Allo guys. I’m going to start off
with saying I still despise laundry. Too many fancy shapes that make
absolutely no sense, stupid washing machine. Besides that, work was
slow, yet again. However, I am getting more responses from my second
round than my first! Which is very exciting! :D All of them are
essentially no, but… responses no less!
I stayed at work late today: 5:30… I
normally leave around 4:30. But I wanted to stick around and chat
with Lisa. Then I dashed away from work to grab a zapiekanka and go
to Family Home Evening again. This time it was smaller: three Elders,
Ola, and me. Although, I met the president. He was very nice, but I
must say… when he asked me to do a Southern accent, I froze. He
says he loves them, but… I just can’t. I mean, I probably
could, but… I’m in Poland, and my natural accent is not Southern.
Which always surprises Americans when I say I grew up in Tennessee...
There was a new Elder there today;
he’s been in Poland for six months already. Elder Hooker…
(Tehehehe, ok, sorry, childishness over.) The lesson they were going
to show today couldn’t be done on account of two things: no
lighting things on fire indoors, and no matches. It was something
based on faith, I think, with holding a burning tea sack in your hand
and trusting it to not burn your hand. It’s a shame we couldn’t
see it. Other than that, we played SkipBo! Then afterwards, the
Elders invited me to stay and talk about Mormonism. … Not
surprised. But I did. It was actually very pleasant. We talked about
Restoration, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Prophets, faith, etc. etc.
They gave me a Book of Mormon (#2, and this one’s a hardcover,
woo!). My dad was right… Before I left for college, he warned me,
“Expect that sometime you will eventually be given a Book of
Mormon.” I mean… neither time has been from Sam, but still. He
was right. Association!
Although, I can happily say the
conversation was not unpleasant. They weren’t pushy about it, and
they told me if I ever felt uncomfortable to just say so. It was very
open, and they asked me a ton of questions. And some of my answers
surprised them, bahahahaha. Like they asked me if I ever question the
meaning of life and its purpose, and I straight up said, “No… not
really… I mean… I know I’m supposed to try and live the best
life I can and help as many people as possible.” All of them just
had this expression on their faces: o.o Um, yeah… yeah that’s
exactly the same as us. xD Then they asked if whenever I feel guilty
or down, do I feel lost and want to find help, and my response?
“Well, not really… I’m a rather optimistic person, so whenever
that happens, I usually cheer up rather quickly. I understand that
there is a bigger plan, and everything will work out a-ok.” I
dunno, I think I sort of threw them off with some of these answers
being Godless. xD Plus likely encouraged them as well since it seems
to be rather close to their beliefs? Well, then again, I believe
there is some higher being up there, but I just can’t put a finger
on it…
They also informed me of the fact that
there are only 52 missionaries in Poland… Out of the 38 something
million people in this country, I just so happen to walk into two of
them after living with a Mormon for a year. Or more of they randomly
decide to chat me up, out of all of the other random people they
could’ve talked to. … Yeah. Oh life and its ironies.
Regardless, anyone who has so much
faith… I will always greatly respect them. When asked what I
think of faith, I straight up said that its courage and the
willingness to believe in something you can’t see. But honestly, my
first thought is courage. Listening to people talk about their faith,
as I did today, while they shared their testimonies… it’s always
touching. So long as they aren’t pushy about it. Anyways, it’s
touching because it’s so powerful. I will not deny that. Elder
Roberts even teared up a bit as he spoke at one point. To have that
ability is beautiful. To have such commitment and faith you become
emotional.
Hah, on the lighter side, though, they
asked me if I knew how to pray. Me: … Well… I sort of… grew up
in the South… and was raised Catholic… I thiiiiink I get
the basic idea. :P Nah, it amused me that they asked, though. Of
course I know how to pray. I’ve been surrounded by it all my life.
Plus, my dad and I sometimes jokingly pray before dinner, while my
mom chides us for our sarcasm about praying… *cough* It’s just in
good fun! But I must say, at this point, whenever I think about
prayer, I think about Laurie, honestly… I loved her description of
how she just talks to God. No formalities. Just, hey, what’s up?
This is my day. For me, that’s so much more of a comfort and
personal relationship as opposed to any formality of saying the same
prayer which loses meaning, or anything like that.
Then they asked me to pray to close
our little meeting. … That did not amuse me. I haven’t
legitimately prayed in a long time. Ok, I’ve said thanks, laughed
at whatever higher being’s sense of humor, and what not, but… not
the kind of praying normally seen in Christianity. Although, out of
respect, I did. Elder Roberts said it was a beautiful prayer, while
Elder Tribe noted he could really tell how much I care for people.
The best part about all of this?
Afterwards, we still had normal conversations about whatever. School,
what it’s like in Tennessee, school in Poland, citizenships. That’s
the best part. Still having a regular conversation outside of
religion. Obviously, it came up a bit, but that’s ok. I love to
talk about religion without feeling like I’m going to go to hell if
I don’t share a belief. I love expanding my understanding of other
religions and people’s beliefs. I respect anyone that I can discuss
religion with maturely and pleasantly, while respecting one another’s
beliefs and not being pushy. That’s the best kind of discussion.
Perhaps it also helps that I’ve left the buckle of the Bible belt
(here and in my Vandy bubble) and don’t feel like I’ll be
crucified anytime I say, “Err… I sort of believe in
reincarnation?” Or anything else.
Oh! I totally noticed one awesome thing on my way home today! I can text in Polish and walk in the same time! Oorah! +1 Polish! You see, I look at that as an accomplishment, because walking and texting takes effort as it is, and to do it in another language adds another difficulty component. So this means I'm going in the right direction!
Wow, it is late. Most definitely time
to quit my ramblings here! I don’t think I missed anything,
anyways. I’d like to think that these sorts of entries are a change
of pace as well. (: Well then, *yawn* good night!
Note: Written yesterday.
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