A little more news..and pictures!

We got a pretty short email from Taylor this week, since he'd just emailed 5 days before that. His first companion and trainer, Elder U., finished up his mission and went home so Taylor has a new companion, Elder Clyde. Elder Clyde has been in the Czech Republic just 8 weeks longer than Taylor, so they will work hard together and I think the Czech will really come along now that Taylor will have to do more talking. Taylor is excited about the challenge and he gets along well with Elder Clyde. Here are some questions we asked Taylor, along with his answers. All of them were not pertinent, so we deleted a few. Also, before he left Taylor volunteered with me in 1st grade, so last week he started a letter to them and as you can see, this week he finished it up.

1.  Where is Elder Clyde from and what is he like? Do you work well together?

Elder Clyde is from Logan, UT, he plays the guitar and the ukele, and played lacrosse and football in high school. ANd he has a uke here. He bought it a couple weeks ago. We do work well together. He was in my district last transfer, so we already knew each other. We have fun.
2.  What things have you been eating? (this is from Hunter)

Nothing too exciting. Really just the same old thing. My new favorite is this sweetbread called vánočka. It's way good, especially with cream cheese. Yum.
3.  Have you had any dinner appointments with members?

Not much, they feed us any time we come over though. They make such good soup. I'm pretty sure I mentioned that before.
4.  How's the language coming? Are you having to say more now that Elder U. is gone?

The language is good. It's progressing slowly but surely. And yes, I speak much more now that my crutch is gone. But it's good, and necessary for my development.
5.  What's the weather like now?

Well, actually, it was reeeeeally hot, then it cooled down to around perfect, then we had some days of freezing cold and rain. It is currently back to really hot. I sweat much. 9.  What interesting things do they sell at the grocery store? I just remember the stores in England having intriguing things that you would never see in the US, like 20 different kinds of potatoes and roast chickenk-flavored pringles potatoes chips.

I haven't looked a ton at the stuff like that, I'll keep my eyes open for it next time we go shopping. Lots of weird meat and cheese though. All kinds of animal parts.
10.  Are you going to finish the 1st grade letter today? School is out on Wednesday!
Haha yes! Just tag this on to the end of what I already wrote.

 

 

...Every Saturday we have time to play soccer or frisbee with anyone who wants to. ANd every Monday we have a day to shop, clean, write home, and if there's time, we can go on little trips.

 

I haven't had much of a chance to go anywhere cool yet, but we have done some fun things. We've been to a really tall green tower called the Radnice, and there are lots of coal mines nearby, and we've visited a couple of them. We're going to a castle called Hukvaldy, and also to some caves at a place called Jeskyně. I've heard that Ostrava has one of the best zoos in the country, and we're going to go there soon too. The countryside is really pretty here, once you get out of the city, with lots of colorful flowers that I've never seen before. In a couple weeks we're going to go out and just spend some time outside. We're excited.

 

That's about it class! I hope you enjoyed this short letter about Ostrava. I know school gets out soon, but don't forget everything over the summer. Have fun!

 

Na shledanou,

Starší Knapp

And now...pictures. 
The first is of Ostrava, the second Taylor and apparently a large, ornate building (probably a cathedral?), and the third Taylor and Elder U. And as you can see, Taylor has not lost his goofiness.

 

I have been a slothful blogger for my two missionaries. So here is a little update on Taylor in the Czech Republic: (and actually it will be a rather big (long) update..)

Some spiritual things:

I want you all to look up Moroni 8:1-3. It's where Mormon greets Moroni as his son. I read that a few days ago and felt two very distinct impressions. One, that my parents feel the same about me, pray for me, and love the Lord. I also very distinctly felt my Heavenly Father's approval. This was His way of telling me I'm doing what He wants. I was actually reading somewhere else in the Book of Mormon at the time, and felt I should go to the spot I had left off the day before. And this was waiting for me.


And he's right! We do feel that way about our wonderful son!


The battle with the language has some bright spots:

Things are going really well, and the language is too actually. OH! A little proud moment I forgot to mention last week. Every tuesday we have Czech class with a member here. Last week she had us all read to her. All did well, and she complimented them and corrected them. Then me. Hehe. Sorry, this really is prideful, but I'm saying it anyway. I read my stuff and she stopped me part way through and said, "Vy jste čech?" Are you Czech? I said no haha, I'm not at all. She said, in Czech, something like, if I didn't know you were American, I would guess you were Czech. Yeah, I felt pretty good. I reeeelly tried to play it down though, because I don't want to seem prideful. She then said I have a problem though. If people here me read, they'll think I speak really well, and talk really fast. Sooo bummer. But whatever haha. I'll take it.

Things that make us laugh....


Saturday something funny happened. We had a service project that was supposed to be all day. We went there that morning, and, being the strapping young American boys we are, wore mostly shorts and t-shirts. I was actually the only one wearing both shorts and a t-shirt. The other missionaries told me the members were going to freak when they saw me. They were correct. They were mad at all of us because those who were wearing sweatshirts took them off fairly quickly. AFter a few hours we literally got sent home because we weren't wearing enough clothes. One of teh members told us, "Thank you for your help, now go home and get yourselves in order." It was so funny. But it was a good day, fixed up a path in some woods and picked up trash. We got a lot of compliments. I think they were compliments haha. It was in Czech, but I think they were good things. Hope so haha. Sunday was good, ADam, a kid who just was baptized a week ago got comfirmed, and it was great. He's super solid. I played the piano againnnn because the member who usually does was out of town again. She has been here one sunday so far. Ridiculous. SHe is active, just is out of town a lot. she's the one who teaches Czech class actually. 

Also, I received a threat on my life the other day. Mom, don't freak out. Ther is a tram stop called Namesti Republiky, and this old homeless woman hangs around there often at night. The night after our service project, I was sitting on a bench, still in my shorts and tshirt, when she comes up to me and starts going crazy. she went on and on about how she is 72, and she had to go to this shelter to go to the bathroom and work and get warm clothes and stuff like that. Our tram came, and as we walked away she kept yelling, "I will destroy you! I will destroy you!" Absolutely nuts. Also, in response to my last denture story, I must find a way to convey this properly. If an old person doesn't have their dentures in, they will just gum, chewing on nothing constantly. It's a weird tic that they all have. It is the most hilariousl thing I've ever seen. I can't even explain it. Maybe it's on youtube or something, but their cheeks are totally sunken in, and they gum and gum and gum, I don't know. It is sooo funny.

We have two new investigators! One named Zlata and one named Blanka. Zlata lives alone with a lion. Well, he might be a dog, but I thinkg it's a lion. Super accepthing to the message, just worried that she won't be ready in time. Blanka is different. Also very accepting, totally ready to hear teh Restored Gospel truths, but different. We contacted her on the street Saturday, taught her a lesson right then, then invited her to Sports Day. And she came! In full soccer gear, and I mean full. cleats, shin guards, jersey ,padded shorts, everything. And she likes to...tickle. She kept coming up behing us during the game and tickling us. guess what? that's not okay. it was very uncomfortable. She's probably around 30 or so, and just is a little different. Really nice, will be a great contribution to the church, but she tickles.

 

I'm happy to report that the tickler is no longer around...something tells me her motives were not pure...

Some random facts:

1.  So, you are playing the piano each Sunday for church? Do they have hymnbooks?

Not every Sunday. Thankfully, there is a lady here who usually does it, but she is out of town  A LOT so I have to. And I always do for Priesthood. And yes, they have hymnbooks. just not a translation that is Church approved haha.

 

2. What has the weather been like?

Last week was super rainy, which was dumb, but it is soooo nice here. Sounds like it's about exactly like Kansas right now actually.

 

3.  Have you tried anymore new foods?

Nooo...not really. They have a lot of similar stuff. Every meal begins with soup, then the main course. I've had some really good soups here Mom. You would be in heaven. But the food is good!

 

 (questions 3-6 would not interest you)

7.  What do ward members do for a living there?

I really have no idea. A lot of people are poor, almost everyone lives in old communist housing, but there are a few who are quite well off.

 

8.  Do you find that a lot of people speak English there are not so much?

Yes, quite a few speak a little, but most have verrry strong accents, and not much vocabulary. You will find the occasional person who speaks really well. Like one of the companionships brought a guy to church who jsut got back from living in Ireland for like 10 years, so he speaks well. Haha, but with a Czech-Irish accent. Funny.

 

Taylor loves his mission president and his wife, Pres. and Sis. Irwin. They are from England...

Speaking of the Church here, we had Branch conference last Sunday, which meant Pres and Sis Irwin came! I love them. They are exact opposites. Pres is a fireball, tons of energy, sarcastic, chummy (that's a British term) with all the missionaries, hilarious, so on. Sis Irwin is very quiet, proper, refined, and loving. Whenever she sees you, she says, "It's so good to see you, love! Is everything well? How are you sweet?" So funny. 

 

President Irwin talked about the growth of the church in the Czech Republic and Taylor commented on that, paraphrasing a quote from Joseph Smith:

  The church is getting ready to explode here. Why? Because it is Christ's church. It will go forth boldly, nobley, and independent. No unhallowed hand can stop the work. it is so exciting to be a part of it all.

 

Taylor loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and he loves being a missionary, even though it is difficult.

 

Goood week this week. Some rough spots, but that's life. Especially as a missionary. More than anything, I was just happy this week. To be honest, I'm never unhappy, but the language can be frustrating and people are rude, and whatnot, but this week I was happy all the time. Which really makes me excited because it shows me that I'm really starting to fully embrace the work, which is what I want. I want this to be the "best two years."

 

Missionary adventures:

 

As for Blanka the tickler, we haven't seen her in awhile. We had a lesson set up with her, but she wouldn't give us her phone number. She said to come outside her apartment and call for her and she would come. So, three missionaries (we were on an exchange) stood on the sidewalk and yelled Blanka! Blanka! Blanka! over and over. We don't even know if it was the rigtht building. We haven't seen her since haha. As for Marek...bummer. We dropped him. He just doesn't understand the importance of our message and the significance of our call. He thinkgs he is the same kind of missionary we are, and that biking, soccer, and hanging out with friends are ways we pray. He just wasn't progressign. I love the guy, but for now we won't be teaching him anymore. Veronika, on the other hand, is doing great. We taught her the word of wisdom, which we knew would be a problem because she was smoking when we met her, and she was a little surprised. She read some and we talked about the kinds of things we shouldn't take in or what ever, and she was like, "Okay...I've had like half of these today..." Keep in mind she's only 16. But, she, because she is so prepared, said, "I'll try it!" And I believe she is doing great. We meet with her again tomorrow.

 

In other news, we met with KC, aka Raffiki, twice this week. The secodn time we went with him to visit a friend in the hospital. He's just such a nice friendly, big-hearted guy. I just wish he would stop being so dang immoral. We're actually talking about that this week with him. So hopefully he can feel the need to change his life. We got a referral from him, unfortunately wont start teaching him until July. It's someone you all have heard of. I'm so pumped. Him and KC are friends, and he comes to the Czech Republic once a year, every |July. He is...Usain Bolt. Yes. I mean Usain Bolt as in the fastest man in the world. That Usain Bolt. Kc promised we could meet him and start teaching him if we wanted. IF WE WANTED? IS THAT LIKE A MAYBE? We said yes.

 

I know this is pathetic, but this is really about all there is. Elder U was sick this week, so taht took a huge chunk out of Tuesday, and we had a senior couple come Thursday to do cleaning checks, so there went Thursday as well. We are really optimistic for this week though. It's our last as a companionship, so we;ve got to work dang hard all week, and really end on a good note. Oh, also, when the Erbs, the senior couple came, we went and bought me a mattress. So now I'm sleeping in comfort haha. It's real nice.

 

I love you all, don't forget whose work this is. It is the work of our Lord. And He blesses all involved. That could not be clearer to me.

 

Starsi Knapp
 

We got to talk to Taylor yesterday morning, which made us very happy! He's nervous about Elder U. leaving but I think it will be good for Taylor to be paired with someone who is not so fluent in the language. This will give him the opportunity to speak more and learn more. He's doing great, but he's impatient because he's used to doing a lot of talking, sharing thoughts and feelings, joking, and using big words and speaking Czech requires him to use very simple language. But he's coming along and he's very happy.