Hey Family!!! I'm in Slovenia!!! And once again (I feel like a narcissist) I will attempt to tell you all about me and my life in the limited amount of time allotted. Culture shock? Food? Really the biggest difference upon arrival? I have just entered a world of Selfies. Only one other companion problems. Hence, you'll probably all see a fair amount of long arm.
Moving on. GENERAL CONFERENCE! It was my first Sunday here and so cool! We went to church and watched the sat morning session on a tv with slovene translatio non the side then had a lunch together afterwards.5 SLovenes were there. And three stayed for the food. Also, there were multiple awkward pauses in the internet connection, so after about 2 full talks of that, we went right to lunch. Also, every pause, was not actually silent. There was a fair amount of foot stomping and singing and electric-guitaring at the church just one thin wall away. I really wanted to laugh...but I was new. Already am the odd one out. But I got to meet four members!!! It was so amazing to meet them and know that they exist. ONe in particular is the most faithful, kind, and happy man in his 60's or 70's. He showed up in his suit and tie, wakes up at 6:30 every Sunday in order to catch the bus to church to prepare the Sacrament. And every time I see him, he has the BIGGEST smile on his face! These few people inspire me so much. They REALLY KNOW what is important in life.
We also got to watch the Sat afternoon session as missionaries and the senior missionaries apartment. They are so kind and helpful and do so much around here! It was so awesome to sit down on a couch for a minute and listen to the prophets and be fed spiritually....and literally.
So what i do everyday? Study in the morning until 10:30...then contact contact contact! We've had one lesson since I've been here, which went AWESOME. But we are searching for someone else who is ready. Best contact story? In the same day, a drunk man would not leave us alone until we took his gift...aka 'lemon.' and we happened across to people from Austria (better English than I have) and after a long conversation ended up praying in the middle of this adorable, cobble stone street. Per THEIR request. They are Christian Evangelists, and each said their own prayer of gratitude that they got to talk to us...it was the most sincere prayer ever and very casual sounding with some mmhmms. So flipping awesome.
I prayed in the middle of a street in the middle of Slovenia. What the?
Something that was kind of shocking?
PEOPLE ARE SO FRIENDLY HERE! No one ever says, 'NO.' THey just say 'hvala.' Aka thank you. And when someone does stop to talk, it cracks me up because they say 'I don't have time. Literally, I have no time in my schedule.' But then they stand and talk to us about God for 20 minutes...they just don't have time later? Haha, it's funny.
I stand by my first impression of Slovene..sometimes it sounds Russian, sometimes it sounds Italian, and sometimes it sounds like the yellow guys on Despicable Me.I have sooooo much to learn, but I am already learning so much and loving it!
So to sum it up, Slovenia is awesome. Beautiful. Friendly. But the most important thing, I am wearing it. My name tag! I have the opportunity to work as hard as I can as a representative of Jesus Christ and I have already felt the challenges and seen the blessings that come with it. My favorite thing from what I heard of conference??
Twas I. But 'tis not I.
The best part of my mission and our missions here on earth, is that we can be a different person tomorrow, than we were today. That is the power of the Atonement. We CAN become what Heavenly Father has planned, if we simply keep trying. I have a feeling that is going to be a motto for my year and a half here. "A saint is a sinner, who keeps on trying." So keep on trying family! Try to do as Christ would. Pray a little harder. If you believe in God and Christ and His atonement, how can we look at anything with fear or doubt?
I love you all so much and miss you. I put a little picture of us all on the wall next to my desk and it reminds me as I study, of the happiness that God offers everyone. Stay safe. Send pics. Ice cream here rocks. Peanut butter here rocks. I have so much love for all the people I see and know that is the love that comes from God. So while first week was weird and my first impression to my mission president was me about to barf on his shoes...it is so awesome here and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for these people.
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Love you all!! Have an amazing week!
Love,
sestra Rhodes
The German influence here is unbelievable...and I'm loving!
Pics for the week!
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