Dear Family,
Hello! Another week has come and gone! This past week, we had to train a new Assistant Area Auditor. He was young--in his early 40s. That is young to us! Hah! Anyway, we were supposed to meet at 3:00, and he called and said he had been detained at a meeting for his work and that he would be there shortly. Well, I'm sure you've all heard about the German Autobahn. It is crazy! You can absolutely drive as fast as you want to! It is actually so scary, because usually you try to stay in the middle lane so you don't have to go around really slow cars or trucks. But, by the time you speed up to pass in the fast lane, another car going so fast, they can be on you in a second. Anyway, the new AAA told us he had traveled 200 kph to make up time since he was going to be late. Wow! Even though that is only a little over 124 miles per hour, that is just crazy!!! And they all do it here all the time. Not us--we still drive a sensible speed but you still have to be out on the Autobahn because it is like the freeway and connects cities. I don't think we'll ever get used to it even by the time we go home!
This past Saturday, we drove two hours over to Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, birthplace of Beehoven, and noted for its very busy town square. In a little town nearby is an exquisite functioning castle and another castle ruins dating back to the first half of the 12th Century. What a great time we had riding the train to the top and back down the hill through the magnificent fall leaves. We were able to overlook the entire valley and Rhine River. Although it was a little cool, we had a fantastic day.
Yes, and Gpa George was able to finish out the day very happy when his BYU Cougar and Florida Gators both got wins! Yes, it was a great P-Day!
On Sunday, we love to walk around some of the small towns in the area. This time we visited Wetzlar--such a quaint little medieval village on the Lahn River about 45 minutes away.
Then, we went to church at 2:00 p.m. Of course, that will change after the first of the year, but we have really enjoyed getting out in the morning before church and seeing the beautiful area as we walk. We had the Primary Program, and with people in this International Ward from all over the world there, there were so many different accents of English, it was a little difficult to understand some of the children. But, it was so good. Afterwards, we were talking to a Senior Couple and the Senior Elder had tears in his eyes. He said, "My son and his wife are not active members of the church. Look at what they are keeping their children from doing. Look at the experience that they are missing out on." He was broken-hearted. It broke our hearts to see him so sad. But, he still continues to love them and pray for them that they will see the importance of coming back to church and the gospel. There is nothing more that a parent wants than for their children and grandchildren to be living the gospel to the very best of their ability and making wise choices.
This coming Friday, another Senior Couple and Gpa George and I are traveling over to Freiburg to go to the temple. It is about 4 hours to get there, so we will stay one night there and come home the next day. I am really excited to go to the temple again. It will really take a miracle for this temple five minutes away from us here in Friedrichsdorf to be done before we go home. It is being renovated due to foundation problems going on for three years now. We are still hoping that it will happen before we go home.
This next week, we will be celebrating little Marlie's first birthday. Oh, Gpa George and I are so excited to meet her in person! Last Sunday, Craig called us right after they came home from church on Skype. No sooner than we said hello, Charlie jumped up on his lap, then Kennedy wanted to show us a card she had made for Gpa George for his birthday and put it right in front of the camera, then Dawsy came in the room and wanted to see who his dad was talking to, but that's all--no talking to us yet on the phone, Marlie was already down for her nap--but the best part was when Riley came walking into the office with a handful of mud and straw! He had learned how to make bricks and was trying to show his dad if he had done it right! Gpa George and I were just cracking up--it was all so hilarious! Boy, do we remember these days when so much is going on at once. Then Cassie told us she had all three kids ready for church and when she looked out back, they were all out there making mud and straw bricks. I told Craig and Cassie that Riley came on it rightly because his ancestors had made their own bricks to make their houses. Gpa Lester and Gma Hattie's red brick house is a prime example! Wow, what fun!
And it will, also, be Ethan's 16th birthday! How can that be! Wasn't it just yesterday that we were in Starke driving back and forth over the railroad tracks listening to him squeal so excitedly! He absolutely LOVED trains! Happy Birthday to both of these grandchildren who we LOVE so much!
Take care, everyone! We send our LOVE to all of you!
Gma Laura
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