Christmas Party

the Weinachtsmann (Elder Worli) and Helene

The young women, and Sister Kube

Pres. and Sister Merkel on either side of Dave, daughter Sophie in the plaid.

On Saturday we went to our Branch Christmas Party at the president's home.  President Merkel has three daughters, 19,17 and 14.  They have a very nice one family home which is a bit unusual in Germany as it seems more people live in apartments than houses.  The entire branch came to the party to enjoy gluhwein (without the wine part) and cookies which the YW had made the day before. Gluhwein is a fruity hot drink, not unlike a wassail, and is a traditional Christmas drink.  The Weinachtsmann was Elder Worli.  He has s cute Bavarian accent so it was quite fun to hear him talk to the children.

On Sunday we had to talk in church but since the Worli's spoke also, it was short.  We also visited with Stake President Thomas Hengst from Hohenstein.  We had known him and his family from our last time in Germany.  He has asked us to teach institute two weeks a month in Zwickau.  We will go there this Thursday to meet with the Zwickau bishop.

We took the Worli's to the train station early Monday morning and spent the rest of the day shopping and moving into the apartment.  That evening we fed Elders Hess and Briner and then had a home evening with Sister Martha Ernst.