My in-laws, Fritz and Gerda Hubrich

This is a book that Ralph's parents gave us for Christmas. It documents the experiences of the East German Latter-Day Saints during, and following World War 2. Once I start reading, I can hardly set it down. Their pain and suffering is beyond description. For Ralph's family, his mother and grandmother were left alone with the little children, and Fritz was gone for four years fighting in the war, and they had no idea if he was dead or alive. Russian soldiers took over their home, and they struggled to survive. The women were not safe. Everyone was hungry, and they had no shelter. On an especially difficult day, Gerda decided that it was time to take their lives, and end it all, as so many others had done. They went to a little lake where she explained to her children that they would be going home to be with Heavenly Father and would have no more pain and sorrow. Ralph's grandmother interveined, and stated that the Lord had protected them this long, and He would continue to do so. It was only two days later when Fritz came home to them. He had suffered many trials himself. He had been shot at, and had to dig his own grave twice. Once he escaped into a lake, where he was shot at, and nearly drowned from staying under water so long, and another time, he was let go to be with other prisoners of war. Their struggles were far from over, even after the war ended. The work of rebuilding was HARD and food was scarce. My father in law was like no other when it came to finding ways to provide. The things they ate, and how they struggled to survive, would require a book in itself.

I admire them for their faithfulness, for their love of God, and for pressing forward to help themselves and others. Fritz was the Branch president at that time. They are a great example to all of our family, in many ways. I admire all of those from Ralph's family, and I am proud of my own Pioneer heritage ....the struggles were different, but no less difficult. I feel so lucky to have had so many who gave so much, that I might live in peace and comfort here in America. I am worried for the future of America, and hope that this generation can rise to the occasion and preserve the freedoms that we still enjoy.
Here are two photos of Fritz, and Gerda and their children. The photo on the left is of the back yard of their apartment. You can see there is a thriving garden there...Fritz has always been a great gardener. The one on the right is the two of them with sons, Ralph, in Fritz's arms, and Dieter, in the baby carriage.
Here they are today. This was taken last week when we celebrated their birthdays. Gerda was 92 on March 8th and Fritz turned 98 on the 14th of March.
Here are their four children and spouses. Dieter, passed away in 1973.

Feeling better

I have been ill for a couple of weeks. It was working up for longer than that with just not feeling well, since before Christmas. Finally, more and more symptoms and fever took me to the doctor on Feb 24. A diagnosis of Diverticulitis once again, the second time within a few months. I went home for bed rest and liquid diet, but the next day more serious symptoms occurred which took me to the ER for a CT scan, and evaluation. The findings from that scan indicate that surgery is no longer an option. I will be seeing a surgeon on Monday to schedule surgery in the near future.
To make matters worse, I contacted a virus, which has just been miserable. The antibiotics make me nauseated, and dizzy, with a headache. I burned my mouth because my Pero was too hot, and so I have really been through the mill. I still have a mouth full of canker sores, even a week later. I have not quite finished the meds, still coughing a lot, but all that is sooo much better than where I was, so today I am grateful for returning health. This is the first day I have been up for most of the day and doing a few little things. I even got the camera out and caught some cute pics of Ralph with our granddaughter, Rory. They made a snowman. I went out on the porch and snapped a few shots with a zoom lens. I LOVE doing my photo a day blog and am happy to be back in the saddle, so to speak. Here are a few pics from today:

I'm Back

As I was taking posts down, I felt bad, because it is something I have really enjoyed. I had several followers post comments, or call me and email me about it, so I decided to keep doing my personal blog. I may not post often, but at least once or twice a month. I enjoy following the blogs of family and friends as well. I will be browsing around less frequently, and will try that for awhile and see how it goes. Thanks to everyone who contacted me about the blog.

More Holiness Give Me

More Holiness Give Me....I have loved this song all of my life. The basic message is to become more like the Savior. It seems like everything these past few weeks since the new year began, has pointed me toward thoughts of holiness. The Relief Society lesson that I gave a week ago, was my choice for a subject, so I chose the subject of becoming more righteous. Our ward conference today was about repentance, and overcoming our weaknesses. I enjoy reading the Church news, and two weeks ago, there was an article in there that I am still pondering about. It is a summary of a talk that was given at BYU Idaho, by Wendy Nelson, wife of Russell M Nelson of the Quorem of the Twelve Apostles. She talks about becoming holy. In preparation for her address to the college students, she asked a few women to try an experiment for three days. They were to choose a daily activity and every day as they did this activity, they would imagine that the Savior were standing right next to them. One woman who did the experiment wrote back to Sister Nelson and said that her most challenging moment of the day is brushing her 4 year old's teeth. I had to chuckle at her description...after 6 children, I can relate. She said "I pictured the Savior in the room with me. I felt an immense difference. Suddenly I had more patience. I didn't bark orders. I felt like I had more influence over the situation. I could step back and almost see, well, how would a holy woman handle this situation? " Many of the women who participated in the experiment, said they no longer thought of being holy as something impossible to do.
I have challenged myself to try this experiment, and for the last couple of weeks, I can see a big difference in the way that I handle stress. (This must be healthy). I have thought a LOT about they way I spend my time, and how I handle irritating situations. I also went right out and bought Sister Nelson's book, entitled, "Change your questions, Change Your Life". In one word....awesome! I reccommend it to everyone. I know that pondering on the right things, and applying the scriptures to our lives, can change us, and our relationships....especially our relationship with the Lord.
February 14, 2010

February fun

I was fortunate to be able to visit our daughter, Heidi, and family, in Idaho this month. I flew there on Feb 1, and came home on the 6th. We had such a good time. Monday, I listened in on the girls piano lessons. I had some one on one play/talking time with each of the girls. 5 year old Lizzie and I, had the most time together, because we played every morning before she had to leave for Kindergarten. We played with Little People, Snap on Dollies, and Snap on Doggies. We played checkers, tic tack toe, and watched a Wallace and Gromet movie. While all of the girls were gone to school, Heidi and I had time to visit, shop, and we went to a movie one day. We saw "Leap Year". It was my second time to see it, and I really enjoyed it. One evening, the whole family went to see "The Spy Next Door". A fun movie! Another night, we all attended the Roadshow event that all of the youth in Heidi and Ken's stake, participated in. It was fun to watch Kylie in the roadshow. It is hard to believe that she is 12 years old and in Young Women's now. Heidi is a very good cook, so I enjoyed the meals while I was there. I was able to get more sleep than usual, and I even kept up with my "Photo A Day" blog. I hope I can go back again soon.

Heidi and I

Kylie and I......notice her height. Of course, I am short, but here is another grandchild passing me up soon. I will be looking up at all of them before I know it!

Ashley and I

Sweet Lizzie and I

A Valentine photo of the three girls.

Treasure in a Box

/>I was going through drawers of old stuff tonight and found this treasure. My mother's old water damaged high school year book. This photo is her senior year picture. Luckily this page was not ruined. She was so beautiful! Even in her old age, she retained her beauty and charm. I wonder about all of the young people pictured in this book. I wonder how many are still alive, and how their lives have been. They are for the most part, turning 92 this year. I have been thinking about how short life is. I read what my mother's friends wrote in her book. They all had such bright hopes for their future. I hope that their dreams came true.