Smiles

Looking back at August, we enjoyed many wonderful smiles coming our way.  This month we would like to share several of these with you.  Undoubtedly, smiles are contagious.  We hope to brighten your day, and we hope your smiles will brighten someone else's day as well.

Time Together with Dear Friends on Mond See

Some of you may know Jasmin and Mario, who for many years lived in Menlo Park and were members of our congregation while Mario was a postdoc at Stanford University.  They now live in Würzburg, Germany.  The beginning of August they visited family just outside of Salzburg and invited us to join them for a day on Mond See.  What a wonderful day it was!  It seems that when the sun shines, we shine as well - clearly visible from ear to ear.  We are very fortunate to have Jasmin and Mario as dear friends and to connect again and again.

Zachary Brings his Smile to Austria

You may remember from our April post the wonderful visit we enjoyed with our daughter, Dakin, and her family.  They came to Austria in connection with picking up their oldest son, Luke, who had just completed his two year mission in Denmark.  At the time, their second son, Zachary, was in classes at BYU and was unable to join them.  We thought it only fitting for Zachary to have a little time here with us as well.   Zachary has a joyful personality that we think you'll see written across his face.  Let us know if you agree!

After Zachary arrived at the Salzburg Airport, we made our way to Hellbrunn Castle.  This is the estate well-known for its infamous "Wasserspiel" or water games in English.  The reigning head of state loved to entertain his guests with a wide range of water features and tricks.  One such feature was a surprise fountain built into each seat, except the host's, surrounding the stone table.    

As we traveled from Salzburg back to our home in Leoben, we made a loop that took in some of the lovely spots in Austria. 

As time goes by, we continue to learn more about various elements of Alpine terrane.  Moving up from the valleys where most towns and cities are found, mountain pastures appear.  The German term for alpine pastures is "alm" and is often added to the place's name. At first, alms are clearings among the trees.  As you continue up in elevation, above the tree line, the alm becomes a sea of meadows that blanket the alps around 2,000 meters.  The tundra that covers the alm is a mix of grasses, mosses, and lichens, decorated with numerous wild flowers and marvelous for hiking.  Directly above our town of Leoben is such a region know as the Hochschwab Range.  It is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth.  With Zachary as a companion, we spent several hours hiking through this beautiful alm - truly a piece of heaven and a dream fulfilled!

A Mission Call Brings a Smile

We were fortunate to have Zachary join use during our weekly District Meeting with the Elders and Sisters from Wiener Neustadt and Graz.  These young missionaries are a constant source of inspiration to us.  They asked Zachary if he would give the Spiritual Thought for the meeting, which he gladly did.  As he shared his love for the Gospel and our Savior, he also mentioned that he too would shortly be serving a mission!  Two weeks before, he had submitted the needed paperwork and was waiting to find out where he would be serving.  Each of the young missionaries could fully relate to his anticipation - each lending excitement and a smile.  

By the end of August, Zachary had received his mission call to serve in Budapest, Hungary Mission, only a three hour drive from here.  He begins his two year mission service this coming February.

Learning German Brings a Smile

Several months ago we got an invitation to join with the younger missionaries in Graz to assist them in German language instruction, which they provide as a community service.  We were delighted to assist them in teaching German to those new to Austria, many of whom come from Africa or countries to the east.  We quickly learned how much the instruction is appreciated.  We also discovered that the course was in need of teaching material.  Over the following months, Elder Fjeldsted prepared lessons in English and Sister Fjeldsted provided the needed editing.  The result is FastStart, a twelve-lesson course in German grammar.  

Many beginning German students have heard that German is hard to learn.  We've worked to change that mindset.  Just for fun, here are a few points we share with our students.  

• English is a Germanic language.  Many English words come from German.  There is likely no other language that is easier for English speakers to build an initial vocabulary.   

• German has only one present tense as compared to English and many other languages, which have an additional progressive present tense (am going, etc). 

•  All German modals (auxiliary verbs like can, should, want, etc.) are single word expressions and are easily transformed to past tense as well as to their subjunctive form. 

• German is spoken exactly as written, albeit with a lot of consonants! 

• German follows the rules.  You can learn them in 12 lessons and you'll have a good portion of German grammar mastered! 

As we developed the lessons, and as the young missionaries taught them to others, they commented how helpful the lessons were for their own German study.   Word began to spread through the mission, with other missionaries requesting the FastStart lessons.  We've passed out many copies, including copies to Sister Fjeldsted's cousin (once-removed), Elder Szymanski.  With help from the missionaries, we are now preparing to put FastStart German Grammar in print.

Taking a simplified approach which communicates that learning German doesn't have to be hard has brought a smile to many! 

Going Austrian with a Smile

A quick Google search shows how wearing of traditional dress has decreased and is now routinely enjoyed in only a few countries around the world.  We're very fortunate that Austria is one of these countries.  As you would expect, purchasing traditional clothing often comes with a premium price tag.  We're very fortunate to have a 2nd hand shop in our area.  As young Elder and Sister missionaries join us, we routinely pay a visit to Theresa, who owns "Second Hand Dirndl", so that we all can be a part of the wonderful culture found here in the Alpine countries.  

Smiles from Branch Members - Being One!

We love the members of our church branch.  They are a joy to us.  Together, we have become one in many ways.  

The Savior taught during the Last Supper as He prayed to His Father:  "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us" - John 17:21.   

There is tremendous positive power when we pull together in life, even if divisions exist.  We can strive to build bridges as opposed to barriers.  We can look for what to share instead of what to take.  We can look for commonalities instead of differences.  Christ taught us not to judge and to give freely.  These are ways we can be one with each other, and in turn, one with Him.  

Is it possible that a smile invites others to "Be One?" Based on our experience, it most certainly does! 😊 

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