1 Jan 2015 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

It was a good Christmas Day for us.  We got to talk to all of our children and to see that they are all doing well.  What a blessing that is.

Back to the office on Friday.  We had to get some things done for the president for MLC.  And of course take every one's order for Subway sandwiches.  The Poles celebrate the 26th also, so nothing was open except a few of the skleps (small family owned stores).  But we did get some snow.  So our Christmas was a little white.  And now it's really cold.

Saturday we spent all day at the office.  Wayne began cleaning up files for the year end and I got the office ready for the missionaries coming for their meeting.

Here's some pictures:

President Edgren is giving them last minute instructions. Facing the camera are Elders Wride, Weggersen and Hardy.  All Zone Leaders.

Here are Elders Burdick, Retallick, Whiting and Jourdan in the right corner.

Sisters Smith and Grgich and Elder Fogg.

They all left with their sandwiches, cookies and drinks to catch the trains back to their areas.  It's so neat to sit outside the door and listen as they sing.  All of them are just awesome!

On Sunday, no one that was asked to speak showed up, so President Pogorzelski had to ask people as they came into the chapel.  Godfrey and Czarek bore their testimonies and President Zelewski spoke.  It actually turned our to be a wonderful meeting.  President also asked the missionaries to sing Silent Night which they had sung at a funeral on Saturday.  It was absolutely beautiful.  

So Monday, back to the office.  It was a very slow day.  Most of the people are still taking vacations, even at the church offices.  We did get lots of Christmas packages for missionaries though.  We even got one from James and Jill.  They sent us another puzzle.  It will keep us busy at nights.

I made Chicken Noodle soup for FHE.  It is in the teens here, so everyone really appreciated the warmth of the soup.  Our lesson was on Faith and staying close to the Lord in these troubling times. 

 We got notification that the Freiberg Temple will be closed from February to July of 2016.  The next closest temple is in Frankfurt, which most people won't travel to.  The Kiev temple is close for the Warsaw people, but it's hard getting into Ukraine.

Tuesday we learned that Elder Taylor (office elder) is being transferred down to Katowice and Elder Swicegood is coming back to be the new office elder.  And all the missionaries in Warsaw went over to the Mission home  last night to see a movie and play some games and have some dinner.  Then they all spent the night and Sister Edgren and I are going to make some pancakes in the morning for them and then off to contact.  There will probably be a lot of drunk people, but hopefully they will find families at home and be able to teach them.

Here are some fun pictures from last night:

Here's another selfie.  Sisters Pauga, Moncur, me and Wayne.

Starting from the left - Elders Swicegood, Taylor, Sisters Kuchar, Benson and Simkins and Elder Jaeger.  Sister Edgren was talking to them.

Sister Pauga, Elders Wride and Garrett (on small chairs) and Elders Fogg, Connelly and Ahlander.

We played Jeopardy and Charades.  And we got to watch "Meet the Mormons".  It was awesome.  Their were tears shed and a lot of laughter.  It was a good night.  There were lots of fireworks that kept waking us up.  But it is New Year's Eve.

So hope  everyone had a good time and made some good resolutions.

We love and miss you all..

25 Dec 2014 MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas everyone!

Friday after working at the office, we had to take some things over to the mission home.  Sister Edgren had been baking all day.  She had cookies all over the place.  So we told her to hang up her apron and come out to dinner with us.  She asked if we wanted to go get some pizza.  So we went out with them and had a wonderful time.  They are putting together a little Christmas gift for every missionary.  It includes a DVD of pictures of the missionaries and music.  We can't wait to see it.

On Saturday, Wayne and I went Christmas shopping.  Not for each other, but for all of the wonderful people in our FHE group.  We found some scarves for both the women and men.  We had the office elders over for lunch and then they made some banana bread.  They had to get back to the office so I baked the bread for them.

Sunday we had a very spiritual sacrament meeting.  Sister Cieslak spoke about the Savior's love and she did awesome.  The chapel was full.
Also, we took some pictures of our new and old missionaries in Warsaw I:                                                                                    

Elders Retallick and Fotu (Elder Retallick is our new AP)

Sisters Pauga and Moncur (S. Pauga just arrived on the 16th).  Sister Moncur is her trainer. 

Sisters Simkins and Kuchar.  S. Simkins was transferred from Bydgoszcz.  S. Kuchar is the new Sister training leader for Warsaw I.

Our new Zone Leaders - Elders Fogg and Hardy.

Elders Garrett and Ahlander.  E. Ahlander also just arrived on the 16th.

All the new ones just arrived and transferred to Warsaw bore their testimonies on Sunday also.

Our office looks like a Post Office.  We have so many packages for all of the missionaries.  It's fun.

Monday for FHE we played a balloon game.  They had to hit the balloon with a ruler down the hall and around a chair.  Sometimes the balloons got away from them.  It was fun.

Here's Barbara.

And Stan.

And Elżbieta.

The we played pictionary with very simple words.

 Bet you can't guess what this one was.  Monika did a very good job.

 Siostra Pauga drew Mistletoe.

And Godfrey and Barbara were drawing reindeer.

Everyone brought treats.  And we just sat around and talked.  It was an enjoyable evening.  I got a lot of hugs and kisses when everyone left.  Wesołych Świąt!

So Tuesday night it was back to cooking and baking.  4 pans of cheesy potatoes and 2 pans of apple crisp.  And we sliced 6 hams for Zone conference on Wednesday.
And the conference was awesome!!!  It added a very spiritual note to our Christmas.  The APs and President put together a couple of videos that captured the true meaning of Christmas.  They had a gift exchange and then watched a video of pictures that the missionaries sent into Sister Edgren.  Everyone got a copy.  The President also asked some people to bear their testimonies.  So Elders Blom, Jensen and Wright bore their testimony.  And also Sisters Moncur, Kuchar, Slagowska and Lillywhite.  The all bore testimony of Jesus Christ and what an wonderful time to be a missionary and to feel of the Polish people's love and faith.
So here are some pictures:

Here's everyone gathering.

And here, too.  We had everyone from Katowice, Kielce, Lublin, Lodz, Krakow, and Warsaw.  So everyone was just excited to see missionaries they hadn't seen in a while.

 Here we are trying to get everyone seated for the group picture.  What a job!

 And here's the gift exchange.  Sister Simkins got a green wig and some snap on bracelets with jingle bells on them.  Everyone had a ball!

The President told everyone to go out and enjoy the night but don't do any contacting.  And to be in early.  Then on Thursday, they get to sleep in until 8:00 am.  And once again - no contacting.  Most of them will be skyping with their families in the afternoon.  Wayne and I stayed in bed till 7:00.  We don't need to go to the office.  The sun is shining today and it's suppose to be in the 50's.  No white stuff here this year.

So Merry Christmas everyone.  We love you and miss you all.

18 Dec 2014

One of the Elders that was going to leave on the 16th of this month got a call from his father.  His grandfather had passed away and the funeral was going to be on the 12th.  President Edgren told him he could go home if he wanted to.  We had to contact the church travel and make arrangements, but everything worked out.  Elder Caskey left on Thursday to make it home just in time for the viewing and funeral. 
Friday was very hectic.  We were making arrangements for trains and living accommodations for all of the moves.  Quite an undertaking, but the Office Elders and AP's keep us on track.

Saturday we had three baptisms.  One in Kielce, one in Warsaw and one in Gdansk.  The one in Gdansk was the first one this year.  But the President said it was a very special baptism and the spirit was definitely there.  The one in Warsaw was very spiritual also.  President Pogorzelski did the baptism and Roza's mother was there to watch. 

Here is Roza's mother, Sister Tobler and Roza.

Sister Benson, Roza and Sister Tobler.

(Sorry for the blurriness)  Here are Agnieszka, Sara and Sisters Benson and Tobler.  They did a wonderful job singing. 

That night we had our branch Christmas Party.  It was fun.  Lots of Polish food.  There's this very tasty dish called Bigos.  I will have to try and make some when we get home.  There were also pierogis, salads, fish, beet borsch and lots of desserts.  

Here's our APs, Elders Swicegood and Fotu showing off their strength.  We took more pictures, but they were really bad.  

All of the missionaries sang Polish Carols and then told everyone of a Christmas tradition.  It was really fun.  Here's Wayne and me.  

We had a special FHE on Monday.  I think everyone enjoyed what we did.  I know there were some tears shed (other than mine).  I told them to remember our Savior in everything we do.  And to give to others.  We watched 3 videos from the church that showed how we can be of service to others and in turn, giving service to our Savior. 

We had to dash from FHE over to the mission home, so we could say good bye to the missionaries leaving on Tuesday.    We showed up just as they were starting their testimony meeting.  President said we could stay.  What a special time that was for us.  Sister Tobler wrote a special song for Pres. and Sister Edgren.  It sure made Sister Edgren cry.  The testimonies were beautiful.

Here's a couple of pictures -

Elder Boyce, Sister Edgren, Elder Retallick and President.  Elders Meherg,Gibby and White.  Sisters Montesinos, Poklinkowska and Tobler.

Here's one of our favorite office Elders.  He was having a hard time.  Elder Meherg.

And here is Sister Poklinkowska. Once again, it is very hard to see these young men and women leave.

Tuesday was transfer day.  We only lost one Elder and one Elder got pick-pocketed.  Not bad!
We will meet the new Sisters and Elders on Wednesday and will go over to the mission home.

So here we are at the mission home on Wednesday.  Here is Wayne giving them instruction.

These are the new missionaries:

Sister Pauga, Elder Jackson, Sisters McCleary and Gammon.

Elders Ahlander, Schwanke, Blunt, Jensen and Sister Johnston.

And here are the trainers coming to meet their new trainees.

It was a mad house.  Wayne and I didn't stay.  We went back to the office to wait to find out who went where and with whom.

I told you last week that I would let you know when we come home.  It will be on the 3rd of March.  We leave here on Tuesday and fly almost half way around the world and get in on Tuesday.  We will have daylight with us the whole way.

It's been a busy and exciting week!  Next week will be the same.  It is Christmas and the President has planned a special meeting for the missionaries.

Merry Christmas everyone.  Wayne and I wish you all the best. 
Wayne and I want you all to know that we love our Savior Jesus Christ.  We know that He is our Redeemer.  We are striving everyday to become more like Him.  We so want to be with Him throughout eternity.  We look forward to the day that He will reign upon this earth and that there will be peace everywhere. 

We love you all and miss you.

11 Dec 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL NEXT TUESDAY.  WE LOVE YOU!

Friday night we packed a bag and went to bed early so that we could get up and drive the 5 hours to Wrocław.  We were sent there to close the Senior Apartment and get everything out of it.  We took the transporter and it was filled to the brim with stuff.  It took us all day long on Saturday even with the Elders helping us.  We also inspected the apartments of the Elders and Sisters.  We got a lot of things done and were very tired when we went to bed.  We stayed overnight in the Senior's apartment.  Sunday we got up and went to church.  Everyone in Wrocław welcomed up warmly.  It was good to see our old friends and that they remembered us.  I couldn't believe it though when President Cieliński asked me to say one of the prayers.  Every time we had a meeting with him when we lived there, he would ask me to say a prayer.  And Wayne forgot his suit back in Warsaw, so he wore a colored shirt, a sweater, and black levis to church.  So President Cieliński asked him to pass the sacrament and I told him no!  I wasn't going to have Wayne pass the sacrament without a white shirt!
On our way home, it was foggy and rainy, so it took a little longer than usual.  
On Monday, we were hoping the President would tell us that we could look at the transfer board, but he didn't say anything.  So we will wait.  Monday night for FHE, I took some little objects with me and had all of them pick one and then look up a scripture and then tell the rest of our little family what it meant to them.  It went really well.  I took a ring, bread, water, rope, book, tree, owl, etc. 
Sisters Poklinkowska and Kuchar have been meeting with Ewa.  She comes to our FHE and sometimes to church.  But she wants to get baptized, so we will see what happens.  It will be a wonderful blessing for Sister Poklinkowska, because she is going home on the 16th.  
Tuesday after being at the office, we went home and put up our little Christmas tree.  

And here is the decoration that I made in RS the week before.  I am not a very good putter-togetherer!

We've decorated our office too.  So now it feels like Christmas.

We got to see the transfer board on Wednesday.  Lots of changes.  And now the fun begins.  We will be getting a new elder in the office and a new elder as AP.  Today is going to be very busy!

Wayne had a meeting with President Pogorzelski last night.  He was asked to be the 2nd councilor in the branch presidency.  Also they talked about the Gospel Princples class that was taught on Sunday.  It was about the celestial kingdom, but somehow they got talking about space ships and how you will be able to think your way from one place to another.  These new members are so tender in the gospel and sometimes come up with the some crazy ideas.  Teach them correct principles and hopefully they are listening.  That's all we can do.

We love you and miss you all.
By the way, we got our marching papers.  I'll let you know next week when we will be home.  

4 Dec 2014

Happy Birthday Sean.  We hope you have a wonderful day on the 8th.  We love you!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had 22 of us all together and it was really fun.  We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, salads, rolls and pies, cake and cookies for dessert.  I cooked two turkey breasts in the crock pots and made 4 pies.  Everything was delicious and the company was awesome.  President Edgren showed up for a little while and we fed him,too.  After about two hours, everyone went out and started contacting again.  Here's some pics:

Of course, the Elders couldn't stay out of the kitchen.  So here is Sister Poklinkowska, Elders Hon, Jaeger, Garrett and Owens (sitting) and Sister Kuchar's head!

Here's part of our group.  Sisters Poklinkowska, Kuchar, Elders Owens, Garrett (facing), Sister Smith is standing, investigators Victoria and Ania and Sister Moncur.  Elder Hon is next to Sister Smith.

Sister Poklinkowska and I are cutting the pies and cakes.

On Friday, one of the sisters that is serving in Bydgoszcz called and said that the doctor she has been seeing for lower abdominal pains (yes, another one) said he wanted to do a colonoscopy on her.  And told her to tell the doctor that she would get back to him.  I wanted to talk to the president first before we did anything like that again.  Wayne and I went over to the mission home after work and talked with the president.  He called the doctor in Germany and he said absolutely not.  He told her to keep taking the antibiotics and he would call her on Monday.  She was really frightened about the possibility of having something like that done.  

On Saturday, the Relief Society had an activity.  We all made Christmas Table Decorations.  First we had some wonderful tomato soup, which they dished up over noodles in your bowl.  And then we got to work.  

Here's Sister Kuchar, Magda and Ula.  These two Polish sisters are wonderful.

Here's Barbara giving me a big hug.  She is such a beautiful person.  She got baptized earlier this year and is teaching the missionary/investigator SS class.  

So here's everyone making their decorations.  It was so much fun!

We are working hard.  Sister Pogorzelski, Ulya, me and Barbara.

Here's the decoration Sister Smith finished.  Sisters Moncur, Poklinkowska, Smith and Kuchar.  These young ladies have stolen my heart.  I love them all very much.

After we cleaned up, we had another baptism.  

Here's Sister Benson, Anita and Sister Tobler

President Neto did the baptism and Anita's daughter - Diana - joined in the picture

And once again, the sisters and elders sang a beautiful song.

Elders Wride and Wright, Sisters Benson and Tobler, and Elders Jourdan and Retallick.

Sunday, we learned that Sister Edgren will be coming home on Wednesday.  We called the APs and Office Elders and decided we would all go to the airport to welcome her home - without letting the President know either.

We had a very special FHE on Monday.  We talked about how the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ  is our only way back to the Father.  Everyone joined in the discussion and it was very touching.  Barbara made Veal chops, a polish dish called Bigos and a mountain cake.  Everything was delicious.

When we got to the airport on Wednesday, we found the president talking on the phone.  So we all walked up behind him and when he turned around, he was very surprised.  But I think he was glad to see us.  So here we are waiting for Sister Edgren.

And here she is.  The President wouldn't let her go.  She was very surprised but I think very touched.

So that's been our week.  We are gearing up for new missionaries and transfers in 2 weeks.  It goes by so fast.  I got a message on the church program that we use that I was required to request travel arrangements for the Durrant couple.  I started to cry.  Our time here in Poland is almost up.  

We love you and miss you all.