Week 12--Fröhliche Weihnachten

Haus des Herrn--we still have good weather, cold but clear

Weihnachten arrived, faster this year than any other I can remember.  All this past week the temple was quiet and, beyond the missionaries, enjoyed only a tiny handful of visitors. One sister from our ward came every day and stayed all sessions. What a joy it was to welcome her to swell our own ranks as we staffed endowment and sealing sessions.

Someone made an interesting comment about the number attending being so small during the holiday week(s): “Christmas is a season to focus on the living family around us; while the temple has us focus on those we call dead”—a good observation. Families were doing what families do. But this indeed made for a quiet week for us in the Haus des Herrn.

Friday night on the last session of the week, John and I were the session leader and follower and it was lovely to have a good-sized crowd that didn’t consist of just temple workers and Schwester Bobinger. We had wondered if it would have to be canceled for no one’s coming. It was a nice way to end our week of service.

Between the afternoon and evening sessions we had President Husz come for dinner—Sister Husz had taken the train to Vienna earlier in the week for a necessary medical procedure so he was on his own. She is a survivor of a very serious form of ovarian cancer and is still being treated, with an alternative approach, using mistletoe. She was totally disabled for a couple of years and is as much a miracle walking among us as John is himself. I really enjoy them both and love to observe how he treats her with such gentleness and love.

One change they have made in the way things are handled is that in our prayer meetings each morning the couples in the presidency sit together rather than the brethren up in front and the matron and her assistants on the side. Huszes’ philosophy is that this most important relationship of eternal marriage should be exemplified, especially in the temple. I like that.

Sister Husz returned by train early Saturday morning to spend Christmas in Freiberg, just as we caught our train south to Nürnberg and on to München for our own real German Christmas celebration with Antje & Norbert Primas—eine echte Deutsche Weihnacten.

En route we watched a wonderful new movie I rented and downloaded from I-Tunes. It is called Dolphin’s Tale and is worth taking your kids and grandkids to see, or just going by yourselves. We loved it—a feel-good movie with no trash! Hurrah for Hollywood, for once!

We arrived to find our long-term friends waving from the end of the track. It was wonderful to see them. The last time was when we were in Munich with Mark and Sylvia, some 28 years ago. But for that brief visit, our contact has been with exchanged Christmas gifts over the many years.

John first met Antje when they both served on their missions to South Germany.  We discovered while we were here where John had also met Norbert. It was while Norbert was serving a building mission in Freiburg, where John was first assigned as a proselyting missionary and went weekly on his P-Day to also work on the new chapel.

After their missions Antje and Norbert met, got engaged, then broke things off and each married other spouses, in the temple, but from whom they later divorced. Antje married a young man who deserted her just two months after they were married, while she was already carrying their child—his mother didn’t want to lose his companionship and he hadn’t the emotional stability to withstand her demands on him. As soon as the child was born, he signed divorce papers. Antje remained single for some 13 years, raising her little girl by herself. Meanwhile Nobert’s wife, two children later, decided she had more fun out of the church than in and left him.

Antje and Norbert met one another again at a young single adults conference and rekindled the flame of their first love. They later married and were sealed. What a challenging beginning they had to finding one another again.

Arrival in München--John made it!

The Primases are good, good people. Norbert reminds me in appearance of Lazar Wolf in Fiddle on the Roof, but in personality of a German version of my dad with his enthusiasm for all types of history, Church research, and anything else that captures his interest and good mind, which he is more than anxious to share with any and all who come within range! Antje is just pure gold.

Antje and Norbert Primas

We have enjoyed being part of their Christmas—we experienced meal after meal with Antje’s wonderful deutsches Essen including bratwurst, venison, rot kohl, sauerkraut, cookies, puddings, etc. etc. We exchanged gifts with them and Antje’s daughter and granddaughter who came for dinner Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve dinner

Christmas day we went to the ward, stopping on the way to pick up an 85-year-old sister whose husband was the district president while John and Antje were missionaries in Munich. Several of those at church were Americans (including the bishop) who are living here in Germany, or Garmisch-Partenkrichen, part of various businesses, or serving in the US military. After a delightful sacrament meeting we went home to another yummy dinner and more visiting. John’s German was stretched to the limit and I did a lot of nodding and smiling. But in truth, could generally grasp the drift of the conversations. I had an interesting time trying to teach Norbert how to use his laptop with my extremely limited Deutsch. He was a willing subject and we had a good time.

Gift Exchange on Christmas Eve

This morning after breakfast Norbert took John and me for a drive around Munich to see its sites and take some Fotos leaving Antje to fix yet another yummy meal for us before leaving for the train to return to Freiberg to prepare for our week tomorrow. 

Munich sites

The architecture of this great old city was wonderful. It was fun to see the Hofbräuhaus, palaces, locations of Hitler's speeches. Norbert made quite a tour guide. Very knowledgeable. One of our favorite stops was the Mercedes Benz building which had a huge window Adventskranz (25-day pre-Christmas calendar). For each day there was a window featuring past models of Mercedes. Around the right day's window were twinkling lights. Very festive and very clever. One window even featured the Smart Car, which Mercedes owns. 

Mercedes Adventskrantz

After our great lunch we went to the train station to return home. It has been a lovely holiday but we were anxious to get back. We have ahead—yet tonight—laundry, cleaning, and preparing for training. 

On the way, though, as a last feel of the holiday, we enjoyed an American touch of celebration by watching White Christmas on my computer.

Goodbyes in München--heading home

We hope your Christmas weekend has been as delightful as ours.

Week 11

Nürnberg Christmas Window

Monday evening we returned from Nürnberg having enjoyed our time with the festive spirit of Weihnachten in the air, despite having it rain while we wandered down the lines of booths. We came away having enjoyed the tantalizing flavors of Lebkuchen and Bratwurst.

We came home to get our laundry done before our week “began” on Tuesday at the temple, glad to be home again but happy to have had the experience of the trip and the chance to get better acquainted with the Chidesters. Each of the seven other missionary couples has been a wonderful addition to our lives. 

This week without family close by to make goodies for, we put little gifts together of homemade caramel dip, cheese ball, and lemon curd for our missionary neighbors. It was fun to take them around and visit with each couple.

John’s brother Ronald sent us a U-tube link to a song that really touched me with the sentiment, if not the style. It is called “Where’s the Line to see Jesus?” and tells of a little boy, seeing the lines waiting for Santa, who asked the question. It got me thinking about the real meaning of Christmas in a very nice way. Fröhliche Weihnachten is on everyone’s lips and though I know it is the German greeting that means Merry Christmas, I wanted to really understand the word better. I liked the definition when I learned that “Weihnachten” means “holy night.” How lovely. Surely it was a holy night when the Savior of the world was born.

The temple has been a little quiet this week without the big groups. There have been moments where we were busy but they were infrequent. We did enjoy a wonderful young 24-year-old from eastern Hungary who has been here for two weeks serving as an ordinance worker. He had lost his job and decided since he had a break he would use the time to serve in the temple.  Friday he gave his testimony in prayer meeting in English, with Sister Metzner translating (as she always does for me). Zoltán Szűcs patiently helped John and me with our attempts to learn some of what we do in his language. He wears a “CTR” ring which he said stands for “Current Temple Recommend” rather than the usual “Choose the Right.” Both are good reminders of what counts. We enjoyed having him come to dinner and hear about his and his mother’s conversions, his mission in Hungary, and their little branch. He left for his twelve-hour bus trip home Saturday after serving all three sessions. We will miss seeing him in the temple each day.

Christmas party with the Weihnacht Man and the Primary

Saturday was also our ward Christmas party, which began at 4:00 in the afternoon. The program included a wonderful new Christmas DVD produced by the Church that was fun to watch, even though everything was, of course, in German. It was followed by an original little Christmas production featuring the Weihnacht Man who, by the end of the program, called each family’s children up by name and gave little gifts one by one. The party ended with a wonderful buffet of goodies, hot chocolate and Kaffee (Pero), all served with china cups and plates. It gave me just a little feel for how our ancestors would have gathered in earlier years without the simplicity of paper goods. 

Winter has come with all its beauty--especially at the temple

We found it charming, but a lot of work—something that doesn’t seem to be an obstacle to those who so willingly serve here. When we came out of the church to walk back to our apartment it was snowing and the lights shining on the temple reflected a cross in the snowy sky, with the Angel Moroni emblazoned in the clouds.

Kymora's First Christmas. She looks the part!

John and I have enjoyed working on our Laing research, trying to grapple with the voluminous numbers of documents that Hugh Laing, our Ontario cousin, has electronically sent us. It is our goal to make some real headway in our “spare” time, which isn’t too plentiful. But we are doing our best and making a little dent. It seems to us that Hugh has been inspired, though not understanding himself where this drive to find and share this information with us comes from. We are grateful for what he has done and is doing for all of us.

 We are also grateful to our daughter for her sending us wonderful pictures of her little brood in their Christmas dress up. 

May you have a wonderful week ahead in preparation for the “Holy Night” to come next Saturday.

Be safe and know that we love you all, think of you often, and pray God’s choicest blessings upon you.

Week 10

We have had a delightful week and hope you did as well. Ours ended with a quick trip to Nürnberg—from where I am writing this entry. We drove down after the temple closed Saturday afternoon with Lynn and Jim Chidester, fellow temple missionaries, who used to live here and wanted to revisit the annual Christkindlmarkt.

Der Gasthof Bub

We arrived about 8:00 pm and checked into our pension, Gasthof Bub, in Zirndorf, a nearby suburb village, with its half-timbered exterior and interior walls and fun old rooms. The Chidesters have stayed  here several times and we could quickly see why they love it. We enjoyed a good dinner in the hotel pub before turning in under our down covers for a much needed rest.

Nürnberg Castle

This morning we attended the Nürnberg Ward in town and then explored the castle environs that sit above the city, stopping at a little restaurent just outside the castle entrance for kerbis (pumpkin) soup and Johannisbeersaft (currant juice). It was a delightful setting for lunch, though truth be told, my recently discovered kerbis soup recipe is much better (it follows below). It is one of the best discoveries I have made since being in Germany.

Nürnberg from above the city

Our next stop was  to wander the Christkindlmarkt mixing with the crowds of fellow visitors. We didn’t go to shop (that is for tomorrow morning!) but just to enjoy being there and seeing, hearing, and tasting the spirit of Weihnachten.   

We came back tired from our walk and went to dinner at another old Gasthaus just a few meters from our pension, before coming back to make phone calls to John’s dad, who’s precarious health is declining quickly, and to check in with Patrick to catch up on his world, before he left for church.

Despite our concern for Pop Laing, it has been a nice week and we can’t but hope he be given a special gift of being able to “go home“ for Christmas. He has certainly endured well the challenges of mortality.

Famous Nürnberg Christkindlmarkt

Nürnberg--home of fresh yummy Lebkuchen, tons of it.

Earlier this  week we experienced the Polish saints who arrived Monday night for a week at the temple. They came with youth and adults, some 60 in number. Several of them were set apart as new ordinance workers so John and I had our work cut out for us to prepare the daily plan for the work to be done and to begin training. It was delightful to work with each person, particularly since a number of them speak a little English, which made our job much easier!

Wednesday evening our Relief Society put on a marvelous evening of music, good food, and wonderful warmth. The committee had hauled in a dozen live pine trees, projected images of winter and snow on the wall, and welcomed us with hot winter punch as we arrived. The American missionaries sang "Chestnuts Roasting" for our part. Even the Polish sisters who were staying at the temple were included and welcomed with a Polish carol and genuine outreach. 

 

One important part of my week was working with Sven Apel (the youngest son of our former temple president) to redesign a scheduling program to get the sisters’  plan more automated for the computer. He came to the temple Thursday morning and spent several hours with us getting things started and then I met again with him on Friday evening at his home. He is married to a cute little blonde from Texas and they have three or four children. Sven is a delightful person who has been wonderfully willing to help us out. Hopefully by the time I get back to Freiberg he will have it ready to test run with the schedules this week.

Two different things touched my heart this weekend:

The first was when all of the missionaries were invited to an open house of a couple in our ward, the Teubners, this coming Monday evening but when Sis Teubner’s husband was hospitalized, the open house was called off.

We were so sorry to hear of their troubles. Then mid week, just after we returned home from the temple we had a knock at our door and opening it found all the missionaries in the hallway with dear Sis Teubner and her Saint Nicholas bag, handing out well-stuffed Christmas stockings to all the missionaries—they were to have been her gifts to us at the party that was cancelled. What an example of thoughtfulness. In the midst of her own troubles, she was still thinking of how to lift and cheer others.   

Second, I received a forwarded email from my sister this week, encouraging this Sunday to be set aside as a day of prayer and fasting. Whatever one’s political bent may be, we liked what was promoted. The notice read:

December 15^th marks the 220^th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights.  Since the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, have enumerated and helped preserve certain rights granted to all people by God, the Independent American Party calls for a national day of Prayer and Thanksgiving in recognition of the sacrifices of the Founders of our Nation. This weekend, December 10^th & 11^th, let us all give thanks to God who has given us our Freedom and express prayers for the continuation of the Freedom of our nation.  Let us pray specifically for some of the following:

1. For the safety of those in the armed services.

2. That our legislators, both state and national, will work to preserve and restore our Freedom.

3. That our people will turn from ungodly ways and follow and keep the commandments of God.

4. That the forces of evil, wherever they may be, may lose their financial, media, and political support.

5. That our nation may be protected from danger, both from without and within.

6. That the United States of America may become a beacon of Freedom, which shines to all of the world.  That all nations may desire to follow the path to Freedom and that Freedom may spread to all mankind.

7. Remember to give thanks for the blessings of Liberty, the Spirit of Freedom that is moving in mighty power among the people of our land, and for those who are standing forth in defense of those Freedoms.  Ask God’s blessings on all those who serve the cause of Freedom.

            The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) availeth much.   James 5:16

This weekend let us join with patriots everywhere and raise our voices to the God of Heaven on behalf of our country.  If we will do this, the promise in Second Chronicles will be available to us.

            If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.     2 Chronicles 7:14

Whether or not you participated in this Sunday’s focus on prayer, I hope we may all seek heaven’s help in preserving our nation.

We continue to be grateful for the many blessings we have been so richly blessed with, among them our wonderful friends and family and our nation and its freedoms.

May your week ahead be full of joy and a recognition of the blessings you receive.

Kerbis (Pumpkin) Soup, to die for:

2 tablespoons butter

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled and diced

1 apple, peeled and diced

2 cups fresh pumpkin, roasted and diced, see note below (Perhaps canned pumpkin would work but I have only used fresh.)

1 tablespoon sage or herbs de provence (I used the latter) 

3 cups chicken stock

1 cup cream

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a stockpot over medium heat, melt butter and saute onion, carrot, apple, roasted pumpkin, and sage until all are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Puree the mixture in a food mill; if you do not have a food mill, then puree in a food processor or blender. Return the puree to the stockpot, add the chicken stock and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Then add the cream and simmer for 5 more minutes, lowering the heat if necessary so it does not boil. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

4. Divide soup among 4 soup bowls and serve immediately. (If you desire to, dribble with kerbis oil for artistic effect and flavor).

Note: To roast pumpkin, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut whole pumpkin in half and then cut each half into several pieces. Discard seeds or reserve for another use. Place pumpkin on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven until tender but not falling apart, about 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool, peel away skin, and dice.

 

Enjoy a wonderful week!

Week 9

Freiberg Christmarkt

Christmas has indeed arrived in Freiberg this year since the Christmas Markt has been set up and opened. Freiberg has been preparing for its 850-year-old anniversary this next spring so the town has been rather torn up with construction in a number of  important areas, to spruce them up for the celebrations to come.  Most important among these is the area called the “Obermarkt”—a large square in the middle of the town just outside the “Rathaus” or the courthouse. Seeing it so torn up when we first arrived the end of September, we thought there would be no way it would be finished in time for the yearly Christmas Markt, but they have done it. 

Nighttime in Freiberg's Markt

Monday the missionaries went together downtown to have a taste of the season by exploring the market, stopping for grilled Bratwurst on Brötchen with German mustard, hot chocolate, Krapfen—hot donuts made while we waited. The little shops decorated with fresh pine boughs were full of cheeses, wood carvings (handiwork from our area of East Germany), warm hats and gloves, as well as other good things to eat. We enjoyed being together and savoring the festive feel in the air.

You gotta love those Krapfen!

This week we also had fun gathering a few little Christmas goodies to ship off to our family at home and got to experience the Deutches Postal service. We had just loaded up a pull cart of packages and were headed out the door for a long walk downtown to mail them when our neighbors opened their door and their hearts, by offering to drive us to the post office. We accepted readily and were home again in no time.

Wood carvings from the Erzgebirge

Our weather continues to be crisp and cold but beautiful. Saturday was the first day we had actually had a little precipitation, but none of the white stuff, though I’m sure it will come in time. Despite the cold I am still riding my bike every day to get me out and about from feeling cooped up while also getting a little exercise. John, after two falls, has decided to stop while he is ahead, which is probably wise. His stability isn’t great but he keeps on keeping on despite the challenges his “Bambi legs” give whenever he stands up.

The week at the temple has been challenging in its lean numbers of patrons and workers—some of the missionaries were out with colds—but beginning tomorrow the Polish saints arrive, some 60 strong. That will present a different kind of challenge. But it will be wonderful to see the temple humming again, this time in Polish, with the Ausländers, excited to be here for their week in the temple.

John, Helga and Frank Apel, Barbara and Reiner Wenke

Today we enjoyed a delightful dinner at the home of our former temple president along with another of the missionary couples, the Wenkes.  The Apel´s home was warm and welcoming, the dinner wonderful, and the flow of conversation washed over me with a flood of Deutsch to which I nodded and smiled, convincing everyone, including John, that I was following all the stories and talk. In fact I was actually getting the drift of a lot of it, since my skills of building sense from context and the growing number of words I do know, made for a delightful afternoon.

Apel's cute kitchen--many times bigger than ours, of course!

It is going to be very interesting to have the Apels begin Tuesday at the temple as workers—they have wisely kept themselves absent except to come each week for a Friday-evening session, allowing the new presidency and matron the freedom to get on their feet without having former leaders too much in the picture. I think that is a very good thing to do. Meanwhile, our new president and matron are wonderful. We enjoy them a great deal and are trying to be useful to them in fulfilling our assignments.

Good food, good company, good conversation--alle auf Deutsch!

Sister Apel is a bubbly-sparkly butterfly person who loves everyone and greets any and all with a perky smile, a hug, and a “Herzlich Wilkommen.” Sister Husz on the other hand is still water and peace. She is quiet dignity. Both are lovely, dedicated women that I love. Their husbands are more alike then they are different, each adores his wife and each has had a wealth of Church experience to draw from in their leadership. President Apel though is on his own turf here in East Germany, while President Husz is a "westerner" coming from Vienna. Our lives have been blessed to know and work with both couples.