Draha rodino,

It's been a great week! We've had some great things happen. 

Monday was, of course, busy. Mondays are. We had a very full schedule in the afternoon. We taught Viktor, Veronika, Maxim, who is doing so great btw, and Cristina, Isabel's friends. We helped her move and then taught her. She's great! She really wanted to get a Book of Mormon, and when we gave it to her she was way excited. She is a sassy African, and hilarious. She also doesn't speak much English or Czech, which I think I mentioned. But it went well. Viktor got the Priesthood on Sunday which was great, and we talked a lot about he temple, because he's going in a couple weeks. He's the best.

Tuesday we didn't have District Meeting because we had a conference Thursday, so we went and sang instead. The only problem is the place we went was not great for a singing display. I accidentally contacted a guy who was...not in his right state of mind though he looked very normal, and we had a nice chat about knights templar and the like before I could terminate the contact. But we came back and taught Michal the Word of Wisdom! He knows it's all right, he does smoke a bit though. So, we stole his cigs, and cut them up in the dumpster. Okay, he gave them to us, but I always love doing that to people, just like when we took tea away from the Pavlicovi. We also had dinner at a member's house, prepared for our training.

Wednesday was totally full. We taught 8 lessons and got haircuts. We don't do haircuts on pday because most places are closed on Saturdays, so we can't. We went through a little bit of the "preparing to enter the holy temple" pamphlet with Viktor, he's excited. We had a good talk about families and gave him a proclamation, which he loved. We also met with Isabel, Otakar, had a great study of John 15 with Pet'a, taught Ary reading and prayer as commandments, and taught Martin Koca the Word of Wisdom. He is so funny. I hope you get to meet him someday. He is the most interesting character I've ever met. He's just lovable. Ary is doing so so well. His baptism is officially for Sunday the 3rd, at 5:00. pray for him!

Thursday we had training, and it went well, or at least the parts we were present for. We had to go pick up lunch so we missed a part. Actually a very long part. We ordered from this Chinese restaurant, and they don't really speak a language we know. So, when we went to pick it up, they had 2 boxes ready for us, not 55. So, we cleared up the confusion and waited for an hour and a half for our food. We had a good laugh. We then missed the end because we had some lessons. Otakar is doing really well. We talked about why we have commandments and the blessings associated with them. We also taught Ivana, we haven't met with her for a few weeks, and it was a bit of a tough one. She has very different views, one of which is that all paths are good. Still not sure how to get around that one. We visited afterwards a recent convert who is having some struggles right now, her Catholic friends are trying to pull her back, and then the Elder's quorum president and his wife. 

Friday was fun. We taught Cristina with Isabel, and we were dying laughing. They are so funny. It was good, but a little tough bcause of the language. We then went to lunch with a member and his girlfriend, the Vietnamese one. We should get the pictures back next week, so I can send them. We taught Ary tithing! The last hurdle. he's great. I love that guy so much. When we asked if he would begin to pay after baptism, he said," Hmm...two more weeks of being a freeloader." So funny.

Today we're going to a war memorial and it should be good. It's a beautiful day in Prague, and we're excited.

Love you!

Elder Knapp

A Happy Missionary

Draha rodino!

Wow. This week has been the greatest. So many good things

The week!!!

Sunday was good, we had a few at church, including Viktor and Ary, then right after sacrament meeting we left. We had a zone conference in Brno Sunday afternoon, and we had to leave as soon as we could to get there on time. So, after a good meeting we left Viktor and Ary in each others' care and we took the two oldest McConkie kids with us to Brno. It was a good conference, Elder Sewell and I actually didn't train this time, so we just got to listen and enjoy. Tonight while doing call ins, I added up how many lessons we had taught to this point in the transfer. Our goal is 200 in the transfer, and this is the last week. I'll tell you where we're at by the end of the email. 

Monday we had a good day. We taught a young Russian recent convert, and then she helped us teach Viktor. It was a good meeting, he's doing really well. We also had a way good lesson with Ary, he said at the end, "this baptism, I think I can do it, I think I can make it." Yeah he can! he told us about his Catholic baptism, how he was 5, and had no idea what was going on, and now he wants to be baptized because he chooses to be. We also had a good lesson with a guy named Michal, from Uzbekistan, and he's on date now for the 16th of November. I'll mention him more later.

Tuesday we taught Viktor again, the last big hurdle before baptism: tithing! We had President McConkie with us, and it went great! He accepted it no problem and he is excited to get baptized next week. Keep praying for him, he needs it still! We taught Vera via iPhone, and a couple others. We had one of the most frustrating lessons ever tonight. It was with this young guy Josef. He claims to be an honest seeker of truth, but you can tell by his questions that he's not. He claims we haven't answered any of his questions, and when we asked what questions we hadn't answered, he listed off a bunch of questions we had discussed at length. It's not that we haven't answered them, he just doesn't like our answers. But, we meet those type now and then. We can't just have Viktors and Arys! We had a singing display, found a couple of people, and had a cool phone call from Michal. He talked about how he had read the Book of Mormon and our website all night, and was stoked about what he had found. We met with him later in the day, and he talked about how everything he's been looking for is here, and it answers all his questions, and how true it all feels. So cool.

Wednesday we had some cool miracles, evidence that the Lord wants us to achieve our goal of 200 lessons. We taught both Viktor and Michal in the morning, had lunch with all the missionaries in Prague and the McConkies, and it was a really good time. We then went and met a former investigator, and really cool guy named Petr. he's Jehovah's witness, so it's going to be a battle with him, but he's a nice guy. We had another great lesson with Ary, at the end of which he of course prayed again. After his prayer, like every time, he was just excited. Smiling, happy, feeling the Spirit. He said, "It just gets better and better! I'm getting good at this." He is the greatest. We also had two lessons that we didin't really expect to get, one with a really cool kid from Kazakhstan that we met with last week, and a really good one with a long time investigator named Martin Koca. We also had a meeting with the branch president, President Pilka, about less actives and how we can better work together to brign some back. It was good, and his trust in us is growing, and we're starting to have a good relationship with him. 

Thursday we had training here in Prague, and it was good. The zone leaders did a good job. We had two lessons immediately afterwards, one with Veronika and one with Viktor. Both were really really good. It was Viktor's birthday, and we had a small celebration with him, and some of the other missionaries. He really appreciated it. He's 38. And he says hello haha. We talk about our families a lot, and he said today that I must have a great family. He's right. Right after his lesson we headed to a university to teach two new guys, Lukas and Mirek. They're way cool, and we had a good lesson with them. They are both not really believers much, but they have good questions, and they are willing to meet with us. 

Yesterday was way packed, we taught 8 lessons, which is a new high for me. We had such a cool miracle in the morning! we had a lesson set up with a Ukrainian lady, so we invited the same Russian RC, Sasha, to teach with us. The lady didn't show up, so we taught Sasha a quick lesson. We finished, and walked to the door with her, where a young college-age girl was waiting. We let her in, and started to talk to her, and she told us right away that she wasn't Czech. We heard her accent, and it turns out she is Russian! Her name is Maria, and she said that she has never been a believer, but that she has been thinking about God a lot lately, and that she felt it was time to start believing! We sat down with her and chatted a bit about our purpose and all, and she is soooo cool. We had to leave to go meet another investigator, but no worries, our Russian member took her on a tour of the building, and by the end they were just best friends, and now Maria is coming to church, and we're going to meet with her! WAs it a coincidence that we happened to be there with a Russian member just as a Russian girl walked up to the Restored Church of Jesus Christ? Not a chance. God is good. 

Today, as I've mentioned, we met with Viktor, he is so set for baptism next week. He wants to be baptized in a lake or a river, so we have to find a place for it, but other than that, he's good. Transfers end this weekend, so tonight, for the first time (and I'm so excited), I get to be part of calling all the missionaries to tell them where they're going!!! It's going to be such fun. Elder Sewell and I already know where everyone is going and all, but it's going to be great to get to be the one calling the other missionaries. Also, Elder Sewell and I are staying together! More than six months together total. Wow.

I love you all tons, can't wait to hear from you all again!

Elder Knapp

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

 

 

Great Email from Prague

Draha rodino!

It's been the quickest, busiest, fullest week of my life. It was incredible. It's too bad about the BYU/Va game, but it happens. What happened with Texas? if you could email me today, I should be doing my emailing in two chunks, so I might be able to see it without having to wait for next weekend. Thank you for your prayers in behalf of me and my investigators. As for specific ones to pray for, definitely Viktor, also Patrik, Jackson, Jan, Martin, and Věra (pronounced 'viera'). I love the folks we teach. Happy 50th anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa! Wow. 50 years. Tanner! I'm pumped for you to do South Pacific! It's going to be a blast.  you'll love doing the musical. I met most of my really good friends through that. Hunter, good job bearing your testimony! That's awesome buddy. You sure are brave to do that! Also I got all your letters this week. thanks guys. You all are the best. Letters from the family are even better than Australian chocolate and bow ties, even though those things are pretty good too.

The week! Monday we had a good day. We did all our busy office stuff in the morning, then got down to business. We met Viktor, a lady named Ivana, a member named Klara who got back two weeks ago from her mission in England, and Jan. The meetings were all good. We also went on a trip for an hour or so to a place called Petřin with a member and one of our investigators, Veronika. It was pretty fun. Petřin is this hill with monuments and gardens and stuff, a big maze and a replica eiffel tower. IT was good because it gave us a chance to catch up a bit with Veronika who we haven't met with for awhile. 

Tuesday we had Mission Leadership Council in the morning at the McConkie house. It was great. I love the missionaries in this mission, and the leaders we have here are just great, all of them. We got a lot of things worked out, planned trainings for this month, and now it's up to each companionship to prepare, and make the trainings great! We as assistants won't actually be training at these upcoming conferences because of time, but it's okay. We don't mind a break every now and then. IN the afternoon/evening we taught Patrik, got him on baptismal date!, Martin, and an RC Jitka. it was a solid day. So you know, Patrik is 26, 6' 6" probably, and works as an accountant for the czech Army. He is way cool. We're excited aobut him. We also met with Jackson that evening. Jackson is 40, from China, and I may have told you about him already, but his job here is selling czech beer and really high prices to china. But he is such a funny guy, I love him. Martin has been an investigator for probably 6/7 months now, and is such a nice guy. He says he will get baptized, but he's not on date quite yet. 

Wednesday we had district meeting, a lesson with Viktor, a lesson with a Mongolian lady named Lygzima, a lesson with Evgenii, a Russian somewhat less-active kid here, Veronika, the same one as from Monday, and visited a family from Ukraine, the pavluvovi. they are one of my favorite families in the branch. In answer to your question, Mom, this is the same branch I served in last time, there's just the one in Prague. I'll answer the rest of your questions later on in the email. viktor is doing so well. He is liking what we teach more and more, and this week we really focused on the Book of Mormon with him, and he is going to pray and gain a testimony of it's truthfulness. I love the guy, pray for him please.

Thursday we finally were able to go to a singing display again! It's been a long time. We taught Viktor and a less active guy, Drahomir, in the morning before the display, then headed out to the place where we were singing and met the others. It went really well! We found three people that set up with us, so hopefully they pan out! Michal, Dalibor, and Ina. Later we visited the pavlicovi, Isabel, a less active family the Tesarovi, and a guy from peru, Ricardo. The lesson with the Tesarovi was os sad. I'll fill you all in on a secret: When you don't keep the commandments, you don't have a happy life. and until you start keeping them, you won't be happy. God does not accept excuses for disobedience, no matter how well thought out and justified they are. Why? Because he knows that He will bless you more for your obedience then you could ever possibly gain for you disobedience. It just is true! Don't forget it. That is the story with so many less-actives out here, and probably everywhere. They stop keeping the commandments, enjoy life for awhile, then EVERYTHING spirals downward. Commandments are to protect us! 

Friday was great! We met with a RC, a young kid who is way cool, his name is Robert and he is an absolute wizard on the piano. then we met with Viktor again, and then with a cool young girl nalmed Marcella. She doesn't want to meet right now anymore, because she is just so busy and is way stressed out, but we had a really good lesson on the plan of salvation and she is definitely interested, just wants to wait a couple months. After the meeting with Marcella we got in the car and drove. to Zlin. Every year, a foundation calledthe Wallace Toronto Foundation does a big service project in the Czech Republic or Slovakia. Since President McConkie and one of his law partners/mission buddies started it, we got to go. Friday night we arrived there and had a kickoff fireside, for which I translated the first half, and then all the elders that were there slept over and the Zlin Elders' apartment. 12 missionaries in one little apartment is a squeeze. The project was on Saturday, and we helped remodel a childrens' home for children with Autism and similar disorders. I only translated the first half of the fireside because then the director of the home got up and started going into great detail about many things related to mental illness, and my vocab is not comprised of those words. I understood the gist of what she was saying, but translating so that others could as well...I was not passing on everything. So at that point someone else took over, actually President's law partner who lived in Slovakia and the Czech republic for awhile as a lawyer, and married a Slovak women. but as for your question Mom, fluent in all Czech, obviously not. But I can understand almost everything, and can express myself well. My understanding of the language and grammar and so forth is pretty good, but I wish I personally had a bigger vocabulary. 

Saturday we worked from about 7:30 to 3:30. It was great. We did mostly demotition, so I was dirty, bleeding, sweaty, and happy. It felt so good to get some good work done with my hands. And the service was great. President told me that we did way more than the director of the home thought we would, and he said that's what happens at every project. Mormons work. President's middle son, Hyrum, was there as well. And yes, we interact a lot with his family, and I love it. They are so great. The oldest is 15, her name is Evie, then Wilson (James Wilson McConkie IV) is 13, Hyrum is 9, and George is 7. I love their kids.

I'll save the rest of the answers for next week due to time, but I love you tons, I hope this email was a tad longer than last time, I just tell you, the time goes faster and faster and there is less and less of it. Hence the emailing on a Sunday instead of Saturday. Love you!

Elder Knapp

News from Prague

 The pictures are of Alena's baptism which occurred a few weeks ago in Pardubice. She was baptized in a river by the branch president. It must have been an amazing day, judging from the smiles on those faces!

 Excerpts from Taylor's email, complete with typos that occur when one types very quickly, as he does:

Sunday was  a good day. WE met with our Chinese investigator, Jackson, before church and then of course he stayed for church. he is such a funny guy. I love him. One problem: he is very busy with his business, which means we have not a ton of time to meet with him. Also, his business is selling cheap czech beer at really high prices to China. Interesting. Every sunday night before call ins, we have a meeting with President at which we discuss the week and the needs of the mission and anything he wants us to pass on to the zone leaders. WE started a study of Luke last week with President and he said we're going to do it every week. Elder sewell and I are so excited to just sit and bask in his wisdom. It's going t obe GREAT.

(Elder Knapp's mission president is Bruce R. McConkie's nephew. He was one of the first missionaries in the Czech Republic when the mission opened 20 years ago or so.)

Monday we had the normal schedule. We did a bunch of office work in the morning, then had ofice meeting, then taught Viktor, Isabel, Jan, and Martin. We went to FHE and did some studies. It was a pretty hectic day, most Mondays are, but it was good. Viktor is doing so well! I don't remember if I told you much about him, but he is Ukrainian, has as of yet refused to take a Book of Mormon, but the last few lessons have been great, and I'll tell you more aobut him in a bit.

Tuesday we had training for new district leaders and it went really well. Immediately after the training we had district meeting and then another meeting with President. he's had a rough week. A lot of tough things with missionaries and members. We actually picked up a missionary tonight who wants to go home. President had a good chat with him, and he's agreed to stay for a bit more. Pray for him please. My heart aches to think of all that someone would lose by going home early. We also taught a couple lessons today, a recent convert Jitka and a less active Drahomir.

Wednesday I took Elder Sewell to the dentist for hopefullly the last time. I've been to that doctor's office so many times with my past copule companions, I'm glad to see the last of it. But we came back and taught a few more lessons. We taught Viktor again, a wonderful lady named Vera, she's the mother in law of a member here and so great, a semi active guy named vitaly, then went and visited a member family named the Pavluvovi. Mom, I had some of the best soup ever. Vera made a Russian soup called Boršč, and it was amazing. the family we visited also made some good soup for us. I love soup. I just realized that was a dangerous sentence to write. but I'm going to get some of these great soup recipes and pass them on. Viktor btw promised to finally take a book of Mormon!!! We just need to download it in e-form, and then he'll read it on he e-book. So happy about that.

Thursday we taught a bunch. We contacted a couple referrals, some way cool folks. We taught 7 lessons total, one to the Pavlicovi and their OLDEST DAUGHTER YEAAAAAAH! We set up again for today, and we are so pumped. We're going to baptize the whole family! We also visited this lady whose mother in law is a member in the Philipines and sshe works here in the embassy, so she's way smart and successful. She has a cool story aobut how she ended up here in Prague, and we know that she is totally here because she needs the Gospel. 

Friday we gave Viktor the Book of Mormon! He's probably even going to come to church! Hes such a good guy. he feels the Spirit in our lessons ,and slowly but surely he is coming around. We went to lunch with a couple of members, and now are going to start teaching the sister of one of them. We met with a recent convert and his girlfriend, Isabel, and Jan. Jan is getting baptized next week. He's such a good kid. He likes to joke around a lot, but he always accepts what we teach and lives it. 

Then today! We are just kind of relaxing today. I mentioned at the beginning that the Lord blesses us despite our very limited finding time. We have received so many solid referrals this week, and we are going to end up with loads of new investigators from it. it's so awesome. We're going to go play ball in a few hours after teahing some lessons. for now, we're just going to write some letters and stuff. hayden finally wrote me! I was way excited. so, I have some letters to write. Love you all, the Church is so true.

Starsi Knapp

 

Today's email

Sorry this email is so long. I didn't cut much out--it's too good.

Draha rodino,

It's been quite a week. A really, really good week with lots of events.

Sunday was a good day, pretty normal. it was fast and testimony meeting of course, and all were very good. Except the first one. There was a big YSA conference this past week, and the first young guy to get up told about how he met this girl and they got engaged in one week's time and gave each other "neviditelne prstynky," or invisible rings. He then told about how he was praying that God would make everything work out so that they could get married. He then mentioned taht God needed to work fast becasue she is leaving for a mission next week. I don't think they're going to get married. But, after that one little interesting bit, the meeting was great.

monday was a great day. we taught a few lessons, but the highlight was an experiment taht Elder Sewell and I did with one of President's new finding ideas. We had a member take us on a tour of a landmark in Prague and bring a friend along. It was just a was casual, comfortable environment and we started to chat with his friend, way cool girl named Veronika, and the conversation just led right into the Gospel. She is way interested and we're meeting with her this next week. We're pumped. We then came home and prepared for the Mission Leadership Council that was on Tuesday.

Tuesday we had our council, it went really well, and it was great to see all the mission leaders that came in. I love them all so much. I've served with many of them, and we seriously -- sorry Kaitlin and anyone else who served somewhere else -- have the best missionaries ever. But then that afternoon/evening we taught some more lessons, two of which were to our baptismal dates. Isabel, from Angola, and Jan. They both went really well. We also taught Isabel's friend Joanna, among others.

Wednesday was another really good day. We tend to have a lot of those. We said goodbye to an investigator today, Martin, I've included a pic, who is moving to Russia. Actually, he's there already. We met with Jan again, and also visited one of the counselors in the Branch Presidency and his family. they are amazing. Four kids, solid all of them, and we are going back to there house soon to have FHE with them and some friends. We're way excited for it. Families are the best to teach by far.

Thursday was a crazy day. So. We had a training in Brno, progression training which is for all new missionaries and their trainers. AS we were leaving, we received a phone call from President, who was going to meet us in Brno. He had a conference, with multiple members of the quorum of the twelve on Friday and Saturday. Which got changed to Thursday Friday last minute. so. He stayed for 15 minutes, then raced back to Prague to catch a plane. so, Elder Sewell and I conducted a four hour training without him. It was quite an experience, but it went well.

Friday we had a pretty full day. We went and visited the mother in law of member, such a sweet lady. We are way optimistic for her. She doesn't like her church, and has already promised her grandson that she will always come to our church. HELLO!!! She's totally getting baptized. WE also met with Isabel and Jan again, wtih a great ukranian guy Viktor, and a couple others. They all are doing so well. Isabel's baptism was scheduled for Saturday...

And it was beautiful. We did a musical number, President McConkie and one of the senior missionaries here did a piano violin duet as well. And the baptism itself was just perfect. Her testimony was amazing. She has had so many miracles happen to bring her here. She had a friend who was meeting with other missionaries, and Isabel felt a need to be closer to God. She prayed that two people could meet her and teach her things to bring her closer to God. 15 minutes later the missionaries called. She faced a lot of opposition from her family who did everything they could to convince her that she didn't need to be baptized twice. She finally talked to her grandfather, an Anglican priest, and asked if it was wrong to be baptized twice. He said usually it was, but in some cases it was okay. She told him she was getting baptized again, and he gave his blessing. We were blown away. She's great. I threw in a picture of us as well.

That's about the lot! It's been a great week, like I said. We have so much going on right now, so the next couple weeks look to be pretty hectic as well. I'm stoked.

love you all tons,

Starsi Knapp

Back to Prague

We received a phone call from Elder Knapp's mission president, Pres. McConkie, a couple of weeks ago telling us that we have an exceptional son--which we had already suspected--and letting us know that he (Pres. McConkie) had asked Taylor to be his assistant. I have included part of the email Taylor sent after that phone call to show some of the duties he will now have as an AP (Assistant to the President). We are grateful for the many opportunities Taylor has had to learn and grow in various assignments on his mission.

The above pictures are of Pardubice, a city filled with people Taylor has come to love, and the three sister missionaries that he knew in the MTC and who arrived in Prague with him 18 months ago--their missions are finished and they have headed back home.

Draha rodino,

Well, it's been an experience. 

 

So the week really starts Sunday. I made all arrangements to leave my long time residence in Pardubice and return to where I once was. It was 1) hectic as all get out and 2) even hotter than it was hectic. but I got everything taken care of and got to Prague. Elder Osterloh, the AP leaving, and Elder Sewell came and picked me up at the train station and took me back to the office. We did a little bit of training Elder Osterloh and I, then went and had dinner with the McConkies. President McConkie is a n amazing cook. We had bacon wrapped pork tenderloin with potatoes and other good things. It was delicious. After dinner we came back and had the huge callins session to end the night. I got to listen in and participate a little. It was cool, but it's going to be a mad dash the first couple of times I do it. 

Monday we finished preparing the reports generated by callins last night, and sent off the weekly email to the misisonaries. We had office meeting, met with President and discussed the state of the mission. It was a good first meeting for me. This is wild that I'm AP. I'm stil a little shell-shocked. We also taught a few lessons, one to a recent convert and his girlfriend, a couple to investigators, and one to a girl who is getting baptized next weekend. Her name is Isabel, she's from Angola, and she is absolutely awesome. I'm way excited for her. It was all in all a good first full day back in Prague.

Tuesday was an exciting day. We got a bunch of stuff ready, sent Elder Sewell to the dentist, then Elder Osterloh and I and the McConkies went to the airport to pick up all the new missionaries! it was so fun. They're a good bunch. It was so surreal watching them come through the gate with all their luggage and everything. It was way exciting though. We took them back to the building, dropped off their stuff, then took them on the walk around Prague. It was good fun. by the time we finished dinner though, they were all looking pretty jet lagged. we took two of them back to our house to sleep, showed the rest of them where they would be staying, then went off to teach a way cool lady named Katka. We had a great lesson with her, got some concerns out, and taught well. 

Wednesday was a crazy day. We got up way early, and took all the new missionaries back to President's for breakfast, then had them come to the bulding where we paired them up with their trainers. It was pretty great. We had a few more lessons today, including one with a former member who is getting rebaptized soon. Wild. but it was good. That night, we met up with all the missionaries who are going home and had a goodbye dinner and testimony meeting with them. it was a great time, but also a little sad. Elder Osterloh, my old comp Elder Bird, and all the sisters from my MTC group went home! It's awful. We had a very good time though, and it was good to see them all again and here their testimonies once more before they departed. But the madness didn't stop there. We didn't get out of there unitil about 10, took the missionaries to their hotel, found out there was no longer any room there, os the guy that owns that hotel took them somewhere else to accommodate everyone, then came back to let the sisters in. One of the sisters had some weird allergic reaction and had been to the doctor earlier that day. The doctor told her that if she didn't have aspirin, she could possibly get blood clots on the plane. So, after much running around and a long time, we got everything figured out, got her aspirin, and put everyone to bed. We didin't get home until laaaate. But, it happens.

Thursday, also crazy, and a little sad, and good. We had to get up at 4:30! 4:30in the morning! We went to the airport to drop off all of the departing missionaries. So weird. I've included a picture of me with my MTC sisters. After that, we came home, did some study, had some lessons, did district meeting, and taught some more lessons. I met one of our investigators, Ricardo, a guy from Peru. he's so funny. We're also teaching a girl from guatemala, so our teaching pool is pretty ethnic. 

Friday was a pretty normal day. We took Elder Sewell to the dentist again, got him sorted for now, and taught a few lessons. We also had Polar Bear, the weird little thing when we all get together and teach each other Czech. Sorry the days are getting shorter, I'm running out of time. Btw, yes, I served with Elder Sewell in Pardubice, he's the English one. He's a little offended that you didn't remember him. but I think he's mostly joking when he says that.

Well, folks, it's been a good week. I'll throw some pics from Pardubice in as well, enjoy. Love you all so much,

Starsi Knapp