When we need physical therapy we choose this facility!

We visit this fellow every few weeks.

It was a beautiful week full of beauty and art! We visited people in their homes, in their hospitals and on the street. The weather was beautiful. Seeing people in their homes and comfortable in their beautiful surroundings is heartwarming for us. Watching young missionaries being taught by their Mission President and feeling the love is always a beautiful experience. Being on the Bodensee and walking through an art show reminded us of home. 

We feel the love through a special person's art.



A woman after my own heart - she loves dolls and reminds us of
our wonderful artistic aunt.

Two of Singen's finest. We are so proud of them but will miss them!

Uberlingen's version of "Art in the Park."

Our Mission President and some of his warriors.



"Art in the Park" with a view!




This isn't Walt but he is in Downtown Isny. A beautiful little dorf.





















Apparently by looking at this week's pictures it was a week full of missionary activities. We spoiled ourselves first and found another little walled city full of shops. It's hard to imagine how old they actually are. The citizens know how to spruce things up with a little paint and plaster to make buildings look new instead of several hundred years old. At  Zone Training a few of the young sister missionaries helped me prepare 50 Italian rolls that were consumed in just under 20 minutes. Another hit is Texas Sheet Cake without the frosting, made a day ahead, and cut into brownie size pieces. With paper plates, napkins, plastic ups and no silverware clean up is quick. I was able to teach English to a young lady from Hungary, made a few meals, we attended a few meetings and made a few contacts. It was a great week.

Altstadt Villingen

Great Italian Roll assembly line.

It always amazes us to watch these young people teach each
other great principles.

 

They are all willing and successful teachers. It is an experience
they will use throughout their lives.

They love being together.

And then they go teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yet they are normal and sometimes need naps,
sometimes on our sofa.

He played for his supper. We love our missionaries.

Germans know how to cook! And they know how to feed the missionaries. Oh, meine gute. Besides eating we've enjoyed the gamut of weather - high 90s with humidity almost as high, rain storms, wind, and leaves turning autumn colors. We've seen foxes, deer and Reh (?) in the fields around our little village - that's our Ranger Rick Report. We got to  meet the parents of two of our missionaries that are going home. And through the miracle of the internet we found a missionary who gave a Book of Mormon away 27 years ago. He had no idea the lady he had given it to on a train had read it, gained a testimony of it, was baptized and has been a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ ever since.

A good cook and great company.



Fun meeting these parents and showing them around, too.



Fun meeting these parents and showing
them around.



A wonderful meal outside.

The Book of Mormon she received on a
train 27 years ago happened to have the
missionary's name in it and we found him.

Fun, fun ladies!! Lots of laughing with the food.

They sang for their supper.



Amazing to be there.

What a glorious world in which we live! Celebrations continue! With every good bye there is a hello! We witnessed a most amazing sunset over the Bodensee, eating ice cream, on a park bench, ahhhhhh! We have been able to teach and talk with a man from Gambia. He doesn't have much but we have watched him give all that he has to other people. He shares his clothing, his love of life, his love of the world, a fantastic smile and a deep understanding of God's love for all man. He always talks with gratitude of  the blessing of this world - we have tried this week to appreciate and notice the beauties around us.




A little village on the Rhein.

It was as peaceful as this looks!!

Zurich.

We love the Bodensee.

Our last excursion with these two before they go home.



Yes, bowling again.




So many wonderful Birthday wishes. I feel so loved.




Our last District Meeting with three of these.

 

Good bye. Till we meet again!
 

Apparently we are in the beginning of celebration season. August 1 is Swiss National Day - similar to 4th of July - BBQs, fireworks. Let the fun begin! We were invited to a family's home to celebrate - everything BBQd including bananas - oh my!! One of our "families" is leaving this week to tour Western US. And our two elders are through with their missions and going home. Time marches on. We are having incredible experiences and meeting incredible people.

A fire hydrant of course!

 

Everything BBQd - delicious!!

An elder needed a haircut so let's all stand around and watch!

Our chef!

Fireworks on the pool.



Enjoy your trip! Everyone likes their picture taken!!





Oh, the memories we made. We toured a castle, went bowling, celebrated a birthday, ate with dear friends, and made new friends. We saw antelope, more swans in nearby streams, storks everywhere and watched fields being harvested.  Because of technology and help from a dear friend we were able to make an audio copy of the Book of Mormon in Russian and deliver it to very grateful friends. Taught more lessons, studied, prayed and napped. All great memories!

I was surprised with a can of root beer.
You can't buy root beer here. Delish!!

"Mommy, mommy, come snap me!"

Fantastic dinner with dear friends!

Sigmaringen Castle complete with swans.



They are always up for ice cream!!



We're so happy they like to bowl!

All she wanted for her birthday was a sunflower field.
I'm glad we could deliver!! Can you see the Sisters?

Our last Zone Training with this Zone. Some going home,
some getting moved to other areas, and we are getting combined
with another zone. Great young men and women, great teachers of
 Christ's Gospel.

They also know how to be goofy!

 A week of funny things! We got to play Santa by delivering fans. We offered a fan to one guy and he said, "Why do I need a fan? I'm from Africa!" So we gave it to other Africans. The stores keep running out of fans. This heat is usually saved for August, I'm afraid of what August weather might bring! At Institute I had made Cheesy Chicken Casserole with broccoli  - one guy said, "I can't eat broccoli it gives me diarrhea." TMI Another new guy said, "I'm vegetarian but I can eat around the chicken." Can't win them all - it all got eaten though! We made Italian Rolls for a Zone Training. After everyone had taken one and were eating I announced there was enough for everyone to have two. One guy said, "Oh, oh,I've already had 3." We made 40 and they were all devoured - no vegetarians and no diarrhea as far as we know.

Kids learn how to ride bikes starting at age 18 months on these
little bikes. Seriously, get out of their way!

Two happy recipients of fans.

It was cool enough one day to stroll around this
beautiful little lake close to our home.

We met this gentleman from Provo, Utah.
He served a mission in Germany a few
years ago and was here doing some language assessment.
He knows 4 of our good friends from home - small world.

This is the most tiring, exhilarating, stressful, rewarding and blessed work we have ever done - next to raising our FamLee.