From Dad 4/26

Hi everyone,

How fortunate can anyone be to have the best companion in the whole world for 18 months! (It’s OK someday when you too will feel the same about your companion in the missionfield as well). Good news is flowing everywhere. What an awesome time to be part of our family. How it warms our hearts to see glimpses into your lives and activities from week to week. It’s almost as good as being there. It is the best of both worlds having so much great communication from home and minutes later to walk into the home of an investigator or a less active member and bring the opportunity to have the Spirit of the Lord in their lives.

Herr Metzner yesterday emphasized he wants to be a good person and asked us if we didn’t agree he can do that without going to church. We agreed. He does have a great love for his family. They have a beautiful 14 or 15 year old daughter right now who is keeping company with someone they would rather it were not so. They have a son who is 21 who is also having some struggles. Their 6 year old foster child (they have had him since birth and feel someday they will be able to adopt him) has been ill. We were prompted to give him a priesthood blessing. His father felt the Spirit. It will be fun to teach them and see how he accepts the blessings that await his family as he learns more about the priesthood and begins to see and want what it can do to strengthen his family.

Bernhardt Fuchs had been written off in my mind. I had not expressed it so plainly to mom when we talked about skipping an appointment with him last night. Mom wouldn’t hear of not meeting with him. When we met with him he had been reading in the Book of Mormon and has agreed to pray about whether it is true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. He does believe we have a Heavenly Father and that He does hear and answer our prayers. He may be moving soon and if so, we will refer him to other missionaries. He could go up to two minutes without smoking. I sat in the middle and he tried as best he could to sit down wind. When he talks it is like a monotone. We think it is the heavy medication he is on. He is very intelligent.

An ongoing challenge with sister Petra Kempe has been our understanding of astrology. To her this medium is very important. She believes Heavenly Father has given it to her to help her. She is so anxious about it that what needed to be said earlier this week never was discussed. Mom feels in time she will come to understand the Holy Ghost is the only reliable source for predicting the future and understanding events that happen in life and she won’t need to have this for a crutch any longer. Thank goodness for mom and her influence. She is the one with common sense and that helps us over many bumps in the road.

Our friend Stefani gave me some “gas” pills the other day. Mom took one trying to encourage me to “use them”. You all know me love for medicine is almost void. I have told mom I will try. I am a little bit too musical at times. So is life.

Have a great week in Salt Lake and surrounding areas with family this week Zach. You will love the Salt Lake Temple. In two weeks we will look for our first missionary letter from a grandson. How good can life be!

Have a great week. Thanks for all the emails, pictures, videos (if we could just understand why sometimes we can play those on the “blog” and sometimes we cannot) you share with us.

Love always,

Dad and Grandpa

From Mom 4/26

Dear Family,

Sometimes it seems like time is going so slow----until it’s time to write home again. It seems like I just did that a couple of days ago. Thank you all for your letters. It’s so good to hear about all the doings with each of your families. The end of the school year always seems like such a busy time with finishing the school year, dance recitals, piano recitals and making plans for the next school year. Sounds like you are all managing to keep busy and that the kids have plenty to so too. How we look forward to being back with all of you again!

This has been another week of a lot of cancellations. I guess spring here is as busy as spring is there. But we have managed to have quite a few good meetings. I finally ate some humble pie and got over being mad at Stephanie. When we got home late Friday night, there was a message on the answering machine from her. All it said was,” Elder and Sister Price, I’m sorry. Can you come and see me sometime this weekend?” I didn’t want to go very bad but Dad, being the kind forgiving man he is, felt like we should go. She seemed happy to see us when we got there Sunday afternoon and wanted to talk to Dad. She really leans on him for counsel. While they were talking, another man who Stephanie had introduced us to came and sat down by me and started asking questions about the church. He knew we were missionaries and he knew a little bit about the church. To make a long story short, before we got done with our conversation, I had given him the whole first lesson on the Restoration. We was interested to learn that Joseph Smith did not make up our church, that is was the restored church of Jesus Christ. He has a Book of Mormon and has read just a little bit in it but it was at his home so we told him we would bring him one so he could read while he was there. We took it to him today. He is getting out of the hospital in a week and he gave us his address and would like some missionaries to visit him. He wants to learn more about the church. He does not live in our mission so I’ll send his name and address to the referral secretary of our mission to send to the Frankfurt mission. I really couldn’t figure out why he was in that hospital. He seems so normal!!! Whatever----he wants to learn more so we’ll accommodate.

One of our cancellations was the busy army wife mother. We were so disappointed when she called and cancelled but she is very busy trying to get passports and visa’s in order so they can go to the states for a visit and she had been on a dead run the day before and hadn’t even started on her day. She wants to meet with us at the Bishops home so her kids can play with their kids while we are talking. That’s what the Bishop has wanted all along so maybe that’s just the way it’s supposed to be.

We did meet with a part member family today. Sister Metzner is a third generation member but hasn’t been active for quite awhile. Her husband came in while we were visiting with Sister Metzner and started talking to us. He said he had no family life while he was growing up and had been working since he was 12 years old and that’s all he has ever known. He has just never had much to do with religion but told us we were welcome to come anytime and as often as we wanted to come. He is a great person and they are just an awesome family. They have had 23 foster children so you know what kind of people they are. Dad told him that we would like to come back and tell them how they could be an eternal family. That really peaked his interest. We have an appointment with them on Monday. Missionary life can be interesting------has its ups and downs but very interesting.

I’ll being you up to date on our match-making. Sister Holzer sent an e-mail to Brother Roth, the member of the bishopric in the ward they were just transferred from, and told him what we wanted to do. She has met Petra and thinks she is just great, which she is, and Sister Holzer told that to this man and asked him if he would be interested in meeting Petra. He e-mail back and told Sister Holzer it sounded good to him and asked if she had a picture of Petra. Sister Holzer didn’t have a picture so she sent his e-mail to me and asked if I would send him some pictures of Petra. I sent six pictures, three of her baptism and three of our fun trip to Kissingen when she had her Jeans and Levi jacket on. Of course, I had to tell him more about her too. He e-mailed back and thanked me for the “cute” pictures and said “she is definitely looking awesome” and that it would be a pleasure for him to meet her. Then he asked how we proceed from here. He had included his phone number in the s-mail so I called him. We have met him a couple of times so we’re not complete strangers. He asked more questions about Petra, one being her phone number and because it was so late when he and I were talking, he asked if I would call her in the morning and have her call his house and leave a message telling when she would be getting home from work so he could call her. We had an appointment the next morning with Petra because she is working afternoons this week and when we told her all this she was really excited. She said, “The Heavenly Father loves me so much. He is answering my prayers. Today I start a new life.” Well, later that night he called her and they talked for an hour and a half and he is coming to Wurzburg tomorrow afternoon to meet her and to spend the afternoon together. She called just awhile ago and was still at work but was nearly done with her shift and anxious to get home because he is calling her again tonight. She is so excited and happy. Wouldn’t this be just great if things worked out for these two? It’s given us some fun variety to our work. Sister Holzer e-mails nearly every morning to ask what’s new. Today Brother Holzer needed some information from Dad and started his e-mail by apologizing that this e-mail wasn’t about Petra! It’s just fun.

Sunday we had Petra come and have lunch with us. This was before she knew anything about all this “cupid” stuff and she said she had really be discouraged lately. We could tell it at church. She just wasn’t her happy, friendly self. I had fixed that Italian chicken and she loved it. I had also made a fresh strawberry tort for dessert. (We had planned on having the Elders come over but they had another dinner invitation) Anyway, it was fun having Petra. She loved the food and said the Price restaurant was a 5 star restaurant! Thank you for the good recipe. After lunch she wanted to see some pictures of the family so we turned on the computer. Of course, we had to show pictures when we were all together and there were lots of people and she just couldn’t get over it. It was a fun afternoon. She knew we were going to see Stephanie later that day and asked us to bring Stephanie’s laundry back to her and Stephanie was grateful for that. She had on her last clean shirt and pair of jeans. Petra has a big heart.

I guess that’s it for this week. We just keep plugging along. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to look happy all the time. We are happy to be here sharing the gospel but sometimes I just don’t feel happy and I just want to be grouchy for a day. That doesn’t happen very often but every once in awhile. Especially when I haven’t been sleeping well, which for some reason I haven’t been. Tuesday night I took a sleeping pill and slept 10 hours. I hate how I feel for the next couple of days after I take those things but at least I caught up on my sleep. All in all, we’re doing well. We do a lot of walking. Petra lives about a mile away and when the weather is good, we walk to her place. The other morning we had an appointment to get the car serviced and the winter tires changed. That was the morning we were going to meet with Petra and it was raining but we each got an umbrella and walked up the hill to her place.

Know that we love all of you and appreciate what you are all doing. More each day do I appreciate the gospel and what it teaches us. I’m so thankful for it in my life. I just finished reading the Book of Mormon. Dad and I started reading it together the first of the year. We were reading a chapter a day and I couldn’t wait to move on so I just kept going. We still read a chapter a day but are just finishing Alma. How I love that book! “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” is certainly an appropriate addition to the title of the book.

Love you all tons,

Mom

From Dad 4/19

Hi to all the men in our lives,

Zach is truly on the countdown. Next month will be a great opportunity to set a new course in his life. Interestingly enough each of us in some way experiences the same challenges. What a great trip life is.

We have been working with a family where the mother has remained true and faithful for 30 years. Her two sons and husband struggle. The one son lives in England and has a good wife and 4 children and feels he has outgrown the gospel. I have been working on a letter. We hope to give it to his mom next week for her and her husband to read and if they want, to give it to their son. It has been an amazing trip through the scriptures. He is into science and feels one cannot be true to science and to God. All I know is as the pages (yes, it is long) have been added to the letter and looking at what we know from revelation about eternity, I see only harmony and support. It has also been interesting to get a better handle on what the Lord has done, is now doing, and will yet do and how we can become involved. What an awesome story seeing how our lives unfold. Faith is something we exercise that can grow into full spiritual knowledge where all doubts have melted and left our mind and our heart forever. The first stop will be for mom to read it. She is a great source to know exactly where you stand and almost without exception she is right on target. Don’t be afraid to take counsel from your better half.

When we met with the couple Monday where he has been a member for 43 years, mom bore her testimony and had me translate. The Spirit was so strong there was no way to doubt or question anything mom said. Sister Meyer (we call her that because she is in every way except still needing baptism) is very clear in her acceptance that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. This gives us a great foundation. We feel in time, the Lord’s time, she will be baptized. For now, we are only doing our part and leaving it up to her and the Lord to work out the details.

While mom was busy teaching the young military wife yesterday, my job was to keep busy and entertain a 2 and a 6 year old. They are good kids and it wasn’t hard at all. It was fun to look at turtles, fish, missing teeth, and doing tricks. Sometimes just knowing people are aware of how complicated your life is when your husband is gone for months at a time is what matters most.

Sister Frank who has been a member (currently less active and we are unsure for how long) for about 20 years told us before we left this week that she is an alcoholic. At present she is a recovering alcoholic. She admitted to herself two years ago she had a drinking problem and needed to tell others as well. At first she could not go to the grocery store and for a time asked her husband to take the house keys with him (No home in Germany can be entered without a key) because she didn’t trust herself and what she would do. Today temptations still come and rationalization comes suggesting how could “one little drink” do any harm. She is unsure whether God lives. This knowledge is only available through the Holy Ghost. We have access to this knowledge only when we are honestly seeking to keep all the commandments. Then we can know with no doubts lingering the truth, that God does live and yes, we will stand before Him one day to give an accounting of our lives, ready or not. Everyday it is important for me to remember this.

More each day mom and I realize we don’t do many things in life that are spectacular. It is all pretty much ordinary. There was a time when that was not enough for me. Today I am thankful each day we get from one end to the other doing ordinary things, keeping our eyes on the goal and not getting lost along the way. I am thankful no one is keeping score how many times I have had to get back on course gain. Life is a great trip. Being family is the best.

Have a great week.

Love always,

Dad and Grandpa

From Mom 4/19

Dear Family,

It was so good to be able to talk to so many of you when we called Brent for his birthday. We finally did get Brent. He was just going up the Malad pass. We had a nice visit with him. I’m always amazed at how clear the phone connection is. It’s the times when I know that you are all together that I really miss being there but at the same time we are so happy to know that you are getting together and enjoying being together. It sounds like Saturday was quite the busy day in Provo with all the football stuff, a birthday party and a Jazz game. I’m glad to see that the Jazz have redeemed themselves some since that Saturday game! Yes, I get NBA on the internet and am keeping up on important things.

I just beat Dad in a game of 3-13. We had to play a game before I started writing this letter because I was so frustrated and MAD when we got home from our visit to Stephanie. She is the young adult who has been in a mental hospital for quite awhile. She called this morning to see if we were coming and told Dad that she wanted him to give her a blessing. We had an appointment to meet with the other man who is in the same hospital. (He is a real nut case. I don’t think we’ll be seeing him again, thank goodness) We were late getting to see him because he was at a therapy session so that made us late seeing Stephanie and she was a little upset about that. But she wanted to go for a walk so we went for a walk. She told us that some missionary had given her a blessing and promised her that everything would be okay when she went to visit her parents and that she would have a pleasant time while she was with them. Well, that didn’t happen. She told Dad what she wanted his blessing to say and we had to tell her that that’s not how Priesthood blessings work. Those blessings are given as directed by the spirit and we don’t tell people just what they want to hear. She didn’t like that one bit. We told her that blessings are given to give us the strength we need to get through difficult situations and she argued with us that patriarchal blessings tell us exactly what we will do in our lives and that priesthood blessings should do the same thing. Then we talked about the fact that life is hard. There is a lot of wickedness in the world and a lot of bad things happen but that through faith and obedience we can get through these things. She didn’t want to hear that and said she didn’t want to talk about it anymore. So we walked along in silence for awhile then she said she didn’t want a blessing. Then there was more silence and she asked when new missionaries would be coming. We told her we didn’t know. I had left my bag in her room when we left for a walk and when we got back to the front door of the hospital I just mentioned that I would go up and get my bag and then we would leave. She said she would go get it and for us to stay there. We did and she did and when she got back she handed me my bag, didn’t say a word and turned and went back into the hospital. We have seen her once or twice a week for over two months. We have taken her fruit and candy and juice and have really tried to let her know that we care about her and for her to treat us this way because she didn’t get her own way just really ticked me off!!! Our bishop here advised us a few weeks ago to be careful and not let her start using us because that’s what she does with everyone. Now I understand what he meant. I feel so sorry for her. She is so afraid of everything and everybody, including her own parents. She doesn’t know how to receive love and she doesn’t trust anyone. I’m sure after today we’re off her list of people she could trust too. People in the ward are concerned about her but just don’t know how to help her because of the way she treats them. She expects everyone to give her just what she wants and that isn’t always possible. My heart aches for her but until she can trust people and accept life like it really is, she’s going to have a long struggle ahead of her.

Well, I got that all off my chest! Now for the rest of the week. We had an awesome Zone Conference on Tuesday. The whole theme of the conference was the Atonement. The talks were on that, the workshops were on how to properly teach the atonement and then to conclude our conference, President Rakow gave an absolutely wonderful talk. I think we all came away with a deeper appreciation for what our Heavenly Father and the Savior did by providing that for us. It’s something we really need to have a testimony of ourselves and then as we bare that testimony to others, the spirit can bare witness to the truthfulness of it. It was just a great conference. Some of the little perks of it were that the Elders could go without their coats when out working and that the sisters didn’t have to wear stockings or they could were knee high. With my white legs, I’m choosing the knee highs. We always have a nice meal and it’s just great being together with the other missionaries. There is one other couple in our zone and it is always fun to be with them and share experiences.

One thing that happens at zone conferences is the missionaries who are leaving before the next conference share their testimonies and the new missionaries are asked to bare their testimonies too. My heart went out to one of the new missionaries. He has bright red hair and looks like he is about 15. He started his testimony in German but then had to change to English to finish it and was embarrassed and very emotional. When he came down from the stand, he put his head in his hands and just cried. He has a wonderful trainer. His trainer was our Zone leader when we were in Munich and we were so impressed with him. I know exactly how this new Elder feels and I so hope that he won’t give up but that he will hang in there and do his best. Someone said that he is really having a hard time being in Germany and mentioned culture shock. I know all about that too. I talked to him for just a minute at the end of the meeting and told him I knew what he was feeling and encouraged him to keep trying and that he would make it. I hope we get a chance to see him again.

Our dear friend, Alina and her husband were in church Sunday. That’s the first time in a long time. A lot of people in the ward came up and talked to her and were so kind. She just seemed really happy. We have another appointment with them on Saturday. President Rakow mentioned to us in our last interview with him that bringing people back into activity in the church is every bit as important as bringing new converts into the church. Sometimes we as missionaries don’t feel like we’re doing our job if we’re not planning a baptism so what President Rakow told us is very comforting.

We had a first meeting with a friend of our bishop’s wife. Her husband is in Iraq. She came to church the first Sunday in March and we met her then. I asked her if she would like to learn about the church and she said she would but has been sick and has had sick kids most of the time since then. We were very happy when we got an e-mail from the bishop’s wife last week and she said this lady, Michelle, wanted to meet with us and gave us her phone number. She grew up attending the Baptist church but is very dissatisfied with her church right now and is looking around. She has been told by many people to stay away from the Mormons and don’t even talk to them. They are a cult and you don’t want to get involved with them. The fact that so many people were saying that to her made her very curious. She knows nearly all the LDS families who are on base and has nothing but good things to say about them. She loves how family oriented they are and how just plain nice they are. Her pediatrician is our bishop and she thinks he is just a great person----which he is. The dentist she takes her kids to is another member of the ward and she goes to aerobics with several sisters from the ward. The power of example is the best missionary tool there is. Things were a bit hectic when we got there. She had been gone most of the day and her kids had just gotten home from school and her two year old hadn’t had a nap and needed her so our visit was kind of between getting things for the kids to eat and changing a diaper and all those other things that go with kids but she is really interested to know about the church and asked us to come back next week while her two oldest children are in school and the little one is down for a nap. She was very curious about the Book of Mormon and very relieved when we told her yes, we use the Bible too. We told her very briefly where the Book of Mormon came from and she is looking forward to start reading it. She is from Nashville, TN and was fun to talk to. I couldn’t help but think of Kathy. They sound very much alike.

Things are really beautiful here now. It seems like just this past week the trees have all leaved out and they are beautiful. The almond trees have pink blossoms much like the cherry trees in Washington D.C. They are beautiful. Pansies are definitely the favorite spring flower and there are hundreds of them everywhere. The magnolia trees are losing there blossoms and the leaves are coming on. The countryside is beautiful with grain growing, canola crops a bright yellow and spud rows straight and beautiful. I often think how much Grandpa Risenmay would love the beauty of all those fields. He often said there is nothing more beautiful than growing crops.

Sister Holzer and I are playing cupid. Brother Holzer is on the high council and I was talking to him at zone conference and asked him if as he visited the different wards he would keep his eye out for a good single man who might be interested in meeting our beautiful Petra. Sister Holzer said she already knows someone. It is one of the counselors in the bishopric of the ward they were just working in. He is 45 and has never married and is getting a bit concerned about his eternal well being. We have met him and he is a very nice, very good looking man. The Holzers have met Petra and they think she would be a good catch for him. So----we’re having some fun with this and hope something will happen. They are going to talk to him and see if he would be interested and then we’ll do our part on this end. It’s nice to have variety in our work.

Thank for the letters. It’s always good to hear about what’s going on at home. It sounds like Boyd and LeAnn and family had a wonderful trip-----a dream vacation. How happy we are that they could do this. Sounds like things are moving along with the Hatch home and also Brent’s home. We’re all counting down the days with Zach. We’re so excited for him and are confident that he will be a great missionary. Camille has done a wonderful service for the community in putting on those plays. Sounds like they came out okay on the fund raising end too. Now if she can just survive! Nate and Cindy, we’re hoping with you that you get that home. It just sounds perfect and what a beautiful location. Brian and Kathy, I thought Idaho was the only place where it snowed on the lilacs. From what we hear, you’re really had the bad weather lately. We’re glad you’re okay. Know that we love all of you. You’re always in our prayers. We are so thankful that you’re our family!

Much love always,
Mom

From Dad 4/12

Dear priesthood holders,


I have been reading about King Noah in the Book of Mormon. It starts by saying he no longer wanted to follow the way he had been taught but wanted to follow his own way. He and all his cronies had a great time for many years. Then along came Abinadi. Nobody wanted him around. No one wanted to hear his message. King Noah immediately became angry and said get rid of him, he is crazy! Abinadi didn’t even flinch. He told him and his buddies they knew he was telling them the truth. He said, once he had finished spelling out for them how rotten their lifestyle had become and how painful life was about to be for them in the not too distant future if they still continued to ignore living they way they had been taught, it didn’t much matter then what they chose to do with him. What a powerful story. Every day of my life I struggle to keep the commandments. Fortunately some days the struggle is less difficult than others. It is when the hard days to do what is right come along that separates the men from the boys. Age has nothing to do with growing up. It is like the bi-polar guy mom mentioned about in her letter. He looked so out of place in the pictures he showed us. Most of the other people in the pictures were a whole generation or more, younger than he is. We can become “stuck” at a point in life in little (or even sometimes big) things that will never improve or grow until we take a hold of them. We need to clean out all the weeds choking it, water it, and then these little things instead of being weak and sickly can become a strong, healthy part of our lives. Today, I am trying to be more like Alma and less like King Noah. I know the choice is mine. It is a great life. I can’t change anything from the past. I hope I can change many things while it is still called today.

We loved this letter from Sam.

Hiyas! I hope you don't like it there cause we miss you tons (litraly).

4/8/07 we've just finished building a fort out of tumbleweeds in the ditch and it feels 10 degrees warmer under there!
Janie and I where guarding it when Daisy invaded and started eating our food suply(two boxes of cookies)!We desided to put them in a safe(the ditch pipe with a cover)until it was safe to go inside the house.After a nice toast and jam sandwitch I went out to help build a dam on the dirt pile for the water that Henry was spraying at us(he had a hose).After a good mud fight(as it turned out)Henry and I took a bath and started talking about girls:how to make friends with them and how to make them like you.My favorite was to be cool.Today,in my class I accidentally
cut the cheese.At first everone laughed,then they frowned and pluged there noses till the window was open.

Now, enough about me so please write back.



Have a great week.

Love always,

Dad and Grandpa

From Mom 4/6

Dear Family,

Sorry I didn’t get a letter written yesterday. When we went to visit Sister Gunter on Wednesday, (she’s the one who had been in the hospital) she asked us if we would like to go for a walk with her on our P-day. We told her we would and that we would be at her house at 11 o’clock to meet her. We hurried and got our leaning and washing done and then left. When this woman says she want to go for a walk, she wants to go for a LONG walk! We walked for about 5 hours. We went downtown Wurzburg to where the river goes through town and walked along the river. There are beautiful flower beds, lots of trees, ducks and swans in the river as well as the big long kayaks like they have in races in the Olympics and of course the big barges that are constantly going up and down the river. It was very peaceful and calm, away from the traffic and noise of the city. Then we walked into the city and went into a few stores and other places. One of the things that was very interesting was a display in the Rauthause, which is a building comparable to a courthouse at home, of what Wurzburg looked like at during the 2nd World War. It was one of the most heavily hit cities in Germany and was almost completely destroyed. An interesting thing about it is that right in the middle of the city where all the buildings were destroyed, a beautiful church was left untouched. It still stands and is a focal point of the city. When people give directions for downtown they say, “Do you know where the old red church is?” And then they give directions from there. One of the members of the ward here told us that after the war the United States wanted to just come in and finish tearing down everything that was left and start all over building the city but the German people wanted to clear out the rubbish and re-build from what was left. The walls of most of the buildings were still standing but that was about it---no roofs or windows. Anyway, that’s what they did. They rebuilt the city. The only problem was that at that time there weren’t a lot of cars and they left the streets just like they were which were very narrow. To drive in town is a nightmare. Whenever we have to go there, we park outside of the downtown area and walk in. But it is a beautiful city and if you can stand the crowds for awhile, it’s fun to be there. Most of the restaurants are just small so the tables are outside and people sit at those tables almost year around. I guess it’s just something they are accustomed to doing. All in all we figured we walked at least 8 miles yesterday. We had an appointment last night and we were both more or less just shuffling along. I thought we would really be feeling the pain this morning but are happily surprised that we’re doing okay. I guess we have walked enough that we’re getting used to it. We just have never walked that far before. But it was a very enjoyable day. The sun was shining and it was warm but not too warm and the scenery was beautiful. I think Sister Gunter enjoyed it too. She commented several times how nice it was to have someone with her while she was walking. I think I told you that her husband works in Stuttgart during the week and is just home on weekends so she is alone a lot. She seems to be doing much better. Her doctor told her to not go back to work until the 13th of April and it seems like the rest has been good for her.

It is Easter holiday time here in Germany and is a big event. We’ve had a hard time seeing people because school is out and they are either going out of town or have people coming to see them. It seems strange to us when people say to us that they are going to Rome or to the Netherlands or to Paris. That has always seemed so far away but it isn’t that far from here. Today is Good Friday and everything is shut down. Stores will be closed today then open tomorrow but closed Sunday and Monday. Everything is always closed on Sunday, with the exception of a few gas stations, and that makes it very peaceful. School is out for two weeks for spring break so, as I said, missionary work is very slow.

I have to tell you something Petra told us when we met with her Tuesday. She said at work one of the people she works with was talking about the big Easter celebration they were getting ready for in their church, (Catholic) and she asked Petra why her new church didn’t have a big celebration for Easter. Petra’s answer to her was, “it’s because we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection every week as we partake of the Sacrament.” I think that’s really something coming from a new convert. I made a comment on how impressed I was that she understood the scriptures and teaching of the gospel so well in such a short time and her response was, “Sister Price, I have the Holy Ghost with me who teaches me. Why shouldn’t I understand them?” You can learn a lot from other people. She didn’t come to conference on Sunday because she thought it was all in English. It was broadcast in our building in both languages and we just assumed she knew that but she didn’t. But she is looking forward to her next Liahona so she can read it.

Last Friday night the young single adults had a bowling party. There were 13 young people there and us two not so young people. The bishop has called a young single adult committee and they did all the planning and inviting. We were so happy to see so many there. There were 2 non-members. I was so impressed how these young people handled things. They had us all meet at the church at 7 o’clock. We went into the chapel and had prayer and a spiritual thought together then got into the cars and drove to the bowling alley. We had three lanes and after the first line, our leader switched everyone around so we had the opportunity to get acquainted with everyone. When we left, we gathered together in the parking lot outside the bowling alley and she announced our next activity for the end of this month, an all you can eat Pizza party, and then we had prayer together before we left to go home. It was a great evening---lots of fun a fellowshipping which is the purpose of these activities.

We enjoyed General Conference so much. What a lift it gives us. We were able to see the Young Women’s broadcast, the Saturday morning, and priesthood session and the Sunday morning session at the church. We came home Saturday night and I watched the Saturday afternoon session on the internet from 10 until midnight. We tried to do the same thing Sunday night for the Sunday afternoon session but I couldn’t stay awake. I too look forward to reading them when the May Ensign comes out. I was so impressed with what we were taught and especially impressed that President Hinckley was able to take such an active part in conference. I loved his testimony which he began with, “But these things I do know” and then testified of those basic, so important teaching of the gospel. How fortunate we are to have such wonderful leaders. It’s also very humbling to be a missionary and hear the prayers for missionaries that are offered by the general authorities. If we don’t succeed it is only because we aren’t doing our part with all the prayers that are offered in behalf of the missionaries.

Speaking of missionaries, our friends, Doyle and Karen (Rumsey) Judy e-mailed us to tell us that they have received their mission call to the Rochester New York Palmyra mission. Karen will work in the mission office and Doyle will be working with Physical Facilities of church owned properties. Karen said that they even put on their papers that Doyle new German and would enjoy coming here but the Lord has something different for them to do.

You’ll laugh when I tell you this because we meet with so many people that have emotional problems. Last night we were at the hospital visiting Stephanie, our young FHE friend. We have been trying to go see her a couple of times a week. She wants Dad to teach a lesson to her about every other time we go so he does that. The other times we usually just walk around the grounds and talk. We have also taught her how to play 3 to 13 and she loves that game so we just put the Rook cards in our bag every time we go. Anyway, last night we were going down the stairs to go outside and a man stopped Dad and pointed to his missionary badge and asked if he would come to his room before we left for the night. Dad told him he would and when he went to see him this man told Dad that he had a Book of Mormon and has read it two times and wants us to come and teach him about the church. We laughed when we got outside thinking of how many people we teach who are in mental hospitals! Anyway, we got permission from our district leader to teach him there and have an appointment next Tuesday at 7:30. He seemed like such a nice man when he was talking to Dad and I though he must be someone who works there. Guess we’ll find out more about him next week.

That’s about it for now. Thank you again for all the letters. I know it’s hard finding the time to write but they do mean so much to us. We love all of you so much and think of you and pray for you every day. We’ll be looking forward to hearing about how your Easter was. I’m inviting you now to spend Easter with us next year.

Love you lots.
Mom

From Dad 3/30

Good morning everyone,

We love letters from home. Being connected to family means everything to us. We love hearing about your busy lives and the challenges you face. What a good feeling it is to see the first one from the younger generation be in a temple and there receive those wonderful blessings and make new and important covenants giving strength to face all that life places before us.

Facing all that life places before us is a blessing and a challenge. Our agency will always be respected. We can progress or begin to move away from our Father in Heaven. We were with the Masch family earlier this week which has two return missionary sons and a father, who has not yet joined the Church. The oldest son is being led away from his covenants with the Lord feeling he cannot accept both religion and science. The cunning of the devil is full of power and also full of lies. Science is a wonderful blessing and brings so much that is good into our lives. The built in danger from accomplishments through science is one of pride and a sense of accomplishment excluding the role played by our Father in Heaven. Our Father in Heaven instructs us in the 59th section of the D & C there are two things that offend Him. These are when we choose not to keep His commandments, and when we fail to recognize and give Him thanks for all of the good things He brings into our lives. Christ taught us He came to serve not to be served. Too often we look for praise when we do something that is good rather than to express to our Father in Heaven our thanks for showing us how good things are done. Our Father in Heaven’s desire is not to be served but to help us learn that we can be trusted with His great power through exercising our priesthood. Once it is clear for all of His children and we each know who of us are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to earn His trust, then He desires is to give to us or share with us all that He has. He wants us to become His eternal partners and together work to bless the lives of others.

Mom describes brother Vollrath as a gentleman in everyway. He has had young elders come to see him from time to time over the years. But since their calling focuses on teaching investigators, little of the gospel has been taught to him in the 14 years he has been a member of the Church. When we were together on Tuesday we were going to start by asking how he felt about our Father in Heaven and how much he understood about Him. After the opening prayer and as we set our books open he said, “Can we begin with the homework assignment you gave me?” We had forgotten to write down the assignment we had given him in Alma, chapter 32. He said, “Who is Alma?” Then he wanted to know about the time when the prophets in the Book of Mormon lived. We talked about Lehi and Nephi leaving Jerusalem and taking the brass plates with them. He asked, “How far back in time does the record on the brass plates go?” We told him it began with our first parents, Adam and Eve and that much of what we read in the Book of Mormon is quoted from that record. He wanted to know how the Book of Mormon was translated and how we came to receive it. He wants to absorb everything. It was all so new to him. He was like a new investigator and we will teach him in almost the same way. We spent 45 minutes with him yesterday getting his Windows 98 up to speed on his computer so he can listen to conference today and tomorrow. This has been a very rewarding and fun experience for us. Yesterday when two appointments called and canceled it helped us make it through the day.

Bowling with 13 young adults last night was a lot of fun and a great diversion for us. Mom, of course, was one of the top scorers on the two lines we bowled. I cleared 100 both times so I was happy. Some who hardly have ever bowled came up with one or two strikes. It was really fun to see and feel the excitement in the air. It was good to do things together where the emphasis was on just having fun. We are a lot closer to these young people this morning. We hope to have and they seem prepared to plan and carry out a fun Friday night activity once a month. Life is good.

Have a great weekend. We look forward to having our motors charged with conference the next two days.

Love always,

Dad

From Mom 3/29

Dear Family,
Its 9:30 P M and we just got in. This is supposed to be our P-day but everyone we talked to earlier in the week wanted to meet on Thursday so that’s what we did. We took part of yesterday to do our washing and a few other things. We also went for a long walk above the grape vineyards that are on the hill that goes up from the city. We walked for about an hour and it was beautiful and peaceful. The weather was warm and it was very relaxing. We’ve had a good week----a very busy week but a good week.

Thomas’ baptism on Saturday was a wonderful experience. He is so happy. There were 83 people there. His parents and sister and some aunts were there. I think this has been very hard for his mother but she was there and tried to look happy for Thomas. I was trying to think how I would feel if one of you were baptized into another church. I’m sure it was hard for her. They are such nice people and have invited Dad and I over sometime after Easter to talk to them about the church. Thomas had a lot of friends from school there too and he told us Monday night that one of the girls that came has been asking him a lot of questions about the church. He told her the missionaries would be glad to meet with her so she is going to talk to her parents. He’s going to be a great missionary and a great influence for good on a lot of people. Everyone brought food so we had a real feast after the baptism. I think Sunday is the only day we go into the church without carrying food!! We always have treats for FHE and it seems like there is always something going on in the ward that we sign up to bring food for.

Wednesday night was the Relief Society anniversary party and I was asked to bring brownies. Those zucchini brownies are a hit!! I’ve given out the recipe to several people. The RS party was very nice but a bit difficult for me. All the people my age speak German so I sat at the table with the American women who are busy talking about their sick babies and their aerobics classes and all sorts of thing young mothers talk about. I guess I was having a bit of a “pity party” because I sure felt alone in a room full of people. But the food was great and the spirit of the occasion was great too. I was just thinking of how nice it would have been to be sitting and visiting with family and friends. For some reason, I’ve been really homesick this week. I’ve been thinking about Zach a lot-----going through the temple and getting things ready to go. That gets me thinking about Chris and how happy she is about her oldest son going on a mission while at the same time feeling the tugging in her heart. And I think about Brent and the possibility of Rex going to Oregon with Erika and that about does me in. Then I get to thinking about everyone else and how busy you all are and how yucky Cindy is feeling right now and how much I wish I could be home to help out a little bit. But I just keep all of you in my prayers and hope you know how much we love you and miss you. I know this is where we are supposed to be right now and I know that we are being blessed and feel that you are being blessed by our being here. I think I’m just having one of those bad weeks emotionally that us women are famous for.

I think I told you about the woman we went to see in the hospital after her sister called us at 5:30 last Thursday morning. Friday morning her husband called and said we don’t have to take care of his wife, that he could take care of her himself. He said it in kind of a mean way and I felt my blood immediately boil. I told him we knew he could take care of her and the last thing we wanted him to think was that we didn’t think he would take care of her and that if he felt like that, we were sorry. Then I told him the only reason we went to the hospital was because we had told her sister that we would go visit her and find out what was going on. He backed down then and even told us thank you for going to the hospital to see her. Later that night he called and told us he had brought her home from the hospital and that she was going to take some time off from work to rest and would be seeing a doctor here in Wurzburg. Then about 5 minutes later, the phone rang again and it was him calling to invite us to come and have lunch with them on Saturday. We had a wonderful time together. Brother Gunter leaves early on Monday morning to go back to Stuttgart where he works all week so we asked his wife if she would like us to come and visit her so she wouldn’t be alone all week. She said she would like that so we went over Tuesday and again today. It’s hard to believe that 6 weeks ago she told us she didn’t want us to come back and didn’t want anything to do with anyone from the church. Today she told us how all alone she felt while she was in the hospital. She and her husband had decided that they didn’t need anyone else in their lives and had pretty much cut themselves off from everybody but while she was there, she realized that she had been wrong. She did need other people and she needed the gospel in her life. She thanked us over and over for coming to see her at the hospital and so appreciates our visits with her at her home. She is a wonderful person with a generous heart. That is part of her problem. She takes care of everyone else before she takes care of herself. She is from Peru and her family there is very poor. She says every time she sits down to a nice meal, she thinks of her brother and five children in Peru that hardly ever have enough to eat. Her sister that lives in Salt Lake refuses to learn English and doesn’t have a job and her husband bounces from job to job and doesn’t provide well for the family so Sister Gunter sends all her paycheck to her family is Peru and in Salt Lake. I think that’s starting to get to her. She said when we were there Saturday that she would like to go to town and buy something for her but she never has the money to do it. She has a lot of thing to sort out. I think they have been building inside of her for a long time.

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago the 74 year old man we have started meeting with. He is the one who was married for 35 years and then divorced his wife. He is really a nice man and loves studying the gospel. We went to his place Monday and he asked us to come back tomorrow. It has been such a long time since he had much to do with the church but I think he still has good feelings toward the church. He is fascinated with the Book of Mormon and is reading in it and had lots of questions when we were there. Dad does a great job answering his questions. He just acts like he can’t get enough of it right now. We’re looking forward to our visit. He is very active. He rides a bike and plays tennis. He has had a bad infection in his leg and hasn’t been able to play tennis yet this spring and his tennis playing buddies are always calling and asking him when he’s going to come and start playing. He is just a delightful person to be around.

Remember the couple who got in a big fight when it came time to setting another appointment with us? I told Dad I NEVER wanted to go there again but he didn’t listen to me. We went a couple of weeks ago and got the “cold as ice” treatment from the wife. Then I’ll be darned if Dad didn’t call and make another appointment!!! I wasn’t very happy with him. But we went today. The wife was not at home and when we walked into the living room, there was his Bible, a notebook and pencil and a Book of Mormon on the table. We talked about living with God before we came to the earth, about the importance of families and how the gospel helps families, about the need for prophets, about Christ establishing a church when He lived on the earth and about the apostasy. He wrote down every scripture we looked up and was so interested. He asked when we were going to talk about the Book of Mormon and Dad told him, next time we come. He got right up and went to his calendar and set another time for us. It was an awesome experience and there was such a good spirit there. I guess it’s best never to try to outguess how people will react to hearing the gospel. He is such a nice man and seems to really want to learn about the church.

The Holzers, the other couple missionary that have been in our district were transferred to Nurnburg to run the Outreach Center there. I feel so bad that they won’t be in our district anymore. They have become such good friends. But we will see them at Zone conferences and probably when we go for interviews with our mission president so it won’t be like we’ll never see them again but we’ll sure miss them at our district meetings. What wonderful people we have met and great friendships we have made while being here. That is one of the greatest blessings of serving a mission.

Guess that’s it for this week. Life is busy and time marches on and that’s just fine with me. We’re looking forward to seeing conference this week-end. It will be shown at the church in both German and in English and we can also get it on the computer at BYUTV. It’s always such a boost to hear our wonderful leaders.

Know that you are loved, thought of and prayed for many times each week. Thank you for being such a great family.

Much love,
Mom