Week #50

Sretan Božić!-Merry Christmas!

Wow all this switching around of companions has been messing with my mind a bit. More with Sestra Trumbo, but we're getting refocused and on track to start these holidays with some great contacting on the street with "Living the Christ" tonight and then going around to the members caroling before we call families!!! This last week we were blessed with a senior couple: Matosich's! Their name is Croatian which has already been great for the members here. Elder Matosich's grandpa was born in Split (which I visited about a month or so ago) and his grandmother was born on Hvar which is an island that's pretty popular to go see. It's great! Our branch president asked him to give his testimony at our branch Christmas party/dinner, and Elder Matosich did it all in Croatian! It was very simple, but powerful. And everyone there loved it because he tried so hard. We had a lesson with a member that was having a hard time and Sestra Matosich was able to say the perfect thing and made the member feel so much better. They are going to be a great contribution here in Zadar. I'm excited for their work here. They will be great. So the branch Christmas party was hectic, but such a success! We've been trying to plan something for weeks, but we never got together to plan. Then Friday night our branch president met with us and we planned it all pretty much right there. So in less than 48 hours we had a fantastic party with about 25-30 people and half members and and half nonmembers. What a success! It wasn't like the ward party back at home, but our little church was filled! So great! The best part was a former investigator we invited said she wanted us to come over again and we'll talk more. She's been reading from the Book of Mormon and she really felt the Spirit during the Christmas program we had. Yay!!! So I'll let you know how that goes.

Our woman with a baptismal date didn't come to church...so her date has to be pushed back. She still doesn't understand what baptism means completely still, but we're working through it and I'll get back to you with her. But a baptism that did go through is a woman I taught in Rijeka. We taught her when we first got to Rijeka and her first baptismal date was at the end of June but then she continued to not come to church so her date was pushed back and back then I left. Then I heard that she left Rijeka to go to school in Germany. I thought that was the end for her. But she came back in November and she is now baptized! I talked to her on the phone for a little bit and it was so good to hear her voice and how excited she was to be baptized! She even mentioned some things that she learned from Sestra Lethco and I and how much we helped in her conversion. I wasn't able to make it to her baptism because it was 3 1/2 hours away at least and I'm needed here in Zadar. But it was good to see pictures and know that I was an influence in her life. There are so many people we talk to on the street and people we teach, but I will never know how much of an impact I really gave to everyone. But I'm grateful to know that I did help with this one girl who is so strong now and such an energizer bunny to the branch. It's great!

This last week we had a Christmas devotional/party with the whole mission, it was so great and too short. There were so many people I wanted to talk to and I talked to everyone, but it was like 5 minutes. But then I thought that we'll have more time after the mission so it's all good. But it was very fun to see everyone, play some games, then end with a wonderful devotional with Pres. and Sis. Rowe as the speakers and missionaries doing musical numbers in between. It was a nice ending to a very fun day.

For the branch Christmas party, it was really cool because we had different testimonies from the apostles and prophets that went along with the Christmas story. It may sound confusing but it worked really well. And we started the Christmas story talking about the ancient prophets prophesying of Christ in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. So in the Book of Mormon we quoted Alma 7:10-12. I loved the part that says that Mary is a precious and chosen vessel. I was thinking more about that and how we are all precious and chosen vessels. We all have the potential to fill our vessel, our purpose in life. We need to do everything we can everyday to follow Christ. He's right there along the way. He knows the way. He's already been on the same path. I'm so grateful for this opportunity this Christmas season to teach these people what Christ can do for them. Have a happy Christmas and enjoy this time with your family and friends! Volimo vas!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #49

Kiša Umjesto Snjega-Rain instead of snow

It's weird for it to be December 17 and I look outside and it's still raining. All the other cities in Croatia have snow, but lovely Zadar is looking green as ever. It will be weird to have a Christmas without snow or some sort of wintery feel. This last week was extremely weird because it felt very warm, even with the rain. So I've just been enjoying the October weather :) As I mentioned last time, Sestra Trumbo is with me and Sestra Compare left to Beograd. It was interesting to switch from someone who I had been training and had similar missionary habits (because I trained her) to someone who was trained differently and had different experiences. It's been fun putting both of our thoughts and opinions together. But alas, it didn't last that long because Sestra Trumbo went on an exchange to Slovenia and I'm here with Sestra Tanner. So in the last week I've gone through 3 different companions. I keep forgetting what I've told to whom and how well does she recognize the city or not. It's been interesting. But all good because I've been learning lots in the last week which has felt like a month.

Well, there's no baptism this week, but she's still progressing. We're just trying to figure out what her true concern is. We've been bouncing around to different thoughts and they have been good lessons, but we haven't hit the motherboard. We were talking about the different concerns it could be and I think it all boils down to trusting the Lord and what that means to her. We want to trust the Lord. We want to be the best we can be through him, but what does that mean? While I was thinking about that, I thought that trusting the Lord to me means that I will talk to many people on the street. I won't have fear of rejection or worry about going to the destination of where we want to go but instead have the journey be the goal (if that makes sense). I thought of what trusting the Lord means in different parts of my life and it's different for each part. For you to go out to each person on the street and ask them about the gospel of Jesus Christ isn't necessarily your job, but waking up an hour earlier each morning to have a meaningful scripture study might be a struggle. Then it's trusting the Lord that this is what you need to do. For this woman, trusting the Lord that she'll be able to pay the bills because she paid for tithing and she's afraid to tell her friends about the church because they're strong Catholics. Trusting the Lord is something that's hard for each of us, but the Lord expects us to do it and so we do it anyways. But when we trust the Lord, we're not in it alone. He lifts us up (Mosiah 23:22). He promises that. And I have seen that on my mission and in life. If we do the things we need to do and trust that things will turn out all right, then we're lifted. We are stronger. I know we can do this! For the purpose of life was not for God just to see us fail, but to overcome our weaknesses and come to a higher plane than where we were before. So this week, do something that is hard for you, but God still wants you to do it. Put your trust in Him and I know He'll help you through it. Volim vas! Ugodan tjedan!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #48

Nisam Znala-I didn't know

A few weeks ago, I thought I was going to be transferred out of Zadar and go to Beograd, Serbia. But then President Rowe asked us to stay, and I was very grateful because I love these people. It's frustrating sometimes, but I love them. We got a call from President Rowe last week. He talked to us for a few minutes and then said, "Sestra Compare, I would like you to go to Beograd." At first I thought he just meant an exchange because he talked about us going on exchange for a little bit now, but then he mentioned being transferred. It's crazy. Both of us thought I would leave before Sestra Compare. But this is good. Sestra Trumbo is coming to Zadar and we were companions in the MTC, so it'll be fun. After thinking I was leaving Zadar, I found some more ways how I could help and I haven't finished. There's so much for me to do. There are so many more people I need to find and talk to. There's plenty for me to see happen. We thought we were going to have a baptism on Saturday, but she isn't ready. She's still progressing towards baptism, but she still needs a little more time. Definitely before the end of the year. She'll be ready.

I have been reading the Book of Mormon over and this time summarizing each chapter and how it could fit in one of the Preach My Gospel lessons. I'm in the middle of Alma and all the missionary work from Ammon, Aaron, and the brothers. It's been interesting to see the contrast of the missions, but what I loved most from this week was in Alma 23:6. We were talking to some members and they were joking that Zadar people are like the Lamanites. But then I read how the Lamanites just flocked to baptism as they came to believe "according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy." My mission president is inspired. My zone and district leaders are inspired. Now I have to act on my inspiration and those I just mentioned, so the miracles can work within us and those who believe what we preach will be converted and never fall away. We're finding these people. Now we just need to preach them according to how they need to hear it. It's coming. I know that's what I have been saying pretty much my whole mission, but I have to see the potential these people have. Have faith in them. Only when I see them how God does, then the miracles will happen. Have a great week! Volim vas!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #47

Danas-Today

This week was full of a lot of cancelled lessons and unexpected events. I felt like this whole week was spent just shifting plans around and trying to figure out what to do. It was rough, but at the end of the week we had District Conference where all of the members of Croatia can gather together. So some people from Zadar went and I was able to see many of the people of Rijeka! (the only other place I've served) It was sooo good to see them again. Things are looking so much better for them, and it was good to hear more faith and hope in their lives especially with the gospel helping them through it. The conference was really good too (it also helped that I understood most of it this time). There was a lot of talk about change and strength for the future. Something that in particular I liked was when Sister Rowe, the mission president's wife, talked about repentance. Repentance isn't a bad thing, it's a gift from our Heavenly Father that we can use to become like him. It's our tool to overcome our mistakes and our faults, but like any tool, we have to use it in order for it to work. President Rowe mentioned about repentance and that our past doesn't have to define our future. We are the ones that make that decision. So from this conference I gained so much more strength and drive to become not only a better missionary but a better person. I have made so many mistakes and I've recognized even more mistakes as a missionary, but I've also learned from those mistakes and use them to help me be better. Repentance means change. A quote that I loved before my mission says something like this, I am who I am today because of what changed me yesterday and what I do today will make me who I am tomorrow. That's not exactly how it goes but it's something like that and you get the picture. Our past has impacted our lives forever, but it doesn't have to define our future. What we do now, today, will determine our future. Yes, we still will make mistakes along the way, but what we do with those mistakes will influence who we are tomorrow. I love the last verse in Enos, and I want that for me (not to die soon, but to be able to say what he says). So I'm willing to do whatever it takes to return with my Heavenly Father. I'm learning more and more of that. So here goes another week of mistakes but another week of learning and repentance. I hope you have a wonderful week of learning! Volim vas!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #46

Zahvalna sam-I am grateful

This week was a great week. Since we split a senior couple with Rijeka (they come to Zadar about every other week), we had Thanksgiving on Wednesday. It was great to spend some time cooking and playing a few games before going back out to work. The food was so good and for those who are wondering, we didn't have an official turkey, but we did have a turkey breast and a chicken breast so there would be enough meat for everyone. It was just a great day. Then I had my birthday on Saturday, Sestra CC made actual pancakes for me and I opened presents that was sent from my family. I was sooo excited for all the bags of Skittles!!! We went out to eat lunch and had ice cream by the Sea Organ. It was a little chilly but not too cold not to have ice cream. We had some Mac and Cheese (thanks Mom for sending the packets :) for dinner with the branch president and his family, then went out finding people. But what I loved and most thankful for this week was one of our investigators with a baptismal date came to church this week. She lives about 25 minute walking distance from the church, and also she is the fourth investigator I've had that has come to church. She came to church loved it and really wants to go to Zagreb next week for District Conference. And a lot of other members from Zadar want to go this District Conference. This means a lot. Usually when we talk about events in Zagreb, the people of Zadar don't want to do anything about it. Mostly because Zagreb is 3 1/2 hour bus ride away and for a one day trip when you don't have any money? What's the point? But hearing them being all excited and wanting to go just made me super grateful. It's hard being here during the pioneer stages of this country to see these slow and hard, but fulfilling changes in these people's lives. I've thought about how it would be to be in a different mission and seeing many baptisms every week, but then I think of all the growing and life-changing experiences for me and they wouldn't have happened if I had seen baptisms all the time. This mission is exactly where I need to be. It would be nice to have new investigators every day or even having a lesson with someone every day. But I wouldn't be who I am today if it did. Mosiah 4:27, it isn't required that I run faster than I have strength just to give all that I have. Shoot, it's hard, but shoot, it's worth it. Every little lipa (smallest coin in Croatia), it's worth it. I hope you all had an extraordinary grateful week and be excited for the upcoming Christmas season! It's going to be great! Volim vas!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #45

Ne Promijenje-No Change

So this week is transfers! I thought I was going to be leaving, but I'm blessed with another 9 weeks here in Zadar :) Which I'm so grateful for because it means that I'll be able to see all three baptisms we have planned. Yes, you heard that...3! This last week, one of our member's friends came to church, we had a lesson, and she said she would be baptized! It's crazy that all these people are accepting to be baptized! Now the difficult part is having them realize what that means. It's great for everyone to be baptized, but if they don't know what it means then it's better for them to wait to commit to that covenant.

We had a wonderful zone conference this last week and the message I received out of it was that I need to teach person to person instead of missionary to investigator. I realized that I have gotten into this mode (especially with Croatian) that I say the same things in a very formal, generalized way. For instance, this message will make you happy. Yes, that is a true sentence, but it doesn't have any meaning. When I explain why this message makes me happy, then it brings so much more power to what I'm saying and I become this person speaking to them instead of an American girl speaking Croatian in a skirt with a name tag. There's so much depth that can come in the lessons, I just have to work for it and figure out how to share that with them. In 2 Nephi 33:1, it talks about the power of the Holy Ghost carrying the message unto the hearts of men. The way the Holy Ghost to carry this message to their hearts is for me to speak from the heart. This week wasn't much, but it's in preparation for an another wonderful next week! Have a great week! Volim vas!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #44

Što je bilo?-What just happened? (Phrase-literally means "What was it?")

So this week, we had a great time. We went to help a woman and her daughter pick their olive trees. It reminded me so much of last year when I was picking at Jerusalem. My memories kept flashing back to that wonderful time. It was fun to get to know them and we didn't know this before but they had talked to missionaries before and told us that when they got back to Zagreb (we were helping them at their summer home), they would go to church and see it, and they both have some time to read the Book of Mormon. Our investigator who accepted baptism the week before text us that day and summarized what she read that day. She said, "The gospel of Jesus Christ can help us with our temporal and spiritual needs now AND in the future." Her mind was blown that what we were promising her was not just for the moment, quick fix, but that she is guaranteed happiness through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We told her if she did follow Jesus Christ and did the things we told her then the blessings are there for her. It was so cool to have an investigator so excited to learn! Then two days later, we went with a senior couple sister (who has a car) to the places that are far away to get on foot, so we can use our time to the max. One of these places was a former investigator, the place reminded me of Vernal with all of the farm animals running around and the smell of money (cows, that's what my dad always said). So we knocked and there was no answer. We were about to leave when we heard this, "Hello." A woman holding onto a bloody knife in her bare, red hands comes around the corner. I instantly felt a love for her. Sestra C and Sestra T had different expressions on their face, but I loved this woman. haha (She had been dealing with some chickens before coming up to the house.) She set the knife down and welcomed us inside and washed her hands. We had some small talk and asked her about her experience with the missionaries. She said it was wonderful and she has read the Book of Mormon at least 2 times! I looked over to the couch next to me and there was a worn Book of Mormon! I was so excited. She grabbed it and we talked a little bit about her views and she spoke about how the Book of Mormon has been a friend to her and has brought peace and comfort. We talked about coming to church and she said it was difficult because she lived so far away, but she said she would try. We set up a time to meet again and prayed. After the prayer, a thought came to my mind to ask her to be baptized. My first reaction was no because she's a Croat and will talk for another 20 minutes if I bring baptism up and we needed to see other people. The impression came again and so I spoke. I wanted her to realize what she was agreeing to and asked her to come to church first, to Christ's church and the importance of that. Then I asked her to follow Christ and be baptized in His church through the proper authority. She simply stated yes. We set up a date and left. Što je bilo?!? When we left I asked my companion, "Did she just accept to be baptized?" We were just both kind of in shock and again, a miracle happened. I'm so grateful to be here right now to help these people right now. I can't believe just a few weeks ago we had maybe 3 lessons a week. Now we have two people with baptismal dates. Later that day we went with a potential investigator to a seminar about finding faith in Jesus Christ. We went because we thought she would accept us more if we went to some of her things and I was interested in this "apostle" and hear what he has to say about finding faith. I listened to him and he was saying truth, but I didn't feel the power in his words like I do from the Quorum of the 12 or Pres. Monson. When I asked the potential investigator what made him an apostle she said that he has studied the Bible for 13 years and speaks to people around the country. It was interesting to me the difference between authority in our religions. I studied more about the subject of apostle and what it means to be an apostle and then I remembered what someone said in the MTC (I think it was Elder Holland), the difference between me (Apostle) and you (apostle) is the size of the "a". I read in Romans 1:1 about Paul and he was called to be an apostle, a servant of Christ, and set apart. It hit me that all those things are me. I was set apart to be an apostle which means a special witness of Christ. Paul wasn't a member of the quorum of the 12 at that time, but he was a witness and that was the important thing. We are called to help people come closer to Christ, and it is our duty to endure to the end and help people along the way. I know life is hard in the real world, but I also know what I need to do when I get back. Do you know what you need to do? If not, I encourage you to find it. What do you need to do every day to influence that person or to become prepared to influence many people? The past two weeks have been crazy. The first 6 weeks were hard. But I know it was a test and a preparation for now and the future as I continue my mission. Keep smiling! Until next time! Volim vas.

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #43

Grad Splita-The City of Split

The reason why I'm writing on Tuesday instead of Monday is because we were in Split yesterday! There is a woman who has been asking for us to come and visit her for about 2 months. She was a member 10 years ago, but then her parents forced her to remove her name from the records. When she first contacted us, she said her parents were better and she wanted to feel again what she felt 10 years ago. But the last few weeks when we've been telling her that we're planning to come visit, her parents wouldn't allow us to come in the house. So we ended up talking in a park in town. Her faith has become very low from all the hardships she's experienced and she kept asking what is the point of reading and praying if all she can do is go to a Catholic church and listen to a priest that tells her it's a sin to read anything but the Bible? What's the point if she can't speak freely about her beliefs to her family? What's the point if she can't be with other members and feel that same Spirit we bring? We told her the point is that Christ knows. The point is that he knows how we can not feel so lonely. The point is that as we do the things he's given us, the best we can, then we will receive that peace and comfort only he can give. The point is to follow him because he knows. It took her some time to believe us, but at the end she said she'll try reading and praying. After she prayed, you could tell she felt the comfort she's been looking for for 10 years. It was so good to see that change. We stopped by some other homes of members we haven't been able to get a hold of, but they weren't home. We left a note and when we got home yesterday, a man called saying he's the husband of one of the members. He said she lived in Dubrovnik (about 7 hours from Zadar because of the windy roads) and that she might be in Split in the future and we can come over then. He was super nice and gave us her number so we can call her. Success in Split!

On November 1 was the Catholic holiday, All Saint's Day. It was cool to see all the flowers and candles of those respecting and remembering their dead. It was interesting to watch different people put candles on the graves of their loved ones. I watched as little kids enjoyed lighting the candles and the elderly sit and ponder of the memories. I love traditions especially family traditions. There are so many different things we can do together as a family, but what's most important is that they are done together as a family.

It was so crazy this week. We were walking to the church and we stopped and talked to this woman on the street. We talked a little about Jesus Christ and asked if she believed in him. She said yes. We asked if we could meet and talk more about him and his word. She said yes. We asked if she had time right then. She said yes. We walked over to the church together, sat down and had the first lesson. She didn't speak a lot at first, but as we talked about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. She asked some questions, we replied, and she would say, "This is alright." When we talked about the Holy Ghost and if she had ever felt the Holy Ghost before, she replied, "I feel it right now." It was crazy how natural it felt to invite her to be baptized. And it seemed so easy for her to accept baptism. This was one of the craziest lessons I have taught. After she left, I said, "What just happened? Did this really just happen?" And it did. She has been reading from the Book of Mormon and we'll be meeting with her to continue on her path to return to God. It was such a testimony builder to me to talk to everyone because anyone can be prepared, we just can't see it with our natural eyes. "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God." D&C 18:10 Everyone we come in contact with needs a little love. Everyone can use a boost of upliftment. We all need each other to return to our Heavenly Father. But most importantly, we need our Savior, Jesus Christ. If you don't know that, I challenge you to figure out what that means. What would it mean to you to have a savior? Why would it be important for you to know that? How can that knowledge change you right now? My answers to these questions change all the time, and I hope I become a better person each time I think about it. I hope this week is an awesome week for you, and I hope you can find the joy in the little things and the potential in each person! Volim vas!!!

Week #42

Pad!-Fall!

It has finally gotten cold!!! It all started yesterday. It just started to rain and it's been quite chilly. We'll see if it actually stays, but we hear from our weather source that it will rain tomorrow and this weekend and stay chilly. So I'll let you know next week if it stays that way.

Not a lot happened this week. We have just been putting up a lot of English flyers and then we had about 20 people come to English sign-ups including a few kids, so we'll have a little class for kids too. I'm super excited!!! :) But we did have a great testimony builder on Monday about always opening your mouth. We were contacting on the way to our night of tracting and one woman just completely shut us down (not unusual), but then the woman just a meter or two behind her was like, "Hey, you're Mormons right? THAT I'm interested in." She looked at my Book of Mormon and saw a Restoration pamphlet and said, "Restoration, interesting. Can I have that? Thanks!" And started to walk away. Both Sestra CC and I were just in a state of shock for a few seconds like did that just happen? Then we turned around and ran after her asking for her number and where she lives. She's been in the hospital the last few days but said she would like to meet with us this week. So we'll see what happens :) But it's crazy that we talk to hundreds of people a week and then every once in a while we talk to someone who is just ready to jump right in and try the gospel. But we wouldn't be prepared to talk to the ones who are prepared if we didn't talk to those hundreds of people. It's all about faith and not seeing it my way, but the Lord's way. He's not just preparing people for me to meet, but He's preparing me to meet those people. I wouldn't be showing my faith if I just talked to members and sat in the church just waiting for someone to walk in. Yes, every once in a while that happens, but that's not where the growth comes. The growth comes when the faith is turned into action. I know that I've talked about faith pretty much my entire mission, but without faith what would we have? So I'm super grateful that I have this opportunity to learn and challenge my faith because life is just going to get harder, but it's also going to get better. In Ether 12:6, it talks about the trial of your faith and there's still a trial going on, but we're pushing right on! At the beginning of this transfer we had a district meeting and setting a goal of how many baptisms do we see Zadar having by the end of the year. We went to our own little areas and prayed to receive revelation. I did some reflection a few days ago about that experience and realized I'm not acting like a missionary who received revelation for the baptisms in Zadar. Now when I'm bummed and I don't want to go out in the rain because I'm sick or maybe I can call someone and stay inside a little longer, I remember that number and think: Is this what it takes to get these baptisms by the end of December? Then I go out anyways. Not a lot happened this week but that's ok because it's just preparing us for next week. And if this week isn't it that's ok because it's supposed to happen. As long as I'm doing what I need to do, then it's ok. It will happen. I don't know how especially because our numbers have been super low the past few weeks, but I know it will happen. To je to. That's that. Now will you go out and be the missionary you need to be for your area every day? I know if you do, you'll find joy and happiness that I wish I had before my mission. I was happy before, but I can't express the joy I feel now. Volim vas puno! Ugodan tjedan!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #41

Pad ili Ljeto?-Fall or Summer?

So today we went out to an island (Uglijan-where they had the 40th celebration) for a hike, and it felt like summer. I can't believe that it's the end of October. I'm still waiting for the cold to come in. Ok so I'm ready for another Rijeka jolt. Again, it was a rough week, but I know the blessings are going to just come in. The middle of my second transfer, I remember how rough it was. Our members weren't helping us, we had a few investigators, and those with baptismal dates weren't going through, it was just rough. Now everyone in our branch is sick or a different problem and we only had four lessons with investigators total. Joj (Oh boy), it was rough. But the last two weeks before I left Rijeka, we had 8 new investigators! And things were looking so up. Yes, I left before we could see where that could go, but I know the blessings are going to come. I've seen them come before and I know they can come again. I feel it! I have no idea how this upcoming week is going to go, but I do know that what I do today will impact my tomorrow and hopefully impact others along the way. For that's the reason why I'm here on a mission. A scripture that fits what I'm feeling perfectly is in Mosiah 4:6. I have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God and everything that comes with that. So I'll put my trust in him and be diligent and continue in faith until the end. This is short, but it's to the point of what I want to say. No matter how many times we go through trials. No matter how much pain we go through in life. There's always a way out. There's an end to the means. But there's no end to God's love. I know this because I feel it right now, even as I write, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Because it's only through the power of the Holy Ghost can we know the truth of spiritual things that we cannot see. Even through this rough time, I am so grateful to be here. Because it's living through these small trials now that I'll be able to live through the big trials throughout my life when I get home. But even those big trials are a small moment in the eternal perspective. I love you all so much and I'm grateful for the impact you have been to me throughout my life! Volim vas! Papa! (little kid's good-bye)

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #40

Dalje-Onward

This week we had a rough couple of days. Our first investigator that we found together, dropped us. She read on-line that we don't smoke or drink coffee and told us that she can't do that. We tried to explain over the phone, but she was just scared to change. We asked if we could come over and explain why we believe that way and she said no. But she did say we can call in a few months and see how it's going. I'm bummed that she's scared and doesn't want to change, but I'm grateful that she found truth on the Internet instead of other junk that people find. So when she's ready to change, she knows what to expect and knows the truth of our message. She's just not ready...yet :) Then after that day another investigator dropped us because (I think) influence from people in her church and she can't go to two churches. That day we also found out one of our investigators isn't committed to reading and praying, and just wants company to talk about her problems but isn't willing to fix her problems. So we had those rough couple of days, but then we had zone conference. I just love zone conference. It just rejuvenates me and gets me excited to keep moving forward! We've had these rough couple of days, but I KNOW that we can have 100 baptisms by the end of the year. After these few days, I was thinking about it at night and wondered, "How are we going to achieve our goal if these experiences keep happening?" I was quickly comforted that this will still happen. It may not happen on my time, (which I wanted it to happen for instance yesterday) but it will happen in the due time of the Lord. This morning, Sestra CC and I were talking about faith in Alma 32 and in verses 35 and 36, it talks about tasting the light and knowing it's good then "after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith" I have tasted a few times that the miracle of having 100 baptisms in this mission is going to happen, but is my knowledge perfect? No, I don't know exactly how or when it's going to happen, I just have to keep moving forward that it will happen. Then through my faith and the faith of others, this miracle will happen. We just have to exercise that faith. Show we are ready to receive that knowledge. I already have the assurance it's going to happen. Now I need to show my faith and willingness to make it happen. I have past my 1/2 way point this week. It was really weird to think I am now on the downhill side of my mission, but then I thought, no, this is the uphill part. It's going to be even harder to push even more, but I want to become what the Lord wants me to become at the top of the hill, I just have to learn and progress along the way. We're moving onward to find those who are ready to be baptized and show that first fruit of repentance so they can continually return to their Heavenly Father, and I know we are teaching some who are ready, we just have to help them realize that. Pray that we might be able to teach in unity with the Spirit, so we can help them understand what the teacher is trying to tell them. And my invitation to you all is to find that faith within you and when (not if) the trial to test your faith comes, be grateful for it, because Heavenly Father trusts you to have this experience to grow. He knows you'll overcome and become a better person if you just let Him. Trust Him. He knows us better. Ugodan tjedan! (Have a good week!) Volim vas bolje nego jućer a manje nego sutra! (I love you better than yesterday, and less than tomorrow! On a wall we found in Zadar. Cute right?) Volim vas puno!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #39

Ne Još-Not yet

I know I said there was going to be exciting news, but nothing really super great...yet. Don't get me wrong, there were many miracles of the week. We have 3 new investigators. Many potentials saying this week or next week will be better to meet. I had a cold but was able to keep going and then it stopped by last night so I wouldn't have to use all of P-day getting better. And even though we asked for people to be baptized and none of them accepted, I still feel the Holy Ghost comforting me that there will be not just one but many baptisms here in Zadar soon. I can't wait! So I won't. We'll get back out there. Ask for more people to be baptized because we know this is the path for them on their way back to God. Yes, we all live this path of life seeing different details and stumbling over different rocks, but we all need to go through the gate of baptism with the right key and continue on the path towards God's house. That's the only way. There's one investigator in particular we've been working with and she knows this is truth. She sees it in our eyes :) But it's just having her realize and see that she needs the gospel right now and it can help with her life right now. She's the most focused Croat that I've ever seen. She really looks into our souls and listens with her heart, now it's just getting her head to listen too.

General Conference this weekend. What a great time! We were able to listen to the first 2 sessions in English and the Sunday morning in Croatian, but what a weekend! Especially the announcement from Pres. Monson. What?!?!? We were going quite crazy about the whole thing. We talked about it later and I just thought how different my life would have been if I had left at 19. I would have been home by now! But yet I know that if I could change the past 3 years, I wouldn't have. Me going on a mission when I was 21, was the best time for me. So far in my life, I couldn't have asked for a better one. Now I know many friends and cousins who are considering to go. All my advice is to pray and know when is the best time for you. I know 21 was the best for me. 19 might be the best for you. 28 might be the best time. But something that we should be doing all the time is in D&C 50:13-14. "Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question--unto what were ye ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth." A mission has made me realize what is really important. Yes, consider a mission and I would love to hear that you are going, but what I would love even more to hear are missionary experiences you are having right at home. It's rough. It's tough knowing what friends or family members would say. You might feel awkward or feel like it's not your place. I understand, but what I understand even more now is that it's possible. Keep being great! Keep reading and praying! Heavenly Father is there right along with you helping you become better and pushing you along the way. Volim vas puno!!!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #38

Jeste li spremni?-Are you ready?

So this week was full of sooo closes (I don't know how else to call it shortly). The woman we found the week before at first was going to shut us down because she read something she didn't like, but after some explaining and the Spirit working on her, she accepted to read the Book of Mormon and meet again. Then after that it just felt like we went from person to person that would accept to meet sometime but not at the moment or not this week. This last week on Friday, as a mission, we had 30 new investigators. They told us that if every companionship gets one new investigator then we'll overcome our latest record which was 44. We were working so hard to find a new investigator and there was one woman who said she would love to meet with us right then, but her son should be there any minute so we set up a time for today. So we went to person to person and found 3 people last night that we set up lessons with for later this week, but not this last weekend. It was a bummer to us, but we are excited for this upcoming week! Despite that we didn't find a new investigator, our mission found 60 new investigators last week!!! It was so great to see that and hear the success! But this week it's our turn, the success is going to come out this week and explode. Sestra CC and I are ready. Are you ready? I'm not sure if I have told this to you all or not, but the mission has a goal by the end of the year to have 100 baptisms. This is the most in the history of this mission. That means every city, not companionship, in the mission to have 4 baptisms by December 31. It is so possible. Especially seeing the miracles that are happening and the doors that are opening up, it's totally possible, and not only that but God wants it to happen. So all we have to do is align our will with his and to je to (that's that). We'll have more than 100 baptisms by the end of the year and the branches will grow into wards before we even know it. In Luke 1:37, it reminded me of this mission right now. With God, nothing is impossible. He wants so much for this area and He's prepared the people to accept the gospel right now, I know it! I can't wait to share more of those miracles later. Have a great week! Volim vas!!!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #37

Gdje si lekcija?-Where are you lesson?

The title has to do with a story that I'll share later. But yes, I started with a great week training Sestra Compare. Sestra Compare and I have a mutual friend who I've been best friends with since we were little and Sestra Compare became best friends with this girl when they were in Africa together and deciding to go on missions together. It has been fun being caught up in this girl's life (who is on a mission right now) and hear some fun news about home. When Sestra Compare first arrived, I didn't realize that I had connections with 4/5 missionaries that arrived. First was Sestra Compare of course, and then Sestra Giles came to the MTC for our last TRC lesson (I forgot what it stands for, but it's when returned missionaries or pretty much anyone who comes in and volunteers and we practice teaching a lesson to them). Another connection was about an elder that one of my best friends ran into. I told about him a little bit the beginning of July. But it was nice to see a face to the name. Then a surprise I thought wasn't going to happen until next transfer. So one of the elders told me that his mom's last name is Jolley, so we figured out that we were 2nd cousins! I remembered my parents telling me that I had a cousin coming to the mission, but I forgot when. So it was fun to talk to him a bit, and another fun fact, is that another elder in this mission found out that his great-great-great grandpa's last name was Jolley. So we did some genealogy research and found out that we have the same great-something grandpa. And if you think that's crazy, one missionary who used to be here and his brother is coming in a transfer has the same last name as my Grandma's maiden name. So I think we'll just have some family reunions here in the Adriatic North Mission :) Crazy, huh? So it was fun on Tuesday to make all these connections. Then I found out Sestra Compare was going to be my new companion and we've had a great, busy week finding, teaching, and proclaiming the gospel!

The first few nights I felt a little bad because we weren't having the success like I was hoping for Sestra Compare's first week. Yes, we did find quite a few great potentials, but we didn't have any lessons with them only scheduled lessons for this upcoming week. So I was praying yesterday that we can at least have one lesson, so Sestra Compare can know what it's like to teach someone who hasn't already accepted the gospel. Before we went tracting yesterday, I was feeling it. The Holy Ghost was pushing me that yes we were going to have a lesson that night and we would have our first new investigator together. So I was excited and we went to a certain area we prayed about and there were a lot of closed doors and good conversations, but those conversations turned into a no. So it was about 7:45 and we were quite far away from home so we needed to end soon so we could get home by 9. After one of those conversations I said out loud, "Gdje si lekcija?" "Where are you lesson?" And Sestra Compare said simply, "The next door. Right there." So we walked up and talked to this lady who was outside with her son on the computer, asked about God and went into the Book of Mormon. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and what it was. Testified to her, and you could just see the Holy Ghost working in her through her eyes. She was touched. We asked if we could talk more about how she could use the Book of Mormon in her life for 10 minutes, but she said she was too busy at the moment. So we set up another time on Wednesday and Sestra Compare ended with a prayer. Our first lesson together with our first new investigator. It was so great. We celebrated a bit right after and I loved how we found her together. I am so grateful that she was able to experience that joy.

We have a potential investigator we're meeting with on Saturday, and she emphasized a lot on there's one God. She's talked to missionaries in the past, and I think she has the mind set (along with a bunch of people) that as long as you're a good person and do good things, we'll all return back to God. That's true, but there's more. I was thinking about it this morning and figured out that it's about following Jesus Christ. Being obedient to the example he set. In Mosiah 2:41, it promises us that as long as we're obedient then we can have temporal and spiritual blessings now and in the life to come. But we have to follow the commandments now. This is why I'm here on a mission. I'm telling people what the commandments are, so that they can choose for themselves if they want that happiness or not. Yes, there's one God and he is love, but we have to follow the commandments and know what those commandments are in order to return back to him. I love the gospel! I love being on a mission so I can realize all these truths! For God is my loving Heavenly Father and I know that I can return back to him one day as long as I listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and follow Christ's example. Will you follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost and follow Christ's example with me? I know if you do that you'll see the blessings in this life and the blessings that will come in the next life. Volim vas!!! Vidimo se!


Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #36

Nove Promijene-New Changes

So crazy last week. I'm killing off my companion (aka she is going home). We just went from place to place talking to people she wanted to have one last lesson with and we tried to get ready for a baptism. Sadly the baptism didn't go through because we didn't get permission from the mom, BUT we did make progress, so I'm really hoping that the next few weeks there will be a baptism for this girl who has been wanting to be baptized for almost 5 years. More exciting/nerve racking news is that I will be training this transfer. AHH!!!! I don't feel old enough to train but then I realized that I will be hitting my 9 month mark next month. Weird. This has been a crazy ride. Again this is a short letter this week because we need to head to Zagreb, but I want to leave with the scripture in Words of Mormon 1:8. To me this is my purpose and describes exactly how I feel. I pray to God about my brethren that they may once again come to a knowledge of God and that we may rejoice together and be a delightsome people. I hope you feel this way towards the people around you and let's just celebrate together that we have knowledge that God's there and has a plan for our mistakes and to help us learn and grow. Thank goodness!!! I love you all a lot and we'll hear from each other next week! Volim vas puno i čujemo se sledeći tjedan!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #35

Ljubljana-Ljubljana

This week I went on an exchange to Ljubljana!!! That's the capital of Slovenia! Now you might be wondering if the languages are the same or why a Croatian missionary is going to a different country for 5 days. So first off the languages have the same great-great-great grandpa but now they're way different. There are some grammar principles or words that are the same, but essentially I felt like a greenie again. It was great!!! It was difficult at times, but I remembered to look for body language because that is what helped me the most. I also saw how the Slovenian zone worked and I gained some insights and of course there were some things that wouldn't work in Croatia, but I have loved this experience and enjoyed remembering some things I need to work on and some ideas to make Zadar better. This week is going to be really short because we are headed off to Lake Bled!!! (google it, the Alps are in the background) Since this is probably my only time in Slovenia we're going to Bled to see the sights. But I want to leave with a success story and a scripture. The sisters found this woman tracting and she accepted baptism pretty much the first lesson. She's working on quitting smoking, but her heart is so pure and intune with the Spirit. It's wonderful!!! But the part that I was involved with is that this woman's friend came on one lesson and then called a few days later and was like, "So I'm going to get baptized the same day, ok?" We didn't even have to ask her if she wanted to get baptized, she invited herself! There are so many people that are prepared all around us. It's wonderful!!! This week we used Moroni 7:16 a lot. The light of Christ is in all of us so we can determine good and evil, but it's also good to remember that the light of Christ is in everyone else too. So look for the good in everyone!!! They need your love! Pure love! Volim vas puno!!!

Volim vas,

Sestra Jolley

Week #34

Zahvalnost- Gratitude

We found a great new investigator!!! We found her on our way to a lesson. Tried to talk about the gospel at first, but the subject got changed. So we small chit chatted and then she brought up what we believed about God. We asked her what she believes and see if there are similarities. The first 10 minutes we were exactly the same. The only difference after that conversation was what's God's name. She is Hara Krishna with a Catholic background and is interested in learning more about what we believe. We set up an appointment the next day (she didn't want to meet at her place because of all the dogs and everyone who lives there, we'll work on that :) ) and at first she didn't arrive. So we just sat at the designated place for about 10 minutes and then we got up to leave and she came up to us. She was busy that night, but she read the Plan of Salvation pamphlet we gave her and was really interested in learning more. I gave her a Book of Mormon and she said that she would read it, but she wants to do more than just read. She wants to discuss and learn. So we got her number (something she also was reluctant to give us the day before), and we're calling her today to see when we can meet. I'm very excited about her. She really does want to learn more and is searching for what God wants her to do. :D

Yesterday I had a neat little experience. Sestra C was on the phone, and I was just sitting until we could keep going. But in the mean time I was watching this elderly woman who took off her slipper and tried to zip up the zipper with one hand (the other one didn't work for some reason). At first I thought she got it, but then she stopped and tried again. On that second time, I walked over and asked if she would like some help. She said no at first, but as I walked away and looked back, she was looking at me. I asked her again if she would like some help. She nodded her head. I zipped up the zipper and put her foot in the slipper. She said thank you then I walked away. When I got back to Sestra C, I looked at the lady and she looked at me and started crossing herself and pointing to her heart. She was blessing me. It was so touching. I grabbed a Plan of Salvation pamphlet to give to her. She was still crossing herself and pointing to her heart and saying bless you while I gave it to her. She was so grateful for that little act I did for her. It reminded me of the story of the 10 lepers and only one coming back to say thank you. (Luke 17:11-19) She was so grateful for that little act and sometimes I am like the 9 lepers and forget to say thank you, even for the littlest things. A thing I noticed in verse 19 was interesting to me. Christ had already healed this man, and he said, "Thy faith had made thee whole." My first thought was that this man was already whole, so why did he say that? But then I realized that he was healed from leprosy and then when he came back, the man was made entirely whole-spiritually and physically. So as we say thank you to our Heavenly Father, we are becoming more and more whole/perfect. It was a nice little thought I had for personal study this morning :) Hope all of your scripture studies have been going well and don't forget to say Hvala! (Thanks) Volim vas!!!

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #33

Vrijedi Duše-Worth of a soul

The baptism this week was wonderful. She needed to be baptized on Saturday and she was so excited the whole week. It was so cute on Thursday before and after the interview. She was just so jiggly with excitement and I loved seeing that happiness. Then when she was baptized by the branch president, her son, it was so great to see the ordinance done in the family. We talked to her yesterday, and she still had chills from the whole weekend. She knows what she did was right. It was such a blessing.


This week's scripture is D&C 18:10. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." Seeing the first woman become baptized and seeing that joy was just a relief from all the frustration and hard things I've gone through thus far on my mission. But everyone I come in contact with (even those who slam the doors in our faces) I feel a love for them. Seeing these glimpses of what God sees is an amazing feeling. I'm so happy that God has blessed me with the ability to see these moments. Look for the worth in every soul, because every soul is precious to God. He needs us to be physical tools to show that love. Thank you all for showing your love to me and influencing me my entire life! Volim vas!!!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #32

Da je bilo najbolje vrijema i najgorji vrijema-It was the best of times and the worst of times.
That is a synopsis of what the rest of this transfer is going to be like missionary style. We are going to have the best few weeks because of everything that's going to happen, but it's going to be stinking rough.

There is a family here that is quite famous throughout Croatia (church wise). The dad was baptized about 4 years ago and all three kids have been involved with the church. The mom was involved too until about 2 years ago. We have no idea what happened but a lot of misunderstanding and hurt has happened in her life.

The next blessing of this week is our baptism on Saturday!!! She is the one I wrote about last week, and she is getting baptized on Saturday! What a blessing for me to be at her last steps towards baptism and her first steps as a member and partaker of the blessings. It's been rough even last week after her amazing experience with knowing that baptism is the way for her, but it's been worth it seeing the joy on her face. I'm excited to send pictures next week :)

This week I've been doing a lot of reconciling to what the Lord wants despite what my human flesh wants to do. In 2 Nephi 10:24 it reminds me to reconcile to God and of course not to the devil, but it was interesting that it says not to reconcile to the flesh too. Every one gets tired sometimes, but don't submit to the flesh! Go do what Heavenly Father wants you to do!!! It's been great to see what Heavenly Father makes of us and helps us to overcome. I'm amazed everyday seeing the change in myself from the checkpoint of entering the MTC, entering Croatia, even coming here to Zadar. I can't express anymore love for these people. There is so much hate towards others, religions, and even God. I'm needed here to make a difference. And you're needed there to make a difference. There are no coincidences. Volim vas puno!

Week #31

Dokaz Vjere-Evidence of Faith

The end part of the week Sestra C was sick, so I had plenty of opportunities to study and work on an activity book for a less active who was worried her four-year-old had too much energy. But she came and the activity book was a success and kept him quiet (enough) during sacrament meeting plus the candy a member brought kept his mouth occupied :) But it's the day before Sestra C got sick is the "Evidence of Faith" part. So with an investigator that has been seeing the missionaries for about 5 months was at the point of just not being sure if baptism was the right path for her. Then after some talking her concern came out. She was afraid of losing her faith, the love of God, everything to do with religion, after she was baptized. She was just scared of what the future would bring. That's when the Spirit just took over. Things were said, and it ended up with all of us kneeling on the ground. Sestra C suggested for each of us to say a prayer out loud starting with her, then me, then our investigator. Sestra C and I prayed for different concerns and blessings that she needed to get through those concerns. Then the investigator ended with a prayer that you could just feel her plea to her Father that she didn't want him to leave. She was so scared. After we finished, funny moment was that right then her daughter walked in. You could see she felt so awkward and I wonder if she also felt the Spirit was so strong and felt uncomfortable being there. It was interesting. But when we got up she just kept putting her hand to her chest and saying, "My heart...my heart feels...I don't know how to explain it." We confirmed to her that it was the Holy Ghost. Then Sestra Creager asked her, "Do you know what you need to do now?" She said, "Yes, I need to get baptized." BAH! She's been saying the entire time I've been here that she has so many questions and that she doesn't know enough. Sestra Creager then asked, "Do you have any questions?" She replied, "No. I know enough." AH!!! It was such an amazing night. I can't even describe the power it has. Every time we talk about it with someone or even as I'm writing right now, I feel the strength of what happened that night, and this woman is ready. She is ready to have the gospel and the full blessings from it in her life. Here's an evidence of the faith and my joy is described like Lehi (1 Nephi 8:12) just great joy. Now feeling that joy again; it gives me strength to keep going and share that joy with some one else. Now I'm asking everyone who is reading this: Have you felt this joy? If so, who are you willing to share it with? Because I can promise you that they need to feel that joy. Everyone needs to feel this joy whether it's someone who is super strong in the gospel or the neighbor down the street that barely knows what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is about. Share. Uplift. Love. Those are my words to you. Ide i podijeli dobru rijeć! Go and share the good word! Volim vas puno! Ćao!

Week #30

Oko Vjere-Eye of Faith

This week was a great week! It included many lessons and great encounters with the Holy Ghost! It started off with us going tracting, but we didn't have too much time, so we were like Nephi in 1 Nephi 4:6 being led by the Spirit and not knowing before hand what we were doing. We just walked and said this street, this street, ok let's start. Then the first house we came to the gate was locked but the next house their were these ladies sitting outside. Had a little conversation and then they invited us in. We started talking about the plan of salvation and then she said there was no way we could become like God. We tried to get through her concern, but it felt like hitting wall after wall after wall. Then at the end of the conversation we asked if we could meet again and she said, "Zašto ne?" "Why not?" That took us off by surprised and then I don't remember how this came up, but we talked about the Book of Mormon and she said she had one even though she hasn't read any of it yet. We talked that we would talk about it more next time. Haven't met again yet, but it was pretty cool that we prayed to find someone that night who would listen to us and it happened. Expect miracles from your prayers!

The next super awesome experience was when we had our "What Desirest Thou?" experience. Where we were like Nephi (again) in 1 Nephi 11 and prayed and pondered about our area. Then when we heard "What desirest thou?" (verse 2) we expressed what we desired for our area (vs 3) and showed our faith. Then we received revelation for our area of what the Lord sees for the area and what we need to do. It was such an amazing experience! The Lord desires great things for the people of Zadar the next few months. I just hope I can do my part to see that these things get done! Because we see this area now with an "eye of faith" (Ether 12:19). Sestra C and I see so much for this area and our desires are lined up with the Lord's desires. That's what seeing with an eye of faith means. We line up our will with the Lord's, even if we don't know how we're going to get there. We'll do it! AHH!!! I'm excited :D

So we started our part with a family that the kids have been waiting to be baptized for so long, but the mom is having a hard time seeing the blessings of the gospel because of some bad experiences. One kid is baptized because she is old enough, but the other two are still under 18. We had a lesson with all of them and it turned out a lot differently then what we expected. Let's just say by the end we had 7 referrals!!! (The last 5 months, I've only had 2 referrals: someone who was selling us coffee and the other on the bus just passing the buck onto someone else aka not very likely). But these referrals we went through them with the girls of every single girl what they can do to help them receive the gospel and what us missionaries will do. It was so great!!! I'm excited to see how our plans work out this week!

Our other miracle was a woman we have been working with and has a baptismal date. She has been going through a rough time and still isn't for sure about baptism. We had a great lesson with lots of testifying and reaching concerns, and coming out of the lesson both of us just felt like she will be ready and will know a week before her baptismal date. Exciting times! I'm ready to see the trials that will come the next few weeks, but seeing with an eye of faith will help us overcome those trials, so it's like just stepping over a small boulder. We will have to climb a bit over it, but it won't be bad. BAH!!! Nemogu čekati!!! I can't wait! But I know it will come and go before I know it. So I'm just loving the moments as they come :) Love the moments that come to you! Because before you know it the season you are in will come and go. Uživajte! Enjoy! I love you so much! Until next time! Volim vas puno! Do druge put!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #29

Dom Bolestan-The Home is Sick

The literal translation of Dom Bolestan is "the home is sick" and I thought that would be more funny than whatever the actual word for homesick is :) And I'm not homesick for America, but I was home sick for Rijeka. I was comfortable there and knew my way around and what to do. Now I feel like my role as a missionary has changed quite a bit because this area needs more of a focus on the enduring to the end part than baptizing. Don't get me wrong there are still people we are teaching and bringing into the gospel, but I just feel the role has changed to a different focus. And I can just feel the sense of community wanting to come out of these members and investigators, but they don't know how. So I'm excited to help these people feel the love for each other and to grow and become one unit. It's great :)

This last week for the youth we had a pioneer trek to help them feel more of a sense of what the pioneers in America went through and also the pioneers in Croatia. Then we wanted it to all come together and help them realize that they are pioneers making their own footsteps. It was a good experience for them and I think they made some connections. The coolest part for me was to see one of the girls bring a friend and help the friend see this way of living. She turned to me at one point and asked if we smoked. I told her, no and she asked why. But then we got distracted so I didn't answer her question. But we saw her and a group of her friends later that day, and she waved at us! To me this was very surprising because Mormon missionaries aren't the most highly looked at people in Zadar, and she is a teenager who we just forced to walk 7-8 miles, so I was expecting her totally ignore us. But she didn't so we'll see what happens at the next youth activity.

I gained a testimony this week of bringing members on lessons. We brought one of our recent converts on a lesson with us and we encouraged her to teach the lesson. She was wonderful! Then when the investigator had concerns, the convert would look at us, ask if she could answer, and then say, "I had the exact same concern..." then share her experience. It was so good for our investigator to see that she's not the only one. It's been great to see both of these women grow in just 2 weeks. I love missionary work!

I'm starting the Book of Mormon over again, but this time summarizing the chapter and then a lesson summary of what I could do with a recent convert or less active in that chapter. It's been so great! So the scripture for this week is 1 Nephi 9:5. Sometimes we don't know why the Lord asks us to do certain things. For instance, why sisters left Rijeka and now serve in Zadar. But the Lord commanded it for a wise purpose in him. So just do it and have faith! For the Lord knows better than any man or woman (Mosiah 4:9), so believe and do it! I have no idea what future I have because I chose to go on a mission, but I know for sure that it's for the better. The purpose? I don't know if there is a specific purpose, but I know there are many purposes. Now for you? I have no idea why God has asked you to do certain things, but I do know for sure that there's at least one purpose for it and through time we can see the many purposes from it. Keep going! Be strong! Follow the Lord and it will all come out right. Volim vas puno! Do sljeduća vrijema! Until next time!

Sa vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #28

Pozdrav od Zadra! Greetings from Zadar!

Oh my. It's been crazy busy! I feel like I'm just going from one lesson to the next. It's an interesting dynamic for me from going to a place where we had to work up to be super busy with people to a place where I just got off the bus and headed to a lesson (seriously 20 minutes after I got off the bus we were in a lesson). It's been difficult putting in all the Zadar history in my head in one week, but I also see the blessings of new eyes at a place. I just add ideas of what we could do for people and different takes on what they could be feeling. Then we pray, have faith and go in with a plan! Then the Spirit takes over and does the rest :) The thing about Zadar for me that there are all these families that aren't complete. But now is the time to complete them! That's one of our focuses this transfer, and I know it's what the Lord wants us to do this transfer too. So expect baptisms this transfer! I know I'm being confident and bold but that's what I need to be. Bam. The family we're most focused on is this family with 3 kids. The dad was baptized 4 years ago and 2 of the kids wanted to be baptized pretty much a few months later, but the mom doesn't understand why they need to be baptized. So all of the kids have been actively dry members of the church since then. After a lot of teaching and trying, the mom gave consent for one daughter to be baptized since she was 18. The daughter didn't want to get baptized without her mom being ok with it. So that's why she didn't just go on ahead. But the mom hasn't given consent for the other two children, so our goal is to get them all baptized this transfer. Oh and just so you know, there was a church article about the 40th which you can read by clicking on this address:
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62558/Anniversary-observance-Churchs-beginnings-in-former-Yugoslavia-observed.html

The scripture of the week is Jacob 5:71 because it talks about laboring in the vineyard with all your might and finding joy. I feel like that all the time. I know the last few weeks in Rijeka were hard, but I just wanted to let you know that there was still joy. Even though I couldn't see the change in those people, there were changes going on and I could see the change in myself. I'm so excited to see the changes here in Zadar because they are just ready to come out. Like what a senior couple told us, "This is a game of hide and seek. They are the ones hiding and we are the ones seeking." So I just want to declare Olly, Olly, oxen free! (or something like that) and have everyone who is ready, to come out and join us and be happier! Have more knowledge of what true happiness is and become prepared to meet God! For that's our purpose in life, and we will need to show that we know it. So everyone (not just missionaries) declare this out and let's step forward together against Satan so he can't harm anymore. Keep it up! Don't lose faith! The Lord is with thee. So say hi to him, talk a bit, and follow his counsel! :) Volim vas puno! Do sledeći put! Until next time!

Week #27

Blago Milosrđe-Treasures of Mercy

Every night before we start planning for the day, we talk about the mercies of the day. This week had a lot and it was a result from the trials of a few weeks ago. So on Wednesday night, we were talking to President Rowe and at the end of the conversation he gave us an assignment. To every person, we were to act like we would never see them again. So we needed to be bold. He said that if we offended people because we were telling them to repent and get over their sins, he didn't care. He just wanted us to be bold and push ourselves. So the next day we pushed ourselves. There's one particular person I talked to on the bus. I would have stopped and just gave him a pamphlet, but I kept pushing that he needed this truth. I didn't have an extra Book of Mormon, so I took the little things out of my Book of Mormon and gave it to him. He said that it wasn't necessary. And I told him, "No, it is necessary. You need to read this book. You need truth." Because I was so persistent, that changed his heart to see that I was holding something special. I don't know if he's read it, he was leaving town the next day, but I know that this week I said what I wanted to say. Which is a good thing because it's transfer time and I'm leaving beautiful Rijeka to....drumroll....Zadar!!! The only other sea city in our mission :) I'm so excited because that is where the church started in Yugoslavia. Krešmir Ćosić lived there and everyone in Croatia loves him. (If you don't know anything about him, look him up on Google. He had a pretty amazing life.) The sad thing is that I'll leave the people of Rijeka especially the investigators and branch members. The harder thing is that Sister L is leaving too! She's going to Osijek and there are no other sisters coming here... So we have to put all our investigators on the Elders workload. I really hope they can handle it. Because the last two weeks we found 8 new investigators! It's been cool to see after our hard moment we were able to see so many people who are so willing to read the Book of Mormon and find out for themselves. But I'll have to just hear about it because I'm starting a new tomorrow. It's so weird. All I've known is Rijeka. Change is an exciting thing, but it's hard. I don't know what the future is going to be. It reminds me of new investigators and when they enter the waters of baptism. It's a new life. So much changes, but the gospel builds on some one's knowledge, not completely erase it. So it's something that I'll be experiencing. I have had a wonderful 6 months so far and I'll only add on that and have even more success with Sister Cr (it's her last transfer so we're going to make it her best!)

Our latest new investigator we found during a hard tracting night a week ago and she said we could come back on Sunday. I thought she was just going to blow us off on Sunday or tell us that we're nice girls but no. (It's happened plenty of times before.) No she let us in and she was so ready to find out truth! She had some great questions and whenever we revealed something unique about the gospel (baptizing at 8 years old, having a prophet today,...), she would reply "That makes sense" or "I've thought of that too!" It was sooo great! Both Sister L and I just came out of the lesson with smiles on our faces. I'm sad that we won't have another lesson with that woman and her son who said he would like to read the Book of Mormon too. BAH! It was awesome :D


I have two funny stories. In my zeal to talk and push our English students because of President's request, I got in an interesting conversation about the gold plates with one English student. She had read the first part of the Book of Mormon about Joseph Smith's experience and the testimonies. She asked me some questions and I thought I understood what she said and answered correctly. But then a member who was kind of listening in on our conversation asked me when I had seen the gold plates. That caught me off guard and I told him that I hadn't. Then I made the connections and I had told the English student that only a few people have seen the plates and I was one of them. Opa! (oops!) Good thing she was there and I was able to straighten it out. Pa joj. I'm learning every day. Which brings me to the second story. In my talk on Sunday, I was baring my testimony and letting the branch know how much I loved working with them. Well in English, I wanted to say "I will miss you all." But the verb "faliti" means "to be missed". So what I ended us saying was "I will be missed to you all." haha I know I want them to miss me but I didn't think I would force it on them ;)

The investigator with a baptismal date but is smoking now and is having tons of trials with work and her husband, we saw her this morning before we went off to finish up packing and all the other hundreds of things we need to do today, and I shared with her the scripture in 2 Nephi 25:23. I told her that if she did her best to stop smoking and try to get to church that Heavenly Father would help her find a new job and everything will just work out, BUT she needs to do all that she can do. I'm not sure if she actually will, but I know that what I said was true. I can't even count how many times Heavenly Father has given me the strength especially during school to do all the things I needed to do, because I didn't give up. I kept pushing and Heavenly Father pushed me farther. And I know this is true for you too. I don't know what you're all going through, but Heavenly Father knows. He's there for us. I think of it like I'm this little child learning how to walk. Heavenly Father can't carry me around everywhere. It's not like he can't, but I won't learn if I don't get up myself. I also have to fall sometimes to realize why it's important to keep walking. I also grow from getting up right after I fall. And I know there are many times when Heavenly Father has caught me just like my father did when I was learning to walk. Keep going! Keep walking! Get up and move! For this is the time to prepare to meet God. We have this wonderful opportunity to fall and learn how to stand up. We will live for eternity, but we only have this one time to be mortal. We are so blessed to show our faith and do what Heavenly Father knows is best for us. I'm grateful for this time to be a missionary. I only have this short time to focus all my efforts on bringing people to truth. I feel like I have been training the last 6 months, so now I have the chance to start over in Zadar and build on my knowledge. Ugodan tjedan! Have a good week!  Volim vas puno!!!

Week #26

Brdska Željeznica-Roller Coaster

I'm going to say the bad news like ripping off a band-aid. Just doing it fast. So our first investigator with a baptismal date is slowly going down hill and losing faith, and it seems like the more we meet, the worse it's getting. Please pray for her. The second investigator with a baptismal date seems to be opposite and growing in faith every time we meet. But the only problem is that she can't seem to make it to church :( Every week she comes up with a new excuse... People keep thinking we're Jehovah Witnesses or they don't want to listen to us because they watched an hour long BBC broadcast about "the truth of Mormons"...to sum it up, it's not true. Then we're having hard time keeping faith among our members...nothing that really needs details, but so you know that these are the downs. But it's ok, now the pain's over :)

We have two new investigators who are totally searching for truth!!! One was a college-aged student who is Atheist and when we asked if he ever wondered if God existed and if he wanted to find out how to know, he said sure. We taught him a lesson a few days later, and he said he would read but he's not sure if he's willing to really search right now. But he asked many great questions and is willing to come over to the church for activities and things. He's not sure if he's searching, but he definitely is looking for something. The other investigator is a man we talked to last night. He said he was sick of asking for truth and not finding answers. So we told him that the truth was in the Book of Mormon. We weren't able to go in since his wife wasn't home, but we gave a lesson to him right there on the steps. He seemed very accepting and was willing to meet up again tomorrow with his wife. AH! He said he was willing to do anything to find truth. I'll let you know what happens next week :)

So after a district meeting, we talked about the authority we have as missionaries. We focused especially on when we get let in doors, give a lesson, then have a prayer. Many of these people usually just let us in because they pity us for trying and just let us in to give us some juice or water maybe some cookies if they feel really charitable. But our duty as missionaries is to teach the gospel to everyone even if they're not ready to except right now. Another thing we can do is have them write something down in their "Book of Evidences" where they will remember the missionaries, so the next time they hear the word Mormon, they'll think about to that experience. And typically that experience happens during the closing prayer. If we pray for them and their families and whatever trials they are going through, we can bless them. So after this great district meeting, Sestra L and I went tracting. We talked to this woman and at first she was very closed but asked us how we came to choose Croatia for a mission. I told her we didn't choose because we have a prophet who knows where we need to be and I testified to her right there that that is why I was there. So I could tell her that we have a living prophet and we have a message to tell everyone. You could just see the change in her face. After talking a little bit, we asked her if we could pray with her. She invited us in, it was my turn to give the prayer and I simply asked for her to be blessed, in her work and family. She loved the prayer and offered us water and just told us all of her problems. I didn't realize everything that was going on at work, it was going down hill and she didn't know what to do because she would have to move and a lot of other stresses. She didn't want to set up a return appointment, but she said we could call. So we called the next week to see how work was going and she was soo happy!!! Everything went right for her at work the previous week and she said it was because of us. So when we asked if we could meet with her, what do you think she said? :) DA!!! Never underestimate the power of prayer and what the Lord wants to happen.

Another fun follow-up is with a man that we saw about a month ago. We thought he was drunk, but gave him a pamphlet anyways. We saw him again and then asked if he read the pamphlet we gave him. He said yes and liked it and that his wife had read it too. We asked if we could meet with them. He said yes, and we went right then and taught a lesson with him and his wife. It was about 5 minutes because the wife is sick (they're an older couple) and was really tired, but they said we can come back and talk more later. Another reason why I shouldn't underestimate every person I talk to. We thought this guy was mocking us and asking for a pamphlet just to prove us wrong about something in it. But no, he's just another child of God looking for hope and guidance.

I received a letter from one of my best friends today and she told me that she met a total stranger last week, and he was going to the Adriatic North mission (my mission) and has been reading my blog updates. It was a hit to reality for me that these updates aren't just for my family and friends. So here's a shout out for all those entering the MTC in the near future. Be ready! Be excited! I cannot think of a better place for me right now or for those people I talk to every day. They need you! Yes it's going to be tough, but PA DA (OH YES), IT'S WORTH IT! Now a shout out for those who are about to go to the Adriatic North mission, you are blessed!!! This is the time to be a missionary in Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Bosnia. This last month we had 19 baptisms making 38 baptisms for this year (more than what this mission had all last year!) And the baptisms just keep coming in. Be ready. It's going to be tough, but it's going to be worth it. You can just feel the change and the growth that is happening and how the Lord is watching over these people. Words can't express it. You'll see for yourself in just a few short months.

So that is plenty for an update of this last week. We talked to a Jehovah Witness and it was sad to me that he said that they don't believe in miracles like in Bible times. That's so sad for God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In Mormon 9:19 it talks more about miracles and that God "is a God of miracles." I see miracles all the time from the physical miracles to the healing of the heart. I know this to be true because I feel the healing all the time in my own heart. For those grieving or need a healing of some sort, look to Christ and be healed. Don't doubt. He's there. Love you all and for all your prayers for me and the other missionaries of the world! We need it, but we need you to stay strong too. So keep it up! Keep being awesome! Volim vas puno puno puno!!!

Week #25

Glistening :)

My dad or mom once told me that girls don't sweat, but they glisten. Oh boy, it's the time for glistening. I don't remember ever being in hotter weather. Whenever we ask people how they are nowadays, 98.756% of the answers are "hot". The other answers are "could be better". Then they say "it's hot". So eventually we talk about the weather and that it's quite warm outside. So I think I should stop saying it has been a rough week because it seems the Lord keeps letting us know that it could be worse. It was alright until Saturday, we tried to meet with 4 people with a member and everyone wasn't there or bailed. She's never been on a lesson before so I felt super bad that that night was her first impression of missionary work outside of her own experience. Then yesterday, we had a lesson with an investigator we've met with for about 2 months now and she still hasn't read any of the Book of Mormon, so we told her we couldn't come by anymore until she actually read. She said she would but she's been saying that since day 1...Then we went by another investigator's house. On the way we saw one of our investigator's husband. She has a baptismal date and he asked if we were going to go by and see his wife. We said we didn't plan to because she said she had work on Sundays all day. He said she wasn't home at the time, but that she never has work on Sundays and usually goes to her parents house up the hill. That just confused us. Why would she lie to us the last few weeks that she has work on Sundays and so she can't come to church? So we kept going and went to the investigator we first were going to see and she told us at the door she's too busy to meet with us and tried to give us back the Book of Mormon. We told her we didn't want it and told her to keep it. We asked if there was anything we could do, and she kept saying no and was really sorry. She truly was sorry. We both wanted to cry after that. But we kept going and contacted some more people on the street before returning home for the night. No potential investigators, but we kept going and that's the point. I read a talk Robert D. Hales gave about 10 Axioms we need in life and one was "it's not the obstacles that counts, but how you overcome it." I totally thought about just going home and crying. I thought, "It's close enough to 9." My heart hurt. I wasn't sure if I could handle rejection anymore. But Sestra L and I just kept talking to people. And I KNOW that was what Heavenly Father wanted us to do. He never wants us to sit down and give up. He wants us to learn and move on, find ways to become better. Russel M. Nelson said, "Perfection doesn't come in this life but the next life." We're asked to be perfect like our Father, but we won't see that perfection in this life. What we do in this life will help us be perfect in the life to come, but we have to do our part now. In Helaman 10:4-5, God told Nephi he was blessed for his "unwearyingness" in declaring the word and "has not sought thine own life, but has sought my will". I have to go unwearyingly. Even when people decide not to take the happiness I'm telling them about. Then I have to keep trying, keep finding ways to help them see that actually yes, they do want this happiness. Because I know that if they just knew what this gospel could do for them, they would not hesitate to accept. But how are they to know if I don't tell them? So I will keep going. Keep trying to find ways to show Heavenly Father's love for them. These people need to be blessed. There's so much hurt and sadness from the war here, but they are ready for change. For hope again. Many of them just don't realize that they're ready. So I'll keep going and keep talking to people. Yes, sometimes they don't understand what I say, but usually after I say what the Lord wants me to try to say. They say they understand. Either through the Holy Ghost telling them what to do or Heavenly Father just put the words in my mouth, they understood. It's amazing how mindful Heavenly Father is of every one of us. How much he knows what we can handle and what we are capable of. So don't give up! Keep finding ways for the Lord to bless you. He will show you what to do. Ja znam. I know it. Love you so much! Until next week!