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.
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Saturday, March 7, 2020
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.
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