CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY WITH FAMILY

What a wonderful week it has been. I (Eileen) love Christmas, and I love my family. This week we have had our daughter and her family visiting with us. It has been so special to celebrate a German Christmas with them and to visit with other family members through the miracle of technology. (Most of the photos shown below taken by my son-in law Steve)

Our family members rented an available apartment in our building. This was the view from where they were staying looking down on our apartment. We turned the lights on the Christmas tree outside our apartment so they could find us.

My son-in law served his mission while a young man in Hamburg, Germany.  This past week we took the train to Hamburg and spent several days visiting the area where he served years ago.  We were able to spend some time with a woman named Suzanna who was baptized while he was a missionary.  All of us attended a performance of the Lion King. The dialogue for the play was in German, however the production was so well done, that even the non-German speakers in our group enjoyed it. 

This theater has been showing The Lion King for years

We took the Lion King ferry across the river in order to attend the performance

We visited the Christmas markets in Frankfurt and Hamburg with our family.  The Christmas markets in Europe are delightful. The Weihnachtsmarkt is a street market that originated in Germany going back to the Late Middle Ages.  Beautifully decorated wooden stalls, offer gifts from throughout the world and delicious yuletide treats.  Christmas music is played overhead through loudspeakers.  A large manger scene is displayed.  It is a feast for all of the senses. Sadly due to the terroristic act in Berlin this past week at the Christmas market, much caution was exercised in the things we did and the timing of the places we went.  There was a strong police presence with large police vans blocking all of the entrances to the market. It is sobering to think that during a time when we sing “Peace on Earth Good Will to Men” that evil men are thinking of ways to cause chaos in the world.

Hamburg Christmas Market

Police guarding entrance to market

Christmas stalls in Frankfurt

This is a real BBQ

Train Station in Hamburg

Flags at half mast after the terrorism in Berlin

The town Hall behind the market

Christmas gifts for sale

Entertaining themselves on the train

Chasing pigeons is always a favorite past time for boys

The cathedral at Worms, Germany. It was here that Martin Luther defending his beliefs. 

The cathedral in Worms from the 12th and 13th century

While in Hamburg our grandchildren were able to attend a children’s bakery held on a boat.  For a little over 2 dollars/child they were able to cut out and decorate close to a dozen sugar cookies.  There was a large group of young children there the same time as our grandchildren. I was amazed at how well all of the children acted and what a wonderful opportunity for children to be taught by professional bakers how to make Christmas cookies.

Grandchildren making cookies

On Christmas Eve Russell and I took the metro down to the main square in Frankfurt to listen to the Pealing of the Bells.  This is a Christmas Eve Frankfurt tradition, when thousands of people gather on the Römer to hear bells. On the 24th, the bells begin ringing at 17:00. At this time, 50 bells from 10 of the downtown churches rang together for 30 minutes. There were70 tons of metal ringing away, but amazingly, all in relative harmony. It was a beautiful way to usher in Christmas. 

 On Christmas Day we went to church and listened to the messages in both spoken word and music.  As I looked around the congregation I was especially touched this day while pondering the meaning of Christmas.  I have gotten to know several women in our congregation who have lost loved ones. One woman lost a daughter in her 30s just 18 months ago, another woman I visit teach had her husband pass away at age 45 on Christmas Day.  Several have lost babies while infants.  I was thinking about what a blessing it is to know for a surety that through the atonement of Jesus Christ all who have lived will be resurrected. We will see our loved ones again after this life.  I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves all of his children. I am grateful for Jesus Christ, my elder brother and Savior. 

Eileen and Russell, photo taken by my 7 year old granddaughter

SHARING THE GOSPEL THROUGH MUSIC

We have experienced some challenges the last few weeks related to health and other difficulties. It is amazing how the Lord sends us tender mercies when we need it most. 

Two weeks ago I (Eileen) had my birthday.  A couple of friends gave me flowers and my coworkers sang me to in French, Portuguese, German, Spanish and English.  

Birthday cake with flowers from Sister Rueckert

Sister Lovell took me to the flower shop to hand pick flowers for a bouquet

Last weekend we were able to travel to the Hague temple in the Netherlands. We are very fortunate that senior missionaries in the Europe Area Office are given the latitude to travel within a radius of 500 km.  It means that we have been able to visit 3 different temples while the Frankfurt temple has been closed for renovations.  Visiting the temple is an uplifting, peaceful experience for us and seems to be rejuvenating to our souls.

Hague Temple

Old fashioned carousel in Brussels

Eileen in Grand Place in Brussels

I have heard from some that it seems like we are on vacation here.  While it is true that we travel to train new couples and to attend the temple, most of the time we stay busy with doing administrative support tasks that we hope is helping the humanitarian work go forth in this area.  We don’t write about our day job because it would not only be inappropriate but also boring to read about.   Most of our work is on the computer or on the phone (except for when we are training new missionaries).

‪Wednesday night Russell worked late. I went caroling with some senior missionaries and other members of our ward.  It was probably my favorite experience of all 3 missions we have served. We went to the Zeil, which is the downtown shopping area in Frankfurt.  We gathered with about 40 of us and sang Christmas carols in English. I don't know if it is because people here don't carol, or because we were singing in English, but a lot of people gathered to see us and film us on their phones.  When we were singing Angels We Have Heard on High, one man pointed heavenward. It was really special.  There were 4 missionaries mingling with the people who were watching us.  They had 2 boxes of Books of Mormon, which were wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. We were able to watch them interact with people while we were singing.  They gave away many Books of Mormon.  The young missionaries said they have never had the opportunity to contact so many people who were receptive at one time. Several people with babies in strollers stopped to watch. One baby started bouncing in her stroller to the music.  When her Mom walked away the baby started crying and turned to reach for us.  We sang for an hour and didn't want to stop as long as the missionaries were still making contacts.  It was a blessing to have a small part in sharing our love of Jesus Christ at this Christmas time.

Senior missionaries at the Zeil

Caroling at the Zeil

 I have had three grandchildren contact me this week. One granddaughter shared some of the things she is learning in her seminary class. It seemed like we were having a long distance devotional together.  It is amazing how with modern technology we can interact with our loved ones so easily. I miss my family dearly and always like to talk with them.

Friday, Sister Caracena was kind enough to take me on the metro to the airport. Up until recently the metro stop near us has been under construction. We have lived in Frankfurt for 7 months now and I figured it was about time that we figured out how to take public transportation.  We will have a considerable amount of traveling in the next few months associated with our calling.  It will be nice to not be dependent on others for rides back and forth to the airport.

Saturday afternoon we had our daughter, our son in law and two of our grandchildren arrive.  I was so excited to see family, it was almost like I was a little kid again.  When our children were young I remember the newscasters on TV on Christmas Eve talking about where Santa would be during which hours of the evening. We jokingly called it the Santa Tracker.  Well, we were doing the Santa Tracker thing with our grandkids. We knew when they were leaving the US, when they were making their connection in Europe and were at the airport well ahead of their arrival time. There were many joyous reunions at the airport with loved ones greeting each other.  Perhaps the Christmas season makes hearts yearn to see those that we love.

Our grandson said we needed to have a Christmas tree so Santa would know how to find him

Saturday night we had the ward Christmas party. The cultural hall was decorated beautifully, and the food was plentiful. The program was music in a variety of different languages.  My grandchildren seemed to really enjoy the program, while their parents struggled to stay awake.  They all did a magnificent job of fighting the jet lag,which occurs when traveling overseas.

I (Eileen) was called to be the primary pianist the first week we were in Frankfurt. I have thoroughly enjoyed this calling. Seven different native languages are spoken in our primary. When a child is asked to give a prayer they get to choose whether to say it in their native language or English. Many choose English but need the help of a member of the primary presidency in order to do so.  It is touching to see a child say their first prayer in English.   Last week our primary presidency was released.  I will be sad to see them go.  There has never been a week go by where I am not thanked for my willingness to play the piano.  Each member of the presidency has simple but unique ways of teaching the gospel to the children of our ward.  

We are sad to think that the gifts we bought for our family which were shipped over 5 weeks ago are still stuck in customs. Perhaps they will be delivered by Christmas 2017.

Christmas gifts  for family will be similar to this...if they ever come out of customs

CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL

This past week we have joined the ranks of the senior missionaries who have been sick with a bad respiratory illness. I (Eileen) was sick for a week and stayed home several days from the office.  We thought Russell was going to escape sickness and Thursday after our Christmas devotional we returned to the office and found that some kind of work had been done in our office. The odor smelled very strongly like a combination of paint thinner and kerosene.  I went home, while Russell stayed in the office to get some work done. The windows had been opened with temperatures below freezing. Needless to say Russell was sick by that evening.  It has been a good reminder how fortunate we are when our health is good.

We met as a welfare committee with Elder Sabin on Thursday morning. Russell made a presentation of the humanitarian expenditures for 2016 for the Europe Area and made some proposals for the future. His ideas were considered and approved.  I am very grateful for his detail-oriented efforts.  We both know that the humanitarian funds we work with are sacred funds and need to be utilized thoughtfully.

We went from that meeting to our monthly conference call with the couples.  Elder and Sister Jeppesen who are serving in Romania were scheduled to speak but they were having technical difficulties with their computer so I made their presentation.  Sister Sabin gave a beautiful talk with a Christmas message. She related several stories of humanitarian help given to those in need in the Europe Area and of the lives that have been touched as a result of that help.

Senior missionaries at Area Devotional-we did our best to sing a Christmas carol

After our couple’s meeting we went to an Area Christmas Devotional. It is a blessing to be in the Area Office and have the opportunities to be spiritually fed by our ecclesiastical leaders. Elder Gary Sabin reminded us that we have much to be grateful and thankful for.  Many, many do not have wonderful, warm, full Christmas’ with lots of lights, gifts, and love.  We all laughed as he shared a letter written to Ann Landers about “real” families experiencing Christmas.  However, it is true.  Many families do not take multiple trips, and many do not have Rhoades scholars for children.  We were touched by the story that occurred many years ago of Bishop Monson and his ward council as they prepared an apartment for a German family who were coming to the United States to live.  Many in his ward pitched in to give this family a place to live which would be inviting and feel like home.   “The only true gift is a portion of thyself.” 

Elder Sabin related a time when his daughter was in the hospital on Christmas recovering from her double lung transplant. As he walked out to his car after visiting her,  he saw a woman who was being comforted by a man. It appeared that they had lost a loved one. As he climbed into his car the music of Oh Holy Night filled the car. “Fall on your knees.  Oh hear the angels’ voices.”  Because of Jesus Christ, the bands of death have been broken.  We do not fear.  All wrongs will be made right. 

Elder Paul Johnson started out by showing us the nativity story enacted by his grandchildren.  This DVD was a gift from their children last Christmas.  I believe the video was very touching to most of the senior missionaries who are currently away from their grandchildren and a little homesick.  We all laughed until we cried as Elder Johnson then showed us the “behind the scenes” scenes with two of his grandchildren.  So in the Real Christmas Story, what went on behind the scenes?  We all needed a Savior.  The timing had to be impeccable.  What is going on in our lives behind the scenes for this Christmas?  Now is the time when we are preparing for the Second Coming.  We are behind the scenes.  We need to do our best behind the scenes.

After the Devotional, we all were favored with a wonderful luncheon, and a fun program. I was amazed at how organized the luncheon was. Feeding 200 people in a cultural hall is not an easy task.  We all received a beautiful brochure outlining the Christmas "Light the World" campaign by our church. There are 25 days of suggestions of things we can do to become closer to the Savior and reach out to others.

(Thanks to Sister Yvonne Bausman for notes from the devotional and some of the photos)

The "three wise men" from Spain gave out treats

Light the World initiative

Saturday I went with several other senior missionaries to a little town called Idstein.  It seemed like something out of a movie. The fog was dense and there was a charm to the city with it's colorful buildings many of which dated back to the 1600s.

Witches tower dating back from 1600s, we climbed to the to top