A Busy Three Weeks

Besides our usual work at the office and in the schools, we have enjoyed some extra opportunities to serve. On October 22, we hosted a progressive dinner in our apartment. We served a traditional German meal of weinerschnitzel, red apple cabbage, spaetzle, and rolls with raspberry jam. We enjoyed getting to know and enjoy the three groups of Senior Couples who came by for the different courses--salad, main dish, and dessert. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

We went out to dinner with our home teachers, the Leonards, to the Vietnamese restaurant. It was a great evening of friendship and catching up. I also went to lunch with Reingard Blacoe, our wonderful past RS President. It will be hard to leave her, as we have become great friends. She treated me to my favorite--tortillini in a saffron sauce at Dick and Doofs. We enjoyed a delicious lasagne dinner with salad and ice cream for dessert with the Dearings.

We also enjoyed fabulous French cuisine in the home of Jill and Brooke Derr, along with the Coltons, and the Livingstones. We ate the meal in courses, taking our time to relax and enjoy great conversation, ala France. We began with bread and butter with pumpkin soup. Then we enjoyed rabbit in a prune sauce with onions and green beans. We had our green salad with pears and candied walnuts after the main course to cleanse our palates. Last of all, we enjoyed a tasty dessert of quark pudding with berries in a fruit sauce. As we sipped our peppermint tea, we knew it was an unforgettable evening with dear, forever friends.

We had our first snow storm on October 27. Cold weather always signals time for Halloween. We celebrated by having a Trunk or Treat Party at the Stake Center. I went shopping with Karen Maynes, our new RS President, and we bought hot dogs and apple juice and served 90 people. We enjoyed watching the parade of costumes and the children getting treats from the trunks of cars. This is a spooky counselor to our Bishop, Brother McKee. Whoooooooo!



We went to Stake Conference and afterwards, invited over the sister missionaries, Alejandra, and Anahil Sanchez from Spain. We enjoyed manicotti, apple cabbage, garlic bread, and cake and ice cream for dessert. We had a great discussion after dinner with Alejandra as she is getting baptized November 10th!

On November 6, I organized our Sisters Evening Out to celebrate Christmas Around the World at the stake center. Sister Blacoe spoke about her family's customs in Germany both as a child as well as with her own family. All of the sisters brought the most beautiful holiday treats to share. The serving table looked beautiful, and we all enjoyed eating and visiting with one another as we got in the mood for Christmas.



We had a wonderful Stake Relief Society Meeting on November 10: "Finding Joy in Troubled Times--Our Spiritual Storehouse."
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind . . . ." 2 Timothy 1:7

It was raining that day and when we walked in, we saw the chapel decorated in umbrellas. It was a nice meeting because it was all in German, and we had an English translator.

We are thrilled that two of our wonderful grandchildren, Eve and Marshall, are getting baptized. What a wonderful choice in their lives that will bring direction, joy, and comfort. We are so proud of them.

Our Prophet, President Monson, Visits Frankfurt, October 21, 2012

On Sunday, October 21, we picked up Alejandra and drove to Jahnhunderthalle in Frankfurt to hear President Monson speak. Several thousand people from all over Germany packed into the hall. As he entered, we stood and sang "We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet." We were touched by his enthusiasm, sensitivity, and love for all.

We are so looking forward to Saturday, November 10, when our beautiful Alejandra will be baptized. Lonnie will give a talk on the Holy Ghost.

Here are a few excerpts from President Monson's talk:

Matthew records that Jesus said, thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. That is the first great commandment. Second, love thy neighbor as thyself. Mark says there are no other commandments greater than these.

Jesus’ very actions gave credence to his words of instruction demonstrating genuine love of God by living the perfect life, honoring the sacred mission that was his, never being haughty, puffed up with pride, or disloyal. He was ever humble, sincere, and true. Through his ministry, he blessed the sick, restored sight, made the deaf to hear, and the maimed to walk. He taught forgiveness by forgiving, compassion by being compassionate, devotion by giving of himself.

As we pattern our lives after the Savior, we are following him by emulating his example.When faced with choices, I ask myself, “What would the Savior do in these circumstances?” Then I try to do what he would have me do.

Jesus instructed us, if ye love me, keep my commandments. Actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate that we truly do love God and our neighbors as ourselves. Love will be shown in our day-by-day associations with one another.

You don't need to serve far away. There are opportunities right in your own backyard, with those who have lost sight of the love. Live together in love. May we follow this admonition making certain we express our love to our family members.

I stand amazed at the love Jesus offers me and you--the love he offered in Gethsemane, in the wilderness, to Lazarus, at Golgotha Hill, at the open tomb, and at the Sacred Grove with his Father. I thank the Lord for the love he demonstrated by providing his life, that we might have life eternal.

Jesus is more than a teacher. He is the Savior of the world, the redeemer of mankind, the Son of God. He showed the way, lived not to be served but to serve, not to receive but to give, not to save his life but to sacrifice it for others.

In a world where men are greedy for gold and glory, remember He wrote upon the human heart. He filled his mind with truth, his life with service, his heart with love. When we follow that example, we are going to hear perhaps in a whisper, that statement of the Savior: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast  been faithful over a  few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” I will pray sincerely that all will qualify to hear such words . . . to once again live with our Heavenly Father.

As you return to your lives . . . love as Jesus loves, honor your wives, your husbands, your children, your parents. May you love and serve God and your fellow men. I love you and leave my blessing upon you. May you have peace in your heart and contentment in your souls, I humbly pray in name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Judy and Rick Parry's Visit

Judy and Rick Parry arrived October 13 and visited for four days while Rick had training meetings for Service Missionaries. We had a wonderful visit with them and were so glad they came to Germany.

Downtown Frankfurt

Bergerstrasse Street

Castle country along the Rhein River

 Exploring Rudesheim

 

 Judy and Rick's first Doner Kebab Sandwiches

Topping lunch off with ice cream cones

 So glad that you came to visit, Judy and Rick. Love you!

Michael and Mel, Last Day Rudesheim

Michael and Mel and Sam and Simon had just one day left in Germany, so in the morning we headed back to the zip line at the park where we first went the day they arrived. I think the zip line may be one of the Sam and Simon's favorite memories.

Then we stopped at the store and got a few snacks and headed for Rudesheim, a quaint little city on the Rhein with half-timbered houses and cute shops.

We walked up what we call "Harry Potter Alley" and listened to the bells chime.

We had always wanted to go into Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett, and today was the day! We were not disappointed, as this was the best tour and the most interesting museum we experienced in Europe.

The instruments were magnificent, and the tour guide played many of them for us.

We loved the beautiful chapel with it's painted ceilings that held the next collection of rare music boxes.

The tour guide invited Sam to wear the organ grinder's hat and play this instrument. Sam did a great job!

The tool shop.

The gift shop.

I would have bought both Bob and Michael one of this cool singing bird music boxes, but I didn't have my four grand with me. These delicate little birds sing so beautifully. 

Simon fell in love with this Christmas music box. He showed us how each time he opened it, it played a different song.

I was fascinated by the story of the owner of this museum who had spent his life and fortune in his passion to collect these fabulous mechanical music boxes, The tour guide  had told us that every day Siegfried walks over to see how his museum is doing. I had just taken these pictures of  the photos on the walls . . .

. . . when sure enough . . .

 . . . Siegfried, himself walked out of the museum! That really made my day!

Mel did a little more shopping in the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop. 

Then we headed to our favorite Doner Kabop shop and ate a delicious lunch.

We hopped back into our cars and drove further along the Rhine River to count castles. The fall leaves were spectacular!

 Sam and Simon together spotted over thirty castles along the Rhein!

 

We stopped at this park on the river for the boys to get out and play.
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On the way home, we stopped at the XXL Restaurant. Bob explained to Sam and Simon that we had spent all of our money on the trip, so we could only get one cheese burger for all of us to share. Their eyes lit up when they saw the size of the burger. It was so big that all six of us could only eat half of it!

When we came home, Swen and Gretel Swensen came over to visit. Swen was Michael's mission president when he served in Austria, and Michael actually lived in the mission home with their family when he was the assistant. The Swensens have been serving in Frankfurt as medical advisor missionaries. Wonderful couple!

In the morning we had a quick breakfast of toast, jam, and juice, and then we were off to the airport. We loved having their family here. Michael and Mel had planned such a fun trip for us, and the boys were great travelers. We hope that we can travel again together soon!