Woche 91 von 102- Zentralfriedhof,
Zone Training and Zone Activity
Hallo!
Wie gehts?
So we decided that this week seen
as we live in a 4-man that we are gonna try shopping together and see how much
better it works for us. So after studies we popped over to the chapel and did
our emails, posted some photos on the cloud (Are you proud of me? Each week
I've been in Wien there hasn't been a single week without photos....) So after
emails we headed out to go shopping and it worked out quite a bit cheaper than
normal and hopefully it will make life a little more time efficient as well,
instead of one of us waiting for the kitchen to be free and all that. Then we
came back, had some essen and then cleaned for a bit. The highlight of our
P-day was our little trip to Zentralfriedhof- It's like the biggest cemetery in
Europe (maybe even the world, but I'm not too sure on that one, so don't quote
me). It was crazy huge! Like some of those headstones were mental! I'll send
some pics, but it's a tad weird, cause it's like pictures of graves and all; but
there is a Mormon Section of it, which is super cool and it's probably the
prettiest part of the entire Friedhof (again weird pictures).
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| P-Day Activity |
We saw the graves
of Beethoven and Strauss and there was a memorial for Mozart, as he is actually
buried somewhere else.... but it was cool! Then we headed to the British food store
by Karlsplatz- I got myself some Crumpets! Sooo happy! I've missed Crumpets
soooo much. Then we headed off to the centre, as we were supposed to be meeting
a former there for the FHE that they do for the JAE. We also invited M and B to
join us just in case this guy didn't turn up and if he did - then we'd just
have 3 investigators there. He didn't turn up though which sucked, so we spent
the evening with B, M and some JAE. It was a cool evening!
Dienstag began after a run and
getting ready with getting Elder Bonnke anmelded and to post something off to
die Schweiz to get him Abmelded properly there. Then we headed home and did a
bit of studies before leaving to go to Zone Training. So Zone Training was
interesting- like it's the first thing of the transfer, which was a little
strange seen as normally we have at least 1 DM before any zone thing. But anyhow....
So the whole thing was based on Patience, working with members and ward
leadership. It was interesting! Then after all that, President allowed each
zone to have a zone activity after zone training today, including a bit of
money to use with it, to celebrate the fact that as a mission we overreached
the mission goal for the last quarter. So that was fun! Basically our ZLs
decided that we would do a tour of a few sites here in Wien. When you work
right by/on these sites - it isn't actually all that special, but it was still
cool none the less. So we started by heading to Schottentor and seeing the
Votivkirche, then onto Rathaus, Parliament,
Museumsquarter/Maria-Teresien-Platz, Hofburg Palace, Spanish Riding School, Stephansplatz,
Karlsplatz, der Heldendenkmal der Roten Armee/Schwarzenberg Palace and lastly
up to Belvedere! It was a right killer of a day- sooo much walking, so many
selfies to photo bomb - so many pictures of cool things to take. Legit it was
crazy! I am pretty convinced we totally broke the rule of not looking like
tourists. It was crazy! So I have hundreds of photos from today, like legit
over 300. I'll just put the group ones, cool sites and my awesome photo bombing
selfie pics on the cloud! Enjoy!
Then after that we found our way back to the
Centre (without getting lost again- I haven't got us lost once so far! Proud
moment). So then we planned a few things out and met with M. We went through the 4th chapter about ‘Freedom to Choose’. Then we
headed home for abendessen. Oh, I also got Momma’s news!!! That was sooooo
awesome to read! Congratulations! 2 weeks in a row! What’s it gonna be next
week?
I don't even know what to write for
Mittwoch.... It was a day! A long day! We studied, ate, did a bit of area book
stuff, then went out and did a load of ehemaliger and weniger aktiven vorbeis
with a heap load of finding. 'Twas fun! We did get let in by one of the
ehemaligers though, so that was cool! He was nice and invited us to come again
for dinner. Then after doing vorbeis and finding for like 6hrs straight, we
headed back to Schw. V for abendessen. It was a really nice appointment. It
seems that the Sisters go pretty often, but this time all 4 of us went and it
was really good! Then after that we headed home and the day was over.
Donnerstag began after a run with
some nice studies, before popping out and doing a bit of finding! We had some
pretty awesome conversations and got 3 potentials from it! Woop, woop! Then
home for mittags and sprach before heading over to the centre to sort out
Englischkurs. So our students didn't turn up on time, so whilst waiting for
them I went through the guidelines that I put together for missionaries’ use of
the Centre.... Then we went out and did some finding before coming back for a
lesson with M. Our translating JT didn't turn up, so we ended up just reading
in the BoM with him, but that was still good and probably what he actually
needed. Then we went and did some more vorbeis and finding by Westbahnhof. We
went by a less active guy and ended up having a lesson with him! That was cool.
He was a funny guy. Then home, abendessen, planned and then we did ‘drink night’.
Basically we all just have a drink of our choice and just chat about any old
topic for the night. I guess it all goes with living in a 4-man! Haha!
Freitag began after studies by
heading to do a few vorbeis, before coming back for mittags and Sprach! Then we
did some weekly planning! I hate weekly planning, but I only have 10 more of
them to go! Wahey! Well, after that we headed to the centre to meet with M and
B and have a Skype lesson with the Sister who speaks Farsi. We spoke more about
fasting and decided that we were going to fast together for them. It was a
pretty powerful lesson. Then we chatted with the N’s for a little bit to
discuss a new member from our ward who is JAE age, but seems to be more less
active than new member. We discussed a few things they can help us with in
terms of getting him involved in JAE things. Then we did some vorbeis and stuff
and then home. I made some Mexican Rice for dinner, but it wasn't the same.
They don't do the spices you actually need for it over here, so it wasn't as
red/orange as it should be and it seemed really stodgy. I think that may have
had something to do with the fact I used fresh tomatoes, because there is no
such thing as canned tomatoes over here. Oh well, it still tasted
alright!
Well Samstag is supposed to be
running morning, but we were both dead as fetch today, so gave that one a pass.
I know, super lazy! So after studies we headed over to M and B place and had
lunch with them. M made us some Iranian food and lots of it. It was soooo good.
Then we ate like loads of coconut ice cream and began to fast with them that
they will get the erlaubnis to stay here in Austria. We shared a little lesson,
M played some music on his instrument for us and then we headed over to the
centre for Englischkurs. That was interesting- we spoke about Phrasal verbs. 'Twas
cool! Then we did a load of vorbeis and finding before meeting the Sisters at
Ottakring to go with them to visit one of their formers. Then we left and did a
few more vorbeis and finding before heading back home. I have a feeling I may
have Hayfever. Like legit the Pollen in the air here is like visible and it's
huge- I have never had Hayfever, but recently I have been sneezing so much and
my nose is running like mad! I don't know!
Oh Sonntag! What a crazy day!?!
Church this morning was great! The talks were brilliant- they were mainly based
on Service and serving others, but each touched on it in a different way! It
was good. Then the rest of the meetings were also good! After church we went
over to Sister P’s for mittags. We had Burritos and they were sooooo good! The
Sisters did the spiritual thought and it was all about learning to listen to
the Spirit. After our appointment we headed home and on the tram there was a
group of youths who were speaking in Schwiezerdütsch! It was so beautiful to
hear that again. I really do miss a bit of Swiss German! So we did studies and
then went for a walk with Andreas again and spoke about the Book of Mormon and
numerous other topics. I think these Sunday evening walk
lessons are gonna be a regular thing, which is nice. Then home, abendessen and
planned, collected numbers and that was our day! It's been a pretty good week
and time is just flying by!
Anyways, I just find that super
awesome and such a blessing that after waiting so long and many prayers and
fasts for good news on the job front with Dad; that within a week, my parents
both get new jobs! Just as Mom said last week about putting our trust in
Heavenly Father and He will provide, even a hundred fold. It is so true! The
Blessings come in so many different ways and we really don't recognise them most
of the time. It goes with a spiritual thought we shared this week. So we played
the thankful pen game and twisted it up a bit by using the talk from April 2014
by President Uchtdorf and in it he mentions: "Being grateful in times of
distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean
that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges.....
True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from
acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life, but trusting
that one day we will." One day we will see how much we have learnt through
those challenges and how much Heavenly Father truly does provide. It rarely
ever is in the timing of which we hope for, but His plan is perfect and His
timing is sure for when we need it more than ever and will gain the most from
it in terms of our Spiritual Progression.
Have a great week guys!
Alles Liebe,
Elder Ammon Robertson xxxxxxxx
Woche 92 von 102- I just realised
either I missed a week, can't do Maths or it's actually 92 of 101.5...... I
think I'll go with the latter!
Hallo!!
Can you believe it..... You only
have to suffer reading through 9 more of these after today....
Well, last Pday after studies we
headed out and did shopping for the week before heading into Wien to go to Café
Central for Mittags. So basically, we figured when in Wien you have to go to a
typical Wienerisch Café; so we asked around last week where people would
recommend and Café Central was number one, plus it's supposed to be the oldest
and poshest in Wien, so we figured why not! So last week we made a reservation
as if you just turn up you have to wait forever normally and then this morning
we went. It was soooo posh! Legit! So we had something proper to eat before
indulging on some cake! I got the Ungarische Gulasch- that was sooo good! A
little overpriced, but it was really good! Then the cakes all looked amazing,
but I settled for the 'Frühlings Kuss'; which was like a Creme Schnitte, but
with one of the layers of cream as a rhubarb filling type thing. It was
sooooooo good!
Then we headed to the Centre to do emails before heading down to
shopping city süd, which is basically like a giant mall! They have a Primark,
which was beautiful! Sooo British! The best part was that they sold some
British sweets and stuff as they do back in the UK, so I picked up some Chewitts
and Polos. I also grabbed some running shoes, cause the casual shoes I have
aren't good for running, so I normally borrow Elder Threlkeld’s for running,
but I figured only €11 for a pair at Primarni was good enough, so now I don't
need to borrow any! Plus, they only need to last me another 9 and a bit weeks!
Sweet! Then we headed back up to Wien and started work. After that, we need to
umsteig right outside B and R’s place, so we figured we would go by and see how
they were - seen as they weren't at church yesterday. That was cool, they let
us in, we chatted, shared something with them and they gave us some snacks,
cause P-day is a bit hit and miss with proper meals. Haha! It was a really cool
evening!
So Dienstag after studies, we
headed off to Meidling to meet with St. Pölten to tausch. I decided I'd stay
and work with Elder Johnson seen as last time I worked with Gappmayer, but I do
have permission to tausch with them twice this transfer, so I'll get to work
with both! So we headed out to Stadtpark and did some finding, then the Sisters
joined us and we did a bit of power finding in Stadtpark! It was actually some
really good finding! We got a few potentials! Then we popped over to the Centre
to prepare English and then had Englischkurs before walking and finding home
and having dinner! 'Twas cool!
Mittwoch began by having a morning
full of studies, mittagessen and Auswertungsgespräch before heading off to
Meidling to get the train to St. Pölten to tausch back! Our train went from 5
minutes late, to 10, onto 15, then 20 and on to 30 minutes late. By which time,
the next train was going, so that was fun! There really is nothing quite as
good as Swiss Public Transport! It was a really fun tausch and working with
Elder Johnson was great! Then we tausched back and Bonnke was ill, so we headed
home and he slept whilst I made use of my time! Also, the Euros turned up this
morning!!! Thank you soooo much! :D
So Donnerstag Elder Bonnke was
still ill, so it was another stay at home day. It's a good job today was run
day, so I could get out! Plus, after lunch I popped over to the chapel with one
of the Wien 4 Elders to order tickets for DM next week! Then home again to wait
out the day!
Freitag after studies my companion started
complaining about toothache, so he spent the morning on the phone to the nurse
and then calling up every possible dental practice for an appointment today....
Most of the dental practices close at 11.00 on a Friday apparently, but we
finally found one, had lunch and headed to this dental appointment. The problem
was that he had a gum infection. We did a vorbei whilst we were nearby, but
they weren't home, so we headed home and did some weekly planning. It was more
like a power weekly planning, cause we had an appointment with M and B and this
skype lady to get to. That was good! I love meeting with those guys!
Samstag was fun! Interview day! So
after a bit of studies, we headed over to our chapel for interviews and
district meeting! My first DM as DL! It was weird, like it was a great meeting,
but interview DMs are always really 'here and there'; cause someone is always
out of it, so that was fun! My last interview in the field, like my next
interview with Pres will be my death interview! That is soooooo weird! From
what he said I think I'm going to die here, cause he kept asking if I'm alright
with doing my last transfer here, but he also checked if I was okay moving
on.... So who knows, but I believe when I die; Wien 1 Elders will probably
close, cause he needs to close a whole load of areas this transfer, so we shall
see. I got my temple recommend renewed as well (my recommend is auf Deutsch)
and he asked me to create some lists of things, which he'll be asking me about
in just over 2 months’ time. That was the strangest thing ever! Anyways, after
interviews we had training with President and the Graz district all about
Baptismal Records (I think that’s what they are called in English), so that was
fun, then home to finish studies. This evening we headed out and did some
finding before meeting the Sisters to go to T for abendessen! Oh my goodness!
It was soooo much fun! Legit this woman is mentally insane. She is such a hoot!
We just had sooo much fun the whole evening!
Sonntag was a pretty interesting
day! Testimony meeting was great, M got up and bore his testimony, which was
the coolest and sweetest thing ever! The feeling when one of your investigators
gets up to bear testimony in testimony meeting is amazing! Then the other
classes were alright! Funny story from Priesthood- so Elder Bonnke was asked to
read something and he starts reading, then one of the old guys starts shouting
at him in English how he needs to speak louder and sit up straight, no actually
stand up and read it. In the meantime, another old guy joins in the shouting
and some others are like he is German - he can speak German! Like it was soooo
bad, but sooo funny. Like old people just have the smallest issues, which they
make such a huge deal of, like if you can't hear, read along, but the fact that
he was saying it in English was just hilarious. People just assume that all
missionaries are Americans and can't speak the language very well.... That’s
the worst stereotype, which you never had to deal with in Switzerland, cause we
are all Europeans. Well, after church we had a "quick" GMK. It was
alright, but I'm not super impressed with our GML.... Oh well! Then we headed
to B and R’s for the afternoon. It was so much fun! I love going to their
place! Then our appointments for the evening fell out, so we went by a less
active and spoke to her on the door. It was pretty cool, plus she is going to
help us with teaching a Polish guy! Then we headed home, did some studies, had
abendessen, planned, collected numbers and phoned the ZLs.
Well today was an adventure, but
more on that next week. For now, that’s everything unless something comes to
mind!
Alles Liebe,
Elder Ammon Robertson
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