The Month of July has continued to be a great month with many miracles and great events taking place in the Czech/Slovak Mission.  In this post I will just mention a few:

As everyone in Utah was celebrating the 24th of July by honoring the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley, the missionaries in the Czech Republic were taking a little trek of their own.  It was on this date July 24, 1939, that Elder Widstoe dedicated the land of the Czech Republic for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  President and Sister McConkie brought all Czech Republic missionaries to the city of  Karlstejn to walk to the dedication spot.

What a fabulous sight!!!! So many missionaries!!

Walking along the streets of Karlstejn.

View of Karlstejn Castle.

Some of the Senior Missionaries almost to the top.  It was a very hot day and we were all glad to almost be there!

Elder and Sister Mills at the dedication monument.

All Czech Republic Sister Missionaries at the dedication sight.

President McConkie wanted this day to be exactly like it was some 84 years ago.  We  followed the same program, sang the same songs, and we definitely felt the same spirit.  This is the entire group of Czech Republic Missionaries.  Slovak Missionaries were not in attendance.

Back in 1929 they also had a picnic after the dedication....so we had a picnic.  I am not sure you would call it a picnic.  There were no chairs, no tables, no grass.

Everyone was so hot and tired that they just sat right down on the side of the road to eat their sandwiches.  It was still a great day, and always is wonderful to be with all missionaries,

On the way home from Prague that day we passed beautiful fields of sunflowers.  I tried to capture the beauty of this sight, but taking the picture through the window of the train just doesn't do it justice.

We also had two more baptisms this month.  Michal Bráda and Eliška Hudová.  Two great young people. These two young people have so much faith.  They had no problem with accepting everything they were taught.  They are truly two of the elect here in CR.  (Eliška is Adam Hud's sister.  He was baptized in March.)

Elder Hammond, Adam Hud, (He baptized both Michal and Eliška), Michal, Eliška, and Elder Bailey.

Everyone who attended the baptism.

Missionaries showing their true colors after baptism.

The following Sunday we had lunch with the missionaries and two branch members.  Here are Elders Hammond, Bailey, Lisonbee, Wayment, and  Brother Kryška.

The burgers were such a hit on the 4th of July we decided to try them again.  I think it was Brother Kryška's first time to have an American hamburger.

Trying his hardest to get his mouth around that burger!!!

Sister Roubicek and Clark relaxing for a minute after lunch.

Lunch group. (Minus Elder Mills who is taking the picture.)

This was our last Sunday with this District, as the next day was transfers.  Once again, those who will be leaving Ostrava will be dearly missed.  (Elder Bailey, Elder Hammond, (back row) Elder Lisonbee, Elder Wayment, Elder Mills, (front row) Sister Clark, Sister Roubicek, and Sister Mills.

For some reason we always have to take a crazy picture.  Maybe this is where our true personalities come out.

I wanted to share some pictures of our dear friends wedding.  Illona and Zdenik were married on August 3, 2013, in Frydek/Mystek.  It was a beautiful hot summer day, and everything was perfect for them.

Mr. and Mrs. Šimonik

We want to wish Ilona and Zdenek much happiness in their new life together.  We love them very much!!

The next day Ilona and Zdenek shared with us some leftover wedding cake and gave me (Sister Mills)  this beautiful bouquet of flowers.  They are two very kind and thoughtful people.

This is what a mission is all about.......people.  We have been given the opportunity to go to a foreign land and meet many of Heavenly Father's children.  Their culture may be different, their language hard to understand, but they are our brothers and sisters, and like us, have a divine heritage.  We have been so blessed to meet, be friends, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with these wonderful people.

S Laskou,   Stařsi and Sestra Millsovi