Weekly Email - April 7th

This week was good here I think the highlight possibly was the train ride back from zone training. We ended up in a compartment with a man and three women that were returning to Białystok from a work seminar in Warsaw. We got to small talking with them and it was not long before they started asking about out religion. We were able to explain a lot of what we believe (it was a nearly 4-hour train ride). The questions kept coming and we were able to clarify them and to testify of the gospel and all of us in that compartment became what I would consider "friends". What was interesting to me was that after a wonderful discussion, they were not willing to do so much as to take an ulotka from us. They said that they would not use it. I was slightly thrown back, why would they not just take a simple pass-along card from their new acquaintances? Then I realized, we did everything we were expected to do. We gave them the key information, we showed love, kindness, consideration, we also left them with a choice to accept or decline. As we so often find, in this mission, and across the world, agency is key in the gospel plan.

It was nice to know that we had done all we could and should have done.

It is crazy how fast time has flown and now I am 2 months and some change from home. I am stoked for that, but sad that I will be finishing my work as a full-time missionary.

I hope everyone is doing well, I know that there are some health problems, an unsold house, and such, but I am prying for you all and I love you. Remember, that all trials are for our profit and learning.

Hope you have a great week. Love you, bye!

Weekly Email - March 31st

We found out that in Białystok there is the same naleśnikarnia (Polish Pancake house) that existed in Szczecin. I love that place, it has great Swedish pancakes. There is also a burger place here called quicker burger with the best burgers in all of Europe, I kid you not. They have absolutely massive burgers cooked to perfection and piled with toppings for under 20zł The bacon burger (about twice as big as any I had in the states is amazing. So that is what it is like on the food front.

We were also able to go to the free zoo here and feed the piggies. I will have to get you some pictures and videos of that sometime. They are so funny. I think the Poles get a bigger kick out of the Americans messing with animals than from the animals themselves.

On the missionary front, we have been able to drop off a Book of Mormon in English to an awesome man named P who speaks flawless English. Our other investigator, T, was unable to make it to church which was a real bummer, but I still have high hope for him. I am excited to see what the week brings.

Did I mention Elder Godwin loves animals. He gets that from both of his grandpas!

Weekly Email - March 24th

Here are some pictures Elder Godwin sent home from an exchange with Elder K, his former trainee.

Weekly Email - March 17th

 Some wild cats Elder Godwin ran in to.

 Broken umbrellas are in most trash cans this time of year.

 In Bialystok with 2 of the members.

Weekly Email - February 24th

Mom, don't freak out, but I am going to Białystok as the branch president up there. Transfers are on Wednesday, but I may not be leaving Warsaw until Thursday. I will be with Elder S who is already there.

(Note from Mom: I might just have mentioned that I wasn't keen on Bialystok before he left for his mission. It has to do with history. My bad!)

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This week was a complete blur to me. I know that on Tuesday we took a culture night at the Polish National Soccer Stadium where they have set up an ice skating rink in the middle for the winter... Yes, we ice skated in the national stadium. That was a treat getting to be in the center of Polish soccer and pride and doing something fun. I only fell once ha, ha, but I did develop a mean blister on my right food... Dang flat feet. We also went out and got "Mexican food" at burrito boys... One word 'DON'T'

On the missionary work front, things were slow. We had some potential investigators set up appointments and then fall through. We have been on a constant hunt for 2 months with no real footing.

I am excited to go serve in Białystok as branch president, it is a little nerve-racking, but I think I will pull through. I am currently the living mission record holder for most cities served in at 7. I am the nomad of the mission and have seen every corner of the blessed country that is Poland and so it shall be until I leave. I have tracted many a building in this land and talked to many a Pole from Szczecin to Katowice to Białystock to Wrocław. Let it be known that I have hugged the gnomes of Wrocław, sailed the boat of Łódź, and skated the ice of Warsaw in just 2 short years and now I will get to see the largest Russian Orthodox church in Poland in just a few days. My shoes have stepped on many a Krakowian cobblestone and many a Będzinian street graffiti.

Weekly Email - February 17th

This week was good. We were able to teach some really good street lessons, and get some new investigators as well. These people were really cool, and we had lesson at one man's house whom I met on the street on Wednesday. When I got to his apartment, he had invited some friends over that were part of a Christian alliance group (non-denominational Christians). They got a little bible bashy, but nothing I couldn't handle. I ended up just telling them that the only way they were ever going to find the answers they were seeking was by reading the Book of Mormon and asking God if it was true. He was just so sure that it could not be  true because the bible is complete, but he had never given it a chance. It is too hard to leave your comfort zone for the next step.

Other than that, I also had a great exchange with Elder W in Bemowo. We even made it to Adam's ties for lunch! We got some free matching "exchange ties" out of the defect box and so all is well that ends well. We tried to get some pictures for the parents as well ;)

I got to see some friends from Wrocław yesterday after church who were in town for a mini MTC and got stuck here for the day after missing a train. It was overall a good time and a good week.

 Elders S & B the Zone leaders.

 Elder W. getting his proof that he does use his camera to take picture to send home. Way to go Elder W.

 2 Arizona boys in Poland with their new ties from Adam's Ties.

Brian found his favorite treat. He owes his height to PB & J Sandwiches. That's what he got to eat if he refused the family meals.

 Here are the ties he picked up this week at Adam's Ties in Warsaw. Pretty nice. I see a paisley in there!

Weekly Email - February 10th

There was no e-mail message today, just pictures. We spend the entire time figuring out what classes he wants to take in the fall at the University.

Enjoy the pictures!

This is the metro station by his apartment. Pretty cool!

He was amused by the CTR (Choose The Right) video surveillance company.

This building that they tracted has been blessed by the local priest yearly. Someone is even keeping track.

 Melting snow! A welcomed site! Even the ducks seem to enjoy it.

This is a 57 cm (22.44") Pizza. This goes to show that not everything is bigger in the USA.