No weird title needed

Hallo -

It'S so funny to read the emails mom and dad send to me since they tell both sides of all the stories. It's great to hear the progress on the house...even when it'S the silly comments about each other and what you do. It's also interesting to see what you focus on in your letters. With dad, it's a quick update on lots of people...with mom, it's an indepth study of a couple of them. Thank you both for your letters. It makes the week go by so much quicker. I usually take a picture of your email on my camera and then read them throughout the week as I'm lying in bed or taking a break to eat.

I got to meet MT Brittinger this week!!!! (She's Ron and Sydna's friend from the UN). We went on a tour of the UN and then she took us for 'Coffee and Cake'. Dad - don'T worry I will take you on a tour there when you come. You would LOVE it. It is amazing and I want to see it again. THEN, she says she'll be right back and shows up with a huge paper grocery bag full of American goodies...for me!! Peanut Butter, Hershey Kisses, Taco Seasoning, Cheddar Cheese, etc. It was quite a surprise and I really didn't expect that. BUT I really appreciated it. She is a WONDERFUL person and I can'T wait to get to know her better soon. She wants to take us out of the city for Pday to see some of the sights. We've got a date planned for mid-August. I can't wait. While she and I were talking, we found out that we have yet another connection.....she used to live near Bruck an der Mur...AND, I've actually been to her old house. Weird!!!!

Tay - you WOULD walk in doggie do with new shoes. Sister COvey has a keychain of a sneaker and everytime I see it, I think of your obsession with shoes. AND, I found out that I have the biggest feet in the ward. Not exactly sure how they figured that, but someone checked on it...not cool!! That's what happens when the whole ward is 4' petite Philipino or African with super short toes. It made for a good laugh. Also, Sophie Appiateng told me that I could be Sydna's daughter. (I spoke in church on Sunday and everyone told me I was just like her). Janette (Sophie's sister) came in when I taught Gospel Principles and afterwards, she told me she'll come every week if I teach.

Mom, would you tell me the story of how your grandparents found the church and such. Where exactly were they from? The bishop's wife is from Wales and I told her that's where my family came from....then she asked where and I couldn't answer. Please, tell me more. Also, please go ahead and throw out some of my stuff. Just let me know what you're contemplating tossing. Sis Covey and Sis Olsen go home on Wednesday and so I was keeping Sis Covey company while she was packing. I can't wait to get rid of stuff I've got here that I WILL NOT be wearing or using ever again.

I knew Annabelle Fike really well! I was her YCL at Girl's Camp a couple of times and her older sister (Lauren) is my age (and we were really close at Camp and beyond). Annie was getting married when I left so that'S good to get an update on her. Lauren had a baby my freshman year of college or so. Great girls form the Lewisberry ward.

No one came to church...literally. Saturday was the wedding reception for Tracy and Tibor Ryssmann and it went from 2pm-midnight. It was quite a party and no one came to church the next day. We had a max 30 people in Sacrament meeting and even less by the time we got to RS.....max 10 in RS. It was kind of like Sundays at home during the summer when everyone goes to the beach. We made an appearance at the reception for 30 min. We got there at 4 (remember the reception started at 2) and the couple hadn't even arrived yet. They were sitting out in their car. Then, they had a big elaborate procession, Nigeria style as their entrance. It was like no reception I have EVER seen. It was pure Nigeria and I loved it!!!!! They even had the President and Amabassador of Nigeria there. Big deal!
Parviz (musician from Iran) is progressing so well! He feels so happy and says he sees a good difference. We meet with him everyday and I teach him German and the gospel. It's a great combination with him. He's SO strong. We have many new investigators (shocking...not) and a lot of people are meetin gwith us every day. It definitely keeps us hopping!

We have special training with Presdient on friday so I'll ask about release date.

Love you all and miss you loads. Tay - stay doggie do free...for awhile.
--
Alles Liebe SISTER CHOCOLATE

Pic 1 - Me and MT just before the tour.
Pic 2 - Me in front of the flags at the UN
Pic 3 - Parviz loves meeting with us.
Pic 4 - Bishop Sunday Talabi (former bishop) at the reception. Picture his outfit times 100 and that was the reception.

Vienna in the heat

Hallo -

It's gotten even hotter this week.......38°C.  OUCH!!  We melt all day and roast all night.  Who would've thought I'd be sent to South America.  THen again, you'd think it was the middle of winter because I caught a really bad cold.  I don't like being laid up, but no energy is not conducive to missionary work. 

Ivana got baptized on Saturday.  There were only a small handful of members and a lot of missionaries there, but it was still a BEAUTIFUL service.  Ivana had asked me to do a musical number so I got Sis Olsen and Sis Covey to sing while I played.  They sang 'When I am Baptized' (I like to look for rainbows) and I'd combined and arranged the song to tie in with 'I love to see the temple'.  It was really cool and everyone loved it. 

Other than that, not too much is going on here.  Busy busy as always and appointments coming in and falling out all the time...as usual.  I had to jump in last minute to teach Gospel Principles class (investigator class) bc the teacher forgot and I'll have to speak in church next Sunday.

Sis Chapple is SOOOOOOOOO new to everysthing.  She'S been a member for 1 1\2 years and been on her mission for 3 mo.  Because she's a senior sistser (over 50) she's not suppsed to be out proselyting, but for some reason the office couldn't handle her so she's out in the field.  She did not get any MTC training at all so everything is new.  She doesn't know how to do anything, and doesn't speak any German.  It's reallly difficult for me because I feel like I'm teaching 2 investigators instead of us teaching 1.  She stops the lesson and asks questions and raises concerns.  Definitely an odd thing.  I teach all by myself because she doesn't want to.  Just another challenge to add to my mission.

Popes - I got a hold of MT this week and we're going to meet her on Tuesday.  She got us in to a tour of the VIC and will then take us out to 'Tea and Cake' as she called it.  She'S super wonderful and I'm so excited.

I hope Emily is doing good. I'm glad she got to someone to figure out what's up.  She's such a fighter!!  I have been praying for her especially since the summer heat started.  I know how brutal the East Coast gets.


Because I'm on strong cold medicine, that's all I can think of to write.  I hope and pray everyone is doing good.

--
Alles Liebe
SISTER CHOCOLATE

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1 yr mark - - - Me then, when, and now

THEN

WHEN

NOW

Hot Hot Hot

Hallo meine Lieben -

It has been a consistent 35° here and roasting us every single day.  With all of this sun, my gorgeous lower leg and foot tan is coming along quite nicely.  I'm glad that I don't burn easily which makes each sun-filled day enjoyable...except for the humidity and sweaty face.  Last night, Sis C suggested we turn the AC on (didn't know they had such a thing here), so we shut all the windows and turned it on while we slept.  DIDN'T DO A DARN THING!!  We all roasted all night.  Whenever I make my bed, I roll the featherbed up at the foot (since I'm on the top bunk it'S easier).  When I got in bed, I just layed on top of my blanket and when I woke up, I was still on top...no need to make my bed at all this morning.  An upside to being too warm at night.  LUckily, I asked that we still keep the portable fan on that night or we really would'Ve had a problem.  I always think of dad now that I know there's an AC in our apt.  ANd I quote him...which I find myself saying as well 'We don't need to turn that on, we're never there and it just saves money'  Thanks Mom and Dad for teaching me to be thrifty. 

This Friday was transfer calls and guess what.............I'm staying in Vienna 4.  My new companion will be Sister Chapple from Colorado.  She is currently serving in the area where Sis Carroll will go to so we're swapping.  Sis Chapple is with Sis Anderson now. (I served with Sis Anderson my first transfer in Ulm).  I'm really excited to work with her.  She is about 38-40ish and has only been a convert for a year and a half.  I met her at Zone Conference before I left Ulm and she is wonderful.  I'm really excited to work with someone who didn't grow up in the church.  It will really be nice for our investigators to hear testimon from a convert.  We're traveling up to München Wed morning and I won't return with Sis Chapple till that night.  Going to be a LOOONNNGG day on the train....8 hours total.  THis transfer will only be 5 weeks long, in order for us to get back on track with the rest of the world.

For the 4th of July, the Sisters all got together and had a mini BBQ, picnicked on the roof, and listened to 'America' music by the MoTab.  Really great day though it was a little windy. 

Update on two of our multiple investigators

• Parviz - 30 from Iran.  He is running along and doing so well.  He is very excited about the gospel and any chance he can have to serve.  He found the Primary room all by himself and introduced himself to all the teachers and children.  The kids love him.  He is a composer and concert pianist and really loves the music in the church.  He will be baptized beginning of August.  He has introduced his 2 roommates (both from Iran) to the church and they are doing equally well with the gospel.  Mani (age 18) has been studying the violin here in Vienna for about 10 years. Shayan speaks little English and lots of German, but Mani and Parviz help him out a lot.  Sadly, the Book of Mormon isn't completely translated into Persian which makes it difficult sometimes when we want to read something again in Persian.  But, Parviz and Mani speak perfect English so it all works out.  They are SOOOO excited about everything
• Ivana - 24 from Serbia, married to Scottish member, owns a Pub.  Ivana headed to Serbia for a couple of days to visit her baby (4 mo old, who's staying with her parents for the summer).  She planned on being back in town Tues and getting baptized Sat, but due to the scarcity of travel from Serbia AND a bus driver who didn't WANT to drive two days in a row (since the bus only comes 1 a day) she didn't make it back till Sunday morning at 5am.  We were in constant contact with her husband all week and when we found out how sketchy her return date looked because of delays, I suggested we postpone a week.  Sis C wasn't too happy about that since she's being transferred and will miss it.

Saturday night was a big lightening storm - no rain or thunder, just lightening.  Being up on the 6th floor makes the view amazing.  We can see out towards Prater (for Ron and Sydna) and have an almost 180° view of the city that direction.  It's awesome!!  I propped my camera up on the window sill and sat there forever just watching it and snapping pictures hoping to get some bolts.  No luck as the next building peeks out beyond our window which blocked a complete view.  Still, it was beautiful and the pictures I did get are breathtaking.  It reminded me of the times Dad and I would sit out on the front porch during thunderstorms and just watch 'em in silence.  That is one of my favorite memories.  Then, I thought about the time mom, Tay, and I were home alone in Sioux Falls when a tornado came through and we had to go in the basement under a card-table.  Then, I didn't have my pink\purple teddybear and mom ran upstairs to get it.  Sis Duffield sent me letter telling me about a tornado that blew through their area end of June and they had to take shelter in the basement.  I love funky weather and especially LOVE sitting out and watching it...safely of course.

Once again, I will be spending a milestone\special day as my first day of a new transfer.  Thurs is my 1 yr mark and, man, do I feel old.  It's funny, but if it weren't for dad's email every so often about how long I've been out, I wouldn't really notice.  It's great to look back on everything.  I just wish I was better about journaling. 

Love you all and hope all is well.  Mom - make sure you take pictures when G-ma, G-pa, Lydia, and Pat come.  I want to see them!!!  You still haven't shown me what the house looks like or sent me what YOU both look like.  That'd be nice too.
  
Alles Liebe
SISTER CHOCOLATE

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4th of July in Vienna...ain't no parade in sight.

Servus!!

We got to meet President Miles and his wife this week.  They are amazing!  He is short, stout, and super funny.  They came to Vienna full out on Jetlag.  The day they arrived, they ate dinner with Pres and Sis Condie, then went to bed.  The next morning, they were in Salzburg for the day, then the next day with us.  I remember that first day of jetlag sooooo welll.  We were all standing the whole time they were having us in workshops.  Not a good idea if they expect us to remember anything.

It surprised us all when the Miles' showed family pictures and he is tearing up the mountain going Helicopter skiing and skydiving.  Definitely and adventurous and energetic man.  They are both going to do wonders here and I'm so excited to serve with them.  It was also kind of weird to see pictures of Elder Nelson (Sis Miles' dad) wearing jeans and lounging on the couch.  Shows that the General Authorities really and truly are just normal people with a special calling.  Sis Miles is one of 10 kids!!!!!!!!!...way too many for me so Mom and Dad, don't be expecting that many grandkids from me.   

2 baptisms this week.  Ekarin and Bin Bin were both baptized on Saturday.  They were both beautiful and very unique meetings.  We had planned Ekarin's because he is super super shy and didn'T know anyone.  His was a very simple and spiritually beautiful one.  Many members came and other missionaries had brought investigators so it was a very intimate one.  He had asked me to do a musical number, so I played 'I Believe in Christ' on the piano with my own improvising.  Everyone came up to me afterwards and said that they wanted the sheetmusic to it so I had to tell them 'Take the book off the piano and turn to number 134'.  It was funny to see their reactions when they realized it was just the hymn.  Made me smile.  Ekarin asked Liberty to baptize him.  Marvelous Liberty Gold (no joke, that'S his name) has been a member for about 7 months or so and is SUPER strong!!!  He is an even better missionary than all the members combined.  He carries our pass along cards in his bag and stops any and all Africans on the street and hugs them and gets their numbers as if he's known them forever.  He'S awesome.  It was a great day to see him and he lit up so much.  It's great to see the Priesthood in action especially from one so new to the gospel.  It makes such a strong bond between the person baptizing the new Convert.

Bin Bin had had her Baptism planned for months on end so hers was a little more elaborate.  She is married to local member from one of the other wards so EVERYONE was there.  IT WAS HUGE!!!!!!!!  About as big as Sunday Sacrament meeting if not bigger.  In total, it lasted 2 1\2 hours.  She had A LOT going on.  4 musical numbers including one Christian song that she sang through first then we all sang, 3 talks, 2 times where she 'wanted to say a few words' (aka spoke for 5+ min), and her husbands grandma from France flew in and gave a testimony (talk) which then had to be translated (took another 10 min).  It was spiritually strong, but super super long. 

We got a new bishopric on Sunday.  Bishop Mamouney is heading back to Australia in a month so they released him.  The new Bishop is Paul Jovero.  Councilors - Ed Garcia, Dean Meservy.  Br Jovero has come on many Joint-teaches with us and has always been concerned about the missionary work.  His is a wonderful member and everyone loves him and his family.  It was really no surprise.

I'm having a rough week, but am trying to stay positive.  All my free time, I just read on my top bunk bed which always makes me feel better.  Just wish I had some of my favorite novels and mysteries.  Oh well, I'm devouring the Conference Liahona.  I'm glad there are other Sisters in the apt, it really helps me.  This transfer is 7 weeks long since we got a new mission president and next transfer is only 5 weeks so we can get back on track.

Pic 1 - Br and Sis Brosnahan (Senior Couple), Ekarin (from Thailand), Liberty (from Nigeria, Ekarin was his first baptism ever).
Pic 2 - Bin Bin and her family.

Popes - I have tried calling MT many times this week, but haven't been able to get a hold of her.  Will keep trying though, no worries.

I received letters from Kelly Degroff, and Mabry family and will try and get responses out today.  I can'T believe Gracie is in 1st grade!!  Man, how time flies.  I think that, every time I see Marilyn Michalsky too, since I still remember sitting next to Laura at Girls' Camp when she was VERY pregnant and feeling Marilyn kick while Fireflies buzzed at our feet.

Alles Liebe - -
Sister Chocolate

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.