Bob Moved!

Today is moving day for Bob. After several years of planning, the Office of General Counsel is now moving to the second floor of the Church Office Building. The offices are very nice, and Bob’s office will now be in the same area as all of the other OGC people. Previously, his office was located in an entirely separate department area. It was interesting to watch how the workmen framed in the new offices by laying metal strips right on the carpet and inserting prefab walls that are thin, but connect as room dividers to make offices. The workmen have systematically moved the entire contents, including desks, trading one office for another,  one office at a time. It's fortunate that the elevator is now installed. Bob will now have a better view from his new  second floor office window. In fact, I just called him on his cell phone, and he opened his window and waved to me as I stood on our balcony. It will be nice to be able to see him working in his office from time to time.  


So long old office.

Hello new office.

Bob testing out his new space on moving day.

Relief Society Hat Fashion Show, Offenbach 2 Ward

I am really enjoying my new calling as counselor in the Relief Society. I thought it might be fun to share some of the activities that we do here with our sisters, such as our recent Hat Fashion Show that taught the principles of being a good visiting teacher in a fun, non-preachy way. I made these hats from leftover napkins and paper plates that I found in the Relief Society closet. 

We set up the Relief Society room with a cat walk aisle down the center of the room with chairs on both sides. When the sisters came in, they chose a hat from the display table. Each hat had a note attached of the narrator's part, so that the sisters knew how to act as they walked down the runway to the music. (After the photos, I will attach the script.)

Everyone had such a fun time. Lots of laughter and great sisterhood.

Refreshments: Fruit meusli, croissants with jam, nuts

Visiting Teaching Hat Fashion Show

“Hats Off to the Past and Present”

Narrator: Sister McKee

Welcome, Sisters, to our Visiting Teaching Hat Off Fashion Show. This morning, we will be modeling a variety of lovely fashions for you, as well as some styles from the past and some exciting new styles for 2012. Some of the hats that our sisters model today are remarkable, and others, well, let’s just say, they leave a little room to grow. Some hats you will love, and some you may not suit your style. But you will surely see yourself in some of these hats. Which hats will you wear? And which hats will you put away. Without further ado, on with our Hats Off Fashion Show.

(Music)

1. Our first model is Caring Carina. She sincerely cares about her sisters and their families, and even about her companion. When she asks if there is anything that she can do to help, she really means it. If there is help needed, she does it. She carries her big heart with her, and her sisters love her.

2. Next we have First of the Month Flora. She always gets her Visiting Teaching done the first week of the month. And then, she makes sure that everyone—and I mean everyone-- knows it, because she brags about it every chance she gets. Hmm. I wonder what’s more important to Flora? Truly caring about her sisters or getting a checkmark beside their names for finishing her Visiting Teaching?

3. Our third model is Tick-Tock Tonya. My, isn’t she lovely? Tonya is known to get her Visiting Teaching done in exactly ten minutes flat. It doesn’t matter what important concerns are being discussed. Promptly in ten minutes, she puts on her hat and leaves. We know it’s important to keep our visits brief, but might she be better off without watching all those clocks? Maybe then her sisters could share their thoughts and not feel like they are taking up too much of her precious time.

4. Our next model is AWOL Annie. Annie is modeling . . . Well, where is Annie? Annie? Well, it appears that Annie is AWOL—absent without leave! (Annie strolls in.) Maybe she needs to borrow one of Tick-Tock-Tonya’s clocks. She doesn’t seem to care if she gets to her Visiting Teaching or not. Doesn’t she know that her time spent with her sisters is Heavenly Father’s time spent, as if He were here?

5. And now, Post-it Penny! Penny is never without her Post-it notes, and she always goes to visit her sisters when she knows they won’t be home. She never calls ahead to make an appointment. When she rings the bell and no one answers, she just posts a note on the door and calls it a visit. No wonder the sisters she is assigned to visit never call her when they really need her help. Poor Post-it Penny. She’s missing out on some wonderful friendships.

6. Now we present Gladys Gobble Gossip wearing quite a popular little number! She clucks and gobbles her way through her visits, eager to listen and offer advice! She always gives a message, but NOT necessarily the message she should be giving! Oh, how she loves to share information—too much information! Gladys is a bit of a turkey, and when she leaves a sister’s home, she continues to share what she has learned with everyone else in Turkey Town.

7. Our next fashion statement is Count Anything Clara. If Clara should pass a sister on the road and happens to wave, or if she runs into one at a local shop and they chat for a minute, she counts these as her Visiting Teacher visits. If she makes a call to one of her sister and the line is busy. . . oh, well, that’s a visit too. At least she tried. But has she forgotten the purpose of being a Visiting Teacher—to get to really know her sisters? Toot-a-loo Clara.

8. Drive-by Doris is modeling a very popular fashion this season. Doris is a modern woman of the new century, and she is one busy lady! Rushing here and rushing there, she hardly has time to eat, let alone do her Visiting Teaching, so she just does a “drive-by.” She slows down just enough to toss a plate of goodies on the lawn and yells, “Call me if you need anything!” Would her sister really call this busy woman for help?

9. Coming up now is Lizzy Last Day. Like Drive-by-Doris, she is also always in a rush. She always has good intentions to get her Visiting Teaching done, but something always comes up until the very last day. But don’t worry. She will squeeze you in, even if it’s just a quick phone call. But if she should miss you on the last day and calls on the first day of the next month, she always explains “Well, dear, better late than never!”

10. And here’s Hang-around Harriet! She is a such a great Visiting Teacher. .She goes every month and sometimes twice a month. She loves her visiting teaching so much that she hangs around way past time to leave. Even when the kids start crying, the phone is ringing off the hook, and the smoke alarm goes off because dinner is burning on the stove, Hang Around Harried continues to chat.

11. Next we have Lucy Listener who realizes the importance of being a good listener. She always listens more than she talks. She knows how to listen with both her ears and her heart. She knows how important an inspiring message is and always prepares and tailors her messages to meet her sister’s needs. Then she listens for what else she can do.

12. Our next model, Wanda Wing It, is an up and coming fashion favorite. But unfortunately, she is a bit unorganized and usually can’t find her Ensign in time to prepare her message. Sometimes she just wings it with a message off the top of her head. When she does find her Ensign , as she goes out the door, she reads it in the car at the stop lights. It’s usually a very short message, and she hopes her sisters don’t notice the stain on the front of her dress from the drink that she just spilled while swerving away from an oncoming car.

13. Next is sweet Polly Prayerful who plans her visits in every detail. She prayerfully studies the lesson and often brings a little handout for her sisters. She always begins her visits with a prayer with her companion to invite the spirit to be with them as they teach. She is sensitive to hearing the needs of her sisters and knows the importance of having the Lord’s inspiration and guidance as she gives the message.

14. Coming in now is Florence Forgetful, a lovely sister, with an equally lovely hat. Oh-oh, Florence, where’s your hat! Did you forget it? Maybe you need to borrow some of Post-It Penny’s Post it Notes. If you write things down, you’ll remember to do your visiting teaching before the end of the month. Another Post it note will remind you to report your visits. Well, we didn’t get to see your hat, but your hair looks great!

15. Moving right along, we have Ingrid Insensitive who makes sure to visit her sisters every month, but she doesn’t seem to notice any of her sister’s special needs. She does a lot of talking, but not a lot of asking and listening. Didn’t Sister Tearful just say that her husband was out of work? Will Ingrid Insensitive remember to mention this to her Relief Society President? There she goes, off in her own little world.

16. Last of all we have Always There Alice who enjoys visiting her sisters every month. She even knows the names of her sister’s children and remembers their birthdays. She often goes the extra mile by checking in with her sisters during the month to make sure that things are continuing to going well. She loves her sisters, and her calling, and truly has the spirit of Visiting Teaching.

Paul's Trip (Days 7-9) Rudesheim am Rhine, Trier, Metz France, Frankfurt, Heidelberg

Paul's visit to Europe was quickly coming to an end, so we took him on one of our favorite drives through castle country to Rudesheim am Rhine, a lovely little city right on the river. For miles the road is dotted with castles and castle ruins.

We went into the quaint town..

On this clock tower, the bells chime and some cute figures rotate around beneath the bells.

It's always time for eis!

We left Rudescheim and went on to Trier, Germany on the banks of the Moselle River. It is the oldest city in Germany, and the huge entry gate, Porta Nigra, is the best preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps. The huge gray sandstone rocks that form the gate were set without mortar between 186 and 200 AD.

In the following photo, on the left is the Constantine Basilica with its long throne hall of the Roman Emperor Constantine. It is used today as a Protestant Church.

Connected to the Constantine Basilica is the pink Queen's Palace. Such a contrast in architecture.

The Dom of  Saint Peter is a  Roman Catholic church dating back to Roman times.

These are the ruins of an ancient Roman Amphitheater.

Back in the car, we had to get in one more country--France. Metz is located near the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg. This city was.a cradle of the Gregorian chant and has a 3,000 year history.

Everyone was out having a great time!

We got a bite to eat at this sandwich shop. The stacked sandwiches in the window were pressed in a grill-- delicious (turkey, basil and cheese). We enjoyed a crepe for dessert.

We visited the extravagant Metz Cathedral--fabulous stained glass windows!

Can you believe Barbie was here? I think she forgot something.

Exhausted after a long day of walking, both brains and feet tired, we headed for home.

The next day, Bob went into the office, and Paul and I drove into Frankfurt to see our exciting city.

We started at the Ziel shopping center.

Then we went to the historic city center where the Christmas Markts are held each year, and Paul did a little souvenir shopping.

We explored the Dom.

Next we saw the Roman ruins that are more than 1200 years old and began as a Roman fort on the Main River.  

We walked across the bridge of the Main River where Paul saw the love locks that lovers put on the bridge to seal their union.

Across the river, we found a China Fair and sipped on some refreshing bubble tea with tapioca.

We ended up with very sore feet, watching the animals at the zoo. I think we both enjoyed sitting in the cool aquarium display and watching the fish and cute sea critters.

The last day of Paul's visit came way too soon. Bob took us off for one last amazing adventure to Heidelberg.

We shared two more wonderful meals with Paul, lunch in Bad Vilbel and dinner at the Kartoffelkuchen in Bad Homburg, and then off he went to Salt Lake City. The time passed far too quickly. We couldn't have asked for a better trip, but best of all was being with our dear son, Paul.