You know you are starting to get old when . . .

 . . . When you go to the local senior citizen's center to hear your high school Madrigal sing and one of the ladies selling at the boutique asks you if you are there for the senior meal! Needless to say, I didn't buy anything they were selling! Really? Do I look like a senior citizen?

Madrigals with Santa in the middle. I am not pictured as I might be mistaken as Mrs. Claus.

You know you are starting to get old when . . . you announce in Relief Society that you are about to become a grandmother! This is wonderful news, of course. But suddenly the wrinkles around my eyes are starting to look like furrows in the grain field. Excuse my rural upbringing, but that is the best simile I can come up with. Another problem is emerging: my new handle. I don't want to be called "Grandma."  I am currently taking suggestions in this regard. Here are some frontrunners: Grammee, Nana (too Peter Pan dog-like), Grandmommy, Groovy Gran, Nan, and Professor. I like Nan, but my kids all think it sounds ridiculous.

 . . . when the lights at Temple Square don't seem to be color coordinated any more. And it felt like the lines at Disneyland walking around the Square. But we did run into our missionary's companion who was delayed getting to Poland. She was temporarily reassigned to TS, and we got to hug her and hear her about her love for our daughter just two days before she flew to Poland and hugged our daughter. A true tender mercy!

Our missionary with her companions at the MTC. Now all three are in Poland.

You know you are starting to get old when . . . you go skiing with your daughter and she is four months pregnant and you are having a harder time buckling up your ski boots than she is . . . when you are thrilled to successfully get off the ski lift and enjoy the view---pine trees displaying powder white snow against a crystal blue sky----almost more than the ski run down . . . when you are thrilled when you are still in one piece when you finish for the day and you've only made three ski runs. . . . when the large amount of snow powder scares you to death.

 . . . when you are holding on so tightly (especially compared to the free spirited daughter behind you!) that you can't straighten out your fingers until the cruise ship is back from the Bahamas, and you have flown home from Florida to Utah.

And finally, you know when you are old when your social calendar means the fun in funeral viewings. Five in two months!

Christmas in Poland

We talked to our missionary for a brief 40 minutes on Christmas Day! She sounded happy, but tired. Below are pictures taken by the senior missionary couple, the Harbers, in Lodz on Christmas Day. One of the elders received some interesting red Christmas long johns.

The sisters received scarves. Siostra Harber, Pritchett, and Steadman.When we talked to Siostra Steadman she said she enjoys meeting new people on her mission. One of her investigators, a man she contacted to on the street, said he continued to meet with the missionaries because of the good feelings he had. Of course we know that is the Holy Ghost.

After eating lots of fish on Christmas Eve (Polish/Catholic Christmas tradition), the senior missionaries fed them steak sandwiches. Yum! According to our missionary, children must recite a poem or sing a song to Santa before they can receive a present.

A Missionary Christmas

 Just one week until we get to speak to our missionary in Poland! Time limit--40 minutes. And then we won't hear her voice until Mother's Day. I hope time slows down next Saturday.

Warsaw Zone Christmas Training.



I did receive the package on Saturday! Also the "dear elders letter" from all the cousins, and the RS. thanksgiving card, and my roommate's wedding annoucement a month ago. It was funny because all of the dates said Nov. 12 and I opened them Dec. 12. So really mail takes about a month to come. I am excited to open the letters each day! I feel like I already had Christmas.



Blizzards in Poland

This week has been a snowy week. I have learned that there is no such thing as snow days for missionaries. When everyone stays home because of the weather, we are out heading to where they are at. However, I have no desire to ice skating anytime soon because we already tend to do it often walking from place to place. We have learned it is generally faster to walk everywhere than take a tram. We did unfortunately take a tram to try and contact some formers----stop reading anyone who may be claustrophobic---we were packed in there like sardines. I do believe that I could have taken my feet off the ground, and I wouldn't have moved. Then the tram in front of us broke down. So everyone had to get off, and walk through the deep snow. Tram after tram full of people had to get off. It was a great adventure!

A tram in Lodz, Poland, but the picture is taken in October before the blizzards.

Yesterday, we had an incredible blizzard to the point that all of our appointments cancelled. We went tracting all day long. I came home so tired, but thank you once again for the boots. They allowed to me walk in unpaved sidewalks all day without my feet getting wet.

After one tough tracking time, we ran into an investigator that we haven't been able to meet for two weeks. One of the first things he said is, "I love the Book of Mormon. I am on page 81." Can I just say that hearing that may the whole week a lot better? Oh, there is nothing better to hear.

Thanksgiving in Poland

This blog is out of order since I just found these pictures on Facebook courtesy of the Senior Missionary Couple, Brother and Sister Harber.  Clearly, they don't know Siostra Steadman's ability to drop things!

On Thanksgiving we got together as a district and had a two hour Thanksgiving dinner. It was fun, and of course, I ate too much and regretted  it when we were walking up the 8 flights of stairs to our appointment that night. We also had a Thanksgiving party with the branch on Saturday. It was fun for them to taste American food. It was a great success---lots of members, less actives and investigators attended.

I am not sure why the Polish are famous for sausage. They make some great food, but I definitely would not say that is one of them. However, with beet and horseradish sauce on them they do improve.

According to the Facebook entry by Sister Harber, this was taken at FHE playing Minute to Win it.

I love the members. They are great!

Pizza in Poland

The senior missionary couple and I are now friends on FaceBook! There is Pizza Hut in Poland! Thank you to all the senior missionaries who are there for the younger ones. How grateful I am for this senior couple from Las Vegas who choose to serve the Lord.

Ice Skating in Poland after the baptism. Look at the size of those flakes.

We are still working with some great people who are making some great progress. I hope I will get to stay in Lodz to keep working with them.

I think we have gotten more snow than you :) And luckily it hasn't gotten that cold yet, Dad. We have gotten to -17 C. I think that is the coldest.

Siostra Steadman's first baptism in Lodz!

Siostra Steadman in the back by President Nielson.

The baptism on Saturday was great. We did have a lot of investigators there, which was wonderful, however we only had one member. I was a little frustrated with the members for not showing up, until I found out that the Elders didn't invite them ( We had already asked them 3x who they wanted us to call, and they said that they would take care of it). I guess they are 19 year boys. But the baptism was in this amazing hotel on the top floor with windows all around. You could see the whole city (well kind of there was a blizzard). It made it even more cool because we were in this warm place watching the snow fall. It was beautiful. It was a great reminder of why we are here.

So background story on Romuald- He was the +1 I mentioned earlier in a previous email. He randomly came to church after we gave him a flyer. He started meeting with the Elders and decided to be baptized. Also, the next week his mom came with him. She investigated the church in 1995 and had a baptism date and then got scared off. However, now she is coming weekly and working towards baptism. So you never know what will happen.

Companions at District Meeting and Zone Conference

Last week I went to Warsaw for Zone Conference. It was amazing! It was also fun to see most my MTC district and see that they are about as lost as I am with the language. However, we left Zone conference so ready to go and contact and teach. We have a mission goal to teach a lesson a night (investigators, or new converts /less actives). So we had a lesson set up for when we got back to Lodz. However, on the train that lesson cancelled and we tried calling everyone we could and no go. So we decided to street contact when we got home. However, we stepped off the train to pouring rain. No one was on the street and it was super dark. To top it off a car came by, and you know in the movies where the missionaries get splashed (yeah, not as fun as it looks). So we made it home soaking, but it did not dimish our fire. We have an amazing week. This Sunday we had a high goal of 6 investigators to come to church. Saturday night we tried calling everyone and noone would anwser. We went to bed thinking no one was coming. But 5 investigators showed up on their own! Then another random person just came in and stayed for all of church. He told the Elders that the Sisters (us) gave him a flyer on the street and he decided to come. So 5+1=6 Never doubt!

We also had an amazing district meeting yesterday with President and Sister Nielson. We were told that in order for Warsaw to become a stake, it is dependent on Lodz. I don't know if I told you but the church has property to build a church in Lodz however, they can not until they get at least 85 people coming for 6 months about. Before we left the MTC, my district made a goal to get that chapel built in Lodz. I feel so lucky that I get to work hard on getting this accomplished. We left our meeting feeling the excitement and the energy. Great things are to come in Lodz!
Elder Kopischke, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy visits the Poland Warsaw Mission. Siostra Steadman pictured on second row---wearing pearls!



Yesterday we set a baptismal date with Marcin! December 11th! We are so excited! This was right after our meeting with President Nielson. It was great to report that we are working hard!


I feel like I need at least one more hour in the day. We have been very busy (wonderful) but tiring. We spend half the day in the light and half in the dark. The sun sets around 3 or 4. Oh, I love missionary work. I love the spirit I feel as I watch others make commitments. Sister Pritchett and I have a game where when anything happens that shouldn't, we testify that the church is true! I know it is!

The mists of Poland.

A Letter and Picture from the Mission President

We were excited to receive official notification that our Siostra Steadman is safely in Poland. Here pictured with her mission president and his wife, President Nielson  and Siostra Nielson from Las Vegas, Nevada.

So Wednesday night we were in Lodz and supposed to be in Kato when someone realized the mistake. In order for Sister Pritchett and Starszy Nielson (district leader to get their leadership meeting on time, The APs picked them up and since there was no room in the car for their companions, Starszy Klosowiak and I went to Warsaw together. (Super weird to travel back and forth together). I was asked if we were Jehovah’s Witnesses on the way there. But on the way back we were in a room that had eight seats, and Starszy Klosowiak practically taught the first discussion to the lady next to him. Everyone else was "busy" sleeping or reading. However, one lady didn't turn the page of her book for twenty minutes. We also met this great guy from Iraq going to school in Lodz. He was one pretending to sleep at first but became interested and joined in the conversation. You never know where you will meet people.

I love being on a mission and the amazing people you get to meet. I met a lady who has been a member for 22 years (joined in America) and has an opinion about everything. She would say things like, “I know this because I am 82 years old.” I also met a great new convert who had such pure and simple faith. In his prayer, he was grateful for the air we breathe. With Thanksgiving coming up, what are the simple things you are grateful for?

 A picture of ShaLae and her friend Marissa (serving in the Philippines) after raking leaves in our front yard several years ago.

It was great to get home in Lodz. I already feel attached to this city and especially the members. I love going to church and how friendly everyone is, here everyone greets everyone. I played the hymns in church- something I can do. Although it is quite an experience. First, I am just told the numbers. Second, they are in Polish and in different keys and the titles were cut off. Third, I don't have anytime to practice. So every time we started a hymn I started playing not knowing what song it was.

Also, last week I mentioned Adam and his family, well he came to church and stayed the whole time. It was awesome to have two investigators at church this week. . . . As I spend more time with the Polish people, I see the great need for them to understand the blessings the gospel can bring them. I also understand their agency in saying no, but I hope that perhaps maybe the next time they see missionaries they may be more open. When Christ came to the Americas, it took the people three times to understand what was being said. They had to be ready to listen with not only their ears but their hearts. Sister Pritchett and I may only be the first time they acknowledge or hear the voice, but hopefully by the third time that person will be prepared to listen with his or her heart. I love missionary work, and I want to be able to do more.

"God Leads Us to Find People Who Are Ready to Listen"

Our lessons are going great! It has been amazing to see how God leads us to find people who are ready to listen. On Sunday, we taught a dad and two kids. They must really want to hear the gospel because I was the first one that contacted them while my companion was contacting someone else. They were really patient with my confusing words but they still listened and are coming to church on Sunday.

The large Catholic Cathedral in Lodz.

Even though it has been a very wet week, I love it here. I love how willing people are to talk to strangers. I love being able to share this message of the restored gospel. Many people have started to have doubts about Catholicism and that is where our message can bring them hope.

Marian the Librarian aka Sterling Scholar in Speech and Drama!

We went back in time to 1910 this weekend and saw the Music Man play four times! We had our very own Marian the Librarian to cheer on. Old time bicycles were ridden down the aisles. Lots of hats and bloomers and fun in River City, Iowa.

Shipoopi number. Harold and Marian.

Four soloes and 1 duet with the Barbershop Quartet. She hit a high E! Here singing "Lida Rose."

"Piano Lesson" with Amaryllis.

"There were bells on the hill, but I never heard them ringing . . ."

Dad built the gazebo for the stage. Marian defends Harold and interrupts the Ice Cream Sociable.

Miser Madison left the town the library, but he left all the books to Marian. "Scandalous!" The Pick-A-Little Ladies.

"I love you madly, madly Madame Librarian! Marian!"

Thanks for your support, Aunties!

Thanks for coming, Grandma and Grandpa! Our last high school musical and 20th play overall! 500 hours on the stage and counting!

Chocolate and Food Storage: Polish Women and Priorities

Our missionary responds to important questions such as, "Can you get good European chocolate in Poland?"

So I am still not understanding the language great, but I do know what chocolate means. In Relief Society they kept saying "have lots and lots of chocolate." I was hopeful that this lots of chocolate would make an appearance. It wasn't till afterwards that I learned that they were talking about food storage and the need to have lots of chocolate. But yes, they have great chocolate here; Milky bars are everywhere.

I now understand why Lodz is named boat--I think it has rained the entire week. Even though it has been a very wet week, I love it here. I love how willing people are to talk to strangers. I love being able to share this message of the restored gospel.

Church in Lodz, Poland

Meetinghouse for Lodz Branch, as pictured from the street.

We do have a building for church. I guess the church has had it for a couple of months, but it still smells like new paint. It is in the bottom floor of a building and a Yoga studio is on the floor above. I love the branch. They were very welcoming. I guess they are the Zion members of Poland. We have a pretty big branch of 40 active members. However most of them are sisters, so the Elders still do a lot of the work.

There is an amazing sister in the branch that is a single mom of two boys. We went to visit them the other day, and she was so welcoming, even though I don't speak the language very well. Most of the apartments outside look very run down but many of them look better inside. However most of them are tiny. They live in a one room apartment with the bathroom off to the side with a sheet for a door. It is very humbling to be here and see how generous these people are.

Our missionary arrives in POLAND!

After two days of travel, and placing a Book of Mormon in the SLC airport, our missionary arrived in Poland with a smile on her face! Thanks to the mission blog, we knew her purple luggage made it through four airports.

I love my President and his wife. They are great, and it was nice to be able to stay at the Mission Home for a couple days.

 Our missionary had to wait for her companion who was delayed on a train, but she will be going to Lodz.

Lodz (Woodz) means boat, which is funny because there isn't a body of water anywhere near here. I already love it, though. I have a great companion, Sister Pritchett from California. She also has strawberry-blond hair so we look like we could actually be sisters.

We have had some amazing lessons! We are teaching this really cool boy Szymon who at 11 stopped going to the Catholic Church and now 7 years later is still looking for something else. It was great; he came to the meeting on roller skates and roller bladed through the chapel.


It has been great watching Sister Pritchett and knowing that I too will be able to speak with ease and confidence. I am excited to be here and everyday I feel my testimony grow. I know this church is true. I know that it is through this gospel that people can find true happiness. I love you all and thank you so much for what you have done and what you are doing!

The MTC Adventures

Sister Steadman with her bishop AND her dad. A special blessing for daughter and dad that he could prepare her for her mission and she could be his last missionary as bishop. This was taken her last night at home, right after being set apart as a missionary.



 Didn't you just love conference? It was fun to watch it with all the missionaries except for the hard chairs. I am jealous of you that watched it from a couch! I loved the Saturday morning session especially Elder Holland's talk. Thank you for all the sacrifices each of you have made so that I can be here! Dad- a new temple in you mission! How exciting! One day there will be one in POLAND!

 

 Siostra (Show-stra) Steadman, Stay, and Marshall pointing to Poland. And, evidently, standing in order of height.

I met my two companions: Sister Stay and Sister Marshall. They are both very different. Sister Stay was a dancer and always ready to go, moving fast. Sister Marshall is a scientist and is more methodical. We have got along great and have had some fun. We share a room with two girls going to Bulgaria. Next week we will be the only sisters in our branch.

 I love you all and love hearing from you. I love it here and have had amazing opportunities and adventures. The church is true!



 Learning Polish makes them want to pull out their hair.

Okay---the Language---it is hard! Remember how I took speech for how many years? My mouth wasn't built for this language. I am a walking miracle---the gift of tongues is real. I am learning more than I thought possible. The Lord will help you when you do your best. I am still trying to roll my rs.


Speaking of Polish, here is your random fact for the day. The way you say atonement is Zadoscuezynienie (with some Polish characters.) Then you have to add different endings according to what part it takes in the sentence (See, Mom I am learning my grammar).

 The Polish District at the MTC.

My district is amazing, which is good because we spend the entire day together. We have six elders. Two of them are from Germany, so who knows, maybe I will learn some German, too. The Elders are very courteous, standing when we come in and holding the door for us. We are all trying very hard to understand the language.

I love you all and I miss you. I pray for you. Thank you for all the prayers; they are needed. Remember the Church is true and that if you question it, read the Book of Mormon. It is our physical evidence of the truths.


Siostra Steadman with two friends from SUU. Sister Schmidt going to Ukraine; Sister Whitbeck going to Des Moines, Iowa. They all attended mission prep together.

This Church is true! Heavenly Father has prepared a way for us to return to live with him. He knows and loves us! I pray for all of you. I thank you for all of your prayers. I miss you but I am grateful that I get the opportunity to serve!



I just got back from going to the temple for the last time in 16 months. It was amazing. Go as often as you can; it will bring the needed strength in your life. I definitely needed it as I prepare to go to Poland- did I mention I am going to Poland? Afterwards our district went and talked to one of the Temple Presidency. It was an amazing experience. He pointed out that the gospel was restored at the right time; no other time would have worked before or after. People are the same way. They will be able to receive the restored gospel when it is right for them.



During our temple walk on Sunday, guess who we saw? Donny Osmond of course. He was there with his son/grandson. So I have officially been waved to by the famous Donny Osmond. Yet my favorite part of the day was a little girl named Marcie who wanted to shake the sister missionaries' hands. She was adorable and once again was a reminder of why we were on missions. She also made me miss the family and all the family parties.


 This Saturday night was interesting. While we were all preparing for bed, a sister manged to burn popcorn in the microwave---enough for there to be smoke and all of the fire alarms went off. It was funny to see every sister first reach for her name tag as we were evacuated from the building. We all had to wait in the parking lot as they cleared the building. This also happened to be when the Elders in the MTC Choir were returning. They thought we were having a party. I was asked the next day if the sisters had a nightly activity and if that is why we were always tired. Anyway, we were eventually let back in but since the popcorn was burnt on our floor we had to deal with the smell. Also that night a sister in the next room rolled off her bed and broke her arm. It was quite the night (no worries I sleep on the bottom bunk).:)




Yesterday, I spent most of the day in the real world. Sister's Stay shoulder has been acting up so we went to numerous doctors. I learned a lot about shoulders and x-rays. And Sister Marshall stayed back and took notes for us.  The one thing I noticed was how fast the day went by not being in class. I feel that when we are learning Polish and studying the gospel, time slows down so that we can learn all we need to in the short amount of time we have.


Life at the MTC is going great. I am super busy with little time. Remember when I was so shocked at going out into the real world? Well, now I know all the shuttle drivers, their majors, etc. By the end of today we will have gone to 17 different doctors appointments outside of the MTC and 13 times to the MTC health clinic. I have learned a lot by following my companions to various doctor's visits. (Siostra Steadman doing the physical therapy, pictured above).  But really I have been blessed and still have been able to learn everything that has been taught. I have come to the conclusion that I will not be able to speak fluently or even great when I get to Poland, but I will be able to say Wiem ze- I know that ... So that is all I really need right?

The missionaries going to Bulgaria and Poland.

On Sunday a convert from Bulgaria bore her testimony on how she joined the church and is now serving her mission. She said, "DON'T YOU DARE TO GIVE UP!" "There is someone like me who will take a long time to listen and to understand but will one day find the truth." This was a powerful testimony that we can never give up on what we know is right. Don't you dare.

They told us that they had a "special project" for us. This turned out to be cleaning out all of the drains in the showers for the sisters. Gross! We took pictures, soon to be coming. We showed our elders, and they thought we were killing rats. Yet, we worked together and laughed a lot. Mom- I have decided that you need to come on a mission. The senior couples get the royal treatment. Front row for all of the firesides.

Last week they recorded the Relief Society broadcast and we watched while the Elders had Priesthood. It is always amazing to be together as sisters. I loved President Monson's talk: "if you are judging, you are too busy to love." What a great reminder. After the meeting, because we were done before the Elders, all the 8 sisters on our classroom hall gathered together and just talked. It was fun to hear from sisters from Ireland, Germany, and around the US. Sisters going to Greece and the Czech Republic both put in their papers and they didn't want to learn a language, but here they are. We also talked about how we decided to serve a mission. One sister from Germany shared how she always wanted to serve but at one point wasn't able to even walk because of a back injury. She was told she wouldn't ever walk again. Yet, she was able to heal and even though she still has some pain, she is still serving a mission in Greece. There are amazing people here, grateful for what they have and ready to do all that is asked. I am blessed to be with so many amazing people. We also planned a European trip when we all get back---between the languages we all will know we should be able to travel anywhere in Europe, especially Eastern Europe.


Siostra Steadman and Sister Killian who is going to Bulgaria.