June 9-15, 2019 The Matterhorn!

We spent most of the week in Switzerland doing apartment inspections and enjoying the beauty of the Alps.  One of the benefits of serving in the Alpine Mission is getting to see some of the most beautiful places in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  We are not on a vacation - the reward of getting to see The Matterhorn in Zermatt Switzerland was at the end of two very busy and tiring days of inspecting missionary apartments.  We have been planning this project for over a month with questionnaires to find out needs and repairs so that we could go prepared with the right tools, supplies and items they need in their apartments.  We spent several days putting that together and then shopping for all of the needed items.  Summer is upon us and many needed additional fans.  Our car was filled to capacity with fans and vacuums, towels, sheets, pillows, etc.  We were so glad to get across the border with no problems with the car so full of goods from Germany!

We began on Wednesday morning and first stop we sanded and painted the window frame, door frame and door of the bathroom of the first apartment.  Moisture and mold are real problems and we like to stay on top of it.  The paint had peeled down to bare wood and now it looks great.  Next stop we cleaned out a bathroom drain - Sisters with long hair and lots of hair in the drain.  Unfortunately we had to use chemicals to open the drain and it just about killed me.  We  had to go outside and get good air while it did its job.  We cleaned out their balcony drain that a plumber had come a few weeks ago and said there was no drain and they would have to call the owner.  Their balcony was like a swimming pool with no place for the water to drain.  I found the drain and all of the mud and leaves that had collected over the Winter.  We got it all cleaned, used the snake we thought we would use in the bathroom and all was good.  That is about the extent of our handyman abilities - we will leave the big stuff to the professionals.  We did 5 inspections on Wednesday, took the last two Elders to dinner (the other missionaries each got a chocolate candy bar) and we finally arrived in Zollikofen about 8:30 PM.

We met Elder & Sis. Koch at our Senior conference in May and they invited us to stay at their home when we go to Switzerland for apartment inspections.  They are such wonderful people.  The have a beautiful home 1 block from the Bern Temple with a beautiful garden, chickens, a cat and even an elevator in their home.  We enjoyed visiting with them and getting to know them a little better.  He retired 13 years ago as an electrical engineer - he designed the lighting for the tunnels on the highways in the Bern area.  They served a mission to Milan Italy 2 years ago.  They currently take care of all the legal and medical matters for the missionaries in Switzerland.  It is a big responsibility with all of the different laws and rules.

We continued our inspections on Thursday and completed another 5.  Parking for some of the apartments is almost impossible.  At one apartment we circled the streets for 30 minutes trying to find a place to park until I finally stopped on the side of a street and had Russ just go in and do the inspection while I sat in the car.  I cleaned a lot of stove vent hood fans - most of the missionaries did not know they existed and some had not been cleaned in a really long time.  I showed them what to do so maybe down the road they will think about doing it.  The best part was bringing all of the needed items and bearing gifts when we arrived.  It was nice to visit with the missionaries and to help them have good living conditions so that they can concentrate on the work.  We ended our inspections in Interlaken about 5:00 PM

 We went to their city center and found a fun Mexikanische restaurant to eat at.  It was a welcome relief from a long day and no real food since breakfast.  We sat and watched people come and go across the street at the Funky Chocolate Club and decided we needed to end our meal with a Swiss Chocolate.  We each picked one - AMAZING!  there really is a difference in good chocolate.

So, with our work completed, we were off to stay at a hotel and do a little sight seeing.  Let the adventure begin, and an adventure it was.  It was a 2 1/2 hour drive and we wanted to get there before dark as we knew it was about 20 minutes up a large mountain off the main highway.  Russ was not sure he liked how I was driving on the mountain road - there was so much to see and I had to keep my eyes on the narrow  windy road.  The drive was worth the view and wonderful room and hospitality of our AirBnB. 

We passed these funny looking train cars on our way and we wondered what they were for.  We also could not figure out why the GPS said it would take so long to get to where we were going.  We started seeing signs for a train and then a toll booth.  We knew we had to take a train the next day to get to Zermatt as they do not allow cars, but no one told us we also had to take our car on a train to even get to that side of the mountain.  What an adventure.  Those funny looking  rail cars we saw were what we would be riding on.  We drove onto the train, put the car in Park, set the hand brake, rolled up all of the windows and then hoped the car would stay on

the train as we went inside the mountain.  I have to say is was a little scary and way more motion than taking the car on the ferry across the Bodensee. 

Hotel Sonnenberg

Picture from Balcony of Hotel

Beautiful Sunset

 Russ just relaxing on the balcony after a very long day of working and driving.  We were "on top of the world" looking down and across to the little villages on the mountains.  It was so beautiful and peaceful. 

We could have stayed there for a few more days, but we were on the road again in the morning after a wonderful breakfast of yogurt, granola, fresh fruit and toast.  We were headed to
The Matterhorn and hoping for a nice day to be able to see it. 

 Train ride from Tasch to Zermatt.  This is a train that even the locals take to get to the city.  Many park their cars in Tasch at a parking garage and commute to Zermatt where they live.  In the Winter the train is the only way open to get there.  They sky was spectacular.  It  was supposed to be a sunny day and nice, but a storm moved in and it was warm but very windy. 

arrived in Zermatt

 We rode the cable car to Sunnegga - the first look out point.  It was so windy that you could hardly stand at the lookout and take pictures.  I almost lost my phone trying to take a picture in the wind.  So, sadly, we did not see the peak, but still got some nice pictures with the clouds. 

The Matterhorn

This is another angle of the Matterhorn looking from the city.  We kept hoping the clouds would break, but they never did. 
We received a call from Pres. Brown and he invited us to represent the Mission at CHAD - a YSA Conference for all Young Adults in Switzerland, Austria and Germany in July.  It is going to be in Southern Switzerland on the Italian border in a resort called Feisch.  It is 5 days and we will be working helping to keep the event running smoothly.  So, we might go back to the Matterhorn with that group as they have an excursion planned as part of the conference.  Time is going so fast and our schedule is getting very busy.  We enjoyed this experience and met some wonderful people along the way.  It is always fun when someone calls out, "hello Sister".  They recognize the name tag we wear and it starts some nice conversations. 

On the road again - a 5 hour drive home via the train ride and rail with the car.  We went through

 St. Nicklaus Switzerland.  I thought there would be some Christmas shops, but we only saw this welcome to the city as you enter town.

 Vineyards on every hillside.  This is located at the Schloss in Spiez on Interlaken lake.  It is a beautiful setting with the hillsides and lake. 

Church next to the Schloss. It was very plain and quaint.  There had just been a wedding and the reception was on the lawn above.  It was fun to see.

We arrived back in Freiburg about 8:00 on Friday evening.  So glad we have a place to get take out food just down the street.  We ordered food and rented the Disney Movie, Third Man on the Mountain about the first climb to the top or the Matterhorn.  If you haven't watched it - put it on your list for some entertaining history.  It was a great way to end a delightful week and to wind down from the drive.
Saturday was started with the Organ concert at the Munster,  shopping, a visit to inspect the Lahr apartment and cooking for Sunday and Monday.  It is way past my bedtime and I am already planning my Sunday afternoon nap. 
So grateful for the wonder and beauty of the creations of our Father in Heaven.  I continue to Stand All Amazed.  Today was transfer call day for our missionaries.  We will be saying good-bye to another Missionary, Elder Janousek who will be going to Austria.  We will also have two other new missionaries in the District.  Monday will be a lot of good-byes to the 3 who are moving to new assignments.  Our life is currently all about time being measured by transfers. 
Stay tuned for next week - the adventure continues and it is about to go in a whole new direction!

Happy Father's Day to all of the Father's who read this Blog.  We appreciate your contributions to your families and also to those you serve in all walks of life.  You DO Make a Difference.

Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's

June 2-8, 2019

Welcome June!  This is the month our family began.  We will celebrate our 44th Wedding Anniversary on June 20.  We have two birthdays in June.  Our oldest daughter, Jaime was born on June 13 and our granddaughter Preslee will turn 8 on June 30.  Our #3 child, Eric passed away on June 13, 1982.  So, June has memories of a great beginning, births and death.  It is a true cycle of life for us.  We are so grateful to have the knowledge that we do of the Great Plan of Salvation found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because of the covenants made in the Temple, the house of the Lord,  we have been sealed together as a family for Eternity.  The scriptures teach that God has commanded His people to worship in temples since ancient times.  When the Lord restored His Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith, he directed that temples once again be built.  Having temples on the earth is a witness of God's love for us.  For members of our Church, a temple is the most sacred place of worship on the earth.  It is designated as the only place where families can be united forever and where the most sacred gospel ordinances are performed.  The scriptures call the authority to unite families forever the "sealing" power.  This is the same authority Jesus gave the Apostle Peter to provide blessings on earth that will continue in heaven.  Our children were born into this Temple marriage and are sealed to us forever.  Being sealed as a family is the greatest of God's blessings for His children.  This knowledge has blessed us as we began our family and as we continued to grow and experience life.  It is not always easy and challenges come to all of us.  Knowing our Father in Heaven's plan for us has helped us to cope with this life and to have hope and peace for the days to come.

We were invited to our friend's home on Monday for dinner.  It is always a treat to be with her.  She lives in the upstairs apartment of the family Lutz.  I shared their story back in December.  After dinner we visited them in their garden.  This picture is in their winter garden room that looks out to their garden.  They are wonderful people who are so kind.  She has dementia and is slowing down in her abilities, but she looked at me after a few minutes and said, "I know you - you have been here before. "  It is always nice to visit and bring happiness to others.

Highlight of this week was District P-Day! Lots of pictures.

 MINIATURE GOLF IN TITISEE!
We were back in Titisee for our activity and it was a beautiful day.  We had so much fun golfing.  It has been a long time since we have done that.  It was a wonderful course and we all had fun.  Russ came in third place and I was about 5th out of 10 - not bad for us old folks!

 It looked like a simple course until you tried to golf on it.  There were some real challenges.  The ball through the cannon was one of the most difficult and most of us got the maximum 7 points!

Russ planing pool

 Russ had to play a little pool to get his ball through the water challenge.  We had 2 get holes in one on this one.

The final Hole!

A HOLE IN ONE

Just the feet in the water

The District

They have these wonderful Disposable grills here that are basically at 15 x 10 inch foil pan with charcoal and  grill top.  You light the paper around the charcoal and it lights and burns to a white coal very quickly and then lasts for about 2 hours.  We love them for picnics.  We had a grill party for lunch and everyone brought their own food to grill.  I did marinated chicken skewers with roasted vegetables in foil packs.  It was wonderful.  Most everyone else did Brotwurst and grill cheese (cheese that you grill and it gets hot and melty but does not stick to the grill or melt)  We shared the roasted vegetables (onion, peppers, potatoes, carrots, zucchini with fresh basil) with everyone and it was a great picnic.  I forgot to take S'more ingredients, just cookies.  I had some apples and we still had really good coals so I sliced them and put them on the grill.  Cinnamon and sugar would have made them wonderful, but they were good just grilled.  The missionaries were going to do the paddle boats on the lake and they decided to just stay in this meadow with their feet in the water.  No Swimming allowed on the mission so this was as good as it gets!

This week, June 6 was also the 75th anniversary of D-Day.  I posted on Facebook a beautiful tribute to those who served sung by One Voice Children's Choir who visited Normandy in France.   http://www.ldsliving.com/Watch-LDS-Artist-and-Children-at-Normandy-Create-Emotional-When-You-Believe/s/85888?utm_source=ldsliving&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=popular&utm_content=pop2190608

Potatoes in the Garden

 The Potatoes are coming up in the Garden.  3 weeks ago we planted 150 seed potatoes and they are up and growing.  We are amazed at how good they look.  We have had a lot of rain and a few hot days.  It really made a difference in the garden from when we were there last week.

 It was the final day of school for the students at Robert Bosch College on Friday.  They all had to work in the garden and attend seminars on sustainability and beekeeping.  It was fun to work alongside with them and get to know some of them better.  We met students from Thailand, Serbia, Marshall Islands, Germany and England.  After 2 hours of working in the garden they had a ceremony for the students to thank the volunteers and turn the garden over to the volunteers for the summer while they are away until they return in the Fall.

It was very simple, but really  nice.  They take the garden seriously and treat it as a gift and a very important part of nature.
They spent earlier in the day making fresh flower head wreaths for all of the volunteers and then as part of the ceremony they placed them on our heads.  A nice tradition.

Roses & Peonies

We continue to be blessed every day as we serve.  We meet new people and enjoy having people in our home. We had a lady and 2 of her children over to meet with the missionaries.  I had a plate of cookies, apples and strawberries and drinks out for them.  I got out one of my Memory Games from Ravensburg for the children to play.  I have a basket of Easter candy still out filled with chocolate eggs and Lindor Bunnies.  The little boy said, I don't want fruit I want schocolade (chocolate).  I tried to give him some of the eggs and coins and he said, "No, I want the bunny".  He wanted the best in the basket.  I let him have it - it has been over a month since Easter and we have not eaten them!  I thought about him and how that applies to what we are doing here.  We are trying to help people see there is more in life than what they already have.  We help people learn of Jesus Christ and His gospel so they can build on what they already know to be truth and learn more.  We want them to have the "Golden Bunny" of truth.  This little boy knew what was the very best and was not going to settle for anything else.  As the scriptures say, "suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14 

Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's

The Garden May 26-June 1

Working in the Garden has been very therapeutic for me especially as we take the time to just enjoy the peace and serenity of the area and not worry so much about how much we are getting done.  I am so used to just digging in and getting the job done and this past week was a new experience.  My daughter, Emily, posted the following story and personal experience and it was very touching to me.  I could so relate and know that "The Garden" teaches so much about life and me personally.

As shared by Marissa Widdison:
A couple of women were walking around Temple Square this week and said something like, "I thought these gardens were supposed to be breathtaking." I realized that they were in a part of the grounds that -- while USUALLY overflowing with flowers and beautiful plants -- is currently all torn up.  They are visiting between seasons, when some planters are bare. (That stage doesn't last long here, cuz the grounds crew is really on the ball.  But it exists.)  These overheard comments and ensuing realization made me ask myself:  Do I ever judge people based on a single snapshot of their lives --maybe at a time when the are "torn up" somehow -- and wonder why they're not more breathtaking?  Or am I patient and willing to focus on the parts of their landscape that are thriving?  Do we forgive OURSELVES for needing time to replant?  Or are we embarrassed by the times when our metaphoric planters are bare as we transition to new growth?  Sometimes it's easy to understand the need for patience when we are working with soil and seeds.  I hope we can have a least as much, and hopefully much more, patience as we work with fellow human beings.  (including ourselves?)  We are each on a journey through  many different seasons.
Emily shared her personal feelings:
"Wow! I love this post and still needed this reminder.  It took me a hot minute to "grow" in Utah and has taken several years for me to finally start filling like my buds are coming out and it's not just dirt sitting there.  I have had some of the most empty soil over the last 5 years and some days wish I could go back and meet some of the amazing people in my life then and show them my flowers/beauty.  I felt very alone probably when there were so many who wanted to reach out but I was so guarded.  Didn't feel worthy enough, good enough, pretty enough, rich enough (cause we were poor).  I am so grateful that I started watering my dirt and blooming where I have been planted.  BE kind to others, they might just be in an off season switching up things balancing their levels, adding and taking away things to prepare amazing soil to grow and blossom.  Be there for people when they are in the dirt even if it's hard because when they blossom you don't want to miss out!"

 We are serving this mission to help people to "grow" in their understanding and love of Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful that Emily is in the Spring of her life and is blooming.  Even at my stage of life, I have experienced the bare transition times.  I have had to find the "flowers" in new things or in areas of my life that I could draw upon that were my strengths to get me through the bare spots.  As a parent we watch our children in their lives and want to help them grow.  This concept applies to our service as missionaries as well.  We find many people whose planters are bare and we plant the seeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ with them.  We have to be very patient as we work with them, nourishing their ground with the good word of God (the scriptures).  We watch as they learn and increase in knowledge and wisdom and begin to grow.  Most people we just plant seeds with, but it is wonderful when then grow and we get to see the plant and the buds appear.

John and Denise Sivo, friends from Texas who recently moved to Salt Lake City, UT came to visit us at the end of a Travel Tour.  We spent two wonderful days with them showing them our little piece of Germany.  We are so grateful they were willing to take a detour and come to Freiburg.  We started on Sunday with lunch and then headed to the Black Forest.  They said they would like to see the garden that we volunteer at so we stopped in at Bosch College and the Garden.  We had made a friend of Jowita, one of the students back in October when we were guest speakers on campus.  We had spent time with her until she went home for Christmas break and then we had no contact with her.  She did not respond to any of our contacts.  We knew she was going to graduate in the next few days, but did not know exactly when.  We so wanted to see her again and wish her well and find out where she would be continuing her studies.  I had looked for her the past two weeks on Fridays and we could not locate her.  So, we are showing the Sivo's the garden and students and their parents started coming from the buildings into the garden.  It was graduation day and they were having tea and coffee in the garden for everyone.  I was so hopeful we would just happen to see Jowita.  Just was we were getting ready to leave the garden area, I saw a girl and a family come down the stairs into the garden.  As they got closer she called out, Sister Grimmett!  I was so excited that we were able to meet again.  We met some of her family and her boyfriend.  She had been so busy with final classes and tests this last semester.  She had finished her classwork and went home for 4 weeks to study for her final exams, so she had not been at the school.  She was accepted to Washington and Lee University in Lexington VA.  We planted seeds with her last Fall and we look forward to watching her grow and to see where life takes her.  It was so good to see her and to wish her well.

We rented this beautiful Mercedes car to travel around in with our friends.  It was easy to get spoiled and enjoyed traveling without worry about the miles.  We will do the same for anyone who wants to come and visit!
The missionaries felt cheated they only got to ride in it one time.
We then went to Schauinsland (a big mountain) that we could drive to and look out to see the whole Rhine River Valley and Freiburg.  It was a clear day so you could see the French Mountains as well.  We returned to Freiburg and went to the city center and visited the Munster (Cathedral)  They were having a concert and we could not go in but after walking around they opened the doors and we were able to hear the last song and then see the inside.  We ended with a stop at the gelato shop.  A perfect end to a wonderful day!

You can't come to the Black Forest without going to Triberg and seeing the World's largest Cuckoo clock and Germany's highest waterfall.  We have been many times and still love going.  It was a fun day of hiking, eating and enjoying good company.

This is the inside workings of the clock.  We had gone on Saturday to visit a lady not far from Triberg and to also check out the restaurant to get Black Forest Cake.  We were so looking forward to sharing the good flavors with them.  We hiked, had a picnic lunch and headed to have our Black Forest Cake.  The shop was closed for construction and all of the other restaurants were closed on Monday for normal rest day.  So we headed on to our nest stop - Titisee.

 We had our friends and fellow missionaries, Elder & Sis. Bretzing from Mesa, Arizona come on Friday to visit Triberg.  We are getting really good at showing people the clocks, waterfalls, and all things Triberg! 

 This is the front of the Cuckoo clock.  It is in a beautiful setting and always nice to visit.  We learned a lot more about the clock making this trip.  Every time we go we have learned more about how they are made and the many different kinds.  We have looked at and admired so many different clocks, but we finally decided on one and had it shipped home.  It will be a good reminder of some of the things we enjoyed while we were here and we hope the grandchildren will enjoy it as well.  We made sure to get one that can be turned off at night so everyone can sleep when they visit!

 A boat ride around Titisee.  John and Russ just enjoying the ride.  We had such a good time being with friends enjoying such a beautiful place. 







We showed them the  Hotel that Annabel worked at when she lived in Titisee - so fun to see history. 

We have had some amazing food this week.  We like to eat at the local establishments in the little towns we visit.  We have not been disappointed with the recommendations we have been given.

 This is true Black Forest eating.  Grilled chicken breast with spaetzle and vegetables.  This was one of the best meals I have had.
How can I say that - we have had so many good ones.  Let's just say we need visitors so that we can go again.

 Bratwurst with potatoes and salad is a staple.  These meals along with Cordon Bleu and Pork Schnitzel are the specialties of the area.  Both of the restaurants we went to this week also specialized in the local wild game, but no one was brave enough to try the deer liver and onions and kept with the traditional foods.

 None of the food compared to the long awaited dessert of Black Forest Cake.  We were so looking forward to taking the Sivo's for some cake just to find that it was closed for construction that day.  Much to our delight it was open on Friday and we got to indulge again.

This is the inside of the restaurant in Triberg.  It is all things Black Forest and it was a fun day.  We arrived early for dinner and after we were finished eating the crowds started coming.  There was live music that was so entertaining and we decided they wanted us to stay the whole evening because they don't bring your check and hope you will stay and drink the night away.  We both had drives home so we were on our way.  Great way to end the week with great friends, delicious food, and spectacular views.  All in all a great week to begin our 11th month on our mission.

Our Elder Letort sprained his ankle on Thursday playing football with the Zone Leaders.  He has had to stay off of it for a few days so we got to drive them a few times.  He is from France and Thursday night the missionaries cooked with a friend they are teaching.  They made crepes.  They gave me a plate of them when we took them home.  We were told we were getting an additional fridge on Saturday and would need the Elder's to help unload it.  Elder Letort said, sure - my companion can help and can we come early for breakfast.  So, we couldn't say no and had them over today.  I made sausage, egg, cheese stuffed crepes with hollandaise sauce.  They turned out so good with the crepes they had given me.  Elder Letort had never had a crepe like that.  He even took pictures to save and show how they were made.   I told them it was a staple food for scouts but that they use flour tortillas.  It is amazing how fancy something can look and taste just by changing it to a crepe and adding a nice sauce.  I will add that to my recipe collection.  We had 8 RSVP for Sunday Lunch to I have been cooking and shopping all day and planning for cooking assignments on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  I am so glad to have an additional fridge. 

Enjoy the last few weeks of Spring.  Summer is trying to come and we are hoping for a longer Spring.  We have had a full week and we are so blessed to be having the experiences and being with such wonderful people.  These are just a few of the highlights with so much more happening every day.  So grateful that we continue to be blessed as we serve.
Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's