Jan 6-12, 2019 Come Follow Me

                                                        COME FOLLOW ME
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has restructured the teaching and learning model that will be used in lessons and teaching in the home.  We are in week two and I have already been blessed by the insights and teachings that I have studied.  The purpose of Come Follow Me is to help Individuals and families come unto Christ and become more deeply converted to His gospel.  The resources can help me understand the scriptures and find in them the spiritual strength I need as well as my family.  As I study at home I will be more prepared to share insights from what I learned with others when I go to church.  As each of us do this, our classes and learning will be scripture based along with the blessings of the Holy Ghost to teach us.  For this week the course of study is Matthew 1 and Luke 1.  I have read these accounts of the birth of Jesus my whole life.  It has always been a beautiful story - we read it every Christmas Eve.  There is so much more to learn from this story.  As I have studied and outlined the doctrinal truths found there, I have learned so much.  I needed this exact lesson this week as I have had to deal with a few difficult situations.  The angel Gabriel could have also been speaking to me when he told Mary, "With God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37)  And Mary's response can also be mine when I have learned doctrinal truths:  "Be it unto me according to thy word". (Luke 1:38)
God's blessings come in His own time.  Through this story we learn that sometimes we have to wait for blessings, even against all earthly odds, to receive what the Lord has in store.  He has not forgotten us, He has a plan for each one of us and He always keeps His promises to His righteous Saints.  I am so grateful for the peace that has come to me this week as I have studied these verses of scripture and have found deeper meaning to a story that has always been important to me.

2019 started different than I could have ever imagined.  My Dad being in the hospital to begin 2019 and then to be moved to a Rehab facility this past week has weighed heavy on me.  My sisters and I fasted and prayed on Sunday that he would not have to suffer long and that he would not end up just laying in a bed with no life in him to end his days.  Other family members were praying just as hard that he would be healed and continue to live to 100.  As I studied the story of Mary and Elizabeth in the scriptures, it gave me some new insights at how I was looking at things.  I began to think more about "With God nothing shall be impossible."  Deciding to take someone off of life support is not an easy decision.  Even when the decision is made we cannot determine how long they will continue to live or what will happen.  The human body is an amazing creation and given the opportunity can do things we think are impossible.  The Doctors have not given much hope of curing the infection in his body and also diagnosed him with Lewy-body dementia.  That diagnosis answers a lot of questions that other Doctors have not been able to answer.  If he leaves the Rehab hospital, he will have to go to a memory care facility.  My brother asked him if he wanted to continue fighting and he said, "Am I sick, I didn't know I was sick".  He said he wanted to get better and go back to his home and that he would do all that they asked him to do.  He said he was a fighter and did not want to give up.  So, again we understand that God's blessings come in His own time and not to our convenience.  I have found peace knowing that The Lord will bless Russ and I as we serve - He knows our needs and desires.  He knows my Dad and will call him home when it is time.  It does not make it easy - it does not take away the many decisions that still need to be made - but it helps to know and rely on who is in charge and trust in His guidance to help us know what to do.

 I have shared some stories of Elder Odro in previous weeks.  We have enjoyed serving with him and getting to know him.  We received a call on Sunday night from our Mission President that it was necessary for Elder Odro to complete his mission early and return home.  He asked if we would be willing to assist in taking him home.  We were ready and willing to do whatever was necessary to help.  It was determined that instead of us driving all the way to Holland, we would meet his parents half way in Frankfurt Germany.  I have to say, we were a little disappointed that we were not going to go to Holland. I have always wanted to see Holland, although they say you need to go in May.  We were told we needed to have him in Frankfurt Monday at 1:00.  So we had to change some meetings and make plans to go.  We invited the Elder's over for dinner.  This was his farewell picture at our home.  We enjoyed our last night with him and then tried to go over with him everything that needed to be done before we picked him up at 9:30 the next morning.

It was a whirlwind and lots to do, but we were able to deliver him to his parents.  We ended up leaving about an hour late because he was not ready, but we arrived about 1:30 in Frankfurt and he had a happy reunion with his parents.  He did his very best in the year he served and now can be home to get the medical treatments that he needs.  He can take all that he learned this past year and apply it to all of the experiences that are still to come in his life.  We wish him the very best.
We visited the Church Area headquarters in Frankfurt while we were there.  We visited with Elder Skouby who is the Area Missionary over the YSA program for all of the European Area.  We are in Skype meetings with them quarterly, but it was really nice meeting him in person and having him share personal insights of all that is happening.  We met the Seminary and Institute Area Office Secretaries and the head of Missionary relations for the Europe Area.

39 years ago we were in Frankfurt and stayed in a city outside called Wiesbaden.  We loved it and returned a few years later to stay in the same hotel as we began our travels in Germany and Austria.  We were so close so we decided to go have lunch there before we returned home.  We found the train station and from there set out to explore the city and find the hotel.  Well, in 39 years it is no longer a little city and we could not find the hotel.  We tried to Google it but could not find it.  We ended up back at the train station for lunch and had a fun time talking about the memories.


With the time difference, I have had some very late nights talking on the phone getting updates on my Dad.  It was so good to have Tuesday as P-Day and to sleep in and catch up on things.  Some things never change - Elder Odro left his tablet in our car and so we had to mail it to him.  His memory continues on.  It was a nice walk and tram ride to the Post and it was good to get out of the house.

Because of the change on Monday, we had to change our Monday District meeting to Wednesday.
So another road trip to Schwenningen.  We have waited since November for winter to hit.  Well, on Monday it started snowing in the mountains and it has not quit.  The 1 hour and 20 min. drive took us over 2 hours.

This was the view as we were driving out of Freiburg towards the mountains.  It was beautiful.  We were really glad that the mountains  were getting snow until we had to drive in the traffic and snow.

 Our Texas friends can sympathize with us about the road conditions. Our Utah friends  wonder what is the fuss about - but, this is Germany and the pass over the mountain is difficult on a good day.  The beauty of the snow was amazing in the forest.  I grew up in Idaho and have been around a lot of snow and this was magical.
The Sun was behind the snow clouds but so bright you could hardly see.  There are so many semi trucks on this road and it is 1 lane so it was very slow going.
We finally arrived and were only 4 minutes late for our first meeting.  We had a Skype Area YSA gathering with the other Senior Missionaries over YSA.  It was fun to see those we know and to get training for the new year. 

We went from that meeting into District meeting.  We met our new Sister, Sis. Penner,  who is serving in Singen.  She is a delight and we look forward to getting to know her.
Because of the sudden change with Elder Odro, our other missionary, Elder Fishburn  will be serving with the Schwennigen Elders until he completes his mission in February.  So for the next 5 weeks they will be working in both areas and traveling between the two cities as a threesome.  It has been a hard week for all of us with the quick changes, but it will all work out.  Again, we have learned to be FLEXIBLE.

 It snowed the whole time we were in our meetings.  We knew the pass would be really bad, especially with afternoon traffic so we decided to take the back road home.  Best decision ever.  This Idaho girl knows how to drive in snow.  The first 15 min. we followed the snow plow.  I was hopeful he was going the same way and would pave the way for us, but he turned off.  There was only one other car on the road and I was the lead car - pressure.  At one point, we came upon two trucks who could not make it up the hill.  I did not want to stop for fear of not getting going again.  They were sliding and having a difficult time and just in time I was able to go around them and continue up the hill.  It was an absolutely beautiful drive.  The true beauty of the forest was all around us.  This is what I have been waiting for.  One minute the sun and then total white.

 These pine trees have a unique shape in the snow that gives them their distinction in the Black Forest.

We were so glad to not have traffic and to be able to drive through.  We made it home safely and were able to be at Institute that night.  The Elders were in a separate car and came about 2 hours after us.  They forgot about the back road and it took them about 4 hours to come over the mountain.  They kept calling us and asking how they could get on a different road.  Once you start on the highway, there really is no other way over.  They did not make it to Institute as a result.
We have been invited to Lunch on Monday with some friends who live in the Forest above Titisee.  They have been waiting for the snow to come to have us over so that they can show us around their farm and the mountain.  We hope we will be able to get there with all of the snow.  We will share our experience next week.

By Thursday I was needing a rest.  We had a leisurely morning and then got to venture out to see Amira.  It was snowing lightly and nice to walk in.  We even decided to walk through the park to her house because it was so beautiful.

I just wanted to stay in bed on Friday, but it was time to get busy.  We have a lot going on for the weekend so I had a lot of preparations to do.  We shopped - always a long adventure and then I started cooking.  Zone Conference is coming up again and I needed to try a recipe and see if I liked it and how many servings it made.  I made the Chicken Tortilla soup, added my Texas touches and it turned out really good.  We called the Elders and asked if they would like to come and eat dinner with us.  They had an appointment, but came immediately and were able to eat before their appointment.  I needed to know how many servings it made.  Three Elders each had 4 bowls and we ate and still had some left over.  They were glad to be the taste testers.

  We have a Baptism on Saturday, Yeah.  We are having a pot luck dinner afterwards.  I made caramel dip and meatballs.  We are having all of the YSA for lunch on Sunday so I made Minestroni and Tortellini soup for that.  I decided it was easier to make it all in one day and get all of the cooking done.
Saturday I was invited to a baby shower for one of our young marrieds.  I was not sure I wanted to go, but Elder Grimmett "made" me accept. They are just now starting to have Showers for babies and asked me why they are called "Showers".  The new Mom hosted her own shower and had it at her home.  It was nice watching them and playing the same games we play in the USA at showers.  It was nice that she invited me when I was the grandma in the group.  Age doesn't matter when you are celebrating babies!
Tonight was our baptism for Nadja Pistor.

She is from Dresden Germany and is a student here in Freiburg.  We have really enjoyed getting to know her and we are so happy that she decided to get baptized.  It was a wonderful evening.  She asked that I play the piano and it is always nice that I can participate in a small way.  She will be a great addition to our YSA group.

 So today is 30% off at the Thrift store and so it is our favorite day to shop.  New Missionary attire for Sisters.  With the Winter weather, it is nice to be able to wear dress pants.  I found this pant suit and a few pairs of just dress slacks.  I continue to be blessed when I shop there and it is especially great when you can get things for a bargain. 

This is a common picture around town.  It was snowing and some of our students parked their bikes to come to class.  I am still amazed at how diligent they are to ride no matter what the weather because that is your transportation. 
So many times when we are walking in the rain or snow or heat I think, I would not be doing this if I were home.  Here, we would not think to do it any other way.  I hope it keeps us healthy.

Today was a great way to end the week.  We are grateful for this time to serve and to have the many experiences we are having.  We appreciate so much those of you who have commented on our post or have emailed us.  It really means a lot and brightens our day. 

Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's