On Wednesday evening we had a lesson with Gosia and Martyn (a young couple in the branch) after our English class. As we made our way over we caught a tram that said it went to the right stop but we discovered that it went around the city to get to it so we got off at another stop to catch another one. We looked at the schedule and saw that we needed to catch a 2 then saw one pull up close but stop. A moment later a tram pulls up and we hop on. As we are riding I'm noticing that we didn't reach certain stops that I thought we would but because we were going a new way I didn't think much of it. Then all of a sudden it hit me that we were not where we needed to be so we get off at the next stop and see that we had boarded a 3 instead. As I made my comment before getting off the tram Elder Platter said there must have been a reason, I was then surprised by how quickly the need for our detour manifested itself. We find our bearings and realize we are in a settlement near the coast and see one guy on the platform we were on. I walked over to him asking the best way to get to our destination and as he begins to reply he stops and asks "Mormon?" I responded that we indeed were and he continued that he just moved to the area from Ukraine. He'd been meeting with missionaries to learn English and was hoping to get in contact with missionaries here - it must have been a sincere desire because Heavenly Father led us 40 minutes out of our way to find him. We exchanged information and I hope to see him this Wednesday. Meeting Sergiej brought the spirit into our evening and was a confirmation of Heavenly Father's hand in the work. There was then a kind babcia placed in our path to guide us to the Chabros family's home, Heavenly Father is intricate and caring in His purposes.
One morning this week I wasn't feeling on my game and I noticed that it was because my heart had become a little hardened. I had some anger and frustration with my companion as well as with the branch president here because of some miscommunication and other matters. I've been working on not giving in to feelings of anger or annoyance but as we all can attest it isn't easy. During personal study I slipped into the bedroom in a down and some-what delicate state to pray for strength to be more loving. What I felt is hard to describe. Immediately I was reminded of Heavenly Father's love for me as well as Christ's. I thought of how the Atonement of Christ has led me to receive forgiveness and see growth in myself. As love was poured into my heart I began to feel it soften and my perspective of the whole situation flipped around. Simply, my heart was filled with love and it didn't matter what had been said or been done because my heart had been softened, it had been changed. This is one of the most powerful experiences I have had, it's a testimony to me that the Christ is the Savior. He understands perfectly what we need and His love allows us to be better and love others. Love truly is a gift. Dawid explained how we can know if this is all true yesterday when talking to a guy that comes to church often but doesn't believe it's true with the words, "can't you feel it in your heart?"
Dawid is committed to being baptized the 13th of December, he caught a train at 6:00 am yesterday from his grandparents place to make it to church here in Gdańsk. He is changing his life, recently quitted smoking, and is ready to accept the new lifestyle we are teaching him. The gospel is logical to him but I am convinced that the reason it's so easy for him to adjust is because of what he feels in his heart.
The branch here has had trouble feeling love amongst themselves. On Sunday I taught the combined hour of church. I based the lesson off of President Monson's talk "Love - the Essence of the Gospel. It seemed to intrigue them, great comments were shared, and unlike when I gave my first talk in sacrament meeting, everyone seemed engaged. It's a topic on everybody's mind right now. We had a branch dinner and Christmas tree decorating activity on Saturday and then church yesterday, the atmosphere is feeling better than ever before. Something that many members see a need of is an example to inspire the branch, the sad thing is that they don't understand that they can be that shining example. We need to be the example of love and goodness to those around us. Having good desires and hopes is positive but actually accomplishing good brings a change. As Camilla Eyring (my great grandma) said, "Never pass up an opportunity to do good." I highly recommend that anyone interested in being more loving read/ watch the talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/love-the-essence-of-the-gospel?lang=eng&media=video#watch=video
Heavenly Father is a God of miracles and love.
Here I end wishing my love,
Starszy Kimball
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