Sunday, September 21, 2025

September 21, 2025

We had needed miracles happen as we prepared food for zone conference last Wednesday and Thursday.  We were working in a kitchen that had a small oven, a fridge with no freezer, and very little cupboard space.  Our menu was Mexican. I  wanted to serve avocado with the fajitas but figured they would cost 50 euros so had given up on the idea.  Then I saw a promotion from Aldi which advertised avocados for 0.65 beginning Tuesday morning, the day we were headed for Lyon, the day before the conference.  The first thing that came to mind was that the Lord was truly aware of my desires.  Would they be green and hard?  I was there shortly after the store opened and found 18 avocados perfectly ripe.  Those I could afford and we could all have a taste.  What a great blessing!  Miracle number one.


Tom had made his 10 lbs of black beans from scratch and they were heating in two large crockpots.  The cooked rice, 3 pans (12" by 18”) were being rotated in the oven to keep warm.  The 33 pounds of chicken were in four other crockpots - two heating slowly and two not at all.  We transferred half the chicken to a large pot we found, miracle number two, turned on a burner and stirred it every 10 minutes so it wouldn’t scorch. The onions and peppers were in the last functional crock pot. We organized two serving stations plus a microwave in the hallway.  Each missionary could pick up two warm  tortillas on a plate and head for the chicken, the veggies, the rice, the black beans, the salsa, guacamole, avocados, olives, fresh tomatoes and sour cream.  Their dessert, water and fork and spoon were already set at the table.  The 92 missionaries loved it! They rarely have homemade food.  Thanks to Laters, Dinkelmans, Sr. Letendre, and Elder Herzog for your excellent help!





Pres. Alliaud of the Europe Central Area was visiting for a mission tour.  The Area comprises 37 countries.  When he first arrived in 2020 he thought he might want to learn French, but one of the apostles told him that in the Area there are 34 languages spoken, and that he would probably be better served if he worked on his English.  The President emphasized that we are living in Jacob 5 (the parable of the olive tree, especially the latter part). He quoted Elder Bednar that the world is in co-motion, the purpose being to bring many people to where they can hear the gospel message and come to know Christ.  The gathering (of Israel) is the most important thing happening today.  In our Area in 2020 when he arrived in Frankfurt, there were about 1000 baptisms annually.  This year the total will be around 5 or 6000.  A similar growth is occurring in our mission: 4 years ago we were reporting 1-2 baptisms weekly and now it is usually 6-8.  He and Sr. Alliaud spent several hours answering questions and training the missionaries.


The next day, we did a baked potato bar at the church for  Mission Leadership Council.  Only 34 missionaries. Got up at 6 am to bake the potatoes in the mission home ovens and then hauled them to the church where we prepared the rest of the food.  We  assembled and cooked the chili, but it tasted bitter and needed a little sugar.  Of course there was none to be found.  However we  did discover a half bottle of apple juice  and decided to add 1/2 cup of it for sweetener.  It worked. Tasted delicious!  Thanks to whoever left their juice.  It must have been inspiration because you saved the chili.  Small miracle number three. Each missionary picked their size of potato and loaded it with their choice of butter, salt, pepper, chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream, lardons (chopped bacon), chives, cooked broccoli, cauliflower, and cheese sauce.  We  served a large fruit tray and carrot sticks on the side plus a frozen dessert.  Everyone was happy and satisfied and there was not a bean left.  Tom started cleaning the kitchen with the help of Elder Olsen.   A dear boy.  It was a quiet ride during the 90 minutes home.  We were too tired to talk.


Breaking through the fog          


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