Guten Tag: Freiberg Germany Temple Rededication

Although we had completed our assignment to assist with the Freiberg Temple VIP Open House, we certainly wouldn't have missed the actual rededication of the temple. The rededication was scheduled on none other than Elder G's birthday, Sunday, September 4! We thought that was a very special way to celebrate his birthday. Since our director, Sister Sirtl, had assignments early Saturday morning, we arrived mid-day Friday. We had a very enjoyable lunch break in the nearby town of Meißen. The Albrecht Castle along the Elbe River made an awesome greeting
as we entered the old, historic town.

Meißen is world-famous for its porcelain china created early in the 1700s.

Since we arrived a little after noon, we decided to have lunch there
and headed to the town square.

We enjoyed strolling through the narrow streets.

Something awesome about this particular church's bell tower: Instead of one metal bell,
there were numerous little bells, all made of the famous Meißen porcelain!!!

We enjoyed our Italian lunch in the German town square! ha!

Then Elder G and I spent the evening in the old town square of Dresden. We were fortunate to gain entrance to our favorite church, the Frauenkirche, and listen to a religious service (in German) as well as an organ recital. Hearing the organ played in that cathedral was amazing!

We ran into three young women who recognized us as missionaries due to our badges. They were in Dresden as chaperones for a few of the youth who would be performing in Saturday night's Cultural Event. Their parents walked up, and--lo and behold--another Small Mormon World! Their father is the brother of our Branch President, Alexander Merkel!!!

For the next several hours we sat on the pedestal of the Martin Luther statue and "people watched." It was a beautiful evening, and we thoroughly enjoyed watching tourists and listening to the street performers--an accordion player and a violinist (whose CD I just couldn't resist!).

Saturday morning we needed to be at the temple site so our director could participate in video interviews with President Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar.

We then completed our next assignment of posting Legal Notice signs in both English and German at the Cultural Event Center. These notified those attending that pictures would be taken

and may or may not be used for Church purposes.

The Cultural Celebration was performed by 500 youth from five different countries. Many had traveled hundreds of miles, arriving Friday evening and having their first practice Saturday morning, just hours before the performance. They did an awesome job!!!

Here is a group from Hungary.

And another from Poland.

This young man had one. amazing. voice! The next European rock star!!!

This drum number was especially effective because everyone had different makes and sizes of "drums," whose strange sounds reverberated throughout the large venue.

Prospective missionaries!

Prospective temple goers!

President Uchtdorf actually took about 20 minutes leaving the venue. He must have shaken hands, "high-fived," or hugged half the youth who struggled to get near him as he was leaving.

Sunday morning we were part of the 9 a.m. crowd, eagerly awaiting entry to the temple. We were privileged to have seats in one of the endowment rooms. Elders Bednar and Kearon both spoke; and then after President Uchtdorf spoke, he offered a wonderful dedicatory prayer. We were very grateful to have been present at this special event here in Germany!