Friday, August 6, 2010

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

As the Schwester Sisters say good bye, we want to express our gratitude to the missionaries with whom we have served and our friends we have left behind in East Germany. We hope, along with the flavor and color we have shared, you have enjoyed the spirit and love we have felt. This has been an incredible journey for us. Our lives have been changed and greatly enriched. The joy of loving and serving our brothers and sisters in Germany has filled our hearts to overflowing. To quote our father, "Our cup runneth over". To quote Alma, " (we) have experienced a mighty change of heart and...have felt to sing the song of redeeming love."

Our prayer is that you have felt this too and that you, like us, will come to know that, "In the Strength of the Lord We Can Do All Things".

Thursday, August 5, 2010

WELCOME HOME !



We had a long flight with a long layover in New York. Our plane was late, but at almost midnight, most family members were there to greet us. It was a grand and glorious reunion, after all we had been gone for two years.

Tyler needed to be introduced since we had not met him, yet, (it was too late for him to care).


We were glad Elder Fenton was with us all the way. He helped us with our luggage and made us feel safe. Although he was one of the new Elders who came in from the Hamburg Mission, we grew to love him.


Jo Jo found his own special place to check us out.


Roxy is the newest addition to Sister Well's family, born on Mother's Day


Sister Well's Neighbors gave us a warm Welcome






OPEN HOUSE IN SPRINGVILLE UTAH













OPEN HOUSE IN CHANDLER ARIZONA



















Thanks to all our family, friends and returned missionaries who welcomed us home.

FAREWELL TO THE MISSION


FINALIZERS COMING TOGETHER

There were fifteen missionaries in our group who reported to the Mission Office the day before we left. We each had to be processed and have our final interview with President Pimentel.


For us, the hardest part of this "processing" was weighing our bags, re-distributing our "stuff" and deciding what to leave behind.





A Mission Tradition
.

Just as we began our mission by visiting a place where the Berlin Wall had been, we were again taken there and each of us walked to a secluded spot and re-dedicated our lives to serving the Lord with all our hearts as we returned home.


Elder Felsing read excerpts from the prayer President Uchtdorf' gave when he was here and dedicated Germany for missionary work


Elders in Our Group

We were the only Sisters in this group



GOING OUT TO EAT


There were two new mission vans that took us where we needed to go



This was a favorite Italian Restaurant of the Pimentels where we had our "last supper" in Germany



FINAL INSTRUCTION IN THE MISSION HOME

We were then taken to the Pimentel's home where we lined up for pictures.....

Elders Breckenridge, Hanks, Siegmiller, Gilbert, Burns, Lersch
Kersavge, Ashley, Givens, Fenton, Moysh, Felsing
Sisters Wells, Gill, Schwartz, Liboschik

...and received our last council and advice from President Pimentel

SAYING GOODBYE

The Gruese Family hosted us for a farewell evening of wonderful food and visiting.

Jasmin, Sybille and Romy traveled from Magdeburg in very hot weather to tell us goodbye.



Ian, who came to Berlin to say goodbye, invited us to his "mum's" home for a cup of "English" tea and sandwiches (it was too hot for tea)


Of course, there is always music.

Good bye Ian and mother.



Last Family Home Evening at the Berlin Center

Ian, entertains us once again as only he can.



He has the missionaries singing our favorite hymns.

Last Group Picture Together


LAST P-DAY WITH THE MISSIONARIES

In Front of the Restaurant

We enjoyed a wonderful buffet with colorful tasty food but the best part was being together.

Sister Wells loved this patriotic cow ( I think it is her favorite color)


Here's the Baby!


LAST ZONE CONFERENCE IN BERLIN

Elder Naumann

Elder Graham

At our first Zone Conference after the Berlin and Hamburg Missions were combined, Sister Bangerter and her brother enjoyed a wonderful reunion. Elder Bangerter, the assistant to the President in Hamburg, continued as assistant to President Pimentel. These two outstanding missionaries have one more transfer before they will return home together on Elder Bangerter's birthday.

Jena Sisters together for the last time. We miss you Sister Hadfield.

Last Picture with our beloved President and Sister Pimentel





We have been blessed to serve in four wonderful cities, Dresden, Magdeburg, Jena and Berlin. Each holds a special place in our hearts. It has been a treat to finish up in Berlin and soak up as much, as time would allow, the history, beauty and charm of this area, which is the center and heart of our mission. We hope you enjoy it with us.

You will need to click on the "older post" to see the rest of the story.