1. Our names are taken so we might be remembered
2. We can be nourished by the good word of God
3. We can fast and pray
4. Speak together to know about each other
5. Partake of the sacrament in remembrance of Christ
6. Repent and seek forgiveness with real intent, receive forgiveness
Pres. Thomas S. Monson asked, "What Have I Done for Someone Today?" He said, "Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for him or her."
We learn in Moroni 7 that all things that are good cometh of God. Miracles have not ceased; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. Charity never faileth and is the pure love of Christ.
I am so grateful for those who help me to feel welcome at church and reach out to me and translate the lessons. I feel like I am a fly on the wall many times just watching and listening and not saying anything. At times that is frustrating, but then I get a peace within that tells me, it is OK, you are hear to serve in different ways. We continue to visit those who are lonely and it lifts my spirits. I am learning that we each have needs and there are plenty of opportunities to make a difference in someone's life. I am grateful for the many angels in my life and I know that the Lord needs each one of us to be His hands and be the ministering angel to someone today.
We were invited back to Katarina's home for lunch. I shared her picture and story two weeks ago. I just wanted to go visit and said we would come for a visit, but did not need food. She said, no, I want to feed you. She was so excited to have us. She had been cooking all morning. She said she usually feeds 4 or 5 and not just two. So, of course she fixed enough for 5 and expected us to eat it all. I was grateful for a Tender Mercy before we left home. I bought her some flowers and decided to put them in a little bag to carry on the tram. When we got there I took the flowers out of the bag and gave them to her. I put the bag in the backpack. She served us soup and then brought out the rice, potatoes, chicken patties, bratworst, large salad, cucumbers, apples, grapes, tomatoes, bread and crepes for dessert. She kept apologizing for not having any mayonnaise for the salad. We assured her we did not need it. We took a bite of the brot and it was almost raw. I did not know how I would eat it. I did not want to get sick. I put other food on my plate and ate it and prayed she would go in the kitchen. I grabbed the backpack and took out the sack (tender mercy) and as soon as she left, I took the meat and put it in the sack. I can't believe I did that, but it was the only way I was going to survive. The best part was the crepes - at least we ended the meal good. We actually had a very nice visit. Russ was able to understand her Croatian German English talking a little better. We were happy because we could see how happy she was that she had company and someone to cook for. We prayed with her and I know she felt love at least for a little bit that day.
They took the scaffolding down that has been around the Munster and we could enter in the front doors. It was absolutely beautiful. We go every Saturday morning to an organ concert. I love to go hear the sounds from the organ fill the whole of the building. We went back on Sunday evening just for a walk and there was a man playing the organ getting ready for the 8:00 pm service. It was nice to just sit and listen to him. I continue to be in awe of this building that was built in the 1300's and the work that went into this place so that people could worship.
Finally can see the clock tower and other features.
Tuesday, P-Day we drove to Bern Switzerland to
attend the Temple. 38 years ago we were able to attend this Temple. It has been renovated since then and it is beautiful. The Elder's wanted to come with us so we had a wonderful drive with them and then took them to lunch. Switzerland is very expensive, but we resisted the temptation and did not go to McDonalds. We have been here two months and have not been to McDonalds, so not much of a temptation. French, German, Italian and English are spoken here and that was a very interesting experience. Two buildings, the Munster and the Temple built for worship of our Savior Jesus Christ and yet so different. I am in awe of both structures
for different reasons. I am most grateful to be able to enter the House of the Lord, The Temple and participate in the Holy ordinances of baptism, endowments and Sealings for Eternal Families. The Swiss Temple was the first European Temple and was also the first to use modern technology to aid in the translation for the ordinances. I hope we will be able to go back soon. It is a two hour drive and over our normal mileage allotment for our car. We are looking at taking the bus next time. Always an adventure.
The Elder's we work with currently are Elder Silva from Portugal and Elder Falkena from Holland.
This has been a busy week of cooking again. I cooked on Monday night for Family Home Evening
and it was my turn to cook on Wednesday night for Institute. I made my friend, Sharon Dees' favorite recipe of zucchini, tomatoes and onions for the vegetarian kids and had some left over. It was so good and I wanted to use it for something. I am still learning the best things to cook and they all like Italian. So, I cooked lasagna, a family favorite. I pureed the vegetables and made a homemade sauce for the lasagna. It was wonderful. I love finding new foods that work. I also did carrots, green beans and zucchini that turned out great (first time to cook it with recipe). I made an Olive Garden Salad, homemade bread and Granola Bars for
dessert. We had 24 last week and so I planned for that number and we only had 10. That didn't seem to matter, they ate almost all of it and what was left they asked if they could take it home. I am learning the German way that if you put out a plate of brownies or cookies and offer them, they think they have to eat the whole plate. I couldn't believe one group ate the whole pan one night because I put the whole pan out. Now I know to just put out the number that are there and then you can always offer more, but even when you don't expect them to eat it all if it is on the plate in front of them, they think they have to eat it. Even the vegetarians were happy because there were so many vegetables and salad that they had a meal just with that. This is how you buy herbs in the market produce section. For $1 you get this whole plant and take it home to use for the week. I am loving the fresh herbs in my cooking. I have always just used fresh parsley for decoration with food and I have used it a lot in my cooking here. It is soooo good!
I finished my presentation on Friday that we will be giving next week in Salzburg Austria at Senior's Conference. I compiled a 40 page reference book on Recipes for Vegetarians, cooking for a large group and also how to cook inexpensive and quick meals for missionaries. So glad I had some of my previous projects on my computer. We had it printed to day and put each one in binders. We also made 40 oatmeal packets so that each participant will take one home. It is one of the recipes in the book. Russ could not help me with all of the computer work in putting together the resources, but I put him to work today assembling everything. It was a good day for both of us to be able to work together on a project. IKEA is the only place I can get small zip lock bags, so we got to make an IKEA run. It is always fun to walk through and see the new things. We found a few more things than zip-lock bags!:) I am so glad to be ready for the Conference and now I don't have to worry about it. We will be on the road for the next week. We will visit the little branch in Lahr on Sunday (our monthly visit) and then we are off to District Meeting on Monday. It is not that far, but it takes most of the day by the time we drive, have a meeting, eat lunch and drive home. We will leave on Tuesday morning for Salzburg. We are taking a side trip and will stop and see some sights along the way. We have reservations at the same hotel we stayed in 35 years ago when we visited Salzburg. We will report on our trip next week.
NO PICTURES!!!
So Thursday was a beautiful 80* day. We went to visit Amira like we do every Thursday. She lives next to a park that has a nice lake. We walk around the lake if we have time. We have been there on really hot days and this was just a pleasant nice day. There were more sunbathers and swimmers than we had ever seen. As we were walking I noticed a lady on the edge of the lake toweling off - I don't need to say more. We walked a little further and I was sure it was a man sunbathing in his speedo, but Oh No - it was a woman. I immediately said eyes right and don't turn your head to Russ. Apparently when it is too hot they don't want to get sunburned and this was a beautiful day to just bask in the sun. OK, I can here you say, boy is she naive and why can't Russ look. Let's just say we are trying to follow the Mission White Handbook of Rules.
File Photo from last week, but this is the spot! |
Saturday's are always busy as we get ready for Sunday and the next week. We started our day at a large flea market held at a park by our home. We were looking for walking sticks. They are a really big thing here for people to use with all of the walking and climbing. Elderly people use them instead of canes. We have one set and were looking for another set. I have also looked at Nativity Sets - not that I need any more, but it is in my blood. We are anxious for the Christmas markets that start in November. As I have looked, they are very expensive. I found one at a flea market a few weeks ago and did not buy it. I have regretted that decision. So, today we were getting ready to leave and a lady was still unwrapping a beautiful Italian Nativity that was her Grandmothers. We bought it before she could even get it all unpacked. I came home and researched its value on the internet and I got a really good find. When we traveled to Italy, it was the wrong time of year for Nativities and the ones they had out were way too expensive for me to buy. I will wait until Christmas to show pictures. We attended the Saturday Organ Concert and it was the best one so far. She played the organ like it was meant to be played in a church. It was very festive in town today. I think the cooler fall weather and lots of tour groups made it a wonderful day.
There are many vendors and street entertainers. This man was playing the accordion with all these stuffed animals that moved to the music. The little children were all gathered around and loved being entertained. I was entertained as well!
We went to a Baptism of an 8 year old girl at the Church. Her grandparents were there and we talked with them and found out the grandmother is from the Philippines and knows Pam and Ruel Lacanienta who are serving as Mission Presidents there. They live about an hour away but are actually in our Ward. They are the only members of the Church in Tittisee (the city we visited two weeks ago). They invited us to their home and we hope to be able to go and visit them soon.
We ended our night with a walk and tram ride to downtown and our weekly gelato. We missed last week so it was especially good tonight.
We hope you have a wonderful Sunday and remember to find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely and do something for him or her today.
Viel Leiba,
The Grimmett's