Stephen and Elaine Biddulph

1 - 7 MARCH 2015

Another week has mysteriously slipped by. We are so busy with missionary and church assignments that the days seem to fly buy. The saying a the MTC was "long days, short weeks." That is so true here. I rise faithfully each day at 0630 (European time) and am at the office--a one-minute walk--by 0715. I'm always the first one on the third floor to arrive, and I spend 30 minutes preparing myself spiritually to speak with missionaries and to study Preach My Gospel in the German language. I find that by doing this I am more insightful and discerning to individual needs. Inspiration by way of thoughts, feelings, scriptures, and ideas flow into my mind, whereas, without that type of preparation I am flat. This is not about me, but about the Lord. I am but a tool in his hands to strengthen and encourage and testify to these young warriors of the truthfulness and importance of this work and their calling. I never tire speaking with each missionary, even if my voice begins to get hoarse. Each morning I seemed renewed to climb back up those stairs and do my part. Some evenings I don't arrive back at the apartment until around 9 p.m. when I must stay for branch presidency (Zweiprasidentschaft) or branch council (Zweigrat) meetings.

Offenbach Branch Presidency: (L-R: Hans Leinert,
Prasident Alexander Merkel, Elder Biddulph)

This is a photo of our Offenbacher branch presidency (L-R: Hans Leinert zweite Ratgaber, Alexander Merkel Prasident, and Elder Biddulph erste Ratgaber.
Elaine and I read the Book of Mormon to each other out loud each evening. It has brought a special spirit into our relationship and lives. I have also been reading to her some books from the Deseret Bookshelf App. We finished the history of Joseph Smith written by his mother, Lucy Mack Smith, and are now part way through the autobiography of Parley P. Pratt. These have impressed upon us the significant sacrifice and suffering endured by Joseph and early saints in bringing the gospel forward, and how had Satan has tried to stop this work. Deep water is what they were wont to swim in and strong currents (DC 127:2). It has caused us to realize what a light burden we have been called upon to bear, and given us a determination to bear all things placed upon our shoulders and to be diligent toward the true, restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am getting better at understanding the German language spoken so rapidly by native speakers. Something keeps telling me to hang in there and eventually it will all come clearer to me. There are some topics in which I feel I can carry on a fairly good conversation. My rule is to keep it simple and not try to used all of the big words the Germans do, but my goal is to improve in that area. I wish that I had more time to study.
Elaine is beginning to walk every noon with 5-7 other senior women. She enjoys the company and the exercise. We also attend a "lunch and learn" Book of Mormon study group taught by a senior missionary who was an institute/seminary teacher. He's a lot of fun and we've had some really helpful sessions. We just finished up Jacob yesterday. We don't get any lunch in but we get a lot of learning.
The weather is beginning to soften up. Spring feels like it isn't too far off. U.S.A. has their

Katolische Heiligen Geistes Kirche
Near our home

daylight savings change this weekend, but Europe doesn't until 29 March (Marz - sorry but this program won't allow for .. over certain letters.) Days (Tagen) are longer, sky (Himmel) a little less dreary, grass (das Gras) a little greener (gruner) (the small patches that there are), and spring flowers (Fruhling Blumen) are beginning to bloom. As we have removed ourselves from most of the world news, we have slipped into a blissful state of working in the Kingdom - far removed from the wars, rumors of wars, tumult, upheaval, confusion, and trouble. The Kingdom of God is peaceful and busily engaged in bringing to pass good things. We are happy to be removed from it all, and we really don't look forward to returning, although we miss our family and friends.
Our friend, Dave Lay, came to visit for a day. He was in Netherlands on business and caught a train down to Frankfurt. We picked him up at the Hauptbahnhof downtown by way of the U-bahn. He spent Sunday with us and went to our little Offenbacher branch with us. After church a sister who had lost her grandmother spoke with me getting a little grief counseling. I was happy to help.
After church we drove up to Friedricksdorf and walked around the temple grounds. It was so delightful to be in the countryside and out of the big city. Friedricksdorf is so nice. The temple is small but the grounds are immaculate. I've included some pictures below.