Gettin ready for New Years...slash Christmas review (27.12.10)

Christmas celebrations are three days long here - 24th (Heilig Abend), 25th (Christkind comes), 26th (Zweite Feiertag). We were invited to members' homes all three days.

24th
We went to visit a very old member in a Pflegeheim (Old Folks home) and sang to her. She has Demenz (Dementia) and is fading fast, but she sang along and then when I read the CHristmas story she commented and voiced a couple of words. Then, we took the train and walked to the middle of nowhere to visit the Rodrieguez family. They are an amazing family with their youngest going to BYU Idaho this week and the next youngest leaving on his mission in Jan. Speaking English all night, sharing stories, singing songs, baking, and cooking..and being on the other end of a missionary christmas phonecall...all in all, a wonderful night.

25th
Visited the Schaals. (They are a 38-40ish year old couple with no children. They are really reallyy helpful to us and check on us regularly to see if we need anything. They have even offered to rent a truck to move our furniture when the new apartment is ready). She made soup with Knödel (my favorite), then pulled out the big guns - - - goose, Knödel, glazed chestnuts, brussel sprouts with chestnuts, stuffing with apples and chestnuts, and Holunderblüten saft (Elder berry juice). THEN she brought out a big surprise - A&W rootbeer. We sang songs and played a super fun game called Robo Rally (dad, you should checkk it out), then had cinnamon ice cream with orange marmelade.

Spent the evening with a Weniger Aktiv (less active). She wants us to teach her live-in boyfriend so we started with the basics and watched The REstoration. BOth received it well as Sandra said that she needed some help with her testimony as well.

PHONE CALLS HOME - due to procrastination\laziness from a certain baby brother, MY TIME-SLOT for phone call was taken which stressed me out because I was thinkknng my parents just weren't home. Then, they finally got him to call back later since with was already 9:50pm my time and I needed to go to bed. It was great to talk to family though we weren'T all on the phone at the same time. It was odd to think that this time next year, I will be WITH my parents. I even got to talk to Grandpa and Grandma Hailes as well as Pat. PERFECT Christmas day!!!!!!!!!!!

26th
Church as usual. Only 7 members there because of the holidays. If I haven't explained how church is here in Ulm, allow me to enlighten you------9:30am Hymn practice, 10:15 RS\EQ, 11:00-12 Sacrament meeting. That's right, no Sunday School. After church, we were driven home because Sis A is having stomach problems. I was feeling a little under the weather as well, having contracted a cold or something similar and having a 99* fever. When we got home, we both fell asleep, not having gotten much sleep the night before (Sis A was in the bathroom and I was congested).

Dinner at the BRanch President's home. I felt like I was in some ritzy restaurant. There were candles everywhere, BEAUTIFUL table settings complete with long-stemmed glasses. We had a steak and mashed potatoes all arranged on a fancy gold platter. I can't even describe how fancy it was. BEAUTIFUL!!! Definitely going to do that when I get home. Simple and beautiful. She even made whole-wheat cookies with chili powder for us to take home. RECIPE WILL BE PROCURED NO WORRIES!!!!!!!! She gave us a Christmas CD with music from this area, Austria, and Switzerland. PERFECT!!

NEW YEARS EVE aka Silvester
We are going to the Schaals again - along with the whole branch - for games, party, and fun. We are allowed to stay out late as long as a member drives us home.

Since Sis A and I are both sick, we are looking forward to a nap today. ESPECIALLY since we've both gotten no sleep the past two nights.

Mom - we received a letter from President today stating when interviews are. Wwe will be on Jan 6 so I will be able to get mail, that was sent to the office, then

New Year tradition I learned about this weekend. They carry a little plastic pig in their walletss for good luck.....I do too.

GUTE RUTSCH INS NEUE JAHR!
SISTER LIND

Pictures are from our walk from Bahnhof to the Rodriguez Family. BEautiful sunset and the snow.

Christmas is in the Air (20.12.10)

This week, I have learned to trust whole-heartedly in the Lord. I'm more than positive that is what I'm supposed to learn this transfer. After talking with Sis Condie I learned that I need to delve deeper in my prayers and scripture study so that I can gain the strength to keep going. That is the only place where I will find comfort and strength. I have learned how important it is to be an example of good Sister missionary work after hearing many things said about other Elders by my companion. I KNOW that part of the reason I am here is to set the path for other Sisters. If I set the example of how to treat Elders and the work, then there will be no question about why Sisters come on missions...NOT because they can't get married. I have learned and am still learning how to open up to people and share my thoughts and feelings. That's always been something I've struggled with and now I'm realizing how important it is that I let things come out instead of holding on to them. Still working on writing them in my journal, but I have these weekly letters to document many things.

We're getting our heater fixed tomorrow. The Elders before us apparently decided to either use it for a trampoline or to climb up on the bunkbed because the steel bolts and screws holding it to the wall are completely broken off on one side. Luckily, a Sister in the ward is in charge of checking on things in our apt and is going to be there with us.

THis week we had a District streeting in Göppingen. That was really fun and helped me realize that I do have the skills and desire to do this work. We each (the whole district) floated around the main square near the Christmas Market and individually talked to everyone who passed. I had many good conversations and I felt like I CAN do this missionary work thing. Sis A and I decided to split up so I just stayed in mission rule proximity to her so we weren't schwarz (breaking rules). I learned a lot about my technique and how to change up the message. Definitely went better than the Austellung in Klagenfurt where I got cursed out by 4 people IN A ROW. 'I had confidence in Sunshine...I have confidence in rain'.......................and SNOW. BOy was it cold standing around on snow for 4 hours, but it was great. On the way home, one of the Elders (from Holland) said the absolute funniest thing I'Ve heard in a long time. His English is wonderful (as with most Europeans), but they still always give objects genders (because that'S the way it is with other languages). So, Elder Von Stokkom said the following in reference to his broken oil vial....'Everytime I fill it, it empties itself into my pants'. Quote of the day for sure.

We are so booked for Christmas holidays that it'S great. No new investigatores as CHristmas is an impossible time to get any here in this area of Europe. Since there are two Feiertagen (days of celebration - Dec 25 AND 26th) we have members calling us for appointments and we've already been snagged for New Years. Looks like we'll be playing a lot of Ligretto as well as that's the biggest thing around here. It's like Nerts only better. Before leaving Salzburg, I was given a box of the game so I'm set.

My legs are super warm as I have learned to love leg warmers. I have one pair that I love love love and wear everyday. I'm also resourceful and thrifty. My Austrian coat has shorter sleeves (the style, not my freakishly long arms to blame) so I found some green leg warmers (the exact color of the trim) and I wear them on my arms. PERFECT!!!

Popes- Thank you thank you thank you for the wonderful surprise package. It really made my day
Pres Parks - Thanks for your words of wisdom.
Bro Monn - I really appreciate your monthly letters and updates. THank you so much

1- me in front of the Alps in Salzburg
2- little smoking man. They are a big deal here and this was the perfect momento for my mission

Gotta go
Viele Liebe
SISTER LIND

Sister Lind has been............... (6.12.10)

TRANSFERRED!!!!

Yep, it's true, I have been transferred yet again. This time to Ulm, Germany. It's near Stuttgart. I'll be working with Sis Anderson, one of the Sisters I came with from the MTC. I'll be Senior companion and I'm pretty positive she's not going to like that...she's from Philly. I was really looking forward to Christmas in Salzburg (home of Mozart and Silent Night), but I get to enjoy it somewhere new. I always like change and new things. We got the call Sun morning and it blew us away. Not only was I getting transferred, but Sis Schlegel has been transferrd as well (in der Schweiz). They're closing this area for SIsters. Not enough work for both Sisters AND Elders AND a Senior Couple. Mom - I think that Carolyn's brother will get to work here in Salzburg in place of the Mangums who are going home end of Jan. Too bad, I will just miss them. (Tell Carolyn thanks again for the laundry bag...all my companions so far have been jealous of it...Sis Alder worked with the Sis Mecham Carolyn talked about just before I went to Bruck).

No injuries this week, just really really cold bodyparts.

Packages arrived today - Sis Alder sent the package from there to me and it arrived gleichzeitig with the one dad sent. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the CDs that were included. Doris Day singing Toyland, Tony Bennett, Barbara Streisand....I'm in heaven. I absolutely love the strumpfhosen. I'll be stylish and warm. I've gotten more accostumed now to wearing socks, strumpfhosen, socks, leg warmers and boots. I love my leg warmers too. €1 was definitely well spent.

Mom - when the Moats kids come over, you should introduce Babes in Toyland to them. That way, you'll always say you GOT to watch it every year at Christmas. Watch it once for me then too. Then, watch Errand of Angels.

Since I've been transferred (again) I won't know what'S available technology-wise until I get to email next Mon. I'm going to see about getting a phone card that could work Germany and Österreich to use for Mother's Day and Christmas. I've skyped plenty of times, but never with Tay...he never wanted to. I know for definite mine works. Tay's should too as his is fancier. I don't know the password for my Skype off the top of my head, but sign on to my computer and check it out. Ask around too, there'S probably members or friends who've used it before and give give you details.

Yesterday, we went to a Krampus Lauf. Havwe you ever seen Devil heads at Christmas time? Well, here'S why. Since today was St. Nikolaus Tag, he's been wandering the streets looking for good children. Alongside him comes the Krampus. He whips bad children on the backs of the legs. THis gives them a chance to change their ways before CHristmas eve when the Christkind comes. Instead of just ONE Krampus, there are hundreds of people dressed up like Wookies or Lord of the Rings characters and parade down the street scaring people and chasing teenages, and 'whipping' the backs of legs. These people make their own costumes and in order to participate, EVERYTHING has to be from nature. The masks\heads are carved out of wood, the whips are horse hairs, and the costumes are of some kind of skin. THey walk down the street with giant cowbells attached to their backs and march to the rytrhm. They are led by 8 people in Lederhosen chiming more cowbells the size of a tractor tire. It was really cool and kind of scary because you were never sure when one was going to come stare into your eyes or whipe your legs. Luckily, I just got my hair extremely ruffled (nuggy style), but Sis SChlegel was scared to death when, while I was been nuggied, one came up behind her and wrapped its arms around her head and gave her a nuggy. It was really funny walking home with light socket hair. Definitely a night to remember. We'D gone with some JAE (young single adults) and the Senior Missionary couple and it made it all the more fun.

We had an amaing contact this week. Almost everyday Sis SChlegel receives a packaged so each day we get our doorbell rung fromthe post man. Friday morning, we get buzzed so we go down to the mailboxes to retrieve yet another big box of goodies. The Post man then asked us if we'd be willing to help his 11 yr old son with his English. BING missionary time. We told him about the weekly English class at the church and gave him our card with the information. Then he asked how much it costs. He was dumbfounded and blown away when we told him it was free. Then, he asked why. BING missionary time. We ended up talking to him for 20 min about the church and he asked if He'd also be allowed to come to the ENglish class. TODAY, he buzzed again with more packages (this time for me). We ended up talking to him for another 10 min about the church and got his information for the Elders. HOpefully, the Elders will be able to baptize not just him, but his entire family...wife, husband, and 3 children. YEAH FOR MAILMEN!!!

We're still working with Frau Lugonjic, trying to get her ready for her baptism, but it's not going to happen. We started introducing the stop smoking program written by an Elder in the 80s which, when followed exactly, will remove the need and addiction to cigarettes after only 7 days. Using prayer, grapefruit juice, vitamin c tablets, prayer, mouthwash and brushing teeth she could be done with smoking forever. It's amazing and I know it would have helped her, but she wasn't as ready to give up smoking as she said she was. Sad to say, she will not be getting baptized next week.

Until I send my address in ULm, please don't send any mail to Salzburg, I'll probably never get it. Instead, send to mission office. We have zone conference on the 12th so I will get anything then.

Today, besides a little packing, we are going to the Oberndorf church....home of SILENT NIGHT. It's going to be beautiful in the country and hopefully not too many tourists....aka Asians with cameras or pushy, impatient Americans.

This computer is havng problems so I may not be able to send any pictures this week. I'Ve got pictures from Krampus Lauf, Salzburg, and fun, but you may have to wait till next week to see them. Sorry. The Three Kings day (where they write on the doorposts) is Jan 6. Mark it on your calendars! It'S apparentyl super big here. As big as the 12 foot Alpine horns we saw\heard last night.

Zum St. Nikolaus viel Süßigkeiten!!!
Sister Anne-bear

Happy Thanksgiving (29.11.10)

1 Me and Sis Alder right before she boraded the train back to Bruck

2 My first Döner - Turkisch shaved meat kebap
3 Salzburg Christkindl Markt
4 Salzburg Christkindl Markt
5 Sisters at Missions Tour with Elder Texiera
6 Sis Hansen and Sis SChlegel...notice anything different about me?

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It started snowing Wed night, but we only got about 1 inch. Then it tried to snow Fri afternoon, but everything melted during study Sat morning. Then, it started snowing again last night and it hasn'T stopped. We've got about 7 inches and it's still coming down. We can'T see the mountains anymore, but it'S still beautiful.

Monday - we went to the Christkindl Markt for a cuople of hours. THAT brought back memories. I saw candle pyramids with the fan at the top, little smoking figurines (the good smelling ones with the green triangle scented wick), wooden ornaments, angels, smelled roasted nuts and Glühwein (that stuff stinks), and lots of suspenders (that must be the new style---Just for grandpa).
........................AND.................I got my hair cut......a whole 7cm gone. My hair now reaches down to my chin and is super cute. My neck misses it a little, but I really like it.

Thanksgiving - We spent Thanksgiving in München for MIssions Tour with Elder and SIster Texiera. It was a great day full of learning and fun. We had to leave Salzburg at 6 in order to get there so we slept on the train. I got some really beautiful pictures of the sunrise and the snow. We had a 2 hour lunchbreak where the ward members served us Turkey soup with rolls (it had the makings of a real Thanksfiving dinner - turkey, vegetables, pasta (wheat), and gravy (broth). It wasn't the same, but it was fun. After missions tour we had to rush to Bahnhof to catch our train (which we ended up missing) so we had an extra hour and a half to kill at the Bahnhof. Elder and Sister Mangum (Senior couple) treated us to BUrger King for dinner and THAT was it. My big thanksgiving dinner consisted of Chicken Nuggets, fries and a bottle of water. We all sat around the table and chatted and ate so it might as well have been home. My companion still doesn'T understnad the significance of the day nor does she think it'S worth celebrating.

Friday - I'Ve been asked to accompany the Christmas Fireside for the ward so we went to Freilassing around 4 (just over the border in Germany) to a member's house so she could give me the music. We ended up being there for 3 hours practicing and then ate Abendbrot with her family and they drove us home. It was a great day and really got me in the mood for Christmas.

Sunday - We and the Elders were invited to the Schubert family's house for dinner. She's American, married an Austrian at BYU-HAwaii and has lived here for 14 years, now has 4 children ages 15-7. We ate dinner and had a lot of fun. THen, the ward fireside participants had rehearsal so we loaded up and went back to Freilassing. There, we had a First Advent party and practiced the music. I'm so ready for Christmas!!!

Not too much has happened this week as far as our investigators go. We met with Frau Lugonjic (baptismal date Dec 12) and laid the stop-smoking program out for her. It's a program written by a missionary in the 70s that, when followed exactly, will eliminate smoking in 7 days. We're excited to see how it goes.

CHRISTMAS CALL HOME - - We can call on the 25th. I need to get a phone card as we will be calling from our cell phone. OR, we are allowed to webcam. On my laptop is a program called Skype. Please open it up and tell me what address is set up. I'm pretty sure it's my oakleybear one but I need the actual address to get things set up here. I will get a phonecard just in case that doesn'T work. I'd really like to coordinate the call with Tay so we can maybe conference call all together.

We get transfer calls this week and since it'S always iffy whether we stay or go, please send any packages to the Mission office. I still haven't received the one sent to Bruck. It hadn't arrived by the time the Sisters went to Missions TOur in VIenna so I didn'T get it this week when we went. We have Zone Conferences in mid-Dec so anything that arrives will be brought to us. I'd rather get it that way then have to stress about it going to another apt. At least until we find out what's going on with transfers.

Thank you both for the sacrifices you make so I can serve a mission...aka heat. I'm realizing more and more what I need to do to be worthy of those sacrifices.

LOTS OF LOVE
SIS Annebear

MOM - I will try and take some pictures with directions on different ways to tie scarves.I'm glad you're finally wearing the scarf. I love scarves as it eliminates the need to wear a necklace...AND it keeps necks warm in snowy winter....AND they look good on anyone. Salzburg is sizewise like Waynesboro, including the smaller boroughs.

DAD - heard your team got lucky this time. 'NOugh said. Take good care of your wrist. As I have learned, if you don't care for the injury now, it WILL slow healing if you injure it again. As far as that goes, my ankle is finally strong enough to go without the brace.

Palmetto is a what?!?!?! (22.11.10)

Discovered Palmetto this week from Sis Schlegel. It's a huge bowlingball sized) orange looking fruit with a super thick peel that after you peel is about the size of a grapefruit and tastes like.....citrus. Not quite sure how to descirbe it but it's good. Check it out!

Things are beginning to get colder here. We bundle up quite warmly before leaving the house everyday (which is tricky when you're wearing a skirt 17\7, but I love it. My nose is really the only thing that I can'T feel when we get home at night. No worries though...it's still there.

Yesterday was the Primary Program. I had been asked last week if I would play the piano and I agreed. In return, they gave me a German CHildren's Songbook. The program was beautiful and I especially like the new song for the year. In the MTC, they gave us that handbook thing in both Eng and Germ and I'm so grateful for it...it came in handy. There were only 12 children, but they were all so cute...especially the 2 tiny ones who came in Dirndl and Lederhosen. PRECIOUS!!! The program went really well, and in the 9 times I had to play Follow the Prophet, I learned how to play it. (It's still stuck in my head). Throughout the program, I kept thinking about mom and how at almost the same time, the Fairview Ward was doing the exact same program.

Salzburg is a lot harder to work in than Bruck. We only have 2 investigators and they can*'t meet 3 times a week like we are told to do so there are huge blocks of empty time. The members have specifically said, more than once to the Sisters, that they do not want the missionaries to visit them. Yesterday, after I played for the Primary program, we had numerous members come up to us and tell us they want us to come over sometime. Sis Schlegel was shocked. We've even got invites for Christmas Eve and Midnight Christmas Mass (which we are allowed to attend with members).

Tues I had to teach Englisch Klasse. It went really well, but was harder than I thought. I'm definitely absolutely positive I don't want to teach Englisch as a second language...it'S HARD! I'll stick with teaching snotty-nosed kids.

Thanksgiving is coming up and I'm pretty sure it won't be any different than any other day. We have mission tour in München so maybe they have something planned for us there, but if not, nothing exciting. Sis Schlegel is German and doesn't understand the holiday. Christmas is the big holiday here. Advent starts this Sun and St. Nikolaus Tag on the 6th. I'm so excited to have someone who will celebrate it with me...instead of American Companions who don't quite understand what is going on. Today we're going to check out the huge CHristmas market. I can't wait. With each booth and stand that gets set up, I'm reminded of the one We went to with Dad where Taylor could win everything and I got that volleyball that exploded overnight. Sad memory, but still one to remember. I love Christmastime in Europe.

GOTTA GO

VIELE LIEBE
Sis Chocolate

Dad - I loved block scheduling!!! Why are there discussions about getting rid of it? It definitely helped prepare me for college. BOth with the length of classes and the workload. It was also nice to have a long enough class period so that when you got in to the meat of the lesson, you could chew on it, not just pierce the skin then class is over. It was also nice too, that I only had to focus on a couple of subjects at a time and could give my full attention to them. With 7 classes (like middle school) the teachers always 'made up' for the time we didn'T have in class by assigning huge homework assignments. Times one of those assignments by 7 and brains shut down and the work is medicore. My vote - keep block scheduling. I asked Tay to send me his camera if he decides 'to get rid of it'. It'S a lot nicer than mine and would be a great backup camera. AND it has the same chip inside as my camera. But, if he doesn't send it and decides that he does indeed want to keep it then a camera chip would be fantabulous.

Mom - No, I haven't received anything yet. I will receive Anything sent to the Leoben address this Thurs at Missions Tour (Sis Alder has it Wed and will give everything to Sis Condie to give to me). No worries, I'm keeping warm. That red scarf-hat set I made all those years ago is the warmest thing in the world and I love it. SO glad I decided to bring it afterall. I'm trying to find out how things work with christmas phonecalls so we can coordinate with Taylor. Maybe we can do a conference call. The last I heard, I'll need to use a phone card from our cell phone. We'll see what President Condie says on Thurs. I've started thinking about Christmas, but nothing is really sticking in my mind as far as what I'd like. A new selection of shirts (non buttondown blouses) would be nice, I can really find anything here so if I find something I'll let you know. Some CDs are needed\desired\sought after. I really like ones that are just a combination of everything (not just from one artist\style). Josh Groban has become a top favorite. Really anthing would be nice...I'm starting to kill my Woman at the Well CD. 3rd transfer of it...getting tired of it\know it too well.

Roommates - - Would you please send me your mission addresses, my roommate address book has bit the dust. Ashley has a boyfriend?!?! I need to be updated on this situation. ASHLEY RESPOND TO MY LETTERS!!!!! Emily - Wed, I received the letter you sent right before you left the MTC. I loved it. Thanks! THere's a letter on its way to you as of Thurs. It'S going to the mission home since I don't have your current address. Keep your eyes peeled for it

The Sound of Music is all around me (15.11.10)

Well family, A LOT has happened since I last wrote....

First off, I need to explain the title of this email....I've been emergency transferred to Salzburg. I have to start at the beginning of the story so you can understand the ending. A couple of weeks ago while we were teaching Anton (the father of Manuela) in the Pension home he asked us 'in your church, are you allowed to marry people 20-30 years younger?' Not thinking anything odd, we told him that we could and went on with the lesson. Then this week (Tues), after him being in the hospital or something all week, we finally got an appointment with him. At the end of this lesson he asked the question again. This time, Sis Alder jumped on it and asked (teasingly) if he had someone in mind. AND I QUOTE (translated) 'Yes, and she'S sitting right across from me'........ME. He was serious. THis was not a joke in any way shape or form. We immediately said the closing prayer and left. I was mortified. We laughed about it a little and brushed it off. The rule in the mission is that if anything like this happens (especially to Sisters) we have to call President Condie...and more often than not, if it'S a serious situation, the Sister is transferred that very day. So I called. He said for us to wait and see if things cooled off or changed until Sunday. We were also told to cancel our appt with Anotn and to break off all contact. That night, we recieved a very disturbing txt message and that message kept Sis Alder and I awake ALL NIGHT. We turned the phone off decided to call Pres Condie after District Meeting the next day (Wed). As soon as District Meeting was over, we noticed that we'd had 17 missed calls from Anton. I was freaked out!!!! Sis Alder called Anton to cancel our appt for Friday and throughout the phone call I had a boulder in my stomach and felt like I was going to throw up. Sis Alder told me I needed to call President. I didn't want to because I didn'T want to cause a fuss or be transferred before Manuela's baptism. But, I called. The next day, I had a ticket to Salzburg in my hand. Now, I am serving in the home of the Sound of Music. My new companion is Sister Schlegel from Dresden Germany. She is wonderful and I'm really noticing an improvement in my German. It was a hard transition leaving BRuck, the people, and Sis Alder (as we have become best friends). I switched places with Sis Solomon (my 4 day MTC companion). I feel violated. My privacy, happiness, area, investigators, companions, and peace were snatched away by a 60 yr old man. I don't think I'll be going back to Bruck for a long time. President'S philosophy is that if there is any chance of contact with the Sister then they need to get out of there ASAP and since Manuela is Anton'S daughter, and she was getting baptized, I needed to leave. Sad, but true. So, in answer to your questions....I don't know how the baptism turned out. I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye.

My new address:
Egger-Lienz-Gasse 23\1
5020 Salzburg
Austria

As far as mail is concernced (with regards to what you've already sent) Sis Alder will give it to President and Sister Condie next week at Missions Tour and I will get it the next day when we have Missions Tour. Elder Texiera is coming to our mission and there are three major meetings so everyone in the mission can meet and hear from him. I'm not exactly sure what will be going on but that's the plan. We are going to München for the Germany section, my old zone is going to Vienna, and there'S a meeting in der Schweiz. So no worries that things will get lost in the mail. Sis Alder is very responsible and WILL make sure I get everything. THat'S what mission mail is for. Anytime Pres and Sis Condie go anywhere for meetings, they bring mail and missionaries can receive supplies and mail from their old areas and other missionaries.

Funny story attached to this...interesting week...Wed when we were on and off the phone with President Condie, Sis Alder was talking to him while we were sitting on a bench eating lunch. An old man came up to us and kind of stared a bit. Then he asked if I had a BOok of Mormon with me. I qquickly answered no, but then realized that I did. I'd forgotten my Triple at home and had grabbed a Pass Along for the day. So I gave it to him. He was SOOOO happy. He said that he'd been looking for a Book of Mormon for 20 years and really wanted to read it. In return, he gave me a big box of Lindt dark chocolate. As I glanced at Sis Alder (who was on the phone) and back, the man had disappeared. THat moment taught me that though I'd been wounded, I needed to get back on the horse and keep going.

That's really all the news from this end. Don't worry about me, I'm safe and am beginning to open back up. Last week, I kind of withdrew from the world because of my fears and schock, but I'm myself again...except speaking 24\7 German....and sleeping on a top bunk (it's scary). Sorry if I scared you or made you worry, but that's the status and since Icannot as yet express my complete thoughts and feelings in German, this email is my outlet.

Salzburg is absolutely beautiful. It's not as big as it sounds. Size-wise it's just as big as Leoben, but much much older and more picturesque. It's like walking down the streets of the 1700s. I love it!!! We drive by Mozart's birthplace anywhere we go.

I LOVE YOU and please know that I will always be safe.
Sister Anne-bear

P.S. Mom, there is already a nice long letter on its way to Gma and Gpa. It's got a couple pictures. I started writing it last Pday, but didn't have the time to finish it until I got on the train to Salzburg. Sending pictures to me are fine.

Are we related to William Williams who wrote hymn 83?

Pic 1 - my (reenacted) face when I realize I would probably be leaving (after 1st phone call with pres)

Pday = NAPTIME (8.11.10)

Grüßi-

Not too much to report on what we did today. We woke up, went jogging (I walked because I'm still waddling a little) and got fresh bread straight out of the oven. 7am is the best time to get it because it'S not burning your fingers like it is at 630 nor is it cold, just right. Then, we studied till 10:30. Grocery shopping was next on the list. Then the fun began.....we deep cleaned our apartment. It looks phenomenal and Sis Alder asked me to reorganize everything. She's been here for 6 months and was ready for something new....and I was ready to be able to find things and for everything to have a logical place. While we were cleaning, we had music going and were singing along. Around 1:30 we called it quits and I made cheese spinach cannaloni for lunch. NOW COMES THE EXCITING PART....we took a nap! Oh yes, with a clean apartment, full tummies and dishes all done we got a wonderful 40 min nap. It was glorious and much needed!

Ankle update - - it's almost healed. I still wear my ankle brace because the weather's cold and we do so much walking. Yes mom, I ice it and have it elevated every possible moment. Sis Alder is a certified nurse so she's taking really good care of me. The first week there was a good amount of bruising and swelling, but that's all gone now. Stairs and inclines are still difficult. No thanks on the high-tops boots, my ankle brace is best.

Since Wednesday - - We watched the Jehovah Witnesses' equivalent of the Restoration. (Yes we had permission to do so). It was very informative and helped us understand the Pietzkas. There are definitely a lot of parallels between us and them, but the differences are huge.

Manuela's baptism - - This coming Sun (14th) is Manuela's baptism and boy oh boy is she excited! She is so ready!!! We made cool invitations for her to hand out (gluing the information on the back of baptism pass-along cards is genius let me tell you....and any other missionaries reading this email. Sis Alder and I are singing for two musical numbers. Primary songs - He Sent His Son, and I like to look for rainbows. Anton has been in the hospital (or something) this week, so if he still wants to be baptized, we're going to have to do it another week. We'll see what this week brings.

Sunday - - This Fast Sunday (yesterday) was powerful. Sis Alder and I taught RS this week. Last week we were asked to teach the combined adult class and teach about the new pass along cards we have. The lesson went really well and the RS Pres asked us to show the Restoration so the members would be better able to 'advertise' it when they pass out cards. We showed the DVD (none of the members had ever seen it) and asked them to respond to it as though they had never heard anything about the church. For the investigator class (The Manuela class) I taught about temples. I brought my family pictures and an Ensign painting of the Jordan River Temple. We had invited three members to join the class (to support Manuela) and I got a big thumbs up from one in particular we've been trying to connect with. That's a good sign. (Which reminds me, could you send me a picture of the DC temple. I don't have any.)

Oddities - - We were out and about in Bruck on Sun night when an extremely strang thing happened. Since it gets dark earlier now (around 4) we contact anybody and everybody we find out on the street. As we were walking down this pathway, a man come perpendicular at us. We immediately started with 'Entschuldigen Sie'...then we froze. This man took one look at us and continued walking at an increased speed. It was Martin!! He was wearing a blond, long haired wig. We said his name but no response. Since we were walking back to the train station we just kept walking (the same direction he was walking conveniently enough). We said his name one more time. Nothing! After a bit, he stopped and started looking in a store window 'intently' reading something. He was wearing sunglasses now. It being about 18:00 and extremely dark except for street lamps and headlights, it was extremely weird. As we approached, we stopped and said his name again and said hello. He didn't even flinch. On we went, still really confused. As soon as we'd passed, he started walking again. Being a little creeped out, I suggested we take a detour around hauptplatz. He did not follow. We stopped to check out the construction which has become the talk of the town for the past two weeks. (They're tearing out a 50yr old major bridge that crosses traffic over mainstreet). Martin was already there watching as well. We tried one last time to say hi to him, but no response. It's odd to be ignored when you know they heard you. Talking to a wall has a new meaning.

Pictures - - I would really appreciate some pictures of the colors\sights of home so if anyone reading this email happens to have\take any I would really appreciate them being sent my way. Thanks!!
1) I got my driver's license this week. Isn't it pretty.
2) my Austrian Visa. I'm legal!!

Gotta go! Library is closing!! I'll send pictures of our clean apt next week.
TSCHÜß
Lots of Love!!!!
SISTER LIND

Mom- I've seen that Annie Oakley. It's really good, but Betty Hutton's voice irritates me after awhile so I don't watch her movies often. I love Howard Keel so all is well with that one. I would like to work in one of those facy cake bakeries and get paid 2,000 just to make a sugar flower. SIGN ME UP! What's the purpose for the Primary program this week? A just because kind? Pottery sounds like fun. I think when I come home, we should take some kind of class together. Since Utah lost, does that mean Pat will visit? Maybe you could have her hold the visit till you come to pick me up and she could come with. Strumpfhosen -- no need for regular nylons. If they're warm, I'll take 'um. I trust your choices and am really excited!! Thank you very much.

Yes it's Wednesday, Yes I'm alive, No this won't be the norm (3.11.10)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Anne Marie Lind <anne.lind@myldsmail.net>
Date: Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 2:33 PM
Subject: Yes it's Wednesday, Yes I'm alive, No this won't be the norm
To: Mom <byuute@embarqmail.com>, Dad <chris.lind@citi.com>, Tay <taylor.lind@myldsmail.net>


Sister Lind is back in the house!!

Monday was a holiday (Allerheiligen...aka All Saints Day) so the library...the whole town...shut down so we had to move our Pday. Yesterday was a funeral for one of the members so we just decided to move Pday to today. So yes, I am alive, and yes, it is Wednesday.

This week has been..............interesting! We lost two investigators to Anti stuff. Martina (the woman we met that kept bringing new people) was scanning around on the internet for stuff about the church and baptism (since Martin, Anton, and Manuela had baptismal dates) and found 'the truth'. She, in turn, convinced Martin that we brainwash at baptisms and that Hitler's work has been done, that we baptize dead people, and a bunch of other crazy things. We got a call from Manuela who said that she didn't believe anything Martina said and that she still wants to meet with us. All in all, aka long story short, Martina thinks we'Re a cult and refuses to talk to us or let us in, Martin believes everything she says, and Anton and Manuela will still be getting baptized on Nov 14. That'S the readers digest version. If you would like details, please subscribe to a later edition.

What happened last week until this Mon = We drove to Graz for district meeting in order to pick up our winter tires. It's Austrian law that your winter tires have to be installed by Nov 1. Just before district meeting I sprained my ankle. We were standing at the back door of the church from the parkinglot to be let in and as Elder Phelan opened the door for us, I stepped back off the little step and down I went. Apparently according to Elder Phelan, 'it was a pleasure to have someone fall for me...especially so gracefully'. Needless to say, my pride was hurt more than my backside or my ankle. It was the same ankle I hurt in High School. Today, I showed the first signs of improvement, but it is still sore. Sis Alder is a nurse so she's been taking good care of me. I'm a good patient. Sister Condie (President's wife) keeps in regular contact with me. Daylight savings was on the 30th. LOVED the extra hour of sleep. Has the US already had DS? I got my driver's license and have been reimbursed for it (to my mission account which I can withdraw and use as personal money). We went to work on the farm again. This time, we got to name two kittens. The barn cat had had kittens about two weeks ago, but the Kaiser children wanted us to name them so they waited until we came and let us do it. Jumper and Jazzy are the newest 'Amrewikans'. Sister Alder and I are now the proud owners of 'Loden Mantels'. This Austrian brand of traditional coats are super super super expensive, but we were in a secondhand store and found ours for 10€...instead of the regular 400€. To you, we may look like we're playing dressup, but we really do blend in. It's amazing how proud the Austrians are of their heritage and culture. Just imagine American'S walking around in Pilgrim or Pioneer dresses just because...and even to Prom\Weddings and other occasions. It'S amazing.

Halloween in Austria = 1) Trick or Treating is only about 4 years old here. 2) We had a couple of kids come by and we were able to give them...apples, a pass-along card for their parents, and a really cool colored shaped wristband. We were the talk of the town and 'die beste'!! 3) Because it was the weekend of Daylight Savings AND Halloween, the partiers and drinkers of Leoben were out all weekend (Student town). Luckily, our appointments are mainly in Bruck, we have a car, my ankle can't take too much cold and walking, and we had Teaching Records to update so we weren't outside much. I survived my first holiday in Austria.

We thought it was going to snow this week because of how the weather'S been, but it's warmed up a bit.

Ich liebe euch
SISTER LIND

Dad= we should get you lumber jack clothes to wear so you feel more official.

Mom = anything warm warm would be great on the Strumpfhosen. The pair I have I got in München and there aren't any stores that have them here. The ones I have are a dark heather gray so I can wear with black or brown. I hope your back gets better soon. I'd say the cold weather was making it bad, but since the weather is 70 DEGREES I would be lying.

Catie = Congratulations on graduating!!!!! I expect a tester of your massages when I get home....just kidding. I really hope you get that Park City job. I'll be sure to come visit and learn to ski. Then, when I get hurt, I'll come to you to make me all better.

Marianne and Matt = New baby girl!!!! What did you name her? She'll be all grown up by the time I see her, but I can't wait forever so please send pictures. (Aunt Rose\Aunt Jan, if you have any, please send them my way)

PICTURES
1) Our last district meeting before this past transfer
2) Sister Bernier (Ber-knee-ay) who made Apfel Kuchen. She made us eat a lot and then take the rest home...we weren't really complaining THAT much.
3) Our Austrian coats
4) The Kaiser kittens (the dark one is Jumper and the white one with the eye problem is Jazzy)
5) Each week after District Meeting, we go out to eat at this restaurant for 'Schnitzel Semmel'. They are huge so Sis Alder and I usually\always split one.
6) The ankle. Sister Alder concocted the method for keeping the ice bag on...broken exercise band and a bag of veggies.
7) the Schnitzel Semmel

Transfer 3, Week 1, Day 1 = Staying in Bruck (25.10.10)

Mom - - Please send Strumpfhosen...it's really cold!!!

I received a card from the Popes..I haven't opened it becaus I wanted to savor the mail since I don't get mail often. (hint hint).

Also, would you send me some pictures of home - the house, Waynesboro in fall, family pics, anything. I realized that I don't have any pictures from before my mission besides one of my roommates and the ones we took at the temple.

Transfers came and went, and I get to stay in Bruck and der Mur with Sister Alder.
Before I forget - - Please add Ordean Monn to the email list. He's sent me a letter every other week and I don't have enough time to respond to every letter - - I got a prescription for an Inhaler that I will go pick up today as tomorrow is a National Holiday called 'National Feiertag'.

1) Graz Schloßberg (Bell Tower). Because of bad weather...aka SNOW...in the mountains, we spent the day touring Graz with the Elders there and our Branch President (who lives there).
2) We threw some vegetables in a pot while we went to the store and out came a wonderful Gemüse Suppe (Vegetable Soup). We're true Austrians when we eat that stuff. Also, Sis Alder's mom sent us Fall decorations which we just barely put up so today was our 'Start of Fall' celebration....Aside from the fact that it feels like WINTER!!

This week, we set 3 Baptismal Dates. Martin. Manuela, and Anton will all be baptized on Nov 14th...the day after Manuela's 33 birthday. We found them through Martina, the lady who opened her door and came to church the very next day. These three are related...Anton is the father, Manuela (32) and Martin (33) are his children. They're all on pension so all they do all day is sit around. That would drive me up the wall. The first Sunday Manuela came to church she told members that she wasn't a visitor anymore. (We don't like saying 'Investigator' to the members or in public, they're visitors). P.S. her cat loves me. Every appt, I sit down and she comes and sits on my lap or meows at my feet.

Because the Winter is coming, the chances of us getting to go hiking in the mountains again is slim to none. We were hoping for a clear day on Monday so we could go to Bärenschutzklamm, but since it didn't, Pres Schatz (Branch President) invited us to come to Graz and he'D take us on a private tour. We agreed, and he invited the Elders to come as well (so we weren't Schwarz...aka breaking rules). Graz is a beautiful citzý!!! We went up to Schloßberg (made famous in the movie 'Errand of Angels') and then went on a tour of the old downtown with its ancient churches and crumbling buildings. The day ended with the last scoops of ice cream from Arnold Schwarzenegger'S favourite brand of ice cream (Temmel Eis). The next day, the shop was turned into a scarf and mitten store. All the ice cream shops in Leoben and Graz have turned into Cheese markets for the winter. It'S odd to go down mainstreet, see EIS parlor, and enter to find Cheese...not quite the same thing.

Tuesday we had district meeting in Klagenfurt (2 1\2 hour train ride south). After the meeting, we had an Austellung (a public display on the square and we go out and stop people around the square). Needless to say.....I was cursed out quite profanely three times in a row (by extremely old ladies) and all my courage immediately went down the drain and out the window. I'm fine stopping people with my companion, but alone, it does NOT WORK. I ended up in tears. One of the Elders (serving in Graz) noticed my dilema, came up to me and started talking to me. We laughed and joked and he told me his most embarassing mission story. I felt a lot better. (He was in the group that I came with from the MTC and he also served in München last transfer. We've become good friends). Sister Alder also noticed my distress and we went out into the city a little bit and contacted people together. Much better! I much prefer being with a companion instead of alone.

This weekend, we left the car in Bruck because we need to save our kilometers so we can drive to Graz and pick up our Winter tires. It's fun to take the trains and buses because we get contacting practice. But, when it gets colder, we'll get to talk to more people. Yesterday, we were stressed out before church waiting to hear if we'd been transferred or not. Basically, if you get transferred, the Assistants to the President call before 8 am to notify you. We got a call at 7:50....to tell us that the calls were running behind so if we were getting a call, it could be even as late as 10. We watched the Sun AM session of conference for the last two hours of church...the first hour being the Sunday School lesson and the sacrament rolled into one. We were supposed to watch the PM session, but we'd been sent the wrong DVD. So, we watched the session over (this time it was in German since we watched conference in English).

The weather has turned sour AND COLD out here. Winter is right on our heels. We went running this morning and found an old cemetery with the red candles glowing brightly. It was breathtaking! On the 11th is the Latern-fest where the kids have laterns and walk around town (remember that Tay). Then comes the first Advent. The Christmas tradition memories just keep coming as each person we stop tells us about what the Austrians do here around this time of year.

Tschüßi Baba!
SCHWESTER LIND

P.S. are there any general authority messages on Cain's wife (from the bible). We were asked about it this week by one of our new investigators and we wanted to see what the church knows about it.

Sister Thurston - welcome to the East coast! Isn't it beautiful this time of year!?! Now you get a taste of what I grew up with. Sheltered!!! Hopefully your first week has been smooth.
Ashley - I saw someone that could be your twin. I hope you're being as amazing as always.

And the list just keeps growing... (18.10.10)

1-Me and Sis Cseh in front of a lake on our way to Grüner See
2-Grüner See - it's a little low this time of year. In the Spring it's filled up and over the part where I'm standing
3-This tree is growing out of a giant boulder. It's about 8 feet off the ground.
4-Pathway to the entrance to the forest containing Grüner See
5-Did I ever say how proud I am of my last name...and how often we see it
6-Me and Grüner See


Grüßi!!!

SO much has happened this week!! First off, I would like to announce how proud Sis Alder and I are of how our week went. Our investigators are progressing...and multiplying. Okay, enough hiding exactly what happened, here goes.

MON - PDAY!! Sis Cseh took us to Grüner See which is about 50 min by bus from Bruck (which is 35min by car from Leoben). The weather was beautiful and the views spectacular. That's an extreme understatement and I'm pretty sure pictures won't do it justice (but I'll brag and send them anyway). It took us about 2 hours to walk to and around the lake. We stopped along the banks and had a picnic...complete with annoying ducks. The bus to the area only comes every 3 hours (except on Mondays) so we could not miss it. We got back a little early and were able to explore an old church. That's becoming a hobby of mine and Sis Alder. We just love looking at the history this area has and the only way really, since we're in the middle of nowhere, is through religion (appropriate I would say). Pday ends at 6 so we had to bring clothes to change. We had a return appt with Martina and were hoping her 3 friends from Sun would be there. One of them was (the other two had to work). BUT, there was a new friend there. Hence, our new investigator Martin. He's VERY opinionated and has a lot of interesting theories...he believes in the DaVinci Code idea of Christ as the Second Coming and he believes that Nostradamus was the first prophet (not Joseph Smith). Which reminds me...please send any info on this Nostradamos fellow...it's confusing us.
New Investigators - 1

TUES - District meeting in Graz. We met with out Branch Präsident (Pres Schatz) and he bought us ice cream...yes, in Oct we got ice cream. FUN FACT - did you know that Arnold Schwarzenegger is from Graz and his favorite ice cream brand is Temmel Eis. Thought you might like to know. We had an appointment with a family where, when we called to make out the appt, the dad said we could come so he could convert us to catholicsm. I GOT SCARED! The appt was wunderbar and in the end, we walked away with 3 new investigators.
New Investigators - 3

WED - We went to visit the Kaisers on their farm. This time, we got to gather wood, load it onto a tractor trailer, and then stack it in their huge woodshed. That had to be done that day because the forecast was snow for the weekend. NOT COOL! We got to work with Br Kaiser this time and by the end of the day, he sincerely thanked us for our help and asked when we were coming again. BIG step!! Last time, we didn't exist, this time, we're invited back. On the way down the mtn, Sis Alder realized that she'd lost the phone. We said a prayer then scoured the car. Just then, a van pulled up - MELANIE KAISER!! She said that she was on her way to pick up her daughter but then had a distinct impressio nthat she needed to hurry. Our prazers were answered! 30 min later we found the phone, it was on a hillside by the road where we had gone to check on the cows. Also visited the RS Präsident who lives 3 hrs away from church and picks up 4 people along the way every week. She fed us Knödel (thanks mom for finding the recipe).
New investigators - 0

THUR - no exciting\extraordinary news. Had Dr appt so I can get my EU license. Went well, still living, heart still there, limbs still work.

FRI - We went to visit an Eternal Investigator and she fed us.....and fed us....and fed us.....we had to tuck food away in napkins when she turned her back or else we would've exploded. (Tay would love it here). First she served us Dumpling and Onion soup. Then pulled out schnitzel, cheese Knödel, roast chicken, and boiled potatoes. THEN, she served salad drenched in vinegar with chopped potatoes inside. THEN, dessert - a huge slice of plum cake she'd made with a huge slice of a cream torte she'd bought. I could NOT even touch half of everything. Sis Alder had warned me that she stuffs missionaries, but I wasn't expecting that. The sad thing is that they give you your plates already loaded and you're expected to clean your plate. Luckily, Sis Alder had brought plastic baggies (but because of where I was sitting in relation to Sis Wechsler, I couldn't use mine) we quickly scooped things off our plate and into the bags when her back was turned. Sis Alder did a much better job of finishing more food than me. I just could NOT eat...ALL OF THAT WAS AT LUNCH. We didn't have to eat dinner that night. Later, we had an appt with the Jehovah Witness couple which went really well. They said that they're beginning to know that what we're teaching is true. Sad thing is, that it'S against their religion to go to any other church's services so we can'T get them to church.

SAT - Weekly planning. Had an appt with a man we met on the street on Thurs while going to the Dr. Return appt with Martina - she invited yet another friend (Manuela). Went to teach Ayban (from Turkey) and they'd invited a friend - Zia.
New Investigators - 3

SUN - Church as usual. Martin, his dad Antone, and sister Manuela came to church. Ward Council afterwards. Met with Martina & co later...a friend from last week was there again. Appt with Ayban - she wasn't there but her boyfriend Chan (who we've also been teaching) and his mom were there. Then, Zia came.....and Chan's younger brother....and...his older brother.....and Ayban'S nephew. We taught them all
New Investigators -

GRAND TOTAL NEW INVESTIGATORS FOR THE WEEK----------- 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It'S cold and we can feel that winter is in the air. I already had to open a pack of thermals and unpack my boots. We're going to Bärenschutzklamm today and it's going to be 'frisch'.

Lots of love
SISTER LIND

Pictures of beauty (18.10.10)

Isn't life beautiful...and then there's me at an appointment where we were fedd WAY TOO MUCH

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Fall is in the air...and it's gorgeous (11.10.10)

Highlights of the week

Montag - Set a Baptismal date with Shirley - November 7th. It's more of a goal for her than an actual set date because she still has a long way to go. We committed her to have a phone appointment with us during the week since she's in school. I hope she can recognize the changes she needs to make in her life not only for baptism, but so that she and Janosch can work things out. He's willing to give her a second chance, but she doesn't realize what her actions are doing. Ayban texted us to say that she had to cancel our appt for tonight and the rest of the week because she was too busy...I got worried she didn't want to meet anymore at all.

Dienstag - Interviews in Vienna. We met up with the Elders and the Eheparr (Senior Couple) on the train. At the church building in Vienna, we had a District meeting with the Zone Leaders while President Condie pulled one person out at a time for a 10 min interview. Our District is really small so it didn't take long. In our interview we were asked to share a scripture that really touched us this week and then share an experience of when we noticed the Holy Ghost affecting our investigators. Then, we could ask President Condie any question we wanted to and talk about anything. It was great and I learned a lot. We also got mail and supplies...we are now the proud owners of duvets...we didn't have any and had been sleeping under only sheets.

Mittwoch - Stopped by on Ayban - not home

Donnerstag - I decided that there are no black cows in Austria...only brown (maybe that contributes to the fact that chocolate is so much better here....already brown, no need to dilute the stuff from black cows).

Freitag -

Samstag - Since all of our regulars investigators were either out of town or didn't have time to meet with us, we had A LOT of time to go contacting (honestly, my least favorite thing). We'd decided to stop by a member's home so we drove there and then wanted to 'door' the building. We hiked up to the 7th floor (no elevator) and started from the top. No one was home and I was getting discouraged. As we hit the Erdgeschoss (main floor) we knocked on a door and a woman came out. We gave our spiel and then asked her if she'd like to come to church tomorrow. She (Martina) agreed and we made out an appointment for Sun evening. Then, we called a member to see if they could pick her up, they agreed. Martina is kind of scary. She wears all black (even her hair and glasses), wears alien\Iron Maiden Tshirts, and smokes. I was intimidated.

Sonntag - we met the member at Martina's apt - she was waiting outside for us (wearing all black, smoking, and wearing a cross around her neck. We decided to go with her and the member to church and just leave our car there till later. Church was great. Martina stayed for all three meetings. RS went in with Priesthood and the lesson was on Faith in Jesus Christ. Martina said she liked how everyone could participate and make it a discussion. Since we meet in the chapel, she also asked why there was no cross up. Ping, teaching opportunity. We taught Sunday School\Investigator class. We had decided to watch the Restoration. Since Martina was the only investigator there, we invited Sis Cseh and Mark (from Hershey) to join us. The discussion after the video was perfect. Sis Cseh and Mark both bore their testimonies (we had to translate for Mark). Overall, great. It was also nice that it was Testimony meeting. She liked that too. After church, we decided to go vorbei on Shirley since she had cancelled our appt on Fri and Sat and wasn't at church. She didn't come to the door even though we heard her and Lukas inside. Then we walked back to pick up the car - a good 40 min walk or so. We decided to take the scenic path over the mountain instead of around it. Our walk took us over Schloßberg (the big clock - every city has one). Along the way, we called an inactive member to see if we could stop by later. She said that she and her son we just eating and then were going out to enjoy the sunshine and invited us to come along. So we caught the bus (because our car was farther away than the planned) and drove to Schw Hernaus. When we got there, she told us to get in the car. We thought we were just oging to sit outside in the sun, but oh no, not in Österreich....we were going in the mountains. 2 hours later, we had our appt with Martina. She'd invited three of her friends to be there and after entering the extremely smoke-filled room (everyone and their dog smokes in Austria) we got started. 30 min later, we had four new investigators (Martina, her friends Anita, Linda, and Anton). After Martina, we didn't have any set appointments, so we decided to go visit some inactive members in Leoben and stop by on Ayban since we hadn't heard from her all week. First, we went to her apt which is in a creepy building in an interesting part of town. Luckily I had my flashlight. She wasn't there so we left a msg and then decided to try her boyfriend's house, where we usually meet. Along the way, we got contact information and taught plenty of people. Night time, Sunday night is when interested students are out and about. She was there and was so happy to see us and even made out an appointment for us to come back. As we got outside the building I just stopped and was awestruck by the stars...they were all there and glowing brightly. Sis Alder and I just stood there and stared for about 10 min. They truly are a beautiful sight when you'r ein the mountains. I saw the big dipper and it reminded me that home isn't that far away because that exact same big dipper shines over our driveway at home.

Pic 1 - The day we rented Bikes.

Pic 2 - I just love seeing my name all over the place. I'm not even sure anymore if my ancestors really did come from Denmark...maybe Austria should be my new home

Pic 3 - The German word for 'Repentance' is 'Umkehr' and the word 'Möglichkeit' means 'possibility'...I just love German words

Pic 4 & 5 - Schloßberg in Bruck an der Mur

Pic 6 - Aren't the mountains BEAUTIFUL in fall.

Today, Sister Alder and I are going Wandern with Sister Cseh (the little old lady who miraculously speaks English). We're going to a place called Grüner See (Green See\Lake). I'm super excited because I've heard so many wonderful things about this place. Especially with all of the fall colors coming in, IT WILL BE BEAUTIFUL!! Next week we're going to Bärenschutzklamm (which is world famous) with the Elders in Graz and our Branch President. It'll be awesome! Look it up, there are some really neat pictures of it. Basically, it's a ____ with waterfalls and rickety ladders that climb all the way up.

The church true, the book is blue, and my shoes still feel like new (that's the only rhyme I could think of). No matter where you go in the world, there's a comfort in knowing that you learn the same things and feel the same spirit.

Alles Gute

Sister Lind

President Condie has asked me to get a Driver's License. We have to pay the first €60 and then the rest is reimbursed. I have to get a doctor's appt (€35), a translation of my american license (€15) and then the actual license (€150ish).

No cool title this week - Still in Bruck (4.10.10)

Grüß Euch!!!

Sorry, no pictures from me this week as I forgot my cord in the apt. Sis Alder gave me hers to get our pictures from last week's Pday when we rented bikes. We rode along the Mur for about an hour and a half. Then on the way back, we stopped in a little old church which was built in the 1200s ish. It was beautiful and I got some amazing pictures of the architecture and some of the neat memorials on the outside. I'll send those next week. They're amazing! Mom - we go to the local library for emails. In München, we went to an internet shop, but here it's free. Sis Schulthess was all about ease, not cost.

Received your card\letter and a letter from Vickie. It was like Christmas to get mail just for me. Even when we get ads I get excited. It's interesting to me, the few letters I've received read as follows (minus the one from mom)

Kiche Jesu Christi
Sis Lind
Salzlände 15\21
8700 Leoben
Österreich
Germany - - - > in case there's any confusion, I'm serving in AUSTRIA. Österreich is the German word for Austria.

This week, besides the amaying conference, not too much to report. Friday was a particularly powerful day. Every Friday, we have what's called "weekly planning" where we sit down with our area book (records of all investigators ever for the area), Preach My Gospel, and ward list and plan out the entire week as far as appointments, what we'll teach, how we'll find new investigators and how we'll get people to church. Total - - 3hrs every week. (Sis Alder and I have to take a couple breaks during that time or else we go loopy).

So finally we left our apartment and headed to an appointment in Bruck (30 min away - where we have church) and to pick up a member to take with us. We were teaching a man from Africa (all in English), but since we're sisters, we can't meet alone with him so we brought a little old lady named Sis Cseh. She's as Austrian as they come and serves for months at a time in the temple. She speaks no English. We drove to her apt and she wasn't there yet (she'd gone to get her watch fixed. We waited for awhile then decided just to leave; we'd just have to meet with Collins outside. As we got to the end of the lane, there she was, speed-walking towards us. As she got in the car she exclaimed how she felt prompted to walk down that street even though she usually took a shorter way home. If she'd gone the other way we wouldäve missed her. We get to the appointment and Sis Cseh tells him that she speaks 'a liddle English'. We are teaching about Priesthood, Sis Alder and I switching off translating for\from Sis Cseh when suddenly Sis Cseh starts bearing her testimony in ENGLISH!! Extremely broken English, but it was beautiful. It was truly powerful. Then, as we were driving away, Sis Cseh told us that she wasn't sure what she said in her testimony, she just said it. GIFT OF TONGUES ANYONE. She then told us that if we had anymore appointments today that she'd love to come with us. How did she know that we did indeed have another appointment right then. So, Sis Cseh accompanied us to meet with Erwin. He's about 45 and still lives at home with his mom (which is why it didn'T matter whether or not we had another woman to bring). He's OBSESSED with the 'oldest fish in the world...1000 years old and still living'. As he pulled out his BoM, we noticed that he stores it right alongside the fish book AND brought it out on the table for our meeting. Weird!! There's definitely a reason he's still at home. The spirit was super strong in our meeting though each time we bore testimony to him or attempted to answer his questions (from when Sis Alder met him on the street) he just laughed at us. I was getting ticked off after awhile. I do not appreciate being laughed at while I'm bearing testimony. NOT COOL! DON'T DO IT!! Sis Cseh was a great asset because she could relate to him as they are both born and raised in the area...and she has a super powerful testimony. She's been a member for 40 years and you'D think we'd brought a General Authority with us. It was a wonderful lesson...aside from his rudeness. Sis Alder was perturbed as well.

Shirley and Janosch are not doing so well. He's moved to Graz....and long story short...many things happened in Graz while we were there and now we don'T think they're getting back together anytime soon. Shirley called us Sat morning and asked us if we could find someone to watch Lukas (age 3) so she could go take a test in Berufshule. She was going to be picking Lukas back up Sun morning. We were able to get a couple in the branch to take him overnight. Long story short...she didn't show when she said she would and we come to find out (through the counselor in the branch presidency...story to follow) that she'd gone to school not for a test, but to go with friends and ended up cheating on Janosch. The members have really shown to me that they truly care about each other and the investigators. The problems with Shirley and Janosch spilled over into conference and the members stepped up and took over. When the Counselor in the Branch Presidency (age 23) and his wife (age 22) dropped us off at the train station Sat night, we unknowingly unloaded a lot of our frustrations and problems that had been building up inside of us with regards to the Shirley situation and how her calling us to find someone while she went to take a test late on a Sat then come home (4 hr train ride) and then be back at school Sun by 3 didnät make sense. When we got in the train, we felt really bad about doing that and called the counselor. He didn't answer, instead pulled us aside Sunday between sessions to tell us not to apologize. He told us that he and the Branch Pres are there for us to talk to when we need it. He knows that there are a lot of things in the branch that get piled on our shoulders and he told us to come to them whenever we need to. Janosch is still strong in his faith and we'Re more than positive we'll be able to get him baptized and receive the Priesthood by Christmas. He's so strong and through all the things that happened, he still clung on. We're so proud of him. Sis Alder was saying to me last night, that the spiritual banks of the two of them have switched. Shirley was the one that took the gospel on frist and was ready to be baptiyed. Then the missionaries were able to get Janosch to meet with them. Now, after all that's happened, he's the strong one. It's an amazing transformation. Though he's living in Graz, we'll still get to meet with him and we'll meet with Shirley here in Bruck.

CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING!! But, Sis Alder and I cheated a bit....we watched it in English. Saturday, we had lunch at a members home (where they served 'milk shakes' which were really just milk with pureed bananas...odd) and then they took us to the Relief Society broadcast. We watched that in German because we didn't know there was a room set up for English. Apparently, in this area, if anyone speaks\understands English, they like to watch broadcasts in English so they can hear the actual voices. I don't blame them, hearing a 20 yr old voice out of Pres Monson and a man's voice for Sis Beck was a little disconcerting. By the time Pres Monson began to speak, we found out about the English room and dashed back there to hear his stories in English. We didn't get the gist of his talk for awhile, but then it was glorious. If you could send a transcript of that session as well, I'd appreciate it. Or the Ensign itself. (It takes an extra month and a half for us to get church magazines through the church) Then, there was an hour break before the Saturday morning session began. I don't have my notes with me, but the talk that struck me the most was Elder Holland. His power and authority blows my mind, anytime he speaks. He means it and you know it. I was also particularly touched when we started talking about the sacrifices of his parents and how grateful he is for all parents. I echo his words with my whole heart. I was also particularly affected by his statements about Sister Missionaries and couples. Sis Alder and I couldn't remember a time when they'd specifically spoken to Sisters. We'd decided to go home Sat night and sleep in our own beds instead of staying with members which was nice because then we could take time to ponder and meditate in our apt instead of being entertained (and fed) by members. I've had enough coleslaw and cucumbers to las tme a lifetime. And by cucumbers I mean cucumbers in balsalmic vinegar, then floating in vinegar. yuck! Watching the Saturday PM session Sunday morning threw me off. 4 new temples!! Amazing! Especially the ones in the Philippines and Mexico - the church is really growing down there, but don't forget what I said in a prior email...'Germany is the sleeping giant of the church. This is where the most retention is' I'm planning on writing a nice long letter with more of my conference thoughts, but that's the one I can think of at this moment. The music was especially moving. I usually write down any words or phrases that I like. I really liked the closing song from Sun AM. Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd has new meaning for me because I can apply what I'm doing to the lyrics. The scripture about the seed and exercising a particle of faith was quite a topic for the conference. I'm currently reading the BoM all the way through and that was where I was at so I truly felt prepared for the talks. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Pres Packer standing at the pulpit instead of speaking from his chair. I also noticed the Pres Monson was especially witty this time around. I really liked Pres Uchtdorf's segue into an airplane story.

I have a new vegetable that I really like. It's called Kohlrabi. We stopped by a member's house (he's an old man that we come do service for occasionally) and he loaded us up with fresh veggies. Note to dad for growing tomatoes. Stick a stake in the ground and tie a fishing line to a green house style roof (tie the tomato plant up to the roof). Don't let them grow out in the open and they'll produce better fruit. Keep them partially shielded from the elements. Also, I've decided that I love anything made with Marillen (Apricots). Sis Kaiser gave us a huge jar of homemade jam and that's about gone and then Sis Cseh gave us Marillen Krapfens (Berliners). Oh, and Muesli is the way to go. Sis Alder and I discovered Strawberry Muesli with white chocolate shavings while in Vienna and the Sisters there gave us the box to bring home. It's like a fancy dessert for breakfast....except with half the sugar of American desserts.

What's the status on the PA temple? We were watching the news thing between sessions and they were talking about the Ukraine temple and the solar-powered church and I just thought 'I wonder how the PA temple is coming'.

Mom - DO NOT WEAR BLACK AND BLUE TOGETHER!!!!!!! 'Don't bruise yourself by matching black with blues' Wear the scarf with green, camel, burnt orange, or even red. Fall colors mainly. To wear it the Austrian way, just tie it in a knot at the back of your neck (like a bib). If that's too cowboy for you, pull the knot just around the front till it reaches your collarbone. For you, put the knot on your right side (since you're married). I on the otherhand would put it on the left since I'm single. I have to be careful whenever I wear my colorful scarves that I don't put the knot in the wrong place or else we get funny looks. I'll take a picture of me in my edelweiß scarf as a demo (though mine's the baby of yours).

We have interviews with Pres Condie this week so any mail sent to the office will be brought down to me. We get ten minutes each to talk about things with him and then we can ask him about any quiestion we want to and bring up any concerns. We're traveling up to Vienna again since that'S our Stake center and the Zone location.

Here's a link Sis Condie sent us with a map of Austria - Graz is right by the word Austria.
http://maps.google.at/maps?q=austria+map&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:de:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=%C3%96sterreich&gl=at&ei=QtupTNviA5HOswaRkZygDA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBoQ8gEwAA

I haven't even thought about Christmas. I'm just living one week at a time. It's getting colder and I'm glad I bought some really warm Strumpfhosen before I left München. They're my best friends on two different occasions - a) it's cold b) I forget to shave.