Sept. 22-28, 2019 Fall is in the Air

I have been thinking about this Blog that I have done every week for the past 14 months.  I have detailed so much of our daily happenings and documented much of it with pictures.  It is my journal of our mission so that we can look back and remember all of the wonderful experiences.  I would never think to share my every move and what we eat when we are at home, but it just seems OK to share it as part of my Blog.  I figure if I send enough pictures, you can just look at the pictures and not worry about reading everything I write.  I hope in some small way it is helping our Grandchildren to see, learn and be a part of what we are doing.

We had Elder Bast (Germany) and Elder Hull (England) for dinner on Sunday.  We are really enjoying have the missionaries each week and getting to know them better.  It is really making a difference for us and we have seen a difference in some of them as well.  Elder Hull is new in the mission and has been a little home sick.  He really enjoyed being in our home and having a good dinner.  He is from the same Stake as my parents first Mission President in Leeds, England.  It was fun to share stories and our love of England.  Elder Hull is doing much better and he has been a great help this week to me at the Institute.  Friendships make a difference.

Monday was our Family Home Evening with the Young Adults.  I made cookie dough and they came and made and baked the cookies to be given to people as invitations for our Meet and Greet, opening day of the Fall Institute class.

We made granola bars, pumpkin snicker doodles, and ginger cookies.  We baked over 150 cookies.  They had a great time and enjoyed eating the extras.  We bagged them and attached the above invitation.  They were supposed to take them and deliver, but that did not go so well.  We will see if they all get delivered.  Thanks to my awesome friends at the Arlington TX Institute for sharing their talents and helping me with this invitation.  They made me look really good here.  They had never seen an invitation like this and so professionally done.  They are a photo invitation and less expensive than other options.

Tuesday was new refrigerator day.  After a month of trying to get the new refrigerator, the delivery day finally arrived.  We had arranged at IKEA for delivery, install and pick-up of old fridge.  When then arrived, they said it was only to deliver the new fridge.  We went back to the store and talked to them.  They said it would be $300 for them to come back and pick up the old one and do the install.  So, we went home and began the process of removing the old on from the built in cabinet - no, it is not a free standing model and it was a learning experience.  We got the old one out and attempted to install the new one, but it is 10 inches off the ground and about 1 inch space to work with and we could not lift it ourselves.  So, we recruited any missionaries who would come.  We had a response within minutes, even without a bribe.  After they said they could come on Wednesday morning, we told them we would give them lunch when we were done. 

Elder Duce and Elder Childs to the rescue.  They came and helped us in minutes lift it into the cabinet and then attach to the doors and floor.  It took about an hour to get it all done.  It did not end there - we had to figure out a way to get the old fridge back to IKEA.  We measured our car and decided we could make it work.  With their help we loaded it in the car.  It took a lot of good thinking adjustments, and we got it to fit.  Only problem, Russ had to lay next to the fridge and ride to IKEA while I drove.  Tried to get a picture, but my phone was out of juice. 

tying down the gate.

This a a Hyundai I-20, not a van.  Another tender mercy that came our way.  Amazing what you can fit in these little cars.
So glad to have this done.  The owner of the apartment got a good deal on this one.  We saved her $300 and provided 5 hours of labor free.

Tuesday night was the annual Vienna Night Run.  Over 30,000 people ran in the 5K race and this is the group from our Church that participated.  They met at the Institute and then returned when they were done.  We had about 70 people in the Institute tonight and it was a happening place.  So fun to be a part of their excitement.

With so many at the Institute, 4 missionaries asked if they could help me in the kitchen as I was preparing for the Wednesday night meal.  With 6 people peeling potatoes we got the 12 pounds of potatoes done in about 20 minutes.  It was such a big help to me.  Russ was really grateful he did not have to do it all himself.  I sliced them and cooked them and they were ready for Wednesday.  Sunday dinners with the missionaries is paying off in many ways.  We serve them and they serve us.

This week is Octoberfest in Vienna.  Wednesday we celebrated with an Octoberfest meal - mostly from Germany.  I wore one of my dirndlen  and added to the festive spirit.  We had Potatoes and grilled brats with salad, bread and apple cake for dessert.  It turned out so good.  We fed about 35 people.  I cooked the sausage (brat) like I would cook it in Texas.  They had never had it cooked in apple juice and then grilled to perfection.  They loved it.

POTATOES AND BRATS
2 to 3 pounds of potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
1 1/3 cups of milk or light cream
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
                                          1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper
                                          2-3 cloves garlic, minced
                                          1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
                                           Thin sliced cheese (I use a white cheese but cheddar is OK)
Combine:  sliced potatoes, milk, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and garlic in large pot.  Bring to a boil and cook stirring occasionally until potatoes are softened.  Pour into a 13 x 9 inch pan or casserole dish.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and stir in.  Top with thin sliced cheese to cover top.
Bake at 325* for about 30 min. until top is golden brown and heated through. 
(10 pounds of potatoes serves 24)  Serve with grilled Brats or your favorite sausage.

We had a special experience with one of our students.  Camille is in Vienna working as a Nanny for a family.  She attends the International Ward.  She talked to us two weeks ago about her work schedule and not being able to come to Family Home Evening or Institute Class.  She works until 7:30 PM weekdays and then it is an hour tram ride into town and so she cannot make the activities.  She asked if we could have any gatherings on Sundays so that she could meet with other Young Adults.  She was called that Sunday to be her Ward Young Adult Representative.  She was very concerned how she would be able to do a good job if she could not attend most of the activities and classes.  We told her we would talk to the Committee and see if we could start a Sunday gathering.  The following week we did talk to the committee and they said they would consider it.  She came to Institute on Wednesday night and was just beaming.  She was so excited to be there.  She said a miracle had happened in her life that week.  She had prayed after we talked with her that she would be able to find a way to serve in her calling and be a more active participant in the YSA.  The people Camille works for have a grandmother who lives in Vienna.  She came to the family the very next day and said she wanted to spend some time with her grandchildren and would like to have them every Wednesday evening.  She could not believe that her prayer had been answered so quickly.  She said, I know if I miss and do not come, the opportunity will be taken from me.  She really needs the contact with other YSA and this is a true blessing in her life.  We are so happy for her.  

Thursday Russ was able to finally visit a Doctor about the Dupuytren contracture in his hand.  He has had two surgeries in the past ten years and it came back about 6 months ago.  There is a new procedure that is done with injections instead of surgery.  We are hopeful he is a candidate for that procedure.  We started the process in Freiburg and then with the transfer had to start over again here.  He really liked the Doctor and we are now waiting on Insurance approval.  Hopefully he will be able to have it done in the next few weeks. 
I was running late on Thursday and so Russ had to go to the appointment without me.  I made my first solo trip on the S-bahn into the city center and I did not get lost.  I had the address, looked it up on google maps and wrote down all of the instructions for what stops to get off at and what number to get back on.  I did good until I had to walk a few blocks and I turned the wrong direction.  After two blocks I realized I was going the wrong direction and walked back up the hill and found the address.  Russ was surprised I found it all by myself and did not get lost - I am directionally challenged.  I prayed the whole way that I would be able to get there without getting lost.  I CAN do hard things with the help of prayer.

Please Pray for me this week as we go to our Senior Conference in Innsbruck.  We are having a Night of Music and I was asked to play a piano solo.  I have been working on it for several weeks and I feel good about the music but as it is getting closer my fears and nerves get the best of me.  We are also giving a 45 minute presentation on "How we are making a difference with the YSA".  We have that all prepared and the power point all ready.  I wish I was as confident with my piano playing as I am with teaching. 

Well, in the end not very many pictures this week.  Next week will be a big picture week as we report on our conference in Innsbruck. 
Until next week -
Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's

Sept. 15-21, 2019 Fourteen months

We have had an amazing week - I don't know where to start - there has been so much going on and so much to share.

Apple Torte

We have decided to invite each one of the missionary companionships to dinner on Sundays.  We hope to have each set once each 6 week transfer.  Sunday we had Sisters Hepworth and Spratt.  It was Sister Spratt's birthday and so I made her an Apple Torte for her Birthday cake.  It was really nice having them in our home and getting to know them better.  We have invited a new Elder from England and his companion from Germany for this Sunday.  I think he needs a little TLC and a good meal. 
Monday we had about 20 for Family Home Evening.  We watched the Face to Face broadcast from Sunday evening in Utah with Elder Soares and Elder Christensen. The them for the Broadcast was:  Living The Gospel Brings Me Hope Because . . . .  They asked everyone attending to ponder that question before coming to the Devotional.   They answered questions from YSA around the world.  It was a really good broadcast.  We went from 1 last week to 20 this week.  We made lots of waffles, sausage and buttermilk syrup.  It is really nice having so many attend.
Tuesday we had interview with Pres. Brown, our Mission President.  It is always a special day when he comes and visits with the District.  On Monday morning, Pres. Russell M. Nelson, our Prophet spoke at a BYU Devotional to all of the students.  We listened to the broadcast for our District Council as we waited for our interviews.  He spoke on 5 Truths:
1.  You are sons and daughters of God
2.  Truth is Truth
3.  God loves every one of us with perfect love.
4.  The Lord Jesus Christ, whose Church this is, appoints Prophets and Apostles to communicate His love and His laws.
5.  You may know for yourself what is true and what is not be learning to discern the whisperings of the Spirit.

I am so grateful we have a Prophet on the earth today to guide and direct us in the ways of Jesus Christ.  We then had the opportunity to attend a special meeting in the evening for all Ward and Stake Leaders with Elder Kopsichke from the European Area Presidency and Elder Wondra an Area Authority Seventy.  They are from Germany and Austria and were very empowering to those in attendance.  This was just the beginning of what was in store for us in the next few days.

white chocolate chunks

Pumpkin Snicker Doodles

A group of missionaries asked me if I had some pumpkin recipes and if they could have a pumpkin carving contest and make some good pumpkin foods for a P-Day in October.  I told them I had some really good recipes for pumpkin.  I had just found the recipe for Pumpkin Snicker Doodles and I want to try them, so I made them for District Council to try them out.  They were a huge success.  You cannot get white chocolate chips (or any chocolate chips here) so I chopped up a white chocolate candy bar and made my own chips. 
PUMPKIN WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP SNICKERDOODLES

1 3/4 cup Flour                                       1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking powder                           1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. Allspice                                      1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg                                       1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup pumpkin puree                           1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar                               1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla                                           2/3 c. white choc. chips
COATING:  1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and salt.  Stir in the white chocolate chips. 
In another bowl, stir together the pumpkin, sugars, melted butter and vanilla. 
Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients all at once and stir just until combined.
Cover and refrigerate for 30 min.
Preheat oven to 375*.  Combine Coating mix.  Scoop dough into balls about 1 1/2 Tbls. each.  Roll in sugar mixture.  Place on pan and press lightly to flatten.  Bake 8-10 min.  Cool on rack.

 We got up early Wednesday morning and started our drive to Munich.  It was a nice day and we decided to stop at The Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden Germany, just outside of Salzburg, Austria. 
It  is only open from May-October because of weather conditions and the road being able to be open.  Only buses are allowed on the road.  We thought it was a nice weather day but as we climbed higher on the mountain in the bus the weather changed. 
We went through several tunnels and a winding road to arrive at the main tunnel that then takes you on an elevator to the top of the mountain.

At an elevation of 1,834 m (6,017 ft.), the Eagle's Nest or Kehlsteinhaus, as it is call in German, was a prestigious teahouse for Adolf Hitler's use.  Several thousand workers were employed in the construction, involving extreme working conditions.  Despite the treacherous terrain and significant logistical complexity, the project had to be completed in record time.  The building cost 30 million reichsmarks and testifies to the regime's delusions of grandeur.  The workers completed the building project in less than two years, in the summer of 1938. 

To visit it today, a 6.5 km road, built solely to reach the Eagle's Nest, leads to a cliff-side turn-around point.  From there, a 124-m-long tunnel, cut through the rock, gives access to a brass-paneled elevator.  Rising another 124 vertical meters, the lift was originally intended to transport Hitler comfortably into his mountaintop teahouse.  He actually spent very little time here.  Almost everything was destroyed after the War to try to wipe away the terror of the regime.  It is a reminder of the effects of the one-time unconditional "faith in the Fuhrer" fashioned in stone.  Since 1945 

it has symbolized the "wondrous sham of the Third Reich" like no other construction relict from the National Socialist era. 

inside entrance tunnel

It is very solemn walking through the tunnel and visualizing the workers who did the work.  It is hard to imagine all that went on during this time at this place.

Entrance to tunnel

The entrance is on the side of the mountain peak with the Eagle's Nest directly above it.  It was quite a ride on the elevator.  They did not allow photos inside of the elevator.  To the right is the room you enter to enter the elevator.  I got a picture just as the door was opening but mostly you could just see people.  

 Currently there are two restaurants inside the building.  You just walk around and can climb to the top of the peak.  We hiked up, but the clouds were so thick you could not really see anything, including the building. 

 The current exhibition room was used earlier by the Nazi leaders as a sun terrace.  There was an interesting feeling as we walked the halls and rooms of the building.  It is not a memory that really wants to be remembered.  The proceeds from the tourist fees are used for charitable purposes. 

Kehlsteinhaus 1834 meters

It was a beautiful drive and we enjoyed the time spent there.  It was an experience to remember.
We arrived in Munich just in time to go to dinner with several other Senior Missionaries.  We went to the same restaurant we ate at the day we arrived in Germany 14 months ago.  We also stayed at the same Holiday Inn that we stayed at when we arrived.  It was a fun evening of good food and visiting. 
Thursday was our Mission Conference. 

 Always fun to have a group photo.  They were trying to get us all in place for a good photo.  We were able to get all of the missionaries that we served with in the Freiburg District that were attending to have a group picture.  We love these Elders and Sisters so much.  It is always a great day when we get to see them again and share stories.  These are valiant young men and women who have chosen to serve Jesus Christ at this time of their lives.  They teach us so much and we are so grateful to be able to serve with them.  So nice to have 5 of them in the Austrian Zone.

I wish I could share what we learned in the conference, but this is already a long post and I will save you the reading.  In all of the talks this past week, one of the over riding themes was the need to seek truth and ask questions.  Joseph Smith was a boy of many questions.  His questions are answered in the 130 Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants.  If we go to a meeting or a class with no questions, there will be no learning.  If you don't have questions, you stop learning.  Go to Church to get answers to your questions. 
Thursday was one of the highlights of our whole mission.  It was a powerful meeting that empowered us to continue serving with a greater purpose and with the knowledge that we are doing The Lord's work.  We had a wonderful lunch and then more instruction.  The young missionaries had trains to catch to return to their homes - quite a feat to get 80 missionaries on a bus to the train station and everyone to their trains on time.  We then had a special meeting with Elder Kopischke and his wife and all of the Senior Missionaries.  Wow! what an amazing hour and a half of questions and answers.  It was delightful and insightful.  We then had dinner and we were fortunate to sit with the Kopischke's and were able to learn more about them and learn from them as well.  It was a truly spirit filled day and one that we will always remember. 

 We spent Friday morning at the BMW museum and showroom.  It was fun to learn of the history of BMW and all that they actually manufacture from motorcycles to airplane engines.  They have a beautiful complex with 4 large buildings that house the assembly plant, Corporate headquarters, museum and show room.  You can rent a BMW for the day as well as purchase a car off the line, drive it to tour the country and then return it to the showroom and they will ship it to the USA for you.  There is an area you can watch people picking up their cars.  It is quite a show. 

 They market the BMW, Mini Cooper and Rolls Royce.  The Rolls Royce on display was $370,000. 
It was fun to dream for a day.

Looking smart

Ready for the Road

Mini Coopers

Vintage original models

 These are clay models in 1:1 scale.  It was very interesting to see the design process and all that goes into developing new models.

Motorcycle clay model

These are some of the newer model cars.  I did not take pictures of the new concept cars, but they were beautiful. 

We then tackled the long drive home.  It should only be a 5 hr. drive home, but Munich traffic is terrible and Friday was the start of Oktoberfest so there was a lot of traffic.  We were in bumper to bumper traffic all the way to Salzburg.  We stopped for gas and then there was an accident and a thirty minute delay.  It took us 7 hours to get home and we were so glad to arrive home safe.

 We ended the week shopping for next weeks needs and trying a new restaurant.  We had a first - we rode the street car to get dinner and we were the only ones on the whole streetcar.  We were so surprised for a Saturday afternoon.  We went to a really fun place that specialized in Austrian home cooking and especially desserts.  It was a very fun place and a very happening place.

The food was very earthy and very good.  It was an experience.  The desserts are famous and look really good.  I have to admit, I still am not used to the lack of flavor and sweetness in their desserts.  We had kasekuchen (cheesecake) and an apple kuchen.  We can say we have been there and it was a great eating experience.
Fall is in the air and we are having beautiful 60-70 degree days.  It will be good if it stays this way for a little while.  We understand Winters are very cold and windy.  

vegetable soup with rye bread

brots in broth with a pretzel 

Saturday
Lunch!


















We have had a memorable week.  We are so grateful to be in Vienna and to have the new experiences we are having.  We do not know what the future will bring, but we look forward to continuing serving and doing whatever we are asked to do.  More Senior Missionaries are needed.  For those of you who are retired, think about it - it will change your life!

Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's

Sept. 8-14, 2019

Where did this week go?  I feel like I was just finishing writing last weeks Blog and here I am again trying to put the week in perspective.  We have been so busy we keep saying we did not work this hard when we were working and retirement was supposed to be at a slower pace.  It continues to be a little overwhelming how long it takes to go places and get things done.  Sometimes I feel like I am in slow motion.   We thought this week was going to be quiet and maybe we would catch up on some things - every day seemed to be busier than the previous day.

    PRATER VIENNA
Sunday was a beautiful day and we decided to take a walk through the Prater Amusement Park.  It is famous for the Wiener Riesenrad (Giant Ferris wheel).  It was constructed in 1897 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I.  It was one of the earliest Ferris wheels ever built and was the world's tallest extant Ferris wheel for 65 years until the Technostar was built in Japan in 1985.  It was originally constructed with 30 gondolas, but was severely damaged in WWII and was rebuilt with only 15 gondolas.  It has appeared in many movies, novels and a TV series.

Prater is a large Park open to the Public.  There are beautiful tree-lined streets with lots of restaurants, amusement rides, each independently owned and operated by local people; a train and Madame Tussauds wax world. 
It was nice to just walk through the park and enjoy the sights and sounds of all the people.

This was the only quiet day we had all week and we really enjoyed the stroll in the park.

 Wednesday was Transfer Day.  We said good-bye to 4 missionaries.  Three were transferred to new cities and Sis. Wittkopp completed her mission and was heading home.  We added 7 new missionaries to our Zone.  We are so excited to have Sis. Griffith and Sis. Breinholt in our District.  We served with both of them in the Freiburg District and they will add a lot to the Districts in Vienna. 

 It has become a tradition for us to

Elders Cuttler, Mogenson, Sisters Mogenson and Daynes

see them off at the train station.  It is an interesting dynamic to see these young people have to adapt to new companions, cities and countries about every 3-4 months.  I admire them for being so resilient and making it work.

We had a retired BYU professor and his wife come and visit us in the Institute.  They are here for the next month helping with the BYU Study Abroad Program and touring the country.  They were here 12 years ago with the BYU program and helped establish the Institute Building we are currently in.  It is always fun to learn a little history about where you are serving.
Twenty-Eight students arrived on Monday with the BYU Program.  Five of them came to our Institute class on Wednesday evening.  It was nice having new students and several of the local students were back as well.  We fed 31 people on Wednesday.  The numbers are growing.  It was good I made something that could be stretched.  I served Fried Rice, fruit, bread and homemade cranberry oatmeal cookies.  One young man came and asked if he could have cooking lessons from me.  He is from Hungary.  I told him sure if he would teach me how to make Hungarian Goulash. 
Once the BYU students saw how nice our building was, one of the teachers asked if they could hold a class at the building.  They scheduled Thursday night to have a class to show the movie, The Third Man.  It is a movie we had just watched two weeks ago.  It was made on 1949 in Vienna.  It is part of their Art History Class.  We had 26 students and they really enjoyed it - I made lots of popcorn and cookies for them - who would not like it - and it was free!  They have asked if they can come again for their Opera Appreciation class.  We like the building be used and hopefully it will get some of their students attending our Institute Class.

 We see and learn new things every day.  We have been upgrading some of the furnishings in the missionary apartments.  It is a challenge to find what we need and then to get it where it needs to go - so grateful we have a car.  We read about Tanger 48 - a Resale shop for the whole city of Vienna.  They have an amazing system.  We decided to go explore and find it and see what it was all about.  As we were walking around and around trying to figure out google maps, we came upon this apartment building.  The whole building is made with these planter boxes with greenery.  It was very unique.  Maybe it keeps the building cooler.

It has an amazing irrigation system using rain gutters and pipes. 
We found the Re-sale shop and it was Huge!  It was so fun to see all that they had to offer.  We actually found the chairs we were needing for one of the apartments.  They were very nice quality at a price way below what we could find new.  We went back with the car and were able to purchase them and deliver to the Elders.  It made their day.  They now have chairs to sit in to eat at their table.  We hope these last longer than their last ones - let's just say boys can be a little rough on furniture!

Saturday was P-Day, but was spent getting ready for next week and all that we have to do.  We made three trips to the Appliance store to purchase a new refrigerator for our apartment just to finally find out we cannot purchase one from their store.  We told the first salesman our current fridge is from IKEA and he didn't say anything.  He just said we needed better measurements.  We came back with the measurements and they said we needed pictures of the hinge system.  It is a built in refrigerator and they are not as easy to replace.  So, we took pictures and went back - this has been a two week project.  Not to mention we have to submit everything to the owner for approval.  When we went back with the photos, they said it can only be replace with an IKEA appliance.  Our owner said she did not want us to go to IKEA.  So today we went to IKEA and tried to purchase one.  We sent pictures to the owner and waited for a reply - no reply.  We will have to go back to IKEA another day.  This seems to be the way of life here.  We have an amazing week starting on Monday with Interviews with our Mission President, Elder Kopischke in the Area Presidency speaking to us Tuesday night, Wednesday driving to Munich via Salzburg, Thursday Mission Conference with Elder Kopischke, Friday driving back to Vienna and then we are back to Saturday to catch up with laundry and shopping for the next week.  We will have one week back and then we will be leaving for Innsbrook for Senior Conference and then back to Vienna to get ready for the Fall kick-off of Institute.  Just typing this is getting me a little nervous about how we will get it all done.  Knowing we are serving the Lord and on His errand, makes it worth it.  I know we will be blessed beyond our own abilities. We are so grateful for all of the people we are meeting and for the experiences we are having. 
Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's

Sept. 1-7, 2019 The Royal Flush

This week has been filled with more Apartment Inspections, meetings, Institute, Cooking and finally getting a Parking Space Rented. That is our little blue car parked in its new spot next door to our apartment.  So glad to have this taken care of.  Vienna was voted the #1 best city to live in in the World for the second year - and yet they won't let foreigners park in their city!   We have had a break in the hot weather this week and we are hoping for a nice Fall.  We did  not realize how humid it would be in Vienna.

This is what lunch looks like after a District Council provided by the Young Missionaries.  They take turns bringing and preparing the lunch and I have been filling in with fruit and dessert.  I am not going to change the good thing they have going of sharing the responsibility, even if lunch is ramen noodle soup or muesli cereal with yogurt.  They don't buy fruit for themselves very often and so they really enjoy it.
We learn so much from them and really enjoy the time we get to spend with them on Monday's.

 We take a picture of each companionship when we finish the apartment inspections.  Sister Daynes and Sister Mogensen are two of our favorite Sisters and had the cleanest apartment of all that we have visited.  They radiate and have a wonderful spirit in their apartment.  I cleaned a lot of toilets and washing machine dispensers and removed mold in bathrooms and showed each of the missionaries  how to do it and what needs to be done to stay ahead of the mold.  It is a real problem here.  Old Buildings and lots of humidity.

Roman Soldier

 We got to go with one of the District's on their P-Day outing.  We went to the Time Travel History of Vienna Museum.  It was so fun.  You start in a 3-D theater and watch a 15 minute show on the history and sights and sounds of the city.  It was so real, down to the rats around your feet.  We wore virtual reality googles in another room, saw animated people, and ended in an original bomb shelter used during WWII.  It was so real with sirens, lights out and the floor moving from the bombs.  It was a great museum, well worth going to. 

 Missionaries playing the part of Franz Joseph and his wife Sissi.  Photo opt in one of the rooms.

Because we went as a group we received one free group picture.  It was a great way to end the tour.  We had a lot of fun and also learned a lot about Vienna.  It was so interesting to put it in perspective that they were ruled by the Habsburg Empire from 1278. Vienna was the capital of the Austrian Empire and later Austria-Hungary, becoming one of Europe's biggest cities.  Beginning in the 18th Century reconstruction began and extensive building began.  It was turned into a baroque city and many palaces were built in the inner city with housing growth in the suburbs. The end of WWI was the end of Austria-Hungary.  In 1918, the Republic of German-Austria was proclaimed.  By WWII the empire was much smaller with a new form of government. It is currently the capital of the Republic of Austria.   From 1945 until 1955 Vienna was controlled by the Soviet Union, France, Britain and the US with a center zone controlled by all four. You could not travel between Districts without proper papers.   On May 15, 1955, the country regained its political independence and sovereignty with the Austrian State Treaty.  The city has over 17,000 Diplomats.  Because of their presence and Austria's neutrality, Vienna became an important center for espionage. 
Russ served is mission from 1970-72.   It had not really been that long since they had become the Country that they are today.  They rarely left the District they were assigned to live in and serve.  Today, the missionaries cover the entire city and really have no idea what has taken place in the past 50 years. 

 Some of the art from the building boom of the 1800's.  The History is everywhere you go.

I love the buildings and the charm of the horse drawn carriages. 









So, speaking about all the Royalty and history, lets look at the Royal Flush - - - - -

 We call this the Austrian Throne - Not named by me but by missionaries long ago.  No one likes this model and the old ones are horrible.  I won't go into detail, but you can see first of all how tall it is     - fitting for a throne.  Stool needed since feet don't touch the ground.  Upon closer inspection, you see why there is a built in toilet brush at every toilet, even in the portable potties.  There is the Royal shelf with NO WATER and then the little flush hole.  I now know why the necessity of the brush and why IKEA has a 10 x 10 ft. section of just toilet brushes.

I am sorry for the slight diversion, but it is such a big part of life here, I just had to share my personal story of the Royal Flush.











Saturday was transfer calls.  There is always a lot of anticipation and anxiety over who will stay and who will go to new assignments.  We have even started counting time based on transfers.  They are every 6 weeks and that time goes really fast.  We will be having two Sister Missionaries, Sisters Breinholt and Griffith who we served with in Freiburg coming to Vienna next week.  We are so excited to be serving with them again.   Our mission has so many wonderful places to serve it is a wonderful experience for the missionaries to go, see and serve in so many different areas.  We feel very blessed to have served in Germany with assignments in Switzerland and now to be in Vienna Austria.  We have seen so many amazing places and met so many wonderful people.

We watched the 95th Birthday Celebration for our Prophet, Pres. Russell M. Nelson tonight.  It was held Friday night in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.  It was one of the best music performances I have heard.  It is well worth your time to watch and listen and learn a little about this amazing man who had a career as a heart surgeon and became a world renowned Doctor and teacher to other Doctors around the world.  He has served his Father in Heaven faithfully his whole life and is a father of 10 children.  He answered the call to serve as an Apostle and for the past 1 1/2 years has been the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In that time he has traveled over 90,000 miles, visited many countries and people and has an energy and drive that no one can match.  You can view the Celebration at:  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org  

Our time here continues to be one of learning and patience.  I read a quote today by David Butler a speaker at Time Out For Women, "The devil is the only being described as busy . . . so if we are being busy all the time . . .maybe we should be more like Jesus . . .he napped, he retreated to the wilderness!!  We need to recognize the PRESS in our lives and step away sometimes....We need to find our place of retreat!  Wherever it is God will meet us there.  We need to make appointments with God to get out of the Press of the world.

What we really need is rest . . .we need to reset our world.  We need the prince of peace to give us peace.  We are promised if we come unto Him He will give us rest ...to give us strength to take with us into the coming days of our lives.  Our lives are filled from edge to edge . . .we need to make margins so God has a place to talk to us.  Meditation creates an open canvas for God to write what He wants.  Stand still...so we can hear God.  We need moments of sitting with Him!  When we have these moments we will eave differently."

Our mission is giving us this time to have God write in our margins.  Sometimes we get a little distracted and busy with the wrong things.  Life does happen and when you go to the T-Mobile store to pay your Internet bill - so you can stay connected to family and friends back home - and they don't do what they say they will do and you have to go to three different Banks to find one that will take your money to pay the bill - because that is how they do things here - you get a little lesson in patience and slowing down and it is OK because you just do what you can each day and that is enough.  Russ keeps telling me to slow down and enjoy the journey.  I am trying every day.  In a Tim McGraw song he sings, "love deeper and speak sweeter."  I know as I continue to serve and grow closer to my Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, I will be able to love deeper and to speak sweeter and leave a different person.  I am so grateful for the strength Jesus Christ gives to me and helps me each and every day of my life.

The Man, the myth, the legend, Joe Thompson - aka Santa Clause, the Balloon Baffoon and Home Teacher Giant will be leaving Arlington Texas after 40+ years.  He will be missed by so many.  He has made Birthdays and Christmas magical for so many children and adults.  He has a gift with people.  He will be relocating to my home town of Twin Falls Idaho - wishing you a safe move and bright days ahead.  Life will definitely be at a slower pace in Idaho and will be good for your soul. Happy Trails to you until we meet again....

Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's