Hallo von Frankfurt: Town Musicians of Bremen

Monday, December 8, 2008

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.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: How fun to see that particular statue. My students did an opera based around that fable. They mixed it with American Idol and called it The Bremen Town Musicians go to A-moo-ican Idol!

BSQ; December 9, 2008 at 10:05 PM

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Opening the Call

This is where is all began. We are excited to be here in Germany. Books are being printed in German and should be finished in a month. Councils have come together and were very sucessful. Power Points and module training programs are being created. Our days are busy and go very fast, before we know it we've missed lunch. We are expecting proposals to be approved shortly, then watch it fly. We have testimonies of the work we are doing and the help that will be provided for addiction recovery.

Frankfurt Temple

I have had many opportunities to step out of my comfort zone. As eight of the missionary couples met at the Area Pres. home for dinner, Pres. Oak's turned to me and said, "Sister Atkinson, will you offer the prayer for us?" I thought to myself, "Me? In front of a medical doctor, a psychologist, a lawyer, an accountant, two Area Executive Secretaries, two Seventies, you're asking me to pray?" Then all of a sudden, the courage came. I put a smile on my face and said, "Thank you, I would be glad to." The Spirit touched my heart and I prayed beyond my ability. I know now that if I just desire and try, the Lord will make me capable.

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I remember Great Grandma Feller who came from Switzerland. I remember her egg nog and German fritter pancakes. After her husband died at age 36 of tyhoid fever, she raised their 3 sons by herself. As a young child I attended her funeral. The night of her viewing, during a sudden rain storm, I dropped my very own package of juicy fruit gum in the gutter and watched it wash away. I started to cried. Thinking I was crying for Grandma, they showed me her small white slippers and her beautiful white dress. I quit crying because I knew I was looking at an angel. Her father, Christian Feller, spoke only German when they left Switzerland. Their first home was a dirt dugout in the hills near SLC. Their sacrifice has blessed our lives with the gospel.

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