There are some interesting facts we learned about Germany that we would like to pass along to you. We understand that Germany is number one in recycling in the world; meaning that they recycle a bigger percentage of their used materials than anyone else in the world. It is obvious that they are really into recycling so that is believable to us. The second thing we have been told is that thirty percent of all wind produced electricity is produced in Germany. I have not confirmed these details but they seem like they might be true and accurate because of the electricity producing windmills we see and the great emphasis on recycling. There are of course things we look at and say we sure like our way of doing that better but they do some things wonderfully well here too.
We have had a few good weather days this week so we have enjoyed that but even more we have enjoyed some great times with the Young Single Adults this week. Monday night we had a great Family Home Evening presented by one of the YSAs, Tuesday night we had our Institute class on the Old Testament, and Friday night we had a conversational German class by the Zone Leader Elders. And then yesterday we spent a few hours being trained by the Church Education System coordinator(CES) over this area. What a treat that was! The time we spent with him just flew by. (By the way, he told us we were to make sure we had some time off every week - Preparation Day or "P Day") And he encouraged us to see some of the local sights and enjoy our time in Germany. So we will have some time to travel locally and see the sights.
We also took part of a day this last week and went to Saarbrucken, Germany. It is quite close by and near the French border. It was amazing but the closer we got to the French border Pam just felt better and better! We didn't see any castles but we did go in a big shopping area and sat outside to eat lunch. There was a man there playing a saxophone so she was really doing well. Just down the street we found another fellow playing the accordion. That sounded even more French so Pam felt like she was in France. (Besides people walking by and speaking French!) The day really charged her batteries!
To make you folks feel better back home - we paid $9.40 per gallon for gasoline this past week. The car does get 30 miles per gallon but those prices still make us walk when we can. As soon as the car starts we put it in gear and drive, if we stop for a train we turn the engine off, and when we pull in and park the engine is quickly turned off. Sitting and idling doesn't take a lot of fuel but at those prices we try not to waste any. (The price is back down a little now to about $9.20 a gallon.)
And if anyone has lost track - this past week we passed six months that we have been gone so we have days less than a year to go.
We love you and miss you!
Elder and Sister Karn
Here is a photo of the front of
our new apt. building. There are
2 apts., ours is on the lower
level.
This is a photo of one of our
young single adults teaching
Family Home Evening.
Here we are at a wonderful
sidewalk cafe for lunch
on P-Day in Saarbrucken.
