Our last Fall in Berlin and Festival of Lights

This fall in Berlin will be our last one as we will return home in mid January.  The weather has been beautiful most days with a bit of rain and lots of sunshine.  We wanted to share some of the pictures we have taken of Berlin.

We frequently cross this canal on our way to shop for groceries and other needed items.  The scene is always beautiful - this day Hal captured some punting boats moving on the canal.

We also live just a short walk from the Tiergarten which is Berlin's beautiful and very large park.  It is difficult to capture the beauty of this area but here are a few pictures.

Tiergarten has many interesting statues.

We love the fall foliage as the trees and bushes change from green to gold, yellow, red and brown.

 There are creeks, streams and ponds throughout the park.

There are many benches to stop for a rest and paths to explore.  We really enjoy going for walks in this beautiful area.

The angel that sits on top of the Siegessäule (Berlin's victory column marking Germany's defeat over Napoleon) can be seen through the trees.

Festival of Lights

In mid October each year, Berlin celebrates the Festival of Lights.  I posted pictures and information about this last October.  It was fun to go again this year and see the new laser light displays designed for this year's celebration.

We met our friend Susan at the bus stop near her apartment at Potsdamer Platz.

The sunset was so beautiful we had to take some pictures!

One of our first stops was to see this well lit fountain at Potsdamer Platz which coordinates music with the water much like the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas.

This display is powered as children pedal bicycles and the lights change in color and intensity.

This is one of the displays at Potsdamer Platz - it reminded me of a kaleidoscope.

Next, we traveled on a very crowded bus to Alexander Platz.  The workers for the S Bahn  - one of Berlin's public transportation train lines - were on strike so the buses were filled to capacity with many who would have been on the train!

These pictures do not do justice to the clever laser display on the Galleria Department Store building.  The lights depicted a Tour around the World with maps and scenes of famous landmarks. 

The TV Tower (built by the Soviets during divided Berlin days) was also well lit with changing colors and patterns. 

After a short U Bahn ride and a short walk, we arrived at the Humboldt University area.

The changing lights on Hotel De Roma

Humboldt University Law School with a blue and yellow light theme

Patty and Susan

Light displays at Humboldt University

We rode another crowded bus to the Brandenburg Gate and enjoyed the beautiful and varied light show there.

The square was filled with hundreds of enthusiastic people enjoying the changing light displays.

Susie's farewell party and Winona's baptism

Susie's Farewell Party

Last Friday a group of the YSA gathered to say goodbye to Susie who is getting married this month to a man from Wisconsin.  She has been active in YSA and we will miss her but we are happy for her and her upcoming marriage. 

Courtney, Susie and Yvonne

We ate dinner and played silly games.

We enjoyed pizza, fresh pineapple, cake and other goodies.

Winona's Baptism

Wan Qian Lin (she goes by Winona) was baptized last Saturday. Winona comes from Taiwan was previously Buddhist and she also was very ready to receive the gospel message.  Elder Mickelsen and I were privileged to have a small part in teaching this sweet, mild mannered young woman.  

Elder Despain, Winona and Elder Wipf

These are the elders that taught her.

We felt honored to be a part of her Baptism Day as we were both asked to speak about the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Then on Sunday, Elder Mickelsen was asked to confirm her a member of the church and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost.  These two ordinances are of such importance in our eternal progression. Such events make missionary work worth any sacrifice we might make to serve.  This is truly the best part of a mission!