Dear Family,
Here it is Monday already! Seriously, now that we are looking at the winding down part of our mission, it seems that things are winding up even more! Seriously, we have so much more to accomplish, I think sometimes we feel like we are hyper-ventilating! Sometimes I have difficulty sleeping because I realize how much still needs to be done. But, I keep saying that we will be able to accomplish what needs to be done with the Lord's help, for sure!
This past Friday, we picked up a young man who is in his second year in the BYU Law School. We met him last summer when he was in Moscow doing an internship with the Office of General Council there. Anyway, he is on his way to Italy for a competition that the school is sending him to and emailed us to see if he could stop for a few days to stay with us on the way. He has been with us since Friday and we take him to the airport tomorrow for his continued trip to Italy. He is a very nice young man, and we have enjoyed having him here.
Friday night, we were invited by a Portuguese couple to their home for dinner. Oh, my goodness! We haven't eaten that well probably for almost our whole mission! She had cooked a typical Portuguese meal, had beautiful china settings, music, and we absolutely felt like we were in a 5-star restaurant. They are such wonderful, good people who invite the missionaries--young and Seniors, almost every week to get to know everyone. She asked us so long ago, but we haven't been able to go until now. Anyway, what wonderful evening we spent with them.
Saturday morning, we got up early and started on the road for Luxembourg to pick up the tithing money there. It is over three hours to get there, but they have no banking entity there, so they have everyone pay the first Sunday of the month if they make their donations in cash, then someone from the Area Office picks it up. This week it was our turn. We really enjoyed going there because we had never been to the country of Luxembourg, which is one of the smallest European countries. It is very beautiful with wonderful people who speak three languages--French, German and the national language of Luxembourgish. It may be a small country, but it is not small on the friendliness of the people who come from all over to live and work there. Prior to arriving in Luxembourg, we spent quite some time in Trier, Germany right on the border between Germany and Luxembourg.
Trier is probably the oldest city in Germany! Founded by the Romans, it contains several well-preserved Roman structures including the Porta Nigra gate, the ruins of Roman baths, an amphitheater just outside the center where you can go beneath and see where the animals and gladiators were kept, and a stone bridge over the Moselle River. It was really fascinating.
I want to end this week with something Gpa and I found very interesting. We attended the Luxembourg Ward for church on Sunday. One woman bore her testimony that with so many bad things going on in America, the people of Luxembourg better watch out so they don't become the same way! We just looked at each other and thought how sad to hear how so many people feel about America today when America use to be the standard for everyone! It just shows that we need to all continue to stay close to the Lord and keep the commandments. That is how we will find the most happiness! Have faith! Keep trusting! Be the example and stand up for what you know is right even when there are people mocking you from the great and spacious building that has no foundation. There will be trials in life, but everything will work for your best good as long as we keep holding on to the iron rod and keep "following the covenant path," as President Nelson keeps saying!
Friday night, we were invited by a Portuguese couple to their home for dinner. Oh, my goodness! We haven't eaten that well probably for almost our whole mission! She had cooked a typical Portuguese meal, had beautiful china settings, music, and we absolutely felt like we were in a 5-star restaurant. They are such wonderful, good people who invite the missionaries--young and Seniors, almost every week to get to know everyone. She asked us so long ago, but we haven't been able to go until now. Anyway, what wonderful evening we spent with them.
Saturday morning, we got up early and started on the road for Luxembourg to pick up the tithing money there. It is over three hours to get there, but they have no banking entity there, so they have everyone pay the first Sunday of the month if they make their donations in cash, then someone from the Area Office picks it up. This week it was our turn. We really enjoyed going there because we had never been to the country of Luxembourg, which is one of the smallest European countries. It is very beautiful with wonderful people who speak three languages--French, German and the national language of Luxembourgish. It may be a small country, but it is not small on the friendliness of the people who come from all over to live and work there. Prior to arriving in Luxembourg, we spent quite some time in Trier, Germany right on the border between Germany and Luxembourg.
Trier is probably the oldest city in Germany! Founded by the Romans, it contains several well-preserved Roman structures including the Porta Nigra gate, the ruins of Roman baths, an amphitheater just outside the center where you can go beneath and see where the animals and gladiators were kept, and a stone bridge over the Moselle River. It was really fascinating.
Arena where the gladiators and animals fought.
After arriving in Luxemburg, we walked around the city.
I want to end this week with something Gpa and I found very interesting. We attended the Luxembourg Ward for church on Sunday. One woman bore her testimony that with so many bad things going on in America, the people of Luxembourg better watch out so they don't become the same way! We just looked at each other and thought how sad to hear how so many people feel about America today when America use to be the standard for everyone! It just shows that we need to all continue to stay close to the Lord and keep the commandments. That is how we will find the most happiness! Have faith! Keep trusting! Be the example and stand up for what you know is right even when there are people mocking you from the great and spacious building that has no foundation. There will be trials in life, but everything will work for your best good as long as we keep holding on to the iron rod and keep "following the covenant path," as President Nelson keeps saying!
Although it was freezing cold and windy, we had to stop by Heidelberg Gardens and Castle.
Taking Austin to the airport. We surely enjoyed having him stay with us. He is a young man with a great future!
We LOVE you all! We pray for you several times a day! Keep up the great work!
Love, Gma Laura
