As we were traveling from Munich to Nuremburg we stopped to visit this very humbling place where the spirit is sobering and heart wrenching. This consentration camp which housed through the years about 240,000 people of various nationalities where many were forced to endure such misery as cold, hunger, separation from families, abuse and death. The poem that was uttered by them was, Oh God make me dumb that to Dachau I may not come.

Cinderella Wasn't Home

One week north and the next week south to Munich and Nuremberg for meetings with Stake Presidents about the Addiction Recovery Program. We were encouraged to take two extra travel days in case we ran into the snow storm that was predicted. Our first night was spent in Fussen where the Hohenschwangau and the Neuschwanstein Castles are located, on the boader of the Austrian Mountains. King Ludwig II lived in one castle while he built the second. After enjoying Neuschwanstein for only 167 days he was found drowned in the lake. Walt Disney used this castle as his entrance into Fantasy Land. We rode up the mountain in a horse drawn carriage.....but Cinderella wasn't home...

Town Musicians of Bremen

The Grimm Brothers were germans that collected fairy tales around 1807. In this story a donkey, a dog, a cat and a cockerel (rooster), all past their usefulness on their respective farms, one by one they leave their homes and set out together. They decide to go to Bremen, known for its freedom, to live without owners and to become musicians there. On their way they see a little cottage; they look inside and see four robbers enjoying their gold. Standing on each others backs, they decide to perform for the men in hope of gaining food. The men run for their lives not knowing the strange sounds. The animals take over the house and live happily for the rest of their days. Holding onto the statue brings good fortune.

Over the River and through the Woods

November 22 and 23 we drove three hours north to Oldenburg where we met with four Stake Presidents, one district President and one Area Seventy about the Addiction Recovery Program. The week before we heard the Area Seventy question the success of the program and the need for the program but in Oldenburg he had gained what he needed and bore a strong testimony to the group requesting that they receive training. I guess there is opposition in all things for as our meetings proved very successful, you can see what we had to travel through to get to it. Seems that Oldenburg gets two snow storms a year, that being the case, we drove through both of them, one going up and one coming back. (A park is a pullover on the ubahn with a public restroom.)

England and Beyond

Ilkley was a Roman Fort built about 600 AD. Years later the Parish was built from those old stones. We saw many Roman ruins around the town, like this headstone in the cemetery, and three treasured beautiful stones that were moved into the Parish to preserve them. Don't let the sunshine fool you, thanks to thermals we stayed warm and comfortable, it was just a damp cold that we hadn't experienced.

These Roman stones dated 628 AD and are located next to the Ilkley Parish.



Grant is standing by the headstone of Robert Atkinson. It was covered with leaves and vines, and we were just about to give up the search when the next stone we uncovered was his. We also found the head stone of Abraham Atkinson and the pew of Watkinson inside the Ilkley Parish. Maybe to distinguish between two brothers that were named Robert and William, one was called Watkinson...and the other Atkinson just a thought.

Two days later we took the train to Ilkley where the Atkinson family was from and happened to visit on the night of the installation of the new Vicar of the Ilkley Parish. We were invited to attend and found it very interesting to once again sit in a church where our ancestors worshiped.

Clive and Pam Meredith took us to the grave of John Child Meredith and his wife Ellen Rose Meredith. The top of their headstone is missing, it was the statue of Liberty. The cemetery has been close for some time and is in need of care and attention. John's aunts, Hannah, Ellen and Eleanor Meredith are also buried here, they never married.

The is called the Bull Ring and is located next to the St. Martin Parish...it is where the cattle were brought into town for slaughter and has been renovated into a modern open air shopping street.

Sunday we rode the train to Birmingham where we met with our distant cousins Clive and Pam Meredith who graciously showed us family sites around the area. Clive reminded me of my father and his brother uncle Art, in fact Clive looked liked a lot like them. Riding trains in England is easy and we didn't have to keep saying to ourselves, drive on the left, stay on the left, turn on the left. We just enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Notice the scaffolding on the left of the London Temple, it is being prepared for Angle Moroni. The morning of our meeting the new Visitor Center was dedicated, watch for the information in the Church News.

We met at the London Temple with 17 therapists who are excited to join the mental health group council program, for members, that we help to administer from Frankfurt. We were so impressed with the number of dedicated people who work with priesthood leaders helping to resolve serious personal issues.

This is a picture of Parliament and the Big Ben Tower, we just happened to ask a girl from Utah to take our picture who was a member of the church.

Grant is standing next to a guard at a complex called the Tower of London. It has quite a violent history and the tower they are standing by is called the bloody Tower. Located in the next building were the crown jewels, what a fabulous display of gold and precious jewels in crowns, swords and staffs.



We had the opportunity of a life time visiting England and the surrounding areas. On Friday we flew from Germany to London and stayed there for two nights. Then in the evening we met with the couple who runs the addiction recovery program which is very successful in England. They gave us great advice as we anticipate the German translation to be released this month. We gleaned everything we could about their program. We are now visiting Stake Pres. in Germany at their request to inform them about the program.

This is Tower Bridge, we rode the elevator to the top of the tower then walked through the connection between the two towers and rode the elevator down. What a grand view of the city.


This big wheel is called the London Eye and takes 30 min. for one revolution. We just happened to be on top when all of a sudden fireworks started over the river Thames, for the Lord Mayor celebration. We have had several opportunities to share the gospel, this young man in the red jacket was one of them. He stayed close to us wanting to talk, we felt his desire to know more so we took his card and sent him this picture with more information about the church. When we got off the wheel we followed the crowed and found Piccadilly Circus which was decorated for Christmas and Traffalga Square.




The city of London was beautiful from the eye, as we got our bearings we were able to identify many famous areas and then walk to them. I was impressed with what we could see between our meetings as Welfare Missionaries. I am grateful for the beauties of the earth and the opportunity to see history and walk around in it.

Yea! Social Security here we come....

It was a Happy Birthday....

I just don't get tired of looking across our desks

at this handsome face each day. Grant is talking to our area welfare Director William Blacoe. He's the one eating cake. William is from Ireland and currently working on an enormous undertaking of writing a book about each word in the New Testament. Grant helps to edit his work. William uses 29 translations in various languages, while viewing four different monitors, along with dictionaries, encyclopedias, books and articles. The paper dad is editing tonight is on the word Conscience and is 21 pages long....amazing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANT!

October 23, and here we are singing happy birthday to Grant. We are on the third floor of the Area office building and the tradition here is to be treated to cake and ice cream by the one celebrating their birthday. We served a very moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. The oven in our apartment has settings I've never seen before, so it has been a guessing game when it comes to baking. Will it be done, or dry or burnt? I have mastered brownies, banana nut bread and that's good considering I only have two pans to work with, a bunt and a disposable tin.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

There's nothing like a five mile walk, on a medieval cobble stone road, through a beautiful autumn forest to lift your spirit's and clear your head. Oh the blessings we have...

On this stained glass widow are the four generation of the family that owned the castle. When a knight married he had to prove that his four great-grandfathers were of a noble family. It is the so-called proof of nobility.

Lord Echter was 49 when the castle was finished and his wife was 44. This is the poem above them:

Matrimonial love in God and constant faithfulness,

Will bring you happiness and blessing without any trouble.

With earnestness and diligence we have trusted in God,

For our children's welfare we have built this house.

Their son who inherited the castle, Count Ingelheim Echter and his wife had 22 children and their son who inherited the castle next had 18 children. One of their cousins was shot for the attempted murder of Hitler. Dad's minor at BYU was history, and we are surrounded by it and enjoy it. This castle protected the road we walked on. What a beautiful, peaceful day we had... bonus, we believe that Marie-Antoinette Countess von Ingelheim heiress of Mespelburnn was our personal guide on the tour, she looked a lot like the picture of her in the Knights' Hall and was so very informative.

Mespelbrunn is one of the castles in northern Bavaria, that was not destroyed in the Thirty years War nor any other. Its origin goes back to the thirteenth century. So Mespelbrunn is one of the few castles in Germany that has retained its original form and furniture.

We are surrounded by the effects of change in our economic situation, the value of the Euro is dropping and people of Germany are keeping an eye on the United States and the domino effect. Our prayers are with our children and friends as we ride this roller coaster together. President Boyd K. Packer speaking Sunday, Oct. 12 to his home ward told them that, "Hard times are ahead...It's important to listen to the Spirit. We are led by prophets and apostles. We can see ahead. We can be and are prepared. Turn off the television and focus on family. Pay your tithing. The promise is there - pay your tithing and you'll be watched over. You'll be alright. None of us is exempt from trials. If hard times come upon you...do what you're supposed to do and you'll be comforted. Sure trials will come. Because of them faith will increase. Happiness will increase. Security will increase. You'll be glad to be alive at this time. It's a good time to be living, to be raising children. I leave this testimony, counsel, and blessing."

Just think of Medieval times, ninety percent of the people were poor, illiterate peasants - ruled by kings, nobles and bishops. Most children died before adulthood. Thirty years was a long life. Plague was a constant fear. People worked the land, hoping only to survive the winter. Life for most was a dreary preparation for heaven. The Christian Church gave people hope for a better life after death.

October 3, German Holiday

Working in the office is very enjoyable, we have a large window that faces North so we watch the storms roll by each day. In Germany you can experience all four seasons in one morning.

We are busy putting together training material for the newly German translated ARP program to be presented to Stake Presidents and Bishops. Our first visit will be to the Nuremberg stake and the Munich stake. We found the thoughts we needed in our morning scripture study, and our friend and office neighbor the mission Psychologist happened to show us a book he brought from the MTC which included a guide for Bishops that has already been church approved... we feel directed in our efforts as we prepare to present the program to German speaking countries.






The office is closes for all German Holidays, in fact William our director always has an interesting sight for us to see and visit. This is a picture of a one those experiences. This tree is a Cedar of Lebanon planted in 1820, the year of Joseph Smith's first vision. These trees are beautiful and their cones grow pointing up.


This is the Burg Ronneburg just 45 minutes from our apt. On this weekend they were having a medieval celebration. Many booths and many people dresses in costume for the occasion. We saw sword fighting, magic act, and listened to several different musical instruments. We loved the view from the castle tower and had it all to ourselves.

On the Fjord

Visit to Goteborg, Sweden

We had a great experience watching dedicated members of the church come together in an effort of concern and expression of love to help correct behavior. These good colleagues and friends shared with ideas and encouragement as they discussed challenges they each encountered. The day went very quickly and soon it was time to watch them bid each other farewell until January. I have reflect upon the example they are to me, faithful in their personal life and sincere as leaders of their various countries... Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and England. United by a common goal, to not only help people, but to also bring them unto Jesus Christ, where individual recovery takes place. I know that the Lord has prepared these good people, for this program could not function without them.

As you can see the weather was overcast and a little cool but very comfortable. Because we had a little time after our flight arrived, our host had scheduled a boat trip through the Fjord's for us. And since he was raised in Goteborg, he made an excellent tour guide. We traveled from Saltholmen Harbor to the Island of Branno. There we walked across the island, caught another ferry for the islands of Styrso, Kopstadso, Aspero and then back to the Saltholmen Harbor. While on Branno, the fire alarms sounded. The only vehicle on the island, I believe, was the fire truck. All others traveled by foot, bicycle or motorbike. Dad caught this short footage of the firemen headed back to the station.

Singing for our Supper...

Missionary Conference

We enjoy attending the Zone Conference every six weeks. The speakers instruct in German and we listen with headsets in English. I thought you might enjoy how the Missionaries thank the cooks at each conference by singing, Called to Serve.

We have a German class every Tuesday evening along with other missionary couples. We attend a German speaking ward and sing in the choir. Funny story...at our first choir practice I was asked to sing the soprano solo in German and was told to start singing so I did. After the first verse the conductor said, "Will someone else will come?" Meaning I didn't know how to sing German or soprano. And I don't. I sing alto. I was so glad I didn't have to sing a solo that day.

We home teach two families where the brethren speak only German. Fortunately their wives speak some English and can translate. The language seems to be coming.

I have been searching for and collecting a list of LDS specialist for the countries we work in. At the Zone Conference I just happened to sit by a doctor from the UK who gave me a list of 26 specialists he is working with. And he just happened to bring the list with him to the conference. We received a copy and an invitation to their November meeting to meet them. As we pray for help it comes and the doors open.

Tomorrow we fly to Sweden for a Nortic Council and have been busy preparing materials to take with us.

We're in the Movies...

We were just informed that our picture made the New Comer's web site. With over 95 booths and 5,000 visitors, the Church received recognition with two pictures of the LDS booth in the movie clip, two in the photos and one on the newsletter. Notice Dad in the front, passing out information about the open house for the new Europe Area and I'm behind him. Don't you think we make a great team. www.newcomers-festival.de

Niederwald Monument

Once a month the missionary couples get together for an excursion. So on Saturday we went 40 miles WS to the Niederwald Monument above Rudesheim. We rode a chair lift over the grape vineyards, then walked for 30 minutes to a beautiful picturesque scene overlooking the Rhein River. The monument symbolizes the rebuilding of the German Empire after the French-German war 1879-71. The main figure is Germania, holding up the German Emperor's crown in her right hand and the imperial sword in her left hand.

We then took another 30 minute walk through a German forest, around a hunting castle and to a game reserve where another chair lift took us down into the town of Assmannshausen. After shopping and refreshments we caught a boat going up the Rhein river back to Rudesheim. We passed three castles and the town of Bingen but didn't have enough time to stop and explore so we plan on going back.

We just happened to have a big bag of carrots for our lunch, but the deer enjoyed them for their's.


The Rhein is beautiful this time of year. A few leaves were started to show fall colors.

New Comers Festival

On Sep.7,at Frankfurt on Romer, the Old Town Plaza, a New Comers Festival was held. Business clubs and organizations presented their services with a family oriented atmosphere. There was traditional, music, singing, dancing and many booths with food. The Church sponsored a missionary booth for the open house. We spent two hours along with 4 Elders and 2 office employees handing out flyers and telling families about the church. After an hour of fun visiting with all sorts of people about the church, a beautiful young mother across from us in another religious booth came over to me and said, "Who are you? I see a glow around your face." I grabbed her hand and told her that "We lived before we came to earth! We live now and we will live again. We are sisters." She thanked me walked away. Then her husband came over and wanted to know more about our church. When we were replaced by other missionaries we walked across hugged and exchanged cards. Then she asked me if she could be my friend. They were from Iran, they saw and felt truth.

Another experience I had was with an Elderly atheist who claimed that there was no God. I grabbed his arm and told him that God loved him and knew him and had a plan for his return to him. As we exchanged ideas I put a card in his shirt pocket. He laughed as I did then he left and awhile later came back. I went right up to him and said, "See there is something here that you need." Just then, as if planned, the Elder stepped in and took over. Our time there was filled with such great spiritual missionary experiences.

Visit to Lucerne, Switzerland

Rheinfalls, Switzerland

Standing at the edge of Switzerland's biggest waterfalls, you can hear the thunder and feel the mist. We are on a platform that hangs over the middle of the falls. So this was a quick picture.

This mountain above Lucerne is called Pilatus, after Pontious Pilot, who is thought to be buried here. Lucerne's government forbids people to climb the Pilatus for fear of revenge. We rode on a cog train to the top at a 48 degree angle. What a ride!

We passed these cattle grazing on our train ride up the mountain. Notice the steep incline of the mountain. If the cow fell down, she would roll all the way to the bottom.

Grant's brother Curtis served a mission in Switzerland, where he learned to make great cheese fondue. Curtis, remember all those fondue parties? Well, we saved the best for you!

Visit to Strasbourg, France

We attended a ward in France looking for LDS therapists. We found two in the ward and one in the stake. We see the Lord's hand in preparing the way for needed recovery programs. The missionary who translated for Grant said that they had fasted that day and this information was an answer to their prayers.

Notice the little round windows in the roof of the yellow building? This was our hotel room. It was across from the Cathedral Notre Dame. We heard the night life and the morning bells chime. The hotel was probably built in the 1500's because our room swayed as we walked around in it, and I'm not kidding. The old wooden timbers were built with wooden pegs that you could still see. I was glad to see it still standing in the morning.

Visit to Rothenburg

Conflict Resolution

I just finished another module for training called, "Conflict Resolution," just before we visited the Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum in Rothenburg. If the baker made his loaves of bread too light he was dunked into a tank of water and if they were too heavy he wore an iron barrel. Poor old baker... Anger and resentment was inflected upon one another and enforced in their courts over the size of a loaf of bread. In President Hinckley's last address to the general priesthood he talked about anger and gave this advice. 'Once a man who had been slandered by a newspaper came to Edward Everett asking what to do about it. Said Everett, "Do nothing! Half the people who bought the paper never saw the article. Half of those who saw it, did not read it. Half of those who read it, did not understand it. Half of those who understood it, did not believe it. Half of those who believed it are of no account anyway.' "So many of us make a great fuss of matters of small consequence. We are so easily offended. Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way."

Our Neighborhood...

Most mornings we walk in the Hauptfriedhof Cemetery which is one block North of us. The Cemetery is 1 mile square walking inside or 4 miles around the outer wall. It is like walking through the Black Forest where there is little light that filters through the trees. Famous people are buried here with very elaborate and beautiful monuments. However if the rent is not paid for your little spot of earth, the tenants are exhumed, the headstone crushed, and a new vacancy is created.


This picture was taken in front of the Fellner family plot and may be related to our Feller family from Switzerland.


Also in the cemetery is this monument, that expresses the cruel, cruel treatment of the WWII Jewish human experimentation vicims. Their headstones are located around the monument and along the walls, thousands of names. (Wikipedia, Josef Mengele) Read about it and count your many blessings.


This train station in Frankfurt is over ten tracks wide. Trains come in from all over Germany to the end of track, load then pull out again. The ICE travels from country to country at speeds of 310. The trains are fun to ride.


Six miles further South is downtown Frankfurt on the Main River. We catch the train located one block from our apartment, which comes and goes every five minutes.


To the East, a few blocks is located the remains of a Nazi training center. The buildings are closed and abandoned but standing in front of them makes you think of the control and power that was wielded from here and the sorrows of war.


South of our apartment is the true German village of yesterday... narrow cobble stone streets with cobble stone sidewalks lining the rows of two story business, bank, grocery store, churches and sidewalk cafe.


Anne Frank was born in this neighborhood just a short walk from our apt.


The color and atmosphere is very enjoyable, and the longer we're here, the more people lift their heads and greet us. This is our home for the next few months and we have come to love it already.