Halloween, Birthday and Reliving the past in Slovakia

Before we leave rijen (October) in Prague we have to show the very traditional "Halloween Party "put on by the young adults....... Halloween is not a Czech holiday but the Czechs certainly got into the spirit of it. That is Sestra Kocky on the end. The party was a success with....

eating donuts on a string,

pumpking carving,

and lots of great costumes!!!!!

The Andersons had us for birthday dinner with Sisters Magidson and Austin, Elders Grimshaw and Erickson. Three investigators, Tanya who is sitting next to me was baptized last week and her daughter Jane is still taking the missionary lessons.
(me in my birthday sweater)

At family home evening, Klara, the young woman in the middle made the most elegant birthday cake for me.

It is decorated in pure chocolate!!!!

Viktor gave me a yellow rose. All this attention and celebrating almost makes is worth is to move on to a new decade.

November 5-7th we attended a "seniors conference" for all the senior missionaries in our mission. It was held in Trencin Slovakia. We stayed in the Brezina Hotel which is located right close to the site where Slovakia was dedicated by Elder Uchtdorf on May 12, 2006 for the proclaming of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We visited the Bojnice Castle which is considered to be one of the most beautiful of the Slovak castles: the castle's fairytale silhouette of steep roofed towers and palaces is the crown of the upper Nitra valley.

The present romantic castle stands on the site of a 12th century medieval castle. In 1889-1910 its last aristocratic owner, Count John Palffy had it reconstructed as a splendid romantic residence on the model of a French gothic chateaux. And romantic it is. . .

I dubs not to be one of the serfs to keep the place up!

I found Elder Waldo playing next to the cannon.

Chivalry is not dead, helping me alight into my carriage!

All those "seniors" again!!

The last morning we were there we walked to the beautiful forested spot where Elder Uchtdorf along with 56 members from the Czech Republic and Slovakia met to dedicate this land.

We read together his prayer and then returned to our hotel to share our feelings and testimonies.

Excerpt from his prayer that was especially touching for us

"We are standing on top of this beautiful hill, with a cloud-covered sky above us that is opening up just enough that the sunlight is shining and warming all who are here. We pray that the gospel, with its light and warmth will come to all the people who are living in this beautiful country, even to those who do not know yet what a wonderful pearl of great price is available here. We are in the city of Trencin, which is also known as the Pearl of Provazie. This place has been known to the world beginning from 180 years after the birth of our Savior, our Redeemer. It is located at the beautiful river of Vah., in the shadows of the Carpathian mountains.

Bless all the members of the church to be a light and a blessing for the people of this nation. Bless the youth of this country, and especially the youth of the Church, that they will see the light which is coming from on high, through inspiration and revelation and through learning and studying the restored gospel. Bless them with moral and physical health and strength to make inspired decisions.

Oh God, our Heavenly Father, soften the hearts of the people, especially the youth. Grant that they may be curious concerning this work, that they will be searching for the truth... Grant that the spirit of the adversary may be limited and curtailed... Wilt Thou raise up men which are willing to accept the truth and who will see the light which is coming from Thy gospel and the faithful membership in Thy Church. Please open doors into the homes and into the hearts of the people."