Dear Family and Friends,
Church was cancelled today, as it is snowing snowing snowing! We must have at least six inches by now. But like when we lived in Maryland, it is different here, and that much snow really does shut everything down. Our flat is at the bottom of two fairly steep hills, and we have watched cars all day struggle to get up and down, many not making it. The sister missionaries were supposed to come over for dinner today, but instructions from the mission president today was to not drive, which is smart. As I look past our little Christmas tree and outside to the winter wonderland, I’m watching children attempting to sled down the hill, a few snowballs being thrown, shoveling going on, and I have to say, it feels like Christmas. It’s a great feeling. So far though, I’m not the least bit tempted to go outside.
Tuesday evening we were invited to the Wills’ home for a traditional English Christmas dinner. What did they serve, you say? I say, what DIDN’T they serve! Sliced turkey, oven baked potatoes (baked in oil, so more like deep fried), mashed potatoes, gravy, onion sauce, Yorkshire pudding (which isn’t really pudding at all, more like a roll with gravy), carrots, parsnips, cranberries, baguettes, pigs in blanket (sausage rolls), stuffing . . .and non traditional Trifle for dessert, because traditional is made with Sherry that isn’t cooked out. We were served a “ginger wine” that of course is non-alcoholic and is described on the bottle as “a traditional ginger drink with the kick of two very angry mules.” And kick it had! When tasting it, it tasted like a nice ginger ale, but it was when you swallowed that the kick came. We loved it so much we went the next day and purchased eight bottles for our neighbors (and a couple for ourselves). After dinner came the “CRACKERS” which can only be described as noise makers with silly prizes inside that are opened crossing arms and holding yours in one hand and your neighbor sitting next to you cracker in the other. Everyone gets a paper crown, and I got a plastic mustache. There is also a joke written in each one to share. “What kind of sandals do frogs wear?” Open toad, of course! It’s a very fun English tradition, and they are sold EVERYWHERE this time of year.
Thursday afternoon we watched a satellite broadcast from Frankfurt, a Christmas devotional from our Area Presidency. It was a very nice break from the routine of the week. After the devotional the employees were given the rest of the day off (I think that’s their Christmas bonus) and Ron had a session with his driving trainer, so I had the whole building to myself for a couple of hours! I’m sure we could have taken the rest of the day off too, but too much to do, and sometimes a quiet office is the best way to get things done.
After a long week, we decided for a date night Friday night we would splurge and go see “Thor” at the cinema since it won’t be here much longer. Ron loved it, I was happy to be with Ron.
Saturday was busy! Thank goodness our little flat doesn’t require a lot of cleaning time, because it didn’t happen much. I had been asked to make Potato Salad and Broccoli salad for the Ward Christmas Party that night which took a couple of hours. Ron went to the office to work while I was cooking. We made a trip to Costco to order pictures for a gift for the Primary for Christmas, came home and prepared our lessons and music for Sunday, (if we would have only known it would be cancelled!) and then went to the Ward Christmas Party that began at 5pm. I wish you could see the spread of food they do. It’s so much different than what we are used to. Instead of it being a simple meal, like soups, or potato bar, or a plate with ham, potatoes, vegetables, salad, there is a smorgasbord of food like you’d find at Chuck-a-rama only better. And the desserts were the same, served after fun and games, and a visit from Father Christmas. It is a traditional fun evening that is well attended and the whole ward looks forward to it. Towards the end, Ron said the Bishop wanted to talk to me . . . a million things went through my mind of what he might ask us to take on now . . . so I was completely relieved to know that he was thinking of buying his wife an Apple Watch for Christmas and noticed mine and wanted to know how I liked it. WHEW! It was a Christmas miracle.
It was at the Christmas party that the Bishop announced that they had made the decision to cancel Church today, and wanted everyone to stay home and be safe. It was a good decision, as it is mid-day right now and still snowing. Although we have much to do at the office, including a new assignment to scout out a place for a new church film that is in the works . . .I am secretly hoping it just snows and snows and we are stuck here in our flat for one more day . . .
I woke up the other morning to a text and a photo from a friend whose daughter had a new baby while we were sleeping. Her babies do not come easy, so each one is such a blessing. I’ve never had a child or grandchild born in December, but I couldn’t help but think what a blessing it must be to have a new little spirit in the home for Christmas. A new birth brings such a special spirit anyway, so top it with the Christmas season, and how can we help but reflect on Joseph and Mary and the star that shone so brightly on the night of our Savior’s birth. I am so grateful for this season and the opportunity to reflect on these sacred moments in time. I am so very grateful and feel blessed.
We have enjoyed “Lighting the World” this week and have found it fairly easy when we just open our eyes to look for ways to serve. It was easy to “Love Thy Neighbor” yesterday as we sought out those at the Christmas party last night that were sitting alone. Today instead of attending Church we will take more time to “ponder the scriptures”. We are also taking dinner to Gordon and Ann downstairs. Ann had knee surgery a week ago, and after not much convincing the other night, they agreed to let us bring them each a plate of food today. And as we serve, we are again blessed.
At home, so much is happening . . . family gatherings, Christmas parties with friends and neighbors, and strangers purchasing goats in vending machines (again, Light the World campaign for those that aren’t aware of it), Christmas caroling, lights on Temple Square, and the list goes on. We will miss everything for a season, but we are ok serving here and will look forward to being together next Christmas season.
May you feel the Spirit of Christmas, and remember that we need only remove the last syllable of the phrase to celebrate the real reason for the season, the Spirit of Christ. We love you and pray for you and thank you for all your emails, texts, FB messages! I haven’t been as good at responding to each one the past few weeks, as our time has been full, but know they are so very much appreciated.
All our love,
Ron and Marie
PS – For those that follow Zack on Facebook and have seen his new fascination as an MMA fighter, he won his first fight last night in the first round and escaped with only bruises. We are very proud of him and the work and dedication it took to get physically fit, losing over 50 pounds. Can MMA fights be part of mission blessings when we pray for his safety? I’m going with yes. . . Love you Zack!
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