These are pictures from the annual Christmas Mart in Dresden....It was so much fun!! The mart lasts from December 9th to January 9th, AN ENTIRE MONTH!!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A letter from Sister Austin...
The Missionary work is moving forward.
We had two new members confirmed Sunday. I took that opportunity as I was filled with joy for them to bear my testimony to the ward. Somehow I made it through in German. The spirit of joy was so profound for me.
I had a most beautiful experience Monday as we had our Family home evening with the YSA. Elder Austin gave a wonderful message which I understood and as I was sitting there I could feel a powerful Spirit of love and I thought of an experience I just had had that morning in prayer to my Father in Heaven. I took that opportunity to bear a firm testimony of the power of sincere prayer and the great desire the Lord has of answering our prayers and having us feel his love for us. And yes as you might have guessed I was able to do it in German.
I am reminded of a portion of the blessing that Pres. Frischnecht gave us before we left, he promised me that I would be able to bear my testimony in clarity and be understood in German and that others would feel that testimony and be impacted by it.. I am amazed at how these blessings are fulfilled as we desire to do the work we are sent here to to. Now my German is far from perfect. But I believe that it is more important to share the Spirit in our testimonies than to have perfect German. My son James taught me that principle in a powerful experience he had on his mission in Italy which I have never forgotten.
I am studying with a young single adult who attend collage. ( not a member of the church) She wants to learn English and so she helps me with German and I help her with English. It is a delightful opportunity. I can also interject my love of the gospel and my love of our Savior.
We are currently waiting for the 4th baptism in this last month to happen. Derk has asked Elder Austin to baptise him. However Elder Austin is feeling it is important that a ward member fill that responsibility. We are constantly working on helping the ward to feel responsible for the YSA. This is somewhat difficult as we interact with them so much that they look to us. We have gently tried to help the ward understand it is with the ward members they need to bond with, as we will leave. Ward counsel nights are interesting for Elder Austin as he shares his concerns.
Each day brings new opportunity's and new challenges for growth.
The Lord has given me another blessing which was promised by Pres. F. and that is I would love the people immediately. I can bear that testimony these are wonderful Saints who love the Lord. I feel of his love for them often as we interact and I have from the moment we arrived..
I read a quote by President Eyring that has had a great impact on me in relationship to the Holy Ghost and to Service. I think this is the reason I feel it so important that we serve one another in the ward capacities.
"The Holy Ghost is a comforter and a guide. But it is also a cleansing agent. That is why service in the kingdom is so crucial to enduring. When we are called to serve, we can pray for the Holy Ghost to be our companion with assurance it will come. When we ask in faith, a change can come in our natures both for the welfare of our souls and to strengthen us for the tests we all must face."
And now my thoughts.
As we feel that guidance of the Spirit we learn how to recognize how the Spirit works with us..We are all unique in how we feel the Spirit, The organization of the church is just to help us to learn and to give us opportunities to serve one another with the added blessings that are given as we are called. Hands are placed on our heads and we receive counsel from our Father to help us in that calling. This comes through those who are authorized servants of God.
All opportunities of service and learning help to qualify us for the eternal blessings that await us.
Bless you and thanks for allowing me to share my feelings.....you have endured to the end......!
love
Sister Austin and mom
Monday, October 27, 2008
Hands of Heaven
Missionaries are doing the work of our Heavenly Father, acting as Hands of Heaven.
Dear Family
We had a baptism yesterday.... Bjoern.... It was wonderful....He gave a well prepared testimony. The Spirit was strong and sweet.We also had a baptism last week. Our missionaries are in overdrive as they are diligent and persistent in their efforts to share the gospel. We are so impressed with them. The Lord loves his missionaries.......I hope you all are missionaries.....in one way or another... and you are........I love and miss you all. Just know you are ALWAYS in our thoughts and PRAYERS. We feel Heavenly Fathers love for you and only want the best. Be Happy and have a wonderful day..
I have been reading a book recently about the Church in the German Democratic Republic,or as the Germans refer to it the GDR days. Thomas S Monson was assigned to supervise the work of the Church in East Germany, at the time the Communist ruled. East German citizens were not allowed to leave their country without special permission from the government and it was seldom granted. Church meetings were watched and monitored by the secret police. The feeling here in Germany was one of overwhelming oppression. He shares his first meeting with the German Saints in Dresden District----"A marvelous spirit prevailed. My, how the German Saints can sing the hymns of Zion. ( it hasn't changed that is one of the first things i noticed as well) He then shares one song in particular that touched his heart.
If the way be full of trial, Weary not!If it's one of sore denial, Weary not!If it now be one of weeping,There will come a joyous greeting,When the harvest we are reaping---Weary not!Do not weary by the way,Whatever be thy lot There awaits a brighter day To all, to all who weary not!If the way be one of sorrow, Weary not! Happier will be the morrow, Weary not!Here we suffer tribulation,Here we must endure temptation, But there'll come a great salvation--Weary not!If misfortune overtake us, Weary not!Jesus never will forsake us, Weary not!He will leave us never, never,From His lover there's naught can sever.Glory to the Lamb forever ! Weary not!
Their meetings were taught from the scriptures only as they had no manuals only their Scriptures. In this meeting he made a prophetic announcement as he spoke,"If you will remain true and faithful to the commandments of God, every blessing any member of the Church enjoys in any other country will be yours." Later that evening in his hotel room he began to realise the full impact of the promise he made. He said he dropped to his knees and began to pray,"Father, I am on Thy errand this is Thy Church. I have spoken words that came not from me, but from Thee and Thy Son. Wilt #Thou, therefore, fulfill the promise in the lives of these noble people." The coming to his mind came these words. "Be still, and know that I am God." from Psalm 46:10. What a great blessing that Pres. Monson kept a detailed journal which recorded all the important feelings and inspiration he had. I think that is a great example to all of us.
I will not let this letter be any longer other than to bear my testimony, This is the work of our Heavenly Father and it is amazing to feel and see his hand at work though His servants. We are just here to aid in that wonderful work. The promise is we will be given guidance and direction as we serve. !!!
love ya Arlaine
Dear Family
We had a baptism yesterday.... Bjoern.... It was wonderful....He gave a well prepared testimony. The Spirit was strong and sweet.We also had a baptism last week. Our missionaries are in overdrive as they are diligent and persistent in their efforts to share the gospel. We are so impressed with them. The Lord loves his missionaries.......I hope you all are missionaries.....in one way or another... and you are........I love and miss you all. Just know you are ALWAYS in our thoughts and PRAYERS. We feel Heavenly Fathers love for you and only want the best. Be Happy and have a wonderful day..
I have been reading a book recently about the Church in the German Democratic Republic,or as the Germans refer to it the GDR days. Thomas S Monson was assigned to supervise the work of the Church in East Germany, at the time the Communist ruled. East German citizens were not allowed to leave their country without special permission from the government and it was seldom granted. Church meetings were watched and monitored by the secret police. The feeling here in Germany was one of overwhelming oppression. He shares his first meeting with the German Saints in Dresden District----"A marvelous spirit prevailed. My, how the German Saints can sing the hymns of Zion. ( it hasn't changed that is one of the first things i noticed as well) He then shares one song in particular that touched his heart.
If the way be full of trial, Weary not!If it's one of sore denial, Weary not!If it now be one of weeping,There will come a joyous greeting,When the harvest we are reaping---Weary not!Do not weary by the way,Whatever be thy lot There awaits a brighter day To all, to all who weary not!If the way be one of sorrow, Weary not! Happier will be the morrow, Weary not!Here we suffer tribulation,Here we must endure temptation, But there'll come a great salvation--Weary not!If misfortune overtake us, Weary not!Jesus never will forsake us, Weary not!He will leave us never, never,From His lover there's naught can sever.Glory to the Lamb forever ! Weary not!
Their meetings were taught from the scriptures only as they had no manuals only their Scriptures. In this meeting he made a prophetic announcement as he spoke,"If you will remain true and faithful to the commandments of God, every blessing any member of the Church enjoys in any other country will be yours." Later that evening in his hotel room he began to realise the full impact of the promise he made. He said he dropped to his knees and began to pray,"Father, I am on Thy errand this is Thy Church. I have spoken words that came not from me, but from Thee and Thy Son. Wilt #Thou, therefore, fulfill the promise in the lives of these noble people." The coming to his mind came these words. "Be still, and know that I am God." from Psalm 46:10. What a great blessing that Pres. Monson kept a detailed journal which recorded all the important feelings and inspiration he had. I think that is a great example to all of us.
I will not let this letter be any longer other than to bear my testimony, This is the work of our Heavenly Father and it is amazing to feel and see his hand at work though His servants. We are just here to aid in that wonderful work. The promise is we will be given guidance and direction as we serve. !!!
love ya Arlaine
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
City of Seiffen
Our friends George and Joy Beaty.......We meet them through the Pierces....Lucy and Tim... They have been great friends to Doug and I as they have assisted in our training. We met them in the small city of Seiffen about an hour from where we are in Chemnitz. It is a beautiful city which have all the wonderful wood carvings that are indicitive of this area............ Christmas wood carvings..... Also took a few photos of the beautiful cemetary there.
A Temple in Rome, Italy
A Temple for Rome Ashton Carrington
October 4, 2008 is a day that every Italian member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will remember. In the first session of the 178th General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson announced the building of a temple in Rome, Italy.
The Church has had its presence in Italy since 1850 when its first member, Jean Antoine Bosc, was baptised. Over a period of four years the Church grew from only one member to 221. The Church was the organized into three different branches residing in Angrogne, St. Germain and St. Bartholomew. It was at this time that the Book of Mormon was first printed in Italian.
The strength of the Church didn't stay in Italy for very long. In 1860 Church leaders asked that all Italian members migrate from Italy to Utah in the United States. With few members remaining, the Italian mission was officially closed. Italy would have to wait another 80 years for that mission to be re-opened.
The Church's second growth in Italy began with Vicenzo di Francesca when he found a beat up, burnt copy of the Book of Mormon that was missing the cover. But Francesca believed the book to be true and joined the Church in 1951, bringing the gospel back to Italian soil.
The Church now has three missions covering Italy in Rome, Padova and Catania. Today there are over 22,600 members in Italy and 102 different congregations. The members are ready and eager to welcome the building of the Rome, Italy temple.
THE FAMILY
Hello children and grandchildren,
As mom and dad and oma and opa we want you to know how much we love and think of you every day. I don't say that to brag but we do want you to know that, regardless of how difficult life may seem, there is always someone praying for each of you and we testify that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each of you. If you want to know how much ask him.
We have no TV to watch news on here nor do we listen much to the radio but what we do hear is that the economy at home is not doing as well as most would like. For some these are tough times and more are likely to come. The economic storm clouds that are now overhead cover most of the world and such storms portend other political difficulties and struggles between nations. As the prophets have been warning for several years it would be wise to be financial prudent and have a supply of food and water in the event something, however temporary, were to occur to disrupt transportation and communications. Even more important though is that our homes become sanctuaries for our families. A refuge from the coming storms. Please read the following talk from President Monson. It is the concluding talk from the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting last February. My prayer is that it will give you strength to understand the important role you now play or will play to keep your families strong with love for each other. After you have read it you can find the entire publication at the following link: http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,8027-1-4404-1,00.html
You know that mom and I love you guys with all our heart. No halfway here except for the portions of german food I have now limited myself to so I don't return home at 250 lbs. Take care of each other and know that we are engaged in doing the right thing here in Germany.
Love, dad
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