Michelstadt and more

Last Sunday we attended a branch of the church in Michelstadt, about 45 minutes from Darmstadt. We went with Brother and Sister Wiese, the high councilman over the JAE center. We traveled in heavy rain and cold--thanks goodness for my boots. We arrived at the typical LDS chapel and were greated by a small congregation of about 50 members. We went to relief society first and there were about 10 of us in the room. Then we went to Sunday School where I hardly understood anything and then to sacrament meeting. Of course they asked us to talk for a few minutes. I shared my testimony with some help of a translator and then Elder Hadley took about 10 minutes. It is a good experience to be in the small branches. After the sacrament meeting we met with the first counselor in the branch presidency, Max Egley who had returned from his mission about 1 1/2 years ago. He told us of two families with JAE who are less active and we will make contact with them and try to get them to attend the center. We then headed back for Darmstadt. On the way home, Sister Wiese asked us to stay and have dinner with them. We went to their house and she prepared a beautiful dinner while she insisted we rest. I think that is because Elder Hadley has a hard time staying awake on Sunday. She prepared pumpkin soup, a carrot salad, lamb and potato croquettes with a vegetable and then a beautiful chocolate mousse for desert. She prepared this in a short time and it was wonderful. We then drove back to Darmstadt and took their daughter, Tabea, to the YM/YW fireside. We didn't stay for that but drove to our apartment. We listened to the CES fireside by Elder Anderson which was wonderful. We talked to the family that called by SKYPE. We had a full day. Monday we went to shop for food fo FHE. We had planned to make a casserole but that changed. On Saturday we were to go to the Frankfurt Temple for baptisms for the dead but when the student council president called to tell them how many would be coming she was told we did not have a place. She had to quickly cancel so JAE would not travel to Frankfurt. Every six weeks we go to the temple for baptisms for the dead and then have a meal and an Institute class. Sister Weitzel had planned to bring the food for Saturday so she insisted that she bring it for FHE on Monday night. I prepared a desert and a veggie tray and she brought the rest. We had the lesson and then played a great game very similar to Taboo. We had a good time. Tuesday morning, Elder and Sister Hadley drove to the Frankfurt Temple for a session. It was wonderful. The temple is small but beautiful. We were in a small room with about 15 people. I had a headset to translate to English and it was really great. We stopped at a grocery store on the way home and got a little to eat and then headed back toward Darmstadt. We stopped at a shopping area and I was able to find a beauty supply store with the hair products I like. We bought some fresh bread and went home to fix dinner. We haven't eaten out much because it is so expensive. We are loving the bakery shops we find and have tried many new breads. Wednesday morning was the missionary district meeting and we went early to prepare lunch for the missionaries. The district leader is so good and he keeps these missionaries in line with gentleness. Wednesday night is sport night at the center and there was a good group of JAE there playing indoor soccer. They really like this. We finished a big 2000 piece puzzle and have glued it together. Now we are deciding where we should hang it. Thursday was Institute night and we decided to make orange rolls and cinnamon rolls for their snack after class. It really made the whole building smell really good. We cut up fresh pineapple, oranges, apples and grapes to eat with it. We had the student council meeting and then Institute. The JAE ate all the food and loved it. It was a lot of work and I am not sure how many times we will do this particular thing. Once in a while as a treat will be good. Friday morning we did the cleaning inspections for the missionaries. We inspect 4 apartments and get a chance to visit with the missionaries individually. They all did such a great job. Their mothers would be proud of what they taught them. Our last apartment check was in Langen and we had made an appointment to visit with the Wagner family following this appointment. Elder Hadley had taught the Wagner family when he was a missionary here 49 years ago. We visited them at their home and it was a beautiful experience. They are lovely people. They have two sons who were married in the temple and have families of their own. Brother and Sister Wagner have been active their entire life. We visited for about 2 1/2 hours and it was difficult to leave. We will see them again. We left a prayer with them as we left. It was an emotional visit for Elder Hadley. He truly loves these people. We headed to the Center and found the missionaries there to teach and some JAE who dropped by. It was a good day--but a long day. This morning we will clean the apartment a little and then do our study and planning. We will get a little grocery shopping done and then on to the center. Our days continue to be busy and slowly but surely we are learning what we need to do. Pray for the missionaries in our area that they can be in the right places to find those who are needing the gospel in their lives. We love our family and their support so much.