Freiberg Tempel - International Temple

Eastern Europe to the South

Some weeks our international flavor is much more apparent than others. Because of the closing of the Frankfurt Temple, Freiberg has become the Temple for a much broader spectrum of Latter-day Saints. And even though the Temple in Kiev is closer for some Eastern European Saints to attend than Freiberg, there are many citizens of far-off countries who come once or twice a year to bring their ancestral family names and sometimes bring newly baptized family members and friends to receive their own ordinances. We have had buses come from Romania and individual cars and small buses from Croatia and Romania.

This is a group of Saints who have been here throughout this week. There was a lovely family – Branch President – and their two young children who drove here by auto. They must stop every 8 hours for safety reasons dictated by law – imagine traveling with those two young (darling) children for 36 hours from Bulgaria.

Smiling and Exhausted Bulgarian Saints

The others came by bus from Bulgaria – only taking 24 hours! Wow! They love the Temple and all the work they can do here for their ancestral family members. Because we were in charge of organizing sessions this week and we always want people to have the ordinances given/received in their own language if possible, we were able to have one of the Temple Matrons and our Temple Recorder work with them using Bulgarian, with its Cyrillic alphabet. They had made great effort to be here, and it was a blessing for us and for them as they were able to receive ordinances in their own language. The Matron who could read Bulgarian did so because she grew up in the time of the DDR – when the Communists/Russians ruled their East German land. She and her fellow students had to study Russian with the same alphabet characters. She lamented that they never really used it as a spoken language, so it wasn’t ever really developed as language, and  it certainly isn’t part of her daily language gift because of that. Her husband, on the other hand, didn’t want to learn Russian and refused to do so. He has continued not wanting to learn any other language other than German much to the loss of his being able to converse with many of those coming to the Temple and also with the main support group here in the Temple, the American, English-speaking Senior Missionaries. He is, however, a very hard-working, formidable leader. It is so fascinating to see our Temple Presidency balance each other. Our President, an Austrian, works at practicing his English often. He and his wonderful wife make this temple a place where countless times I have heard people say "It just feels like being part of a wonderful family at home." That must please our Father in His Holy House! Our other counselor is also an Austrian. He and his wife have gone home for three months to see family and set things in order before they return to become the new Temple President and Matron. He and she speak several languages well and are able to help in ordinances in French, Spanish, Hungarian, Czech, English, German and a bit of Polish. That will be a focus for them, I think.

Probably one of the most spiritual moments I've had in the Temple so far was the blessing of being able to welcome and teach a young woman coming to the Temple for the first time. Both the Temple Matron and her counselor that speak English were not in the Temple for some reason, so I was asked to help the other counselor. The sister is a beautiful young woman from Hungary who speaks beautiful English but no German. Our lovely Matron's assistant speaks German and very little English. The teaching moments of that first visit are so important, that usually it is attempted to be given in the person's native language. Her English is so good, that she was able to be taught in English. I will probably never be a temple matron's assistant, so for me those moments were so precious. She will be leaving for Lyon, France in two weeks. She will be going to Provo just when we won't be in Utah, but she said she's sure we'll meet again! She requested that we have a photo together, and I have sent her what she asked for. What blessings here. What marvelous people.

We had a chance to serve dinner to the greatest young Sister Missionaries last night! They have been phenomenal examples of service! 

One sister in the Branch is married to a wonderful elderly man. One morning she called me about another item, but at the end of the conversation she said to me that the Sisters were so spiritual. She said that they had asked if she would like to join them in a fast for her husband. She was so delighted. In these many years, no one had seemed to reach out in caring in that special way.

Sister Strong and Sister Lewis both speak German beautifully, and they are so diligent. One of them is beginning to learn Persian. They have been able to work together for six months - very unusual - but they are great examples of listening to the Spirit and also listening to each other with their contacts. The Lord has sent some wonderful spirits to work in His vineyard in these Last Days!

And speaking about international moments - this week we worked with a family coming to the Temple to do baptisms for the first time after having been baptized three months ago - they are originally from Iran. He and his wife and two small children left Iran about a year before things became impossible. He is a professor teaching in Poland for a time, but he is considering a move to teach in a German university. They came with a lovely couple serving 

Hansen's with Iranian Family

as Senior Missionaries in Poland, the Hansens. The newly baptized wife mentioned several times that the "atmosphere" was so different and special. I think that's the first time I heard someone refer to the Spirit's presence as atmosphere. However, it was very clear that the moments in the temple were very special for her. As he baptized her, I had very strong feelings about the beauty and power of the Priesthood. He was helping her do something she couldn't do for herself. In addition, of course, they were doing some things for those who have passed on that they can't do for themselves any more. What a beautiful round circle of completion the Lord has planned for His children!

April, 2018

Dietmar and Ilona Harzt with Lyn and Lee

The month of April ushered in with a musical concert at the Nicolaikirche with Ilona and Dietmar Harzt. She is a wonderful friend in the Freiberg Branch who has great interests in music which we share. She is the Music Chairwoman, and so far, we have worked together with all the missionary sisters plus Presidency wives singing "As Sisters in Zion" arranged for the German language, sung a missionary choir piece, and played a four-hand piano duet together in Sacrament Meeting.
                                                                      
We were so delighted as they invited us to attend a concert in the Nikolaikirche in downtown Freiberg.                                                                       

Nicolaikirche - exterior walls

                             


The Church was originally used in 1175. From that early time, its remaining Romanesque style was developed in the 13th century.  During the next centuries, 14th and 15th, the church was rather dramatically altered as  the very different arches of the Gothic style system were incorporated.                                             

Great changes occurred again when the building was given over for use by the city of Freiberg in the later 1900's. Since then it has been dedicated as a concert location. The acoustics and visible interior elements are wonderful. Walking into the building from the outside is like walking through walls from centuries ago right into today's world.

     
As Ilona is the Music Chair, she has scheduled me to conduct Sacrament Meeting music once a month - a pure delight for me. It is so wonderful to look out over all the wonderful Saints as we sing together. I've had a great opportunity to try to encourage other conductors to look up from their music and and actually guide the Branch singers. It is so terrific to actually notice many more people looking up. Sometimes in the past, and especially in our Temple Preparation Meetings where I have been blessed to lead the hymns each morning as we prepare ourselves for reverence and learning for the day, people stare at the hymn books as if they've never seen the words before. Of course, for some of the missionaries I can understand that. However, after a year or so, I think everyone has sung the hymns long enough to be able to look up and return my very happy musical smile! It's a goal. There's a wonderful older Brother, Brother Schmidt, a Sealer, who almost always bears his testimony by starting out: "Being the oldest member of the Branch...," in German, of course, who just beams right back at me. His darling wife does the same. Of course, the Apel Family - Frank and Helga (the senior members from President Monson's book), Angela and Heike, their daughters and their son, Jens, all have the words memorized from years, and they smile and tell me how much they can tell I love the music, too!

Angela Fröbel recently asked me if I would like to teach a Relief Society lesson. I've thought about it since, and after her great lesson today on caring and feeling a great love for all of our sisters and especially for those for whom we've been specifically called to "minister," I might suggest that we team teach a lesson. She has asked me some questions about what to do with people who are always contributing (too much for others to be able to think a minute and add), etc. I think it would be great to work together to show team teaching as a great idea AND, of course, it would be great for me to be able to work with a German!

Italian Sister with Three Temple Friends

This week in the Temple we had a great opportunity - working with a young Italian woman. She luckily spoke very good English and some German. She was converted when she met missionaries several years ago and went to the temple previously in Switzerland. Her work began this week in the Baptistry for ancestors and then other ordinances were completed throughout the Temple. It was great to work with her and try to remember some Italian from 40+ years ago. It has caused me to consider about how much Italian help I could be in the Rome Temple!

Easter Toast in Missionary Room

And, of course, with the Spring coming, we as missionaries and the Temple Presidency celebrated its arrival and the coming of Easter in our typical missionary room gathering style. Here's a great toast being given. President and Sister Erlacher on the left look very happy. They have been serving for many years in their calling - the Temple was closed for a while for renovation, but they were still responsible for its overseeing - and are beginning to feel some of the joy of returning to children and grandchildren in Austria. Their daughter and granddaughter are both living in Mexico now. I know they are going there to visit after they go home. His first counselor, Viktor Wadosch has already been announced as the next President, so their lives will definitely be changing dramatically also.

Viktor and Karin Wadosch and Heike and Peter Schoenherr

They have lived in Freiberg for three years plus - they were able to return to their home in Austria during the renovation - but they have had a nice long training time. He is an amazing linguist addition to the Temple. We have been able to assign him to help in the United Nations' veil sometimes with English, French, German, Czech and some Hungarian. I hope the missionaries will receive more training in being able to help with more of these languages. I was able to help with German and French somewhat. I would love to have learned the basics of the Czech language to help there. Some of the stability of the Temple remains as the Recorder, Peter Schoenherr has been there longer than either of these two presidents.

Lyn in Daffodil Brilliance

As thee early Spring days have come, the Temple grounds have received beautiful plantings all around. The daily daffodils have sprung up with their wonderful bright yellows and then rather quickly been replaced with new colorful pansies (my Grandpa Hocking's favorite flower).

And these pansies are patterned in amazing style - vivid sunrises from one walking direction and from another direction sunsets. It's always wonderful to see the crew arriving in their trucks. They manage to bring outside adornment to the Lord's House no matter the season. It's just another tribute to this particular House of the Lord. Of course, we haven't been to any House of the Lord that is not beautifully cared for inside and out!

Pansy Sunrise or Sunset

Even looking out our apartment window this time of year was beautiful with golden Forsythia bushes everywhere. I wouldn't trim them into this form, but they're still very wonderful reminders that Spring is next! Of course, in this photo we saw that a thundering storm was not far behind the flowering photo. I guess it takes some of that to be able to enjoy "April showers bring May flowers."

Forsythia before Storm

This photo shows a the backyard of a very lively family with children and a grandchild who were very audibly a part of our surrounds.

Lee in Quick Train Shot

Of course with all of these beautiful floral invitations to be outside, Lee and I were often there walking our 10,000 steps not quite completed by a day in the Temple. Friedeberg, a small, newer "village" right next to the Temple grounds was a favorite place to walk. There were several Freiberg Gemeinde members who lived there or very nearby in apartment buildings. I think I mentioned these homes in some of our first adventures outdoors. There were always beautiful rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, grapes, and many kinds of fruit trees all part of smaller lots which were probably only created within 10 year. Very unusual for us, there was also a train track with a speeding newer passenger train going by nearly always at 3:45 p.m. and then less frequently we'd see older freight trains duirng the weeks.We tried so many times to catch a photo of one of these trains whizzing by under very unguarded railings. One afternoon toward evening I was quick enough. It was very interesting to see these tracks and trains so near many lovely newer homes on the "right" side of the tracks with only a three foot guardrail.

Lyn as Captured Tree Moss Nymph

One day as we progressed along a path which easily took us from these neighborhood homes and yards directly into a forest right next "door," we found ourselves walking through many older trees which showed the moist climate for which Freiberg and the "Erzgebirge" (Ore Mountains) are famous.This particular part of the "Wald" had a mixture of old and newer trees. As we were walking along in the sun-setting afternoon of early Spring, I suddenly noticed standing right in front of me a "forest nymph." A quick photo of that little green one has reminded me of that lovely afternoon turning into evening in a nearby forest - memorialized!

Freiberg - Already A Year Later

Lee Measures Himself Against Silberstadt Sign

We have just a few hours during the week when we are not serving in the Temple or being specifically involved in daily life issues - food planning and shopping, typical apartment/house clean-up, washing day (Tuesday afternoons for us) As we begin to see the last 1/3 of our mission racing towards us, we have been trying to familiarize ourselves more with this beautiful city in which we have lived for a year. Several walks around in areas we  typically quickly drive by has reminded us about exploring all around to see documented Saxon history. This tall man stands next to a typical Silberstadt Freiberg city signs are found everywhere.

Freiberg was founded as noted on some official documnets in the middle of the 12th Century. The Obermarkt is in the center of the Altstadt. There are many buildings centuries old lining the often used street parking all around this much earlier market place center. I often wonder about how great it would have been then to be a missionary talking with farmers and families as well as citizens about religion. Some of the Elders and Sisters have actually had a few opportunities to set up booths and tables to meet Freibergers. The real success, of course, for missionaries is for them to be able to bring the Gospel to the homes of members - the same as at home.

Ratskeller - "Cellar" for Great Eating/Drinking

As a main fixture in this market place, there is still the traditional Rathaus, the place for political and other business conducted for the city and for other areas close by. Of course, the Ratskeller - always a favorite restaurant for locals and visiting citizens - is located next door across the street and on the corner.    

A shield over the gate of the Rathaus dates from 1775. It dates from 1510 with fortress towers and the Meissen Lion. One of the oldest seals carries the date of 1227 and notes already the "Citizens in Freiberg." 

The Renaissance "Beautiful Bay"

There are many ancient buildings - many of them seemingly have only been resurfaced with a finish of plaster nearly like painting. Sometimes we see the remains on the sides of buildings which have been replastered - makes me ponder the strength of old brick and stone constructed walls simply made "new" looking with a plastering. Wherever we drive there are such examples. Of course, there are also some remaining building facades and trims which are beautiful! This Renaissance bay window high up on its building is a very famous one found in the Burgstrasse on the corner of the Obermarkt. It was built in 1616 for the Lindners, tradesmen and then involved in the governing of Freiberg.

Ratsapotheke - seen Unadorned

Ratsapotheke - in Color

The continuing theme - Ratsapotheke - lets you know you are still close to the center of any town. A little later in the year, the flowers are hanging from boxes at each window in gorgeous colors.

Looking down to the end of the Ratshaus with its tower only a couple of months later - now beautifully decorated for the coming Summer and Fall festivities on the Obermarkt.

Splashing Around Otto the Rich

And, of course, a last look at the Market Center. Here it is being enjoyed around the fountain center honoring Otto the Rich, a Wettin ruling family member, by a bunch of Freiberg kids and friends. A splashing, spurting step-on sort of water fun that makes me want to see our grandchildren having such fun!

Our week in the Temple this week has been focused on helping some wonderful Czech Saints. They come with many temple workers now. When we first came there were only about four workers who could help each other in the ordinances. Since then, however, each quarter when they have come, there have been more workers set apart. They are such humble, gentle and helpful people. One woman and her husband used to be the strongest helpers. The wife speaks German, English, Czech, French and Polish fluently. Now they have been joined by 32 set apart Czech temple workers.

In the Baptistry there was a wonderful family of three daughters, one was here for the first time, and one tall son. The girls were so good with each other. They were here every day at 7:30 a.m. having eaten and dressed in their Sunday best. So dependable! We were able to exchange email addresses at the end of the week. I hope we will be able to be in touch. As they were going to leave, another Senior Missionary helped us all to be in a photo together. Besides those four in the Baptistry, they have two other young boys, Adam and Jonah. When we consider how far they must come to be here for their ancestors, it really makes us thankful for the easy life with which we've been blessed. It makes it all the more important for us to know we can be of service.

Heidelberg to Holland in Six Days

Heidelberg to Holland in Six Days

And so, the continuing saga across Europe from Freiberg to Paris, then Holland and finally into Belgium and back again all in only 14 days!

St. George's Church in Eisenach

Eisenach was our first stop. It is a famous historical city both in German history, architecture and especially music. We arrived in town in the early evening hours. Fortunately we pulled over and parked in front of a beautiful church, the Georgenkirche. At the time we didn't even know its name. 

Life-size Bronze of Bach

At the front door was a poster advertising a concert to be held that very evening, in fact it was to begin within a half an hour. The concert would feature music for clavichord, violin and soprano. We felt as if it had been planned around our arrival. The concert was wonderful. We sat right in front of the Trio. Immediately to our right was a baptismal font - those small ones where babies are just baptized with a sprinkle of water. 

We read after the concert that this was the baptismal font for Johann Sebastian Bach. Throughout this evening and through the next day we were to find many other amazing monuments to this great composter: the Bach Haus, a grand life-size bronze statue of the man and the famous church where he and several of his family members were organists through the 17th century. The buildings shown below were on a large poster with buildings and map of important buildings in Eisenach.

The Bach Haus was a fascinating exhibit. It is thought to be Johann Sebastian Bach’s birth home. We were greeted outside by his welcoming more than life-size statue. Inside there are explanations about and performances and demonstrations of many instruments Bach played
as he was composing and then used to showcase his own compositions. His very talented musical family included his father and his uncles. His father was a fine musician and composer and was the court organist for years. He also had many connections which allowed Bach to have very many early learning-while-doing activities. Inside the Bach Haus there is a listening room with headphones, a seating area and the opportunity to listen to as many of his compositions as are of interest to the visitors. 

Some of the Famous Eisenach Buildings to be Seen

Temple Closure Cleaning - Includes for Missionaries

Hallway Up to the Temple

We will be leaving our apartment for two weeks beginning this Sunday, September 10, after attending Sacrament Meeting in our Gemeinde and returning on September 25 traveling all the way from Amsterdam vicinity. 

Each six  months, the Freiberg Temple, as do all temples, closes completely for cleaning and some renovation - our apartments are included in the renovation plans for this closure. When we return I think we will find out apartments changed by hard workers adding wallpaper to our sleeping area - taking the edges off a very sharply sand-stippled paint work right next to our beds - as well as the addition of new reading lights and book shelves over our beds - they will be so appreciated! The missionaries are so well cared for and appreciated. We have come to know so many wonderful people both as we have been meeting on Sundays and as we have been working with many other European members coming to the Tempel from far off countries.

A walking tour here in Rothenburg has helped bring the ancient ramparts alive. For the serious side of Rothenburg’s history, we took the walk overlooking the best view of the town and all of the surrounding countryside. This 1.5-mile stroll atop the wall is at its most medieval before breakfast or at sunset - here the sun was beginning to go to rest for us.

Red-tiled Roofs Accent Ancient Weathered Wood Walls

Ploenlein - No Umlaut on my Computer

Walking around and then again downtown, we came across one of the most often photographed sites in Rothenburg. It is a quaint corner where two cobble-stone lanes, one climbing up and the other leading downhill, meet and are framed by many peaked tile roof lines and angled building walls. 

One of the shop signs, that of the "Trend Shop am Ploenlein" shows a happily watching dog - one of the many shoppers' own - patiently waiting on tether.





Next you will recognize a happy watching - but not shopping tourist below. That doesn't sound possible - someone watching and not shopping and happy???

Walking, Wandering and Wondering

What a spot! We were warned  before coming here that there are so many wonderful things inviting purchase that we must do our best to look and keep our pocketbooks in pocket. Of course, that's not always possible.

However, I wish there were some better way to keep things seen in more than just that day's visual  memory!

We saw a central store for Kaethe Wohlfahrt, one of the very famous designers of German handwork.

We first saw small pieces of her work when we were blessed to be able to visit the Passion Play in Oberammergau in 2010. Today for me was like visiting a LEGO store for some kids I know.

There were so many different and wonderful toy stores with handcrafted design and colors all over them - so creative, so dear, and so expensive!

Art and Imagination in Vibrant Colors and Fanciful Shapes

I wish I could show some of the moving photos of toy stores I have taken with my simple pocket phone. Pyramids spinning up high with their paddles; porcelain dolls smiling and waving; brown, black and white bears turning and playing drums; flowers swaying; even turtles crawling! Of course, I think they are almost appreciated as much if not more so by loving grandmothers as by beloved grandchildren!

How Many More Flights?

We'll be leaving for Heidelberg in the next two days. Before we leave, though, we have taken some amazing photos - Lee taking some of the photos up through the stair-after-stair to the heights of the town tower - I continuing the climb far too high up and then just trying to look down. My mother used to surprise me with her fear of heights - until just lately as I better understand from some of our recent spectacularly high  climbs done at my ancient age here in Germany. Now I completely understand as my stomach wildly churns as I am looking far away, but also far, far down from the top of the recommended as a "must-see" Town Hall tower. Such a sight overlooking the town and the country surrounding this medieval and  yet lived-in 21st century lifestyle town.

From the Very Top

We have felt again the wonderful history surrounding us and the modern citizens of this medieval town all with its remaining wonderful sights into the past.

The Fall has Beautifully Fallen

All around we are finding the sure signs of Fall having arrived this September. Of course, first we began seeing the green-leafed trees begin to change into gorgeous, bright colors!

Across from Our 3rd Floor Window 

I walked up and down our wonderful Hainichiner Strasse to part of the "Ring Strasse" - Leipziger Strasse - before finding this beautiful example right out our third-floor apartment. I am including some of the other interesting trees of color used for various purposes besides their decorative colors and shade.

Interesting Stone Filled Fencing

It's been so interesting to see the various means of fence building used by our neighbors. A couple of them I've already shown in previous shots. Stones within wire fence construction; tall walls of concrete blocks sometimes with added dirt and beautiful plantings; wrought iron in painted black or forest green reminding me one of our fences at home; brick walls reminding of our brick wall; additionally early plantings at the perimeter of 1-3 year-old homes which we can see surrounding homes close by which have already been there for many more years; prickly rose bush hedges; and finally here's a photo as I returned back up our street - a very high fence planted by a wise homeowner many years ago! Notice all the fiery red soon to be black trees behind the house-high cypress.

Dino Expo XXL in Freiberg

As I continued my long walk all the way down to the busy street looking for these various colorful trees, at one place I was startled as I noticed a very brightly colored sign placed as an advertisement for an upcoming exhibition. It would be especially interesting perhaps to some grandsons I know at home. These ancient beasts are apparently of world-wide intrigue. So fascinating to see how much we have in common as students of all ages. "Dino Expo XXL - Grosse Dinosaur Ausstellung in Freiberg - Giganten der Urzeit jetzt in ihrer Stadt!    Dino Expo XXL - Great Dinosaur Exhibition in Freiberg - Giants from Ancient Times now in your own city!" 

Somehow we didn't make it to the Exhibit - I think we were out of town on the 14th and the 15th. So sorry that I'm not able to make a report on how scientifically these creatures were exhibited. The German people are known for their scientific interest and precise presentations. I'd have to think it would have been fascinating by the looks of the advertisement.

Dietmar and Ilona Harzt

Freiberg is a university city and has been for several centuries - hard for Americans to think in that time sense. Specifically it is a mining university.  Of course you know about the silver mines of pure metal that were originally fought over by many greedy counts and kings. I don't know if there is any connection between the excavating that would have been part of those early times and the studies that would be part of a mining university. Certainly these creatures were around many, many years previous to that and donated their dead bodies to creating great sources of fuel for us generations after their demise. We have a very good friend here in the ward, a Temple worker actually, whose husband has been a mining expert and university professor at the University of Freiberg. I don't know if any of the university work here would have any connection with research involving dinosaurs. I'll have to ask soon. 

Dietmar Harzt (his wife, Ilona, Ward Music Chairwoman) is also shone in this photo taken when we were invited to their home for a Christmas luncheon. This mining expert recently took us on an expedition looking into mining buildings, shafts and other remnants from the early mining done all around the Erzgebirge area. We had a summary of many of the historic buildings and their locations. Dietmar began by showing us maps of the area, Reinsberg, and ended by taking us to a wonderful site showing the buildings as well as the various means used to slope the water needed for the mining work above and underground.

Model of the Castle, Moat and Mining Depth

"Mining holes" were used to sight where the tunnels underground were to meet moving water from the original mountain areas. Fascinating to imagine how all of this was accomplished in the those times. They could find each other digging tunnels coming from different directions and 

Marker for Trenches

needing to meet so deep underground!

This is the first time I noticed the symbols so universally accepted as the Freiberg symbols - a hammer and anvil. They are seen everywhere usually along with the words: "Glück Auf!" As the miners went down so far below the earth each day they met, prayed, sang and wished each other "Good Luck."

The hike was fairly rigorous. Our young Mountain Goat Sister Missionaries were ahead of us the whole way. However, we all managed to arrive for the lovely luncheon arranged for us by Ilona and Dietmar.  We didn't look nearly as cheerful and light-hearted at the beginning of our trip until we were so wonderfully refreshed!

Beginning of the "Mining" Tour

There is an amazing mining museum near the Untermarkt (Undermarket) area - actually interesting that it is in a higher location than the Obermarket (Overmarket) area central to our city.  One day we decided to investigate this museum. My grandfather, originally from Illinois, and his ancestors, originally from England, were miners. Well, all of them except Grandpa Hocking. At the age of around 16 he accompanied his father into the coal mine in Illinois where he worked. When he came up later that day, he said that he would never do that kind of work - good for his lungs and other parts of his body! Back to Freiberg first and the museum next having to do with an amazing mining exhibit.

Preserved Tunneling

One day we went up to visit at the "Old Elizabeth" mine shaft. I wrote earlier about how the miners would gather early in the morning and have a prayer and music time before they went down praying for safety. "Glück Auf" - "Good Luck" is a familiar phrase often seen all over our area on signs, posters, and even building names which I'm sure was part of everyday work life in these perilous Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). I showed Lee Ashby playing an ancient white organ used by the miners. It would be interesting to know who would have been taught to play the organ so long ago - probably one of the Catholic priests assigned to that. Here we saw remains of tunneling kept modern so that people can take tours through the area - of course, hard hats are required.

Within the nearby Bergmuseum we saw amazing historical documentation. There were many models graphically showing those proportionally tiny "ant" men working so far below the earth's surface.

Freiberg in the Heart of Saxony A Free - "Frei" - and Beautiful City

Great Welcome Home for Missionary on the Left

We had a great time meeting with the returning missionary son, Kevin, at the home of Angela and Rene Fröbel for a Welcome Home Barbecue with many of the missionaries - here with Bill Moss. Kevin is the grandson of Frank Apel. Brother Apel, with picture below, is one of the original men who worked carefully with other faithful Saints here in Freiberg with Elder (President) Monson as the Freiberg Temple was brought about. The miracle of having a temple built and dedicated within the Communist-controlled country  came about with amazing cooperation and respect from otherwise atheistic leaders. 

Brother and Sister Frank and Helga Apel

It is a wonderful experience to walk into our Branch on Sundays and meet with so many people who have had such faith during DDR times in Freiberg. President Monson's book, Faith Rewarded, was a wonderful read before we came - and now to see and converse with brave participants from that time is an amazing part of our regular Sunday activities. This couple was one of those cited often by then Elder Monson, Brother and Sister Frank Apel. He speaks with a distinct accent from Saxony - sometimes indistinguishable from a conversation with someone with a very full mouth. She, however, speaks a beautiful "high" German dialect. They met so many years ago when he was on a mission to the north and east of his own Saxony. She brings a very understandable as well as intelligent and faithful insight to every Sunday School lesson! I have the blessing often on Friday night temple sessions to work with her in the initiatory blessings. Such a blessing for me, too.

The Spring beauty we have seen all around us has turned into a Super "Zuper" Summer. Our continued walks uphill and down and all around our Temple area have continually reminded us of our own California and Utah gardens and manicured landscaping!

Fauna and flora in abundance

As the days have become continually longer and the nights considerably shorter, I have double-checked what I thought was a similar latitude with our home cities. However, the lines indicate more of a similarity with southern Canada. We will expect many more delightful early mornings - we are up almost together with the 5:30 am sun dawning - and long, bright evenings into late-coming nights.

Rhododendrons, azaleas, roses and fruit gardens with their trees and berries

are everywhere visible! (Definitely gives me "heimweh" "homesickness" for all of our flowers as well as our raspberries, apples, peaches, plums, and grapes!)

Private Yet Shared Gardening "Sheds" and Grounds

We have walked past so many personal garden areas which are maintained through the summer. Individuals who have smaller private gardens are able to rent spaces for extensive planting areas. There are small cottages which are part of many of them. It looks like many people are 
interested in maintaining  plots full of all kinds of garden growing.There are people who are appointed to be in charge of communal areas even though they are privately owned. Fun to see so much collective interest so near to many of the very large buildings full of apartment dwellers.

It is fascinating to see the pruned branches so carefully cut back from last year's growth on pear, apple, apricot, plum and cherry. As in Utah, we don't see any citrus trees, but there is an abundance of all the above-mentioned fruit trees.                     

In our short time here, we have met Senior Missionary Couples from Utah but with a couple from Idaho, and Oregon. It is great to see their dedication in their temple service. They come and learn and pray and return home to their families every 12 or 18 months or so.

This darling couple seated downstairs in the missionary room at dinner, was here before us, and they have since returned. Kent and Marlies Freeman returned to Utah. She is actually German and was so helpful when I first came helping me to learn how to best pronounce blessings in the Temple. They first met on his mission, but after he returned home, he decided he would have to go back and propose and bring a special part of Germany back with him to his home!

Bill and Ann Moss are here from Idaho - Sugar City - as Bill always proudly interjects! They arrived just a month before we did. They were amazingly helpful in showing us all kinds of important places - grocery stores, places to go to become registered as permitted-to-stay foreigners, and all kinds of vital information! She is a wonderful pianist and organist, and she is definitely one of the most delightful missionaries with whom to work! It is so great to conduct with her at "organ" in our 7 AM Preparation Meetings! She is always enthusiastic and prepared!! More Senior Missionaries later - ooh, I don't know if I like that "Senior" name very much!!

Sisters Darton and Wacker

At the same time we have met and and been so inspired by wonderful Sister and Elder Full-Time Missionaries. Sister Darton and Sister Wacker have been such amazing examples of service - and both are speaking outstanding German as models for us and in great communication with our German brothers and sisters. Since this early photo, Sister Darton has returned to school AND to becoming a beautiful bride. Sister Wacker has just returned to school. She is a viola player par excellence. We surely have learned to love these dedicated missionaries!

Middle Saxony Orchestra featured at the Outdoor City Festival

In addition to working at the Temple compound, we have also been able to walk into and all around this beautiful city of Freiberg. Its origins were very early in German actually Saxon history. Germany didn't actually become a country until very late. All of these different people were "citizens" of many individual states or duchies, depending on the ruler of an area. We were able to attend festivals and concerts downtown many times. The final concert part of the "City Festival" held every year featured the famous Middle Saxony orchestra. The festival had been a wonderful time with booths for handicrafts, foods, and talent evenings. (The orchestra was set up under a tarp cover - the week had promised storms and pouring rain.) Because of the nearness of Freiberg to those beautiful mountains of wealth, we have here so many sudden bursts of gusty wind, downpours, thunder and lightning, "Gewitter" in German, throughout several seasons of the year. Most of the land is covered in  deep, rich greens as a result. It's hard for me to imagine these beautiful lush lands being trampled over by one empire's troops in pursuit of another one's throughout all of these European countries' histories!) Of course one of those storms was to rage in and finally chase the wonderful musicians with all their fine instrument under and behind cover. When this beautiful photo was taken, there was no idea of such a thunderstorm to match one of Beethoven's compositions. Ilona Harzt and her husband had invited us to several concerts previously as the orchestra was playing in their resident cathedral. I know the roof and windows are wonderfully appreciated there! There's a fun photo of us with the Harzt' outside the cathedral before the concert previously written up.

Flaming Schwiboggen

Twirling Pyramids

One larger area south of Freiberg is just at the edge of what is known as the Erzgebirge - Ore Mountains. Hundreds of years ago these mountains contained great mines full of veins of pure silver. There were many men brought in by the Saxon rulers just to mine it. It didn't need to be smelted. Of course, those rulers who "owned" the mountains were wealthy beyond belief. We learned that the citizens had counted on the earth - ores - for their livings. After the most wonderful ores had been mined from the earth, the Germans in this area, Seiffen, one of the central villages, later towns, moved to using other natural resources surrounding them. Their mountains are forested with beautiful evergreens The locals began that wonderful woodcarving and lace handwork for which they are now famous throughout the world. The townspeople work all year round carving wooden decorations by hand and with fine German machinery. Originally there was a focus on the Christmas season with nativities, angels, Santas, etc. Now all holidays throughout the year are celebrated - Valentine characters with hearts; Easter bunnies, eggs and flowers; even unusual characters riding motorcycles have joined the windows advertising specialities. Beautiful carved Also, today the work is not just done in factories. As we drove into Seiffen and other nearby vilages, we found most of the streets with individual homes advertising one sort of woodcarving specialty or another.