Chapter 9: Berlin

What would it be like to go to 4 parties in one night? What about having 3 parties a week at your house for a bunch of adults? How about being driven around the city in a fancy car by a driver? Or living in a big house with two maids to help clean it? Would you feel like a movie star or some other famous person? Well, this is how life was for the four years that Grandma and Grandpa Halvorsen lived in Berlin. Grandpa was the commander at Tempelhof Air Base and they were expected to go to lots of dinners and parties, and in return, invite people to their home. They refused to serve alcohol in their home and instead served fruit punch or apple cider. This was a very big deal because everyone else expected to drink alcohol at these functions. In fact, Grandma and Grandpa said they didn't think they would be kept there for long because of their principles. Grandma said, "W don't care if we are sent home, we won't compromise our beliefs." Some people were grateful for Grandma and Grandpa's choice, and others criticized them for it. However most people admired them and loved Grandma for her warm, genuine personality as well as the exceptional food she prepared, and as it turned out, they stayed in Berlin at Tempelhof for 4 years--longer than any previous commander! This was an intense balancing time for Grandma--to support Grandpa in all these busy events, to fulfill her calling in the church, and to be the mother for her children at home. She was also expected to be in 5 different clubs, 3 of which she had to be on the board for for 4 years. She managed to do it all, although she said it was difficult. Towards the end of their stay in Berlin, she also was diagnosed with cancer, although her children didn't know it at the time. She kept in touch with her parents through letters, and supported her children who were away--Brad on a mission and Nana at school. To discuss: One of Grandma and Grandpa's greatest critics was a Mormon from Utah. He said that they shouldn't refuse to serve liquor their house in Berlin. Why did they stick to their guns on this principle? What did it teach their children? Grandma said in a letter to her parents how strange it was for "two people from the sticks" (meaning herself and Grandpa) to be in such a position of fame and acclaim. What was it about Grandma and Grandpa that attracted people to them? How can we apply this in our lives?