We hope all of you that went to Snowbird had a great time. We were thinking of you all week. We have had a good week here in Frankfurt. Dad had a cold last weekend but is now feeling much better. We took it easy this week and it was good. We have had several bike rides this week to include one to pick blackberries. We have eaten alot and made a cobbler we will enjoy for Sunday Dinner. We have enjoyed our garden on the balcony. It has been warm but nice. This coming week will give us temperatures in the 100F degrees. But it does cool down in the evening and with a fan it is not too bad. You can see Dad with his giant tomatoe plant. We have enjoyed the tomatoes greatly and the wonderful fresh fruit of the season.
Look at the size of this Tomato Plant. It is almost as tall as Dad.
Here is more of the balcony Garden and Below is our beautiful Geraniums. They have really done well.
In the office this week,we have been busy preparing for our trip to Bosnia this coming Thursday. We have enjoyed working with our couples. We are doing a lot of training on the phone both financial and with CHaS( Church Humanitarian System Computer program with which we track all humanitarin work ) We have had a great red letter day on Friday. Our couple in Skopje, Macedonia recieved their residence visa. This has taken two years. The first couple who opened Macedonia did not obtain a Visa thier entire mission. They lived between Macedonia and Kosovo their entire mission as they had Visitor Visas which would only allow them to live in the country 90 days then 90 days out. Our new couple, had to go to Detroit to get the paper work needed to achieve this. But it is done and a big milestone has been overcome so that the work of the Church can now begin to go forward. The young missionaries will have their completed paperwork soon so they too will be able to teach the gospel openly.Our couple in Bosnia has finally begun to get things settled. We are grateful. It has really been a struggle for them. Sister Winters wrote of thier many set backs and problem,"We must put our hand in the Lords, rollup our sleeves and go to work" We are grateful to serve with these valiant missionaries. We are greatful to serve Our Heavenly Father and have the privilege to help in this great work. The Gospel in going forward to all those who were denied the privlege to worship, pray or even speak of God.
Saturday morning we decided to go to Point Alpha just outside of Fulda. Point Alpha was the check point to Keep the Soviets Out of Western Germany after WWII. American troops, The Black Horse Division patroled this area from 1950 to 1989 when the wall fell. I am Standing on the top of the cement Tower that our soldiers guarded. Just below this plateform was the office where communications from the Soviets were intercepted and passed on to Command Headquarters.
Here is Dad, Standing in the East DDR. You can see the Tower in the Back ground. We toured the compound with its barricks. One is now used for a restaurant and one is now a museum. We enjoyed seeing the reilics, vehicles, uniforms, weapons, pictures etc and reading the history of the Cold War. We then walked down the cement road that lined the cement fence on the DDR side. We then viewed the musem representing the DDR side . How can human beings treat each other as these did. But as we have studied the Book of Mormon this year, I have gained some new insites. I have seen again who historical events and happenings today demontrate how Satan is trying to rule with Blood and Horror on the Earth.
Here is a view of Point Alpha from the East German side. Dogs were used to patrol the area. A four foot cement fense was placed in a ditch so vehicles could not be driven into the area. The wire fence was 3 meters high made of heavy metal mesh. Then beyond the fence was no mans land. It is always so sobering to see the reality of the past. Those who got out were so blessed. We who have enjoyed freedom all of our lives have no idea what it would be like to live your life in such a restricted environment. Mespelbrunn Castle
Saturday, August 11th, Dad was ill with a nasty summer cold. We had planned to go with Elder and Sister Wells for a little outing to celebrate our newly assigned vehicle. We now have an assigned car that we share with the Wells. It is great to have the the ability to just get up and go if we want. We do not have to plan everything and go to the great lengths to get a car every time there is a need. Great Blessing for the remainder of our mission.
Anyway, With Dad ill, the Wells invited me to go along while Dad rested at the Apartment. We had a lovey time visiting Mespelbrunn Water Castle. Then we had lunch in an open air restaurant in the village of Mespelbrunn. It is really helpful to have a P-Day activity. It is restful and renewing. Gail and Gwain Wells are from Provo. They are wonderful people. We enjoy their friendship very much. Gwain is a Child Psychologist who was the Department Head at BYU for some years. We are grateful for all the wonderful couple missionaries who have blessed our lives. We have alot of measuring up to do.
We love all of you and thank you all for your love and support.
Oma and Opa Leonard
No comments:
Post a Comment