We had great intentions of arriving early today. But we missed the day light's saving. So we actually arrived an hour late. This mission is very interesting. We have been laughing about the "Book of Instruction." We even had it posted on a wall for the ward's spring cleaning. It was just delightful. Nothing wrong with it, it is just the German/Austrian way.
Today we had barely returned from church. We came around the corner off of the main street, drove about 2 block south, one block west and then about 1/2 block north. As we were parking the car guns went off. Then we heard a wave of shouting like a chant. It sounded almost like a sporting event, except when the guns and loud fire crackers went off, it would create the chanting. We are on the fifth floor and Norm stepped out on the balcony. Then we recognized "Alla" repeated in the chant. Norm saw women down there with Berkas, and we realized it was about 2000-3000 Muslims filling the street where we had just turned off of the main street and a little over a block away. They started to block the main street, until the police sirens sounded and they ran them off. Kind of scary.
The Austrians and Germans started looking for workers, because their own people stopped producing children. Now their are probably more muslims than Austrians, and it will get worse because they are having their children. We can see the handwriting on the walll.
Missionary work is going fine, but would be better if we could get the Austrian members to start caring about their neighbors. Love to you all.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
March 24, 2012 Samtag
The missionary work continues. We had 7 out to institute. It was decided that they would eat after institute, and institute would be one hour earlier. What a wise decision. Always before they had to hurry and eat. This time, it was relaxed. I set the tables up in a square table for better conversation. They visited for an hour after institute. Norm and I had to leave, which was not a good thing, for it broke it up. We can never find parking for our Wohnung (apartment) if we stay later. Well the lot was full, and so we literally got the red light. I went in and Elder Storrer sat in the car hoping someone would come out. Finally he drove around until he found a spot behind this huge pile of lumber, in a construction area just about 1/2 block from our Wohnung. He parked it out of site and came in. Then after midnight he was able to find a parking space. He was parked directly under a sign which read, "Parking here is forbidden and you will be towed.
Well Brother Erlacher, the teacher suggested he pick us up. Actually we can drive the food over earlier. Drive back home and catch the bus (2) to be exact. Then we can catch three buses back home (and einbahn) messes us up. Or Brother Erlacher has volunteered to drive us home. I like that idea.
We feel strongly that if those young adults will start communicating and getting to know each other it will bring them back into a comraderie that we understand they use to have.
Here is another picture of Geegi
This is Clara who is coming to Utah for General Conference. She worked and saved her money and bought a ticket months ago. She is excited to do baptisms in the Salt Lake Temple. She has worked and saved to make her dream come true. Oh, yes and she is prepared to do some shopping. She is taking light suitcases to fill and bring home to Salzburg. She says that she doesn't speak German very well, because she speaks Oestereichish. And no truer words have ever been spoken. No Austrian speaks German, only a semblence of it.
this is Bruder Erlacher, the institute teacher and he is good.
We bid Elder Graff a good by has this was his last day in the mission. This was part of the Ward Missionaries. Josef is the one with glasses in the middle, and Hans Malzl is on the right side in the back.
He headed to Munich and then flew out Friday. We are going to miss Elder Graff, with his beautiful smile and very charming ways. He was oblivious, but I think every girl had a crush on him, including the Sister Missionaries, especially Sister Hoffman. Everytime she looked at him, we could tell. Of course the missionaries were all clueless, and that is good.
This is a typical church in Freilassing. We hear the vesper bells, morning, come to mass bells, and again at noon from a church. The next picture is me in front of the doors. Heidi, I love the big purse as I can hide part of me behind it. Actually I am losing weight. I had lost a lot of weight the first week. Then the members started feeding us. I have finally told them, not even a little bit of sugar. It is killing my joints, especially my feet. We eat very healthy in the apartment, but they want to feed us until we are stuffed turkeys. Even our two over 6 foot elders were complaining of double chins and skin they could pinch an inch at the waist line. So we have decided that we only eat what we want, and no deserts.
That went by the wayside last Wednesday with Uwe Zerwekski, who is a marvelous cook. He actually took a cooking course for 2 years. He really is not that old, but has traveled, and done a lot of cool jobs. But he really needs to marry, and there are some wonderful girls in our ward and stake who are not too young for him. It was a 4 course meal. But afterward, with all the sugars for desert, I felt that I had been poisoned. I finally had to take some aspirn the next night as every joint in my body ached. My arthritis just cannot take it and neither can my blood sugars. They have been excellent the last two days.
We have placed books of Mormon. We have taught several discussions. They asked if we would visit Sister Thibaut in the krankenhaus in Freilassing. Poor lady. She is a tiny 80 year old woman with the bluest eyes. She is so discouraged. She is bleeding internally and they don't even do tests. So much for socialized medicine. There are three women in that room. One has lung problems and they don't seem to be doing much for her either. The younger swear by it, as it makes hospitalization and doctors cheaper, but we think as they age they suffer for it with less dignity and more suffering in old age.
Elder Heinrich brought his Uke and we sang I am a Child of God. She and the two other ladies in the room loved it. It brought a moment of Joy. Today Norm read from the B of M. The sister in the bed next to her was listening to every word. Norm left her a B of M and she seemed really happy.
Love to you all it is late. Love Mom and Dad
Well Brother Erlacher, the teacher suggested he pick us up. Actually we can drive the food over earlier. Drive back home and catch the bus (2) to be exact. Then we can catch three buses back home (and einbahn) messes us up. Or Brother Erlacher has volunteered to drive us home. I like that idea.
We feel strongly that if those young adults will start communicating and getting to know each other it will bring them back into a comraderie that we understand they use to have.
Here is another picture of Geegi
this is Bruder Erlacher, the institute teacher and he is good.
He headed to Munich and then flew out Friday. We are going to miss Elder Graff, with his beautiful smile and very charming ways. He was oblivious, but I think every girl had a crush on him, including the Sister Missionaries, especially Sister Hoffman. Everytime she looked at him, we could tell. Of course the missionaries were all clueless, and that is good.
This was the mongolian meal that Geegi prepared for us. It was meat, and seasonings in a pocket, and a wonderful and interesting Potato salad.
That went by the wayside last Wednesday with Uwe Zerwekski, who is a marvelous cook. He actually took a cooking course for 2 years. He really is not that old, but has traveled, and done a lot of cool jobs. But he really needs to marry, and there are some wonderful girls in our ward and stake who are not too young for him. It was a 4 course meal. But afterward, with all the sugars for desert, I felt that I had been poisoned. I finally had to take some aspirn the next night as every joint in my body ached. My arthritis just cannot take it and neither can my blood sugars. They have been excellent the last two days.
We have placed books of Mormon. We have taught several discussions. They asked if we would visit Sister Thibaut in the krankenhaus in Freilassing. Poor lady. She is a tiny 80 year old woman with the bluest eyes. She is so discouraged. She is bleeding internally and they don't even do tests. So much for socialized medicine. There are three women in that room. One has lung problems and they don't seem to be doing much for her either. The younger swear by it, as it makes hospitalization and doctors cheaper, but we think as they age they suffer for it with less dignity and more suffering in old age.
Elder Heinrich brought his Uke and we sang I am a Child of God. She and the two other ladies in the room loved it. It brought a moment of Joy. Today Norm read from the B of M. The sister in the bed next to her was listening to every word. Norm left her a B of M and she seemed really happy.
Love to you all it is late. Love Mom and Dad
Sunday, March 18, 2012
March 19, I forgot
Last Week we went out to Puch to do Missionary work. Earlier in the day we had gone across the river and coming back, I suggested to Elder Storrer to make a right turn and go past the Fish Markt and it would be closer going home. Well, you all know Norm. He struggled with that concept, then decided he would prove me wrong. Guess what! You got it right. I was right.
Later we were coming back from Puch, and he turned left, crossed the bridge and then insisted on turning left. He was very convinced that we had to go back. Well he had to either cross the other bridge back across the river or make a right turn that led us into the old city. I told him not to be lost to long because I really needed to go to the bathroom. Now that ticked him off.
Now one never wants to do that because the major part of it is narrow walking alleys. Sure enough he kept taking the wrong turn. We ended up behind the Krankenhaus (hospital) The street was wide enough because the emergency center is there.
But gradually the street started to narrow. He finally conceeded that we had made the wrong turn. This meant to wind our way out of there. On the street we came in he was sure that it was a one way, because of the direction the cars were parked, until I pointed out that a couple of cars, were parked in the opposite direction and reminded him that it was our only way out.
He was so flustered that he ran two red lights, which can be a pretty hefty fine.
So we crossed the bridge and did a loop. Next time I didn't have to tell him to turn right. Up, we got home.
Love ya.
Last Week we went out to Puch to do Missionary work. Earlier in the day we had gone across the river and coming back, I suggested to Elder Storrer to make a right turn and go past the Fish Markt and it would be closer going home. Well, you all know Norm. He struggled with that concept, then decided he would prove me wrong. Guess what! You got it right. I was right.
Later we were coming back from Puch, and he turned left, crossed the bridge and then insisted on turning left. He was very convinced that we had to go back. Well he had to either cross the other bridge back across the river or make a right turn that led us into the old city. I told him not to be lost to long because I really needed to go to the bathroom. Now that ticked him off.
Now one never wants to do that because the major part of it is narrow walking alleys. Sure enough he kept taking the wrong turn. We ended up behind the Krankenhaus (hospital) The street was wide enough because the emergency center is there.
But gradually the street started to narrow. He finally conceeded that we had made the wrong turn. This meant to wind our way out of there. On the street we came in he was sure that it was a one way, because of the direction the cars were parked, until I pointed out that a couple of cars, were parked in the opposite direction and reminded him that it was our only way out.
He was so flustered that he ran two red lights, which can be a pretty hefty fine.
So we crossed the bridge and did a loop. Next time I didn't have to tell him to turn right. Up, we got home.
Love ya.
March 18, 2012
This is my third try. If I am going to be posting blogs, something had better give. It keeps dumping me.
I can't even remember what I wrote, so I start again.
First this is Geegi. She is a beautiful young convert from Mongolia. She is as beautiful inside as outside. She is from a successful family. She joined the church in Mongolia and is trying to make her way in the world. She is 29 and looks about 21. She has two desires. When the young elder lifted her up out of the water at her baptism she thought, "I want to marry a man just like him." She also has a desire to find a worthy young priesthood holder who will take her to the temple. Well Austria is not the place. We know of numerous, beautiful worthy daughters of our Father in Heaven who have the same desire. The worthy young men are very small in numbers.
She comes to our apartment for keyboard and English lessons. She desires to go to BYU. We are trying to help her with that one.
This next picture is one we captured in Puch. If you look closely at the close to the top in the cleft, you can see Sleeping Beauty's castle, entwined with growth.
This wall is made from trees, clipped very close together. It encloses a garden, and allows in filtered light. This is in Bad Reichenhall, Germany. We are anxious to see it when all is in bloom this spring. There are also beautiful gardens around it.
This home was built by an Italian in the 19th century. It also is in Bad Reichenhall.
Yesterday we went into the old city. It was a beautiful day and we thought maybe we would meet someone and give them a pass along card or Buch Mormon. No such luck, but here is an old church at the end of the narrow street of interest.,
And we will close with Auf Wedersehen. And Norm at the end of a hard day. I get to do this because I am the one writing the blogs. Love to you all from Austria.
Now we are headed into the Alps to a dinner appointment Tshusch!
I can't even remember what I wrote, so I start again.
First this is Geegi. She is a beautiful young convert from Mongolia. She is as beautiful inside as outside. She is from a successful family. She joined the church in Mongolia and is trying to make her way in the world. She is 29 and looks about 21. She has two desires. When the young elder lifted her up out of the water at her baptism she thought, "I want to marry a man just like him." She also has a desire to find a worthy young priesthood holder who will take her to the temple. Well Austria is not the place. We know of numerous, beautiful worthy daughters of our Father in Heaven who have the same desire. The worthy young men are very small in numbers.
Now we are headed into the Alps to a dinner appointment Tshusch!
Sunday March 18, 2012
So in 5 days we will have been on our mission 2 months. Wow!. We send Elder Graff home this Thursday, and he can hardly believe that it is about over. He is a great young man. Today, he bore his last Testimony in the ward. Elder Storrer could not believe how many young women adore him. He has a wonderful smile and personality,.
Speaking of the young women, there are so many great wonderful young women in the JAE program. Some are return missionaries. Some are 28-29 years of age. They are very faithful in the church. Their greatest desire is to find a young worthy priestholder to marry and raise a family in the gospel. They are beautiful clean and wholesome. But the worthy young men are so scarce. We saw that last Sunday evening when they had their Single Ward's sacrament meeting which only happens every so often. They are assigned in groups, not necessarily from our stake as they came from as far away as Munich, Germany area. They came by train and bus and car. Some arrived a little late because of it, so they have a class the first hour.
It was Salzzburg's turn to host. The request was chili. So chili they got, Texan style with a little of Austrian tossed in--whole kernal corn.
It is very interesting because for years after the war they refused to eat corn. Now they eat it in everything.
I am not crazy about the texture of corn in chili, but at least the flavor blends. Well we were told spicy but not hot. Fortunately I bought a bottle of Tabasco Sauce. Over 1/2 was gone. And one young man told me that he loves it hot. It was plenty hot anyway.
We also have a sweetheart, just like a daughter who takes piano and English lessons in our apartment. She is from Mongolia. We also feed her supper that evening. She stays extra time and visits. I don't think she likes to go back to her lonely
Speaking of the young women, there are so many great wonderful young women in the JAE program. Some are return missionaries. Some are 28-29 years of age. They are very faithful in the church. Their greatest desire is to find a young worthy priestholder to marry and raise a family in the gospel. They are beautiful clean and wholesome. But the worthy young men are so scarce. We saw that last Sunday evening when they had their Single Ward's sacrament meeting which only happens every so often. They are assigned in groups, not necessarily from our stake as they came from as far away as Munich, Germany area. They came by train and bus and car. Some arrived a little late because of it, so they have a class the first hour.
It was Salzzburg's turn to host. The request was chili. So chili they got, Texan style with a little of Austrian tossed in--whole kernal corn.
It is very interesting because for years after the war they refused to eat corn. Now they eat it in everything.
I am not crazy about the texture of corn in chili, but at least the flavor blends. Well we were told spicy but not hot. Fortunately I bought a bottle of Tabasco Sauce. Over 1/2 was gone. And one young man told me that he loves it hot. It was plenty hot anyway.
We also have a sweetheart, just like a daughter who takes piano and English lessons in our apartment. She is from Mongolia. We also feed her supper that evening. She stays extra time and visits. I don't think she likes to go back to her lonely
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
I am the Lord's Tool
Mission March 15, 2012
During our first tracting experience as a couple, we met a friendly man who claimed to be a convinced atheist. He seemed to be an honest man and I was troubled by the Spirit that he should be contacted again. We went by his house several times but couldn’t catch him home. Finally about a month later we went by and we caught him home. I had been praying hard what to say to him after having been rejected, I knew that the Lord would put the words into my mouth when I spoke. I was very surprised when I told him that the Lord knew him to be an honest man and that in the world before he was born, when the angels of God were at war with the hosts of Satan he had been a brave hero in the army of God and I had been sent to tell him this and that God loved him dearly. After I was through speaking he sent us away and asked us to never return. I promised him we would not and we left. I felt a great burden lifted from my shoulders.
Love Dad
March 4
March 4
Sunday—Since the music is rare in this ward, I ended up playing the piano for sacrament meeting. I wished I had of taken advantage of Organ lessons while is college. I had a great conductor. I could always get his downbeat but I did have a problem or two with time in the opening song. I mean those dotted 8th notes in a couple of places in the chorus. I just know it is page 28 in the German hymn book, which is not the same as ours. The last song is a german hymn which I had never heard before. I played it about 6-7 times for prelude, so had it pretty good, with just a few mistakes.
I am more than happy to be playing the piano. At least there is something I can do besides cooking, and even that is going by the wayside. When all the Young Adults live at home they eat before they come. So we are switching to snacks. Any recipes anyone, to serve about 12 people. Sweet, sweet and salty, salty, herbs—any flavors will do just not to complicated. However, I am cooking for next weekend for about 50. The request is chili. The chili in the cans here are way to sweet. They add sugar. But there is a recipe that I am going to use as a base, that should not be as sweet. Although their tomato sauce is also sweet, so I am going to have add some cocoa powder to neutralize it. I made enchiladas which were a big hit. The meat was seasoned just right. Lots of spice but not a lot of heat. It was the tomato sauce that I really struggled with. I made cream of potato and carrot soup that was scrumptious. Then served it with bread and apful strudel for desert. However, they drag in late and if they eat it cuts into institute instruction time. They have a new and great teacher. He is really the most important.
Cleaned out the closets yesterday. We have one designated area, but the couple before us had a little problem with purchasing and hording all over the church. The bishop was glad that I was gathering it into one spot… It allowed me to take inventory of what we have. There is enough plastic ware to supply a small army for a year. There are as many napkins. It fills the majority of two of the three shelves. I think because it was so spread around she didn’t know what she had so kept purchasing. There were large bottles of ketchup hidden in the back. The problem with purchasing in bulk like that is, it doesn’t get used and the viable date comes and goes. There is quite a collection of supplies like spices. I need to find recipes for snacks to use them up, like herbed nuts.
When I fixed my apful strudel they really liked it but thought it tasted like Christmas because I put cinnamon and cardaman in it. The girls were unfamiliar with the flavor, but liked it.
It is humble time. I am getting so tired of not being able to even understand a 4 year old child. I recognize the words, but I cannot keep their meaning in my head. I have been working on D & C chapter 4 for two weeks. I think I have the first two verses memorized and am ready to move on. I know the meaning of them. I have them memorized in English, but the words start falling out of my head. When I read things and have the vocabulary words I feel pretty good. I guess I just am not a linguist. But I am not giving up. Part of the problem is no one speaks with Hoch Deutsch. Everyone has thick dialects. You know—instead of zwei for two I suddenly am hearing zwoe and wondering what it is until I make the connection that there are two minutes to the next bus and Norm has just said, zwoe minuten. And they talk so fast I cannot even separate the words. Oh, yes and ee for ich. The list goes on. Oh yes, and they train us in using Sie, not the Du sprache. So all the verb endings are different, and they often drop the endings anyway. I keep listen and trying to discern what they are saying. About I consistently recognize is the verbs and “genau!” However, if they are talking about a subject I am familiar with, I can often follow the jist of the conversation. So Norm does the talking for both of us.
Last night the elders came home to an apartment that had been burglarized. The drawers had been dumped and everything strewn around. They only found two watches stolen. Elder Rosenvall had about a $10 Walmart watch that doesn’t even keep time very good, but Elder Graff who will be going home in two weeks lost a very nice watch given to him by his father, so he Is a bit bummed over that. I guess someone was burglarized in the same apartment building about a week ago. They say that they are basically cat burglars. They go in dump everything out looking for quick cash, or something they can sell quickly for cash.
They all have the buzzer at the entrance and are pretty secure that way, but if someone just lets them in we are all vulnerable. Our building is divided into units of 6 floors. The bottom is strorage and washing, bike storage and garbage. It looks like there is about 20 apartments. So they really should be pretty secure.
Love Mom and Dad.
March 3, 2012
Tomorrow is Feb 29th, leap year!!!!
Still haven’t got the internet up, but other things are beginning to go. Have tracked with the Elders and Norm was elated when we tracked out a wonderful and very talented young man. So he was elated about that one success.
The snow is melted and the rains have begun. Last Friday was a warm clear beautiful day. We had to shed the very heavy polyester decka on the bed. The lighter ones were gross. They had never been aired out. We put them out to air for two or three days. So we went over to IKEA (our apartment is decorated with IKEA) and for 20 euros apiece (about 22-23 dollars a piece) we purchased two twin size and some coverlets. We look European, but they are light and airy and wonderfully comfortable. We have beds (twins, crammed together) created by Brother Malzl) which are very comfortable. We ended up with two fridges, one is large—for Europe. So we are getting the apartment the way we like.
We have family home evening at our apartment. Our JAE president is one of the only young who attend, and or Geegi, a beautiful young woman from Mongolia, and convert to the church. She wants to go to BYU badly and is working on her English. Elder Storrer is starting to teach her tonight. I have talked to her about the ESL program at the Y. Any takers out there to sponsor her and help her if she can get to the US. She is a quiet reserved and beautiful person inside and out. It has been suggested that we look more to the older single adults for family homevening. And then concentrate our Institute and activities around the younger single adults.
We also are meeting and learning about 28-29 year old women who no longer attend Institute. But they are very active in the church. They are trying to fulfill their lives with travel. The problem is no husband material here. Men in the church are so scarce. They have their spiritual priorities straight. One actually teaches the early morning seminary. Both are beautiful women. Then we have the younger ones submitting themselves to temptation by going to bars and dancehalls to dance. One young woman’s sister at 21 met and moved in with a young man. Now she says she won’t go to church because she feels that she is being judged. (Sorry but that is transferring her bad decisions to others because of her own feelings of guilt.) We are working with a young woman from England who did the same thing. Her father warned her that he would be sending contact information to her ward here in Salzburg, so that we could get in touch with her. Recently a sibling had a temple marriage. So she is from an active family. She will talk to Norm and is very friendly, but only on the phone. He told her that he would be contacting her every month. She was not discouraging. I think she enjoys talking to someone in English. And anyone who knows Norm, knows that he is easy to talk to and certainly doesn’t come across as judgmental.
Today we had district meeting and Brother Roth (one of the brother Roths) spoke for 3 hours, after feeding us a marvelous breakfast spread.) He literally is the world’s best planner. He travels the world. He was even involved in the early planning stages of the Utah Olympics.
Feb 29, 2012
Tomorrow is Feb 29th, leap year!!!!
Still haven’t got the internet up, but other things are beginning to go. Have tracked with the Elders and Norm was elated when we tracked out a wonderful and very talented young man. So he was elated about that one success.
The snow is melted and the rains have begun. Last Friday was a warm clear beautiful day. We had to shed the very heavy polyester decka on the bed. The lighter ones were gross. They had never been aired out. We put them out to air for two or three days. So we went over to IKEA (our apartment is decorated with IKEA) and for 20 euros apiece (about 22-23 dollars a piece) we purchased two twin size and some coverlets. We look European, but they are light and airy and wonderfully comfortable. We have beds (twins, crammed together) created by Brother Malzl) which are very comfortable. We ended up with two fridges, one is large—for Europe. So we are getting the apartment the way we like.
We have family home evening at our apartment. Our JAE president is one of the only young who attend, and or Geegi, a beautiful young woman from Mongolia, and convert to the church. She wants to go to BYU badly and is working on her English. Elder Storrer is starting to teach her tonight. I have talked to her about the ESL program at the Y. Any takers out there to sponsor her and help her if she can get to the US. She is a quiet reserved and beautiful person inside and out. It has been suggested that we look more to the older single adults for family homevening. And then concentrate our Institute and activities around the younger single adults.
We also are meeting and learning about 28-29 year old women who no longer attend Institute. But they are very active in the church. They are trying to fulfill their lives with travel. The problem is no husband material here. Men in the church are so scarce. They have their spiritual priorities straight. One actually teaches the early morning seminary. Both are beautiful women. Then we have the younger ones submitting themselves to temptation by going to bars and dancehalls to dance. One young woman’s sister at 21 met and moved in with a young man. Now she says she won’t go to church because she feels that she is being judged. (Sorry but that is transferring her bad decisions to others because of her own feelings of guilt.) We are working with a young woman from England who did the same thing. Her father warned her that he would be sending contact information to her ward here in Salzburg, so that we could get in touch with her. Recently a sibling had a temple marriage. So she is from an active family. She will talk to Norm and is very friendly, but only on the phone. He told her that he would be contacting her every month. She was not discouraging. I think she enjoys talking to someone in English. And anyone who knows Norm, knows that he is easy to talk to and certainly doesn’t come across as judgmental.
Today we had district meeting and Brother Roth (one of the brother Roths) spoke for 3 hours, after feeding us a marvelous breakfast spread.) He literally is the world’s best planner. He travels the world. He was even involved in the early planning stages of the Utah Olympics.
Feb 29, 2012
Tomorrow is Feb 29th, leap year!!!!
Still haven’t got the internet up, but other things are beginning to go. Have tracked with the Elders and Norm was elated when we tracked out a wonderful and very talented young man. So he was elated about that one success.
The snow is melted and the rains have begun. Last Friday was a warm clear beautiful day. We had to shed the very heavy polyester decka on the bed. The lighter ones were gross. They had never been aired out. We put them out to air for two or three days. So we went over to IKEA (our apartment is decorated with IKEA) and for 20 euros apiece (about 22-23 dollars a piece) we purchased two twin size and some coverlets. We look European, but they are light and airy and wonderfully comfortable. We have beds (twins, crammed together) created by Brother Malzl) which are very comfortable. We ended up with two fridges, one is large—for Europe. So we are getting the apartment the way we like.
We have family home evening at our apartment. Our JAE president is one of the only young who attend, and or Geegi, a beautiful young woman from Mongolia, and convert to the church. She wants to go to BYU badly and is working on her English. Elder Storrer is starting to teach her tonight. I have talked to her about the ESL program at the Y. Any takers out there to sponsor her and help her if she can get to the US. She is a quiet reserved and beautiful person inside and out. It has been suggested that we look more to the older single adults for family homevening. And then concentrate our Institute and activities around the younger single adults.
We also are meeting and learning about 28-29 year old women who no longer attend Institute. But they are very active in the church. They are trying to fulfill their lives with travel. The problem is no husband material here. Men in the church are so scarce. They have their spiritual priorities straight. One actually teaches the early morning seminary. Both are beautiful women. Then we have the younger ones submitting themselves to temptation by going to bars and dancehalls to dance. One young woman’s sister at 21 met and moved in with a young man. Now she says she won’t go to church because she feels that she is being judged. (Sorry but that is transferring her bad decisions to others because of her own feelings of guilt.) We are working with a young woman from England who did the same thing. Her father warned her that he would be sending contact information to her ward here in Salzburg, so that we could get in touch with her. Recently a sibling had a temple marriage. So she is from an active family. She will talk to Norm and is very friendly, but only on the phone. He told her that he would be contacting her every month. She was not discouraging. I think she enjoys talking to someone in English. And anyone who knows Norm, knows that he is easy to talk to and certainly doesn’t come across as judgmental.
Today we had district meeting and Brother Roth (one of the brother Roths) spoke for 3 hours, after feeding us a marvelous breakfast spread.) He literally is the world’s best planner. He travels the world. He was even involved in the early planning stages of the Utah Olympics.
We have arrived Feb 5 or 6th
It appears with not a lot of grace or style.
The couple on the left was in our German tutoring class. They are going to Frankfurt, German;y. The rest from left to right is Elder & Sister Betts, Elder & Sister Hall, Us of course, and Sister and Elder Stepan.
We arrived in Münich the morning of February 4th, with the expectation that we would be met. The couple who were suppose to pick us up had never been to the Airport before and got a wee bit lost. We can thank the Webb’s for the euro coinage, that got us a phone call to the mission office—to at least learn that they were on their way, so that was at least encouraging. We were not hard to find as four couples stood there with our missionary tags on. They had the van for the luggage, and Norm and I as I was using the cane. The rest walked to the bus station. We met at the mission office for lunch and then to the mission home. Two of us stayed over night at the mission home and the rest went to a nice hotel. They tucked us in for an hour and then it was back to the mission office for a couple of hours of instruction. Great instruction, but we were all”jet lag” zombies. The couple giving the instruction were the Area Reps for the CES program, Elder and Sister Hunger.
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We all loved the Tyrolean or Bavarian Suit Elder Hunger was wearing.
Then it was back to the mission home where President Miles interviewed us and then gave us our assignments. The Betts were sent to live in Germany and drive 6 klm to Shaufhausen, Switzerland. They cried with happiness. He served his first mission in Switzerland and because of the
The Hall’s were sent to Klagensfurt, where they had never been before, as they have traveled the area several times.
Celebrating our 47th anniversary. A very unexpected but appreciated gift. The Zauggs were excited after showing us this little bed and breakfast, when they learned it was our anniversary on that date.
We are now in our small apartment. The Elders tell us we have the Taj Mahal. We just need to organized it to our style.
As we were leaving the Mission Office Norm asked about our An Melden papers. He said he could not give them to us as he didn’t know where we would be. Monday Norm filled one out and tried to Anmehld it. Nope not with out the Church’s stamp. Today, Thursday we are still waiting for the letter, but we did get our Auto record book. There are three of us feeling a little panic, especially in light of the fact that the Zauggs took the place of a couple in Wein (Vienna) who had to live the country and are serving in the Scotish-Irish mission because they didn’t submit their papers in time.
Norm and I have found out that we were very efficient as the office couple.
We cannot get our internet up as we have to start a bank account. We cannot start a bank account without a Visa and we cannot get the visa until we Anmelden. We have to get our Utah driver’s license translated so we can drive legally, and we cannot do any of it until we Anmelden.
We had our first family home evening Monday, and 6 showed. Almost all have family home evening with their parents as they live at home.
Tonight we had our first meal, which was awful. We didn’t have time to prepare anything so opened a large #10 can of Gulaushsuppe, and made speazel. The speazla was good, but canned Gulosh is not. Fortunately there were only 3 who arrived in time to eat because of the snowstorm. Unfortunately they will probably talk. Norm suggests my cinnamon rolls, next week, cooking in the oven as they come in. Now I gotta figure out what to serve with it, besides hot chocolate.
Feb 10 Our An melden papers came today, so we dashed over. All was correct except the most important thing. The form had not been used in 2 years and they would not accept it or the stamp as it had to be on the right one.
I shake my head. When Norm called the office (and he held his cool) he was told that they knew they were old but thought they could force it through. “Dumb idea with any bureaucracy—anywhere in the world.”
Norm told him to get them on line. And he told Norm not to panic as we had 90 days. Norm informed him that it was only three. (Even the cover letter that was sent with us was very clear about that.) And since we had been there 5 days we could be thrown out of the country.
Saturday Feb 11, 2012
We are worn out tonight. Running and catching buses can be exhausting when one is not use to it. I have lost weight. Yaaaaah! But it better keep dropping with all this activity. We do have a car but are saving the miles and taking the bus as much as we can. And to think we moved 6 suitcases between us on the train. That was hard enough getting them off in that short stop. The Elders in Münchun told us that when we stopped, just start tossing them off and the missionaries would see us and help. Not a chance! Never take that risk. No one sent them the information so they would know which train or platform. I stood at the stairs and Norm handed them to me to get off the stairs onto the platform while he rushed back to get another one. We barely got them all off the train when it started to pull out of the station. Fortunately we had them stored near the door.
Mail doesn’t come on Saturday in Austria—so we wait and pray for Monday. Norm got his license translated so can drive for 6 months. Now if the “proper papers” arrive Monday morning, hopefully we will quit wasting so much time on someone elses “silly” mistakes. We have lived our lives on the buses.
But we took time today to go to the international market to get hats. We arrived to freezing cold weather. I about ruined my feet permanently . The shoes I had froze hard and were creating bruises across my toes. Norm kept telling everyone that I needed to purchase boots, but they kept the rest of our schedule so full. I was putting on white heavy socks under my black knee highs trying to protect my feet. Wednesday night they were so sore I could not sleep. I went into the bathroom and in the light I could see I was in real trouble. I woke Norm and told him that we went nowhere until I had boots. As a diabetic the last thing one wants is open sores on the feet. When Norm saw the mess I was in he was worried. First thing we did was make the purchase. Now I have traded my bum left knee for a sore right foot. It is starting to heal though.
I
With all my griping out of the way, I will turn to more positive thoughts.
Salzburg is a beautiful city, even under the blanket of snow. Last Thursday we were returning home while it was snowing. It was beautiful quiet and still. We held our first Home evening with the group of 8. Most don’t usually come out for Monday as they live at home and are with their families, but the word had spread of the Zaugg’s transfer. So of course everyone wanted to meet us. The Zauggs had really been hard at work and will be large shoes to fill. They also have been working with less actives, and a few new contacts. She is a very friendly person and had made friends with many in the apartment complex. So every one were curious about the new missionaries.
Thursday we had 10 out to institute and the meal before. Many come when they can get there because of work. So two young men arrived right at the end of institute.
Friday Norm had about 4 calls from the sisters who said that they heard he was funny with funny stories. One sister said, “Don’t you change. You do things your way. Kid’s love good stories. Well Norm will be good at that part. I don’t think I know anyone who has more stories—and funny ones at that unless it is Peter.
We had the Elders over twice so that they could teach Lilly, a very pretty girl. Yesterday they gave her the last New Member lesson as she is headed to Berlin to school. Last Sunday, it just so happened that her new Bishop from Berlin was here for a grandchild’s blessing, so the Elders introduced her and he promised see that she is watched over.
I have been warned that for the first several Sundays to tune out after an hour of all German or I can count on a headache. Well I hear German all day, and try to pick out words that I know. Sometimes I can get enough to know the jist of the conversation. Norm is in his element. He is so sweet. One day a sweet little old lady (probably my age—just looks older) stops him and asks about our tags. Then she tells him that her mother just died at 80 and would we remember her in her prayers. Now if any one pays attention to how he focuses in on his grandchildren as he is talking to them, giving them all his attention. That is what he does—almost best. He has these sweet little old ladies eating out of his hand. And they try to talk to me until they see the blank stare with my dumb smile and know I understand little.
And dialects. Everyone speaks with a dialect. Bayrhien, Schowbe, Chech, you name it. One man with some emotional problems was yelling at the bus driver. I swear he was talking German with an Oklahoma accent.
Riding the bus and people watching is fascinating. One elderly man gets on the bus with a peaked hat. He had bushy grey eyebrows about 1 ½ inches thick above the nose. The hairs were at least 1 inch long. With the pleasant look on his face he reminded me of a gnome. One child was making fun of his grandfather’s hat that had two peaks. He kept telling him that he looked like a hare with his ears cut off. One hardly sees a grey haired woman as they all dye their hair. And hats and scarves. I have never seen so many different hats and scarves in my life. You would think fur coats were the rage. But Sister Zaugg told me that the older women wear them for warmth, and that they are warm.
I have never seen so many narrow streets in my life. Lots of cars, buses take those streets. I am not brave enough to drive here. If you hesitate until the light is red you get honked at. But as a pedestrian you can step out into the middle of traffic. It is 3000 euro if one hits a pedestrian. They stop these cars on a dime if they think you are going to cross in front of them.
We are anxious to get out of town and meet some of the contacts in the small surrounding towns. They say the scenery is just beautiful.
They build tall apartments, hotels, ect right into the rock cliffs. We go through narrow tunnels going one way and around coming back because they are not wide enough for two way traffic. One of these times with a little bit of time we will carry the camera and get some pictures. Some of those tunnels go through mountains.
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