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
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