A week in the office

Dec. 9, 2012

This week we spent the whole week in the office, which was good since there was a lot to do.  We needed to prepare for an AHC meeting (a meeting to review and approve submitted humanitarian projects).  We had 12 area initiatives and 3 major initiatives to review.  This takes a lot of time to prepare, plus Susan had a lot of financial records to review and process.  On Wednesday we had a Zone Conference all day, then on Friday we had the Area Office Christmas party.  I was part of a double quartet that sang several Christmas songs, so there were a number of rehearsal  preparing to sing for the party.  It is hard to imagine that there are only a few months left of our mission, the time has gone so fast.
It is snowing again today, I would guess that we have about 2 inches on the ground now.  It snowed about an inch on Friday, and didn't melt yesterday because it was so cold.  Wed's. there is a possibility of more snow, so depending on the temperature we might have a white Christmas.  As for today I suspect there will be some from the outlying areas that will not make to church today.  However it is beautiful with everything covered in white.

We are standing by the nativity scene at the Friedrichsdorf temple annex at the end of the Zone Conference. Our Zone conference was in Friedrichsdorf this time so that we could attend the temple at the end of the conference.  Both E/S Kearon of the Area Presidency spoke and Pres. and Sister Berghahn (temple Pres. and matron) spoke.  It was a very good conference: Pres. Kearon spoke that we should strive to serve God and others, and learn to be good Samaritans.  He showed a clip of a 13 y/o deacon who ran a triathlon with his C.P. friend who cannot walk or talk, but communicates yes or no by blinking his eyes.  He ran the whole race either towing, pulling or pushing his friend.  It was very touching, a lot of moist eyes.

Here are E/S Wells by the nativity scene at the Friedrichsdorf Temple We picked them up at the airport when they arrived 18 months ago, and we take them this Weds. to the airport as they return home.  They have also worked in Welfare as Family Service missionaries.

We are standing in front of the bandstand at the Buedingen Christmas market just as a local brass band is starting to play, and before a lot of people have assembled to listen.  These little local Christmas markets are a lot of fun, and if you can find what you are looking for, have some good deals.  The town of Buedingen was established or at least mentioned in writing back in the 1200's, and as one can see from the size of the old town and the city wall erected around the town, a fairly important town in its day.  There were booths all along several streets, in the market square, and in the church square.  Although it was cold (in the 20's) we spent a good 2 enjoyable hours there.

This is the "protestant" church in Buedingen which was newly restored after the war as you can see.  The original church was built in the 1200 and was Catholic, but as was the custom of the day, was changed to protestant because that was the religious affiliation of the Noble that owned the town.  So a church this old could have switched denominations several times during its' lifetime.  The congregation would worship as Catholic one week and Protestant the next or vice-verse.  The only person affected by these changes was the priest or the minister.  You could have a congregation one week and be looking for one the next week, and depending on the war or a land deal between rulers the clergy could be in and out of a church like a yo- yo.  The history of religion here in Europe is very interesting, and many times not so nice.

We hope this coming week will be a good week for everyone, and in spite of all the hustle and bustle of this time of year you will still be able to enjoy it.
Love to you all,
Oma and Opa