Stephen and Elaine Biddulph

5 - 11 OKTOBER 2015

We paid the price for our trip to Zermatt this week with workload. I couldn't get any phone service in Zermatt and had 20 emails from mission presidents and as many missed phone calls and texts waiting for me. Needless to say, I worked overtime all week to get caught up. Several new missionaries needed help and a few old ones resurfaced with depression issues. Elaine had a good birthday being in Zermatt, so we don't regret the trip.

The Europe Area Medical Team and IFR

This week we said goodbye to Dale and Sharon Greenwood who finished their 23 month mission here as Area Medical Advisors and returned home to American Fork, Utah. He and Stephen got along well because they are both military men - Dale a Navy doctor and Stephen Marine. They were an integral part of our medical team here and dear friends. We had a little team get-together at the Greenwood's apartment on Tuesday evening. Stephen was actually happy despite his rather sour expression in the photo.

We loved general conference and were finally able to watch all sessions. I was very impressed by President Monson's messages. They were not his typical tone, but had a more

Elaine's birthday in Primary Offenbach

straight-forward, serious tone, reminding us who we are as Latter-day Saints and to keep the commandments (halt die Geboten) and be lights to the world for good (Licht der Güte zum Welt). So many of the talks spoke to the work I am trying to do with missionaries here in Europe. Some of these young missionaries struggle to exercise their faith in this work and in the Savior. They easily become beset with doubts, fears, depression, stress, and anxiety, and some want to return home or can't keep up the rigorous routine. Some place such high expectations of perfection on themselves that they are overwhelmed. Elder Clark's talk about his parents' mission to the Philippines was very instructional about faith. President Eyrings talk on you are not alone in this work was great. Elder Andersen's talk on faith is not by chance but a choice was also great. This gives me a lot of good fodder for my talking with missionaries. We are so grateful to have the restored gospel in our lives. The blessings it brings are incalculable, including the hope, the faith to act, the values, standards, and peace. How grateful we are for living oracles of truth in

Bernd, Petra, Johanis Stadtmüller

the 12 Apostles. I wish all mankind would just put down their old traditions and beliefs that act as defenses against hearing the pleasing word of God, and would open their ears and their eyes to the glorious truths of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If they would just exercise a particle of faith and look and listen, they would feel the truth of this through the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

It is fall in Germany. Days are shorter and nights are colder. The many trees in the cemetery (Friedhof) are filled with mellow colors of older age: yellows, browns, and bright reds. It is glorious to behold. I think that I love fall most of all, especially now as I am approaching the fall of my mortal life. It is especially nice when the summertime of my years have been so rich and fruitful with work, family, and opportunities to serve. We walk often through the beautiful cemetery. Soon it will be bleak and gray again, and when next the buds of springtime come we will be near the end of our time in Germany. Stephen turns 70 in November.

We were delighted that his brother, Howard, who is 80, and his wife, Laurel, received a temple mission assignment to the Kiev, Ukraine temple for 23 months. This has been his dream as he opened the Ukraine to missionary work as the first mission president. I conducted worship meetings Sunday in Offenbach. Afterwards, we had lunch at Bernd and Petra Stadtmüller's home in Aschaffenburg. It was about a 40 minute drive from the church towards Wurtzburg. They have a beautiful home in the hills above Aschaffenburg. They were so gracious and kind. Their son, Johannis, studies at the University in Darmstadt. They are hoping to serve a temple mission in Zollikofen, Switzerland (near Bern) beginning in November or December. Petra has been our Primary president in Offenbach, and both of us have been able to work closely with her and the primary staff these past 9 months. Life is good.