I Love my America, even in Slovenia! July 6th, 2015

Zdravo Družina! Kako smo? Everything sounds well over in america. Speaking of....Happy 4th of July! No one over here seemed to care about it . . . odd. BUT, they do have a big festival going on in Maribor right now, including fireworks. So we sang some American songs in our apartment, made an awesome american breakfast for dinner, and heard fireworks in the distance. We celebrated pretty hard core basically.

Well, this week was great and reaaaally hot. It has been in the high 90s with 1000 percent humidity. I believe that is an accurate number. In the morning it feels like noon, and in the evening it feels like noon, and at noon . . . it feels like the bad part of the plan of salvation lesson. So, we are trying to keep cool and loving it! There have been soooo many families out lately so we have been able to talk to many of them, which is awesome. As far as our little family we are teaching, they are out of town. Only we didnt know they would be, so we haven't seen them for about two weeks. Baaaah, it's killing me. But they will be back soon and will see progress and blessings in their life I am sure of it.

Other news, we had exchanges again this week. Sister Robertson went to Celje and another Sister came to Maribor with me. We worked hard. It was awesome, and we saw a lot of success. We have two more investigators we found, both young girls, but both agreed to keep meeting with us. So amidst summer breaks and traveling, we will start meeting with them and hopefully their PARENTS soon. I really love testifying to young people. I feel like there is an awesome sincerity there. We also got a new senior couple for our branch president and made that switch yesterday, which means the district president (young single guy who is the church pres over slovenia) came to our branch, which means a lot of members came to our branch, and the spirit was there and it was soooo awesome! We even had a little lunch after church, so it was a really awesome Sunday. Then we tracted until . . . late and met some reeeally cool people. It blows my mind how many crazy, awesome, and interesting characters I meet on a daily basis and it doesnt even phase me any more. I love when random crazy things happen... and they happen all the time. I will write some down and tell you about them next week...I'll leave you in suspense until then, because I have to go.

I love you all! Enjoy the sun and the summer! I also encourage you all to study the words of the most recent apostles who have passed away. I wish I had more computer time for that purpose, but we have a lot of modern scripture at our hands and it is here FOR US! I pray for you all and love you! Stay strong and have a great week!

Adio!

Sestra Rhodes 

Patriotic Breakfast with hash browns, pancakes and blueberries!  YUM!

                  

We hiked 464 stairs just for fun!

We bought these awesome grandma dusters to keep us cool

 at night...best decision ever!

                       

To Zagreb and back! June 29th, 2015

Hello Family!

Long time no contact eh? Since I talked to you last . . . approx 3 days ago . . . we made a trip to Zagreb and back. There we ate delicous food, got spriritually fed, played volleyball and basketball as a zone with pres and I got to play the piano and Sister Robertson and I and the zone leaders took an hour to teach and roleplay about using scriptures and testifying! It was a really awesome 24 hours and now we are back in Maribor knocking on doors and stopping people in the streets.

We also have exchanges with Celje this week, so I will have another Sister with me in Maribor for a couple days and it will be great to get another perspective on missionary work! The family we are teaching..we have not actually taught since I talked to you last. We are going to go pretty slow with them as she used to be Muslim and her husband Catholic. We also are trying really hard to get the whole family involved, not just their mom. If they can find the truth and happiness of the gospel together, it will be easier and more benefitial and they will be that much closer to going to the temple. So if any of you have any ideas of how to teach and get the kids involved and still have the spirit...feel free to pass those ideas on, mothers. That is directed at you.

A quick Slovenec tid bit: Slovene's are some of the most generous people and rather polite. They stand to shake hands, always give you juice. We had a friend buy us a sladoled out of the blue when he saw us and he did the same for the elders and they are always willing to help when you ask questions about Slovene, and time after time, I have been fed by strangers or given juice or water. . . itd. (in tako dalje) Though it is going to take some serious softening for some of these people to accept the gospel, they are a very kind people... Most of the time. Every place has exceptions.

One of the coolest stories of the week: We actually had a lesson with a couple on a bench! Usually one of them will listen and the other won't really talk. But these two are sooo awesome and believe in God...a very recent change for them. They took a book of Mormon and are leaving for the summer but we will call them in August. It is always cool to here how people have truly felt God in their lives, even if it is not through our church. He is talking and helping lots of people every day. And NOW they will be prepared to accept His true church on the earth. So, God is preparing people I know it. I only pray that I am worthy enough and working hard enough and am in tune with the spirit in order to find those who will accept this glorious message.

I love you all, the church is true. Always has been, always will be. Stay strong. Send me picture. I love dem pics. :)

Lepo bodite!!!

Sestra Rhodes

The magic of a plan of salvation pamphlet and 2 bandaids - June 26th, 2015

Hello dear family!

Long time no talk! Shout out to all the fathers out there! Happy day of the dads! You all rock. We are headed to Croatia in about30 minutes for zone conference, so our  pday got switched around. We also get to wear pants today for the car ride and at president's...so holla!!!

So a quick update on the past 9 days: 

SLOVENIA IS SO AWESOME! I got to work with another sister in Kranj for a few days and learned a lot serving in a different area with a different sister for a bit. Luckily, the church is  true everywhere and we found a couple people over there who want to learn more! But the real magic is happening in Maribor. We are frequently teaching a family that lives just outside of Maribor. She and her husband have three kids and are really willing to learn more. She has a Book of  Mormon now and we all prayed together, they even got their little kids to calm down and prayed  with the elders when they were over there too. That is one part of teaching that  EVERYBODY seems to like. When we teach people how to pray, they love it. We are so lucky and blessed to have such a simple way to communicate with our loving Father  in Heaven. We can literally just talk to Him! It is such an important and vital part to our testimonies, and if you haven't REALLY felt the power of prayer recently, I encourage you to  remind yourself what an amazing gift it is. It changes my life, it will change people over here in Slovenia, and it will certainly work for you guys.

Other news...we got locked out of our apartment. Luckily,  we estimated that at some point this would happen, so we had our spare key in the mailbox. The bad news, we couldn't reach our hands far enough in the little slot to get it....so after ideas and prayer and some serious laughter....turns out a plan of salvation pamphlet (in Slovene...they are a little too small in English) and two band aids did the trick. I always loved those pamphlets, but I have a whole new appreciation for them  now. :) 

Ah yes! I almost forgot, we had district women's conference in Maribor on Saturday! IT was so cool to be in a room filled with Slovene women who all believe and know that the gospel is true. We got to serve them lunch AND we all went on a slow boat ride on the  river Drava (one of Maribor's best attractions and has a gorgeous view.) It was so awesome  and I am always strengthened and given hope from members here. This church is so true, Jesus Christ lives, the spirit testifies of HIm and of our mission here on earth. I love you all so dearly and appreciate the updates and pictures A LOT! Keep the faith everybody. 

Lots of Love,

Sestra Rhodes

MTC comp and me

Just a little jog in the beautiful Slovenian countryside!

                               

Celje member, Slavica, Sestra Robertson, me, Anja

Sweetest Maribor members! 

Perks of being in Europe. The Swiss hot chocolate that Dad and I fell in love with! 

En selfie bi? - June 15, 2015

Dear family,

Hello!!! This was quite a week over here in Slovenia. We had a super awesome leadership training in Zagreb where we ate homemade CAFE RIO? What? Not the easiest of tasks to do when not in America. Sister Grant loves us. It was so awesome and we got to shoot some hoops in some blazing weather for p-day in Zagreb. WE played with some random Croatian girls too, it was a blast! However, the true highlight of the week? I have never been able to teach a family and neither has sister Robertson (who has been out over 8 months). BUT this week....that changed. We have been going outside the city into little farm areas every Friday and Saturday from about 1pm to 7....tracting and tracting and tractng. Last week, the Elders tracted into a family who said they could come back in two weeks. WEll that same day, we talked to the mom of that family while she was taking two of her kids for ice cream and WE set up with her. So we both found the same family in the same day. Coincidence? I think NOT. So for the first time in my mission we got to go into their tiny apartment this week and teach them about the restoration and book of mormon and about the nature of God. Even better? They said we could come back. I feel really good about this family and it is just what Maribor branch needs right now. Also their little boy remind me so much of Carter ....except he speaks Slovene not English. But it is so fun to see and be around little kids! Families are everything people. 

Other than that, we are doing our first round of exchanges this week. I will be going to Kranj for a couple of days and working with one sister while the other will come back and work in Maribor with Sister Robertson. It is going to be so great and a steep learning curve I am sure. My favorite kind actually:)  

Some random thoughts: We contacted a former inmate on a bench who got kicked out of Germany....he's been Slovenia for three years now though...so, time for the gospel I say! We also had a kid use the word 'selfie.' It is a world wide term apparently. After we taught him about Joseph Smith he asked if he could take a selfie with us. Haha, there is a first for everything. AND the funniest part of yesterday, we were tracting in a very retired area, lots of elderly people who didn't really want the gospel. But one of them pointed out a house across the street saying 'they are young! Talk to them!' When we hesitated for a split seconds he went ahead and yelled over their fence saying 'there are some girls looking how to get into your fence!' THEN ... about 5 college guys came to greet us.  I don't know if that elder man knew exactly what we were there for. But...we definitely disposed of some Mormon.org cards. One of them will get baptized. I can feel it. 

WE also have the women's district conference in Maribor this weekend. So all the women members in Slovenia will be coming for some workshops, food, and a little boat ride on the river. ARe we invited? Ves da! I am really excited to help out and see more members. 

To je to. It is going to be a great week, we are working hard and the work is progressing. It always does. I love you all. Thanks for the pictures and the updates! Enjoy the summer! 

xoxo

Sestra Rhodes

Sestra Robertson, Slavica Kuhar (member), me

 

Summer Time - Tracting Feet - June 8th, 2015

Hello Family!!!

Warning, I have a very short amount of time to write today because we are driving to Zagreb! Again, haha. This time for a leadership conference. We will all go to the mission home and spend the night, be trained, and have an awesome time. It was so awesome to hear from you guys and see pictures of your lives! Looks like all is going well.

So a very quick update: This week was super super super hot. And we did a lot of walking, so I have some awesome missionary tan lines. Other than that, we got to work with two less active girls who said they would keep working with us! We also found some super awesome potenials, a family who the elders actually contacted on the exact same day. It is meant to be.

However my highlight of the week, was probably a lesson we had with an x investigator turned investigator. We watched the 20 min Joseph Smith movie in slovene and had the opportunity to bear testimony when the spirit was strong adn I realized as I spoke the words, how great it feels to bear testimony! Frequently, that is when our testimonies grow the most. When we speak, and hear our own voices saying truth, it gives the holy ghost a great opportunity to touch our hearts. So that is my challenge to you this week. Maybe it is to family, a friend, a spouse, but bear testimony this week and watch it grow as you do so!

Funniest part of the week: On Monday night, it rained. Not only rained, I am talking, hurry and build a boat type of rain. The best part was? We were out contacting and talking to people while it happened, with one umbrella. Haha, needless to say, we got sooooaked. I was literally dumping water out of my shoes. It was so funny and a really easy conversation starter. 'A little rainy no? You ever heard of Noah?' That's all you need and they are hooked.

Anywho, we have to run. The work is progressing over her in Slovenia and I love it and the people here with all my heart. I also love and pray for you all and hope everything is well and focused on what is truly important. Stay safe and have a great week!!

Love,

Sestra Rhodes

President Grant - Sister Training Leader

5 June 2015


Dear Brother and Sister Rhodes,


You have likely already been informed by Sister Rhodes, that she has been assigned to be a Sister Training Leader in the Slovenia Zone in the Adriatic North Mission (“ANM”) for the current 9 week transfer cycle which started this past Tuesday.


Missionary assignments in the ANM have three components.  Besides one’s position (trainer, junior companion, or leader), there is the city of service (we have 17 cities), and a missionary’s companion.  Assignments do not always change with each transfer.  In rare cases missionaries may stay in the same city for four or five transfers, sometimes serving with the same companion and in the same position for much of the time.  Many have assignment changes every transfer.  For us, the most important aspect of any assignment is “how” one serves, not “where, with whom, or in which position” one serves.  The greatest missionaries are servants to their companions, investigators, and the members among whom they are assigned to labor.  They understand the Lord’s words in Matthew 23:11-12 that teach “he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”


As taught in 1 Corinthians 12:14-27 we are all an important part of the body of Christ.  Each of us contribute to the work in different, yet important ways.  We believe President Monson’s phrase “Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.”  When we are on the Lord’s errand, He is with us and He strengthens us.


Sister Rhodes' assignment to serve as Sister Training Leader will provide her an opportunity to perfect skills and better prepare her to serve in God’s Kingdom for years to come.  She will have the opportunity to continue serving her fellow missionaries and thereby become an even greater missionary.  We know that God will bless her as she faithfully serves in this assignment.


Thank you for sending us such a fine missionary.  You have taught her well, and she is worthy to serve in this assignment.  Will you please share on a regular basis your own feelings about the important principles outlined in this email in your weekly letters to Sister Rhodes?  Will you continue to pray for your missionary and include her companion Sister Sydney Ruth Robertson, their Slovenia Zone, and the Adriatic North Mission as well?  We know that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (and woman) availeth much”.


With great appreciation and love,


President and Sister Grant - Adriatic North Mission

A Very Imperfect T-shirt "on this life"! June 1st, 2015

Zravo družina!

Kako ste?

 Thanks again for all the updates! They mean the world to this sestra in a very small part of it! This week was really great and we got two unexpected calls from president! The first: he called us and told us our transfer news, that Sister Robertson and i would be staying in Maribor for another transfer!! If we would be Sister training leaders together. I am not exactly sure everything that entails but I look forward to any assignment that the President gives! I am excited for this next transfer and know I am going to learn A LOT. The second call was on Saturday morning...we got invited to quickly go to Zagreb, Croatia. They had the Croatia district conference and an Area 70 came and they did not have anyone to play the piano. So I got some quality piano  time, some quality president and his family time, and some quality train time this weekend. It was really awesome! And it is really great to be back where I can understand the people better.

Train Ride through BEAUTIFUL Slovenia

This week we got to have 2 member lessons!! Both went really well and it is always great to hear the testimony of members. I would rather have someone come into the church and get the blessings by way of a member any day over being found by a missionary. Member work is so powerful. So having them on our lessons with investigators makes all the difference! We also got to visit two members who I have not really gotten to know yet and both of them really opened up and I feel like I am getting to know this small branch better which is a big blessing in order to have the work progress!

Also..apparantly my English is suffering. I did not even notice but apparantly multiple times I have been saying 'on' life. Rather than 'in life'.... and while explaing my gratitude for the holy ghost I told her I felt like a very 'imperfect t-shirt.' (Aka teacher) We are really working on Slovene and I love learning this language. My comp is also super willing to speak it with me so that is helpful.

While I was in Zagreb this Elder of the 70 said something that really hit home for me. He said that if we wanted to learn anthing from these meetings we would need to be willing to act on what we learn from the spirit. He did not say 'what you will learn from me.' Sometimes the spirit is trying to teach us something that maybe we are not looking for and sometimes we learn lovely bits of gospel information, but it does not mean anything if we are not willing to ACT on what the spirit teaches us. So as you go to church this week, study the book of mormon, have family night, whatever it is . . . listen to what you are really supposed to be learning and be prepared to act on it! That is my goal for the week.

Well, I love you all and am grateful for your prayers and support! You are always in mine. I know this church is true family and I am so grateful for my Savior who makes it all possible. Have an amazing week!

Love,

Sestra Rhodes 

(This picture is from Penni Bailey who was traveling in Croatia and saw Erin at church!)