Dear family and friends,

Here is part of a note that Joseph's last companion (Elder Ingalls) wrote home to his parents -- which they shared with me:

I want to stay in Třebíc again. I think this city is ready for a miracle. I start to see the patterns with my companions, like Elder Schindler, we saw a TON of miracles in a city that hasnt baptized in forever because we were willing to work hard…thats one thing I really like about Elder Schindler.. I dont know how he is doing now but we both worked well together to do many good things. We spoke only Czech between each other the last 6 weeks of the transfer and while we started out a little awkward in the fact that we never really met each other more than once, we worked and were willing to take each other’s help. I hope that I have helped him and I know that he has helped me in showing me that a companion that is willing to work will see many miracles that many missionaries rarely see on their missions.

Joseph's President's Day letter (February 21, 2011)

[Dear family and friends, this is the letter we received this morning from Joseph. We are excited about Sister Stulerova's baptism! We hope this note finds everyone safe and warm on this blustery President's Day! Thank you for your love and your prayers! Joseph's editor - BWS]

Dear Family and friends,

First of all, Sister Štulerová did get baptized and confirmed a member of the Church this past weekend. We were not worried about it; the baptism went very well and a very sweet spirit of peace was felt by all. The brother who baptized her was rather nervous, but all went well and she was very grateful for all who came, as we had quite a good turn out from the branch. From the first day she came, she has been welcomed into the branch [a small congregation] and everyone was very welcoming and supportive on Sunday when she was confirmed as a member and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

While we had an amazing ending to the week (see the above paragraph), the week went a little slowly and we did have some struggles meeting with and finding people. We went on exchanges as well, which meant I was working with Elder Nestman here in Zlín, which was good as I have known him for quite some time, and plus, he is going home in ten days, so it was nice to see him and to say good bye.

Transfers are coming up next week, so we are trying to finish out our transfer really strong this week and the couple days next week (by the way, this means I will email next on Wednesday, do not forget to write). [If any of you have a minute, Joseph would LOVE to hear from you! Just respond to this e-mail and I'll forward the note to him.]

I hope all is well back home. I understand that you had a snow day today and I heard you received the package. I hope the things were worth sending and that you will enjoy the dolls, flag, books and candy. [We were so excited!]

Just so you know, I have abandoned my out loud reading in the Book of Mormon for the time being, as I am trying to do the same thing in Preach my Gospel so that I can earn my next language level. I am still reading the Book of Mormon in personal study and am quite pleased to say that I am actually understanding what I am reading in the middle of second Nephi when I have the Bible opened with it. I suddenly understand so much more about what Isaiah is saying and how that applies to us as people today. Also, to follow the instructions of Sister Irwin, I have been studying the Conference Ensign; that has been great.

Well, I have to run. I love you a lot and I hope to hear from you on Wednesday next week,

Love,

Elder Schindler

Joseph's Valentine's Day letter! (2/14/2011)

[Dear family and friends, I hope everyone is having a wonderful Valentine's Day! Here is the letter we received today from Joseph. Thank you for your words of encouragement, your support and your prayers! If you have any note you would like me to send to Joseph, just hit reply -- and I will make sure he gets it! Joseph's editor - BWS]

Dear Dad, Mom, Weston, Daniel, An, Topher and Olas and friends,

I was glad to get a letter from evereryone, except for the people for whom I forgot which letters their names have. I really appreciated hearing from all of you. It sounds like Daniel had a good performance, and that Andrew has become a wonderful singer. I am looking forward to hearing a song from you sometime. I am also glad to hear that Mom got home safely [from SLC] and that the twins enjoy the new van. The DVD player [in the van] sounds really nice. Our landlord actually offered to give us a flatscreen TV a couple weeks ago, but knowing we would never use it, we declined. That will probable be the last time I do something like that [decline receiving a free TV], unless it happens again on my mission.

I am excited to hear that Weston is doing Institute. [There is a new religion class that is being taught at SVSU.] That should be a great experience for him.

I have a funny story for you. Today a man stopped us on the square and started to talk to us about heaven, a priest and so forth, and I thought he had a question about the doctorine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I initially had a difficult time understading him. At least until I realized he was telling me a joke. Something about the pearly gates, St. Peter, a priest and a bus full of people (I think there were also a few deaths). That realization [that it was a joke] was very helpful. He was a very friendly man, if I was caught off guard a little.

I forgot to say last week, but I received the letter from Grandpa and Grandma, as well as the conference Ensign [church magazine] that you sent dad. I enjoyed reading the notes you sent, as well as hearing all about the exploits of Colten and Alex in Mexico and Italy. How is Craig doing? I have not heard a lot about him, or from him recently. I also got the Valentine's day card from the Ward young women. I think it scared my companion a bit [I'm not sure why], but it was a good note. Thank you.

Well, this week went really well. We had a Zone conference last Thursday and I was on Exchanges down here in Zlín with Elder Tall, so I had a rather eventful week. The conference was really good and President Irwin really wants us to be "go-getters" and to get the work that we are doing going. I have really grown to love President and Sister Irwin. They are amazing people.

Well my biggest thing to report is that Sister Štulerová is getting baptized this week. I think I have spoken about her before, but if not, now I have. We have been teaching her for most of the transfer and she is doing fantastically well. She is very willing to live the commandments and the entire branch here is very excited for Saturday. We still have a couple things that we will be going over, but everything looks like it is set and ready to go. She is an amazing lady and has really fallen in love with the gospel. I really felt like we did not teach her anything. Every lesson felt more like we were just going over things to make sure she understood them (which she does). We are all looking forward to her baptism.

If you could send me any photos of me or my brothers, and parents too, I would like that. I only have a few and I would really like some more. Mail them or e-mail them, but for now, please just get them to me. I would really like that.

Well, thank you so much. I love you so much. I hope I am working like and being the missionary you think I am. I am totally lost with our Scripture reading together, so I think I am just going to start over with the introduction and testimonies at the beginning of the Book. I can change though later. Daniel said in his letter that he really felt blessed by our Father in Heaven this last week. I know that is true. He knows us and loves us so much and I know that he will assist us when we need his help.

S laskou,
Elder Schindler

Joseph's letter dated 7Feb2011

[Dear friends and family, we hope this letter finds you well. We are looking out on a very WHITE Michigan. We had a foot of snow last week - and we're getting more today. The boys have enjoyed an unplanned 6 day weekend! Thank you for your notes. Joseph loves receiving them.

Have a great week! Joseph's editor - BWS]

Dear everyone,

My visa renewal went well last Monday in Prague. Everything was in order and I was able to move through the line very quickly. Everyone else was also well taken care of and we were all able to return to our areas safely (as far as I am aware). I spent that night again with the Zone Leaders and then on Tuesday morning we drove down to to Zlín for District Meeting. That night we taught Sister Štulerová the law of chastity. We were happy to hear that not only does she agree with it; she has lived according to it all her life. That was one of the best ways to end a day I have ever had here.

We also had a meeting with a member named Brother Kolař. He is a nice older man, who has translated the Dead Sea Scrolls into Czech in his free time since retiring (purely for his own pleasure). We also found out he is a vegetarian.

We also met with the Janouškovi family. Brother Janoušek is the former Branch President and wanted us to come over and have a family home evening with his family. That went well, and we shared a lesson on repentance and the steps pertaining to it.

On Saturday we ran up to Olomouc for the baptism of two young (older than nine) children, who have been meeting with our Zone Leaders. Their mother is a member and both are very prepared for their baptismal ordinance. It was a pleasure to see them get baptized.

On Sunday night we went tracting and decided to offer to sing people a hymn as our door approach. We were rather bluntly rejected. Apparently nobody wanted to know there was "Sunshine in our Souls" that day. We might not try it again, but it was interesting to try a different approach. Elder Bown knows from past experience that the offering of cookies is also flatly rejected. It was a fun night though.

We have a Zone Conference over in Brno this Thursday and we are looking forward to that. Hopefully they do not just get Fried Cheese and Chicken steak again.

I love you very much and wish you the best with everything. The Book of Mormon is true, and by the way, I do not know where we are reading together. I have gotten rather lost with that recently. I actually have no idea where I should be. Please send me a correction message so that we can be all together. [I'll let him know that we are reading Mormon 3 tonight!]

Love,
Joseph