Germany

While in Germany for training, we were deeply grateful for the opportunity to visit the Frankfurt Temple. It was our first temple visit since leaving Provo over two months ago! We also enjoyed a walk around Frankfurt's old town and spent a couple of days exploring the beautiful countryside. It's such a blessing to be in this diverse part of the world, experiencing its beautiful people and landscapes that change with every border crossing. We were enchanted by Rothenburg, and the views in Heidelberg were truly amazing. Heidelberg is the hometown of our mission president, President Heckmann. We found Germany to be a beautiful country overall. We were especially grateful to share this journey, renting a car and traveling with our dear friends and mission compañeros, the Jacoxes.

FRANKFURT, GERMANY

Thank you to the Petersen’s for planning this temple trip! It was a big highlight for us and we had been looking forward to attending the temple, since we first arrived in Spain. Frankfurt was a whirlwind! We loved the bustling city, the good food, the historical buildings, and the beautiful flowers. And then there's the story of the helpful policeman—a true testament to the Lord's Tender Mercy. Our car stopped in the middle of the road, and literally less than 5 seconds after trying to restart the car, a policeman drove right up to our side. We rolled down the window, and he immediately offered to help. He even got the car goingf after trying a few things! They were just incredibly kind. It was a busy downtown street, so it could have been a really tough situation, but we truly felt like angels were sent to help us. What a blessing! We really do believe in miracles and the Lord's tender mercies. We can only hope that whoever hung up that bicycle like a trophy on the street also experienced such a tender mercy that day!

Later, we had this absolutely hilarious dinner with the woman serving our schnitzel. There were about six or seven mission couples from our YSA conference out together. We honestly couldn't tell if it was all an elaborate show, if she just wasn't thrilled about us being foreigners, or if she was just having a terrible day. Some said it was just the German way. She'd speak angrily in German if you asked for something, wave her arms around, and then storm off. Of course most of the couples spoke some European language, but unfortunately, not German. Dave’s dutch was the closest thing. But eventually, our laughter and good spirits completely won her over. She even posed for a picture with us!

The Lekkerland Truck blocking the middle of the road in Frankfurt was a sign to Dave! it is a Dutch word meaning “delicious”. Tender mercies!

Heidleberg

Heidelberg truly is beautiful! This city holds special meaning as the homeland of our beloved Mission President and Sister Heckmann. We were so fortunate to meet their daughter, Naomi, and even stay overnight in their home. They are simply amazing and wonderful people—loving, supportive, kind, and generous. We feel incredibly blessed to be serving in their mission.

We quickly realized it's probably a good thing we aren't serving a mission in Germany, because their food is incredibly good! The Germans are true artisans, making their food look as appealing as it tastes. The landscape felt straight out of a fairytale: a beautiful castle, a picturesque river winding through green hillsides, a romantic forest, and every kind of Ritter chocolate bar imaginable! There's even a Ritter Hotel. We first discovered the "Ritter" brand through Jonathan's mission in Denmark, so it was fun to see it everywhere here.

ROTHENBERG, GERMANY

Rothenberg is a well preserved medieval city surrounded by a wall. As we approached the city our GPS said to turn right, but as we started to look it was an entrance into a fortress. There were pedestrians in the street and we thought that must be wrong we can’t go in there. So we passed it and the map then took us all the way down and around the valley of Rothenberg. we clame to the other side of the walls and again the GPS is saying to enter through this archway and cobblestone streets. This time we saw another car go in so we followed. As you came through the opening and drove a little ways in it opened to shops and hotels and a city square and it was amazing! IT was Enchanting!

As you can see below, I was enthralled with the windows of all of the homes. All similar, but all unique. I loved that. Can you find the cat looking into one of the windows?

The many unique windows of Rothenberg.