BrNO Place Like Home

Hello All!
Golly-gee-willikerz. What an AWESOME week.

The Brno Branch held a bonfire activity thing, kind-of a late halloween celebration, and we had 4 of our investigators come. Which for the CZ is an amazing turn-out, so we were super pumped about that and they got to meet the wonderful members of the church here in such a fun atmosphere. The bonfire was on the land next to the church building that we bought a short time ago and they announced that there would be fireworks, not gonna lie, I totally expected some wimpy sparklers, but man, they really brought out the big guns. Prolly would have broken some regulations or rules in America. They were Oklahoma property worthy haha.

I almost expected to hear the chant, "Merlins in the lake!" It was so fun, and the kids were all dressed up in their costumes, and there was tons of food, felt like an activity at home. <3 I absolutely adore the people here in Brno. And it makes me teary-eyed thinking about leaving them, especially with Christmas coming up. (Transfers are on Dec. 1) I feel absolutely spoiled here, they are so awesome.

On Sunday, they had baptisms for to darling girls from the branch. The parents wanted us to teach them a little bit so that they could really make the decision for themselves. The parents asked us if we would perform a musical number at the service too. So ya, we sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" in czech (obviously) and Sister Steglich played the guitar (because she is amazing like that). We had one of our investigators there too for the baptism so that was cool too. I really feel apart of this branch, like a twig on their branch haha. I don't want to leave! But I know I will love anywhere I serve, so wherever I go next I will be happy. The language...yes. It is coming along still! I am finding alot more confidence in it and actually able to carry-on semi-normal conversations with people as if I were speaking in english. I am forgetting alot of english words though...so yay! Fun fact about czech- no=yes and host=guest haha. But I love it! The work is coming along, and I am learning more and more every-day how to improve myself and share my testimony of Christ with others so that they can experience the lasting joy and peace it provides. Sorry for my grammatically-disgusting run-on sentences.

Freezer Brno!

I'm assuming based on the title of her last e-mail home "Freezer Brno!" Sestra Schoen meant to tell us about how cold it is in Brno...but I think she fogot. 

Any way, here is her update: 

Wow, a week already? There is some-kinda weird time-warp that happens on the mission I feel like. I am now beginning the 6th month out. And it seriously feels like just yesterday I was walking into the MTC. The language is still coming along, I bore my testimony at church yesterday, my prepared thoughts completely left my noggin though the moment I gathered the courage to stand up, but then it is too late and you have to go up there. (insert Courtney's note here: in the Mormon, or LDS, faith, the first Sunday of every month is devoted to what we call "Fast and Testimony Meeting." Everyone fasts with a purpose for two meals, then attends sacrament meeting with that purpose near and dear to their heart. Instead of hearing prepared talks like we do every other Sunday during the first hour of church--referred to as "sacrament meeting", on the first Sunday of each month all members of the congregation, including young children and visitors, are invited to stand and bare witness of their faith)

She's always wanted to dye her hair brown...but me and Mom wouldn't let her. I guess she finally realized we couldn't control her any more, now that she lives in the Czech Republic. Silly girl, she's still Carley, a goof ball and too precious.

I don't know what the difference is, I tell strangers my testimony all the time, but for some reason that pulpit no-matter where you are in the world, has quite the intimidation-factor. Anywho, have I mentioned the love I have for the Brno Branch?? They are all just amazing, and seeing all of them at church has become such a highlight. It feels like home. And the fact that I can feel so comfortable there thousands and thousands and thousands of miles away from what I am familiar with, yet be sitting there at choir practice with the members practicing for their Christmas program as the little kids run around the building with their snacks since they don't fast...I had the calmest, warmest sensation run through me. I hear all the time from people that they believe they don't need a church. But when I have moments like that I know that we have church because in this fight to protect righteous living, wholesome values, and the importance of family, it's nice to know we are not alone. And how awesome is it that we can learn from and relate to one another. We are all different and unique, church doesn't squelch that individuality, if anything, it heightens it because we have callings and responsibilities that allow us to express our personalities and insights. 

I had a wonderful interview with President McConkie, our mission president, he checks-up with us to see how we are doing and what we need. He is truly inspired of the Lord, without me having to say anything, he addressed some things I was struggling with. One of those was individuality or feeling like I wasn't losing who I am, this weird and dorky person I am, because I get lost in the obsessiveness that can sometimes accompany the work. I do feel like I am changing, which is good but I want to keep those parts of me that make me unique. Anyhwo, without me having to try and explain this he told me to be myself. And that's all I needed to hear. And he told me how he perceived me, who I was and nailed it on the head. It was definitely a testimony builder that the Lord knows and loves me. And I know He loves us all and our varying circumstances and trials are not to change us necessarily, but to improve us. Put your trust in the Lord and know that what you are going through is especially for you, and the Lord is there for us to use Him as a support.

Ether 12:27 has always been a fave of mine.

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.