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

Parts of This Week's Email

Draha rodino,

Het. The week has been greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. Thsi has been the best transfer of my life. I have loved it all. And this week is looking even better, details next week...haha.

Taylor and his companion had a busy week. They taught lots of lessons--one day they had 6!--and picked up a couple of new investigators. I don't want this to get too long, so I'll skip to Friday, which was an exciting day!

Friday. We tuaght some good lessons today. We had one with Alex and Alena and Jarda and Simona. President and Sister McConkie visited too. Why? Because we had a BAPTISM! It was so beautiful, just a great service. She is so wonderful. I don't have any pictures yet, but Sister McConkie took some and as soon as she sends them to me, I'll send them to you. President Novotny baptized her, and the whole thing really was just great. I love her.

Saturday we were pretty busy. We tuaght a bunch of lessons, and then weekly planned. WE had a way intense lesson with Alex. Sergei, the Russian member from HK came down so as to not have any communication issues, and we went. The problem is, there are definitely still issues that we haven't discovered yet. He says he has burning questions that he needs answered, but doesn't believe the Book of Mormon or sacrament meeting will help him. He did promise to read and pray every day, but won't commit to sacrament meeting yet. He had some bad experience with some other church awhile back, and hasn't gone anywhere since, except to ours once, and alos the baptism on Friday.

Sunday was beautiful. Alena was of course confirmed, and right after gave a short testimony. I was a little worried ust because she can be quite a talker, but she stood up, bore a sweet, short, powerful testimony. She is great! I want you to meet her. We had correlation after, then district lunch, then studies, then callins. Our zone had another solid week. Transfers are this week ahhhhhh I'm so scared. There is almost a 100% chance I'm out, and I'm sad about it. Also, Wednesday we have a super secret conference for only missionaries currently in the Czech Republic. We are so excited, even though we don't really know what to expect.

How fun to have something to look forward to! And how wonderful to have this gospel in its fulness upon the earth.

 Well.....vacation kept me from updating the blog. So here are some excerpts from the last few emails....

Wednesday we headed to Prague for zone leader Council, the first with the McConkies. and actually, it's not zone leader council anymore. It's missionary leadership council or something like that, and sisters are called to be leadership training sister agents or something, and so one companionship of sisters comes to the council. It was really good. Pres McConkie is a great man. Very powerful, tons of faith. I love him already, and I'm waaay excitedto see where the mission goes with him at the head.

Sunday was good, testimony meeting and all. I bore mine, which is interesting because we do it daily, but I did. We only had one interesting one. I have a strong testimony that there is at least one "storyteller" or similar in every branch or ward. I didn't share that in my testimony yesterday though. There is a dear sweet older sister in the branch who gets up evry month. I have absolutely no idea what she was talking about. I lost her very fast. My attention was grabbed when she hid behind the pulpit as part of her testimony. It was...you know. We also taught Alena and Alex after church. it went really well. We almost finished the Plan of Salvation with Alex, and he likes it. That's 21 lessons by the way.

Tuesday we began the first of our journeyings. We drove to Jihlava to observe a district meeting there, and then start an exchange with the district leader Elder Eliason and his greenie companion Elder King. The meeting was good, and that district is great. A very young district, and small, only one other companionship and a senior, thusly the not so young part of the district, couple. Both missionaries in the other companionship are only in their second transfer. But, they're doing pretty great. But anyway, we drove two hours there, two hours back, taught three lessons and that was the day. The lessons went well. Alena is doing greeeeeaaaat! Her baptism is all planned and set for Friday at 6. It's wonderful.

Sunday was good as well. We had a very good sacrament meeting, Alena's baptism was announced, a good number from the branch are coming, and probably President McConkie as well. We had Branch Council afterwards, which we aren't even supposed to go to, but the District Leader was in a lesson that went a little long, so we subbed in on Branch Council. A good week in the zone, as I said we taught the most lessons as a companionship that either of us has ever taught, 23 btw.

Quick answers: The McConkies are from Salt Lake, four kids, one daughter three sons. Yes, Dad, I am getting nervous for transfers. I am consigned to the fact that I probably won't be where I am now in a couple weeks. Yikes. Also, to add my own voice to that what has been said, Do not ever get complacent. As Elder Holland once said, "It isn't over til it's over." and "[the adversary] is determined to get his licks in later, if not sooner." Our power is in Christ.

 

Taylor is doing great. We are praying for Alena--her baptism is scheduled for this Friday, July 19th!

 

Some might ask: Why are Mormons so anxious to share our beliefs with others? I quote Neil L. Anderson, a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:

"With the confusion and commotion of today's world, it's not surprising that fewer people are attending their places of worship. Although many want to be closer to God and to better understand the purpose of life, they have unanswered questions.  Many have hearts open to the truth, but as the prophet Amos described, 'they (are running) to and fro (seeking) the word of the Lord, and (cannot) find it."--Amos 8:12. (We) can help answer their questions."

 

And, from our previous prophet, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley: "Let me say that we appreciate the truth in all churches and the good which they do.  We say to the people, in effect, you bring with you all the good that you have, and then let us see if we can add to it. That is the spirit of this work.  That is the essence of our missionary service."

Catching Up with Elder Knapp

We do cook most of our meals, we go to restaurants probably twice a week at most, but the restaurants here are grrrrrrrrrrrreat. Cheap, and delicious. healthy....I don't know. but, we started a diet this week, and I want to cry every time I think about it. It has taken away almost everything I love. There's a missionary I served around a couple times who is a nutritional know-it-all, and he had made a diet for elder Stimpson awhile back, and we're trying it. No fruit, no grains. No bread, pasta, rice, potatoes. I'm tearing up right now. But, we do get one day a week to go crazy, and I'm way excited for that.

My son is on a diet???!!!! This is weird...

We also had District everything. It was nice. Elder Stradling is a funny guy. Almost every week he colors and copies some little drawing for us to remind us what the commitments were. So far we have a listen to the Spirit shield, a key to there hearts, and a bold commitment badge. I'm getting the giggles just writing about it all.

We do miss hearing Taylor laugh!

Wednesday we had a bit of a tougher day, but also some real cool things happened. We had many many many lessons on plan. Almost all cancelled. The heartbreaker was the lady who said that she couldn't come because her boyfriend didn't agree with it. Boyfriends are dumb. She was so cool. But! WE fouond this young lady, Stepanka, who actually met with missionaries in the past in Brno, still reads the Book of Mormon from time to time, and is a pharmacist. Way cool. We did also teach Jarda and Simona, it went well. They still have serious financial difficulty, but we're trying to overcome.

Thursday we also had many lessons planned and less taught. It happens from time to time. We did get to teach Ludek and Jarda and Simona though. They all are doing well, Ludek is still clinging with surprising tenacity to his lazy tendencies. But, I love him. jWe taught again with President Novotny's son, and he is great. We did some more prep for the zone conference, President's last! which is on Wednesday. I will cry.

Friday we taught a few lessons, one to a waaaaay cool new lady. She's a bit older, but she referred herself, also met with missionaries in the past, and is so ready for the Gospel. She told us a little about her life, and eventually said, emotionally, "I need this. I guess you could say I need you." She promised to be a willing and good student, and we are way excited for her. Alena is her name

And now, excerpts from today's email:

Draha rodino,

Goodness me what a week. Two baptisms in the zone, last zone conference with the Irwins, new baptismal dates and investigators and who knows what else! It's been quite a week folks

Monday! Crazy day. It was sooooo hot, so obviously that's the day we had plannedt o go play basket ball with the district in HK. It was brutal, but also a bunch of fun. I will say, my team won every time, no big deal. We also had good lessons with Jarda and Simona, the Pavlicovi, and Ludek. Ludek is still Ludek. But my goodness he is funny. I was dying at the lesson again. He is just a goof. But, we'll see what happens with him once we start teaching in our new intense look at the pamphlets approach. IT begins today.

Tuesday we didn't have district meeting because we have training on Wednesday, but we did get together still, do Polar Bear, and practice for the musical numbers that we have, one for the training and one for the baptism that is this weekend. We also taught Alena, great, Alexander, Jarda and Simona again, and English. they're all doing really well, Alena is on fire. She is looooving it. Alexander is actually leaving the country for awhile to visit his kids in Moldova, but he'll be back. We have already put into place a plan for him so he keeps reading over the break. He's a great guy. WE also took some good time and put the finishing touches on our part of conference that is tomorrow!

WEdnesday was one of the greatest/worst/hardest days of my life. The training was fantastic, ours went well and I really enjoyed it. I enjoy giving trainings the most when we use the prophets, ancient and modern, the most. It's great. We talked about the importance of a good first lesson with new investigators and we used the New Testament and the Doctrine and covenants some with it. I just finished reading the Gospels again, and it was amazing. You know what, I'm not afraid to admit it, I cried like a little baby, okay? It was absolutely terrible. As soon as President stood up I started to rain, and didn't stop until I had cried all through the closing song, I didn't do a ton of singing for that one, and t he closing prayer, after I hugged the Irwins (yes, we were even allowed to hug Sis Irwin), and took a little time getting my act back together. Apparently I am not a tough guy. We then drove to a city called Trebic to do two baptismal interviews, one for this weekend, one for next, and then headed home. I interviewed a 15 yr old girl who's getting baptized next week. She is amazing. Her knowledge is way solid, her testimony is very strong, and the missionaries there have told me all kinds of great stuff about her. As we drove back from Trebic after conducting the interviews, I obviously had Pres and Sister Irwin on my mind. At the time, the thing that occupied my thoughts was the great love that they both expressed for these two countries. The countryside in that area of the country is so beautiful. I was filled with a truly inexpressible love for this country as we drove and admired the wonder of God's creation. I'll have to show you around some time.

Thursday was a nice day. The weather is still terrible, so hot and humid. They claim, I want that in italics, that it was over 100 here. I don't know if I believe that. But it was still pretty dang hot. but we had good lessons with Alena and Alex, and also visited the Novotny family. They're great. Their middle son should get his mission call this week, and we're all excited. He's one of my favorites.

Friday we had a great lesson with Jarda and Simona about faith, Jarda was marking scriptures like crazy, which really surprised me. We also went to a baptism in HK which was really nice, and taught Alena and Alex again. They are both willing to meet almost every day, and besides, we're trying to really pack it in with Alex before he leaves. But the lessons went well.

SAturday we did weekly planning, we've got a pretty good one on plan this week, and taught a few. WE tuaght Alena again, and also this waaaaaay cool young kid Honza. He has been contacted on the street three times: once in 2011, once in 2012, and once in 2013. IT IS HIS TIME. We had such a good first lesson with him, he was so excited to get his own Book of Mormon, and he said a beautiful prayer at the end of the lesson, and we're set up for Tuesday. He's probably 23 or 24, and a great guy. I love him.

Sunday was pretty typical, church, district lunch (Elder Stimpson and I made banana pancakes, YUM), studies, and call ins.

To find out more about what Mormon missionaries do and to see why Taylor is so happy,  click here.

Wednesday we were in the middle of District Meeting, when Elder Bushnell, one of the HK elders, got a phone call. HE's going to the office! I was so proud. He'll have my old job, office manager. He's a great kid. WE also started an exchange together. WE had a blast. WE got tto teach a few people, but we hada real miracle that ngiht. We had just taught our second English class, and were contacting home to eat dinner, when we decided to do a couple of rounds around the apartments and then call it a day. As we came around to go inside, I wanted to go around to corner real quick and see if anyone was there. There were two college age girls on the path. That is a scary thing for me. I don't do well contacting those kind. But we went for it, had a great contact with them, Jana and Krystina, and set up for the next day! It was awesome.

Thursday morning we started off with a lesson with our Russian investigator Alexandr. He's such a great guy. I love him tons, really I do. Then Elder Bushnell and I taught a decent lesson to Jana and Krystina, then wrapped up the exchange and sent him off to Prague! WE also taugh ludek again, and it went pretty well. He still isn't willing to sacrifice things to get an answer.

Friday we were in a three way companionship. Elder Bushnell's comp, Elder Stradling, was companion-less, so we were running two areas. We taught the Pavlicovi, and Alexander agian. It was a great lesson. He has been really searching lately, because his wife just died a few months ago, and feels like this is probably what he's searching for. He's a great guy. so we taught those to and soem other lessons but I can't remember who haha. I don't have my old planner in front of me. But we also taught a couple in Hk for Elder Stradling's area. They also went well.

SAturday we taught the fam again, and did some service at Simona and Jarda's. They live in not a great place. They don't have electricity or running water, just very meager living conditions. It's sad. WE did get to meet their kids though, and hopefully we'll start teaching them this week. They're cool, normal, 17 and 13, Lukas and Lucie. WE also got transfer calls, I'm still here in Pardubice, with Elder Stimpson! My first ever district leader! WE are pumped. We are going to have a blast.

Sunday was nice, we sang in sacrament meeting. Great meetings, great talks, and a new branch mission leader! His name is Vasek, and he's the branch President's son. He's a good kid, waiting on a mission call.

(Taylor loves his mission president! He'll be sad to see him go in July.)