Moss Temple Mission: MARCH 29 - MAY 7, 2018 FREIBERG, GERMANY - DRESDEN, GERMANY,

SPRING IS HERE!!

It is so wonderful to have longer daylight hours, and to see the trees and flowers starting to bud and blossom. The temple grass has been green all winter, but the flowering trees, shrubs, and other flowers just make everything look so much more beautiful.

SPRING TEMPLE FLOWERS!

A part of Spring not truly looked forward to is the clean up from the past winter. Here on the Temple grounds, clean up efforts were helped out by about 60 youth, who came from the Frankfurt Stake. They had a service project as part of their trip to the temple, and we saw them out on the grounds picking up sticks, raking leaves, and any other items that would detract from the temple. They, also, washed benches that patrons sit on which are located on the Temple grounds. We even saw them washing windows. Their efforts were much appreciated by all of us who serve here.

I was delighted to walk into stores and see seed packets for planting all kinds of garden vegetables, and flowers. The German people are into gardening. Because so many people live in apartment buildings, and many yards are small, they have areas within the city boundaries that have little sheds and small garden plots. These areas are used to grow gardens and flowers,

SEED DISPLAY IN MULLER

and are sometimes weekend getaways for the people who own them. It was wonderful to walk in the Wald (forest) again and enjoy this beautiful area. One sad thing to see were the many large trees that had blown over,because their root systems are so shallow. Strong winds, and rain ,or snow, softened the ground, and they toppled over.

Bill and I were invited to attend the wedding reception of Julia Schonherr, and Rico Lindner. Rico is a newly baptized member as of last October. They will be sealed in the temple this coming October, when he has been a member for a year. Julia is in her 20's, and is a massage therapist. She comes from a strong church family. Her Father is the Temple Recorder. Julia, also, serves as a temple worker with us occasionally. They had to be married downtown in the city offices, as all couples do in Germany. Their reception was in the Gemeinde House (church) where we meet on Sundays. It was a lot like the receptions we have in the United States.

THE BRIDE AND GROOM'S CAR HOOD.

The church was beautifully decorated, a sit down buffet dinner was served to about 80 people. There was dancing, a power point showing the bride and groom throughout their growing up years. As we left the reception, I saw their car all decorated beautifully with two lovely heart rose covered wreaths, with the hearts intertwined. They looked so beautiful.

Our good friends, Ellen and Larry Bonner were released, and went home to Utah in March. We will miss them. We welcomed two new Temple Missionary Couples- Joseph and Loni Linford, from Midway, Utah, and George Hale and Ann Thornock, from Hawaii. We are enjoying getting to know them.

BROTHER RITTER PLAYING ACCORDIAN

We had an authentic German dinner to welcome them. At the dinner we were served bratwurst, rotkohl, saurkraut, a kind of bread noodle topped with gravy, and Kuchen (cake.) Our after dinner entertainment was provided from Brother Ritter, a temple worker from near Berlin. He played many lovely German songs on his accordian, and had us swaying to the music. He was really good, and we had a grand time. Since Ellen Bonner had lined him up, we even skyped with her in Salt Lake City, and she was able to participate in the concert. It was amazing that we could do that! Isn't technology wonderful!!

One evening, Bill and I decided to take a walk in the downtown park in Freiberg. We have driven past it many times, but never stopped. The flowers were blooming and the fountains spraying water. It was a beautiful evening, and we enjoyed the walk around the Freiberg Castle Moat that was part of the park area.

AUTHENTIC GERMAN BRATWURST AND KRAUT

Our Branch President, Dario Dzierzon, and his wife, Trisha, invited us out to their home for Sunday dinner in April. They have five children,which is a big family for Germany. Trisha is from America, and Dario was born in Freiberg. They met as German missionaries. We enjoyed a good time visiting with William, Jason, Joey, Logan and Kylie. After dinner we played two church games with their family. It was a lot of fun. Dario's family owns a printing business in Freiberg. Trisha and another member Sister from the Freiberg Ward operate a store in downtown Freiberg called "Little Mormons." It sells games , tote bags, and other activities for children in the church. The two games we played were from this store. The Dzierzon's home is a few miles out of Freiberg in the beautiful German countryside.

THE DZIERZON FAMILY

Patrick Knabe is a young man from Nordhausen, Germany. He has been such a help to me in finding a chiropractor who could help my back, which was really out of alignment. The Berlin Mission President's wife, Sister Fingerle, called Patrick, because he has a list of many doctors in different cities throughout Germany, who treat different conditions. Patrick made an appointment for me in Dresden, who uses the same chiropractic method as did my doctor in Rexburg. I was so grateful to find her. I am thankful for Patrick's help, and was pleased to finally meet him on the Temple Grounds a few months later.

On April 29th, a four day European Mid-Singles Convention was held at the church building located on the temple grounds. These people came from all over Europe, and even a few were from the United States. They had activities together, and many attended Temple sessions for all of the ordinances performed in the Temple. It was a busy week for us in the Temple, and we enjoyed meeting many of these wonderful people.

EUROPEAN MID-SINGLES CONVENTION

It is a challenge here in Europe to find your Eternal Companion, because the choices are somewhat limited. I'm happy they could enjoy associating with each other here, and hope that they have happy, fulfilling lives while living the Gospel. We had just returned from a walk, when we found them lined up in front of the temple for a picture. They asked Bill to take their picture, so we used our camera, and got a picture for us, too!

A very special treat for us was having Ben and Lanette, and Eric and Gaby, come to Germany to visit us.

BEN AND LANETTE - FREIBERG TEMPLE

Ben and Lanette stayed five days, and Eric and Gaby we just had for a day and a half. We had good times doing things together.
Before Eric arrived here, we took Ben and Lanette, and seven other missionaries, with us to visit the dedication site between Dresden and Meissen, where President Monson rededicated Germany for the preaching of the gospel.

BILL READING PRAYER AT DEDICATION SITE

It was a beautiful day, and Bill read the dedication prayer to the group, which brought a special spirit to our gathering. I was happy that Ben and Lanette had the opportunity of attending some of the Temple sessions, and seeing the beautiful Temple where we serve.

The PulverTurm Restaurant provided fine dining enjoyment in an atmosphere reminding us of old time weaponry, torture, and the ruins of the bombing of Dresden during World War II. We had a great time all gathered around a huge round table, large enough to seat 11 people. The food and conversation were enjoyed by all. We, also, walked around beautiful Dresden at twilight, seeing the Frauenkirche Church, the Zwinger, and the Elbe River sites.

ERIC AND GABY - FREIBERG TEMPLE

After Sunday Stake Conference meetings on May 6th, we traveled to Terezin, Czech Republic, on our way to Prague.

NATIONAL CEMETERY AT TEREZIN-REMAINS OF 10,000 VICTIMS

Terezin was a town taken over by the Nazis in World War II, and turned into a concentration camp. It's 7,000 residents were removed to make room for 58,000 Jews. Terezin was the Nazi's "model town" used for deceiving Red Cross inspectors, which fostered the illusion that its Jewish inmates lived relatively normal lives - making the truth all the more cruel. Over the course of the War, virtually all of the 155,000 Jews of Terezin ended up dying- either here, (35,000) or in extermination camps farther east. Of the 15,000 children who passed through here from 1942-1944 , fewer than 100 survived. It was a sobering place to visit.

Upon arriving in Prague, we checked into our hotel, and went walking around the town. It was beautiful seeing Prague as the sun was setting.

ON CHARLES BRIDGE - PRAGUE

I was amazed at how many tourist and school field trip groups were out and about this early in the Spring. We had beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures, which made walking easy and enjoyable. Places of interest that we visited were, The Prague Castle Complex, The Royal Palace, The Golden Lane, The St. Vitas Cathedral, & The Bascilica of St. George. These are all places that Bill and I visited when we were in Prague with Jenny and David. One new place of interest, was a visit to the Astronomical Clock. This famous clock was under repair and renovation, but we went up in the clock tower and were able to see the sites of Prague from all angles, and for miles around.

VIEW OF PRAGUE FROM ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK

What gorgeous views we had! Tasty treats, and nice meals in restaurants added to an enjoyable visit, though I must say that when the kids ordered traditional Czech fare, they didn't like the kraut, or rotkohl - just left it on their plates.

It was such a treat to have these few days with our children. Eric and Gaby caught a train to Salzburg that evening in Prague. Ben and Lanette drove home with us to Freiberg, and left the next morning from Dresden to fly to London,

and a five day visit to England and Scotland. We are grateful for Ben and Gaby's parents, and Shelley Egbert, for taking care of their families so that they could have this experience.

RANDOM PHOTOS