Sunday, June 5, 2016
Boston and Cape Cod Discoveries
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So I had to ask the questions: Am I connected to William? Is he related to my pioneer ancestor Hannah Knight Libby? Is he in my Libby Family book at home? Is his temple work done?
Although there are five William L. Libbys in my family book, I found him by focusing on those born or living in Massachusetts. And look what I found on Ancestry!
This is the information found about his son, Edward. From my Libby book, I learned that William's brother Henry also helped with the move of the factory to Cape Cod.
Edward has a high school named after him in Toledo, and a book has been written about him. As I looked in FamilySearch for William and his family, I discovered that much of the temple work is done for them, However a granddaughter needed to be sealed to the family. I have now reserved that work.
Edward Libbey and his wife Florence. I can't imagine how heavy that hat was.
Henry, William's brother, became very intriguing. According to my Libby book, "Henry followed the sea from the age of 15 and became an eminent ship master. He was in the East India trade and spent four years in the glass business with his brother. In 1879 he took command of a bark sailing for Japan and died of malarial fever off Singapore in 1880." I found Henry's son, born in India, didn't have a wife listed. But his death record lists Mrs. Henry M. Libby. I haven't found her yet, but I found the will of Henry's wife, Anna Nelson Libbey. And in that handwritten document, I found the name of her son-in-law, Laurene or Laurenia Parke (if you can believe it). With that information, I have been able to reserve temple work for Henry's daughter and son-in-law. The Parkes actually came to Salt Lake where Laurene died working as a civil engineer in City Creek Canyon.
Coincidence that I would find this information while in Cape Cod? I think not.
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Friday, October 9, 2015
Danish Pastries, Parishes, and People
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| Copenhagen, Denmark |
My honey and I drove down to southern Denmark and found this beautiful church built in the 1100s!
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| Behind the greenery is a little basket of apples left for visitors to the phone booth. |
I went to the door of the house, and in spite of several "BEWARE OF DOG" signs, I boldly knocked. A cute lady answered, pushing large dogs out of the way with her foot. I asked if she knew when the church was open. She gave the perfect answer: "I have a key!"
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| The very tall part is the bell tower and they rang while we were in the church! Special thanks go to my chauffeur, photographer, and eternal travel companion. |
Her husband, the caretaker, let us in. I was surprised at the rush of emotion that came over me. My hands were shaking, and my heart was pounding. Here was the place that so many of my ancestors, whom I had done temple work for, had been christened, married, and buried.
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| I love the painted frescoes right on the plaster walls. To the left is the baptism bowl where babies would be christened. |
This was an original wooden cross dating back to 1100 on the wall.
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| The pastor preaches from this pulpit. Sunday services are still held in this church. Although the caretaker said few Danes attend church. |
We then asked if we could see church records. He said they were closed and the office would be closed the next day as well. So we asked if he knew of a place we could stay. He said, "Follow me," and drove us to the most charming bed and breakfast about a kilometer down the road:
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| Albertsgaard Bed and Breakfast, Brarup, Denmark |
The cottage came complete with thatched roof! Both this cottage and the big main house were built in the 1820s and restored. So this is what it would have looked like in my ancestor's time. At this point, I had felt a great payoff for my temple work, and if the church was what I was able to see, I was content. But when our cute host named Jytte, (sounds like Utah), saw my fistful of genealogy papers, she offered to help. When we told her the archive office was closed, she said, " I know the woman who works there. I will call and get you an appointment! I will talk her into opening it just for you!" And she did.
While we waited for our appointment, we looked for a neighboring parish where more of my ancestors had been christened. A Danish fog had settled in and we couldn't find the Kippinge church, but stumbled across one in Vaalse. We walked around the burial grounds, and I recognized these names! I had done the temple work for them, and remarkably, I had printed this family group sheet off and had them with me:
Elsa, our wonderful guide at the Archives, bubbled with excitement that we had come to Denmark to find our people. She told us she had journeyed to America for the same reason. She told us of the excitement she felt when she stood in Iowa and Chicago in the footsteps of her ancestors. I told her of my excitement to be in the parish church where my ancestors had stood. Elsa stands all of 5' but has a super-sized serving of the spirit of Elijah!
She brought us the Brarup records ledger and we started to look for Mathias Christensen Boge, the father of my ancestor, Mattias Mattiasen, who joined the church. At this point, my husband showed Elsa the pictures on his cell phone of the grave markers shown above. She put her hand over her mouth in shock. "Those are the names of my friend's parents and grandparents! She also works at these Archives. I will call her. She just got back yesterday from Thailand, but she will be upset if I don't call and tell her relatives from America are here!"
In about twenty minutes, we met Kate Jensen, my cousin! We both share Mattias Christensen Boge and Kirsten Hansen as great-great-great-great-great grandparents. In yet another tender mercy, I had printed off exactly the sheets that would show her connection to this ancestor, and her connection to me. Kate was very tired from jet lag, but had jumped at the chance to meet family. When Elsa had been unsuccessful in reaching her by phone, she went the extra mile and called Kate's husband at work. He had left work, driven home, and awakened his wife for her to meet us!
Kate also has the spirit of Elijah. As we looked at the records, I showed her Matthias Christensen Boge's death record.
As we looked at the records, "Cousin Kate" read in Danish the name of the farm that the family came from. She looked at me in excitement. "That farm is a big beautiful farm, and I can take you there right now!"
Here we are together in front of the ancestral farm. Just behind the home is the ocean. My ancestor, Mattias Mathiassen left one of the prettiest places in Denmark to join the Church. He left his parents and 13 brothers and sisters. But I am bringing them back together now.
Kate and I are kindred spirits! As we drove around and saw her beautiful home, she invited us to stay the next time we came to Denmark. She told me she is writing the history of her grandmother's family. I have now given her the records for her grandfather's family. She didn't know she lived three kilometers from his family farm. She said, "It is so important to share our ancestor's stories with our children." For information on the importance of family stories, click here: https://www.lds.org/callings/temple-and-family-history/sunday-lesson/stories-that-bind?lang=eng
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| Kate helped us find the Kippinge parish church built in the 1500s. |
I helped her sign up for FamilySearch.org. She has already emailed me, looking for more information on Matthias Christensen Boge. Together we will find his parents, I am sure. Kate has information on her grandparent's siblings that I had not been able to find. Most importantly, she said, "I have many dreams about my ancestors. They are very close to me. They want me to do something for them."
FamilySearch.org (Click here to start an exciting journey)
President Thomas S, Monson often says, “There are no coincidences” as he makes the point that his experiences in life have taught him to always look for the Lord’s hand." As I write this, I have come to realize that my Grandfather Larsen was with me throughout this journey of tender mercies. I believe he has taught these ancestors that stayed in Denmark the gospel, and they are ready for their temple work. I'm hurrying, Grandpa.
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| Copenhagen Denmark Temple |
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Brim with Joy
Wednesday Night: As we were packing to leave for a trip to visit Daughter #3's mission field, we received an elated email from Cassi: "I
just found out the best of news!! Sue is getting her endowments out on Friday
at 5!!! We have to go! That would be just amazing!"
Sue was a convert that she had found, taught, and witnessed her baptism, one year previously. Thankfully, one of the members in the Leesburg Ward had seen our daughter's Facebook post about coming to the DC area and informed her for this the night before we left Utah.
Thursday Night: We added our temple recommends to our carry on bags and headed to Salt Lake International for the red-eye to Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington DC.We landed at 10:15 the next morning and headed to the National Mall. After parking at Arlington Cemetery, we rode the metro up to start at the top of the mall going to my personal favorite: Library of Congress.
Friday Night: We ended up walking the entire mall back to the Cemetery to hurry to the DC Temple for the 6:00 session. For the first time I understood Ammon's description of joy in the Book of Mormon: "Behold my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God" (Alma 26:11). As we hurried into the majestic DC Temple, I was tired and my thighs were throbbing, but I was thrilled to see her convert Sue's eyes light up when she saw her missionary, our daughter. Now newly married, our daughter and her husband were chosen to be the witness couple and as result, our daughter was waiting in celestial room when Sue entered for the first time.
Sue was a convert that she had found, taught, and witnessed her baptism, one year previously. Thankfully, one of the members in the Leesburg Ward had seen our daughter's Facebook post about coming to the DC area and informed her for this the night before we left Utah.
Thursday Night: We added our temple recommends to our carry on bags and headed to Salt Lake International for the red-eye to Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington DC.We landed at 10:15 the next morning and headed to the National Mall. After parking at Arlington Cemetery, we rode the metro up to start at the top of the mall going to my personal favorite: Library of Congress.
Friday Night: We ended up walking the entire mall back to the Cemetery to hurry to the DC Temple for the 6:00 session. For the first time I understood Ammon's description of joy in the Book of Mormon: "Behold my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God" (Alma 26:11). As we hurried into the majestic DC Temple, I was tired and my thighs were throbbing, but I was thrilled to see her convert Sue's eyes light up when she saw her missionary, our daughter. Now newly married, our daughter and her husband were chosen to be the witness couple and as result, our daughter was waiting in celestial room when Sue entered for the first time.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Easter 2015: Going Deep!
Going Deep!
My four-year-old granddaughter loves the water and when she
is in the bathtub, she will say to me, “Mama, I’m going deep.” She grabs a big
breath and dives in underwater as deep as the porcelain tub will let her. I, on
the other hand, don’t like to put my head in the water. One week of swimming
lessons when I was a child at the Burley municipal pool was not enough---I never
made it across the deep end of the pool. But this Easter, I felt like my depth
of understanding and love for my Savior became significantly greater.
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| In first grade, my Easter seemed to be about large bunnies. |
About 11 p.m. I felt rather than saw someone looking at me.
In the pitch black, our little granddaughter had slipped downstairs and stood
at my bedside, silent, waiting for me to know she was there. I lifted her up,
and she snuggled down between us. Around 6 a.m. she needed a drink, and in an
effort to let her parents sleep longer, we showed her some Bible videos on
Glen’s Iphone. I was surprised how she wanted to see the ones of the Savior
over and over again.
On Palm Sunday, Christ
entered Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey as prophesied and the jubilant
crowd lined the path to the temple with palm leaves to carpet the way for the
coming of the king. On the anniversary of that day, our daughter sang her testimony of that king: “I stand all
amazed at the love Jesus offers me; confused by the grace that so fully he
proffers me.”
Due to eight years of fighting debilitating pain, I had not
heard her sing for a long time. But that Palm Sunday she taught me about going
deep as she sang, “I marvel that he would descend from a throne divine; to
rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine.”
Christ descends---he comes down ---to rescue my proud soul.
When I am in the ocean, I know real fear because I know my swimming skills are inadequate to save myself or anyone else, so I am afraid of deep water. I can’t imagine the depth of Christ’s suffering to pay for the sins and pain of all humankind. But I’ve watched my daughter suffer and felt that pain. Knowing Christ knows her pain, helps me to go on. And that Sunday, I felt deep joy hearing her sing her testimony.
When I am in the ocean, I know real fear because I know my swimming skills are inadequate to save myself or anyone else, so I am afraid of deep water. I can’t imagine the depth of Christ’s suffering to pay for the sins and pain of all humankind. But I’ve watched my daughter suffer and felt that pain. Knowing Christ knows her pain, helps me to go on. And that Sunday, I felt deep joy hearing her sing her testimony.
Her voice was beautiful and controlled, matched perfectly to
the arrangement, and I felt an accompanying spirit crescendo with the chorus. In
fact, the spirit became a welling of light and beauty that stayed with me
throughout the day. Seeing her stand and sing after fighting through so much
pain was a powerful reminder of Christ’s suffering for me: “I think of his
hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt, such mercy such love, such devotion, can I
forget?
Recently I heard a
friend say that she shied away from commitments. But I wonder: isn’t it through
commitments, especially covenants, where true joy comes in? Doesn’t a real
commitment to becoming a disciple of Christ involve the decision and desire to
go deep?
That depth of spirit continued as I attended an Easter
concert that night where the missionaries in our area taught of the Savior
through music. To close the program, one elder from South Africa sang, “I know
that Redeemer Lives.” When I was 17 years old, I sang that song as part of a
regular closing hymn as a brand new college student, living away from home for the
first time. And the spirit welled up inside of me, and I knew truth. My
testimony of Christ and His gospel was new and untested, but I wanted to be a
committed member at that point. I wanted to believe. Hearing this dedicated missionary---a young man
who had paid for his mission by singing
at weddings---share this hymn reminded me of one of my first real stirrings of testimony.
The spirit in that chapel permeated the room and let me feel deeply that testimony that started so many years ago with that hymn. Perhaps when we have sacrificed
or suffered, we can really sing a testimony of the Savior.
The magnificent Mesa Temple grounds feature deep reflection ponds, palm trees, and a cactus garden. I had wanted to see the Mesa Easter pageant for many years.
To continue this marvelous Eastertime, we boarded a plane for Mesa, Arizona to see Daughter #2 and the Mesa Easter Pageant. Actually, we missed three standby flights before I was able to catch the last seat on a plane, and Glen would try three more flights before joining us in Mesa. While we waited for Glen, ShaLae and I went to the Botanical Gardens in Arizona. Due to the wet year Arizona had experienced, the cacti were flowering in fuschia and deep oranges. And for the first time, I saw purple prickly pear.
The magnificent Mesa Temple grounds feature deep reflection ponds, palm trees, and a cactus garden. I had wanted to see the Mesa Easter pageant for many years.
Each night for two weeks, over 10,000 people come to see the life of the Savior re-told. ShaLae had been volunteering at the pageant, so she knew to get us there three hours early for a good seat.
At the end of the pageant, the actor that portrays Christ rises above the angels in triumphant resurrection. In birth and in the Garden of Gethsemane He descends below all; in death He is raised on the cross and His resurrection signifies that all will be resurrected.
This Easter, perhaps my most memorable Easter, was feeling the depth and height of Christ's commitment to us. My little four-year-old granddaughter understands this feeling. Recently when walking in the hall of her meetinghouse, she saw a picture of the Savior. "I miss him," she said to her mother. Yes, I know that my Redeemer lives!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
100 degrees, 50 people
Family party at my house. My nephew's celebration---he's going to serve a mission in Little Rock, ARK (where WalMart and the Clintons began). No fire (last week there was on the nearby parkway), but 100 degrees and 50+ HOT bodies in my house. Petersons know how to party:
Tiff's brownies and watermelon
Geni's salad
Camille's steak sandwiches
Nicole's birthday cake for Ja and Shae!
10 family names completed in the temple!
Tiff's brownies and watermelon
Geni's salad
Camille's steak sandwiches
Nicole's birthday cake for Ja and Shae!
10 family names completed in the temple!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Discovering the Book of Mormon though Lidia
This week started out rough. We did a lot of knocking on doors with
out a lot of success. However, every day that we come home feeling
like we had nothing was all made up by our meeting with Lidia. She is
amazing and I love her. Last week she said it was little hard to
understand the Book of Mormon because she was just opening and read
little parts. So we challenge her to start reading at the beginning to
get the story line. God answers prayers. He answered several of ours
in the next meeting. Lidia explained that as she read the 2nd to last
paragraph in the Book of Mormon, Moroni's promise, she felt the Holy
Ghost. He bore witness to her that it is true and that the Book of Mormon
is true. As she said, “I thought it was true, but now I know it is
true.” The spirit was so strong as she testified of this experience
that my testimony was strengthened. Then she went on to show us
another scripture that stood out to her. 1 Nephi 10:14 Talking about
how everything needs to be grafted back to one tree. She went on to
explain that this means that all churches need to come back to the
one. This is what we have been praying for, that she would start to
see that there is only one church that has the full truth on the
earth. Really, a lesson where the investigator does most the teaching
is amazing. It was a lesson to give us the energy to knock on doors for
the rest of the week. Lidia also came to church, and I think it was a
good experience for her.
I have also loved reading in 2 Nephi the past couple of days. It is
all about Christ. He invited all to partake of his salvation. He loves
us each so specifically that he gave his own life. There is never any
point that we can't return, turn around and come to him. “He inviteth
all to come unto him, partake of his goodness and denith none to come
unto him.” The Book of Mormon is powerful!
Oh for some sad news--- our 7ft branch mission leader and his family
moved back to Utah. Our branch average age just jumped dramatically.
Somteet also left for Thailand for a month. However, our ward of
grandmas still is doing great as ever. I love it here!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Actually this Tuesday is Mikolaj day---the day the celebrate St. Nickolas. So the kids get gifts on Tuesday and on Christmas.
This has been a good week here in Gdansk. We have seen small miracles each day. We have had a lot of adventures. The best news was hearing that Karolina was baptized! The elders also had a meeting in Warsaw so that meant we got mail. I must say I have the best family ever. It was so great to get all the notes from the cousins from Thanksgiving. It sounds like everyone is super busy. It was also great to hear about all of the missionaries from Murray. I also got a great letter from Gary, Sister Whitbeck (she goes home a week before me) and Gabby and a great thanksgiving note from Sister Goodloe, and from Alex. I seriously thought it was Christmas already. I also got the small package sent to the mission office. Don't worry I haven't opened it yet.
Surprisingly, we haven't had any snow yet. In fact we had one day this week where we both decided it was colder in July than it was in December. Crazy- but it is starting to get cold again. Last night was definitely cold.
Okay so like I said that we have had small miracles everyday, well to name a few. We met with a less active on Saturday. She hadn't been to church in a year but we had a really good meeting. We challenged to fast with us and we ended the meeting starting our fast together. She told us she would come to church and SHE DID! It was amazing. The members were so excited to see her. She is sweet lady who I already love. We were talking about hope and she told us that every night she says her prayers and than writes three blessings in life from that day. She told us it could be simple things but as she prayers she remembers the best things of her day. Then when she has a bad day she reads her journal and remembers how blessed she is. It is a great challenge for all of us. Write three things down where we have seen God's hand in our lives and you will find it.
This week Sister McAdams and I learned the lesson of having a good back up plan. We had a meeting set up to meet with a mom and we were super excited about it. But we planned exactly where we wanted to tract if she wasn't there. Well, sadly she gave us a bad address and as frustrating as that was we went to plan b without delay. The last door (always the last) we knocked on a mom opened the door with two kids playing in the background. As we were talking to her, the husband came home from work. They both agreed to start reading the Book of Mormon and set up to meet with us this week. It was a great blessing. (And we know it is a real address :).
I have also seen miracles as the Lord puts people in our path. I have been trying more to contact on trams and using all the time we have. It has been amazing to see how people have been placed and sometimes when I struggling with a way to start talking to them. They ask me for directions and that starts the conversation going.
Poland got some great news this last week. Elder Christofferson will be coming in the beginning of March. All the members are invited to come and hear him. I am so excited I am going to be here for that.
Well I am doing great and love being here in Gdansk. Sorry for the scattered email. But I love you all. The mail was amazing! Remember write 3 things a day!
Love Siostra Steadman
This has been a good week here in Gdansk. We have seen small miracles each day. We have had a lot of adventures. The best news was hearing that Karolina was baptized! The elders also had a meeting in Warsaw so that meant we got mail. I must say I have the best family ever. It was so great to get all the notes from the cousins from Thanksgiving. It sounds like everyone is super busy. It was also great to hear about all of the missionaries from Murray. I also got a great letter from Gary, Sister Whitbeck (she goes home a week before me) and Gabby and a great thanksgiving note from Sister Goodloe, and from Alex. I seriously thought it was Christmas already. I also got the small package sent to the mission office. Don't worry I haven't opened it yet.
Surprisingly, we haven't had any snow yet. In fact we had one day this week where we both decided it was colder in July than it was in December. Crazy- but it is starting to get cold again. Last night was definitely cold.
Okay so like I said that we have had small miracles everyday, well to name a few. We met with a less active on Saturday. She hadn't been to church in a year but we had a really good meeting. We challenged to fast with us and we ended the meeting starting our fast together. She told us she would come to church and SHE DID! It was amazing. The members were so excited to see her. She is sweet lady who I already love. We were talking about hope and she told us that every night she says her prayers and than writes three blessings in life from that day. She told us it could be simple things but as she prayers she remembers the best things of her day. Then when she has a bad day she reads her journal and remembers how blessed she is. It is a great challenge for all of us. Write three things down where we have seen God's hand in our lives and you will find it.
This week Sister McAdams and I learned the lesson of having a good back up plan. We had a meeting set up to meet with a mom and we were super excited about it. But we planned exactly where we wanted to tract if she wasn't there. Well, sadly she gave us a bad address and as frustrating as that was we went to plan b without delay. The last door (always the last) we knocked on a mom opened the door with two kids playing in the background. As we were talking to her, the husband came home from work. They both agreed to start reading the Book of Mormon and set up to meet with us this week. It was a great blessing. (And we know it is a real address :).
I have also seen miracles as the Lord puts people in our path. I have been trying more to contact on trams and using all the time we have. It has been amazing to see how people have been placed and sometimes when I struggling with a way to start talking to them. They ask me for directions and that starts the conversation going.
Each day we are asked how Poland is different than America. Of course we have the culture and language but the more I have been here, the more I see that everywhere is the same. We all have problems and struggles no matter where we live. That what is so cool about being able to share the gospel. It has the answers to help everyone. People ask why we came all the way from America to an already Christian country. We tell them that we have missionaries all over the world doing the exact thing we are doing. It has been great to be able to say that I have friends in the Ukraine, Philippines, and the states right now sharing this message. That it is for everyone. It is amazing to be a part of it.
Well I am doing great and love being here in Gdansk. Sorry for the scattered email. But I love you all. The mail was amazing! Remember write 3 things a day!
Love Siostra Steadman
Santa speaks Polish
Once again I am shocked out how fast time is flying. This week has been a great week with many miracles---small but amazing in a life of a missionary.
City of Gdansk.
The first miracle was that we received an referral from the office. In other words someone personally contacted the church and wanted to find out more. GOLD! This is only the second time I had received a referral from the office. The first time didn't come to anything. It is like getting a golden platter and not wanting to break it. Anyway we went the next day to visit the lady. She told us she found a flyer (they really work!) and is interested in learning more. Unfortunately she is leaving for the holidays, but we are set up to come back after the holidays. Feeling really excited about that. We received another text from the office giving us one more referral---another lady who wanted a Book of Mormon and to talk to missionaries. Wahoo! We talked to her and she is also leaving for the holidays, but wants to meet after as well. I don't think they were expecting us to contact so fast. Then much to our surprise we received two more referrals from the office the next day. We have been leaving flyers with everyone and everywhere and it is working! The last two referrals were two girls. The first one we called on the domophone and told her who we were and that we had a book of Mormon for her. She asked "how do you have my information." I think we scared her that we had her name, number, address, and age and she had no idea why. We are not sure how that worked. But she talked to us for a little bit and took a Book of Mormon. Then the next girl opened the door and took the Book of Mormon and said I have been expecting this! Referrals are the best.
Our second miracle is that Sister McAdams and I had our first member lesson in Gdansk! It was with Lidia and Sister Jadwiga ( less active). It was amazing. Sister Jadwiga wants so bad to be like Halina who was her member on lessons. We met Sister Jadwiga and traveled half way there together. I was trying to keep up with her as she ran for a tram. Did I mention she is a grandma? Really it is exciting to see Sister Jadwiga get excited about sharing the gospel. We are going to meet with her tonight and talk about the great role she can pray to be on the mission. Last week was her first week in church in a year and she came again this week.
Our third miracle is that Lidia is starting to see the Book of Mormon bless her life. She likes to read to find greater peace. We asked her how she felt about the Book of Mormon and she told us that when she was wondering if it was a good book she opened up and read Alma 32. It answered her question. I love when investigators find for themselves answers to life questions. She is doing great!
Fourth miracle. We had our first person in Church this week. Ania- she is a girl we contacted a couple weeks ago. She got lost and never showed up to our meeting. But we decided to call her once more on Saturday. It was her last chance. She agreed to come to church and she came! She stayed for all of it and liked it. We are meeting with her this week.
Fifth huge time miracle. Yesturday morning Sister McAdams answered a phone call from Jan. He asked to speak to Elder Leimer who served here 15 months ago. He said he had some business with him and wanted his number. He didn't really explain what business. She didn't really know what to tell him so we called the DL and asked if we could give him Elder Leimer's number. I then called him later that day to ask him exactly what business. He said "basically I just want to get baptized." I was meeting with the Elders and that was the last thing we talked about, and then I got in an accident and I was in the hospital and now I am just able to get around. MIRACLE. The elders are set up to meet with his this week. I will let you know how it goes. Not a common phone call.
This week we also cleaned the church and dear sweet Sister Halina did almost all the work. She is a 85 year old who just never stops. I was vacuuming and she came and took the vacuum away and told me to sit down and rest. This is after she had already cleaned both bathrooms and before she got on hands and knees to wash the steps. She is amazing.
This week we also had a day in Sopot. It was a day that seemed to drag on and feel not very productive. Until we got home and realized that we had met 7 potentials in the one day. Miracle. We also met Santa Claus who does speak Polish. HO HO HO Dzien Dobry!
It is true! I did get my package! I also got something from Sister Bautner-- very sweet. She is getting married in a couple of days. Also I heard from Sister Selph. Tell her thanks---it was very thoughtful. I got your letters from the other missionaries. They are great.
Well those are just a few of the miracles we have had in our life this week. Miracles happen everyday if you just look for them. I love you all and I hope you have an amazing week.
City of Gdansk.
Our second miracle is that Sister McAdams and I had our first member lesson in Gdansk! It was with Lidia and Sister Jadwiga ( less active). It was amazing. Sister Jadwiga wants so bad to be like Halina who was her member on lessons. We met Sister Jadwiga and traveled half way there together. I was trying to keep up with her as she ran for a tram. Did I mention she is a grandma? Really it is exciting to see Sister Jadwiga get excited about sharing the gospel. We are going to meet with her tonight and talk about the great role she can pray to be on the mission. Last week was her first week in church in a year and she came again this week.
Our third miracle is that Lidia is starting to see the Book of Mormon bless her life. She likes to read to find greater peace. We asked her how she felt about the Book of Mormon and she told us that when she was wondering if it was a good book she opened up and read Alma 32. It answered her question. I love when investigators find for themselves answers to life questions. She is doing great!
Fourth miracle. We had our first person in Church this week. Ania- she is a girl we contacted a couple weeks ago. She got lost and never showed up to our meeting. But we decided to call her once more on Saturday. It was her last chance. She agreed to come to church and she came! She stayed for all of it and liked it. We are meeting with her this week.
Fifth huge time miracle. Yesturday morning Sister McAdams answered a phone call from Jan. He asked to speak to Elder Leimer who served here 15 months ago. He said he had some business with him and wanted his number. He didn't really explain what business. She didn't really know what to tell him so we called the DL and asked if we could give him Elder Leimer's number. I then called him later that day to ask him exactly what business. He said "basically I just want to get baptized." I was meeting with the Elders and that was the last thing we talked about, and then I got in an accident and I was in the hospital and now I am just able to get around. MIRACLE. The elders are set up to meet with his this week. I will let you know how it goes. Not a common phone call.
This week we also cleaned the church and dear sweet Sister Halina did almost all the work. She is a 85 year old who just never stops. I was vacuuming and she came and took the vacuum away and told me to sit down and rest. This is after she had already cleaned both bathrooms and before she got on hands and knees to wash the steps. She is amazing.
This week we also had a day in Sopot. It was a day that seemed to drag on and feel not very productive. Until we got home and realized that we had met 7 potentials in the one day. Miracle. We also met Santa Claus who does speak Polish. HO HO HO Dzien Dobry!
Gdansk skyline.This week we do have Christmas Zone Conference. Ours will be in Poznan. which is 7 and half hour train ride. So we will be heading down tomorrow and staying with the sisters down there. We are excited. However we are traveling back on Wednesday after zone conference. That will be a long trip.
It is true! I did get my package! I also got something from Sister Bautner-- very sweet. She is getting married in a couple of days. Also I heard from Sister Selph. Tell her thanks---it was very thoughtful. I got your letters from the other missionaries. They are great.
Well those are just a few of the miracles we have had in our life this week. Miracles happen everyday if you just look for them. I love you all and I hope you have an amazing week.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Gdansk
It seems like my last email was so long ago because so much has happened this week. Sister Garcia and I left our area over to the Elders. It was sad to leave. We had a great last meeting with Hania. She made a promise in her prayer at the end to read the Book of Mormon and really search for the right road for her. It was amazing to see how at first she just thought we were fun people to meet with but now has found a need to read to find truth. It is like we read in Preach my Gospel---she was finding answers she didn't know she was searching for.
Saying Goodbye to Bydgoszcz.
Sister McAdams came up the night before so all three of us had to make to the train station with all our stuff. We had a taxi(van) come and pick us up. And he thought we were crazy. Luckily the elders met at the train station and helped us get all our bags on the train. And Sister McAdams and I started off on our way to Gdansk and Sister Garcia to Warsaw. Gdansk is a pretty city. I haven't been able to see much of it, but it is pretty. The Elders left the apartment actually very clean. The only food left was ketchup, but it was clean. No fish this time. We also caught the prank the Elders wanted to pull before - they set our phone to go off in the middle the night but luckily we stopped it. Our apartment is really big, and I have a real bed this transfer. It is amazing. The Elders left great instructions on everything including tricks like how to get hot water.
Sister McAdams and I have already been lost a couple of times (The 8 tram does not get us home) and we also have been separated. Coming home from church Sister McAdams got off the tram and I didn't. But we found each other again. The branch here is really small but the have a great kaplica. This week at church the Branch President was out of town and the first counselor, the Relief Society President also wasn't at church. We have an American couple (Lewises) here for work (they weren't at church) we also have an American family (Bergises). He is a basketball player (6'11) and his wife and four kids are here with him. Sister Bergis plays the piano. In Gdansk we have some of the oldest members. And at the tram stop we were greeted by most of them. They are so excited that sisters are here. Most of the branch consists of grandmas. So at church on Sunday we had Ania (newly baptized member) young single adult, Bogan an older man, 5 babcias and Magda, one investigator and the Bergis family. With all the leadership gone that left the missionaries doing everything. Elder Waits conducted sacrament meeting, I led the music, Sister McAdams translated, Elder Berry blessed the sacrament, then Sister McAdams, Elder Berry and I gave talks. In Sunday School Elder Waits taught and Elder Berry translated. And in Relief Society Sister McAdams taught and I translated. I guess we just came on a good week---normally other members teach. Anyway I already love the members here and Sister McAdams and I are scheduled with most of them to meet this week. They keep expressing in their prayers gratitude that the Sisters are back in Gdansk.
Sister McAdams and I have been doing tracking and contacting, and it is going to be a good transfer. Sister McAdams is like a fireball and doesn't let anything stop her. We already had some really amazing experiences. For example, it took three times calling someone on the domophone and then finding a hidden staircase to meet her. But she promised to read and we scheduled to meet her this week. It isn't going to be easy, but it will be good.
Yesterday we had zone conference. It was fun to be in Bydgoszcz again. But that was a lot of trains this last week. Zone conference was great. We talked a lot about using our time wisely. President Nielson also talked about how Lehi's family travel is very comparable to our mission. We are asked to leave our worldly possessions and trust the Lord. "We are sent into the wilderness." Well we are in the wilderness but who are we becoming? Anyway Zone conference was amazing and I learned a lot.
I just wanted to thank you all for everything you do and how you keep working hard. You all help me keep going when it hard and cold. I couldn't make it without all your prayers. I love you!
Sister McAdams came up the night before so all three of us had to make to the train station with all our stuff. We had a taxi(van) come and pick us up. And he thought we were crazy. Luckily the elders met at the train station and helped us get all our bags on the train. And Sister McAdams and I started off on our way to Gdansk and Sister Garcia to Warsaw. Gdansk is a pretty city. I haven't been able to see much of it, but it is pretty. The Elders left the apartment actually very clean. The only food left was ketchup, but it was clean. No fish this time. We also caught the prank the Elders wanted to pull before - they set our phone to go off in the middle the night but luckily we stopped it. Our apartment is really big, and I have a real bed this transfer. It is amazing. The Elders left great instructions on everything including tricks like how to get hot water.
Sister McAdams and I have already been lost a couple of times (The 8 tram does not get us home) and we also have been separated. Coming home from church Sister McAdams got off the tram and I didn't. But we found each other again. The branch here is really small but the have a great kaplica. This week at church the Branch President was out of town and the first counselor, the Relief Society President also wasn't at church. We have an American couple (Lewises) here for work (they weren't at church) we also have an American family (Bergises). He is a basketball player (6'11) and his wife and four kids are here with him. Sister Bergis plays the piano. In Gdansk we have some of the oldest members. And at the tram stop we were greeted by most of them. They are so excited that sisters are here. Most of the branch consists of grandmas. So at church on Sunday we had Ania (newly baptized member) young single adult, Bogan an older man, 5 babcias and Magda, one investigator and the Bergis family. With all the leadership gone that left the missionaries doing everything. Elder Waits conducted sacrament meeting, I led the music, Sister McAdams translated, Elder Berry blessed the sacrament, then Sister McAdams, Elder Berry and I gave talks. In Sunday School Elder Waits taught and Elder Berry translated. And in Relief Society Sister McAdams taught and I translated. I guess we just came on a good week---normally other members teach. Anyway I already love the members here and Sister McAdams and I are scheduled with most of them to meet this week. They keep expressing in their prayers gratitude that the Sisters are back in Gdansk.
Sister McAdams and I have been doing tracking and contacting, and it is going to be a good transfer. Sister McAdams is like a fireball and doesn't let anything stop her. We already had some really amazing experiences. For example, it took three times calling someone on the domophone and then finding a hidden staircase to meet her. But she promised to read and we scheduled to meet her this week. It isn't going to be easy, but it will be good.
Yesterday we had zone conference. It was fun to be in Bydgoszcz again. But that was a lot of trains this last week. Zone conference was great. We talked a lot about using our time wisely. President Nielson also talked about how Lehi's family travel is very comparable to our mission. We are asked to leave our worldly possessions and trust the Lord. "We are sent into the wilderness." Well we are in the wilderness but who are we becoming? Anyway Zone conference was amazing and I learned a lot.
I just wanted to thank you all for everything you do and how you keep working hard. You all help me keep going when it hard and cold. I couldn't make it without all your prayers. I love you!
Siostra Steadman's Top Ten Gratitude List
As it is thanksgiving I wanted to write my gratitude list. I have so many things to be grateful for-
1. Prayer- gdziekolwiek(whereever) and kiedykolwiek (whenever). I know that our Father listens and answers in his own time. Thankful that He is patient with me.
2. Technology! I can read everyone's email and not have to wait for the mail that may never come. It also saved the day yesterday. Do you remember Sister Sue from Lodz? She is still striving to be a good missionary. Well I got a phone call from her saying that her friend (member from Thailand) was coming to church. She wanted us to meet her at the train station. Somtee speaks less English than
Sister Sue speaks. And she told Sister Sue she didn't understand anything, but Sister Sue told her to come to church anyway. So now she has "free day" so she can come to church every Sunday. We were in a Polish branch where we translate it to English and than Sister McAdams, by the help of google translator, was able to translate to Thai.
3. The Church is the same world wide. No matter if you are Polish, American, Thai or whatever, the sacrament means the same thing.
4. I am only having to try to learn Polish. After watching Somtee type in Thai, I am grateful that I am not trying to learn all those crazy characters. I working on being more confident. I had an old Babcia call me out on that yesterday. So I am grateful for that---people care enough to help me.
5. Amazing new converts. We had a meeting with Ania this week. When she met the missionaries she was Hindu and didn't believe that Christ was our Savior. Now, she has the most powerful testimony.
6. Warm weather. I might be ruining it, but the weather has been great.
7. Finding the one. This past week, we went contacting and we were not having any success. Until we found Ola. Definitely a tender mercy from the Lord. She has been to Temple Square and taken a tour. She also had talked to missionaries in Romania. Yet, she hadn't talked to any missionaries in her own city. We are so excited to meet with her.
8. This week we had a lot of meetings cancel or disappear, but we had one. It was amazing. We taught a family. They had recently moved here and they all just stopped going to the Catholic church. It was a great meeting and we are excited to meet again with them this week.
9. Things to laugh about. This week we have had a lot of things to laugh about. I don't know how many times we have gotten on the wrong tram.
10. Service. This week we were able to help the branch by raking up all the leaves at the church.
Basically I have so many things to be grateful for but especially for all of you. Thanks for all of your support. I love you. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. I will miss not seeing everyone. Send pictures!
Love Siostra Steadman
Everyday I have been trying to find my tender mercy of the day. It is a great way to stay grateful.
1. Prayer- gdziekolwiek(whereever) and kiedykolwiek (whenever). I know that our Father listens and answers in his own time. Thankful that He is patient with me.
2. Technology! I can read everyone's email and not have to wait for the mail that may never come. It also saved the day yesterday. Do you remember Sister Sue from Lodz? She is still striving to be a good missionary. Well I got a phone call from her saying that her friend (member from Thailand) was coming to church. She wanted us to meet her at the train station. Somtee speaks less English than
Sister Sue speaks. And she told Sister Sue she didn't understand anything, but Sister Sue told her to come to church anyway. So now she has "free day" so she can come to church every Sunday. We were in a Polish branch where we translate it to English and than Sister McAdams, by the help of google translator, was able to translate to Thai.
3. The Church is the same world wide. No matter if you are Polish, American, Thai or whatever, the sacrament means the same thing.
4. I am only having to try to learn Polish. After watching Somtee type in Thai, I am grateful that I am not trying to learn all those crazy characters. I working on being more confident. I had an old Babcia call me out on that yesterday. So I am grateful for that---people care enough to help me.
5. Amazing new converts. We had a meeting with Ania this week. When she met the missionaries she was Hindu and didn't believe that Christ was our Savior. Now, she has the most powerful testimony.
6. Warm weather. I might be ruining it, but the weather has been great.
7. Finding the one. This past week, we went contacting and we were not having any success. Until we found Ola. Definitely a tender mercy from the Lord. She has been to Temple Square and taken a tour. She also had talked to missionaries in Romania. Yet, she hadn't talked to any missionaries in her own city. We are so excited to meet with her.
8. This week we had a lot of meetings cancel or disappear, but we had one. It was amazing. We taught a family. They had recently moved here and they all just stopped going to the Catholic church. It was a great meeting and we are excited to meet again with them this week.
9. Things to laugh about. This week we have had a lot of things to laugh about. I don't know how many times we have gotten on the wrong tram.
10. Service. This week we were able to help the branch by raking up all the leaves at the church.
Basically I have so many things to be grateful for but especially for all of you. Thanks for all of your support. I love you. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. I will miss not seeing everyone. Send pictures!
Love Siostra Steadman
Everyday I have been trying to find my tender mercy of the day. It is a great way to stay grateful.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Goodbye to Big Ghost
I have sad news. They are closing Bydgoszcz to sisters. I have seen the rise and fall. I am not sure what it really means that I served here the whole time it is was open. The thing is that we are losing two sets of elders so they are sending sisters to other areas to replace them. Well so that means both of us our moving. A hint of where I am going. . . when we talk this christmas, you will be able to find something in the tour guide about this city. I am moving north to Gdansk! Once again I will be opening that area to sisters. However, I am not training, and it has only been closed for a little under a year. I am excited for a change and the new city.
Saying goodbye to Bydogszcz on the famous bridge.
Five months ago Sister Jones knocked on a door and talked to a girl through the door. Evenutally the girl openned the door and accepted the Book of Mormon. After being gone for the summer, and moving apartments she finally had time to meet. We met in the old square. It is a good thing there wasn't very many people out because I had no idea what she looked like. She recognized us by our name tags. We had a great meeting with her. She read the entire Book of Mormon and was really curious about prophets. This meeting was just proof that you can't give up. If anything about my stay in Bydgoszcz is that it is always when you least expect it miracles happen.
This week our upstairs neighbor told us he wants to invite us to tea so we can talk about the plan of god. We have had only small talk as we have passed each other. But he told us he is interested in us and him and his wife have talked and want to know what we believe. Those are the best contacts. Hopefully we can find a time to meet before we leave.
Also banana bread was a hit in English class and I gave some to our neighbor this morning. This afternoon she is teaching us how to make Polish food.
Well I love you all!
PS no fudge yet. I hope it makes it or it is going to make a mess in the mailbox.
Five months ago Sister Jones knocked on a door and talked to a girl through the door. Evenutally the girl openned the door and accepted the Book of Mormon. After being gone for the summer, and moving apartments she finally had time to meet. We met in the old square. It is a good thing there wasn't very many people out because I had no idea what she looked like. She recognized us by our name tags. We had a great meeting with her. She read the entire Book of Mormon and was really curious about prophets. This meeting was just proof that you can't give up. If anything about my stay in Bydgoszcz is that it is always when you least expect it miracles happen.
This week our upstairs neighbor told us he wants to invite us to tea so we can talk about the plan of god. We have had only small talk as we have passed each other. But he told us he is interested in us and him and his wife have talked and want to know what we believe. Those are the best contacts. Hopefully we can find a time to meet before we leave.
Also banana bread was a hit in English class and I gave some to our neighbor this morning. This afternoon she is teaching us how to make Polish food.
Well I love you all!
PS no fudge yet. I hope it makes it or it is going to make a mess in the mailbox.
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