Germany and Loreley

On tope of Loreley overlooking Rhine River.

Overlooking Rhine River - Rex and Vicky

Castle along the Rhine River

Grape vineyard looking down onto the Rhine River.

Vicky with Bro. and Sis. Stein in Germany.

We have had a great week traveling to Frankfurt, Germany to meet with our Public Affairs team. One of the things we miss is the daily interaction with other couples. The Associate Director of Public Affairs in Germany is Ralf Grunke. He is just the funniest guy and makes us laugh frequently. They are preparing for a big Open House in September so we helped with invitations, had a marvelous planning meeting for our huge NDPA Conference in Manchester, England coming in September. Rex and I attended a session at the Frankfurt Temple on Tuesday evening and were the witness couple. It was such a spiritual high. We also got to go out for supper with 3 other senior couples serving in Frankfurt. Each couple is interesting and shares a powerful testimony of service and miracles in their families. We too feel extremely blessed in our service to the Lord. Our family brings us such joy. Just in case you don't know, our daughter, Kali and her husband are expecting baby #5 in February. Also, our son, Kyle and his wife are expecting twins in February 2009. We will come home to 3 new grandchildren as of now.

Before we left on Wednesday, we went on a drive along side the Rhine River where there are numerous castles every few miles. The little town of Rudesheim is right beside the Rhine River. We stopped for lunch and viewed the spectacular grape vineyards that grow along the mountain sides. They are literally so steep, I wonder if mountain goats could walk there. I am not sure how they harvest, but it is amazing how they grow these grapes. We crossed the Rhine on the ferry and drove back to the airport along the other side of the river to view it from a different perspective. Germany is truly a gorgeous place. Everything feels so neat and clean. They keep their country immaculately groomed. All the wheat and grain fields are about ready for harvest also.

While in Germany we stayed at the home of Bro. and Sis. Stein, a little German couple who own a bed and breakfast near the temple. They serve in the temple a couple of times each week. We absolutely fell in love with them. Each night Sis. Stein had a baked strudel for us to eat when we returned. Our breakfast was fit for a king and queen with cereal, yogurt, eggs, cheese, ham, toast, juice, and milk. We felt like we were at the Radisson.

Upon our return, we attended the Zone Conference and met our new Mission President and his wife, President and Sister Anderson. They are amazing people with powerful testimonies. We are going to their home for a BBQ Saturday evening. Two of the elders are going home in two weeks so they shared their testimonies. These meetings are spiritual feasts for us.

Life is GREAT! We are having many opportunities to serve and share our Public Affairs message here in the Nordic countries.

I close with this quote from Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith: "Our young people...are the nobility of heaven, a choice and chosen generation who have a divine destiny. Their spirits have been reserved to come forth in this day when the gospel is on the earth, and when the Lord needs valiant servants to carry on his great latter-day work." I pray we each feel the need and desire to do His work each day.