IT'S FEBRUARY

View of the Neckar River from above the Heidelberg fortress.

With the Coppins, our counterparts in Solihull, England, on the road to Heidelberg fortress

On the old city wall in Rothenburg with our new intern from BYU, Taylor Street

Elder Pat and Sister Ann Coppin were here from the England Public Affairs Office this week to be trained in their public affairs duties.  They have been in England since late last year but this is the first they could come for training.  Our supervisor allowed them a “cultural day” at the end of the week so we took them to see Heidelberg and Rothenburg on Friday.  It was cold and snowy, but they enjoyed it and gave us a chance to practice getting around for when our children come for visits.  We had them to dinner today with the Brandes, along with our new BYU intern, Taylor Street and a recent young convert Alejandra Diaz.  Still cold here but the sun has shone pretty steadily the last 2 days and we have enjoyed that greatly.

The three Church employees for whom we work are all in Salt Lake this week at their annual training.  Gabi will present a workshop tomorrow to all the Area Directors of Public Affairs from around the world.  She will also present our 2012 Media Book to the Church's Public Affairs team in Salt Lake.  We're quite sure a copy will end up on the desk of President Monson.