Thanksgiving Dinner (1 week early) and our District of Missionaries

Last week we prepared Thanksgiving Dinner for the YSA.  We fed a group of 57 including the 8 missionaries in our district (they helped us serve that evening).  We began preparing early in the week so that we could have everything ready on Thursday.  We are still learning how to prepare for so many and it seems we have excitement and challenges each time we cook - but somehow the meals turn out well.  ( I am convinced that Heavenly Father blesses the food so that it all tastes good!)

Our menu:

Turkey and Stuffing

Potatoes and gravy

Mixed vegetables

Rotkohl

Homemade Rolls

Pumpkin Pie dessert squares, peach and cherry crisp

 Like our ward - YSA is an international group representing from many countries.

 

 They are a grateful bunch and easy to please!

 We grow to love these young people more each week!

The cooks eat too!

Our district of missionaries - we are all dressed in white for the Mission Christmas pictures.

I am glad we took this photo because with the latest transfers - we will loose 3 of the missionaries in this group.  We will however, gain 3 new missionaries on Tuesday!

 

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Our International Ward and Mission Tour Multi- Zone Conference

We are in the Tiergarten Ward in Berlin.  Our meetinghouse (a 4-5 minute walk from our apartment) is surrounded by the embassies of many foreign countries.  Our Sacrament Meetings are translated into both English and Spanish with headsets available.  We have members from over 20 different foreign countries and we love the diversity and getting to know people from all over the world - this enriches our lives.
Here is the list of countries represented in our ward currently: Germany, Spain, England, France, Norway, USA, Bosnia, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Columbia, Philippines, Cambodia, Russia, Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory coast, South Africa, China and Equatorial Guinea. 

October 19th, we attended a very special baptism for a new member of our ward - Jesus Edu from Equatorial Guinea - the only Spanish speaking country in Africa.  Jesus left his homeland and came to Berlin to live with his sister who is also a member of our ward.  Equatorial Guinea has a corrupt dictator controlled government and is ranked as one of the "worst of the worst" for human rights violations. 

Jesus' baptism program was in Spanish and translated into German and, even though we didn't understand the words of either language, the baptism was a most spiritual experience.  The Spirit speaks a language that all can understand. Jesus said that he came to Berlin seeking a job and found the true church of Christ.  Jesus and his sister are now the only two members of the church from Equatorial Guinea.



FHV - Erntedankfest
Relief Society - Harvest Festival
October 23, 2013
The sisters of our ward gathered for an evening of sharing talents, socializing and enjoying good food.

 
Some sisters shared their musical talents with songs and even a dance and other sisters brought handicrafts and artwork to share.

It was fun to see the variety of talents that the sisters of the ward have.

We enjoyed a wonderful variety of treats with German pumpkin soup, African rice dishes from Nigeria and Ghana, south American fried bananas, Russian fruit bars, and German pudding with honey to name a few.

It was fun to get to know the sisters of our ward better and to learn of their talents.

 

I love this picture of the Russian girl making friends with the little Nigerian girl! 

 

 

 

Mission Tour Multi-Zone Conference - October 31, 2013

 With General Authority - Elder Patrick Kearon and Area Authority Elder Christian Fingerle

 

It was a wonderful conference with messages that were inspiring and uplifting.  We felt reassured that we are a part of the hastening of missionary work.

It was thrilling to join with 165 missionaries in singing in German "Called to Serve".