RYAN AND RACHEL SURPRISED US.... AND CAME TO GERMANY.  YAHOO!!!  IN THE BACKGROUND IS THE FAMOUS NEUENSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE (DISNEY CASTLE)

WE WENT TO THE SWISS ALPS ON A PERFECTLY GORGEOUS DAY WITH RYAN AND RACHEL

MARIA ROSARIO WAS BAPTIZED.  SHE IS FROM PORTUGAL AND HAS BEEN IN GERMANY FOR TWO YEARS.  SHE WAS AN INVESTIGATOR FOR SEVEN MONTHS.

MARIA WILL MAKE A GREAT MEMBER - SHE GLOWED WITH HAPPINESS WHEN SHE RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST.

ERWIN IS A STRONG INVESTIGATOR WHO IS LIKE A MEMBER.  HE COMES TO CHURCH EVERY WEEK AND IS PART OF OUR "OVER SIXTY FAMILY HOME EVENING GROUP".  HE IS CLOSE TO BAPTISM.

COOKING FOR THE ELDERS  HAS BECOME ONE OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS.  WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE COOKING FOR TWO ON OUR MISSION BUT INSTEAD WE OFTEN COOK FOR TWELVE.  WE LOVE HAVING MISSIONARIES  AND MEMBERS IN OUR HOME!!!

NEVER TOO OLD TO PLAY "MINUTE TO WIN IT" WITH THE YOUNG ADULTS.  ELDER GURNEY IS PUTTING COTTONBALLS IN A BOWL WITH A SPOON - VERY CHALLENGING!

 GETTING TO KNOW AND LOVE WINFRIED ADAMCZYK HAS BEEN A VERY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.  WE WILL CHERISH OUR DISCUSSIONS AND HIS DEEP THINKING.

JANIELLE COMES TO GERMANY.  ELDER GURNEY STILL THINKS OF NELEE AS HIS LITTLE GIRL.  WE WILL CHERISH FOREVER OUR MEMORIES WITH NELEE.

MARINA IS A DEEPLY SPIRITUAL INVESTIGATOR.  WE HAVE LEARNED FROM HER FAITH IN FINDING ANSWERS TO TRUTH.  HER DAUGHTER, RAKIA LOVES HER MOM.

 WHO WOULD HAVE EVER GUESSED THAT TWO NEIGHBORS IN LEHI, UTAH WOULD BE SERVING MISSIONS IN GERMANY AT THE SAME TIME. SISTER LOTT AND SISTER GURNEY ARE LEARNING HOW TO MAKE CHEESE FROM A SWISS FARMER AT A SENIOR CONFERENCE.

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE ELDERS - ELDER BARTHOLOMEW HAD A BIRTHDAY - NO CAKE BUT MUFFINS IN A TIN ARE PERFECT  FOR HOLDING CANDLES.

WE HAD THE BLESSING OF GOING TO THE BERN, SWITZERLAND TEMPLE WITH OUR TWO SISTER MISSIONARIES - SISTER SMITH AND SISTER HAMMOCK

 OUR SINGEN DISTRICT - PERHAPS THE MOST DYNAMIC, SPIRITUAL AND FUN GROUP OF MISSIONARIES IN THE WORLD!!!!

 IT IS ALL ABOUT FAMILY - OUR WONDERFUL MISSION PRESIDENT MILES ENCOURAGES US TO SHARE THIS BEAUTIFUL PART OF THE WORLD WITH RLEATIVES. WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME WITH GARY, DIGI, ANN AND JOANNE ( ELDER GURNEY'S SISTER)

 BROTHER CLINT AND SISTER JOANNE WALKING THE STREETS OF GURNEY ANCESTORS FROM THE 1700'S NEAR TÜBINGEN, GERMANY.

FREDERIC WAS BAPTIZED AFTER A YEAR OF INVESTIGATING THE CHURCH.    MISSIONARIES NEVER GIVE UP AND MIRACLES RESULT.  WE ARE THRILLED TO HAVE HIM BE PART OF OUR BRANCH.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WE LOVE AND WILL MISS SO MUCH

WE WILL BE HOME ON MAY 27TH
OUR HOMECOMING WILL BE JUNE 8TH
AT THE THANKSGIVING VILLAGE WARD CHAPEL
3679 NORTH, BLUEGRASS BLVD., LEHI
9:30 A.M.
COME AFTER TO OUR HOUSE FOR GERMAN AND AMERICAN TREATS.  THEY'RE THE WURST.
2881 TURNBERRY LANE 

 This is the Amubeke Family whom we had the blessing of helping the missionaries teach.

 Four of our new Young Adults.  We have just started a Young Adult Program - a great beginning!

 What a handsome bunch of boys who will be part of our newly formed Young Adult Program.

 The missionaries decorated our tree with ornaments from grandchildren and real lighted German candles.

Here is Santa (the Mission Leader) with our newly baptized Ivy Amubeke with Knecht Ruprecht (behind Sister Gurney) who is the traditional guy who comes if you have been naughty. 

 District Meeting at our house with lots of spirit, fun and a mixture of food.  They each brought their favorite Christmas food which they missed from home.

 Here is the family (minus dad who is at work) excited for all the gifts, given from an unknown family in America,  purchased and wrapped by the missionaries.

 Guess which holiday - we know Thanksgiving comes first, but we can't figure out how to change the order of the pictures.

 This strong family entered the waters of baptism what JOY!!!!.  Sister Gurney was so excited because she was able to give a talk on the Holy Ghost in English because the family doesn't speak German yet.  Elder Gurney confirmed Ivy.

 Birthday celebrations for a district full of love and unity as well as deep spirituality.

 First day the Amubeke family came to church.  They traveled by train and walked from the train station.

Halloween in Germany meant bobbing for apples in our bathtub, carving pumpkins and lots to eat....with a serious District Meeting following.

_{Dear family and friends,}

_{We chose to leave you all for a season because we have felt the love of our Savior in our own lives and wanted to share it with those who don’t know or who have never felt His love before.  When we reflect on the feelings of serving others all day every day we feel JOY. Yet  we have longed for each of you and home many times.} 

 _{We have learned to live together in a new way.  It has been a wonderful way of experiencing everything together and then communicating our individual perspectives with gained respect, understanding and a deepened love for each other.  We have been awed at one another’s strengths which were not as keenly recognized as we were raising our children and grandparenting.  We see each other in a brighter light.}

_{It is truly a rewarding experience to be a missionary in this hastening of His work.  Your prayers have been felt, particularly when we find ourselves being better than we really are or when words have been given to us at “turning points” in other’s lives. We cherish the warm German Christmas traditions, particularly the church bells  ringing glad tidings, as we wish with all our hearts for others to accept His wondrous message of hope, peace and love. He lives and loves us all.    We pray we will  better internalize His love and try to have His image in our countenances at this time and always.}

 Bryan Wiest was baptized by Elder Gurney on his twelth birthday.  We loved teaching Bryan and building a good relationship with his non-member father.   When his father felt that this was his son's own decision, then permission was granted.  Over 20 members of Bertram's family atteneded the baptism - all non-members.

 This is our extremely "serious" new District whom we love and are constantly inspired by their goodness and ability to teach and train each other as well as have a great time together.

 We have learned how to make "apartment checks" well worth it.  Elder Gurney polishes their shoes, while Sister Gurney gives a spiritual thought and treat.  In this Schwenningen apartment of four Elders, we were been rewarded with Spaghetti Bolognese and a real English breakfast prepared by Elder Barber from England. He cooks better than a chef.

 The missionaries NEVER let a birthday go by withou a big celebration on their "Preparation day.  It was more exciting than Oktoberfest in Munich.

 The "Funky Siblings" came to our mission for a week ending in Zermatt, Switzerland.  Connecting in a meaningful way will leave memories forever.  Who would have ever thought we could all get along?

 This is Sister Arnold, whom Elder Gurney pieced together as the wife of the Branch President in Konstanz when he was serving in Germany 50 years ago.  We have the blessing of being her home teacher along with 30 others we home teach.

 Sister Gurney playing the violin on the banks of the Bodensee for a baptism was an experience never imagined before our mission.

Robert, a strong investigator from Romania, was baptized in the Bodensee.  He truly glowed after the baptism and has been embraced in the arms of our Branch as a new member.

        We were enjoying an evening stroll in the cool  breeze in our Dorf of Friedingen with flowing conversation from Mark, Cherie and baby Grant.  Cherie had just  commented on how the Germans are not very friendly which adds to the challenge of our mission…. and wouldn’t you know it, just then a ninety-year old woman excitedly stopped us , making a fuss over 3 month old Grant and engaging us in a delightful conversation.  After a friendly visit she offered to give us some zucchini from her garden which she promptly plucked. So much for “unfriendly people living in Germany.”  A couple of weeks later I made zucchini bread (which is what every true Mormon does) and we set out to share some with our new found friend.  She lives with her son and wife.  Before we knew it they had invited us into their home.  We all  chatted and laughed learning about each other  She lives with her son and his wife in a large farm house at the corner of our street.  Our new ninety-year old friend was sooooooo excited as I presented her with pictures we had taken of our visit the week before.  After declining a drink of water, her SON WHIPS OUT A VERY  SPECIAL DRINK WITH 5 WINE GLASES SET BEFORE US.  HE POPPED THE CORK WHICH FLEW INTO THE OTHER ROOM.  Clint explained that we don't drink alcohol but the son insisted there was no alcohol while pouring us a glass.  We did a "toast” and then Clint sipped and I took a big gulp by accident.  We both looked at each other and we knew we were in trouble.  Clint bravely said he could taste alcohol and the man insisted there was only a tiny bit.  We stopped drinking and the man was forlorn.  I think this bottle had been saved for only special guests and he wanted to share it with us.  We told him it was because of our religion and he finally relented.  I felt so terrible that we had to reject his warm hospitality.  But we laughed and had a good visit.  We walked home a little tipsy turvy.  So if any of this story doesn’t make sense you will know that I am writing under the influence of alcohol for the first time in my life.  

This ninety-year-old lady stopped us and immediately connected to Cherie, Mark and baby Grant

She would not let go of Cherie's hand as if they had been friends forever.

She climbed through her garden picking us her best large zucchini.

Sister Gurney's first experience with "happy hour" - doesn't she just glow???

The best missionary in Germany.  No wonder the Prophet is lowering the age.  Who wouldn't stop and talk to this friendly Elder?

Mark and Cherie and three-month old Grant came for two weeks to share in our mission and see the most beautiful places in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

In case you think missionary work came to a halt while the Gurneys were here - think again - Mark is connecting with this less- active Brazilian convert who could communicate with Portugese speaking Elder Gurney - a returned missioanry from Capinas, Brazil - missions live on.

The Wiest family came to our home for dinner.  Cherie and Mark inspired us all with a lesson on prayer.  Prayers were offered by each of us - a spiritual experience never to be forgetten.  Bryan will turn twelve and be baptized on his birthday - September 14th.  Hoping dad will follow.

 

Eva Honz (center) has the gift of drawing the less actives to Church - especially when we are celebrating her birthday.  With Russian hymns and German Folk songs the six non-members had a great first exposure to the Churchand the less-actives felt comfortable being at Church again.

O.K. - we had a request for a closer look at the ancient Senior couples so here it is!