Happiness is...

Happiness is many things to many people.  For fun, here's what a Google's AI search reports:

Happiness is many things to many people because it's a subjective and multifaceted experience shaped by individual culture, personality, and circumstances. It can be the satisfaction of a job well done for one person, while another may find it in quiet moments of peace or intense joy from social connections. For some, it's a sustainable feeling of contentment with life, while for others, it's found in fleeting, joyful moments.  

On this post we'll share some of the happiness we experienced in September.  

Chocolate... 

I must say, our consumption of chocolate has reached an all-time high.  It has become a principle food-group and has reached the top of our dietary food pyramid.  This also means we may well be the happiest two Senior Missionaries you'll ever meet.  Though we would not turn any chocolate away, we really do enjoy dark chocolate.  Lindt 85% and Suchard 86% are among our favorites.  Both are excellent Swiss brands.

When we want to splurge, we turn to Zotter Schokolade, our very own local chocolate brand.  We were fortunate to join up with the younger missionaries in our district on their preparation day to tour the factory.  This is one of our favorite outings, having enjoyed the experience several times over the last year. 

The tour begins with a 20-minute documentary explaining how cocoa beans are harvested in tropical locations.  This is done in partnership with small farms focused on quality and sustainability.  Of the many distance sources, cocoa beans from Belize actually travel by sailing ship.

We enjoyed what seemed to be hours of chocolate-tasting delight.   Alongside Disneyland, Zotter Schokolade Fabrik is one the Happiest Places on Earth!

Senior Missionary Conference

Twice a year we join together with the other senior missionaries serving here in the Alpine mission, covering German-speaking Switzerland, Austria and the southern portion of Germany.  This time our retreat was held on Attersee, about two and a half hours northwest of us and about 45 minutes east of Salzburg.  The trip there passes some lovely areas.  The first noted below is the Dachstein range, viewed from the northeast.  The photo  highlights its magnificent glacier.  On the high resolution original of this image, I can actually make out Simony Hütte, visited and mentioned in our June post.

Not only are Alpine peaks revered for their grandeur, but also the Alpine lakes are beloved for their crystal-clear beauty.  Our first lake that we passed in route was Wolfgangsee.  These Alpine lakes have a magical emerald-turquoise color, owing to the glacial run-off.  It's a very happy feeling to sit lakeside while enjoying a delicious lunch. 

Our retreat organizer made reservations for us to travel on an old electric narrow-gauge train built in 1914.  It was a happy time getting together with others who serve in various capacities and circumstances and sharing each other's experiences.  For Elder Fjeldsted, it was a double win, owing to his fondness for trains.

Mondsee, which we visited last month with Jasmin and Mario, was only a 20-minute drive from our retreat location, and we thought it would nice to return and visit St. Michael Basilika.  This was the famous cathedral used in the wedding scene for Maria and Captain von Trapp in the never-to-be-forgotten 1965 movie, The Sound of Music.  What a happy moment that was in the film and also for us in real life.

A Visit from Paul and Rose!

Elder Fjeldsted's brother, Paul, and his dear wife, Rose, paid us a visit.  Paul loves cycling.  It is his happy athletic pursuit.  After finishing a week-long bike trip along the Danube, which ended in Vienna, they took a short train-ride to Leoben to spend a few days with us.  This opened up the chance to retrace a few steps through the Steiermark, including driving through the Hochschwab Apline range followed by the Enns valley and the south side of Hoher Dachstein.

Just a short 30-minute drive from our church is Kreuzteich, a beautiful pond with inspiring peaks.  We are forever captivated by the crystal clear water, teaming with trout just below the surface and fluorescent algae on the shallow floor.  The reflections cast on the water give a double view of the region's splendor.

The next day we drove northwest to the edge of the Steiermark to revisit one of Austria's most prominent Alpine peaks, Hoher Dachstein.  A ten-minute gondola ride transported us from the base to the observation platform on an adjacent peak.  The weather was beautiful.  With the shining sun, the green colors from the meadows and trees, the blue cloud-swept skies, the shades of grey from the limestone and orange mineral ribbons, a splendid panorama opened before us.  Combined together, it gives one a happy heart.

There is one aspect of Alpine living we find breathtaking.  In the midst of these majestic peaks, you will find a lodge or restaurant perfectly situated, making it possible to take in the indescribable natural beauty while leisurely enjoying a delicious meal.  Here, opposite Hoher Dachstein, it is as if we are dining on a cloud.

Happiness Found Dining on Mexican Cuisine in Dinrdls and Lederhose

Sister Fjeldsted loves to cook, and more than anything, she loves to prepare ethnic dishes.  I think she likes cooking south-of-the-border dishes even as much as local Austrian cuisine.  Combine Austrian dress with beans, rice, guacamole and burritos, and you've got the makings of an international event.  The missionaries are always delighted to have Mexican fare, something hard to find here in the center of Austria!

Every six weeks, new assignments are made, at which point the young missionaries might expect to be transferred to serve in a new location.  In most situations, Elders and Sisters remain in an area for 2 to 4 transfers (that is 3 to 6 months).   The weekly district meeting that precedes a transfer is always a happy time.  We all celebrate what's been accomplished and the friendships made.  

Heidi Reaches Retirement

One of our happiest visits this month was to our dear friend, Heidi.  She's a centerpiece in our branch.  Together with Uli, she teaches our gospel study hour on Sundays.  She has also taken it upon herself to recognize birthdays of each member in the congregation.  Everyone in our branch has a soft spot for Heidi.

As a pharmacist, Heidi was retiring from work at the local Apotheke (pharmacy) after 25 years.  This was our chance to celebrate all the good that Heidi has given so many.  We did not bring much, some flowers and a card, a hug and a smile.  I'm not a pharmacist, but I think extending a simple gesture is exactly "what the doctor" ordered.

Happiness in being on a Mission!

We'd like to introduce you to Elder Gout.  The picture below captures his ear-to-ear smile on his first full day in the Alpine German Speaking Mission.  

Elder Gout is the son of Julia and Sven.  His mother, Julia, was a high school exchange student from Germany and spent a year with the Allreds in our ward in California, attending Menlo-Atherton High School.  To our delight, Julia also spent a couple of weeks in our home.  A few years earlier, I had become well-acquainted with  Julia's family while working in Bremen, where she lived.  Before Julia became an exchange student, I was pleased to introduce Julia to the Allreds.  It became a perfect match!

We had heard from Julia a few months ago that her son would be serving in our very same mission.  Our big hope was to be able to connect.  Little did we know that this would happen at Zone Conference in Salzburg on the first day he arrived in the mission!

We can think of no greater happiness than being here in Austria, serving as missionaries.  You can see, from Elder Gout's smile, the happiness that he feels, too.   It's a joy to connect with good people that surround us on every side.  We sense the Lord's influence for good in each person's life.  In this way we are blessed to stand in the virtual "River of God's Love."  Every good act in each of our lives is a gift from God.  If we look to Him, we will see and feel His love.  It hard to imagine a greater source of happiness!

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