A MILESTONE was reached in our lives today! Bill and I were married exactly 50 years ago! It was a Friday 50 years ago, as well. We knew that we wouldn't be able to celebrate on that specific day, because it is the only day of the week that the temple is open in the evening for ordinances. Besides that, it was our turn to do "spatdienst", or late service, at the temple. That means we had to be the last ones out of the temple. We prepare the laundry bags to go to the laundry room, put away the scriptures, make sure the lights are out, and lock the doors of the temple. The following morning, we have "fruehdienst," or early service. That means we open the temple at 6 AM, put out the scriptures for the countries coming this week, or day. We always put out German scriptures, and usually English, but we also put out Hugarian, Polish, Bulgarian, or Russian, depending on who's there. We prepare the hymn books for prayer meeting, turn on the lights, and act as greeters as the temple workers enter the temple for prayer meeting at 7 AM.
 |
| DECORATION ON CUPBOARD OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT DOOR! |
We decided to do our celebrating on June 19, because that is our P-Day, and our time is our own. We wanted to go out to a nice restaurant for dinner. One of the special, unexpected events of our celebration was a card in the mail from the Oberburgermeister of Freiberg, congratulating us on our Golden Wedding Anniversary, and wishing us Good Luck. The Oberburgermeister is a step above the Mayor of the city. He knew that it was our anniversary from our registration papers when we entered the country, but it was a total surprise to receive his card.
 |
| THE SCHWANSCHLOSSCHEN RESTAURANT |
The restaurant we went to was called the Schwanschlosschen. It is built on the edge of the moat that used to surround the castle in Freiberg. The castle has been removed, but the restaurant has a boat in the shape of a swan which floats around on the water. The missionary couple that live next door to us, the Freemans, were also going to the restaurant that night, so we invited them to join us. We had a good time visiting and eating our weinerschnitzel. We drank raspberry lemonade, but it comes in bottles and is carbonated, instead of as it is in the States. For dessert, we had ice cream. They call it "Eis" here in Germany. It was a beautiful, Summer evening, and we had a great time! HERE'S TO ANOTHER FIFTY YEARS!!!!
 |
| ON THE DECK OF THE RESTAURANT! |
 |
| CARD FROM THE OBERBURGERMEISTER |
 |
WEINERSCHNITZEL SURE IS GOOD!
The grounds around the temple are filled with beautiful flowers. We worried about them last week when we were blasted with thunder, lightning, and pouring rain. However, they seem to have survived well. Lightning hit the Angel Moroni on top of the temple, was grounded under ground, but it affected the control cables that open the gates to our gated complex, as well as the exterior phone lines.
|
 |
TEMPLE FLOWERS
|
The city of Freiberg has one Ward and one Branch of the church. We, as missionaries, belong to the Branch. Our Branch President is married to a girl from America, and they are in their 30's. They had a Branch Grill Party ( that's what they call a Bar B Que) at their home last Saturday night. We were so tired after our day in the temple, but decided to be supportive and join the party. They live in the countryside outside of Freiberg. It really is beautiful country, very green and full of wind turbines. After getting lost twice trying to find the place, we at last succeeded.
 |
| MORE TEMPLE FLOWERS! |
Several men were cooking Bratwurst and Kabobs on the grill, and Branch members brought side dishes. I thought there would be hamburgers there, but not here. Brats are the going meat! We took watermelon and cantalope. We got to become better acquainted with some of the Branch members. The Elders and Sister Missionaries were also there.
While driving to the Grill Party, we passed the most beautiful field of red poppys.We decided to stop and get a picture. Notice the field of red in the top of the picture. It is all red poppys - just beautiful.
 |
| FIELD OF POPPYS. LOOK AT FIELD OF RED AT TOP OF PICTURE! |
 |
FRANK APEL IN TURQUOISE SHIRT. HIS WIFE BESIDE HIM!
|
A member of our branch is a man named Frank Apel. He was the first stake president of the Dresden Stake when it was part of the German Democratic Republic and a part of communist East Germany. He is probably in his early 80's. He serves as a Sealer in the temple. His wife, also, serves in the temple one night a week. Three of their four children live in our Branch. We have become acquainted with them and enjoy their friendship.
 |
THE GRILL - BRANCH PRESIDENT IN RED SHIRT!
This past week in the baptistry, a young man from Pakistan came with his ward. He has been a member of The Church for four months. He was previously a Muslim, but felt that the muslim religion was so controlling that he didn't have any agency. He went online and happened to check into LDS.org. He read about the Church, and decided he wanted to learn more. He looked up the nearest church building and went there the next Sunday. Because it was stake conference, no one was at the ward building. He went back the following Sunday, and people were there. He was taught the gospel, and decided to be baptized. He now serves as a ward missionary. This was his first experience in the temple.
We, also, had a group of about 25 young people from Utah come to the baptistry. They belonged to a folk dance group that was performing at folk dance festivals in Prague, and other countries. It was great to have them come, and at the conclusion of their visit, they gathered on the steps of the temple and sang two songs to us. All the temple workers were crying, because it was so beautiful and a special experience for us.
We had our busiest two days at the baptistry last week. Both days,four different groups were scheduled. In one day, we had 93 people baptized, and did about 500 names. The next day it was about the same. The laundry had a hard time keeping up, and we were exhausted by the end of the two days. I think we learned that four groups was one too many!
Two of our grandchildren had great news to report this past week. Jakob Moss, Todd and Jen's son received his mission call to the Salt Lake City East Mission, Spanish speaking. He goes to the MTC in Mexico City August 15th (we think.) Rachel Kump, Jennifer and David's daughter, received her call to the Provo Utah Mission, Spanish speaking. She reports to the Mexico City MTC August 22nd. Jakob's family lives in New York, and Rachel's family lives in North Carolina. We are happy and excited for them, and know they will serve the Lord well!
JAKOB MOSS - ABOVE
RACHEL KUMP - RIGHT
END OF POST - ALLES GUT!
|
No comments:
Post a Comment