Summer is here

The beautiful Raps fields have now lost their flowers and the weather has turned very hot with occasional thunder storms but we are busier than ever.  We went to the Merkel's house to help Brother Merkel cut some wood and restack it for firewood but didn't get very far. 

We needed a more powerful chainsaw.  That same week we went to our new favorite restaurant called Viva Paella.  It is more South American than Mexican but everything tastes tremendous.  We were with the Merkels and had a tapas platter where we could try many different things.

We couldn't figure out whether this was a wedding or a market.
 
Nancy Gillins, Dave' sister, commented on this picture:

In my humble opinion, this is neither a wedding nor a market.  It is a hospital.  Note the doctor on the left looking at the patient's eyes while his wife looks on; the several crippled people holding canes; the man standing on the left holding a pill bottle; the man holding his voodoo hex doll; and the woman in the middle who thinks she is the Fairy Godmother and is waiting to see the psychiatrist.  The man standing behind her, looking askance, is worried about what she might do.  He is waiting for treatment for his bad sunburn.  The man in the suit outside the mural is also waiting to see the psychiatrist, but can't figure out how to get into the picture.

 

We have been visiting many members who are no longer able to come to church.  Herr Muller is in his 80's and losing his ability to function.  His sister has to care for him and they live in a farm house that belonged to his grandparents.

A typical onion dome church from this area.  This one is in Koditz, on the way to Brunn where Br. Muller lives.

The farm house built in the early 1800's by the Muller familly.

Last week we were asked to go to Chemnitz to inspect the Zone Leader's apartment.  It is the same one we lived in when we were in Chemnitz but they changed the furnishings for two Elders rather than a couple.  It is still a very nice apartment.  This worked out well because we had planned to go to Chemnitz anyway to attend another special event.  This month has been designated by the Stake as "einladung" month or invitation month.  The Chemnitz ward put on a special dinner and music evening.  They served a three course meal interspersed with musical numbers from ward members as well as special guests.  They had a very good attendance including many nonmembers.  We stayed overnight there with the Goerkeritz family and then went to Schwarzenberg the next day for their special invitation event.  

We got there about 9, bringing one of the sets of Elders from Chemnitz including an Elder Karlan who had only been in Germany for three days.  There were many members involved in this event as well.  They had a display near the train station and had a small choir there to attract attention.  They gave out cards with candy attached and talked to people about the Gospel.   Many of the Elders were sent out to surrounding towns to make contacts.  We took out district leader, Elder Lichner who comes from near Stuttgart, and a ward member named Bjorn, who has returned from his mission in Switzerland, over to Aue about 30 kilometers away.  They were given a list of about 14 former contacts they wanted to visit so we drove them around the town.  They did visit all the addresses although some were not home.  They were able to make several appointments for the local Elders.  Then we returned to the ward house to have a nice luncheon provided by the ward.  The mission president came and had a fireside for the ward after the lunch but we had to come on home.

We have had some time to explore the local area as always.  We took a walk and saw some interesting things.

We drive by an area every week where they are installing 5 new windmills.  We drove off the freeway trying to get a good look so we can find a place to watch them put the big blades on.

We don't know what kind of tree, maybe a fruit tree, but it was an old tree well manicured and cared for.

We don't see much wildlife but it is around.  This rabbit and his mate were very large and unafraid.  We have been told that there is a Martin who has visited our apartment parking lot at night and chewed some cables on our neighbors cars.  At least it isn't a wolf from the fairy tales.  We do see deer once in a while but they are not as numerous as at home.