In Good Hands

November leaves fall behind and marches us into winter.  We've enjoyed many wonderful moments, and feel ourselves truly blessed.  Many blessings come to us by way of caring friends and loved ones.  As all good things come from God, we are thankful that it is in His Good Hands that we are kept.

Living a Memory

Many will recognize the setting for the picture below.  It is Schloss Leopoldskron, the castle and lakeside setting used in the 1965 classic The Sound of Music to depict the von Trapp home.  We have traveled here several times while serving here in Austria.  On this occasion, the Graz Sister Missionaries in our district traveled with us to Salzburg to attend Zone Conference.  They too had grown up with the timeless movie classic.  When they learned from us that this iconic location was only five minutes from the Salzburg Stake Center, where Zone Conference was to be held, they were overjoyed at the prospects of seeing it for themselves.  They were in good hands!

Celebrating Trudy's and Andrea's Birthdays

After our Zone Conference completed in Salzburg, we made our way to Vienna, where Stake Conference was held on Saturday and Sunday.  This weekend was also Trudy's birthday - a wonderful combination of events.  Three days later was Andrea's birthday, and she and Horst were coming to Vienna for the conference.  We decided it was only fitting to take a short cruise on the Danube.  We were in good hands with Andrea's  delicious pudding-filled chocolate cake.  What a delightful hour we spent on the famous "Blue Danube".

After the cruise we made our way to Prater, Vienna's historic amusement park.  There we rode the "World's Oldest Ferris Wheel", built in 1897.  We were in good hands as Horst pointed out important sights across the Vienna cityscape.

A Wish Come True

At the conclusion of the Saturday evening session of the conference, Trudy made her way to the organ.  After a few minutes exchange with the organist, he invited her to take a seat and play.  If there ever was a birthday wish come true, this was it!  While there are countless organs in cathedrals across Austria, in more modern LDS chapels, there are only two across all Europe - one here in our Vienna Stake Center, and the other in Hyde Park in England. The organ here in Vienna with its exposed pipes and integrated wooden console is particularly lovely. 

The Sunday session of the conference was held at the Austrian Center.  This outstanding complex is home to the third international site for the United Nations, the other two being in New York and Geneva.  The conference was inspiring, with a message that forgiveness comes as we forgive others.  After the conference we learned that it was Sister William's birthday as well.  We found ourselves in the good hands of these dedicated Sisters.

The Love of My Life

Celebrating 65 years can't be adequately achieved in a single day, or even a weekend.  As a new week began, we attended our weekly meeting with the young missionaries in our district.  The young missionaries have an admiration for Trudy that words can't describe.  It was time to celebrate!  Nothing more fitting than to do so with a chocolate Sacher Torte and to sing Happy Birthday one more time.  

I'm sure it comes as no surprise, I often share with Trudy, how I find her to be the most beautiful woman in the world.  Though she refutes this, one point cannot be denied.  She has a smile that opens a door to the hearts of all who know her.  Her heart and smile have been among the greatest gifts offered during our time here.  We are all deeply blessed to be in her good hands!

Our district took a parting shot to remember our time together.  The tradition is to stack chairs, with one chair for each six week period served.  Using simple math, the number 12 times 6 weeks brings us to the last transfer period for our 18 months of service.  Elder Wilkinson to our right in the picture is at 15 putting him in the last transfer period for his two years of service.  Elder Chandler on the left has served as our district leader.  With all these missionaries, we have been in very good hands!

The following Thursday after our German course finished, we enjoyed one last birthday celebration.  This time we celebrated Johann's birthday as well.  Johann is a native German speaker and local member of the church in Graz.  We are delighted that he joins and supports the instruction each week.

A Big Step 

From the very first posts, you have read of the excitement we've experienced as we first received our call and then began our service in the Alpine German Speaking Mission.  One aspect that you have not heard about is a concern that we've carried.  Trudy has in her family a predisposition to arthritic hips and the need for hip replacement surgery.  One and a half years prior to our departure, Trudy had her first hip replaced.  As we were preparing to come to Austria, her second hip started acting up.   With time too short to have surgery before our departure, we prayed and hoped for the best.  

Each kilometer walked has brought more wear and tear.  By mid-summer it was time to get some expert assistance.  Our wonderful primary care doctor here in Leoben, referred us to Dr. Bernhardt, an outstanding orthopedic surgeon.  After an initial cortisol injection, followed by X-ray and MRI scans, it was clear the time had come for Trudy to get a new second hip. 

There are two wonderful factors that have made major surgery here in Austria possible.  First, we are surrounded by wonderful and supportive friends.  The evening before Trudy's surgery we got together with Karin, the oldest daughter of the Ollendorf family.  It is so comforting to have such dear people beside you when you face challenges.  The second factor is the outstanding medical care received.

The following morning, we checked into the Hansa Klinikum - a lovely hospital with historic roots dating back to the early 1900's.   The surgery went well.  Dr Bernhardt installed a new titanium and ceramic hip joint, produced in Switzerland.  We can say that Trudy now takes part of the Alps with her everywhere she goes!  

The next day, Karin returned to visit.  Then our dear friend, Ulrike, visited.  It's wonderful to be surrounded by such loving and caring friends.

From Trudy's first visit, Dr. Bernhardt has been enormously generous with his time--giving clear explanations regarding the benefits of the specific hip components used, carefully reviewing all medications, and connecting us with his post-operative physical therapist.   Instead of entering and leaving the hospital in one day, as was the case with Trudy's first hip, she enjoyed excellent hospital care over a five-day stay.  Each day Dr. Bernhardt or his associate would pay a visit, checking on her recovery, giving instructions and answering questions.  

Here's a picture with Dr. Bernhardt on the last day of hospital stay.  He and the medical staff have provided care that equals or exceeds any care that we have ever previously experienced.  We have been so blessed to be in good hands!

A New Church President

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