06 Nov 2011 Fireside With Pres. Uchtdorf

I have to admit Elder Walters and I were not able to go to this fireside because we were out of town but I got in contact with our wonderful Sister Stephenson who posted the following information about this event on her blog. I have permission to relay this on to you. It is in her words and her feelings so I must give her full credit for what you glean here today. Pres. Uchtdorf and his wife came to Germany and gave two firesides, one on Saturday in Offenback and one on Sunday in Darmstadt. We attended the Saturday evening session on the 6th. Most of the other missionary couples were also there. The building was filled with about 700 people. Pres. Uchtdorf was the President of the Frankfurt Stake at one time, so he was excited to be here among his friends.

Sister Uchtdorf spoke first, telling us they had flown in the day before and went down to the Rohmer where they were married and walked around that area looking for the cheese and sausages they missed in the states. Then later that night they went looking for a place to have dinner, but couldn't find a parking spot, so they ended up back at their hotel (sounds like experiences we've had here.) She said how good it was to be "home" and that they wished they had more time to spend with old friends. She said that wherever they travel, they feel at home with the saints. We were reminded that Heavenly Father's plan is that we return to him, and that part of the plan is that we be happy. Righteousness equals a happy life. She bore testimony that through the gospel, she has had great happiness in her life, and that when we follow the commandments we don't miss out on a thing. She talked especially to the Sisters, reminding them to be modest, righteous, administer well, make wise decisions, represent good and receive inspiration. She reminded us that we have the talents to love and strengthen families and the world. Men love your wives. She told us that her husband was not perfect yet, but he was working on it and that we are all in the same boat.

Presidnet Uchtdorf expressed how good it was to be there and that he didn't expect such a large group. With tears in his eyes, he said how good it was to see old friends. He talked for about an hour or more and seemed to hit every gospel subject he could. We sang "How Firm A Foundation" which was written by Karl G. Maeser a devout early member of the church from Dresden, Germany. He said we should rely on the firm word of God through the scriptures and the Prophet. He bore testimony that President Monson is the Prophet for our time, despite his health problems or his age, but that he makes many important decisions daily that are the will of the Lord. He also bore testimony that Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church built on this firm foundation. Below are quick notes about things he said.

Earth life is short, use it for good each day.

He has deep memories of living in Frankfurt before there was a temple and lovely buildings
to meet in. He remembers wonderful Sunday School and Young Men's lessons and the
missionaries who taught him.

This Church isn't just for Holidays or Sundays, but it is for everyday to be constantly
strengthened.

Immortality was given as a gift from our Savior. His blood was shed and the Atonement is
a gift to all.

We should talk to Heavenly Father each day and he will hear us no matter what language we
speak. Use the time the Lord gives us to pour out our hearts and find what he wants us to do.

The Restoration has come. He taught and called his Apostles and organized his church. We
don't know when the Savior will come, but we should work to be ready when he does.

The glory of God is for us to be happy. The Gospel has the answers in such a direct way that
even a child can understand them.

With each new calling he always bought new scriptures. Because he changed, he learned
new things. When he reads again, there is new structure for that part of his life.

Try to relate the scriptures to our lives now. Ask, "What do I have to change now?" Find out
within our heart what it is. The most difficult questions can be answered in the gospel.

Don't bother about those who speak against the Church. Go forward with faith about what
we know to be true. "Ye shall know them by their fruits." (By what they do) Be an example
to those who look at us.

The Joseph Smith papers are still only in English. A member gave 10 million dollars to have
all that the Prophet wrote published.

A lot of things are progressing, but the Gospel is the same. No secrets, just perfect and
transparent. Find out if you want to know the truth and if the Church is the same as when
Jesus Christ was here.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to a searching young man, Joseph Smith, then
told him he had a mission and he could not deny it. Asked us to re-read the JS History often.

Sink yourselves into the Doctrine. Amos said that the Lord wouldn't reveal anything except
to the prophets. If that is true, God would always need prophets.

He gave us all a challenge to read 3 Nephi, all 30 chapters before Christmas.

It was sweet because he went to use the scriptures on the stand and he fumbled around trying to find a scripture. He said he was having a hard time because they were written in German. He told us when he was called to the Seventy, they kept their home in Germany hoping they would be called to labor here, but when he was called to the Twelve, they sold the home because they knew they would never be coming back to Germany again except as visitors. Twice in his talk he made reference to shopping with his wife, which impressed me. When the meeting was over, he told everyone not go go because he wanted to shake everyone's hand.

We wish we could have been there to feel the spirit.

31 Oct 2011 Family Home Evening

What a great way to spend a Monday Night with a few of the missionary couples. We call ourselves the outsiders because we all live near the Friedrichsdorf temple and everyone else lives near the Area Office. There are 5 couples in all, the Jarret's, McBride's, Paxton's, Stephenson's and us. We get together once a month at each other's house. This week The Stephenson's hosted and they decided that we would each bring a scripture, a thought or a poem. Something that we felt was spiritually uplifting. Sister Stephenson is a girl after my own heart. First of all we have both had the same back surgery but she had her's done right before she came into the mission field, so she is a soldier in my book. That tells you right off what kind of a person she is. Well she is not only brave but what a personality. She is always positive and ready for lots of fun. She is the kind of person who's house is always decorated for the season, so when we walked in, we saw Halloween everywhere. For dessert Bro. Stephenson made us something they tasted at a Medieval Festival that they went to. It starts with a slice of apple, then you dunk that in crepe batter that has sugar and cinnamon added. Fry until crisp in butter and sprinkle on top powdered sugar. Then add German vanilla sauce. I loved them. Guess I will have to do it for my family when I get home.

As for the lesson we learned, it really made my day. Here are a few of the thoughts that were given.
KINDNESS
People are often unreasonable and self-centered Forgive them any way.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives Be Kind anyway.
If you are honest, people many cheat you. Be Honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be Happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do Good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your Best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway.
Mother Teresa

Here is one I thought was very unique but very true given especially to everyone out there who thinks God is not watching over them.

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff--including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

Sister Stephenson wanted us all to sing some songs just for Halloween. Here is one of my favorites. (Sung to the tune of Silver Bells)

We're on sidewalks, we're on porches, dressed in costumes to scare;
Through the city we're ringing the doorbells.
Trick or treating, candy eating, gooey stuff in our hair,
But the most fun is shrieking out loud: SHIVERY YELLS, SHIVERY YELLS,
That's the Halloween nitty-gritty.
Moan and groan, leave us alone,
Halloween's just one night a year.

Well so much for our fun time. I just had to take some pictures outside of our apartment since we live beside a forest here and the trees have all changed. Love fall. I also want to say I am thankful for the great missionaries we get to work with here in Germany. It's fun being on a mission you should try it, you'll like it.

29 Oct 2011 Town of Leipzig

LEIPZIG IN THE FALL
















































ST THOMAS KIRCHE & BACH MUSEUM



After giving the Seminar we had time to look around Leipzig, the city of Music . We drove around the town and took pictures of the countryside which is beautiful. Fall is certainly here. One government building was unusually large. It looked to be of Roman architecture. Gene spotted a hot air balloon drifting over these magnificent buildings. I wondered what the view was like from up there out of all the traffic and madness but I think being in it is much better. It is amazing how much rebuilding has been going on here since the war. I know Leipzig was totally destroyed, and the Russians didn't do any rebuilding while it was under their command, maybe some apartments that all look the same. It wasn't until the German Unification that the older more important buildings were salvaged and rebuilt by Western Germany. Lots of Leipzig still needs to be done but it it coming along slow but sure. One day it will be the grand place that it was in the 17 and 1800's.











The first place we went to was the St. Thomas Kirche. It is one of the two main churches in Leipzig and is also known for the St. Thomas Boys Choir. Johann Sebastian Bach, was the great Cantor here. We were able to hear a little concert taking place. The organ sounded spectacular and LOUD. The chapel itself is pretty plain as churches go, but the Alter is very ornate, all in gold. Bach himself is buried in a crypt in front of the alter. The church was founded in 1409 and the design is Gothic. Martin Luther preached here in 1539 to present the reformation to the people for the first time.




MENDELSSOHN HOUSE
























The second composer's house was Felix Mendelssohn. Hope you are a classical music lover like we are because we loved learning about their lives. He was born Hamburg in 1809 and died when he was only 38 years old. He spent most of his life in Berlin and Leipzig and learned to play the piano and violin at an early age. He gave his first concert when he was 9 years old. I can not even imagine it. He composed "Elijah", "Symphony in C Major", "Scottish Symphony" and one of my favorites, "Spring Symphony". We toured his huge white late classical style house. I found out that while he was young, he was given drawing lessons and I took photos of some of his water colors. It was furnished rather modestly, but he had the largest room reserved for his concert hall. They played one complete song and you could follow along with each note, that is if you read music. It went very fast and it was hard keeping up but I think I did okay as I finished when the music stopped. I think one of my favorite pieces is his Concerto in E minor for viloin, because I studied the violin when I was younger and played for many years. On to the next house.

SCHUMANS HOUSE

The third composer's house that we visited was Robert Schumann's. He was born in 1810 a contemporary and friend of Mendelssohn and Brahams. Was considered a great composer of the Romantic era. He studied music while very young but studied Law for a while, then returned to music later in his 20's. He was slated to become the greatest European concert pianist but a hand injury prevented this from happening. He then focused his life on composing. He married a younger woman who was the daughter of his music teacher and she herself was a concert pianist. After attempting two suicides he confined himself to a mental institution and died two years later. We were not able to get in to see the house but I did take pictures of the outside. He is known for his "Carnaval" op 9, "Fantasy for Piano" and "Faust". Johannes Brahms knocked on his door and from then on they were best friends. He wrote chamber music, vocal works, orchestral and piano works. My favorite is the chanber music. I can imagine listening to his music in my home.



The last place we went to see was The Monument to the Battle of the Nations. It is almost twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty but 4 times as wide, and is made of granite and concrete. The Battle of Leipzig took place in 1813 when they defeated Napoleon. In order to walk to the top you need to climb 500 steps to see the viewing station. We were too tired to do that, but we did enjoy it from the bottom while eating a great brat with toasted bun. This monument is the best example of the Wilhelmine architecture. It stands on the exact spot where most of the worst fighting took place. The battle was fought by Russians, Prussians, Austrians and Swedish against the French and a few German conscripted soldiers.

It was to be created to be a work similar to the Great Pyramid or Colossum. On the 2nd story are four statues that represent qualities of the German People. Bravery, Faith, Sacrifice and Fertility. The Cupola is decorated with primitive Germanic shapes of Egyptian and Assyrian designs. The main figure is the Archangel Michael which is considered the "War God of the Germans". The third Reich debated taking it down but decided to leave it. Two other structures are similar. The Voortrelker Mounument in Petronia, South Africa and the other is the Shipka Pass in Bulgaria. There is a large walkway that circles the monument and a huge reflecting pool in the front. Well worth stopping to see.