Week 86 - June 7, 2019 - Cameron, Anne, and Sydney Come to Visit, Training Replacements

Dear Family,

Sorry this is a little later in the week, but we had a very busy weekend!  On Friday, June 7th, we were so excited to pick Cameron, Anne, and Sydney up from the Frankfurt Airport who flew in from London.  Sydney graduated from high school a couple of weeks ago, and her parents were taking her on her senior trip.  

What fun we all had together as we took them for a tour of downtown Frankfurt, visited the Area Office to see where we work,  provided a little tour of our small town of Friedrichsdorf and the progress of the temple here, and of course, stopped for a short stay at our apartment to let them rest for a couple of hours while we got ready to leave for Nuremberg.     

 We made a visit to Heidelberg Castle.

 After about three hours, we arrived in  Nuremburg where we stayed the night.  The next day (Saturday) we visited the museum there with exhibits of the causes, connections, and consequences of Nazi Germany.  Cameron, Anne, and Sydney were so interested in learning more about this.  We then went to downtown Nuremberg, ate lunch, and walked through the city and outdoor markets a little.  

 Afterwards, we visited the Nuremburg Trial Courthouse and Museum there.  All of it was absolutely fascinating, and we all felt we had learned so much.  We then drove to Munich to stay the night.

 

On Sunday, we had a beautiful day and drove the hour and a half to Salzburg, Austria, where we had a wonderful four-hour tour of "The Sound of Music" sights and the hills were definitely "alive" and beautiful!  Seriously, one of the funnest tours ever!  Everyone was singing and participating in all the songs--we  will be singing them in our minds for the next two weeks--if not longer.  

 

 

Monday, was a holiday, so luckily we weren't missing any work at the office, as everything closes down.  The holiday is called, "Whit Monday."  This is the explanation:  Many Christians in Germany observe the Second Day of Pentecost, on the day after Pentecost (or Whitsunday). It is a national public holiday. Pentecost commemorates the Holy Ghost's descent on the Jesus Christ's disciples, according to the Bible.   Today, we had a day of contrasts--from Dauchau Concentration Camp where the atrocities of all those who suffered and died there to the Nymphenburg Palace where you wondered how anyone could ever use that much living space!  There is so much to be learned from history!  Cameron, Anne, and Sydney are great travelers and LOVE to learn!  You are definitely affected by what you see and hear in Dauchau.  It truly is unfathomable that people could treat other people that way!  It is just heartbreaking!   

 Dachau - "Work sets you free."  This certainly was not TRUE!

 The Nyphenburg Palace - Main summer residence of the former rulers of Bavaria built in 1675. 

Tuesday, sadly we had to take Cameron, Anne, and Sydney to the Munich Airport for their trip back to Paris where they were flying back to the States later on in the afternoon.  

This marked the end of all the scheduled visits by our family to Germany.  We have loved having so many come while we have been here.  It has  been such a treat and blessing to spend time with family members.  Every experience was different and a cherished memory!  Thanks to all of you for spending the time (and money) to get here!  And for those of you who were unable to make it, we know that this just wasn't the time for you to be able to leave.  We know you still LOVE us and we LOVE you!  After dropping them off at the airport at about 5:15 a.m., we started on our way back to Frankfurt.  We got home after four hours driving time, unpacked our suitcases, ate breakfast, and headed for work.  We spent the entire day getting ready for our two presentations in Rome.  We will be leaving tomorrow in the morning and will be gone until Sunday.  We are certainly looking forward to getting a session in at the Rome Temple.  

Wednesday,  today, we have spent the entire day training our new replacements.  The Presiding Bishopric said "No" to the Area Controller's idea of having an employee do this job, so a senior couple from Utah (a doctor and his wife) have been called to do our job and will get an assistant as an employee, if they need their help.  We don't know if this will still pass for what the Presiding Bishopric wants, but this is not our problem.  They will probably make that decision after we are gone.

And yes, we are planning on coming home toward the end of this month--June.  With them having our replacements, we will then be able to go home and feel good about leaving, as well as be able to go see my dad before he passes away.  We were always trying to figure out how it would all come together.  We knew that if we just kept walking in the dark towards the light, everything would fit together.  We just had to have faith if we kept doing our jobs in the best way possible, everything would work out.  Thanks so much to my brothers and sisters and their spouses for all they have done to help my dad out through this transition period that he is going through.  I have appreciated being part of the process and for the emails, pictures, and texts I have received letting me know how he is doing and what is going on.  That has helped so much!  I know for certain decisions are being made through loving hearts and prayer.    

We have absolutely LOVED our calling as Area Auditors.  The lessons we have learned will last an eternity.  We have learned there are so many different ways of serving the Lord--you don't even have to leave your home to be involved in moving the work along.  We look forward to working in the temple again when we return home, as well as I will continue with doing familysearch.  I feel there are so many waiting on the other side for their work to be done.  Natalie (our daughter-in-law) was telling us it is very difficult to find anyone for the young grandchildren to do for baptisms.  That shows us that you all are doing a great job of continuing to check on Take-a-Name.  There are still a number of endowments, washings and annointings, and sealings that need to be done.  We hope that all the adults will put it as a priority to go to the temple at least once a month.  It is such a rewarding feeling to help those who are waiting on the other side--as well as it is such a beautiful way of feeling the Spirit like no other place.  So many questions and problems can be solved by going to the temple with "a sincere heart and real intent" as we have read before about reading the Book of Mormon.  The same thing applies to attending the temple. 

A birthday shout-out to our beautiful--inside and out--granddaughter, Lauren, whose birthday is Friday, June 14th!  What a joy she has been since the day she was born.  She is just so much fun to be around, is always so willing to help out, and with that beautiful smile, she just warms your heart when you talk to her.  Have a fantastic birthday, Lauren!  We can't wait to see you and help you celebrate! 

With much love, Gma Laura