Church In Offenbach

This is the church house we attend in Offenbach.   It has another ward that meets at 9:30 a.m and we meet at 11:30 a.m.  Our ward is an International Ward that has mostly those that speak English.  There are senior missionary couples that attend and also those that work for the US Embassy.  It is in a section of town that is kind of industrial or at least next to the church is an older building that has broken out windows.   It is a little strange to see this building in the setting not typically like the ones in Utah.  All the parking lot is in bricks and cobblestone.  The mission president and his family attend our ward.  A member of the Area Presidency attends our ward when he is in town.   There are quite a few different nationalities in our ward. 

The first two pictures are of the building.  Notice there is a gate we go through.  It is usually open but I guess they can lock it if they need to.  The last picture is looking in the parking lot toward the building (apartments) next to the church.

The one thing that has impressed us is the fact that all the young men when they administer the sacrament or pass the sacrament are in white shirts and ties and a suit.  They look so handsome and very clean cut.

Castle in Friedsburg - Elvis Presley in Military here

Marv and Vickie after Stake Conference in Friedsburg at the Castle.   This was the town that Elvis Presley served in the military at.  The people here love him because he was really good to them.  They even have a monument to him.   I think he worked here 3 years.

Secretarial Training and Easter In Germany

April 15, 2011

Dear Family,

It looks like this is going to be another generic letter to all.   Where does the time go?   Marv and I (Dad and I or Grandpa and I) have been gone to a secretarial training for the secretaries in the Europe Area of Seminaries and Institutes.   We were able to meet with about 30 or so secretaries and another 7 Coordinators.   We were busy from early morning until late at night but it was a good experience.   The spirit of these people is wonderful and it was very interesting to sit with some of them and hear their stories.  Most are first generation converts or at the most maybe second generation converts.   Many of the secretaries work only 8 hours a week and some have 3 or 4 coordinators they work for and so they are full time employees.   There were 8 men that are secretaries in the area.  All of them are married and 6 of them have families of their own.  The one just got married last June and one other one only spoke German so we did not speak with him.

The secretaries were from the following countries:

Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, France, Finland, Portugal, Italy, Sweden (she is actually from Utah but married a Swede and has lived in Sweden for the past 8 or 9 years), Norway, and Romania.    Most spoke pretty good English.   The French girls had the hardest time with the English and so the three of them preferred to speak to each other instead of to us.   I did finally get to visit quite a while with two of them.  

I learned that the Book of Mormon was the thing that converted most of them in the end.   Some had family members who had been baptized before but had not wanted anything to do with the church and then one day a missionary approached them and it started to change.  This man joined the church and then was asked by the missionaries to help teach an investigator, who ended being his wife.  Another one told of how his wife was the one that the missionaries asked to help with him a new investigator and they too ended marrying.   Another one had been a foreign exchange student and lived with an LDS family and it wasn’t until many years later when we went back to live with them again that he found a Danish Book of Mormon in a piano bench in their home and so he just started to read it.  He couldn’t put it down.   He prayed and knew the church was true but then he went through the missionary discussions and the rest is history.   He just returned from being a Mission President in Norway and then he hired on as a Coordinator for Norway and Denmark.   He and his four sons biked across the United States  from New York to San Diego in 2004, I believe.  They did it in 28 days.   They never rode on Sundays.   

We had an Easter egg hunt in the forest with occasional rain after our meetings in the evening the first night.   It was actually pretty cold but it was a fun experience because we got the chance to walk and talk with others.   They had the eggs hidden in 12 different places along the trail and at each station we were to look for a bag hidden with enough chocolate eggs for each of us.   On the egg was a picture and we were to determine how it related to the week before Christ was crucified and the three days following.   Axel had scriptures that we read that related to the events and the pictures and so we learned and heard the story of Easter on our walk.   When we got back to the Hotel, I found a machine where I could pay 1 Eur for a cup of hot chocolate.   Lots of us were getting hot chocolate.   It was really good and I was really cold.   Then we all went to our rooms because it was about 9:30 p.m. by then, I think.

On Wednesday after our training we went to the Frankfurt Temple which was just down the hill from where we were staying and did a session.   Christie had sent me my temple clothes from Cedar on the previous Thursday or Friday and just as Marv and I were leaving our office to go to the meetings on Tuesday, the box was delivered with our temple clothes in it.   Can you believe it arrived so quickly?  The postoffice told her it would take 2 weeks and it arrived in about 4 or 5 days.   That was a tender mercy of the Lord because then we didn’t have to rent our temple clothing.  Marv just had to rent the pants and shoes because I hadn’t gotten his new pants hemmed thinking that we would just have to rent everything one more time anyway.   My dress was not even wrinkled when I opened it up on Wednesday so that was good too.  

Anyway we had a good session in English except for when I got to the veil the man on the other side spoke in German.   I panicked but the Sister said you can do this just answer in English so I did.   I know I had help because I had to remember what was being said.   It was quite the experience but now I think I can do even better the next time this might happen.  

We went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant that we walked to and had a good visit with others on the way and then at dinner.   I thought I had ordered the chicken breast with sweet and sour for Marv and I previously but two other people got what I thought we had ordered and then we got something that the waitress said was sweet and sour and what we had ordered.    It was a bunch of vegetables and a little bit of pieces of chicken in a sauce.   Oh well, I will make sure I get the right one next time.   Marv and I had eaten there before with the Church’s Financial Controller so I was pretty confident in knowing what to order so I have no clue what happened.   Another learning experience!  The two men that got what I wanted shared and I shared with them mine so it is all good.

We were asked to get one of the French ladies to the Train Station after the meetings.  We had a nice visit with her before we got her to the station.   Getting her to the station is another story but the bottom line is we made it and we learned some new streets we haven’t been on before mainly because we have never been to the main train station before.   Another new experience!   Not sure we could find it again without the GPS.   Thank heavens for GPS.  

Tonight after work at 5:30 we are going to some castle which should take us about 45 minutes to get to.  We are doing a night watch tour.   Not exactly sure what this is but I heard that it is something you should do while here so we will let you know how that is.   You will probably already have heard about it before you get this letter.

We heard some wonderful devotionals and it is amazing how you can take from the devotionals the things that apply just to you.   I heard numerous times that we were chosen to do this work at this particular time and that the Lord will help us.   He is in charge.   I know he loves all of us and I know that because Marv and I have been set apart for this calling he will help us because he wants his work to be furthered in Europe and just maybe the little thing of being stewards of the Lord’s tithing money is very important to him and so it is an honor and privilege to be requested to take care of the Finances here.   There are so many challenges but we will make it with the Lord’s help.  

I have enclosed a story that was  shared at our meetings that I thought was very powerful and hope that you will enjoy it too with Easter approaching us this next week.   May we enjoy our traditions (another thing we learned about was the traditions in other countries or lack of traditions) and also to be grateful to our Savior for his sacrifice for us.   I am grateful the Savior loved us enough to die for me and for my sins and that because of that I can repent and I can return to live with my Heavenly Father and family forever.   I love each of you and I do love the Lord and our Savior and pray that I will be his worthy servant.    May the Lord bless each of you with the righteous desires of your hearts and keep you safe while we are serving here in Germany.  

The sun is shining today and it makes me so happy.   A quote we heard this week says, “Life is not just waiting for the storm to stop … it is to learn to dance under the rain.”   May we all follow this advice and look for the happiness and peace all around us in the small things.   Have a wonderful Easter as I have blown it to send cards.   We love you!

Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma Vickie or Marv and Vickie (whatever you want to call us)

Letter to Family April 8, 2011

Friday, April 08, 2011

Dear Children and Grandchildren:

Sorry that this has to be just a quick letter home to all of you and not individualized but for some reason this week has been crazy.   First off we love all of you and we feel your love and prayers so keep them coming our way.

One of the things that happened to us this week was on Wednesday of this week I was feeling a little down and the Asplund’s that dad works with said they were thinking of going to McDonald’s for lunch and did we want to go.   Dad (Grandpa) told them I had brought food but when he talked to me,  (you know I don’t want to miss a party) so I said, “Let’s good, the lunch will keep until tomorrow.”   That was just what I needed because we had a great lunch break together.   We went to a McDonald’s we haven’t been to before and the people were so cute.  Here we were the men in suits and us in our dresses with our nametags on.  They really treated us like royalty and even figured out what we were trying to order.   (It helps you can point and say what’s on the sign because it looks like English enough for them to figure it out.)  

When the guy gave us our drink, they had a fountain machine in the foyer and said to fill it there and have as much as we wanted.   Wow!  Free Refills, this doesn’t happen in Germany.   We thought that was great.  We got our orders and sat down and had a good visit.   Then they came around and took our trays when we looked like we were done.   

When got ready to leave and were heading to the door all the workers came out to the front counter and smiled and waved at us and said Goodbye.   We definitely received Royal treatment that day.   I almost want to go back and see if they will do it again.   We didn’t notice them do that to any other people so we felt special.

That night I had to come back into Frankfurt from our apartment by myself to a Sister’s Night Out.  I almost didn’t go but felt I should be supportive so I hurried and changed my clothes and headed back to the office – the stake center is right next door.  This was just for the senior missionary sisters in our area.  

I said a pray before I left for a safe trip and it was definitely answered.  I was feeling pretty confident about driving in because I know the way and so was not really scared to do so.   But about half way in a HUGE BUS (two lengths of bus – I’ll have to have grandpa take a picture so you can see one) decided to move right into my lane and tried to push me into the other lane which I couldn’t get in because the traffic was very thick.   I was like between the bus and traffic (in the middle section of the bus no less) and he was not stopping for anything.  I’m not really sure how and what I did to get out of the situation because I remember there was a lot of traffic behind me and just didn’t think I could just stop but I was able to get behind him and then another big Van pulled right in front of me and barely missed my car.   At this precise moment I began to wonder if I wanted to drive over here and I also realized that Heavenly Father had answered my earlier prayer and I was protected and so I traveled on just fine and thanked Heavenly Father for his protection.

I am glad I went to the little gathering even though I didn’t make the scarfs out of Tshirts or flowers for your dresses out of zippers but it was interesting to watch.   I really don’t think I want one but good to see you can do it.   The sisters I visited with were really nice and I was able to have my neighbors husband go home and bring his wife home with me.   He was just going to sit in the car and wait for her.   He had already been waiting two hours because she had to be there at 5 p.m. to set up and it started at 6:30 p.m.   We got home about 8:30 p.m. with no problems.

Today, Jens brought in some cakes he had purchased from a bakery.   He brought four different kinds to share with us.   I picked one they call the Bee Sting because it is made with honey and bees like it and then one that has dark chocolate.   I haven’t eaten them because I am going to share them with Grandpa at lunch.  They sure look good.   Maybe I should walk home.   (Fat chance – it’s not going to happen – too far and I’m too lazy.)

Tonight Grandpa and I are going to an English speaking movie in another town.  The movie is called,  “Joseph Smith and the Golden Plates”.   Maybe it has been over there already.   It is by the producer that did “One Good Man” and the video about the Sister missionaries, I think.   Anyway, he is an LDS producer and writer and he is suppose to be at the showing and is going to answer questions afterwards.   It should be pretty nice.   Either way it will be nice to see a movie in English.   Our Netflix is not working so well.  It stops a lot but we are glad that Scott helped us have access to this at least occasionally we can make it work.   We are suppose to meet our neighbors at  a Kentucky Fried Chicken place before the movie.   That will be a new experience because we haven’t been to Kentucky Fried Chicken over here yet.   (It’s seems strange to be going to McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken over here – those are American foods, right?)   We’ll see if we make it or not.   We are suppose to meet them at 6 and we have to buy our tickets at 7 and the movies starts at 8 so we are in for a long night.

  

It has gone from cold to hot over night.   Now I don’t think I have enough cool clothes to wear in the summer.   Oh well, that is life and we will handle it. 

  

I did the scripture for the devotional today in the office and picked from Moroni 7:33, 36, 37 and bore testimony that the Lord can help us with whatever we need to do and that miracles do exist and we are watched over by angels.   I have had that shown to me this week especially when I feel so inadequate in what I have been asked to do.   I know that this is from the Lord and he has sent both Grandpa and I here to do his work.   With is help, your love and prayers we will do it and serve well.

I love you and so I need to close because I need to get back to work and get this printed and off to the mail. 

Love,

Grandpa and Grandma

Mom and Dad

PS keep the letters and notes coming.   We love them.  I’m not taking time to proofread this so I hope it is not too bad.

Frankfurt, Germany Town Square

This was our first learning experience on how to ride the train.  Elder Colton and his wife took us and the Asplund's on the train to downtown Frankfurt.   It cost us each 2 Euro's and it was standing up room only.  That was quite the experience.  Hey kids it kind of reminded me of TRACKS when we have ridden it in Salt Lake.   Well now I will try to enter some of the pictures that Dad took of what we saw.   It was mainly a walking tour and we didn't do any shopping or go into any cathedral's or museum.   They said we would do that another time.  Because this was to teach us how to ride the train.  I'm not ready to try it on my own because I don't know if I remember where to get off and then where to get back on.   I guess we need to be shown again.  

One thing of interest is the buildings in the town square have all been restored except one of the buildings was not bombed and  so it is the original.  It has a restaurant in it and I think a shop of some kind.  The buildings are called half timber houses because of the unique designs.    Also, in the square is a big plaque that the German people put in the ground that tells the story of how Adolf Hitler made them bring their books to the town square and burn them.   Frankfurt was known for their intelligence and love of reading books.  It was the gathering place of the scholars and book writers but Hitler said that the Nazi's were the intellegent people and wanted  the books burned.  The plaque says that this burning the start of the destruction of humanity.  It is said that he stood in the Magistrate building and watched this burning.

Frankfurt Town Square

This is the plaque in the square that tells about the burning of the books by Adolf Hitler.

The middle building is probably where Adolf Hitlet stood during the burning.

Just a church in the town square.

Bridge of the River Main next to the
square.

Outside one of the shops.  Huge Nutcracker.  There are shops with
lots of these.  They are not cheap.

This is the only building that survived the bombings in WWII.

Another church in the square.

They cut their trees and shrubs way back
but I understand they are beautiful
when they bloom.  The trees are starting
to bloom now.



I believe they said this is a government building and there
is something about walking across that bridge to
pay your taxes in the old days.



This is Justice She does not
have a blindfold on becaues
they say she is looking at
the magistrate building as
to say I am watching.

After we walked around, we went to Pizza Hut for dinner.   It was really good.  They even had more things on their menu than back home.   We had a pizza and had some for lunch the next day.   It cost us 22 Euros.

Oh I forgot to tell you, I needed to use the restroom and so Sister Colton and I went to the restroom.  Guess what you have to pay to use the restroom but the waitress knows the Colton really well so she gave us a token to use.   I wouldn't even think about carrying a Euro with me so I can use the bathroom.   After dinner we walked to the train station and rode the train back to close to our work.   We walked a block and drove home.   It was a fun night.

Letter to Scott's family March 29, 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Dear Scott, Kristin, McKayla, Sterling and Lincoln,

It was so good to hear from you.   I love the e-mails.   I thought I would be okay with just SKYPE but I realize that the e-mails really help too.   I am so excited about your new Denali or Yukon.   I hope that it serves your family well and that you love joining the rest of us with that vehicle.   We really love ours so hopefully you will love yours too.

Scott thanks for getting us set up on the internet so we can watch videos.   We haven’t watched any for a while became I have been using my computer but it seems like we get to watch one or two a week, which is great.

Our new thing to do is go to the grocery store.   We really do need to find something different to do.   I think we have found a couple of stores that might be less expensive so we will keep looking around.   Jens from work is taking us to a couple of stores and going to help me understand what I am trying to buy.  I think I will have Sister Asplund go too because she wants to know how to buy things and what she is buying.   I love the adventure.   We turned in our plastic Coke and soda bottles yesterday and that was cool.  We got a refund for almost 5 Euro.   So I guess we have drank a lot of soda.

  

I got my first haircut yesterday.   I paid 15 EUR.  She did a good job.   It is a lady from the Philippines that cleans house for the Mission President and prepares meals for big functions at the mission home and then every two weeks she comes to an apartment of one of the missionaries in the building next to the office and cuts hair for the missionaries.   She has a son who was born totally deaf but he has had the implants and now he is doing pretty good.  He is 15 years old and she is a single mom plus she is supporting her father in the Philippines.   She seems to be a hard worker and she was very nice.   She actually told me she thought I was in my 40’s and couldn’t believe I had 10 grandchildren.   Nice way to get a big tip – tell me I look younger than I am.   It was a great self esteem builder. 

 

The German lady who works with finances came to train Dad yesterday and trained him for 3 ½ hours so we didn’t get to lunch until after 2:30 p.m. and I was so hungry.   Dad was getting teased about how she really liked him because I guess she can be pretty stern but Dad was a good student.   He admitted to me, he isn’t really sure what he learned but it will all come together once he has a payment request and has to actually do something with the programs.   She talked to me after and I’m not so sure she likes me as much, oh well.   (It was cute because Brother Asplund was telling me, how she liked Dad because he even saw her pat his arm.)   Poor dad, she speaks English but with a very strong German accent.  You know he has a hard time with that so he just smiles.

The weather is starting to be rainy over here and the skies are gray overcast.   I like it so much better when the sun is shining but that is probably why things are getting green and the trees are starting to bloom.   Everyone has flower pots on their homes and the fields are getting green.  

I am learning how to make a lunch for us each day.   That is interesting but we are doing pretty good with that.  I usually bring my caffeine Diet Coke for Dad and I to share at lunch.   If you have any good ideas for lunch, let me know. 

Dad is funny with our car because it is really small and it shifts on its own hard.   He keeps threatening to have me drive it because I am laughing at him.   I’m afraid to drive it because I will probably do worse than him.   I am just grateful for a car and for having to walk everywhere even though that would be good for me.  I would spend less at the grocery story because I would have to carry it all home.

I think we will watch conference on the internet.   We will watch Saturday morning session at 6:00 p.m. here and we will see if I can stay awake to watch the afternoon session at 10 p.m.   I think we have decided to stay home and not go to the church to watch the broadcasts.

Well, I guess I will close.   We love you guys and appreciate all you are doing for us.   Scott we hope your business really does well and that you can feel good about what is happening and hopefully that Kristin will be able to stay home and be a stay at home mom.   I know you are working hard for that to happen.   You are in our thoughts and prayers.  Love ya,  talk to you on Skype soon.

Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma Paxton

Hey MaKayla,

 

Just a note to say, I love you.   I understand you probably are going to grandma Vickie’s house this weekend and you will get to see Camron.   Actually you probably just got back by the time you get this letter.   Did you and Camron have fun?   Did you like riding in your new car?   Was it comfortable?   How is your playroom?   Are you keeping it clean?   How are all your babies doing?   Are your Barbies fun to play with?  I bet you are a really good big sister to little Lincoln.   Give your mom and dad a kiss for me.    I love you tons and love to talk to you on Skype.   

Love, Grandma Vickie

Hi Sterling,

I love you too.   I love your kisses you give in the air to me when I am on SKYPE.   How are your trucks?   Are you having fun with them?   Do you love your new baby brother, Lincoln?    I bet he loves you as his big brother.    I love you.   See ya soon on Skype.   

Love Grandma Vickie

Dear Lincoln,

You don’t know me yet but I am sure we will be best friends when I get home.   You sure are cute.  I’m glad you have a great big sister, MaKayla, and a big brother, Sterling, to give you lots of hugs and kisses.  Maybe they can give you some from me.   

Love ya,  Grandma Vickie

Letter to Quayde Youth Detention

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Dear Quayde,

It was so good to hear from you.   I am glad to hear you are hanging in there and that you are going to have plenty of credits to graduate.  We know you will make the best decision for yourself as to where to go after you get out.  Just think about all the options and then I suggest you talk with Heavenly Father and tell him what you think you should do, and then ask him if that will be a good decision for you.   Hopefully you will feel good or uneasy with your decision and then that might help you know what to do.

Tell the Cowan’s hello for us.  I’m glad they are taking good care of you.   We do miss our Monday nights with you too.   Thank you for saying you miss us because you never know if you are making any kind of a difference in anyone’s life and we are glad to know we have made a difference in yours.   I do want you to know that you always made us feel that you were glad to see us and that made us happy and so we always looked forward to the next time.   You have a wonderful smile and great personality so always use that gift to bless the lives of others around you. 

 

That is exciting to get your CTR ring when you graduate.  Remember to always look at it and it will help you make correct choices throughout your life.   Remember there are a couple of things you can take with you when you leave that can help you in your life, 1) the scriptures and 2) your CTR ring.   I hope your family is doing well and that your brother is safe.   We think about you often and are praying for you that things will work out well for you and that you will find happiness and love in your life.    

Letter to Bryan's Family March 29, 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Dear Bryan, Candalyn, Mason, Jayden and Madison,

It was so good to hear from you.   I can’t thank you enough for the letters.   I thought I would be okay with just SKYPE and the e-mails but the letters have really added to everything here.   I actually look forward to Tuesday’s to see if I have another letter from you.   I’m so afraid I am going to be sad when I don’t get one so please keep them coming.

I love your drawing of the Smith’s home.   I really hope that you can rent your house and that you can get that loan you were talking about so you can buy the Smith’s home.  I hope you can get it before someone else gets it.  It would be fun to have you so close for us.   I hope it won’t be bad for your guys.   Just think kids you can walk over to Grandma’s any time you want and Grandma can walk over to your house too.  Maybe we could all go for walks together.   I think that would be lots of fun. 

 

I got my first haircut yesterday.   I paid 15 EUR.  She did a good job.   It is a lady from the Philippines that cleans house for the Mission President and prepares meals for big functions at the mission home and then every two weeks she comes to an apartment of one of the missionaries in the building next to the office and cuts hair for the missionaries.   She has a son who was born totally deaf but he has had the implants and now he is doing pretty good.  He is 15 years old and she is a single mom plus she is supporting her father in the Philippines.   She seems to be a hard worker and she was very nice.   She actually told me she thought I was in my 40’s and couldn’t believe I had 10 grandchildren.   Nice way to get a big tip – tell me I look younger than I am.   It was a great self esteem builder. 

 

The German lady who works with finances came to train Dad yesterday and trained him for 3 ½ hours so we didn’t get to lunch until after 2:30 p.m. and I was so hungry.   Dad was getting teased about how she really liked him because I guess she can be pretty stern but Dad was a good student.   He admitted to me, he isn’t really sure what he learned but it will all come together once he has a payment request and has to actually do something with the programs.   She talked to me after and I’m not so sure she likes me as much, oh well.   (It was cute because Brother Asplund was telling me, how she liked Dad because he even saw her pat his arm.)   Poor dad, she speaks English but with a very strong German accent.  You know he has a hard time with that so he just smiles.

The weather is starting to be rainy over here and the skies are gray overcast.   I like it so much better when the sun is shining but that is probably why things are getting green and the trees are starting to bloom.   Everyone has flower pots on their homes and the fields are getting green.  

I am learning how to make a lunch for us each day.   That is interesting but we are doing pretty good with that.  I usually bring my caffeine Diet Coke for Dad and I to share at lunch.   If you have any good ideas for lunch, let me know.  

Dad is funny with our car because it is really small and it shifts on its own hard.   He keeps threatening to have me drive it because I am laughing at him.   I’m afraid to drive it because I will probably do worse than him.   I am just grateful for a car and for having to walk everywhere even though that would be good for me.  I would spend less at the grocery story because I would have to carry it all home.

I think we will watch conference on the internet.   We will watch Saturday morning session at 6:00 p.m. here and we will see if I can stay awake to watch the afternoon session at 10 p.m.   I think we have decided to stay home and not go to the church to watch the broadcasts.

Well, I guess I will close.   We love you guys and appreciate all you are doing for us.   We hope things with our house move along well and you can move to a new place, hopefully the Smith’s home.   Love ya,  talk to you on Skype soon.

Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma Paxton

Hey Mason, 

Just a note to say, I love you.   It sounds like you have some pretty big projects at school.   I’m glad you have such great parents that can and will help you.   Hang in there.   This will just prepare you for middle school and so when you get there next year, it will be much easier because you already know what to expect.   How’s your spelling coming?   Are you still doing good on your tests?   How’s the algebra coming along?   How is scouts?   What have you been doing fun with scouts?   What is your favorite thing to do?   Are you and Jayden playing Black Ops?   You better not get too good or when Grandpa gets home, he will have a really hard time.   I guess you will just have to teach him.   Take care.   Talk to you on Skype soon.  

 Love, Grandma

Hi Jayden,

Congratulations on your Pinewood Derby race.   I really liked your truck.   You did a great job and that is awesome you took 2^nd and 3^rd place.   You are getting really good at it.   Maybe next year it will be 1^st place.   Are you still loving school?   Have you read any books you really like lately?   Do you still have your mom and Dad as your Primary teachers?   Are you ready to move to my house so you can move to a new place?   I sure hope you get to live close to us.   That will be so fun when we get home from our mission.   I love you.   See ya soon on Skype.   

Grandma

Dear Madison,

How are you doing?   I painted my nails last night and thought about you.   My nails are growing pretty good now and so that is good.   I don’t have your fancy machine to put decorations on so they are just plain.   Is Princess being nice to you?   Are you still doing good in school?   What is your favorite subject?   Have you done anything fun lately?  Who are your best friends?    Well I love you and miss your hugs.   Take care and I’ll see you soon on SKYPE.  

Grandma

Letter to Christie's Family March 29, 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Dear Christie, Scott, Barrek, Kasen, Camron, Hudson,

It was so good to hear from you.   I love the e-mails.   I thought I would be okay with just SKYPE but I realize that the e-mails really help too.  Thank you for taking care of all the things that come through the mail.   It is comforting to know we don’t have to worry about things.

Christie, I think I will have you send my temple clothes.  There is a black bag in the closet and then my dress (skirt and blouse) are hanging up in the closet I think.   In the hall closet is a bag with the temple clothes from Michael.  Look those over and see if they are something Dad can use and then send those too, please.   If there is room in the package please put in a couple of my perfumes from the cabinet over the toilet.   Always send us a few packages of microwave popcorn from the cupboard, possibly some spaghetti mix (not Western Family), Fettuccini mix, ranch dressing mix and whatever other mixes that can be used to cook chicken and pork.   Take out enough out of the bank for the shipping and the stuff you need to buy at the store.   Maybe you can’t get any of the other things in and if you can’t, it is okay.   Just a little wish list.  Not really needed.    Gravy packets might be nice too.

  

I got my first haircut yesterday.   I paid 15 EUR.  She did a good job.   It is a lady from the Philippines that cleans house for the Mission President and prepares meals for big functions at the mission home and then every two weeks she comes to an apartment of one of the missionaries in the building next to the office and cuts hair for the missionaries.   She has a son who was born totally deaf but he has had the implants and now he is doing pretty good.  He is 15 years old and she is a single mom plus she is supporting her father in the Philippines.   She seems to be a hard worker and she was very nice.   She actually told me she thought I was in my 40’s and couldn’t believe I had 10 grandchildren.   Nice way to get a big tip – tell me I look younger than I am.   It was a great self esteem builder.  

The German lady who works with finances came to train Dad yesterday and trained him for 3 ½ hours so we didn’t get to lunch until after 2:30 p.m. and I was so hungry.   Dad was getting teased about how she really liked him because I guess she can be pretty stern but Dad was a good student.   He admitted to me, he isn’t really sure what he learned but it will all come together once he has a payment request and has to actually do something with the programs.   She talked to me after and I’m not so sure she likes me as much, oh well.   (It was cute because Brother Asplund was telling me, how she liked Dad because he even saw her pat his arm.)   Poor dad, she speaks English but with a very strong German accent.  You know he has a hard time with that so he just smiles.

The weather is starting to be rainy over here and the skies are gray overcast.   I like it so much better when the sun is shining but that is probably why things are getting green and the trees are starting to bloom.   Everyone has flower pots on their homes and the fields are getting green.  

I am learning how to make a lunch for us each day.   That is interesting but we are doing pretty good with that.  I usually bring my caffeine Diet Coke for Dad and I to share at lunch.   If you have any good ideas for lunch, let me know. 

  

Dad is funny with our car because it is really small and it shifts on its own hard.   He keeps threatening to have me drive it because I am laughing at him.   I’m afraid to drive it because I will probably do worse than him.   I am just grateful for a car and for having to walk everywhere even though that would be good for me.  I would spend less at the grocery story because I would have to carry it all home.

I think we will watch conference on the internet.   We will watch Saturday morning session at 6:00 p.m. here and we will see if I can stay awake to watch the afternoon session at 10 p.m.   I think we have decided to stay home and not go to the church to watch the broadcasts.

Well, I guess I will close.   We love you guys and appreciate all you are doing for us.   Scott, we hope that you get the perfect change that you need and that it will be just what the family needs too.   You are in our thoughts and prayers.  Love ya,  talk to you on Skype soon.

Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma Paxton

Hey Barrek, 

Just a note to say, I love you.    How is scouts?   What have you been doing fun with scouts?   What is your favorite thing to do?   What new game are you playing on the Wee?   What is your favorite game?  Can you beat Kasen?   What good books have you read lately?   Have you seen any good movies?  I can’t wait to show you the money from here.   Talk to you on Skype soon.   

Love, Grandma

Hi Kasen,

Congratulations on your Wrestling matches.   I can’t believe how good you are doing with that.  That is awesome you took 2^nd and 3^rd place.   You must be quite the little wrestler.   Keep it up and probably one of these times you  will be in 1^st place.   Are you still loving school?   Have you read any books you really like lately?   Are you still loving that Hudson a lot?   I bet he loves you as his big brother.    I love you.   See ya soon on Skype.

  

Grandma

Dear Camron,

How are you doing?   You are getting so big when I talk to you on the phone.   I heard that Uncle Scott and Aunt Kristin are coming to Cedar and so you probably got to play with McKayla.   She says you are her best friend.   I hope you had lots of fun.   Have you done anything fun lately?  Who are your best friends?   Have fun in pre-school.   Well I love you and miss your hugs.   Take care and I’ll see you soon on SKYPE.  

Grandma

Hi Hudson,

I look forward to giving you lots of hugs and kisses.   You have great parents and brothers that love you.   I will just count on them to give you hugs and kisses from me.   I know we will be great buddies when I get home.  Give your mom and dad a kiss for me.   

Love ya,  Grandma

Learning Curve

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Dear Bob and Jo,

I hope this finds you well and that things are going well for you.   We are loving it here and learning a lot. 

 

Our new thing to do is go to the grocery store.   We really do need to find something different to do.   I think we have found a couple of stores that might be less expensive so we will keep looking around.   Jens from work is taking us to a couple of stores and going to help me understand what I am trying to buy.  I think I will have Sister Asplund go too because she wants to know how to buy things and what she is buying.  She and her husband arrived the same day we did.   Marv works with them in the Centers for Young Single Adults.   I love the adventure.   We turned in our plastic Coke and soda bottles yesterday and that was cool.  We got a refund for almost 5 Euro.   So I guess we have drunk a lot of soda. 

 

I got my first haircut yesterday.   I paid 15 EUR.  She did a good job.   It is a lady from the Philippines that cleans house for the Mission President and prepares meals for big functions at the mission home and then every two weeks she comes to an apartment of one of the missionaries in the building next to the office and cuts hair for the missionaries.   She has a son who was born totally deaf but he has had the implants and now he is doing pretty good.  He is 15 years old and she is a single mom plus she is supporting her father in the Philippines.   She seems to be a hard worker and she was very nice.   She actually told me she thought I was in my 40’s and couldn’t believe I had 10 grandchildren.   Nice way to get a big tip – tell me I look younger than I am.   It was a great self esteem builder.

   

The German lady who works with finances came to train Marv yesterday and trained him for 3 ½ hours so we didn’t get to lunch until after 2:30 p.m. and I was so hungry.   Marv was getting teased about how she really liked him because I guess she can be pretty stern but Marv was a good student.   He admitted to me, he isn’t really sure what he learned but it will all come together once he has a payment request and has to actually do something with the programs.   She talked to me after and I’m not so sure she likes me as much, oh well.   (It was cute because Brother Asplund was telling me, how she liked Dad because he even saw her pat his arm.)   Poor Marv, she speaks English but with a very strong German accent.  You know he has a hard time accents and with hearing sometimes so he just smiles and she thinks he is understanding her.

The weather is starting to be rainy over here and the skies are gray overcast.   We have had a lot of sunny days since we arrived which we were told is unusual and that we must have brought the sunshine with us.  I like it so much better when the sun is shining but that is probably why things are getting green and the trees are starting to bloom.   Everyone has flower pots on their homes and the fields are getting green.   It is really starting to look pretty.

I am learning how to make a lunch for us each day.   That is interesting  trying to come up with things to eat.   If you have any good ideas for lunches, please pass them on.  There is a little store next to our office so sometimes we run over there to get a drink or something but most of the time I try to plan ahead.

Marv is funny with our car because it is really small and it shifts on its own hard.   He keeps threatening to have me drive it because I am laughing at him.   I’m afraid to drive it because I will probably do worse than him.   I am just grateful for a car and for not having to walk everywhere even though that would be good for me.  I would spend less at the grocery story because I would have to carry it all home.  We are hoping to walk around our town and stuff when we get time and the weather is nicer.   There is a river we can walk by and the town is really quite cute.

I think we will watch conference on the internet.   We will watch Saturday morning session at 6:00 p.m. here and we will see if I can stay awake to watch the afternoon session at 10 p.m.   I think we have decided to stay home and not go to the church to watch the broadcasts.

Last weekend our neighbors that are senior missionaries took us to Fulda.   We left late in the afternoon so we really didn’t get to see as much as we would have liked but we saw the Residence and the Cathedral.   Both really impressive.   I do have to tell you the funny part was trying to find a place to eat dinner.   Finally we found what appeared to be an Italian Restaurant – not sure that it was.   Anyway, the menu is all in German, of course, and so we can pick out a few words, like Pizza and basil.   We asked the waiter if he spoke English and he said a little.  Anyway he was trying to explain what was on the pizza and he said like salami or that is what I thought he said which is their pepperoni over here.   So I said that would be fine.   It was a pizza that he hand tosses.   Anyway we got the pizza which is covered with this fresh green stuff (basil) and so we cut it and start to eat it.   The meat looks a little like bacon uncooked but I ate it thinking it probably isn’t uncooked bacon.   It was really thin sliced a little hard to eat but not extremely bad tasting.   The couple we were with ordered the same thing and all of sudden we hear her say, I can’t eat this raw bacon.   Marv and I looked at each other and at the pizza again and started to laugh.  We pulled off the bacon and ate the pizza and green basil.   Not Marv’s favorite thing.  

Anyway at work I was telling one of the guys about our experience and he looked at me like I was so stupid.  Then he proceeded to tell me that I was eating raw bacon and that they love it.   It won’t hurt you he said.  He then told me of another favorite dish, which is raw hamburger on a bun.   Trying to tell me that it is really no different than eating a steak rare.   I eat my steak well done.   So I hope we don’t order the hamburger somewhere.   That could really be a waste of money.

Well, I guess I will close.   You are in our thoughts and prayers.  

Love ya, 

Marv and Vickie