World Cup, Missionary Meeting, Closing Social and more!

Sometimes we have "down days" (not so much to do) on our mission and then we also have super busy days when everything tries to happen at once.  Last week we had some super busy days.

Thursday

Thursday was the World Cup Soccer match between Germany and the USA.  The World Cup is a very big deal for the Germans - kind of like the Olympics and the Super Bowl rolled into one.  They decorate their cars and apartment windows with German flags, wear silly hats and leis and have big celebrations on game days.  Institute classes were NOT held on Thursday so that the YSA could gather to watch the BIG GAME.  Our Mission President gave the missionaries permission to attend the game so we had a large crowd (nearly 70 people).  Of course, with all the missionaries from the USA, there was a lot of friendly competition.  The game was projected onto the big screen in the Institute room and the excitement of the game filled the air!  When Germany finally scored the one and only point of the game, the room erupted with shouts, cheers and applause ( and of course groans and sighs from the Americans!).  The Germans were thrilled that they won the game.

 Ready for the big game!

Dressed in the colors of Germany

 Watching the game

 

We popped huge batches of popcorn and put out chips, pretzels and candy for game time snacks.

 

 

Busy, busy Friday!

Friday brought a double dose of busy for us.

 We prepared and served lunch for 42 missionaries for the Mission Leadership Training Meeting.

 We served chicken cordon bleu, German scalloped potatoes and green beans for lunch.

Sister Kosak (our Mission President's wife) and I.

 

 

Friday Evening

We held our closing social for the YSA - marking the end of the regular Institute year and the beginning of the Summer Institute Program.

The kids decorated the enclosed patio area at the meetinghouse and we had a barbeque and a dance. 

 Elder Mickelsen was the chief barbeque chef.

 I was his assistant and helper.

 The kids brought salads and desserts and altogether it was a nice buffet.

 Enjoying the food

 After dinner, the dance began.

 We were blessed with perfect weather in the 70's - not too hot and it didn't rain!  This was remarkable because it had rained every evening all week.

 We had great participation at the dance with about 50 in attendance.

 Our new student council president and her boyfriend - we look forward to working with them - they are workers and doers and get things accomplished.

Oliver (also on the student council) provided the music for the dance and did a great job.

 Me, Jenny (one of our YSA) and Sister Stahl (wife of the High Council advisor for YSA)

We helped clean up, danced a little and arrived home just before midnight after a very, very long day!

 

Saturday and Sunday

Saturday found us cleaning our apartment, meeting with a less active we are working with and preparing our talks for the following day.  On Sunday we traveled to Glienike (a suburb of Berlin) and spoke in sacrament meeting. After the meeting block we held a meeting with the YSA Committee.  As we travel to the different wards and branches and hold these meetings, we help the YSA Committee's to identify specific less active YSA they will help during the coming months.  So far our three visits have been productive.  Our only problem is that we are asked to speak in each unit and we are given a different topic each time (too many talks to prepare!).  This Fast Sunday we will have a brief rest from speaking as we visit the Spandau Ward! (Hooray for Testimony Meeting - we can listen to others speak instead of ourselves!)