Astonishing

I am flying right now, what a week! 

Dawid is officially the most incredible person I've met and so much happened with him this week! 

On Thursday we met with him and Martyn, a young, newleywed in the branch, accompanied us. We talked about receiving answers from God so explained personal revelation. He had read from the Book of Mormon and prayed every day. In the lesson we helped him realize that he had received an answer and he admitted that he believes the Book of Mormon and church are true. He said that we wants to join so we invited him to be baptized on December 13th and he agreed! 

We then saw him on Sunday at church, he was there in his white shirt. Later that day he talked about the good atmosphere he felt. After church we had a lesson with Waldek, a member for 20 years. He shared some of his story and some powerful personal expeience and life lessons. We talked about the word of wisdom again and Dawid committed to live it. We talked about self integrity, doing things because we want to and because we feel personally committed to ourselves and to Heavenly Father. We taught about the power in making a decision and sticking to it, relying on Christ for help and strength. 

Yesterday it was also Dawid's birthday and he invited us over to his place to celebrate - we were a little unsure because we didn't want to enter a college party but we stopped by and there was a small, calm group. We had cake and talked, it was a lot of fun. Dawid was telling his friends about him joining the church and how he doesn't drink anymore. It was a cool setting to start really becoming friends with him. He asked me if I was related to Heber C Kimball, he has been reading about the church history on mormon.org and came across the name. He loved the tie we gave him. He said that he's already talked to his dad about his baptism and he's supportive. 

I feel like I am doing a terrible job of explaining it all and leaving so much out but to put it simply, Dawid is excited to be baptized, he is really changing to prepare himself, and we couldn't be happier. All of my prayers, studies, and thoughts are focused on him right now and helping him to be ready. The members were great at welcoming him yesterday. I simply feel blessed to be a part of this. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Among this we had a full week. Elder Whiting came down and we had an amazing time being reunited! We were able to talk and offer support, just like in the MTC. I've missed my Elder Whiting therapy. We went out contacting and it was fun to be so excited with another missionary to go out and find and teach! We had an inspired lesson with Justyna, a girl in her 20s, and then were able to help a guy change a flat tire. It was just an awesome exchange.

When Elder Platter returned we immediately were laughing and having fun, being friends with a companion and having missed them when they leave for a couple of days is such a blessing. We went up to Gdynia for the first time (the top city of the tri-city area) to visit John, the Nigerian member at the marine university. We met up with him at his dorms and met a bunch of his friends from this group who are in this course. It was a party, so much fun! Elder Platter made the comment that even despite the food Nigeria would be an incredible place to serve because of the people! I was able to have a cool conversation with Jason, we are excited to return and get to know them better. 

I feel like I should have more to say, having had one of the most packed weeks of my mission. MY spiritual counsel for today is to be astonishing. As I'm reading in Alma people are constantly "astonished" by the missionaries. The love, the spiritual power, and thoughtfulness of the missionaries I've worked with is astonishing. Go and serve and love those around you, love them when it doesn't make sense, when it doesn't seem fair. Serve others and pray for a heart overfilling with love leading to acts that will shock others because of the selflessness you show. President Edgren has asked us to create a plan of action for 2015. I'm working to create it and it's heading is to be astonishing - not because I'm the best or most talented in anything - because of the love I emanate by the way I love and the person I am. Commit to yourself and to God and have that personal integrity. 

z wyrazami miłości,

Starszy Kimball

Our "filling"

We had zone conference this past week so undoubtedly we are pumped. Getting together as missionaries is powerful and spiritual, I received a lot of guidance. This past time I was able to see that I have made meaningful relationships with others, it's something I've questioned before, sometimes feeling like those around me are just relevant for now but I've come to find that isn't the case. Sister Edgren is currently recovering from a surgery in Utah so President and Sister Edgren weren't with us this time, rather odd but we feel their love and had a strengthening time nontheless.

Consistency is so hard. I've been battling it my whole mission, really my whole life. I'm not close to mastering it but this conference taught me that it's time to be serious with it, I think our personal integrity is closely linked to consistency. The greater lesson I learned is to follow my heart. Elder Hubbard (from my MTC group and one of my best friends out here) made a comment about how the Holy Ghost is a "feeling". Thanks to his Utahn accent I was taught another lesson when I first heard that the Spirit is a "filling". Both are absolutely right. I know that the Holy Ghost fills us to completion. I know that despite our weaknesses and desires for imperfect things our hearts are pure. By our feelings we can know how to move forward when we are guided by the Spirit and when we have honest and sincere self relfection. Our feelings lead us to feel successful and at peace or anxious and hopeless -the heart is our greatest compass. I'm trying to implement this into my missionary and personal life (because really they are the same).

Dawid is incredible. Before our lesson with him this past week read a pamphlet about the plan of salvation. We planned to talk about this during our meeting but he seemed to already know and agree with all of the principles. We could tell he wanted to talk about something else but were unsure of what. We brought up this life and talked about baptism again. This was just what he had been wondering about. He asked about the requirments for baptism and so we explained the need to have faith in Christ, repent, have hope that the Book of Mormon is true etc. but this all seemed to be obvious so he kept asking "what else?" So I went right for it and brought up following commandments and we started teaching about the word of wisdom. He's told us before that he is trying to quit smoking. It was exactly what he'd been looking for. At first he seemed a little hesitant but then he accepted it all. He went on to ask about life after baptism, if we have to continue to live according to these commandments. We acknoledged that we do. He then started asking about missions and how they work. His questions showed that he is really considering the implications of baptism and what kind of change this will have in his life. It was incredible to be there with him. He seems to like all that we've said but still needs a spiritual confirmation and he hasn't studied the Book of Mormon or prayed to find out and he knows he needs to to receive an answer. It turns out he's only 19 (I keep forgetting univserity students are my age). He is just awesome, he wore a white shirt to the meeting and in his closing prayer thanked Heavenly Father to be sitting in a circle among disciples of Christ. He is a sharp guy and I hope he receives and notices his answer soon.

My love for Poland conitues to grow. Seeing the concentration camp last week, visiting the solidarity museum today, and being a part of the Independance Day parade last Tuesday instilled a Polish pride within me. 

We also met Piotr this week. He is athiest/agnostic and we had an interesting conversation. All of his arguments reminded me of things I heard in high school. People are afraid to trust their feelings. We are quick to accept apparent "facts" from the experiments of others but our own personal experience may seem less trust worthy. I've noticed that so many lack a personal relationship with Christ. My confidence in my faith comes because I have come to know Christ, now I am still on that path but I don't fear because I know God will lead me. If we have a personal relationship with our Savior it doesn't matter, which is church is right or which argument because your personal knowledge of Him will help you find truth amidst the confusion. I know that the Holy Ghost accompanies me in my missionary work and in my daily life. He sends me feelings of love, provides peace, and helps me make decisions to help me become a better self. If you want to be free from the confusion of the world, come to know Christ.

with love,

Starszy Kimball

Weźmy sprawy w swoje ręce

Life flying: flying fast and flying high.

We are rocking it here in Gdańsk, our district is tight, we are having fun, doing a lot of work, and building relationships. All of the things I have always wanted to do on my mission are coming to pass. Explnation:

On Wednesday we went over to Józef and Irena's and raked some leaves, well more like a lot of leaves, and then Irena and Halina prepared another huge polish meal for us. We had a lesson about charity and talked about the branch here in Gdańsk. I could feel these members' love and could understand what they spoke. They were grateful for our service and invited us back for some time soon. 

Elder Platter and I also met with Jadwiga, a widow in the branch. We chopped some fire wood and gathered a bucket of coal for her. As we met she fed us this delicious homemade chicken soup and then for dessert she made a rice, apple, cinnamon loaf that she drizzled cream over. There was peace and comfort in her home, I felt the Spirit so clearly. I asked her about her ancestors and she brought out a tin box. She showed a few fun items including a little metal mirror case, which when opened up revealed her first temple recommend from the 90's. We also had a lesson about charity and unity and in our time there I felt such gratitude for being where I am and knowing that I couldn't be anywhere else. 

We had another lecture at the university here, the students are studying religion, which helped and they were very kind and encouraging. Sister Grgich made a mistake that Elder Finch made in a similar situation (a lecture here in Gdańsk) a couple of years ago. She said that when Joseph Smith went to find answer he went "do lasek". Lasek is a little forest but because of the declinations of words in Polish with "do" (in English "to") lasek would become "lasku". Now usually, when we missionaries make these mistakes it doesn't really matter because we are generally understood, the problem with this one is that the word "laski" turns to "lasek" with the word "do" so it changed the meeting of her statement. Instead of saying that Joseph Smith went to the forest Sister G said that he went searching for an answer going to the "chicks" or "girls". Luckily, the professor spoke up and most of the class knew what she had meant but polish slip ups make me smile.

We had a YSA/MD (young single adult/ młodzi dorośli) activity with John (member from Nigeria studying for a year in Gdynia - a part of this tri-city area) and Patryk (the recently activated branch mission leader). It was fun, a small group but it helped to build relationships and confidence in one another. 

Our finding efforts are going well, Elder Platter and I along with the sisters have found a lot of potential in our area, we are just trying to set up meetings with those we have come in contact with. Łukasz we met on a free table (when we bring a table out and lay free materials out on it eg. Book of Mormon, brochures, cards to mormon.org etc) and after switching numbers and walking away he sent us a little text with just a smiley face. Then one night Elder Platter and I were hurrying to a meeting (speaking english) when a guy in front of us turns around and (in Polish) asks what we are doing and what we are all about. It caught us off guard but he turned out to be interested and exchanged numbers with us. It was a fun week with a few other inspired path crossings.

Our meeting with Dawid was incredible. We planned to have it at the chapel with a member to help but things didn't work out last minute so we ended up meeting at Dawid's just the three of us (and Arek, his roommate who was doing homework, making weird comments spiratically but I think is interested). Despite the change in plans and lack of a member to help us it was a powerful meeting. Dawid is a sharp, student studying physics and math at the polytechnical university of Gdańsk. At the beginning of the lesson he seemed to be a little bored or distracted at times but it turned out to be spirit filled. We talked about faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost all focusing on the Atonement of Christ. He had his computer so we were able to include some videos (the first time I had ever done that but it was surprisingly helpful). We showed one with Elder Holland (an apostle of the church) explaining the Book of Mormon and the second was "Because of Him". ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3TI4bYerU - watch, it's good). He said that he always has known God exists but admitted that his baptism doesn't have much meaning. After we taught the role of baptism to purify and empower us as we decide to follow Christ he said that baptism would be very important. He still wants to pray and study to know if what we are teaching is true but he is ready to trust the answer from Heavenly Father and is confident that he will receive his answer. In the closing prayer Dawid thanked Heavenly Father for one of the most important meetings of his life. It felt so good to teach and testify about Christ and the way we can progress. There was unity, love, and the Spirit with us. It was so much fun.

My current planner is covered by a polish newspaper I was handed and on the front I found a caption that says "weźmy sprawy w swoje ręce" (let's take matters into our own hands) and that seems to perfectly describe what is going on in Gdańsk. We have plans to implement YSA, FHE (family home evening - activity with a spiritual lesson, a game, and some food), an English, musical fireside etc etc. We are on fire and it feels great. I didn't have time to exaplain my heading last week but I am striving to be a publisher of peace. In reading the Book of Mormon recently that is a theme that has stood out to me. To be successful we cannot be a perfectionist or self-critical, I learned that again this week. We do need to be humble and diligent, patient as well.

We have also been enjoying Poland. Last week we went to the beach in Sopot for P-day, where we sat, ate and jammed out to Sister Grgich playing on the guitar. Today we took a bus to Stutoff, a concentration camp about an hour out of Gdańsk by bus. This trip was harder for me emotionally than my trip to Auschwitz roughly a year ago. It is hard to see the evil in the world, to recognize the influence it has and how it affects others. This time I was able to connect my spiritual knowledge of God's plan easier, which was helpful. Poland is a beautiful nation with a messy past. I couldn't be anywhere else. I forgot how much fun it was to serve with Elder Platter and am thankful to be rocking with him for round two. The sisters are great, Sister Wood and I have experienced a lot of the same on our missions so it's nice to have somebody to relate to and learn from. 

Life is good. Still hard, still crazy, but full of light and hope. 

kocham was wszystkich,

Starszy Kimball

I'm pretty frustrated because we've had rotten luck regarding libraries and computers here in Gdańsk. I feel rushed every week, even more so than usual.

This week was wonderful! We spent a lot of time with the members, building relationships. This is something I've always wanted to do but have had a hard time with - here it's been easier and more natural.

We had dinner with Józef and Irena on Tuesday. They are an older couple that were sealed in the Freiburg temple last Spring. They invited us to help them prepare the graves of their son and parents for the holiday on the First of November Wszystkich Świętych (all saints day). It was fun to be in the hustle and bustle of the best cemetery, cleaning the graves and marking them with flowers and candles. We then went back to their place for some lunch where Halina (the oldest member in Poland, 87) joined us - she is currently living with Irena and Józef. We went over to theirs for a third time on Saturday to be the translators between them and the senior couple the Shaws. We were fed three times by them this week and the food was delicious. We had pumpkin soup, pickle soup, potatoes, chicken and pork, cabbage salad, pickled peppers, plum dessert. It was all so good. Józef has been a member for a couple decades and so has Halina. They invited us back to rake their leaves this next week and feed us some more. We love them already, we are pretty tight with them.

We also visited with Jdawiga. We elders and the sisters made our way to her place just south of old town in Gdańsk. We got to know her: she is from a Belarussian family but moved to Poland when she was 3. She grew up in the same area where she lives now and told us about the history and culture. She is widowed and her son lives far away, which is hard. She took us on a walk around her area showing us her elementary school, the cemetery where her parents lay, and a couple fortress from World War 1. 

We were invited to be the guests at a lecture at Gdańsk University. We were surprised how young the students were (our age - I forget that I would be in my second year at college if I wasn't on my mission). Patryk, the 20 year-old branch mission leader accompanied us. We taught, bore testimony, had a great time. The teacher thanked us for our words and emotion. We were invited back to do it again this week! 

We have met some cool people. Dawid is a young student and Przemek is a father/husband who showed us around the beautiful old town of Gdańsk so we've finally seen it. We are having fun, working hard, and experiencing success. 

Sorry to be so brief but life is good! 

Love, 

Starszy Kimball

Last weeks letter:

We are settling in quite nicely. Gdańsk is so beautiful and fun, I'm enjoying it. The buildings, hills, trees are pretty and we went to Sopot this past week where the best beach is and saw the coast. I am very lucky.

Saturday was deathly cold with relentless winds but other than that the weather has been pretty good. We met some cool people this week but still aren't meeting with any one concretely. We celebrated Stan's birthday with him, he turned 30 this past week. He isn't a member but comes to church, family home evening, and English class. He hasn't received an answer about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and church yet, he also seems to be trying to figure out his future. We would like to be helpful friends but at this point the choices and decisions ahead are really up to him.

We have had some good experiences going home to home. Older residents start complaining about how late we knock, questioning our motives bothering them "past midnight" at about 19:30, which makes it tricky sometimes. We have met some large, vicious dogs this past week and I am pretty sure they have taken a couple years off my life as the suddenly attack out of the darkness. Thank goodness for the gates but I don't think my heart can take much more of it.

Last year in the darker colder months our schedule was adjusted so that we could take dinner at 20:00 rather than 17:00. It seemed to make sense since people aren't on the streets as much and they are going to bed earlier. This year President Edgren received specific instruction that we should stick to the normal schedule. It doesn't make to much sense to me at face value, that excited me though when I heard because when we are asked to do something that doesn't make sense and is hard I find that miracles of promises happen. This past week we have had our share of miracles during that odd time between 20:30 and 21:00. On Monday night we were walking home from visiting a neighborhood. We past by a homeless man who asked us for some money. As missionaries we aren't allowed to give money so we walked on. As we were doing so I looked down and saw in my bag a plate of peanut butter cereal bars the Shaws (the missionary senior couple) had made for us for our journey to Bydgoszcz the following day. I knew money was out of the question but I thought that this was something we could give. We turned around and headed back to the weathered-faced man and I pulled out the plate. I told him that we had no money to give him but these treats were his. He asked "all of them" since there was a plate full. I assured him that they were all for him but he continued to repeat the question two more times. Elder Platter then handed him some McDonalds fries he had left over from earlier in the day. As we walked away I felt a warmth in my heart. I have been praying to see ways in which I can do little acts of service, even more I have been praying to be aware of them because I know they are around but am often unfocused to see them. The perfect remedy for selfishness, self-doubt, self-pity, and fallen spirits is service. It can be frustrating when I go out everyday and offer my testimony of something much more valuable, life changing, and sweeter than a plate of cookies but nobody is interested. Sometimes I think I forget the value of an understanding of Christ as our Savior. I know that Heavenly Father puts people in our paths to help and when we do we are happy. Sacrifice is worth it, the way we come to know of these eternal truths is by experiencing them.

As I mentioned we went to Bydgoszcz this past week, my first time. We had a zone training given by Elder Whiting, Elder Hubbard, and Sister Owen all from my group - it was super fun. It's my first time being in the north zone (historically known as the party zone). The bond of missionaries is unique and powerful. As I mentioned we went to Bydgoszcz this past week, my first time. We had a zone training given by Elder Whiting, Elder Hubbard, and Sister Owen all from my group - it was super fun. It's my first time being in the north zone (historically known as the party zone). The bond of missionaries is unique and powerful.

President and Sister Edgren came up to Gdańsk this past weekend. They took us out to dinner on Satruday and we saw them at church on Wednesday. As they left President Edgren said that "things feel good here in Gdańsk" after having just concluded our church meetings. I know he put a new group up here to see some change and I think it's working. I am getting to know the branch, I spoke in church and then translated for President's talk - being the oldest missionary in a city (with Sister Wood) puts the responsibility on and I'm grateful to be growing and feeling set free.

One of my favorite topics to talk about with people is our potential. Realizing our potential is the goal. The first step of realizing is t be aware of our potential, what we are capable of becoming. The second meaning of realizing our potential is in the execution process as we fulfill the measure of what we were created to be. Each of us has been blessed with the ability to choose and act for ourselves. Our potential is much greater than being smart or successful in our careers; we have the potential to love, uplift and support one another. We are capable to make others happy and providing strength and wisdom from our own experience to help empower them. The perfect example of this loving servant is Christ. I am completely convinced of the power we have to bless others because of the love and support I receive from my family and friends along with my Redeemer and Enabler Jesus Christ.