New

President and Sister Condie are leaving us this week.  President Miles arrives on the 28th in the afternoon and the Condies leave early on the 29th.  Not much overlap.  We get to meet President Miles at Personal INterviews on the 30th...not much time for jet lag.  Because this change is happening late in the transfer, the transfer has been extended to the 12th. This transfer is now 7 weeks long.  We'Re not sure what will happen with next transfer...5 weeks to catch up or the normal 6.  We'll see!!

Just a fun FYI - Sister Covey (one of the Sisters we are sharing the appt with) is a member of THE Covey family - Stephen R. and such.  She'S amazing and we figured out how we knew each other (you know, the Mormon 'do you know' game).  Turns out, we had a German class together at BYU.  It was a class where the Prof had me be in charge of a class project for the SPecial Collections.  I was in charge of making sure the translations from the ancient script were done right, and Sis Covey was  in the class.  That was a fun ah-hah moment.  It's a small (Mormon) world afterall!!  It's weird to think that she is finishing her mission this transfer and heading home in a week or two.  WEIRD!  Even weirder is when I read mom's email saying that I've been out a year.  OH MAN!!  July 14th is the start of the new transfer and the beginning of the 'downhill slope'.  Oh boy! 

This week, we finally got the ward to step up and help us with the work.  Since the Elders left us everything, we have had to meet with SOOOO many men.  The rule is, we cn meet with them alone as long as another woman is present; or when three men are there we can just teach them.  Needless to say, it's been impossible to get members to come...especially the Sisters.  This week, I came up with a plan...a calendar (similar to the 'feed the missionaries' one we have in PA) but this one lists availability times for each dayof the present week.   We passed them around in Sunday School and RS\EQ and people actually signed up this week.  Last week we got so many people complaining about the calendar and getting calls from us askng for them to come with us.  The bishop gave a great mini talk on how much we actually have to handle now and the members have stepped up. 

Last Monday, all of the Sisters in our apt got together and went to an amazing lookout place above Vienna.  We saw the whole city and it was marvelous!! 

FUnky eating story of the week....because every missionary has them...and I'Ve got more.  So, we're teaching these new converts Sarita and Om (from Nepal).  When they came to Austria, they were living together.  Om was found by the missionaries and they began teaching the two of them.  The reason they weren't married is because they hadn't been able to get their paperwork.  BUT, when they realized that they wanted to be baptized SO BAD, Sarita and Om each found a new apt within a week.  They got baptized and are now going on 6 months as members...separately.  They are bundles of energy and love to tease each other.  It's one of the happiest non-married marriages I have ever seen.  This month, they have finally been able to get the gov'T to look at their case.  Pray all goes well for them.  ANyway, to the food part of the story. Sis C asked them what is something they miss from home and immediately Sarita said, 'real food'.  Om described traditional Nepal food and then offered to make Mo Mo for us.  So, Fri night we went to their house.  Mo Mo is kind of like Pot Stickers served with an extremely spicy sauce.  Om is the master of his village back home.  He started off by giving us each 4, then when we'D finished them , it was my turn to go make the juice and while I was gone, he'd piled 10 more on everyone'S plates.  Too late to turn back he says.  So, I continued to try and eat all 10.  Man, was my stomach stretching (painfully).  Sadly, though they are the mose excellent thing I've had here in Vienna, I could only eat 3 more.  BUT, while Om was gone making more Mo Mo, Sarita and I both snuck a couple from my plate to his (at separate moments...while I wasn't looking she did it).  Sarita started to chuckle and said 'he'll never know'.  He came back and boy oh boy did he know.  It was the funniest reaction I have ever seen.  He called me a whimp for not being able to eat that many.  Sis C eats like a horse so it was super easy for her.  I loved the spicy sauce nd the Mo Mo themselves, but my stomach is just not as big as the Elders' or as most Sisters here in this mission (so Sis Condie has decided).  Om and Sarita are really wonderful and Om received the Priesthood on Sun too.

Ekarin'S baptism is going to be great!  On Sunday we had his interview.  Our Zone Leader did it and decided it would be fun to play a trick on me. (He and I went in to the MTC on the same day).  The interview seemed to take forever and Sis C (worrywart) was getting ancy so I sent her to make copies of the invitations so she'd settle down.  Elder Ronna (the ZL) and Ekarin came up a couple minutes later, each with long faces.  E. Ronna whispered to me 'we'll talk about it...he needs 6 more mon' and Ekarin looked devastated.  I just took it calmly saying that it happens and we'll work with him on it.  E. Ronna asked if he could speak with me and Sis C together so I went to get her, telling her to stop copyig and cutting the invites.  When we returned, E. Ronna told her what he'd told me.  Sis C freaked out.  Then, Ekarin started to chuckle and let it out. THey'd been faking it the whole time.  Sis C was so mad, but everyone else was laughing hysterically.  It was so funny!  E. Ronna reminded me that in the MTC he'd promised to tease me good the first chance he got.  He did it for sure, but apparently I disappointed him with my reaction.  LIttle Boys!  It's funny to think that'S the only kind of pranks you can really play on a mission and the only satisfaction you can really get...teasing other missionaries. 

Lots of Liebe
Sister Chocolate

Pic1 - Mo Mo plus sauce
Pic2 - True light of Om . . just joking around.  Sarita told him he was short, and he in turn said she was old ( a joke he always plays on her)
Pic3 - All of Vienna from atop Kahlenberg.

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Mail out my ears....and then give them back

Liebe Grüße von mir -

Not too much to report this week.  We had a Zone Conference\Farewell with President and Sister Condie this week.  They leave on the 28th!  It'll be weird to get a new Mission President and then not to see him for a month or two.  We won't get to meet him right away.  AND THEN, he has to travel all over the mission in order to meet everyone.  I also got mail out my ears which was wonderful and just what I needed.  Thanks for the letters (Morgan, Chelsea, Kelly DeGroff, Manns). 

How is everyone doing?  What'S the status on Kay and Gary?

Popes - We will contact MT this week, but with our overbooked schedules we may not get to her before Thursday.  I look forward to meeting her.  Moses, and Sunday always come up to me and make a special point of talking to me and saying hi.  It'S great!   

Mom - watch out for an email from Franziska (Ulm baptism).  She asked if she could write to you and keep in touch.

Dad - heard about your mower getting older....or smaller.  I can'T wait to come home and mow again.  No one has lawns here and I miss the smell of cut grass.

Baptismal Candidate lineup (the important ones) since I haven't had room or time to tell you all about them

Ekarin S- 33, Thailand - Baptism July 2nd
He has been investigating for many years and in my first visit with him, I asked him when he wants to get baptized and he set the date right then.  Very positive and active. 

Bing Bing Andre - 30, China - Baptism July 2nd
She is married to a member and they live in Hungary.  They travel here to church every week so she can understand.  She has been investigating the church through missionaries in Hungary, but also counts as our investigator though we only see her on SUnday.  She is more than ready and has had her baptismal service planned (detailed) for months. 

Favor O - 25, Nigeria - Baptism July 16th
WE meet with a total of 5 people named Favor, but this one is making the most progress.  We watched the Restoration with her and the next time she had invited 4 other people (all men) to hear.  We asked her to tell us what she feels and she bore her tesitmony.  Now, we just got to get her Illegal Immigrant boyfriend, Ben,  to move out (he's investigating too same baptismal date, not nearly as progressing).  BOy how I hate teachin the law of CHastity to immigrants.  They all want to get married but can'T legally because they have no visa.

Ivanna McCann - 32, Serbia - Baptism July 9th
She is married to a Scottish less-active member.  They own a Pub which is the main problem with them coming to church (and him to stop smoking and drinking).  They are wonderful people and he practically takes over the teaching in each of our appointments.  She has planned to come to church from now on (after she asked me why coming to church is important since that's something she was never ever taught...nor did).  They both came to all three meetings on Sunday.  He is still convinced that we should 'have someone who acts more like a Priest' baptize Ivanna.  I really want him to do it because I know that will help him progress.  He wants to sell the Pub.  She is golden and I love her a lot!

Summer has come and it'S getting hot...and then it suddenly rains for 2 minutes.  Because of the new mission President, this transfer will extend until July 12th.  To all who keep asking my mom, the black and white (with red accent) picture was taken by a really awesome setting on my camera.

Picture 1 - Who knew I had my own cosmetic\cream line.  The BO before Lind really means 'Beautiful' and 'OUtstanding' but I ran out of room on the design label.
PIcture 2 - since I came on my mission I am now practically obsessed with Lightposts.  THey are all so beautiful and all unique.  AND, in Vienna, they don'T really have them with the exception of old historic sites (the standard street is lit from a light that hangs from wires between the buildings.
Picture 3 - I didn'T know Morgan was the model for the new SIster MIssionary dress standards (note, it'S not Morgan, but it looks just like her....even the clothes and accessories she'S wearing in the picture)

Love you all and can't wait till next week.  Haven'T received any emails from Tay lately, keep me posted.  I got his letter he sent to Ulm (Sis Dietz sent it to me), but that'S all I'Ve heard.

Bis dann
SISTER CHOCOLATE

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Viennese Goodness

Servus!  Today it started freezing cold and now it'S super hot.  Lukcily we could go home quick and change.  I would'Ve died

 

Yesterday was (Pfingston) a holiday so we had to change our Pday.  Austria has all kinds of weird holidays.  They even have a holiday to celebrate Mary (the mother of Jesus) ascending to heaven.  NOt sure what this holiday was all about.  All we know is we were asked to change our week around.

 

On Friday we are having special training with President and Sister COndie.  They are released June 28 so this is more of a farewell for them than anything.  It'S going to be odd to have a new President and to not even meet him till month after he arrives (the next Zone thing).  When the Condies visited Ulm (and ate dinner at our apt) they said that President Miles will arrive on the 28th at night, they'll chit chat for awhile, go to bed, and then early in the morning the Condies will board the plane.  Weird that they don'T have a grace period for the new President to get the feel of the mission.  No chance.....cold turkey.

 

Because the ELders were taken out of our ward unexpectedly, we are responsible for anyone who speaks English is the whole of Vienna.  THE WHOLE CITY!!  Right now, we have 38 investigators, 12 baptismal dates, and we receive at least 5 referrals a day from the other missionaries of people they contact on the street.  We have no time for street contacting or dooring (which I don't like anyways) because we are running from apppointment to appointment.  If one goes too long or is late, then it all dominoes the rest of the day.  This week has been busy busy busy and we've been stretched to our spiritual and physical limits.  At one point this week I had to ask to stop because we'd been going non-stop and not taking time for breaks or to eat.  Since then, we've been much better about taking care of ourselves as well as the many people we are meeting with.  It is wonderful to be so busy and I love it.  I just wish we could get a hold of everyone and keep them all happy, but when they don'T answer, we can'T help them.  I am so thankful to be working here in Vienna with Sis Carroll.  It'S been draining on both of us in many facets and I'Ve learned a lot and have changed a lot since I came.  This week I noticed a new character trait that I have never had before.  It was quite exciting and I'm still trying to train it, but it's kind of neat to see the progress you make when you give time to other people.  I've noticed that I let things go a lot easier now too.  Before, I would constantly ask and almost nag to find out if there was something I could do.  Now, I notice when there really isn'T anything to do and can find other times when there is stuff to do.  It'S very hard for me to communicate my feelings with other people especially companions because I do not want to hurt or offend anyone.  Sister Carroll loves to take the lead and to take control and I'Ve learned to just let her.  She doesn'T often give me the chance to help because she is so set on doing things her way and only that way, but slowly she'S beginning to let me help.  She still insists on doing the phonecalls and area book.  She's beginning to ask me for German help instead of constantly correcting me.  She said she noticed that I 'speak practically perfect German' and now relishes in my opinion and guidance.  It's awkward for me to correct people so that is really a block I'm working to overcome.  It hurts me deeply when someone corrects me in the middle of conversations or actions and Sis Carroll is quick to do that.  If someone asks me specifically for specific help I'm there, but I won'T come out and stop them in order to correct.

 

We come home exhausted and happy because we know we'Ve worked super hard.  There are many people progressing and many still to work on. 

 

This week, we are moving in with the other Sisters because the new Senior Couple need our apt.  Here's my new address

 

Kirche Jesu Christi HLT

Rennweg 24\24

1030 Wien

 

There's this member who owns a Sushi stand and every week he gives us a LARGE bag of sushi.  Sorry for us, I don'T like SUSHI AT ALL!!!  Lucky for us, a young couple from New Mexico moved in and she LOVES sushi.  Yeah!!  It'S cherry season and so everybody we visit has given us a box of cherries.  I love them...especially the sour ones.  They're great for a snack anytime of day...except when you squirt juice on your shirt for breakfast and don'T notice it till dinner.  Oh well!  I'm human and I make mistakes.  It's great!

 

Alles liebe

Sister Chocolate

 

Elder Toe Joe - Received your letter that you sent to Ulm.  Sister Dietz was able to send it to me.  DO you have my current address?  I told mom and dad this, but I just noticed in your recent pictures that you have a dimple on your right cheek.  I have one in the exact same spot.  Mine popped up a couple of years ago.

 

Chelsea  - I got your letter and there'S one on its way to you soon.  Thanks for remembering me!

 

Pic 1 - The Glorietta behind the Palace

Pic 2 - That'S the library.  SIGN ME UP!!!!!

Pic 3 - The poster from the Vienna Philharmonic concert we saw last week.  Keep your eyes out for it to be broadcast in the US

Pic 4 - ROses are popping out everywhere.

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SO HEIß!!!!

Hallo ihr Lieben -

It's been about 30° all week and so we've been roasted then soaked and then roasted again.  I have an absolutlely beautiful foot tan and I love it.  I have decided to wear the same pair of shoes every day so that it develops well.  The best is from ym black shoes with the crossing buckles (like Keri has too).

So, stress of the week.  The Elders who work with us in the international ward were pulled out forever and we were given ALL of their people.  We currently have 35 investigators and 11 baptismal dates.  Since we are in charge of everyone in Vienna who speaks English, the other missionaries call us daily with 5 and 6 new people they found.  We hvae our plates full.  As of yesterday we'd received 30 referrals and contacted 18 of them.  We have the ELders' cell phone as well so that makes work a little easier.  As a joint-teach, we use a YSA named Marvelous Liberty GOld (LIberty for short).  No joke, that is his name.  He is from Nigeria and lays down some strong SPIRITUAL THUNDER!!!!!!

This week, President invited\told\made all the missionaries in Vienna attend the Vienna Symphony concert at Schönbrunn Palace (home of the Hapsburgs).  It was a free concert and was breathtaking....and a good missionary contacting tool.  As an encore, they played the Blue Danube and Wiener BLut which are the most famous Viennese songs.  It was AMAZING!!!....and the only time I have been out after 9 since I came on my mission.  The concert started at 9 and we were allowed to stay for the whole thing.  We got home abotu 11.  It was qiute a killer day and we went home exhausted and plopped right into bed.  Keep an eye out on the TV for the performance to be aired.  It'S the Vienna Symphony's annual summer concert at Schönbrunn Palace (live on June 2 2011)

TOday, we went inside the Palace and I got LOADS of amazing pictures of such beautiful city as Vienna.  Be jealous that you too won't be able to spend your summer living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  TOo many to send, so just be excited for the slideshow when I get home...or I'll attach one here and there if I don'T ahve anything else to show. 

I'm working on learning to play The BLue Danube on the piano.  Sister Rodrieguez gave me the sheet music.  It's so much fun!  I've been looking for a great selection of Viennese songs thta I can learn...only the famous ones that i have heard before (since reading music is not one of my strongest points...if I hear it I can play it). 

How is Tay doing?  We heard about the Volcano in Chile.  Does he even know about it....he is usually oblivious to thigns like that (you know, the important world events...no offense non-athletic brother)

We got a call from President Condie this week telling us that because of a virus outbreak, we are NOT to eat Lettuce or other green Veggies.  We have to clean our apt with bleach every other day, and all food must be washed off with bleach solution at all times. Bummer...too bad, cuz now I can't eat my favorite - cucumbers with my own recipe dressing (will send to you mom...it'S REALLY good...Franziska taught me and I'Ve enhanced it)

MIss you all and hope you're doing great.  I'm hitting my 11 month mark this week!  YIPEEEE

Lots of Liebe
SISTER CHOCOLATE

Pic 1 - the pipe organ at the church.  I now have private access to the keys and can play whenever I want.
Pic 2 - Schönbrunn Palace.  Isn't it beautiful?!?! 
Pic 3 - Just before the concert.
PIc 4 - 15 points if you can find me!!!

Ron and Sydna - the Jeveros and the Vincents send their love.  We take Br Jovero on joint-teaches a lot as he is the best at showing the people he cares but lays down spiritual goodness.  Hyrumm Carroll (my companion's brother) is home taught by your son in Gaithersburg MD.  SMALL WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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