am currently enjoying the "złota polska jesiań" (the golden Polish autumn) it is starting and I will be sure to grab some pictures soon. The weather got warmer again for a while but I think fall is officially on the way and I love it. Seasons changing is always something I enjoy. 

Despite the seeming lack of time (we are already more than half way done with this transfer) this week I felt great. I felt like we got a lot done and I felt fulfilled. We had a great whiteboard with our sisters and then a big family history themed whiteboard yesterday with a bunch of the missionaries in Warsaw I. It was funny having crowds come up to us for a change with a topic that intrigued so many. I was in my element talking to people about the blessings of families and our ancestors - it was a big personal success. I also met a couple from Flanders and a man from France and so was able to muster up the few words I can remember in Dutch and French to make some connections. It was a lot of fun. 

Elder Garrett and I were able to have two incredible lessons this week. Bogumił is a husband and father (to a daughter currently doing the IB program). He is Polish, studies languages (he's currently studying Hebrew and has a ton of cool insight thanks to his studies), and met missionaries in Wrocław where Elder Garrett and I both started. He's met with missionaries in the past and Elder Garrett and I set up last week. He is wise but humble and open. It is a miracle that he understands some basic truths about the gospel. Especially, when people are well-educated they have a hard time understanding how simple the gospel message is. He said that despite the details and intricacy of the God's plan thanks to His omniscience our part in the plan in simple. For all of the complication we make for ourselves the gospel is simple. Bogumił is an incredible guy and Elder Garrett and I are excited to meet and work with him.

Jarek texted us the week before last. We met him on the street at the beginning of the transfer and exchanged numbers but hasn't had any contact since then. He then texted us wanting to meet. So we did. It was incredible and showed me how Heavenly Father is preparing people. Jarek wants to return to Christ and hopes for a united family. It was a perfect first lesson. A lot to take in but he understood the depth and significance of what we taught and humbly accepted to seek for himself the truth of it.

We are currently very lucky for the people around us.

Happy ventures this week,

Starszy Kimball

z ciemności w światło

There is a billboard for some performance that had a caption I really like: "z ciemności w światło" (from out of the darkness into the light). I feel like this describes how I am feeling. I have had my little crisis of sorts but now I am enjoying the light. There are a few reflections as well as events that helped this week.

1. Mark (an RM who is visiting Poland on assignment with the air force) took us out to dinner this week. We were with Kasia, a member he is good friends with, and we went to Zapiecek, a classic restaurant featuring Poland's greatest classic foods. As we ate pierogi, kiełbasa, bigos, and naleśniki with some compot we talked and were able to have a really nice time. It's not too often we are treated to such a feast. Mark also gave a lot of meaningful insight. He didn't "have any baptisms" during his time in Poland and talked about how difficult that was. He then explained how he learned that the relationships he has built are still going. From my recent struggles this was comforting to hear. It reminded me of my calling and doing what I was capable of, building relationships and influencing the lives of others for good. 

2. The following day (Wednesday) we attended the funeral of Kasia's mother, Klaudia Górniak. Since Elder Garrett is musical I was a part of a quartet that sang by the grave side "Gdzie znajdę spokój swój" (Where can I turn for peace). The cemetery was over an hour drive away positioned away from the town by some forest covered land. It was peaceful and as we walked along to her grave sight I felt the Spirit testify so strongly of the goodness of the lives of the polish people now remembered by their headstones. Kasia gave a touching expression of love for her mother and hope for the next life and the peace and surety we enjoy now thanks to the Savior. 

3. We had a lesson with some former invesitgators that went really well, Bartek and Przemek. We also met with Musa from Afghanistan. We talked about turning to prayer and the Book of Mormon to find love, peace, and guidance. He taught us some Perski (persian/ farci) and even wrote our names in their cool, beautiful alphabet. 

4. I was able to have an exchange with Elder Weggersen, from Norway and in the same group as Elder Garrett. I love them both and I am grateful to be surrounded by such good friends.

5. All of the missionaries in Warsaw 1 banded together for a finding activity in the Rynek (old town square) of of Warsaw. Our focus was talents and we had quite the attention capturing set up. We had a couple of whiteboards with drawings and photographs from artsy missionaries and then we had some missionaries singing. Sister Moncur and I were on the first shift of singers, neither of us are singers but it was a lot of fun. I had two lessons: one with a polish couple from a city near Wrocław who were really kind and ready to talk. They had great faith and established views but were easy to talk with and accepted to test out my invitation to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. I also talked to two girls from Israel. At the Rynek There was a huge group of Jewish students who were touring Poland seeing the historical sites of their ancestors lives and deaths. The two that I spoke with both had Polish Jewish heritage. It was the most Spirit filled lesson of the week and it was a great practice (in Enlgish) to be personal and raw. It was an energy and unity boosting activity and super successful! 

6. President Edgren sent out a weekly email this week about perfection. He has some needed wisdom shared and I was grateful to learn from what he said. Even if I have trouble seeing how this mission needs me at times it has become clear how much I need this mission. The inspiration President Edgren has been receiving and sharing recently has richly blessed my life and work. I am grateful to be here and enjoying my mission! 

I love you all,

Starszy Kimball

A healer to the afflicted

So I guess you could say that i had my mid-mission crisis this week. Something that I have learned is that a mission is not a "time-out" from life. Because we are in a new place with new people doing new things it almost feels like a time-out from life but it is a part of it. We cannot disconnect the two worlds and really our two selves as missionaries. I can't just put things off until later or create a barrier between experiences. I am working on meshing it all together. 

Sure, this past week was hard. Honestly, I think a big part of it was having a lot pent up. I try to be positive, not complain but recently I haven't been dealing with my struggles and challenges, it's been more of an ignoring game. It hasn't been too healthy but at times it seems hard to figure out how to deal with things when access to my favorite sources of unwinding are absent. I can't just go on a run whenever and alone, I can't blast those songs in the car, and the hardest things is that I can't talk and seek counsel from those I am used to turning to in the same way. I am learning how to deal with things and figure out how not to make mission life a "time-out" despite the differences from normal life. I have been blessed this week so much. Yesterday I was feeling on top of the world, was reminded of all the people in my life I love and who love me back, the experiences I have been a part of came back to my mind, and I felt good. 

It's funny because after coming out of hard times I feel sheepish, kind of lame. I can get a little frustrated for myself and wish my moods were more consistent. The truth is that Christ is the healer of the sick not the perfect. The weaknesses, frustrations, overwhelming worries, unsettling stresses all come in life but that is why Christ suffered for these pains so He would understand what we are going through so He could help us according to our needs. Whether that means placing a needed friend beside us, prompting us to read something that will help us find an answer or guidance, or simply filling our hearts with peace and light. 

My mission is still going, there is still work for me to do. Polish is so much fun, I am starting to truly understand people and I am loving it. I played the piano in church yesterday - yes Mom you will be happy to hear that. It's said that many musical people are sent to Poland because the background helps with the difficulty of the language, it seemed pretty false as I showed up without much musicality but I think that in reverse Polish has actually helped my piano playing - my mind working hard to do a lot at once as well as my confidence to just go for it. Poland is beautiful and so is life. Don't bottle things in, deal with them relying on those sources of strength around you and then feel the empowering, rebuilding strength that gets you back on the path.

z wyrazem szczerości,
Starszy Kimball

Feeling like a current bush

Missions are crazy. I never know how I am feeling. Recently, especially I have had so many conflicting feelings. There has been a lot of inconsistency. For example I often feel alone out here but this past week I also had some of the greatest love for the other missionaries during zone training. We first met with the missionaries in Warsaw and then on Thursday went down to Kielce where missionaries from Lublin also joined for our second training. Having two meetings is fun because you get to see how things change, each group has personal needs and has specific wisdom to share. My favorite part is testimony bearing because that is when I feel the Spirit the strongest as well as love for others. During the discussion there is a lot intellectual and spiritual fun and learning but the I love feeling the Spirit strongly within. I have been reminded how vital the Spirit is in teaching. It's the only way we can know. We can do all the searching and wondering we want but unless we open up our hearts and feel the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost we can not know of Heavenly Father's love for us. His presence is a light in my life. A guiding light of clarity and warm.

When we were in Kielce we had some extra time after the training until our trains home so we planned some activities for the zone. We first went to a quaint pierogarnia and ate some good old Polish food (I had żurek and pierogi z mięsem). Then we had a major finding activity on the main street in Kielce: Świdnicka. We missionaries stationed at a free table on one end, a group of us at a whiteboard on the other end of the street, and a couple companionships weaving in and out along the road. Not only was it successful in the outcomes but there was such a boost of energy and unity. It was fun. I just feel so a part of this group that has been called to be here in Poland. I am grateful that my love for Poland did not come immediately. There was no immediate connection and the lack of a link was felt. However, this led me to search for a love of this country. I have such a love of Poland and feel that I have been called here for me, this mission and this country are for me. Recently, I have been struggling to see the ways that Poland needs me, I haven't noticed much of what I contribute here -  which is prideful and ungrateful when I look back at the all the opportunities Heavenly Father has let me been a part of - but rather than focusing on why Poland needs me I have discovered that I need Poland. 

For a while I have been wobbling on tougher times. It's been odd because it hasn't been as dramatic as other hard times rather a constant blah period where I just feel a block. For a while I was wondering what I needed to get out of the experience. I learned a lot about God's purposes so I wasn't doubting that there were lessons to be learned I just wasn't seeing them. Much more recently these lessons are becoming more apparent. President Edgren gave us missionaries a packet full of the dedicatory blessings for Poland, some of his favorite talks from church leaders, and some information about Poland. In it you can find "the current bush" by Hugh B. Brown. It talks about the need for us not only to realize that we are sometimes cut down to be pruned to something better but what I understood from it today was trusting that God may have someone else in mind for us to become. Comparing is pointless, especially as we look for what we have to offer. I have tried to change my thinking from "I'm I accomplishing everything I wanted to" to "Am I fulfilling everything Heavenly Father expects of me." That is the starting point. Humility, patience, and diligence is needed. It's a process I'm working on.

Exciting things are happening. Elder Garrett and I are meeting with Asad and Musa. They are from Afghanistan, they escaped because, as Christians, their lives were in threat. Communication is difficult - Asad speaks some english and Musa speaks some Polish and they communicate in a Persian dialect of Farsi. I hope that they can feel the truthfulness of our message despite the barrier thanks to the power of the Spirit. Church yesterday was incredible, there were a lot of people there. Being the fifth Sunday the third hour of church was combined and it was so fun, our branch is the best. Yesterday was President Edgren's birthday, Sister Edgren organized a surprise party with all of us missionaries in Warsaw. This week I will be a missionary for a year! Things are happening, I'm still growing and having fun. 

Pozdrawiam,

Starszy Kimball