We found a star topper for our Christmas Tree and so it is now complete. This store is a two story warehouse and it takes a long time just to get through it all.
Buying food for 75 means 20 kilo of potatoes (about 45 pounds), 15 pounds of carrots, corn, 13 packages of chicken schnitzel and all of the paper products. This was actually the easy part.
We served chicken schnitzel, potato, carrot, corn and gravy foil dinners. We had an assembly line and cut all of the foil squares and lined them up. We cooked the chicken schnitzel and then we sliced 45 pounds of potatoes. That is about 80 potatoes. We then cooked the potatoes and made the gravy. We layered the vegetables on the meat and then sealed them into packets. This took us about 4 hours to cut, cook and put together. Before we went to the Church where we had more room to work I made 9 loaves of homemade bread to serve as well. We always look forward to our Zone Conferences. We love being with all of the missionaries and especially the other Senior Couples that we serve with. We have a great time in the kitchen and between all of us, we put on a pretty good lunch every time.
I even did a few gluten free dairy free for a few with special diet needs.
So, the day was going great until the slicing of the potatoes. I have a new electric slicer and have loved having it. I started slicing and Russ said, let me do that while you get the other things ready. On potato two he moved his hand wrong and quickly his thumb became the sliced meat. I felt so bad and wondered, how did that happen? What was he doing? So, it was pretty bad and bleeding a lot. We found a first aid kit and also had some Melaleuca with us and got it bandaged. He was out of commission for a little bit trying to get it to stop bleeding. He does not do very good with the sight of blood and he actually did amazing. I thought, how are we going to get this done without his help. I took over the slicing and finished the first lot of 50 potatoes. We got them cooked and Russ continued cooking the meat. We found some surgical gloves and he kept right on working. We finished the first 50 packets and more potatoes were needed so I started on the second bag. We had a good system down by this time and I was glad we were almost finished.
We still had all of the boxing and loading our car and doing all of the dishes. We finished just in time for me to take him home and unload the car before I had to go back to church to Relief Society. If I had not been looking forward to going and making a Christmas advent wreath I would have stayed home. I continue to learn, I can do hard things!
I have found a new tradition I want to carry on with. The Germans really know how to celebrate Christmas. It is a whole month of remembrance and preparation of ones life for the past year.
The advent wreath is used by many families on the living room table the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The wreaths have four large candles and traditionally, pinecones and berries. The whole family gathers around the wreath each Sunday before Christmas as a candle will be lit until all four candles are lighting the room. As one, they spend a quiet, reflective hour together. Some families sing Christmas carols or enjoy a child perform. Others watch an afternoon movie. They have hot chocolate, tea, gluhwein for drinks,
December 5th is a very special night. Children place a pair of freshly polished shoes or boots in front of their bedroom doors. The home that St.. Nicholas and his assistant Knecht Reprecht will visit their home. A little gift is left in the shoe, like chocolate, nuts or fruits, or a bag of gummy bears. Saint Nikolaus only brings presents to those children who are generally well-behaved throughout the year. A lump of coal is left in the boot of those who are not. Saint Nikolaus dresses similar to our Sana Claus but does not drive a sleigh or come down chimneys. He knows everything and carries around a record of each and every chil's good and bad behavior in his golden book. His assistant Knecht Reprecht is a menacing figure whose role is to frighten children into good behavior . Saint Nikolaus is based on an actual person. He was a popular bishop who lived in modern Turkey during the fourth centruy and became a legend due to his humble and generous nature. With the Reformation came a movement away from the worship of saints and the tradition of giving and opening gifts was moved to Christmas Ever. Ever since the tradition is that gifts are thought of as having been brought by the Christkind (Christ Child). This is how Kris Kringle derived his name - it's an incorrect anglicization of Christkind. So, when our children say they don't believe in Santa Claus any more or they found out, I have always said, "When you don't believe, the magic of Christmas is no longer there because you don't understand the meaning of giving.
As Traditions go, not all families participate in this activity. They like their Holidays just like in America and the true meaning of the day is lost to many other activities. I do appreciate however that when it is a holiday, everything closes down. No exceptions as far as stores are concerned. I like that it is a true holiday for everyone.
Brad Wilcox said: "Christmas is about giving to others, but it is also about receiving, for we received a Savior! No gift was, is or ever will be more important and meaningful. "
So, late night and up early on Wednesday to drive to Zurich Switzerland. We were picking the Elder's up at 7:30 AM. We had the car loaded and new bandages on our thumbs and were ready for the day. We were out the door right on time. We have lived here 4 months and never been in the garage when our neighbors have been there. We all seem to have different schedules and come and go at different times. This morning, we got in the car and two neighbors came in the garage. We said Hello and started the car - click, click. I try again to start the car - click, click, click. Battery is dead. What are we going to do. One of the neighbors came and asked if she could help. We unloaded the trunk looking for jumper cables. Russ went back into the apartment to look for some. She said she was a mechanic for SMART CAR and that she had a friend who had a shop just down the street and she would go get a jumper. We could not believe it. We did not even know this neighbor other than waving hi a few times. She went and got the machine and checked out a few things on the car and it started right up. She said the generator was fine and that the 2 hour drive to Zurich would charge the battery. She said, I am a mechanic and a neighbor and I can't leave until I know you are OK. TENDER MERCY. It was the first really cold morning and with the battery almost 3 years old she said that happens. So, 30 minutes later we were on the road to pick up the Elders. With morning traffic it took us awhile to get out of the city and we were about 20 minutes late to the meetings, but it could have been much worse. If she had not been there, we would have had to call a service and that can take hours. We had most of the food for the lunch in our car and three Elder's who needed to be at the meetings. We were so blessed. It was a very foggy morning and the drive was a little stressful, but we made it.
As I said before, we love Zone Conference. It is a spiritual feast and with Elder and Sister Sabin it was going to be even more special. Because we were so late, I had to spend more time than usual in the kitchen and missed some of the meetings. I really enjoyed what I did get to hear.
Elder Sabin talked about:
Love - members of the church, missionary companion, the work
Gratitude/Attitude - Because of love you can have an attitude of gratitude
Obedience - with a grateful attitude you will want to be obedient
Work - obedience leads to a desire to do the work
Trust - you might not always know why or like all of the rules, but trust and wait and blessings will come.
He said to Simplify our lives. Don't fear - just live right.
Foil Dinners were warmed in the oven and ready to eat. We served the lettuce/spinach salad with apples and pomegranets; bread and wonderful apple cake and brownies made by the other Sisters. It was a feast and easy to serve. Clean-up was even better and everything was eaten.
We also had to say good-bye to our wonderful friends, The Andreasons from Utah. They have been our mentors and much needed friend since we arrived. I feel like I have known them for years and not just 4 months. We look forward to great reunions in
We did not arrive home until 8:00 pm and we were so glad to call it a great day.
Elder Grimmett was off early on Thursday with Elder Odro to a Doctor appointment. He has enjoyed the time with him and helping him work through the maze of the medical system. We are still trying to finalize our VISA and another set-back today. We will try again Friday morning and hope all will go well.
We are finally legal in Germany! VISA'S were issued today and we also received German ID cards. There is a relief in knowing you can stay legally and also that no more money will be needed to feed the system. Now we can work on getting our Driver's License. We also received a call today that our new car is in and we will pick it up on Wednesday. We have to drive to Karlsruhe (out of the mission) to pick it up. Another Road Trip! Pictures will come next week.
We then went to the Refugee camp and tried to visit a family and give them some as well. They were home but would not answer their door. I was disappointed they would not visit with us as they are members of our Church and we wanted to get to know them better and to see how we could help them.
The realization came today that The Andreason's are really leaving to go home as I had to plan and shop for District meeting on Monday. We have done this together and I have really enjoyed the time spent together.
We went to our favorite Thrift store today after I have looked in many stores for Winter sweaters. I had not been able to find what I wanted and so we went to the Saturday sale at the Thrift Store. I found 4 really nice sweaters and Russ found a tie. Saturdays are normally 30% off and so we try to go on Saturday. When he totaled up the sale he said, 4.50 - that was 1 Euro per sweater and .50 for the tie. We can't believe how many times they have done that and given us an amazing deal.
I have been asked to play the piano for the Relief Society and the Young Women for Christmas programs. We went to the Church today so that I could practice the music. The Elder's were there just finishing a teaching appointment. We visited and then they were asked to help clean the building for Sunday. They were going to stop by and pick up some mail on their way home. I was fixing Texas Nachos for dinner with homemade Salsa. I knew it was getting late and they had not eaten and also had not planned to stay and help clean so I invited them to eat with us when they came by. They were so grateful. It was the first time for one of our Elder's from Holland to ever have American Nachos. He loved them. They ate two full pans, two bowls of Salsa and lots of dessert. It is always nice to have them in our home and we enjoyed the time with them today.
Today is a very special day in Granbury Texas. I would like to invite all of my Texas friends to go and visit The Nativity Display with Faye Landham. It will be open Dec. 2 - Dec. 9 at the Langdon Concert Hall, 308 E. Bridge Street, Granbury from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM It is FREE and open to all.
This is the first year in 25 years that we have not participated and helped with a display. It has been a wonderful tradition for our family and a wonderful way to begin the Christmas Season. We are so grateful for the gift of our Savior Jesus Christ to the World. I am grateful I have been able to share my love for Him through these displays. I know it has helped many people recognize the importance of putting Christ in Christmas. I am grateful to be in Germany this year and to see and learn new ways to celebrate and honor His birth. The Christmas markets are wonderful and it is festive with the lights, smells and things to buy, but it does not compare to the Spirit of Christmas that is seen and felt at The Nativity Display. I will forever be grateful for the past 24 years.
For those who would like to send a card (I know it is double the cost to send over here, and email works great) here is our address:
Elder & Sister Grimmett
Eschholzstrassa 88
79115 Freiburg im Breisgau
Germany
So, it is Saturday night and it looks like we did not get our P-Day this week. Next week is already filling up as well. I guess the cleaning and laundry will just have to wait - it is good Russ is so good at keeping the dishes washed and the bed made.
Wishing everyone a great December - Light The World with Service - Week 1
Light your community - Week 2
Light your family - Week 3
Light your faith - Week 4
for more information you can visit http://mormon.org
Viel Liebe
The Grimmett's
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