June 30-July 6 Happy Fourth of July

So grateful to all of the people who posted pictures of The Fourth of July in the USA.  It was fun seeing so many having good times with family and friends at parades, picnics, fireworks and concerts.  Russ ended up spending about 7 hours with our Missionaries at the ER.  One of our Elder's injured his ankle during their morning run.  It ended up not being broken, but a bad sprain.  He will need to be on crutches for at least 2 weeks and will be in a brace for 6 weeks.  I did a lot of cleaning and packing and actually enjoyed the time by myself to get some things done.  They were all really hungry when I picked them up and so we brought them to our house for a Fourth of July cookout.  Elder Letort, our French missionary (and injured one) just had to endure our patriotism.  We grilled and had traditional foods like potato salad, corn and watermelon.  Not bad for an impromptu party.  We watched a special Tabernacle Choir Music and the Spoken Word from West Point, NY and it was wonderful.  We took the Elder's home and then watched our traditional 1776 movie.  It is one of Russ' favorites and we have watched it on the Fourth for at least 20 years.

I showed you the raspberries we picked on Friday at the garden and this is where some of them ended up.  Raspberry torte with chocolate filling.  Russ said it is the best dessert I have made.  It was a nice ending to our Sunday dinner with the YSA.  We had 11 for dinner and we are really going to miss the group of Young Adults who come on Sunday's for dinner.

We traveled to Zurich on Monday for Zone Conference.  It was our last Zone Conference with the Swiss Zones.  We have 3 Zones that attend and it is the largest group in the mission.  We served lunch for about 75 people.  It turned out really good and they ate everything.  The Taco Salad bowls were a hit for the very hot day.

I will truly miss serving with the Bretzings and the Blanchards.  We have become good friends and they will be missed.  We will be in the Austrian Zones and there are two other Senior couples that we will work with until they go home in the Fall.  It will be a new adventure and we look forward to serving with them as well.

Zone Conference is always a wonderful experience and we get to be with so many of the missionaries.  We have gotten to know so many as we have done the apartment inspections and also those who have served in our District.  It is always a great homecoming.

Sister Brown shared some wonderful insights on Scripture Study.  She said, "the key to unlocking the scriptures is to have questions."  Write on the top of the page the Question that is answered on that page and then write the verse or verses that answer the question.  `Example:  Question - How can I serve God?  Answer:  found in Mosiah 2:17
 This helps you see that when we ask God a question seeking truth, He will give us answers. Studying the scriptures is one of the best ways to receive answers to our prayers.

As we were driving home from the Conference our District leader said he wanted to have District P-day the next day.  They wanted to go on a hike and have a picnic.  I was not sure I had any energy left after all that we had done the past three days.  It was all arranged and we made it work.  We ended our District P-Days at the same place we began 11 months ago.

August 2018 District P-Day

July 2019 District P-Day

We loved our first P-Day on the top of this mountain overlooking Titisee.  The first group was way more athletic, but it was fun to have them try.  We ended up having a fun day with good food, beautiful view and games.

Bjorne's Birthday

  Wednesday was another cooking day for Institute.  We made American homemade Pizza and it was soooo good. We wondered why I hadn't been making homemade all along as it was so much better than most of the Pizza here.  Homemade crust and sauce with pepperoni, bacon and olives.  We then celebrated the birthday of Bjorne, one of our YSA.  I made an ice cream cake for the celebration.  Another new dessert they had never had.

Friday we were off to Lahr to do repairs and clean the apartment for the new missionary couple that will be arriving at the end of July.  It took us about 5 hours and a lot more work than I thought it would be.  Vacant apartments get dirty just sitting.  It is all nice and clean and ready for them to arrive.  We moved several things from our apartment for them to use and will take my plants and a few more dishes just before we leave.  This has been a really busy week and the only saving grace is that is has only been in the 70's and more bearable to be out in.
 My friend Pam Moore who served a mission in Uganda Africa has been back visiting this week with her Days For Girls Foundation.  I see all of the good work she continues to do that is blessing so many lives.  They visited the Gulu Regional Hospital, a RhinoSanctuary, another hospital and other local places.  She shared how hard it is to visit the hospitals and see so much suffering and lack of care or supplies.  The woman are truly blessed by the hygiene kits they give them.  One new mother of a baby girl was so grateful she asked Pam to name her new daughter.  She said she was an Angel and that is the name the mother gave her.  So humble and wonderful what the Moore's continue to do for the people in Uganda.  I am so blessed to be here in Germany and really can't complain about the heat and living conditions when I live in a beautiful apartment with a nice car and plenty of food to eat.  We are truly blessed.

We started Saturday with our visit to the Munster for the organ concert.  We have really enjoyed attending these weekly and hearing so many different styles of music and use of the organ.  We were then off to visit Amira, our special friend.  We told her today that we have been transferred and it was a sad day for all of us.  We told her we will visit her 3 more times before we leave.  She continues to be a blessing in my life and an example of enduring to the end.

Today was a very special day for our granddaughter Preslee Fackrell.  She turned 8 last week and was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today.  We were able to be a part of it through Facebook Messenger.  Technology is wonderful when you are so far away.  She was absolutely beautiful in her white dress.  She was so happy and excited for this day.  We are so grateful that she made the decision to be baptized.  She knows she is  Child of God and that she is loved.  She is full of life with a very tender spirit.  Everyone knows when Preslee is in the room!  We love her and are so happy for her.  I wish I had pictures of the Brunch her mom, Emily served afterwards.  It was over the top and amazing.  She made it a very special day for her.  When we are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, we become new in Jesus Christ.  Being Born again is a process and not a one time event.  Each week as we attend church and partake of the Sacrament we become more like Christ and are able to endure to the end with all that that entails.  So grateful for the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

Enjoy July!
Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's