11 May 2014

We just finished a Public Affairs Seminar here in Frankfurt, Germany where National Directors of Public Affairs for 20 countries were represented. What remarkable people with amazing conversion stories that could keep the Ensign/Liahona/Friend filled with inspirational articles for months!
So much to mention... especially the Sacrament Meeting held in a hall not far from the Area Presidency's office and the stake centre. With prayers given in their native tongues along with just 4 short testimonies. One could feel the spirit all around you as if angels were attending this small forty person gathering. Hymns were sung by the congregation and the Sacrament passed by the senior missionaries from Germany almost as if  inviting each individual to personally renew her / his covenants with the Savior.
The first testimony is of a former Hungarian basketball player who testified that the Holy Ghost told her to go home while living and working in London. She arrives in Hungary and is immediately contacted by friends who want her to meet some missionaries. Four years later, she is testifying of the gospel as the National Director of Public Affairs for her native land.
The next testimony was borne in 'English for the first time' as this petite young woman from Cape Verde bore witness of the restoration and its blessings to her and her family.

Sister Victoria Domo from Cape Verde

The third testimony was from Brother Magnuski of Poland who eloquently gave "thanks" for freedom. Freedom to worship the Savior in a country where not long ago the government didn't want to hear or recognize the existence of a Divine Creator is something we have always taken for granted in the United States. He told of his patriarchal blessing promising that one day he would serve in a temple in his native land if he lived worthily. Imagine the thrill when he heard those words coming from a patriarch of God!

 (NDPAs from Poland, Romania and Hungary)

The last testimony was from Sister Cook of the United Kingdom where she spoke about hearing the cries of a lamb outside her home one night. She and here son rescued a lamb separated by a hedge-row from its mother and she related it to how the Savior saves each of us from our separation from the Father.
This will forever be a sacred memory as we later shook hands, hugged and bid each a farewell as they departed for their native lands.

Martin and Judith Cook - UK Public Affairs Directors

Frankfurt is beautifully charming with interesting building, wonderful people and delicious food. We went to a restaurant called Weber's Restaurant in Feldbergblik to eat authentic German cuisine with Gabi Sirtl (Director for Public Affairs for Europe). We fell in love with the environment, server and especially the #87 (Braised Pork with Spaetzle) on the menu followed by Apple Strudel with custard/whipped cream and strawberries. So good that we went back for Mother's Day and added the Wienerschnitzel plus the strudel dessert!

Weber's Restaurant at Feldbergblik in Frankfurt 

I forgot to mention that it's asparagus time in Germany and everything has this tasty white asparagus in it or beside it... including this wonderful salmon asparagus cream soup. The little waitress (above) recognized us from our previous visit with Gabi and had the chef specially prepare the spaetzle for Joyce. At the conclusion of the meal, she gave Joyce a kiss on each cheek, wished her a happy Mother's Day and presented a rose to her. A truly charming and wonderful day....

Sister Jones, Sister van Wermeskerken (Netherlands), Malcolm Adcock (our Director in the UK) at the Frankfurt conference

Here's a bit form Frankfurt... beautiful city with spectacular food!

 Here we are with Sister Feil outside the cathedral in Frankfurt.

 Sister Feil and Joyce in the town centre of Frankfurt

Elders Feil & Jones in the other section of the town centre where there is a museum behind them

We are training the multi-stake directors this weekend in Solihull to be media spokespersons for the church in their various areas. We are completely amazed at the dedication and faithfulness of the wonderful saints who are on the front-line for the church. We will video each as they role-play an interview with a former news person. Then they will critique themselves and try (again on video) to deliver the key messages of the church. We'll deliver this training again next weekend to the YSA spokespeople in Manchester and Scotland in June. It's 12:52 a.m. and the day starts in 51/2 hours... so we should say goodbye until next week. We love you all...