Austin August 2, 2011

Dear Family,

Elder Woodward and I have really been owning people lately. We have just been really blessed with a really good turnover rate when going out contacting people. We had 5 new investigators this week and set an appoint for 2 more investigators this week. Including this one family which has potential, I think, to just rock the branch's world here. They are a huge family, the Mom is solid, outgoing and smart (she reminds me of Mom), and then she has SIX kids that are all fantastic and would be great additions to the branch. We even found out that the 14 year old daughter has a friend that is a member in the English ward. The only thing is that the Mom works 7 days out of the week! It's going to be tough to work with that, we'll see what happens. Another investigator, Irene, is also just really intelligent. She accepted a baptismal commitment and after reading the introduction to the Book of Mormon understand that she needs to read the book and pray about it and already knows that God will answer her prayer. She set a goal for herself to read the whole book in a month! I was like, are you sure? And she said, Yeah no problem I'm a fast reader.

As you can tell things are just going really well, which interestingly correlates with the success that everyone else in the family seems to be having. I'm glad we're just kicking butt throughout the world. I'll tell you guys, I have seen some kind of light being in this new companionship. Things are going a lot smoother, we speak Spanish full-time out of the apartment. We study hard and well and it's just nothing I've really experienced in my mission. It's been tough having trained for 6 months of my mission. I almost forgot what a normal companion should be like.

Loove you guys, I was ecstatic to read about the reunion over there in Taiwain. It's going to be just so, so cool when we are all together again.

-Elder Papritz

Autumn August 2, 2011 Duna Hungary

Kedves családom és barátaim!!

The RAINS are still falling in Duna... seriously everyday since I got here it has been raining. but it makes for some FUN days.. and I would kind of rather be wet in the rain then sweating my brains out in the humidity.

Well lets just say.. this week was AWESOME. The work here in Duna is going sooooo good. Like unbelievably good. I thought the miracles might not follow me to Duna.. once I left Pest... my first land of Miracles.. but low and Behold there are MIRACLES here TOO!!!!! AWESOME!!!!

This is our formula for miracles: 1. We wake up every morning and stand at our 9th floor apartment balcony... look over the city of Dunaújváros and then at the top of our lungs... yell " REPENT YE PEOPLE OF DUNAÚJVÁROS!! REPENT! REPEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNTTTTTTT!!!!!" ..and we start our day off with a little bit of repentence calling to the entire city. Its pretty epic. 2. then we just basically... find a bunch of miracles. seriously dont know how we find so many awesome people. it just happens.

Awesomeness from the week

1. My old buddy László from Pest... my first miracle man... surprised me this week and CAME TO DUNA!!! He just showed up in sacrament meeting and it was such a good week for him to come because I gave a talk in church and sister Roderick and I did a musical number. So he came to church and sat in the congregation and just beemed like a proud papa during my talk and our musical number. The best part of it was... when we walked into the church there he was standing with this HUGE grin on his face and he was wearing A SUIT AND TIE!!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! It was just the PERFECT TRANSFORMATION!!!! Roderick and I found him on the streets in Grubby, gross work overalls and nasty shoes. He came to church in those grubby overalls for several weeks, he didnt have any clothes... then slowly miracles started happening in his life, he found work, steady daily work, he got promoted, he got baptized... and then boom. He shows up in Duna wearing a suit and Tie looking like a million bucks. It was just the epitome of what kind of transformation the gospel can have on someone. Best day ever.

2. The J-Dubs.. or jehovah witnesses... are basically the beign (dont know how to spell that word in english) bane? of our existence here. Apparently years ago J Dubs taught a lot of people here.. and then LITERALLY kidnapped children and took them to their church to baptize them. So parents are TERRIFIED of us because they see us in pairs like the J Dubs... we knock doors like the J Dubs... and apparently they think we kidnap children like the J Dubs. WELL.... we had a little victory over the J dubs. Our churches are basically just down the road from each other in this small town. On sunday we had a little army of investigators we were walking to church with.. and we decided to march RIGHT in front of the J dub church. SOOOO... we had our army and proudly walked with our tags on and chests held high as SOLDIERS OF THE GOSPEL.. and marched passed that J dub church, and all of those people glared at us and gave us the stink eye.. and we just smiled and yelled "JÓ NAPOT KÍVÁNOK!" and just marched our little army over to the mormon church. take that J dubs. (dont worry.... this may reek of pride... but we were pretty happy to be representing the Lord just then)

3. We did some awesome tracting this week. (door knocking) and well I love tracting because its basically like that tv show that says "whats behind door number 1?!" and they throw the door open and its either a new car or like an ironing board. and the person is totally excited or totally bummed at what they get. Well tracting is kind of the same thing... i just get so excited at the surprises that are behind the doors. Here are the spurprises from this week. Behind door number 1:

• An old drunk man in his whitey tities opening his door...and talking to us.. standing there in his underwear.
• An old old néni (old lady) that opens the door with her fly WIDE open... and talks to us FOREVER and then invites us in, only to find her house is STREWN with a lot of REALLY REALLY hard liquer. like REALLY hard stuff... and at the door she seemed like such a sweet innocent néni with her zipper down
• a Different 90 year old Néni that opened the door, quickly started shutting it saying " I DONT HAVE ANY TIME!! NO TIME AT ALL!!!!! IM SO BUSY!!!!"... she definitely was like 100 years old, and 100 year olds just sit at home all day with NOTHING TO DO.. and ALL THE TIME in the world. so.. she definitely wasnt " SOO BUSY"
• We got let in at this house.. of this néni that had two little kittens that were near death crawling all over us, flies were flying every where, and her dog hadnt been bathed in a month AND there was a GIANT HUMONGOUS GOOSE that was just flying around in her back yard. and she had just peed herself. literally.... peed herself when we came to the door. she was too old to realize she had done it. poor thing.

So those are some of the surprises behind those lovely doors that we knock.

Also we had some miracles getting let into this old apartment of this man that had seen missionaries 10 years ago.. and his super rendes daughter, 16 years old, was there that was so sweet and had so many questions about the gospel... then we went back to teach them the next day and she had brought her AWESOME RENDES friend to her house.. and we taught her too and we asked them what kind of questions they had in life and they said " i just really want to know whats going to happen in this next life? where are we going?" ... WELLLLLLL.... we JUST SO HAPPEN to have the answer to those VERY questions. It was such a great program, taught about the restoration, they loved it and loved the Book of Mormon..and then after that is when they asked us all of lifes questions. Boom.... golden. We told them to stay tuned..cause next time their minds are going to get blown with THE TRUTH!!!

So as you can see. life is awesome. and I get to experience my first (well and only) BIRTHDAY AS A MISSIONARY!!! tomorrow is my big day... its gonna be weird. but awesome. i can feel it.

I love you all

SOK SOK SZERETETTEL!

papritz nővér

Amy August 2, 2011 Taiwan

Dearest Family,

Ok now that I have semi caught by breath I can write you. This week has been insane! It started off with Sister Jensen now starting to cough. Great! Now she is sick. So Elder Calvert on Tuesday told us on that we needed to deep clean our apartment and that we were moving. He found out that the sisters that lived in that apartment a year ago had the same problem and they couldn't figure out why. One of the sisters even had to go home early because she was still coughing. So for district meeting the Elders in our district came over to our apartment and we cleaned the place. Its was definately a first having all 6 Elders in our apartment. Well we found the source for the problem. Both of our air condintioning systems were covered in black mold! Poor Elder Brunson, our zone leader, took both of them apart and cleaned them. He is great! So after that deep clean we haven't been coughing as much but we also haven't been sleeping as much. So we moved over to the nearest apartment which is 20 minutes away in Taipei. So the end of the rather long adventure is that we are switching apartments with our Elders today so everything should be great now. That is the health update. Sister Jensen and I have both haven't been coughing as much which is nice. But in this whole health adventure we have made a total 5 visits to the hospital with one more on Friday for me so we will be at an even 6. Elder Calvert pulling his magic strings of some sort and getting us moved AND having to even go all the way up to President Grimley to get us moved. We are just trouble makers. hehe

Anways, Chen yi xuan was baptized on Sunday. That was a crazy day. First she didn't come to church on the day that she is getting baptized. She as then late for her own baptism. She forgot the permission slip that she needed her parents to sign. But in the end she got baptized. We found her old record and she started to investigate the church 4 years ago. It was a great day. Elder Brunson and Huang had two of their investigators get baptized too so it was a triple baptism. Yahoo!!!! Next Saturday Liu cai xuan is getting baptized! She passed her baptismal interview on Saturday. I am sooo excited!!! Now we are preparing for her baptism. I have taught her from the very beginning and now I get to see her baptized!! Yahoo!!!!

We also met on Sunday with one of our investigators Li Xian Min. She is from Chongqing, China. She really wants to get baptized. She has come to church now every week for a month and gone to every church activity that we have had. But for some reason we haven't been able to meet with her until yesterday night. We found out that she is going back to China on the 22 of Augest for 4 months. She wants to get baptized before she goes back. Which means we have to finish all of the lessons in TWO WEEKS!!!!! But Sister Jensen asked her if she really wanted to get baptized and she said yes. She is also willing to do everything that she needs to do so that she can get baptized! GOLDEN! We are going to start meeting with her three times a week so that we can finish the lessons. Its going to be a crazy transfer but so exciting!!

The new transfer starts today. I am staying in Shuanghe with Sister Jensen. I am so excited to be with her one more transfer. We have way too much fun together. We have seriously seen so many miracles. We spend half of our day just laughing over the dumbest things. Its a blast! I love her to death. This will be starting my 8th transfer and my third transfer in Shuanghe. It is the first time I have been in an area for this long. I'm so excited!!

As far as seeing Alden. Oh man, Elder Calvert is the greatest! From the time that Alden got on island everyone kept saying, "oh I saw your brother!" I was so bummed I hadn't seen him yet. Elder Calvert called his companion and set up with him a time when they would be at the mission office so that I could be there to meet him. It was seriously the greatest moment of my life. The office was crazy busy with all of the missionaries who are moving and going home. I as standing talking to Sister Calvert and Sister Grimley when Alden walked in the door. I ran to him and we hugged and cried. Everyone cheered and then got really quiet just watching us. I didn't even care. It seriously was like the whole world just melted away. My little brother was finally here!!! I think I finally know how Alma the younger felt when he met the sons of Mosiah in Alma 17:1-13ish. It was a great moment. I can't even discribe it. I still can't believe that he is here!!! We just sat and talked for a while. I introduced him to a lot of the missionaries that came in the same time I did. Alden is here!!! Now the fun can really start! Two Papritz kids in Taiwan. Can you believe it?!?!?! I found out too that I will be the coordinating sister for my zone and a few of the other zones including Alden's. Which means that I get to exchange companions with the sisters in his area and will get to see him a lot! Yahoo!!! I am sooooo excited that Alden is finally here!!!! I kept saying that over and over to him.

I think that is. I think I have told ya'll about everything this week. Holy cow it has been crazy! This next week is also going to be crazy! Yahoo!! Another transfer starts in the greatest mission and place on earth! Taiwan!!! I love you all. I hope that you all have a great week!! I love this Gospel. I am so grateful to have it in my life and to be sharing with others.

Love,

Sister Amy Papritz

Yang Jiemei

Alden - August 2, 2011 - Bangiao, Taiwan

Hey Everyone,

Guess what I am in TAIWAN!!

Man there are miracles here in Taiwan. Really there are. So much has happened since I arrived I don't know where to start.

Ok well last Tuesday at 2 in the morning we woke up at the MTC for the last time. When loaded our things on the bus and left the MTC. That was about it for the MTC.

Ok. So I really do not know where to start. So one not so great experience. When we where on the bus headed to the airport, I was looking at my passport and my visa to make sure everything was Ok. And guess what. According to my visa I am about 90 years old. The year on my birthday was wrong, it said 1922 instead of 1992. So that was a great way to start out my day. I was so scared that they would deny my visa. But of course I was so tired that I couldn't worry about it too much. After that the flights were nice. They were long but I slept most of the time.

Ok so skipping to Taiwan. So when I arrived. They did not accept my visa, at that time. They told me to go get it fixed at the visa office.They corrected it and it didn’t take long. So I did make it here.

The weather here is nice. I don’t think it is that hot. But it is humid. I am sweating so much.

...There is so much to say I don’t know what to do!!!!!!

Ok so the first night we headed to the mission home. At got some rest. In the morning we ran to the freedom memorial/plaza. It is so beautiful, I LOVE IT!! Then we had some amazing breakfast. Then headed back to the mission home to start orientation.

I was the first to get ready and head up to the office. When I got there I met sister Calvert, Elder Culverts’ wife, he is the mission nurse. When she saw me she was so happy. They have been waiting for me for a while. Every one tells me how excited they are that I am here and how amazing Amy is. Even some members in the ward know her and are so happy that I get to see her.

So now onto my trainer. My trainer is Elder Adam. He is really cool. He is from California, Fullerton. We are getting along really well. He is the oldest in his family and the fist to go on a mission. He likes music, and he likes to joke around alot. He is really cool.

The second day in my area, which is: Banqiao. We went to an old folks home for a ward service activity. I got to message some nice old Lady's shoulders as they all clapped along to some music. I met the bishop and some other ward members. Then we went to dinner with the bishop. He is really nice. Every one here is very nice. They all are very helpful.

Ok well there really is so much I could say. But that is about it for now. The food is AMAZING and the people are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT HERE!!!

I am so happy to be here. During sacrament meeting, I could not stop smiling. I just had this huge smile on my face that I could not get rid of. I love the work here in Taiwan.

I love talking to every one on the street and attempting to invite them to come unto Christ.

I love it here and I love you all.

I will tell you more later. Don’t worry that is the bulk of it all.

Love you all.

Elder Alden Papritz.

Yang Zhang Lao.




Alden - Banqiao, Taiwan - July 31, 2011

Hey everyone. guess what I am in TAIWAN!!


Man there are miracles here in Taiwan. really there are. so much has happened since I arrived I don't know where to start.

ok well last Tuesday at 2 in the morning we woke up at the MTC for the last time. we loaded our things on the bus and left the MTC. that was about it for the MTC. ok. so I really do not know where to start.

ok. so some not so great experiences. when we where on the bus headed to the airport, I was looking at my passport and my visa. and guess what. according to my visa I am about 90 years old. the year on my birthday was wrong, it said 1922 instead of 1992. so that was a great way to start out my day. I was so scared that they would deny my visa. but of course I was so tired that i couldn't worry about it too much. after that the flights were nice. they were long but I slept most of the time.

ok so skipping to Taiwan. so when i arrived. they did not accept my visa, at that time. they told me to go get it fixed at the visa office. it didnt take long. so i did make it here.

the weather here is nice. i dont think it is that hot. but it is humid. I am sweating so much.

......there is so much to say i dont know what to do!!!!!!

ok so the first night we headed to the mission home. I got some rest. In the morning we ran to the freedom memorial/plaza. It is so beautiful, I LOVE IT!! ok then we had some amazing breakfast. then headed back to the mission home to start orientation.

I was the first to get ready and head up to the office. When i got there I met sister Calvert, Elder Calverts wife, he is the mission nurse. when she saw me she was so happy. they have been waiting for me for a while. Every one, tells me how excited they are that i am here and how amazing Amy is. even some members in the ward know her and are so happy that i get to see her.

so now onto my trainer. My trainer is Elder Adam. He is really cool. He is from California, Fullerton. we are getting along really well. he is the oldest in his family and the fist to go on a mission. he likes music, and he likeS to joke. a lot. he is really cool.

the second day in my area which is: Banqiao. we went to an old folks home for a ward service activity. I got to massage some nice old Lady's shoulders as they all clapped along to some music. I met the bishop and some other ward members. then we went to dinner with the bishop. he is really nice. everyone here is very nice. they all are very helpful.

ok well there really is so much i could say. I will maybe tell you later. but that is about it for now. the food is AMAZING and the people are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT HERE!!!

I am so happy to be here. during sacrament meeting, I could not stop smiling. i just had this huge smile on my face that I could not get rid of. I love the work here in Taiwan.

I love talking to every one on the street and attempting to invite them to come unto Christ.
I love it here and I love you all.
I will tell you more later. don't worry that is the bulk of it all.

Love you all.

Elder Alden Papritz.

Yang Zhang lao.

Alden - MTC - July 17, 2011

Hey Family and Friends.


Ok so this week has been a little more exciting.

this last friday we had our in-field orintation, this was all about finding, planning, baptizing, and working with the members. it was so crazy. I am so pumped to get out into the field, but of course i am so scared. I cant believe i leave in only 7 days. one of the main things that i learned was that you cant be afraid to talk to everyone, that is one of the only way that we will get investigators.

Also this last thursday we got our travel plans. we are flying from saltlake at 7:30 am to detroit, then from detroit to Taiwan. 23 hours of travel. it is going to be such a long day. but i cant wait to get there.

So I have hit the wall here at the MTC. I want to get out. I love it here and i am still learning a lot, but honestly I am getting sick of doing the same things every day. i feel like it's ground hogs day. i want to get to Taiwan!!!! well almost out of here.

well i cant think of anything else the MTC is still very nice. im ready to go.


Love you all. next time i email will be in TAIWAN!!!!.
Elder Alden Papritz.

Yang Zhang lao.

Alden - MTC - July 5, 2011

Hey Family


So this week has been great. mainly because it was the Fourth of July!!!! YAY!!! Well we had a great celebration this week. First on Saturday morning there was a hot air balloon launch, you could see it fairly well from the MTC. It brings back so many memories of going to the balloon launch in Albany. then that night we had an amazing fireside celebration for the Holiday. The focus was mainly on all of the blessings that have come from the bringing forth of this country. Mainly the restoration of the gospel. The spirit is so strong here. I know i have been blessed to live in this country where we have this great privilege to worship our God.

Afterword we got to see the fireworks at BYU. we had to stay in the MTC but it was still great.

Then on Sunday we had a great fireside. Sister Jenny Oaks Baker came and performed for us. She is the daughter of Elder Oaks, and an AMAZING violinist. She went to Juliard to study music and she performs with many symphonies. She was just amazing. The spirit was great, and the music was phenomenal. she also had her three daughters play, they were no older then 9. They were also great. They played I am a child of God. Very cute.

Well as for the rest of the week. we learned a lot and taught. we finally committed one of our investigators to be baptized. He said that he would. We cant believe it took us a whole month. Good thing we are still in the MTC.

Well Thats about it. A lot of reminders of my family. Love you All. Have a great week.

Elder Alden Papritz.

Yang zhanglao