July 7-13, 2019 A peak at Vienna

Germany/France/Switzerland

Checking in at Basel Airport for our trip to Wien (Vienna)








Russ is in his "happy" place checking in at the Basel Airport.  He enjoys just driving into the airport and smelling the jet fuel.  This airport serves Southern Germany, Eastern France and the Basel area of Switzerland.  We parked in France and entered the airport on the Swiss side, trying to stay within the mission borders!  We were anxious to go and see what our new assignment and apartment living conditions would be like.  We arrived to a beautiful cool day.  We took the train to the city and were met by Elder and Sister Hansen at the train station.  We checked into the beautiful Hotel Savoyen and just dropped off our bag and hit the town running.  Our second stop was to see our new apartment and drop off two large suitcases with all of our Winter clothes so that we will have more room in the car when we move in 3 weeks.  What an amazing surprise!  The Hansen's served their first mission in Russia.  Everything she had told me about the apartment was actually about her first apartment in Russia.  We will live on the fourth floor and there is an Elevator!  We were not sure if we really wanted to leave our wonderful apartment in Freiburg with a parking garage and nice elevator.  All of our fears were put to rest the minute we walked into the building.  I will show pictures after we move in.  It is a large apartment with a wonderful large kitchen with all new appliances.  The big plus is that it has air conditioning.  It already felt like home in just the little time that we were there.  We then began a whirlwind tour of Wien from bus routes, tram stops and train connections to shopping and all points in between.  We stopped for a quick lunch at Subway - the first one since we arrived on our mission.  Being in a big city has a lot more of the comforts of home.

We visited St. Stephens Cathedral.  It has been about 35 years since we last visited Wien and it was nice to see these beautiful sites again.  Russ lived here for 8 months back in 1971 and it was very familiar to him.  These old buildings don't really change, just everything around them.

Stephen is the first known Christian martyr (someone who is killed because of his or her beliefs) after Jesus's Resurrection.  Many other Saints throughout history were also killed because they would not deny their faith in Jesus Christ.  You can read about this in the Bible,  Acts 7:54-60.

The building was bombed during the War and the roof was replaced.  Notice the motif on one side of the building.  There was a service going on when we visited and we were fortunate to hear the organ for a few minutes.  It is interesting to see how they keep these cathedrals operating.  There were four different stations to pay depending how close you wanted to get to the alter.  Sorry, we stayed at the back so the picture is from a long ways back.  We were hoping they would offer organ concerts on Saturdays like we attend in Freiburg, but we could only find very expensive weekly concerts listed.  We will have to do some further checking.

We ended the day at a wonderful Italian Restaurant, Vapiano.  It was a fun place with delicious food.  We did not get back to our hotel until 11 pm and it had been a very full exciting day.  We were anxious to see what day 2 would bring.

The Hansen's met us at 9:30 AM and we were off to another full day.  We took care of some business and then we were off to see the Institute of Religion where we will spend most of our time.  We will work from 4 - 9 pm, Monday through Friday at the Institute and then will have to fit everything else in.  It is a beautiful building just across the street from the Rathaus (City Building) in a wonderful part of the city.  I felt right at home in an environment that I spent 23 years working in.  Sis. Hansen showed me all things kitchen and Elder Hansen showed Russ all things office.  I was great with that and thought, we will see how that goes.  Russ kept telling him

that we would work as a team and that we both needed trained.  Russ can fill me in on the things he will need me to help with.  It will be good for him to have those responsibilities.  They have 3 classes each week with 1 in German and 2 in English - I just might get to help teach a few times and I am looking forward to that.

They took us to a local German restaurant that specialized in none other than Wiener Schnitzel.  It was so fun.  They are friends with the owner and we received a wonderful welcome.  We were well taken care of.  We will return for sure.  We saw more of the sights in the city and then we were back to the Institute for their daily shift.  It was non-stop from the minute we entered the building.  Students were already there waiting for the Hansen's to arrive.  We began the evening meal preparation and also met everyone as they arrived.  The time went so fast and the evening was over so quickly.  It was a beautiful evening for the walk back to the hotel with a stop for a dish of eis (gelato ice cream) on our way back.
Day three was more of learning where things are and a visit to the Church Building in our area.  This is the Church Russ attended when he lived in Wien.  It has a very large pipe organ - the pride of the local people - maybe I will even get to play it some day.
We took a tram ride to the other side of the city and saw the United Nations building and the Danube River.  We ended up at a very large Shopping Mall and had lunch at Burgerista - what they call an American Hamburger shop.  So we got to experience a little bit of everything in the few days that we were able to visit.  We were then off to the airport and returning home.

Base of statue inset

 This was a neat statue that is made of nails.  It was a fund raiser where people purchased a nail and then would pound it in to make the design.  It is really neat if you can see it up close.

 From June - September they have the Vienna Film Festival.  This is the front side of the Rathaus with a giant screen and seating.  It is every night with different events broadcast on the screen from live concerts, theater, opera, movies, etc.  We stopped on our way home Wednesday night and watched for a few minutes.  It will be fun to see a few opera's.

Our apartment is just behind Belvedere Castle.  The gardens are beautiful and I am sure we will enjoy taking walks through the gardens.

So the count down begins as we only have a few weeks left in Freiburg.  We have so much to get done, see and do.  I get worn out just looking at the schedule.  I have already had a few requests for Cinnamon Rolls before I leave and I have 3 cooking days left to prepare for.









We have made so many friends with the Young Adults we are trying to have a few over one last time.

For our Swiss friend, Melena and her husband Jonas we had the traditional raclette (cheese melted on a little grill and served over boiled potatoes)with shrimp, bacon, ham and other vegetables and then Chocolate fondue.  It turned out so good and the four of us ate the whole tray of fruit and chocolate!

Flowers on the Temple grounds

Saturday we were on the road early to visit the Bern Switzerland Temple.  We took the Elders with us and had a wonderful day.  This will probably be the last time to attend the Temple until we finish our mission.  We got to see some friends from the MTC who are serving in Heidleberg.  They brought a group of YSA for the day. 

 Picture Time!  About 38 years ago we visited Bern with my parents.  We visited the Temple and then went to see the Bern Bears.  The pit at the right is where they were kept.  It was just this pit with about 6 bears roaming around.  It was fun to see and I have always remembered the Bern Bears.  They still have the original pit, but have moved the bears to a wonderful hill just down the river from the original site.  I have always wanted to go back and see them and today we visited the Bears.  There is a beautiful river that flows through the city.  They have built a walkway between the river and the bears with a little mote for the bears. 

Look closely and you will see the bear down by the water.  He was putting on a little show.

 Below is a close up of the same bear sitting on the edge of the water.  He would play and then sleep and then turn to the crowd and then lay down and sleep.  There are 6 bears total but we only saw 2 out today.  They say that 3 are still wintering and have not come out yet. 

The Elders cooling off

Russ enjoying the river

Bern is a beautiful city.  We usually just go downtown to do our apartment inspections and see the buildings and train station.  This is on the edge of downtown and it is a whole other world.  I am so glad we took the time to go see them. 

We have had an amazing week.  We have made friends with many people and will have wonderful memories to take with us.  We have visited several homes this week and been able to share a message of hope, peace and comfort.  We have been able to pray with them and to bless their homes.  We are so grateful for this experience and look forward to the days ahead.
So much to get done in the next 17 days.  I feel like we are getting ready to serve a new mission.  New Country, new Visas, packing, cleaning, and all of the good-byes. 
It seems the more we serve the more blessings we receive.  So grateful for our health that allows us to keep up this pace and still be standing.  Thanks to Joe Thompson for the lemon raspberry bar recipe.  It is made and in the fridge ready for dinner tomorrow.  Bread just came out of the oven - So we are ready for another Sunday with our home filled with YSA.

Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's

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

June 23-29, 2019

 Flan Cheesecake

I found a new recipe that combines two of my favorite desserts - Cheesecake and Flan.  I tried it and it turned out delicious. (recipe at bottom) Only problem is no one came for dinner on Sunday and so we have been eating it all week until the Elder's came to the rescue and finished it off.
We love our Elder's.  They came by and asked if they could leave some clothes at our house and pick them up on the way home after their meeting and then they could have some dessert as well.  We are always glad to have them in our home. 

 Elder Letort and Elder Brown are the two missionaries serving in Freiburg.  Elder Letort will complete his mission and return home to France on August 1.  He is our District Leader and he is always thinking out of the box.  He decided we should have District Council in the forest next to the lake at Titisee.  It was a beautiful setting and was actually a really good meeting.  I fixed a picnic lunch and it was a great day together with the District. 

These young missionaries are so dedicated to the work and to serving Jesus Christ.  They have wonderful insights and I learn from them.  We talked about some of the challenges they face as they talk to people on the streets.  Many of the young people they talk to are dissatisfied with the church their parents attend and so they have chosen to not believe in organized religion.  They seem to want to know truth, they just do not know where to find it.  If people will just listen, they have an amazing message to share of Jesus Christ.

We decided to take a walk Monday evening after being gone all day to District Meeting.  We went to the lake by Amira's apartment (in the background) and found this kyack club.  It was fun to watch them in the water.  It was the last of the nice days.  SUMMER has arrived and it is HOT.  Reminder - there is NO Air conditioning and it is do draining and wears us out.  We tried to go purchase some additional fans for some of the missionaries and they are all sold out.  We went to 6 stores will no success. 

Vogtsbauernhof

 With only a few P-Day's left in Freiburg we are trying to check off our bucket list of places to visit.  So much to see with so little time.  The next pictures are of an open air farm museum.  We were told it is a must see and it did not disappoint.  I have admired the large farm houses all through the Black Forest.  They are massive and this gave us an opportunity to see four different styles of homes from the different areas in the Forest.  I no longer want to live in one of these farmhouses!  I will explain.

Thatch roof

 They are massive.  The ground floor is used for the animals with their stalls, many are dairy cow farms and have the operation on this level.  Some are blacksmiths, wood carvers, grain mills, etc.  The large pitch roofs are for the protection from the harsh winters with the winds and snow.  Look at the thickness of the thatch - and this is very old.  These houses are about 500 years old.  They still had cut and haul the hay around the houses. 

Living Room (eating room)

The second level is used for living space.  They all center around large kitchens.  Many times more than one family occupied the home and each would have their own table to sit at in the living room.  The would eat out of a large bowl and each person would have their own spoon and dish out of the bowl.  When they were done, they would wipe off the spoon and hang it on the wall.  There was a separate room for cooking with large ovens and cooking space. 

500 Year old farm house

Servant House

 They had to sleep almost sitting up because of the dust in their homes.  It made it difficult to breath if they were flat so they slept sitting up.  The top floor was for storing the grains, hay and farm equipment.  There was either the mountain or a bridge in the back of the house that allowed you to drive the wagon or tractor right in.  The top floor is massive.  Very high ceilings and large rooms.  This floor was the barn.  So, the animals on the bottom, the hay and grain on the top and the people in the middle.  I decided they look amazing on the outside, but I would have a real hard time with those conditions.  Very Efficient.

 This was on the front of one of the houses.  Around the cross are all of the symbols of the crucifixion - the spear, the sponge, rope, hammer, the coin bag representing the 3 pieces of silver he was ransomed for and more.  I had never seen one with so much detail. 

Cow Bells

Alphabet cards out of wood

It was very fascinating to learn about this way of life for the people in this area of Germany.  They were not wealthy but had enough to take care of their families.  It was very hard work and they had to grow their own feed for the animals and also gardens for food.  I really enjoyed it.

And of course, we had to end with a lunch of fried potatoes and brots.  It was delicious, even in the heat.

 Next stop was just down the road in the next berg - The Glass Making Factory.  Because they use wood molds for some of the glass forms, they also have a large woodcarving shop with life size wood sculptures.  Amazing to watch as they take a ball of hot melted sand and turn it into amazing glass works.  I about 10 min. they have taken that ball and shaped it, sculpted it and created a piece of art. 

 You can make your own vase for $18.  They help you and in about 15 min. you make your own vase.  That is about half the price that the vase will cost out in their gift shop.  I decided they were too fragile and I did not need to have one. 

 This man made glass birds.  He made each one in about 10 min.  We watched him make two of them. 

 They have a Christmas store as part of their gift shop.  They have a room for every different color of ornaments.  These ornaments are vintage and displayed in a case.  The glass ornaments were beautiful and in so many different shapes and sizes.

This is a hand blown Nativity and icicle display.  The glass icicles were beautiful.  I really liked the glass Nativity and I was disappointed they did not have them for sale - only the isicles.  Probably a good thing, it would have been way over my budget.  I opted for a red bird tree ornament instead.







Someone sent me a link to a podcast about Young Single Adults.  Russ and I listened to the 1 1/2 hour talk on Wednesday afternoon.  If was so insightful and gave us some very good helps on dealing with Young Single Adults.  I continue to learn that the more knowledge we seek and gain, the more is expected of us.  I was so grateful that I had listened to this talk as I was confronted with a difficult situation and many of the answers and helps I needed were there for me to draw from.  I know we continue to be blessed as we serve and labor with the Young Adults in this area. 

 We were invited to lunch with The Hasse family in a little village high in the Forest - Todtnau.  We had not been there before and it is lovely.  They moved to Todtnau last Fall after they retired and had been living in Frankfurt.  She is from France and he is from Germany and we did not know them very well.  We took the Elder's with us to lunch - Elder Letort could talk French with her and help with the conversation.  We had a fabulous day.  What a difference it makes when you get to know someone and on their own turf.  They have a lovely home and were delightful to be with.  She is an amazing cook and filled us full.  She served two tortes, an apricot and a plum.  They were the best desserts I have had here.   Sweet and moist unlike most of the desserts.

 They told us they wanted to take us for a hike.  We thought we would be going in the woods.

The Hasse's

 They walk into town regularly on a little trail that used to be the railroad tracks.  There was a very bad accident about 20 years ago and so they stopped that line and took out the tracks.  It was almost 100 and with a full stomach and the heat it just about did us in, but it was a wonderful walk.  So, we did 4 km and saw some beautiful scenery.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Alter mosaic

They took us into this Catholic Church.  It was built and financed by the Priest in the city in 1875.  It is more modern and filled with light.  The alter mosaic was one of the nicest I have seen.  It was not so ornate, and gave a different feel to the church.  Below is a statue depicting the namesake of the Church, John the Baptist baptizing Christ.

Interesting Note:  In Matthew 3:16 is says, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 - And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

We teach baptism by immersion, just as Jesus Christ was baptized.  He also received the sign of the Holy Ghost through the dove.

On our drive home the Elder's had names of people in the Ward that we are trying to find.  We were in the area of a few and so we went finding.  We ended up at the highest peak of the Black Forest, Feldberg.  It is a large ski resort and you can ride the gondolas and walk to the tower at the top.  We hope to go back soon and do that hike.  We did not find the man or his address.  Some people just give work addresses and try not to be found.  That's OK, we got to see a new place and it is always a nice drive.

Sis Runga has been a special friend since we have been here.  She and Russ served their missions at the same time in Austria.  They did not ever serve in the same city at the same time, but they both taught some of the same people.  She has had us to lunch many times and it is always a treat.  She had us for lunch on Friday.  She has never married and worked in banking her whole life.  She is retired and getting ready to move into Senior living.  We are so grateful to her for her kindness and generous heart. 

We left her home, quickly changed and headed to the garden to serve there.  It was a very quiet day with not much work needing to be done.  There were only two other people there.  The heat keeps many away.  They assignment board just said, come in and enjoy the garden today.  Go sit under the apple tree and enjoy the refreshments.  Take what you would like from the garden.  So - we went looking in the garden and picked raspberries, peas and artichokes.  Made a raspberry tart today for Sunday Dinner and will serve the artichokes with dinner as well.  Nothing like fresh produce out of the garden.  The potatoes and tomatoes that we planted are growing great.  We will not get to harvest any, but it is fun to watch them grow. 

It has been a very busy week.  I spent all day Saturday shopping and cooking for Zone Conference on Monday and dinner with the YSA on Sunday.  We are so blessed to be able to serve our mission and to be a part of the work in the Alpine German Mission.  We have been so blessed to be able to serve in such a beautiful place with good people.  So sorry this was so long- hopefully you can enjoy the pictures and a little bit of history.

Viel Liebe,
The Grimmett's

For those that are interested:
FLAN CHEESECAKE 
1 cup sugar                              Melt lemon and sugar in small pan on low heat until golden.  Pour
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice           into bottom of 9 in. springform pan.  Swirl to coat.  Set aside.

1 (8 oz) cream cheese - room temperature
5 eggs - room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

Preheat oven to 350*
Mix cream cheese til smooth.  Add eggs one at a time. 
Add vanilla and both milks.
Mix well to combine.
Skim off foam and pour over caramel in pan.

Place springform pan in a larger pan.  Put in oven.  Pour boiling water halfway up outer pan.
Bake for 45-50 min. or until set.
Remove from pan of water.  Cool on rack.
Cover and regrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Run knife around the edges to unmold.  Invert on serving tray.