Carol, the judge, declared them all winners. These are our pumkins out front of the church entrance during the Halloween party. My pumpkin is the tree, Sister Moser's is the word Doch. She started out to do BOO and made a mistake so she turned it into the German word for After All, or are you sure, or yes, that is so. The tiny one on top is Elder Craghead's. It took him an hour to decide what to carve, and hour to think about it, and half an hour to stencil it and about 30 mintues to carve it We were really teasing him. Told him he ought to be a doctor and he said he has been thinking about it. The bottom left pumpkin is Elder Sessions' and it is a bat. Elder Pinnau's is the hands and Elder Halvorsen's is the face. The kids loved the pumpkins. They are now outside our center lit up at night for a few more days. 
Saturday, October 31, 2009
And the Winner Goes To?
Elder Pinnau
Don't let him get his hands on a knife. He is getting ready to carve his pumpkin as part of the District's pumpkin carving contest. This is the kitchen in the church. Elder Pinnau goes home next week.
German Food Preparation
Here is our Bishop Herr, red shirt, and Brother Hack, our Landlord with his son Christoph and his wife (back turned) getting ready to serve crepes ala chocolate, or plain and waffles. This was at the Halloween party.
Bishop Herr is over the buildings for the Church in southern Germany. He is a wonderful man.
Halloween Costumes
We decided to get dressed up for the combined American and German Wards Halloween party and trunk or treat activity. No suit coat for me and a casual sweater for my beautiful wife.
Games, games, games
These are some of our youth and investigators getting ready to play spoons. It seems this is a pretty popular game at the center. The pictures on the wall are the pictures of those who come to the center.
Stake Dance
This is Klementina, one of our YSA, dancing up a storm. This was at the Stake Ball in Darmstadt. The leaders were disappointed that only 300 came. Last year they had 400. Not since BYU have I ever seen a Stake Dance with that many in attendance. It was for ages 14 and up. Everyone had a great time Even some of our 80 year old membes were dancing. There was a live band. We even danced 3-4 times. Out of practice.
Luau Dinner
Everyone enjoying the Luau. We had 26 youth in attendance. You see pictures of the Chinese investigators. In the background the girl with the red hair is German and the young man next to her is an American. These two were taking the lessons but decided to stop them. The Chinese have come several more times to family home evening and Institute.
Luau Sisters
These are the sisters who put on the Luau for the youth. Sammy, Sister Woods and Sister Togisala. Sister Woods is from Albania. They also demonstrated the Hula and taught the youth how to do the Luau. They taught the sisters, then the young men then had them dance together. 
Young Adults at Temple
This is a picture of our youth after the young adult baptismal session at the Frankfurt Temple. They were just getting ready to go to Darmstadt for the new year for Institute. Everyone who took pictures this day all said their pictures were took dark. I don't think anyone thought the sun would affect the picture the way it did. They will be closing the temple next summer to relocate the baptismal font. If someone is not careful and opens the curtains surrounding the baptismal font one can see the members leaving the Celestial room. There is a slope on the right side of the temple and the font will be built into the slope area. 
The Lights are On
A night view of the Fontain. Just moments after we took the other picture the lights came on and it was a beautiful view. The Tower in the back left is the old Water Tower. That is where we will be singing during the Chrismtas Market.
Mannheim Fountain
This is a night viw of the Mannheim Fountain. Our youth will be singing Christmas Carol here during the Christmas Market. It is a very beautiful park.
Mannheim Palace and University
The is the Palace in Mannheim. It was the main residence for the rulers. The one we posted earlier in Schwetzingen was the summer palace. This has 1,000 rooms. The center portion is a museum, very beautiful and very ornate. The wings are now the University of Mannheim. About 12,000 students attend here.
Only in Germany
This is the bag for the Truffles we enjoyed. At the very bottom in the right hand lower corner you will see the date by which these should be eaten. In Germany they put the day, then the month and then the year. 30.02.2010. (We would put 2.30.2010)I'll bet you didn't know that February has 30 days in Germany. 
Mini Lindt Chocolate Factory
We went to the Lindt Chocolate Museum in Köln. They have a mini factory there where you can watch chocolate being made and formed, thn buy what you see being made. Very interesting and oh yes, very good. Lindt comes out of Switzerland. We do love the chocolate over here. I would love to take a picture of the stores and their huge chocolate displays, but it is illegal in Germany to take a picture of the inside of a store.
Stained Glass Window in Köln Dom
One of the many beautiful stain glass windows in the Dome. Click on it to see the beauty.
Northside of Dom
This is coming from the Train Station. It is really quite and impressive building. It was started in 1245 and then work stopped during the 1600's and was finally completed in 1880. It is very dark from all the soot and dirt from all the years. They are doing some renovation as you can see if you click on the picture to enlarge it. You see this building and some of the other buildings and you get an idea where the Saints got images for the early Temples in Utah and the Assembly hall in Salt Lake, as well as the tabernacles in Brigham City and Logan.
Köln Dom
This is looking at the Dom from the East side. We were heading back to catch the train back to Heidelberg.
Cologne Train Station
Sister Miller, Elder Miller and Carol waiting for our train from Cologne back to Heidelberg.
ICE Train to Köln (Cologne)
This is Elder and Sister Miller and myself debarking from the train in Cologne, Germany. We took our preparation day to take the train to see the Cathedral in Cologne Germany. The ride was very smooth, but never came close to approaching the advertised speed of 300 Kilometers an hour, which is 186 miles an hour. It was more like 100 mph. Too many stops to get up speed. Still we had reserved seats and it was sure different than the train ride I took from Berlin to the Swiss Temple in 1963. Through East Germany we thought the train would derail. We could look out the window to see how wavy the rails were. We thought the Communists had been drunk when they laid down the rails. This time we never heard the clickety clack as you went over the rail connections, just a smooth straight ride. They are welded and ground smooth. Without the rails system and street cars Germany would come to a complete standstill. For about $4,000 dollars per person a year one can have unlimited rides all over Europe. If you want a sleeping car you pay an additional $30.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Young Men and Manuelle
From left to right: Back row- Member of Bishopric, Leif, Manuelle, Daniel, Frank, Benjamin, Stephen; Kneeling Teo and Mathias.
Cute Sisters
Left to right: Klementina (just returned from Berlin, Mission), Madelin (getting ready to go on a mission)
, Manuelle (entering the MTC this Friday for Birmingham England), Jill (returned missionary to Greece), Carolin and Ion
Missionary Farewell
Manuelle, in the blue, is going to Birmingham England this Friday. This is in front of the Mannheim Ward Building.
Automatic Musical Instrument
This is in a Musical Museum in the Palace in Bruchsal Germany. They had dozens of them, old type phonographs, caliopy, instruments that played the piano and one that had violins inside and it played the violins.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
German War Memorial
This is above Rudesheim on the Rhine River. The top statute is facing France and saying we will never let you invade us again. It is quite impressive to see and view. 
It is scheduled to be cleaned this coming year.
Typical Beautiful Palace on the Rhine
This beautiful palace is on the Rhine River just downstream from Mains. I believe it is in the town of Eltville.
Gondola Ride
This is riding down from the Memorial back to Rudesheim. Below are the mountainside vineyards.
Our Youth
These are the youth from Darmstadt and Heidelberg. They are a fun bunch of youth and wonderful to be around. They are upbeat and have a great sense of humor. 
The young sister on the far right in the green shirt is from Cameroon and will be entering the MTC in England this month. She is going to the Birmingham, England Mission. We will miss her. The young man next to her in the green shirt just returned from the Berlin Mission. The young man in the white shirt next to the post, just above these two, recently returned from the Ogden, Utah Mission. The young lady on the far right in the black jacket put this all together. She is 18 and a recent convert. Her English is absolutely wonderful. If you did not know you would think she is American.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Don't Pinch your Finger
This tanker barge probably only has 15 feet (from front to back)
space in the lock and about 6-8 inches on each side. It is a tight fit. It takes the tanker about 5 minutes to inch its way into the lock.
An Old House
This was a typical old House in Hirschhorn on the Neckar. We were coming back down from he Castle. 
Starting to Fill the Lock
The little boat in front of us had plastic pipes to form an arch and a plastic sheet spread over the top to protect them from the rain and sun. They have to wait until another ship comes before the are able to go into the locks and continue their journey. 
A Bridge on the Neckar River
ON of the shots on the Neckar River. You can see another Cruise Ship. On the Rhine they have ships about 300-400 feet long with cabins for overnights or cruises taking a week to cruise the Rhine River. 
Locks being Filled
Here we are on the Neckar River and the locks are being filled so we can go upstream. This was a river cruise on our 42 Anniversary. 
Having Fun with Jacob
The girls are really making Jacob work for his life during the Maze Game. They were giggling and laughin and Jacob was laughing like crazy. They were going to have him crawl under a table. It was a fun night. 
The Good and the Evil
Here is Carol, blindfolded listening to the Holy Ghost and all the evil voices telling her how to go through the maze to get to her goal. This was a family home evening activity.
Funny Statues In Bad Homborg
These are statues of animals all carrying their loads. These are in the gardens surrounding the Palace in Bad Homborg near Frankfurt. We were coming back from the temple and stopped to tour this castle. They won't let you take pictures of the inside. 
Schwetzingen Palace Gardens
These are trees which have been shapped to form these beautiful arches. This was the hunting palace for the Kings and Queens. 
Cable
Here is a shot of the cable in the Mountain Train tunnels. You can see how steep it is. Anywhere from 21% - 48% grade. 
Königstuhl Elevation Chart
Here you can see how high we are above Sea Level. We took one car up to Molkenkür and then transferred to the Funicular Train for the rest of the trip. By clicking on the picture you can also see the elevevation above Sea Level, around 1700 ft. 
Funicular Railroad
This is the cable rail car takng us up to König Stuhl above Heidelberg. The car coming towards us is comng down. We are at he split for passing. The cable pulling us up (and letting the other car come down) is about the thickness of my forearm where it meets the wrist. Very slow and methodical. König Stuhl is about 1700 feet above See Level. 
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Waiting for Tao
This is Bishop Tillet of the American ward entertaining some of the members while we wait for the Sister Missionaries to arrive for the baptism. The girl in the front row with the white skirt is a member from Albania. Her husband has the red tie. The Hoopers are in the back. Sister Tillet is in the back next to their daughter in the red blouse. The sister in front is one of the Relief Society Presidency there to welcome Tao. She gave a very wonderful presentation to Tao welcoming her into the Relief Society. This is in the Relief Society Room. 
In front of the Baptismal Font
This is Elder Sessions from Pleasantview Utah, Elder Squires from Meridian, Idaho (parents moved from Buena Vista, Virginnia after he left), Tao, Elder Hewitt from England, Carol and Me in front of the baptismal font.
Kicking Back
This is Elder Squires (left) and Elder Hewitt waiting in the Center for Tao to arrive for her baptism. Elder Hewitt is currenty serving in Dusseldorf and was given permission to come back for the baptism. The office is on the left, the library and video library is behind them and the computer lab is to the right. Carol's afghan she crocheted is on the back of the couch between them. 
Tao's Baptism
This is Elder Squires from Idaho via Virginnia (going home 12/August) Elder Hewitt from England and Tao Wang waiting for her baptism to start. Tao is here working on her doctorate in Biochemistry. She is from a town 100 miles outside of Bejing. She is a special spirit. She will be one of the many who go back to China and will part of the conversion story of many people through her actions. They are standing just inside the entrance to the Center for Young Adults. This is Elder Squires second baptism. He confirmed Tao the next day. She will attend the American Military ward. 
I know it is in there somewhere
This is a picture of the bike rack at the Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station) in Heidelberg. There are probably 1000-2000 bikes. Yes I said 1000-2000 bikes. This is the same picture every day of the year. Trying to find your bike in the middle is absolutely impossible. There is no way to get to it because the bikes are jammed so close together. One of our YSA put his bike there last year when he went to Stuttgart to visit his parents and when he got back he had no idea where his bike was. It is probably still there. There is another area further to the right and it has about 300 bikes, but is far better organized and one can get to the bike. They also have lockers you can put your bike it. Because Heidelberg City is basically a flat area you see thousands of people riding their bikes. Yesterday a 73 year old woman rode her bike from Waldorf (8 miles to the south) to say goodbye to one of the missionaries who is going home today. It is not uncommon seeing women and men in their 70's or 80's tooling down the street on a bike. You also get to see women in skirts and dresses and high heels riding along on their bikes, as well as men in suits and an occasional tuxedo. 
