From Starszy and Siostra Reed to all our blog readers
There are few things in life more fulfilling, satisfying or exciting than bringing the true gospel of Jesus Christ to his sheep around the world. Our testimonies of the Savior and the doctrines of the gospel have been deepened into our souls, and we are grateful for this opportunity to love and to teach the wonderful people in Poland. People throughout the world have a longing to know the purpose of life here on earth, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has the answers to these questions. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and we know that it is only through Him that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven once again. Some day all will know that Jesus is the Christ, and we feel blessed to be His messengers as we prepare for His return. Come unto Christ is the clarion call to the world.
After our “Linger Longer” on Sunday we had Teacher Training. Sister Reed addressed the topic of lesson preparation and then taught a demo lesson in which the teachers participated and observed. Teaching is new to most of the members, so we will have this training periodically during the year. All were invited, but some of the members weren’t at church that day and some couldn’t stay for the extra meeting. Our investigators stayed and chatted with each other while we had the meeting, and then we all had dessert.
Some of our teachers at the meeting - (left to right) Yola, Institute; Grarzyna, Relief Society; Agnieszka, Young Women; Grzegorz, Elder's Quorum
Sister Reed is teaching the lesson while Marta translates. Marta is the Gospel Principles teacher.
On the second Sunday of the month we have “Linger Longer” after the block of meetings. The members all bring something for the lunch and we relax and chat with each other. The Branch really likes to socialize with one another, and we are so grateful for this. We had a great sacrament meeting in which the young missionaries each picked a gospel principle and addressed the congregation. Two of our missionaries are leaving our area, so this was a wonderful time to hear from them.
Our members and investigators are lingering longer and enjoying some good food.
Sister Lepannen leaves for home in Finland today (left), and Sister Smithee will stay in Poznan. They are both outstanding missionaries.
Elder Curtis is off to Warsaw for his last transfer (right), and Elder Marsing will stay in Poznan. They are pretty dynamic, too.
We visited a beautiful cathedral last week here in Poznan. The first Catholic church was built on this spot in 968 AD., and some of the original parts of the church are in the basement of this edifice. This is about the time when Catholicism was introduced into the country when one of the rulers was baptized. Due to the battles fought throughout the history of this country, the church has been destroyed several times and has also been gutted by fires. The latest fire was during WWII when Germany was being driven out of the country. The present interior was completed in the 1950′s and is very elegant and beautiful. The exterior is over 100 years old.
This is a view of the back side of the church.
The front of the church
On the grounds next to the church is a statue of Pope John Paul who was born in Poland. The grounds are very beautiful and well manicured.
There are statues of some of the Saints of the church on the upper exterior of the building.
The priests address the congregation from this staircase.
At the front of the sanctuary there are beautiful dioramas depicting events in the life of the Savior.
The small rooms off to the sides of the sanctuary are ornate and elegant.
A view of the sanctuary
The sculpting throughout the Cathedral is impressive.
The Cathedral is filled with ornate pieces of art.
Last week during our Institute night, Jola taught a lesson on the Holy Ghost. The lesson was well done and invoked some good discussion among the people who attended. After the lesson we played a silly game involving a chocolate bar, some winter clothing, one die, and two knives for cutting up the chocolate bar. These games certainly do promote some good laughs among the group.
Elder Marsing created a few laughs.
A few more laughs
This is the whole group.
Our missionaries - left to right - Elder Marsing, Elder Curtis, Sister Lepannen, Sister Smithee. Sister Leppanen is going home in a couple of days to Finland. She is a wonderful, spiritual and dedicated missionary. We have been so blessed to have her here in Poznan.
We have one American family in the Branch, Sean and Kate Healy, and their three boys. It is a great support to have a family in the Branch, and they add so much to each meeting. Kate is the RS President, and Sean is the Elder’s Quorum President. Today we went to their home after church for a wonderful meal celebrating Sean’s birthday.
The Healy family at the pancake social
Dinner at the Healy's home - all the missionaries, Marta, and Agnieszka, who is investigating the church
Last Saturday we had a pancake social for all the Branch members, and it was a fun event for everyone. The members all brought some toppings for the pancakes, and we introduced them to buttermilk syrup. Everyone seemed to like the American style pancakes, and Sister Reed ended up mixing three big batches of them. The Elders did the flipping and serving, and they are getting pretty good at this. After the meal the members all sat around and talked for awhile and really enjoyed just being together. We had one investigator, the parents of Natalie (our one YW) who are not members, and a friend whom Natalie brought to the event.
Elder Marsing is flipping and serving.
Natalie and her friend, Pauwa - Paula, in English
Elder Curtis's turn to do the flipping and serving.
These sisters had some funny stories to tell as we all sat around chatting.
On the right are Natalie's parents, and Marlena, a new member.
The Primary was in the other room playing - this is the Branch Primary each Sunday.
On Friday Sister Reed rode the train to Warsaw for a meeting to work on revising the English Language lessons which the missionaries teach in Poland. The lessons are being revised to teach with a gospel theme along with learning English, which enables the participants to learn more about the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The trip takes about 3 hours on the train, and it was a quick trip – early train there and evening train back home. The new program will start in June.
Each of us worked on a different part of the curriculum with Sister Nielson, the Mission President's wife, having the final say.
We are all sister missionaries serving in different parts of Poland. It was fun to get together for the day.
This is Agata. We met her as we were waiting for the train. She took care of Sister Reed during the trip since this was her first time on a Polish train, and her first time traveling without her other half. We had a delightful conversation during the ride.
On Thursday we visited the home of one of our Institute members, Marta, who lives out in the countryside. It was an adventure finding her home, but she guided us there via our phones once we were in the area. Marta is the only member in her family, and she is very dedicated to the gospel and diligent in what she does. She is the Sunday School teacher in the Branch, and is planning on serving a mission in the future. It was such a delightful day with this wonderful family, and they treated us to a delicious barbequed meal. We gave them a framed Family Proclamation to have in their home.
Out in the back yard enjoying the feast
Marta's family; Marta is in the center.
Elder Reed and Marta's dad
Sister Reed and Marta's mother
The back yard of their home
Going to and from Marta's home, we enjoyed the beautiful, lush green countryside in this area.
Spring time in Poland is truly a beautiful sight. Anything can grow is this rich black soil throughout the country.
This is a picture of our apartment building. We live on the third floor on the left side of the building. Our lanai is perfect for drying clothes on our clothes rack during the warm weather. Our building has a twin right behind it.
