Rest in Peace Melgert Eduard Oppermann "Bubi"

The funeral went off like fireworks.   Ans was able to speak and so were her three children who came from Canada and the states.  How marvelous that they have the knowledge of the plan of Salvation and Happiness that gives them the potential to return to our Heavenly Father as families.   Saying farewell is not as difficult when we  know that we will see each other again.

Bubi wanted the funeral to be a party and that is what actually happened.  I wanted to serve a traditional American Lunch but Ans could not go that far.  She wanted to stay somewhat Dutch and just have a roll with either ham or cheese along with a delicious current roll we also added fruit for color and of course a chocolate.  Naturally we served hot drinks as well as punch.

My two faithful friends Olivia and Sarah were marvelous in helping to make the event look like a party and afterwards  running around making sure everyone was happy and fed in addition to ensuring  that everything  ran smoothly.  What would I do without these two women?  I have had to rely on them numerous times and when I give them an assignment I know it will be done the way it needs to be done.   Sarah is an American gal and Olivia lived in the States for a while so they are familiar with how things are done there. They are both very talented and creative and I knew they would come through with flying colors.

There were many people there who had never set foot in an LDS chapel before and we wanted them to feel welcome and not have them think that we had the Baptismal font ready to baptize them before they left the building. Bubi's son Mel  spoke about our belief in Families being united forever and bore his Testimony about being sons and daughters of God.

The Elders helped us with just about anything we needed done from refilling drinks, offering more food and clearing away their plates.   The sister missionaries were constantly busy in the kitchen preparing more plates, doing dishes and cleaning up so that "Sister Spek" did not have to do all that by herself.

Everyone pitched in setting up chairs and tables the night before and taking them down afterwards  was naturally included as with any church activity.  I wonder if anyone has ever counted how many chairs a person sets up and takes down in a life time because of membership in this great organization.  It would be interesting to find out.

After the service the casket was carried to the hears and Bubi left instructions that while he was driven away everyone had to wave him off. A site that was very touching.  Ben was asked to be one of the pall bearers because he and Bubi have been such good friends for years.  The casket is not the familiar casket we have at home, his had to be all wood because it goes into the crematorium oven along with the body so naturally no metal is allowed.  This country is too small for everyone to be buried so cremation was their method of choice.

The most important thing was that Ans and her family were very happy with everything and sending Bubi off was done in the style they wanted.   Now onto the next project.  We are kept busy and we love it that way. The clock is moving quickly and we have so much to do before we leave this beautiful land and the people we have learned to love as family.  If we do not see them again in this life I know we will be reunited in a better place.

Now it's time to start cooking for the pot luck lunch we will have after church tomorrow. The members love visiting with each other because that can usually only be done on Sundays.  With everyone living so far from the church as well as from each other the "Pot Luck" time is always a great way to catch up on the latest.