Busy Week

So, it has been an interesting week. 

At work we were involved in determining the cause of interruption and loss of signal while streaming Elder Ballard’s broadcast last Sunday evening.  A number of stakes in Europe experienced problems.  Most of the week was spent talking to STSs in various parts of Europe, sending out a survey, and receiving email responses.  From our communication we learned that too many people streamed the meeting rather than watching it by way of satellite.  Streaming over the Internet was supposed to be a secondary source should satellite reception not be available or the satellite reception failed. 

Not only did we find that a number of stakes that could have received the transmission by satellite used Internet streaming, but a link to stream was given out through unapproved sources: Facebook and Google.  As a result, the servers were overloaded and those wards, in parts of Europe where Internet service is weak, but is the only means of hearing Elder Ballard, had a difficult time viewing it or could not view it at all.  So sad.

We were very fortunate here. The senior missionaries had the opportunity to travel 20 minutes away to listen to Elder Ballard in person. The next day he came to Frankfurt to talk to the missionaries and employees at the Europe Area Office where we work.  He spoke to all of us for about 1/2 an hour.  

For those reading this blog and might not know, Elder Ballard is one of 12 Apostles of the Lord.  He is so amazing, I heard of his schedule for the 2 weeks he is in Europe.  I, myself, would have a difficult time keeping up with him and he is 89.

I'm going to share a neat experience I had this week.  I hope it develops into something good for her. 

Wednesday evening Diane and I stopped into the Mein Markt to pick up a couple of food items.  This is a small store right at the entrance to our apartment building.  I decided at the last minute to pick up an extra item in the store.  That section is where I met Martina.  She is wheelchair bound; both legs are gone. 

She started to talk to me in German and asked if I was from a church.  As she spoke she looked at my badge.  I knew what she said because I recognized the word "Kirche" (church).  She realized I couldn't speak German very well, so she spoke English.  It was poor, but good enough for me to understand. 

She told me about a young man from our church who helped her one rainy day. Her bags of groceries were on the handles of her wheelchair.  They fell off and the groceries came out.  The young man came over to help her. 

We must have talked for over 5 minutes. She spent most of the time complaining about her apartment conditions; however, by the time we ended the conversation, she accepted an invitation to come to church and gave me her name, address, and phone number.

Entrance to Roman Military Base

Friday, I made arrangements to have one of the three German sister missionaries, Diane, and I visit her.  Most of our meeting consisted of her again complaining about her apartment and other things.  Before we had to leave, I was able to teach her about Pre-earth life - part of the Plan of Salvation.  She listened intently.  We also made arrangements to come by Sunday and walk her to church at the German Ward.  Again, I hope things go well for her.  I'm hopeful that once she learns of Christ's love for us that she will find more peace and joy in her life.

 Roman Dining Area with pieces of

original artwork on the walls.

This morning we went with some other senior couples and visited a fully reconstructed 3rd century Roman army base in Saalburg.  The tour was in English.  The information was absolutely fascinating. The archeologists have had a lot of "evidence" to work with. After wells ran dry, the people used the holes as garbage dumps, filling in the top with dirt. The dirt blocked out the oxygen, so very little decay took place. 

Moss on tree roots.

Afterwards, while the others went to a nearby restaurant for lunch, Sister van Hoff and I took a walk in the woods nearby.  Oh, it was just like being back in the mountains of North Carolina.  However, the forests are so young here, the smaller vegetation was not overgrown around the base of the trees.  I took a picture of some moss on the roots of the trees.  The picture makes it look greener than it was but it was greener than I've every seen before.

I visited Jan today.  He and I walked around in his neighborhood and talked.  I am continually impressed by him.  With all the struggles and conflicts in his life he is truly putting his trust in the Lord.  At one point of our conversation he told me that he wants to be “more active."  I asked him if he meant physically or in the church.  He told me he meant looking for a job.  He explained that he is doing what he can looking locally, but has been reluctant to look at other countries.  Actually he would probably be more successful in other countries with his skills.  He said he was reluctant, because for the first time in a long time he feels happy and at home here.  Then he told me that this was because of the church and his new life.  

Of course, I informed him that he would find a home in church wherever he moved to.  He seemed to know all this already, but was just letting me know why he felt the way he felt.

Overall, it's been another great week.  We want you to know that we pray for all of you; our family and friends.  We really miss you and look forward to seeing you again.  Until then, God bless you.