Every time we see these young missionaries, we've noticed that THEY GLOW! Last week in conversation with Sister Sant, who arrived just a couple of weeks after we did, I mentioned my observation and she was surprised to hear it. It is true! I imagine that it is because they are totally immersed in the Spiritual, focusing on serving, helping, and loving others instead of themselves.
I'm one of them!
Here at the Frankfurt 2nd Ward Picnic with Sister Sant from Virginia, Sister Kemlage (pronounced Kemledge in the USA and Kem-lagga in Germany) from California, and Sister Janice Purdy from Lexington, Kentucky.
Elders Arneson from American Fork and Ruchauer from Germany, are both very musical!
E. Arneson, a former student of David Dalton's, brought his viola and plays it often for meetings. E. Ruchauer is a cellist but only brought his ocarina.
Getting ready for a mission was a lot of work! Just filling out the paperwork was very time consuming, but getting the finances and unfinished business of life in order was like pulling teeth! If we had waited until everything was in order at home, we still wouldn't be out on our mission! Some things just had to be left undone and other things had to be left to family members to take care of. I gained a whole new appreciation of senior missionaries because I now see what a huge effort it is to prepare for a mission! It takes a HUGE amount of faith to step out into the unknown, no matter your age!!!
Once we were oriented and introduced to our assignment, it didn't take us long to realize that it is right for us to be here in the Europe Area Office rather than in England, as was our original calling. Yes, it was very disappointing at first because for over a year, we had planned on going to England. Because of the Welfare Office staff having just being reorganized, we were needed here, especially with Ken's particular set of skills.
As we've heard from others, we came here expecting to serve, but instead, we have been the ones served. The other couples made it such an easy landing (into missionary life), we appreciated it immensely! We were given a basket of useful items upon arrival; we had frequent invitations for dinner in others apartments. We often found treats/chocolate outside of our front door or on our desks. We were accompanied for our first visit to the grocery store, the bank and the train. Most of us share a car, so are accompanied as we learn our way around the area.
Rather than being involved with the local people, our "family" are the other missionary couples, each one so amazing! Many of them have been on several missions, some have been mission presidents or in temple presidencies. There is a spiritual depth in them that makes our associations so uplifting!
The 20-25 couples (with two single sisters) are divided into offices in two locations, depending on their assignment. Welfare (LDS Family Services...us, humanitarian, perpetual education, self reliance), YSA, Seminary & Institute, legal counsel, medical, IT, personal secretary and executive secretary to the Area President, Infield Representative for Missionary Dept, Public relations (probably missed some) are all in our building in Frankfurt along with a multitude of Church employees. Among those who work in the office building in Friedrichsburg include Family History and finance. Completing their group are the Temple Missionaries. And the translation department in another building. The couple who live across the hall from us work in the Frankfurt Mission office as do 2 other couples.
Even though most of the employees speak German as do many of the senior missionaries who had served missions here when younger, English is the language we work with in the office, particularly because of the close association with SLC. Actually some of the employees are from Utah living here as expatriates, because they were asked to come here for their jobs.
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