Dec. 2-8, 2018 Light The World

Rainy, Rainy Winter.  It has rained since Thanksgiving.  There is a World Cup Ski Jump event Dec. 7-9 here and there is NO SNOW.  We drove by the jumps today and they are making snow, but I don't know how they will do it.  It  has been cold, but not snow cold.  Minnesota and Utah need to send some of their snow our way.

District Meeting in Singen.  We made Waffles for lunch today.  We had regular and Ginger bread waffles, the German version of hash browns and sausage.  The Ginger waffles were really good, a new recipe that is a keeper.  Today is our last trip in this car with this wonderful trio of Elder's.  We decided we needed a photo for good times sake.  I told  you about the battery last Wednesday.  We have had no problems - should have taken it to the shop and had it checked while it was working - but you know, if it is not broken you can't fix it.  We drove the 2 hours to Singen and back home today with no problems.  We are asked to keep at least a 1/2 tank of gas in the car and we have also found that gas is the least expensive in the evening hours.  It actually changes about every 30 minutes.  So, after we dropped off the Elder's we stopped at our favorite gas station across the street from our house.  I tried to start the car and it was just click, click, click.  How can you drive for 2 hours, stop for gas and have a dead battery?  So, there was a mechanic shop next door and Russ went and asked if they could jump it.  He brought over his jumping unit and it started right up, but he said it was completely dead and we needed a new battery - 2 days before we get a new car!  We were hoping to keep it going.  So, another Tender Mercy - it was across the street from our apartment and we could walk home and back when it was done.  Most expensive battery I have ever purchased: 225 Euro installed plus the 10 he charged for walking next door and jumping us.  I thought if we bought the battery from him he would take that charge off.  We went to pay and they did not take American credit cards.  It was 25 minutes until he closed.  We told him we would be back as quick as possible.  We walked as fast as we could and took the tram to the bank and got money and then back again.  We knew it was going to rain again, but so far so good.  We were almost running trying to get back before he closed.  We made it and just as we got in the car, it started pouring rain.  Tender Mercy again.

I had just made this Linzer Torte while we were waiting for the car to be fixed and put it in the oven while we ran across the street to pick up the car.  We were not expecting to have to go to the bank and back.  The recipe said 45 - 50 minutes so I thought I was OK.  You make the crust the day before and let it chill overnight in the fridge.  It looked wonderful and had lots of nuts, butter, raspberry jam and other things to make it a little expensive to make.  I was really looking forward to it.
When we returned with 10 minutes to spare, I looked in the oven and the torte was completely black!  I was sick inside.  All of that work and it was black on top.  I took it out of the oven and was not very happy.  I let it cool and sit over night.
I cut the top off and below it was OK.  The bottom and sides were not burned, just the top.  It did not turn out like I expected it to, but it tastes pretty good - not pretty enough to serve anyone else, but we will enjoy it for a few days.

Tuesday was a busy day of preparations for Wednesday Institute Dinner.  My turn to cook this week.  I decided to have soup, bread and dessert.  I made Pasta Fagioli, Leek Soup, bread and a chocolate chip cake.  I thought I was doing something simple and it took me most of the day.
We also had to clean out the car and take it to the car wash for the exchange on Wednesday.  It was pouring rain and hard to vacuum, but we got it done.

Today was also interviews with Pres. Brown.
We always enjoy meeting with him and he loves the Donor (Yufka cafe) down the street from our house.  It has become tradition to eat there after interviews.   He always asks about our family and he gave the most beautiful prayer with a blessing on three of our grandsons specifically for Kelly, Eric and Logan.  It is amazing how sensitive he is to things he hears and then cares enough to ask more.  We are grateful for his leadership and counsel.

Wednesday -  NEW CAR DAY!  We got up early and drove to Karlsruhe (just out of our mission) to make the exchange.  We went and toured a palace that was built back in the 1700's.  It is now a museum.  It is nice with beautiful gardens. 

I don't know much history about it, but the museum was nice.  We then met the man to make the exchange.  We have a new Hyundai i30.  It is a little bigger car than we had with some new features, but we miss some things from our old car as well.  It will take us some time to get used to it, but it is really nice.  It only had 250 kil. on it when we received it. 
The Christmas markets are in most of the major cities and even in a few smaller ones.  They had a really nice one here.  We walked through it - I would like to have spent more time but we did not have very much time to linger.

 These are two of the buildings that had shops.  They were amazing - much nicer than the shops in the market in Freiburg.  These were food booths.  There was also ice skating in the middle of the square that really looked fun.  It was a true winter wonderland - without snow.

This is a sausage and brot vendor cooking all of the meat on this very large round grill over an open fire.  It was amazing how much meat at one time to cook it like this instead of on an electric grill like most places. 
I had done some research and found a few fun places to eat in town.  We looked for the first place and walked and walked and could not find it.  So, we went to the second choice and were not disappointed.  I don't think things happen by chance - we really enjoyed the restaurant called Storchen. 

So, after a nice morning we had to get back to serve dinner for the Institute class.  I was so glad it was all prepared the day before and we just had to heat it up and serve.  It turned out wonderful.  Everyone really like the Leek soup.  They had never had anything like it before.  The soups here are mostly creamy broth - not chunky soups like I am used to making.  I will definately make this soup again.  Leeks are really big here and very inexpensive.  I do like all of the fresh produce that is available and much of it grown in our area.  The bread is always a favorite, just like in Arlington.  Mark Richins - Happy Birthday today - we were thinking of you as we enjoyed the bread.

 We were looking forward to Thursday to try and regroup from the weeks activities.  We got a call late in the day asking if we could take one of our Elder's to Basel Switzerland to the Doctor the next morning.  We have been helping him and I have shared before how the system works.  After finally getting the appointment, finding out he needed blood work, taking care of that and then returning for the results - we were hopeful to go back to the original Doctor and get the needed medication.  In the meantime, this doctor got sick and then decided to close his office until the first of the year for the Christmas Season.  So, a new doctor had to be found so that he could get what he needed.  A doctor was found in Basel and so we were glad to take him.  Road Trip in the new car.  We want to help him, we just had been on the road so much and working so hard we were looking forward to a little rest.  With the new car, we had to go get a permit (sticker) for the car window to be able to drive in Switzerland.  So, we went to town early and purchased the permit so we could make the trip.  We had an amazing experience.  I love how we continue to be blessed as we are willing to serve.  This therapist practices out of her home.  She was booked, but was willing to meet with him over her lunch hour.  We arrived just in time - for the appointment and her family lunch.  We were invited into the kitchen while she took the Elder to her office.  Her husband, son and daughter-in-law were eating lunch.  I think we got the better end of the deal.  Her husband was home for lunch and we were so lucky to get to meet him.  Her son and his wife had just moved back home from Utah.  They recently graduated from BYU and had decided to move to Germany.  His parents had their basement remodeled into a really nice apartment for them.  This is Germany - most people do not have free standing homes and this was an amazing home in a beautiful neighborhood on a mountainside overlooking the Rhine River.  We shared stories and he shared his conversion story to the Church of Jesus Christ when he was 19 and living in Freiburg.  He knew many of the people we know.  He told of his mission to France with his mission President Neal Anderson (currently one of the 12 Apostles in the Church).  He shared how discouraged he was after 3 months in the mission and not able to speak French very well.  He went to an interview and said, "I want to go home."  Pres. Anderson said, "I have failed you.  Will you give me a second chance at being a better mission president?"  He said he transferred him closer to the mission home and he met with him regularly and gave him a companion who would train and teach him better.  It changed his life, his mission and his whole outlook on life. He met a sister missionary who was from Spain and when they finished their missions they corresponded and eventually married.  He was glad he stayed on his mission!   He shared his love for the missionaries and we could see why they were so willing to accommodate us on such short notice.  We are so grateful for what took place that day.  She had the medicine there to give him and we did not have to go figure out that system as well.  We had a wonderful time driving with this Elder and getting to know him better.  It is nice to have just one on one time when you can just talk and not worry about your companions or others. 

We got back just in time to make our appointment with Amira.  She has had a hard week.  Because of being on Prednesone for so long they just found out she has osteoporosis  and it is causing her a lot of pain as the bones are breaking down.  She was in the hospital this morning getting treatments to help with pain.  Oh, how I wish I could relieve some of her pain.  She just says, keep coming and visiting. 

We decided while we were out to stay on the tram and go to town for dinner.  We have wanted to try a Thai restaurant and so we went.

 Sorry for all of the food stories, but that seems to be my life this week.  I had mango chicken with rice.  Russ had Pad Thai and both were soooo good.  So much food and a great atmosphere.  Every table had the glass top with a different scene inside.  This was our table.  I love all of the different cultures here and we have really enjoyed finding these fun places to eat.  I was really glad I did not have to cook after a long day.  We still had Choir practice to go to - I am playing the piano for two numbers.  It is for our Christmas program on Saturday night.

When we walked to the Motor Club this morning to get the car permit, we passed a large, beautiful hotel that we had never been by before.  Inside was a fun Gingerbread display.

 I went inside a took pictures.  It was really nice and made from a lot of chocolate.  We are making ginger bread houses on Monday for Family Home Evening - sharing one of our traditions with them.

Friday we got to sleep a little and then on to a busy day.   Today is baking day for the Ward Program on Saturday.  I made 10 doz. ginger cookies with cream cheese dip.  They are also giving cookies to about 25 families as a gift and asked for donations, so I dipped about 36 of them in chocolate.  They turned out really good.  I also attempted my first try at Christmas Stollen.  It  is the German version of fruit cake.  The biggest challenge is using the German recipe.  I now know why most of the women I have met do not bake and just buy.  All of their recipes are in measurements you have to weigh.  So it does not say, 1 cup flour or 1 cup sugar.  You have to weigh in grams every item .  I weighed everything and then measured it and wrote down the number so the next time I bake it I will not have to weigh. 

 You make the dough and then knead in the fruit and nuts.  Then you make three long logs.  You put two close together and the third on top.  Each log is filled with marzipan.  I have never really liked the ones from the store (Aldi).  There were a little dry.  Most sweets here look really good and then you taste them and they are not sweet.  I was not sure how this would turn out.  WOW!  it did not burn like the torte and it tastes amazing.  It is moist with a wonderful almond flavor from the marzipan.  I was going to take it to the party on Saturday, but I have decided to just take the cookies.

I did not think I would like anything better than my favorite fruit cake recipe I make every Christmas.  I will say, I think this stollen will become a new favorite. 

I took my cookies and cream to the Ward Program Saturday night and it was a hit.  They had never had anything like it.  All of the other cookies were store bought.  As I said, most don't take the time to cook.  When I asked a few weeks ago if I could help they said, do you know how to make our German cookies?  I said, no, but I would like to learn.  So far, I have not been able to find anyone willing to teach me.  As you saw, I did not do too good with the torte (it actually tastes really good with the burned top cut off).  I was worried about taking my ginger cookies and it turned out OK.  Many asked for the recipe.  They ate every one of the cookies.  I took 120 cookies and they are all gone. 


Saturday - Road Trip.  We went to Singen for an austelung (street display) with the other missionaries in our District. 

 We left early in the morning and drove through  a lot of rain and a few snow flurries.  We were a little worried how the roads would be for the return trip.  It was cold, windy and rainy but we  had a great  time.  The city allows groups to set up on the town square on the same Saturday every month.  We set up our table and talked to people for about 3 1/2 hours.  I made granola bars on Friday night and we put them in baggies like I did last week and put a card on each one.  The missionaries were able to pass them out to people who they talked with.  I made 48 bars and we gave all of them out.  One lady asked if she could take a couple of packages to her neighbors. 

Even in the cold and rain, we talked to many people as they were going to the Christmas Market.  The town square was very busy.  We only had one lady who came up to Elder Grimmett and asked him how many wives he had.  He  pointed to me and said I was the only one.  She said she didn't believe him and knew he had other wives.  We laughed and wished her well.  It was a good day and we were cold to the bones.  We went back to the church and I had taken a loaf of bread and some meat and cheese for our lunch.  It was supposed to just be for Elder Grimmett and I, but it turned out to be enough for all of the missionaries - parable of the loaves and fishes - grateful there was enough and more.  On the road again - had to be back for the Ward Christmas Program.  We changed our clothes, grabbed the cookies and were off again. 

Final practice before the performance.  The program went so good.  There are some really talented people in our Ward and it was fun to be a part of this.  Elder Falkena played for one of the singers and did a really nice performance.  They decided to sing several of the songs in English and had the narrator read the song in German before the song was sung.  It turned out really nice.  I played for the Choir and was so relieved it went well.  I have also been asked to play for the Women's Choir at church tomorrow. 

We invited all of the YSA over after the program for Texas Nachos and games.  We had Yowita and Nadja (both investigators) come to the program and Elli, our newest member.  We had 9 come over after and it was a fun evening.  I hurried home and put the nachos together and also made homemade salsa.  It was a real treat for them.  They also were able to be in our home and see where we live. 
We shopped on Friday evening for all of the upcoming events for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  It took us 2 hours of shopping and planning and we spent so much money.  It is Christmas and all for good things.  Maybe it will slow down ?!?!

So, all in all it has been an amazing week.  We received sad news today when we picked up the Elder's to go to Singen.  We have had 3 Elders serving in Freiburg for the past 12 weeks.  This is  not the norm for most missionaries.  It has worked out well with some of the circumstances.  There was a situation in another area that needed an emergency transfer so our President decided to take one of our Elders and move them to that area.  We will be saying good-bye to Elder Falkena this week.  He was expecting a transfer in 3 weeks, after Christmas, but not this week.  He will be going to Switzerland.  We will really miss him.  Always a new adventure. 
Every day is a new challenge for me.  Sometimes I wonder, what am I doing here.  It does not last long as we move onto the next thing and I see or feel the purpose of my service.  I have a greater appreciation for the young missionaries who serve for 18-24 months and can only email or write their families.  They are dedicated and consecrated to the work. 
I am grateful for this Season of Christmas.  Yowita expressed gratitude for being at the program tonight.  She said it is the first time she has thought about Christmas.  She has just completed her mid term exams and it was a really hard two weeks for her.  She also received her rejection letter from Stanford University today and was disappointed.  She said she really enjoyed the program and the message of Jesus Christ and of hope.  She is applying to several other US schools and I know something will work out for her.  I am grateful for the spirit of joy, kindness, happiness, hope and love that is seen and felt as people think about Christmas.  I am glad to be able to share my beliefs with others.  Continue to find ways to Light the World this week.
Viel Liebe
The Grimmett's