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