Warsaw Christmas Zone Conference Dec 25, 2012

CHRISTMAS MORNING: We started off early...heading to the Wolska Chapel to start Christmas Zone Conferences throughout Poland.

THE WARSAW ZONE:  Seated- Elders and Sisters Jensen, Lloyd and Peck.  Middle row-  Sisters Allen, Sheahan, Packard and Young.  Elders Vernon, Saltmarsh, Rittmanic, Peacock, Van Bakel, Dopp, Jensen and Mikolyski.  Back row-  Elders Kotter, Wilson, Jespersen, Smith, Baranowski, Manwill, Pofelski, Rogers, Walter, Register, Smith and Skolmoski.

The Warsaw I District:  Elder and Sister Jensen, Sisters Sheahan and Allen.  Elders Vernon, Saltmarsh, Van Bakel and Dopp (both Zone Leaders).  Back row-  Elders Baranowski, Manwill (District Leader), Pofelski and Rogers (both serving in Bialystok).

The Warsaw II District-  Elder and Sister Peck, Sisters Packard and Young.  Middle row- Elders Rittmanic, Peacock, Jensen and Mikolyski.  Top Row-  Elders Kotter, Wilson (District Leader), Register and Walter.

Lodz District-  Elder and Sister Lloyd with Elders Jespersen (District Leader), Smith, Smith and Skolmoski.

President had a few technical problems that Elder Skolmoski easily resolved. It's great to have so many 'computer literate' missionaries!

 

Christmas dinner in Poland was especially exciting as this was the largest gathering we have had at any dinner while in Poland.  What great people to spend Christmas with... our missionaries!

After instruction in the morning and a blessing on the food it was time to eat.  Our Senior Missionaries had prepared an extra special Christmas dinner of baked ham, potatoes, homemade rolls and all the trimmings. THANK YOU!!!!  (Elders Smith, Mikolyski, Smith, Peacock, Rittmanic, Vernon, Jensen, Kotter and Van Bakel.)

As we prepared to have Preach My Gospel Chase, our judges got their scoring sheets ready.  Elders and Sisters Jensen, Lloyd and Peck.

The first round of questions were quotes straight from Preach My Gospel.  Elders Saltmarsh, Vernon, Smith and Skolmoski, Jespersen and Smith, Van Bakel and Dopp.  Elder and Sister Lloyd doing the scoring on this side.

The second round of the 'chase' was to identify the Key Indicators and list them in order.  Elders Kotter and Wilson, Elders Walter and Register, Sisters Young and Packard (who got done first!), Sisters Sheahan and Allen with Sister Peck doing the scoring.

The last round was write out 'Your Purpose' from Preach My Gospel.  Elders Peacock and Rittmanic, Manwill and Baranowski, Jensen and Mikolyski, Pofelski and Rogers.  Elder Jensen recording the scoring.

Elders Register and Walter earned the highest amount of points.  Congratulations on your knowledge of Preach My Gospel! (I had to dip into my 'stash' of American treats to find exciting prizes. I was hoping no one would pick the chocolate covered Cimmamon Bears :(   ...but they deserved them!)

Since we had a Christmas Program following lunch, one of our many talented missionaries, Elder Rogers, was fitting in some last minute preparation.

But before the Christmas program and right after lunch we held our "white elephant" gift exchange.  Elder Peacock was first to chose his gift from under the tree.  He received a Milka chocolate bar and an "etch a sketch".

Elder Wilson chose and unwrapped a GIANT Kinder Egg- He was very happy about it.

Elder Register was next, and he opened some candy and action figures.

Elder Manwill was next.  He got a giraffe wind chime, which was then taken by Sister Sheahan.  He then opened a toaster (the surprise gift of the day).

Elder Rittmanic opened something that was fun.

Sister Packard opened a package of Kinder Eggs.

Elder Jespersen opened a cemetery candle filled with American candy...

Elder Rogers received a special four pack of Christmas toilet paper.  It was very colorful.

Elder Smith opened his gift of Polish Chocolate candy.

Our next Elder, Elder Smith, received a "special bird house" (or something strange).

Elder Mikolyski opened a great gift- a cute Teddy Bear.  He was quite pleased and others had their eye on this as well...

Elder Pofelski opened up a new pair of slippers.

Elder Kotter received some small looking pen that looked like a green cactus. And then the fun started...

Elder Van Bakel wasted no time in claiming the Teddy Bear from Elder Mikolyski.

Elder Vernon wanted the toaster that Elder Manwill had opened.

Elder Saltmarsh paid Elder Van Bakel back and took the Teddy Bear.

Elder Van Bakel really wanted the Teddy Bear, but the game went on...

Elder Jensen opened a bag of vitamins and soup mixes.

Sister Young opened a toy car.

Elder Baranowski received some "mace" which we all laughed about.

It was a great gift exchange and everyone had a great time.  Santa was really good to everyone.

It was birthday time and Elders Register and Skolmoski were the recipients.  'Sto Lat' to them.

Then it was time to head home.  Elders Peacock and Rittmanic are off to Lublin.

And the Warsaw Missionaries (with Bialystok- Elders Pofelski and Rogers) loaded up their goodies (including the coveted Teddy Bear and toaster!)  and are ready to go.  It was a fun day and soon they will be receiving calls from their families.  That will be the best part of the day.  Merry Christmas from the Warsaw Zone. Tomorrow, we are up early on our way to the Katowice Christmas Zone Conference.