Week #52 of our 78-week humanitarian mission to Slovakia and Poland is in the books.

"Think of giving not as a duty, but as a privilege." - John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Slovakia fact of the week . . . the Wooden Čičmany village (population 204) is located at the foothill of the Strážov Hills. The first mention of the village dates back to the year 1272. All the gingerbread houses are original. The village is full of black timber houses, each one decorated with intricate traditional patterns in white lime paint. Literally street after street is lined with folk art.

We receive permission before taking photos.

This blog is for our family and friends and we often provide photos of special people we meet including children. We would never provide photos if our blog audience was not closely controlled. We have found that children love having their picture taken, and then ask to view their photos on our camera. We love to see their smiles and the sound of their laughter when they see themselves. The children we have the blessing of spending time with suffer from a variety of illnesses and conditions, but have have an incredible spirit that is difficult to describe.

We share their photos in the hope that you too can feel of their spirit.

Our travels this week took us to a investigate a new project and to close a project with one of the most inspiring organizations we have partnered with, Angel House.

Angel House: We provided funding to create an isolation room for severely ill children and children in hospice and a room (special flooring, walls and ceiling) for autistic teenagers. The finished products look fantastic. Joining us were Sister Murri and Sister Farr who brought along books and spent time reading and playing with the children.

The Slovakian government has closed several children's homes and Angel House has been asked to increase the number of ill children they can serve. We have begun to discuss how we may be able to help.

We were referred to Valle n.0. by one of our key partners, Darina B., who introduces us to organizations in need. Valle is a home for senior citizens, many of which have mental of mobility issues. We visited the facility when many of the residents were in the courtyard being led in their morning exercises. Valle has a variety of needs that will directly benefit the residents that can only be met with funding by Latter-day Saint Charities or a similar charity. Valle's director, Sidonia Vahovičová, has a passion and love for serving the elderly you could see and feel as we toured the facility and met the residents. We want to thank our good friend Ria van Dallen for serving as not only our translator but providing her perspective on our visits.

Ria, Kelly, Sidonia, and Darina

We sadly have to say goodbye to a few missionaries every nine weeks when 'transfers' take place. Transfers are when President Skousen reassigns missionaries to different areas of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. We spent our final P-day with Elders Meek and Millett, who will be transferring to Bratislava and the Czech Republic respectively, and the rest of our local missionaries hiking in the Vysoke Tatry mountains. Slovakia is a hikers paradise and is a beautiful country.

A dry cleaning mishap put me in need of a new suit, actually two suits. My good Slovak friend Robert van Dalen introduced me to his friend Jozef Bednar, a custom suit maker of 44 years. Robert picked us up and drove us to Mr. Bednar's shop so I could get measured. I made a good decision and had Kelly chose the fabric and color. I should be able to return for the final fitting in a few weeks. Stay tuned for a look at the finished product.

We pray you are well and that you will have a wonderful week.