On the way to Wroclaw for Branch Conference....

Leaving Bydgoszcz early Saturday morning, we were surprised that traffic was very light. This is going to be a great trip. Above is one of my favorite bridges...it is simple, but makes a statement! As we continued to make our way to Wroclaw....

...we were amazed (again) at how beautiful the country of Poland is. Rolling hills, lots of farm land...and everything is starting to green up! It was a great day to travel.

And guess who's back?

The Storks! They have made their way back from Africa to spend the summer in Poland. Here they find their nests, have one or two babies, then fly back to Africa for the winter. Storks are seen in Poland from April to August.

The locals help these awkward birds by supplying nests for them on top of telephone poles. With the storks back in Poland, we are sure to have some great weather.

Arriving in Wroclaw this evening, we had a chance to visit with President Cielinski, Wroclaw Branch President, and his wife, Agata. They are expecting their 2nd child in 7 weeks. We are so grateful for the service this great family renders to the Saints in Wroclaw. Both are returned missionaries who served their missions IN Poland a few years ago.

Tomorrow, we'll visit with the Cielinskis again along with the rest of the members in Wroclaw as it is Branch Conference.

Bydgoszcz: April Interview Trip

We left Gdansk and headed towards Bydgoszcz Friday morning for interviews and meetings. On the way, we saw a couple of our "favorite friends" out doing their duties...

The amazing thing about these "speed traps" is when a policeman holds up the little "red paddle", the driver imediately pulls over. They always work in pairs, because there is always lots of business! Here Policeman 'A' on the left is writing up a ticket while Policeman 'B' is waving over another driver for speeding.

We arrived in Bydgoszcz and drove down this busy street and saw this unique crossing guard. At first we couldn't figure out what this person was doing. On both sides of the street people wait for the crossing guard to stop traffic, and they follow the guard. No one is going to hit her in this colorful outfit!

Arriving at the chapel, President started interviewing our great missionaries serving here in Bydgoszcz. (L to R): Elders Bode (District Leader) and Berry; Elders Sorn and Hooker (Zone Leaders).

As the missionaries were being interviewed, Elder Bode and I walked to our favorite lunch spot to pick up the pizzas. Marcin has a great business, and he is so good to our missionaries. If you are ever in Bydgoszcz, this is a 'must eat'!

Meanwhile back at the chapel, Elder Sorn was busy washing fruit...without being asked! I love my Missionaries!

Not only Missionary interviews were going on in the chapel today...

The Zelewskis dropped by for a temple recommend interview with President Jarosz, and we insisted on sharing lunch with them. This is ONE of the many great families we have in the Bydgoszcz Branch.

Lessons were also being held....such as this one with this great Investigator that the Zone Leaders are teaching.

On the way home from the chapel, I spotted something I couldn't resist.

Can you see anyone in this picture that looks familiar? Yes, it looks like it will be a ticket for 'one'!

...and this is why! President Nielson is not a fan of the ferris wheel....

...but I LOVE THEM!

This one was a high one and it was beautiful to see Bydgoszcz from the air! Up here, I spotted a familiar face....

President Jarosz was in Bydgoszcz for interviews and apartment business. Maybe I could talk him into the next ride.....

Another ticket for 'one'. It looks like the Presidents (Nielson and Jarosz) are in complete agreement when it comes to carnival rides.

But I had a good time!

It was a small carnival, but it was fun. I certainly didn't think our visit to Bydgoszcz would include this.....it was a nice surprise!

Later that night, we met with President Isaac (Bydgoszcz Branch President) and his wife, Renata. We are so grateful to serve alongside great people like the Jarosz's and the Isaac's. They are faithful, love the Lord and are doing much to further the work here. (Note the statue.....we have been looking for a large wooden Polish statue to bring home, and we think we may have a lead!) I LOVE THIS CHURCH AND I LOVE THE POLISH SAINTS!

Gdansk...interviews plus a very important meeting

Whenever we travel, the Office Elders load us up with supplies and mail for each of the cities we will visit. Hence, our car is always so full that there is barely room for our small suitcases. This adventure to Gdansk was no different; except we ended up driving one of the smaller, slower Skodas. (President's car was in for servicing. They found all kinds of problems, and it wasn't ready in time for this trip. Too many miles!)

Along the way, we met Andrzej's brother outside of Bydgoszcz to 'squeeze' in one more box! The Gdansk Branch has been waiting for their new printer. No problem. With a little rearranging, and a suitcase on my lap, we were ready to go!

One of the goals of this trip was to evaluate the current chapel location on Gdansk. We found some great options for new locations. More news to come!

Now, back at the old chapel...

...Elder Johnson (District Leader) and Elder Klosowiak met Roman for a lesson. These great Elders are working hard to bring new converts to the Gdansk Branch.

We walked to Dluga Street to meet with the Sisters and were delighted to see how beautiful everything looked. Gdansk is getting ready to host some of the Euro Cup Soccer games, and the city looks better than ever! Even 'Neptune' is getting a facelift and new lights. You can feel the excitement in the air already! These two workmen were doing their best to get their job done without too many people noticing them. Ha Ha...

Here are our great Gdansk Sisters, Sister McAdams and Sister Bezdzian. They have just returned from a teaching appointment with a less-active member.

We are so proud of our Missionaries in this city. They work hard, and they don't give up. They talk to everyone! They are teaching more lessons every week. Keep up the great work!

The next morning we were trying to find our way out of Gdansk. There is road construction EVERYWHERE! Again...everyone is trying to get everything ready for the games. We came across a very confusing part of the road....the GPS was going wild, traffic was bad; and if we made a wrong turn, it would be a 'fight' to get back on the right road

As we were trying to figure out the GPS, we looked up and this is what we saw. I call it a "tender mercy"! We weren't sure if we should follow it, but we decided maybe someone was trying to show us the way....

At times, it looked like we were going to follow it into a dead-end construction zone; but we had a little faith and kept our eyes on the 'target'.

Soon we found ourselves driving toward a great road. Think about it. I see a 'gospel principle' in this little experience! It was really amazing how we came through this construction area, there were no signs, there were about four choices to make on which way to turn and then this huge arrow shows up. It took us right where we needed to go. We were trying to make this too complicated, and it was really simple. Just follow the arrow or 'the way'.

And we were happy that 'the way' to Bydgoszcz was on this great road where our next set of Elders were waiting to be interviewed!

District Meeting and a Visitor!

Today we attended the Warsaw II District Meeting. (LtoR): Elder and Sister Jensen, Elder and Sister Peck, Elder Murphey, Dominik (in less than 2 weeks he will enter the MTC...He's looking like a real missionary, isn't he?), Elders Polfelski, Tanner and Siebert and our great Sisters, Forsey and Mann. I realize that we just showed this great group of Missionaries several days ago, but today is a special day.

Elder Tanner turned '21' and we celebrated with a small party after District Meeting! Another surprise...

Laurel Hulme, a former Polish Missionary, is visiting Poland. After District Meeting, she and the Sisters had lessons to teach! It's great to see Laurel again...and know that her love of Poland and the Polish people is as strong as ever!

A great Branch Conference in Lublin.

There were 40 people in attendance at the Lublin Branch Conference. Yes, we were squeezed into this small chapel like sardines! But there was a great spirit there. It actually took two pictures to show the entire congregation...

...the other part of the chapel. Like I said, the Spirit is very strong in this growing Branch.

Missionaries like Elder Kennedy and Elder Mykoliski are working hard to help it grow even bigger. Here they are shown with Pawel and Sabastian who both have baptismal dates.

Some of the Priesthood in Lublin...Cody (1st Councilor in the Branch Presidency), President Mecham (Branch President), Brother Gladun (Sunday School President) and Brother Johnson (Young Men's President).

The Johnson family is new to the Branch. Brother Johnson is in Medical School here...

His wife, Lacey (Center), stays busy with several church callings....one being Institute Instructor which she does with Beata (who was just released as Relief Society President) and Becky (who was also just called into the District Young Women's Presidency). Busy Sisters!

Some of our great Polish Sisters: Iwona (District Young Women's President), Marlyna, Basia (newly called Relief Society President) and Gosia (District Relief Society President). Leaders from the Warsaw District were there to instruct as it was Branch Conference.

This is a familiar sight around the world.....trying to figure the oven in the church kitchen! And what were they warming up in the oven?

All kinds of delicious food from lasagna to pumpkin pie! And who were the first ones to line up at the table? The Primary and Young Men and Young Women. (L to R): McKay, Cole (the newest member of the Lublin Branch!), Sara, Rachel, Grace, Jake, Maddix and Bailey. A great group of young members who enjoy each others' company!

President Nielson shown here with Mykolaj (and his brother's missionary plaque- Elder Gładun now serving in Katowice) who will be the next Missionary sent out from Lublin.....right? This young man is such a blessing to President Nielson when he comes to Lublin as he is a great translator and always looks the part.
It was a great Sunday. Lublin is growing .... and growing strong. A big THANK YOU to all the members in this great Branch that keep the Spirit strong and a place where Investigators feel so welcome. This church is true!

BAPTISMS around Poland...plus a 'treat' from home!

What a great Saturday it was!!! We had baptisms spanning the country! We'd like you to meet the new members of the church in Poland! Let's start with Szczecin.... Dagmara was baptized in Szczecin. She is shown with Elders Lundin and Kalinowski. Dagmara will be a welcome edition to the growing Relief Society in this great Branch. Let's head to Katowice... Konrad was baptized by Patryk. He is shown with Elders Waits and Basha who taught him the gospel. Konrad was initially contacted by Sisters Marshall and Forsey who were 'finding by the Spirit' in a nearby park. Welcome Konrad! Now we head to Krakow... Janusz was baptized by President Dziubla, the Branch President of the Krakow Branch. Elders Roberts and Hillyard assisted Janusz in finding out for himself if this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was true or not. Let's not forget one more important baptism that occurred on this special Saturday...Lublin! Cole was baptized by his Dad in the (very cold) Lublin Lake. What a great day for President Mecham to be able to baptize his son. Elders Kennedy and Mikolyski were the witnesses. Cole just turned 8 years old.....the age of accountability. We believe that little children aren't capable of sinning...they are pure. So, there is no need for infant baptism. Baptism is for those who are accountable...who know when they sin. (For more information about this, read Moroni 8:4-22 in the Book of Mormon. What? You don't have a Book of Mormon? Go to mormon.org to get your own copy!)
What can I say? It was a wonderful Saturday in Poland to welcome so many great Saints into the Church. But the day wasn't over......This morning (Saturday) we caught the train to Katowice for Konrad's baptism. We came home late but arrived in time for President to catch the Little League game that our grandson, Ty, was playing in. His game was at 12 noon in Las Vegas, 21:00 for us in Poland. Some nice father "Skyped" the game so we could follow it.The game had all the box scores, line-ups and up to the minute stats. Our grandson, Ty, went 3 for 4, and President was able to follow all of the game. Baptisms and a Little League game--there is no better way to spend a Saturday in April! For any grandparent who hesitates to go on a mission because they may miss some events... that excuse doesn't work any more. Get your papers in ... come out and have the greatest time of your life!Ty is becoming a great baseball player. He is shown above receiving the "game ball" for his efforts in one of his recent games. We are a long way from home, but we are still a part of the great things that are going on in the lives of our loved ones. Technology is wonderful...Another 'tender mercy' from the Lord. Now, we can't forget Ty's little brother, Parker! He is the next All-Star coming up in the family. Here he is shown with his coach (his Dad, our oldest son Darik) ready to 'SMACK' the ball off the T-stand. Being a younger brother, Parker is tough!
Life is just great. We are so blessed to be part of their lives while serving in the greatest work on earth. Go and serve the Lord, your families will be blessed, and they will be watched over.

Krakow & Mielec, the last leg of this trip.

The Krakow District: Elders Roberts, Ball, Hillyard, Sheridan, and Karol; plus Elders Dopp and Vreeken. A great group of enthusiasm all contained in one room! As it is with any city we visit, taking the supplies to the chapel is the first order of business. In the city of Krakow, it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to find a parking space. So, President stopped in the middle of the street, put his 'flashers' on and was quickly surrounded by 7 men in dark suits! Off they all went to start interviews and put supplies away. And who was stuck parking the car? I'll give you one guess. I did make it back to the chapel before District Meeting was over! Now, you're probably wondering why Karol (from Kielce) is with the Missionaries. Well, Karol has some great news! On June 28th, Karol will enter the mission field! He will be serving in the London South Mission. He will be our 6th missionary from Poland that will currently be serving a full time mission!!


What do our Missionaries think of Karol serving a mission? Does this give you an idea?! They are thrilled! Karol will be a fabulous missionary...He already is! We love him and are very proud that he will represent the Lord as well as his country in England as he preaches the gospel to the people there. Congratulations, Karol!In District Meeting, Elder Hillyard presented a great lesson. We spent 45 minutes in Role Play as everyone learned many wonderful ways to teach, commit and assist people in coming unto Christ. This is a great District. After a busy morning, it was lunch time. Elders Vreeken and Roberts were in the other room in interviews or waiting for their turn.Elders Roberts and Hillyard have a baptism in two days so the Zone Leader, Elder Basha, came from Katowice for the baptismal interview. Great things are going on in Krakow, also!Late in the afternoon, we left Krakow and headed to Mielec. As we traveled through the many towns, traffic was heavy. Every so often, you can understand the reason for the backed up cars as in the case of this enterprising man who needed to take up his fair share of the road. Needless to say, cars had a hard time going around him...As we came into Mielec we wondered why they would have this plane up on poles. As the day continued, however; we understood the signficance of planes and jets in this region. You might ask, "Why are they going to Mielec?" This is the reason....to visit the Pawlik family! President Pawlik is the Katowice District President, and he and President Nielson had some 'business' to discuss. Since we got there late because of long interviews and slow traffic, it was only fitting to have these two talk...

...over dinner! The kids (and myself!) were starving. We had some great pierogi (traditional polish dumplings stuffed with meat, cheese, potatoes or fruit) at a charming restaurant in town. It was so nice to get to visit with Lisa and the kids, while the men talked up a storm at the other end of the table. The food was great, but we were in for even a bigger treat!

After dinner we went to President Pawlik's workplace. He builds the finest Cobra CSX3104 replicas in the world. Years ago, President Pawlik's boss had a relative who bought and imported a Polish fighter jet and invited him to see this relic of the Cold War. He looked at the airplane and couldn't help but notice the striking similarities between it and CSX3104. He wondered if the people who built the plane could build an exact replica of a Cobra. They found the name of the manufacturer and sent them a fax and the rest is history.These are the aluminum replicas that are in productions currently. Each is hand make by skilled craftsmen.They take sheets of aluminum (or bronze as you will see) and stretch it and pound it to exact specifications.

Then the frames are welded to the chassis. They move on down the production line...This particular car is made out of bronze. It will be spectatular when it is finished. The pictures do not do this justice. These are beautiful cars, and the workmanship is amazing.These machines from Korea, Russia and even the USA had produced aircraft for over 60 years. Some of the Russian MiGs were made here. (We now realized why there was an airplane on display as you entered the city.)
When President Pawlik's boss first came here, he saw a silent factory with idle machines. They knew this was the place they wanted to build cars. After meeting with three generations of skilled craftsmen eager to make these cars, they agreed to start work.

It was great to visit and hear about President Pawlik's work. We love and appreciate this man (and his family) as he has given many years to building the church here in Poland. President Pawlik was baptized in Lodz as a youth and has been spreading the gospel ever since.

As we left the warehouse and factory, President Pawlik showed us the numerous bunkers (aka: bomb shelters!)that were scattered in this production area. The workers (especially in the airplane and jet factories) felt that possibly an enemy nation would bomb these facilities, so numerous shelters can be found in the area. They are accessible and apparently go quite deep underground. Thank you, President Pawlik, for the great tour!

Well, this concludes the interview trip for the central and southern parts of the mission. We FINALLY got home at 2:00 am.....beat! Next week, we go north! But first...we have baptisms this weekend, a branch conference, a visiting former missionary, a departing missionary....and probably a whole lot of other stuff....Life never stops in the mission field! We love it!