AUGUST 16 - AUGUST 31, 2017 FREIBERG. GERMANY

    Throughout the week of August 14-19, Temple visitors came from Romania and Hungary.  A Romanian Sister, by the name of Izabela Geambasu, is a talented musician.  She was asked to present a Musical Fireside for any visitors to the temple, or anyone in the area who would like to attend.  Izabela has a beautiful singing voice, and has recorded several CD's.

 The program she presented consisted of a spiritual theme concerning overcoming our fears, trusting in the Lord, loving our fellowman, and strengthening our self esteem.  She spaced her words between the songs she sang.  The music came totally from the Hymn Book and EFY.  The concluding musical number of the fireside was the song "Love One Another."  It was sung 4 times, and each time she asked the audience to sing the words in their native language.  First, the Germans sang it in German, then the Romanians sang it in Romanisch, then the Hungarians sang it in Hungarian, and finally the English speakers sang it in English.  It was very spiritually touching to hear it sung by all the different peoples.  Even though we all spoke different languages, we are united by the gospel, and because we are all children of God.  The fireside was presented in English, and an interpreter translated it into German.    Many Hungarian and Romanian people speak English, as well as their native language. The chapel was full, and it was a lovely evening.


    The 19th of August was a special day for Bill.  He celebrated his 75th birthday.  We woke up to find a beautiful birthday card, and some chocolates outside the door from the Temple Presidency and the temple workers.

 He received cards and phone calls from family in the United States, as well.  That evening we invited two missionary couples to our apartment for cheese cake, and to watch a movie.  We watched the new Cinderella movie, which the two couples had never seen before.  We all enjoyed it as we ate cheese cake and popcorn.  It is SUPER to have friends to celebrate with.  We are so thankful for the good people we serve with here in Freiberg. Our temple presidency wives are very thoughtful people.



     A few says ago, I was taking a walk in town, and through a park.  The path takes me past a senior citizen assisted living home, where I heard an accordian, a guitar and a couple of other instruments being played.

FROM THE TEMPLE WORKERS

 I stopped to listen , and recognized that they were playing German folk songs.  Valdaree, Valdarah, Valdaree, Valdarah ha ha ha ha ha, Valdaree, Valdarah, etc.  I knew the song, but they were singing it in German.  Many people in wheel chairs were gathered outside on this beautiful Summer afternoon to enjoy the music.  I paused to listen for a bit, and then continued on with my walk.


     The path I walk takes me past a home that is so beautiful with the many flowers that bloom there.  I just had to take a picture.  The front, back and pathway leading to the home, are all surrounded with flowers.  It is a typical German house, but the landscaping makes it special.

     A young woman walked into the temple last week with a backpack on her back.  Her name is Kari, and she was traveling around Europe by herself visiting the temples on this continent.  She is in her early 20's I'd guess, and though her family lives in South Africa, she works and lives in Dubai.

BEAUTIFUL GERMAN HOUSE & YARD

 We temple workers thought she was pretty brave to be making this trip all by herself, and if I had been her mother, I would have been worried to death about her.  She stayed in the Herrberger, or Hostel owned by the church, and did temple work for 1 1/2 days.  She had already been to the Swiss Temple, and another one (I can't remember which.)
     Kari wanted to see some things in town that made Freiberg special, so Ellen and Larry Bonner joined Bill and I, and we took Kari downtown.  We walked through the shops, stopped at one of the churches in town, had an ice cream cone, met four missionary Elders walking in the town square on their way to a restaurant to have dinner, and had a pleasant walk.  Kari wanted to buy a souvenir to take with her on the rest of her trip, so she bought a sweat shirt that she had liked in one of the shops.

GERMAN FOLK SINGERS @ ASSISTED LIVING HOME

 The next morning she came back to the temple to do an ordinance, and then walked out the door on her way to the Helsinki Finland Temple.  She travels on the railway throughout Europe.  Pretty brave girl, I'd say!

     Last Saturday night, August 26th,  we were invited to an open house welcoming home a missionary son of Angela and Rene.  Their son Kevin served his mission in the Alpine Mission, which covers Switzerland, Austria, and some of Germany, I think.  All of the Branch was invited.  Everyone brought a dish to share, and the hosts served meat cooked on the grill.  It was a lovely evening.  The next day Kevin reported on his mission in Sacrament Meeting.

ANN, KARI & ELLEN  DOWNTOWN FREIBERG!

     A new missionary couple has joined our ranks.  Larry and Ellen Bonner, from Midway, Utah arrived a week ago.  They will be serving here for six months.  They have also served a mission in Estonia.  They are great people.  Larry served his mission in Germany, so speaks German.  Ellen doesn't speak German, but is doing well in learning the language.  We are really enjoying getting to know them.  All of the missionary couples from the US went out to dinner last weekend to welcome the Bonners.  We went to the Schwanschloss, and had a great time visiting with each other.



     As we walk to the tunnel to enter the temple each day, we pass several pictures hanging on the wall.  These pictures were painted by a temple missionary who served here named Elder Bennett.  I love the pictures because one shows President Monson  dedicating and rededicating the land of  Germany for the preaching of the gospel.  This event took place on a hillside between the cities of Dresden and Meissen.

KEVIN  WITH BILL & THE ASHBYS

Bill and I will be taking a trip to the actual dedication site before we return home from our mission.  The other picture shows the temple with it's Fall flowers.




     Sometimes, before I go to bed at night, I go walk around the temple gardens.  I love to sit on the bench and look at the temple shining in the darkness.  It is so beautiful, and it makes me so happy that we have been blessed to serve this mission here!  I am full of gratitude!

TEMPLE WITH FALL FLOWERS

LARRY AND ELLEN BONNER

PRESIDENT MONSON REDEDICATES GERMANY