The Europe Area Presidency

We have the most wonderful Area Presidency, who administer all Church affairs in the Europe Area. They are very bright, talented, and loving men who have strong testimonies of our Savior and of the growth of the Church in Europe. They are an inspiration to all of us.

Elder Kopischke, from France, is our European Area President:

His counselors are Elder Teixeira from Portugal:

And Elder Caussé from France:

This video shows our Area Presidency and their responsibilities and service in Europe:

http://www.lds.org.uk/about-the-church/information-videos/europe-area-presidency/

It has been such a pleasure to edit reports and histories for Elder Kopischke and to write the Cape Verde Video for Elder Teixeira. In meeting with Elder Teixeira, he told me this story that I included in the video script:

“In 1998 when I set up the arrangements for our prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley’s visit to Cape Verde, I realized that the boat to Praia came only once a week. Many members arrived several days early and many left several days later. The cost was about half a month’s income. When I arrived a half hour before the meeting was to begin, I saw 780 members, including an entire choir of children, sitting reverently in their chairs, dressed in their Sunday best, awaiting the arrival of their prophet. I took one look at these faithful saints and sat down and cried.”

Bob and I enjoyed a spiritual evening with the Teixeiras where we shared our testimonies.

We were delighted to hear Elder Caussé speak at our last Senior Missionary Fireside. It was An Evening of Music in which his daughters played the violin and cello, and he played the piano. Both his beautiful wife and he spoke, and their testimonies were very tender and uplifting. Here is a note from Elder Caussé’s message:

He opened with a beautiful piano rendition of “I'll go where You Want Me to Go”. Then he shared his personal experience in being called as an Area Seventy. He said that four years ago, Elder Oaks called and asked when he could be available for an in depth interview on a video conference call.

He explained: “I had a passion for my work, where I was the managing director. We had five children and a beautiful home near Paris, France. I had just gotten my dream--my grand piano and here was an Apostle of the Lord asking me when I would be ready to leave. It was a long January of pondering and praying. We knew it was now for us. We gathered our family together. We gave blessings to our children, and we received blessings. There was never a question about saying yes, because of our temple covenants. We are always indebted to the lord. The more we give, the more we receive.”


These are great men with whom we have the opportunity to associate. It is fitting that they are  from different cultures and countries, as that is the hallmark of living in Frankfurt, a city of great diversity. They have a strong testimony of Europe's "second gathering." There are many people coming into the European countries from all around the world and many are coming into the Church. The missionaries are learning to speak Chinese, Russian, Bosnian, as well as European languages. The Area Presidency's goal is for each member to invite and bring one new person into the Church. 


Last weekend, we enjoyed a wonderful Conference broadcast from Salt Lake City. We separated into three rooms at the Church to accommodate three different languages: German, English, and Spanish. We often have different languages spoken in our meetings, such as in prayers and songs. The messages were very uplifting. 


Bob and I enjoyed speaking at our last Zone Conference and attended the Temple last Friday evening. 

Elvis Presley Sighted in Friedberg!

 Our Saturday got off to a fun start but our adventure ended up pretty frightening. I got to go to the Flomarkt! I wanted to get a coral sweater, and sure enough, I found it for 2 Euro. I was also looking for some crochet handwork to add to the quilt I am making while I am here in Germany. Found that too! 


 Then we headed to Friedberg, where Elvis Presley was stationed in the army at Ray Barrack, to see his monument. We drove all over the city and finally asked a bicyclist, and of course, he knew exactly where to go. I was looking forward to seeing the monument because I had once met Elvis and got his autograph. But I must admit, the monument was a little disappointing. It stood in the middle of a round-about, and we had to drive around three times to get a good picture. The main shopping center in town is named after Elvis Presley. 

The city of Friedberg is less than a half an hour north/east of Frankfurt. It sits atop a basalt plateau overlooking the Usa River and has been populated at least since Roman times.The city initially rivaled Frankfurt am Main economically, with an important annual trading fair. 

We enjoyed the many beautiful buildings:

The city was bustling the day we arrived with a parade and people all dressed up in costumes to celebrate Carnival, a holiday here similar to our New Orleans' Mardi Gras.  

Then we drove around and found the old walled city and an old fortress up on the top of the hill. 

We wanted to turn around and pulled into a lane that led to this very old farm yard that was so cool. Notice the spooky, very old tree with it's interesting plate of moss stacked at its base.

Maxim Entenhaus

By then we were all hungry, so we headed for Maxim Entenhaus in Dorterweiler,  a Chinese food buffet, that was only 7.50 Euro and all you can eat. 

 As we were nearing the end of our meal, our friend Jerry became distressed with his breathing and was going into anaphylactic shock from something he ate. Bob quickly drove us toward home, Karen was on the phone with the doctor, and I offered a prayer. We got him to the Emergency Room, and they started an IV of adrenaline and gave him cortisone.  Jerry is fine, now, thank you Heavenly Father. But what an adventure!   

Now we know what hospitals are like in Germany –long lines and waiting, just like in America, and you have to make a down payment in cash up front to get help. Then you pay the rest of your bill in cash to the doctor before you leave. Interesting!

Jerry Before and After His All You Can Eat Chinese Buffet:

We love Jerry!

Zone Conference 2-16-12

 Bob and I were invited to speak at our February Zone Conference. The theme was “Maximize Your Missionary Experience.” We were asked to use Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s October 2011 General Women’s Conference talk, Forget Me Not. Bob talked about “The Why of the Gospel,” and my topic was “Heavenly Father Loves Us.” My talk was kind of long, so here is the last part of it:

 Does God forget us? No. He loves each of us enough to give us His greatest gift:  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

 Does Jesus love each of us? Enough to walk this earth and experience the depths of its pain and sorrow, to show us how to live our lives in service and love. Enough to establish His true Church upon the Earth. Enough to atone for all of our sins, so that we might not suffer. Enough to give his life, so that we might be resurrected.

And they both love us enough to want us to be happy, “and men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:27).

Our job is to go about sharing their love with others. I see examples of that in you every day. You do it with a smile, with helping others, with your friendship, with small acts of kindness and love, and with your dedicated service to the Church.

 We have been given a unique opportunity in coming here to Frankfurt to practice being loving people away from home, and because we are far from home, here we have bonded and become one another’s family. I am grateful to have these association with you. And when we see one another after our missions and perhaps when we meet again in Heaven, we will embrace each other, knowing from D&C 132:2, “that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory.”

Because I know the effect of God’s mercy and love in my own life, I am trying to be more like Jesus each day. I have made a special effort to carry our Savior’s love out into the community. I know as I go into the local elementary schools, that teachers and parents are watching me because they smile when they see their children running to me with outstretched arms, smiling and calling out my name, and asking to sit on my lap during story time. I do not speak their language, but children know the language of Heavenly Father’s love, and that is what draws them to me.

 We have opened our home here to many. The missionaries know that they can call and bring friends over for what they call our “happy apples” (baked apples and ice cream) that they believe can cheer anybody up. We have invited over the Eckerts and the theater company that is producing my play for dinners. On each occasion, we share the gospel with them.

 Because we have the Gospel in our lives, we can stand as witnesses of God by being a light unto others, so that they may see that light, and know that we are Latter-day Saints and will want to know more about the joy and peace and love that we have in our lives.

 In closing, Elder Uchtdorf said, “Years later, I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now—I was never forgotten." When I look back on my own life, this is my testimony as well. Like the little Forget-Me-Not, I know that I have never been forgotten. Beyond any doubt, I know that God loves me. He loves us, for the great commandment of life is to love--to love the Lord and to love one another as He loves us. “We love him, because he First loved us” (1 John 4:19). This is my testimony. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen. 

Departing Friends

This has been a month of loss for us as two of our sweet friends have moved away this week. We had parties for both of them. Alejandra and Bob cooked up some delicious Peruvian food, and we invited all of the missionaries over. Alejandra is a college student from Peru, who is studying film and has been coming to Church. She left this week to go back to Peru to see her family for six weeks. We will be happy to see her again when she returns.

Alejandra is the darling girl sitting next to Bob.

We also invited Anja's family over for a going away party, as they are moving to Brussels. Bob cooked his famous fondue, and their girls made Valentines. I will really miss Anja. I gave her a Book of Mormon in German and wrote my testimony in the front:

 To My Sweet Friend, Anja:

 I am so grateful to have you as my friend here in Germany. We have shared many happy times together, and I have learned so much from you. I admire you so very much. You are a wonderful mother and a bright woman who is always looking for ways to make the world a better place.

 As you know, I came into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was 20 years old. I want to tell you about my life before then. I often felt depressed and anxious, especially about the world around me. After joining the Church, my life changed. I felt love, peace, joy and direction in my life. I had Heavenly Father’s Spirit to be with me to guide me and to comfort me. I have been happy ever since and grateful that my entire family can be sealed to me, so that we can live in peace together forever.

 You have had an introduction to the Church here in Frankfurt, and I hope that you will seek out opportunities wherever you go to learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that God and Jesus Christ live. They are watching over each of us individually. I can go to God anytime and pray for my needs and the needs of others, and He will answer my prayers.

  Heavenly Father wants nothing more than for us to be eternally happy and safe from the ways of the world and to return home to Him. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the way to that peace and love. I know what joy the Gospel can bring into your life and the lives of your family. Please read this book that has brought such comfort into my life. Then ask questions and find answers (Moroni 10:3-5).  I love you, Anja, and will miss you and think of you often. Lonnie

 Early the next morning, I received an email back from Anja. She wrote: Thank you very much for the evening and your gift. I read your letter last night and I was touched by your words. I very appreciate your friendship. Love, Anja

 Hers is a friendship that I will cherish forever. The Eckerts have always been so inclusive in inviting us to join their family on outings and for meals in their home. She also facilitated my English teaching position at the elementary school. They have invited us to stay in touch and visit them in Brussels. We have invited them to visit us in Salt Lake. It’s a challenge here, because just as you get close to people, it seems they are gone. As Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz: "My! People come and go so quickly here!”

Tutanchamun Exhibit 2-11-12

The Senior Missionaries P Day activity was a cultural event  to visit the exhibit of Tutanchamun. Displayed were replicas of the treasures found in Egypt in King Tut's tomb and information about how each piece had been discovered and documented. Bob went and enjoyed it very much. 


I stayed home to work on the new act of my Grimm Brothers play. Update: My Cape Verde video script is on its way to the islands with the film crew from Salt Lake City who are filming it. I also enjoyed participating in a SKYPE conference as the Salt Lake team interviewed a past mission president from Cape Verde and one of his missionaries. Years later they had gone back together to Cape Verde to find their “lost sheep.” Theirs is an inspiring story that will be in the Church Archives.

 

That afternoon, at 4:00, we had a Raclette party for two of our couples here, the Brandes and The Dearings. Raclette is of Swiss tradition. We happened to be blessed with an electric table-top Raclette grill with small pans for the rack below the grill that was left in our apartment. To serve this meal, we put Raclette cheese in the little pans below the grill to melt. We put small pieces of meat, mushrooms, peppers, etc. on the top of the grill to cook. The melted cheese is poured over boiled potatoes and the meat and vegetables. It is eaten with condiments such as sweet gherkins, baby onions, and buttered bread. Eating Raclette is a social activity similar to a fondue party. We all had an enjoyable time visiting and eating at our early Valentine's Day Party.

The Brandes stopped at a bakery and brought these beautiful treats for dessert! Yum!

 

Bob Flies to Albania

On February 5, Bob made a quick church business trip to Albania. It saddened him that the living conditions for many people were less than ideal. The Sheraton Hotel where he stayed was decorated nicely, but the walls were not constructed to be very soundproof. He attended some meetings as legal counsel and then was back on the plane the next evening. I stayed home and worked on my play. The Dearings had a delicious lasagne dinner waiting for us when Dave Colton safely brought Bob back home from the airport. As Dave was leaving for the U.S. this week, we also had him over for dinner. Everyone takes good care of each other here on our mission, and we are grateful for the love that we feel.  

Mathematikum Museum in Giessen, 2-4-12

Especially for Kids


We enjoyed going to The Mathematikum Museum in Giessen, a very hands-on museum with over 150 exhibits that all of our grandchildren would have loved, so we tried to have as much fun as we could for them. We enjoyed making huge soap bubbles, solving mathematical problems. playing with the air ball, and serving Bob for dinner.  

The town of Giessen was kind of cute, but we didn't stay there long. Just got a couple of shots!

Then we headed to Bad Homberg for lunch.

This sculpture represents children celebrating St. Martin's Day, carrying their lanterns of light.

I love how German cities install fun little play toys on the street  for children to enjoy.

The Kartoffel Kuche

The restaurant that had been suggested to us, the Kartoffel Kuche, was so quaintly decorated in an old fashioned style with antiques. The whole theme of the restaurant was potatoes, served in hundreds of different ways, and the food was delicious. It was just perfect for a cold winter day. Here are a few dishes that we enjoyed with our friends, the Dearings.