Woche 97: All we need to do is start with the person that we see in the mirror.

Woche 97

Montag

Monday, we went to Salzburg a day early for Zone Training. We did emails, and then went to Festung Hohen Salzburg, which is an 11th Century Fortress. So that was super cool! You get a great view of the city! And it was sprinkling just slightly, so everything looked even greener! And then we had a sleepover with Salzburg Zone Leaders. Brixen was also there, so we had eight elders all together. 

Dienstag

The day of Zone Training! It was so good!!! We talked a lot about being better missionaries. What can we improve on and such. Being better teachers, and working with the members better. We also talked about being more confident!  In ourselves, the language and such! Man, it was such a good meeting.  And then we had a Zone Celebration afterwards. We had a grill party and played soccer, frisbee, and football. It was ton of fun.  And then we took the three hour train ride back. It is so beautiful.

Mittwoch

Wednesday morning, we had inspections. We passed. We did studies, and then we did a little bit of area book work. AKA, calling people that had interest in the church. And then we went out to go talk to people. We also went by on "G", the referral from last week. His roommate let us in. So we waited in the hall way, he shooed us, came and pushed us out, started mumbling, and then tried shoving the Book of Mormon back into our bags... All the while we literally did nothing... It was sad to see him do that. So then we went out and talked to some people.

Donnerstag

Thursday, we got Elder Kaufusi registered in the city, then went and applied for a visa. Then we went to the Police Station to start his license process. Then we went to Villach to have a lesson with "I". Well, we tried calling him, but he never answered. We found out later that his phone was having problems. Well, we just talked to people on the street. It was also super nice that day. We explored Villach and eventually came across a park. Elder Kaufusi asked if he could play basketball with this one guy. So, I sat on the bench for a little. And then some guy came up and sat next to me. We started talking, and he was actually a Jehovah's Witness. We had a fantastic conversation and eventually exchanged contact info. So crazy, how short of time friendship requires. After, I joined basketball, with a new guy and elder Kaufusi! It was loads of fun, and then ended and exchanged numbers. Then we got slushies and went home.

Freitag

Friday, we did some weekly planning. Then went to the church for the Gemeinde Putztag. It was great. Cleaned the church with the ward. Then we had dinner with the Casella family! They are an awesome family from Italy!!! They are so wonderful!!!

Samstag

Saturday, we had lunch with the Kaiser Family. They are so great!!! Their kids are great as well! So hyper, but awesome!!! We even played Settlers of Catan with them! Well, we didn't finish, it would take too long. But next time! And then we went by on some people and then ate at an awful Chinese buffet. Never again... -__- And then we went home.

Sonntag

Sunday was great!!! Loved it! We talked about being a Light to the World. We can be examples of Christ to the world, simply by the way we act! Nothing special!!! That's it, just acting Christlike. We don't need to have a parade, or be some outstanding volunteer, or some famous charity! All we need to do is start with the person that we see in the mirror. Acting kind and loving will go much farther than money will ever go!

~Elder Albrecht~

Woche 96: Woche der Versetzung

Woche der Versetzung

Montag

Monday, we went to get Elder Jensen deregistered from Austria. He has to leave Austria, which is sad because it is the best!!! But then we went to the church to meet Danny, a member. He gave Elder Jensen a painting, that he drew himself! It was beautiful! And then we did some emails and then went to Villach to eat with the Mauch family. They made some spinach soup with boiled eggs. Haha, I finally learned what this German saying means, because it made sense... "Mein Deutsch ist nicht das gelbe vom Ei" which translates to "My German isn't the yellow from the egg" AKA, my German isn't great... Haha, love it. And then we walked around Villach for a little, and then headed back to finish emails. When we went back home, found out that the freezer turned off. Cleaned that up, and then the Nielsens picked us up to go to the Christensens for dinner.

 Dienstag

We woke up early to catch a bus to Graz for district meeting. Well, we got there, and ate Subway, and then went to the church. We played a small game of chair soccer (finally understand what it is) while we waited for the Sisters. Then we had district meeting and stuff. It was good. Talked about working with the ward and stake better. Then we had to leave right away because our bus left pretty soon after that. So headed over to Bahnhof, and then took the bus back home. Well, it felt like it took forever... There was construction and all sorts of stuff. But we made it back. And we got home and Elder Jensen gathered all of his things. Elder Christensen picked us up so we could go to the church. We got there, and Elder Jensen saw "H" and "A" for the last time. They were great. It was kind of sad to see. But then we went to the Bahnhof and headed to Salzburg.  We ate McDonalds, and headed to the Zone Leader's apartment. Well, they weren't home yet, like we had planned, so we sat on their door listening to EFY in the dark.


 

Mittwoch

Transfer day.......... Ugh, I hate this day... Too many goodbyes, and they never get easier. I saw the missionaries leave to Germany, Switzerland, and Wien... Way too many goodbyes! And Elder Wilkins died! (Went home from his mission) Goodbyes never get easier!!! Haha, man... But I was there waiting with Elder Bowers, so that was a good reunion. And then we went finding for a little, tried some new approaches and they went pretty well. Then Elder Kaufusi got in and we went home a little later. We got on the train, and kept having to move, before the train even left... But we finally got settled, and I was sitting next to some lady. Well, I liked passed out because I was so exhausted. Like, seriously, I remember waking up way confused. I didn't even realize I fell asleep! Aha, and the train ride wasn't even like half way over! Man, it felt like eternity! But, I realized that the lady belonged to a group of people sitting around us, and they were all speaking way clear German. Seriously, Austrians don't speak clearly... I asked them where they were from, Brandenburg, Deutschland. Of course. It was nice on the ears, but Austrian dialect is still the best. But we got home, the Christensens picked us up and actually had dinner in our oven. Way nice. And then I went to bed early, because I literally couldn't stay awake.
 

Donnerstag

Well, I was still tired, more like exhausted. So, we shopped for the week, didn't have time Monday. And then we went to Villach. It was so pretty! Villach is a beautiful city. We went finding there and talked to lots of people. Had some good conversations, finally! Usually people are on bikes and stuff. So, it was way nice. Had a cool conversation with some guys from Holland. They love America. Then we came home. Elder Kaufusi is also a clean freak, so he has been cleaning and rearranging. Our apartment is looking way good. It was ok, but now it is great!
 

Freitag

Friday, we did Weekly Planning. So that was good. We have some good goals. And then we went to the police station to get Elder Kaufusi's driver's license started. Well they were closed, but the sign said something different, so we were confused. Some police guy came out and was giving us sass and asked us if we could even speak German. Haha, yes!  Then we went and contacted a referral. He was home and we got to talk to him a little. He originally wasn't interested with meeting us, he just wanted the Book of Mormon, which is also great. But we got talking with him, and explained what we do as missionaries. He gave us his number, and said we could call him!  Then went to the church for Ping pong, no one showed up. Then we went home.
 

Samstag

Saturday, we did some area book work. Pretty much organized stuff and called a ton of people who had interest, but no one followed up, or they just never answered their phone. So that was fun and exciting. And then we went out to talk to the people of Klagenfurt out on the streets. Well, Elder Kaufusi's allergies were getting pretty bad, and pharmacies aren't open after 12 on Saturdays... So, he was kind of in trouble. Sneezing, red eyes, and stuff. Well, we went down town, and there was one open, even though the sign said that it should've been closed! Miracle! Well, we went back home, because the trees and pollen and wind was just killing him. So we went back. But, the stuff helped a ton!

Sonntag

Sunday. Well, almost no one was there because they were in Brixen, Italien. So, I played the organ setting on the piano. It was nice. And Elder Kaufusi introduced himself. That was good. Oh, before the meeting started, Sis. Kaiser invited us over for lunch! Wooh, love their family. So, the meetings were all way good.  We talked about how God just sees Black and White, you know, yes and no, righteous and evil. And how the world, the adversary, makes a ton of grays. He puts all of this filling stuff. We gotta be the same, we obviously can't judge others, but we need to preach His gospel at least clearly and boldly. So, then we went to the Kaisers for lunch. Ah, they are so awesome! We helped make dessert and then we ate Goulasch.  Yummy! The kids had a ton of animal and dinosaur toys, so we were playing with them while dessert was being finished.  Awesome kids.  And we played Ligretto with them. Look that game up, it is awesome! Anyway, it was a good day!

Woche 95: Woche des Versetzungsanrufes

Woche des Versetzungsanrufes

Well, for those of you who are wondering, here are the transfer news:

For my final transfer, I will be staying in Klagenfurt. And Elder Kaufusi will be my new companion. He is coming from Landshut, Bayern. He was in Elder Jensen's MTC group, so Elder Jensen is good friends with him. I have heard good things about him, so I am way excited! And apparently, he is like 6'8". So super tall, and Polynesian. So I get to stay in beautiful Klagenfurt! And Elder Jensen is getting transferred to Offenburg, in the Schwarzwald. My birth place! He is working with Elder Wright. Fun stuff.

Montag

Monday morning, we got the chance to watch the final session of General Conference, like I said last week.  Afterwards, we did our emails and stuff. Then we ate a Dürüm! It is a Kebap Döner in a tortilla. So yummy and delicious. And then we bought some face wash and face lotion. Then we went out in the sun and just laid there. It was nice.  And then we went out and talked to people, or attempted to at least. It seemed like everyone and their dog were using a bike, or roller skates.  It has just been really warm and beautiful lately! Green, green, green!

Dienstag

Tuesday, we went out and talked to people again... Well, for whatever reason, no one was out, except for the city center, and half of them were selling or promoting something. Haha, nice. But we had a lesson with "H" and "A".

Two side notes:

1. We found out we have been saying "H"'s name wrong. Found that out from him. Literally have been saying his name wrong, and he just now told us.

2. So two Sundays ago, we had some potluck thing. "F", our Persian member, made some Persian food and told us to bring "H"and "A". So they came, and they brought a friend, "H" (that is how we found out how to actually say "H"'s real name) and he had on a Brigham Young University shirt on... Apparently he bought it in Iran... what a coincidence! We told them and they all loved it! BYU, Mormon, and stuff.

So, the lesson was good. We talked about General Conference and watching it in Farsi. So, we are going to get that set up! Wooh! And then we went out to Emmersdorf to contact a referral. Well, she wasn't home, and the buses were so out of whack that it took the rest of the evening.

Mittwoch

So Wednesday, we had District Meeting with the Christensens. It was pretty good. Since it was just them and us, we got to discuss a lot of things specific to our area, Klagenfurt. It was awesome! And we drank some Aloe Vera drink! It has chunks of Aloe Vera in it, and is super good! And then went off to the streets to talk to people! Afterwards, we had PFK. It was good. This is seriously the best ward ever! They are so concerned about others, and how they can help! It is great.

Donnerstag

Thursday, we had a lesson with someone we met from the week before Meet the Mormons (remember that?). So that was super exciting, because it has been quite some time. Well, we brought Elder Christensen with us. She had some friend there with her.  It was pretty awesome. We taught he Restoration. We talked about the Book of Mormon, we gave her one when we first met her, and the importance of it. We stressed the importance of finding out the truthfulness of this message for ourselves! I mean, why believe us teenagers when God will give us an answer if we ask?! And then we went out finding and ate ice cream! Wooh! And then the Christensens picked us up to go to Villach. We met with "M".  She definitely wants to come to church! That is something good!

Freitag

Well, after calling the referral from Tuesday, we decided to go try contacting her at home again. So we went out there, and she wasn't home. So we left a note with a card. And then our lesson with "H" and "A" fell through, so went on to the streets to talk to people. Friday, was also a little chilly with some rain. And then we had Tischtennis at the church with Br. Mauch and Nicolas. It was so much fun!!! We played "Around The World." Haha, I lost every time! Oh well. Then we had GMK with Br. Mauch and Vasilli. It was great!

Samstag

Saturday morning, we got "The Calls." That was pretty exciting to hear that I will be staying in this amazing area for my last transfer. It is pretty great! We did our studies and everything like that. Elder Jensen started packing, because we have no time this week. Plus, Transfer day is Wednesday now and we have to leave on Tuesday because of how far we are away. But then we had a fireside at the Mauchs. Sis. Roth gave it, and it was on Water, and Arks. Very interesting stuff. So, apparently the root word for Ark in Hebrew, means Time or can be compared to the World. And The root word for Water in Hebrew is The Word, which is of course Jesus Christ. We read a ton of different stories where a covenant was made (including some type of ark or basket) and they were taken out of the water (world). So cool!!!

Sonntag

Sunday started off good. Elder Jensen found a tick, his first tick in his life... Haha, I haven't seen one of those things for almost 2 years... But, Sis. Mauch got it all good. Anyway, church was super good. This ward is pretty much the best! In Priesthood, the last hour, we spoke about the project that was given directly to the women of the church, "I was once a stranger" or whatever it is in English... We pretty much decided that it was because women have a greater depth of feelings (empathy and such) than men do, generally speaking. Anyway, we had choir practice after church. It was great! We are singing a Kärntnerisches Song: Christus hab i so gearn. It is awesome! Love it!  Then we went to the Kaisers for dinner. We played a short game of risk with the kids and then we ate! Spätzle, potatoes, and some meat. It was good. We also had a super good chocolate cake! Oh, it was delicious! Well, it was an awesome day, and Mia(their daughter, the youngest) is the cutest thing ever!

Well, the church is true! So is the Book of Mormon! We just need to read it, and ask God if it is true! He will answer us always, because He is our Heavenly Father and is always there, we just might not realize it! Well, have a great week!

Servus, Pfiat eu!

LG

Elder Albrecht

Woche 94: Woche der General Konferenz

Woche der General Konferenz

Montag (Ostermontag)

Monday was Easter Monday. So nothing was open. Not even the grocery store. So we started off by doing emails, or attempting to. And then we went over to the Kaiser's. His sister and her family were also there! Well, we ate more ham and salami and eggs with horseradish. We also played that game, "Der Große Dalmuti" again. It was fun. Even ate a fruit roll up, nerds, and marshmallows!!!  Haha, Sis Kaiser went to America over New Years and brought American candy back. She has it in a special box in her pantry.  It's funny and awesome!!!.  We then returned to finish our emails.

Dienstag

Tuesday, we went to Graz for our District Meeting. We left at 9.20 this time instead of 7.20. The Kinghorns brought a ton of snacky food.  So, district Meeting went very well.

Mittwoch

Wednesday was good. We walked around and talked to people. We had last minute lesson with Christian as well in the evening. He is super cool(: Elder Donald and I first met him two weeks ago. We talked about the church, and what we do as missionaries. He said he would love to learn more and is interested in learning more! Wooh!!!

Donnerstag

Thursday, we had a lesson with "A" and "H" at the church. We told them about General Conference. What it is, what time, and where.  We will watch it this week, since we didn't know Persian was apparently live, or something like that. We walked around after that. My knee hurt a tad bit, so we took it slowly.

Freitag

Friday, we did our studies, planned for the coming week, and then went to the church to have GMK with Br. Mauch. We sang a song accepella. It was fun. We then did pushups together, because we just wanted to.  And then we had our meeting and it was pretty good. Set up a ride for H" and "A" to come on Sunday for some lunch thingy.

Samstag

Saturday was beautiful. The sun was shining, plants are turning green again, and people were out. But everyone was on a bike, rollerskating, skate board or running! It was crazy! So many people weren't just walking! But, we were able to have a couple of conversations.

General Konferenz

Saturday Morning Session, watched Saturday evening.

Saturday Afternoon Session, watched Sunday afternoon.

Priesthood Session, watched Sunday morning.

Sunday Morning Session, watched Sunday evening.

Sunday Afternoon Session, watched Monday morning.

Well, the sessions were absolutely fantastic!!! I learned so much!!! It is amazing to have the opportunity to listen to God's chosen servants! Prophets and Apostles of God!!! How amazing! It is so comforting to know that God does live, He does communicate with us, and He never changes!!! 

~Elder Albrecht~