Berlin and Schwarzenberg

On Thursday the 13th we drove all the way to Berlin with the Worli's for a special mission conference with Elder Richards of the 70.  He told how his Great Great Grandfather had baptized Karl G Maeser in Germany in about 1850.  Maeser was instrumental in starting BYU University.

Elder Richards also made us aware that we are witnessing historic times.  He quoted D & C 88:73 "Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." and said with the announcement of the age change for missionaries we are witnessing the 'hastening.'  He said the mission applications have changed from 700/week to 1000/day. Also the focus is much more now on retention.

It was a great conference but a very long day.  3 1/2 hour drive then a 4 hour meeting, lunch (at 2 p.m.) and a return journey of 3 1/2 hours.  I was glad we were able to sleep in the next day.

Before we came the Worli's had made plans with the mission couples from Dresden and Leipzig to visit the Christmas Market in Schwarzenberg.  We had been to Schwarzenberg on our last mission and really liked the small historic city.  The Ebish family also live there, the ones we went to Prague with at the end of our last mission.  The Christmas Market was charming in the historic castle courtyard area on narrow snow covered cobblestone streets.  After the market we ate in a local restaurant having typical Erzgeberger cuisine which often is potato dumplings, red cabbage, and rouladen.

Elder & Sister Margetts from Dresden, us, the Thurgoods from Leizig and Sister Worli.  Elder Margetts served in Switzerland when Dave was there in about 1964.

Scenery from the drive.  Lots of snow.

Dave with the Worli's who leave for home on Monday.

A little unfocused but this is the castle.

The bandstand was near the tree with continuous music.

Every Market in this are had a Christmas Pyramid.  This one was very elaborate.

Another example of Schiefbogens.  The big one is permanently mounted on this building.