1st letter from Poland

We received our first letter from Mom today:

"So it's been interesting here. I have two companions and it's very interesting." Sister Kotcsy is native Polish and Sister Kimball is older than me (only by a year or two) and calls everyone "dear" and talks a lot-a lot. The work is slow, s-l-o-w, guess it will get better. I know it will get better. I have my own room, so I study, sleep, dress, whatever in my room, sometimes eat too.

The district leaders are in this area and Elder Henrie from Arkansas is teaching Polish, so hopefully I'll learn more quickly. That and lots of prayers and reading the Book of Mormon.

The city of Wroclaw (Vrotsau) is beautiful. You would love it. Old old old buildings - beautiful architecture. I'll get some pictures to send. There's an old opera house still in use so tell me some good operas to see. We're allowed one cultural event a month so there's opera, museums, old castles, etc.

The apartment is right in town on the 3rd floor - no elevator, but the elders brought my stuff. I should be here about 4 months and am to help plan the upcoming Young Single Adult Conference for 11 countries, not sure where it will be. Should be fun and hard work.

Love ya tons! I'll write again soon.

Love,
Mom

P.S. Send any packages, as well as letters, to my Wroclaw address as it takes 4-5 weeks to come from the mission home. Thanks!"

February 2010 Mission Newsletter

The mission home emailed a copy of their February newsletter that included a photo and paragraph about Mom along with a few photos of the mission area.

"New Missionary Arrival

On Saturday, February 6th, we welcomed Sister Irene Mariner Austin from Snowflake, Arizona, into the Poland Warsaw Mission. She has been assigned to Wrocław as her first area during her mission, to help start up a Center for Young Adults, along with Sister Kimball, assisted also by Sister Kocaj, who is also in charge of the Family History Center in Wrocław. "

Welcome Emails

Now that Mom is in Poland we are taking over her blog! We had not heard from Mom since she had left JFK airport however, we received the following emails with updates:

"YOUR MOTHER HAS ARRIVED IN POLAND SAFE AND SOUND..on Saturday! Right now she is still trying to get into her accounts to send you all an email. She is not having any success so far. She is now in Wrocław, Poland with S. Kimball (senior sister) and S. Kocaj (younger sister). We are happy to have her in Poland with us.

Have a good day.

Sister Thueson
Mission Recorder
Poland Warsaw Mission"

and

"S. Austin has had a terrible time trying to get into her email accts which is really strange. She even tried at the mission home on the day she arrived without success. I think she was going to try today at the Family History Center.
She is now is a beautiful part of Poland. In fact, most of Poland is beautiful and many of the cities have been around for centuries. Polish history is quite fascinating and in spite of everything and having had Warsaw and other cities totally leveled during WW II, they have already rebuilt most of the cities. They are a rescilient people….but…to be Polish is to be Catholic and that makes it a bit hard for missionary work.

Your Mother is doing well and “hit the ground running” and she is in good hands. Don’t need to worry. Thanks for your help and have a great day. We are 8 hours ahead of you.
Sister Thueson"

My time in the MTC

My stay at the MTC was very short and it flew by very quickly! There was so much to learn and study - I went home every day exhausted and excited.

Here I am with one of my teachers, Sister Christi Grover: This was the group of missionaries I went to class with:

The best picture is me at THE Map! My MTC companion Sister Kleinman is going to the St. Louis Mission - she is from Mesa and we had a lot of fun!

I am on my way to Poland now! I can't believe I am going to Poland! I am so nervous and happy I could bust!