There is power!

Ahoj, 

This week miracles have been everywhere with the Lords fingerprints on everything! I just love this work and the privelage that I have to be here and serve in the Czech Republic. We had a couple of really interesting lessons this week and I have learned even more the power of music and the blessing is in our lives to have the hymns and the opportunity to sing, no matter how good or bad we sound. The first lesson was with a less active family. So we went there to teach and as we entered the door you could kind feel the contention in the air. We went in and it was the calm before the storm. It was so strange to feel that something was off but not be able to see it. Then came the drama full of yelling and saying not very nice things about eachother. It was such a horrible feeling, it was just terrible. We started to talk and testify about how the gospel can help us through any challenges or trials we face and that we don't have to do it alone. They weren't really giving us much chance to talk and no matter what we said it always went back to a pitty party and yelling. So we asked to pray and that helpped a little but it didn't last. The entire family was taking turns to get up and run out of the lesson and so when no one was listening, we decided to sing. Well we sang one song and the little girl joined in. Then people started to gather and sit down. After a couple of songs there was silence and calm. We were then allowed to share a thought, testify and help out a lot. It didn't completely stop the yelling, but it definitely lessened and the feeling in the room by the time we left was one of peace and love. They are excited to be meeting with us weekly and we are sending the mother a text each day as a type of support and spiritual boost, she has been loving it. It is amazing how showing love and bringing the Spirit can truly change people. 

 The second experience was a potential at a members house, it also involved yelling and an unwillingness to listen. He just wanting to share his beliefs and not listen to us. Well we sang a few songs and were able to share a thought and by the end we were laughing and having a good time. He was telling us if we were ever in the area again to stop by, he would gladly have us over and hear more. There is truly power in music. 

Jakub our investigator who is on baptismal date for this coming weekend is so amazing! He really wants to know if the book of mormon is true. He is the one who after our first meeting we asked how his reading was going and he said, oh I haven't read that much, just 15-20 minutes each day. Well he is now through Mosiah and continuing on. He loves it and it makes sense to him logically but he really wants an answer spiritually. We know he will get it when the time is right and it will be perfect for him. He has fasted with us about it and during our last lesson with him he said he was fasting becuase he had a life decision to make. It is so neat how proactive he is. He truly thinks about these things on his own and applies it. He has asked us questions about how to apply different verses or if he was applying it well, it is so neat to see. He is basically teachign himself! We taught him the law of chastity this week and he basically said, well it makes sense and he agreed to live it. We haven't taught the word of wisdom yet, we will tomorrow. (in the past he has mentioned how he doesn't drink alchohol) But he came up to us at game night and said, I have a question, i saw a video last night and it said that mormons don't drink coffee or tea. We looked at him and smiled and said yes. We only drink fruit and herbal teas. He then said, well I dont drink coffee and i don't like black or white tea, but green tea I like that. It calms me, but mostly I just drink water. He is so amazing! 

It is great to see how the Lord truly does prepare people. Jakub is definitely a kingdom and branch builder. I am so blessed to work with him and learn from him. He goes and talks to members and wants to get to know them! It is so amazing to see the difference between investigators that keep their commitments and those that do not. There is a huge difference in how the lessons run and how thier relationship with God progresses. It is easy to tell within the first few minutes whether or not an investigator read in the Book of Mormon betwen lessons or not. There truly is a power in the scriptures that helps us in our daily lifes! 

Ivan our recent convert has his first talk tomorrow, it is on faith. We had him do a practice run on us today and it was so amazing! I am so shocked that it was his first ever talk. He had a little intro of himself. Taught what faith is with a few verses of scripture and talked about tithing being a commandment of faith. He then shared his personal experience with faith and ended with a testimony. SO AMAZING! He is nervous but he will do wonderful! I love to see these people grow and do so much all on thier own. I am always in awe at how much these people don't need us that we truly are just here as guides and then they learn how to understand the holy ghost and they need us less and less. SO GREAT!!! 

 Well that is all the time i have today! Love you so much! Do the simple things, it brings power into your life! 

Love you! 

Sestra Hicken