It was more like 'Wolleyball!'

Last week it was the first ever Polish Mission Grand Prix. This week it was Volleyball and next week if I have my way about it is going to read 'Gone Fishing!' Reading this Blog lately it probably seems like all we do is play. Well, let it be known these missionaries and YSA are hard at their jobs, schooling and callings 6 days a week so it's all good when they can get out and let some energy fly for a couple hours. They need and deserve it.

YSA volleyball was held for an hour at a local Warsaw sports facility yesterday. Guess who is the only one on the court wearing street clothes. It was alright though as I was about the only one who played like the last one chosen on the team. Let's see, the last time I drove a Go-Gart was in Myrtle Beach South Carolina 38 years ago and had the priveledge of being thrown off the track for 'reckless', driving. And my last game of any kind of V-ball was in 66' in Viet-Nam of all places so I have plently of years behind me to formulate my excuses. It surely couldn't be age, thats for sure. However, I was wondering why my body felt like a Mack truck had run over it getting out of bed this morning. Our numbes of Young Single Adults may be few but we did have 16, (including missionaries) out for the games. We are slowly growing and as the school year ends an the Colleges let out for the summer along with the better weather we see our numbers swelling. And thanks to our young leaders, (Kasia G. and her staff) we have some pretty neat events planned for this summer and fall including a trip to a mountain Condo/home which will include some hicking as well as a service project while we are there. Jean and I are gratefull to have the additional calling of working with these special young people who are the life both of this country and the future of our Church.

Everybody won, because we had fun!

So 'go-cart' Saturday finally arrived after a lot of trash talk between the "AA" Team made up of Pres Nielson, Brat Wencel and Elder Richards and the PA's/Office assistants who went by the title of "Man Up", (real original! But on the back of their shirts you will notice their hand scribed challenge to us......"Not Today!" The Advanced Age (AA) team went in with high expectations due to TIG (time in grade) and experience against the boys who had some 'track' time and lot's of bravado. In the end as all of you might guess, we the seniors took it to them with all we had......................and lost! In fact, the best we could get was a 3rd place, (Bronze) medal by Wencel, although he said that because I had blocked him, by some kind of driving error, (most likely, going too slow) he could have gotten into 2nd place easy. So, for our excuses we are using the fact that Pres Stan and I hadn't been on the race way for 20 years, I had a cough/cold and my watery eyes could barely see the track turns, we had slower cars, it was cold, even in our 'Just Do It' t-shirts, and finally that the boys cheated. Most of this isn't with much truth, (except the cold/cough) but it's our story and we are sticking with it. Anyway, with the first ever Poland Mission Go-Cart Grand Prix now behind us and a fine Polish plastic trophy with the winners, (Elder Tribe, 1st, Elder Garrett, 2nd and Elder Wencel) name to be 'engraved' on it, soon will be sitting on the credenza in the President's office. In the meantime we will be thinking in terms of the next big event before we leave the country. Personally, I will be doing some serious training runs on the track with possibly as many as 40-50 visits in order to get my best lap time down by 5 seconds, which this year would have been good enough for 7th, (out of 8) places. We did, in fact have a blast and were supported by the camera cheerleaders, Jean and Sister Judy Nielson until they saw we were a hopeless lot where they quickly changed their allegience to the 'other side' and both our cheering section and the quality of the pictures, (of us) took a turn south. The award ceremoney took place afterwards at a Del Grasio's pizza where 7 extra large pies and one salad fed the all of us. Individual medals and a trophy was presented, even to a young single adult of ours, Dominic who showed up without notice and joined the losing team. All went away feeling it was one good 'P'-day.

I may have done better on this Harley which was on display.

The office Elders, Darowski & Taylor who arrived a little late and were getting anxious to hit the track.

The Ice was Blue, the Eye Black

So out the door for her 6:00 am run-walk and on the return, about a third of a mile from our Flat, down she goes on her annual head-plant that she has come to expect each year. And she always seems to land on the same side so after bleeding all over the place she finds her way home to phone me at the office because it appears that stiches are needed. Gratefully, a doctor we had located recently was only a 5 minute drive away and would be in the office at 8:00 am. Four stiches later we are on our way home. An interesting side note was that as she is trying to pick herself up off the cement-ice, a woman who was right behind her and of course saw the entire event unfold, walked right past her without even any kind of acknowledgement of what took place. Go figure!
The rest of the photos were taken yesterday at our YSA 'Asian Day' activity at our Branch building. A group of about 16 from Warssaw and other cities around the country came in for a day of fellowship, Orgami, Tai Chi, games and of course some good Asian food. A university student from a city to the north, (Poznan) who was working on his Master's program in film came to learn about the young people in the Church and filmed for most of the day. Out the window you will see something on the school building next to the Church that looks like what many of us are unfortunately getting used to these days.......graffiti! Anyway, it was a fun day had by all which ended up at the Saturday night session of District Conference where a visiting Authority from Italy presided. A really nice weekend and its about the only time we get to see someone else, (besides Pres & Sis Nielson) from Las Vegas, Paul and Nola Harber who we have greatly enjoyed getting to know.

Baptisms

Baptisms are most of the time hard to come by for our missionaries especially in a 95% Catholic dominated country. In January, we had a big 'zero' for all of Poland. Then came this past Saturday where at 3:30 FIVE people from the two Warsaw Branches entered the water. A couple in their late 50's, a young black man from Nigeria and a little eight year old who was coming into the Church alone, with her parents permission, but without them.........until it came close to the day when the mother made the most important choice of her life and joined her daughter in the water. It was a remarkable day and one that will long be remembered as not in the past has a single Branch in Poland, (at least in recent years) baptised this many on the same day. So, while we are over half way through the month, the mission is off to a great start and interesting enough, there just may be 4-6 more before we leave February. These numbers in most missions seem very modest but for us here this is huge as for all of last year only about 47 were baptised. Included in the photos are some recent shots of the YSA activity which Jean and I, (mostly Jean) oversee. Also, it should be noted that Jean and I, (mostly Jean, once again) will be starting an advanced English class this next week. She is excited about this assignment as she loves to teach and is, as many of you know a really good and competent teacher.

Baptism refreshments

A Polish Wedding

But first............a couple other photos. One with Jean and I and Elena Floris from the Church finance office in England who paid us a visit, (at my request) to check out my accounting practices beofre we get to far along in the mission. Better to get a 'check ride' early on rather than wait until it's time to depart and learn that everything that's been done is either wrong or at best could have been done in simpler, more efficient ways. She is a real jewel and just a sweet person who gave me lots of good pointers. While here, she, and a young friend, (Ellie) who was here on a mission 8 years ago and who is now teaching at the British School, (Private) and attends our Branch went to dinner nearby at a place called Vilvano. Quite good; pasta, sea bass, pizza and Elena had a nice serving of veal. As it turned out both Ellie, (who was also raised in England) and Elena attended the same Church Ward in the London area some years ago so they had a nice visit catching up on days gone past. The other non-wedding photo, (which was actually taken in the cultural hall at the Branch during the wedding dinner) shows a young family by the name of Shahay. She is from the Salt Lake area and he is from Tennessee and are here serving in the military. He is a Major, (Artillary Branch) here for a year studying the language, culture, Polish military tactics and so on. His mission, should there be one would be for him to act as a resident Polish expert to the US Army. They will return to the states in August where he will pursue an advance degree for a year before being reassigned, possibly Poland again. Wonderful people, with, as you can see two of the sweetest little angel children, Caroline and Emily. And the computer is turned over to Jean for the Polish wedding..............
Here in Poland you have to be married civally first before going to the Temple and then you have to get to the Temple within the week or you have to wait for a year. I'm not sure why. They are the only members of the Church so they were able to ave a regular Polish wedding forst. A Catholic wedding or civally are the only recognized weddings in Poland. So at 1pm, we joined the 2 Polish families and many from the two branches down in the middle of Warsaw at a Government building. We walked up to the third floor to a waiting area which was nicely decorated and then ushered in to a large room which was also very nice and the Magistrate came in. She had a beautiful burgandy robe on with a thich gold medallion with the Polish insignia on it. The couple, Agnieszka and Rafal Pogorzalski, sat in front of her table and she started speaking. She had a beautiful speaking voice and you could tell she had done this many times before. We didn't understand any of it but learned that she gave them counsel on being good citizens, being an asset to the community, having a strong family with good values. Then the marriage vows and that was it. On the way out of the room, branch members and family threw coins on the floor, lots of them and the tradition was for the couple to get down aand pick up all the coins before someone threw more down which someone did. Of course they got to keep the money. Then it was on to the branch for the reception. All the polish people brought beautiful flowers and it is a tradition showing your love and support. At the branch, there was much food as always and entertainment, the blond long hair singer has a very good voice and entertained everyone. He is an entertainer by trade and loves the opportunity to perform. It's wonderful to see a young couple getting married and looking forward to their Temple marriage and then bringing up a strong family in the Church here in Warsaw.

What's New?

Well, after almost 6 months, we got our car. It's a new Opel and the first one of it's kind in the Mission. (It was ordered 2 months before we arrived) Most cars in Poland, (Europe) come with manual transmissions so it takes a while longer as the Church has particular specifications, including automatic. Upon inspecting the trunk area I noticed there was no spare tire, not even a 'baby' tire. Come to find out that next to the fire extinguisher, and first aid kit there is a compressed air pump with a tire valve and a long pull-out cord to inflate your flat tire. Those Germans, (and G. motors)! Also new, thanks to our dear friends the Gaffins from Las Vegas, a goodie box of "essentials" including as you see in the picture cake and brownie mix, chocolate, herbel tea and even a couple 'comfy' blankets and house socks. What a great surprise! Then there was the recent 2 hour train ride that Jean and Sister Nielson to to a town to the southwest by the name of Lodz, (pronounced Wo0dz). They went on Friday morning to vist the other Las Vegas friends serving in Poland, the Harbers who were giving a baby shower for one of their members and who Sister Nielson had known from previous visits.
What an experience, riding a train through the countryside of Poland to a city of Lodz which in times past was the center for famous stars of the entertainment world. there is a street in Lodz which is being renovated to again reflect that era. the city was not totally destroyed during the war but had one of the biggest extermination facilities on the outskirts. It doesn't take much to see evidences of the grim history of Poland.
The train was modern, comfortable and a great way to travel to another city. the roads leave a lot to be desired, 2 lane and crazy drivers. we made it to Lodz, had lunch, did some shopping went to a baby shower and ran for the last train to return back to Warsaw. The other couple over here from LV are in Lodz. He is serving as the branch President and she is busy with everything else. It was a fun LV girl's reunion. On the train back we had our own compartment and a woman joined us. Very classy and sharp. she knew quite a bit if English so we got to know her. she is with television, she writes documentaries for TV and movies. she had a showing in Lodz of her latest documentaries. We actually talked about the Mormon church. she was extremely curious and wanted to know everything about it. So............ we told her.
I should have gotten a picture of the train and the compartment. Next time. all in all it was great fun!!!!!!!

RISING '44, The Battle for Warsaw

"To Warsaw and to all who fight tyranny regardless" The book title by the above name and the authur's opening salute, (Norman Davies). We paid a visit to this remarkable musuem on a cold Saturday recently along with a few other senior couples who were in town for a conference. It was a great depiction of a very sad and painfull time in 1939 as both the Poles and the many Jews struggled to keep their city, even their country. The 3rd Reich of Germany attacks Poland by land, sea and air and yet another world war becomes a reality. The city and surrounding areas went from a population of a million and a half citizens to less than 7,000 who survived and remained in desolation. The memorial is situated on 3 floors and covers the period before the 'Rising,' the event itself where the population rose up to defend its city in a feeble attempt both above and below ground to stem the outbreak by the German soliders. And then afterwards, the Russians, waiting on the outskirts of Warsaw came in and finished off anything and/or anyone left. All the time the West did little to raise a hand of help while taking the position of 'all is lost.' Some beautifully portrayed photos where some made you laugh while most made you cry. If any have seen the Wash. D.C. Holocaust memorial it this all over again only the Poles were slaughtered as well.
The seniors are seen at the Mission Home for a group picture. We have currently 7 couples and 3 senior sisters, more than most missions our size. We had some time to get to know one another, explain our callings and then enjoy a wonderful meal at a nearby resturant which we walked to in order to work up a little appetite. Burrrrrrrrr! (Excuse any typos, Mr. 'spellcheck'is not feeling well tonight)