TWO WEEKS WORTH!

Welcome from the KeBab capital of the world! So far this is our favorite however there are no less than 500 different ones to try if you could find them. The two workers seen here are standing in front of the 'chicken on the spit' where it is cooked by turning every so often and then just the very outer part is thinly sliced off into a speically prepared pita type flat bread with different kids of ingredients including garlic, cabbage, and hot sauce among other items. They are the best and have found their way on our dinner plate at least weekly. The two young men are from Bangladesh and fix us the 'Missionary Special' which includes melted cheese and a touch of the chicken juice.
Following the food story below is a few photos taken at fireside we had this past Friday featuring Bro. Ryan Millar. He is, as you have concluded the tall one in the pictures, a former BYU graduate who started on the USA gold medal winning team in the 08' Olympics in China. He has actually played in three olympics and will soon begin training for the 2012 games in London. Currently, is playing professionally with one of the better Polish teams where he has a 2 year contract. Further, he has played at this level in Italy and Turkey. They absolutely love their volleyball here, (and throughout all of Europe for that matter) and often play on televison to crowds of 8-10 thousand. He had a wonderful story to tell and kept the young singles and others engrossed for over an hour. The one part that impressed me the most was how, when he was 10 years old he lost his older brother in an auto accident, the divorse of his parents which followed and how his family was torn apart and where he was pretty much left alone to lived in the attic of a friend while he continued his schooling. It was another older brother who got him interested in V-Ball as with his 6'8" height the basketball teams all over the place were wanting him to come and play. He said that in one year he grew 5". But most important was how he made the right choices when his family dissolved by staying in school, off the streets and into sports, where he could have easily gone 'south' since he was mostly unattended to by adults. You can Goggle his name, (ryan Millar) to learn more about him, but let it be know that this is a special young man and a gifted athalete. He and his wife and two young sons live in Alpine, Utah when he is not playing abroad. Jean and I had the priveledge of picking him up at his hotel here in Warsaw after their practice. And of course they were late returning (the snow and Friday night traffic) and we were lost getting there with 'Erma' GPS who was sick and not working, both our cell phones dead and both us having to use the toleta as we were stuck in traffic and snow. Oh, how grateful we are for little prayers of assistance! (At this point, Jean will take over and share some information about the Young Single Adults that we have been called to serve with)
You will see most the YSA in the pictures. We work with them and are with them at least 2-3 nights a week and some Saturdays. They are a great group of the future of the Church in Poland. These YSA all have a story o tell. Kasia who is the short one in the picture with Ryan Millar is the YSA rep. she has a law degree and 2 masters in Law and business. she ia a dynamo and runs on warp speed all the time. her story is too long to tell other than she almost died in delivery as did her mom, mom had ovarian cancer and told to abort or both die anyway. Father had left the family and due to faith and prayer they both survived however mom was in the hospital for months very sick with cancer so Kasio's big brother took care of her. Later they were introduced to the church and Mom and Kasio are dedicated to the Church. I could write pages about each one but it would take too long. They all make great sacrifice to be members of the Church. None of them have cars, they ride public transportation, trams or buses. For some of them, it is over an hour ride and an hour back at least but they come not only for Church but FHE and Institute. They support all the activities.
Interesting thing.... It doesn't matter how small the group is, even if there are only 3, they always have an opening and closing hymn and most always no piano. When they teach a lesson. they teach GREAT lessons. Lots of good discussion.
They arranged the fireside (with our help) and I think it was the biggest thing here in the Church for a long time. Anyway, I love them, they are totally awesome.

WHAT ELSE DO WE DO IN POLAND-------EAT!

To prove it here we are at the Hard Rock Cafe (Warsaw) with Paul and Nola Harber, (Palmyra Ward,Lakes Stake) after a meeting. Don't be deceived by my weight which looks to be about 20 lbs heavier....it's really closer to 30! The Harbers were suspose to be on the same schedule we were coming over but had to delay their departure by a few weeks. He is the Branch Pres in a town calld Lodz, (Woose) and Nola is doing work with the Young Singles among other things. Other photos include some shots taken at the first FHE gathering of the Y. Singles along with more food, of course. I've never eaten as many different kind of cookies and sweets. I know I'm addicted or maybe I always have been but had a mulititude of other things at home to keep me away from this devil food. The couple sitting (and eating) with our YSA leader Kasha is the Irelands who head up the CES calling for Poland. They are from Australia and will be returning in the Spring. The group picture of the Elders and Sister was taken at the Mission Pres. home at lunch break from a training meeting. They were singing a before lunch hymn in the Polish songbook. Absolutely wonderful young men and women. Ask yourself, those of you who didn't serve or who are not members if you at age 19 could leave all you had at home, learned a very difficult foreign language, leave home with two suitcases and come to a country of 95% Catholics and work, day and night searching for people to hear our message. Add to this the weather and very marginal living conditions at times and all of this and more on about $250.00/month. I seriously doubt if I could have done this at that age. The other photos include some of the Warsaw Missionaries also having a 'P' day meal at the 'Cafe'. An unsuspected picture of Jean which shows her "intenseness" and when she she see's that I have included it on the Blog she is very likely to get 'intense' with me. Then the opening of the 'care' package which included some items we found we needed such as Hersheys Chocl sauce, Irish Spring soap, cookie chips and even my Harley-Davidson fleece jacket, among other 'necessities'. Thank goodness for someone at home who can (and does) respond to our needs and wishes and of course Skype which has been really great as we talk to and see the family. Next Saturday, on our Prep day we have set up a go-cart race with Pres Stan and myself against the office Elders and PA's then that afternoon an ice skating outing with the 18-30 year olds. So, if I am unable to Blog next week you will know why.

NewYears Day

I don't know if this is a typical new year's day here in Poland but this photo pretty well describes what our day was like. Washed clothes hanging on the in-home drying rack, Jean, with a good book in her latest reading position and chair and light snow falling outside. All we needed was a warm fire and our doggies. I'm quite sure that this wasn't how it was, however for the Vodka drinking Polish people who for quite a few hours last night setting off some very loud fireworks. At times, I could swear we were right next to live military firing range. Anyway, we beat you in bringing in the new year by 11 hours so we were sound asleep (or at least trying to be) when the Waterford crystel ball dropped on Time Square. We wish each of you a wondereful new year. What more could we ask than to be happy and healthy and at peace with ourselves because we are living Christ centered life. R & J

Christmas at Church & at Home

Christmas this year was meaningful, spiritual quiet and fulfilling. We started off at our apartment listening to the Tab. Choir and opening a few cards and a care package or two from the Mission Pres. and his wife, from Tiffany Orien and a "we need goodies" box sent to us from home by son Kent. Jean got a new, very cool winter coat and I, a new scarf and hat from the world famous tie maker here in Poland, Adams Collection. It was then off to the Branch where we had a great meal of turkey with most of the trimmings. The senior sisters are some of the best cooks in the land, although Jean's mashed potatoes were super even without the usual saurkraut and garlic. After the meal we enjoyed the company of those serving on a mission here in the Warsaw area plus a few invited guests. While most were conversing, I took leave of myself and went to the kitchen where I rolled up the white shirt sleeves and promptly did all the dishes and cooking utensils. (I wanted this on record as it may never happen again!) Afterwards, we returned to our flat, shed the Church clothes and replaced them with some 'comfeys' and settled into watching a DVD which we had of course seen a time or two before. Looking back to a week ago I can reflect a little as to what it was like to be 7500 miles from home and without all the normal Christmas fanfare, costs and other fast-paced events leading up to the day. In a word, it was just wonderful! And the best part about it, aside from the purpose for being here, was that we, Jean and I were together to share in this experience. If this keeps up, before we are done we just might become even better freinds and more in love than we already are, if this is possible. (For those from the LV Stake, you will notice the photo of the 'Las Vegas Connection' of Paul and Nola Harber, and Pres. & Sister Nielson and ourselves.)