Visiting Dresden and the Senior Couples Conference
December 22 & 23, 2014
On our way to Freiberg for the Senior Couple's Conference, we stopped in Dresden. This beautiful city (know as Florence on the Elbe River) was nearly destroyed by the Allied bombing raids in the final months of World War II. Today the city has been reconstructed and reclaimed it's former glory.
Dresden today
Dresden in 1945 - a view from the Rathaus (city hall) over the destroyed city
We visited Dresden's Frauenkirche cathedral which is the city's most famous landmark. This is an Evangelische or Lutheran church.
One of the last buildings in the city to be rebuilt, reconstruction of the church did not begin until 1994 and was finally completed in 2005. Original plans and architect's drawings were used. Salvaged sandstone blocks were placed along with newly quarried stones and this gives the church a beautiful exterior which blends the old and the new.
Photo of the church taken after the bombing raids of 1945
The interior of the church is lovely with delicate pastel colors highlighted with gold trim.
A view of the artwork that adorns the ceiling of the cathedral
The altar with gold work on white features statues of Moses, Aaron and other prophets. Above the altar are the pipes of the famous organ which was reconstructed in every detail to match the original organ built in 1736. Johann Sebastian Bach gave an organ recital in the original cathedral in 1736, shortly after it was dedicated.
Altar statue of Aaron, showing him in the special clothing worn as he officiated in the tabernacle (portable temple). This is all described in the Old Testament.
Cute statues in front of Dresden's Altmarkt with even cuter Elder Mickelsen standing by!
Exploring one of Dresden's many Christmas Markets
Smells, sights and sounds of German Christmas fill the air.
After spending the morning in Dresden, the senior couples gathered at Radebeul which is the site where Elder Thomas S. Monson rededicated East Germany for the preaching of the gospel on April 27, 1975. This hillside location is between Dresden and Meissen. Here, we read the dedicatory prayer and remembered the inspiring importance of this sacred event.
The view of Dresden from the hilltop
We gathered again that evening in Freiberg to listen to the temple president speak and then our group of 20 couples went to the Rathaus Restaurant for dinner.
Enjoying our delicious German food
The beautiful nativity on the temple grounds
The next morning we attended 2 temple sessions and then gathered to hear President Kosak speak to us before returning to Berlin.
Our group of senior missionary couples
Weihnachten - Holy Night - Christmas Eve
December 24, 2014
The senior couples serving in Berlin came to the mission home for a delicious Christmas Eve dinner. Sister Kosak's parents were also there.
President and Sister Kosak - our hosts
We enjoyed raclette - a Swiss method of tabletop grilling of meat and melting cheese. The meat is served with potatoes that are topped with cheese and melted under the grill. Then tasty pickled vegetables are served as a side to the meat and potatoes. This is the Kosak family tradition for Christmas Eve dinner.
After dinner we sang Christmas Carols, played a game and then had the opportunity to hear Sister Kosak's father tell us memories and stories of his wartime childhood. Sister Kosak's mother also shared her memories of growing up in post wartime East Germany. Their experiences were both sobering and truly fascinating to hear.
Elder Mickelsen and Elder Wright
Christmas Day
"The goose is done, the goose is done!"
A member of our ward prepared Christmas dinner for all the missionaries in our district. There were 10 of us along with our host. He prepared the feast at the church and roasted 5 geese - more than enough for all of us!
The meal included: Roast goose, Kartoffelkloesse (potato dumplings), Rotkohl and Sauce.
The goose was surprisingly good!
New Year's Eve - Silvester
We were invited to attend the wedding reception for two of our YSA. The couple had been married the day before in both a civil ceremony (required by the government) and then a temple ceremony at the Freiberg Temple. German receptions are quite different from the typical wedding reception for members in the states. They began with a short program in the chapel - including a spiritual thought on marriage and a musical number. Then we were all invited to enjoy a pre-dinner drink (non-alcoholic of course!) and then into the cultural hall for the dinner and entertainment.
Here are the beautiful bride and handsome groom! The bride had served as our student council president from May until November of 2014 and the groom is serving as 2nd Counselor in our Tiergarten bishopbric. They are truly a remarkable couple and will be a wonderful strength to the church in Berlin.
After everyone had an opportunity to congratulate the couple, we were seated at assigned tables for the first part of the program. Then the appetizer course was announced. It included a wide variety of buffet items with fruit, cheeses, meatballs, and many tasty and carefully prepared treats.
After the appetizers, more of the program was presented including a silly skit by the bride and groom showing how they met and their courtship. The the main course buffet was then presented: Chicken Curry over Rice, Roast Venison, potatoes and steamed vegetables.
A couple of the guests at our table
The evening began at 6:00 PM and we slipped out at about 10:15 PM (after we had eaten our main course) so that we could arrive home at a reasonable missionary time. We were told that there was more of the program before the dessert course and that was followed by speeches from the bride and groom and their parents and toasting the happy couple and then dancing until well after midnight. It was a happy and most interesting evening and we felt honored to be invited.
New Year's Day Concert
On New Year's Day, we attended the Philharmonic presentation of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Photography of the concert was forbidden so Hal snapped a couple of pictures before it began. Our friend Susan had arranged prime seats for us on the second row in the center.
A selfie of us with our friend Susan as we waited for the concert to begin.
The concert was masterfully presented and very uplifting!
Recent Baptisms
Joseph was baptized on December 27, 20014
Rocio (photo above) and Rene (pictured below) were both baptized on January 3, 2015.
Baptisms are always special and spiritual events which represent the heart and soul of missionary work. We will have the privilege of attending one more this coming Saturday before our return home next week!
