We were delayed getting to Germany because of severe storms and cancelled flights. We felt like our new home was going to be Chicago!
We were able to get a hotel for that night but there wasn't another scheduled flight for 24 hours. The one compensation (for Gary) was that there was the last half of a BYU game on the hotel TV. Go Cougars! It was a really long trip! But as the billboard says, "Push forth fair lady!"(Backing up in sequence...)
Shortly before we left for California we had a chance to spend some time with Elder Oaks and his wife at Clint and Nadine's. Elder Oaks was the Area Authority in Europe until recently and gave us a good heads up about what to expect. Basically, he said you will work long hours but have the best experience of your lives. He is very excited about the work in Europe which has seen a 20% increase in converts recently. Most of this has come from the young adult sector. The next day we set off in our RV for California. Great chance to see some of our California kids before boarding a plane for Germany. 
Elder and Sister Dye met us at the airport and here we are (above) with our large amount of lugguage in front of our new apartment building. It's probably significant that Elder Dye (an MD) was on the phone a good part of the time we were at the airport. He was speaking with an ill missionary. It was a problem that he was more than happy to refer on to us. Mel made a follow up call to a missionary on Christmas Day to set an appointment for her with Gary the following morning.
They already have our name on the door. This is outside our office in Frankfurt. No pictures of the inside yet.
We were treated to a traditional German Christmas meal on our first night in Germany (Christmas Eve). The lady on the right is 80 year old, Elfie Herrmann. She was born in East Germany and had interesting stories of life under Hitler. The other two are fellow medical missionaries. Robert & Raija Maddock. A small world experience - Robert is the uncle of Gary's South Jordan Doctor:) Raija is from Finland. Fantastic food and a great evening.
Our hosts on our first night gave us some candles to brighten our apartment and German chocolate. (One was White chocolate with cocobut) How did they know? We also found that our pantry and fridge had been filled with food for a week. We kept asking who to thank and wanting to pay whoever back - but everyone claimed it was someone else. This is all a great blessing since stores are closed for 5 days over the holidays and we won't be able to set up our German bank account, etc. until Jan 4.
Living room all set up when we arrived. Two TV channels in English (CNN and BBC).
Eating area. Three chairs in the apartment. Definitely won't entertain large groups but plenty of room for guests. Usually people bring their own chair and everyone shares what they have--so come on over!
The bathroom is like the rest of the apartment. Everything necessary. Nice and clean, but small by US standards. (Everything but the size of the rent anyway.)
Shortly before we left for California we had a chance to spend some time with Elder Oaks and his wife at Clint and Nadine's. Elder Oaks was the Area Authority in Europe until recently and gave us a good heads up about what to expect. Basically, he said you will work long hours but have the best experience of your lives. He is very excited about the work in Europe which has seen a 20% increase in converts recently. Most of this has come from the young adult sector. The next day we set off in our RV for California. Great chance to see some of our California kids before boarding a plane for Germany. 
Elder and Sister Dye met us at the airport and here we are (above) with our large amount of lugguage in front of our new apartment building. It's probably significant that Elder Dye (an MD) was on the phone a good part of the time we were at the airport. He was speaking with an ill missionary. It was a problem that he was more than happy to refer on to us. Mel made a follow up call to a missionary on Christmas Day to set an appointment for her with Gary the following morning.They already have our name on the door. This is outside our office in Frankfurt. No pictures of the inside yet.
We were treated to a traditional German Christmas meal on our first night in Germany (Christmas Eve). The lady on the right is 80 year old, Elfie Herrmann. She was born in East Germany and had interesting stories of life under Hitler. The other two are fellow medical missionaries. Robert & Raija Maddock. A small world experience - Robert is the uncle of Gary's South Jordan Doctor:) Raija is from Finland. Fantastic food and a great evening.
Our hosts on our first night gave us some candles to brighten our apartment and German chocolate. (One was White chocolate with cocobut) How did they know? We also found that our pantry and fridge had been filled with food for a week. We kept asking who to thank and wanting to pay whoever back - but everyone claimed it was someone else. This is all a great blessing since stores are closed for 5 days over the holidays and we won't be able to set up our German bank account, etc. until Jan 4.
Living room all set up when we arrived. Two TV channels in English (CNN and BBC).
Eating area. Three chairs in the apartment. Definitely won't entertain large groups but plenty of room for guests. Usually people bring their own chair and everyone shares what they have--so come on over!
The bathroom is like the rest of the apartment. Everything necessary. Nice and clean, but small by US standards. (Everything but the size of the rent anyway.)
A pair of Senior Humanitarian Missionaries, Blaine & Chris Colton, invited us to go with them on a trip to Heidleberg (about an 1 1/2 hours from Frankfurt) on Saturday, our second day in Germany.
Here we have Elders Colton and Taylor in front of part of the Heidleberg castle. I expect we will see several more castles before our 18 months is up. Beautiful and interesting.
The shops are fun too. Just need to keep the Sister missionaries moving along. Lots to see (and buy). Bread store in Heidleberg. (gotta love that hat!) Don't think we will go hungry in Germany.
Here we have Elders Colton and Taylor in front of part of the Heidleberg castle. I expect we will see several more castles before our 18 months is up. Beautiful and interesting.
The shops are fun too. Just need to keep the Sister missionaries moving along. Lots to see (and buy). Bread store in Heidleberg. (gotta love that hat!) Don't think we will go hungry in Germany.This morning was our first Sabbath in our new German ward. Great people and a great Spirit. We had a headset and listened to an English translation. At the end of Sacrament meeting everyone stood to sing the closing song (in German of course). After the first verse, Gary started to feel dizzy and had to sit down. The feeling didn't go away and pretty soon he found himself lying on the bench with his legs being held up. Gary totally passed out--a new experience. Happily, there were two great physicians in the row behind us (part of the missionary medical staff) who were a great help. Paramedics were called but when they got there Gary had recovered and is fine. (However,Melody is still shook up!) Apparently medication for high blood pressure works better in Germany and Gary had such low blood pressure that he'd blacked out. The paramedics were great and didn't charge for their service. We both received priesthood blessings.
Interesting way to start off in our new ward! In general, our experience so far is like what living in the Celestial Kingdom must be like, except lousy TV and we miss our family. There are great people here who look out for everyone else.
Tomorrow we start in the office, but it may be a light load for awhile since the country is still on holiday status and we haven't connected with Mission Presidents yet. Good time to get settled.
Love from Melody and Gary
