CELBRATING MOTHERHOOD AND THE WOMEN IN OUR LIVES

 In the entryway of our home in Utah hangs a portrait of my (Russell’s) mother as a young woman.  Although she died almost 47 years ago, the love she showed me and the lessons she taught me largely shaped who I am today.  I have had the blessing of other wonderful women in my life: two grandmothers who helped raise me; a mother-in-law who treated me like one of her sons; my wife, the love of my life and best friend of over 48 years; a sister and sister-in-law, both of whom have befriended me and my family over many years; plus four daughters, a daughter-in-law and eight granddaughters who have brought me great joy.  My life is much richer due to their love and influence.

President Hinkley has told us, “Woman is God’s supreme creation.  Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.  Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God.” (Ensign, Sept. 1988)

In the poem, “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” William Wallace notes the profound influence of mothers in shaping society through their role in raising children, asserting that the domestic power of motherhood is the ultimate source of global power.  The poem emphasizes that a mother’s guidance in infancy sets the moral and spiritual foundation for a person, thereby influencing the future of the world, regardless of a woman’s social status.  In the poem’s most famous line it reads, “For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”

I look forward to the day that I will be able to see my mother, mother-in-law, and grandmothers again and thank them for their love and tireless efforts to help me.  I recognize all too well that in my youth I did not fully appreciate how much greater their love for me was than the love and appreciation I showed them back. 

With Mother’s Day approaching, it seemed quite timely that we had a visit on Friday from Elder and Sister Golden, prior to their going to Romania to conduct Maternal and Newborn Care (“MNC”) training courses for local doctors and nurses.  The Goldens are Church service missionaries from Washington state.  Elder Golden is a neonatologist, and Sister Gordon is a retired pediatric nurse.  They go out a few times each year for a week or two at a time to teach classes such as Helping Babies Breath and Neonatal Resuscitation Training.  While were serving in Indonesia we participated in several MNC projects; and when we served here 10 years ago, the MNC specialist from Utah had Eileen go to Moldova to scout out hospitals where they might possibly conduct courses.  Eileen took several of the training courses and was actually certified, not too many years ago, to go on trips like the Golden’s are doing and help teach.  Eileen loved her time working as a pediatric nurse, particularly her time going on Operation Smile missions around the world.  As we were talking to the Golden’s, I could see in Eileen an enthusiasm for their work and a wish that she could be going with them to Romania – or anywhere else that kind of work is to be performed!

Last week I failed to attach the presentation I made in our Monday morning devotional for the Welfare Department.  It is on the blog entry just prior to this one.

Photo of Eileen's mother Elsie. She was an assistant matron of the Provo Temple.

Russell's mother Joyce and Russell as a child. She died just one year after we were married. 

This past Monday we had a workforce devotional.  The message is broadcast across the Europe Central Area.  Our opening song was It is Well with my Soul. It touched my heart (Eileen). I love the story behind the song and hearing so many fellow missionaries and employees singing it was quite powerful.  Two years ago when we were serving  a mission in Missouri, my sister Christine was very sick and in a coma for 10 days.  I wanted to be there so badly with her.  My other two sisters stayed by her bedside in the ICU and played this song repeatedly for her. I am grateful for the wonderful miracle which took place when Chris recovered.  She doesn't have any children (yet), but has been a wonderful aunt/mother-like figure to  my children and grandchildren. 

The garage door to our indoor parking spot was broken for several days this week. We all had to scramble to find a ride to work. Russell drove missionaries in the fleet van a couple of days.

I (Eileen) took the train for the first time into a dr's appointment this past week to have a shot in my knee. I was surprised to see two other missionary couples at the same doctor.  Since the doctor only takes private pay, he is probably appreciating all the business he is getting from senior missionaries who are still trying to exercise but aren't holding up so good.  This sign was very near the office. I think I will pass on the marijuana festival. 

Dr Golden taught us in person and a group remotely about the work he does with his MNC service.

                  Sister Sutterfield, Eileen and Russell checking out the jar of US chocolate candy bars. 

The Muellecks, Goldens and Healys having dinner together.  Elder and Sister Golden moved with their children to Liberia for 4 months to help with medical care there. I was fascinated by all their stories. 

                                                      

Elders Healy and Muelleck walking down Louisenstrasse - a beautiful walking street in Bad Homburg.

Our group working on Saturday.  Dress was casual.  All of our projects to utilize the 2026 budget need to be in by May 15th.  There were 3 humanitarian couples working on Saturday.

Devotional Presentation

 

WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY DO IN OUR ROLE HERE?

This last week, I (Russell) presented in our weekly Monday morning devotional. The subject matter was assigned to us and the audience was the employees and missionaries of the Area’s Welfare and Self-reliance Department (“WSR”).  Over a hundred individuals are invited to attend the weekly on-line meeting, but usually less than that actually make it.  

The assigned topic was Priority 3 of the WSR 5-year strategic focus, “Increase the impact of Church humanitarian priorities and promote community service.”  The previous two priorities, covered in prior weeks, focused on self-reliance principles and services for Church members.  As Priority 3 and my presentation dealt specifically with what Eileen and I work on in our missionary service, I thought including it here might be appropriate. Since much of the presentation focused on the “how to do” part of the work, I thought it important to start and end it with the “why,” on the purpose of why we are doing what we are doing.  It is easy to get caught up in the mechanics of the process and lose track of why we are serving. We serve our Savior, Jesus Christ, and seek to follow His example of serving others, particularly those most in need. 

The Church’s humanitarian work in the Europe Central Area is organized in a more complex way that it was 10 years ago when we previously served here.  We now have six managers/employees that we work with, three in Frankfurt and three located in the countries that we serve.  The humanitarian project work is divided into roles filled by employees, Area humanitarian missionaries (like us), and the WSR field couple missionaries.  To coordinate that process of who does what, a chart has been created by the Area humanitarian employees to clarify that.  I refer to it as the “Chart of Many Colors.”  A copy of the chart is attached at the end of this week's pictures.  My PowerPoint devotional presentation is attached as the next blog entry.

Each Sunday we try and invite another couple to come and have dinner with us.  Since my cooking skills are limited, we have a consistent menu of roast beef, potatoes and vegetables.  It reminds me of what my grandmothers would cook when they had us over for Sunday dinners.  So far, we have had over a dozen couples come and share a meal with us.  Getting to know the other senior missionaries is one of the best things about serving here in Frankfurt. 

                                         

It is pretty remarkable that with modern technology we can have a meeting with others from around the world. Joining our Monday meeting are missionaries and employees from Spain to Turkey.

Russell makes dinner each Sunday and we invite other senior missionaries over.

Russell wanted some nicer dress shirts. I ordered these over a month ago. DHL tried to deliver them twice previously on a Saturday and returned to the sender since the office and mail room is closed on Saturday. I thought surely it can't be that difficult when I have requested that they be delivered on a weekday to notice that the office is closed.  We finally received 6 out of the 10 which were ordered.  I guess it shows it is worth being persistent. Hopefully we can still get the other 4.

My daughter gives me a waxed amaryllis every year for Christmas. When I saw these in the Netherlands I thought they would be so nice to have in the office. Russell knows that flowers make me happy. 

We have a small balcony which Russell has put a lot of flowers on, some are planted and some are grown in pots.

Friday was a holiday in Frankfurt and the office was closed. Almost all the senior missionaries took off on a trip. It wasn't our weekend for the car so we figured we would stay home. Elder and Sister Nelson heard we didn't have a car and loaned us theirs since they were going out of town. We went to Wurzburg and saw some of the sites there. The Wurzburg residence was originally built in the mid 1700s.  It was mostly ruined in a 17 minute British air raid in WWII. An American art historian who was in the army, recognized the value of the building and the frescos and took emergency measures to protect what was left of the building. It is now a UNESCO hertitage building. 

                                                         Beautiful parquet floors.

                                           

                                             

                                            

                                        

                                                                   Hall of mirrors

                                        

We took a wonderful tour of this fortress at the top of the hill. overlooking the city.

Saturday we went to the Palmengarten-a botanical garden in the middle of Frankfurt

                                                         

My first ever speeding ticket.  It was taken by an electronic camera. $38 for going 3 miles over the speed    limit. 

We went out with Elder and Sister Parks to a Mexican restaurant. We were surprised when we were brought some nonalcoholic shots at the end of meal. Basically it was just OJ in a shot glass.

                                                            The chart of many colors gets confusing at times