New missionaries and Ronneburg castle....May 23, 2015

We feel like "old timers"......and it's a good feeling !  A new missionary couple arrived on Tuesday; and because they will be living in our old apartment, the Zone Leaders asked us to show them around.  With so many couples coming and going right now, there isn't an apartment available in the building by the mission office.  They will be working in the technology department and will have to commute from Koppern to Frankfurt.  They are Elder and Sister Casalena from Baggs, Wyoming.  We showed them the "unique" things about the apartment......the tiny kitchen with the teeny refrigerator, the teeny-tiny shower, where to find the washer and dryer, etc.  We drove them around Friedrichsdorf, showed them the Temple, and we took them shopping for a few necessities they will need settling in.  We took them to a German restaurant and met two other couples we had invited to join us.  It was a lot of fun getting acquainted with them.....and we discovered what a small world it really is.  Sister Casalena was born in Salem, Utah.....and so was Elder Hanks.  They went to school together!  She said her grandfather was Dr. Curtis in Payson for many years.....he delivered me and my sister Kathryn, (and Elder Hanks, too!) took my tonsils out, and operated on my Dad and literally saved his life.  And.....my Grandma Pickering was his nurse!  We realized we had met at Salem Pond 2 or 3 years ago while watching our grandkids play in the water.  It really is a small world.

It was fun driving them around and remembering our feelings when we first got here.....we aren't greenies any more!  I felt so grown up!

We heard about a Midevil Festival in a town about an hour away, and we invited the Casalenas to go with us on Saturday.  

It was a nice drive up through the forest, and the weather was cloudy but pleasant.  

The Ronneburg castle dates back to the 13th century.  It is in great sharp and was interesting to tour.

Lots of people really get into the festivities.........we did, too.

Here's my knight in shining armor!

And now here I am.......I'm sure you are thinking, "she sure has gone to pot!"  Couldn't resist!

The booths were interesting, but I didn't buy any swords or bows and arrows ......too many questions at customs!  We ate crepes.....pizza crepes are delicious!  We saw a fencing demonstration and the main event was the jousting tournament.   The horses were beautiful....the acting was hilarious!

The merry-go-round made me a little homesick.  I could picture my grandkids having a great time......well, some of them!

It really was a fun day.  We got back and went grocery shopping because Monday is a holiday here and everything will be closed.  Then a 4 day work week.  

We are coming up on 11 months.....with hump day coming the middle of June.  We can honestly say we are glad to be here.  Missions are about stretching and growing and we certainly are doing that.

The young missionaries have had a program going encouraging all the ward members to share the gospel in many different ways.  This month's assignment is to use social media to spread the word.

So.....we are happy to be serving a mission for the Kirke Jesus Kristi der Hilegen der Litzentag.  We love Jesus Christ and feel so blessed to have had his gospel influence our lives.  Jesus Christ is at the head of our church.  He is the Son of God and our Redeemer.  He guides his church through modern day prophets and we sustain Thomas S. Monson as the prophet of the church.  We know our lives have been blessed by trying to keep the commandments and following our leaders.  We want our family to be together throughout all eternity, and pray constantly for His influence in our lives.  

We think of you always and pray daily that your lives will be blessed and protected.  

Love to all.......Elder and Sister Saunders