Week 12 in Plzen

Ahoj! 21 Apr 2014 This week was really great. We got to teach Simona and her daughters every night, and they are just amazing. The girls all have strong testimonies even though they are only 10 and they are the cutest. They were telling us that their teacher at school is an atheist and often talks about how God doesn't exist, so most of their friends don't believe either. But these girls are so amazing--they testified to their friends that they know that God answers prayers, and that they were getting baptized on Saturday.I wish you could meet them! We had a miracle on Friday, because Simona still wasn't quite sure that she had gotten her answer when they came for their interviews, but by the time we sat down to have a lesson she said something like, everything in my life is going really well so I guess that's my answer. And then we started to read 3 Nephi 17, and two verses in, she gasped and started crying as she felt the Spirit confirm that she was making the right choice. It was so neat because I didn't even feel that inspired that morning when I picked that chapter--I just thought, it's when Christ heals the children, so I think it will be special for the girls. But it turns out that their mom was the one that needed to hear it. Roksana, her best friend and a member, just kept asking how did you pick that chapter?? it was perfect! I just said that we prayed about it. It was just such a testimony to me that God really does guide our steps--so much more than I think I will ever realize. That was what she needed to hear--that this is what her girls need. It was amazing. Saturday was the baptism! It was beautiful, in this little lake by the village of Stenovice. It had been cold all week, but during the baptism it was so sunny and warm that we didn't even need coats. The girls were pretty scared about the cold water, but they made it haha. And President McConkie showed up as a surprise and played his violin on the top of the cliff looking down at us, aah it was so beautiful. And then yesterday was the best Easter ever, because all of them got confirmed, along with one of the elder's investigators who got baptized too. The Spirit was so strong the whole sacrament meeting--it was really special. And they are so happy. Ah being a missionary is the best. It was the perfect time to just really think about what the Savior means to me, and it was probably one of the best experiences I've ever had taking the sacrament--it means so much more to me now than it ever has before. The atonement really is such a gift. That was definitely the highlight of the week--I didn't really think about anything else! My comp is the best, we just laugh all the time. We rearranged our apartment this morning so it's much more homey, that was fun. Some funny moments this week--this old lady tried to force feed us wafers even though we told her we were fasting for Simona, so we ended up having to hide them in our bags hahaha. Czech grandmas....another one interrupted our lesson and was like do you cook?? We said yeah of course,when we have time... But she wasn't convinced and then proceeded to pray that we would learn how to cook so that we can get married when we get home and have kids, and that we wouldn't live off of bread and water like prisoners.hahahaha we just died of laughter the second she left, it was soo funny. No idea how she got that idea into her head, but it is actually true that we never have time to eat dinner. But that's ok cause we are teaching lessons--we just have to eat on the way. Oh it was hilarious. Other than that....we managed to make it through Easter without getting whipped! haha.(Easter is more on Monday than Sunday here) They aren't supposed to do it after noon, but who knows what will happen at fhe tonight haha. I bought one this year so i'll get to bring it home :) Jitka explained more about the tradition--it's a pagan thing, supposed to bring women health. And girls are supposed to give the boys dyed eggs in return. But if they whip you after noonyou get to throw water on them. haha gotta love it. Plus one of the czech grandmas in the branch made us all of us missionaries a little easter dinner to take home, so that was awesome. A potato loaf--kind of like quiche, pickles, a special easter bread and some fruit :) It was pretty good. And we dyed eggs last night. So it was fun. love you all! Happy Easter!