(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.

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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

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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