Monday we had a relaxed not too exciting Pday and then we spent the night out tracting. I dont honestly remember exactly where or what happened and thats all I have written down. :)
In the Centar with laundry hanging all over the place
Tuesday...we woke up and got ready and got the car from the Matosiches and headed to exchange with the Karlovac Sisters. We met half way and Sister Erbe headed back to Zadar with Sister Burton and I went to Karlovac with Sister Crump. We got to Karlovac and went to the senior couples to give them the car back. They actually just got to Croatia last week so they are brand new and it was quite comical at times. They still arent completely sure what is going on and had a lot of questions. But they are great! They are so enthusiastic about missionary work and she told us that the night before she stood out on their driveway and talked to people who walked by about the church. She is also really good with the language...most senior couples dont do so well with learning the language but she already knows a lot which will be very beneficial to have a senior couple that can speak the language. Anyway...we had district meeting which was good. We did some role plays and practiced teaching the why of the Book of Mormon and how we read it. After District Meeting we ran by the Sisters apartment to drop of all of my stuff...they just got a brand new apartment and it is ridiculous. It is nicer than a 5 star hotel...it definitely does not look like a missionary apartment. We then went and met with Š. She is a member in Karlovac and I actually met with her last time I was on an exchange there so it was fun to be able to meet with her again. She is working on reading the Book of Mormon from start to finish so we discussed her reading with her and read the next chapter with her. She also told us about her conversion story and how she came in contact with the missionaries...I love hearing this. And she is the cutest thing ever and told us every single detail about it. Tuesday night we had English which went well.
On splits with Sister Crump
Wednesday morning we woke up and did studies and then went out contacting. We got a phone call and found out that President Rowe was going to be in Karlovac to do interviews. I didnt actually have an interview with him because he will be in Zadar soon but I got to talk to Sister Rowe while President was interviewing Sister Crump. I love Sister Rowe and I loved being able to talk to her one on one for awhile. She is just encouraging and always knows exactly what to say to make you feel confident. We then went to an investigator named K. The sisters have actually been teaching her English so they do half English and half Gospel. Things went well there except I kind of think she is more interested in the English than the church...she didnt like it so much when we switched gears. Then we had a lesson with another English student named I. President Rowe actually met her first and introduced her to the missionaries.
Thursday morning we woke up and drove to exchange back. We made it back to Zadar in time to drop off my stuff and head out for the day. We had an appointment with a woman named M who we had found through the area book. We went to her house and had a good lesson with her. She has known the missionaries for quite a while. She has a Book of Mormon and not only does she read it but she studies it and takes notes about what she learns. So we read Moroni 10:3-5 with her and talked about reading the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart, pondering it, and then praying to find out if it is true. Her problem is she thinks that every church is good. She likes learning about all churches and thinks that they should all work together as one and that it doesnt matter what church you belong to as long as you go to church...
Thursday night we had a lesson with E which was good. We taught her the plan of Salvation which was interesting to hear her opinion of that. Part of me thinks that she is still trying to convince herself that she doesnt believe in a God. Anytime we ask her a question she says...well Im agnostik so I guess I believe this. She really liked the lesson and understood it really well. After we finished her roommate came home and came and sat in with us and E retaught her the entire lesson. We helped her with some parts but for the most part she really listened and understood what we had taught her. At the end of the lesson we tried to get her to pray but she wouldnt.
Friday...we went to see J at work to invite her to activity. We had to go get some flyers made. Sister Burton is a really good piano player and since we both play piano we got permission to start beginner piano basics as a class as a way to get people into the church. So we spent a good part of the day handing out flyers and talking to people about that. We also had to do weekly planning on Friday because Thursday turned out to be a crazy day. Friday evening we had a lesson with S. The time before he had asked us some questions about the Plan of Salvation so we retaught that to him focusing on the afterlife because that is what he seemed to be the most confused on. After we were finished his questions were answered and he understood it...he just wont act. He knows what he needs to do and we remind him of it every time, he just wont make the commitment of baptism and he wont stop smoking...gotta love the fact that everyone and their dog does that here.
After S we had Aktivnost. We did a Valentines day activity. We watched the Bible Video that talks about loving those around you and then we decorated sugar cookies and played do you love your neighbor...some people couldnt really catch on how to play that but we had a lot of fun!
Decorating cookies at Aktivnost
Sister Burton & Sister Clark
Saturday we spent the morning tracting/contacting/handing out flyers. We had English Saturday night which was a good class and then we cleaned the church then we went to B's...I love the weeks that we get to meet with her. We read 2 Nephi 2 with her and then had a discussion about it. B is the greatest! She has so much faith...she has been through a lot in her family especially recently and has stayed strong through all of it!
Sunday...church was...interesting. J came which we were so happy about...but she brought N. The poor kid cant sit still for more than 30 seconds. He managed to do ok during Sacrament meeting but primary was another story...he was drawing on himself, spitting water, throwing things...so we spent Primary making sure he didnt hurt anyone or break anything. After church we went out tracting and then the Matosiches had invited us and the elders over for dinner. So we went there and then we went to V's to do personal progress with her. We finished one of the values so we helped her pick a project for that which is exciting! She is so close to being all of the way done with Personal Progress!
This week while I was in Karlovac the Sisters met with A...he is still progressing slowly but surely. He still doesnt have a baptismal date (at least that he will tell us) but we are hoping to be able to commit him to one this week.
I also got to meet the O's this week. They are a couple who were baptized clear back when Krešimir Ćosić first brought the church here. They have been active since (as far as I know). Anyway...they lived in Utah (Kaysville actually) for a time and all of their kids live in America so they had been there since the first of December visiting their kids (they actually have one that just moved from Syracuse so they were there for a time). Anyway...they live here in Zadar but he has actually been called as a counselor to President Rowe so they are going to be traveling all over but they were here in Zadar for a time so I got to meet them which was fun because I have heard a lot about them. They are great!
Well...thats about all of my week here in Croatia. It was another good, crazy week! I love the work that I am doing and being able to help people...even though sometimes they dont want the help or dont realize they need it. Sometimes it gets frustrating/devastating when door after door is closed and people dont realize what they are closing the door on. But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and the church is growing...slowly but surely. I love you all and am grateful for all of you! I love this Gospel and know that it is true. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me, he is aware of me always and knows exactly what I need just as he does all of you.
I hope that you all have a great week!
Volim vas!
Sestra Clark
Shoutouts!
Emails...Dad, Mom, Carrie, Grandpa, Tyson, Allie, Al
Thank you thank you!
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