Oh the adventures in Serbia! This transfer we have had a rough start- but hopefully things only go up from here! My companion is Sister Calderón- she is from Finland & is pretty cool. We white washed into an old Elders apartment and oh boy! The floor is broken, the sinks all leak, and the list goes on! But little by little our landlord is trying to fix things. We live in a big commy block built during the time of Tito! We have lots of sweet neighbors and a cute little park by us.
We had zone conference this week! President and Sister Melonakos are so amazing! I learned so much and am so grateful for inspired leaders. They give their all to the Lord & serve Him with everything they have!
Serbia is really cool! The language is coming along ok! It's funny, we run into people on the street who say 'Serbian and Croatian are basically the same language' then the next person will say 'Serbian and Croatian are complete different languages'. It makes me laugh at all the different opinions on it. But in general- they are the same language. Some of my favorite language practice is when we talk to the old women in the park! They are really helpful with language questions I have, or telling me about their favorites things about Serbia! There Serbian pride comes out in full colors(: But when we talk about religion- they sometimes don't want to continue talking.. Or they do want to talk to me about there faith but not really listen to mine, hehe.
We have had a lot of finding time! Which means we've met a lot of cool people! The other day in the park we ran into the sweetest old couple! They accepted a Book of Mormon and wanted us to come over with Conference talks from President Nelson! At the end of that conversation a women ran up to us and started yelling ' sect!!! They are a sect!!' She continued to yell in her angry Serbian until the sweet couple we gave the Book of Mormon to said 'Do you know the definition of a sect, these girls are NOT a sect.' It made me so happy that this couple stood up for us! I have met so many sweet people here in Serbia! They are so very patient with my broken Serbian or standing up for us when people yell sect at us(:
Today we visited some Pravoslav temples. Really cool historical sights. It is so weird to me that in these temples they have souvenir stands & that tourists go in and out taking pictures and videos(guilty of the following as you will see). All
while people are worshipping and trying to become closer to God. I am so grateful that our holy houses of worship aren't used for selling souvenirs...
This week I have thought a lot about the enabling power of Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ has redeeming qualities, but it also has enabling qualities. I was laying in bed the other night thinking of all the tender mercies that carried me through the day. (The sweet grandma who waved at us, the 4 year old boy who almost ran us over on his bike while he laughed so loud the world could hear, the hymns I sang when times got tough, etc.) I always called these my "tender mercies" or "little miracles". But then it hit me- those were all little things that enabled me to keep moving forward. All these tender mercies ARE the enabling power of Jesus Christ. I know for a fact that weak and prideful me cannot be a missionary by my shear will power or drive. I need the Savior's enabling power every single day to help me improve as a missionary and sometimes just survive. These last few weeks I have learned so much about The Atonement. None of us are EVER alone on this journey. If we rely on the Savior and His enabling power, things will get better. Even if that 'better' is just a sweet smile or a friendly conversation. Or even if that 'better' is just a prayer of plea for help that gets answered by an overwhelming feeling of love.
Matthew 11
28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
while people are worshipping and trying to become closer to God. I am so grateful that our holy houses of worship aren't used for selling souvenirs...
This week I have thought a lot about the enabling power of Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ has redeeming qualities, but it also has enabling qualities. I was laying in bed the other night thinking of all the tender mercies that carried me through the day. (The sweet grandma who waved at us, the 4 year old boy who almost ran us over on his bike while he laughed so loud the world could hear, the hymns I sang when times got tough, etc.) I always called these my "tender mercies" or "little miracles". But then it hit me- those were all little things that enabled me to keep moving forward. All these tender mercies ARE the enabling power of Jesus Christ. I know for a fact that weak and prideful me cannot be a missionary by my shear will power or drive. I need the Savior's enabling power every single day to help me improve as a missionary and sometimes just survive. These last few weeks I have learned so much about The Atonement. None of us are EVER alone on this journey. If we rely on the Savior and His enabling power, things will get better. Even if that 'better' is just a sweet smile or a friendly conversation. Or even if that 'better' is just a prayer of plea for help that gets answered by an overwhelming feeling of love.
Matthew 11
28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Thanks for all the love and support!
Love you all!
Hurrah for Israel!!
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