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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