One last Italian dinner with our friends. One last trip to Wurzberg and Rothenberg to enjoy the sights and sounds. One last trip to the Freiberg Temple with some great friends and finding new great places in Freiberg. We found one of Duane's mission companions from 43 years ago in the Freiberg Temple. It was a wonderful reunion. Duane thought he recognized him and he was right. Tom came to our wedding 42 years ago and gave us salt and pepper shakers for a wedding gift - weird that I remember that. They haven't seen each other for 42 years. It was fun to visit with him and his wife before they headed East and we headed West.

 

It has begun. We are counting down - the last big Home Evening, the last time in Erfurt doing apartment checks and enjoying the beautiful Erfurterdom and square, the last time in Coburg and the Veste scenery, the last Zone Training, hopefully not the last walk along the river but hopefully the flood is over, not the last time to enjoy our view off our balcony or shopping in the market square, our first and last "Night at the Museums" with our "girls," and a sad good bye to these wonderful Saints who have taught us so much about faith, strength, and endurance.

Oh, what a day!! We had German class (I taught), Home Evening with brots and 21 YSAs from 7 different countries in our apartment and it was a blast!! A house (or apartment) never feels like home until you've had a party - we feel at home in this new apartment.  It has finally quit raining for the time being and we were treated with a beautiful sunset out our balcony. A great ending to a fun filled day!!

We went to one of our last District Meetings. We have come to love these young men, their enthusiasm, diligence and sincerity. We love these fabulous treats made by our dear friend! We try to say "stop" as she gives us "just one more piece," as we all laugh. Our new apartment has windows facing 3 different directions - we get to see the carnival downtown along with fireworks several nights a week. Germany is beautiful with green rolling hills. We have enjoyed the rain but enough is enough. The rivers are rising, streets are getting closed, street cars and buses are being rerouted. The river was two blocks away, now it's about 1 block away. We are safe but we're not sure about our car in the basement. We will keep you posted.

We had a wonderful week with our visitor. It's hard to squeeze so much of Germany into one week. He was also a good sport and helped us fulfill our duties as well. We saw some sobering historical sites as well as 4 castles in one day. The cat took a liking to him (animals and kids are always attracted to him). The cat kept following him around so they posed for a picture together. I had to add a picture of our tower to prove he wasn't alone in his travels. We were 28 stories up - you can see the entire city, up the valleys and the rolling hills, the red roofs and forests. It's a gorgeous city - oh, have I said that before? We have loved showing our city off to our visitors!

 

This was one of my favorite Mothers' Days! These 8 young missionaries made dinner for all of us and cleaned most of it up. Then we got to help them Skype with their families. AND I got to talk to all 6 of my kids! It was a great day! Thanks everyone!!

We are almost through with the move. Just waiting for the rest of the furniture to arrive for the new apartment. We love the view out 3 big windows in the livingroom and the beautiful wood floors. In the meantime we go to the park and play, this was our Home Evening Activity on Monday and we go out to dinner at a fabulous Italian restaurant and eat on the terrace. Spring has arrived and it is spectacular.