Christmas in Deutschland

One of the highlights of Christmas in Germany is visiting the Weihnachts Markt (Christmas Markets).  We went to several, each was unique and a treat to see.  We visited our first on the last Saturday in November and Cliff shopped on the Saturday before Christmas at a market in Kassel.  The shops are beautifully decorated and they sell a large variety of items, many one of a kind and only available at Christmas time.  It was fun to taste the different foods available, from bratwurst, currywurst, crepes, Christmas stolen and marzipan, just to name a few.  Needless to say we tried as many as possible!!

 

Our first market was a small one in Berlin.  Then a couple larger markets in Berlin, Dresden and Hamburg.

 

 

 

Swedish ladies smoking Salmon 

These girls are making Baum Brot (tree bread) which is a sweet pastry that is baked around a round wooden 3" dowel.  When it is finished they roll it in your choice of topping (sugar & cinnamon, nuts, etc.)  It was very good.

 

 

 

 

 

The one thing we quite enjoyed about Christmas was the way the LDS members celebrated Christmas Eve.  Many came together at the Dahlem Chapel in the early evening for a music devotional that lasted about an hour.  The Dahlem Ward Choir supported by the missionaries presented a wonderful music program that really brought the spirit of the season.  This allowed many friends from different wards throughout the stake to greet each other at this special time.  Most left to spend the rest of the evening in their homes with family.  We were invited to spend the evening with other missionary couples serving in Berlin, the Snows and the Mickelsens, with President and Sister Kosak, and her parents in the Mission Home.

 

We had the missionaries - Elder Taylor, Elder Beck, Elder Wolfley and Elder Hansen, Sister Hansen, Sister Turner, Sister Ahrenholtz and Sister Miesbauer and the Snows -over for breakfast on Christmas morning.  Sister Beesley makes wonderful waffles. 

 

 

Merry Christmas!!

 



Couples Convention in Dresden

December 17th - 19th we attended a Senior Couple Convention in Dresden.  We enjoyed being taught by President and Sister Kosak and were sung to by talented Elders and Sisters of the Dresden Zone.  Dinner was at the Sophienkeller, a traditional German restaurant. It was great to get to be with the other missionary couples.  Our assignments vary, but we share the bond of serving together. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning after breakfast, we visited the place President Monson dedicated Germany.  It was good to be there with the missionaries of the Germany Berlin Mission.

 

 

 

We spent the afternoon enjoying the city of Dresden.  It is a beautiful city with a rich history.

 

Semperoper (Semper Opera)

 



Semperoper from Augustus Bridge over the Elbe River

 

The Fürstenzug in Dresden, Germany, is a large mural of a mounted procession of the rulers of Saxony. It was originally painted between 1871 and 1876 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Wettin Dynasty, Saxony's ruling family.

Elder Beesley is trying out the panorama feature on the iphone camera.

 

Frauen Kirche (Lady of our Lord) Catholic Church.  Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed in the bombing of Dresden during World War II. The remaining ruins were left as a war memorial, following decisions of local East German leaders. The church was rebuilt after the reunification of Germany. The reconstruction of its exterior was completed in 2004 and its interior in 2005. The church was reconsecrated on 30 October 2005 with festive services lasting through the Protestant observance of Reformation Day on 31 October. It now also serves as symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies.  Note that the original stones were used where possible in rebuilding it.  The original stone appear almost black while the new stones are a sandstone color.



The inside of Frauen Kirche is more impressive than the outside. 


 

We concluded the evening with a great dinner at Altmarktkeller- good food and even better company.  Elder and Sister Snow, Sister Kessler and Elder and Sister Boehm.

 

 Elder Boehm served with Elder Beesley in Austria in 1972.  This is there second Sr. mission which they finished Dec 27, 2013.  Wonderful friends and better missionaries.