Thursday, November 24, 2011

Much to be THANKFUL for....

Today was a blessed Thanksgiving here in Germany.  The Area couples spent the afternoon together and enjoyed a scrumptious feast.  Allan and I were asked to organize the meal and everyone made delightful fixins' .  We had 5 turkeys and ALL the trimmings (which we somewhat hard to come by here).  Of course sharing the day with such wonderful and fun missionary couples made it that much more memorable.






Being able to serve this interesting yet challenging mission is such a blessing.  How grateful we are for the amazing people we have met in lands afar and the impact they have had on our testimonies of the Lord's love for all his children.  We often reflect on the closeness we feel to the Lord and recognize His hand of support in everything we are expected to do here.  We are so thankful for the love and support we get continuously from our children and grandchildren as they share their lives and encourage us in our far away responsibilities.  We are never alone here and relish our companionship as we work together here in so many ways.   Our love and commitment to each other continues to grow as we serve together.  This truly is a blessed day!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

GOLD AND GREEN BALL

For those of you who are old enough to know what a "Gold & Green" ball is , will appreciate this post.  Here in Germany this "Ball" is alive and well and much anticipated.  It was totally fun and they do go all out here with decorations, food and a really terrific band.  Women come decked out in long gowns , as well as the young women.  The realllllllllllly great thing is that EVERYONE is having a great time together.  The YSAs, the Ym & YW and all the adults and the kids didn't seem to resent the "oldies" being there.  It was one big party.  The other amazing thing was to watch them dance.  These Germans love to dance and are VERY PROFICIENT dancers with some very great moves!



We want to introduce some wonderful friends who were there.  First, a couple of oldies who still love to dance.

Next are some of the couples who serve with us in the Area Office in a wide range of capacities.







Aren't they beautiful people.  Next is our Bishop and wife from Portugal and our Stake President and his wife.


It was such a fun evening and everyone was so excited and happy to be dancing.  We think we should "resurrect" the GOLD AND GREEN BALL when we return .

Just a couple of pictures from our deck of the beautiful fall colors here in Germany!!


Monday, November 7, 2011

Beautiful friends, beautiful places and a beautiful experience.

We have been busy with training in unique places and meeting new and amazing people.  We returned to Albania but to a different city in the south to train a couple who will be a great strength to the Branch and the Center there.  It was a 3 hour drive to the city from Tirana where we stayed.  We trained in the morning with 2 couples and the YSA leader and then had lunch together "on the beach" of the Adriatic Sea.  I never imagined that Albania would have such a beautiful coastline.



Another beautiful person that we get to see each day in the front lobby of the office building is "Gabhi".  She is a fiesty, funny and wonderful German lady who has a rich and interesting life and conversion story.  She lives out near a "forest" and invited us out for a hike and dinner.  What a fun experience to be in her home and learn more about her life.  She is a sweetheart!!




We were blessed to be in the presence of President Uchtdorf on Saturday evening.  He and his wife are in Germany and did a fireside  in Frankfurt and the next night in Darmstadt.  It was an amazing experience to feel his power and testimony and be taught up close and personal by this dynamic leader.  He left us with an apostolic blessing that burned into our hearts. Following the meeting he stood and told everyone to not run off...he wanted to shake hands.  So of course all 500 people swarmed forward .  He shook our hands and told Allan "thank you for all you do."  This was definately one of those once in a lifetime experiences.