Those Good Feeling Days

Look Ma! We're Here

Ready To leave the MTC

Our Awesome Polish Teachers

At Provo Temple with my companion and two awesome elders going to Melbourne

My Most Amazing MTC Companion Sister Smith (seriously the best) Who Has to Stay a Couple More Weeks in America, so We Had to Separate :(

Me With My Companion Siostra Montesinos who is on the Far Left and Two Other Sisters

Ah mum! I know a lot about those "good feeling" days. I love them so very much :) And I'm really convinced that your prayers for me are working, because I am seriously serving in the exact area I was hoping for (not that I honestly cared, because I know that God calls us to where and with whom we need to be, but it's pretty sweet that I get to be here) :D I'm in Gdansk (Google it!) it's right up north on the coast by the Baltic Sea, and there are a lot of Germans! My companion's name is Sister Montesinos (she's far left on the photo) and we just work so well together! I really couldn't imagine a better trainer for myself. She is such an amazing example, and is just such a down-to-earth person, so it makes it really easy for us to plan and work together.

The branch here is super cool. There are about 25 active members, and we're certainly working on bringing more people! It's hard sometimes to even get in a conversation with people on the street- as soon as they see the name tags they run! haha but we just try to show the people that we're normal and loving, and we definitely have faith that God is preparing people to receive the message of the Gospel. In the first few days it was really hard for me to step out of my comfort zone and just approach people, but now I already feel more confident with talking to strangers, and I'm picking up new skills every day, and I can really feel the Spirit speaking to me with ideas in my mind that I know aren't coming from my imagination. I can really feel God guiding me in every aspect of missionary work. I know without a doubt that this work is super important. There are so many times in the scriptures where we've been told to preach the gospel, so I'm so happy that you mum have been having good experiences with that too. It really is sad when people feel the need to put others down for believing in God. It's so twisted that people sometimes want to ridicule the one thing in your life that actually is absolute truth, the one thing that brings true and eternal happiness. But I guess that's the whole point of earth isn't it. If we didn't have oppoistion, we wouldn't be able to show our faith. If life was easy, we wouldn't grow and we wouldn't become the amazing people that our Heavenly Father knows each of us can become.

Yesterday in Sacrament Meeting, I got to give a 5 minute introduction to the branch, and I told the congregation how very grateful I am to have been raised in such an amazing family. I'm eternally thankful for my upbringing, and I've always loved that you've let me make all my decisions for myself. It's true mum what you said about needing to look for the truth yourself. No one can give anyone else a testimony. That is something that one can only get through sincere seraching and real intent, to know the truth for oneself. If you want to know something is true, go to the source. One very important thing I've learnt so far from being a missinoary, is that people can say what they will about what they think you believe, but they can never tell you that your testimony is wrong. I have recieved a witness that the Book of Mormon is true, and that God's Priesthood authority truly is on the Earth today. People may not agree with that, but no one can tell me that I didn't feel what I did, and what I still do feel. It's true that a testimony never stops growing, it's something we need to constantly nurture. I love this church so much, and I love the knowledge we have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. It's such a beautiful thing. I love life, and I love you all my wonderful family and friends!

Have an awesome week!

Siostra Grgich

I Went to Salt Lake!

Outside a really cool door at Salt Lake temple :D And kids playing in the background haha it was so nice to see children running about- we hardly get to see any youngins here at the MTC

Outside of Salt Lake Temple

Me inside the Tabernacle (amazing acoustics- dad would love it)

myself and Sister Gericitano (I think that's how you spell it) at the Christus Statue

Conference Centre from the outside

inside the conference centre (those amazing pipes!)

Me and the German sister! (woo)

myself, aussie sister and nz sister outside the Conference Centre.

back-stitching in the church's humanitarian centre with Sister Gericitano (from Perth)

YAY Birthday!

Pressies from the Devisons and the Grgichs

Class Photos

Hey fam-bam(and other-bam)! This last week has zoomed by, and I have so much to tell you about. So first thing's first, I went to Salt Lake! Ah, it was so amazing! So on Friday, my companion took me to the cafeteria at 5:45 in the morning, and got ripped from my side, as we said our goodbyes and I went to eat breakfast with the other international missionaries. I must say, it was so strange to not be with my companion for the day! So after a very quick breakfast, we went to the coach/bus and were on our way to the Great Salt Lake! The views are so beautiful, and our bus driver gave us an amazing tour-guide commentary of the surrounding mountains, and buildings, and temples (there are like 5 on the way from Provo to Salt Lake) and he even showed us the area where prophet Thomas S. Monson grew up! It was pretty neat to leave the MTC bubble, and I even met another Aussie girl (she's from Perth and going to Chicago). It was so cool to talk to someone without having to repeat myself every 3 sentences hahah

So then when we got off the bus, we went straight inside the temple. It is so magnificent! There were so many people (so many weddings!) and inside the actual temple, the artwork and architecture is so beautiful. We did a session and it was just so inspiring. It really helped me see things from a different perspective. I definitely encourage anyone who gets the chance, to go to Salt Lake temple!

So after the session, we went outside and split up into smaller groups so that the lovely Temple Square Sisters could take us on a mini tour. So first they took us around the temple- one of the sisters was German, so I was so excited talking to her just wanting to talk about Germany! Haha but we also spoke about some symbolism of the temple. One really cool thing they told us, was that when you actually look at the walls of the temple, there are a lot of big black spots on the granite (i think that's what it is). They're marks in the stone blocks that probably could have been removed in later days, but for whatever reason, they've decided to keep them. And it sort of makes it really unique, and she related it to how we as missionaries, are not perfect, but we are still beautiful in our own individual talents and spirits.

After walking around the temple, we got to go inside the tabernacle (the old building where they used to have conference, and now they use it for choir concerts and as an overflow room when the conference centre is full). It looks really strange from the outside (sort of like a UFO-type thing) but on the inside it's pretty amazing, especially just to think about how many prophets and apostles and great saints have just been in those walls, and declared their testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was actually really solemn to just sit and look around and feel the spirit. After the tabernacle we got to go to the Conference Centre. It was also really special, particularly because I'm so accustomed to seeing that building on the big screens when we watch conference via satellite or internet, but here I was in the building itself, just enjoying the spirit as the sister missionaries spoke to us some more about special symbolism and some major events that have happened there.

At the end of our short tour, we had a bit more time and got to see the Christus statue where they had beautiful hymns playing, and then we went through some rooms (mainly targeted at non-members) which outlined the Plan of Salvation through videos and props. It was so special, and all of us were crying at the end of the presentation. I am so grateful to have a knowledge of this Gospel. I know that families can be together forever only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of Him, we can repent of our sins, and return to live in true happiness with our Heavenly Father who loves us and cares for each one of us so much. This life truly has a purpose, and there is not a soul in the world that God doesn't care so deeply about. I am so grateful for you, mum and dad, for bringing me up in the knowledge of this Gospel. Without it I'd truly be lost, and wouldn't have the amazing life that I do, with the knowledge of Christ that I do have. I love being a missionary. I don't know what could be better than teaching people about the amazing plan of happiness that Heavenly Father has for us, that we all rejoiced for before we came to Earth.

After the tour, we had a quick snack and our last stop was the church's Humanitarian Centre. They showed us a video of what the centre does, and how many people it affects (it's truly great, look it up online if you haven't already!). We then got to back-stick some quilts for about 20 minutes but then had to go. It was also a really special place to be in, just because of knowing what good that place does for so many people in the world- regardless of religion or race or gender or anything else. There are great paintings of Christ all around the centre, and it just really makes you remember how important it is to have charity-the pure love of Christ. I love my Saviour so much, and I know I have such a long way to go, but I'm ever trying to be more like him.

Well, a lot of other things happened this week, that have just been such a testament to me of how God loves His children, but for now I have to go (no time!) and the next time I write you, I'll be in Poland!! Ahh so exciting :D Have an amazing week, and be good to each other. Tell the girls I love them
I love you so much,
Siostra Grgich

I'm so Excited!

Foreword by Kate - Hey sorry about how late this is. My internet connection has been woeful and I've finally gotten around to lugging my iMac out to the kitchen so that I'm closer to the router. Hopefully now I'll get caught up on all the posts and be back on schedual. Ok onto the blog.

The Colour Wheel in our Polish room :) feat. Siostra Bak and myself

Siostra Bak and I in front of the Polish flag. We're really gonna miss each other!

Siostra Kuchar and I getting ready for GYM TIME (one of the best times of day!)

My Plan Zbawiene (Plan of Salvation) diagram feat. Elder Coutu in the background

My companion Siostra Smith being cute in her jammies

I'm on a cardboard phone, of course

My companion didn't want to be in this photo hahaha she may or may not be holding a bunch of her laundry

Siostra Bak, Siostra Kuchar and I in the laundry room where I'm writing this email!

I am so excited :'D Tomorrow morning, I get to wake up really early (haha ok that's the only downside here) and catch a bus with some other awesome international missionaries, and go to Salt Lake Temple! woot woot I can't explain my excitement in this email. Also, I only have 11 days until we fly out to Poland! These past weeks in the MTC have been so incredible; filled with crazy new experiences, and fast-paced schedules, packed in Polish and gym-time and studying, and prayer, and joking and eating and not much sleeping but so much fun and so much learning!

Well let me tell you about some of the things I've done this week. Yesterday we got to Skype a member of the church in Poland, (we got to meet with her last week as well). I felt myself understanding a lot more (even though I of course have SO much more to learn) and my companion and I really felt the Spirit working through us and helping us say the right things. I love when we get to teach, because it just makes me so excited for what things are going to be like in Poland. I know there are plenty of tough times ahead of me, but I also know that serving others is the best way to feel good. Whenever I'm helping others, I suddenly forget my own problems and somehow life gets better again. 

Also yesterday, we had a substitute teacher, so we got to practice more teaching skills (as opposed to Polish). Mind you, we do actually learn that stuff with our Polish teachers too, but we just had more time to not worry about the language, and focus more specifically on how we approach the subject of the Gospel with others. The teacher took us all out to the 'rynek' (meaning 'town square' or the main walking area of the MTC), and half of our district acted the part of investigators, while the other half got to try contacting people and having a conversation about the church. It was so insightful, and our teacher gave us a lot of good tips about finding commonalities with others, and how to use your own personality to share this part of our lives that means so much to all of us. I am so grateful that I get to spend 9 weeks here at the MTC. The experiences I've been having here will remain with me forever.

ALSO yesterday (you might tell that my memory doesn't extend much further than that!), while we were waiting to Skype, I found a German hymnbook, and it made me so nostalgic for Germany! I started singing some songs and I was surprised at how much I still know of the language. I've heard that there are a few places in Poland that are heavily German-influenced, so I'm hoping I'll get to go to one of those cities on my mission. Oh wow, just thinking about going there is giving me chills. I can't believe it's only 11 days away! Anyway, that was really nice. But I AM going to Poland, so I have of course also been practicing singing in Polish, and let me tell you, that language is no easy task for the tongue! It's physically a very demanding language haha, well let's hope I'll get a better flow with it after some time. 

I drew a picture of the Plan Zbawienie (Plan of Salvation) in the back of my Księga Mormona yesterday! It was actually really insightful for me (even though most of us Mormons who have grown up in the church, have sat through many a Sunday School, Institute, Primary or missionary lesson about the topic) I still had more to learn! I got the idea to draw it in my Book of Mormon, after seeing one of our teachers' have it drawn in his personal book that he took on his mission. I have become quite acquainted with lds.org and mormon.org recently. I can't believe I wasted so much time on Facebook and YouTube and the list goes on. I could have been using that time to study and make my life better, but instead I chose to use it on a bunch of useless things. Well, I can't change the past, but I am so thankful that the sun rises every day, and time does indeed keep passing. I'm really trying to be a more effective missionary, and just a more productive person in general. I love all the time we have here to meditate and contemplate on life.

Last week we did an assessment thing on the computer, and it was showing us how to use Family History to invite others to come unto Christ. At the end, it encouraged us to go and look at our own family trees and so of course I did! I loved looking through the photos of Uncle Rudy and Djeda. I started looking through more of our family tree, and I really felt the Spirit of Elijah, testifying to me the importance of knowing our ancestors. I really felt the reality of these people- my family. They are still real people today, just as much as they were when they were alive on Earth, and though their bodies may be gone for this short time, they will be resurrected because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I could not help but feel so much love for them while looking through their names. I really felt a lot of love for you too mum. I am so grateful to think about how much work you put into studying our family history, and finding those names of our ancestors, so that they too will have the blessings of temple ordinances in their post-mortal lives. I really wish I took more time to learn about how to use Family Search. Actually mum, that reminds me... when I log in, there's an asterisk on the word 'temple' and it says there's like 8 people to have work still done or something. Do you know what this is? Or what I am to do about it? Also, do you have ideas on what I can do to study up more about our family? Like where do I start? I know it's really difficult here because I'm not physically with you, but if you could give me some pointers, I would be so happy!!

Well last thing I'll talk about because I'm running out of time. So a couple of days ago in class we were talking about the Law of Tithing. We were all giving input, and we were talking about why all people (even poor) should also pay tithing. I mentioned something about in the Bible when the widow cast in all she had for tithing. So anyway, a few words after saying the word 'widow', and getting some confused looks from my classmates, one of the Elders says "wierdo...?" and I'm like.. "what?" and then I realised, they mistook me saying 'widow' for 'wierdo', and I had to repeat myself like 4 times and point at a picture in the Tithing pamphlet of the widow, before they all finally understood. It was so bad haha.
Oh and then that same day, I was speaking to another Polish sister from the other district, and I she said a Polish word "powolany" and I was like "Oh that means 'called' right?" and she was like "No, i think it means like preach or something", and I was like.. "Umm, really? I thought it meant called?" and she was like "No, 'cold' is 'zimno mi'", and I was like, oh great, here we go again. And I'm like "NO... CAAALLLED" and she's like "NO. Brrrr *rubbing her hands together* COLD is 'ZIMNO MI'" and so then I had to say the word "called" in an American accent, before she finally understood me lol. So anyway, did you know I'm also learning American here at the MTC? Hahah, ok, well I gotta go eat some dinner now!

Love you all, and be happy and tell Stevie and Maddie and Mandy and Kate that I love them and hope they all feel better!

And have an awesome birthday next week dad!

Kocham was,

Siostra Grgich

I Just Had The Best Experience Ever!

I went to the temple today and it was so awesome! I just had the best experience ever. After the session, my companion and I spent some time reflecting in the Celestial room, and we both had such a precious, beautiful time of personal revelation, and I'm so glad that I got to ask my companion about things, because she's such an amazing, scholarly thinker. I love it!

So mum I got your Dear Elder letter yesterday and it made me so happy to see a letter on my desk after a long, hard day of work and study. That is so cool that Brother Carroll is still here! Now that I know that, I'll look out for him when I go to the field or temple haha. And yes I've been writing to Georg (the Polish man that's been coming to my ward) and he's really been helping me with my Polish! Ok so onto my week

Well Sunday was really nice, and everyone complemented us on our song. It was a little hard doing it acapella, but I think it worked out okay! I'm so excited for Poland, because as soon as I get there I'm going to buy a guitar and/or ukulele and I can't wait to learn some more hymns/uplifting songs. We keep getting speakers for our Tuesday and Sunday devotionals who talk about music, and it just makes me happy to know that other people love music as much as I do (and probably even more!).

So yesterday we got to Skype with a member in Poland, and my companion and I decided to talk about the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a really cool experience, and the girl we spoke to was super helpful and encouraging. It made me happy to be  going to serve amongst such choice spirits, and now I hope I get to serve in Bydgoszcz (where she's from). Our teachers keep telling us cool stories from their missions in Poland, and it always gets me super excited. Sometimes I wonder where I'll get called to serve in my first area in Poland, but then again it really doesn't matter, because I know I can help people wherever I am, even here at the MTC.

So there's a sport/game they play here called 'four square', and it's sort of like when we played playground handball, but instead of a tennis ball, it's with a bigger, soft ball. So a few days ago, I was getting ready to play (just standing in my square) and then the tallest/biggest Elder in the gym (who was playing an intense game of basketball I assume) ran into the back of me accidentally, and it seriously felt like a car ran into me. I was fine at first, but the next day everything in my body was aching and it was really hurting. So as I was really considering going to the doctor (but freaking out at the same time because I didn't want anything to be majorly wrong), a Sister in the room next to ours told me she could try and fix my back. She's no professional but I was just in so much pain so I begged her to try and fix me. After about 20 minutes my back felt so much better and when I woke up the next morning I felt like my bones were back in place. I'm so grateful for tender mercies like that, that show me God is looking out for me.

Yesterday we taught our investigator Jacek, a lesson on the Law of Chastity. We had planned this lesson for a long time, and worked really hard on it, so we were so excited to teach it. Just before the lesson, we found out that we only had 10 minutes to teach, instead of our normal 20 minutes. It was really hard at first for us to have to adjust with the short notice, but once we prayed and went into our lesson with him, we felt the Spirit so much, and I knew that God gave us the very words to say in the very hour we needed them- like he has promised. My companion gave a beautiful testimony (I'm so incredibly grateful for her) and I really learnt a lot from the lesson. I love how many skills I'm learning here, and I wish I had time to tell you more stories, but I'm unfortunately running out of time. It's ok though, because I'm sure you're learning a lot too back home- we always have new things to learn so long as we look out for them!

I hope you're all feeling better with all those sicknesses going around! You won't believe it mum, but I actually haven't been sick ONE time since being here in the MTC- it's crazy! Normally I'm the first person to get sick (and multiple times a year), but knock on wood, I'm still going strong :) It must be that super healthy MTC food I've been eating... ;)

Ok, I'll send some photos now! Love you so much

Siostra Grgich

Sunday walking, outside the MTC!

My companion and I with an Elder that's just left for the Frankfurt Germany mission (woo!)

My companion Siostra Smith, myself and Siostra Kuchar on the field. (I bought a Poland shirt hehe)

Look, we're just so excited to teach the Law of Chastity haha, but really! (if you ever get a chance to look at the pamphlet for that, please do because the photos are gems!)

A lesson plan on Prophets, that my companion and I worked really hard on (one of our new investigators is really tough to teach, but we have faith!).

One of the sisters next door, toilet-papered the exit of our residence room for Sister Kuchar's birthday :D

Two of those elders are twins- both speaking Polish, one going to Poland and the other going to England (pretty cool!). And the other elder is an Aussie, going to Bulgaria, and then there's of course Sister Bak!

Siostra Bak sleeping on the bench

Some of the Polish Sisters whom I love so dearly!

Outside Provo Temple on our Sunday walk. The Elder next to me is now in the Sydney North Mission, so look out for an Elder Hsu, mum!

Surprises!

Ok first of all, I want to say dziękuje bardzo for the parcel!! (I have photos that I'll send later). Everyone loves my kangaroo-fur scripture case hehe and I must say, it makes a comfy pillow when I just need to rest my head for 3 seconds in class I mean what? I don't sleep in class.. ANYWHO, so I've pretty much devoured all the Cadbury (don't worry- I shared) but I still have some Tim-Tams left :D My friend Sister Kuchar loves them, so we just have like 1 or 2 every now and then, while she tries to speak in an Aussie accent. (she's really bad at it, but it's ok, because she's here to learn Polish not Australian!)

So this morning after I printed off your email mum, I read the story from Elder Whitmarsh out loud to Siostra Bąk, and we both just about cried from how amazing that story is. I love missionary work, and I know for sure that God prepares people who are ready to hear from the missionaries, if only we as missionaries listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and put ourselves in a position to be led by those promptings, then we can and will be used as instruments in the Lord's hands to bring people to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

I love all the things I've been learning here at the MTC- from practical skills like language to spiritual skills such as patience and humility. So last week, we had something called TRC (which is when we NORMALLY teach return missionaries who speak Polish, but we teach them as if they were themselves as members, not as if they were actually investigating the church) but someone brought along his friend who is here on holiday from Poland, and he is a real investigator. Then our teacher looks around sort of surprised (he wasn't expecting a non-member to be there, because that's really rare in the MTC) and I ask if we're meant to teach him, and he says yes. So my companion asks if our companionship can go in and talk to him, and so we went ahead! We got to talk to him about the Book of Mormon and a bit about Poland and the language. It was so cool to actually talk to a Polish non-member about the church, and words seriously can't explain how much that experience just made my time here in the MTC. At first, I felt a lot of pressure, talking to someone about the gospel in Polish, but during our time with him, I felt a lot more at ease, and I could feel the Spirit helping me with what to say. I cannot wait til we get out into the mission field. Kocham Polski!

 

So mum I did indeed get your Dear Elder letter :) It was such a pleasant surprise to see that on my desk when it arrived! I'm really sad to hear about Sister Ireland. I actually found out that one of my Polish teachers (we have 3 in total) served at the same time as the Irelands, and I asked if he knew them and his eyes lit up when I mentioned them! They must have made a big impact on a lot of people in Poland, from the way that people react when I ask if they know them. That reminds me, I really love Sister Draper- please give her many many hugs from me!

 

I love hearing about Stevie-lee and Madison! They are just too cute haha. And I'm so proud of you for being such an awesome person, with going to the temple in your free-time off from working at the temple! I can't believe how big the temple here in Provo is. There's like a kajillion sealing rooms. Last week I went to do initiatories, and it was really nice and peaceful. I did the work for 5 Hungarian people, and it was just an awesome spiritual experience that I won't forget. I love that we get to go to temple here every week :) 

 

This past Sunday, I gave a talk in my zone's Sacrament meeting about Faith in Jesus Christ. They don't give you notice of who exactly will speak, but they just tell every missionary to prepare a 5 minute talk, and then they call on you in the announcements of the meeting. So yeah, that was slightly scary! But I love talking about that topic, so it was actually great for me. Also, this Sunday, Siostra Bąk and I are going to sing a song as the musical item, called "My Soul Hungered". Unfortunately, the original key of the song is not good for girls, so we are just going to sing it acapella. But we both reckon it sounds pretty good :)

 

Well not much more to say! We have 4 investigators now (instead of only 1) and we've been keeping very busy. Lots of class, lots of planning, lots of language study, but so rewarding. There are truly so many blessings that come from doing this work. Yes it's very hard, but knowing that I'm helping others and myself become better, is so worth it.

I love you all, and please keep being awesome!

 

Package from Down Uner!

Outside my classroom with the American flag

My companion and I being crazy as usual

Letters from Winston Hills Ward

Has anyone seen Skippy? I want to show him my scripture case.

Siostra Grgich

Half Way!

So 4 weeks down and 5 more to go! Crazy stuff. Well, this week was pretty interesting! We got to host again yesterday (which is when we go to the curb where the new missionaries get dropped off, and then take them with their bags to their bedroom and classroom etc). I hosted 3 sisters- 2 going to California, and 1 going to Denmark (which was cool coz I just told her the entire time how much I love Copenhagen and how cool the people are etc. and also cool coz her classroom is on the same floor as mine!)

Ooh, I met 2 elders that are going to serve in Melbourne (speaking a chinese language) and I gave them Tim-tams, and I taught them how to do a tim-tam slam, and now every time I see them in the cafeteria, I teach them stuff about Australia. I always get so excited when I meet people that are going to serve Down Under! I also met 2 elders going to the Sydney North mission, and I told them that my mum works in the Sydney Temple, so they'll look out for you mum!

Every week we have something called "TRC" which is where we teach Polish speakers (normally return missionaries from Poland) but it's not meant to be like an investigator- rather just a member like how missionaries would go teach at a member's home. Anyway, there was this guy called Fenton, and he knew the Irelands! I think he served at the same time as them (I'm not entirely sure if I understood him perfectly, because we were speaking in Polish haha but yeah, he has at least heard of them, and thinks they are awesome people, coz i showed him my keychain that they gave me, and he thought it was cool). Anywho, so that happened.

Something funny, this week when we were playing Volleyball, everyone was asking me how to say my name, and they're like "Grrr-gich" "grrrr-gich" and then it was my turn to serve the ball, and Elder Firth (going to Turkey) says just as I'm about to hit the ball "Grr-get em!" and I was just laughing so hard. It was pretty funny. I dunno, maybe it's not that funny, it's a 'you had to be there-moment' haha.

Uhh, ooh, this week for the service activity, I went with Sister Bak, and we cleaned some showers, and we got to wear crazy goggles and use a cleaning gun/hose thing. And we just sung the whole time while cleaning, so that was heaps of fun. I'm really gonna miss all these sisters when we get assigned to all our different cities in Poland.

On Sunday, our class (district) sung "Come Thou Fount" for a musical item during Sacrament Meeting, and it sounded pretty awesome if I do say so myself ;) And the other day, the 2 Polish classes were singing an opening hymn, and one of the teachers said he wants to record us singing before we leave for the field. I love how musical the Polish missionaries are- i feel so blessed :)

Also on Sunday, I was looking on the Polish church website, and there was a link to Mormon.org in POLISH and I was like 'yaaaay', so I watched a few videos (English speaking, but Polish subtitles) and it was really good for me to learn some new phrases. There were also some videos of Polish members giving their testimonies, so Sister Kuchar and I were trying to understand the videos, and we actually were able to get quite a bit out of it. Mind you, we had to pause after every sentence, but it was nonetheless very insightful.

What else happened this week? Well my class are having just a ball of a time repeating everything I say in their attempted Aussie accents which is sometimes annoying, but mostly pretty funny haha. I don't notice the weird things we aussies say, until they (the americans) start repeating it! When I was watching some of those "I'm a Mormon" videos, I saw some aussie ones, and it really made me appreciate Australia. I love that place so much. Ahhh ok better not get myself homesick. I really love the mission though for reals :) Ah, all the Croatian/Bosnian/Serbian missionaries are leaving on Tuesday, and I told them to look out for any Grgic families and to ask them (if they meet any) if they have family in Sydney, coz they could be related to us haha. Lucky missionaries going there!

Okie doke, well we gotta go put our laundry away now, and then go teach some Polish speakers when Pday finishes. Let me know how you're all going, and don't hesitate to 'Dear Elder' me if you feel so inclined!

Love you so much,

Siostra Grgich

Sister Bak and I Cleaning the showers

The drawing on the board is Starszy ('Elder' in Polish) Quackenbush and I. I'm the one saying "nohrr" because that's how they all think I say 'no' in my aussie accent. And the "meh meh meh" is Starszy Quackenbush teasing me

Just a Photo of my crazy class

This is of my awesome friends who've all left for the Quezon City Philippines mission this past Monday (although 1 elder is still waiting to leave hopefully next week or something). It was sad to see them go because they're my first MTC friends, but all good.