Jan. 13-19, 2019

6 MONTHS ON THE MISSION

 On July 16, 2018 we entered the MTC in Provo Utah.  We cannot believe how fast the time has gone.  As we were driving to District Meeting in Singen today, we reflected back on the past 6 months and all that has transpired.  We have met about 50 Senior Missionary Couples in that time and almost every one of them have similar experiences of what it was like getting ready to leave for the MTC.  We have decided the MTC is the best R&R for couples before they actually leave for their assigned missions. 3 meals a day provided with a really nice room.  A few hours of meetings and devotionals and then free time to just unwind.   We did not realize it at the time, but it really was what we needed after weeks of packing, cleaning, paper work, family gatherings, etc.  It has been fun to hear the stories of others and how we each worked through the night just to be ready doing last minute fixes on our homes.  I am so grateful that we have the Astorga's who were willing to move in to our home and take care of it. 

I am sure it was interesting for them to move in to a home that still had furnishings and things in the house.  When we walked into our new apartment in Freiburg - not knowing for sure it was even the right apartment - it was an interesting feeling to walk in to a furnished, even down to the sheets on the bed and food in the cupboards.  I felt like I was in someone's home and then realized it was now mine.  It did not take long for me to buy plants and try to make it my own.  I hope our home has become a home to the Astorgas as well.

OK, enough of the memories.  It is just amazing to think about all of the people and places that we have associated with and seen.  We have already said good bye to 4 missionaries and 2 Senior couples and will be sending Elder Fishburn home in a few weeks.  Interesting how time goes when you look at it in 6 week intervals.  We continue to be awed by the scenery and the beauty of this area.  We enjoy our drives and the many adventures we have had.

Monday was one of those adventures that we will always remember.

Winterhalter Family Home

 We were invited to the family Winterhalter for lunch.  They have been waiting for the snow to come to have us over.  They live on the Mountain in the Black Forest just outside of Titisee.  He was born and raised in the little village and she is from the Philippines. She even knows Ruel Lacanienta our friend from Arlington Texas who is now serving as a Mission President with his wife Pam in the Philippines.  This nice couple are in their 70's. They both have facinating stories and it was wonderful visiting with them.  It was a very Wintery day and we were not sure if the roads would be good enough to travel on.  We did not have a phone number for them and so we decided it would be better to go and them not be expecting us than to not show up and she be ready with lunch for us. 

Hotel Waldlust - Titisee

 They did not think we would come with the weather and they did not know how to get in touch with us either.  So, they were a little surprised we arrived.  They warmly welcomed us into their home.  He visited with us while she finished preparing lunch.  We told them we did not need lunch and just a visit was fine, but she made- as she put it - a little bit of German and a lot of the Philippines.  We had fried rice with homemade spring rolls, delicious ham with sauerkraut, potato salad and all the apple saft we could drink.  They are both trained as nurses and worked in the medical field for years.  He is  an authentic German Hunter and his preferred profession.  He does not hunt anymore, but continues to help with animals and preservation of the Forest.  He said the young generation does not respect the forest and are not good hunters.  Their whole house is filled with animals he has hunted from all over Europe.  It was like a museum with all of their "pets" on display. 

They wanted to show us around the area but it was snowing too hard and so they said they would have us come back another day.  We asked if they knew where the Hotel Waldlust was in Titisee.  Our friend Annabel worked their in 1971 and sent us a picture of her standing  on the balcony (other side of building).  They said they would take us and show us so we followed them and they took us to the hotel.  It turns out that their neighbor owns the hotel.  It burned several years ago and was restored with brighter colors, but still very much like the photo of 1971.  We took their picture - you can see he is authentic German from the forest.

They have been married for 42 years and lived there the whole time.  She told us stories about the people in our Church in Freiburg - probably more than she should have - it was a riot listening to her.  We will always remember these wonderful people.  We took our picture at the hotel just to let Annabel know we were actually there.  Fun to be a little part of her history.

So the snow was calling us.  Tuesday we headed a different direction for P-Day and went back to Schuainsland to hike on the Mountain.  We hiked this past summer and loved it and wanted to come back in the winter - it did not disappoint.
Enjoy the pictures. It was a beautiful sunny day most of the time.  The sky pictures are beautiful as the clouds rolled in.
I wanted to do snow angels but did not have on snow clothes and did not want to drive home in wet clothes.  The only thing better would have been skiing with the others on the hill, but that is against mission rules.

 This is looking West toward France.

The trails had not been used by very many people that day and you had to be very careful where you walked.  The snow was very deep - that is a fence below and only the top rail is showing.  every once in awhile you would sink where the snow was not packed.  Most of the snow was in pristine condition with no tracks and just peaceful.  They do not allow any motor craft like snowmobiles on this mountain.  It is pure nature.

 I couldn't resist taking this picture.  The blue sky and the sun shining on this snow covered tree was just beautiful.  Everyone on the trail had nice cameras and were taking serious pictures. 

 The snow plow came by and that was fun.  They keep this road open for service purposes and it was a nice walk.  The picture below is looking over to the ski hill where we watched some skiers.  There were also several families with children and sleighs.  The mountains in the far distance are in France.
We showed the pictures to our District today and they all want to go and hike so it looks like we will return in a few weeks for another adventure.

 It was a beautiful day, but still only about 30*.  The sun was very bright coming off the snow.  One of my favorite times in a Natural Wonder.

selfie with the carved tree

Wednesday was back at Katrina's for lunch.  We prayed we would be able to understand her better and to have a nice conversation with her.  It turned out to be a nice lunch with her traditional stuffed peppers, potatoes, asparagus potato soup, lettuce, tomato, cucumber salad with homemade crepes and yogurt.  As she was cooking the crepes, some grease got too hot and set the fire alarm off.  The housemeister had to come and they opened all of her windows and so she was a little rattled when we arrived.  She just kept telling us the story and making the sound of the alarm going off.  We closed the windows as it was getting cold and all was good.  It gave her something to talk about and made it an exciting afternoon for her.  It is always a good day when I get to go to IKEA.  I was cooking for Institute today and I had made homemade meatballs but needed a few more so we went to IKEA to get a bag of meatballs.  We managed to find a few other things!
We made meatball sandwiches, chips, and pasta salad with brownies and cinnamon cake for dessert.  It was a hit with the men especially.  I think they were glad it was not soup.

Thursday was District Meeting and Interviews with President Brown.  We drove to Singen and had a wonderful day.  We were so glad the weather was good with only a little snow and some rain.  It is always nice to get together with the other missionaries.  Pres. Brown shared some great mission stories and then interviewed while we continued the meeting.  We served dinner and then while we were waiting for the interviews to be completed the young missionaries asked if I would play the piano for them to sing.  They have wonderful voices and it was a wonderful time together.  Russ joined with them and what started as a quartet ended with 6 missionaries singing and the harmonies were wonderful.  Music is magical when it is good and it was a wonderful way to end the day. 

We were able to end the week on a quiet note with just doing things at home and a little shopping for the Sunday Family Home Evening and Zone Conference next week.  It takes some time to plan and shop and prepare for 80 people.  I needed a rest and I am glad we did not have a really busy schedule.  Because of being in Singen on Thursday we met with Amira today.  We are teaching her from the Come Follow Me manual - A study of the New Testament.  We had a wonderful discussion today on Matthew 1 & 2 and Luke 1 & 2.  She was prepared and had read and written down her thoughts and questions.  This allowed us to have a great discussion and learning experience.  It has helped me a lot to be able to teach again even in this small setting.  I have been able to look at this Christmas story a little deeper.  I am grateful for the study about the Shepherds, the Wisemen, Simeon and Anna at the Temple and Mary and Josephs flight to Egypt.  I have learned of the signs given to the different people and how I can look for signs today preparing for Christ's coming again and be as willing to accept them as these people were.  It says, the shepherds went with haste after the angel told them of the new born babe who they would find wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.  Who is the messenger for us today? Have we witnessed the signs in our day of His coming and are we prepared to accept and proclaim them to others?    Just a few questions to ponder as we look at the stories and examples from Christ's life.  I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of Jesus Christ and His love for me.  Sweet is the Peace His teachings and atonement bring to me.

This week would have been my mothers 95th Birthday and 76th Wedding Anniversary.  She was a remarkable lady.  She was the mother of 6 children, grandmother to 29 and great grandmother to 79.
She is the glue that kept this family together.  This was a picture taken this summer at my Dad's 97th Birthday Party.  Russ and I were in the MTC and we were able to leave and be with the family for the afternoon.  15 of my family members were not able to be in Utah for the event.  About 10 of my sisters family were not there and about 18 from my Brother's families.  So 74 were in the picture and 43 are missing - so my parents have quite a posterity.  

My dear sister, Pam took flowers to my mothers grave on her Birthday and she took cake and ice cream to the rehab facility so that my Dad could celebrate these special days.  He misses his wife fiercely, but knows that he will be with her again soon - he says he is not ready to leave this life yet - he still has things to do.  He has a goal to live to 100 and continues to beat the odds.  He will be going back to his assisted living apartment on Monday and he is looking forward to that.  He has worked really hard in therapy to be able to go back to his home.
I am so grateful for my parents and their example to me.  They served 5 missions for our Church from 1994 - about 2008. They taught me how to work, provided experiences for me to learn and develop talents with piano lessons, sewing, cooking, and sports.  They taught me the value of service to others through their service that continues even today.  They taught me love of family and most importantly the love of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
I am so glad that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!


Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's