Thanks again

August 29, so long since the last update from here. And here it's already time for Thanksgiving.

It's not that nothing has happened, it's that the things that have happened are mostly the same things and once expressed, novelty is over and interest is questionable.

The restrictions resulting from the pandemic being global, we can only share how it has affected us as missionaries in Poland. I've mentioned that our fellow servants have dwindled monthly and in two weeks we say goodbye to 5 more great young missionaries and 2 great old missionaries. That'll decimate us to 16 plus 8, down from the complement of 46 and 12. Not a big mission even with a full roster, but the difference is drastic. Small branches of 4 or 6 members that are used to the support of 4 or 6 missionaries now have at most 2, even 0.

The reduction in force brings that kind of challenges, but missionary finding and teaching is experiencing a Covid wave.

The day after October General Conference 2018 is the day we entered the MTC in Provo. Another October conference we watched in Gdańsk. The most recent we watched from our apartment in Warsaw. The two previous both seem like last week or a life ago. Two reassignments divide our memories like yellow and blue recycle bins as if decades, yet all end up in the same heap.

Zone Conference day was an hourly progression on repentance. Sister and President Chandler called us each to deeper introspection and higher faith. A full day spent with no other purpose. The results were private but apparent. At 1:00 AM Warsaw time, Jean got spammed with one email then another dinging her mobile. Blurry-eyed checking what the phone was going on about, she read Reassignment, Missionary called to Poland but serving in the US. Another, and another until 17 in the mission inbox. There's now12 Elders and 5 Sisters waiting out their 14 days at the England MTC, scheduled to land in Poland Friday after Thanksgiving. 5 more scheduled for December. A math whiz can see there are more new missionaries than old who can show them the Polish ropes. Some will have twins. These are not all new missionaries, they have been faithfully serving and waiting in their respective temporary assignments, some for almost half their mission life. All hands on deck here as we prepare for this infusion. They're getting daily doses of all the zone conferences they've missed and a chance to work with the older missionaries one-on-one finding and teaching people in Poland in Polish. Repent and He immediately blesses you (so said King Benjamin and so say all of us).

***

My birthday remembered by the office Elders. Exceptionally weather highlighting the view at my desk.

Our favorite hotel when inspecting missionary apartments in Kraków

A bridge that's stood for 8 centuries. On a tram once I stood for 8 minutes.

Try to picture the scale by comparing the altar and the stained glass.

Enjoyed a "senior" conference at the 1231 Hotel, named for its history, with some old timers. 

From the back: Miskins (Syracuse), Johnsons (Parowan), Pres & Sister Chandler (N. Carolina), Southards (Queen Creek), Womacks missing because of Covid (Vancouver WA)

Poland mission

This answers are we still on our mission.

To 2/2/21, God willing.

Poland continues to provide unfamiliar photogenic streets in every city. 

Unassuming and unexpected places have almost become commonplace.

We visited the pair of sister missionaries holding the fort at Lublin. 

The Vistula has been the most important waterway for centuries, running through large cities from the south to the Baltic north. 

Warsaw centrum from this frequently crossed bridge shows the expanse to our part of the city.

After isolation, our president decided wisely that a summer mission-wide conference would provide needed rejuvenation. 

This is all of us, 25 young and 10 old called to invite 38 million. Yet undaunted. 

We often have occasion to be at the Warsaw chapel, situated on the opposite side of the city. 

One pleasant evening walking out with the assistants.

 

 Happened upon this salon with an appropriate name for Sister Bridge, known for cutting hair at the end of monthly mission funds.

What typical 18 and 19 year-old boys do when waiting to catch their 4-hour train ride home by twos. Face planted in their phone.

This scene outside the Warsaw chapel captures the unwinding of two days of hard playing and intense learning and renewing friendships with people they're closely connected to but separated from.

What is not seen is that each is typing a message, having another verify each word and its reply, and thus conversing about how God's plan has affected them personally and how it can also the person they only just met through Facebook.

Summer of '20

It's been a cool summer, not only because of the unseasonable temperatures.

A sure sign there's not much to talk about is when the weather becomes the topic. And here I am leading with it. Thus, life seems pretty routine, though we continue to have new and old experiences with new and old places and people.

Places are easiest to write about, no concern for concealing identities. Photos also tell much of their own story, so...

The city of Rzeszów is away on its own toward the border with Ukraine. The sun broke through dark clouds long enough for us to enjoy lunch on the square with the two Elders there.

Signs near home pointing the way to a city called Calvary Hill have intrigued for some time. We discovered it was only 30 km and were rewarded on p-day with a view of this very old castle with battlements. Pushing on down a dead-end dirt road seeking an ever better vantage, at length ended in somebody's front yard. Before they or their dog could chase us off, we snapped this.

The Warsaw Sisters have found and taught a young lady online whose city is a couple of hours out of the city. We were lucky to take them to see her in person for the first time. 

The details of the facade hold some mystery of what its pre-dilapidation housed. 

With 30 years of economic recovery, many old buildings have been restored or replaced, but in smaller cities relics hang about.

Happy missionaries beaming after sharing the gospel of love with a receptive receiver.

Could also be titled "I don't want anything, just a small cone, but let me see if I like what you got."

A rare moment of reprieve for our mission leaders, the Chandlers. They invited the other seven Warsaw missionaries and us for a good ol' American kiełbasa and teriyaki chicken 4th of July BBQ at the mission home.

Jean's healthy (and awesome!) idea to get bikes for the summer. A member fixed these old-timers up for us. We've since replaced the pilfered grocery baskets with some less, um, eye-catching.

Just a 3 km ride to the mission office each day is made just as quick as increasing our carbon footprint. Add the incentive of acceleration to beat the downpour cued each evening by our mounting up for the return.

Fortuitous signage: 

Mostowa=Bridge

Ulica Mostowa=Bridge Street

Labeling the Most lovely companion.

(Blue and white pointer, not related:

Zabytek=Relic)

Goodbye May

Items of interest are elusive at the moment. Weather good or bad is the most interesting bit of news. 

Mothers' Day blessed us with each of our children wishing their mom the best in person. Their love and connection allow us to be close to them 8 time zones away, not just on special days, but sometimes even more often than when nearby. We see how we all are blessed.

Here we've been focused on getting finishing missionaries home. Air travel is still restricted in and out of Poland so scheduling the old way is pointless since flights cancel unexpectedly. Special flights from Warsaw to Chicago have been arranged from time to time through the embassy. We got a group of five sisters on the flight this week and if Facebook is true, they arrived all smiles at their destinations yesterday. The bitter of goodbye mixes with the sweet of young people who've matured years completing faithful service. Joy goes along to those who receive them. 

The lack of incoming traffic is making our small mission even smaller. The work does not diminish. We will be attending a baptism this evening. We attended two others this week. Several more will follow Christ's example in the coming weeks. Mid-year begins with more ordinances than occurred in a year, for several years. Prepared people are connecting with the missionaries. Four or five or more are added to a companionship's list of new people to teach each week. Months ago they had goals to get 1 new person to teach during a transfer (2 months). All this finding and teaching is happening online, a skill they added only as the year ended. It's His work and He knew it.

***

Country scene that could just as easily be in Alberta, eh?

This un-retouched photo shows downtown Warsaw in the distance when a stormy evening sky transformed to the canvas for the blazing sun 

For our James's birthday today, this card on the rack at the post office sends the message right

Time enough

Like you, I wish I had something more to write than that things are about the same. On the other hand, I'm glad that I don't have some tragedy or trauma to report. So, I amend that and say that we are blessed to have nothing more to write.

For us, and probably for you, this time of restricted movement has afforded us the ability to pursue some of those things that we'd love to "if we could find the time." Actually, it's not that we have nothing to do, but somehow we're able to focus on more timeless things. Those that come first to mind divide into two categories: reading and writing.

How lucky to learn new things and have less excuses for getting to those that have held an interest for a long time. There is a lifetime of reading and learning to be had and we now have time to chip away at the stacks. We've opened up fountains not only from C. S. Lewis, but also from his guide George MacDonald, from inspired authors, from people who saw the Christ, and let's not exclude a new look at Nineteen-Eighty-Four. Taking time to really ponder, instead of pushing for a timed goal, and to immerse ourselves in holy writ opens constantly new vistas as well as produces peace.

With the two young elders (fortuitous juxtaposition) and sometimes our MP at the office we take turns to share a thought each morning. It's simple, it's short, each day one shares uninterrupted, and in those few moments we gain a new perspective hidden to us before. It also makes sharing between us companions more natural and easy. Amazing how something so simple allows all to be edified by all.

Writing things down is another endeavor that lacks some of the former excuses. Jean applied the ideas in a very simple hour-long method for getting a start on writing about yourself. She has used that same hour each day to do more with what she started. Me? I'm gonna do it! I said I am! Gosh!

***

We have a virtual mission devotional at the end of each day. At times others outside our mission join to share their expertise and life experience. People have compelling stories if asked. This week we were uplifted by JTM (James The Mormon). No music. He shared openly about his life. He's shared it elsewhere I'm told. He talked about his eventual turning and what brings joy. It edified because it was real and not self-promoting, but nonetheless solid. During the Q&A someone asked about him being a rapper. With an imperceptible grimace, as if anticipating the question, he turned his head downward. He answered, "That's just one very small part of me. It's something I like to do, but it's not who I am. It's like if you happen to like hiking and everybody introduces you as 'This is James, he's a hiker.'"

***

It was honestly refreshing to get out and do some "real" work this week 

when we got to help a young mother move.

Some of the great young elders and sisters.

We break in the office occasionally for a hand of Dalmuti.

You aren't playing it right without Jean's authentic king and peon accessories.

One of the useful bridges in Warsaw.

Quiet & Peace

We can't tell you anything new about the state of adjustment we are all in. Like you, we wonder what changes will be permanent. Will social distance be the reality that TSA has become? 

Will we eat at home more. 

Will we go to the store less often. 

Will we connect with those we care about most.

For our part, we are happy and healthy and hanging in Poland. 

Our little mission doesn't have the challenge of sending out hundreds of missionaries, but with no commercial travel we've worked every angle to get our six returning young ones home this week, the first leaving Sunday, the last finishing his boondoggle to northern Italy just hours ago. It's been a marathon of stress for us in the office. Makes us so happy to see each of their pictures in the arms of their families.

We had the joy of being two of the 5-person limit attending a baptism live, others connecting via technology. A young mother with specific challenges that would be hard to imagine. I don't know if those are why, but I know this, she is very humble and kind. Next day she asked if others had a similar experience to hers: After getting out of the font she was cold, as cold as ever in Winter, but she didn't feel the usual anxiety about the cold making her sick. She felt warm—not physically.  

Another day she explained that a heavy burden or shadow that has always been over her life is somehow gone. 

Though her trials likely will not end, she has peace.

The relatively large gathering we enjoyed on our first no-church-meetings Sunday is now history. We worshiped that time with the mission president's family. The living room became the chapel, the coffee table became the sacrament table, the Spirit became tangible. Five investigators (can't say that anymore), potentials, (no), friends experienced that spirit with us. One responded to How did you like the meeting with "When the missionaries first met with me a year ago I felt a fire inside. I felt that same fire for 30 minutes today." Two weeks later we watched his baptismal service remotely. 

Won't get to be in this setting again for a while.

3 people per cash register in the store. This was the third store we tried. Our piece of tape marking off 1.5 meters of space was number 120 before winding back around to the entry you see in the background. Gave up. We'll risk it with the TP we've got.

Quiet center court of our apartment complex.

Metamorphoses of cOvid

This is to fill the gap if there have been 5 minutes since you last heard or read about COVID-19.

We woke early Friday morning to an email from dear Bishop Patten of the dear Provo Canyon Ward telling us that they had secured two great house options for us to quarantine in and arranged for our care and feeding for 2 to 4 weeks.

What affected us most, after the initial shock of our imminent departure, was that people in the ward had spent the previous day arranging all this on our behalf while we obliviously and selfishly fretted about events in front of us, thousands of miles away.

What a feeling of love we still feel from that expression of kindness.

That began 24 hrs on a teeter-totter.

Our president confirmed from the area presidency that it was for real. He plead to have at least the office couple stay. He pointed out that at least we do not fit the high-risk age demographic. They granted our staying but the other four couples had to pack and be ready to go in 48 hours. They were not happy, we were sad for them while happy for ourselves, a lot of mixed emotions. Late that night we were still with the president and wife and we had not received any info about flights for the four couples. We sent inquiries, then finally got word that Poland was not one of the 22 missions in Europe (of 26) under that requirement. All senior missionaries in Poland will stay. Huge relief for everybody. Sadness for the missionaries around Europe who are probably home now, but isolated.

Today we await the next news drop. Other missions are keeping their office couples. All flights in and out of Poland are cancelled. Missionaries scheduled to return home in 3 weeks don't know when. Missionaries to Poland in the MTC now might be reassigned. Senior missionaries in Poland might have to go if the virus escalates. "Dogs and cats, living together—mass hysteria!"*

Thanks to all for reading and for your concern for us.

Sorry this is not a well-crafted entry, but we want you to know we're doing great. We're healthy, happy, loved, and peaceful.


(couldn't even find a good bridge picture, sorry)

*If you don't recognize that quote, here's a hint, it was the movie of our first date.

Been here

There's nothing you can show us that we haven't seen already. March 7th? We've seen it. Easter Saturday and Sunday AND Monday? Seen 'em. Independence Day? Yup. We were here. So, yeah, we've pretty much seen all of them: days of the year in Poland.

One year ago March fifth was our wide-eyed arrival at the Frederic Chopin airport. So enthusiastic to see Poland we left our luggage behind the security gate and walked right out the door. More wonder as we drove the four hours across beautiful greening country to our new home in Gdańsk. It was love at first site.

The lifestyle adjustments have been mostly painless and broadening. Should we feel bad we got off easy? Then the nagging deficiency in communication rears and drops a ton-weight of humility. That never goes away.

Every day brings a new adventure in culture, opportunity in newness, challenge in people, growth in understanding, insight in the Plan.

Most indelible from the year are four Baptisms we got to participate in—three in the Baltic. The relationships from those burn bright in our memories. The members of the small branch, YSA all over the country, the coming and going of exceptional missionaries, the charitable friends burn our hearts no less.

A significant memory didn't take place in Poland at all, of course that was our return home exactly one year from the MTC to celebrate Tip+Katelyn and our four becoming eight, plus 1 and to be a short while with beloved family before re-engaging with the Poles.

Moving from Gdańsk to Warsaw was a shaking-up way to start the new year, and maybe we'll get through this next one (11 months!) alive and we'll have twice as many days on the calendar to remember. Thanks for watching with us.

First day and first of many bridges spotted 

The green open fields showing the promise of Spring

The view is now less green-lush and more gray-urban and non-stop

Experience

Waiting for a delivery that has missed us four times while my companion is setting up the zone conference food without me (in trouble), after the most pressing payments to missionaries, the bills, the report of car damage, the broken printer, now I have one moment, then I'll run (of course not "run") across town to the chapel. This writing is the result of that spare time.

***

For some reason it's simpler to speak to a sacrament meeting of 10 than 100. Maybe because you are trying to reach one person as you prepare your thoughts and it's easier to pick your intent.

Jean highlighted the immediate effects of the atonement. "We can do this!" in the deific "we" provides the hope and the power to press on. Experiences taught us that.

Despite the mundane important unending busy work, we get blessed with new experiences with new people all the time. We were with the elders this week when a lady chose to follow Christ. We got to pray in Finnish with her.

Baptism is a once in a lifetime choice, other major events happen a few times in life that compel us to make a choice, we're reminded every six months how to correct our path, we reflect once a week on Christ's sacrifice and its purpose to improve our lives, we read daily for direction from the words of those who knew, we pray more than daily to know how to proceed, in each moment we choose to follow the good vs the bad.

If we ever get that figured out, I think we'll be OK.

***

 Just an interesting old building

The view from our front room window. 

The person walking outside the fence and the steps leading to it hopefully give its scale.

I think they were going for Lothal Jedi temple, maybe in the Socialist Realism genre.

Rainbow bridge

Reminders

To you:

Thanks for showing up. 

Thanks for doing what you can and a little more. 

Thanks for caring.

Thanks for feeling bad after your emotions get the best of you.

Thanks for waiting your turn.

To me:

Remember this wisdom from one who lived it:

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."

— Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu (Mother Teresa)

***

We orientationated, no, orientated, no, oriented our first new missionaries this week on our own. The Johnsons (Parowan, UT) arrived Tuesday and got the benefit of our overloading them with a bunch of (probably wrong) information. They're now settled in the lovely Gdańsk and it appears they made it through their first week. On Tuesday we'll meet six more exceptional young people beginning their service in Poland and they'll meet their trainers who are as excited as expectant parents.

***

A lady from Finland living here accepted the missionaries' invitation to attend church today. We remembered a few words of Finnish, but as luck, or the Lord would have it, there happened to be another Finnish lady, a member, passing through Warsaw, attending today also. What are the odds?

***

We hope you remember that we know the Church is true, the Book is blue, and we Love you.

 A pretty little city we happened upon where we stopped for fuel

Christmas lights are still on

In case you forgot what a bridge looks like

New year, new outlook

This is the fourth time I've sat down to type. If you've been looking for some indicator that we yet live, I'm sorry. We do.

We made the transition from Gdańsk to Warszawa at last, and tonight in our apartment we feel we can actually say we "live" in Warsaw. We've had stuff scattered in three places for the past six weeks so this marks us landing.

***

We had the joy of another Gdańsk baptism this weekend, not in the sea, but in the only church font in Poland, which is in Warsaw. Adam decided to be baptized after seeing the font last month. Tonight we returned from his confirmation in sacrament meeting in Gdańsk. What joy as he witnessed that he has been looking for God since he was a child, and it turned out, God was always with him, he just didn't know it. As soon as he read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon he knew it was the word of God and it would help him be a better person. The opposition of family and friends has solidified his resolve and faith.

***

We have been saying goodbye these weeks to the beloved Małachowskis who returned to England last week after their mission in the office. The large hole they left is now filled with us. For our part, we get to be uplifted daily by interacting with all the missionaries in the country as well as with our President and Sister Chandler. Though it's hard to explain the special relationship with the young missionaries when it's only you and them in a remote city.

I've said before, change is part of missionary life, and we've got sufficient of it. There's been lots of doings, but you'll have to take my word on that cuz I ain't writing any more tonight or there will be a fifth time starting with no finish. 

***

Let's see what pictures we've got...

 I've documented the seasons weekly from our Gdańsk apartment balcony. 

For the first time this winter there was snow. It came on December 28! 

(It was gone on the 29th)

One of the many people who love Jean. 

New Year's Eve was freezing, but required one last visit to the sea. 

"Bro, I thought you were gonna be in the 3 Kings parade."

"Yeah, didn't you see the camels?"

"I saw one camel. Were you on the camel??"

"Eh, not exactly... I was a camel's rear hump."

"Oh."

 For ten months, every Saturday we were at the home of Ola cutting mountains of onions and other savory fare to go into the soup cauldron. Ola noticed that I always went for this knife out of the dozens. She began setting it aside for me. As we said goodbye, she made a precious gift of it.

Our first Saturday away, there the knife sat. Ready to work.