Stephen and Elaine Biddulph

5 - 12 Juli 2015

On Monday, 6 July, we had our Senior FHE gathering at the temple missionary apartments in Friedericksdorf. It had a patriotic theme with stories, a patriotic message, and patriotic songs. The above picture was taken at that FHE. Elder Gordon Smith is the Infield Representative for Europe. We've become good friends. He and his wife, June, live in Orem, Utah. They finish their mission in November.

Elaine, Stephen, Gordon Smith (IFR)

Two grandchildren had birthdays on 5 July: McCoy (Ryan-Mel) turned 4 and Ashlin (Ken-Teruko) turned 2. Sidney (Mark-Mel) graduated from high school and will start at UVU in fall. Jake (Jeff-Michelle) is coming down the home stretch on his mission (Jan 2016) and we hope will get into college. Bronwen (Blake-Serena) is about 2 months away from her first baby and our first great-grand child. Mel (Ryan) is due for their third child (boy) in the fall also. Jared and Maya (Jeff), Dylan (Mark-Mel), Madison (Blake), Zach (Greg-Lu), and Alexis (Blake) are or will be starting in high school this fall; Brady (Mark-Mel) will be class president of his 7th grade, and Ethan (Greg) will receive the

Offenbach Gemeindehaus

Aaronic Priesthood this year. Everyone is growing up and doing good things. We are also pleased that Josh and Bronwen have decided to pursue their college education at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah this fall.
My brother, Howard, who turned 80 last March, has had a remarkable change since our leaving on this mission. What we thought for sure was going to be "a farewell to arms" when we left on our mission has instead resulted in a glorious resurrection of new life!! Not quite immortality but something almost as astounding. He has lost weight, regained much of his strength and energy and other capacities, and remarried the niece of his wife, Colleen (she died late last year) who is 15 years his

Offenbach members at Somerfest Magic Show

younger. These fireworks appropriately happened on the 4th of July at my sister, Marilyn's, home. We "stand all amazed" at this transformation and rejoice at their happiness together.
Saturday was the Somerfest (summer festival) celebrating the 115th year of the founding of the Offenbach Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We held it at the Offenbach meetinghouse and opened it up to friends and guests. Games were played, a magic show, soccer, volleyball, grilling and food, and the primary children sang. There was also some displays and helps for family history. The branch has had a most

Primary Children sing at Somerfest

challenging history, surviving through two world wars and the bombing of Frankfurt in 1944-45.
Sunday was a long day. We left the apartment at 8 a.m. and arrived at Offenbach church to get the sacrament (Abendmahl) prepared and everything ready for sacrament meeting. After three hours of meetings, we set apart a senior sister missionary in the Relief Society (FHV) presidency and then had a short ward council meeting. Afterwards, we drove to the Merkel's home and helped them celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary and had lunch. At 3:30 p.m. I had a phone call with a missionary who wanted to return home after only two months of service.