August 3 - August 10

I had written every day this week and went in last night to finish the last paragraph and post and I don't know what happened, but in one keystroke everything that had been saved all week was gone.  I have searched everything I know (that is very little) and cannot find it.  You will be spared the 3 pages of thoughts and pictures.  I know I cannot recreate what was originally written or felt, but I will share some pictures and a few thoughts.  I hope I can get this Blog going better or I will have to use a different way to record my thoughts and events.

 On Tuesday night we went back to the Munster (Cathedral) and attended an organ recital.  We were very surprised to arrive and find it was filled to capacity.  We expected a few people to attend.  It was everything and more than we were expecting.  5 pieces were played and the organ music filled the whole of the cathedral.  I have never heard an organ opened up and so full of sound.  At times it sounded like a whole orchestra was playing and then as simple as a single bell.  The organist received a standing ovation and played one of his most beautiful pieces from memory as the encore. 

This Munster was built in the 1300's and is one of the few in Germany that was not damaged or destroyed.  Only a block away is the site of the Jewish synagogue that was destroyed by fire in 1938 and began the destruction and torment of the Jewish people.  They have a memorial there now as a reflecting pond for people to come and pay their respects. 
The Cathedral has beautiful stain glass windows that can only be seen on the inside.  The outside has protective glass.  There is a large statue of the last supper that is very interesting to see.  I find it interesting that they depict the twelve disciples as old men at the supper when we know they were contemporaries of Jesus and more in their 30's.  I am glad this building has been preserved and protected and continues to be a place of worship.

Jewish Synagogue memorial.  The reflecting pond is in the shape of the original base of the building.  It is a large gathering place for many people.

Six days a week a market is held on the Munster square.  Saturdays are the biggest day.  We went on Saturday and enjoyed walking through and seeing all of the fruit, flowers, cheeses, meats, honey, wax, wood carvings, basket making, candies, chocolate, and other craftsman. 

 We found a shop that made swords from hand carved wood.  We saw designs very similar to the ones made by Joshua Grimmett.  We took pictures as it made us think of him. This is the process he uses, but he takes the wood sword with rope or tape wrapped around like these and then casts a mold and pours a resin sword. 









                                                 Russ holding a Sword!

 Saturday night we celebrated being in Freiburg 1 week by going out to dinner.  We looked on Yelp (Josh Grimmett's favorite sight to find local dining spots when traveling).  We were not disappointed.  We went to the #1 spot listed and it was just off the tourist area and the corner of a main road and a quaint little street. (picture below)  You sit outside at a small table and just enjoy the people as they go by.  Some even stop and say hello.  Fabulous salad and entree'.  We just enjoyed taking it all in and grateful that we had survived our first week.  We did ask for 1 English menu so we could make sure we knew

 what we were ordering.  We are getting better at food.

This is looking the other direction from our table.  This is one of two gates to the city of Freiburg.  The bottom third was built in 1330 and the rest about 200 years later.  The clock works and strikes every 30 minutes. 












Sunday we went to church and we were visiting with the Bishop before the services started.  The organist  was playing beautiful music and suddenly the lights went out and the organ stopped playing.  No one blinked and eye.  The organist just got up and moved to the piano and the Bishop left and went to his seat on the stand.  The only thing missing was the air conditioning - Oh wait - there is no air conditioning in the building so it didn't matter.  We were going to be hot no matter what.  So the meeting went on.  They just asked those who were speaking to speak loud so everyone could hear.  We held all three hours of meetings with no lights.  The internet did not work, but that was OK too.  One man spoke about all of the places he has lived from Africa to several European countries and now Germany.  He said how blessed they were to live here with all of the amenities and necessities of life.  Perspective - it makes you think a little.

Tuesday we had a surprise visit from our Mission President.  That is our normal PDay (preparation day) so we spent the morning shopping for the weeks groceries and other items.  We have been to IKEA and Aldi so I am doing great.  I have actually found a few grocery stores that I like and I enjoy grocery shopping better than any other kind of shopping.  So we were shopping and got a call from Pres. Brown that he was on his way and would be coming to visit.  We had been told we would see him on Friday.  We said, "great, we must have missed the memo."  We invited him to our home instead of the church and that turned out to be a great blessing for all.  Normally he allows about 20 minutes for interviews for each missionary.  We got to be with him for 3 hours and because the Elders were "on a high mountain" and did not get the memo, he waited for them to come back home to come and visit him.  So, we got to go to dinner with him as well.  We took him to our corner Mr. Donner restaurant and it was wonderful.  We had been told it was the best in Freiburg for what they would call "fast food".  We had wanted to go but had not stopped in.  We pass it about 6 times a day.  It was so good.  We had a Yufka (middle eastern wrap).  President could not believe how inexpensive it was and how much food we got.  He said in Switzerland you could only feed 1 for that price.  It was so much food we all brought half of it back home. He said, that is better that buying groceries and that we should eat there often!  So then we had the Elders come to our home and have their interviews.  It was such a nice afternoon and evening and we were truly blessed to have that time with Pres. Brown.  While we were eating he got a text that his daughter-in-law had just gone to the hospital to have her first baby.  He was very excited to have grandchild #3.  You realize the sacrifice he and his wife are making to be gone for 3 years serving the Lord.

Wednesday we went back to the city center looking for Service opportunities.  We visited a catholic charity and we were told they were on vacation until September and to come back then.  That is what we have been told everywhere we go.  So, we went back to the market and got a Longe Rote (long red hot dog).  It is a Freiburg specialty and only available at the market.  It is so long they fold it in half and serve with grilled onions on a bun.  Best hotdog!  It  is hard eating in the heat - not much of an appetite, but it was good.  As least I can say I have had one.

We also went to a Cemetery.  Russ found a volunteer opportunity to drive a shuttle cart to help people get to funerals and to grave sites.  He thought that would be really fun at this big old City Cemetery.  We went and talked to one of the drivers and then walked around.  We decided with me not speaking German it would be hard to be a hostess or a guide.  Russ said we would wait and maybe go back....We did see a headstone with the name of Aue that reminded us of his former boss at American Airlines.  This one is for you Walter:

We walk several miles a day.  Russ loves to ride the tram and the bus.  He does not like to take the car and have to find parking.  So we walk and ride and walk some more.  We tried to visit a member of our Church that lived about a mile from us.  We did not know anything about them.  We walked and walked and came to a gated community - we are talking high security.  We went to the gate and gave them the address we were looking for.  Then we noticed it said it was a refugee camp.  They sent us to another gate where the police were stationed.  They asked for our papers.  We did not have our Passports with us, only our ministerial card.  So they would not let us in.  There was row after row of container houses.  So, we walked back home and said we would try again another day. 

We get up every morning and go for about a two mile walk.  I am still trying to figure that one out as we walk all day long.  I told Russ we need to do a different kind of exercise in the mornings.  We have a stationary bike, yoga mat and weights in our apartment and I am sure we could put them to use to strengthen another part of my body besides my legs!

We ended the day with a celebration of being in Germany 2 weeks today.  We walked and then rode the tram to our favorite Gelato shop for a scoop of gelato.  We have been really good.  We have only gone once a week and it is only 1 Euro for a scoop.  It is next to the University Library and it was beautiful tonight with cooler weather today. (89 instead of 96)

UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

In my studies today, I was challenged to memorize Moroni 10:5, "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." German:  Und durch die Macht des Heiligen Geistes Konnt ihr von allem wissen, ob es wahr ist. 
The book says it should take about 5 minutes.  I have been working on it all day and think I have it and then I have to restudy.  Learning German is the hardest thing I have ever done.  They say it takes 600 hours of study to get a basic speaking ability and about 1000 hours to be proficient.  I have a long way to go.  I do know that we are being blessed and we are starting to know the people and loving them.  That truly makes a difference
I have also been studying the Christlike attribute of Patience this week.  In Romans 8:24-25 it says that Hope is having patience for what we do not know.  I do know that through the power of the Holy Ghost, by asking in prayer, and with patience and diligence and practice, I will come to know more words than I know now. 
Enjoy the weekend!