The Vienna Chronicles
Monday, November 07, 2016
Although it is but the first week of November, Vienna has come to life with the crimson hints of Christmas. Already Mariahilfestrasse is strung with lights, whilst the corner of Museums Quartier is packed with the beginnings of Christmas marks.
Chilly rain and frosty breath cannot freeze the hearts of the Viennese bundled up and ready for the "Christkind" to come. Christmas time officially starts on November 11 here. Unfortunately, after 7 months of being here I will only miss Vienna's holiday season by 3 days because.....
I AM GOING TO AUGSBURG, GERMANY.
Remember how the past two weeks I was saying that there was hardly anything on our schedule? This week (and the next two days) felt like fate was trying to make up for those lack of appointments times ten. It. Has. Been. Insane. Literally I am on the brink of exhaustion but it is so worth it because I just want to visit everyone before I go. So a day packed with five appointments all around town including meals with members, last chats with people I first met on the street back in May, and missionary district meetings? Bring it on. I have fallen in love with this city, and I would be lying if I said I haven't shed some tears giving goodbye hugs to those I care so much about.
Notable notes:
- I got to be in a trio again! We were with Sister Moore, which meant that I got to basically ADOPT A BABY MISSIONARY. I was legit training two goldens this week. Last time in my trio we called ourselves the Blondies; in this trio we are all between 5'1 and 5'3 so I guess you could just call us the Shorties
- I bought dirndl (the traditional German dress) and got it for way cheaper than anything else in the store haha because I literally fit into child size
- we discovered the meaning of Syrian hospitality. WE WERE STRANGERS IN THEIR HOME AND YET THEY WERE SO NICE. LITERALLY MADE US SO MUCH FOOD AND THEN AFTER LIKE 3 HOURS THEY WERE SAD THAT WE COULDN'T STAY ANOTHER HALF HOUR FOR WHEN MORE OF THEIR KIDS CAME HOME. They also taught us some Arabic.
- We went with our Persian "best friend" (she always calls me that, yay!) to the Albertina Museum because it was free for the holiday
- a lady sneezed into my hair on the tram
- Literally so many people are confronting us about this election and telling us how we should vote because we are American
- We were fed so much that both Sister Slack and I were experiencing hot flashes
- We got to ride in a CAR outside of the city whilst going to visit a member family
- We got to read through the baptismal interview questions with a sweet woman who has been meeting with missionaries for ten years now. We are so excited that she has made this decision, it's too bad I won't be there to see it!
Seriously I am so so sad to leave Vienna.
The funny thing is that in August I really just wanted to get transferred out. Things were not super great so I wanted to just deal with it the easy way-- by leaving it all behind. But staying here taught me a valuable lesson about how what we think is best doesn't always correlate with what God KNOWS is best. I have grown in so many ways even within the past few months and along with that I have met new people and also developed stronger relationships with those I knew before. It pains me to think of if I had gotten my way (by leaving two transfers ago) and of all the wonderful things I would have never experienced! I love Vienna more than I ever have before.
So with that I invite you all to leave your life in God's hands. Trust in Him a little, that He has a plan for you and that He can see the big picture. There are things in store better than you could have ever imagined!
Love,
Sister Lundgreen
Love,
Sister Lundgreen
**A note from mom: Sister Lundgreen's new companion is Sister Howsmon - a cute sister missionary from Colorado - and her new area is Augsburg, Bavaria... One of the oldest cities in Germany! The largest city on the Romantic Road (and Bavaria's third largest), Augsburg was founded by the stepchildren of Roman emperor Augustus over 2000 years ago. As an independent city state from the 13th century, it was also one of its wealthiest, free to raise its own taxes, with public coffers bulging on the proceeds of the textile trade. Banking families such as the Fuggers and the Welsers even bankrolled entire countries and helped out the odd skint monarch. Shaped by Romans, medieval artisans, bankers, traders and, more recently, industry and technology, this attractive city of spires and cobbles is an easy day trip from Munich..an engaging stop on the Romantic Road!
In her new area is the famous Neuschwanstein Castle!! The real Disney Sleeping Beauty Castle!
1 comments
Your poat always brighten my day. I have seen Wien through new eys...yours. and itnis beautiful. I am so so happy and excited for you to be going, seeing and serving in Augeburg. One of our most favorite pleaces EVER. the area like most ares are amazing and beautiful but there is something about it that is also different. Many things await you. Angi carlston
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