Flight from Sweden

After a successful meeting in Sweden with Priesthood leaders on the Addiction Recovery Program, we received two invitations one from Finland and one from Denmark. I felt the spirit of the program as Dad presented it and saw the acceptance of leaders. Heavenly Fathers loves his children and has a plan for their recovery from addictive behaviors, through the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We invite you to fly from Sweden back to Germany with us. Buckle your seat belt and experienced a bitter cold wind off the East Sea as we took off.

Mona a Frequent Flyer

The passenger next to us traveled very well. Her name is Mona and she didn't want the chewing gum I offered to help with the pressure in her ears.

Up in the Air

The weather was overcast but once we got above the clouds the sun was shining and the flight a little smoother. In ninety minutes, after a cheese sandwich and a glass of juice we will land in Germany.

Back in Germany

The landing was a little rough but here we are back in Germany. Did you enjoy flying with us?

Missionaries Morning Devotional

Most mornings the missionaries, stand out on their balcony and sing a hymn in German. Since our office is directly across from them we open our window, to clap and applaud their efforts. Today is transfer day for the Elders and so the companionship parts company. The one in the middle has been here with us for 9 months and is headed to Dusseldorf. They are a great group of young men. We attend the same ward and sing in the choir together. Once in awhile after a dinner invitation from a member we drive them home. Maybe one of our grand-sons or grand-daughters will serve a mission here in Germany. Notice the snow falling and hear their last words, "have a good life."

New German Translation

We have some very exciting news that we have been anxiously anticipating. Friday Jan. 10 we received word from SLC that the German translation of the Addiction Recovery Manual was finally available in pdf format. That manual had been in translation for two years. Without the manual doors opened and 11 of the 14 Stake Presidents had invited us for training. Within three weeks from the North to the South of Germany we made visits and then prayed for the translation. We have been given permission to take it into Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, and all through Germany. Friday morning when Grant sent out e-mails to the 11 Stake Presidents we had previously visited, he immediately received 3 responding with requests for training of implementation. This week we go to Sweden with a presentation and next week to Nurnberg for training. We are so grateful to see recovery and healing coming to bless the lives of members. In celebration we give you the New Years fireworks from Germany which lasted 45 min. after which we couldn't see anything because of all the smoke.

Frankenstein Castle

All the castles here in Germany have a legend of one kind or another. This one was fun to walk around, and see all the beautiful stone walls, if they could speak wouldn't you like to hear the story they could tell?











The castle has not been restored...and so the atmosphere was fitting for the legend. Grant, Joe and Connie sitting in the chairs, that were quite unique in the way they were made.

Frankenstein Laboratory

Weddings are now performed in this room which was once used as a laboratory. The color Prussian blue was discovered here. The room was locked by a large Iron door, and I had to pull really hard on the door to get Grandpa out.

Frankenstein Castle

After Christmas with the office still closed we teamed with our missionary friends the Durances to visit several castles in the area. You will enjoy this one because a book was written about it 1818 by Mary Shelly at the age of 18, and was considered to be the first science fiction novel of it's time. Her mother worked as a secretary for the Grimm Brothers, who traveled through Germany collecting legends and heard the legend of this castle from her mother.