mtc week six!

Dearest family,

HI! witaj!!! (that means hello) Thank you for your letters/dear elders. Oh and the HUGE valentine's card! It was kind of embarrassing to carry it around but so funny. I loved that everyone signed it! Thank you so much. I love hearing from you! I've been thinking about you all. And wondering how you're doing. It sounds like things are good at home.

Things are going really well here. Our companionship has made leaps and bounds these past few days. It's really amazing. My testimony and faith have really been strengthend. Christ has the power to truly change people. I've really believed that on a personal level but this week I've seen it so much in others. We have a lot of Elders in our Zone who are older and I've been able to witness how Christ has changed them and prepared them for missions. It's really really good. I stink at playing basketball against them but we have a lot of fun. Hearing their testimonies really strengthens mine.

Also I've really seen the hand of the Lord helping and strengthening me (and our zone) as I've been serving as Coordinating Sister. Our new Bulargians (4 sisters, 7 elders) are so good and it's fun to get to know them! The sisters are so new and it's been great to help them get used to the MTC. We are becoming good friends already.

On Sunday, President Jenkins (district president over our zone) came to our sacrament meeting and talked to us. He boldly stated that "some of you are converted to Christ...but some of you are not" and he talked about how that needs to happen. He taught us from the scriptures about King Lamoni and his father and how they were willing to give up EVERYTHING to know God. He talked about how king Lamoni's father had probably never seen anyone truly love anyone else before he sees Ammon defend his son. That is what first impressed him, and gave him a desire to know more about the gospel. "the greatness and generosity of the words of Ammon" and even Ammon's concern for the welfare of his soul. And he was willing to give up half his kingdom to spare his life, but then to know God and be saved by him he was willing to give up all his sins. President Jenkins pointed out that this wasn't just past or present sins. It was also future sins. I thought that was interesting.

Please will you read a chapter of the Book of Mormon (any chapter) prayerfully and send me your thoughts about it? I would really love that. Or if you don't have time for a chapter, even a verse or two. Especially if they are really read through and prayerfully pondered.

Thank you and I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Sister Sara Bezdjian

p.s. Here are some things I loved from President Nielson's email this week:

Dear Elders and Sisters-

I am so exited for Elder and Sister D. Todd Christofferson to come to Poland...Please start now with your personal preparation by being worthy in every way so you will be taught by the Spirit.

This week in our Book of Mormon reading you will study chapter 13 of Alma… one of the great chapters on doctrine, foreordination and responsibility. People are being prepared today to hear your voices. Read and study it closely. We also read Alma 7 and 8 this morning. Chapter 8 has great application for you and I in missionary labors. Ponder the words “speedily” and “by another way” in verse 18. I think of Alma’s eagerness to preach and his creativity to get people to hear his words. We can do the same.

And finally, think about the words of President Uchtdorf from this last conference (page 122 in your copy of the Conference Addresses)--

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to happiness and peace in this life... The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us.

The “what” and “how” of obedience mark the way and keep us on the right path. The “why” of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the majestic. It magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration".

As your mission president, I pray for you specifically. To you Elders, Sisters and Senior Missionaries, I ask the Lord to specifically bless you in all ways. I know that He is blessing you. I hope you recognize His actions and thank Him. You are where He needs you, with the right companion and in the place where He called you. I know this is true.