Week 13, 14 & 15- Croatian Paradise

 Short Version: There is a lot in this email so buckle up. I've been in Croatia for the last week quarentining until I'm allowed into Latvia. Once I get to Latvia, I'll quarantine for another 10 days and then leave for my assigned area and start proselyte again. The past week has been how I imagine the MTC would be if it was in-person. We have native speakers who are teaching us the language we'll be speaking for 3 hours a day.  I'm no longer assigned to teach in Russian, though it will still he very useful. I'll continue reading through the Book of Mormon in Russian to improve grammar and learn some more words, but my main focus will be Lithuanian. Due to circumstances brought by Covid, they are lacking Lithuanian speaking missionaries. Its definitely going to be an adventure learning it. Its not too similar to Russian other than the cases, but it'll be very useful having already learned a good portion of Russian. No more старейшина смит, now its Vrysnysis Smitas. 

Long Version: до свидания Chicago and hello Croatia/the Baltic Mission. It was sad to say goodbye to Elder Tapp and Elder Jones and everything else that was great about Chicago, but I'm super duper excited to finally make it to the Baltic States. 

     For the next week I'll continue to quarantine at Hotel Republicka. The hotel we are staying in is crazy nice. Its a 4 story hotel that is the church has been renting out for missionaries so they can make it to their original assignments. They serve us 3 course meals for lunch and dinner most the time. I'll probably leave a few pounds heavier. The food they've been making for us is authentic Croatian but they treated us with some Mexican food and pizza the other day. Here are some foods I've tried some far, Wild Boar, Tuna Steaks with Greens, Gnocchi , Pea Soup, A mysterious green soup, lots of meats with rice or pasta sides, arugula salad with literally only vinegar, and lots more that I can't think of but most the time I have no idea what I'm putting inside my mouth. Lots of the food is delicious and I don't know the next time I'll eat gourmet food like this, but some of the food is way too salty or pretty nasty honestly. Maybe its my pallette, who knows?

     The reason we're in the hotel is because of some agreement the US and Croatian government have with each other. For some reason beyond my understanding, we are able to travel to Croatia for "religious and humanitarian service." Once we quarantine at the Croatian hotel for 2 weeks, I'll fly to Latvia and quarantine for another 10 days or so. At that point I will be able to get to my proselytize area. 

     To stay busy we of course do our studies. For language study though, there are native speakers that come to teach us whatever language we're learning. The Lithuanian teacher's name is Janetta and she's really fun. There are 2 other Elders who switched from Russian to Lithuanian along with me, so I'm not alone. Its going surprisingly quicker than when I was trying to learn Russian. I think its partly being in-person but also the fact that I know how to learn a language now. Its scary to think that I'll be headed there in a week and I can barely say a prayer or introduce myself, but luckily a lot of people speak broken English. Worst case scenario I use as much broken Lithuanian as I can think of and then supplement it with as much English as they can understand. I'll also have my companion so they can back me until I can stand on my own two feet. 

     Whenever we aren't studying, we're usually playing outside. We play a game called Baltic Ball (we named it that, it probably has other names) that is a crossover of 2-hand touch football and soccer. It gets pretty intense and there have been lots of minor injuries. The key component of Baltic ball is playing barefoot and its best when the ground is a little bit wet. Slipping and sliding all around is quite fun. 

     Yesterday we had a tour of the city. Its a classic European city and its so awesome. Castles and palaces left and right. Historical statues and huge cathedrals everywhere. There's so much history in the city. Its crazy to think how young America is compared to everyone else in the world. 

     One thing thats been coming to my kind that past couple weeks is being kind to other people. Theres a quote from Jeffrey R Holland, "Living After The Manner of Happiness", a BYU devotional, and I don't have access to it since I don't have the internet on the mission so I'll paraphrase as best as I can. "I've never known a kind person who wasn't happy."  Being kind can be so easy and it is not only appreciated by the relievers of the kindness but will lift your spirits as well. It is one of the quickest ways I can think of to turn your focus towards other people. Kindness can be as simple as a compliment. A compliment can go a long ways. I can think of specific compliments that people gave me freshman year of high school. Complaining or criticizing is such a waste of words. Words often become actions and attitudes. If we could all speak positively and kindly, think of how much better life would be for everyone. The most magnetic people in the world make others feel good about themselves and they do that by being kind and genuinely interested in them. A while back I challenged yall to look yourself in the mirror and say "I am a fearless молодец(mah-lah-di-ets)," this time I would challenge you to make someone else feel like a fearless молодец  by complimenting them or showing appreciation towards them. 

Until next time,

Vyresnysis Smitas