We Have Arrived!

We wanted to let you all know that we arrived in Frankfurt safe and sound. Our apartment is right next to the Church Area Office building and the church building, so we can walk to our work and church.

Brother Madsen met us at the airport today. His wife is with single sister in Finland this weekend, so he spent most of the morning with us. He walked us to a small market not far from the apartment to buy some groceries, then drove us to the REWE store, which is like an Albertson's. There are a lot of small shops nearby, a few small cafes and flower shops, so we should be able to pick up things really easily. Frankfurt lacks the quaint beauty of Ol' Europe. It's more modern, at least where we are.
There's a huge Cemetary about a block away where thousands of Jews and war victims are buried.

Our apartment is a one bedroom, with a galley kitchen, a dishwasher, and a washer/driver in the bathroom--and best of all a king size bed! The apartment reminds me a little of an IKEA apartment showroom. Dad said I can decorate it. COOL! The IKEA store isn't far away. So that makes it even better. We even have a 25 inch TV in the living room, and we have our two lap-tops and IPODs, so it's almost like we never left home--except we're missing our favorite people.

We're almost through unpacking, so by Monday we should feel like we actually live here. We love you all. Take care and keep us in your prayers. I think we're going to need it.

Love always, Joe and Dee

While at the MTC

We wanted to send you all a quick note and share the joy we feel at this time. This past week at the Missionary Training Center has probably been one of the most spiritual weeks of our lives--full of scriptures and love for the Savior and His children. There are no words to express the peace we have felt here.
Today, we visited the Humanitarian Center and Welfare Square in Salt Lake City. What a beautiful program. It is hard to express the emotions you feel as you see refugees from different countries working to provide goods and food for people around the world. Utah ranks 5th in refugees, and these centers provide employment for them and a chance for an education, while also using their labor to prepare goods for shipment to 3rd world countries. One young man from Sudan told us today that he felt so much joy in knowing that as he works here in the Center he is also providing goods for his friends and family back home.
At present we have water projects planned in Syria and Lebanon. We are just waiting for US approval to begin. These two projects alone will provide water for more than 100,000 people. It takes my breathe away to see what we are doing. Right now we are working on a project with Catholic Charities providing food and clothing to China, after the earthquake. And we have many projects waiting for us in Gerymany to get into action. You can guess that we can't hardly wait to get to our desks in Frankfurt so we can get to work. We leave Friday morning. We love you all and pray for you each day. Please know that we love you dearly.


Joe and Dee

Launching the Durrance Blog

I have decided to launch this blog for my parents to keep everyone informed on what my parents are up to while on their mission. I hope to keep it up and post any emails and pictures they send. So, thanks so much for visiting and wish them the best while they are doing such great service for others.

Jayna Smith