Walking in a Winter Wonderland

We decided to spend our P-Day (personal day) in Tatry Mountains and the snow. Here how it went. 

Arriving in Starý Smokovec in Tatry mountains.

Grand Hotel in Starý Smokovec. 

Funicular ride to Hrebienok.

  We were greeted by the mighty grizzly bear.

Souvenirs, wood carvings, and sled rentals.

Tatry Ice Masters 2017.

Inside the Igloo, a snow palace.

Hummingbird and flower.

Sledding hill for families

more sledding.

They skied by.

Fresh powder.

First snow angel without gloves. BRRR!

Right here I made an angel of myself

and here.

A grate for the sidewalks.

more ice sculptures

so awesome

hands

frozen mosquito

Some snow princess looking for for her prince.

Found him!

 View from our lunch table.

 Time for some hot cabbage soup.

 Off to see the giant waterfall.

 Nordic ski trails.

 Walking in a winter wonderland.

 Spectacular views.

 The path is covered in fresh snow.

 The trees are beyond gorgeous.

 This fur hat was my mother's, she bought it in Russia 30 years ago. Now it keeps me warm.

 What a view! The snow is pretty too.

 Gotta capture the signs.

 The frozen "giant waterfall."

Watch out! Just about got plowed over on the bridge.

 Unflavored snow cone anyone?

 I can't resist the fun.

I learned it from my daughter.

 We need to get back.

 Over the river and through the woods.

 For my sign family.

 Blaze your own path.

 The road less traveled.

 White frost in my hair due to the snow sticking to it and the -7 degree Celsius temperature. My hair was frozen in place.

 Down the pedestrian path.

 Greg regrets not renting one of these for his return trip.

 Me too.

 The sunset in the west. 

The funicular.

Icicles on the restaurant.

The best snow day ever!

For Your Stewing Pleasure

We are always looking to partner with NGOs(non governmental organizations) in Slovakia to help in our mission and helping relieve the suffering and to bring aid to the poor and needy. We came across ADRA, a humanitarian agency operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church, whose motto is "We are changing the world one life at a time."

Our visit with ADRA was very interesting and expanding. The director and minister at this church appreciated any offers of help in their quest to feed the poor. The staff have been cooking soup in their kitchen and taking it out into the community three days a week for 50-60 people who are poor or homeless.

Their kitchen is small, and the oven doesn’t work very well but their most critical need were two large 15-liter thermos containers to transport the soup. These would keep the soup hot and have snapped down lids to keep from spilling.

On day we visited when soup delivery was being made. Soup from the stove was poured into the thermos containers and transported to a homeless shelter. This shelter was operated by Catholic charities and we met the fellow who managed the place. He appreciated the donated soup which is given to homeless men and women when they arrive in the evening.

ADRA staff also informed us about some other potential projects that we are checking into.

During our meeting both men volunteered that they have had contact with LDS missionaries and their experience was positive. One had taken the missionary lessons, and the other had a family member take the lessons. We mentioned it is wonderful to have three different religions coming together to care for the poor and needy.

Letter to my Friends and Family

I'm sitting on our couch looking out our back door and want to see snow on the roofs. Last month we got some snow. The temperatures are around 2 to 5 degrees Celsius. The snow falls then it melts away. I was hoping to see inches and inches of snow by now. I can't say that I am entirely disappointed though. I'm sure January will bring more snow and more snowmen. Sometimes, I get a glimpse of sitting at my kitchen table back home and look out the back window to see golf carts pull up and stop. Golfers dressed in short sleeves t-shirts sometimes shorts, grab a club from the bag and head to the tee box. I really miss watching the golf carts and seeing green grass all year long, but there is no place I'd rather be right now than on a mission in Slovakia. I love it here. I love the fact, that after over 30 years, I get to have a winter with snow. I love the challenge of bundling up in a down parka, wool scarf, and knitted cap. I can't imagine leaving home without them. I can't explain it, but I am warmer here than back home. At home my hands and feet are constantly cold and I can't stay warm. I have these really warm wool mitten that may solve that problem.

I don't know if I mentioned, I have a branch calling too. I am the Relief Society 1st counselor. There are only a few active sisters in the branch. They all have long histories, and wouldn't accept any calling. I teach Relief Society every month and give a sacrament talk about every 5 weeks. I was asked to talk on Christmas Eve about the Light of Christ. When I teach, I need a translator. It took me several weeks before I felt comfortable teaching in Relief Society. I've learned to get comfortable reading along in the manual while the others follow along in Slovak. Actually the manual is printed in Czech, and Czech is closely related to Slovak so Slovaks can read and understand Czech. Our Relief Society lessons are both in English and Slovak. It is awkward at first, but you learn to accept it. Some goes for sacrament talks, we read from our talks in English and someone stands next to us and repeats what we said in Slovak. We have a few good English speakers in church, but we always stump them with something that the leaders of the Church have said like President Uchtdorf. One Sunday, I was speaking in church and my translator was struggling with quite a few words and concepts. The congregation was calling out Slovak words for her to say. Half way through the talk, she asked if she even needed to translate because everyone in the congregation was English speakers. The branch president told her to continue in Slovak. One good thing to keep in mind here is that our talks are about half the time required back home. Always something bright to keep in mind.

I can't get over how quiet the weekends are. The people here spend time indoors with families. The streets are quiet and few people walk about. Most shops are closed on weekends and the few that are open are open until noon on Saturday. There are fewer cars on the roads too. I still don't know what people do all day on the weekends. I think they must stay home and read or embroidery. Slovaks are very well read and their traditional clothes are embellished with elaborate embroidery.

Well, Greg and I hope you are staying well. I'm off to find my "postcard" of the day. With much love and hugs.