Our last ten days in Germany were memorable, full of sweet goodbyes and lots of hugs and tears.
We spent two more days training Elder and Sister Sutterfield and then Elder and Sister Healy arrived! Elder and Sister Sutterfield are the Nelsons replacements (who went home in August) Healy’s are our replacements. We turned over Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Romania to Sutterfields and Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Malta, and Italy to Healys. We showed them how to open new projects, close out projects and everything in between.
One More FHE
During our monthly, pot-luck family home evenings, new couples are welcomed and those leaving are given a memory booklet. And then comes the time when we all sing “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” That is always a tender experience.
One More Dinner at the Johnsons
Elder and Sister Johnson were our MTC buddies and fellow humanitarian specialists. They invited us over for Taco Tuesday.
One More Temple Trip with the Muehlmanns
We love our dear in-field Austria/Switzerland couple turned area mentoring specialists who now live with us in Bad Homburg. We shared one last trip to the temple, dinner, and one last game of Five Crowns.
One More Welfare Self Reliance Lunch
As missionaries leave the mission field we are honored at a department pot-luck lunch. We love these people so much and feel so grateful to have crossed paths with them in this life.
One More Humanitarian Team Dinner
We had a unique dining experience at Eschenheimer Turm. This 15th century tower was a city gate, part of the late-medieval fortifications of Frankfurt am Main. It now houses a restaurant. We cooked our own meal on hot stones.
One More Saturday Field Trip
We will miss our Saturday field trips to castles and half-timber villages. We will miss the Muellecks even more. We love traveling and working with them. We chose two towns to visit on our last Saturday together.
Gelhnausen
Known as the Barbarossa City, it was founded in 1170 by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. It is full of medieval charm; half-timber houses complete with church bells ringing.
Always, sobering stumbling stones.
We saw the ruins of a 12th century imperial palace, and the hexenturm, a watchtower/prison during witch trials.
Marienkirche was built between 1170 and 1250. It is an important example of the transitional style from Romanesque to Gothic.
Steinau an der Strasse
Steinau is a historic stop on the old “Via Regia” trade route between Frankfurt and Leipzig. For centuries this route served as the major west-east axis of the Holy Roman Empire.
Unfortunately, Schloss Steinau was closed for the winter, but we were able to roam through the courtyards.
The Brothers Grimm arrived in the town as preschoolers and stayed until they were ten and eleven. We visited their home. A beautiful fountain in the town square memorializes some of their Fairy Tales.
Good food and Muellecks just go together
One More Offenbach Branch Sunday Pot-Luck Lunch
One More Sunday Dinner with Elder and Sister Briggs
We met attending the same ward on our first Sunday in Germany. They serve in the temple, and we look forward to seeing them each week.
One More Humanitarian Trip
We took the train with Elder and Sister Healy for an overnight visit to Hamburg. We met with our friends at Caritas to discuss a possible project for women’s shelters. Our infield couple, the Waldals joined us. We had more training time on the four hour train ride each way.
One More Early Morning Pickleball Game
One More Suitcase
Yes, we had to buy another suitcase to bring all our treasures home.
There is a tradition in the Welfare Self-Reliance department that when missionaries return home we are sent off with shofar blowing by our zone leaders.
We are so grateful for the opportunity we have had during the last 18 months. This quote from Elder Uchtdorf has been hanging on our bathroom mirror during our mission, “If you ever feel burned out or overwhelmed by your church calling (or mission we added) try refocusing your service on Jesus Christ. Make it an expression of your love for Him.” We love our Savior and we know He lives and we pray that our service has been acceptable to Him. This mission has been an exhausting and exhilarating; stressful and joyful; soul-stretching experience.
We recognize that we have been blessed with so much; with good health, with the opportunity to associate with incredible people. We have served with consecrated senior missionaries in the area office and out in the field. We have worked alongside amazing people who work, day in and day out serving the vulnerable populations in their countries. Elder Oaks said, “God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of His great and marvelous work…It is too vast, too arduous for any one people.” May we all do our part in our corner of the world.
Thank you for coming along with us on our journey. Thank you for the texts and emails you have sent us during the last 18 months. You have strengthened us. Thank you for your faith and prayers on our behalf.
Auf Wiedersehen
With love, Elder & Sister Lamb (aka Ed & Debbie, Mom & Dad, Pop Pop & Tu Tu)
Lambs in Central Europe 