An American Barbecue

March 12

Monday was a beautiful spring day, and we enjoyed our first barbecue in Germany for our Family Home Evening with the Dearings. The meal was delicious with potato salad and real hamburgers! They actually found American frozen hamburger patties at the Metro, a large store similar to Costco, but more expensive. The hamburgers were especially good because they were seasoned with our favorite spice--McCormack steak seasoning. So it was kind of like coming home with some good old fashioned American cooking done on their barbecue on their little deck on the seventh floor.

Weekend of March 9

March 9
Bad Homburg with the Hills and Baughmans

On Friday evening we drove to Bad Homburg to meet some of our favorite people, who are serving as Mission Presidents here in Europe--Claralyn and Ned Hill in Moldova, Romania and Gary and Marilyn Baughman in Budapest, Hungary. We picked them up at their lovely hotel and then walked over to the Kartoffel Kuche for dinner. We enjoyed the pleasure of their company so very much. It is such a joy to meet up with old friends in a new country.

On Saturday, I went to the Flea Market and hit the jackpot. I have been searching for handmade doilies, and I found 14 of them for the quilt I am making. I met some really cool older women who had brought their things to the market to sell. One cute woman taught me how to wash and pin the doilies so that they don't shrink. She enjoyed practicing her English with me.

That evening we headed for the Offenbach Ward for an event called "Songs of Praise" put on by our wonderfully talented missionaries. A few investigators came, along with many members of our ward. The beautiful musical numbers by the choir and individual members brought a great spirit. I did a reading on the program. Then we enjoyed delicious treats in the cultural hall. It's always fun to see what members, who are from all over the world,bring to these events--hummus and veggies, German chocolate marshmallow puffs, bananas, apples, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and cakes.

ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS!

In Schwabisch Hall they have these cute puppet theaters. You just drop in your money, and you can watch the puppet shows.

Schwabisch Hall and Ludwigsburg

On Saturday we headed off to visit two beautiful cities. Schwabisch Hall is a quaint, 11th century city located on the Kocher River.

We climbed many stairs and paths to overlook the Town square. It was so quaint, and as it was a sunny day, many people were there, enjoying the cafe.

It had the most intricate cobble stone streets of any city we've yet seen.

Then we went up the long steps to the exquisite St. Michael's Church, built in 1522,  that overlooked the town square. 

There was this amazing crypt of bones. When the burying sites get too full, they remove the bones and stack them inside the crypt in the church, so that they have room to bury more people.

When we got to Ludwigsburg, we went through a lavish palace , one of he country's largest Baroque palaces with an enormous garden in that same style. From the 18th century to 1918, it was the principal royal palace of the dukedom that became the Kingdom of Wurttemberg in 1806. one of the country's largest Baroque palaces with an enormous garden in that style. From the 18th century to 1918 it was the principal royal palace of the dukedom.

We toured the entire second floor of the mansion, viewing 70 of the 425 rooms. The rooms were elegantly furnished with tapestries and oversized oil paintings on the walls and Gothic decor. It was so cold inside. I cannot even imagine living in such a residence with it's high ceilings and little porcelain stoves to heat it. 

A bedroom

It had  its own theater which was truly beautiful and made me wish for such a one for my Grimm Tale that will be produced in October.

The grounds were truly spectacular with their sculpted hedges.

Along the way, we stopped at a fabulous, large garden shop that I wish we had in Utah. We walked along the cobblestone paths and enjoyed everything quaint and wonderful for a beautiful garden.

 

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!