When in Czech : Time is Winding Down

Dobry Den Rodiny!

What a week! Honestly, I can't even really remember what happened this past week, so you're going to have to bear with me as I try to rack my memory!

We had our last lesson with Bratr Thompson last Thursday night. He would always come with his 44 oz Mountain Dew to class (he had hard time staying awake just as much as we do sometimes haha) so we decided to have a Caffeine free Mountain Dew toast at the end of class with him. It was hands down the best moment here at the MTC. Bratr Mullen captured the moment perfectly. I'll be sure to send it with this email. I cried the hardest I have in awhile when I shook Bratr T's hand for the last time.Literally, BIG crocodile tears. Sestra Clark, Starsi Needham and I were the only ones to bawl like babies. haha He is like our MTC Dad. He was with us from the beginning! He bore beautiful testimony to us that night and gave us an analogy of "Stepping out of the River." He talked about how missionaries tend to have one foot in the river (the world) and one foot out (in the mission field) when they are serving. He reminded us that this short time of our lives is time that we can have to focus on the Gospel and Christ and His work without the world and its demands pressing down on us. He promised us that the sooner we take both feet out of the river and truly be in the now of today and our missions that that is when Heavenly Father can begin making us into what He wants us to be. It was so powerful and something that really helped me to remember why I am here as a missionary and that the only way I am going to come unto Christ and help others do the same is if I allow Heavenly Father to mold me into the Sestra Fredrickson He needs and wants me to be. Love Bratr T. He has had a huge impact on my life. Until we meet again!

So some exciting news for the week is I was made Sister Training Leader of the Zone this past week. I think it was Friday that President Melville spoke with me and asked me to serve in this calling. I get to make sure all of my sister's in the zone are doing good and being obedient and following the rules and such. Mostly, I just get to love them! I love it. It gives me the opportunity to think about someone else instead of myself. My co-Sister Training Leader is Sestra Birkeland who is one of my Czech sister's so it's fun being about to work with her! With the calling I have been learning the lesson of how important it is to be an example and the power the comes from being an example. As missionaries we have a huge target on us. We are unique, and different, and some people would say that we are weird too. Ha. People are CONSTANTLY watching us! One thing that President Melville said in one of our leadership meetings was that we have such a great zone because of the past examples that have been set by missionaries that preceded us. Examples can effect "generations!" Wow! When I heard that, it made me realize how important it is to think before you speak or act.

We got to skype with a member in Czech on Tuesday! All four of us sisters tagged teamed the skype date with a Sestra by the name of Alexandria. She is 20 years old and is actually from Russia but is going to school in Praha. She is adorable. It was so fun being able to speak with her, even though I didn't know what she was saying half of the time. hahah we made her giggle at our Czech speaking abilities. Skyping with her made me realize that there are actually real people in Czech who are just going about living their lives. It's not some fantasy place with fictional characters. We are racing time to the finish line of our MTC adventure and I feel like time is winning!

We should get our travel plans this Saturday! So Mom and Dad I will email you details about that next week. :) Can you believe I am going to Czech in a week fromMONDAY?! How insane! I am so excited I can hardly stand it.

Also! Sestra Holland and I set a baptismal date with our investigator Martin yesterday! I was the one who got to ask him if he would follow the Saviors example and be baptized. The spirit was so strong in our lesson and as I asked him to be baptized. It is definitely something special to watch a person grow and come closer to Christ and accept to follow Him. We will teach Martin the commandments tonight so say a little prayer for him and us to have the spirit!

We also taught a new gator yesterday named Ales. We went from having a spiritual high with Martin, to a very spiritual low with Ales. Ah how does that happen? We were not as prepared as we could have been, which I think was the biggest problem. I am learning that to be able to teach by the Spirit, which is the key to conversion, you have to be prepared.

I had the opportunity to fast again on Sunday because of General Conference this weekend. I just want to bear you my testimony of the spirit of Fasting. There is power that comes from fasting. I know that fasting can help us receive answers and strength from the Lord, if we fast with sincerity and meekness. Love, love, love fasting.

Thank you for sending all the pictures Mom and Dad! Mary goose you looked absolutely STUNNING at Homecoming! Stop growing up! Jade seems to still be her funny little self. I love it. And I am so glad that Bubby is finally being fun for Angie! hahaha ahhh I miss being around kids! Epecially my synovecy and neteř!

Family. You are amazing. I love you all so much. Thanks for being so great, and thanks for being mine!

Love you oodles and oodles. Until next week!

Láska Vždy,

Sestra Fredrickson

P.s. I decided I want to start doing a quote of the week. So here it is!

Quote of the Week: "Let go, and let God"