On my mission, I have really learned to love change. Love it in the fact that I can embrace and go forward with it even when it can be difficult at first. This week there have been lots of changes to missionary work including scheduling, and on what numbers we report to church headquarters. We had a training this week as we looked at the broadcast of the new changes. We talked about a lot of different things. President gave a training about mission culture, and how in the year 2017 we can improve! It was wonderful. Then he laid out plans to strengthen several areas of the mission in preparation for a new stake of Zion in the Brno area. We have one (Prague), so now we build for two :) It is a little ways a way, but with time, faith, and hard work, it will come! We trained on making adjustments to standards and how standards in a mission can help us accomplish our goal of 100 baptisms. Then we trained on media referrals; referrals given from church headquarters, how to use drop box with the improvements we have made for access for missionaries, and on our presentation to encourage senior missionaries to come to the mission. And a lot of this work will continue next week. However, we will also have some time in Liberec this week on an exchange which will be some good time out of the office :)
Michal is doing well! We had a lesson this week on real intent, and the purpose in keeping commitments, now that he has had experiences in feeling the Holy Ghost and knowing how it works, his ability and desire to keep commitments has increased. We are excited for him. We hope and believe that he could be baptized by the end of this transfer! We now also have several other potential investigators that we hope will meet with us in the coming week! :)
Here is a scripture for this week a little bit about change:
2 Nephi 2:6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. 7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
Ultimately, the most important change that comes into our lives is through our repentance and coming unto our Savior Jesus Christ. Coming unto the Lord with a broken heart (feeling godly remorse), and a contrite spirit (a spirit with a willingness to change) is a process that brings lasting joy and eternal happiness through Christ who makes it all possible. I know that Christs’ sacrifice fulfills both of the eternal laws of justice and mercy to allow us to live in our Heavenly Father's kingdom. I know that I have felt his love, and that his love conquers any of the momentary happiness that we may feel we receive from Satan here on earth. God lives. Jesus is the Christ.
Have a great week! :)
Elder Belshe
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Refugee Camp
Today we visited a refugee camp. Snowy country drive. Delivered some items and visited with some of the men. Look closely at the one where we are on the steps. You can see the fencing and barbed wire enclosure. No photos were allowed inside. The Refugee Camp was unfortunately kind of a let down, it was an hour and a half drive there with only about 30 minutes to interact with them; however, of the people that I talked to, it is incredible the kind of stories that they have. It opened my eyes a little bit at the least to things that are happening around the world.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Sleep is overrated! ;)
Being an assistant only a week has brought me many experiences and great lessons that Heavenly Father has needed me to learn. The new duties are a lot more than I expected, but things are going pretty well! I am very tired, but when President called me, the first thing he said was that I would be tired. It is very different than how it was when President McConkie was here. This president relies a lot more on his assistants and his mission leadership council for ideas and advice since he never really served a mission. It is weird having such a large influence on the plans of the mission. It is very difficult to have an area to cover in addition to office duties. So difficult in fact, that we literally have nothing to start with. So we have to start to build an area, and still fulfill all of our other responsibilities. It takes the administrative duties to a whole new level for me, but I am very excited and privileged for the opportunity. We already found some great people, so I am excited to see how things will start changing in our area and build towards baptisms.
Elder Oviatt went to Brno, our area was blinded into by two studs of missionaries both of which I love, Elder Lanham and Carlson who will be zone leaders. Elder Carlson has been a zone leader in Brno before this, Elder Lanham has not. My new companion is Elder Page, he is from Austin Texas.
I am learning a lot of how to teach others to do things rather than just do them myself because we need the things I have been able to learn to stick with others so they can learn from my mistakes :)
We had several meetings this week, one of my favorites was the Departing Missionary Devotional. Three of these missionaries were my companions, and the sisters all served with me in the MTC. Such great missionaries! We got to share our testimonies and it was very spiritual.
A lot of this week has been spent planning the transfer, and the plans that President has for the mission for the next year. I am excited for our work with members in teaching them the principles taught in Power of Everyday Missionaries, our goal of 100 baptisms, and our work towards more stakes of Zion in the Czech Republic!
Here’s a great scripture for you all (Mosiah 9:3,18)
It deals with the people of Zeniff that left that land of Zarahemla that desired greatly to inherit the land of their fathers, and this is Zeniffs record of their first attempt:
3 And yet, I being over-zealous to inherit the land of our fathers, collected as many as were desirous to go up to possess the land, and started again on our journey into the wilderness to go up to the land; but we were smitten with famine and sore afflictions; for we were slow to remember the Lord our God.
Sometimes in our lives we proceed over-zealous to the task, and forget to include the Lord in our work through prayer and studying it out in our minds. And in doing so, difficulties and unexpected challenges come our way. However, when we turn our heart to Him and strive to have the Lord guide us, we can have this result such as the people of Zeniff did in their fight with the Lamanites.
17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.
18 And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in his might; yea, we did go forth against the Lamanites, and in one day and a night we did slay three thousand and forty-three; we did slay them even until we had driven them out of our land.
Although we may not be fighting the battle of the sword as the people of Zeniff do, we fight the battle of everyday life. When we turn our thoughts, ideas, and plans to the Lord he will hear our cries and in his strength we will be able to conquer the pains and difficulties of everyday life. I have a testimony of that as a missionary! It works. God hears our prayers, and will always be there in our time of need.
Have a great week!
Elder Belshe
Here’s the office crew, and then a picture of Elder Page and I! Good to be back to the HQ ;) Also I am officially A GRANDPA!!! (The missionaries refer to the new elders they train as their “children”, so later when they train new elders they become “grandchildren”.) Elder Cardon is training in Ostrava this transfer, There is a picture of that as well. My grandson has the family inheritance tie, Elder Hamilton, he is a stud!
Elder Oviatt went to Brno, our area was blinded into by two studs of missionaries both of which I love, Elder Lanham and Carlson who will be zone leaders. Elder Carlson has been a zone leader in Brno before this, Elder Lanham has not. My new companion is Elder Page, he is from Austin Texas.
I am learning a lot of how to teach others to do things rather than just do them myself because we need the things I have been able to learn to stick with others so they can learn from my mistakes :)
We had several meetings this week, one of my favorites was the Departing Missionary Devotional. Three of these missionaries were my companions, and the sisters all served with me in the MTC. Such great missionaries! We got to share our testimonies and it was very spiritual.
A lot of this week has been spent planning the transfer, and the plans that President has for the mission for the next year. I am excited for our work with members in teaching them the principles taught in Power of Everyday Missionaries, our goal of 100 baptisms, and our work towards more stakes of Zion in the Czech Republic!
Here’s a great scripture for you all (Mosiah 9:3,18)
It deals with the people of Zeniff that left that land of Zarahemla that desired greatly to inherit the land of their fathers, and this is Zeniffs record of their first attempt:
3 And yet, I being over-zealous to inherit the land of our fathers, collected as many as were desirous to go up to possess the land, and started again on our journey into the wilderness to go up to the land; but we were smitten with famine and sore afflictions; for we were slow to remember the Lord our God.
Sometimes in our lives we proceed over-zealous to the task, and forget to include the Lord in our work through prayer and studying it out in our minds. And in doing so, difficulties and unexpected challenges come our way. However, when we turn our heart to Him and strive to have the Lord guide us, we can have this result such as the people of Zeniff did in their fight with the Lamanites.
17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.
18 And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in his might; yea, we did go forth against the Lamanites, and in one day and a night we did slay three thousand and forty-three; we did slay them even until we had driven them out of our land.
Although we may not be fighting the battle of the sword as the people of Zeniff do, we fight the battle of everyday life. When we turn our thoughts, ideas, and plans to the Lord he will hear our cries and in his strength we will be able to conquer the pains and difficulties of everyday life. I have a testimony of that as a missionary! It works. God hears our prayers, and will always be there in our time of need.
Have a great week!
Elder Belshe
Here’s the office crew, and then a picture of Elder Page and I! Good to be back to the HQ ;) Also I am officially A GRANDPA!!! (The missionaries refer to the new elders they train as their “children”, so later when they train new elders they become “grandchildren”.) Elder Cardon is training in Ostrava this transfer, There is a picture of that as well. My grandson has the family inheritance tie, Elder Hamilton, he is a stud!
Poděkování (Thanks!)
These are examples of the kind of amazing members that I get to work with on a daily basis! I thought you would appreciate this email. >>>>
Dear Elders,
Sunday after meeting is usually chaotic. I am very sorry I couldn’t say good bye to you personally !
So thank you very much for your great service here !!! You both are great young men and now even more, great servants and representatives of the Lord.
Maybe you don’t recognize it yourselves so clearly but you are really Light, walking on this Earth.
Thank you very much again, for your spirituality, friendship, love and rightness.
To have you in our home during Christmas evening was great privilege and blessing for all of us. It was great time with you.
May God bless you on your new place !
Best regards
Tomas Audrlicky
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Transfer
Crazy transfer to say the least. So, I have been called as an assistant and will be back on the Prague schedule. Lots of other stuff has happened, but I will be back on the Prague schedule now. I am very humbled, surprised, and excited to learn this from our wonderful president. Talk to you more on Saturday! Love you very much! :)
Elder Belshe
Elder Belshe
Last Sunday Before Transfers
Sister Holt said: After church meetings, we had a baptism! Held in a local pool. There was a reception after, then our usual district Sunday dinner. They only rested like this for a few minutes. Transfers happen Monday. All four will be with new companions. I know I will miss the ones leaving terribly. Their letters will have to tell you where they are serving next.
HK District Fun
Sis. Holt said: This shows our beautiful drive as we headed to a Nativity Museum today. Temperature is -7C. Brrr. We then had lunch out. Transfers hit next Monday, so we are especially enjoying the time together before t changes hit.
Monday, January 2, 2017
New Year's District Party
We had taco soup and cornbread, salsa and chips. Now for games and treats. HK district loves time together. Transfer time will be hard. Holt's will drive them home before 9:00. The challenge will be to sleep through the fireworks. Happy New Year to all!
Christmas Eve at Audrličti Family House
The Czech tradition for Christmas is on Christmas Eve. After dinner, everyone meets in the parlor and waits to hear bells ringing. That lets us know when Ježíšek has brought the gifts. (It translates to baby Jesus“. They don’t have Santa Claus) We were talking and singing songs and the cutest little girl who is about 3 years old kept telling us to sh! ;) She was afraid she wouldn’t hear the bells over the talking. When we heard the bells, her eyes got really big! She was so cute opening her baby stroller gift.
Christmas Weeks
These last two weeks have been very interesting. A lot of the Czech Republic culture is based on living in their cottages outside of the main city on the weekends and during holidays, so it was really slow. But, because so many people were out of town we had a lot of time for conferences. The first one we had was a combined zone conference for the Prague and HK zones. (all the missionaries that I know) We had several spiritual thoughts given by the zone leaders, assistants, and sister training leaders. It was really spiritual, and really helped us as a zone get spiritually prepared for the upcoming year. Then the following week we had a mission conference all together in a hotel, kde lišky daváji dobrou noc. That translates to “where the foxes say goodnight”, or basically in the middle of nowhere. It was a good conference, and helped us have mission unity. There was a talent show where we did an act called the chin-a-gins, basically we had a face attached to our chin with a Santa hat on it and we sang Christmas koledy. It was pretty funny! There were lots of funny acts the missionaries did, and also some actual ones with talent. One elder who sang and played guitar to a famous Czech folk song called "Biječná Žena", or Wonderful Woman. It was a good conference, we talked more about the plans and goals we have for 2017 and had departing testimonies from lots of missionaries. Three of my sisters from my MTC group, and also 5 elders. Three of which I served with. It was very sad for me to say goodbye to them after the conference, but all of them bore wonderful testimonies. We are excited for this last week before the transfer in our area, it will be a great one.
We are set up with two new families! Pray for their softened hearts and willingness to change their lives.
My scripture is related to the redeeming power of change, and as we set all of our New Years resolutions how when we change to become more like Christ that we qualify for one worthy to enter Heavenly Fathers kingdom.
Helaman 5:10-11
10 And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.
11 And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.
We are all redeemed through the love of Christ. He is not only the one that makes up the final mile of the marathon of life, but also the one that gets us to the start, and carries us through the long trek. As we continue to repent and come unto him, we qualify for his love enough to enter into Gods kingdom once again.
Have a great week! :)
Elder Belshe
We are set up with two new families! Pray for their softened hearts and willingness to change their lives.
My scripture is related to the redeeming power of change, and as we set all of our New Years resolutions how when we change to become more like Christ that we qualify for one worthy to enter Heavenly Fathers kingdom.
Helaman 5:10-11
10 And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.
11 And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.
We are all redeemed through the love of Christ. He is not only the one that makes up the final mile of the marathon of life, but also the one that gets us to the start, and carries us through the long trek. As we continue to repent and come unto him, we qualify for his love enough to enter into Gods kingdom once again.
Have a great week! :)
Elder Belshe
Opening Presents Christmas Day
Sister Holt says that the District decided to open presents together like a family...
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