August 11 - 17, 2018

Today, Saturday, was another comedy in our home.  We feel like we were called to serve the Young Adults and they have had to take care of us.  When we started our first day with a broken car window, we couldn't imagine it could get any worse.  We definitely have had to change the way we do some things and it is tough to teach an old dog new tricks.

We had enjoyed the day and a few days of cooler weather, YEAH!  I baked bread to take on some visits we wanted to do today.  We picked three people to visit and we found 1 home.  We had a really nice visit and learned a little more about the area and people.  We could not find the other two home, they are away on vacation until next week according to their neighbors.  It was an adventure walking the streets looking for the correct apartment.  It was also fun and we found lots of fruit trees and even a kiwi tree.  I had never seen one before and it was loaded with kiwi.  I hope people are eating our pears back home and even a few pomegranates that are growing.

We talked with some of our family today - it is so nice to have video calls, it makes us seem not so far away.  We were so happy to catch up and to wish Brian and Beth a Happy 8th Anniversary.  We had decided to go get a Pizza for dinner at the corner cafe.  We finished our calls and it was getting late, about 7:30 so we hurried out the door.  As soon as the door closed Russ realized he did not pick up the keys to the apartment.  We were LOCKED OUT!  We are still getting used to this apartment living.  We looked at each other and could not believe another crazy event could be added to our list. 

We tried to see if we could climb from our neighbors balcony to ours because we knew the back doors and windows were open.  It was too far of a reach.  We liked that the neighbors balcony was not too close until now.  We knew that the Bishop keeps an extra key to our apartment in his office just in case this happens.  It saves the Church and us a lot of money to not have to call a locksmith to open doors.  That would mean we would have to tell someone what we did.  They are still laughing about the car window!  We started calling the few people we had numbers for in our phone.  No answer, "I live too far away to help", wrong number, and "Hello".  After 30 minutes of calls we found one of our YSA's who has a key to the Bishop's office who was willing to ride his bike and meet us at the church. He was just getting ready to ride with his fiance' to her home so they made a detour and came to help us.   It is about a 15 minute walk so we started out to meet them.  He said he has had the key for about a year and this was the 4th time he had come and helped a missionary.  We didn't feel so bad knowing we were not the only ones.  We finally made it to pick up pizza at 9:30 pm.  It was really too late to eat, but we ate it anyway and really enjoyed it.  We are really enjoying the food - their cheese is delicious.  We got a Pizza to feed both of us with leftovers for 6 Euro - you can't beat that especially when it is so good.

So, our days continue to be adventures.  We have been humbled many times.  We are learning what it means to be a companion (watching out for each other).  Our Mission Presidents wife had just sent us  a video presentation on being good companions to each other.  We had not watched it together yet.  I think that will be a great Sunday activity and maybe we will start working, thinking, doing better at taking care of each other during all of this.  It is amazing the lessons we have had to learn.
In other words, Linda needs to carry her key with her at all times as well and then we will not get locked out!

After three attempts, we are finally registered (anmeld) to live in the city.  When you enter a city, even if you are from Germany, you have to register with the city.  We were missing our marriage license that was with our VISA papers and had to wait for them to be sent.  They arrived and  we finally got the permit.  Now we get to start the long process of VISA'S.  We hope it will go well.

 Monday we traveled about an hour and a half to a city called Singen for our District meeting.  We took the young Elder's with us and it is always a great experience being with them.  Elder Silva is from Portugal and Elder Batske is from Germany.  It has been very interesting getting to know them and to learn about their families and their lives.  We had an assignment to share a story or time that we felt the blessings of the Lord in our life.  We choose to share the story of Josh serving in Iraq and reading from the scriptures in Ephesians 6 and Alma about putting on the Armour of God before battle.  He would read this before putting on his gear that weighed over 50 pounds and then they would say a prayer as a unit that started being called "A Gunner's Prayer".  We were praying for his safety, but knew he was doing all that he could to be safe and to make the necessary preparations both physically and spiritually to be ready for battle.

 Every Tuesday is PDAY - preparation day.  This week we had a District activity with 8 other missionaries.  We drove about an hour into the Black Forrest for a hike and picnic.  As we were driving we got a call from 2 Missionaries  who were coming from another city and said they got on the wrong bus and ended up at the Swiss border and could we come and get them.  So, we dropped off the Elder's who were with us at the trail head and we drove another 30 minutes to pick up the 2 stranded Elder's.  It was a beautiful drive to get them and we enjoyed it a lot.  We missed the 3 mile hike and were able to drive to the top of the mountain instead.  :)  It was a very steep climb and I was actually glad we  could drive to the summit and park and then have our picnic.  There were lots of trails on top and we took a 45 minute hike that was wonderful.  They have these fantastic portable grills that we took and they light immediately and get coals really fast.  I had pre-made roasted vegetables and made foil packets.  We heated them on the coals along with brats and burgers.  Our Elder's had never seen foil dinners.  They loved them.  We had a feast between everyone bringing food.  I took pineapple with brown sugar to roast and nectarines.  Everyone loved it.  The only thing missing was some ice cream to go on top.  At the top of the mountain is a restaurant and bed and breakfast. 

Our District having fun.

 The afternoon ended with 4 paragliders coming and setting up right in front of us to set sail.  Oh my goodness, it was amazing.  It was actually a marked off course with wind flags and markers for them to know just when to run and take off in the wind.  It was the most amazing experience.  We watched them take off and go into the wind.  Awesome Day!

Picture from the top of the hill looking down on Titisee

We went back to the Refugee Camp and were able to visit the family from our Church.  We were treated much better this time by the security guard.  He didn't even have us show him our Passports (we had them with us this time).  We went to the building we were told and looked all around and could not find the family.  We went to the third floor and asked a lady and she said, "Oh, that's my friend, she lives in Building E.  She went to the open window and called her friend on the phone.  She came to her window and waved so we would know where to go.  Tender Mercies.  We were able to go and visit and get to know them better.  They are from Nigeria.  They lived in Italy for 7 years and while they were in a camp there, they joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They came to Germany 3 years ago and are still waiting for their papers to clear.  They cannot work until they have papers.  He is in University taking a German Language course so he can get a job when the legal comes through.  Their two boys go to school and speak really good German.  They cannot leave Freiburg so they are very limited on what they can do.  We want to find some things we can do with them. Blessing, (the mother) speaks her native language, Italian and English.  She does not speak German so she is limited, like me, on what she can do.

On Thursday we went to the Immigration Office to apply for our VISA.  They said we would need to make an appointment and the first appointment is Oct. 8.  He could see we were concerned and said, "Don't worry, it will take about 2 weeks to process after your appointment and if your current VISA runs out, we will just extend it for 3 more months." So the process begins and we will not worry about it for now.

The closest thing to a Texas Longhorn we have found.  This is a bench along the Tram tracks.  I think Fort Worth should have a few of these.


I continue to bake bread and take with us on our visits.  Sometimes we end up eating it because we find no one home.  I am hoping to purchase a Bosch so I can start making Cinnamon Rolls.  We found one today, but did not want to carry it on the Tram.  We will go back with the car.

Russ was invited to go to dinner with a group of men tonight.  It was just down the street from our

home at an Italian Restaurant.  He had a great time and he could not believe how much food and how good it was - his white shirt was covered in little red spots - to prove how much he enjoyed eating it.  He got this big plate and a drink for 8 Euro.  We will plan a date to go back.
There is a large Italian influence here and we love it.  Best of both worlds.  We are only 20 miles from the French border but we do not see much French influence in our town. We see more Swiss influence here.

A fun tradition here in Germany is to fill a cone with treats for your kids for the first day of school.  Like all things, they get bigger and bigger (like a Texas Mum) and it can become a status thing.  I took a picture today of some in a store window.  The ones in the picture are filled with healthy snacks for the students. Fun idea.

So, I end this week with gratitude for this beautiful world we live in.  There is nothing like being in a place that makes you feel you are on the top of the world and can look down like we did on Tuesday.  My body has not been the same from the hiking - shins and calves have been stretched to their limits. So glad I did not walk the 3 mile climb.  Walking has been a little difficult the past few days, but the view was worth it.  We received our first Melaleuca order today.  I am so glad there is a Germany office and I can continue to use these wonderful products.  We cannot get everything, but so glad to have laundry soap, cleaning products, shampoos, and vitamins.  Another comfort from home.

We visit a lady named Amira who is from Lebanon.  She is part Swedish and has lived in Germany for many years.  She joined our church about 15 years ago.  She is home bound because of illness.  She is a delight to visit.  She is so full of love and has many experiences to share from her life before she became ill.  She is only in her late thirties but does not know how long she has to live.  She likes us to read scriptures with her when we visit.  We read in Alma 5 this week - I actually got brave and took my turn and read in German.  I have the English next to it so I could see what I was reading by reading ahead.  It was a good experience for me and good practice.  We talked about Verse 14: "And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have ye received his image in your countenances?  Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?...And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"  
She asked what that verse meant.  We told her she was a great example of the scripture as she had a change of heart 15 years ago when she accepted Christ and was baptized in The Church.  Now, what has she done with that knowledge - she continues to spread love to all who enter her humble home.  I always leave feeling better than when I arrive.  She truly has received Jesus Christ in her countenance.  I am grateful too for this lesson in my life and to know that daily I can invite His Spirit to be with me so that we can go forth and invite others to Come Unto Christ.

Viel Liebe - Much Love,
The Grimmett's