Email and Pictures

Draha rodino,

Everything is back to normal now as far as our schedule goes, so it is Saturday and I am emailing. What a great game that must have been! I heard from President McConkie last week about it. he's a Ute, but like any good football fan he watches his enemies as close as his friends. I was pretty excited, and so was Sis McConkie and their oldest daughter. You see, their family is divided. President went to the U, so he and his sons are Utes. Sis McConkie went to the Y, so she and her daughter are Cougs. I didn't realize they had a bye this week, but it's good. I hope they get ready, because we have earned every victory we haven't gotten these past few years, and it's time! The two pictures: the couple is the Mills, from Ostrava if you recall.  I love those two so much, it was super sad to see them go. The weird statues are a monument portraying the dehumanizing effect of Communism. I don't know how well you'll be able to see it, but each statue has a little bit less of  the body, symbolizing how with time, Communism makes its citizens less and less human, until at the top stair, there is nothing left. Pretty wild.

Okey doke, Monday. Monday was not the day we wanted it to be. We had many cancellations, which you will soon see has been a theme throughout the week. The thing is, Viktor, our main man, is deeply involved in an intensive construction project right now, so we're seeing him for the first time today. it's been a good week though. On Monday we finally met with Isabel again, she was sick and so hadn't been to church in a couple weeks, but she's better and back now, so we're glad. She is soooo funny. we had the baptismal form for her to fill out at the lesson, and it was hilarious to watch. She has always kept her age a secret from us, we don't know why, so when she saw that she had to write her birthdate and all that she was just appalled. She at first refused to give it, but then she noticed that we were covering something up on the form. Since Elder Sewell baptized her and I confirmed her, both of our first names were there. She said she would only put her birthdate if she could see our names. It was so funny. She was thrilled. We allowed it though because we know that she understands that part of our calling is to go by "Elder," so there was no worry of her calling us by our first names. It's weird to me now to hear my first name. 

Tuesday was amazing! But for reasons that will surprise you. We took the McConkies to the airport because they have a Mission President's conference tuesday to Friday in Paris. Then we had district lunch and district meeting and everything, and it went well. we had lunch at a special restaurant because it was one of the Sisters birthday, then had the meeting, on How to Begin Teaching. We then taught a few lessons, one of which was to a really cool new girl from Russia named Rita. That evening however, we got to do something pretty cool, and out of the ordinary. This following list you must look up.

Rudolfinum, Dvořák Hall Krzysztof Penderecki: Adagio from the Symphony No. 3 (adaptation for strings) Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto No. 2 in Bminor, Op. 104 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 7in A major, Op. 92

And listen to. Then look up Alisa Weilerstein and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Elder Sewell and I went and got to see the opening concert of a big music festival here in Prague. It was soooooooo great. Really. I love classical music. Antonín Dvořák is a native Czech composer, and we were in his hall, where he conducted, and heard his music played by the Czech national orchestra. SO GREAT. A little different than normal stuff, but it was amazing. You'll see that once you listen to it. We are blessed. I love this place.

Wednesday we went and visited a semi-active guy, then did a finding exchange with the sisters in Prague who just opened a new area and work is a little slow for them. but, we went out and found them a few folks, so it was good. They're such good sisters, it's just tough to start from zero. We also taught Patrik! He. Is. Awesome. I'll havet o get a picture for you all. The lesson was sos good. We finishedthe Restoration with him and his prayer at the end was so great, so sincere. He really wants to know.

Thursday we had a good day, we had a singing display that went well. We found a few people, set up a few appointments, and that's what it's all about. We also taught a few lessons, including one to a former investigator named Josef. He became a former after reading about how Nephi killed Laban. we had a very interesting discussion with him. He's a good guy, but he's not super open. we'll see where he goes. He's willing to meet at least.

Friday, yesterday, we taught a friend of Isabel's, such a cool kid, his name is Ari, he's from Angola just like she is. We also taught a new guy from Uzbekistan named Michal. He's really cool, his beliefs are, I would say, Muslim that's a bit heavy on Christianity. He's a really good guy. He loves the idea of the Restoration, and loves what we're doing. We also drove to the airport to pick up the McConkies. They are awesome, we've missed them. They had some trainings from Apostles, one from Elder Ballard I think all about Assistants. A little pride moment: The McConkies said we measured up pretty well. There was also some good scriptural insights passed on from Elder Oaks about how to receive a testimony, so I will abridge what was said. God is a God of covenants. If we want a spiritual confirmation of something, we have to be willing to use it as God would want us to. Elder Oaks said, if an investigator prays for a testimony of the Book of Mormon and promises in that prayer to be baptized if they know, Elder Oaks says he has never known anyone, anyone, to pray like that and not get an answer. This morning in my study in three of the four books of the standard works, I found references to this constant covenant making. Great.

Well folks, I love you. Thanks for all the emails, they were great. HAve a great week, I pray for you each day,

Elder Knapp