"Worst Culinary Experience" and other things...

1) We eat pretty much the same things. Beef stroganoff, a dish called halusky, a lot of rice and beans, the occasional pizza, tacos, and every so often someone feeds us. I'll make a reference to an experience we had this week later on. 2) The branch probably has about 50 members, most of which are part of active families. It's an amazing branch with tons of potential. I would say that in 15 years or so, it will be one of the biggest in the country, maybe the biggest even. Well, probably Prague will always be biggest, but anyway. 3) Pardubice is really small - have you looked it up online? - so we walk mostly. when we have to go a little farther away we drive. We have a brand new car, whose purchase I oversaw while in the office. Elder Sewell isn't allowed to drive because he never got his license before his mission, so I drive always. It's fun. 4) Elder Sewell is from Bristol, specifically Pucklechurch. He's a good guy. We have some good times and get along well. He's a great missionary, and I'm lucky to get to learn from him.


Thursday we had an amaaaaazing lesson with Martina. She brought her two kids, 15 yr old Tomas and 11 yr old Simona, and they are awesome. We taught the Plan of Salvation, and after teaching the Atonement we asked, "Why would Christ be important for your family?" Tomas answered, "It means through him we can live forever as a family!" WE were blown away. It was awesome. They are all on date for the 29th of March, and are so willing. EVery time we call them Martina answers, "Cetli jsme!" Which means "We read!" It's great.


SAturday was quite a day. We went that morning to a less actives house to teach and help out her mother with some moving, just a couple beds and cabinets and stuff. When we came downstairs, we were surprised to see that she had cooked lunch for us. We received another, less pleasant, surprise a little later. We saw the food, thought it was just some sort of rice/ground beef meal or something with sauerkraut and potatoes. Her daughter, who lived in England 20 years and speaks perfect English looks in and says, "What has she made you? oh! Blood pudding and tripe." BAsically every part of the pig that you don't normally eat, we ate. Except maybe the feet. I have not felt good since. I can't stop thinking about he way it tasted, looked, smell, and felt. I literally could throw up right now just thinking about it. It is awful. I know, Kaitlin, you ate blood sausage inParaguay, and you probably think I'm being a little baby about this all, but it was the worst culinary experience of my life.

Sunday was great! We had good testimonies and so forth, but the best part was that Martina, Tomas, and Simona came to church and had a great experience. They are so solid. WE did calls with the zone and assistents that night, and found out that our zone had literally one of the best weeks in history. It's awesome. The missionaries have really grown this transfer, and we are starting to see the fruits. For example, Pardubice hasn't baptized in over a year,  We have five on schedule for this month.

I love you all, it's great to hear from you all. I've been studying Christ's ministry in 3 Nephi and also the New Testament lately, and it is amazing. So inspiring. Recommended.


This is a picture of the zone leaders, mission president, and area authority.