Week 47

Hey Fam,

So this week was pretty good. We had some fun over here too! It was a good week for missionary work too. I can say that I have felt a connection and a reason for my assignment in every area and that has begun to set in here for Rijeka as well. I know that the Lord is mindful of every single one of his missionaries. He knows each one of his children, is mindful of them, and is always willing to help. The Lord sent me to Rijeka for a reason and I love finding out why more and more everyday. I know that I make it sound like I found some amazing investigator and I kinda did but I just love helping the Lord in His work even if I don't get to see the results.

So English class is underway here and I still love it. It is a little stressful because we are teaching beginners who know absolutely nothing. But it has already proved worth it already. We have a little survey when they sign up for the class in which they can indicate if they want to learn more about the Church, most of our students said yes. That in and of its self is a cool thing. So we started calling a couple of people after the first few days. We looked through our list and thought about who might be the most prepared.

There was this one lady in class that had been kinda crusty the first day so she was not on that list. She was talking the whole time and complaining a little about how easy it is. So after we had called the others who we thought would do good, we called her... Turns out she is great! She asked if she could bring her husband with her as well and I said of course. So they both came to English class then we met for a lesson after. It seemed like we were telling her everything she wanted to hear by explaining the message of the Restoration. So we invited them to come to church and it didn't sound to solid. However, they both showed up and the husband started crying. They really felt the Spirit and said they would definitely be back next week. They are just really unhappy with the catholic church... can't imagine why.... I know that we can help them and I am excited to see how it all goes.

We have also been calling previous investigators and seeing how they are doing and things. We have met with a couple of them and see some potential there.

I am no longer a district leader but am training. We are still doing well. We are just loving the working and.... working the love... sounded better in my head. He is really great. We are starting this area up and it's fun to see it change.

My birthday was good. Nothing to special. It had a lot of potential when the day started because we had 3 lessons planned but none of them worked out. We called one of them after and she asked why we didn't come by and that she was waiting for us. Guess her husband isn't too supportive because he told us she wasn't home when he answered the door. I was a little bummed about that. The other companion took me out to lunch then we went to McD's for dinner. But not on purpose we just needed something quick.

This Sunday we had a Thanksgiving dinner with the branch. It was lots of fun.

I didn't get any packages so hopefully I have something waiting for me in Zagreb. Mom and everyone else yes I would be completely ok with money for Christmas. I will buy myself something and put it under our little trees. It will be great, no worries.

Sounds like the Reunion was fun too. What did you guys do?

I think that is about it. Sounds like you all had a good Holiday.

I cant wait to talk to you all in 31 days

Love you all!

World War II cave

Birthday Lunch

Birthday Dinner

Thanksgiving

Week 46

Hey Fam,


So it sounds like everyone is doing good and getting ready for the holiday's. 

I feel real old and in fact I have been having nightmares that I get home and people ask me how old I am and I accidental say like 25 then they ask where I served a mission and they ask me to speak Croatian and I don't know anything.  Maybe it is the Lord telling me to work harder, whatever it is, it is working.  It is freakin me out man.

Training is going great and I am loving it.  He is just as sassy as I am so we understand each other pretty well.  We have been contacting some past investigators from a list of people that our branch mission leader gave us so that is fun.  It is so nice to have one of those.  He is so helpful. 

We found some new investigators that live in the same building as the church.  That is convenient. 

We are out to visit some WWII caves today so sorry I dont have much time.  It was good to hear Hurricane finally won. 

I love you and hope you all have a great Holiday.  I didnt realize what a Mama's boy I was, or to such an extent till I was away for so long.  I LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL.

Love you all!!

Week 45

Hey Fam,

So I apologize that I was so short last week. The important thing is that you know what I am doing, where I am, and that I am safe. And that I am so be happy!

I am here in Rijeka and it is pretty but not as pretty as Zadar. The sunsets just don't compare. They have a couple young members here though so that is fun and they are all willing to help with the work anyway they can.

Sounds like everyone is having fun. I'll go ahead and start on my week then.

So Monday evening I was in Zagreb and staying with Westie, who by the way is the new Zone Leader AND training. We were both talking all night long about how scared we were. It was so good to be able to talk to him and see how much we have both grown since the MTC. He is going to be a great ZL. So that was Monday evening. We also got a hold of a less active that Lifferth and I used to visit all the time so that was good to go see him. He is now thinking about going on a mission.

Tuesday we had a meeting with President just for us trainers. All the people from my MTC group except one are training this transfer and for two of them it is the second time in a row. So that is fun to see us all doing good. The meeting was good and it was just a couple of us so we all got to ask all the questions we wanted and so that was good. Pres told us about a talk that Elder Holland gave to the new mission presidents in the MTC about how the trainers in the mission will have a more lasting effective on the mission that another other person of position. That really meant two things for me, both of which motivated me. First is that this is a great trust from the Lord. Second is that I better be a good example. It was just a really good meeting.

Wednesday we has a meeting in the morning where we got to meet our new companions. We didn't know previous to that who we would be with. Pres Rowe waits till the missionaries are here then interviews them. Then, based on what he feels after the interview he assigns the trainers. That isn't what President Hill did but I think it is a good way. So we had a short little meeting with the trainee's and trainers and then were on our way.

We got here to Rijeka at about 6 and went to dinner then went home and unpacked a bit before it was time to go to bed.

Thursday we had to get all registered and start working on Visa stuff. That was a little stressful, luckily I understood everything, to which I was very surprised. So that was all good. Then we went grocery shopping so we had some food.

Friday was our first full real day and it was good. We have been looking through the area book and seeing if we can find some people to start working with. We also put on our Relief Society hats (only because I know how good I look in it because of my last experience), and baked cookies for the people in our apartment building. So basically went tracting with cookies and introduced ourselves as the missionaries as well as neighbors. We totally got 2 new investigators out of it, a mom and her daughter. So it has already paid off and that is only the first 3 floors, we have 7. It amazes me how many people do not want free cookies. We just wanted to give them cookies and some people just start questioning us like they have poison or something. On more than one occasion they would bring up the fact that they were catholic. Ummmm ok... I just have cookies for you and wanted to say hi..... One lady told us that people don't do that here and just shut the door.... whatever. I don't let the haters get to me.

That is the adventures of the week. I stopped going through the week because nothing else really happened.

Ok so now I know you all want to know.... how is training. It is going very well. It is just another GREAT experience to learn and grow. His name is Elder Compton. He is from Mesa, AZ but went to BYU before he left. I have looked past that in an effort to focus on the work....

I do not exaggerate when I say he knows the language better than I do. He really is so good! I like to attribute it to the fact that they have since changed how they teach in the MTC, just to make me feel better. But we are learning from each other. He is working on his understanding and I am working on my vocab so we are a good combo. He is a great Elder and we are getting along great. This is going to be a great transfer! We were white washed into this area and they really didn't leave us anything to work with but we are already up and running.

I always feel really pressured to know everything thought. He already knows that I am not to good at the language so we are learning together. But I am trying my best to be the best example I can be. I want him to know that in this mission we are 100% obedient. I dont want to do something wrong and let him thing that it is ok. So we are definitely working hard together to be the best we can.



I love you all and hope you have a great week.

Love Elder Massey

Some pics of us setting up or apartment for Christmas. Amazing the things you find when you clean.

Week 44

Hey Fam,

So just really quick because I have to get on a bus to Zagreb because this... is... TRANSFERS!!!

So I got a call from Pres. Rowe about some things earlier this week and since he was down last Sunday for branch conference.  So I was giving him crap about calling me with transfers and he and I were just joking around.  So when he called in the middle of the week I asked him and he said well I wanted to talk to you.  Oh snap... what have I done...

I will be going to Rijeka and training.  Ya let me repeat that TRAINING.  I am so scared and can't teach a language I don't know but good thing the Holy Ghost can speak a lot better than me. 

I really have to go so sorry.  I love you all!  I will have a great email for you next week!

Love Elder Massey

Last birthday request,  really dont worry about the packages  money is soo much easier.  but if you must you all know just what I like so no specific.  Just throw some letters in there and pics

LOVE YOU ALL