Dear Family,
It was really a lot of work, but on Tuesday, by the sign of so many people staying around, we felt that everything turned out so well with such a beautiful feeling. We had the rest of the day off and just enjoyed staying inside our apartment because of the cold weather.
Merry Christmas, everyone! I can't believe we are getting so close to Christmas! I actually hate to see it come so quickly because my favorite days are the ones leading up to Christmas when everyone seems to try a little harder to be kinder and do nice things for everyone around them. Plus, the beautiful music and decorations are everywhere reminding us of the reason for the season.
We had such a wonderful week this past week. On Monday, I helped decorate for the Europe Area Reception, which was held after the Devotional that was held in downtown Frankfurt on Tuesday. The Area Presidency and their wives spoke, along with some beautiful music by a small group, then afterwards we had the hall decorated so beautifully and had all kinds of wonderful food. They didn't want a sit-down dinner with nearly 300 people comprised of the full-time church employees and the senior missionaries, so we opted to have open faced small sandwiches, all kinds of "crudites," (have you ever hard that word before? It means "raw vegetables" in French, I guess), yummy drinks, and delicious desserts of all kinds.
Wednesday, we had our Book of Mormon class and a potluck because one of the attorneys and his wife, the Goodalls from Saratoga Springs, Utah, are going home. I kind of see what it is like for the young Elders and Sisters when people return home that they have come to know and love. You hope that sometime you will cross paths again. They are wonderful people and have worked so hard here in the Europe Area.
Thursday, we had our office Christmas party and a little Secret Santa gift exchange, which was really fun.
Then that night, we all went out to dinner in a restaurant. We got in our car, set the GPS, and then it told us in 500 meters we would be there. Huh? We had never even known that restaurant was tucked back in, so after not finding any parking place, George dropped me off, drove the car back to our apartment, and walked to the restaurant. It was so funny! We kept setting the GPS thinking it was wrong, but in the end--it was definitely right.
The dinner was really fun--we sang Christmas carols and were entertained by one of the men in finance who went to France to learn how to make a hurdy gurdy--a musical instrument that is like nothing I have ever seen. I recorded some of it--it was very unique and beautiful. It almost sounds like a bagpipe with one hand turning a lever round and round, and the other hand playing a keyboard, but it all looks like a big guitar. Very interesting!
Then that night, we all went out to dinner in a restaurant. We got in our car, set the GPS, and then it told us in 500 meters we would be there. Huh? We had never even known that restaurant was tucked back in, so after not finding any parking place, George dropped me off, drove the car back to our apartment, and walked to the restaurant. It was so funny! We kept setting the GPS thinking it was wrong, but in the end--it was definitely right.
Saturday, Gpa George worked on his Book of Mormon lesson for this coming week. He has spent hours on it--I know it is going to be great! Then about 4:00 p.m., we headed over to our little downtown Friedrichsdorf for the Christmas Market there.
It wasn't huge, but it was very fun until Gpa George saw a huge dog and wanted his picture taken with it. But, he wasn't contented just to have the dog sit or stand by him--he wanted to see how tall it was if it stood on its hind legs, so the owner who had previously told us this was a "comfort" dog, had the dog raise up, prompting the dog to snap Gpa George right under his nose, causing it to bleed. George never let the owner know, but thanked her before the blood started dripping, since it had been his idea to get the dog to stand up like that. Anyway, we went to the little mall nearby, he washed it thoroughly, then we got some hot chocolate and warmed up a little in a small cafe, which helped ease the "trauma" of what had just happened! Hah!
It wasn't huge, but it was very fun until Gpa George saw a huge dog and wanted his picture taken with it. But, he wasn't contented just to have the dog sit or stand by him--he wanted to see how tall it was if it stood on its hind legs, so the owner who had previously told us this was a "comfort" dog, had the dog raise up, prompting the dog to snap Gpa George right under his nose, causing it to bleed. George never let the owner know, but thanked her before the blood started dripping, since it had been his idea to get the dog to stand up like that. Anyway, we went to the little mall nearby, he washed it thoroughly, then we got some hot chocolate and warmed up a little in a small cafe, which helped ease the "trauma" of what had just happened! Hah!
One of the senior missionaries we were with told me to be sure that he doesn't start barking or growing extra hair on his face. So funny! But, so glad it wasn't any worse. We ended the evening going to the little German Church there where we heard a chorale group and the organist play--plus a German narrative, which we definitely had no idea what he was saying, but we heard it wasn't even about Christ or his birth!
Before going home, we stopped off at another senior missionary couple's apartment for cinnamon rolls and hot apple cider.
Sunday, we woke up to a little snow on the ground--our first snow! It was just so light, but made everything beautiful. It didn't stick to the sidewalks or streets, which made it perfect!
Church was wonderful! Are you all talking about the new Sunday program of studying with your families in your homes? I think it is going to be so wonderful and involve the whole family like never before. It will definitely put more responsibility on the parents--as well as the kids to follow the direction of the Prophet in making this a priority each Sunday.
This coming week, on Thursday, Gpa George and I are going for a little three-day trip to Dresden, which has one of the best Christmas markets in all of Germany--maybe even Europe. We are very excited to go to that beautiful city, which has completely been re-built after totally being destroyed after WWII.
Finally, I just finished the Book of Mormon today. I always hate to read Moroni 9 right before Christmas because I am absolutely sickened at how wicked both the Lamanites and Nephites (with the Nephites becoming the most wicked!) have become after having all the blessings they received when Christ came. But, Moroni 10 gets the good feelings back and gives us so many promises that we might attain if we remain faithful. I have loved reading the Book of Mormon again and know that it truly is the Word of God given to us in these latter days. I am excited to start over again because each time I do, I find just like so many others have said, that due to different circumstances, that it speaks just to me about the things I need to be doing.
As you all know, it was a family goal to read the entire Book of Mormon this year--which our Prophet asked us to do. If anyone would like to share their experience of reading it, we would love to hear about it.
We love you all! Gma Laura
PS Today, we want to wish a very Happy Anniversary to Cameron and Anne! They are such a great team in their home, church, and community activities! They have been such a help to us while we have been on our mission. We surely appreciate and LOVE them so much!
Also, on December 21st, our hearts are turned to our little Avery who would be turning 12 years old that day! I can't believe it! She only lived a few seconds, but she made such an impact on all of us--especially those of us who were there and were able to hold that beautiful little girl in our arms. I will always remember the honor Anne gave me in helping make Avery's little burial dress and bonnet. The inspired blessing Cameron gave to her will certainly be fulfilled when they are all reunited together again as a family.
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