7 Nov 2010- Dinner In Friedricksdorf with the Sisters

talking with the sisters after dinner

All decorated for Halloween








I almost forgot to include our wonderful dinner in Friedrickdorf with the single sisters. We were really surprised when they asked us. They live near the Temple and work there three days a week. That would be the best assignment I think, maybe later. We took Sister Windley over to Sister Udy and Sister Morell's apartment. I took some pictures so you could see their apartment. When I looked out of their window what a surprise I got. Their was a beautiful forest in their backyard with a pond and the most beautiful trees decked out in fall colors. We had some good conversation and the dinner was great. After dinner Bro. Walters volunteered to do the dishes which amazed the ladies. I had to say, "Well he does that every night for me." They laughed. Then they all sat around and told stories about their late husbands and how they came to be on their missions. All very interesting, but much to private to speak about on my blog. We went home full and happy. Oh yes, brother Walter's and I are now singing in the choir. We are practicing for the Christmas program. It's a big choir too, lots of men to sing. I really miss my choir back in Vista, good luck to all you choir members hope your program turns out as wonderful as ours will be. Stay tuned for more.

10 Nov 2010- Zone Conference

this was the skit that we watched after the workshops

















Today we got a day off from work to go to the very first
Senior Missionary Zone Conference. We loved every minute of it. The theme was Finding Ourselves By Giving To Others. We have two Missionaries who are psychiatrists by trade and they shared with us ways to be closer as couples or to our companions if you are a single sister, and how to learn better communication and coping skills. Two things we sure needed to hear about. The statement was made that "Joy does not come from the accomplishment itself but comes from within."

In one of the workshops we covered conflict resolution which has 3 levels of thinking. We were able to put ourselves into one of those categories through self assesment. Just for fun, see where you are at

Level #1 Concrete thinker- This person thinks there is only one solution to a problem, which leads to conflict, debating, defensiveness, close mindedness, struggles, resistance and distancing. This person gets frustrated, has anxieties, gets discouraged, feels hopeless, rejected, isolated and resentful. More serious problems arise as they would criticize, show anger, hostility, physical and emotional abuse.

Level #2 Dualistic Thinking- Very similar to the concrete thinker but are not as opinionated or close minded but still committed to their ideals or wishes.

Level #3 Relative Thinkers- These people are more open minded, more creative, exploratory, seeks alternatives, wants mutual respect, is more concerned for the other person and more willing to listen. They have a willingness to problem solve and work together. They will negotiate and have a sense of cooperation. They generate a feeling of caring one for another.

Of course, we would all like to be a level 3 thinker, but are we? Think about it. We all fall some where within this realm of thinking. Our second workshop was on being a Peacemaker" Elder Christensen of the 70's said, " Any intelligent couple will have difference of opinion. Our challenge is to be sure that we know how to resolve these differences."

Allowing a disagreement to escalate into contentions is like allowing the situation to "canker our souls" He quoted 3 Nephi 11:29 "He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another,"

From a national study surveying over 600 midlife couples between the ages of 40-50, most of the couples were happily married. They reported that the top most common problem they wrestled with was communications and power/leadership struggles. That was an interesting thought to me.

We were told to keep plenty of money in our relationship emotional bank account. Positive interactions of love create deposits and negative interactions and criticism create withdrawals. Often times disagreements indicate emotional bankruptcy or too few deposits and too many withdrawals. A couple who maintains a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions are able to maintain loving relationships. A quotation was given from Mathew 5:9 "Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God". One last thought they left with us that I thought was very good advice, " You don't have to blow out your partner's candle in order to light your own." That about sums up our workshops. Hope you were able to get some good information from all of this.

After the conference we had a great catered lunch of authentic German food. As you can see, Germans love to use sauces which makes me extremely happy. They make their own special sauces to go on each kind of meet. If I find out how to make some of them, I will be sure and let Sis. Anderson know so you can all enjoy a little taste of Germany. We were also treated to an impromptu skit which had us all cracking up. I tried to take pictures of all of our good times hope you can feel the fun that was had by all. Missions are great, prepare for your own. The Walters

06 Nov 2010- New Assignment In Freigeriest

This is the house we are working on in Freigeriest










Towne of Friegerisch




















I guess you are wondering why no travel log the last week? Well, we have finally been given an assignment in addition to our work day 9-5 job. I have to be honest, Elder Walters and I have not been feeling much like Missionaries because all we were doing is work. Not many spiritual experiences like the young missionaries have, but I believe that has been our own fault by not asking for more ways to serve others. We made it a matter of daily prayer that Heavenly Father would help us to know what to do. Believe me when I say, if you ask the Lord to give you more opportunities for service, he answers those prayers in a big way.

The Stake President called us into his office and said he had a job that only Brother Walters could do. And he was right. We are now helping a single sister with 4 small children all under the age of 10. She has a very old house that needs a lot of attention. Part of the house was built in the 1600's and the other part built in the 1800's, so you see what we are up against. The main thing to get done is the heat. They are only able to live in 4 rooms because the wood burning stove can only heat that much space. Just a word about German stoves. They are fabulous, they are fashioned after the old ones we see in the castles. They are still workable. The outsides are all inlaid with glass tiles which actually do keep it warmer) Back to the story. Their are holes in the roof, which Elder Walters noticed right away, and holes in the walls. The upstairs and basement are not finished so you can see the material that was used to build it. MUD AND STRAW. You can actually see the straw sticking out. I took a few pictures so you could see.

Instead of going on our little mini vacations each weekend we now go to our service project which by the way is much more fulfilling. Elder Walters is putting insulation in every hole he can find and making it air tight so that it will be ready when the heating goes in.

We have been so much happier since receiving this new calling. It is true, service does bring happiness and more of a feeling of Christ like love for others. I'll bet you are wondering where I figure in on all of this? Believe me, I am giving service to. The kids have adopted us as their grandparents since they are never able to see their own. They are jumping all over Gene which makes him more homesick for his own grandchildren. I help the sister with projects she has in the livable places like ironing and organizing things. It is hard to organize when you have four children and limited place. All those classes we had in Relief Society on organizing sure come in handy, thanks ladies.

Here are a few pictures of the before project, I will be taking more as the projects are completed. The experiences we are having now will be far more lasting than all the places we have seen. We have a Senior Missionary Zone Conference on the 10th so I will write about that on the next blog. Tschuss