Dearest Family,
It seems hard to believe but the weeks keep getting better and better, no doubt because the Christmas Spirit continues to grow and grow. I mentioned last time that the Advent season is quite big throughout Europe. In our last mission letter from President Kohler, he filled us all in on the historical meanings of the season. Apparently it dates back to the fourth century and was originally a time when converts to Christianity readied themselves for baptism. Then in the middle ages it became a time of preparation for the second coming of the Savior and now it has evolved into a time of anticipating Christmas and the birth of the Savior. The circle of the wreath and the evergreen out of which it is made both symbolize on going life. Three of the candles were apparently originally purple and were lit on the first, second and fourth Sundays prior to Christmas symbolizing hope peace and love. The third candle was rose in color and lit on third Advent, this weekend, symbolized joy. He encouraged us to invite and help others to come unto Christ, ready themselves for baptism and to help the Lord in His hastening of the work of the gathering of Israel in preparation for His second coming.
This Wednesday's Institute lesson for Elder Parker was on 2nd Nephi 9 and 10 and were so aptly fitted to the season as the prophet Jacob discusses the atonement and the Lord's intentions to remember his promises to gather scattered Israel. Despite getting to bed a little late that night, we were nonetheless up at 5 to ready ourselves for a trip to Salzburg for the mission Christmas devotional. Wonderful testimonies were given by President and Sister Kohler on the importance of our work here and then we had a special presentation given by some of the missionaries working in Switzerland who offered a wonderful musical and power point presentation on the real significance of the Christmas season. They have been doing similar things there since last summer, one of their musical evenings being a great presentation of the Plan of Salvation as told to a granddaughter by her grandfather. It has been getting more and more attention by the local population there and the president thought it would be appropriate to bring it to us to share.
Then we had a wonderful meal prepared by the local members in Salzburg with appetizers, main course and dessert provided for the two zones in attendance. President Kohler has been doing this all over the mission which is quite widespread and this was their fourth time in celebrating this season appropriately. At the conclusion of the meal he had the members who had helped prepared the meal come into the cultural hall where we all sang the great missionary hymn "Called to Serve." We tried to get a small portion of it on video and hopefully it will transmit:
Following the meal the President acted like something special was about to happen and he was right. He had managed to acquire a non-distributable copy of "Meet the Mormons" which we thoroughly enjoyed. We presume that most if not all of you have seen it but if not, spend the money and go or wait until it's out on DVD. Especially significant for the elders and sisters was the last episode on the young mother who'd had a very difficult life but was now sending her oldest son on a mission. It rang true for everyone there and there were more than just a few moist eyes.
So having spent most of the day in Salzburg and getting home late enough to know better, we still spent a little time organizing ourselves for the weekend. Friday night, instead of the usual waffle night agenda, the young adults decided they wanted to do a little Christmas caroling and scheduled it to start about 5 PM. The sun does down here now about 4 in the afternoon and it's pretty dark by an early dinner time so at 5 we had about 6 sisters with no brothers. Sounded like an alto/soprano event when finally three brethren showed up. They had arranged to sing to several selected people all over the city and by the time we got going it was almost 5:45. One of the groups needed a good bass or tenor and because Elder Parker can usually sing either, it was decided that we would accompany one group of 4 sisters and a brother and another group of 5 with 2 brethren would head in a different direction. Sister Parker elected to stay at the center by herself in case anyone else showed up who hadn't gotten the message and off we went.
Our first stop was about a half hour away on a subway and then transferring to a streetcar and was a very sweet sister who was completely bedridden, getting just a little dementia but knew her music like an ace. We had to wait while her home nurses finished up and left for the evening and she had another member who has been very dutiful in taking care of her who then let us in. We gathered around her bedside and proceeded to carol her extensively. She even sang a little Christmas carol I wasn't familiar with but the YSA's knew and then asked if we would sing an old carol that she had the words for which was in an ancient Austrian dialect. As it turned out, I had actually heard the tune the previous week as it was sung at the Primary celebration so it was just a bit familiar although I had no idea what most of the words were saying. But it was a very warm and emotional time singing to her and we think she greatly appreciated our coming. Next we headed up into the center of the city near the big St. Stephens Cathedral and found an apartment that had been expecting us about 45 minutes earlier. As it turned out, despite phone calls and multiple door ringing, no answer was achieved and we decided the sister had likely turned in early and wouldn't be aroused. By this time we were pushing 7:30 and decided it was time to return to the center.
One of our members had purchased a ticket that had expired after it's 12 hour limit and so everyone decided we would walk from the center of town to the YSA center. I knew the way but it still took a good half hour to accomplish. Fortunately, I had purchased a good warm hat which covered my freezing ears and by the time we got back, Sister Parker had welcomed the other group back and still had enough waffles left to supply the stragglers. They enjoyed playing two of the games we had brought along, "It Came to Pass" and "Spot it" with good enthusiasm but we got home again pretty late.
Saturday was a day of shopping for a few small Christmas presents and also needed to see if we could find a replacement for an old gas oven that when lit has a tendency to singe the elders' eyebrows. Not much luck finding one that would fit in their apartment so maybe we can see what it would take to put an electric oven in which is much safer and much less expensive. That evening we spent at the International Ward, enjoying their Christmas Party and especially a bunch of kids that reminded us of many of our grandchildren. The Young Men and Young Women did a very nice shadow display of the Christmas story and about five or six families participated in the show which was very typical international with songs from Africa and a very intriguing dance and song from the Philippines.
So today was Third Advent and we decided to visit two wards. As it turned out, the first one we visited in the morning, we being totally unawares, featured all of the YSA's in the ward who presented the entire sacrament meeting. During Sunday School time they rehearsed a cute little song dating back quite a few years and reminding me somewhat of the song above which we sang for the bedridden sister above, known as the Yodeler's Devotional. Sister Parker didn't feel she could handle it but Elder Parker ended up sitting on the stand with the rest of the YSA choir and we took part in a short pre-meeting presentation.
One of our new members who just celebrated his one year anniversary in the church had the responsibility of speaking on spirituality and had called us last night seeking some good scriptures. We gave him about 7 or 8 and I had the pleasure of sitting near him in the choir, congratulating him as he did a great job with his part. Sitting right in front of me was a young returned missionary sister who speaks perfect English and was recognized as finally getting her visa and thus leaving this week to take up residence in Salt Lake where she will be working at the U of U Medical Center helping with colon cancer research. We'll have to see if Ruslana can maybe look her up once she gets there. A surprise speaker at the conclusion of the meeting was a member of the Third Quorum of Seventy who was visiting Vienna with his wife. He's a native German but we talked with them afterwards and they both also speak excellent English.
This afternoon we visited the International Ward for their meetings and helped with a somewhat spontaneous Sunday School class for the one investigator present and otherwise finished up with the group that had entertained us the night previously. We got home in time to enjoy a wonderful dinner cooked up by Sister Parker.
We have received several Christmas cards and a few packages from many of you and as we type this we're listening to some great Christmas music that was shipped in with one of the packages.
Happy Third Advent and hope your day is filled with JOY! (Note the neat Christmas mugs and one of our recent acquisitions at one of the Christmas markets of the Bremen City Musicians where Sister Parker served 47 years ago--the donkey, dog, cat and rooster all stackable on each other. It is very awesome and very meaningful to me.)
Oh, how fun it is to spend Christmas in Vienna. It is like Christmas city with festive things and markets on every corner and while we don't have any snow, we do have cold crispy air and it feels like Christmas. Christmas is such a wonderful and difficult thing because it holds so many memories and so much emotion. Memories of past Christmas' in Germany as a missionary, Christmas when our children were young, extended family Christmas', Christmas with our young marrieds and grandchildren, all wonderful memories. Its hard to be away and we wish we could be with all of you, but we think of you often and hope you will have a joyous Christmas time. We also hope you will take time to reflect on Jesus, "He IsThe Gift -- Discover the Gift - Embrace the gift - and Share the Gift." That is the message we are sharing as missionaries and hope that you will have opportunities to share it also.
With Lots of Love,
Grammy, Grampa,
Mom, Dad,
Elder and Sister Parker
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