Friday, August 12, 2016

Hastening the Work of the Lord

This week has been rather tiring! But before I mention more about that, I forgot to mention last week that the Plzen ward has officially received its first bishopric. President Kyncl was set apart as the bishop with President Storkan, the former Elders quorum president as his first counselor, and President Holub, former branch president, as his second counselor. Something I learned is with the creation of a ward, it opens up the position for an executive secretary. That position was filled by Brother Sedlacek, the former first counselor. Then Brother Dostal, husband of President Holub sister, became the new Elders quorum president. It has been wonderful, and an amazing privilege to see the formation and the growth of the ward at this time. 

Now for this week, we have had the responsibilities of two areas here in Plzen so our teaching pool and work load doubled, plus normal zone leader and district leader responsibilities. Needless to say, the three of us have enjoyed our P-day :) However, I still think it is probably the best problem that you can have as a missionary. David did not get baptized this week, we are still working with him, but his work schedule was too much to help him prepare and feel ready for his baptism. We will continue with him, and it looks like towards the end of august he could be baptized :) In other news, we are continuing with less active finding. Haven’t seen too much success yet, but we are applying a few other ideas of leaving behind a letter and a treat for those that live there but do not answer. As for other progressing investigators, we have a man named Suly, a super cool Bulgarian who really likes to talk. Sometimes we have to cut him off in lessons, but he absolutely loves the church and it has been good working with him. He is working towards a baptism date on September 3rd. Then after many, many, prayers for ways that we could strengthen Alin and help him feel more love from the ward, we received our miracle in a way we weren’t expecting! We contacted another Romanian whose name is Adrian, and he speaks great English and works for Panasonic! He also is working towards baptism on the 3rd of September. The Lords work is progressing, and we are glad to be a part of it! As for the Duchkovi family, their WHOLE family made it for the 2nd week in a row, and they even made it on time for the sacrament!! That is huge progress for them, and something we have been striving towards for about 2 transfers. Our goal is to continue to try to strengthen member relationships with them, bringing them with us for service, and including them for the spiritual thought. We are hoping to get their home teachers there, but we will be satisfied with anyone :) We are also going to try to help Martin understand the importance of callings and leadership in the church. Then, there is a family that we found! Just met them this week, but they seem really interested and are a young family with a 9 month old named Teresa! She is really adorable! The Lord has blessed our work exponentially here, and we are hoping that we can continue to do his will in helping all these people to Christ!

Scripture for the week: DC 9:8-9

8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. 
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.
I have learned the importance of our personal responsibility in receiving revelation from the Lord. If he were to give us all the answers right away we would never learn, but I am so grateful for how I have found my connection with Heavenly Father and by doing my part and trusting, the spirit will be with me. Then the Lord takes care of the rest. I know that if we study with an open heart, are worthy for answer, and take our conclusion to the Lord, we will be directed to the right path in his time and in his way.

Have a great week! Love you all!

Starsi Belshe 

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