Short and Sweet

10 September 2017

‘Guten tag’ dear family and friends! We greet you from Frankfurt, Germany, where we have just finished our annual training seminar at the Europe Area offices. May I just say once again, “my cup runneth o’er” to everything learned and felt for the last three days.

Cottams & Orlowskis take us out for Greek food!

Cottams’ and Orlowskis’ take us out for Greek food! Our seminar was for Europe Area National Director of Public Affairs. It was humbling, to say the least, to sit in a room with 17 European countries represented, all absolutely outstanding, who speak freely of their love of the gospel and love of Jesus Christ. I could never have that same experience anywhere else. I made new friends from places like Hungary, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Finland. Their jobs are not easy, as the Mormon Church is not very well known in those countries, but they have the fire in them to “lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts . . .” D&C 100:5. We had the privilege of Rick Turley, Managing Director of Public Affairs in SLC with us. He is a great speaker and definitely the one to lead our church into being “Global.” In the past he was Managing Director of Family History. It was under his leadership that the Internet became something more at the church offices than the “I” word, a
bad, evil, influence, to launching Family Search. He and Ron were in the “LTM” together learning Japanese before their missions, so it was fun for them to reconnect a little. We ate Greek food, Italian food, and of course, Schnitzel. It was all so good!

Ron, Sweden NDPA, Daryl Watson, UK,
Rick Turley, Dag Anison, Norway - Schnitzel!

We held the last of our meetings this morning, then ended with our own personal Sacrament Meeting presided over by the Europe Area President, President Johnson. Songs were sung in English but with many different accents, prayers were given in native languages, the Sacrament was passed, and testimonies shared. The spirit was strong in that small room filled with about 30 people, and I didn’t want it to end.

After Church Elder and Sister Cottam took us to see Bad Homburg, a small district town that has an old palace. We walked the streets and enjoyed the beauty. Tomorrow morning we will join the Frankfurt PA team for their devotional, have a team re-cap meeting, then have a day of sight-seeing with the other two PA missionary couples, the Cottams’ and the Orlowskis’. Our flight home is late tomorrow night.

Locks of Love on walking bridge in Frankfurt

As I sit through these types of meetings, I am learning about how to do the work we have been called to do more effectively, but more than that, I learn things about myself. I know that when we humble ourselves and open our hearts and minds, the Spirit can teach us many things beyond the words we are hearing. I am blessed to have experienced that also this weekend.

Short and sweet this week, but yet my heart is overflowing with appreciation for the opportunity to serve the Lord in this way. We appreciate all of you and the wonderful examples of goodness you are to us. We feel so blessed to have you in our lives. We hope you have a wonderful week this week filled with many miracles and blessings! They are there every day if we just take the time to look.

Palace in Bad Homburg

Much love,
Ron and Marie

Sept 4th - Any chance to be with the Missionaries is a great day!