Weeks 83 and 84 - May 20, 2019 - Continued - Frankenstein Castle

This past Saturday, May 18, which was our P-Day, we visited the Frankenstein Castle and the city near it called Darmstadt.  As we drove through the beautiful forest on the winding roads, it was such a beautiful day (the first day we didn't have to wear coats!), it was hard to realize that this castle was the inspiration for Mary Shelley as she wrote the gothic novel, "Frankenstein" in 1818.  It is mostly in ruins, but it was run to climb through the passageways to the top for the beautiful view of the countryside from there.  

Monday, May 20th - Tonight we have Family Home Evening with the Seniors, which is always very enjoyable for us to get to know the other senior couples better.  We have met so many wonderful couples that we hope to keep in touch with.    

On Wednesday, May 22nd, we will have Zone Conference for the Seniors.  This is one part of this mission that has been so different.  We don't have much association with the young Elders and Sisters--which we truly miss.  That was one of our favorite parts of our mission in Russia.  Anyway, I have to play a piano solo and accompany a young Sister who is coming to sing an opera version of, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing."  So, I have been busy trying to practice downstairs in the lunch room when I have a few minutes here and there.  It is difficult when I don't have a piano in my own place.  I am certainly looking forward to that when I get home!  

Next Thursday, May 30th, we will be going to London to train a new AAA that has just been called there.  We are looking forward to that!  It is always so nice to meet these wonderful new AAAs who have such enthusiasm!  Then, Cameron, Anne, and Sydney will be coming to Europe June 3rd through June 11th--not all of it will be here in Germany, but we hope to spend as much time as possible with them.  

Birthday shoutouts:  Saturday, May 18th - My sister, Joyce's birthday.  It was so fun to have Beverly and her here, almost for her birthday.  We celebrated here in many different ways!  She is such a wonderful wife, mother of seven, and grandmother of 28 grandchildren.  She loves traveling, history, and having new adventures--I think it's in our DNA make-up, right?!  

Today, May 20th - our youngest son, Craig's birthday.  We surely respect how busy he is as a father with four young children, a very busy dentistry career, and activities in his church and community, yet he stays so calm through it all!  He has such a wonderful supportive wife who keeps order at their home--yet they still find time for date nights and get-aways together.  I admire how they just take off with those four little kids for all kinds of adventures!  

Saturday, May 25th - our grandson, Gavin's birthday!  He absolutely makes me smile every time I say his name!  He is such a fun little guy who seriously reminds us so much of when Connor was little--both his looks and his actions!  He is amazing how hard he works at everything he does!  Happy Birthday to all our birthday family members!  

Now, to the subject at hand:  My father.  When we left on our mission, Dad was 94 years old.  When I told him about our calling, he was so excited for us!  After we discussed how much he would have loved to do the same things with Mother, I reminded him that he actually served two missions by serving in the Idaho Pocatello and Idaho Boise Mission Presidencies.  He acknowledges that he did love those experiences, but he always wanted a mission calling with Mother, since he never got to serve a mission as a young man because of the War and his involvement as a Flight Engineer in the Air Force.  I said to him, "Now, Dad, you'll be here when I get back, won't you?!"  He said, "Well, I'll surely try!"  And try he has--I thought, "He's going to make it!  We only have 9 1/2 weeks left!"  Then, when I talked to my siblings, I realize, that he isn't doing real well right now because of probably congestive heart failure.  He most likely needs a new heart valve, but they would never do that on a 96 year old man.  We talked to him a couple of days ago.  Just getting to the phone, he was breathing so hard and trying to get his breath, even though he is on oxygen.  Once he was calmed down with his breathing, we had the nicest conversation.  It was just like old times again with him telling me how proud he was of George and me going on this mission.  I'm sorry, but I was crying pretty much the whole conversation, trying not to let him know that, but expressing to him how much I love him.  George and I said afterwards how much we want to finish out our mission--there are still some items we need to take care of with our AAAs, but if Dad were to be taken now, we would probably come home and not go back.  The time would just be too short for a return.  Therefore, we have been praying that Dad could just last these next few weeks so we could come home and go see him, but it is definitely up to the Lord when he takes him.  We will accept that His will has been done.  Dad has worked so hard his whole life and has certainly been through the refiner's fire.  He has kept the family together through these past 17 years without Mother.  He has let us all know how much he loves us and is so encouraging.  Please keep him in your prayers that whatever happens, we can all accept and that he will know how much we all love him.

With much love, Gma Laura