Stephen and Elaine Biddulph

1 - 7 Juni 2015

President Tiexiera, who is president of the Europe Area, gave our devotional thought this past Monday morning. He has been here six years and is being reassigned in August to the Argentina South America area. Elder Johnson is coming to replace President Tiexiera. We stand in awe of the consecrated service to the Church offered by those called as General Authorities. We were able to watch the funeral live for Elder L. Tom Perry. President Monson's remarks were touching. As we have pondered the passing of Elder L. Tom Perry, we are grateful for his long service. We will miss his clarion voice speaking out for families, marriages, and gospel truths. I will also miss him

L-R: Sharpes, Smiths, Biddulphs, Rysers

because we are both Marines, although different generations. We ponder that many of the apostles, who have been such strengths to us over the years, are growing older. The torch will inevitably be passed to others, as it has in the past, but we have the assurance that this restored gospel and the embodied Church is directed by the Savior, Jesus Christ, not by men. Thus, we have great peace and assurance amidst the change that must come.
Last Wednesday we had a nice temple night at the Frankfurt Temple for the senior missionaries. We do this about once a month. Afterwards, we all descend upon a local restaurant. Thursday morning four couples of us did sealings at the Frankfurt temple. We enjoy being with so many senior couples who have become dear friends. When we add these to the many couples we became close to during our mission in La'ie Hawaii, we are greatly blessed. We received notice that the Frankfurt Temple will close on 7 September 2015 for a two-year renovation, reopening in 2017. The Bern, Switzerland temple will host us during this renovation period. We haven't heard if we will be allowed as missionaries to go that far away for temple work, but I supposed that they will allow that. If so, we look forward to being in that temple because we love Switzerland.

L-R: Sisters Ryser, Ezard, Frischneck, Packer, Elaine, Felicity

President Ken Packer's wife (mission president of Kiev Ukraine) has been in Frankfurt for some medical support for the last few days. We had an opportunity to visit with her and others at a dinner at our apartment. Elaine knew her husband while they both worked at the MTC. My brother, Howard, and his wife, Colleen, opened the Kiev Ukraine mission in 1992, and Ken's father, President Boyd Packer, came to the Ukraine at that time to dedicate that area to the work of the gathering. I remember that this was a most significant and wonderful time for Howard and Colleen. Sister Packer told us that each missionary who comes to the Ukraine now receives a copy of that dedicatory prayer. She says that they enjoy it in Ukraine and are doing very well. Another fun connection is that they live in the same stake in Springville, Utah as our Son, Kenneth, and his wife, Teruko.
Our work with missionaries continues steadily. As fast as we complete one, two more pop up from mission presidents. I'm doing over 100 consult sessions a month and over 40 missionaries. Every missionary I speak with is so great, and I have a great respect for and confidence in them. At times, my confidence in them is greater than their own confidence, and I find it so rewarding to counsel, encourage, teach, and lift them. Mission presidents respond also. I sense through their emails their gratitude for helping them when their plate is so full and human resources so few. This is such a rewarding calling, but such a demanding one. We are continually humbled by the opportunity to help lift these messengers of joy and peace. We don't help them so much by telling them what to do, but more by reminding them of who they are and who they serve and by what power they labor. We love this work!