tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18019718785091422442024-03-13T15:12:13.586-07:00The Chick in CzechUpdates from Sestra Carley Schoen, sister missionary in the Czech Republic for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-55051799176212509292014-12-25T08:47:00.000-07:002015-01-13T08:49:26.088-07:00The Last Log of Prague<div style="text-align: justify;">
(Sestra Carley Schoen arrived home Dec. 18, 2014, having honorably completed her mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Czech Republic)</div>
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Well, I have been home for about a week now and I think it is fitting to
add some of the things that happened this final week coming home and
perhaps some tid-bits of what I have learned collectively from my 19
months away.</div>
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The plane-rides from Prague to London to Dallas were...looong. Seriously
felt like sinking in molasses. My mind was racing like a derby-horse as
I sat there for 17 hours of airport/airplane time feeling like a bump
on a log. I am pretty sure all the A.D.D. of a year and a half kicked in as
I sat there. I tried to take a nap, assuming the most comfortable
position I could. Hands on and around the fold-down tray with the
"pillow" under my ear. I wake-up again, groggy-eyed, drool on my face,
turn to Sister Huggard and ask how long I was out (expecting to have
killed at least half our trip)... She chuckled as she responded "30
minutes." -_- We were sitting next to this really nice girl from Texas
who was coming back from South Africa, having been gone for 6 months. We
enjoyed talking to her and feeling the spirit as we talked about
service, the importance of family, and prayer. We all knew we were meant
to sit next to each-other. She also kept me sane on that plane. We even
ended or trip with a heart-warming prayer together. I am very grateful
for her kindness and service and look forward to our continued
friendship.</div>
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As some of you have likely seen on my facebook, the welcome home was an
exciting occasion. As I got off the plane, I melted hearing the warm
greetings and southern drawls that echoed through the airport. Music to
my ears. I looked up as I was exiting the plane and saw a woman with a
camera pointed at me. It took me only a second to recognize our dear
friend, Tami. And that's when I knew I was really home, where else would
someone go out of there way so much to get a picture so that the rest of
the family would know that I was a few minutes away? As I came out of
the terminal, I saw my family and heard my mom scream my name (if I was
at all unfamiliar with being called my own name, I think it was
shattered in that instant.) I ran at her and hugged her and perhaps
everyone in a 50m radius... I got a little carried away. ;)</div>
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Since then I have been loving my time with my family. Watching the
movies and listening to the music I missed didn't seem as important as
just being with them. I think everyone has asked me how the transition's
been. It is all still familiar to me so its not like I am so out of my
skin. I have been getting up early still and striving to keep up the
same habits. I am grateful for my time as a missionary, I am still a
missionary at heart:) So it has been an easy transition I think. I have
loved chatting with my buddies from the Czech Republic and those that I
haven't spoken to in a while. It helps me understand the true purpose of
facebook, to unite people. Not to tear others down or start drama. Its a
tool for friendship not judging. Anywho, that's a little rant that can
be saved for another day. I love the Czech Republic and my friends
there. I miss them a ton!!! But I know we will see each other again and
it will be glorious:)</div>
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I want to thank you all for your love and prayers. It wasn't an easy experience, but my oh my, it was all worth it. :)</div>
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s laskou,<br />
Sestra Sch.... Carley</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-20651608961215936202014-12-15T08:50:00.000-07:002015-01-13T08:55:14.191-07:00Frydek the Halls!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well.... The week has come... </div>
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This weekend we enjoyed the baptism
and confirmation of "M" our investigator which was a great feeling
to the final last couple of days. He is definitely prepared and I am
very proud of his decision and all that is in-store for him. The gospel
of Jesus Christ is truly the most pure form of a life-enhancer one can
find. I was asked by one of our investigators what I have learned on my
mission and I think to sum it up in a sentence it would be...the love of
God. <br /><br />I have come to understand more how our Heavenly Father works with
us, His children. The gospel of Jesus Christ is His gift to us so we can
have more happiness and joy every day without a price nor expiration
date. This stuff lasts for eternity. His love encompasses our
heartaches, our weaknesses, our struggles, all of it. But not just
covers- improves. He encourages us to rise after we fall, to continue
after we stumble, to seek for perfection and find joy in the process.
But it is not an easy path. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, forged the path
for us to follow then offers us continued guidance and counsel so that
we can achieve our goal of eternal life with Him. Like an all-star
athlete becomes a coach and then during the game continues to help
navigate the players collectively and individually so they can win. Not
for His own glory, but knowing the feeling of achievement from a
well-deserved win is more glorious than being handed a trophy from a
game you never played. I have been soooo blessed these past 19 months to
have been apart of the Lord's Work. I know I have come to know my
Savior like never before, His love for the people, the frustration when
people deny that love and the immaculate joy of seeing someone accept
His help and change their lives. I know I have changed. Not so much that
I have lost who I am. I am still the same dork I was before but now I
think I notice more what's going on around me and within me. I know my
Heavenly Father loves me. I know that He loves all His children. I can't
imagine my life without all the experiences I have had here and the
people I have met that are forever-friends. I am a blessed sister. And
while I know I don't deserve even half the blessings I have been
allotted, I hope to share them with others so we can all partake of the
joy. Thank you all for your encouragement, counsel and love. I am so
grateful to know you all and am excited to talk with you in-person
soon. </div>
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After I bear-hug my family for at least a couple of days and can keep make-up on my eyes for longer than a minute. </div>
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s Laskou,</div>
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SESTRA Schoen :)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-18301733025488629562014-12-01T19:49:00.000-07:002014-12-14T19:55:09.452-07:00(Response to Housing Option at USU)<div dir="ltr">
I like the apartment, as long as it isnt too expensive. I
will be happy anywhere. truly. buses...yay!!! :) at least something
semi-familiar.</div>
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(too busy to send a detailed e-mail for the blog this week)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-40151868448952830392014-11-24T19:45:00.000-07:002014-12-14T19:45:19.254-07:00Blessings from out of the Blue!<div style="text-align: justify;">
So crazy how Heavenly Father lays things out for us perfectly. So I
guess I'm going to USU?! (<b><i>Carley got an amazing scholarship letter this week</i></b>) I am so happy/a gigantic ball of nerves.
Anywho. this week was great again and tomorrow I am going to Prague for
training so hopefully it goes well. We met with the family from FM again
and that was so amazing, we taught them the Plan of Salvation and they
loved it. I am so grateful to know that families are eternal and that we
are all sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father who wants
nothing more, than for us to succeed in life and be happy now and for
eternity. I know its all true, so its easy to teach:) Plus we met with
the wonderful mother in Opava and met some truly amazing people this
week. I love the Ostrava branch here and its almost surreal planning for
Christmas here and knowing I wont see the "fruits" of it with my own
eyes but I know that they are in for some Christmas miracles and a whole
lotta joy. I love the Czech Republic!!! <br /><br />Thank you all for your prayers
and thoughts, I definitely feel the warmth of your support here in the
cold. Its really not too cold though here. Still hasn't snowed! So
Sister Schoen's prayers have been successfully answered. woop woop!!! :D</div>
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I love my companion, she's a tough cookie and sweet as can be :)</div>
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Everything is wonderful!!!!! WOOOO!!!!!!!!!</div>
<div>
s laskou,</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-68041184906798326272014-11-17T20:46:00.000-07:002014-11-19T20:47:10.870-07:00All Hands on Frydek!<div dir="ltr">
Great week for sure! So since you asked what a sister
trainer leader (yes, I don't get the name either... but as the 14th
article of faith states, "We believe in the use of acronyms.")...so
lemme try to splain. I call all the sisters every week to get an update
of the area and interview them on how they are doing. I visit each
companionship and do a 24 hour exchange with them, helping them in their
area. I also talk to President weekly and attend Mission Leadership
Council once a month while also preparing trainings for the zones. So
basically... I just travel alot and talk on the phone and learn from all
the amazing sisters. Hats off to my companion, in her first transfer
she was definitely thrown into a whirlwind. We are loving the city and
working hard towards Christmas. I love it here!!!! <3 <div>
I love you all!!!!!</div>
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Have a great week!</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-35609330580910140302014-11-03T21:47:00.000-07:002014-11-16T21:49:02.848-07:00Halloween FryDeckoratations :)<div style="text-align: justify;">
So Happy late Halloween! I love halloween. I couldnt dress up but all is
well it was a blast! We had a halloween party and I think everyone
really enjoyed it and it is always fun putting my event planning hat on
(metaphorically)</div>
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We had no-bake monster cookies with gummy worms inside and since
pumpkins here get pretty pricy we carved orange bell peppers and had
salsa and ranch dip (thanks mom!) coming out the mouths in a similar
fashion like I saw in Courts pics. We played games with the kids and all
the adults and the missionaries sang a hymn... that wasnt too
halloweeny but it was a hit so yay! Today we went to a WWII museum and
even though they were supposed to be closed today the people were nice
enough to let us have a private tour of the whole facility and it was
great! Very very very depressing but great! I learned alot. This week I
will be going to prague for Leadership training Council then to Mlada
Boleslav on an exchange so alot of travelling but it should be great.
Thank you all for your prayers! I love you and I hope you have a great
first week of November!!!:)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-56529036729656721032014-10-27T21:50:00.000-07:002014-11-16T22:11:41.696-07:00Oct. 21 & 27<div dir="ltr">
Oct. 21</div>
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So yesterday we were in Brno for 'progression training"
for the new missionaries. It was great to see Brno again for like 30
minutes as we walked through the center but when we were leaving it was
rainy and they were I guess working on the tracks to Ostrava so it was a
mess with public transportation. We missed our train putting us way
behind but the on the way to Ostrava we talked to an awesome girl and
taught a lesson about the restoration and exchanged numbers, so there is
always a reason for these things. No need to fret. We were also coming
home last night to Frydek-Mistek and met an awesome guy who used to live
in Chicago, set up to meet with him again so that was awesome too. I
absolutely love it here and really feel like there is so much to do! I
love it! I hope yall are all having a great week! Don't have much time
to email, we have free english tonight so gotta be there plenty early
for that. I love my companion she is AMAZING!!! It is so funny how
different training can be, no worse and not better just unique and
amazing in their own ways. Sister Birkeland is a spiritual powerhouse
and I am excited to see how she continues to excel and grow:)<br />
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Love you all!</div>
<div>
Sestra Schoen</div>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4VTs31J5W2o/VGmDa3MPgDI/AAAAAAAAlrw/T5VInl1UJ1w/s1600/this%2Bwas%2Bwhen%2Bwe%2Bwere%2Bin%2Bprague%2Bwaiting%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bnew%2Bmissionaries%2Ccute%2Bhalloween%2Btreats%2Bfrom%2Ban%2Bawesome%2Bmember%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPrague%2Bbranch..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4VTs31J5W2o/VGmDa3MPgDI/AAAAAAAAlrw/T5VInl1UJ1w/s1600/this%2Bwas%2Bwhen%2Bwe%2Bwere%2Bin%2Bprague%2Bwaiting%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bnew%2Bmissionaries%2Ccute%2Bhalloween%2Btreats%2Bfrom%2Ban%2Bawesome%2Bmember%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPrague%2Bbranch..jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was when we were in prague waiting for the new missionaries,cute halloween treats from an awesome member of the Prague branch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Oct. 27<br />
We are throwing a Halloween party this week. I am doing really well
here and just loving the work! It is such a privilege to share what I
know to be true and I know the knowledge truly blesses our family. <br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-73160669438804082502014-10-13T21:57:00.000-07:002014-11-16T21:58:45.611-07:00I am Frydek-in Out!<div dir="ltr">
So we got transfer calls on Friday instead of the usual
Saturday evening this time. After a moment of playing hot-potato with
the phone, Sister D answered Presidents call. I promptly began plugging
my ears and humming to myself, looking like a very capable servant of
the Lord I am sure... anywho, she hands the phone to me with a
bewildered look. President then tells me I will be going to
Frydek-Mistek to re-open that city again to missionaries after about 10
years I think (not such a shocker, we have been anticipating this for a
couple weeks) and I will be training again, but wait, there's more, I
will also be<b> Sister Trainer Leader</b>. Okay. So since then, I have had
waves of excitement and exhaustion. Feelings of inadequacy from Satan
really try to take us down. But guess what! we can conquer Satan. We
are always stronger. Woo! Conference was perfect and I loved listening
to the words of our Lord through His called and faithful servants. I am
so unimaginable blessed!!!!!! I love absolutely LOVE being a
missionary!!!!!! I already miss Sister D. I have been blessed by the
bestest companions. The gospel truly unites us and helps us to reach our
maximum potencial. I believe more than ever before that we can do ALL
things through Christ, which strengthen us. I love this gospel, I love
my Savior and I love you ALL!!!!!!! Have an amazing week! <div>
s Laskou, </div>
<div>
Sestra Schoen</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-83224181216691403442014-10-06T13:01:00.000-07:002014-10-08T13:01:24.625-07:00Ostravalocity and Speed of God's Power is Amazing<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hey there family!!!</div>
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This has been a great week! Can't believe we are
starting the last week of this transfer. ayayay! This morning I got to
work-out and run on a treadmill and even do the elliptical for like a
second (it was broken though so I had to get off--it is now an
international pet-peeve). I know you would get my excitement with
getting a good sweat. Not many understand it. Anywho! Back to the real
work! <br /><br />News on investigators... so we met with "N" again and she has
been reading in the Book of Mormon but still not in love with it and
feels like it is so different from the bible so that it seems strange to
her but continues to meet with us and loved the idea of family home
evening. We also met with someone new named "P", he is 21 and we had
contacted him one of our first weeks of the transfer in Opava (a city
outside of Ostrava where "N" lives) anywho, he had cancelled a few
lessons already with us but finally we set up with him. The first time
we contacted him we felt we had to talk to him and even though he was on
the phone we just waited it out then went up to talk to him as he was
getting in line for food. (You can't get away from us). We taught him
about God and how pray but he didn't have any more time to talk then a
month later we meet with him in the namesti (town square) and he tells us that his dad
had died:( We taught him the plan of salvation and invited him to be
baptized which he accepted:) he texted us later telling us how grateful
he was for meeting us. We know our Heavenly Father wanted us to find him
at this difficult time. Miracles! <br /><br />We also had a guy who tried to just
bash us with anti info he had dug up from the internet. Woo! Silly head. </div>
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We met with a family in their home in Frydek-Mistek :) (that city
that we "just happen" to be moving to for the next transfer) We met the parents and 4 year old
daughter in Ostrava and talked to them for a couple of minutes but they
were in a rush for a bus. When we came to the city the wife picked us up
from the bus station and took us to their house. They are soooooo
amazing! They are only in Ostrava once a year for a check-up for their
daughter who was born prematurely (she weighed 2 lbs about) and this
was the last time they would need to go there! Miracles! </div>
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They also have
another son named "F" who is 10 and was so good in the lesson
answering questions. This is the first time a family has let me in to
their home to teach them. I have been praying to teach a whole family
this whole time and finally my dream has come true! We taught the
restoration and ended with a kneeling prayer as a family. They made us
dinner and wanted to take a picture with us. We are visiting them again
this week. We also have been teaching this other YSA named "V". He has
been reading in the Book of Mormon and for 3 years been trying to
"find" himself and God. He knows that God is our Heavenly Father and we
are His children and he loves prayer. <br /><br />We are amazed with the
preparedness of these people we are teaching. We are sooooo blessed to
know them. They have progressed so much alone it is so exciting to
imagine how their knowledge can grow by accepting the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ! I am so excited to watch conference and hear the
messages from our living prophet and apostles. I am excited for our
investigators to hear these words and feel the truthfulness for
themselves. <br /><br />I also have a funny story. Yesterday we were on the tram
coming to the church building when a tram-pass checker guy comes up to
us. This is normal and usually goes without a hitch but to my horror I
couldn't find my pass (this has neeeeever happened). There is a huge
fine if you don't have it with you. We were with a recent convert named "N" , I was going through my wallet and my bag over and over. but
nothing. He checked some other people and kept coming back then he
walked to the back. We came to the stop we were supposed to get off at,
we looked at him and quickly started to walk towards him but to our
surprise he just waved us away and we got off. "N" was baffled. She has
never seen a tram-checker let anyone off the hook. They don't do that
in this country. She was so happy for us and told us God really loved
us. I already knew that haa. So then we said a prayer of gratitude and "N" suggested we buy a ticket for the next 30 minutes of riding. We did
and got on the tram to our amazement the same tram-checker was there.
He could have popped me for it then but he took my ticket and in English said, "thank you, have a good day," and got off with someone who
didn't have one. We waved goodbye as we were leaving as if we were the
best of pals. Everyone we have told has been flabbergasted. It was a
great experience for sure and I am even more sure that miracles happen.
My tram pass was in the my other jacket pocket for some reason so I hope
to see him again and show him that. <br /><br />I love being a missionary. I love
the people here and I am so grateful for the increased understanding of
our Heavenly Father's influence in our lives. The people need it here,
even if they don't know it. I think of it as like when someone turns on
the light and your eyes were adjusted to the dark and you wince from the
contrast, not that it is bad or hurts, its just different and sometimes
our first reaction is to turn away. So when people turn us away I don't
fault them for it. But there are those that have recognized the
darkness and are searching for more. Light is a beautiful thing. I love
my Heavenly Father, I love my Savior, and I know that Joseph Smith
restored the fulness of that light on the earth so that we might ALL
feel of that heavenly love. I love you all and I know that Heavenly
Father loves you! </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
s Laskou,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sestra Schoen</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-22680581579195121322014-09-28T20:23:00.002-07:002014-09-28T20:23:36.987-07:00Serving in a fairytaleI love my
little companion. I do her hair and dress her up and we just make each
other laugh and I see her take her first "steps" she solo contacted
yesterday as we were singing and faced rejection after rejection but
kept going and talking to more people and I was on the verge of tears
watching from afar. We are buddies forever. She even tells me that she
prayed for a good trainer and even though I don't feel like it all the
time she says I am. so I am happy:)<br />
<br />
We have had a good
week this week and will be in Prague on Thursday. Our p-day today is us
going to the building and watching the full length Joseph Smith movie.
woo! I am actually strangely really excited for that. This morning my
plans of a good long run were foiled by a torrential down-pour. bleh. My
comp likes Diet Coke so we have Coke light here(the european edition of
DC but I don't think quite as good)<br />
<div>
I hope you have a great week and I keep you in my prayers!</div>
<div>
s Laskou, </div>
<div>
Sestra Car <3</div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnQqiH2swE8/VCjQezwRTYI/AAAAAAAAk3c/8a9OXFru3Z8/s1600/fairy%2Btale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnQqiH2swE8/VCjQezwRTYI/AAAAAAAAk3c/8a9OXFru3Z8/s1600/fairy%2Btale.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are serving in a fairytale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-60030040804932374232014-09-15T09:00:00.000-07:002014-09-28T09:01:26.109-07:00Update on Mission Stuff<div dir="ltr">
Hey Family! </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
</div>
<div>
(This e-mail was sent in response to e-mail requests from family members requesting more info on investigators and ward/branch members and the YW she serves in Ostrava, Czech Republic. It has been edited with people's names changed/shortened)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Investigators- I don't
often include specific info on investigators because we have been asked
not to just in case they get on the internet somehow. But I definitely
shy on the overly vague and not-even-mention them at all side, sorry! Ma
bad. Anywho, we have several progressing investigators (which means
they keep commitments and are progressing towards baptism) We have been
meeting with someone named "M" for over 4 months now and he enjoys
studying the church and knowing all the info, even coming to all the
activities, but doesn't want to be baptized too quick. We are helping him
understand the importance and he has been making much more progress
lately so yay! <br />
<br />
Then there is "L", he is one of our member's
boyfriends who we gave a Book of Mormon to and have been meeting with
him ever since this transfer started, he is going to school and
working. He started out as an avid atheist who wouldn't pray. Now he is reading,
praying, attending church and is on baptismal
date for the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_165358795" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">11 of October</span></span>
woo!!! We are very confident that he will make it. He is solid and will
make a great member!!! It has been awesome seeing his faith and
relationship with God grow. <br />
<br />
Then we have "N", my beloved "N". She is
the mom who I met a couple months ago then she texted us
after our prayer, so we met her husband who remembered meeting the
missionaries 12 years ago before he was a believer. He is really interested in how our church
works and the doctrine of how the priesthood is received and used.
Anywho, she came to church on Sunday! Woopeee!!! It is so
awesome that she came all that way, also really stressful for me
notgonnalie. <br />
<br />
She got there late to the train station so we ran there to
get her to bring her back then we walk back to the building with her and
as we come in to go into the chapel, an older member straight-up
starts waving at us through the door scream-whispering "go away! you're
interrupting!!! ' over and over. I about had a conniption, with all the
force of will I could muster, I looked him in the eyes and said "we are
coming to church" and walked in. He caused such a scene and poor "N" felt immediately awkward and unwanted... the talks were wonderful but it
was hard overcoming that. :( <br />
<br />
I've decided I just think sometimes we need a workshop
of what to do with investigators around. It isn't changing what we teach,
but how we teach/say it. Like asking them if they are an investigator
when you first meet them. lol I hope she gets back soon to us I have no
idea what her overall view of it was. She is soooooooooo amazing though!
Keep your fingers and arms crossed for her please!!!!!! She is
seriously so golden. So that is some info on a couple of our
investigators!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The YW are amazing. The practically teach us. 2
angels. "M" (15) and "V" (almost 18) we are working on Personal
Progress with them so V has it finished by her birthday at the
end of this month.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
We as a duo (Sister Daugirda and I) are doing wonderfully. She has
taught me a lot about simple faith. I was freaking out stressing about "N" on Saturday night and she just turned and said "How about lets just
pray about it and put it in the Lord's hands.' Sometimes we get so
flustered when we really don't need to be. I have a bad habit of almost
thriving off a little stress to keep me going and feeling like I am
doing things but! that isn't necessary. So I am still learning that. But
I really had to humble myself and not respond back with a snappy remark
(you know exactly what I mean) but really accept the obvious truth and
be more Christlike. I am so grateful for her, she is a keeper. Plus we
laugh all the time. So that is great :)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
But
if I could ask one thing, if you could from here on out not directly
say how much time I have left. You can be excited but, I don't want to
be tempted by any form of "trunky'' ness. Which does happen. So no
numbers. Thankfully my entire mission, my incompetency with
guesstimating has helped me feel oblivious to the approaching deadline
of leaving, but kinda hard to ignore these decreasing numbers. I think
it is also hard for my companion who just got here and is now thinking
how much time I have left and comparing it to her's. We will all see
each other and it isn't as long away as it was from day one and that day
will come. No worries there:) and of course I am excited, but I also
want to keep my eye on the prize and set a good example to my companion.
So I would lovingly like to ask that we all become "obliviots'' until
the final couple of weeks :) Thank you!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I love you all and I keep you all in my prayers!</div>
<div>
s Laskou,</div>
<div>
Sestra Schoen</div>
</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-39799723406151656172014-09-04T16:51:00.000-07:002014-09-04T16:51:26.981-07:00Ostravattitude of Gratitude!<div style="text-align: justify;">
What an amazing week I tell ya! We had an amazing training on Tuesday in
Prague - Sister Kapora was there. She is one of the leading ladies, if
not the leading lady in the development of the Church here in the Czech
Republic. She has written a book about it, I am told. Anywho Sister D
and I got to practice teaching her and it was so neat to talk to her one
on one, she is seriously such a spiritual giant and so sweet! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyJTZ1kysZ8/VAj5zovVvgI/AAAAAAAAkX8/RDkt1MyDrw8/s1600/sister%2Bdaugirda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyJTZ1kysZ8/VAj5zovVvgI/AAAAAAAAkX8/RDkt1MyDrw8/s1600/sister%2Bdaugirda.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister D stops and smells the roses (zoom in on that beautiful, dew-drop rose!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also
got your packages you all sent me, Mom and Court I love EVERYTHING!!! I
nearly had a melt-down they were all so cute and thank you Grandma Kent
for the cute shirt and note:) After training we went on exchanges with
the Sister Trainer Leaders- I was in Prague and Sister Daugirda stayed
in Ostrava for a day with my MTC Comp Sister H which was neat. It was
cool to be in Prague for a little bit and seeing as this was my second
time on an exchange there, I think that should suffice for saying that I
served in Prague if I don't get the legit chance to. But, I am
perfectly happy with that. :) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was really hard to be away from my
beloved Ostrava, even for a day. When we got back, and came into the,
for lack of a better adjective, "jank" train station, I felt oddly right
at home, as my interim-companion commented on, "only in ostrava"
features ie, an exposed water pipe and puddle of water=artistic
fountain. side note: Sestra D and I may have had an epic run and embrace
moment... <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_397367963" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_397367963" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Thursday</span></span> we taught the Book of Mormon study class again and got great reviews on it from the participants so that was fun. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_397367964" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Friday</span></span>
we saw a load of miracles. That morning we each, Sister D and I,
studied faith and prayer and even the same talk without knowing it until
comp study. We specifically prayed for people with whom we are meeting.
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYHESY2R0yE/VAj5zVxnswI/AAAAAAAAkX4/0GO64eDDKIM/s1600/carley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYHESY2R0yE/VAj5zVxnswI/AAAAAAAAkX4/0GO64eDDKIM/s1600/carley.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is a picture of the YW in Sister Schoen's branch, as her and Sister D were called to be YW leaders.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />About a month ago I met a wonderful Christian mom in a city outside of
Ostrava and had the privilege of talking to her for a bit (it was
actually on my year-mark anniversary in the country and before then I
had been seeing a ton of rejection until her) then she went on vacation,
then Sister D and I went out and had a wonderful lesson with her. But a
few weeks had gone by and we had had no new contact with her and were
feeling a little blue about it. So Sister D says the most heartfelt and
beautiful prayer and no joke...within 15 minutes our phone goes off and
she texted us saying she had been thinking about us and wanted to meet
any day that week. WHATTT??? wowza. So of course we begin happy-dancing
about our living room. It was such a glorious moment!!! Then we get ready to go, we made
our bus to get to the tram stop and on that bus we notice a guy and a
prolly 13-year-old girl reading our nametags from across the bus. The
bus ride lasts maybe 5 minutes- they got off at our same stop and I ran
to catch them. We talked to them for maybe a minute quickly and hurriedly
explaining who we are and why we are here and he says he's not a
believer, we say "that's okay! we can help with that!" we switched
numbers then ran to catch our tram. Then on Sunday we had <b>a lot</b> of
contacting time. We met and talked to this wonderful mom with two
daughters, they were really interested in meeting, we exchanged numbers
and I called the number while we were standing there but her phone
wasn't with her. We walk away a ways and I get a text back from that
number asking who it was...my heart sank. But I didn't want to tell my
sweet companion that the lady gave us a fake number so I assure her
that I likely typed it in wrong. But I was a little disappointed/confused that she did that... fast-forward to <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_397367965" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Sunday</span></span>
night- a random text...from the man on the bus asking when we could
meet and then setting up with him for Tuesday. We were so happy!!! Still
are! He contacted us first! (that doesn't happen so often haha...)
<br /><br />Then this morning around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_397367966" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">7am</span></span>
we went to our grocery store nearby our flat and as we are walking out
Sister D starts elbowing me in the side saying "its the lady from
yesterday!" And there is that woman, who had given us the wrong
number...or so I thought. I was like "play it cool sis" and we strolled
up to her, she was so excited to see us and we talked for a sec then I
said how strangely that number was from some guy named Luke. With
genuine surprise she looked at the number and said "its a 5 not a 6". So
it really was my fault! It is so crazy-coincidence that it was
definitely not an accident! I have never met her before and yet within
24 hours in completely different parts of a big city like Ostrava we
*happen to meet again. (Insert angelic chorus here) <br /><br />But wait there's
more! This morning we wanted to go someplace to quickly print-off our
emails so that we could devote more time to writing later so we went to
find a local library closer to where we live. Welp, had no idea where to
go so we just hopped on a bus and decided to ask the locals. We asked
this older lady and she gladly offered to show us a great knihovna
(library) near where she lived. So the angel walks us to the most
random of places that I am sure you couldn't even find with google maps.
So we offered service to this nice woman and had a great convo with her
then went in to the library. This library was so cute!!! We walked in
and the librarian was so nice and wanted to chat with us more. She was
happy to see we were from a church (not common) and let us even print
for free although we pressed to let us pay. She was a gem. We have been
seeing so many miracles and being so blessed we just keep pinching
ourselves. Of course I am loving my companion, we get along seriously a
little too well and I am sooo grateful for all she is teaching me. I
sometimes forget who is training. <br /><br /><br /><br />I am not going to profess to be the
most put-together trainer, sometimes I feel like a chicken with my
head-cut-off, but thankfully she just laughs with me and we just make
the spiritual-most of a crisis. We love the people we are meeting with,
trying to get into the swing of things organizationally but always
feeling like we are improving so I am a happy camper. I love the Czech
Republic and I am so grateful to be having these faith building
experiences and helping others recognize the influence of our Heavenly
Father in their lives. It is truly an honor. I am so happy with the
gospel and I feel like that should be a simple enough tell-tale sign
that it is true. If you're not sure, pray about it. Even if you are
sure, still pray about it. Your cup is never completely full! I love you
all and I pray for you always. Have an amazing week and notice your own
heaven-sent miracles! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-12651620046759511182014-08-20T21:57:00.001-07:002014-08-20T21:57:13.881-07:00From Coast to cOstrava<div dir="ltr">
Hello all!!! So yup. I am officially training! Its so
easy when you have such an adorable and sweet companion. Seriously, I am
so grateful for her fresh and optimistic view on everything. I
absolutely adore her and am feeling very blessed. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39E0s1npA2w/U_V5eVKm_aI/AAAAAAAAkLA/-WAXTMlsVpk/s1600/sis%2Bdaugirda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39E0s1npA2w/U_V5eVKm_aI/AAAAAAAAkLA/-WAXTMlsVpk/s1600/sis%2Bdaugirda.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sestra Schoen and Sister Daugirda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbPq6K_-34g/U_V5eNJqgiI/AAAAAAAAkK8/63fkUQCb3zU/s1600/new%2Btransfer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbPq6K_-34g/U_V5eNJqgiI/AAAAAAAAkK8/63fkUQCb3zU/s1600/new%2Btransfer.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missionaries in the Czech Republic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Our normal place to
email is closed so we found this place but bad news is that we can only
be on technically for 30 minutes and if someone boots us off we can't
get back on... :/ so I am freaking out about now. But it is fine, if I
don't get to tell you much more than that I am loving this transfer
already and really excited about all the things we will accomplish, that
should suffice. I want to send my love to you all and thank you for
your thoughtful and inspiring emails. I love you!!!! I love being here
and constantly finding more and more to learn. I am really growing so
much closer with my Savior and my testimony is really deepening. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
I love
the gospel! Faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and
enduring to the end, all we really need to know in order to be saved. It
really simplifies a lot I think, but at the same-time it means we have
more personal responsibility to progress. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
We are not just simply saved
because someone blessed us, we have to use our agency, ability to
choose, at every stage. To believe is a choice, to repent is a continual
process of action, baptism must be cognitively decided (I may have made
that word up...) and in order to keep the companionship of the Holy
Ghost, we must stay worthy and follow its influence. And of course to
continue that every moment for the rest of your life, ya that is alot. I
guess that is why some would rather just ignore the existence of God
completely. But they are missing out on soooo much! We know that when we
learn to sacrifice a broken heart and a contrite spirit we are guaranteed, assured eternal life and all that our Heavenly Father wants
for us. It is beyond worth it. I am so grateful to be here and work with
these wonderful people. <div>
I Love you all and I keep you in my prayers always:)</div>
<div>
S Laskou,</div>
<div>
Sestra Schoen</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
THEN...in her e-mail to me (Courtney, her sister)... </div>
<div>
Not much time to respond back much, I had to jump off for some
guy then wait to get back on, had to coerce the librarian a bit to let
me...kinda a ridiculous system and I could tell she was hesitating to
let me pay again to get back on after his time had expired, but I love
her anyway!!! grin and bare it. literally, I feel like we just grin and bare our testimony, I might have spelled that wrong. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I love my little
trainee, Sister Daugirda, the name is really throwin the czechs for a
loop lol. She is really sweet, its like being with Giselle as a
companion from Enchanted. She is from SLC Utah and this is the most
opposition she as faced in her life, so I just want her spirits to stay
up. We love studying together though from the scriptures so it is
awesome. Looked outside just now...its raining. poop. no umbrella.
yay!!!! haha my companion is going to love this. :) I love you all and I
am glad you and mom are buying everything for me:) and the sleeper sofa
sounds awesome. Excited to visit:) </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-79158030564074635232014-08-12T08:45:00.003-07:002014-08-12T08:45:58.392-07:00Shostravan my little one around :)<div>
IM TRAINING!!!! :D Dream come true! I am so stoked to train in
Ostrava. I also am emailing from.... MLADA BOLESLAV!!!! Funness. I am
here with Sister Smith, she is from Logan, Utah and shares my first
name, her brother served in my home mission, and she knows the
Brenchleys and the Warnicks (<b><i>insert Courtney's note: the Warnick and Brenchley families were two families from our ward in Keller, Texas, that moved to Logan, Utah after spending years in Keller</i></b>) Crazy right? She was follow-up trained by
the amazing Sister Woodworth :) <br /><br />So we have just been loving the past
couple hours travelling back from Prague to my old stomping ground. She
is a doll. I will miss Sister Senkane but she is off to bigger things
and more adventures and we will still see each other around so its fine.
She is in Pardubice opening up a Sisters area. So it was fun to talk to
her about that. I am so excited to meet my greenie! I don't know her at
all so it will be a surprise. She is getting in <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2058172411" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">tomorrow</span></span> and I will meet her <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2058172412" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Wednesday</span></span>
and head back to Ostrava to do some WORK! It'll be awesome. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Have I
mentioned how excited I am about this??! We had a lot of investigators
at church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2058172413" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span>
and I am excited for them all to meet the new sister. We are going to
see miracles for sure this transfer. I love Ostrava but it is really
awesome that I can be in MB for a day and a half because Sister Smith is
also waiting on her trainee so we are hitting it hard here until then.
MB still has a huge part of my heart, like every city but I miss it
still. I love the people in Ostrava too, they are so fantastic and
supportive for the missionaries, I have never felt so loved by a branch.
I love being a missionary, its so awesome. <br /><br />This weekend we did service
at an older members property. It was hard work...woooo!!!!! I have
missed the "get in there and get your hands dirty" kind of work so
ripping out weeds a mile-long and pruning hedges and clearing brush was
much needed and therapeutic almost. All that was missing was some late
70's early 80's classic rock from the Bose stereo in the background and I
would have thought I was home. She was really grateful and we were soooo
happy we could do it for her, we are going to go back out likely <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2058172414" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">this Saturday</span></span>
to do some more. </div>
<div>
<br />Yay! I am sorry these messages are so out of order,
and scatter-brained. I just type what comes to mind. I love you all so
so sooo very much!!!!!! I am beaming at the screen at this very moment. I
am nervous for training but if there is anything my awesome trainer
taught me, its to love the people, never quit trying and love the
work!!!! So its exciting to remember this basic, foundational things.
Let's go!!!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-59864124424316311162014-08-04T08:51:00.000-07:002014-08-12T08:51:16.176-07:00Ostravalue your timeHello everyone! It is a rainy-day in Ostrava again! I thought Texas had
bipolar weather...yikes! This is the last week of the transfer and who
knows what will be happening next week. Stay tuned on that one! But this
past week was awesome we have some new progressing investigators and
even more miracles! I love how miracles are never-ending. Heavenly
Father doesn't have a limit to how many He can give. He is truly a God
of Miracles. I am finding this more and more every day. <br /><br />I know that He
loves His children and provides a means for us to accomplish whatever is
for our good. I have also come to learn more and more why we refer to
Him as our Father in Heaven so often. When we understand what that role
truly means, we come closer to him. It is not simply a one-sided title,
it implies a strong connection, you cannot be a father without children
and you don't often refer to any man as your father... unless it is on
accident, in which case it then hits the awkward-level rather quickly...
anywho. The role of a parent is to nurture, protect, teach, and most
importantly to love. So that means that the Creator of all things the
infinite and eternal Being perfectly fills all those qualities. We know
that His purpose is to bring to pass our eternal salvation, that does
not sound like a lazy parent who allows His children to run a muck and
cause havoc. So when we comprehend what His role is, we then must
introspectively discover what our role as His children is. Because as
children, we ultimately rely on our parents for more understanding and
wisdom than we currently have, no matter how much of a prodigy-child we
are. <br /><br />I recommend to all to thoroughly contemplate how to better fulfill
our roles as children of a Heavenly Father and then recognize how your
overall happiness and satisfaction in life improves. I know this is
true and I am so grateful for the knowledge that I am a daughter of God
who loves me and I love Him. I love you all and I am so grateful for
your examples of spiritual strength<3<br />
<br />
<div>
s Laskou, </div>
Sestra SchoenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-39060789000784317092014-07-28T10:11:00.000-07:002014-08-12T10:12:06.907-07:00PICS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Visiting castles, confusion looking at bus schedules, and more.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSA9gYS552Q/U-o5o54vVcI/AAAAAAAAkJU/o7SeWz_jo38/s1600/Oh%2Bjust%2Btaking%2Ba%2Bstroll%2Babout%2Bthe%2Bcastle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSA9gYS552Q/U-o5o54vVcI/AAAAAAAAkJU/o7SeWz_jo38/s1600/Oh%2Bjust%2Btaking%2Ba%2Bstroll%2Babout%2Bthe%2Bcastle.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1ZpTJ8ZtZk/U-o6L4B0BQI/AAAAAAAAkJw/PGOMFa1RODE/s1600/purdy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1ZpTJ8ZtZk/U-o6L4B0BQI/AAAAAAAAkJw/PGOMFa1RODE/s1600/purdy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oEWp-1KvPQU/U-o5SmSn9MI/AAAAAAAAkJE/N6yE2w-PMgM/s1600/carley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oEWp-1KvPQU/U-o5SmSn9MI/AAAAAAAAkJE/N6yE2w-PMgM/s1600/carley.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsJ1OhHYzLw/U-o5_GSqT8I/AAAAAAAAkJg/Tu_k1FkVmUU/s1600/hills%2Bare%2Balive%2Bwith%2Bthe%2Bsound%2Bof%2Bmusic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsJ1OhHYzLw/U-o5_GSqT8I/AAAAAAAAkJg/Tu_k1FkVmUU/s1600/hills%2Bare%2Balive%2Bwith%2Bthe%2Bsound%2Bof%2Bmusic.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These hills were alive with the sound of music, interestingly enough.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QI5tdCMoX_c/U-o5iJy_JFI/AAAAAAAAkJM/jTVVhtorr_c/s1600/Id%2Bsay%2Bthis%2Bpic%2Badequately%2Bexplains%2Bthe%2Bconfusion%2Bof%2Blooking%2Bat%2Bbus%2Btimes..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QI5tdCMoX_c/U-o5iJy_JFI/AAAAAAAAkJM/jTVVhtorr_c/s1600/Id%2Bsay%2Bthis%2Bpic%2Badequately%2Bexplains%2Bthe%2Bconfusion%2Bof%2Blooking%2Bat%2Bbus%2Btimes..JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture accurately demonstrates the confusion of bus schedules</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSA9gYS552Q/U-o5o54vVcI/AAAAAAAAkJU/o7SeWz_jo38/s1600/Oh%2Bjust%2Btaking%2Ba%2Bstroll%2Babout%2Bthe%2Bcastle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSA9gYS552Q/U-o5o54vVcI/AAAAAAAAkJU/o7SeWz_jo38/s1600/Oh%2Bjust%2Btaking%2Ba%2Bstroll%2Babout%2Bthe%2Bcastle.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just walking about the castle. No big deal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IEaPa7URuU4/U-o6Cug5_FI/AAAAAAAAkJo/QJ3Ii2o_Hh0/s1600/%E2%80%8Bbefore%2Bwe%2Bgot%2Binto%2Bthe%2Bthick%2Bof%2Bit.%2Bwe%2Bwere%2Bstill%2Bsmiling...%2Bhaha%2Bjk%2C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IEaPa7URuU4/U-o6Cug5_FI/AAAAAAAAkJo/QJ3Ii2o_Hh0/s1600/%E2%80%8Bbefore%2Bwe%2Bgot%2Binto%2Bthe%2Bthick%2Bof%2Bit.%2Bwe%2Bwere%2Bstill%2Bsmiling...%2Bhaha%2Bjk%2C.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Senkane and Sister Schoen (on P-day, thus the casual l</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-28702246549933471652014-07-22T21:19:00.001-07:002014-07-22T21:19:39.870-07:00Just a short note this week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We went to a castle today and it was a blast! Will send mo pics next
week! And try to get some letters out soon! Thank you all for your
wonderful support, I love you all so very much and I love it here in the
great CZ. This truly is a great adventure!!!<br />
<div>
s Laskou,</div>
<div>
Sestra Schoen</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-53919783209372795962014-07-14T21:21:00.000-07:002014-07-17T21:22:07.780-07:00Ostravalelujah!!!Howdy All!<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Great week this week and I absolutely loved all your
emails. I am loving Ostrava, it is just go,go, GO! all the time. woo! We
are doing really well together and I just adore Sistser Senkane, she is
such a an amazing example for me. I love her insight on things and its
great that we are just enough different that it is not boring, but also
just enough similar that we get along really well. She is like the
peanut-butter and I am like the jelly. :) I love you all sooo very
much!!! Words cannot express it adequately. But just imagine I am
squeezing all of you just as tight as I can!!! <3</div>
<div>
s Laskou,</div>
<div>
Sestra Schoen</div>
<div>
PS. I have been making
more and more jokes in czech:) And people besides me are laughing. That
doesn't even happen in english haha. (insert Napolean Dynamite
"YES...") </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-86176242530394725232014-07-08T19:16:00.000-07:002014-07-08T19:16:02.408-07:00Ostrava-lanche of Awesomeness!First off. You all lose! I have gotten several brief mentions of
Cassidy's 15 minutes of fame in reference to so you think you can dance
but no actual information or a story.... You're trying to drive me mad
aren't you??<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKsTiprUSXc/U7ykqQxpR7I/AAAAAAAAjxs/oBy2_STEPas/s1600/dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKsTiprUSXc/U7ykqQxpR7I/AAAAAAAAjxs/oBy2_STEPas/s1600/dancing.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br />
Haha I am so soooo excited to hear more about it as sooon
as possible! This week was great, we had some awesome lessons and
miracles of course. That group of friends are good, we talked to them
for a bit again but the whole pulling out of the world is proving to be
difficult. The world's influence is a very strong force here, as I am
sure it is everywhere, but man it's irritating! We attempted to
celebrate 4th of July in our own way... burgers and contacting people on
freedom! (and that morning I may have blasted Celine Dion's God Bless
Americe and Im Proud to Be an American by Al Green). My poor Latvian
companion was I'm sure a tad annoyed with my cheesy, eccentric pariotism
but #represent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWt-KEOjWlE/U7yljxUBWWI/AAAAAAAAjxw/IHBTjJwyH0U/s1600/training.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWt-KEOjWlE/U7yljxUBWWI/AAAAAAAAjxw/IHBTjJwyH0U/s1600/training.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to a training in Prague weeks ago with my new companion, Sister Senkane</td></tr>
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<br />
We went contacting as a district (btw there are 6
missionaries total in our branch Cam) in a park and talked about how God
has given us the ability to choose and he wants us to keep our freedom
and also know how to use it wisely. That is something that is engrained
in my heart and although I can't rant on politics persay, I can rave
about what a blessing it is to be free to make our own decisions.
Liberty is priceless. But some take it for granted or rather, dont
thoroughly understand it. We have 100% control of what we do, what
people forget is that we dont have control of the consequences. But if
we know the outcome we want we can make the most of the decisions we
make in order to achieve that outcome. Thereby using our ability to
choose correctly. If we direct our lives to achieve a distant point we
will achieve it and learn in the process. The quote, "aim small, miss
small" comes to mind. The idea that we are tossed about by the many
choices around us is absurd and in actuality robs us of the freedom to
choose for ourselves. Opposite of popular opinion, we do not have to try
everything even the harmful things the world has to offer. That is just
pressure to satisfy a public demand. We have to make smart decisions so
we are not held captive to negative consequences. If we know that doing
something brings a less-than-desirable result, let us use our noggin's
to direct us towards a new path that will help us actually grow. I feel
like that is logical. Rant of the week again. Apologies. Just been on my
mind. I love you all!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-44110853414527183372014-06-30T09:09:00.001-07:002014-06-30T09:09:48.810-07:00But Ostrava-l, I love it here!Howdy Ho!!!<br />
<br />
<div>
So we had a very miraculous week. I have really seen how
increased faith directly affects the increase in miracles. Funny how it
says that in the scriptures. When someone cancelled a lesson (which is
fairly often) we would continue contacting and find someone and teach
them a lesson and set up to meet again. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrllDck0DUM/U7GIcNh2bRI/AAAAAAAAjq4/8OrXNFqYQ2E/s1600/young+women+in+branch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrllDck0DUM/U7GIcNh2bRI/AAAAAAAAjq4/8OrXNFqYQ2E/s1600/young+women+in+branch.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the YW in our branch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsBj8obIob4/U7GIdl4B-lI/AAAAAAAAjrA/cIE2Vy9-EX8/s1600/young+women+in+branch2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsBj8obIob4/U7GIdl4B-lI/AAAAAAAAjrA/cIE2Vy9-EX8/s1600/young+women+in+branch2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love our YW, grateful to have my dream calling as a YW leader!</td></tr>
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<div>
<br />In one particular case we
approached a group of 5 friends hanging out at a park. They were all
around 25ish. We walked up and began talking to them, they were all
laughing, finding their weak attempts to mock our strange topic of
conversation comical. We pressed on, undeterred and asked the leader of
the pack a simple question, "How do you overcome problems?". He couldn't
lie and say he didn't have any, and began to think about it more, which
led them all gradually to really listen to us. We continued talking to
them, they payed more and more attention, we taught them how to pray and
each one of them was excited to pray, acknowledging that God exists and
would answer them. And we set up to meet with them all again. It was
awesome! </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Sometimes I replay situations like this from a bird's-eye point
of view and am happy with myself that what could have pushed me away
before my mission, feeling silly for approaching them and running out of
musto to continue, fueled me even more to say what we had to say. I
think of the words of Paul "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ" and I also truly know that I can do "all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me". </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
It has been raining here really bad yesterday
and today. I am not the biggest fan of the rain FYI but the work goes
on, and there is something gratifying about running through the rain to
catch a tram. I kinda wanna scream at the top of my lungs "MISSIONARY
WOOORRKK!!!" Feeling all hard-core like but I refrain...most of the time
^_^ It's awesome. So yesterday we were everywhere in Ostrava visiting
people, at the end of the day we had the choice whether to go home for
dinner or continue... so we continued on. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
As we are walking through the
rain (we didnt bring our umbrellas because we didnt see a cloud in the
sky that morning) a car pulls over to us. (Bird's eye view moment-
usually I would be a little scared by such a situation but I didn't feel
any danger) the man asked us if we were from another denomination who
also work in two's preaching. We replied no and said who we were then he
was stunned that we were not from the CZ so he parks and gets out to
talk to us more. He had seen us at the other end of town and was so
confused why people our age would be spending our time doing such a
thing instead of 1000's of other things we could be doing. We told him
why:) Ended up teaching him a lesson. All goes to show what diligence
can do. </div>
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</div>
<div>
I know the Lord is behind us, who can be against us? Grateful
for all the lessons I am learning here. I love you all and so sorry I
don't have a ton of time to email you all back. Scraping for time always
on this here computer. You are the bestest family ever!!! <3</div>
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<div>
</div>
<div>
s Laskou,</div>
<div>
Sestra Schoen </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-87218085586057326732014-06-23T08:47:00.000-07:002014-06-30T08:48:43.995-07:00Make the mOstrava-t!So this week has been awesome, a lot of highs and a couple lows. Great
news! We got a ton of potential investigators. Not so great news... our
phone got stolen. Great news! We had most all the numbers written down
except for one (but I am praying we meet her again so it will happen).
We got a new phone the next day at the specialized training with Elder
Teixceira...still don't know quite how to spell his name but anywhos it
was AWESOME!!! He really hit the nail on the head with what we needed to
hear. We have had a miraculous week and I am so excited for more!<br />
<br />
We
are really thrusting in our sickles(<="you know you're a mormon when"
moment much?) I love serving here and learning more and more daily. I
am so glad yall have had awesome weeks on vacation traveling to
different parts of the world like Court and Cam and even Cassidy (Six
Flags counts), and I'd say Dal and I are on
praycation at the moment. I really liked Dal's comment about praying at
least 5 times a day. I think that is the habit that will absolutely
never go away, just how often we need to pray for strength, courage,
peace, energy, knowledge you name it, I've prayed for it. The best part
is... I see the results!!! How awesome is that??! It is because God not
only exists, He for some reason loves us despite our weaknesses.<br />
<br />
That is
why we teach people to pray first. That is like the life-blood of our
testimonies and we want them to build that testimony and faith
individually so personal, powerful prayer is vital. I love this
gospel!!! I know it is true and I am learning so much being in a new
city with an awesome companion like Sister Senkane. At first, not going
to lie, I felt like one of those shrieking plants from Harry Potter (I
cant believe I have forgotten what they are called!:P please write back
what they are so I can sleep), uprooted from what I knew and loved but I
think I am sinking in here and really gaining alot of knowledge and
strength in the process. I love you all sooooo stinkin much and pray for
you always! <3Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-60639459957741062662014-06-16T08:19:00.000-07:002014-06-30T08:45:27.904-07:00Ostravan' about this awesome city!Hey family, This is a special email to you all because I don't have too
much time sorry, and I think I forgot my brain on the tram, so sorry in
advance for the randomness of this email. Firstly, I'm a huge idiot.
Dadio, I cannot believe I spaced last emailing and didn't wish you a
happy father's day. You are the best dad in the WORLD. Everyday I am
more and more grateful for you and your devotion and support to our
family. Spiritually, emotionally, financially (which by the way I had to
buy some new shoes, my other ones were beat... it seems my wardrobe is
finally getting the wear and tear of a year out so I may do a little
more shopping today too but not a lot and I promise that is all!) I am so
glad girls camp went well without a hitch and that yall enjoyed
yourselves (with some diet coke too!!!! woo! and glad no cars were
damaged in the process;) i know that sonic well). I miss the Texas heat,
though that is easy to say in cooler climate. Dal, that has gotta be
tough sweatin' in the dress pants, you'll get a nice farmers tan though.
That's what you get for reapin' and sewin' in the field for so long
right? budump-ch!!! Speaking of drums, cool opportunity going to Uncle
Walter's concert!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEGoQblSyf0/U7GDK0mnF4I/AAAAAAAAjqY/GPxGxZ-Om4Q/s1600/Senkane%252C+convert%252C+Carley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEGoQblSyf0/U7GDK0mnF4I/AAAAAAAAjqY/GPxGxZ-Om4Q/s1600/Senkane%252C+convert%252C+Carley.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
on the left is a recent convert, middle is Sestra Senkane of Latvia, and on the right is a very tired looking me.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So excited for Courts and Cams cruise
and this Book of Mormon tour, I will want to see these pics please! How
cool is that?? And speaking of unbelievable, wow Auntie Barbara! I will
keep them in my prayers. That is tough stuff.<br />
<br />
I am
soooo excited about this cabin (<i><b>insert Courtney's note: my parents are thinking about building a cabin at the family's property in Oklahoma</b></i>)! Woah! And the reunion, neato. Sounds
like a ton is happening over there.<br />
<br />
I am doing well, hard to be away
from MB, I know that city like the back of my hand, then coming
here...humbling. But I love Sister Senkane she is so neat and a we
get-along wonderfully. This week we have already seen so many miracles,
we have gotten 22 numbers from people and a promising new investigator
so we are excited. We plan on really working hard and dedicating
ourselves 100% to the Lord. It is just taking me a bit to get into my
skin here, but already I know it will come in time and effort.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2ZoOIqJUxw/U7GFLyRHCOI/AAAAAAAAjqg/fEI7-PlpfBY/s1600/Ostrava+architecture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2ZoOIqJUxw/U7GFLyRHCOI/AAAAAAAAjqg/fEI7-PlpfBY/s1600/Ostrava+architecture.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
some Ostrava architecture for ya. more to come!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
This week
some big-shot from the church is coming through the Czech Republic so
we have training in Prague on Wednesday. All of us will be on our best
behavior. I think his name is Elder Texiera or something, I am sure he is a
spiritual giant but I am not so excited since it takes us all day by
train to get to Prague and back. Cam, you noticed that- it takes almost 4
hours to get to Prague. So much traveling and there is so much to get
done here, but I am sure I will love it. I am loving the work here and
getting my feet under me but I have a good feeling about Ostrava (and
Mom, don't worry we are safe I think they just call it the Czech Detroit because of
the grim atmosphere of the city and they don't actually know what
Detroit is like), Cassidia, glad you get along with those girls and won
the dance competition, you are amazing!, Young Womens is so awesome....
:) I miss it...but not for long! Guess what? I got my dream calling in
the branch here, we are over the Young Women Program!!! Woo! So we have 2 girls
and our investigator sometimes comes. I am superdeedooper excited!!!!!
I am praying for yall always!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GAWKGmsy_s/U7GF1K4xMQI/AAAAAAAAjqs/ryMLVBzbhxI/s1600/this+is+a+panalok.+They+used+to+all+be+just+gray+but+after+communisim+they+have+gotten+very+colorful...JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GAWKGmsy_s/U7GF1K4xMQI/AAAAAAAAjqs/ryMLVBzbhxI/s1600/this+is+a+panalok.+They+used+to+all+be+just+gray+but+after+communisim+they+have+gotten+very+colorful...JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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this is a panalok. They used to all be just gray but after communism they have gotten very colorful..</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-2134755106696180792014-06-09T08:18:00.000-07:002014-06-30T08:29:18.239-07:00OSTRAVA!!!Yup that's right. I am now in the far eastern city of the Czech
Republic:) It is referred to as the "little Detroit of the Czech
Republic"haha (shout-out to Cam!) I cried when I was told Friday night
that I would be leaving. I absolutely adore Mlada Boleslav and all the
wonderful people there, but here's to a new city with new adventures and
friends! Saturday was pretty stressful, we had a concert that night in
Jicin and were waiting on the infamous "transfer calls". We were on edge
all day, but when our bus was late from Boleslav to Jicin we had an
opportunity to talk to a fellow we over-heard speaking english.
Long-story short, he came to the concert and to church the next day and
is really awesome! But when we were teaching him in Jicin when we
arrived there, President McConkie called to tell us where we were going,
when sister Steglich told him we were in a lesson he told us to call
him back...that was at around 3.30 in the afternoon. We tried calling
him back but his phone was busy. <br /><br />We go through the concert (which went
swimmingly) still nothing. So we are on the way home and it is late-
around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_230204437" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">9pm</span></span>
(yes, my definition of "late" has definitely changed mom and dad). He
talked to Sister Steglich then to me. Sister Steglich is in a trio
(again!) and I am with Sister Senkane who is from Latvia and completely
amazing. She is 21, studied bio-chemistry at BYU Provo and is two
transfers behind me I believe, she served in Brno before this and served
with Sister Huggard this past transfer. I am so stoked to be here and
tram-contact again. There are sooo many people here so I am excited to
go-hard in contacting. :) <br /><br />We travelled this morning to Prague where I
met with a young elder who was coming to Ostrava too. Man, packing all
the stuff I had from this past half a year was not so fun, lugging it
around the country, oddly-enough, even less fun. It reminded me of my
first transfer though running with my heavy luggage in the heat and
loving it:) (Shout out to Sister Woody!!!<3) In the train-station, we
couldn't find Sister Huggard (who is now Sister Hicken's comp in
Prague) so we were all trying to find her so I took the MB phone and
Sisters Hicken and Steglich took the Prague phone (every area has its
own designated phone that the missionaries use). We found her, no
worries:) Transfer days are cray-cray. Let's send foreigners across the
country with all their belongings and most-often without a phone....-_-
The Lord truly is protecting us all that there are not more stories of
MIA missionaries on transfer-days. So me and Elder Petty get on our
train with a few minutes to spare, only to find the MB phone in my bag.<br />
<br />
My heart dropped and though I didn't think it possible, I sweat even
more. I called the Sister Hicken, she was with the other two sisters
headed back to the metro. She answered and said sister Steglich was
running back. So I start high-tailing it in that direction telling the
poor 2nd-transfer missionary to watch me and I spot a glimpse of her
across the station (bigger/similar size as the one in Harry Potter) we
ran into an epic embrace and quick pep-talk then its off-to-the-races
again back to the train. I made it and we all lived happily ever after:)<br />
<br />
It's been a crazy-awesome couple of days and I am so pumped to work
here in Ostrava. It gets a bad rap, but I think its like the diamond in
the rough (shout out to Dal-err. Elder Schoen) Me and Sister Senkane
will get-along really well and I don't have my card-reader to upload
pictures but next time for sure! I have loved all your emails and
support! <br /><br />I heard about Brother Goode coming to Prague how neat is that!
Very sweet of him to look for me and too bad we just missed each other. I
love hearing how everything is going there and all the successes. I
will be praying for yall at Girl's Camp. I was always such a girls camp
geek. Whatever, it was cool. I hope you have a wonderful, spiritually
uplifting time there. Sometimes it really does take escaping to nature
to remember the deeper things plus, there's no excuse not to let the
tears flow when you're not wearing make-up. haha I love you all so very
much!!!!!!!! And I hope you survive the Texas/New Mexico/Oklahoma heat!
So very blessed to be here in the Czech Republic and serving the Lord! I
know that this gospel is 100% true. And I am working to be the person I
want to become, more like my Savior Jesus Christ. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-41414632907770114072014-06-02T15:51:00.001-07:002014-06-02T15:51:50.715-07:00Almost Mlada Time!<div>
​Hello all! So this is the week before transfers so it is very
likely my last in MB. I have been here for 6 months and it is not common
for missionaries to stay longer than that in an area. It's been a tough
last couple of weeks not going to lie... seems that the "learning
moments" just keep piling on. We went on a run this morning though and I
already feel a little weight lifted maybe both literally and
metaphorically haa. I do miss some hard-core runs to release pent-up
stress but that's okay, I am finding new outlets. This week we had a
concert in Liberec, I was able to borrow a flute to perform with so that
was awesome. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imeeG-0PUqk/U4z9kbSo0jI/AAAAAAAAjg8/1-BcV8yZsFs/s1600/concert2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imeeG-0PUqk/U4z9kbSo0jI/AAAAAAAAjg8/1-BcV8yZsFs/s1600/concert2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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And this week we have another in Jicin, so basically we
are going on tour. Sister Steglich rocks on the guitar and is really
musical so she has orchestrated it all very well. I have been very
grateful for the time we have served together and I know that we will
continue to be friends after the mission. It is kinda impossible not to
be, once you have these hard experiences together it bonds you in a way
that really cannot be counterfeited. But something I am learning more
and more is the relationship I have with the Savior should be the
strongest we have. I loved reading "Jesus the Christ", so enlightening.
And I love John 15, one verse that struck me was 18 when He says
(paraphrased) "Marvel not that the hate you, they hated me before they
hated you." I get so frustrated when people turn on us when I know we
aren't doing anything wrong but right and they have the nerve to get
upset about it... And I see it with others working in the name of
Christ. If it only brings about good, why are people so obsessed with
tearing it down? A mystery. But I know that what I am doing is good and
right in the sight of God and I would rather be in good terms there than
in the opinions of imperfect people around me. Which is a more worthy
cause, obedience to a higher more rewarding code of ethics or falling to
the trends and fashions of today? <br /><br />But in other great news, we went to a
concert for Nadeje, the night-shelter where we teach English and it was
at a Kostel or Catholic cathedral. Well we walk in and it is packed
with people getting ready and they (the workers at Nadeje) had been
asking us over and over if we were going and as we walk in Ivona, the
head-manager sees us and runs over and guides us to the very front and
sits us down on the front-row reserved seats.. :O We were sitting on the
same row as all the big-wigs of the city. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVn07sXdlsw/U4z-n6WVX4I/AAAAAAAAjhE/kpxjOmmCb-4/s1600/concert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVn07sXdlsw/U4z-n6WVX4I/AAAAAAAAjhE/kpxjOmmCb-4/s1600/concert.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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All the cameras for the paper
and everything were taking pics the whole time. And I am just
dumb-founded and all I kept think was, "I really wish I had done my hair
today." kicking myself. Who woulda known it was going to be such a
high-class experience?? And during it they had a slide-show and there I
am on the huge screen, whhhaaattt??? And during it they thank our
church, which is huge because all these other head preachers and pastors
are there and they all know our church and are the main source of
push-back here because they claim we're a cult. WEM <b>(<i>insert Courtney's note: for those of you unfamiliar with forehead/finger slang...Turn you fingers into a W, then E, then M, then make the "L" sign infront of your forehead, now do it quickly and say "What Ever Major Loser.")</i></b>. Then afterwords they escort us to the VIP section for refreshments and we talked to some
people there. It was AWESOME. Though I definitely had
"deer-in-the-head-lights" look on the entire time, still kinda in shock.
But it was one of the cooler opportunities because we were able to
unite with the other Christians in a good cause. And that is what we are
about "the unity of the Faith" and accepting all truth. I love the
Czech Republic and I am so blessed to be here!!!! <3 And I have like
nooo time to email yall back so just expect something in the mail later.
I have spent too much on this one sorry! Praying for you all and am so
grateful for all your support!!!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-crpAi2sPlmk/U4z_Iyhr1hI/AAAAAAAAjhQ/ExuBk2pEhD8/s1600/sister+bursova.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-crpAi2sPlmk/U4z_Iyhr1hI/AAAAAAAAjhQ/ExuBk2pEhD8/s1600/sister+bursova.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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These pics were from a lunch appointment with Sister B. I just love her!!! She was one that Sister Hicken and I
repeatedly visited and she was never home. Then one day we called her
and she said we could come over right then so we ran over there. I think it was the perfect timing
of the Lord. He works miracles. Glad I can *taste the rewards!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kg3d-_aekps/U4z_JHiy4KI/AAAAAAAAjhM/TzcDgWZ5guc/s1600/ovocne+knedliky+with+tvaroh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kg3d-_aekps/U4z_JHiy4KI/AAAAAAAAjhM/TzcDgWZ5guc/s1600/ovocne+knedliky+with+tvaroh.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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These
are ovocne knedliky with tvaroh. Very very sweet but great!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801971878509142244.post-75700642927943948092014-05-26T07:52:00.000-07:002014-05-30T07:53:16.101-07:00May 26 (Short E-mail)<div dir="ltr">
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I will get a longer email to you next
week with more details and juicy things but thank you for your support
and prayers. "Pheobe" is doing well, "H" not so much..ehh. But have no
fear, it's the work of the Lord!!!! :D </div>
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Love you love you looooove you!!!!!!</div>
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Sestra Schoen </div>
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and Happy Birthday Cam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<wbr></wbr>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<wbr></wbr>!!!!!!! 27!! woop woop!!:D </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0