14-15 April 2011- First stop over in Passau

On the 14th of April, Sister Walters and I started on our new mission assignment to Budapest, Hungary. Our job is to carry laptop computers so that the members in the various Stakes throughout Europe can learn first hand how to work the New Family Search and the new indexing programs. Our Supervisor Bro. Richard Walker does the teaching now because he speaks German. He is highly respected for his knowledge in Genealogy research and we hope he can help us find our German ancestors. He has two Doctor's Degrees and was an assistant District Attorney in Seattle, Washington. We really do enjoy working with him. Our job is actually more than just delivering computers however. We are responsible for them, so they are our babies so to speak. We can never leave them in the car unattended. We also have to be careful when we leave them in our Motel room. When we get to the conferences that are given, we set up, take down and help on the computers. Richard told sister Walters that he wanted her to give the next seminar. I know she will enjoy doing that.

We drove to Passau, also known as the Venice of Bavaria, where we decided to spend the night. It is in East Germany so we feel privileged to be able to even go to Passau. It is near the Austrian border. This was also one of the stopovers for the famous princess Elisabeth of Bavaria, better known as Sissi, on her way to the Imperial Throne of Austria. It was once the largest geographical area in the entire Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.

In the morning we took a driving tour of the city. Below are a few of the major places of attraction. The New Residenz has served as the palace of the prince bishops since its completion in 1730. In front is the Wittelsbacher Fountain which was built in the Baroque style. It commemorates the annexation of Passau to Bavaria. Napolean Bonaparte lodged here in 1809.

Next we saw the St. Stephen's Cathedral. It is a beautiful building with blue green copper Baroque cupolas. It was built in 1674 but from notes that were found, we learn that the first St. Stephens church was built in 731 AD. This church boasts the world's largest organ, an 18th century Gilt pulpit. The art work here is extensive and huge. There are 171 in all painted by Carpoforo Tencalla. The High Alter is a representation of the stoning of St. Stephen. I was amazed at the ornateness of the Organ, gold everywhere. I took pictures of the stucco work which was amazing. I think you will get a good idea of how beautiful this cathedral is.

St Paul's Baroque Church was our third place to visit. This church dates back to 1050 in the Romanesque and Gothic style. Instead of focusing on frescos and statues, its focus was on the furnishings, especially the alters. They are all hand carved out of black stained wood and they are adorned with gilt ornamentation. There is a large guilt statue of St. Paul at the front of the church.

The last place we saw was situated high up on a hill in Passau. The citadel Veste Oberhaus started its construction in 1217. From here you can see how the three rivers converge one with another. The Ilz has dark water that comes from the Bavarian Forest, the Inn River with its light green water and the Danube with its blue water create a stark contrast.. This is a most unusual occurrence and the only one in the world that I know of. These three rivers made this area ideal for trading goods as far back as the crusades. We had to get to bed early so we ate dinner at McDonalds and got a good nights rest for the rest of our trip to Budapest.





NEW RESIDENZ


CITY OF PASSAU













































ST. STEVENSDOM CHURCH
































































ST. PAUL'S BAROQUE CHURCH





































VESTE OBERHAUS




























TOWN HALL














LEAVING PASSAU

10 Apr 2011 - Stake Conference in Friedberg

We had a wonderful Stake Conference today. President Leimer announced that our Stake would be having a Pine Wood Derby contest in June and he was so excited that they would now be having a contest for both the Fathers and the boys. It seems Fathers are all the same around the world. When it comes to Pine Wood Derby cars, they all get involved. This will involve the whole family so we are encouraged to get a kit and make our own. Sure wish we had Pete here to make us one. The children in the audience were so excited to hear that. They were all ears after that announcement.

The theme of the conference was charity to all and sharing the gospel with others. He said we must be spiritually prepared to face the Lord. Life is beautiful, even with its many challenges. What we need to do is find out what the Lord expects of us. He hears all of our prayers, especially those in need and those seeking forgiveness in their lives.

He talked about Matt 8 & 9. How the Lord healed those who needed his blessings. Christ wants us to succor those who are in need of our help. It is through us that his blessings come to others. Quoting Mosiah 5:13, "For how knoweth a man the Master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart." That is so very true. How can we know him if we do not serve him by serving others?

He talked about being a missionary and not being afraid to invite others unto Christ. He said we don't have to be afraid that we will offend someone, the Lord will let us know what to say. We just need to read our scriptures and be ready for the times that we can share the gospel. We read in D&C 84:85 " Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life and it shall be given unto you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man."

He also quoted D&C 100:5 "Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people. Speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men." Those two scriptures alone should give us hope and encouragement to be a member missionary. The Lord wants all of his children to have the blessings of the gospel and the temple.

We were well fed spiritually and the day was so beautiful that we decided to take a walk around the beautiful town of Friedberg where the conference was held. I have included some pictures of the grounds around the palace garden where Nicholas and Alexandria came to visit with their 5 children in 1910.