Christmas Markets and Missionaries

That's right, Harmon and I have done it again. Europe take 2. We just couldn't pass up the amazing prices offered from Norwegian Air flying direct from Las Vegas to Stockholm. From Sweden you can fly anywhere in Europe for cheap using Europe's budget airlines like Ryanair. You can find tickets for as low as $500 round trip! 

This trip is 21 days, traveling by train, and packing coats rather than swimsuits. Europe is known for Christmas markets in which locals sell handmade gifts and crafts as well as native foods. We made it to German, Swiss, and French Chistmas markets! We enjoyed bratwurst, gluhwein (alcohol free), raclette, bretzels, fondue, crepes, and waffles. 

Our trip began in Berlin. (East7 is an awesome hostel by the way.) 

Large Chistmas "pyramid" at the weinachmarkt at Alexanderplatz.

Berlin is known for its many Christmas markets. The best we found was Gendarmenmarkt. Lots of handmade goods, live music, and good food! 

Live band at Gendarmenmarkt. 

From Berlin, it was on to Cologne, Disseldorf, and Aachen. Aachen was our favorite, as we love cute little towns. We also love Charlemagne.

Our night train from Cologne to Switzerland was then kindly delayed 350 minutes... Lets just say we spent more time watching Big Bang Theory in McDonalds than sleeping. :)

We only arrived in Montreux, Switzerland 6 hours later than expected, but still smiling! We explored the Swiss market and gaped again at the ridiculous prices. 

Chateaux du Chillon in Montreux, Switzerland. 

We were also back in the land of Cailler, our favorite chocolate maker of all time. The Swiss know their chocolate.

From Switzerland it was on to France! We had been planning this particular part of the journey for some time... We had a surprise for the local missionaries in Mulhouse.

We surprised my sister Whitney for Christmas! Thanks to President Babin and Soeur Bond we surprised Whit at the train station in Mulhouse. Soeur Bond was helping her find someone they needed to teach. 

Whitney took us with her Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We visited investigators' and members' homes, we learned how to properly eat escargot, oysters, and foie gras. 

What a precious experience to see my sister this Christmas. I have to tell you that this girl has it put together. She is alive with the Spirit of God. She speaks French like a native. She has so much love in her heart for these people and for Jesus, it is truly inspiring. Who could ask for a greater present at Christmas than that?

After saying goodbye to Whitney, we visited Colmar and Strasbourg, cute little Alsatian towns! 

Colmar

Ferrero Rocher and banana crepe at Colmar Christmas marche.

Strasbourg

What a beautiful Christmas! Surrounded by Christmas markets and then beautiful missionaries in tune with the Spirit who show us the true meaning of Christmas. They have inspired me to set goals to be better this coming year and to strive to live my life more aligned with God's desires. 

Merry Christmas!

Froehliche Weihnachten!

Joyeux Noel!