On to Katowice....(Zone Conference Week)

After the Zone Conference and fireside in Bydgoszcz Tuesday, we drove home and got in Warsaw at 12:30am. We unpacked and packed again and left at 1:00pm (12 hours after we got home) and drove to Katowice (4 hours away) for Zone Conference. Along the way, as the sun was setting (about 4:45pm since the days are getting longer) we saw this sight with the wind driven power generating windmills. More and more of these are popping up around the country.

We arrived and had dinner with the Katowice District- L to R- Elders Neiman, Kennedy, Hannemann, Leimer, Branch President Krzykawski, and Elder Dabrowski.

The Sisters had our own planning agenda, with Sisters Neiman, Stay and Smith.

  Thursday morning, we began Katowice Zone Conference and interviews at 9:30am. This is a picture of the city and the air quality of the area. There are many factories and plants in this spread out region.

  At these Zone Conferences the Zone Leaders are usually in charge of the lunch breaks.

Those celebrating Birthdays now and before the next Zone Conference are---L to R: Elders Hinckley, Klosowiak, Kennedy and Dabrowski.

 After the morning session of conference, we held training workshops (role plays- Invitations to Follow Christ and be baptized, maintaining Area Books---"Preach My Gospel" page 139, helping investigators Keep Commitments---"Preach My Gospel" chapter 11, and how to conduct a baptismal interview), the Senior Missionaries had an opportunity to see Katowice.

Here, Elder Vreeken is extending the Invitation to Follow Christ to President Nielson. This invitation is to be specific and direct as outlined on pages 40, 54, 66 and 75 in "Preach My Gospel". This invitation will be practiced and fine-tuned in companionship study---Daily!

After the conference, branch and missionary life continues. English classes are held free of charge to anyone who wants to attend. There are three classes held on Thursday evening- beginning, intermediate and advanced. In all, there were over 40 in attendance tonight. Here Sisters Stay (writing on the board) and Smith are teaching the intermediate class a lesson on traveling around and visiting America---the difference between 'Hotel' and 'Motel', 'complimentary' and 'free', 'valet' and how to "hail" a taxi. The most interesting queston of the night was- "What is a camper?". The answer the Sisters gave was, "That's what you buy and drive around the country in when you get old". Wow, I can't wait to get home...

After English Class, we held a fireside for investigators and friends. There were about 30 in attendance. It was a nice turn out, and it was so fun to visit and talk with these great people.

When the fireside was over, we drove back to Warsaw (another 4 hours) and in bed by 12:30am. Warsaw Zone conference and interviews start in 9 1/2 hours... This will be another long day- Zone Conference, Mission Presidency meeting and World Wide Broadcast at 18:00.

Then the following day it's back down to Krakow (4 hours away) for firesides and Branch Conference.

But before I leave this post , I need to introduce you to the great missionaries in the Katowice Zone:

The Wroclaw District. Seated L to R: Sister Sheets, Elder and Sister Moon. Standing: Elders Berry, Smith, Vreeken and Sheridan.

The Katowice District. Seated L to R: Sisters Smith and Stay, Elder and Sister Neiman. Standing: Elders Hannemann, Leimer, Dabrowski and Kennedy.

The Kielce District. Front: Elders Hinckley and Ball, serving in Krakow. Standing: Elders Curtis and Klosowiak, serving in Kielce.

The Katowice Zone. Seated L to R: Sisters Neiman, Sheets and Moon. 2nd row: Elders Neiman, Kennedy, Berry, Smith, Hannemann, Sisters Smith and Stay, Elders Vreeken and Moon. Back Row: Elders Dabrowski, Leimer, Curtis, Klosowiak, Ball, Hinckley and Sheridan.

A great day with GREAT missionaries.