Wien(Vienna) / Munich 30/5/16 - 13/6/16 Naturhistorisches Museum, Herbs, Tschüss Wien, Versetzungstag, Talente Abend und Pfahl/Gebietskonferenz. Bowling, Tausch, Crashing MLC und mein erste Sonntag in die Gemeinde München 1!!

Woche 97 von 101.5- Naturhistorisches Museum, Herbs, Tschüss Wien, Versetzungstag, Talente Abend und Pfahl/Gebietskonferenz!

Servus!

Montag! So we haven't received our MSF for the month yet, so we didn't go shopping today, plus I wouldn't need to anyways, so it worked out perfectly! After studies we headed over to the Centre to do emails, then we went to print pictures, before heading to the Natural History museum with the Sisters! It was an interesting P-day! Lots of rocks, lots of animal stuff. It was great! Then that took the majority of P-day, before we headed over to B and R, but R's in hospital, so we visited him there. It was kinda sad, but still okay, as he was still cracking jokes! Goodbyes are just so much harder here then I remember them ever being!

Dienstag! Well first I went to Abmeld before we headed back to do a bit of study before going to the centre for DM. Although Frau M came round during the study part to say goodbye and give me a leaving gift.

Goodbyes

 DM was fun... It was pretty good, but then one of the district were like, those who are leaving need to bear their testimonies, so then that happened... I love my district! They literally are all the best! Love them! Then we headed to Herbs for lunch... Schnitzel!! Then back to the Centre to sort a few things before Englischkurs to which nobody turned up to, so we headed home. I started to pack, but didn't get far until a member told us that we need to go and give someone a blessing ASAP, so we dropped everything and went. Then headed back to swap washing over so I could pack; and then headed back to the centre to meet with M and B. We had dinner together and then goodbyes... It was sooooo difficult! I hate saying goodbye! Then home to pack and do Tschüssbuchs ... it's gonna be a late one! 

District Meeting Goodbyes

Mittwoch! Transfer Day! So it turns out that I ended up going to bed at like 5 this morning, so with just 1hr 30mins sleep, got up, got ready and headed down to Wien Meidling to catch the train to Salzburg.

Goodbyes at the Bahnhof

So at Meidling we did the whole goodbye stuff. It was pretty sad. I loved it in Wien, even though some things about it sucked. It was a great couple of transfers. So onto the train, there were quite a few of us leaving this transfer so it was a fun train ride, although it was delayed; so there was a bit of stress about catching our next train. So we get to Salzburg, quickly getting stuff off and onto another gleis for the next train, which was luckily waiting for us. A few quick hellos and goodbyes and onto the train to München. Bakewell was on it as he is going home this transfer, cause of some cyst on his lower back which needs operating on. That was sad, cause now the group in München next transfer is not gonna be the same, but it was cool to be able to say Tschüss. Then we finally got into München. It felt so strange, like the next time I expected to ever touch that Bahnhof was supposed to be in 5 weeks’ time.... Weird! So we got in, said a few more hellos, then we went to go help out with luggage and stuff for the Swiss train, which was just coming in. Ahhhh! It was sooo good to see some people again. It feels like forever since the last time. Then we said goodbyes and headed to our apartment. A late Mittags before studying, unpacking and going to a member appointment for the evening! What a day! 

So Donnerstag after dragging myself out of bed (Packing and Tschüssbuching the night before will hopefully never happen again). We did studies and then headed out to a less actives' for Mittags and a quick lesson. Then we popped back home, cause we needed to grab something for our appointment this evening. Then we headed over to the chapel as we were supposed to be meeting a less active there. He didn't show up, so we did a bit of finding, which was pretty bad, as the weather wasn't all that nice. Then we headed to meet the München 3 Sisters who were coming with us to our member appointment this evening. So basically it's a peculiar set up here. So München 1 and 3 meet in the same building at near enough the same time, so it seems like its’ just one big ward. Just that meetings are held separately, but you still see everyone before/after and during breaks. Super strange! So München 3 get next to no member appointments, so our members feel bad for them; so invite them over with us sometimes. It's pretty cool though! So we had Abendessen, played some games and shared a spiritual thought! The München 3 Sisters are pretty cool. It kind of just feels like a strange version of Wien, but it's okay so far, so we'll see how the next 5 weeks go! 

What a day! So after studies Freitag morgen, we headed to the chapel to meet Bruder P, where we cooked Mittags, ate together and then read in the BoM together. So basically he won't go to the Temple until he has read the entire BoM, so we're helping him out with it. That took a good chunk of the afternoon, but it was cool! Then we did some weekly planning, before people started showing up to set up for the Ward Talent Show tomorrow evening, so we went and helped with that before heading over to F. He's an investigator from Ghana and has a baptismal date for 29th June. He cooked us some Ghanaian food and we had a lesson. He's super cool! Then home and that was our day! 

Samstag began with studies, as per usual. Then during Personal we got a call from Sister Kohler. She just felt like she should call us and say hi and see how we're doing! It was super sweet! I love that woman! Then after Mittags we finished up weekly planning and did a load of vorbeis in the pouring rain and thunderstorms, before heading to the chapel for the Ward Talent Show this evening. It was really good fun. We have a pretty cool ward to be fair. Then that filled the evening. 

My first Sonntag in München and we had the Area Conference, so we headed straight over to the Pfahlhaus. It started with the Stake doing their own opening part. The Stake President spoke, which was super short and sweet, cause they only had their Stake Conference here last weekend. Then came the satellite broadcast part. Basically it was sent from Salt Lake and Frankfurt, but I'm pretty certain it was all pre-recorded. It was really good, but I forgot my note book, so I have no notes on it. A seventy spoke and then Elder Kearon spoke from Frankfurt and then back to Salt Lake and Sister Oscarson, Bishop Causee and then Elder Christofferson. Then back to the individual Stakes for their own individual closing parts. It was pretty good, but seemed super strange. Anyways, after that we did the socialise thing. We then had joint comp study with the München 3 Elders and a member from our ward who likes to study and discuss gospel stuff with us after church each week. It's cool! (You have no idea how hard it is to say München instead of Wien when putting a number after the area name). Then home to grab something before heading to Poing to visit a less active couple. That was cool, then home, dinner and a bit of end of day studies (seen as we only had Comp study) and then planning and I had the joy of collecting numbers again.... That’s right – I'm the DL still. Nice to be told and all..... Legit, I got here on Wednesday – we got home and the DL stuff was on my desk, so I asked Elder Kennedy who we need to be giving it to and he's like, ‘Oh that’s for you, you’re the DL! Like I'm sorry, but nobody told me that... But then I guess last transfer was the same! 

Well I hope you each have a fantastic week! 

Alles Liebe, 

Woche 98 von 101.5- Bowling, Tausch, Crashing MLC und mein erste Sonntag in die Gemeinde München 1!!
Hallo! 

Montag-  So after studies we headed over to the shop. It was needed; well sort of, not really! We get fed by members super frequently here, so you don't need to buy all too much. After shopping we headed out to the bowling alley to meet up with München 3 Elders (the ZLs) ‘cause apparently we go bowling with them most Mondays. So we get there and the bowling place has summer opening times which just started, so it doesn't open till 14uhr. So we popped next door to Maccies, had lunch and wrote emails on the free wifi, then bowling! That was actually pretty fun! Considering I haven't played in like forever I won two of the four games we played. Not bad! Then we headed to Marienplatz as my brown shoes have a slit in the bottom, so with all the rain recently, here in München, my foot has been getting quite wet! So I bought myself some new brown shoes and they are super nice! Then my comp needed some new shirts, so we popped to C&A and that took a bit more time. Then home to drop it all off and out to a member appointment. It was super cool. He's from Colombia and his wife is also I think. Their kids were born here and they were super cool. We had some Colombian-type thing, which was super goood! Then home! 

So Dienstag began with a bit of studies before heading out to the chapel for district meeting. The district seem pretty cool! The assignments were great and I felt the spirit pretty strong! I still love my last district loads, but these guys are super cool! After DM we headed to J’s with the ZLs for a lunch appointment and uno and a spiritual thought before tausching! So I'm working with Elder Bybee in München 3. We headed back to the chapel (we share the building with the 3rd ward) for a lesson with a guy who’s name I have no idea how to even begin spelling. He was super cool and basically answered all of his own questions, which was just perfect. Then we found up to Hauptbahnhof, as we were supposed to be meeting another guy called R up there. We called him and he said he'd be there in another hour or so, so we did a bit more finding and some sprach before meeting him. We taught about the Restoration and set a baptismal date for the 10th July! It's so cool when you get a date set on tausch! Then we headed home, had dinner and planned! It's been cool! 

Mittwoch- So after getting up, ready and studies, we had lunch before heading out to visit a member in hospital. That was fun! German hospitals aren't very nice looking. Either that or this one was just especially strange looking! Anyways, it was a nice visit. Then we headed to the chapel to tausch back. After which we headed home to drop my tausch stuff off, before going by on a referral we received from Headquarters yesterday. So we called him and he says to just go by, so we did and couldn't find it for ages, then we asked someone about him and he was like oh yeah, you see those containers over there, he lives there as it's an Asylheim. So we head over it was scary stuff; just these like blue shipping containers meshed together to form an Asylheim. It was so weird. He wasn't even home, so we left the Book of Mormon at the office place for him and will try again later. Then we headed off to our appointment for the evening. So we went to this families and it turns out that she is the sister of Schw. L who was the Branch Presidents wife in Kaufbeuren and I loved their family! So it was a super cool appointment! Then we headed home and on our way back someone is shouting Entschuldigung from behind us, so we turn around and a lady jumps out of her car and is like ‘Are you the Mormons?’ – and we're all like ‘Yeah!’ Then we just have this super cool conversation and her daughter jumps out of the car as well and they tell us how they used to have contact with the Mormons a long time ago when her daughter was a baby, (she's now late 40’s at least) and how they've been looking for the church and wanted to make contact with us again for a long time, so when they saw two guys in white shirts they just had to try and see if it was us. How cool is that! It was sooo awesome! We got their details and gave them our number and stuff, so hopefully we'll be able to start meeting with them soon... Sooooo cool! Then home, planned and that was Mittwoch! 

Donnerstag was such a long day! I am so dead, I cannot even say how many times I had to wake myself up! So after studies we headed into the Stadt, in the pouring rain, to meet a member for a Mittags appointment. He took us to this Steak house. It was soooo good! Then we did a couple hours doing finding vorbeis before an appointments with a less active family. They were super cool, although it was a super long appointment! Then more finding vorbeis before heading home for Abendessen and that was the day! 

So Freitag was a super strange day. I legit died of tiredness and just did not wake up until like 7.50. It was sooo bad! I have no idea what happened! So after quickly getting ready and doing studies, we headed off to the chapel to meet Bruder P for mittags and stuff. That was cool! It took a little while, cooking, running to the shop to grab something he forgot, finish cooking, eating and the spiritual bit, then also washing up. Then as we were writing up a weekly email to Bishop, MLC finished (they do MLC once a month in our mission and they hold it at our chapel as it's the closest and easiest to get to from Hauptbahnhof); so then we got talking for a couple of minutes with the ZLs and STLs in the mission. It was so good to see some familiar faces from die Schweiz! Then finished the email and headed to Marienplatz to meet a former who called us up wanting to meet. Then we headed to a shop to buy a drink cause we were dying of thirst. Then we were on our way to an appointment and they called to cancel, so home to make a start on weekly planning and abendessen!

Samstag- So this morning was an early one and we were out of the apartment before even having the chance to start studies, as we had to travel to meet the München 3 Sisters and head over to Britta for Breakfast. It was super good. I haven't had such a big and filling breakfast in such a long time! Then we spoke for a while and Elder Kennedy tried to fix her computer. Then we had to leave to travel to our next appointment with F. We spoke about the law of tithing and the law of the fast. It was pretty cool! Then we headed off to our next appointment, out in Haar. He's a less active! Then we headed over to the chapel to grab something before heading onto our next appointment with a member from München 3 with the Elders. It was a super cool evening! We had Burgers for dinner and they were super good burgers! Then we chilled and chatted and they did some sort of spiritual thought thing!

Then onto my first real Sonntag with the Gemeinde München 1. It's disturbing to think I only have 3 more Sundays here in the mission..... I don't like that thought.... So we begin our meetings with Priesthood, then Sunday school and we have Sacrament last; as we meet at the same time as the 3rd ward, so they do the reverse schedule, starting like 15-20mins later. It works, but is so strange being with another ward at the same time, but it's also super cool! Church was really good and I got to know some more members. Then after church we had Gemeinderat, followed by joint Comp Study again with the München 3 Elders, Sisters and N. It was a super interesting studies/discussion. Then by the time that finished we headed home, did a little more study and had an earlier (than normal) abendessen before heading back to the chapel for 19uhr to have GMK and that filled the rest of the evening! 

That was basically our week! I also received an email this week from the Missionary Mobile Device department telling me what to do with my iPad, etc. That was weird... and as the end of my mission is getting closer it just seems weird and scary... We also have Zone Conference this week, so I'll be made to give my dying testimony and will probs also receive my death letter... Time is flying by way too quickly! 

Well today is gonna be a packed out day, so have a great week! 

Alles Liebe,

Elder Ammon Robertson xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Vienna (Wien) 16/5/16 - 30/5/16 Woche 95 & 96 101.5-Time Travel Museum, Pancake Tuesday, Taufdatum und One (Almost) Dead Man!!! Donauturm, Tausch, Schönbrunn Sommernachts Konzert, Taufe (2 sogar) und 'Eine Herde und ein Hirte'!!!!!

Woche 95 von 101.5-Time Travel Museum, Pancake Tuesday, Tausch, Taufdatum und One (Almost) Dead Man!!!

Servus!

So today was Pfingstmontag, which is a holiday over here, so none of the shops were open; so after studies, P-day began! So we headed down to Stephansplatz and hung out there for a little while, went to grab some lunch, did a bit more chilling around the city. Then we met up with the Sisters and a member couple and we went to this 'Time Travel' museum type place, which is basically like a tour of the history of Vienna. It was pretty cool, plus the members paid for us which was super sweet! Then after that, we headed up to the chapel to do emails, before meeting with M, B and M. That was a pretty cool lesson! We spoke about the Holy Ghost and then did a little Deutsch class! It was a pretty good p-day! 

Dienstag after a bit of studies we headed to the centre to have lunch as a District- they all wanted to do Pancake Tuesday again, so we did! Then DM! That was fun! It went a little longer than normal, which was super strange, cause I honestly didn't think it would fill the time, but it did, so that was great! Then after that we went and did some finding, before heading back to the centre to prepare for Englischkurs. Then R showed up (he's a newish member), so we had a lesson with him and then had a double round of English again. So the first one I taught about the Simple Present tense and the second class - I did the use of Commas in writing. They seemed to both go well! Then we headed quick to the shop as P-day was a holiday, so they weren't open yesterday and we needed to grab a few things. Then home, sprach and dinner! It was an interesting day!

So Mittwoch after studies we headed out to meet M, B and the Sisters, so we went shopping together. The Sisters wanted Iranian food, so we asked them and they said they didn't have money, so we were like, well - we'll buy the ingredients - you just need to cook type of a thing. So we went shopping together and tomorrow we're gonna have an Iranian lunch... Sooooo excited! Then we went to Schottentor to meet the ZL’s to tausch! I'm staying here with Elder Hale. It's actually been a really good tausch so far. We went off to do a bit of finding and some vorbeis before going to take R for a walk. (R is B's husband and he's blind, so B asks us to take him for a walk every now and again, especially when she's working a lot). We took him into the city and walked around Volksgarten. It was really nice. That took up a lot of the afternoon! Then we headed back to the apartment for a bit of sprach and a superrrrrrr late mittags. Then out for some more finding and vorbeis before heading to the Insti Centre to do the missionary moment, before heading home for abendessen. It was a pretty cool day and I'm actually really enjoying working with Elder Hale! I never mentioned about who I met at Insti- so at the moment there’s like a Summer program and a load of BYU students are in Wien for like May until June sometime, so at Insti today one of them started speaking to me and then he saw my name and was like "Robertson, where are you from?" and I say "England" - and then he's like "Birmingham?" "Yeah...." Then he asks if I know a Caleb, so I tell him we're cousins and it turns out he was companions with him on their missions back in Ghana! How crazy is that!?! So we had a picture, which he says he'll send to Caleb, Small world, hey!

Donnerstag after some pretty good studies and eating a Banoffee Pie, we headed to Pratter to tausch back! It was actually a really good tausch. After tausching back, we popped back home to drop his tausch stuff back and then off to the Centre. We were meeting with the Sisters, M and B for an Iranian Mittags! It was soooo good and sooo much fun! 

Then it ended as my comp’s tooth/gum problems were causing loads of pain, so I rang around and tried to get him a dentist appointment. We got one literally just around the corner from the Centre who could squeeze him in right then, so that filled a good chunk of the afternoon. It was a good job he went, cause apparently the infection was super strong and would certainly not go away without proper dental care and strong antibiotics. Then after that, I did Englischkurs before we did a bit of planning and headed over to B and R’s for the evening! It was sooo good! I legit just love them sooooooo much! It's just so much like home at their place; just completely relaxed, chilled out appointments. Like tonight we ate and then just all chilled out, chatting and shared a spiritual thought. Honestly those appointments are sooooo needed some days! I just love B and R. They really are my favourite people here (along with M and B) - so today was just the perfect day! 

It's already the end of Freitag! Weeks are flying by! So after studies and mittags, we had a pretty long weekly planning! After weekly planning, we headed over to B and R’s (it's as though we are there every day) for GMK and discussed the sacrament meeting that the ward missionary team are supposed to organise and put on at the end of June. After GMK we headed to meet M and B at the chapel. We had a lesson with them, focussing on the Christ-like attribute of hope. Then we were feeling a little troubled about their situation with not being allowed to get baptised and so, because they are completely ready, so we asked Pres about the rules and stuff and he asked about their residency stuff; what this white card is and so on. We looked through all their stuff with them and it turns out that what they have is actually good enough to be baptised. So while M was cutting Elder Bonnke's hair I called up Pres and spoke a little more about it all and he gave the okay to baptise them; so we are moving their baptism up to next Saturday. The 28th May!!! You should have seen their faces when we told them! They are soooo ready and sooo excited to make this covenant with God!!! The thing is that they have had the same permit ever since the missionaries started working with them, but it was only just that we actually started to look into it even more. Heavenly Father must have needed them to wait just a little longer. He really does work in mysterious ways and everything will work out in the end; so long as we keep pushing forward in faith and hope; and just endure righteously till the end! We are beyond excited for them! 

Samstag was an incredibly interesting day! So during studies we got a few calls and all of our appointments for the whole day, but one, fell out. So the day was basically gonna suck! So we thought of going to our favourite people ever, seen as we still have a lot to sort before next Saturday and they saved our butts for an hour or so. So after mittags, we headed over to the Centre to meet with M and B. They are legit the best! I love them soooo much. They were like "We couldn't sleep last night, because of the excitement that we can actually be baptised. We can't believe it!" They are the sweetest. We met with them to plan the actual service. It took a little longer than expected, but we have a pretty nice service planned out and we convinced them into having a couple of members of the ward perform the baptism. That way they have that connection with someone who will always be around. They wanted us to do it and I would have really loved to say yes, but we thought that having a member do it gives an even more solid relationship to the ward. Beyond excited for them!!! Then we headed to Ottakring to meet the Sisters. Our appointment with them fell out, so we planned a back-up together to go by an old lady in the ward who lives in a care home. So we went by, spoke and sang a load of hymns together. It was super funny and sooo cute. I love old people! Then on our way back Sister Lundgreen almost killed a man (she didn't really, we are just saying it to her, to make the golden feel bad- haha!) So basically on our way back we were walking down the street and Sister L is walking on the furthest side of the path (on the road side) and this guy just comes staggering over the path and almost falls into her, so she jumps into the road; so she doesn't get collapsed on by this man, as he staggers further into the road and just collapses, face first. We're all like what the fetch just happened, as some people from the bus stop 20m or so down the street come running up. One calls the paramedics and I'm about to go check this guy’s pulse as he wasn’t moving at all, not even breathing motions. Then this one guy just starts going up to him, so I figure, maybe he actually has some form of professional first aid training, cause I just have what I've learnt myself from over two years ago and never practiced, but then he's like, come and help me move him off the road. Then I think umm, maybe he has none, cause that is not what I would do, after he just knocked himself out left temple first into a road; but he moves him anyway and in the process - drops him head first again. Then he's at the side of the road and I'm like gonna try and put him in the recovery position to open his airways and blood flow, but this guy is still taking over and it was just terrible. Plus, now he's breathing, or more so snoring. So I'm just like whatevs then, plus he stinks of alcohol, so I believe that is the key factor to what just happened. The Police drive by and see the scene, so stop and come and take over, then the paramedics arrive. We wait around for a little while if they have any questions, but nope. So we took off! Legit, this guy just almost died today, right in front of us. After that, we went to the shop to buy a little gift for A and D for taking us to the Time Travel museum on Monday, then we did some finding and a vorbei before heading to the chapel to meet with F. That was good. Finally it didn't fall out! Then home, abendessen, and milkshake night! 'Twas fun!

Sonntag was another interesting day! Church was interesting. The theme for Sacrament meeting was music and the second talk Bishop did, but it wasn't a talk, we like sang songs from the Children’s songbook. It was cool, but super strange! Then the Priesthood class was just interesting. After that, we went through the baptismal program with the GML and learnt how to fill the font, before coming home, grabbing mittags and studying. Then we headed to the S's for abendessen and a lesson together! The food was soooo good, but I was soooo full! We had a really good lesson with them! They are such a cool little family! Then time to head back and that was Sunday!

It's been quite the week and it just flew by! This next week is looking pretty awesome as well, so I’m well excited, especially for Saturday! Soooooo excited! Well, I hope you guys have a great week! Love you all loads! 

Alles liäbi,

Elder Ammon Robertson xxxxxxxxxxx

Woche 96 von 101.5- Donauturm, Tausch, Schönbrunn Sommernachts Konzert, Taufe (2 sogar) und 'Eine Herde und ein Hirte'!!!!!

Höi zäme!

P-day! So after studies we went out to do some shopping for the week, before heading to the dentist, as they wanted to do a check up on my companion after draining that thing on Thursday. So we got there, waited a little while and then he went in. He came out and told me they were sending him to another dental practice on the other side of the city to get the tooth extracted, cause it's become cracked. So then we trek all the way to the other side of the city, wait around forever and then finally he goes in and gets it taken out. Then we finally make our way over to the Donauturm for district p-day; only like 2 and a half hours later than we originally planned, but we went up the turm. It was fun! We spent a bit of time looking out, taking pictures, etc. Sister Lundgreen made a bad choice in clothing this morning as it was windy as fetch up there, so she was constantly holding her dress down. Poor girl. 

Then we went up to the Cafe/Restaurant for a super late Mittags. It was pretty good food to be fair, but it was strange. Like the place was a 360* Cafe and legit, the room was moving around. It was slowly moving, but if you looked at the corner where the floor and wall, or ceiling and wall meet, it was really weird! I took a time-lapse on my iPad, as we were moving around, so I have the whole 360* view. It was pretty cool to be fair. 

Then we headed over to the chapel to meet up with B and M and the ZL’s for their baptismal interview. Of course they passed!!! They are soooo ready. Then because of dental appointments and running around for that and the interviews; we then had a bit of time to do email time before heading home. It was a pretty cool day! 

Dienstag! After studies, we headed off to the centre to go to district meeting. We had to do it a bit earlier today, as we had tausch and my comp needed to go back to the dentist to have his stitches taken out before going to St Pölten. So DM was fun. Then we did Pancakes again. I think it's becoming a little tradition in the district- pancake Tuesdays! It's fun! During that, we tausched and I'm working with Elder Gappmayer here in Wien. So after, we headed with the Sisters over to the Familie V, as they wanted to visit them and we were asked to take the Sacrament over for them, so we went together. That was really nice. We were there for a while though, but it was fun. Then we headed over to the S's for Abendessen. We got there a little earlier than planned, so did a bit of dooring, but no luck! Then essen! It was sooooo good! She also taught us how to make Spätzli from scratch. It is so quick and easy, so once I get my hands on the tool thing you use, then I'll have to make it when I get back. Sooo good! Then home, a bit of sprach and that was Dienstag! 

So Mittwoch after studies, we headed off to St Pölten to tausch back. So we tausched back so early, cause we had a mittags appointment with a member and my companion wanted to be at it, so we had to tausch early! So after that, we headed back to Wien to go to the Familie Soucek Snr. (Bishop’s parents) for Mittags. It was really good! Then after them, we headed to the Centre to do some companionship study, as we never had that before tausching back. Then we met up with B and M, read though the chapter about Baptism in Gospel Principles, discussed a few more things in preparation for Saturday and then M cut my hair, cause it was really due a cut and I was feeling too lazy to cut it myself this time! Then we headed home, showered and changed, cause I had hair all over me; then did some Sprach and abendessen. It was actually a pretty chill day, but we still got a few things done. 

Donnerstag!!! This week has gone pretty fast! It's crazy! So after studies and mittags we popped over to the chapel to send off ticket orders for DM next Tuesday. Well after that, we headed to meet the Sisters in Ottakring to go by Schw. K in the old folks’ home again. That was fun. She is such a sweet little old lady. We talked and sang with her again - and we got a few pictures! Haha! She is so sweet!

 After that, we did a few vorbeis before heading to the Centre to quickly prep something for English, to which nobody came (I think because today is a Holiday here); so we printed off the programs for the baptism on Saturday. Then we headed to B and R’s, did the Sacrament for them, cause they haven't been able to come to church for a few weeks for various reasons and then the Sisters did a Spiritual thought.  We then headed to the Schönbrunn Sommernachts Konzert with the Wiener Philharmoniker (they're supposed to be the best orchestra in the world and its’ founder is Johann Strauss), so once a year the Stadt put on a free concert at Schönbrunn with the Wiener Philharmoniker and it was really good. We got seats cause we were with R (he's blind) and we were on the front row (to the right). It was actually a really nice evening, but such a late one (but that’s fine, cause Pres gave permission). So that was our Thursday!

So Freitag was a pretty chill, strange day! So we did studies, mittags and weekly planning and then finally headed out. We went to the centre to meet with M and B and we went through a few last day preparation stuff before tomorrow! Tomorrow’s the day!!! I am sooooo excited for them! Tomorrow’s also the day to find out where and with whom my last 5 weeks will be spent.... Weird much! After them, we quickly headed over to C&A to get a couple of ties, as a little gift for them after their baptism. Just to give them another tie or two to choose from, cause they only have one each at the moment. Then we met up with Wien 4 and went to a member appointment with them. This family found out a week ago that we live in a 4 man, so they asked if the whole apartment wanted to come over, so we agreed and we went. The food was amazing and it was a really interesting and fun evening. Then home and the normal evening before transfer call morning!!!

Samstag- and today’s the day for a couple of reasons!!! So, after a nice morning run the call came... My very last call that means anything to me, cause the next time I get one of those I'm just going to be told that it's time for me to find my next companion on my own.... and that comes in just 5 weeks’ time.... Weirdness of life! Anyways, back to the actual call... So I'm leaving to go to my 8th Area. I swear I'm hitting up a record here!!! That works out at a max. of 2 transfers per area. It sort of has to be fair, but then 2 of them were 3 transfers and the other 2 were 1 transfer areas. So I'm off to Munchkin Land (München) where I will serve in the 1st ward with an Elder Kennedy (I have no idea about him- but he will be the one killing me)! He's American anyway, anything else I guess we'll find out on Wednesday... So my replacement here will be Elder Meiners, yep his area is just going to be dramatically shrunk, as he's currently in the International ward, which is the whole Stake as his area, so that will be fun. He has such an easy transfer though, as we live together anyway, so he just needs to change his desk over.... I’m not sure about this last move though, as during interviews Pres he asked if he moved me out; where would I like to go? .. and I said ‘To the mountains’! Now München is no mountain area... Well anyways, after that business we headed over to the J's to help them move. That was fun! Especially seen as it's like ridiculously hot at the moment. Once we finished there we headed over to Prater to meet up with a few other missionaries and some investigators to play Ultimate Frisbee. That was fun; again super tired and super-hot and just not a good combination. We got back from there and got showered and ready for the day, popped over to the chapel to fill the font, studies/last minute prep for the baptisms and then they arrived. They got into white and we had a load of pictures before the service started. It was really nice. The GML spoke on baptism and then we had the baptisms, B first and the M. We were the witnesses and it was such a perfect, beautiful, spiritual moment. I love those guys so much. Then while they were getting dry, we had music playing in the background while everyone wrote a small testimony/memory thing for them on the back of the programs. Then B gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, Bishop welcomed them, then they both gave their testimonies and told their story. It was soooooo beautiful. Then Schluss. We had a few refreshments and stuff and that filled the majority of the evening. They even got themselves suits, so they would be dressed like all the other members. They looked sooo good! What a precious day! I'm so excited for them tomorrow! 

Wow! Sonntag! So after getting ready we headed over to the chapel. B and M were there 20 mins before the meeting started to say hi to the members and we also got them there a little earlier, cause I still needed to break the news to them about transfers. Yesterday was just not the time or place, so I told them and it was the saddest thing ever – their little faces!!! Then Sacrament meeting; they got confirmed- such another precious little moment!! The Spirit just filled that chapel and then came the second confirmation and it just doubled! It was beautiful! Then after the Sacrament, Bishop announced how I'm leaving, so then I had to do the whole super sucky Tschüss testimony. I hate that part about transfers. I've done it way too often! Then the talks were good and interesting, but it was cool! Then we had the Gospel Principles class to teach, as the teacher messaged us this morning; like 20 mins before we left for church and asked if we could take it, as he wasn't able to come. We did an ‘on the spot’ lesson on Charity, as that was the topic. It seemed to go pretty well! Then joint Priesthood/FHV class with the former President of the Freiberg Temple. They did like a Temple Q&A session to some extent and it was pretty good. Then goodbyes, which sucked! I'm definitely gonna come back to visit this ward. Bishop says hi to the family and thinks its super cool that I served in this ward, as he was Bishop. He's such a cool Bishop! I'm gonna miss that! Then home for lunch and studies.... I think I'm gradually coming to terms with München 1. The members were saying today that München is cool and has a lot to see on P-days and stuff, which was great! Anyways, after studies we met F and headed with him over to Pfahlhaus. We got there a little early, so sat down and had a little lesson with him before heading up to the Chapel for this Concert thing. There was a group of BYU students from the School of Music who have been in Wien for a study abroad month or so, and one of them is the Composer of some Musical Concert thing which focusses on the BoM called 'One Fold and One Shepard'; so they performed this evening- auf Deutsch! It was brilliant! Like those guys can sing soooooo well! It was a great evening! Then refreshments, mingling, etc. Then we for home a little late and then I collected numbers for the last time (I think- they never told me if I'm DL over in München), but then again they never told me I was DL this transfer when we got transfer calls. I just found out ‘cause President sent me a load of info about it and the fact I suddenly had access to the other areas numbers in the district on the missionary portal, so you never know!

Well, I guess we'll just have to see what transfers bring.... Well, have a fantastic week. Love you loads!

Alles Liebe,

Elder Ammon Robertson xxxxxxxxx

Vienna (Wien) 2/5/16 - 16/5/16 Woche 93 & 94 - Stuff, UNO City, Vanrosen und Hochzeitsempfang!

Woche 93 von 102- Stuff....

Servus!

So Montag after shopping we cleaned this place up a bit before us and Wien 4 went to go meeting up with the Sisters at Heiligenstadt, grabbed something to eat and then took the bus up to Leopoldsberg, which is like a little "mountain". It's more of a hill after Switzerland, but whatevs, with a Panorama view of Wien. It's pretty beautiful! Unfortunately it was a tad bit cloudy, so the view wasn't sooo splendid, but it was still pretty nice! Then we "hiked"(more like walked) from Leopoldsberg to Kahlenberg, which was also pretty nice. Then we "hiked" down to the bottom. Got a bit lost and stuff, passed through some crazy vineyards, which was pretty beautiful, then headed over to the chapel to email. 

After that we got changed, did a walk and talk lesson with A.  It was interesting and then finished the evening with some area book work!

Dienstag after a bit of studies we headed off to the centre to have lunch and district meeting! We did Pancakes as a district and they were super good! 

Then DM I did my own thing. I based it on what I set as our district vision for the transfer, which is "Mit Macht und Vollmacht- Lehren, Lernen und Finden!" So I based it all on scriptures and each missionary did their assignment on one of the scriptures. I asked them to study and prepare for. It worked out brilliantly and the Golden of the district (Sister Lundgreen) did the best job, like legit; if every missionary put as much thought into their assignments, district meetings would be incredible! We do our meetings auf Deutsch as well, so she really did a fantastic job! I'm impressed! Then it's Sister Neugebauer’s birthday tomorrow so we all did a sneaky card, including Elder Neugebauer and got a cake and had a little birthday party for her. Then after that we met up with M, M and B. It was a great lesson, then after that we did some vorbeis and finding, before heading to the chapel to meet with the Sisters and the Bishopric to go through the ward list and get a low down on everything and also report a few things we've found. It was super useful! Then home, sprach and dinner! Also, Elder Meiners got a package from M and A (the are a new member couple from Augsburg, who I met a few times when I was in Kaufbeuren and they still remember me, even though I was only there for 6 weeks) and they included a couple of little things for me. How awesome is that?!? 

After studies and mittags we headed out to Johnstrasse to meet an Ehemaliger at Maccies. It was interesting! So we meet this guy there and he's like: ‘Can I get you a Cappuccino?’ and we're like: ‘Nope, we don't drink coffee!’ - so he goes and gets himself one! Then he comes back to us and is like: ‘Are you sure I can't get you anything?’- so we are like: ‘No, it's fine!’- type of a thing, then he disappears again and comes back with another 2 Cappuccino’s for each of us. That was a little awkward.... Then he's trying to persuade us into drinking it; that it's not really coffee, it's more milk, etc. Finally we managed to move on from that subject and then he goes off on one about refugees and gets all racist and talks about how "Uncle Adolf had it all right, didn't he?" It was sooo awkward! We tried a number of times to take control and come to a gospel topic, but he just kept going back to his racist remarks, so we made our excuses and left. Our boiler in the apartment is having some major issues, so the guy was supposed to be coming to look at it and sort the problem today between 14.00-16.00, so we had to wait for that for a bit. He came at like 14.45 and was here for about an hour, so that was fun. Then we did some finding and vorbeis nearby. We got let in by an older couple. She comes to church every week (but I had no idea she was who she was) and he doesn't, because he's basically housebound. So we went and shared a little lesson. It was quite spiritual and we got to know them a bit better. They're a pretty cool couple. Then we headed over to Bishop and family for Abendessen. It was really good and so much fun! He has a cool little family. Then home and that was Mittwoch!

Donnerstag after Personal and Comp, we headed over to the chapel, as there's a Sister in the ward who deals with all the garden stuff and she asked us to do something for her; so we went and did it. Then we came home for mittags, got changed and did some Sprach, before heading over to the Familie S. So these guys, Elder Brady and I tried each week to get an appointment, then each time, just 1hr before they would call and cancel. I decided that this transfer we'd give them a break for a few weeks before calling them up, then he got in touch with us, so we finally met them. They are such a cool family! Then we headed over to the centre for Englischkurs. We do that during Deutschkurs, then we also have an extra one for Deutschkurs students who also want to do Englisch! So we had back to back English today, or more so, I did, whilst my companion just sits there taking a chill hour! Then after that fun, we had a lesson with M and B! It was cool! We spoke about the family and read through the family proclamation, as we got hold of it in Farsi, so that was cool! Then we headed home and the day was over! I am soooo dead!

Freitag gave a lot of time for reflection and thinking and that type of stuff, so home was on my mind a bit and can you believe that 2 months today I will be in Munich for my last evening, as a missionary in this mission. Weirdness! No getting trunky! Home can wait another couple months! Anyways, after the normal morning business (studies, mittags, etc.) we decided that today we were going to take a day out of the city. We had a few less actives and formers who live in a place not too far, but still a good way out of the city, called Klosterneuburg. It was sooo refreshing to be out of the hustle of a city and to get nice clean country air. It was soooo good! Legit, I have missed the middle of nowhere! So we did a load of vorbeis there, loads of walking, I think my feet are wrecked after all that walking. We legit walked miles and miles today. Craziness and because of that, we had loads of thinking time, as some people lived in legit the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of this little town. It was super pretty though, but that filled up like all of our day and now I am wrecked, plus it was super sunny, so that was fun! 

Gemeinde Putztag Samstag! So after studies we headed to the Gemeinde Putztag, to clean the chapel. That was fun! M and B also came to help, cause they are little legends! So yeah we helped the ward clean the chapel, although the missionaries, M and B were about 50% of who turned up, but hey! After that, we popped back to get changed and grab lunch before heading to the centre to help out Wien 4. Their person never turned up, so they did a member lesson instead with their joint teach (she was female; for a female investigator, which is why they needed us there to help). Then after that, we went to meet N again. It's been a while, cause he's been super busy.... So we met him at work again. He made us a pizza again and he had a friend there who was speaking to us the majority of the time. It was interesting and we were there for quite a while. Then we headed home, which took way longer than it should have, no idea why. Had dinner and that was the day! 

I don't actually know where to start on Sonntag.... Church was interesting, sacrament was Mother’s day-based, which was super sweet. Before that we headed home, had mittagessen and did a bit of studies before heading back over to the chapel for Skype time!!! After that, we had a lesson with a former. That was interesting; then home for dinner and that was Sonntag! 

All my Love,

Elder Ammon Robertson xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Woche 94 von 101.5- UNO City, Vanrosen und Hochzeitsempfang!

Hallo!

Well P-day was fun, sort-of! After studies we went and did shopping before cleaning the apartment quickly and heading out to Donauzentrum with Wien 4. So we went to this place for lunch called Burgerista. It's similar to five guys, but not soo messy looking Burgers. It was really good! Then we headed to the Vienna International Centre (UNO City) to check it out, ‘cause some people say it's super cool, so we went to see. We got there and had to pass through like airport-style security just to get to the Visitor Centre part with the gift shop area and stuff. Legit, the UN take their security pretty seriously. Then basically the guided tour only happens 3 times a day and costs like €10 and it would be a 40 min wait for the next tour. You can't leave the visitor centre part unless you are on a tour or accompanied by someone who has invited you. So we're considering leaving, then we realise that actually Wien 4 have a load of members who work there and it was lunch break time, so they text their GML who works there and whilst waiting for a response, another one of their members walks through and speaks to us and gets us in. 

We have to like Sign in with our Passports and stuff. It was sooo official. Then we got these little Private Visitor badges. We got in and then their GML came and met us and he did a little made up tour for us (cause obviously he just works there. He isn't no Tour Guide) - it was cool. 

Then ‘cause it was lunch time, we got to go to the UN Cafeteria. It was huge! We had some cake as well and yeah! It was pretty cool and probably way better than the actual tour and we got it for free! After that little adventure we headed to the Insti Centre to do emails and then met up with B and M for the evening! It was a cool day! 

Dienstag! Oh Dienstag! After studies we headed over to the 2nd ward building for Zone Training! That was interesting! After that, we headed to the centre to quickly prep for Englischkurs and then taught English. That was fun! Then we headed back home to have a bite to eat before going to Gemeinderat for the rest of the evening! I also got an email from Bishop with a very similar picture (but not the exact same) which Mom sent and he said with it: "Dear Elder Robertson, This is what I found of my Romford time...I believe the picture looks much like the one you showed me the other time.... Anyhow, please give my best regards to your parents and if the habit remains in the family, I'll be excited who gets to be your eternal companion! Liebe Grüße, Christoph" What a joker! He is such a fun Bishop!

So Mittwoch after a block of studies, we headed over to the Tennis Club for the Bruder V lunch. It was the first one since transfers. It was pretty cool, but different, without any Brits with me! 'Twas cool anyways! Then we headed to the Centre to meet with M and B. We started going through Christ-like Attributes and also did a little extra German Class for them, which was good! They really want to try and learn the language as much as possible now. So we're doing an extra Deutschkurs for them, along with the one on Tuesday and Thursday they do at the centre and the other one they do online. After them, we headed out and did a few vorbeis and some finding before heading over to B and R for GMK. Oh, I never mentioned on Sunday that F finally received the Priesthood and got called as Gemindemissionar. So we had GMK. That was cool, and F was great; and was giving a load of ideas of how we can get some more young investigators and even offered to go dooring with us in Student Accommodation Blocks. Pretty sweet! After GMK our GML and F left and then we spent the evening with B and R. I love them sooo much! They're the BEST! Then we ran to catch the train and home! We've had some pretty packed out days recently and it looks like tomorrow will be pretty similar! 

Donnerstag! After studies and mittags, we headed off to the 8th district where we did a bit of finding and vorbeis in the pouring rain. I think it was more walking in the rain and vorbeis than anything. Then we headed to the centre to meet up with F. That was a cool lesson. Then we did Internet and learnt how to use family search. I still don't have a clue, but hey! Then prepared for Englischkurs and taught English! Then we met up with the Sisters, as they were coming to help us out with a lesson; so we got there and they weren't even home, so we did a few vorbeis with the Sisters on people who lived nearby, who we may potentially need a JT with if we taught, but nobody was home. It kind of sucked, so we headed home and had dinner! It wasn't the best day!

Happy Birthday Ashleigh! So what did we actually do this Freitag.... So after studies we headed to the Centre to do Sprach. Then once we got back we had to head over to the chapel, as we were helping the W's set up for E and A's wedding reception thing for tomorrow evening. That was fun! It lasted a little while longer than we thought it would, but we got a lot done and helped quite a bit. It was looking really quite nice when we left. Then we got home and had a very late lunch before hitting weekly planning and appointments.  After that, we headed back home, had abendessen and that was Freitag!

Samstag after studies we headed off to meet M and B and went off to the Familie E to help them move. That was fun! Legit, I have never helped so many people move house/apartment as I have since being here in Wien! I'm becoming quite a pro at this business! That filled a good chunk of the day and we got Pizza out of it! Then we headed home to shower again and get ready before going out for a bit of finding and to go by on a new member who hasn't been to church for a few weeks. His address was wrong and finding really sucked this week, like legit, nothing, not a single person. We headed back for a bit of Sprach before going over to the chapel for the Wedding party of E and A. It was the strangest thing ever to be at a wedding... but it was cool! The food was incredible! They also had a band there. That was strange- normal music that was super loud.... I'm not sure how I feel about that! Oh, also highlight of the night- so we were eating and we were sitting with the Sisters and a few other members on our table, and I hear "Englander" being said, so look up to who said it and it was a lady in the ward talking about me to the guy sitting next to her. Then she goes and tells me what she was saying about how you can tell I'm from England, because I have my food well presented on the plate and eat it with manners. Then she turns to my companion and she says and I guess the Deutscher has been learning a few things! Then to the Sisters … and she goes off on one about these American girls, not knowing how to eat properly, etc. It was soo funny! Then literally 2 minutes later, one of the Sisters was pouring a drink and the cup just falls and messes up the table and this lady's face was a picture! Way to prove a point! Haha! Then after it, we helped clear up a bit before really having to head home! It was a fun day!

Church was actually really nice this Sonntag! Sacrament was led by the Young Men, with it being Priesthood Commemoration Day! That was super cool and we had 4 investigators at church with us! So that was super cool! We were supposed to be teaching the Investigator class today, but we were having another investigator come who wanted to have a lesson with someone who speaks Polish and Sunday school was the only time this member could have helped us. So the Sisters covered the lesson for us and we had this lesson with A and a Sister in the ward who speaks Polish. That was interesting! I always love lessons when you have no clue what's being said. Then we had Priesthood and that was the best Priesthood class I think I have ever attended. There's a part member family in the ward and the man isn't a member, but he comes near enough every week and this week he was teaching the Priesthood class; like this guy isn't even a member, but he did such an amazing job and everyone was respectful and listened and participated! It was just incredible! After church we headed to Schw. K for essen and it was amazing! Then home for some studies and out to meet A to go for a 'walk and talk' lesson. That was interesting! Then we had a little bit of time left and finding this week has been atrocious. We've been doing it, but it's just that we have had absolutely no success from it whatsoever! So I really wasn't up for doing any finding anymore. I was just so demotivated from finding that there was no point, but my companion wanted to do it, so we went. The whole time just constant rejection, rejection, rude, snarky comments, etc - but then we were almost back home and the very last lady we speak to was soo cool! We had a pretty cool conversation. To start with, she said that there was no point in meeting with her, ‘cause there’s plenty of other people who need to hear us, as she already believes. Then we kept talking and ended up exchanging numbers. It was soo cool! We're excited to see how it goes with her - and that was my week! 

Well, I wish you all a wonderful week! Love you loads and loads!

Alles Liebe,

Elder Ammon Robertson xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Vienna (Wien) 18/4/16 - 2/5/16 Woche 91 & 92 von 102- Zentralfriedhof, Zone Training and Zone Activity

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). 

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 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx