Monday, May 23, 2011

We Have Air Conditioning!!!!!

For those of you who recognize this building....do you notice anything different? YES! You guessed it!
Not only do we now have air conditioning in the Wolska chapel...there's more!

Last summer I thought we would die from the heat. Sure, we're from Las Vegas; but 'Polish' heat was different. It was a very 'wet' hot....not 'dry' like we were used to. We were thrilled when we found out that air conditioning had been approved for the mission home. YEAH!!! and just in time for summer!As the truck rolled up to unload the units...
...I was much happier than the workers who unloaded the materials.
The workers took over the house and started hanging tarps throughout the mission home.
It was quite a mess! But I wasn't complaining....Brother Jarosz was there to make sure things ran right. He was a great help....and was always cleaning up after the workmen.
It seemed like they were drilling holes everywhere......and remember, they were drilling through block walls which is how homes are built here.
They used little drills.......
...and big drills that almost shook the house down.

To keep the workers happy, Brother Jarosz put together a 'grill' aka: BBQ for the workers. It was quite a show.........
...First he displayed his skills with fire....

then out came the costumes.... ( I think I could get him a job in Vegas!)

...but the end result was perfect kababs!

The workers loved the food and the break. We finally saw some smiles:)

Back to work....it was time to mount the units on the outside of the house.

When the tarps got taken down, Brother Jarosz and I did a little cleaning and packing of our own as it was a great time to thoroughly clean and reorganize the kitchen.

The electrical panal (or 'brain') of the six new airconditioning units fit very nicely in the cleaning closet
The units were mounted in the most discreet places possible. Here is the one for the family room mounted on the back side of the patio.

Duo units that cool the dining room and kitchen were mounted on the side of the house.

The workers were good about trying to hide the tubes that would conceal the electrical wires running around the outside of the house.
A view of the air conditioning unit in the family room. The extra bedroom on the 2nd floor and the big room on the top floor where the Sisters stay are now air conditioned, also.
President and I trying out the unit in the dining room. (There is a unit exactly on the other side of the wall that cools the kitchen.) It will be a different summer for us! A big THANK YOU to Brother Jarosz for all his work AND to the 'powers that be' that approved this project!!!!
A special invitation to President Walter and Mary Whipple to return to the Mission Home this summer for another visit. This sweet couple visited us last summer during one of the hottest days of the year, and the fans in the Mission Home offered little relief.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Back to Krakow for church...

We were scheduled to be back down to the southern part of Poland. One of the most beautiful and most visited cities of Poland is Krakow. You can tell that summer tourist season has already started as you enter Krakow. Its getting warm and crowded.
The Krakow Branch. (L toR): Elder Hancock, Andziej, Heather (visitor), Elder Hinckley, President Dziubla, Elder Davis, Piotr, Elder Bode and Stefan. There is a great spirit in this branch. It's always fun to visit Krakow, but summertime brings lots of visitors to the branch.
The Missionaries that are working hard in this city and making a difference are Elders Hancock and Hinckley.
Elders Davis and Bode are also 'giving it their all' to bring the people of Krakow to Christ. Elder Davis does a great job as the District Leader in this part of Poland.
President Kacin (2nd Counselor in the Katowice District), and President Dziubla (Krakow Branch President).
The Wisla River runs through Krakow and you know what that means!!!!
Lots of cool bridges!! This is a pedestrian/bike bridge. Pedestrians cross on the left and bikes cross on the right. No cars allowed!
A bridge for motor vehicles. This stretch of the Wisla River gets plenty of use. Most times of the day it is full of ferries and small boats taking people to the Wavel Castle which is just around the bend. Krakow is truly a beautiful city! What's even better is the missionary work is really picking up... and that's what it's all about!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Things were 'hopping' at the Wolska Chapel on Saturday...and the day ended with 4 special events!

Saturday, May 21st was a very busy day at the Wolska chapel. There were meetings and activities in all parts of the building! This picture (below) was taken at the end of District Primary Leadership Meeting.
Sisters Ella, Weronika, Asia, Marinda and Monika got into the spirit of things by modeling a visual aid promoting 'Reverance'! It was a great meeting...going over the Primary Sunday Schedule and how to incorporate it into our branches ....and....great ideas on how to teach lessons and music better! Good job, ladies! After Primary Leadership Meeting, here came the children!
Many of the children in the District showed up for a very fun Primary Activity Day.
Monika had a great sharing time on the importance of the scriptures and what a great gift from Heavenly Father they are to us!
We moved into the Cultural Hall to dress in the Armour of God and talked about how it can protect us. Then the children split into families...
....to make their own personal "Title of Liberty". Here are Kasia and her daughter, Karolina working on theirs, (Warsaw I Branch)
Then it was time for lunch! (A secret I learned while observing this: Polish kids eat vegetables!)
Then it was outside for some water fun.......
After such a great activity day, these two wonderful sisters sat down to collapse. Thank you Monika (District Primary President) and Asia (Counselor, District Primary) for a FABULOUS time! The children's testimonies were strengthened as they had a blast! It was the best!!!!
Two special visitors joined us from the states...President Shaha's parents were here visiting their adorable grandchildren. Thanks for your help today!
The Primary was not the only organization that was meeting at the Wolska chapel today...
President Shaha (2nd Counselor) and President Zelewski (Warsaw District President) were busy getting things ready for their District Priesthood Leadership Meeting.

Piotr, one of the District Clerks, was preparing for his accurate record keeping presentation to the Branch Leaders in the Warsaw District. It was well attended and well received. This is a great and diligent brother.
Some of the Priesthood Leadership in the District waiting for the meeting to start. (Notice the couple on the 2nd row...) They are from Germany and in charge of audits. Yes, there was Financial Clerk training as well today! (I told you there was a lot going on!)
Brother Erik deMolder and Robert Magnuski, going over Finanical and Audits training. Brother deMolder is from Frankfurt, Germany and oversees all of Poland and many other countries with the financial dealings. He has a huge responsiblity.
A break for lunch was most appreciated. (L to R) Rafal, District Clerk; President Dresler (1st Counselor-District Presidency); Brother Wencel (2nd counselor-Bydgoszcz Branch); Elder Torke (Branch President-Poznan).
Meetings resumed for a few more hours.....and then the Special Events started to take place!

Today in Poland, 4 Investigators were baptized...
This is Anna (WarsawII) who was baptized by her father, Brother Leitner. Elders Garrett and Eastman were the missionaries who taught her.
Bydgoszcz, also, had a baptism...Min! Here he is pictured with Elders Buckner and Nielson. Min is an exceptional young man. And...
We had 2 baptisms in Katowice...Adrian was able to baptize his friends, Patryk and Arek. (L to R) Elder Hillyard, Patryk, Arek, Adrian and Elder Dabrowski. Adrian told his friends about the Church and look what happened. These young men are telling others and it is exciting.

A BIG WELCOME to these 4 new members....they are a great addition to the church here in Poland! Have I mentioned that I love this church? Well, I DO!! And it is so exciting to see the joy and light in the eyes of people we love and care about so much! This church is true...you better believe it!

Friday, May 20, 2011

It's time to go home:(

Well...today's the day to pack and get ready to leave for home. Any parent knows that when you are running around trying to get things done, what does your child want to do?
They want you to do something with them! Riley wanted to play GO FISH! How could Grandma say 'NO'! So we started playing GO FISH. Wouldn't you know that we would end up being in Grandpa's way?
Always thinking ahead, Grandpa was already packing for our next trip! "You're stepping on our cards, Grandpa!"
With everyone packed and ready to go, we had a final group picture out on the balcony in the backyard.
At the Airport....
Riley was excited to show her passport to the ticket agent. If you look closely, you can see that she signed it herself!
One last picture with Grandpa and Grandma....and one last picture with Mom and Grandma.
Yes, the dark glasses are serving a purpose! It was so great to have Devin, Scott and Riley come see us. It was fun to show them around this great country that we love and introduce them to members and missionaries that are dear to our hearts. We can't wait for the rest of the family to come!!! Just let us know!
We want the world to know that the only reason we live so far from our family is because we know with all our hearts that we are on the Lord's errand. He has called us here, and we are happy to serve Him. This church is true. That is why we can leave our family and come half way across the world to tell others that it is! We love the Lord, His church; and we love our family!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

A day in Warsaw!

Our last full day with the Bennetts was spent in Warsaw. While Scott was at the Mission Office helping President download talks and church materials on his computer, Devin, Riley and I decided to run errands....Polish style!
Our first stop was to my favorite laundry lady, Nina. Here she is with her dog, Bubi....Riley wasn't sure she liked him. He kept jumping on her. Hummmmmmm....maybe it had something to do with the peanut butter sandwich she was holding in her hand!
Our next stop was my favorite local market. Here Riley is getting a few things for dinner....and a few things for herself! She loved walking around with the basket picking out the items we needed.
Our last stop of the day was the Cukerania....Pastry and sweet shop. Riley was in charge of picking out a special treat for Grandpa and her dad. She went with the mini chocolate eclairs....good choice!
Now to get everything home! You see, all these shops are located just down the street from the Mission Home. I love that about Poland!
That night after dinner...
...we walked over to the Wilanow Palace. Riley calls it 'Belle's Castle' from Beauty and the Beast! She wanted to tour the inside, but Grandpa had had enough castles for one week! (And it was closed!)
On the way back to the Mission Home, we stopped in for some ice cream at our favorite ice cream shop, E. Wedel's. Kamil, our favorite waiter, joined us for a picture. He really is very friendly!
A nice walk back home, and Riley was put to bed in Poland for the last time!