Dearest Family,
Well, a most significant week has passed. The Ides of April are always fraught with potential hazard and terror depending on where one stands with his income taxes. We were advised before we left on the mission to make a significant advance payment to help reconcile the financial closure of our involvement in the clinic. We remember the recommendation and thought we had complied but an exhaustive check of bank records and even the IRS revealed a big NOOO. It never happened. Hence a bit of a bill was due together with a significant interest payment. Fortunately we've still been paying our tithes and offerings so there was ample to handle the bill but a considerable dent was made in our reserves. There's absolutely no need to start digging into your pockets as we're still very comfortably situated but maybe a little more financially humbled which we've heard is always good for the soul.
The rest of the week was pretty routine with nothing particularly new or unique at home evening, institute or even the language classes.Numbers were generally down by a third to even half on some days. Waffle night was unique because instead of just playing some games, the YSA's became innovative and decided they wanted to have one of the local economic whiz members provide a course on how to write up a good resume' as part of a stake goal to become financially self-sufficient. It did boost up our numbers a bit though most of the YSA's still didn't show. All of the waffles disappeared handily and we even had a couple of investigators who got involved.
So having survived the IRS debacle, the next big event was Saturday. celebrating the 240th anniversary of what?? "Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. On the 18th of April of '75, hardly a man is yet alive who remembers the famous day and year of the midnight ride of Paul Revere." It was a lovely sunny day though a little windy but we decided we didn't need more than a long sleeved shirt and a light coat. We completed a few tonsorial procedures that morning and decided to embark on three things we'd never done before. The first was to visit the Museum for the Kaiser's Chariots which was pretty cool showing how the aristocracy really got around in the old days in gold inlaid chariots pulled by six elegant white horses with livery that was impressive. Along with the museum was the history of one of the famous but most unhappy empresses, Elisabeth, known as Sisi who was married off at the age of 15, destroying her childhood, while having three daughters, one of whom died before the age of 2 and finally a male heir to the throne. She minced no words about how unhappy her life was, being obligated to attend to the social affairs of state eventually having a fourth daughter whom she smothered with love after demanding a little more personal freedom than she had been granted. Sounded like she was somewhat pathological, probably a victim of anorexia nervosa, and literally being sewn into many of her exquisitely thin gowns on display in the museum. A sad commentary on the life of a royal celebrity.
From there, on recommendation of our mission president last week we visited the Votiv's Church which we pass by almost every day but had never gone inside waiting for some scaffolding to be removed which has been unchanged for our entire 11 months here. It's quite spectacular and
we decided we could hide the renovation somewhat behind the trees.
The church was virtually destroyed during World War II and has been essentially rebuilt over the past 50 years being a typical, flashy and ornate Catholic church filled with gold altars and lovely stained glass windows.
From there we decided to try our hand on one of the hills overlooking Vienna which we'd never heard of before but looked interesting on the map. It was on the edge of the Vienna Woods with a bus going and stopping at a cemetery at the end of the line. We might have found a better spot to view the city but things got really cold as we briefly walked into the cemetery as you can see here.
and here so we decided to call it a day and head for a birthday dinner.
Note we were wearing our P day clothes!
We finished up at one of our favorite restaurants, the 12 Apostles Cellar, to the music of Strauss and Mozart and wiener schnitzel. Today after visiting the 5th Ward, as we boarded the train home, a young lady saw us get on and called out, "Sister Parker!" We recognized a foreign exchange student whom we've met from Alaska who would likely join the church if she weren't 17 and not living with her parents. She'd been moved to a new family and lost contact with the elders so hopefully she'll remake contact now. The Lord has a way of throwing people into your path who need the contact we provide!
It was fun making Facebook contact with scores of people and all of you to end the weekend. There were a few more opportunities to preach the gospel as that went on, reminisce about significant events of the past including weddings, funerals, operations and even genealogical connections. We're looking forward to traveling to Munich this next Friday for an all day session with Elders Bednar, Teixara and Allen and this time it will be with all the elders and sisters in Vienna traveling on a bus so that will be a new experience!
While nothing too exciting happened this week there were quite a few birthdays that came to pass and we wish them all blessings in the new coming year. Spring is about the same here as at home only we don't get dumped with snow, just hail, rain, wind, sun, and the cycle repeats it's self. The big question is always, "do I want to carry this umbrella around?" But having made the wrong choice a few times, it's better to suffer the weight in your bag.
The best times this week have just been conversations with some of the young adults and with the missionaries about keeping your testimonies strong and safe. One of them quoted this scripture, which I would like to share in D&C 52:14; "And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that you may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations." Let us always remember our prayers, scripture study or reading, attending church and the temple. It is a daily battle; let us fight the good fight.
Grammy, Grampa,
Mom, Dad,
Elder and Sister Parker
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