Week #62

Sad je vremena-Now is the time

So after last week's stressful time with V, it ended up being really good for her. She really showed how much she really wants to get baptized. First off, she was a bit confused and distraught why she wasn't getting baptized, but we had a good lesson surrounding Mormon 9:28-29 and D&C 82:3. We taught her that this time before her baptism was a probation time, that she needs to prepare so she knows how to deal with the temptations. She was so disappointed finding out that temptations are still going to happen even after baptism. Haha, good thing that she knows now, so she can know how she needs to endure. She was understanding that. We met with her a few more times throughout the week and by the end of the week, we can see her countenance change completely! She was so ready and was understanding so well! She even told us of a few experiences with her friends telling her she shouldn't get baptized or that they don't want to be her friend anymore because she's joining "the Mormons." But she told them that she decided it and there's nothing that can stop her now. This whole last week, we haven't smelled any smoke on her, and we even popped in unexpectedly during the morning where she has the hardest times. I really feel like this is it. She's ready to receive that strength from the Holy Ghost. It's that time to step up.

Another investigator, L, feels like Joseph Smith. She is the one that has been meeting with the Jehovah Witnesses and she feels good with all of us, but doesn't know which one is best for her. She even had a dream telling her that the Jehovah Witnesses are not the path for her, and she still doesn't know what to do! I think she's just afraid to get an answer right now, because that will mean she has to change. But we'll see how this week goes.

We had many less-actives we have been working with come to church this last week! It was so great! I can't wait to have them come on their own and help those they live with at home and at church to enjoy what they feel.

We had a concert on Friday. It was so nerve wracking! I'm a planner, and we didn't plan this at all. But it worked out great. I played Cherished Moments by Jon Schmidt and a duet with Sestra B My Heavenly Father Loves Me arr. Sally Deford. We also sang a duet called The Prayer of the Children it's a song written by a missionary who served in Serbia. This song can be found on Youtube probably and I heard that the pictures are African children, but if you listen closely to the song, it's about children during a war, the war between Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia. It's a really touching song and I didn't realize that until I sang to these Croatians who were the children in this song. When I sang and looked into their eyes, it was too hard not to cry. There's so much pain in this world, but thank goodness for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I filled some time during Sacrament meeting yesterday and I talked about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I quoted how we can feel like Alma in Alma 36:20. We feel so much pain, but we can also feel so much joy! Find the joy in life! Find the hope and comfort we can receive from our Savior everyday. If you're not feeling it, then I can guarantee there's something you need to change. Everyday we need to change so we can feel this peace. Find it. It's worth it. I know this and try to live it every day. Volim vas!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #61

Najteži Čas-The Hardest Moment

This week was full of goodness and heartache. I'll just start off with why I put the hardest moment as the title of this e-mail. This week V had quit smoking! I was so excited. She had a new energy about her and her husband was super excited for her. Supporting her through and through. We were so excited and I was feeling like this was it. That she's going to make it. Sunday came around and I sat by her at church. She smelled like smoke. You could smell it on her clothes and on her breath. I denied it at first. She has smoker friends and I thought maybe she just had really bad breath. Then she opened her bag to get her Book of Mormon out and I saw a pack of cigarettes. My heart sunk. I prayed for guidance of what I should do, so I asked her after church how stop smoking has been going. She said that she hadn't smoked at all. :( After a few more minutes, I took her to the side and told her that she smelled like smoke, she denied. I then said I saw a pack of cigarettes in her purse. She said that it was empty and that it was old. She took it out and showed that it indeed was empty, but the pack looked too nice to have been in a purse for a week. It broke my heart. I prayed for what needed to be done because she needed to stop smoking a week before getting baptized. I prayed again and I was told I needed to tell her she's not ready to be baptized. I had no idea how to tell this woman that she couldn't get baptized. How can I break her heart for something that she's been looking forward to? So we went to her place and I had no idea where to go. She was surprised we were there, and we small chitchatted and said a prayer. Then we were prompted to one thing and then to another. Then the moment came that I had to tell her. I knew how to say it and that it was the right time to say it, but a part of me didn't want to. This woman has been one of my focuses since coming to Osijek and what we've been working so hard for, I was telling her she couldn't have. I looked at Sestra G (because we were on an exchange) because a part of me was hoping that she would do it, but then once I looked at her, I knew I had to do it. No one else could say this but me. Of all the hardships and trials I have faced on my mission, this was the hardest I think I have experienced. I have so much love for this woman and I want her to be blessed, but because of her actions of disobedience, she can't. Brings a bit more perspective about how God feels for us huh? I didn't call her out and told her we knew she was smoking despite her denials. I just told her with love that the Holy Ghost told me that she needed to wait. She asked why and I asked her if she knew why. She said no, so we kept talking about that she needs to be the strongest she can be before baptism, so when she is baptized, she can tell people that for a surety she knows. That was so hard. But it is what she needs. I've seen so many members here and I'm sure they're in America too that their missionaries thought they were ready but they weren't strong enough. It's so sad. So I'm going on with faith that it will all work out. Because it will, we just need to keep doing the things we need to do. And that's the goodness part of this week. Sestra G came and did an exchange here. We have been together before in Ljubljana and she came here and polished me up. It's been great. Now when Sestra B comes back, we'll press forward with momentum, urgency and effectiveness! This week's scripture is Luke 1:37. Have the faith and keep moving forward! Volim vas!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #60

Prvi Zadnji-The First Last

Yesterday was the first last that I could count on for sure. As I have left areas, there is always the chance for me to come back to serve there, but this time I knew it was the last one. We had a district conference in Zagreb with all of Croatia. These only happen twice a year, and the next one will probably be in November or December. So this is the last. It felt weird to think about. There's an elder in my district who is going home the end of April and it was weird to both of us that this might be the last time we see some of these people. I tried not to cry when the Zadar people left and then I couldn't hold it any more when the Rijeka people left. I love these people so much and it was hard to watch them leave. I hope I'll be able to see them again, but if not in this life time, in the next.

The conference was intense! V, our investigator who was going to be baptized on Saturday, smoked on Monday, so she couldn't be baptized. They need to be off at least a week. So we sent a text our to everyone involved to say a prayer for her to help her have the strength to stop. On Tuesday, we met with her, and she had an amazing story of being at her friend's place smoking a cigarette and then all of a sudden she felt super sick. She threw up all over the place and knew that smoking was bad for her! She told herself that she had to stop smoking. So she was good until Saturday. When we picked her up to go to the conference in Zagreb, she smelled like smoke. She said it was because of her smoking before and the smell was still on her. Then when we were in Zagreb, she disappeared for about 10 minutes and then I saw her again and she strongly smelled of smoke. I was devastated!!! So during the night meeting, she left almost to the end and I told Sis. B we needed to go after her. So we followed her and she said she was waiting for a call from her husband. Which was true and I think this is the first time she's slept a night without her husband for a long time. So she talked to her husband and then she said she needed to step outside for some air. We said we would like to do that too, and then she said she was going to light a cigarette. We asked her why and it just got really intense and by this point the conference was over and people were coming out. We went in a room to talk more and she was super stressed saying all these things like that she wasn't strong enough to quit and that she wasn't ready to be baptized or anything. I asked her if she wouldn't mind getting a blessing. She was being really stubborn (and I pointed that out to her) and said no. We explained more about blessings and how they are a blessing directly from God. Pretty much instantly after that, Elder I our senior elder, came in and I asked Veronika if it's ok that I ask him to give her a blessing. She said yes. He went and grabbed the branch president in Zagreb and another priesthood holder. He gave a beautiful blessing about strength and enduring. Afterwards, she felt a lot better. She went with another member and the next day I asked her about if she had smoked and she said no and she feels like she won't. She looked in her bag later that night and couldn't find her cigarettes! She doesn't know where they went! This morning she called and she was so happy and said that she's done with not enduring and when can we come over and talk about her baptism! I couldn't believe. After that intense night with the blessing, Sestra B and I were sooo exhausted! I decided I could never become emergency help or a doctor because I couldn't handle that intensity all the time! But I'm so grateful that we were able to help save V's life.

Today we went to Đakovo and we stayed longer than we planned, so we're running super late! But I know that miracles come after the trial of our faith! Ether 12:12!!! I'm experiencing that every day! Volim vas!!!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #59

Kišapada Blagoslova-Raining of Blessings

Intense week! We went to Zagreb with President R, and it was great! We talked about the area and our companionship like how we plan and work in the area. He gave some good ideas how to focus our efforts and making our "jar of missionary work" filled with rocks instead of filling it with sand first. We arrived in Zagreb and enjoyed my first, in a long time, family home evening with teenagers and little kids. It was so much fun. Slept then the next morning went to the doctor's and received a diagnosis for Sestra B. Every thing's good, she just has low blood pressure. Prescription: more water and salt. So we are on a new diet and it's been really good for both of us which is great because the following week was busy full of finding and teaching!!! We went to many different homes of former investigators and two accepted to hear about the gospel again :) Then along with our time of tracting, two families (both single mothers) are interested to learn more about who we are and "what makes us have so much faith." On Wednesday, we did something I've never done on my mission: splits. Sestra Burton went to V's with a member and I went to a less-active member's home with the senior sister, Sestra I. We both had good, powerful lessons. It was hard because we both wanted to be there for both of the lessons, but the work needs to hasten. So we will be going on splits a lot more which is amazing to me that we have the capability and busyness to do that! Fun fact, we went to a less-active family this last week and they live about 3 kilometers from Hungary. So I saw Hungary for the first time this last week. Weird huh? Last Friday, we had a wonderful activity which I think about 40 people came (usually about 10-15 come each Friday). The church was more full than I have seen it my whole time here! And about half were non members! But one of the best parts was that V came to church, she even came an hour early! She thought it started at 9, but we hustled over after finding out she was early and then had a lesson with her before church started. It was so great! All these blessings just kept pouring and I haven't even mentioned half of the things that happened this week! I'm just grateful to gather the blessings and then keep going forward, so God can bless these people even more.

While I was talking with President R, he mentioned how I'm in an interesting part in my mission. I'm getting comfortable with the language and missionary work. Now what? Then he challenged me to study sacrifice. Therefore, this past week, I've been studying sacrifice mainly with Abraham's sacrifice. There are many things that I could point out, but the part that hit me most was that Abraham knew he was to sacrifice Isaac and he kept going having faith in God. I know if I was him that a lot of the time, I would be hoping that the ram would come along the first day or even when they arrived at the mountain, so I wouldn't have to get to the point of sacrificing my only son. I can only imagine what was going through Abraham's mind the entire time, but he had enough faith and obedience to raise the knife. Then God stopped him and blessed him with one of the greatest blessings heard. The trials we live through, the sacrifices we experience are hard. But the blessings come after we experience them. I can't even count the amount of times of nights we tracted but it's the last few minutes we are let in and have a wonderful lesson (like last night with one of the single mothers). And I know that's how it's going to be the rest of my life. I will be living through a trial, trying and finding the blessings, but then the greatest blessing comes in the last moment. Because Heavenly Father wants us to prove ourselves. Who am I? What am I willing to give up or put in? What will I do? Heavenly Father knows what we will do, but do we? We live through these trials so that we can prove to ourselves that we can do it. We can be faithful. We can have great faith. We can do it. Keep going! Find the faith! And then the blessings will come. Volim vas!

 

 

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #58

Što znaći vjera?- What does faith mean?

Sad news. Sestra B started getting dizzy this last week and it remains constant. Sometimes she is more dizzy than other times, but when she's not as dizzy usually she has a headache and it gets stronger all the time. So as she has been talking to the mission nurse and the area doctor, they decided we should go to Zagreb to have her see a doctor. Therefore after we have interviews with Pres. R, he's taking us up Zagreb. Three and a half hours with Pres. R...it will be an interesting ride. No, it will be good. I've just never had that much almost alone time, so it will be interesting. Then tomorrow we're going to the doctor and hopefully be back in Osijek right after that :) But I brought the area book just in case if we have some down time in Zagreb. Then we'll be heading to Zagreb again in 2 weeks for District Conference! I'm so excited!!! I'll see the people from Rijeka AND Zadar! I've missed them and can't wait to see them again, probably for the last time before I leave my mission :( But I'll see them and it will be great :)

Because of Sestra B's health weirdness, we've been taking it easy the last week. So my vision for Osijek couldn't be fulfilled this last week, but we're preparing for when we get back for all steam ahead!

This last week we were able to meet with V who set a baptismal date! She chose March 2!!! All she needs to do is stop smoking. We made a goal for tomorrow to be her last day, so hopefully that will be that. But she is just the sweetest little woman. She's ready to receive the blessings of the gospel.

This week I've been pondering a lot on what faith means. We talk about having faith throughout our trials, and an investigator of ours is going through a rough trial right now. She asked for a miracle and I said that the miracle will come when we have faith and quoted Pres. Monson that, "Our future is as bright as our faith." She replied that her future isn't very bright then because her faith is really down. She asked why she had to go through these trials when she didn't do anything to deserve it. I replied to prove ourselves. That we have to give our all at all times. It's hard because the question comes up "What is our all?" I gave her the example of Sestra B being sick right now, but she's a missionary. Why does she have to be sick when she's here for Him? There is something for us to learn. I referred her to this last conference when Elder Neil L. Andersen gave a talk Trial of Your Faith. It talks a little bit more about why and how we can go through trials. The scripture I thought for this week was D&C 98:12. When we're given a trial, it's the time for us to prove ourselves and show how faithful we are. This last week while Sestra B has had to rest, I had the opportunity to prove myself. I hope the way I used my time calling investigators, members, former investigators, and potentials was a good use of time. Hopefully it will help us be ready the next week when she gets back on her feet and ready to go! So my challenge for all of you is that during whatever trial you are going through right now, pray and ask Heavenly Father what you need to learn. I know I've been learning a lot this week and I will continue to learn as I continue on my mission. I love the trials that come about, because it gives me a chance to prove my faith by doing something. I'm so grateful to be here on a mission. Volim vas!!!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #57

Anđeli-Angels

At first when I was thinking of this week, I was bummed because I thought that we hadn't reached what I wanted to see by the end of the week. But then as I looked more closely, I saw all the miracles that happened this week. Yes, we didn't reach where I wanted us to be, but we reached where we needed to be to start this next week. It started with a lesson with some Jehovah Witnesses. When Sestra B first told me we had some Jehovah Witnesses investigators. I was super nervous. All of my previous contact with Jehovah Witnesses went from frustrating to them yelling. So I was not too excited. But as we talked with them, they were open and just wanted to understand why we thought the way we do. It was great. We're meeting with them again tonight and I pray that the Spirit will speak to their hearts. Their minds are open, but they need to just open their hearts so the Holy Ghost can guide them to truth. A few other miracles this week was that we found an investigator whom we didn't have their number and she was always gone when we went to her place. We were walking on the street and just happened to meet with her. We then got her number and plan to meet with them this week. Another miracle is that a member's mom who wasn't willing to find truth a few years ago said that she is searching and needs help. She's ready now to learn what we and her daughter believes. Meeting with her tomorrow. These are just a few of the miracles this week. But most of all was that we met with V and her husband N. The lesson was all Spirit driven. Before the lesson, N wouldn't let V get baptized because she has been baptized before. Now she can get baptized. He still thinks that getting baptized, no matter the authority, is not right, but he will support his wife because he loves her. We were talking to her on the phone later and she said that N said we were a blessing to their home. I was so excited. He loves what we bring, but he just doesn't realize what it is that we bring. Helaman 5:36 describes my thoughts for these people perfectly. A Nephite who had once belonged to the church saw the faces of Nephi and Lehi (the missionaries there) through the cloud of darkness and saw their faces shining as angels and saw them seeing their eyes lift to heaven and talking as if they were talking to someone. Many people here are looking at us through clouds of darkness and see us as angels. They don't understand the feelings we bring and what we talk about. But when they understand, they know where to look to. They see the angels in their life and the miracles and how to receive more blessings in their life. It's amazing to me. I can't believe how much more love and desire I can feel for these people. I want the best for them and I can't wait to see what this next week brings. I hope we can reach my desire for them this week, but if not, then I pray I do the Lord's desire for us and them this week. I pray that you will do what the Lord desires for you this week too. Volim vas!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće

Week #56

Jesam li u Americi?-Am I in America?

So I ask if I'm in America because I feel like we're busy enough now that it's like we're missionaries in America (Or at least from my perception). Most of my mission, we go out tracting or stop people on the street at least for an hour each day. The next three days are already booked and we have barely been tracting or contacting people on the street the last two weeks! I'm amazed that I'm in Croatia! I knew that Croatia would one day get to this point when I was in Rijeka and Zadar, but I'm seeing it here and now in Osijek. Wow, what a blessing. I'm just grateful for all the hard work of previous missionaries because I know how hard it must have been and now there are so many people who are willing to listen because they have had some contact with the missionaries or they are willing to just listen. It's been very nice. Yes, we talk to some people who aren't nice, naravno (naturally). But there's a special difference here, and I'm grateful to be here at this time.

One woman in particular, V, has been wanting to get baptized, but her husband doesn't understand authority and thinks since she has been baptized she doesn't need to again. But she feels the difference. The only problem is that she's still smoking. She's tried to stop several times, but it hasn't been sticking. So we'll keep trying and it will be great :) And the elders are teaching a few guys who are so close to. It's exciting!!!

I was reading in Helaman this last week and loved chapter 3 especially verse 25! The thought of being "astonished beyond measure" makes me think of Osijek. Osijek can get to the point of amazing people beyond measure. When missionaries, including myself, are called to this area of the world, people just speak about how hard it will probably be and that you don't see much success. And now I think, "Much success? Compared to whom?" Yes, if we were compared to Brazil, well yeah then it seems like it's small, but I'm so grateful to say I see success everyday. Going to three lessons yesterday and three new investigators coming out of it, to me that's one success. Going to church and seeing 3 less-active and two investigators come to church. That's another success. Going home at the end of the day so tired but so happy. That's success. Now having success beyond measure. That I'm excited to see, and Osijek can do it. Another verse which caught my eye was 35. Fast and pray oft. See the growth in your faith. Feel the purification of the Atonement from the Holy Ghost. And all this can happen as we yield our hearts unto God. I'm sooo sooo soooo grateful to be here, right now, in this time in my life. This mission has truly changed my life and I will always be in debt to my Heavenly Father for blessing me to be in this mission so I can learn who I am, what I'm made of, and see the miracles these people create from their faith every day. For miracles are happening everyday as we have faith. So keep up the faith! Allow God to bless you! For he surely does. I know this. Volim vas! Ćao!

S vjećnom ljubavlju,
Vaša kćer,

Sestra Kristine Jolley
Uvijek Sljedići Braće