Elder Bednar's Visit and a trip to the Spreewald

Elder Bednar's Visit

    We were blessed to have a visit

by Elder Bednar last weekend.  He

was accompanied by his wife, Susan and Elder Timothy J. Dyches(Europe Area Presidency) and his wife Jill.  We were able to hear them speak on Friday evening to a group of over 300 YSA and then again on Saturday morning at a 3 hour missionary meeting.  It was wonderful to hear and see an apostle of the Lord.  The presentation for both meetings was an informal question and answer forum in which Elder and Sister Bednar both spoke as well as Elder and Sister Dyches.  Their answers, stories and comments were inspired as every question from the audience was turned into a true learning experience.  Some themes that were emphasized were: " We are agents that should act and not objects to be acted upon."  and "Teaching is not talking and telling; teaching is observing and listening so we can discern and then know what to say." We felt very privileged to attend these special meetings.

265 Missionaries of the Germany Berlin Mission

We are barely visible on the right side 6th row back.

Trip to the Spreewald

We took a "P" day on Wednesday and went with the Kosaks and office couples to visit the Spreewald.  This is a biosphere reserve known for its traditional irrigation system which consists of more than 200 small channels and canals.  It is located a little over 60 miles southeast of Berlin near Cottbus which is Sister Kosak's home town.  The weather was absolutely perfect that day as we loaded onto out boat (punt) and began our relaxing 5 hour journey.

Elder and Sister Beesley, Elder and Sister Wright (backs) and President and Sister Kosak 

You can see our "punt" ferryman at the back of the boat.  He was also our guide as he narrated and navigated the canals.

We saw many beautiful meadows and sunlit forests.  These photos show the unique way they stack hay.  History of this area dates back to the 1300's.

 The Spreewald is famous for its "punts, pickles and horseraddish".  Elder Mickelsen is sampling a Spreewald pickle.

 Charming homes and gardens are found along the canals and some of these homes are only accessible by boat.

This shows a close up of the windows of one of the homes with pretty, lace curtains and their own "peeping Tom" at the window.

Many homes in this area have the traditional Sorbian/Wendian snake symbols on their gables.  This tradition dates back 700 years.

The yards, gardens and trees were beautiful and this yard had a display of some of the Autumn bounty.

A look back at one of the areas of homes.  Their Fire Brigade, Postal Service and garbage collection all have their own punts.

We passed many other boats filled with people - this boat shows a lady dressed in the traditional Sorbian/Wendian costume.

We also passed this boat filled with people drinking, singing and one woman was even dancing to the accordion music!

Our group - President and Sister Kosak, Elder and Sister Wright, us and Elder and Sister Beesley.

We stopped for lunch at this restaurant that was housed in a building that was over 100 years old.

Waiting for our food

Our lunches were delicious!  Very traditional German food - Hal had the Schnitzel with mushroom sauce and I had the beef rouladen.  We both enjoyed the pomegranate lemonade that was bottled in the Spreewald.

Back on the boat after lunch we traveled to the 700 year old Spree forest village and museum - Lehde.

Village Lehde

Historical housing in Lehde

Views of the inside of the home

Mannequins wearing Sorbian/Wedian costumes

Beehives ( we had to have a picture of these for Tricia and James - our family bee keepers)

Bright and beautiful fall flowers in a garden

A Sorbian/Wendian wheelbarrow and Elder Mickelsen

 Sister Mickelsen with shutters and sunflowers

The woodpiles were tidy and unique.

Back on the boat, we made our way back to the Hafen (harbor). 

 Some of the lovely views and scenes on our return trip

Our punting tour came to an end - a most beautiful and interesting day!