The Harbers, Adams Ties and Old Town Warsaw

Paul and Nola Harber from our Stake in Las Vegas and serving here in the city of Lodz were in town where we caught up with them for some good food, a visit to the European famous 'Adams Ties' and a cold walk around the Renyk, (old town Warsaw that was destroyed during the war and now re-built much like it was before being leveled). While we see President and Judy Nielson often it is usually just for a short meeting and/or assignments so it was nice to be with some English speaking friends for a few hours to visit and remember a little about how it was in our 'before Poland' life. Before going to the Mission office for some Church 'business' we stopped at the place that everyone, (at least all of he Missionaries) seems to visit at least once while in-country, Adam's Ties. It is a converted home made into a design and storage/shipping location. (the acutal production facility is located elsewhere in Warsaw) As you head downstairs to the basement area you see possibly 10,000 ties on the racks seperated by every color and pattern imaginable. It is quite a site and if you can't find it here, it can't be found! Therein lies the problem....choosing which one (s) you want. They all come with their famous label and the better ones are made of silk with a cost of around $16.00-$18.00. Then there is the box of 'defects' which are free. I picked out a couple of these as well and could hardly notice the imperfection. It was fun hanging out there on a cold and windy April afternoon and the owners are good friends toward the Church and the missionaries. That evening we ate at a really nice neighborhood resturant called the Villanowa, (pictured) where we had Darada, a wonderful whole fish with head and all, spicy chicken curry and fresh Halibut.....tasty! After experiencing a couple weeks of moderate weather we couldn't catch a break this weekend when we tried to walk around the Renyk . Nonetheless, it didn't stop the ladies from making a purchase of two after which we located this tiny Polish cafe where we got out of the cold and found some of the best Pierogies we have had since arriving here. Ours were the 'Russian'style with potatoes, cabbage and onions inside while the Harbers had spinach and cheese. Of course, we had to top off the meal with some homemade apple pie with vanilla sauce. It actually looked more like an apple crumb cake but tasted great. Finally, before putting our friends back on the train for home we tried to find a couple BMW motorcycle dealerships to see if they had the new touring model in or at least the 1200 GL. No luck, so back to the trains we went where we also took a few photos of this underground, (subway like) boarding station. (Photos) It was quite interesting as there are all sorts of shops and eating places and hundreds of people as it seems that most of the people ride the 'Tram' rather than drive. (also, not everyone here has a car) And the trip by train is a couple hours and by car, it could easily take 3-4 hours to Lodz. So after a Skype to one of our sons and grandaughter, we had a bite, listened to a couple talks from the most recent LDS semi-annual Conference, read a little and called it a night.

"I Hope TheyCall Me On a Mission"....... Our Young Single Adults had a wonderful missionary experience Friday night and Saturday. They wanted to see what a day in the life of a missionary was like, so they and the missionaries plaanned it out. Those that were able to attend were; Domimik Lyzwinski, Kamila Kormaricka, Aleksandra Modzelewska, Emil Marganiec, Nasa Nergui. Friday night the event began. At six pm they gathered at the Mission Home where they first were welcomed by the Mission President, President Stanford Nielson. They became from that moment on as if they were new missionaries just arriving from the airport. After they were welcomed and President Nielson told them what to expect as new missionaries, the tone was set. Dinner that night was the traditional spagetti, garlic bread and salad,and brownies. After eating to their heart's content, there was a fireside where two returned missionaries Elle Hoyland and Korina Wietrak shared their experiences. Elle is from London and served here in Poland and is teaching at the English school and Korina is from Warsaw and served in Russia. We had another returned misssionary in the bunch, Emil Marganiec who served here in Poland. After the fireside, President Nielson interviewed each "new missionary". It was then time for a DVD on missionary work and then time for bed as they would have a full day on Saturday. The next morning they were up at 6:30am and after quick showers and breakfast, it was time for personal study. The missionaries that were going to split with them arrived shortly and joined them in companion study. Before they were on their way out the door, the President went over the white missionary handbook and "Preach My Gospel" with them. The missionaries and the"new Missionaries" spent the day tracking, white boarding, discussions and going from one place to another on public traansportation and going from one end of Warsaw for appointments and discussions. Much of the time they were on foot. We had them meet at the Branch at 4:30pm for Testimony meeting and pizza which is as popular here as it is in the United States. They all agreed that it had been a spectacular day and they were dead tired. They had a new appreciation for the missionaries and their hard work and dedication. The pictures start from the beginning of the experience to the end with pizza and one very tired new missionaary.

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.