Saturday, December 27, 2008

Fröhliche Weihnachten

Here we are in Rüdesheim for the Weihnachtsmarkt. There were so many fun Christmas scenes and decorations in this little town by the Rhein river. It was so cold that day, we had to keep buying warm things to eat. (Waffels, hot chocolate, & warm pastries). This was an enchanting place with all kinds of portable wood shops spread out in the city.
There was a little train that went
around on the track that children
could ride on. The cottages were all
decorated with lights and greenery.
The manger scene below was life size. Most of the little towns have their own weihnachtsmarkts. This one was a pretty good sized one. They get so crowded at night you can't even see all the displays. The German people love to come and eat and drink their glüwein. It is quite the tradition here. They have two Christmas days. One on the 25th and one on the 26th. We were invited out to dinner on three evenings. The members of our ward have very little but are so willing to share and feed the missionaries. Some of them feed missionaries for 3 or 4 different nights. Christmas morning we opened our presents and enjoyed the day, especially talking to our kids. We have
much to be thankful for. It is hard being away from family at Christmastime but we also feel our
Heavenly Father needs us here in Germany at this time. We feel of His spirit and see the gospel being shared with many here and touching many lives. We are excited for the new year and the changes for good that it will bring.

6 comments:

Angi said...

It was so great to talk to you on Christmas! We miss you and love you so very much. Thank you for all you do and for being such a good example to all of us.

The Cannonballs said...

It was great to hear from you this week. Germany looks festive and just like all the condos in Midway. We miss you!

The Cannonballs said...

WOW!!!

Chad said...

Happy New Year! We hope you are keeping warm and eating lots of delicious chocolate. Your service and sacrifice are such a great gift to our Savior. We hope that you feel our love and prayers for you every day.

RIck and Ella-Rene said...

DO you have matching Santa suits? or are they fancy chair covers?...

Isn't it a great way to make you appreiate family, to be away from them at the holidays.

We love you, I will think of you as I am enjoying a Peking Opera tonight...

Goaslind Gang said...

We are a little slow getting back to real life after theholidays. It was so good to talk to you on Christmas and hear you talk to rich on his birthday. We miss you terribly but know you are doing what you are meant to do. Love you!!