Sunday, May 31, 2015

May 2015

May started off in an amazing way for our family--our daughter Tosha completed her mission in Tokyo Japan!
 We were so happy to get her back!
 We enjoyed attending Britta's wonderful baptism in Münich!
 We were sad to lose Elder and Sister Bignall.  They gave such great service in the mission--she as one of our mission nurses, and they both served diligently in Lahr!
 We also hated saying goodbye to Elder Lewis--we love you and wish you the best!
 Just a little helping in the office.
 President and the Assistants make some preparations for Mission Leadership Council.
 Smile!
 May Mission Leadership Council was great.  Our Office Elders helped with the business part.
 Then our Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders worked on some mission issues.


  


  
 Our daughter Tosha got to explain about having served in an iPad mission.
 There were many questions since we are also on the verge of this here.
 What a good-looking Council.
 We also had to say goodbye to Elder and Sister Hicks.  They served faithfully in Ravensburg, Germany.
 A lovely Mother's Day lunch with the Schwabes and Sisters after the St. Gallen Stake Conference.
 Sister Smiley--we love you and wish you the very best as you head home!
 A wonderful group of sisters--two just returned from Tokyo and two current here in Munich!
 Another couple finished their mission as well--Elder and Sister Smith, who were serving in Salzburg, Austria.  We love you!
 And it was time for transfers again--look at these wonderful new Goldens!
 They received some training at the office...
 Then we enjoyed dinner and testimonies together at the Mission Home.
 A little more training the next morning,
 and off to their new areas.
 That evening we had another nice dinner with the outgoing missionaries...
 and a wonderful testimony meeting!  We hate to lose these amazing missionaries, but are so excited for the next phase of their lives.
 A temporary farewell to Elder Hunter!
 Elder Steuer was only supposed to be with us for a short time, as he waited for a Visa, but we sure got attached to him in the 6 months that he was here.  Good luck in England as you finish your mission!
 And a warm welcome to the Justesens who will be serving in St. Gallen, Switzerland!
 Dear Elder and Sister Schwabe, how we will miss you in St. Gallen!  You have served so well!
 It's always a fun treat to see missionaries who come back to visit--here is Elder Huff!
 And on the same day we got to see Sister Gilmour!
 We welcomed Elder and Sister Storrer into the mission to replace the Smiths in Salzburg (they actually served there before the Smiths!)
 It was Munich's stake conference and we were pleased to welcome Elder Kearon of the Area Presidency, Elder and Sister Pilz of the 70, and President and Sister Auras of our stake.
 So, we started the month with the return of our daughter, and we end the month with the graduation of our son from high school.  Tanner, way to go--we love you and are so proud of you!


Friday, May 1, 2015

A Wonderful Day with Elder Bednar! (April 2015)

It was impressive to see our missionaries arriving at the Church the day of the Meeting!

















 They all gathered in the chapel and reverently waited.















 Meanwhile, some of our amazing sisters made hundreds of sandwiches for lunch.


 Elder & Sister Bednar arrived at the church.


 President & Sister Teixeira accompanied the Bednars.

 President Auras (Munich Stake), the Teixeiras (European Area President), the Bednars, the Kohlers, the Allens (Managing Director of Missionary Department)
 And the meeting began!






 Elder Bednar spent a lot of time interacting with the missionaries--they had chances to ask and answer many important questions.






 The missionaries were SO happy and blessed to be taught by Elder Bednar!




 Elder Allen taught about Missionary Work in the Digital Age.






 President Teixeira also trained the missionaries.
 Sister Bednar was wonderful!

 Lunch break was a great time for the missionaries to be together.












 Then back into the meeting.


 It wasn't ALL serious!

 And all too soon the meeting was over.
 Then the missionaries headed back to their areas in the mission.  This was the last big group to go.
 Aufwiedersehen!