Interviewing Warsaw I with a few surprises!

We woke up this morning to.....

SNOW!!!!  I have come to love beautiful, clean white snow! The above picture is our backyard where many BBQ's took place....but not today!

Our backyard lights (with their snow hats) always make me smile. And they are a great way to measure the snowfall.

This morning President needs to interview the Missionaries in the Warsaw I Branch. As we pull up to the chapel, we find that people are hard at work already.  The snow has been shoveled and...

...we've got some 'remodeling' being done inside!  A painting machine set up in the kitchen????

The hall near the Family History Center has been taped off and plastic covers the doors....

The entire building is getting repainted.  Instead of the "yellow" it will be a more tan color throughout the interior.

Brother Jarosz took over to make sure things were done correctly.  Like I have said before-  he does everything.  Following this he joined President in another room for their Mission Presidency meeting.  President Wencel was here along with Elder Jensen.

Meanwhile, in another part of the chapel, President Nielson and Pavel (FM-Facility Maintenance coordinator from Czech Republic) discuss the leak that we have had for a long time.  If you have been to this building in the winter or during a rainy period, you know where this is.  Hopefully a new project will start in the Spring to correct the roof and stop this problem.

The ceiling in the chapel may be getting a new look soon!  The individual lights that hang down will be replaced with a more LDS Chapel approved light fixture.  This will certainly add to the beauty of this chapel.   With all this remodeling going on in the Wolska Chapel, we almost forgot why we came....

....the BEST part-  to interview these great Missionaries serving in the Warsaw I Branch.  (LtoR):  Elders Dopp (Zone Leader), Baranowski, Van Bakel (Zone Leader), Manwill (District Leader), Saltmarsh, Vernon. Sisters Allen and Sheahan. Elder and Sister Jensen (YSA-Warsaw).
It was rather a productive day despite the snow and the cold weather.  Tomorrow more interviews in Katowice...

Our (former) Missionaries at the Temple!

Our former Missionaries know that there is no better place we would love to see them than at the temple! Here are some you may recognize....Ethan, Cameron, Taylor and Troy.  All standing in front of the Provo Temple.  Two sets of roommates doing those things they know will keep them close to the Lord and to the spirit. We love these guys (and ALL our missionaries!)  We wish you the best as a new semester starts. Keep the mission in your prayers......there is power in prayer!

Interview trips start....January 12, 2013

 Believe it or not, our interview trips have gotten SO MUCH easier because of signs like this:

                                       
 We love big, bright blue signs; because that translates to: BIG NICE FREEWAY AHEAD! (On the left is the old way to Lodz and Poznan.....on the right is the new way via A2.  On a snowy day like today, the NEW HIGHWAYS are so welcomed.

It wasn't even a choice....you ALWAYS follow the big blue signs!

 So over the bridge(s) we went! The only 'downside' to the new A2 freeway is the toll booths....of which there are many.....

....and they keep building more!  This is one that will be operating sometime in the future.  Another interesting thing is the Toll prices change for time to time.  But it is worth it not to get stuck behind great big (slow) trucks that you struggle to pass.  

 Our first stop was Lodz (which is now only an hour and 15 minute drive for us from the Mission Home!) We met up with these 4 great Elders: Elders Skolmoski, Z.Smith, J.Smith and Jespersen who are doing such great things.  These are dedicated and hard working missionaries.  They are all relatively new in the country.  Time in Poland- Elders Skolmoski and Jespersen just over 6 months, Elder Z. Smith just over 2 months and Elder J. Smith three weeks.  So the interviews with President starts...

In between interviews, pizza was ordered....The above shows the picture of the number of slices eaten....so far!

After some great interviews with the Lodz Elders, it was on to Poznan.....yes, still on the A2!

The rynek at Poznan...even though Christmas is over, decorations stay up for sometime afterwards. They are still beautiful.

 Meeting the Poznan Elders (Stockford and Tingey) at a local restaurant for dinner. It was nice to visit with these good Elders.....who, by the way, were back proselyting by 6:00 pm as per the Missionary White Handbook!  They both have not been in Poland that long- Elder Tingey just over 4 months and Elder Stockford just over 2 months.  They are tremendous.  They are teaching some incredible people who we hope will have a desire to follow the example of their Savior and be baptized.  It was a little chilly out tonight.

 Meanwhile, after dinner, I was able to accompany our Poznan Sisters (Bezdjian and Bown) on a lesson.  Sisters Bezdjian and Bown really know how to do missionary work- they are incredible. We met at Jola's house and we were teaching Regina. Talking about the Plan of Salvation, many great questions were asked and answered. Jola and Regina are great friends....Regina is reading and praying about the Book of Mormon to find out if it is true for herself. Her son, Wiktor, is serving a mission in Detroit and will be very pleased to hear this.

We were able to attend the Poznan Branch for Church Sunday. President Nielson had a most important interview. Marta's missionary papers are being turned in. She is SO excited to serve the Lord in this capacity. She is a wonderful teacher and will be a great missionary. We will let you know where she will be called to serve! We love you, and we are very proud of you, Marta!  She will be our 7th missionary from Poland who is currently in the field.

Zone Training Meeting (Warsaw I & II)

Throughout the mission today, we are holding Zone Training.  This happens the week following Zone Leader Council.  What was discussed and plans made in that meeting are then taken out to the mission in District Meeting...only it is taught by the Zone Leaders.

The Warsaw I and Warsaw II Districts were together on this cold day in the Wolska Chapel.

Elders Rogers and Pofelski (serving in Bialystok), Sisters Sheahan and Allen (Warsaw I), Elders Manwill (District Leader) and Baranowski (Warsaw I), Elders Walter and Register (Office Elders) and our Assistants.

Elders Rittmanic and Peacock(serving in Lublin), Elders Kotter and Wilson (District Leader Warsaw II), Sisters Packard and Young (Warsaw II), and Elders Vernon and Saltmarsh (Warsaw I).

Elder Dopp (Warsaw Zone Leader) led the discussion of what we read from the Book of Mormon today- 1 Nephi 18. As taught in Zone Leader Council, we talked about the 4 groups in Lehi's dream and what separated Group 3 from the others.  He did a wonderful job of teaching and having everyone involved.  His companion, Elder Van Bakel, is doing the same thing today in Lodz with the Elders there.

Part of the great Warsaw I Elders: Elders Manwill, Baranowski, Saltmarsh and Vernon. Following a great meeting they are anxious to get back to work and talk with everyone.

Our wonderful Warsaw Sisters: Sisters Young, Packard, Sheahan and Allen.  They can do everything and are great missionaries.  We are so blessed to have them all in Poland.  It's Wednesday, and they all teach English classes in the various Branches beginning at 4pm so everyone can be out during Prime Proselyting Time...6:00-9:00pm nightly.

Our Bialystok Elders (Elders Rogers and Pofelski) are heading to the train station while the Office Elders (Elders Walter and Register) are running errands for Residence Cards.  Elder Roger received a package from home which always makes a missionary happy.

Walking back into the Wolska chapel, I found Brother Rzeczycki in the library. I caught him in the act! He has found a need, and he is going to take care of it. Thank you for cleaning and organizing the library! 

The day was only beginning.  President Jarosz was showing up for the afternoon meeting the Mission Presidency was holding.  There is much to plan for with District Conferences in March and April. But first is the Mission District Conference with Szczecin and Gdansk in February which will be held in Bydgoszcz (half-way point).

Leadership Training Meeting....January 8, 2013

Leadership Training Meeting was held in Warsaw with Assistants, Zone Leaders, District Leaders, and a few Senior and Junior companions.  This is a semi-annual meeting where President and the Assistants train in responsibilities and "the righteous traditions of the fathers".

Top row: (LtoR): Elders Tingey (DL-Poznan), Neuner (Kielce), Gudnason (ZL- Bydgoszcz), Tiner (ZL- Bydgoszcz), Manwill (DL- Warsaw I), Skolmoski (Lodz), Van Bakel (ZL- Warsaw) and Dopp (ZL- Warsaw).  Middle row: (LtoR): Elders Baranowski (Warsaw I), Bokinsky (DL- Katowice), Vernon (Warsaw I), Wilson (DL- Warsaw II), Hayes (ZL- Katowice), Rittmanic (Lublin), Zelezniak (DL- Gdansk), Cieslak (DL- Szczecin), Jespersen (DL- Lodz) and Szymanski (DL- Krakow). Seated: (LtoR)  Elders Garfield (DL-Wroclaw), Jensen (Assistant), Mikloyski (Assistant) and Weir (Wroclaw).

President Nielson always makes sure he arrives in plenty of time to get everything set up for the meeting. It takes a lot of time and effort to get these leaders in one spot in such a large country, so every minute President has with them is important.

All Elders are here and accounted for....and on time! The trains and tramwajs were working with us today! After some great instruction from President Nielson and the Assistants, everyone was ready for a break.

Lunchtime! I have found that it doesn't matter how much you make....they can always eat more.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and...

...visiting with one another.

There's probably one mother looking over the group that can't find her son....

Elder Raines, our Bydgoszcz District Leader, showed up to the training meeting with the flu.We quickly isolated him, made him comfortable and he was 'out like a light'. Sister Raines....it's only a 24-hour bug. We are sure that Elder Raines will be back to missionary work soon....because that's the kind of Elder he is.

What a great day.  We are so proud of these Elders.  They are serving the Lord so faithfully.  They understand how important it is to lead by example.  They strive to Look the part,  Act the part and most important Be the part.  They are the examples to the mission, the members and to the people of Poland.

This weeks baptisms in Poland...January 5, 2013.

Saturday, we were pleased to welcome into the Church 2 new members.

 Adam was baptized by President Cielinski, the Wroclaw Branch President; he was taught by Elders Garfield and Weir and....

 Grzegorz was baptized by Brother Netto, the Elders Quorum President of the Warsaw II Branch.  He was taught by our Assistants- Elders Jensen and Mikolyski.  We welcome these two great men into the Church and look forward to getting to know them better.

After the baptism, President Nielson was able to interview Jeanne, a member of the Warsaw II Branch, who is getting ready to attend the temple.  It's great to see our members in white...first, at their baptism and second, when they go to the temple. Baptisms always make for a good day...and it was a good day today! I love this church, and I love this work. It is all true!

Senior Missionary Training

We were able to bring in our Senior Missionary Couples for a two day training session. It was so great to get together and hear of the wonderful things these great missionaries are doing.

We gathered in the Mission Home: (LtoR) Elders and Sisters Jensen (YSA's Warsaw), Reed (Poznan), Lloyd (Lodz), Hutchinson (Katowice), Peck (Mission Office) and Sheley (Wroclaw).

The first night was reserved for visiting and getting acquainted.  President and I found out that we have the most accomplished and talented group of Senior Missionaries anywhere.

Helping in the kitchen (as always) were Sisters Lloyd, Hutchinson, Jensen and Peck.
The Elders were in the living room preparing for our instruction and sharing of ideas.  Elders Hutchinson, Peck, Lloyd, Reed, Jensen and Sheley.

President went over our Theme and focus: "Building and Sustaining Real Growth in Poland".  Each Senior Couple took 20 minutes and told of the wonderful things they are involved with and doing in their specific assignments and branches.

It was a great two days of learning and growing from each other.  Being in the Mission Home together was a great treat for President and I.  We also held one of our my favorite meetings...testimony meeting... that was just what I needed (and I think everyone would say the same).
The next morning after breakfast we headed downtown.

We got parked and saw one of the things that all Senior Couples avoid.  The parking police who place these things on your car if you forget to pay for a parking ticket.  These are bad things to find attached to your wheel...

Visiting Saski Park where President Kimball dedicated the country of Poland for the preaching of the gospel in 1977.  This is where that great occasion occurred.

Close by is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  We saw the changing of the guards as this happens on the hour.

 

We then headed over to Nowy Swiat for the next part of our training.  This is the first building the Church met in.  It is still used today as the missionaries invite investigators to meet here and listen to their lessons.

This is such a wonderful place.  President tries to use Nowy Swiat a couple of times a year for training and councils.  Tonight the weather was perfect (a little chilly but still perfect).

After the training tonight, it was off for dinner (traditional Polish Pierogi) and a stroll through the Rynek area.  Most of the snow has melted and it was a good night to just walk...especially since the Christmas lights were still up!

The following morning after breakfast we fixed snack lunches and departed.  Some went to the Uprising Museum, caught trains for back home or attended a baptism at the Wolska Chapel.  It was such great training.  I come away from these meeting so excited to do more.  These Senior Couples add so much to our Mission.  These current missionaries are just outstanding as have been all of our Senior Couples that President and I have so been blessed to serve with.  We love and appreciate them.  We are so grateful that their families have let them leave home and come to Poland to serve.  We thank you, also!