18: Week 18 (9th week in Warsaw--end of first transfer): "I'm an Aunt"

Hej!

Transfers:

Well, we got transfer calls yesterday. Sister DeMordaunt has never stayed with a companion more than one transfer, and has never stayed in an area more than 2 transfers (she's already been in Warsaw for 2). So, naturally, we thought this was it. BUT NOPE. We're staying in WARSAW.....TOGETHER *christmas miracle*. Buuuuut, that's not it. Warsaw 1 and Warsaw 2 branches are combining the beginning of February, so President Turek pulled the Warsaw 1 sisters out...so Sister D and I are the only Sisters for ALL of Warsaw. So...we're staying and white washing?? We are so excited. We are ready to teach this whole city!

The DeMordaunt Bloodline:

On the mission, your trainer is known as your "mom". So, that makes Sister DeMordaunt my mom (lucky me!). However, Sister DeMordaunt has trained someone else before me. Her name is Sister Groesbeck. Sister Groesbeck just found out yesterday that she is training....which means...I'm an aunt and Sister D is a grandma! Aw. Our little family is growing. 

Chocolate vs. Dr. Pepper:

Well, Ola chose. She chose chocolate. The week before Christmas. But, we made a promise: If we didn't eat chocolate for 3 days, she couldn't drink coffee for 3. SHE DID IT! Worth it? Yes. 100%. Would I do it again? Sure thing. Anything to have someone you teach come closer to Christ!

Gettin' hit with the Duch:

On Saturday (Christmas Eve!), there was a baptism in Warsaw 2! Jan was ready in every way to be baptized. When he came out of the font, he literally let out a sigh, like, "ahhhh". That's what baptism should be--full of happiness and new beginnings! He just kept telling us how happy and good he felt. I honestly don't know if I've felt the Spirit more in my entire life. 

Other:

-An American family gave us JIF peanut butter.  And Lucky Charms (tbt to the MTC). I think I had literal tears. 

-I got a pug hug.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! Thank you for all of your love and support!

xoxo, 

Siostra Beem

talia.beem@myldsmail.net

Warsaw II District (DeMordaunt taking picture) with Bart.

The Warsaw II District

17: Week 17 (8th week in Warsaw): Put on your diva hat

Hej!

Diva Hat:

Our mission is doing English class a little bit differently starting this next transfer...so, in order to have a more structured course, we will be having to kick people out of our current class. As we were role playing kicking people out in district meeting, Sister DeMordaunt said, "there is no way I can kick a little grandma out of English!".

Elder Einfeldt said, "Sister, just put on your diva hat and do it!".

Flip, I died. 

....so now, whenever someone says something sassy, we move the imaginary diva hat from person to person. Trust me, we've all had days "wearing" the hat.

Ridin' Solo:

Don't worry, I started thinking of the Jason Derulo song, too. 

I solo contacted this week (meaning Sister D and I weren't tied at the hip!). Woooo. It honestly went pretty well...considering I talked and testified about my two favorite things: Jesus and Christmas. I had some good conversations...some I understood and some not so much. But I learned that if you smile big and talk about Christ, not much wrong can come of that. 

The things I do for the people I love, czyli Ola: 

One of our investigators is having a hard time giving up coffee and smoking. I told her that if she gave up coffee and smoking, that she could pick something for me to give up. She picked either Dr. Pepper or chocolate (both would be MAJOR sacrifices, people). She said she'd get back to me with her final decision this Tuesday, so stay tuned. 

Wesołych Świąt! Merry Christmas!

Remember, HE is the REASON for the SEASON. 

Luke 2:7-14:

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and theglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David aSaviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Merry Christmas from the tundra!  

xoxo, 

Siostra Beem

talia.beem@myldsmail.net

Transfers are next week...so you know what that means? Pics with everyone you love dearly...just in case (but I'm prayin' this dream team doesn't get split up and that we don't leave Warsaw)! 

"Me and my boys..." (Haskett and Barlow)

K:  She is a university student here from the Ukraine.  She is 17, but is getting baptized on her 18th birthday in April!

J:  She just moved to Germany.

A:  She has such a solid testimony and asks great questions.

J

16. Week 16 (7th week in Warsaw): "Vent in de Voods"

​​​​Hej!

"Vent in de Voods":

Yesterday was a special day for our little Warsaw 2 branch. We had a PRIMARY PROGRAM! It was just about the cutest thing in the world. Hearing 3 year olds sing in Polish? Yep, nothing cuter. In Polish (and Ukrainian), "W"s are pronounced like "V"s. There is a little Ukrainian boy that wanted to give his primary program talk in English. His topic was the first vision. He said, "Joseph Smith vent in de voods to pray!". I just about died. It was the cutest thing ever. Vent or Went, Voods or Woods, the message was still the same!

"Andrzej...is a straight up slayer" -Elder Haskett:

Andrzej, andrzej, andrzej. 

After contacting at the same metro stop for almost an entire transfer, you start to notice the same, well, nightly drunks. Andrzej is one of them. We normally try to avoid him as much as possible because he always causes trouble where we contact (punching people, yelling at people, etc). On Monday, Sister DeMordaunt and I were talking to someone and all of a sudden I see Andrzej out of the corner of my eye standing right next to me. I was like *act cool, act cool, act cool* while making the You-Better-Come-Help-Us look to the Elders. Elder Haskett and Barlow picked up on my silent plea for help and came to the rescue. They started talking to him about Christmas, his family, etc. 

.....I looked back at them a few minutes later and Andrzej is IN Elder Haskett's arms crying about his life. Haskett was even rubbing his back! All he wanted (and needed) was some Haskett love and advice. Ever since, he's been a gem. And he loves Mormons. (pics below--sorry our eyes are SO squinty). 

"Chyba tak...?":

Caroling season is in full swing! It was my turn on the domophone (what we call into to get into apartment buildings). A guy answered and I was like, "Hey, me and some friends are caroling tonight. Are you interested?" He did the whole, "Ahhhh ehhhhh" thing trying to decide..and I said, "chyba tak?" (maybe yeah...?) in a funny voice...and he opened the door for us. CUD (miracle!). People are way more willing to hear about Christ during Christmas...I love it. 

alma 32:21

stay rad, ya'll. 

xoxo, siostra talia beem

PICS:

-andrzej

-you know your comp is from idaho when she gives up her seat for the potatoes

-mama mel sent some ctr rings...bart loves his!! as does our cute little investigator, ola. 

-gingerbread houses with my favorite people EVER. 

15. Week 15 (6th week in Warsaw): "Are you still..."

Cześć Wam!

"Are you still...praising Jesus?":

This week, while contacting, a lady came up to Elder Barlow and Haskett and Sister D and I and said, in English, "Elders and Sisters! I can call you that, right? Hello! Are you guys still praising Jesus? (this made us all die laughing) I met with some sisters a year ago...Anyways, I love Mormons. Have a good night!"...Sister D and I were not about to let this lady walk away. We were like, "Would you be interested in meeting with us again?". She was like, "Of course. Can I give you my number?"...Um obviously. This lady is straight heaven sent! We can't wait to meet with her this week.

Exchanges:

We were supposed to go to Łódź this week for exchanges, but Monday night we got a call from Sister Kamp and Van saying that they were coming to Warsaw instead...because....bed bugs! As excited as Sister D and I were, we really didn't want them to bring bed bugs with them :) So they went shopping and brought only new things that hadn't been in their apartment yet. So, all was well. They are sweethearts and we had so much fun together! It is always fun to teach and contact with different missionaries (even though sister D is the best of the best)! 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland:

Well, it dumped snow this week. But thank goodness for a triple insulated jacket...am I right? 

Instead of walking to appointments...we...ice skate! Or at least that is what it feels like. But we are loving it. I've only fallen twice. 

Impromptu Relief Society lesson:

We found out we were teaching relief society right before sacrament started yesterday (also...I had to translate the lesson from Polish to English...eeeeep)! So, we decided to pick a talk from the April 2016 general conference. We picked "A Pattern For Peace" by W. Christopher Waddell. My favorite part? 

"The peace we all seek requires more than a desire. It requires us to act—by learning of Him, by listening to His words, and by walking with Him. We may not have the ability to control all that happens around us, but we can control how we apply the pattern for peace that the Lord has provided—a pattern that makes it easy to think often about Jesus."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/a-pattern-for-peace?lang=eng

I encourage you all to read this talk. It is something I can't seem to get off my mind! The holiday season is a wonderful time to start learning more of Him, listening more to His words, and walking more with Him (through things like the 25 days of service!!!!).

i love you and i like you all!

xoxo, siostra talia beem

14. Week 14 (5th week in Warsaw): Znam Tym Smak

ześć Wam!

Thanksgiving round 1....and round 2:

Sister DeMordaunt and I had Thanksgiving dinner with the Chadwick family this year (an embassy family). It was such a blessing to have a REAL Thanksgiving--we are blessed with incredible families here in Warsaw!

This is where Thanksgiving round 2 comes to play....

To make a long story short, the Elder's Thanksgiving dinner plans fell through so they ended up with no dinner on Thanksgiving...and let's just say they weren't too happy about that. A direct quote from Elder Barlow about the unfortunate event, "honestly, I don't know how today went so bad. it was hand sanitizer to my hangnail, the lemon juice to my paper cut". Rough day indeed. This made Sister D and I feel really guilty for having such an incredible Thanksgiving. So, we decided to make it up to them. 

We texted them Thanksgiving night and said, "Be at the chapel at 14 tomorrow". Sister D and I cooked a whole Thanksgiving meal by ourselves and surprised the Elders the next day! (And when I say "whole", I mean everything except a turkey...cause aint nobody got time fo dat). So KFC cooked the meat for us. But we made mashed potatoes and yummy green beans...and other side dishes galore (without recipies...it had the potential to be an utter disaster)! But with lots of prayers, everything turned out. It was fun to have a second Thanksgiving with our little fam :) Also, I forgot how much boys eat. 

25 ways over 25 days!

"Since a new star first appeared above Bethlehem, Christmas has been a season of light, reminding us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Together, we can celebrate His birth by making the world a brighter place. All we have to do is follow Him--His life, His example, and His teachings. In doing so, we can help #LightTheWorld". 

As we kick off this holiday season, my little challenge to you is to watch (and share!!!) the daily Christmas videos and to do the service it invites you to do! Let's make the world a brighter place this holiday season!

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/in-25-ways-over-25-days

Other:

-it wasn't a huge teaching week because all of our investigators are really sick :( 

-we had a nice little mini-blizzard last night!

-kinder bueno bars are heaven sent.

-when you go to trampoline gyms here, you are required to wear grippy socks.

-double check your gingerbread cookies....that's all I'm going to say. 

I miss mexican food. 

Pa! 

Siostra Beem :)

ul. Wiertnieza 135, 1 Pietro

02-952 Warszawa Poland

Tal's apartment...

Nowy Swiat:  a cute shopping district in Warsaw.
They decorate it really cute for the Holidays!

Paczki for Sale (a famous Polish pastry):  1 Zloty (about .24 in America)

At the top of the Palace of Culture (Stalin's Tower).

"Warsaw" in Polish...