Beginning Preparations To Return Home

Starsi Shirley with his companion Starsi Kevern

Several pictures taken in a town named Jindřichův Hradec

Dragonboat racing: their investigator competes in these races which are held in the river that runs through the city.

Starsi Shirley with a member

June 26, 2017

Hi!

This last week was a little interesting and our usual lessons that we had scheduled fell through with our guy that has a baptismal date. He is still on to be baptized; it'll just be a question of getting all the lessons in and his acceptance of all the commandments. So we'll see!

President Pohořelický this last week gave us his own version of "My Plan." Apparently that is a program that a lot of missionaries get in order to prepare for the transition back into regular life. We don't have it here, so our mission President just made up his own version. Basically, it’s just goals and plans that we have for when we return home and how we are going to stay spiritually strong. Lots of, I wouldn't necessarily say, uncertainty. But I definitely need to set some goals for life! I'm not scared to come home, but it'll just be another adjustment.

I got to visit Brno one last time on Saturday. There was a priesthood conference there and the priesthood holders in our branch all took a car and drove their together. It was a great meeting. The leadership in the church here is phenomenal. I’m so grateful to know the strong active men of the church here. 

I've been studying a lot about faith this week. Hebrews 11, Moroni 7, Mormon , and Ether 12 are all awesome chapters about faith. Faith is a means by which God brings to pass miracles. As a district we are committed to having faith and showing that faith to God in order to be led to those prepared for the gospel and prepared to help this branch grow. Expect a miracle!

Glad to hear everything is well with all of you at home. Can't wait to see you soon :)

Love you!

-Elder Shirley

======================================================================

June 19, 2017

Hi!

Our investigator with a baptismal date is still going strong! He has been to church the last 2 weeks and we have seen/taught him 2 or three times the last three weeks or so. It might not be the best term, but I could potentially hit a "buzzer beater" with this baptism on my last weekend haha :) 

Being in the branch presidency has been great! It has been really cool to see things from the "other side." It has also been a privilege to serve with President Chrdle, the branch President here. He is so awesome. He is definitely someone that I look up to and have learned a lot from. 

As for things to prepare for coming home...I'm not even too sure what we could prepare. I'm kinda moving back into an unknown world, so I'll just have to see how it is when I get back :)

Guess what? Nobody this last week wrote me except you and Dad haha. After the 2 years, everyone forgets about you haha :)

We had training this last week in Prague on Tuesday. President Pohorelicky gave an awesome training on faith. He is definitely an example of faith and it was great to learn from him. He talked about how we need a vision of what we want to accomplish and how we need to ask God for his help. I think that we all know that. Like it says in the scriptures "Ask and ye shall receive." But President focused more on how we can make a covenant with God and not only ask, but also sacrifice something, or give something, to show God our faith. President has big plans for the mission here and we just need the faith to see our goals achieved.

We had an exchange with the APs after training. It was great to be in Prague with them. The two APs right now are actually Elder Hanis, (my soon to be roommate), and Elder Carlson, who I served with 3 transfers back. 

That's about all I got I think....Today for P-day we went to a "neighboring city" called Jindřichův Hradec. It was really pretty and there was a nice big castle/mansion thing that we got to see.

Sounds like a great Father's Day as well! I honestly just miss all of your food. In that month and a half before I go to college you'll have to make everything for me again :) As for the first meal home....I might just have to request the classic roast and mashed potatoes (Sunday dinner). Or we could have cafe rio....or tacos! That's a Mom's classic too. Just do whatever. I'll be happy :)

Love you!

-Elder Shirley