Elder and Sister Craven: THE LONGEST DAY

Jurgen and Claudia Sauenwald, Dieter and Liona,
Katerin and Max, Armin Frass on end

Another midweek holiday this week – Christi Himmelfahrt, which, if you ask the average German, is translated as “yes!.. another day off work!” Its Christian origin actually celebrates Christ’s ascension to heaven 40 days after his resurrection. After 2 failed attempts earlier in our mission, we took the opportunity to visit Elaine’s Buttler relatives in a little town just outside Hannover 3 ½ hours north of here. We were treated like royalty by Dieter and Liona Ebeling. Liona’s grandmother was Elaine’s grandma Bertha Buttler’s sister. We spent the day with them and distant cousin Armin Frass (Liona’s cousin) and his two children and their partners, Jurgen and Claudia Sauerwald and Max Frass and his girl friend Katerin. They were so kind to us and treated us to a wonderful restaurant dinner, then cakes and drinks at home afterward. We had a pleasant time and they were so good to treat us as true relatives. Martin says it was also the longest day ever. Elaine had full responsibility to keep up our side of the conversation and Martin had to look interested and engaged despite not being able to say anything much. Luckily the children spoke some English, so could converse a bit with him. It did make him wish he had tried harder to learn German. He heard more German in two days than in his whole life time and was actually starting to pick up some stuff by the time we left. Max Sauerwald, Armin’s grandson, is currently working at the ranch with John and Barbara Winch and, according to his parents, loving every minute of it – okay maybe not three-hour church. They showed us photos of him with his horse, Casper and of him holding a calf. The Ebelings graciously showed us around Hannover and its gardens and Marienburg Castle the next day. Liona sets a beautiful table with fresh flowers from the garden and fresh rolls right from the bakery.