Author: Ann Laemmlen Lewis

WORKFORCE DEVOTIONAL
Elder D. Todd Christoffersen of the Twelve Apostles, Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, and Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Quorum of the Seventy were welcomed to Phoenix Haus March 27 and 28th as part of the Annual Area Review. Employees and Missionaries throughout the Central Europe Area were privileged to hear from them in a devotional Wednesday
afternoon.

Bishop Wadell spoke of alignment of the Keys of the Priesthood. Direction, the “What” that needs to occur is the responsibility of the key holder. As missionaries, we have the responsibility of being part of the “How” things get accomplished. Bishop Wadell explained that Lehi had the Prophetic Keys, “What” needed to happen. Nephi, following the prophet’s instruction to obtain the Brass Plates, figured out the “how.” In Preach My Gospel, we learn that spiritual power is available to fulfill our calling by “Seeking the
Holy Ghost.” He illustrated the principle with a story about Sister Budge feeling over whelmed by her calling and crying out to the Lord, “I can’t do this.” Personal revelation came to her in two parts: 1. “You are right, you can’t do this;” 2. “But we can.”

Elder Nielson spoke of the Tsunami in the Philippines where 204 missionaries were missing. However, they were rescued when many individuals united in a successful search. He recounted the worldwide pandemic where 31,000 missionaries worldwide needed to be
evacuated. The Missionary Department was overwhelmed until Church employees from other departments came together. He quoted Jacob 5:16 “The Lord of the vineyard, and also the servant, went down into the vineyard to labor.” In verse seventy, “bring others” was a principle for success.

My favorite part of this chapter is in vs. 75, where Jesus, or the Lord of the Vineyard, reminds us that, “blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, . . . ye shall have joy with me. . .”

He is with us, always.

Elder Christofferson recounted the first time he was part of the succession of Church Presidents. He said there were two questions for the Quorum of the Twelve, as they met in the Salt Lake Temple: 1.) Should the First Presidency be reorganized? And 2.) Who should be the President?  Elder Christofferson said it was with a “rush of power” he received profound revelation that “it is my will in this moment” as he sustained the President Russell M. Nelson as the new President, and the reorganization of the First Presidency. Elder Christofferson spoke about intentional holiness. He invited us to consider “Holiness to The Lord” in all things, even the most mundane work of the day. He said, “even in tribulation we can find
joy.” Elder Christofferson spoke of the importance of a reliance on the Savior, beyond our abilities, “The Lord delights to honor those who honor Him.” He added, “we should adopt His Character as our own.”  Elder Christofferson dedicated the Phoenix Haus, after his remarks.

This last month, in preparation for this visit, John and I have worked hard to help prepare a booklet about the Phoenix Haus for these visitors and their preparations for today’s dedication of the building.  You can access it on the link above.

After church today we were invited to have dinner with our friends, Nora and Hans Gehrig in Münster, about a 30 min drive from Offenbach.  We had a Delightful afternoon with them, enjoying a traditional German meal of Sauerkraut, Schinken and mashed potatoes.  Hans made a delicious cheesecake for dessert.

It was so fun to be in a home with friends and to enjoy the beginnings of Spring there.  Nora’s decorations were so fun.

Decorated Easter Trees:

I just love being here and being with friends.  I love it SO MUCH.

This is a Frankfurt Crown Cake, famous here.  You can see how they are made and find a recipe here.

Another Saturday, another day to go exploring.  Many museums are free on the last Saturday of the month.  Today we decided to go into town to visit the Historical Museum here in Frankfurt.

We stopped for a Brat along our way, and then John found a nice pastry shop.

The museum is right by Dom Römer.  Lots of people were out and about today, eager for spring weather to visit us.

Here’s a view of the museum from the other side of the river:

We spent several hours in the museum, trying to make sense of it.  It was an eclectic place, with different floors and levels and exhibits.  They weren’t in any particular order (that we could make out).  It was hard to feel like we were really learning much about Frankfurt’s history.  We just wandered and read about things and odd collections of things.  The signage wasn’t great for English explanations.

I took just a few pics of the things that were interesting to me, like these words from people who knew Anne Frank:

It wasn’t easy to tell, but it seemed that many of the exhibits were collections that belonged to people who had lived in Frankfurt.  For example the gallery below (there were no artists listed).

My favorite things in the museum included the maps and these reproductions of Frankfurt after the bombing.

I also found this exhibit very interesting.  It was a collection of every day things, grouped in interesting boxes, or as the artist calls it, “An Archive of Contemporary History.”

More old maps.  I like to get my bearings.

More odds and ends from Frankfurt’s history:

This diorama up on the top floor was fantastic–this is Frankfurt and surrounding neighborhoods and it’s made out of everyday items.

And I LOVED seeing this display about the Stopersteine, or stumbling blocks.  I look for these blocks everywhere I go.  You can read more about them here.

Here’s a piece of an old harbor wall from a long time ago (1300s??).

In the pictures below you can see the very old toll booth (built 1454-56) that’s incorporated into the Frankfurt Historische Museum here on the Main River. In the tower we learned about the area’s port and trade, floods, and toll and tax payments. The pictures below give you an idea of what it was like in the olden days.

Inside the tower today:

This letter was sent out to all the missionaries today.  Our lives are about to change.

Sis Enger always provides a great learning experience for us.  This week we learned about weights and measures (liquid and dry).  The last few weeks we’ve been practicing numbers.  Sis Enger is patient and kind as we learn.

This is a small world.  Sis Arlene Barrett went to Ghana last week to attend a temple sealing of a dear friend.  She and her husband served there before coming here, so Arlene knows Bernice, my very dear friend.  She brought some of Bernice’s aprons back for ladies here who wanted them.  What a small small world.  I sent the pic below back to Bernice with our love.