A Tamara Update

Here is a quick update on Tamara. I have been able to see her three times in the last two days and she is doing great. When I saw her on the first day she was much more spirited than I expected, both directly after the surgery and that evening. Today me and the older kids brought flowers. She looked very good today. She was dressed in normal clothes /normal pajamas and could move around a bit more. It looks like a great start.

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. It was great to hear from so many about how they had experienced similar things and how life went on. My mother comes next week and I hope that Tamara's recovery will continue moving in a positive direction.

German appointed to Mormon's Highest Ranks

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a German and former airline pilot, has been called to serve in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His appointment comes due to the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley and the appointment of President Thomas S. Monson as new President of the Church.

A two time refugee, Uchtdorf, was appointed to the Quorum of 12 Apostles a little over 3 years ago and was only the 2nd non U.S. born member of that body. As a mormon, from the United States, who lives in and loves Germany, I am very excited about this appointment to 1st presidency. Elder Uchtdorf tells wonderful stories about his youth and growing up in post war Europe. He tells how God aided him in times of trouble and hardship that are unique to post-war Europe. It is a nice perspective.

His testimony that God helps mankind in all sorts of trouble is moving, and his strength and resolve is familiar to me because I have seen a similar strength and resolve in many Germans I have worked with over the years.

Here is a quote from his first talk as a member of the Quorum of 12 Apostles.

My life was eternally blessed by one choice member who reached out more than 50 years ago. Some days after World War II, my grandmother was standing in line for food when an elderly single sister with no family of her own invited her to sacrament meeting in Zwickau, East Germany. My grandmother and my parents accepted the invitation. They went to church, felt the Spirit, were uplifted by the kindness of the members, and were edified by the hymns of the Restoration. My grandmother, my parents, and my three siblings were all baptized. I had to wait two years because I was only six. How grateful I am for a spiritually sensitive grandmother, teachable parents, and a wise, white-haired, elderly single sister who had the sweet boldness to reach out and follow the Savior’s example by inviting us to “come and see” (see John 1:39). Her name was Sister Ewig, which translates in English to “Sister Eternal.” I will be eternally grateful for her love and example.

Here is a quote from his most recent talk as a member of the Quorum of 12 Apostles.

In the middle of this despair [post WWII life as a refugee], my family learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the healing message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This message made all the difference; it lifted us above our daily misery. Life was still thorny and the circumstances still horrible, but the gospel brought light, hope, and joy into our lives. The plain and simple truths of the gospel warmed our hearts and enlightened our minds. They helped us look at ourselves and the world around us with different eyes and from an elevated viewpoint.

...

Wherever you live on this earth and whatever your life’s situation may be, I testify to you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has the divine power to lift you to great heights from what appears at times to be an unbearable burden or weakness. The Lord knows your circumstances and your challenges. He said to Paul and to all of us, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” And like Paul we can answer: “My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

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Let it snow

Here are some pics from the wonderful snow from last weekend.

A winter wonderland

Ah Ian, his laugh is infectious

A snowball bigger than Ian's Head

Shantal had about 10 little snowman on the bench when she was done

Cutie pie Emma

Snowball Fight!!!!

All together now!

Into the woods

Nice pic

Spencer

Did I mention I like the snow as well!

After a hard days work

I must be dreaming

I must be dreaming was the thought we all had on Saturday morning when we woke to find 3 inches of snow on the ground in our little village outside of Düsseldorf. Spencer said to Tamara - "smack me. I think I'm dreaming." Shantal said the same thing to Emma when they saw the snow. In the "Dachgeschoss" or attic floor where we sleep and the windows are slanted I could see the piled up snow on the window. I thought no way can that be true. I looked outside and could see white trees and roof tops, but still did not believe it was more than a dusting. But as my eyes adjusted to the light I saw that it was was real snow, about 3 inches.

It was real enough that we could build a snowman and play in the snow for a bit. It was a great fun. In the afternoon when I was heading down the hill to a neighbors house I breathed in the cool winter air, looked up at the clear crisp blue sky, dotted with a few large fluffy clouds, and then noted the streams of water flowing down the street winding their way under and through the snow that was still strewn across the street. I felt like I was at home. I love the snow. It is wonderfully refreshing.

Tamara or I will post some pics from the snow soon. Tamara goes into the hospital tomorrow to prepare for the surgery on Wednesday.

It is Carnival After All

That is what a colleague at work said today after we hopped onto the commuter train (S-bahn) outside of Düsseldorf heading home from work tonight. In German it was "Es ist ja Karneval." He naturally said this about some outrageous event that normally would be considered bizarre or annoying, but during Carnival, you never know, you just never know.

The event was a powerful stench of vomit that enveloped us after entering the train. For my part, I thought it was unusual that so many seats were open in that one car of the otherwise busy train. Then the smell hit me and I said something like "gag me with a spoon" in German and the person who had just sat down who caught my eye, said something like: "amen, brother" in German as he was standing up.

We looked in both directions and thought the best escape was toward the front of the train. We started in that direction and were right. The smell dissipated even before we left that car and our lives returned to normal commuting lives as we past through the 1st class car and into our seats. Es ist ja Karneval.