agapete me to kakon

Love not the evil...
My last post was on the day Ita and I went to Berlin. There was a conference on laparoscopic surgery in Kiel and Ita included me in the trip. This made it possible for Ita to brush up on her German [which she spoke fluently on the way through Berlin] and for me to make a dash to Warsaw and Podkowa. The few days there with my friends, that is the old timers [reference to the students]were delightfully filled with visitors. Still plenty of snow on the ground and fairly cold. I stayed in the guestroom in the Palacyk #25. Warm and pleasant and handy for my friends to visit. I was asked to give a lecture to students from 3 departments: theology, education, and tourism. Three hours with a 10 minutes break. Not bad....I survived but got a sore throat. In the evening we had some students come over for a 4 hour presentation on Daniel's prophecies. The days went too fast. When Ita came to Poland on Thursday night we knew that the rest of my stay in Poland will be a blurr of activities. We stopped in Jedrzejow, visited my cousin Richard, and then on to Krakow....visit with Adela my cousin and then to the train at 4pm so that we would get to Warsaw in time to be met by Joe and on to the Christian Jewish worship on Pulawska street. Judy [my Hebrew Girl] went with us. Then back to Podkowa and to sleep. Sabbath, I was asked to speak since Pastor Boyko graciously "made room for me." My topic was, as ever, on the practical meaning of God's image in man. To be a real "man" we have to reflect the character of God our Creator. Afterwards the Rector and his family took us to the White Inn and we had a lovely dinner in a lovely setting including the charming Olenka. In the afternoon we went with Joe to visit Prymas' Family, had some tea and then "quickly" to visit Prof.Zwyczajny dr. Lyko. The supper was super...we survived without overeating and even had some time to listen, till 10 pm when Joe came to take us to the train for Berlin. We made it...thanks to Joe! Slept through the whole trip till we came to Frankfurt am Oder and the problems started. A wagon from the Ukraine broke down and had to be replaced...it took 2 hours to do it....which meant that we were short on time for the flight from Tegel airport. Again a friend Peter Pilch went the proverbial mile to help us. He met us in Lichtenburg station and in his car took us to Tagel. When we boarded we had 4 minutes to spare. The rest of the trip home was uneventful...un till we arrived in Atlanta. I left my lights on in the car and the battery was dead. Fortunately the parking attendants came and jump started us. We made it home at about 8pm. My impressions from the whole trip? Like they say: "pipti pipti" reactivated our friendship with the Pilch Family [Alicja, Peter, Sarah and Debbie] most gracious and helpful. They took us to the Polish church in Berlin that is located just opposite the Egyptian museum. The church reminded me of the first letter to the Corinthians...they had similar problems [some not all]. My impressions from Poland? That is a different story. I went to the school of arts and saw D sing and dance...I was impressed. Visited my friends the Lazars...and got some pyzy...superbly prepared by M. Went for a walk to Lazienki with M and later we were joined at Wedel's by Prymas and Peter. Prymas is a Prince of a man! Podkowa was a place of a heartache...one of my friends, Katherina has been abused verbally by the administration personnel [again some not all] and it breaks my heart to witness such behaviour among "supposedly professional" administrators. Hopefully it will all end well. I have confidence in Rector Kozirog and dean Polok that they will be able to find a solution in a professional [and Christian] manner. The mafia mentality and reputation is rather damaging to the school. To top it all off. My friend's Lazar's Father passed away..at the age of 93...I had the privilege to visit with him two years ago. At Southern Uni. we are hosting the ATS meetings dealing with the theme of "The Biblical Doctrine of the Holy Spirit." The first presentation by Dean Ron Clouset, was superb. Tomorrow the meatings start at 8:30 am. So my friends if tomorrow you will feel tired... remember...you are at the end of a long March [31]....smile as you read it. My word to ET...come home... my heart is waiting...but do God's will wherever you are.

Off and running

We are on our way to Berlin and Warsaw.Maybe we will survive the weather. Should not be too severe. We are able to take all that we promissed to my friends in Poland. But no place for my computer ...so it will have to wait till May. ET thinking about you. Love you and do not get too wet. Ita will do surgery this morning then we go off to Atlanta then Newark and Berlin. Neola read my blog. I found the address for P.Pilch in Berlin...Will have a sermon in the Polish church...and the who knows maybe Poland...plan to see Adela and her folks. Love you my friends all of you there in the far away places. Till next time. Lev

When it rains it [Morton salt] pours.

Just a thought before I call it a day and dive into bed. Today I had a veritable feast on msn. Some of my friends checked in and what more, turned their webcams on. It was a feast. I must have talked to 5 or 6 of my friends. I am blest to say the least. For "Andacht" we read Ps 98, and started a whole discussion about the SS lesson. Culture versus theology of life. A thematic dynamite. Tomorrow I am teaching, hope to survive with all my bones intact. I have some strong opinions and it takes a lot of effort to sell them to the class..."if you know what I mean", just in case you don't! you get the drift? Do you know where I am coming from? You know what I am saying? if you say yes to all of the above...you do not know what I am talking about, since neither do I. Just having fun, before bed. We do have a real spring now...the ground hog at the tennis club was having the time of his life basking in the sun all day long. Most of our trees are in full bloom. Tomorrow I will take some pictures...to warm me up on my trip to Poland next week or so. Did not call my ET, but he knows that he should "come home." Love you my friends in Poland, Germany and the good old US of A. ta ta.

A live dog is better than a dead lion

Today I feel like the opposite of a live dog. I played some enjoyable tennis, lost 2 sets and won the 10 point tiebreaker. Then home...to work in the garden. Raked leaves and cleared dead branches from the lawn and G-ma's driveway. Wind was strong and I could see from time to time the breaking off of big branches from trees. We have quite a few "widow makers" but I do not know how to cut them down. Maybe later. Finished just in time to escape the rain. Not strong but rather wet. Chatted with Peter and Igor and got the good news that I can stay in Podkowa and I can afford the ticket to Berlin. Ita decided to join me in Warsaw on Thursday morning. The only thing that still scares me is the cold in Poland, the snow etc...But somehow I will survive. No news from Neola, so maybe she decided to lie dormant for a while. I am waiting for the blog #3 from her and the Indian connection;-) ET called and chatted a while with me and Zosia, who is lecturing uncle Bill on business strategies of the Great Depression. Andrew is teaching of all things...accounting to highschool students...a riot? I am trying to figure how to pack TDNT for Adam and milk maker [not the real one] for Igor. So he can have soya milk for the family, and 24 cans of tennis balls for Tadek. Fortunately we will have 4 suitcases, 2 carry on and a computer. Maybe I will leave my computer in Poland for my next visit to Podkowa. And maybe I will bring some spring clothes so they will be there when it gets warmer. I plan to dress like an Eskimo to meet the challenges of the Polish winter. And now...shower and to bed. You, my Polish friends, are sawing logs by now. So Good morning for Friday. I will be online again tomorrow. ET love you! "come home" and love to you too my Polish Friends.

March 8 a day to remember

The more you do the more is there to do.Yesterday was such a day. Got up at 4 am and by 4:30 we were on our way to Atlanta for a medical course in surgery. From 6am till 2pm I was enraptured by a book written by Ralph Larson on the Nature of Christ. For years I have almost ridiculed the book [without really reading it] and I decided it was time to get to know the arguments. To my shame and chagrin I agreed with Larson when I finished reading his book. He made his case carefully and better than others on the same topic. A good work, well documented and carefully argued. Then on the way home from the conference...we stopped at Harrie's store and got some rye bread and a chala. Then to Ita's work and having changed into my sports outfit I went for a tennis match. 2 out of 3 sets won...not bad. I got a box[case] of tennis balls for Tadek Foicik in Cieszyn. In May I will have fun playing on his courts. Today, I sped to the club to be there on time...made it by 10 sharp...only to find out that the match was for 11 am. Still I played from 10 till 2pm and tired but happy went home via El Matador, Mexican restaurant, with my favorite girl. When I came home I had a very hot shower and ...of all things....went to bed. Slept till 6 pm. Got "blackie"
from the Technology where they did a tuneup. Read the e-mail from The Editor asking for 4 CD of heavenly music...ordered the 4 CD's from Amazon and .....I remebered that this day is the March 8, the day we honor our women. So to all my women-friends salut to you and assurance that you all are the greatest joy in my life in this "valley" of gray hair, creecky knees, hard hearing, trifocals, and croaky voice. The trees are in bloom, the whole valley is almost as if snow covered the trees. I am still looking for a schedule for a train ride from Warsaw to Berlin..in time to catch the Continental flight for home. Also, i need to ask the "powers" if I can find a place at Podkowa to spend a few days there. Last time I was in Berlin ET was with me, we went to the musea and run! through some interesting spots in the city, visited the Botanical garden and stayed with the Pilch Family. The name PILCH has a special place in my memories from the mid forties. It was the Fall of '43 and my Father tried in vain to visit Grandma in the little village of Bogdanowka. One Sabbath there were 2 German officers in our church. As customary, newcomeres [guests] were invited to our home to dinner. An Oberst and a Mayor [colonel and a major] both physicians were passing through the city of Lemberg [Lwow, now Lviv] on their way to the Eastern front. One of them was called PILCH. Another time I will relate how they were providentially used by God to save the whole church from being killed. I have searched for this Major Pilch everywhere, no one admits to knowing him. So when I came back to Poland in '88 I found out that there were quite a few Pilchs among the church members and pastors. A friendship developped with most of them. Now it seams I will stay with Pilch Family in Berlin. Small world and a big church family! Then the mysterious Neola! I am enjoying her two blog-posts so far. Hope to get to know her a bit more. My two friends are also interested in her.[Fred and George...Fred nie Łże, and George changed it to Vrednie Łże] Hope to hear from them again...in time. Depends on what Neola will write next. Peter is also interested in the mystery. Knowing Peter he will find out soon, if not already what and where. Fred's uncle was a one time professor at CHAT in Warsaw and George is a refugee from Siberia. This time, my friends, when you read it, it will be daytime....so good morning.

Spring time....in my heart?

A day full of pleasure, joy , and surprises. A day of Peace and fullness of life. That is the essence of Sabbath for me. Meeting my friends in the SS and sharing ideas about reconciliation, forgiveness, restoration, and responsibility....for one hour was an intelectual and emotional feast. Dr. Jon Butler gave me a CD with songs by Anthony Dwożak [sp]. Have not listened to it yet...but will soon. Then a ride in a brand new Mercedes [blak is beautiful] around the neighborhood with Ken. At home, the visit of the Kosarins [Oscar and Diana] both accomplished and nationally known musicians. We spent from 6pm-till-9pm in eating a sumptious supper and reading John Milton's Paradise Lost. With a screen projection of the text and multiple comments on the subject. At 9am tomorrow, tennis [doubles] at our new courts [beautiful and completely neglected by the PE department]. Then at 12 noon another match at MonkerPatton Club...also doubles. I will have a day full of excitement and exercise. Country Haven Academy is on a spring break and ET was visiting Walla Walla...we chatted a bit about our plans to meet the last week of Aprill in the Tricity and then come home on Friday in time for Zosia's graduation. Got some lovely pictures, from The Editor, of Lazienki Park and a special gift called "the surprice" which translated means the photo of Prymas. What a handsome man he is. Now I can see in print the reason Ann married him. He is a Prince among his peers in looks and character. As you start a new week my friends may your days be filled with wonder, astonishment and appreciation of God's love and the still remaining beauty of nature around you. I pray that my visit to Poland will be a blessing and pleasant experience for me and for you. Good night to ET and good day to my friends in Poland.

The Tao of life?

I just read the blog about ...none is updating..so I decided to update. The week went like a dream made in Chattanooga, Tennis everyday, once even twice in one day. With different groups...since I only play doubles [too old to play singles]. I am building up my stamina so that I can walk through the Pergamos museum in Berlin and not get too tired. Ten days in Germany with the girl of my "dreams and reality." What more could a soul wish...I know do not tell me again...Tomorrow I will be teaching the SS lesson on family relations...and hopefully I will stimulate the listeners to some creative thinking outside of the stereotype. Would you believe! I met a fellow Polak at the tennis club [a pediatrician] who was a Roman Catholic and is now...an atheist. My luck! I have very little to talk about with him. He is still very defensive about his new approach to life. But we talk about his trip to Poland next week for 10 days with his wife [a budding Buddist] and a daughter...a patient in Ann's practice. Small world. I got a new card [phone] to talk to Poland and Australia, so I can keep calling my brother and get a lesson on church history. He is working now on the 17-th chapter of Revelation and investigating the "wound" of the Creature and its healing. Fascinating and engaging. On Sunday I will play with a select group of "old timers" around the club...always an enjoyment for me. We have fellows who had their knees replaced, who had stroke, who are almost 80 and still playing well and acting like gentlemen. I have given away some of our books that we buy just to give away, books like Steps to Christ and My Utmost for His Highiest.Ann is determined that I should die ...healthy...so she makes all efforts to encourage me to exercize. When I read some of the e-mails and msn's from Poland I am transported to that Land...to my friends, to childhood memories and more recent joys. Yes I am all excited to go to Poland in May and see my friends again. Some of them I see on the webcam/msn. I long to see the rest of them. I am proud of D for her determination to complete her efforts in education, and though it is an arduous road, the goal will be sweet. I am looking forward to being at the graduation party, we will whoop it up for all we are worth. Tomorrow is the nicest day of the week [the Queen-day] may you all enjoy it and share your joy with others. I hope to go and see my ET in April,for a week and then fly together for Zosia's graduation. I understood this week that Dawn welcomed the "dawn of another life" in her family. Till Sunday night....good night and good day.