November 2008

The missionaries of the Prague and Hradec Kralove zones got together on Thanksgiving and had a big football game. As you can see, they really got into it. I'm not sure why Elder McLaughlin wore a wig, but it didn't slow him down any.


Before Thanksgiving, we were on the road quite a bit. First was our trip to Warsaw, Poland; then our mission tour in Slovakia. We were surprised at how similar the Czech and Polish languages are, yet they look nothing alike.

Krakow, Poland


During our mission tour in Slovakia, we were able to stay a couple of days in the Velky Tatry, a mountain range that borders Slovakia and Poland. Stary Smokovec is a bustling little ski village nestled at the foothills of the mountains. The first day there, we bought earmuffs. The second day there, we bought gloves. It was SO COLD. And it snowed. It was just lovely!

We attended church and had a district meeting in Kosice, Slovakia. Elder Campbell is the branch president there. I took a picture of him after church so I could send it to his mom.


The church steeple was the view from our hotel room in Kosice. It's a lovely cathedral--very different from what we usually see in the two countries. This one has more of a Russian influence in its architecture.

I saved the best for last. President Slovacek was instrumental in teaching the gospel to a remarkable young man in Prague. Just two nights ago, we were able to witness his baptism--and President Slovacek had the opportunity to perform the ordinance in Czech. It was his first in that language.

President Slovacek, Elder Young, Petr, and Elder Barker.

Random pictures from around the mission

New Transfer group, September 29
These 4 were giving each other a back rub during a break in zone conference.
Our missionaries from Hradec Kralove zone.
The missionaries from the Olomouc zone.
The leaders of the Slovak zone.
The wild and crazy guys from Prague.
President Slovacek gives Elder Mack a pep talk.


We found a really fun restaurant tucked away at the foot of the castle. The lighting is strictly by candlelight, and the food is served with only a knife presented to you, stuck in a loaf of bread; a fork if you are lucky, but never a glass to drink out of. Eating with us are Ed Barner and the Alsops.
In the Czech Republic, you have to be married civilly before you can be sealed in the temple. Last week, we attended a wedding of a young couple who met last year at the YSA conference in Budapest. It was really sweet. They are going to Germany this week to be sealed in the temple.
Elder Anderson and Elder Auger are the zone leaders of the Prague zone. They are awesome missionaries. We love having them in the mission home.
Sunday, November 2, was a national holiday where everyone puts candles on the graves in the cemetaries, to help their deceased loved ones find their path back home to God. It was really beautiful at night.

I need to apologize for not posting in such a long, long time! I will try to do better, even when we are on the road much of the time. A lifetime has happened in the last month, but I didn't take pictures of everything. We had a wonderful women's conference. We had a transfer with new missionaries coming in, and no one going home--my FAVORITE kind of transfer! We have witnessed an absolutely gorgeous fall season, with brilliant red and gold hillsides. We've had many baptisms, a wedding, and Halloween. So, enjoy the few pictures of a marvelous October.