Stephen and Elaine Biddulph

30 March - 4 April 2015
We've had some nice blessings here this week with missionaries with whom I have been working. Two were so discouraged and confused that they wanted to quit their missions and return home. Both elders are serving in Portugal Lisbon Mission. Both missionaries had problems with testimony. One claimed he never really had one, and the other, a convert of 2 years, claimed that he was losing his while on his mission. Through efforts of several people and prayers and fasting, hearts seem to be changed and both are committed to staying. In at least one case, the missionary had not been fully honest about things. Since coming clean with his mission president, his attitude about the work has changed. I have a strong testimony of the importance of honest confession, not only as to its effect upon the spirit, but also upon relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. I had a long talk with one elder who was questioning his testimony, and I was able to express my feelings and understanding about the creation, the resurrection, the restoration of truth, the reality of Joseph Smith's vision, the Book of Mormon, etc, and it strengthened him in his moment of weakness. He seems now more committed to be a messenger of light and truth. There is great joy in our work here. It is different than what the other senior couples do--not more important but different--but there is great joy in lifting and strengthening others in their trials. That is what we do. We strengthen the messengers of truth.
This weekend was Easter (Oster) Holiday. The Europe Area Offices are closed Friday and Monday. Many senior couples took off on extended trips, but I had so many phone calls on both days that I needed to stay around. Also, the weather has not been very good, and we'd rather wait to see things when the weather is more hospitable. We do have plans later in month to go to Holland and see the tulip festival. Yesterday evening I went with the missionaries in Offenbach and taught Herr Schilds more about the restored gospel and the Book of Mormon. We are looking forward to General Konferenz this weekend, although we have an 8-hour time difference.
Saturday we went with the Andersons (senior couple from Ogden) to a town named Eisenach northeast of Frankfurt--about a 2 hour drive through beautiful, green countryside. Eisenach is known for the Wartsburg Castle where Martin Luther sought refuge from persecution and where he translated the Bible into the German language. Eisenach is also famous as the home of Johann Sebastian Bach. We went to his old home that is a museum where a large display of his musical compositions are displayed, along with musical instruments from the 1700 era. We then drove over to the Wartsburg Castle, which sits high on the hills overlooking Eisenach in a forested region. The weather was okay but overcast and occasionally stormy. But we enjoyed the excursion together. Saturday evening and throughout Sunday we watched conference on-line by hooking our computer up to our TV. Monday is also a holiday, but missionaries get to work. I have two phone calls and just got a call from Pres Deere regarding 3 more missionaries he wants me to speak with as soon as possible. Sometime Monday we will watch Sunday afternoon session. We thoroughly enjoyed the talks given and the spirit of things. It was fun to see our friend, Ron Staheli, conduct the men's choir for the Priesthood session.