Hi to the Best Family this Side of Kolob!
Well it appears that our cooling trend last week was just a brief respite as the heat has returned with a vengeance! They're having such a hot spell that we're starting to see even a few of the Viennese start to crack a bit. Every time we get on a tram we wonder whether we'll luck out and most of the time we're very disappointed as we walk into an oven and have to sit in it for as long as the ride takes. By an actual (but unofficial) survey, only 22% of businesses here have air conditioning, the other 78% suffering along with the rest of us. None of our chapels nor is our center air conditioned and we literally survive only on the good graces of fans which we place here and there in strategic spots and then gather in front of them to enjoy the breeze. We're looking forward to the weather cooling but so far nothing in the immediate future looks too hopeful.
Lots of administrative-like activities this week as we had our last district meeting on Tuesday of this transfer, losing both our sisters and one of the other elders on Thursday, so a good portion of our group of eight.
But on Thursday afternoon we received a new group to befriend and love.
We were pleased that we'd been able to finish cleaning the apartment down south as two new sisters moved in there. The mission wondered if we could show them the way to their new apartment but we patiently pointed out that we didn't have a car, had some responsibilities at the center that afternoon which was an hour away and so they decided to let the Zone Leaders take that responsibility and we would show the two new sisters in our district where they would be living instead.
It's always interesting what a relatively small world we live in. Friday night at Waffle Night most of the companionship's showed up with a total of 8 new elders and sisters all together. Visiting for their last night with us were 2 BYU students heading back home this weekend. One was from Washington state and the other was from Virginia, a brother who had served in our mission from 2011-2013. One of our new sisters is also from Virginia and as they were comparing notes, although they didn't know each other personally, they both had friends who had known both of them very well. They were able to name about five different people that both knew well.
Today was an interesting day as well. Early this Sunday morning our International Ward missionaries scheduled a baptism with a young man whose parents didn't approve of him joining the church. He had been a foreign exchange student in the states with a Mormon family and upon returning searched out the missionaries and walked into a district meeting announcing that he wanted to be baptized! It was agreed that he should wait until he was 18 and legally able to make the decision himself and so that was all scheduled today. Interestingly there was a young lady he had known in the states who was a member and perhaps a major influence in his decision to investigate the church. She was also present for a few days and came specifically to attend his baptism. There is definitely a romantic interest present there but we're pretty sure she's holding out for a returned missionary some day. At any rate, she said the opening prayer at the baptism. We went there about 8 AM this morning for the baptismal service, then returned at 11:15 for the sacrament meeting at which he was confirmed, he having asked Elder Parker to stand in the circle. We left after the sacrament and returned at 2 PM to attend the other ward's services which meets in the same building as we had attended the International Ward just two weeks before we found out about the baptism. We had agreed it was our next choice as we're down to only one or two more visits for each ward in the stake before we're released. So that's six different back and forth trips for one Sunday and five of the six were with an air conditioned tram! Thank you Lord for a not insignificant blessing! Not only was it an opportunity to participate in the confirmation which has happened a few times before, but two weeks ago Elder Parker was asked to help administer the sacrament. That was the first time in who can remember how long and was a special privilege.
As we attended the selected ward this afternoon we met a Bro. and Sister Nuttall who were visiting. They had been released last December as a senior couple doing exactly what we're doing but in Hamburg. They had chosen to return for a few weeks to tour Austria where he had served as a young missionary. It turned out he had baptized one of the men who was a counselor in the bishopric as well as having had contacts with the family of the current stake president so it was a very memorable visit for them. I told him we were good friends with a Dr. Nuttall in American Fork, a pediatrician and had delivered 7 of their 10 children. His brother! Again, what a small world. We had exchanged a couple of email contacts with Dr. Nuttall's wife before the meetings were over, she wondering how to talk me out of retirement when we get home. Not much chance of that, I fear.
Our latest assignment, received a few days ago is to help prepare for a new senior couple coming here in October to do family history work. We found the state archives building where they will be working but we've been asked to see if we can find them an apartment in time to get it furnished and ready for their arrival. Sounds simple I guess but so far we've been pretty frustrated in even finding a real estate agent. I'm sure the Lord will help us pave the way but it will be something new to experience.
[Sister Parker] Well, instead of being soggy tea cakes, we are now more like melted butter. I hate clothes that stick to us but I love GELATO. As Grampa said it is quite a feat of endurance to ride on the streetcars, with even the Austrians looking bedraggled. But again I have to admit that they still come out in crowds to everything in the city. Sometimes I can't believe how they still want to fit so many people on the tram at one time. These Austrians are a hardy people, but I think lots of them would like air conditioning as they seem to congregate at the malls and large air conditioned stores.
Today as we went to so many Sunday meetings and gatherings, I couldn't help but think how much I enjoyed doing so. I really like meeting the people and young adults, we haven't seen for a while and greeting the members that like to see us visit their ward. There is a great spirit of love between us all. How important it is to strengthen one another as a ward family. Sometimes it only takes an acknowledgement of someone and a hug to lift their spirit as well as yours. I love the children and seeing them all dressed up nice for church. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and what it does for us all. I love our classes and meetings where the Spirit bears witness that this is the true gospel of Christ and that we are all working together to repent and to improve in our ability to become more Christ like and enter the kingdom of heaven together.
Grammy, Grampa,
Mom, Dad,
Elder and Sister Parker
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