Christmas in Poland

Wigilia, or the Polish Christmas Eve was a huge success at our little chapel. Everybody brought food, the main dishes were Catfish, Potatoes, Piroggi and Beet soup. Elder Stokes and I prepared the traditional drink of Kompot! Where we are supposed boil a ton of fruits add some cinnamon and sugar and make some sort of punch. Ha, we didn't know what we were doing, but I just faked it, solely banking on my polish instincts to kick in....it didn't turn out too well ;) Tradition goes lsomething like this; everybody before eating, takes a piece of bread and then walks around exchanging bits of their piece of bread while making Christmas wishes to everybody personally for the coming year. Then we feast. 

After the feast,  the kids go outside looking for the first star of the night. Once they spot the first star, they can then run back inside and open all their presents under the tree from Saint Mikołaj. Then during the 25th they solely spend time celebrating with family. Then on the 26th the spend their time visiting and exchanging gifts with all their good friends. So basically here in Poland there are 3 days of Christmas! 

Our Wigilia was great because we had a handful of our invstigators come, including a guy we had just felt inspired to invite off the street a few days ago. His name is Robert and he is actually really interested in the spirit and feeling of warmth, happiness,joy, and just pure relief that he felt when he walked into the chapel. He mentioned to me a couple throughout the night how confusing the tangibility of this "spirit, or positive energy" was and he said he wished he could have it all the time. We promised him he could...We have been meeting with him since. It was a neat miracle.

For P-day last week we had the chance to travel to Kraków. We visited Auświtż and then we had dinner and walked around in the Kraków rynek. They had so many gigantic Christmas trees, stages, and little shops filled with antique hand-made Souvenirs, toys and prezents. It seriously felt as if we were in the 16th century, I can't really describe it, it just felt as if we were in some kind of ancient Christmas children's story. It was magical. The food was great too. They had these old-style meats(shish kebabs, hams, sausages and steaks) with potatoes and these really big whole sauteed mushrooms cooking over these big fire grills or big tin bowls in these little shacks.We got some and ate at a wooden table in the festive square and it felt like I was literally thrown back in time. That was a fun culture night. 

Then we got to work. We met with Jarosław a few times this week, he is building his understanding and faith, and truly changing his heart and countenance every time he reads and studies from the Book of Mormon and applies the truths and the commandments into his own life. It has truly been a blessing to see him change from being really really shy and confused, to very open, more confident, radiating with happiness and intelligence,  to spreading his joy with others! He even brought his brother to church last week when he was in town, and gave him a book of Mormon. 

We also met with Paweł a few times. A 25 year old post College kid who aligns himself with the lutheran faith because once he found out the catholic church didn't make sense, the lutheran faith was the closest that he could find to the truth. He has taken a real interest in the events of the restoration, and the Book of Mormon. We even visited him in the hospital towards the end of this week, and he said he wanted to just drop everything bad from his life and start fresh and fill the lack of something inside of him. We taught and testified of the Gospel of Christ( Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end). The power and the peace of the spirit we felt there in the Hospital Cafeteria during our meeting with him was was so strong. He said he would love to be baptized! It was an interesting experience. 

For the next few days during our time when we didn't have meetings we set up our little mormon get-up in the town square where the Christmas Bazaar was taking place. We were talking about our Savior and Family History. Miracle of the week, we met a chill young guy about 28 that is a professional geneologist. He said he loves the mormons and wants to team up with us in our new Family History initiative. It was an answer to our prayers because finding ancestors in Poland and Eastern Europe is rather difficult and none of us knew how to do it. So that was such an amazing blessing to have him offer to help us and teach us. I feel like in the coming weeks I will be able to find my Polish ancestors and help the members to do the same. They have taken a huge interest in it as well and are starting to catch the fire of finding and bringing together their entire family. Funny side story, We found Elder Stokes' like 10th great grandmother was Elizabeth Hart who was accused of being a witch in the Salem witch trails! haha it was so funny! (not the Salem witch trials but of the extraordinary relationship of Elder Stokes).

We also finally got into contact with a Professor who teaches U.S. History here at the university in Kielce, who has such a facination with the United States that he is willing to give us free polish lessons twice a week! He is sooo awesome, funny and helpful. It's mind-blowing just to see everything just perfectly working out. 

I could go on for eternity explaining the amazing experiences, blessings and miracles on my mission. But I would not want you all to just read my account. Go make your own story. For those of you who are about the mission age, or the thought has crossed your mind even once if you should go...GO! This is a once in a life time experience to see the miracle of the Atonement, the Hand of God, and the truthfulness of this great plan from a front lines perspective. You will increase your testimony, receive the absolute definite witnesses that you have been waiting for your whole life, make incredible lasting friendships, and change your life and the lives of your families for the better, as you bless, serve and change the lives of others while simply bring the world the simple truth of our Heavenly Father's love and plan for them. You will not regret it. PLEASE, listen to the spirit, take a leap of faith, start those papers, submit them, and just go forth with faith. You will be eternally grateful that you did. Your Father in Heaven will be with you every step of the way, along with your Savior, Jesus Christ. It's real. It's all true. I promise and testify. Go forth with Faith and you WILL see.

Starszy Wood

The security guard kicked me out of this lookout. 

Game Changer

This week was a game changer. We had zone conference with all of the southern Poland missionaries, where Prezydent Turek who is polish just layed the hammer and vitality of Family History and geneology work for our members, investigators, less-active members and even ourselves. That is the route we as a mission will be implementing to help the people of poland bind their famileis together and meet us as the Church of Jesus Christ once again restored on the Earth in fulness. Prezydent Turek spoke polish the entire meeeting except for two words," Game Changer". He pretty much dropped the mike, cause the room was dead silent and the spirit was really strong. It will be really cool to work with everybody on this and share it with them as well as find my lost polish roots. The missionary work here in the Poland Warsaw Mission is going to change dramatically as we put a big emphasisis on the importance and unity of the family.
All of us, no matter who we are or what we believe will be blessed and recieve more lasting, consistent, joy, satisfaction, contentment, happiness, and success as we emphasize the importance, unity, and togetherness of our families. For after all that is the most important work. "For the most important work you will ever do in this life, will be the work within the walls of your own home."many prophets and apostles ha. Change your game plan whatever it is to focus more time on your loved ones! You will and they will be happier. Have a good merry week and cuddle up to those you love most. And remember how grateful you are to have that blessed oppurtunity. 

Sincerly,
Elder Wood

1. Ran into some carolers advertising for one of their school projects.

2. our existing family tree. my trainer, his trainee, my trainee
3,4. Gave Andzej, one of our loyal english students a haircut, also convinced him to shave of his mustache. haha his wife kicked him out of the house when she saw him!

This week won't be long. Basically I've got to the point on my mission were I feel like I've been our here forever and I still have forever to go. Time is getting smushed together as the days are really vivid and exciting and fun but then they just fall into a blur behind me, as we wake up the next day cramming our heads with as much studying and polish as possible along with an infinite list of calls and people to talk to (in polish as well). But its great, we went out to dinner with a less active family on Saturday and I translated between them and the daltons throughout their conversation. At the end they, got my attention and just wanted to tell me how when I first came into Kielce like 3 months ago, I was quiet and my Polish was not so great but then they told me that they are suprised at how well and elequent I can speak now between that 3 month span. It was a little exagerated from them because my Polish is very very  weak witha grammatical error every two words and an unknown or made up word every three. But it still made me feel at peace. 

Even when we don't have that many lessons or interested people we still have a long list of things that we must accomplish. And the day always just flies by and is quite impossible to do everything we planned or hoped. Day after day after day.
 But you know what...I feel like everyone in the world can relate on that one, Life just flies by. There are always things to do, never enough time to do it. Especially in the craziness of the next month, It will fly even faster. But through it all, don't forget to stop for a few moments each day, and just look at who you have been blessed with around you. Recount all the incredible memories and incredible moments you have made through you lives with the ones you love. How much they mean to you and where you would be without them. Because these recollections and your loved ones will be a few of the only things that you can take into the life to come....Think about that. 

Elder Wood

p.s. We got to go back in time to the turn of the 13th century and visit a castle in the hills outside the city. The fresh air and getaway from everything for a few hours was such a relief. here are some pictures.

*** From mom:  If you have a moment, please send Bryton a cheery Christmas greeting!!  Thank you!!!
Bryton.wood@myldsmail.net 
or
Starszy Bryton Wood
Poland Warsaw Mission
ul. Wiertnicza 135, 1 Pietro
02-952 Warszawa, Poland

More pictures from last transfer

1. From our first day in Kielce.

2. On exchange in Legnica, The elders there do not have an apartment so they just sleep on mats in the chapel!

3. We are on a train to conference in Katowice.

4. We brought the Elders back with us for exchange and training.

Pictures from last Transfer

Have some time to send some pictures from last transfer.enjoy

1. Training in Warsaw with the assistants.

2. Trip out to the country-side to have a lesson and Dinner with Ela and Jaroslaw.

3. Daltons took us out to sushi on Elder Mulders last day in Kielce.

4. We forgot the trash, plus the egg yokes leaked through the bag.

Humility

Starszy Stokes is a magnet. We have "randomly" come across so many of our investigators, former investigators, and potencial investigators in "random" places the past couple weeks. On the street, at the grocery store, at the mall, on the buses, and even today on the train to Wroclaw. It has been so wierd/cool to see the Lord put people in our paths. unfortunatley they all have their agency to accept this message or not. But its been neat to see God reaching out to them once more in love.

It's been interesting this week because we have been doing a lot to teach people and find new investigators but its just not really happening. So we've been really humbled and are turning more and more towards the Lord to recieve his Godly help realizing for like the millionth time, that we alone cannot do this work. Just like a rose bush, must be trimmed down to almost nothing, or a muscle must be broken down to grow back fuller and stronger, we feel the same way. I feel like it is definitley the Pattern of how the Creator of this World works. Its beautiful! 

Starszy Wood

1. At Zone conference with man, Starszy Fuhriman from Ukraine. #Przykład

2. Starszy Stokes and I in a chilly night in front of Palac biskupow.

3. In Wroclaw with the Zone Leaders. Wroclaw=home of the gnomes. This guy is sooo content with life.

4. F1 racing is slow, compared to the speed the Lord is hastening his work. Or Im just tired from getting up at 3:30 this morning to catch a train to Wroclaw.

The Lord's Servants

I spent a few days in Warsaw waiting for the plane to get here with the new missionaries. It was wayyy fun cause we were in a tripanionship and get a lot of work done together traveling all around the Capitol.
When the Plane arrived, I recieved a new companion fresh from Jet lag. It was funny to see how dazed he was(He has since conquered that). His name is Elder Stokes! He is from Fresno and is an utter genius! He got a 2300 on the SAT, has a full ride to BYU waiting for him when he gets home. Apparently way flexible from Balets that he would perform in and he wants to be a Rocket Scientist! Ha, he's incredible. He was explaining the science, calculations, and futuristic probablities of launching into space and it was mind-blowing. He's super funny, a hard worker, has good desires, so I'm super grateful to be with him. He deffinitley has the gift of Tongues because he already understands quite a bit and can even teach what needs to be said. He is picking up on the language so fast. It is pretty humbling because I wish I would have learned as fast as him, but then again it makes me so happy to see the joy that he gets when he learns so much to teach the people that we talk to.
 We also recieved a pair of Sisters in our city. Sister Haight and Sister Rawson. Sister Rawson is new as well. Sister Haight is from my MTC group which means between us four we have a combined total of 1 year in Poland! Ha, yeah, I don't know what to think about that. None of us is over 20 and we can barely find our way around in this language, so let me tell you...It's been and its going to be a fun adventure! 

We've already been able to notice the Lord's hand incredibily so far. Even though we lack in the language and are just a couple of 19 kids from a a foreing land, God has really filled in the gaps. He has been leading us, we've met people who have been wondering their whole life where the original pristine fulness of truth taught by Jesus Christ our savior has gone, he has been leading people to us, we have recieved random calls from people wanting to find out more, but most of all we have been able to teach with the spirit. We cannot speak the language...that is not an exageration. But for some "random" reason, the people come to us and hear what they need to hear and decide to do what they need to do to better their lives and the lives of their families. That is the same with this work throughout the world. I Invite all of you all to invite the missionaries into your life to feel for yourself what this "so-called" spirit is that they have. I am thouroughly convinced that it is not in the least sense possible for 2 young men/women around the age of 20, to work so hard, complete so much and change so many lives for the better if they were not led by a living and loving God and his Son, Jesus Christ. If your not a member, just meet with them and experiment upon my words. If you are a member, feed them and let them share a message for your family and fill your home with this peace. Those preparing to serve or thinking about it, ask to work with them and you will recieve the answers that you are looking for. This is the work of the Lord. He lives. I am so glad to be a part of it. And encourage you all to do the same.

Love,
Starszy Wood

(From last week)
We got transfers!
I'm staying here in Kielce. It was sad to see Elder Mulder leave. We had been through a lot. He had been here for over ten months and the branch was really attached to him as well. So on Sunday we had a farewell party for him and sent him off with a bunch of cakes! Haha it was also his birthday so yeah, thats more of the reason behind that.
I am also recieving a new compaion fresh out of the MTC, so I've got some interesting feelings about that. I'm excited and think it'll be way fun, but then again, I feel a little inadequate because I am still yet a toddler in this language. But we'll see....it will be interesting. Plus we will be doubling the amount of missionaries in Kielce! With Sisters. Never worked around Sisters before. But we got a lot of work to do and it should be fun.
Well we had apparently slipped into the comfort zone here in gool ole' litlle Kielce, and were in the need of a wake-up call. Everything was going perfect with Jaroslaw until he came into our meeting on monday totally flustered and frustrated. He said things were tiring and that living the commandments were too hard along with the fact that his family wasn't too supportive. Sooo, he said he needed a break and pretty much dropped us. We think he got in to some Anti-Mormon misinformation. So that was a bummer because he was making so much progress, changing his life for the better, becoming more happy and planning to get baptized on Saturday. So we were pretty bummed about that for a while, but then as we shook out of it and jumped right back into the real world, seeing how much other blessings and investigotrs we have he privelege of working with and teaching, the sadness subsided and we were able to learn a lot, apply those lessons, and invest our time in helping and serving others who are willing and ready.

Sometimes as learners we spend so much time, effort and energy of our lives learning something that we have felt is good and true. The witness of so many experiences of applied truths and confirmed feelings of satisfaction, contentment and understanding solidify for us this testimony, that after all this we think to ourselves" this must be a "good fruit". Yet for some reason, even after all this, one strike or provision of lies or confusion from the adversary can reverse the path of success and goodness into one of doubt, resignation and failure.This comes to my mind as I think of what we must do to maintain our happiness and success,  "remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Hel. 5:12) hmm, ok pretty straight-forward.... Let us simplify it just once more.....
"Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." (2Nephi32:3)

When learning, we must go to the source and learn from the source, because ,of course, it contains the truth in fulness. The Book of Mormon contains the words of Christ in purity. Reading, pondering, praying about and applying the teachings of this book into your lives is the GREATEST investment you could make in this life. I Testify. And Deeply exhort you all to try it. If you don't believe me...try it...Your lives and families will be blessed beyond that you can imagine. You love them right?... Then Invest.

Elder Wood

Note from Elder Wood's mom:  This picture was posted on the Poland Missionary Moms and Dads Facebook page today compliments of Juliann Jackson Sommerfeld.  Here is the caption she posted with it:  Starszy Sommerfeldt - Out with New Companion Starszy White & Starszy Wood (who is waiting for his new companion). Looks cold.

---

Timber

(from last week)

This week was interestingly smooth. Everything seemed to work out well, we were meeting with most of our investigators consistently especially Jaroslaw everyday and his demeanor and happiness was increasing everyday. He has a date for next week, so thats exciting. He's made a ton of progress. Other than that, just a lot of tender mercies happening.

For example, we might lost contact with a former investigator and another one was responding to us when we tried to call. buuuutt, we ran into both of them while walking on the street this week, one right outside the chapel!! haha

Another crazy evening occured. We watched "Meet the Mormons" for Family Night with a couple of our investigators. The spirit was present and they were all pretty impressed, even so that one of them hersefl came up with the idea to recommit to her date on the 12th and follow the baptismal calender with assigned readings that we gave her!! It was so cool, her name is Mariola. Then she said the prayer and everyone and everything in that moment just seemed so stress-free and happy. Then we all parted ways and we went to catch a bus home. At this bus stop, Elder Mulder and I were conversing and just in time I turned my to see this old lady walking off a bus. She stepped on the ground started walking and then she just kept leaning forward and her feet couldn't catch up, and just face planted on the cement!!...Immediately, We sprinted over, I kknelt down and rolled her over slowly so she was face up and saw that her glasses has shattered and she had a huge gash on her eyebrow with blood oosing out onto her face. Everybody started crowding around and then miraculously, a "random" ambulance was passsing by not even 10 seconds after this had happened, Saw the gathering and commotion and stopped and were able to take over from there. Ha random conicidence right?...I don't think so. Anyways, they tried helping the lady that is totally just messed up from face planting on the concrete. But then the ladies family or friends would not allow them, and then a fight broke out with screaming and shouting between the two parties as they Literally played tug of war with this old lady trying to aid her. This was the excuse of her drunk friends" Shes just a little drunk, she'll be fine, she doesn't need no hospital, etc..." (totally disregarding the fact that she was crying, totally had a concussion, maybe even some brain damage and a gash above her eyes that needed stitches) Then the old lady started repeating in dumb drunk language that she didn't want to go in the ambulance. I was so annoyed I pretty much told everybody just to BE QUIET, and at least let them wipe the blood up and test her for concussion/brain damage, they silently backed off and allowed that to happen. Then we left as everything had simmered down.

How Great were the Words of the Prophet of God on this Earth in this recent general conference. THE WORD OF WISDOM. It was again a night and Day display of evidence for us. How going from the light and truths, protection and happiness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, to the drastic difference and damage of lies, deciet and distractions of the Devil. The Word of Wisdom is God's word, I invite all to try to live it and continue to live it to see the blessings and happiness both spiritually and temporarly it WILL bring into your life.

I was wonderering why the prophet spoke so blatantly and focused on this topic. Now I know why. Our world needs it. Listen to the prophet's voice. Listen to God, your loving Heavenly Father.

Elder Wood

I asked Bryton if he was eating healthy meals.  It sure looks like it!!

The Lord's Hand

As a missionary, especially this week, I've had the privilege to witness and feel the presence of God and his angels, working along side us, his servants. Three quick experiences that enfold my thoughts on this matter:

1. Two weeks ago, it was late at night and we were returning to our apartment. We were sitting by this middle aged man and we invited him to our free English class, then we answered his questions on who we were and stuff. He was really intrigued but we didn't have time to exchange information, so we handed him a Book of Mormon pass along card as we jumped off the bus. Feeling pretty bummed, because we should have got his number or set up. Two weeks later, we knocked on this "random" door in this "random" apartment, in this "random" neighborhood. A man opened the door solely in some "whitey tighties". (very common tracting late at night). He was appalled and super happy to see us.Ha but I didn't recognize him, he recited his name, still not coming, I apologized and told him that we meet and talk to a lot of people. But then he recited the story and it all came back! He had looked online, super intrigued about our religion and everything, and had prayed to be able to find us again. And randomly, we eventually turned up! We are set up with him and his young family tonight!

2. We were walking down the main street here in Kielce and I asked to Starszy Mulder, "what side of the street should we contact people on". He said," The side with the people that God has prepared to receive his word". Just then we looked to the left side of the street and there very "randomly" stood Jaroslaw!!! It was so funny.

3. After a pretty long day this week, where nothing was really clicking with our finding. after dinner, Elder Mulder said a really heartfelt prayer and simply asked, "Heavenly Father, pleeeeaase direct us where we need to go and who exactly we need to talk to." We said amen, stood up and as I was locking the door behind us, my phone rang...It was one of our investigators that we had been trying to meet with that week. He said he wanted to meet in 30 at the chapel. It was one of the most spiritual lessons I have ever been a part of. A feeling of perfectness, peace happiness, like everything was just how it was supposed to be, along with the feeling of shivers running on the back of my neck and through my body. He was sooo sincere and humble and ready to change his life and follow his Savior Jesus Christ.

I Know that God is there. He is not only there, but very actively involved in our lives. He not only leads his missionaries, but all his beloved children of whom he loves so much. IF we turn to him and keep his commandments he will confirm that ti us over and over again. The power of prayer is real. Mankind can truly reach its greatest height while on their knees. I promise. Thank you for all your prayers on my behalf. They are felt immensely. I love you and thank you.

Love, Elder Wood

---

The only chapel in all of Poland. Found in Warsaw. Did some work with Elder Cowley.
We found a merry-go-round-thing on P-day.
Some Rabbit stew that was made for us by some Pristine polish hospitality.
Us at our mlc meeting in warsaw.

Light and Darkness

This week was different. I don't really know how to explain it. It turned from a really hectic week with lots of new investigators, potentials, and things to do, into a calm silence , a cleansing or rebirth as one could say. And then a Spark of new life as God led us to this incredible family who has been searching for lasting happiness and truth. We will meet with them on Saturday and they are coming to church on Sunday, so I will mention them next week
We did meet with Jaroslaw every day this week. He is a rock! Funny story how we met...We were on the mainstreet crossroad about a month ago with our table of book of mormons and brochures and all that good stuff contacting people as they walked by. He ran into us and we started talking to him, as we explained who we were and what we did, his eyes lit up and he pulled out his phone. He showed us a picture that he had taken about a year ago of a chalk drawing that some past missionaries had sketched about prophets, dispensations and the restoration. He said that had really intrigued him and he took a picture of it and he looked us up online and read some stuff. He said it makes a lot of sense and he wanted to meet. Since then he has recieved all the lessons, kept every single commitment and his countenance has even changed as he has progressed in his knowledge of his Savior and the Plan of his Heavenly Father. He watched all 3 sessions of conference with us that we watched this weekend and we are going to watch the rest throughout the week with him. He really desires to be baptized, recieve the Holy Ghost and get the Priesthood, so we might be changing his baptism from the 29th to the 22nd or 15th!

Conference was great of course. If you didn't have a chance to watch it. Watch it! This men are men of God, they speak for him, they recieve divine counsel and guidance from His mouth for all the inhabitants of the Earth and if a person abides by the precepts that they teach, HE/SHE WILL BE HAPPY. I testify. God and Jesus Christ live and they speak directly to us through these prophets and apostles just like in old times, it is nothing new, it is obvious because God promises us over and over that he is the same yesterday today and forever. right!? He works in the same way. We are all priveleged to here the word of our Loving, Perfect God whether we are Mormon or not.
because
" therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the APOSTLES and PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST himself being the chief corner stone;"...Ephesians 2:19-20
But why does he build this foundation? But why do we need prophets and apostles recieving direct guidance from Christ?...
"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." Ephesians 4:12-15I don't need to tell you. You have the free will to watch, listen and experiment to know and feel for yourselves, that these are the words of Christ himself.
We watched a session Saturday night with two of our investigators and Prezydent Najberg. Being able to hear the word of God and recieve guidance and inspiration how to become men like Christ and eventually have safe and happy families, it uplifted us all and filled us with the Love and Light of Christ. It hadn't even finished when I recieved a call from one of our investigators explaing that he had just found out that his wife has been cheating on him. He was crushed, at a loss of feelings and words of what he was to do, totally wrecked emotionally. Distraught, puzzled and fearing what was going to happen to his children of 9 and 3. Then, not even 10 minutes later, we arrived at the bus stop to behold a fight break out between these two young drunk men, which Elder Mulder and I had to immediately run over, jump in and pull one off of the other. It ended with him spitting blood on our white shirts and faces. Instead of being furious, which I normally would have been and then attacked him, I was instantly filled with mercy, compassion, love and a sense of incredible sadness for this man as he backed up cussing us out with blood filling his mouth and tears coming from his eyes...
I was puzzled why immediatly concluding a spiritual enlightenment, I had just witnessed such carnal behavior and darkness where mens hearts had failed them. But, I found it a blessing to be able to see this DRASTIC, very real contrast of the Light of Christ and the Darkness of the Devil. It is real. The fight between Light and Darkness, Good and Evil.  As real as God is, the adversary is also there fighting against him to destroy the family and happiness of man.
The more I am out on my mission, the more I truly realize the difference between Light and Dark in this ever changing World. Things such as crime, addiction, pride, immoral values and sin illustrate a black mist wiping accross the Earth, causing broken trust, broken hearts, broken homes and families, sadness, suffering and misery. While Christ our Savior and his pure Gospel, dispels and beams brightly, penetrating this darkness, illuminating the path to which one may come out from this darkness and find this pure, lasting, infinite joy and happiness as familes and Eternal Life living together, forever, in the world to come. For the gift is to us all...we are free to choose this light or darkness, I echo the words of Father Lehi "And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life"

That is the purpose of why I decided to come here on a mission is "to bring to pass the immortatlity and eternal life" and happiness of my felow Brothers and Sisters, because I love them. My prayer is the same for you. I love you. Choose wisely...

Elder Wood

Mid transfer Update

Well hello there again you all.

My life in Kielce his started turning into a blur. A blur of awesomeness!!! The past several weeks my companion and I have only spoken Polish to eachother. That has been difficult and trying, but has produced miracles. It has increased my language ability so much, and has somehow led to a contagious more rewarding general acception of our message. In other words, our new investigators have tripled, our baptisimal dates have tripled, our book of mormons given have quadrupled. People are starting to change their lives for the better. So however hard it may be to be obedient and keep the commandments or mission rules, I know that there are literally so many blessings and tangible miracles for alll those who are willing.

We did have exchanges this week which was cool, we got to be around other missionaries again. so that was fun. Plus we had zone conference in Katowice, which was a blast,  it is funny because like 75% of our zone is my age in the mission(7 months) or younger. Learned some good stuff, then literally sprinted about a mile to the train station back to Kielce, with Elder Mandla and Haskett, who were coming on exchange. I served with Elder Mandla the next day, he is from Australia, so it was really cool. Plus he is a stud and he is only a month in. 

Something funny I learned about missionary work this week, is how little missionaries do in relation to God. We are literally pawns in his hands. We strive to be obedient, work hard and continually refine our craft, but he is really the one doing all the work. He has led people who we would never would have found in a million years on our own straight to us, who have been searching, and longing for their whole lives, knowing that it is truly there somewhere; the amazing truths and blessings that this restoration and gospel contains!

We have 7 active members here in Kielce, 3 of which are under the age of 10. So its pretty funny when you have more progressing investigators than members, so yeah idk how its all going to turn out, but it should be exciting!
Even though there are very few of us here it is interesting because we are busier than ever and never feel alone. I've truly found the joy in loving the people here for who they are and their amazing differences :) Its come with truly investing myself into these relationships. People are amazing, increase your relationships with others because that will get your far in life. Humans are an interesting form of life. We are all different yet all the same, so complex, yet so simple. God created us, we are his children. If you don't believe that, ask him to let you know, because he will, if and only if, you are willing to listen. I testify of that he lives and directs his church today in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Life as a missionary is good. I love it. Life in general is good! Never take it for granted. 

Elder Wood

p.s. my camera is in warsaw for another three weeks but this was taken at Zone conference with some missionaries from my Awesome MTC group