Joseph visiting old castle

Joseph - Old Castle

P.S. from Prague - dated 11Apr2011

Dear Family and Friends, we were elated to receive a supplemental letter from Joseph -- not to say we didn't appreciate his initial 37 word letter! Here is the extra letter! Joseph's editor - BWS]

Dear Family,

Well I was able to get on the computer again and so I will try to send a brief update of my time over here in Zlín.

Sister Kopčilová is still having a difficult time giving up smoking, but is still attending and enjoying church. She was there yesterday for conference and I think that she enjoyed it.

We were able to watch the two Sunday sessions of General Conference yesterday in Czech. It went well, but conference is much better in English, since it does not have to be translated.

The weather is still nice and we are seeing some good things outside.

Last Wednesday, we worked on talking to people about the organization of the church,as it was the 181st anniversary of the organization of the Church. We passed out about twenty-five pamplets about the Restoration of the Gospel and set up meetings with two different people. It was a good day. Plus, my companion forgot to tell me we had a meeting in the morning, so we had a suprise, nice meeting to start off the day (it went well, even though we were not totally prepared).

Well, I do have to go now, but I love you and I pray for you often.

Love,

Elder Schindler

37 Words from Prague!

[Dear friends and family, today's letter is extra short -- but we know that Joseph is well enough to travel and write, is busy -- is staying current on his visa -- and still remembers English! He sent another note -- asking if we were OK if he were to extend his stay on his mission for another month. Thank you for your prayers and your notes! I hope you are enjoying some WARMER weather. We went from 30 degrees on Saturday -- to 80 degrees on Sunday! Joseph's editor - BWS]

Hello everyone. I am in Prague and am renewing my visa. I only have a couple of minutes, but I love you. I am thinking about you and I will write you more next week. [He better!]

Love,
Elder Schindler

Joseph's letter dated 4Apr2011

[Dear family and friends, here is Joseph's letter for this week. Let me know if you have any messages that you would like me to forward to Joseph! Thank you for your prayers and your support. I hope everyone is enjoying some semblance of Spring! Joseph's editor - BWS]

Hello Everyone,

To start off, I am glad to hear that you were all able to watch General Conference this past weekend. [This is the semi-annual conference from our church leaders which is broadcast out of Salt Lake City.] I am still waiting to get a copy of the conference (on DVD), but when we do I will be able to watch it. We are not quite sure when we will watch them, but we will be able to see them and we are looking forward to them very much.

Also, please tell Aunt Marta and Aunt Susan that I received their letters. Also, please mention that I said thank you. [Thank you!]

This week was a little slower, but we have just had several good weeks, so I am not feeling down, just excited for the next week. I will be doing a lot of traveling since I have to go to Prague next monday for my Visa, plus we have to go contact two referrals [people who have asked for information about the church] from the States who live in our area. One of them lives a two and a half hour bus ride away. We will have to work hard during the rest of the week, but I think that Elder Bown and I can pull it off.

I sent a couple pictures too. We went to some castle ruins up in Lukov today. I hope the pictures turned out. They are from Elder Bown's camera since I forgot mine. [I'll be posting these pictures on the blog later this week!]

Sister Kopčilová was at church last Sunday and is still reading quite a bit in the Book of Mormon. She is having a really hard time giving up smoking, but we are supporting her and reminding her that she really can quit. We visit her often; she lives two houses away from us, so we can easily visit her.

The weather here has been rather nice. It just started raining, but it has been warm and sunny for the past while. It is too bad that back home you are still having snow and all that.

I am happy and healthy and appreciate your support and prayers. I loved hearing from you all and this week! I heard from almost everybody (except Andrew).

I love you,

Elder Schindler

Joseph's letter dated 28Mar2011

[Dear family and friends, here is Joseph's letter that we received today. It's a bit short -- but it is always good to hear from him. Let me know if you have any messages you would like me to pass along to him! I hope Spring is finding you this week! Joseph's editor - BWS]

Dear Friends and Family,

The computer is being a little funny and I think that I have to rewrite my letter to President Irwin since I think it did not go through and was lost. Unfortunately, this letter may be short.

Sister Štulerová is doing swell. She gave a second talk in church yesterday. It was great. She used a number of scriptures and spoke straigth from the heart; it was a wonderful experience to hear.

We also had exchanges [this is where the missionaries have a new companion for a day] on Friday. I was here in Zlín with Elder Dietrich (this is the Elder from Hagen, Germany). We saw some good success. We found a Slovak (from Slovakia) man in the park, gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon, showed him the church building and then invited him to church. He came. His name in Jendraššak. He is a very humble and sincere older man. We will see him again on Thursday.

Also, one of the women we met last Sunday was able to meet with us twice this past week and she also came to church on Sunday. We taught her with President Večeřa (he is the branch president here and is about six foot five and is very muscular). That meeting was very good and he was able to bear a very powerful testimony. She also accepted a comitment to be baptized next month. That was a great part of the week.

Those are the big things that happened. I have Zone conference tomorrow. [This is a meeting with approximately 12 missionaries.]

Oh, I just read Moroni six this morning. I am behind, but I will try to catch up, but you will finish before I do, I think.

Sorry, but that is all for now. I have to rewrite my letter to President Irwin.

I love you so much and wish you all the best.

Until next week,
Elder Schindler

Joseph, Elder Bown and Sister Štulerová