As we go for our morning walk, the meadows are changing. The cows, goats and sheep are gone along with the high stalks of corn, and the autumn leaves are appearing. There certainly is "Beauty all Around."
For a while we had 8 or 9 cows in our backyard. We loved the sound of the cow bells, even when they woke us up at night.
We are experiencing a nice Indian Summer and have seen a few sites close to home. We visited a wonderful museum in downtown Old Innstruck -- I could have stayed there for hours because there was so much history and things to see.
And we took the cable car to the top of the mountain, Hafelekar, and then hiked to the peak.
Jerry -- sitting "on top of the world."
Our "One Year in the Missionfield Picture"
Jerry -- sitting "on top of the world."
On the top of the mountain we could see all the way to Italy. The view was spectacular. It is much cooler at the top. The cable car was really fun. We had to disembark twice to catch another car going up. On the way back we stopped and hiked around for a while -- oh, it was so beautiful. On one part of the hike, I didn't think I was going to make it -- it was so steep and my feet were sliding. I was afraid to move ! ! ! Jerry tried to help, but I was afraid I would pull him down the hill too. Needless to say -- because I am typing this -- we made it. The rest of the hike was wonderful and we found another trail back down -- avoiding the steep part.
Our "One Year in the Missionfield Picture"Because of the mountains, we very seldom experience a sunset or sunrise. On our way to Salzburg, very early in the morning on my birthday -- this is the sunrise that greeted us. Before long the whole sky was orange and pink -- oh, the beauty of ths earth.
Our youth greeted us at the end of the day with a Birthday surprise and a cake. The girl standing next to Rosalyn holding the cake recently received her mission call to Homburg, Germany. She will enter the MTC in Provo on Jerry's birthday -- December 15th. What a wonderful blessing it has been for us to have our lives intertwined with these wonderful, faithful youth. 
We love our visiting. This is Christine Clingraber. She is inactive, but a very dear friend. She knitted Jerry and me some sox -- and we love 'em. In Austria everyone takes off their shoes before entering someone's home. So some warm sox are nice to use, expecially in the winter time. (This is a great tradition -- and sure keeps the house clean!)
Our youth greeted us at the end of the day with a Birthday surprise and a cake. The girl standing next to Rosalyn holding the cake recently received her mission call to Homburg, Germany. She will enter the MTC in Provo on Jerry's birthday -- December 15th. What a wonderful blessing it has been for us to have our lives intertwined with these wonderful, faithful youth. 
We love our visiting. This is Christine Clingraber. She is inactive, but a very dear friend. She knitted Jerry and me some sox -- and we love 'em. In Austria everyone takes off their shoes before entering someone's home. So some warm sox are nice to use, expecially in the winter time. (This is a great tradition -- and sure keeps the house clean!)
A few days ago we were in Munich for a Mission Tour and were taught by members of the Seventy. Elder and Sister Carmago of the Third Quorum of Seventy spoke to us in the morning session and Elder Teixeira from the First Quorum of Seventy spoke to us in the afternoon. They are all originally from Brazil but have lived here for many years. The Mission President asked if they could speak to us in German. They said they spoke Portuguese, Spanish or English. He opted for the English -- YEA! What powerful testimonies and conversion stories.
And to finish the week, we had a baptism last night -- Peter Kojat. He was so excited and so ready for this day. After we had a wonderful buffet dinner prepared by a member of our branch. Our tummies were fed -- and we were spiritually fed. Peter thanked us for our class that we teach on Sunday. He said every time he had a question or was wondering about something -- he received an answer in our class.
After the baptism we had a late appointment with an investigator and the young Elders. He had also come to the baptism and felt the spirit there. We had never been to his apartment before. It was very clean, however, sparse of furniture. I sat in the only chair, Elder Beckstead sat on the floor and the others on the bed. He speaks English, is very receptive to the lessons and has recently stopped smoking, drinking alchol and coffee.
After the baptism we had a late appointment with an investigator and the young Elders. He had also come to the baptism and felt the spirit there. We had never been to his apartment before. It was very clean, however, sparse of furniture. I sat in the only chair, Elder Beckstead sat on the floor and the others on the bed. He speaks English, is very receptive to the lessons and has recently stopped smoking, drinking alchol and coffee.The Lord is blessing us in this work. One of our greatest blessings is our family and we are so grateful for their support. What a joy it is to serve. As we listened to a church CD while traveling with the young Elders, I remember the words of a song that went something like this . . . .
Don't you know -- Can't you see -- I'm not who I used to be.
Don't you know -- Can't you see -- what His love has made of me?
As we accept His love into our hearts and our lives, we will never be the same.
1 comment:
Beautiful post! You two are having some amazing experiences, I'm getting excited for one day Matt and I can serve a senior mission!
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