A little bit of this....and that.....

Today is July 30, 2015.......our 13 month mark.  When we look back to this time last year, it is amazing how far we've come and how much we've changed.  We are pretty comfortable now with this new way of life.  BUT......we are glad it is temporary and we look forward to HOME next June.  Until then we will keep on keepin' on!

For now, this is home.  That's Keith up there in our garden.  See those two planters on either side of him?  That's the garden this year.

And this is to show you how cosmopolitan our building is!  I'm guessing there are at least 12 to 15 nationalities represented here.  

These darling cards came in Tuesday's mail from Kennedi.  She is such a sweetheart!

She saw the idea on Pinterest and had to make them for us.  So cute!  The pictures on the right are our grandkids holding words that say, "We love our Grandpa".  We are so lucky!  And so blessed in that our families are doing so well without us!  The Lord is truly blessing us.

Earlier in the month we went to a festival in Budengan.  About 5  senior missionary couples went.  We had dinner, some ice cream and saw some lovely old buildings.  The castle was closed.....strange!

 On a FHE, we went with the Hanks to see Jurassic World at the Metropolis in Frankfurt.  First movie we have seen in a long time.  You have to look at the ads to find OV.....original version to make sure it is in English.  We had a good time....and hamburgers across the street from the theater .

Then on the 18th, we and  about 15 senior missionary couples rode the train into Frankfurt to have dinner at The Chicago Meat Packers' Restaurant.  It rained like crazy while we were on the train, but by the time we got to Franfurt, it had stopped and we sat outside on the patio.  Elder Smith found a place to "freshen up".  It was hot and oh so humid.....I felt like I had been rained on.  We had a wonderful meal......the most American I've had here......California chicken with sweet potato fries!

Then we walked down the street to The English Theatre to see the production of Alice in Wonderland.

We really had no idea about the play, but when the producer announced that "one of the Alices had broken her leg, so they would be performing with just 7 Alices instead of 8", we got the idea this wasn't going to be what we were expecting......and it wasn't!  It was WEIRD !  It was dark, not suggestive, but not the Disney-type I was hoping for!  I was afraid I would have nightmares about the Mad Hatter.....he was that creepy!  It was quite the theatre-going experience.....but at least we can say we saw a live play in Frankfurt !

After Tuesday's temple night, we walked down the street to a great Italian restaurant.  Sister Ezard, at the other end of our table, is a single sister from London.  She is going home in two weeks.  I really admire her.  She felt it was time to serve a mission, quit a great job, has been serving in the Area Presidency's office for 18 months.....and is going job hunting as soon as she gets home.  

I was helping set up the Conference Room for a meeting the other day and had to find some plates in the lunchroom area.....and found this mug!  Who knows how it got here, but it sure gave us a little taste of home!  Well, home the way it used to be!

Time to close, so we send our love and continuous prayers for you to stay healthy and happy and true to the gospel of Jesus Christ.    Love to all!!  Elder and Sister Saunders