Veselé Velikonoce

Mily Friends and Family,

Happy Easter everyone! 🌷🐇 I hope that you have been able to rejoice in Him this week preparing

for Easter Sunday and I hope that you all have a special spiritual experience tomorrow as you attend church

and worship Him who IS, our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. 

SHOUTOUTS:

Madeline! Man, I am so bummed I didn't get to see you. But, so glad that you got to experience

the beautiful city of Prague. I hope that your journey around Europe continues unfold as you had hoped. :)

Savannah has hair! Holla holla!

Nice work on the Eggs this year. #TeamCrowley

Mlada Mysteries/Praha Překvapání:

---> The Easter tradition here is this: Men make 3 foot long whips

       out of willow tree branches and tie ribbons to the ends of them.

      They then go around "whipping" or in other words tapping the back 

      of the woman's legs singing a song wishing them the woman good 

      health that year. Especially in the baby department. bahah!

---> Sestra Andreason and I each bought a whip and whipped each other.

---> We did a chalk display in Mlada! 

---> We got locked out of our apartment again...

EXCHANGES:

We had exchanges this past week with Sestry Boza and Andersen who are stationed in Pardubice! Prezident has asked that this transfer we bring all the exchanges to us so that we can work both of our areas. Genius. Sestra Andersen went with me to Mlada Boleslav and Sestra Boza went to Prague with Sestra Andreason. They met us in Boleslav on Thursday morning around 9:30. As Sestra Andersen and I were walking back to the apartment I felt my coat pockets and realized that I had left the keys in the apartment. Again. 

My stomach sank. 

I didn't want to call President again, so I called Sister Holt instead in hopes that she could get me the number for

the locksmith without President finding out. ha ha ha ahhh she ended up having to ask him anyway. At this point I 

had entered breakdown mode. It had been a long week. I was stressed about the work, sick, had a lot of things on 

my mind and this just sent me over the edge. As I was sobbing I told Sister Andersen that I was not always

like that. ha ha ha. Talk about the perfect way to start out an exchange right?

By the key guy showed up, figured out out to unlock it, diagnosed our lock as ancient and that we'd need a new one,

put it all back together and give us the grand total of 1800 crown bill it was 2:00 p.m. We spent nearly half the day watching Key guy work away at our door. I felt so bad because the Jicin Elders had come into town to help us find

and build our little Mlada Boleslav and they showed up at 11 am to sit and watch with us. ha. 

Even though this wasn't the ideal way of spending half of our exchange, there were a few lessons that I learned:

1. Letting others lift you.

I was feeling pretty down throughout the whole ordeal. I was supposed to be the one being a good example to 

my younger college and here I was having a meltdown on the stairs. I am so grateful for Sister Andersen. She 

sat down beside me, put her arm around me and told me over and over, "Sister Fredrickson, it's going to be okay.

I promise! .... It's going to turn into a really good day! It's actually kind of funny." It wasn't funny at the time, but looking back on it, I have a good chuckle. 

I was so impressed with Sister Andersen and the way that she just remained calm and maintained a positive attitude.

I feel that she taught me more in the exchange then I taught her. 

2. Trials bring miracles

By leaving the keys inside again we discovered that the lock was really really old and rusted and needed to be replaced and if not, we could get locked out even with our keys. Sweet! I really truly believe that there is always 

something GOOD that comes from an unfortunate situation.

3. The sun will come out tomorrow

After we finally got everything settled, the four of us made our way over to have lunch with Sestra (GMA) Bursova. I have officially claimed her as my Czech Granny. :) We had a nice lesson about the resurrection of Jesus Christ

with her and then we were on our way to do a chalk display in front of Bondy. During the whole lockout episode, the 

weather wasn't all that great and it even started to hail for a moment. As we got to Bondy and started to chalk out a 

Book of Mormon display I felt the warmth of the sun on my face. In that moment, I took a second to just breathe

and feel the love of God that He had for me right then, right there. As I took a moment to feel that love in the 

middle of a chalk display, I felt a little closer to God then I did earlier that day. I felt His grace warm my soul through those sun rays. 

The sunshine remained and the chalk display was a success! We found a new investigator and a couple of potentials

out of it!

LATER THAT DAY...

Sister Andersen and I went to seed the tracting letter, had some pizza made by our friend Erkan, the one who owns 

the kebab place. We still had some time during our dinner hour before we needed to be home, so we ran to Billa (the grocery store) in Bondy really quick to grab some ingredients to made some fruit cobbler. One of the goals Sister Andersen had for the exchange was to work on talking to people at random moments throughout the day, not just during a contacting block. I thought perfect! We are going to practice this at Billa. My challenge to her was just talk. There really is no secret you just have to be you.We went in there, grabbed the stuff we needed, got in line and she

NAILED it! And because of it we met Dennis! Dennis has always believed and felt that something is there, but just doesn't know if that something is God. Dennis is not a potential, all because of a simple, Hello, how are ya? and comment about the Lays Stix he was buying. ha ha 

Oh and one more thing... 

Our landlady came to pay for the lock replacement and she ended up paying the whole bill.

God is good everyone! He loves us so much. I have seen His hand in my life more in the last 4 weeks, 

then I ever have before. I am so grateful for a living, all-knowing God. And I am especially grateful for His 

grace and mercy that He continues to bestow upon me and my companions. I love Him! I love Jesus! 

They exist. End of story. 

I wish you all the best this Easter season! Take a moment to feel the reality of His life and ministry. 

I love you all to pieces! H o p p y E a s t e r 🐣🐦

S Laskou,

Sestra Fred 🌻

Sestry Boza and Andersen joined us for lunch in Jicin on their way back

to Pardubice. :) 

​Elders Chadwick and Smith trying to work their magic. ha ha. 

Kinda blurry, but there's our work of art!

Sister Andersen is a boss in the kitchen!

Miracles At The End of The Tramvaj Line

FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

I don't know why, but I have been reeeeaaaalllll homesick this week. 

Maybe it's because of that BRAND NEW BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!

UGHHHH you have noo idea how badly I wish I could crawl through the computer

just so I could hold our newest member of the Grizzwald clan!

SHOUTOUTS:

-> Angela Marie, C O N G R A U L A T I O N S big sis. I couldn't be more thrilled for you.

I love your daughter, Savannah Angela Crowley already! I still can't believe that you are 

a mom to a little baby girl. It almost doesn't seem right. haha! 

-> Mommy! Happiest Birthday to you! I hope that you had the best day celebrating 

not only your birth, but the birth of your new grand-baby as well. :) 

-> Go Lady Red Devil Softball. Way to kill it on the dirt Boo boo!

PRAGUE PŘEKVAPÁNÍ:

---> The contact lens, sugar cube, and the word Robot were all created in the CZ.

---> Girls don't plat soccer here. At all! It is consider only a male sport.

---> I was able to wear only a cardigan last Thursday while out contacting. It was refreshing.

---> I ate fried cheese! It's actually really good... and one of Prezident's favorites. 

---> More times then not, Sister Andreason and I wake up and neither of us know what day of the week it is. ha ha it's actually pretty funny.

B.O.M. INSIGHT:

My thought this week comes from 3 Nefi 21:25-26, focusing on verse 25.

 25 And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.
26 And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. 

Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people,

yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem.

I needed the reminder in verse 25, especially this week. We had a really good week, but we saw a lot of rejection as well.

But I know that even among the midst of rejection the Savior is still right there working along side me. 

BALANCE:

We got the car on Monday of this week and it has been so helpful! We don't have set days where we are in Prague and Mlada. We had kind

of tried that, but it still didn't feel right. After talking to President about it during call in's last Monday he gave us the analogy of spinning two plates

at a time. At times one plate will be steady and stable, not needing any immediate attention while the other plate needs some extra push and vice versa.

He told us that we are spiritual people and we will have to pay attention to which area needs more attention at which time. 

I feel like I have had to increase spiritually to spin the two plates we got going, which hasn't been as easy as it sounds.

Let me share with you a neat spiritual experience that Sister Andreason and I concerning the matter of balancing time

between two areas.

It was Thursday morning just after having brunch with Sister Bursova in Mlada Boleslav. We needed to go to the computer cafe to check referrals and

print off tracting letters. As we were doing that we realized that we mis-planned a little bit where we would be doing a lot of unnecessary driving this weekend

going back and forth between the two areas trying to meet with people that we had already set up with. 

We both began to get frustrated, as we were trying to work through our predicament. It was getting to the point where I was going to lose it, so I had the 

thought, ïnclude God in this." I then asked Sestra Andreason if we could pause and say a pray. 

We prayed for guidance to know best how to use our time and the miles this weekend going between Prague and Boleslav

and to help us know which people were of most importance to see. 

Before I even ended the prayer I immediately had a thought come to mind. 

After closing the prayer I looked at sister Andreason and said I have an idea, but you go first to 

see if it is the same one. She started and I finished her sentence.

GOD SPOKE TO US AND THROUGH THE SPIRIT PROMPTED US WITH THE SAME IDEA. 

It was one of the coolest moments. Definitely one that I will never forget. By including God, we were able to

drive out the spirit of contention that was about to enter our companionship and we received revelation and guidance to our 

concern. I know that prayer works and that God lives! He is truly the best! 

LILY AND VIT:

Sister Andreason and I had the coolest experience Thursday night traveling home at the end of the day after having a lesson with Mia, our gator! 

(We taught her the Ice Cream Sunday lesson with a member and she loved it :)

Most of the time we take the Metro home, but this night in particular we decided to take the tramvaj because we had extra 

things we were carrying and it is a little easier to take the tramvaj in such cases. We sat down and started talking to this couple just across the way, heading

to the Dentist. The woman had a big tooth ache. Poor thing. They were pretty cool. Seemed interested, so we got their number and invited them to church!

In the mean time, the tram is starting to fill with more and more people. A drunk guy just in front of us and then a cute couple standing just beside us. 

The drunk guy is listening in our our conversation with the people across from us, and tells us not to listen to anything they are saying. I was so confused, so 

we invited him to church too. When the drunk man and the Dentist going couple got off, Sister Andreason and I realized that we had no idea where we were, and it was

already almost 9:30. As we are frantically trying to figure out where we are, the couple standing just beside us asks us what stop we needed. When telling them,

they gave a slight sympathetic laugh and told us that that particular stop was quite a ways back. Ha we had a good laugh with them and then started asking them

where they were from and such. They are from Croatia, but are living and working here in Prague. They are learning Czech, but speak great English.

After introducing ourselves and such, they motioned us to get off with them and they would help us figure out which tram we needed to get on to get back home.

SO NICE! They looked up the trams on their phones and then offered to walk us in the direction of where we needed to be at. At this point I was completely in love with these

two people and was bound and determined to get them to meet with us again. ha ha As we walked to the tram stop we needed to be a,t we had a good discussion with the 

two of them about who we are as missionaries, our purpose in being here, their religious veiws, etc. Lily LOVED everything we had to say. She is very religious and has seen our church

building before and has always been curious about checking it out, but just hasn't. Vit on the other hand, he is super cool and super chill, but he is "still finding is way."

We asked them this question: Do you feel that having the same foundation in faith would strengthen your relationship with one another? We asked this because it was obvious

that they were completely and utterly love with one another and we felt strongly that that point of the gospel -- the gospel strengthens families/relationships was totally applicable

to them, especially since Vit isn't entirely a believer. 

These were their respones: 

Vit said, Oh well I don't know. I mean yeah maybe. 

But what Lily said really touched my heart.

She said, "I feel that our relationship is strong right now, but that yes maybe it could. But what I truly hope and wish

                 is that one day we will both meet the same God after this life."

It was absolutely beautiful. 

We exchanged numbers with Lily. By the end of our conversation she kept saying, you know what I'd really like to meet with the

two of you again and attend church. You both have such great positive energy radiating from you. She then told me that I reminded

her of Vit's younger sister. haah! yes! 

Just as we were about to say goodbye I told them that God doesn't do random and that Sister Andreason and I were supposed to miss

our tram stop and that we were supposed to meet them and have those precious moments together lost in the streets of Prague. 

I am so grateful that I get to be a missionary and have experiences like the one I just described. 

We have experiences like these almost everyday. I wish I had time to share all of them with you! 

I want you to know that Jesus is. That He lives. 

Slaskou,

Sestra Fred 🌻

​We were there to see the Relief society women hold the glorious Green hymn books for the first

time Thursday evening in Prague. History being made everybody.

Eatin' some Vietnamese food. Not my fave.

Adele. She's a member and going to be our new running buddy!

Mia not wanting her pic taken. ha!

2 Sestry 2 Oblasti

Dobry Den Vsem!

Small update of my life right now. 

It's GREAT! 

SHOUTOUTS:

Angela Marie. I can hardly stand it. Tuesday could not come fast enough! So excited 

welcome this new little human into the world!!! Baby girl it will be! :)

Vera Goose, high five sweet girl. You are walking! ( I know it has been awhile, but I still 

wanted to let you know how proud of you I am!)

PRAGUE PŘEKVAPÁNÍ:

---> The birds have been singing a lot lately. I think of Gma and Gpa Fred when I hear them💕

---> We had district conference today! 

---> The new mission president is Czech!!! 

---> And then there were 2!

B.O.M. INSIGHT:

Helaman 14:5

 5 And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.

I love love lovee this one. I'm sure you can all figure out why. 

Stars are very symbolic to me. Last Sunday we were walking home from having dinner at the Ratajovi and we paused for a moment to look up

at the night sky. The dark blue blanket of sky was crisp and the starts shone bright. It was a beautiful sight. As we look to the stars, our focus is upward.

When looking to Christ, our star, our chins are held high and we are confident in his love and mercy trusting that He will deliver us always as we look to Him.

STRESSED:

Alright, I am going to be honest with all of you. I was stressed out of my mind last week. While traveling to Jicin to go to church last Sunday we missed a bus

at 6:40 in the morning and the next one didn't leave for another hour, which meant that I wouldn't be able to practice on the piano before church started. Luckily,

we were able to set up camp in a bakery near the bus stop and we made it to church on time. I was feeling really overwhelmed, trying to figure out how the transfer

was going to play out and how I could keep taking care of my area, along with Prague and follow up training Sister Humphries and this and that and the list goes on and on.

I was nearing a nervous breakdown, when I stopped to talk to one of the brethren in the Branch. He is an old-timer and has been around the block a time or two and he said something

 that set my heart and soul at ease, "Sister, it doesn't matter where you serve because wherever you are, even on buses talking to people you are serving God."

I really needed that in that moment. It helped me to realized that Heavenly Father understands our situation and as long 

as we do our best to take care of His vineyard in Mlada Boleslav and Prague He will take care of the rest. 

I also got a blessing from President McConkie that helped so much. After the blessing I had a clearer vision of how the transfer

would go and a feeling of peace that everything would be just fine.

THE CHANGE CONTINUES:

There is never a dull moment on the mission, I can tell you that much!

Unfortunately, we lost one our fellow soldiers. Sister Humphries got sent to Brno. She was needed there due to a sister going home.

Tough situation, but my prayers are with both of them and I know with all my heart that God doesn't do random. There is a reason for 

everything! 

In the mean time, that leaves Sister Andreason and I working Prague and Mlada. It will be a lot easier with just the two of us AND we are getting the 

car next week so our lives will be even better. Yip-ee! 

As far as my greenie, President McConkie informed me that she will be there for probably the whole transfer or close to the end. 

He told me that she will still be mine when she comes. :) So this transfer will include a lot of traveling. I have never been so tired in my life.

But the work is so rewarding. Sister Andreason are excited to see what the Lord has in store for us this transfer!

WINDOWS OF HEAVEN:

Sister Andreason and I have seen the windows of heaven pour out upon us all of gods choicest blessings, especially in the food department. ha!

We don't have a lot of time to go grocery shopping or even cook for the matter because we are always on the go. We were also worried about our money

situation. Because we are having to travel so much by bus it was looking like money was going to be real tight this month. Trusting in the Lord and praying that

He would provide we have sacrificed the money we have need to for the bus fare and in return we have been fed almost 4-5 out of the 7 days and will have people

randomly give us food. Today for example, we had lunch with the elders, their gator and a member and the member paid for all of us. And then another member gave us oreos randomly

while waiting for a lesson to show. I could go on and on about the blessings we have seen. I am so certain that these blessings have also come from paying fast offerings each month.

The past two weeks have been a testimony to me that Heavenly Father will pour out His blessings upon us as we do what He asks and put Him first. 

CONFERENCE:

We had district conference today and it was wonderful. We had an area of the seventy come who shared his testimony of building stakes. He was once a district president in Spain

and remained one for TEN YEARS before a stake was created there. He shared his beautiful testimony with us and the Czech saints of how God's timing in perfect and to not be disappointed

if now is not the time for a stake to be established in the Czech Republic, but that it will be soon. And if it is the time, then let us all rejoice! 

Miracle Sidenote! I contacted a man on the tram last night on the way home. Gave him a Book of Mormon, invited him to conference and..

HE CAME. hahah! He totally showed up. so cool. Miracles people. Miracles are happening everywhere.

I am so grateful for my mission. I love it more than anything. There is no place I'd rather be!

I want to leave you with a thought that came from Sister McConkie's talk today.

"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God. I pray because it changes me."

Take the time to just say hello to your Heavenly Father today, He is always anxiously waiting to hear from you. 

S Laskou,

Sestra Fred

​While were were camped out at 6:40 in the A.M. at the bakery.

Miracle Lunch

​Sister Andreason caught me snoozin' on the job. ha!

Yummy Rizotto

Firm in the Faith

Drahy Rodino a Pratele,

Surprise! While I am serving in Prague my P-day will be on Saturday instead of Monday! Sorry Mom and Dad for not mentioning that this past Monday. hehe

It's fairly nice here in Prague today, pretty overcast though. I am seriously ready for some sunshine. I need me some blue skies and sunshine. 🌻

SHOUTOUTS:

Clarkie boyyyyy! I hope you had a good birthday big bro! I thought of you all day. 

Another special event happened on the 2nd of March 14 years ago. I was baptized! yay.

PRAGUE PŘEKVAPÁNÍ:

---> We live in the Babylon Apartments. ha ha ha ha. How ironic.

---> We had a huge slumber party with all the sisters who were training this past Tuesday night!

---> We take a 25 minute-ish Metro ride to get to the church building.

---> Enka (RC in Mlada) came running up to me today in the food court at a mall and gave me a hug! haha best surprise ever. 

      She was there on a school trip. She looked like she was having fun. :)

---> Prague has so many cool YSA. FHE and game night are super. I am not use to being around so many members all at once

      on so many days of the week. ha

B.O.M. INSIGHT:

Helaman 5:9-12 (highlighting verse 12)

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; 

that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, 

when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, 

because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

I love the way King Benjamin taught his people to build their faith upon "the rock of their Redeemer." I have the strongest testimony

that if we are firm in the faith, if we are firm and steadfast in Him he can and will save us all from all of life's quicksands. 

He is the strongest foundation that any of us can have in this life!

TOWN HOPPING:

Working the two cities has been kind of hard!! I am loving the fact that I get to serve in Prague with Sisters Andreason and Humphries, but I am feeling like a fish out of water. 

We were in Mlada Boleslav Wednesday for District Meeting, finding, English and a lesson with Jiri. We had studies there Thursday morning and then came back to Prague Thursday afternoon. 

we are going to Boleslav tonight will be there for church tomorrow and most of Monday and then will head back to Prague for Family Home Evening. ha ha ha ha Man, I can't think straight these days. 

Our investigators in Boleslav are doing well. We weren't able to meet with Tomas this week because of our schedules, but we are doing our best to maintain daily contact. We expect both of them to come to

Church tomorrow so keep them in their prayers! Pavlina too! 

In Prague we are working with a couple of neat investigators. Monica is 17 and is so cute! She has been really receptive to the message. We have met with her almost every day this week!

This morning we had a lesson with her after having a lesson with a Recent Convert, Lucy. We felt inspired to ask Lucy to stay and teach Monica with us and she said yes and it turned out to be a great lesson!!

It was perfect because we were able to ask Lucy if she could sit with Mia tomorrow at church since we won't be there. Monica lit up and seemed to be really excited about it! 

It is also fast Sunday tomorrow, so we are fasting with another investigator, Vince, to help him receive an answer of his own to know the truth of the Gospel. He has been investigating for almost a year now

and this will be his his first time fasting and fasting with a specific purpose in mind. We are really excited for him and are expecting good things to come of it!! 

GOD DOESN'T DO RANDOM:

One thing that my mission has taught me is having an eternal perspective. Sometimes is it hard when you go all day without finding someone new to teach or even someone 

who will accept a FREE pass along card. I want to share with you an neat experience that I had on the Metro last night.

We were traveling home just after finishing game night at the church building. We hopped on the Metro and I took a different door just to give us some space. As I got on I found a good spot

to stand and made eye contact with a middle aged man. I said hello and asked how he was doing. He was quite nice so I asked if I could sit next to him. As we got to talking and introducing ourselves 

he told me that he lived in Dallas, Texas for a time and had a good friend who was a Mormon bishop! He goes on to tell me, I don't know what it is about you Mormons, but there is just something that

about you. I immediately responded, well sir, let me tell you why! hahahah He went on to tell me that he had taken the lessons before, but feels that he has his own ideas and isn't ready to take on 

another religon. I asked him if he had a Book of Mormon and he said no, but that he would like one in English, because he is from a different country and doesn't speak much Czech. 

Now, Listen.

A young woman from America hops on the metro at 8 p.m. in the Czech Rep.

She says hello and sits down next to him to find out that he has a good friend that is Mormon and has

been taught the lessons.

They exchange numbers and will soon give him a Book of Mormon in English so that he can hopefully

find out for himself the truth of what the Book of Mormon contains. 

Ha! I love the way Heavenly Father works. There is no way that was coincidence! That same scenario has happen a couple of other times this past week but on buses from Prague 

to Mlada Boleslav and vice versa. I don't know what the end result will be with any of them, but the fact is God is always putting people in our path that are being prepared! 

When I was in New York an area of the Seventy came and told us that a person who is invited to learn about the Gospel will typically reject the invitation 8 times before they say yes.

So, when I meet people like I did on the Metro last night, I think to myself that they are on an escalator, and each time we invite them to learn, they are one step closer to saying yes yes yes!

It is a great time of life to be a missionary! I hope that you all have a special missionary experience this week 

and have the opportunity to share a piece of who you are as a latter-day saint with some one is is thirsting after 

the truth.

I love you all! Thank you for all you do for me. 

Ta ta for now!

Slaskou,

Sestra Fred 🍦💫

Our Triiiisome! Papa you have a candy shop here. :)

That sweet girl next to me is getting ready for her baptism in April! We go over and teach 

with the Holt's and Alyssa's papa. She is so darling. Czech kids melt my heart.

There are those who call this church building Noah's Ark.

Fresh Snow on March 1st