HAPPY BIRTHDAY LENSKI

My companion had his birthday yesterday, Friday,March 27.

I love this guy!

He is a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and missionary companion.

I am blessed that he was born into this world and that I was fortunate enough to find him. My life would have taken entirely different directions without him.

Happy Birthday, Honey! Leonard, the Birthday Boy
The day before, I made rhubarb custard pie, his favorite from his childhood when his mother made it.

On Friday, we invited his family to lunch at a wonderful restaurant, Hotel Bubendorf, the "hotel with a heart," (note heart-shaped plates and heart motifs on the plates) near Bubendorf, south of Basel.
Around the table we were . . .

. . . his sisters, Marlies . . .

. . . and Greti . . .

. . . and his brother-in-law Sergio, seen here with Greti.

The siblings

Okay, I know I'm a food fanatic, but here goes with the meal!

This was the appetizer, smoked salmon on bread stick with ham and soft cheese.

Yummy.

This is my fresh asparagus risotto which was divine!

Sergio and Greti had beef tartare. Not my choice, but they order it nearly every time we are together.

Lenski and Marlies had fish pieces pan fried in butter and almonds, served on a bed of shredded, sauteed leek, and accompanied by curry sauce. I tasted it, and MMMMMM!

All served to us by this adorable waiter balancing plates on his arm.

And the superb ending, apfelkuechli.

They look like doughnuts but they are apple slices, battered and cooked in hot oil, then dipped in a cinnamon sugar mix, and served hot. Absolutely perfect with the wonderful vanilla ice cream.

MISSIONARY GALLERY

Dear missionary moms and dads,
Here are some of your excellent sons and daughters.

You can be proud of them!

We add to this post from time to time, so check back!

Enjoy!

German tip at district meeting

Arriving back in Bern after district meeting in Interlaken

The Yoga demo!

Elder Talley and Elder Farnsworth on their last Sunday together

Welcome to the district, Elder Dockstader! (Left)

At the temple

Sister Christopher and Sister Gardner visit the Institute Center for Young Adults and sample cinnamon rolls.

Elder Grassli and Elder Hafen visiting before a baptism.

Elder Rowley and Elder Hafen with their newly-baptised convert, Gladys.

And of course brownies help make it a celebration!

Brand new and the picture of serenity at zone conference!

With her companion

A "golden" (they aren't "greenies" here) has

graduated to senior in one transfer? Wow!

Well, sort of. Ask him, Mom.

New to the district and he's brought a great spirit with him!

You have one of my favorite smiles, Elder!

"Hey, what can I say?"

Studying during a brief break in appointments.

So diligent!

Gathering for a temple session . . .

. .

. .

They're all so fine!

Couldn't resist this one . . .
He just wasn't quite fast enough saying the German word!

It's okay, Mom. He didn't get hurt, just wet!

MUSIK ABEND

Last night at the Center the YSAs held their first Friday night activity--a casual music evening of performing artists and other entertainment, followed by freshly cooked hot waffles.

For a beginning event, it was pretty darn good!

Pictured here are the performers, whose varied offerings were: an Israeli dance tune on the pan flute, Hawaiian love songs on the ukelele, clarinet jazz, Bach on the violin, and piano/vocals from musicals. And this is only a small sample of the talent available in this stake.

More musik abends will follow, I'm sure!

Gregor, Andy, Denis, Anna, Nadine, and Michelle. Not pictured is Sara.

And then all heck broke loose! A new facet was added to the ever popular (could I venture to say it is an obsession?) 'Round the World ping pong. They tried it on rolling desk chairs!

Honestly! What next!?

Is he going to eat the ball?

Earlier in the week we had a very successful highlight abend. The students were divided into groups and each group was given a scripture from the New Testament (this year's course of study) from which they were to create a Mormonad-type poster.

They were great!

I wanted to do an entire post about that evening, but somehow I lost the photos! I can see them when I scroll through them on the camera, but I can't see them when I try to get them for the blog. Hmmmm . . .

ZONE CONFERENCE SHENANIGANS!

We had a wonderful zone conference today

at the Basel chapel,

under the direction of our zone leaders, Elder Rowley and Elder Hafen.

President Matern taught us

in his energetic and engaging way.

Other missionaries taught us and we shared testimonies.

It was such an uplifting time together.

A lesson in trust challenged the missionaries to take courage and fall into the arms of their missionary friends.

Among others, Sister Luebke . . .. . . Sister Lehmann . . .

. . . and Sister Frederiksen . . .

. . . took the challenge.

Such courage! And fun . . .

(Did I say "uplifting"?)

FLAT AUSTIN COMES TO VISIT!!!

A flat image of our grandson, Austin, came to visit!

We were so happy to see him,

I just had to give him a great big hug!

He met our stake president, President Weidmann, at the Interlaken Ward. . .


. . . took a trip to Grindelwald . . .

. . . had a ride on the tram . . .

. . . attended zone conference . . .

(notice his name tag!)

And met our mission president, President Matern.
We think Austin likes being on a mission with us!

GRINDELWALD IN WINTER

Wouldn't you love to ski here?