More Pictures, Less Talk

So, a big hello to all who are following our Blog. We hope you are all well, happy and comfortable as we approach the Thanksgiving week which as you might guess is not celebrated here in Poland. Anyway, the pictures this week include our new Mission Office, (we're on the 2nd floor) and wouldn't you know it the Las Vegas Tavern is nearly next door and is open 24 hours....of course! Inside the office is Secretary General Richards, (sister, in my chair) and two of our sweet sisters who were hard at work when I caught this photo making a paper mache snowman while waiting for some travel money for the train back to their area. (sisters Brown and LeFevre) Then on a foggy morning the front and rear of our apartment complex. And finally, a shot of our 'memories from home', on our credenza, the boys and the G. children and new to our Fridge is a collage made by the Richards/Spear family and two recent pictures of Shaun and Maggie Richards, which was sent by mail, (our first envelope!) which made our week.
One brief story story of interest. In our small Branch there is a couple about to marry. They live in a small town where there is no LDS Chapel so they have to drive 100 miles, (not kilometers) each way to come to Church. And if this is not bad enough most of the roads are just short of an accident, especially in the country so this is at least 4-5 hours one way. So for them to get nmarried in Poland, first they must have a civil marriage, then if they choose to marry in the Temple they must do so within 5 days or wait one (1) year to re-apply. Since she is Russian and from Kiev this is where they will drive to, (about 7 hours) right after their civil ceremony to get their Temple marriage. They met, oddly enough a few years ago as both were then living in Warsaw and went on a Temple excursion to do Batisims not knowing each other.....until they happened to meet on the Temple grounds in Germany. And now you know the rest of the story....... It's interesting how we often don't realize how good, (comfortable) we have it until you see the sacrifice and how rough some people throughout the globe, both in and out of the Church have it to find what they want, need or are looking for. Most, these days can drive across town to the Ward or Temple where here this couple have to journey 200 miles to attend the Branch meetings where 20-30 people currently attend. We drive into the Branch 10 minutes before the meetings begin and see maybe all of 4-5 cars in the parking area. Then you start to see both members, investigators and missionaries walking towards the Church from different directions having just got off the train or bus. Until next Sunday............Blessings!