Sorry it took so long! (November 18th 2013)

Hello!

So last week was Poland's independence day so that is why we couldn't e-mail:) But I am doing so well and my new companion is so sweet and I love her! Her name is Sister Moncur and she's from Idaho Falls.

This week we saw so many miracles. We had a baptism, Piotr. He was confirmed in church on Sunday and I had been praying that some of our less-actives would come because I really needed their support for Karina! I had a thought to send two of them texts early Sunday morning and they came! I was too busy worrying that everyone was sitting next to someone and felt comfortable that I didn't even realize that I got exactly what I prayed for until I took the sacrament. I had a lot to repent of after that. Sometimes I get too caught up and forget to be grateful for all the little blessings, which is the worst thing I could do! Then that night we met with someone we found trakting, his name is Oskar and hes so cool!!! We were able to find five new investigators this week, and then to top it all off, Karina called me and said that her husband, (Przemek) wants to come to church next week!!! WHAT? that is a 180degree turn from a month ago. I met him today, and he was super kind and willing to talk and I was really grateful for this experience. I went home and fell on my knees and felt like I could burst I was so happy!

I am loving my mission so much. It's so hard, but I am grateful for every minute. There isn't a time I regret being here. I am grateful for the Christmas season and the peace and binding it brings. I love these people so much, my heart is with them. I never want to leave Kielce! I know the Lord loves us and cares for us and wants the best for us.

Rori, I am so glad that your play went well.

I hope that you all have a lovely thanksgiving. I am so grateful for my wonderful family and all that you do for me. I am so blessed and have been given so many miracles, what that says to me is that more is expected:) I have to have more faith!

Mom, I am always so grateful for you e-mails, and the pictures!!! I will send you some pics today of myself and my companion! I hope you all have a wonderful week. I love to see all of the wonderful miracles here.

Gratitude! It's amazing!

Love, Sister Hemming:)

1. Independence Day!( dad, you'd think this was cool)

2. me and Sis. Moncur!

3. My favorite Kawiarnia:) And my favorite book! in my favorite language;)

Halloween pictures from Kielce Poland (November 4th 2013)

1.  Memorial to the twin towers...Polish people mourn for others tragedies.  I think it's so cool!

2.  Sister Barth and I after the rain storm

3.  Me at a tombstone. So so cool!!

Kielce at Halloween (November 4th 2013)

My Sweet, Lovely Family!

I can't believe that you already had the first snowfall! Of course you won't find it hard to believe that yesterday I went out in a jacket and flats and no umbrella and it decided to rain cats and dogs( I might add that it hasn't rained in weeks!) Needless to say, I ended up trudging through the streets with soaking shoes... but we found two new investigators! I've learned so much this week about doing the work of the Lord!

So... pierwszy... since I know you all are wondering what's going on... drum roll...

I'm Staying! In Kielce:) whooo hoo! and I'm training! What? I know. How can the sister who can't even correctly dress herself for the rain train another sister. I admit that at first when prezydent told me that I'd be training I thought that I still don't really know anything, but I have learned alot about how I need to trust in the Lord this week, and that played into my reaction. I know the Lord qualifies whom He calls. I am grateful for an opportunity to pick up the pace. To rely completely on the Lord. To strive to give Him my every waking thought!

This was a crazy and beautiful week! On halloween we had a great crepe breakfast! yay:) I got a package from the Listons on Wednesday! Perfect timing! I am sending them a letter, but tell them thank youso much! It was filled with the best things:) Candy Corn... and cute halloween decorations. We had a great time on Saturday with Prezydent Najberg on the cemetaries. I will show you some pictures, it is amazing!
The first picture is of me... and candy corn. ( not to be had in Poland)
This second one is of the cute things from the Listons! happy Halloween!
Third Picture is of me... in Kielce!
We had a lot of lessons and were really praying to find five new investigators... As I felt and meant what I said in my prayers and then matched it with action, the Lord's miracles fell into our paths time and time again.  We are teaching a sweet lady named Sylwia. She is a single mom ( we are now teaching 3 mothers with children... something I only dreamed of in Kraków). We have had a hard time meeting with her because she's really busy but I feel prompted that she will be of great strength to the branch, so I know the Lord will prepare a way.

Sister Barth has been so amazing this week( and every week) but this week she just worked so hard. She was a great example and influence on me, and I'm a little sad that just when I feel that we start to work really well together we get seperated, but more about that later.

For my miracle of the week I would like to share a very special experience. I normally don't like to talk about the hard things but I think this is for the best of everyone! I was feeling a little bit under the weather on Saturday but I was really excited to get out and find people! So I prayed and went to work. It was especially hard that day. No one was talking to us and on top of that some people were pretty rude. I began to feel frustrated, and I said a prayer... " Please help me to love this:)". I contacted the next lady I saw and she was getting really mad at me. Telling me that she's already Catholic and how dare I be in her country and tell her that she doesn't know about God. I tried to share with her that I am so glad she already has faith, and simply wanted to invite her to learn more about this thing that has brought me somuch happiness. She then proceeded to tell me more unkind things. I walked away and was feeling a little emotional( yep) and all of the sudden I had this feeling of peace and love wash over me. It was so enobling and enabling. I felt love and strength. I KNEW in that moment that I am a daughter of God. That He loves me, and that everything and every sacrifice and every blessing ever made by myself or my ancestors was for something that is true! Right after that I met this lovely lady who was so kind and took a Book of Mormon and set up for tonight! I said a tearful and heartfelt prayer of thanks after that. The Lord is so mindful of us. As we do what He wants. And only then can we feel the full extent of His love.

I bear my testimony that it's real. I know it . I wouldn't be here if I didn't. I know if for myself and not just as a tradition or a nice story, God Lives. He loves us. And His church is on the earth as proof of that love. The Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints!

I love being amissionary! I can't waith to meet a new companion and get moving on a new transfer filled with humbling experiences and growth in the Lord!

I love you all so much!
Love Sister Erika Alexis Hemming

Happy Halloween (October 28th 2013)

My Darling Family!

Wow, what a week:) Well, for starters I got a little bit sick on Monday... probably from the galereta;) But all is well now and I am grateful to be back working and giving my all. It is getting a little bit colder here, but we have been blessed because I've only had to wear my big coat one day. We will have a lot of lessons and are striving to find some new investigators. Kielce is blooming!!!

I have learned alot this week about the power of thoughts.The Prophet Joseph Smith said that he would treasure up in his mind continually the words of life. Then he was prepared to deliver sermons filled with revelatory power. I have made that my goal this week and will be striving to give every conscious thought to the work of the Lord. Unfortunately the opposite is also true. Satan will try and get our thoughts to be focused on things that have no real value to us, and can even be harmful. I love the scripture that focuses on thoughts, words and deeds. They all make a huge difference!

I am going to Auschwitz today, which is a three hour drive. I'm so sorry this is short and I can't write anyone else back, but I have wanted to go for a long time. Our good friend Włodzimierz is taking us in his car, and President okayed it and I am so excited. I know that's probably not an appropriate response to this, but I have studied alot about it, and am prepared to see a piece of history that I hope will NEVER be repeated.

We have seen miracles this week in Kielce, I will share one with you really quickly. Last week as Sister Barth and I were walking to the Library , our investiagtor Virginia was sitting at her booth( her family own a booth at a bazaar). We went up to say cześć and suddenly we felt inclined to stop and pay closer attention. ( sometimes my excitement gets the best of me... quiet dignity sister hemming... quiet dignity:) but she was sitting at her booth, with the Book of Mormon( in bulgarian) sitting on her lap. She had her hands clasped and was fervently praying. Wow. what an absolutely beautiful experience. I was so grateful to the Lord for having blessed me with the opportunity to see that wonderful moment. It will forever be a highlight of my mission.

We had a beautiful week and loved the changing of the leaves. Please pray for Virginia that she will see the importance of one true church on the earth, and that Karina can talk with her husband. She is such a wonderful woman, and just recently invited us to the baptism of her children... in the catholic church. That actually meant a lot to us, because we see her trusting and loving us just as we love her with all our hearts. It will be a great opportunity to meet her husband.

I testify that I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That God has restored His church on the earth, and that it was restored through a living prophet. We learn that the only way to come to God someday is through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that is true. I'm still figuring out the Atonement for myself, but I know that is has more power than we realize. The pain of guilt can be completely overcome with the beauty of His love. Joseph Smith also said that man my come closer to Christ by the teachings of the Book of Mormon than any other book. That means that this church is essential to all men. I LOVE that I can share such a powerful message with the people in Kielce.

Mom, thank you soooo much! I know it can't be easy for you to find time each week to write me, but they mean the world to me. I see your personal growth as well as the families and I am built by your testimony. I feel the same way as you do... I want to just have more opportunities to serve , when I get home I want my life to forever be in service to the Lord. I am so grateful for having learned to put Him first.

I love you all so much! So much love from Kielce!

Siostra hemming

The Power of Thoughts (October 21st 2013)

My Darling Family!

Wow, what a week:) Well, for starters I got a little bit sick on Monday... probably from the galereta;) But all is well now and I am grateful to be back working and giving my all. It is getting a little bit colder here, but we have been blessed because I've only had to wear my big coat one day. We will have a lot of lessons and are striving to find some new investigators. Kielce is blooming!!!

I have learned alot this week about the power of thoughts.The Prophet Joseph Smith said that he would treasure up in his mind continually the words of life. Then he was prepared to deliver sermons filled with revelatory power. I have made that my goal this week and will be striving to give every conscious thought to the work of the Lord. Unfortunately the opposite is also true. Satan will try and get our thoughts to be focused on things that have no real value to us, and can even be harmful. I love the scripture that focuses on thoughts, words and deeds. They all make a huge difference!

I am going to Auschwitz today, which is a three hour drive. I'm so sorry this is short and I can't write anyone else back, but I have wanted to go for a long time. Our good friend Włodzimierz is taking us in his car, and President okayed it and I am so excited. I know that's probably not an appropriate response to this, but I have studied alot about it, and am prepared to see a piece of history that I hope will NEVER be repeated.

We have seen miracles this week in Kielce, I will share one with you really quickly. Last week as Sister Barth and I were walking to the Library , our investiagtor Virginia was sitting at her booth( her family own a booth at a bazaar). We went up to say cześć and suddenly we felt inclined to stop and pay closer attention. ( sometimes my excitement gets the best of me... quiet dignity sister hemming... quiet dignity:) but she was sitting at her booth, with the Book of Mormon( in bulgarian) sitting on her lap. She had her hands clasped and was fervently praying. Wow. what an absolutely beautiful experience. I was so grateful to the Lord for having blessed me with the opportunity to see that wonderful moment. It will forever be a highlight of my mission.

We had a beautiful week and loved the changing of the leaves. Please pray for Virginia that she will see the importance of one true church on the earth, and that Karina can talk with her husband. She is such a wonderful woman, and just recently invited us to the baptism of her children... in the catholic church. That actually meant a lot to us, because we see her trusting and loving us just as we love her with all our hearts. It will be a great opportunity to meet her husband.

I testify that I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That God has restored His church on the earth, and that it was restored through a living prophet. We learn that the only way to come to God someday is through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that is true. I'm still figuring out the Atonement for myself, but I know that is has more power than we realize. The pain of guilt can be completely overcome with the beauty of His love. Joseph Smith also said that man my come closer to Christ by the teachings of the Book of Mormon than any other book. That means that this church is essential to all men. I LOVE that I can share such a powerful message with the people in Kielce.

Mom, thank you soooo much! I know it can't be easy for you to find time each week to write me, but they mean the world to me. I see your personal growth as well as the families and I am built by your testimony. I feel the same way as you do... I want to just have more opportunities to serve , when I get home I want my life to forever be in service to the Lord. I am so grateful for having learned to put Him first.

I love you all so much! So much love from Kielce!

Siostra hemming

Sister Hemming Warsaw Poland Mission October 7, 2013

Hello my darling little family! Or not so little... as I saw my gorgeous Rori at homecoming! I swear I just barely went to my first homecoming with Cragun... wierd! She looked so beautiful and so old, I am very grateful that she is modest and looks like a beautiful young woman! I would expect nothing less:)

This has been a week of miracles, I'm pretty sure every week is and I am so grateful for that. We started out pretty worried. One of our investigators, Karina has a baptismal date and is really progressing toward becoming a stalwart member. She was taught by the elders before we got here and it's been a miracle that we can be here because she couldn't have met with the elders... you will find out why. So on Friday of last week, her husband called us and was pretty mean and was saying all of these things in lightening fast polish( which we don't even fully understand at normal speed) and ended up saying something to the effect of ... we don't want to meet with you. My wife is not interested and she already has her own church, don't ever meet with her again. I am sure you can imagine that we were pretty sad about it. But Sister Barth had faith and we continued on planning that she would meet with us. We heard nothing from her for four days and were trying to give her some space for a while. Every tuesday we have district meeting in the chapel and make goals and become edified:) We were sitting there this tuesday and suddenly we hear these little kid voices and I think to myself... that sounds like Kasper( her son) and as the voices get closer I become certain it is her son. We run out into the foyer and she is standing there with her children and says... "Hi, I'm really sorry to interrupt but my husband deleted your number and I didnt' know what to do and I'd like to set up a meeting tommorow."

I literally almost died.I was so shocked! ( Have more Faith Sister Hemming!)

She said that simply her husband had talked with someone at work who told her wierd things about us and was really upset and so he called us and then deleted our number from her phone. She told us that she prayed alot to know what she should do. She told us she recieved a very firm answer that she should meet with us again. She said that she KnOWS without a doubt that she needs to be baptized, that she has found the church of God and that she knows that this is the direction she needs to go. I cannot even explain how I felt. Just so grateful. So joyful. We set up for the next day and then knelt down and thanked Heavenly Father for letting us see miracles. Oh how blessed we are.

The next day she shared her life story with us and really opened up. She is a woman who has been through the worst that life has to offer. Poverty and loneliness and abuse, but she has stuck to her faith in God and has also seen many miracles. She was told from every doctor that she could never have children but prayed to God to help her and was given three absolutely beautiful kids! She is an amazing example to me. Most of the time I sit and wonder why I was called to be a missionary when the people I teach are better examples to me than the other way around. All I know is this. The work is true and the Lord loves and cares for each of us. She has shown me that.

We have had wonderful experiences with her all week and are hoping that she will be able to talke with her husband and that he will allow her to be baptized. We have prayed so hard that his heart will be softened . What a powerful experience that was.

I love Sister Barth and I am so grateful that I can be a part of the work here in Kielce. I don't know what the Lord has in store for Poland but I know it is something beautiful and marvelous and I feel so blessed every day to be here and be a part of it. I hope that I can give a broken heart and a contrite spirit to the Lord every day to renew my drive to do my best. I love these people with all of my heart!

I watched the Relief Society mtg. and was brought to tears many times. It is so interesting how a mission has softened me so much, i cry ALL THE TIME! :) But usually because I am so overcome with love and gratitude! I can't imagine anywhere else better that I could be. This is the place;) Ania was in General Conference yesterday and was asking us about how she pays tithing because she wants to give her part to the Lord's kingdom. She is amazing! We also were able to watch the first session of Saturday conference with Prez. Najberg. But it was in English, so he couldn't understand. It was an example of me of faith and obedience that he stayed the whole time and watched it... in english! What amazing members.

We had a few funny moments this week. Most of them associated with our lack of understanding of Polish... or the fact that I am the worst cook in the world:) We made No bake cookies but didn't have a pan or anything to put them on... so we cleaned of the counter and just plopped them on there! super funny! then they wouldn't dry so they were pretty squishy, but our english class liked them all the same!

 I know that the Lord lives. I know that the Atonement has real power and that Heavenly Father is Loving! He loves us even when we don't love ourselves, and He helps us see our potential. Sins and doubts are overcome through the Lord, and they sometimes take a long time, but the Lord is mighty to save;) I know that Conference is a time to listen to a prophet of God. Just think about what that means! I know that conference and probably everything else associated with the Savior has more meaning to me on my mission and will have more meaning after my mission. I am ALWAYS grateful I chose to serve. the 80,000 missionaries out will all come home stronger. It is the Best decision I have made yet, and all other decisions will be affected by it!

I love you all so much!!! I hope you have a week filled with the power of the atonement. I pray for you every day!

Love , Siostra Hemming