Eine kleine Mission: Christ

Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Brussels Bombing

A week ago we were in our 10am Medical/Mental Health team meeting and the In-Field Representative calmly announced "You've probably all heard about the bombings in Brussels. Some of our missionaries were involved." Our hearts sank as Jim Hacking told us all he knew (just 2 hours afterwards). Four missionaries from the Paris mission were at the airport - 3 elders, 1 sister. They're at different hospitals. One was a senior missionary. I'll never forget the dismay on Rand's face as he realized Elder Norby, the Paris mission nurse's husband, was hit.

We have offered many prayers for the Norbys, Wells, Claims and Empeys. A man who lives in our building saw the badge of one of the senior missionaries and offered sympathy. These interviews show their strong faith.

Sister "The Rock" Norbys interview
If you have facebook, try this:
https://www.facebook.com/ksltv/videos/10154348693998676/

She said "I'm grateful for all the prayers and well-wishes from people everywhere. My heart goes out to those who are suffering and maybe don't have a faith in God... They need to have someone who can help them have that - to have hope."

Sister Claim's interview

Elder Mason Wells' interview

Our prayers are also extended to those who've lost loved ones and the survivors. Rand heard that there are 66 injured people in Intensive Care Units. He wonders how many cities could have facilities for that many critical patients.

As the medical professionals help them and Elder Biddulph, the mental health advisor and others counsel with the Paris missionaries, healing continues.

Most importantly, during this Easter season, we acknowledge the great Healer, Jesus Christ. He provides eternal comfort from this world's pain and sorrow.

Friday, February 26, 2016

24 Hours of Verschlingen

Christmas Eve and Day were a marathon of wonderfully nice people and food.

Melissa, Randall and Luc Bradford invited us, Janice and the young sisters for Christmas Eve dinner, laughter and relaxing.

They are an amazing couple who raised their four children all over the world. They have such credentials that Melissa wrote a book and has a blog "Global Mom"

While we stretched out and watched "Polar Express", Melissa and Randall did all the dishes! It felt like being with family since Janice would make us laugh with her one-liners "Eddie has ADD" "Billy's house looks like mine without the porch" and more. Luc laughed at us and Sisters Parker and Bokker as well.

And they sent us out the door with gifts of Belgian chocolate and The Body Shop boxes of pampering oils. Are they the nicest?!

Christmas morning the senior missionaries, mission president Stoddards and others had a brunch together. Diane Hacking arrived on their mission just in time to decorate our tables in high style. Yvonne Bausman always gives us direction.

I was in charge of the program so we just did the Ryser family Christmas program - taking turns reading Luke 2, 3Nephi 1 and singing carols. (Same green sweater - missionary wardrobe only includes one holiday color sweater)

Jim Hacking reading his part:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace

After filling up at brunch, we gathered Janice and the sisters and went to Luca, Isabella and Silvia Pelucchi's home for an incredible Italian dinner! Remember Silvia is the one who made us the best lasagna I've ever eaten last summer.

They prepare the food for days and spread it out all over the house. This is the tray of homemade ravioli in their bedroom:

Can you tell we're with Italians?

Pandoro di Verona for dessert

Our kind neighbors, the Fafflocks, invited us for dessert and "crackers". It seems that whenever they see something written in English, they buy it for us - so nice!