BRNO hates me

HI.
Okay I feel like I seriously only have stories about Brno. 

So last week we were in Brno again, like I displayed on last weeks email, and let me just tell you so many experiences. So if you remember I had drunk man last time on the tram. 

Then this time, my companion and I were in the train station and this man (Something about men and sister missionaries or something) came up to us and started begging for money. Obviously we are in the czech republic and they use a completely different currency so I literally have nothing. So I said sorry I have nothing. and he went on and on about how he needed money for a solid 5 minutes. Then I got slightly frustrated I said "I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING, BUT I WILL PRAY FOR YOU" and he grabbed my companions and my arm squeezed them REAL tight for a solid minute and said thank you and left. Blessings. Thats all I got to say about it.

So the other day we went contacting, and we stopped this man to talk to him and literally talked to him for an hour. He just kept asking questions and we would ask him questions back! and here's the bonus, we taught him like every single lesson. covered all of the restoration, plan of salvation, gospel of Jesus Christ, and some of the commandments, man what an adventure!

There was a crazy storm the other day. Sister Parsons always tells me that Kosice is famous for its wind storms, but we had to hurry home and we made it and it started pouring and the sky was lit up with lightning, and then we got a text on our phone from our Elders saying "guess who's pizza just got nailed with a giant peice of hail?" LOL silly elders. then the psychos decided to go out again and jump around in the puddles because the namestie was flooded. LOL

So last P-day we went to this museum that had like a ton of bones and like clay creations from like the olden dayz... it was interesting.

Well Sorry my email wasn't that interesting this week. I don't have much to say I guess and I left like all of my notes at home. Awkward...

Well what can I say. If you have faith in miracles, miracles happen. If you have faith that you are following where the Holy Ghost leads you, you will be delivered. I know that this is true. I love being in Slovakia and meeting these wonderful people and gaining relationships with them! Ohhhh I just love it! And My testimony has been so strengthened from the testimonies of the people I met! I love it!

Okay, I need to go now. 

All my love,
Sestra Ratcliffe

Baby and Trainer

First Text message

First time in a sketchy elevator!

 First time crossing the border to Slovakia

Sestra Ratcliffe

SLOVAKIA

So just so you all know. Jet lag is a real thing, and I don't think it has worn off yet because we have been traveling all over the country this week, and last week. 

So the week I got here I arrived in Kosice on Saturday night, had a normal day Sunday, P-day monday and then it all went crazy. 

Train to Bratislava tuesday

Train to Brno for training Wednesday 

Train to Trencin wednesday night. 

Train to Kosice Thursday Morning. 

And then I was finally home for a full day friday, Saturday and Sunday, and then today we are doing that same journey all over again

Bratislava->brno->trencin->kosice

Lots and Lots of travelling

But I do have a fun story from all of this. 

So we are sitting on the train going to bratislava, and I am doing language study out of this book, right? 

And there are these two slovaks next to me so I am reading outloud. They helped me with my language study, and I read this word:

fajčim
and my companion says no so I say it again a little louder and she says no nefajčiš. So i say it again and she says that means you smoke. OOOHHHH nefajčim and those slovaks thought I was hilarious. So I gave them each a pass along card and we were on our way.

Fun Fact:

Ice cubes are not a thing. Its rough. My water is never cold. We have resorted to putting water into a muffin tin and freezing it. :) innovation at its finest. But sometimes when we take the ice cube out some of the metal comes off with it, so we have to wash our ice before we put it in our drink.

Next, I have been kissed by so many people it is unimaginable. I don't really mind the old ladies, but sometimes I'm afraid when the men get close, missionary life.

3. greenie magic is a real thing. Greenie magic is when new missionaries just get to the field and all of a sudden these miracles start occuring. People stop and listen to our message its incredible.

Did you know that europeans listen to american music? 

I heard some taylor swift the other day and I was like, WHAT IS THIS?

Also there are so many Jehovahs witnesses and Nuns in this joint! They are all over! It's INSANE!

One JW gave us her monthly magazine and it has a picture of the destruction of the world on the front. very interesting. and the title is "is the end of the world soon?" I just don't even know.

We are also meeting with this man who changed his name to šejk. which means" Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ." in slovak of course! haha Such fun.

Oh PS Happy birthday Dad! I hope you had a wonderful day! 

Miracles:

On monday we went to the cathedral that is in the middle of the namestie and it was gorgeous! 

*pictures to come*

We have met some amazing people this week! I wish I could tell you all about them. 

We met this really old man and we are teaching him and he is so cute. He is 85 years old and he used to be a swim coach in the olympics! What?? he is cool and slightly senial but awesome! 

*also will send pictures.*

OH FUN STORY:

We were in brno a solid 4 hours and on the tram back to the train I sat by this man and I was talking to him and he was completely drunk and I was talking about the church and he told me I was beautiful so I turned around and looked at my companion in despair and she gave me a look of encouragement to continue talking to him. She was proud I was contacting him, and then he tickled my back, and I about crapped my pants. and I looked at my companion again with despair and said, help. She told me to come over to her and when I got up he was like "oh ahoj, cau!" creepy creepy man. and then I wanted to get off the train and then he got off so that was a relief.

Life of a missionary.

ITS AWESOME!

We met this lady on the street the other day and she said she was going into surgery but if she made it out alive she would come to church! SO PRAY FOR HER!!

Well i just love being a missionary. Like really love it! and I love KOSICE!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Have a great week

Sestra Ratcliffe

 The sisters! LOVE

 Since I was just born into KOSICE I figured this picture would be fitting

 Our first sleep over in Bratislava

 Spiral stairs in the cathedral

 Bells in the cathedral. forbidden to ring them. i don't know what would happen if you really did though.

 Just a box in the middle of the cathedral I decided to climb into. 

you know. 

 This is the 85 year old man! He is awesome! 

Ja som tu!

I am here! In the country!

Well let's see. 

On Thursday morning, we woke up at 2:15 to get to the bus, but you know me, I didn't fall asleep until 2:00 so pulling all nighters am I right? 

Then we took a very long train to the SLC airport and got checked in. We saw Elder Oviatt off, because he was temporarily reassigned to atlanta Georgia. 

That was rough. 

Can I just tell you all that I do not love long plane rides? 

I couldn't sleep for my life. i slept maybe a solid 4 hours.

I talked to this lady on the first plane for the whole time, she was not a member and was trying to give me some helpful advice as to how I should approach people in Slovakia. Quite interesting. And we talked about cats, I loved that. And we talked about jewelry. We covered a lot subjects...

Well then we landed in Prague and Elder Lanham lost all of his luggage, so he didn't even have a change of clothes. 

and then we walked out of the airport and there was our amazing Mission President and his Wife, and the Assistants to the Pres. 

Next we all hopped into the car and headed to the mission home. 

Took some fun pictures, that I assume you all saw, if not, sorry. I haven't seen them either. 

Then president took us up to this place that looked out to the city of Prague. It was Beautiful! 

The assistants took us on a tour of the city and we ate dinner and it was yummy as ever. and we came back to the mission home, grabbed our things and headed to alexanders. (the place we stayed over night) President told us to be up and ready by 8:00 the next morning because we would be having breakfast. he was concerned that we would not get any sleep that night and told us to try and make it through the night. My companions and I did that very well. We slept in until 7:45 am. 15 minutes before we had to go see the president and meet our trainers. Great. We look just FABULOUS!!! 

We quickly ran and tried to look semi-decent, and headed to breakfast. 

Had breakfast and got assigned our trainers..
.
.
.
.

(anticipation)

Sister Ratcliffe, you have the only Slovak sister in the room! SISTER PARSONS!! and you are going to KOSICE!! YAYAYAYAY!!!

Then my trainer and I had a lovely 10 hour train ride from Prague to Kosice. (took a nice little nap on the train.) my trainer has some aweome baby pictures of me and all my firsts. AKA my first time crossing the boader to Slovakia, my first time going to the apartment my first time trying Slovak food. SO GREAT!  We got home near 8:00 and Quickly ran to the store for some things to make halusky. (PS AMAZING!) and we bought some kofola. It's kind of hard to explain but it is a tasty Slovak drink and I love it!

So at this point it is Saturday night. 

Go to sleep wake up in the morning, go to church! 

The branch was the biggest it has been, but that is because Sister Seningers family all came and they brought like the WHOLE family!

Then after that we went out tracting and contacting and I seriously saw so many miracles. 

We met these two catholic men on the street who said they would read the BOM we gave them and we had a mightly long discussion with them. So that was fun! And then we went to panelaks (apartments) and this man opened the door and we had a discussion with him and he reset up and appointment! and Wow I could tell you so many more it was just UZASNY. (wonderful)

Well Such a wonderful week! 

I know that the Lord loves SLOVAKIA. I know it. The work is moving. 

I love kosice and my trainer and kofola and halusky and my panelak and contacting and tracting and everything! OOOHHH I love it! 

These are not blessings my friends, these are miracles!!!!

I LOVE IT SOOOOO MUCH!

All my love,

Sestra Ratcliffe

 taking the Solo sticker off. 

 No longer living the solo LYFE

Oh you know just a Cathedral

 My Trainer! Isn't she cute? 

 the Weirdo Kitty that escaped from his box when his master walked away.. NAUGHTY

 Quite a shade elevator in our panelak

​this pizza is bomb and is bigger than my face. 

The most anticipated email . . . .

Brother & Sister Ratcliffe, your daughter made it safe and sound to the Czech Republic, please see attached letter and pictures.  She is beautiful and we’re so happy she is here.  Sister Holt

 After a long journey they have arrived!  

At the mission home in Praque

AHOJ I'M GOING TO SLOVAKIA

Okay okay. 

This is probably going to be the least eventful email you will all receive, but it is still so great!

Let's begin: 

1. My teacher Brat Zabriskie left early because he was starting a new job. 

That was probably the hardest thing I have experienced in the MTC I know, that sounds super girlie, but my teachers are the people who raise us up. Who teach us how to speak to these wonderful people. You don't realize how much you rely on them until you watch them leave. 

2. I got my flight plans!

Here they are:

AIRLINE - BRITISH AIRWAYS

Flight 5095 (2 hours and 44 minutes)

- LV: SLC - 8:59AM - 23 APR 2015

- AR: DALLAS/FT WORTH DF - 12:43PM - 23 APR 2015

FLIGHT 1505 (9 hours and 15 minutes)

- LV:DF - 3:40 PM - 23 APR 2015

- AR: LONDON HEATHROW, ENGLAND LHR - 6:55 AM - 24 APR 2015

FLIGHT 862 (2 hours)

- LV: LHR - 9:50 AM - 24 APR 2015

- AR: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC PR - 12:50 PM - 24 APR 2015

3. My companion went to the doctor again.

She got a scan on her gallbladder, because that is the only thing they can trace back to her having problems and the result turned out perfect. So, just keep her in your prayers and hopefully the pain will go away. RIGHT?

4. BYU MEN'S CHORUS RULED MY WORLD

They came and it was wonderful. I am in love with "MASTER THE TEMPEST IS RAGING" its AWESOME!!!! :)

5. Fun fact:

Since the age change the MTC has never had this small amount of missionaries. Making history day by day, is all I got to say about it. :) 

Well. Next week I won't have a P-day but I will be able to read my emails on Wednesday. So if you all want feel free! 

Guys, I am going to SLOVAKIA!!!!!!

You have no IDEA how excited I am! 

I want to let you all know, that I love this gospel. Everything about it. It is perfect. I can honestly tell you that I have seen the Lord's hand in my life. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. You know people always talk about how much we give up to be on a mission right now, and how much we miss out on, but seriously? I have never seen so many blessings come to my life! I am amazed at the spirit and how simple it is to hear him and to feel of my savior's love. I love this! I know it is true, and cannot wait to share it with others!

I love you all! Thank you all for writing me! It means so much! 

Love always,

Sestra Ratcliffe

PS I got sunburned at the temple walk the other day. 

that's how you know you are inside a building way too long. 

LOL LOVE YOU ALL 

 Companion at the DOCTOR

  Help we leave in a week and don't know the language! EMERGENCY! LOL

 Brat Zabriskie (just so you all know brat means brother in slovak. not trying to call my teacher names here.)

                                                                                    Goofing off when it was snowing.

MTC life doesn't change after week 5 so....

So this week we had the opportunity to host the new missionaries again. Our choir director told us that his daughter would be coming in and all of us were hoping we would get her. As I am walking back from my first sister I hosted one of the guys directing traffic yelled at me to hurry, because they need a sister to host. A big suburban pulls up and twelve people file out. With brother Eggett (choir director) stepping out as well. I was so pumped! Hosting her is like hosting the queen of England. Shes famous!

In class this week we played a game similar to the one were you get a name and you have to guess who it is, but we had to say it all in slovak AND we had to use grammer principles. It was rough. Mine was Lebron James, and the entire time I thought it was KOBE BRYANT. So embarassing because I was with all elders... Oh well. 

Conference and Easter were amazing don't you think? I just absolutely loved every minute of it! I have LITERALLY 18 pages of notes. Life of a missionary I guess. 

This week we skyped again. I skyped with a sister who was baptized when my teacher was their! In fact he taught here some of the lessons! I am so excited to meet these people I have been Skyping and talking to! 

So I don't know if you all remember but the dead bird that is outside of our classroom is named carl. Whenever we pass carl we like to say hi, Cause you know. So this week my teacher (Brat Bateman) and I were going on a walk and as we were walking out of the building Brat Bateman turns to the window and says "CAU CARL" Oh my goodness it was so funny. So now whenever we go on walks we always say hello to him. 

Oh just so you all know. I will be at the MTC a few days longer than expected. Our mission President is going to a mission president's devotional thing for all mission presidents in Europe so he would not be able to be in the Country if we were going the Day we were assigned. 

Special birthday shout outs to a few of you, Owen, Marshall, Dawson, and Aunt Angela. Happiest of birthday wishes for you! I hope you had wonderful days! Sorry if I missed anyone. If I did Happy Birthday to you too! 

All My LOVE, 

Sestra Madison Jane Ratcliffe 

Well lots of fun stuff going on with these pictures.

 1. Me trying to make my necklace look like a beard. But I couldn't stop laughing cause my teacher was watching me. 

 2. The guy we reported to for service on tuesday, he wanted to take a selfie. #CODY

 3. Me rocking the backpack VACUUM

 4 + 5 my companions and I killin it in the service department. #CLEAN CLEAN

BUSY WEEKS!

Well I'm just going to start with the most exciting news of the week. Right Before I got here I ran into Scotty Burton! How FUN! That's how you know you have been here for a long time, when you have been here for 6 weeks and the English speakers STILL leave before you! LOL! 

We had our first Skype lesson yesterday! It was so cool. I spoke to a guy that is 20 Yrs old FROM Slovakia preparing to serve a mission! He just turned in his papers and is so nice. I hope I can skype him next week. He spoke all Slovak to me, but can speak very good English so thats cool, and He wants to serve in America! How funny! 

So on Tuesdays we do service, and my companionship and I thought it would be funny to talk in Indian accents, which it was very funny, and some people thought that we were serious. My companions are a lot better than me in that category, but my russian accent can't be beat! One of the polish sisters and I speak in Russian accents to eachother. Another sign that you have been at the MTC for WAY too long! 

Well April fools days was so fun. The polish elders but sardines in the Czech classroom. Who brings sardines to the MTC? Weird. And the Czechs went and sprayed glitter all over their classroom. So... Cool. 

Oh. All of the Adriatic North just left of Monday to their countries, so that's exciting. The Bulgarians are in Chicago right now waiting on their visa's so pray for them! And Pray for the rest of our visa's too! I will send picture of us the night before they left!

Well I guess that is all I have to say today! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

I am so grateful for all of your support! Just know that I am so grateful to each and everyone of you. I want you to know that this church is true. I know it! I wouldn't be here if I didn't. LOVE YOU ALL!!

Sestra Ratcliffe

this Is all of us and 8 of them left on MONDAY. Miss them.