MAY15-20, 2017 FREIBERG, GERMANY

GERMAN WALKING STICKS

     One of the aspects of German life that I appreaciate is their love of walking.  We see many people walking for pleasure, and, also, many riding bikes to work, and for pleasure.  As Bill and I walk around at the end of the day, it is not uncommon to see folks using walking sticks.  I haven't seen this much in the United States.  I can see that they would be a good support, especially is you were a little shaky on your feet.   The walking sticks actually remind me of ski poles.
      Trains are also frequently seen in our town.  Germany has quite a network of trains within cities, and from city to city.  As Bill and I walk on our favorite path, it is quite common to have a train speed by us.  They travel very fast, and look like trains you find in a subway.  We will have to take a ride on one sometime.  As the trains pass by us, we grab our phone to take a picture, but they go so fast that by the time we get the phone in our hands, the train is long gone.
      The houses you see on the right hand side of the tracks are some of the poorest housing we have seen here in Freiberg.  We don't know who lives in these homes, but they are very modest.

TRAIN TRACKS BESIDE OUR WALKING PATH

     A special Mid-Singles Convention was held at the chapel on the temple grounds this past week.  Mid-Singles are single church member between the ages of 35-45.  They came from all over Europe and met for 3 1/2 days taking classes and having dances and activities together.  We had many of these people come to the temple throughout these days to participate in all of the ordinances for their ancestors.  They always bring their own names.  One man from Hungary brought a stack of about 200 names of his ancestors.  Obviously we didn't get them all done, but we were able to do many for him. One of our temple workers,who works the recommend desk,commented that we had people from 15 different countries come to the temple throughout those three days.

A COUPLE OF MID-SINGLES AT THE PLAY WITH US

     The Keynote speaker for the Mid-Singles Convention was a woman named Rebeccah Stay.  She and her husband are serving a mission in charge of The Church's Refugee Services in all of Europe.  She has a doctorate in Old Testament and Hebrew Studies.  She taught several classes about Old Testment history and how it refers to the temple and the creation and the Plan of Salvation.  We were invited to attend her classes, and she offered to teach special night sessions so Temple Workers could attend.  Bill and I attended three of her classes, and learned much.  She has a great way of presenting, and is a teacher of BYU Continuing Education classes.  It was very interesting to learn of all the Church is doing to help refugees throughout Europe.  It is amazing.  It is truly heartbreaking to learn of the lives these people are living, and all they have gone through.
     To my joy and delight, I discovered that this teacher, Rebeccah Stay, is someone who had been in our Livonia, Michigan Ward about 40 years ago.  As soon as I saw her name tag, a light bulb went off in my head, and I thought, "I know who this person is."  As we visited, we put the pieces together and remembered where we had met before. Later in the week we had a good visit about our lives, and the people we had both known years ago. A VERY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE FOR ME!

THE THEATRE AND ORCHESTRA FOR "FIDDLER"

     Remember "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF?"  A production of this play was being put on in downtown Freiberg.  About 10 of us temple workers decided to go to it.  The whole production was in German, and I,and one other temple worker,were the only ones who didn't speak German.  This theater was very old, but very classic European.  The actors were superb, and their singing was wonderful.  Because I knew the story line so well, and the words of most of the songs, also, I thoroughly enjoyed the production.  It lasted 3 1/2 hours, and we enjoyed it so much.  Bill about lost circulation in his legs because the rows of seats were so close together.  After intermission, he changed seats and either stood up, or sat back and just listened.  That's what you get for having long legs.  This was our first experience enjoying the night life of Freiberg!

BILL AND I ENJOYING THE PLAY

  

ENTRANCE TO THEATER FOR "ANATEVKA"

To end the post for today, I want to add a couple of pictures taken in Dresden a week ago.  We 

went to the shore of the Elbe River.  Everytime I think of the Elbe River, I think of Napoleon

for some reason.  The Elbe River runs through Dresden, and is used for cruises like we see

advertised by Viking River Cruises. 

MAY14-20,2017 FREIBERG, GERMANY

OUR BEAUTIFUL YARD IN REXBURG

     As I start this blog, I want to thank all of the wonderful neighbors in our neighborhood who have volunteered to mow our lawn for us, and keep the yard looking beautiful.  It is really  appreciated, and we are so grateful.  Lanette took a picture of the yard and sent it to us, and it looks WUNDERBAR!

     Mother's Day, May 14th, was a beautiful day.  We went to church, where the Branch, during Sunday School time,had a special Mother's Day program.  The ten children in our Primary recited poems and sang special songs about Mother from the Primary songbook.  You wouldn't think that ten children could make much noise, but they sang so beautifully that we were all delighted.  Our Branch President is a young man in his 30's, and he has a beautiful voice, which he shared in a special solo about mothers.  At the conclusion of the meeting, all of the Primary children handed out beautiful gerber daisies with fern to each woman.  
     Later that day, we had visitors to our apartment for dinner. The Sister Missionaries in our Branch, and our next door neighbors, Kent and Marlis Freeman, from Aaurora, Utah, came.  Marlis picked the menu, and she chose waffles with strawberries and whipped cream and nutella.  This is one of her favorite meals, and the sister missionaries said that they hadn't had waffles in so long, that they would love it, too.  We added ham and German sausages to the menu, and it was very tasty.  

SISTER DARTON & SISTER WACKER

 
     Sister Darton, from Utah, has been out about 6 months, and Sister Wacker, from Washington State is brand new.  
     The Freeman's were so kind to drive us around in their car when we first arrived.  They took us downtown and showed us where to shop, showed us where to register, where to lease our car, and over all just introduced us to the city of Freiberg.  We needed their help so badly, and their kindness was so appreciated.
     We talked with three of our children on Whatsapp, and email, and spoke to the others the day after Mother's Day , or a few days later.
     All in all, it was a great day, and we had a lot of fun!     

KENT AND MARLIS FREEMAN

                                                                               I have been trying to learn a little German by studying a language program recommended to me by Sister Packer who 
serves in the Rexburg Temple.  It is a great program and is helping me learn some of the basics.  After I finished the first lesson, Duolingo informed me that I was now fluent in 1% of the German language.  IT FELT SO GOOD!


     Monday, May 15th we had our first haircuts since arriving.  Angela Froebel, our Branch Relief Society President, was our hair dresser.  She did a beautiful job on me, but was a bit more challenged trying to give Bill an bulldog like he is used to getting in Rexburg.  She has a beautiful shop in the basement of her home, located a block from the temple.  We are so grateful for her.

TWO OF THE MISSIONARIES HERE FOR ZONE CONFERENCE

     On Tuesday, May 16, we headed to the county offices to apply for Visa's.  While we were gone, much to everyone's surprise 15-20 missionaries from the Berlin Germany Mission arrived to do baptisms and endowments.  Since Bill and I are in charge of the baptistry, their was a bit of a panic when we were not available.  The missionaries had not scheduled any baptisms,  so they were not expected, and we were gone.  A counselor in the temple presidency , President Wadosch, took over and did a tremendous job.  We found out later, that there was a zone conference being held in the chapel right next to the temple, and 80 or so missionaries were there.  It was a beautiful sight to see so many young men and women so excited and eager to serve the Lord.
                                                                                                                              This week in the baptistry we have had people come from a place called Kaliningrad.  It is a part of Russia, but used to be called East Prussia.  These people spoke good English, which was a blessing.  We, also, had people from Hohestein, Augsburg, Mittweida, Zwicau, Unna, Munich, Friedrichdorf, and Coburg.  All of these places have Wards in different cities in Germany.  It is great to see the Church growing in so many parts of Germany.

HALF OF THE YOUTH CHOIR SINGING IN THE STAKE CONFERENC SESSION

     On Sunday, May 21st, we had Stake Conference in Dresden.  This was our first trip to Dresden, which is about a 45 minute drive from Freiberg.  Our Stake Conference visitor was an area authority seventy from Norway.  He does not speak German, so he had a German interpreter, while he spoke in English.  It gave me a good chance to take out my earbuds, from listening to our German interpreter, for the rest of the meeting.  This Area Seventy Brother, ( I didn't get his name) was such an inspiring speaker and it was easy to feel The Spirit as he spoke(brought me to tears a few times.)  We, also, had a beautiful youth choir singing for the session, as well as a choir of Primary children who sang a special number.  It did my heart good to see so many youth who are growing up in Germany, who can help to strengthen The Church here.

      At the close of the conference we took pictures of some of our Temple Missionary couples.  Elder & Sister Schnebly,( in the red dress) , are returning to Arizona, and we welcome Elder and Sister Ashby, from Draper, Utah, and  Brother and Sister Glomb, from Germany.  We, also, took a picture of our Temple President and his wife, President and Sister Erlacher.  The Glombs are at the far left, Ashbys are in the purple jacket, and President and Sister Wagner, from the Temple Presidency are in the white jacket, with spouses standing behind.  President Erlacher is in the center back row.                                                                                                 President Erlacher and his wife have been gone from their home for the past six years.

PRESIDENT AND SISTER ERLACHER

 They were temple missionaries for several years before coming to serve for three years as President of the Freiberg Temple.  They will be released in October, and their children can't wait to get them back home.  We just love working with them.
     Because the Schnebly's were leaving on Tuesday, we drove into Dresden so that they could visit a special cathedral that they really wanted to see before they left.  It was called "The Frauenkirche."  President Uchtdorf referred to this church in one of his talks.  It was destroyed by the Allies in the II World War, when most of the city of Dresden was bombed out.  Over a ten year period, and with many donations, the church was rebuilt, using some of the original sandstone blocks.  In the picture of the church, they appear as a very dark color.  It is considered the most important stone dome construction north of the Alps.  Sorry about the fire engines in the center of the picture.  The Dresden Fire Department was having a display in the town square, showing their preparation to fight any fires that may arise in the city.  

THE FRAUENKIRCHE IN DRESDEN

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THE CHANCEL, ALTAR AND ORGAN IN THE FRAUENKIRCHE

     It has been a great week.  To see the faith of these members, who, sometimes, give almost all that they have to come to the temple for a few days, up to a week, is inspiring. We are grateful for their faith and love of the Lord.  Because the Frankfurt Temple is closed for remodeling, we get visitors, and temple workers from all over Germany, here in Freiberg. It is a blessing to work with these good people.

MAY 8-14, 2017 FREIBERG, GERMANY

     Since Monday is our preparation day, we spent it doing some necessary things like making appointments for hair cuts, and trying to check into the office of the local chiropractor, and see if he would take Ann as a patient. We can walk to the hairdressers house, because she lives only a block away from the temple, and is the Relief Society President in our branch. She doesn't speak any English, but has been meeting the missionary's haircut needs for many years. I took Bill with me to act as interpreter, and we walked to make our appointment, because we didn't know how to get our needs across over the phone. Her name is Angela Froebel. Because she is so busy, we thought we'd have to wait a couple of months to get in, and with Bill's crew cut already being a week or so overdue, it would have been a big problem for his hairstyle. She was kind enough to work us in within a week, but we did have to make future appointments through August, because her calendar is so booked up.

OUR HAIRDRESSER, ANGELA FROEBEL'S, RED HOME, ON THE LEFT

     We next visited the office of the Chiropractor, Dr. Fischer. He was recommended to us by a temple worker from Freiberg, named Bruder Kleinert. Bruder Kleinert is a retired doctor, and is familiar with the medical profession in the city. What a blessing that is!! He recommended Dr. Fischer. As it turns out, Dr. Fischer doesn't take new patients except on the first day of the month, and he doesn't speak any English. His receptionists, aren't too great with English, either. Bill tried to speak to them, but his German in medical terms leaves something to be desired. The bottom line was, "call us on the first of June for an appointment, and when you come, bring an INTERPRETER!"  We promised we would.
     Most evenings of the week we take a walk around our neighborhood after we finish our work in the temple for the day, which is usually around 3:30 PM.  It is very interesting to see the different colors of stucco with which the houses are finished- everything from blue to orange, etc.  Most of the the homes are not large, but usually have pretty flowers blooming, and are well taken care of.  Most of the streets are narrow, just barely big enough for two cars to pass, and some of them are really only big enough for one car at a time.  It is so interesting to see that most of the sidewalks are made of brick pavers.

A NEIGHBORHOOD WE FREQUENTLY WALK THROUGH

Grocery shopping has provided us with a new experience with the shopping cart.  We shop in a two story grocery store called Kaufland.  To get to the second story of food, we must take our shopping cart up an escalator.  At first I thought we would have a hard time keeping the cart on the escalator, but the carts have an automatic brake system that does not allow the cart to roll.  Also, the escalator doesn't have any steps.  Bill had a great time trying the escalator for the first time.  He had so much fun, that I just had to take his picture.I've never seen this in the United States!

BILL ON THE ESCALATOR AT KAUFLAND

About  a quarter of a mile from our apartment is a lovely forest that we enjoy walking in.  The trees are so tall and beautiful.  It provides a cool, pleasant walk.  A ways into the forest, there is a parting of the paths.  Walking either way will take you to a little village just down the path.  Some of them are two or three kilometers away.    Some of our friends have visited a little restaurant at the end of one of the paths, that Bill and I will have to try.    As I walked in this forest, I thought of Hansel and Gretel being taken into the forest by their father, and left there all alone.  The only thing missing was the candy house of the wicked witch.

THE HANSEL AND GRETEL FOREST

 

HMMM, WHICH PATH SHOULD I TAKE/?

     

This week in the baptistry we have had youth visits from the town of Annaberg, and the country of Russia.  The youth are always so vibrant and excited to get baptized.  It is a joy to work with them.   The Russian people are almost always adults doing work for their ancestors.  The names they bring are really a challenge to pronounce.  But,  surprisingly, many of then know English better than they do German, so we usually help them in the English language.  

     We had one young man from Germany visit the baptistry, last week, who had just made up his mind to serve a mission.  His parents were so happy that he had made this decision.  The young man told us that he had made his decision after attending General Conference in Salt Lake City in April.    He attended baptisims several times last week, and you could really see that he was touched in his heart by his attendance here.

Another interesting set of visitors at the baptistry was a set of adults and youth from BYU in Provo.  These youth were on a study abroad for the month of May, and were visiting  6 different countries in Europe.  We were delighted that they wanted to attend the temple as part of their European experience.    We, also, had a visitor from Syria, who had just been a member of the church for two months.  This was his first visit to a temple.  He amazed us when he started to speak English.  He was working with the church member who baptized him, to find a way to bring his wife and family to Germany to be with him.  We had to admire him for all the struggles he had been through to get to this place in his life.

OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE FREIBERG TEMPLE

We are doing well, learning more all the time, and enjoying living with each other 24/7 in a small space, (much to our surprise!)   We are so thankful for the Gospel, and the blessings of the temple!

MAY1-7,2017 FREIBERG, GERMANY

BEAUTIFUL TREES ON TENPLE GROUNDS

     The temple grounds are beautiful right now with flowering trees, tulips, daffodils and pansys.  The grounds keepers are busy mowing the lawns and making sure the sprinkler system is working well.  The parking lot is not covered with asphalt, but is made with brick pavers, as are all the streets in the older parts of Freiberg.
     We have leased a car from Apel Auto.  The Apel family owns a car dealership here, and will lease cars to the missionaries for as long as we desire.  It is good to have a car again so that we don't have to carry our groceries by hand to the apartment after shopping.  It also gives us a little more freedom to see the country around us, and to visit other places as we desire.
     We wished that we could have leased a Ford, but our choices were an Audi, or a Nissan, and the Audi was a lot more money.  So, we are driving a two door Nissan Hatchback, and I just LOVE having a set of wheels.   Notice the pavers on the temple parking lot!

OUR TWO DOOR NISSAN HATCHBACK

   

BILL AT MC DONALDS

    

     Last week we were grocery shopping late into the evening.  It was past dinner time and we were hungry, when what should appear in the distance but an old friend from home, MCDONALDS! We were so delighted to see it  that we pulled right into the parking lot and had dinner.  It is the only restaurant from home that we have seen in Freiberg.  

     We were invited by our friends, the Fillmores,to go out to a Turkish fast food place on Saturday night and have Doeners.  They reminded me of our soup bowls, except the bread was not as thick.  They let you fill the bowl with items of your choice, like salad, meat, dressing, and grated cheese.  It was very tasty and filling.  I had a mini Doener, and it was enough for me.  Bill had a tortilla filled up with meat, red cabbage,  white                                                                                         cabbage, lettuce and tomatoes.  When the tortilla                                                                                     was rolled up, it was a foot long.  Bill could only                                                                                     eat half of it.  The rest is in our refrigerator.

EATING TURKISH DOENER'S WITH THE FILLMORES

     When entering the country of Germany, people who are planning to stay a while need to register in the Rathaus, or City Hall within three months of their arrival.  You have to show your marriage license, and passport and tell them how long you plan to stay, and why you are here.  Many times this process can take hours, but we lucked out and took care of all of it within 20 minutes.  They were willing to accept our copy of our marriage license, where other missionary couples have had their copy of the license not accepted, and are on the books as a man and a woman living together.  We all get a laugh out of that! 

     We noticed that the town market was set up right outside the Rathaus in the town square, so we were able  to walk around the market and see all the goods available for purchase.  There were clothes, fruits and vegetables, pastries, plants,  sausage made from horse meat, fried chicken, cheeses, and  fish.  The market is only open on Thurday afternoon, when we are usually in the temple, but we got the afternoon off to go register.   

     

THE DOWNTOWN SQUARE ON MARKET DAY

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR SALE AT THE MARKET

THE FREIBERG RAUTHAUS (CITY HALL)

The city of Freiberg also has a  University.  The downtown district is filled with students walking to class, or shopping in the shops of the old city.  All the streets in their area are paved with bricks.  Can't imagine how long it took to pave a street.  

UNIVERSITY BUILDING RIGHT IN DOWNTOWN FREIBERG BORDERING THE TOWN SQUARE

I will now add one more picture of the kitchen in our apartment.  It is very small, but we seem to survive.  We have no dishwasher, and very few dishes, but the cooking utensils and pots and pans seem sufficient.  I wish we had a bigger refrigerator,  but most things in the stores here come in small packages.  You can't buy milk in anything larger than a quart.  

THE KITCHEN IN OUR APARTMENT

     We have been busy in the temple this week.  Bill and I are in charge of the baptistry now, and have been kept busy.  Many groups come to the temple and stay in the Herrberger, or Hostel, for the whole week.  They pay about 9 dollars per night.  Then they come to the temple every day and do baptisms, initiatories, endowments and sealings.  We had a group of 22 youth come from the Leipzig Stake and do about 400 family name baptisms one night.  Other groups from Hannover and Zwickau also came and did baptisms for their family names.  It keeps Bill and Me busy mopping the floors. 

     The German language is coming along slow, but sure.  Bill is much better at it than I am! Bill did a great job blessing the sacrament in German  on Sunday, and I played the piano in Primary aad Relief Society.  Life is good and Temple work is WUENDERBAR! 

APRIL 24-30, 2017 FREIBERG, GERMANY

THE CHAPEL ON THE TEMPLE GROUNDS WHERE WE ATTEND CHURCH

WELCOME DINNER IN THE MISSIONARY ROOM

     Last Monday evening, a party was held to welcome us to the mission, and to say goodbye to Bernhard and Petra Stadtmueller, from Austria, who have completed their 6 month temple mission.  The party was a dinner, and was held in the Missionary Room of our apartment house.  All the people who work in the temple with us were invited.  The food was delicious, and was provided by the missionary couples attending.  We had about 25 of us in attendance.
     The missionary room has an organ in it, and a large screen tv for entertainment, plus tables, chairs, decorations, table cloths, and other party items.  We are going to miss the Stadtmueller's very much.  They both speak pretty good English, and she has been our enterpreter at meetings where the talking has all been done in German.  Her husband leads the music in Prayer Meeting, and they have both helped Bill and Me

PRESIDENT GUNTHER ERLACHER, OUR TEMPLE PRESIDENT

to understand what we are to do, and where to be.

BILL ENJOYS HIMSELF AT OUR WELCOME DINNER

     Last week, we had a group of single adults from Germany, come to the temple for baptisms.   We also had a group of youth and youth leaders come from a U.S. Military Base near Neurenburg.  They brought about 15 youth and 7 leaders.  It was so good to talk to them, because they all spoke English.  Bill and I are now in charge of the baptistry for the next 2 months.  It will be a pleasure getting to know the many people coming to the temple to do this work for their ancestors, and many of the youth are bringing their own family names with them.
     Last Friday night a bus load of 45 Relief Society Sisters came from the Czech Republic to do Endowments.  Not many of the missionaries know Czech, so they brought some temple workers with them who do know the language.  Surprisingly, many of them, also, speak English.  It was a rewarding week of temple work.
     Sunday was a busy day for us.  When we got to Church, I was asked if I would play the piano in Primary.  The Branch has a Primary of about 10 children.  So, now I am the Primary Pianist, and the every other week Relief Society Pianist.  These are both good jobs for me.

   After church, we were invited to Sunday dinner by Judy and Ed Fillmore.  They are from the Denver area in Colorado.  Ed speaks very good German, and Judy does really well for having been here only 6 months.  They have been a great source of information for us, and helped a lot with our adjustment.  We had a delicious lasagna dinner and a great time visiting.  Ed knows many languages, and Judy is the planner of our temple schedules each day.

JUDY FILLMORE AT MISSIONARY PARTY

     I am now going to add several pictures we took
of the Temple area, and our apartment, with the
surrounding neighborhood.

THE TEMPLE IN FREIBURG

THE TEMPLE DOORS

BILL IN OUR APARTMENT

OUR APARTMENT BUILDING