Camp Helaman - Baumholder, Germany

Bryant got the chance again this year to join the Kaiserslautern Military Stake in their week of missionary prep/high adventure -- aka Camp Helaman. They camped at Baumholder and encountered some hungry bugs, but they did have some fun adventures too. On the day of the long bicycle trek, Bryant accidentally crashed his bike and had some impressive abrasions to show for it. On Thursday evening, our area of Germany had it's big "storm of the year" which managed to soak everything (including Bryant's scriptures) and blow away several tents. The storm also hit right in the middle of testimony meeting, but of course, they were undaunted and finished out their meeting in the swim locker room.

Here they are on the day of river rafting:

A big thank you to the Kaiserslautern Military Stake for allowing Bryant to take part this year!

Goodbye!

All I can say is that it doesn't get any easier as the kids grow up and leave for college. Lissie left on the same day that Marie & Will & kids left, which only compounded the difficulty in saying goodbye.  Both Lissie and Marie had left me kind goodbye notes, and I spent the first half hour or so trying to get up the courage to read them!  As I cried through the readings, and then wandered about the house crying some more, all I could think was "This is not right!"  Then I had to pull myself together and go to work.  Tracy stopped in at the library on his way home from the airport, and we sat on the couches there and cried some more! So no, it doesn't get any easier.  We even contemplate its inevitability long, long before it happens. 

So long, Farewell, Auf wiedersehen, Goodbye!  We're missing you already!

Bryant's First 5K

As part of the "Farewell Heidelberg" festivities, the community held a 5K Fun Run on June 7th. Bryant decided to take this opportunity to run his first 5K. I was glad the race started right in front of the library since I had to go in to work that morning. I was able to cheer him on as he took off running, and then 19 minutes and 22 seconds later I cheered him further as he was the first youth to cross the finish line, fifth overall.

Congratulations, Bryant! You are a natural . . . 

and I'm expecting some fabulous finishes in your Cross Country meets this fall!

Happy Birthday Bryant!

Well, the day before Bryant's 17th birthday was the final sacrament meeting of the Heidelberg Military Ward, and since the Clarks were coming down for that as well, we decided to have them over to share birthday dessert with us.  We served Bryant's favorite faux apple pie (apple crisp - a crowd pleaser).  He also had invited Shannon and Marlowe over, and of course, Marie and Will and family were still with us too, so it was quite the happy gathering.  We followed Clark birthday tradition and told our favorite things about the birthday boy . . . fun, playful, musical, kind, grateful, caring, friendly . . . the list could go on and on because there are so many things we appreciate about him.

The next day he wanted to hang out at home and play with his new computer speakers.  Part of his birthday had also been a trip earlier in the week to Europa Park.  Oh, and he wanted us to order take out Indian food on his birthday. And did I mention that he got to take a trip to the Canary Islands the very next day (with Lissie, Marie and Will).

Happy Birthday, Bryant.  Wishing you a wonderful birthday and year to come!  You are dear to us!

A Fond Farewell to the Heidelberg Military Ward

On June 9, 2013, the Heidelberg Military Ward held its very last services. We can easily say that this has been our favorite ward of all time.  Our children grew up in this ward.  Emily, Christian, Lissie, and Bryant were all baptized and confirmed in this ward.  Many of the events and memories of our family can be traced back to this ward and this community.

For this last sacrament meeting, we actually were privileged to hear from most of our youth since it was seminary Sunday.  It seemed appropriate to have the youth address us since they are our future and will carry on the work of the Lord at new destinations.

The following is a picture of four of the former bishops of the Heidelberg Military Ward, all in attendance for the final services:

Christopher Johnson, Kent Duncan, Tracy Allred and Russell Tillett!

   

Here I am visiting with old friends and former members of the ward: 

Kelle Kropushek, (me), Jeanette Clark, Joanna Broderick Ehrhardt, Becky Duncan.

A Fond Farewell to Our Dear Heidelberg Military Ward.

We miss you already!

BYU ballroom dancers come to Germany!

We planned a few excursions for when Marie and her family were here to visit for three weeks, and the BYU Ballroom Dance show was one of our very favorites.  We had to miss their show on June 6 in Kaiserslautern (Lissie's graduation trumped that one), but we were delighted to discover that we could get tickets through the German Stake for a show the very next day in Mutterstadt which is even closer to our house.

We were so impressed with the quality of the performances and the nonstop entertainment.  Even the costumes were over-the-top fabulous.

Here are a couple of pictures from after the show.  It's Lissie's dream to join them on tour someday.

So glad you could come to Germany, BYU Ballroom Dancers!

Congratulations, HHS Class of 2013!

Lissie graduated on June 6, 2013, from Heidelberg American High School.  She graduated with honors and was chosen to sing the German national anthem for the ceremony.  Tracy and I commented on how the German national anthem was more moving than the American national anthem for this particular event!  She sang so beautifully, and we felt profound gratitude for her and for the opportunity we have had to live in the lovely Heidelberg area for so many years.  All I can say is, "We are going to miss this girl!"

Here she is at the podium singing the national anthem:

Also displayed on the big screen: 

And here she is after the ceremony with some of her "favorite" people!

Heidelberg High School has a tradition of treating their seniors (courtesy of the Senior Parent Association) to a Neckar River cruise directly after the ceremonies.  Yes, it is a party boat!

Congratulations, Lissie, and the whole HHS Class of 2013!

Baccalaureate at the Heiliggeist Kirche

The baccalaureate service on June 2 at the Heiliggeist Church in downtown Heidelberg was the beginning of the Heidelberg High School graduation festivities. Many people say that the graduation ceremonies put on for our graduates are the best they have ever seen and I tend to agree. You can't really top the baccalaureate services at the church on the Hauptstrasse, followed a few days later with graduation in the Stadthalle, and then a Neckar River cruise. As a member of the Madrigals, Lissie participated at baccalaureate by providing the vocal music for the service. With the echoing acoustics in the church, it sounded truly angelic. I especially loved how Lissie helped to accompany one song on the guitar.

Here is Lissie afterwards with Mr. Jon Hodge, the HHS Music Director: 

And here we have some fellow graduates:

Lissie with Owen and Allison, also part of the music ensemble

(Owen plays base, Allison plays keyboard)

And here we are taking a few pictures on the Old Bridge after the ceremony.

Congratulations, Everyone!