Yo-doh-lay-he-whooo!!!! (20.9.10)

Address:

Kirche Jesu Christi

Sister Anne Lind

Salzlände Str 15\21

8700 Leoben

Österreich

I am in the heartland of Austria in a Bundesland called Steiermark (Styria) which is the home of Yodeling and incomprehensible German. I thought Bayerisch was hard to understand, Steirisch is IMPOSSIBLE! I'm determined to learn something. It's really funny to hear two Steirische speaking.Our district is based in Graz and our stake is the Wien (Vienna) Austria stake. And, since it's conference coming up I'll get to go there. I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Bruck an der Mur is AMAZING!!!! It's a little city nestled in the middle of the Alps. We actually live in a town called Leoben which is like a little Provo because of the University that is located there. Our entire ward covers about 300km long. It's a bunch of little cities and only one ward (located in Bruck an der Mur which is on the extreme east of the area). It's a car area, but there is a train that we use occasionally. Our district meeting each week is in a city called Graz which is south from us. We'll take the train there. My companion is sister Alder from Beaverton Oregon. She's the friend from BYU I told you about being in my mission. She's AWESOME and I really feel like this is the actual start to my mission. We're both the same age, have the same likes, and love to experiment when cooking. Pretty much you could say that we're the same person. Sister Schulthess was transferred to Singen (Germany) which is West on Bodensee, right on the Swiss border. She'll finish her mission there as she goes home end of October. She's actually training my German-branch MTC companion (of four days).

I usually wear a different pair of shoes each day or every couple of days. Nothing is being worn out yet except for a shirt or two. I really like the Walmart ones I got because they are comfortable and easily layered, and easy to throw on. I save my nice button-down ones for meetings or when President does interviews. So as you can imagine, those aren't worn quite as much. I really really really love my cardigans and I wear one of those every day so maybe in a couple of months I'll look into getting a couple others.

Tay - an L-shaped rip is usually how fabric tears in clothing so don't think you're special this time. PS I want to hear this dog attack story, I seemed to have missed that one. Also, did you get that card I sent from München?

I don't remember ever going to the Boardwalk so I think dad had a made-up memory. I do remember going to a literal BOARD WALK when we went with the Cheek's to the beach. The time we went with you to AC it was yucky and raining the whole time. There's a really good chocolate here that a member gave me before I left that had rospetals and white chocolate. I kinda liked it even though I despise white chocolate. P.S. mom, if you got those runny caramels...they're one of my favorites.

Pic 1 - Little German grandma in München (Schw Bayer)

2 - From a mountain we drove over to get to church

3 - Leoben (sorry about pic, it was raining)

4 - a bridge for the autobahn

The new apartment is HUGE. We actually have a separate bedroom, a separate study area, and the toilet is not in the same room as the shower (it's down the hall). This apartment isn't as well stocked with things as the München apartment, but the basics we have (except for spoons). This area used to be an Elders only area, then it was closed up until about 3 months ago when they reopened it and Sis Alder was there when that happened. What'S super great though is that it's not above a garage so the floors aren't freezing cold and the heaters actually work. Since it's such a vast area, we get a car. Each month we have 2000 km to use. Last transfer there was a Sister here (with Sis Alder) who had been sent home because she'd gotten tendonitis, not told anyone, then got frostbite to top it off, so they mostly drove which means that our miles for the rest of the month are scarce. That Sister was transferred to where I was (in the same apt and everything) and has been assigned to be a secretary in the office along with her new companion. We have to buy tickets whenever we use the trains (unless we call the office and get the preordered), but we are reimbursed for stuff like that. Before leaving München, President Condie asked me to get a driver's license so I need to start doing that. The procedure is that I will pay up to $100 and then the rest will be reimbursed. I'll have to get a doctor'S appt and other little things such as getting a translation of my license so that's why it's expensive. I'll keep zou up to date on that though. Don't have anything with that this coming week.

Most of our tracting is street because of the area. We drive to an appt or referral, then walk around before and after. If the referral isn't there, then we 'door' the building meaning we knock\klingel on every door in the building.

We have a really really really great investigator couple named Janosch and Shirley. They have a 3yr old son named Lukas. Janosch is from HUngary and Shirley is from Brazil. Their story is that they were in the wrong crowds and Shirley got pregnant at 17. When Lukas was born, they moved in together and have been happily unmarried ever since and have really changed their lives around completely. They truly love each other and Lukas so much. Shirley was contacted on the street and invited the missionaries to come teach her. She accepted everything with open arms and really wants to be baptiyed. Then she invited Janosch to meet with the missionaries as well. He accepted and really takes everything in as well. He wants to be baptized too, but he and Shirley have to get married first. And they know that and want to do it. The only problem is that their families are very very much against their getting married. His dad wants him to marry a HUngarian and her mom (living in Graz) just hasn't accepted Janosch as the best one for her daughter. Exciting news though is that Shirley gave us her mother'S address and we're going by on Tues when we're in Graz for disctri meeting.

You'll have to tell me about the underground bunker. It sounds super interesting. My kind of thing.

Church on Sunday was interesting. It was nice to noly be in charge of one branch...much less stressful. There's a 30yr old guy here from Hershey who's a grad student here at the University. I had to translate for him. We meet on the second floor of an apt building, but the area we meet in was rebuilt into a church for us. The branch is about the size of our branch in Bray. And it's populated by all old people. A couple and their baby, and two older people are transplants from Graz. Meaning, they live in Graz (1hr away) but their calling is to serve in our branch. There used to be a branch in each city with loads of members, but when they reduced it to the current branch in Bruck, the numbers died instantly. It's just too far to travel.

Today, Sister Alder and I are going to rent bikes and go for a ride since this is the first day all month that it hasn't rained at all.

This weekend is Stake Conference and so we're traveling up to Vienna on Fri and doing 24 hour Austausches (exchanges) with the Sisters there then coming back with the branch Sun afternoon. Next weekend we'll go to Graz and stay with members for General Conference.

Tschüßi Baba!!

Sister Lind

P.S. mail stuff to me. We're in an actual apartment building so it's fine for packages too. If you have doubts about something...send to the office. They'll get it to me ASAP.