Month: March 2021

Čau lidí!

I’m back again! You lucky ducks, I nearly didn’t write one of these, but I found myself a spare minute and so I’ll write something quick. I really wish we had more updates for ya, but things with covid have continued to put a damper on things. We are busy keeping up spirits and trying to stay in contact with our ward. We still have a lot of time to do work on finding new people to teach, and we’re also keeping preoccupied running our Facebook page and giving out copies of the Book of Mormon and the Bible. It ain’t much, but it’s the lot we’ve been given and we’re making the most of it. Probably the most eventful thing that has happened this week was the weather finally cracked and warmed up. We even got to put on shorts again this week for a hike. Keep your eyes posted for some more pics of the places we visit!

If it were possible to choose a favorite part of missionary work, interacting with members of the church would be real high on the list. Your testimony and faithfulness in your service leaves a more lasting impact than just about anything else you can do. I mean it. The details of conversation might leave us, but the love we can feel and see sticks with us. This week we had the opportunity to call some long-time members of the church here in Prague. There is nothing quite like it. These people have given their whole lives to the God that they love, and their lives teach lessons deeper than words can express. I actually can’t quite tie my thoughts together this evening, but know that a life lived right is a most valuable possession.

Ať Bůh Vám všem žehná,
Starší O’Barr

Zdravím vás,

Well boy howdy has it been another week. Things are actually looking a little brighter! Covid restrictions are still in full force here, we’re going on about our 3 month in a row with only essentials open, and it probably won’t let up for another month, but at least the weather is improving! It  only snowed a little bit last week, and this week we should be above freezing the whole time! We are pretty darn excited to see the sun again.

Keeping with the theme of weather, one of the friends of the other missionaries here in Prague was finally baptized on Friday, after a couple months of waiting. As it is currently illegal for people to cross district (county) borders, he was baptized in a pond in a small town. It was just warm enough that the snow was melted by the time they got there. He is a really awesome example, really humble and determined to get baptized, and he does a lot of work helping others who are preparing for baptism.

My companion and I are trying to focus on trying to really solidify our relationships with the people we are teaching, as well as the ward here in Prague. Not being able to go to church really hurts our ability to communicate with the ward, so if you haven’t seen the missionaries where you’re living in a while, you should send them a text! They’ll appreciate it. Not much else has changed here. Prague is gorgeous as always, and I am excited to see the spring weather and all the flowers that pop up.

As always, if you have any questions about missionary work or the things I’m doing, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’m always happy to help. Mějte se krasně, všem, a uvídíme se příště!

S láskou,
Starší O’Barr

Dobrý den, a vítám Vás všem!

Welcome back to another email from everyone’s favorite elder in the Czech Republic! This week was incredibly busy, but also pretty exciting! In case you were wondering, our friend Nikola, the daughter of a local member, did get baptized on Saturday, even with restrictions and craziness. She was so excited for her baptism, and she invited her friend as well, which we were so excited to see! Nikola is only 13, but her testimony has really grown a lot, and it has been awesome to teach her, and to see her share this gospel with her friends. She’s a good example for Elder Nicholls and I.

This week we had to do a lot of procedural administrative stuff regarding the start of the month, which sucked, but it’s all over now! We also got all the way through the first MLC of the transfer, which was fun. The Lord saw fit to give us some nice sunny weather for the end of the week though, which was graciously received. I have missed basking in the sun. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am hyped for summer to be here! Nothing makes you appreciate the summer more than a long winter.

Similarly, nothing makes the bright spots in our lives brighter than some dark spots for comparison. If you feel like you’re facing one of those dark spots right now, please remember that a bright spot is coming. “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so… righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.” (2 Ne 2:11) Just be sure to don’t lose sight of all the bright spots you’ve already seen, when facing a dark spot.

Mějte krásný týden všem,
Starší O’Barr

Dobré odpoledne bratři a sestry,

It has been quite the week, and if we’re being honest, I have forgotten half of it. But it was a good week! Today marks the start of my 2nd to last transfer, and I am still in Prague. I’m actually about to come up on one whole year here in Prague. Things got crazy for a day or two as the Czech Republic started on another hard-core lockdown, and we had to transfer most people a day or two early. It all worked out in the end.

Our friend’s baptism got pushed back a week, and might get pushed back even further due to covid. We’ll make do though. We are looking at another crazy busy week, but hopefully after that things will settle down for a minute. Today we did get out on a quick walk around the city just to stretch our legs. Take time to be grateful for the little things in life, that’s where God’s hand really is.

Have a good week folks, I’ll catch ya next time,
Elder O’Barr