Little Update

We just returned from a week-long Young Adult Conference (Tagung) held about 250 miles away in a little town of Eringerfeld, outside of Paderborn, in the rolling hills of Central Germany. The attendees were 750 Young Adults from the German speaking countries of Austria, Switzerland and Germany, along with about 50 others from all over Europe including a few from the military bases in Germany.

The week was filled with religious and temporal classes, sport activities, games, drama, firesides, devotionals, talent shows, discussion groups, service projects in the surrounding communities, and even a little rest time for the 25 senior missionary couples that helped out with the program.

We had a large group from our own area in attendance and they were on fire the whole week. We had been having a rain drizzle most of the week. Then on Friday, the sun shines throughout the day and everyone leaves their raingear and umbrellas back in their rooms, because it is such a nice day to walk to dinner. Then the heavens let loose in a downpour over the next hour as everyone was walking back the 700 yards from the cafeteria after the evening meal.

Friday was also the big sports tournament day. Elder Harrington was included on a basketball team by one of our singles and was the only “adult” of the 150 plus singles “playing ball” in the mini tournaments. You know, you can’t keep him off the basketball court forever.

So, wouldn’t you know it, his team wins the basketball tournament and at the talent and awards presentations, he hustles up to the stage with the other team players to get their gold medals and he decides to “hop” up onto the center runway, instead of using the stairs like most 60 year-olds would do that had any common sense, and just about made headlines by falling into the cheering crowds. But, a quick athletic move to the right and he regained his balance and made the stage with all his body parts intact.

Conference highlights, other than his award reception, included Firesides each evening with each of the European Central Area Authority 70s speaking. Dancing and Talent shows each night, super CES classes and our specialty project: serving about 150 fresh and hot, off the griddle, waffles to the singles each afternoon. “Hey, no crowding please, just go up the stairs and the line forms down at the end of the hall, vielen Dank.”

And our living quarters reminding us that even at our age we can still “camp-out” if needed. We expended energy we didn’t know we had. We slept very little. We ate too much. We worked with and built relationships with other senior couples from all over the world. We cried with emotions at the testimonies of our “kids” here and saw them grow and build relationships with each other that will last many years.

But, what we loved was seeing the youth of Europe come together and strengthen their testimonies and bring their friends to share the Gospel of the Restoration. They begin to establish their Legacy as future leaders of the Church in Europe and spread the message of the Savior.

We were impressed with the quality of these young representatives of the Church here in Europe. Many had already served missions in other European countries, and many in the United States. Many would soon be leaving on their own missions. So many displayed their talents, their language gifts, and their willingness to serve and help others. And, there was a common ground no matter what language was spoken: we are truly brothers and sisters in the Gospel and share a most precious message.

Well, our week was filled with choice experiences. The coming weeks offer much for us to do here in our little Institute Center that serves about 40 young adults. We find ways to help them succeed in their studies. We help them with their relationships with friends and companions. We are saddened when they leave us. Rejoice when they accept mission calls. Celebrate with them as they go to the Temples of the Lord and strengthen their testimonies.

This is a glorious work. In our short time here we hope we make a small addition to the lives of those we teach and work with. We know that they have added to our own lives.

Elder David and Sister Marie Harrington