Half Way To Home!!

View of the "Germanius Statue" to remember those who fought in the French-German Wars.
This is an overview of what the total castle looks like today.


These are pictures (mock up) of how it would look in the days of glory.



Today marks our half way of the mission. I am so excited to think that we are that much closer to being with you all. We have had a rather slow week since returning from Germany. The Germany trip was great. Germany was very clean , pretty scenery and well kept place. We liked it a lot. We spent two half days in meetings. It was good to meet other Area Medical Advisors and to learn of what types problems they are facing, etc. They and we think our situation is some what unique in that the medical service here is questionable and theirs is all in place. The second afternoon we went to a small town, took a tram up the hill side to view the statue that marks the area that Germany and France fought over, along the Rhine. Saw a couple of castles from the outside and took a ferry ride up the Rhine. The trees are just beginning to change and the scenery was great.




On Saturday a Sr. Sister getting ready to go home the next week took us to Hiddleburg where we toured this castle - it was built in the 1400's and used until 1726. Was not what I thought of as a typical castle but then what would I know. I would have been the poor serf helping the owner anyway.


The question this week is what it this in the castle?

We got back late Saturday night but got up to go to Church and then had a rather slow week. Did teach English our two nights and had the missionaries in for District and lunch. We have two new Sr. couples come this week so Saturday night went to town to have lunch with them. We listened to most of conference on the internet. It was great! I sometimes wonder as first generation members of the church if I did enough to strengthen all of you testimonies in the gospel. Hope you are all doing better with your children. I would reinforce how much they are loved, how to listen to the spirit and that we need to enjoy the time that we have together. This week we will just be doing the same. We have taken on the calls from Russia but haven't seen a lot of extra calls so far. Maybe the MPW are just doing it on their own. Next week we will be down in center for Sr. Conference. The Williams are coming in to stay with us - we always enjoy their visits. Another Sr. couple will be coming and we will have training and site seeing time.

Do have to tell you about this experience that we had on Friday. For some reason Dad has been wanting to go to the Pechersk Monastery which are underground caves dug by the monks and used as cells where they lived about 1051. Later these cells served as burial of the Lavra hermits. Today the mummified bodies of monks now wrapped in cloth and adorned can be viewed in these caves and supposedly as you pray, kiss or touch these coffins you will receive blessings. There were lots of people on this tour. As we were the only English speaking - or more appropriately phased the non-understanding Russian/Ukraine Natasha went along with us. We had entered above in a church where we viewed a large mural of a soul going through 40 phases of getting out of purgatory. That is why they pay money and pray for the dead. We were also given a "sanctified" candle that we were to lite and carry with us through these caves. We were just entering the first gate that a priest had opened for us. As I was holding this candle and the lady standing in front of me was fairly close the thought went through my mind. I had better be careful or I could catch her scarf (we all had to wear head coverings) on fire. I was going to tell that to Dad who was behind me when the tour guide comes back our way to check on the gate. As she passes I turn some to allow her to pass and then I hear "its on fire" and they start pounding on my back. Dad said "I didn't do that" and the guide who is pounding on my back states "I don't have a candle". I am thinking I shoud scream "I'm on fire" but then I see the priest and remember that we were told to talk quietly. So as Natasha is almost rolling with laughter on the floor I survey the damage. They tell me that there was a two foot long steak of fire going up the scarf - some of the fringe is melted off and there is a melted spot on the hood of my coat. Dad states that he thought the room was lighting up and he was seeing a "miracle". Calmly we just continue on our trip through the caves wondering why anyone would want to live in a cell where food and water is passed through a small window and you pray in seclusion all day. The booklet we bought said that they "devoted their ascetic life to praying and resignation." In those conditions I would be resigned also! We could take no pictures inside so can not show what it was like - you'll have to look at our booklet. We still get quite a laugh out of this experience.

We also got to go to the Frankfurt Temple while we were in Germany which was good to do. We pray that you are all doing well. Keeping in touch with each other and are enjoying your time here each day on this beautiful earth. Luv, M&D, GM&GP, J&J