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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