Our tree is up above....

This is the Elders tree...

This tree is in the mall in Nordhausen. We only visit here as needed. I thought you might like to compare this tree with the one in the Elders apartment and also the one in ours..

Personally speaking, I think the Elders and our tree are the winners.... Guess which one is the one for worldly celebrations, and the ones that are celebrations of the true meaning of Christmas.

Even Sister Clause got into the spirit, and made Elder Clause a Christmas breakfast. We are happy missionaries, and work for the "Eternal Nourishing Blessings" that are brought into the lives of others.

Our dear Elders had us over for Christmas Eve morning breakfast. They love food, so we treated them and two other Elders of our district to a nice Christmas DCM lunch meeting. This was their treat for us. They love the Christmas spirit, with their attire of hats. Elder Downing top; Elder Mason right; Sister "M" ummmmm Elder "M" is taking the photo.

Elder Mason, who is in Nordhausen with us drew
this picture on a white board at the kirche.
Everyone loved it, and he became an instant hit
with the kinder of the branch.

President and Sister Pimentel are both working so hard to keep the missionaries happy, and working for the Lord. Their theme in the mission is: "Find, Teach, Baptize, and Keep."

We attended a Mission conference in Leipzig (3) zones were there. They organized a wonderful Christmas celebration for us. We, as missionaries are so thank-ful for them. They truly give this mission their ALL.

We both received white elephant gifts...I didn't get to keep the tie, it was a big hit and went the rounds several times...I guess missionaries need ties!

The bell choir was a big hit, and these wonderful missionaries were a delight. I think their families can be so pleased with not only the joy they bring into the mission field, but so much energy and hard work.

Letters, and Christmas presents from home. The missionaries could hardly wait to pick up their gifts and gathered anxously looking for their treasure.

Hey Mom, look what I helped to make! Elder Downing was very much involved with this Heim Abend. Little Grace is ready to eat it. This activity will need to become a tradition. We all enjoyed it immensely! YUM

It actually stands up! Children are a real gift to us, and help us realize what is really important in life. Families can be together forever, each one of us needs to create our "Heavenly Ginger Bread Home"

More goodies went into her mouth than went onto the ginger bread house. This is Mila Schopp.

We held a family Heim Abend (home evening) with the Ernesti and Schopp families. I thought Ginger bread houses would be fun to make. Fortunately they came in a kit. Little Ben was very creative with his wall.

Sister Klee gave us a real present, by coming to the party. She has been less-active for 2+ years. We have been seeing her every week for some time, and rejoiced when she walked into the kirche all smiles. Tears of joy welled up in my eyes, and my heart just leaped out and shouted Merry Christmas!

Elder Downing, from Utah, must have been a good boy because he got a present from St. Nick too! Great missionary. He is always so positive, and has helped this area so much. His family can be very pleased with his dedicated service.

The beard is real! What a great St. Nick Edgar Linner made.

The kinder loved St. Nick. This is Brother Linner. He has not been active for several years, and we have been teaching him and his son Sabastian. He and Sabastian came to our party, and he consented to be St. Nick. Here he is giving a surprize gift to Mila Schopp. This is another family the Elders are working with to become members. Her father Daniel, is on the right.

A few of our wonderful mitglieder of the branch. They love sitting down and sharing kochun (goodies), and tea together.

Our Christmas Branch party was fun, and we all were filled with goodies, and a love for this beautiful season.

Sister Kuper left, Sister "M", Sister Keuthmann right. These two schwester's (sisters) are a delight. They want me to stay when our time is finished here! They think I will eventually learn the language if they keep me here long enough! There is a funny story I will need to relate. Sister Kuper needed to go to the doctor. Before she went I was standing near her, and she babbled (tower of babble), something to me. I nodded to her so that she would know that I was listening, not by any means knowing what she said. Later, Richard told me that Sister Kuper was glad that I told her she could keep her underware on when she went to see the doctor. We got a good laugh from that one. I had no idea that was what she was asking me! Fun ladies.

These are the Elders of our District. Elder Tjeden on the left, Elder Downing, Elder Brechbuhl, Elder Arnold. The two on the left are from Utah, the other two from Switzerland, and Germany. Those two kids on the right are also from Utah. We love our dear Elders, they work deligently for the Lord in all that they do. We are having some wonderful success here in Nordhausen, due to hard working missionaries, and the spiritual blessings of testimony coming from our Heavenly Father.

This darling little boy (Ben) has taken a liking to me. He is one of the members sons. I get hugs from him every Sunday, and then on Monday night we have Heim Abend (Home Evening) with Sister Ernesti, his mother, and also Jessie her 11 year old daughter. I'm glad there are kinder (children) in our branch, it helps me because I miss our grandchildren.

We enjoyed a Platschen Bachen, where the die mitglieder (members) wrapped their baked items into bundles and then we as missionaries delivered them to less-active members or to some older members of the branch. The little mice you see were made by an 11 year old girl. This activity is done every year here in this branch.

Elder Tjeden actually ate this sandwich. They love chips inside the sandwich, and of course as many layers as they can get into their mouths. They are our mighty warriors, and because they work so hard they are always hungry!