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.

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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!

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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.'"

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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.