Transitions

Christ Centered - Our Training Experience 

We are very fortunate that up until our departure to Europe, our daughter, Dakin, and her family lived just over a half mile from the Church's Missionary Training Center which adjoins the BYU campus in Provo, Utah.  To make a memory out of entering for training, we decided to do so "pioneer" style, by walking from her home to the MTC.  Certainly all the family that joined in will remember this!

During our check-in on Monday, July 8th, we were joined by about  50 other Senior Missionary Couples.  We soon learned that most hailed from Utah and the intermountain west, that less than 20 percent were destined for foreign missions, with only a handful speaking foreign languages.  In our group was also one couple that will be serving the Navajo nation - the wife being Navajo and the husband now learning the language.

The MTC campus is lovely.  We were fortunate to be able to have our accommodations on campus along with about 2000 young missionaries split between "Sisters" and "Elders".

With only 5 days of training, we focused on the Christ-centered message the gospel brings.  Truly, if we can have this reflected in who we are, then we can be a light to all we engage and serve. 

Heavenward

As our training week came to a close and our time to leave for our mission headquarters in Munich approached, so also was my sister Karen's strength strongly declining.  Having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February and with treatments no longer of any avail, her time had become very short.  We reached out to our mission leadership and suggested that we first stop at Karen's and Scott's home in Habersham, So. Carolina.  This was truly a miracle in timing.  Just over a day after arriving, Karen was able to share some of her last words, "I'm glad you are here."  

Her nurse had said that she had been talking of our arrival the week before when some energy remained.  After these last words on Thursday, there was very little consciousness.  On Sunday morning, as I sat by her side, Karen passed away.  Prior to the mortuary staff's arrival, Trudy and Karen's daughter Hannah were able to dress her in her temple attire.  Surrounded by her loving husband, Scott, together with daughter Hannah and her husband Brent, Trudy and myself, we had a family prayer.  In this moment, heaven and earth became one.  Hannah shared with us that in her mind she could see her mom, Karen, and grandmother, Ann, and others ascending.  Karen truly was a "Saint" in our time, always focused on helping others to find and realize their divine potential.  There is no question that her efforts to bring us all heavenward will continue.  Deeply affected by the loss, we continued on with Scott for several days - none to be forgotten as Scott shared with us truly profound insights into Karen's love and contributions to so many throughout her life.  These were memorable times on the So. Carolina coast.

Austria Bound

If there was ever a piece of Heaven on Earth to be found, then I think it's fair to say that it lies within the boarders of the Alpine mission.  As hard as it was to do, on the following Wednesday morning we hugged our dear Scott goodbye and made our way to Munich.  Luckily, we were able to have the missionary travel desk book us on United Airlines which, thanks to having traveled over a million flight miles during my career in mass spectrometry, gives us economy plus seating and a very generous luggage allowance. 

Upon arrival in Munich, office staff picked us up.  We were treated to lunch, a full afternoon of paperwork, organizational details, and then received keys to our car and apartment.  That evening the office staff senior missionaries took us to dinner at a lovely restaurant serving traditional Bavarian dishes.

On Friday morning, with suitcases loaded, we began our drive to our apartment in Leoben, Austria.  In all, it was about a 5 hour trip, mostly on the Autobahn, but also quite a bit on roads that connect one small town to the next.  The mountains are beautifully green and forested with pastures making their way up through the trees.  We encountered many tunnels, which serve as passageways from one valley to the next. 

Leoben is a beautiful small town in the Steiermark region of Austria.  There's a large lumber/pulp mill in town as well as a substantial brewery, Gösserbräu.  Historically, mining also played a part of the local economy.  Our apartment is on the 5th floor.  It's a lovely apartment, but having been occupied by young missionaries for the last year, it has required quite some effort to have it shine.  We also have a lovely balcony off the living room with planters awaiting flowers to follow.

On Sunday, July 28th, we were blessed to make our way to the church branch in Bruck an der Mur, about a 20 minute drive.  We quickly learned that this is to be considered quite close, as the boundaries of the branch extend about 80 km to the east and over 120 km to the west, larger than many entire missions.   We were touched by the heartfelt welcome that we received.  The 20 members in attendance had been awaiting our arrival for the past several weeks and were delighted to now have us here.  What a great spirit - with strong faith and open hearts. 

Not that any dust should gather beneath our feet, the Lord had a miracle in store for us.  One of the branch members, Isaak, who spends most of the year at his other residence far away in Hamburg at the northern most point in Germany, invited us to go with him to visit Melanie, a dear sister in the branch who lives about 100 km away, on a small dairy farm, up in the mountains above Isaak's family home.  It was a last chance as he was to depart the following day.  What a lovely experience followed.  We got to enjoy a beautiful time with her, her husband and youngest son, and extended family and friends as well.  We spoke on several gospel topics. As we left, Melanie gave us big hugs, thanking us for being there with her and her family and looking forward to our next visit.

We feel so very fortunate to be in such a beautiful corner of God's creation and above all, to be with people with big hearts that welcome us in to their lives.  When a few are gathered, the Savior is most assuredly there as well. (Mathew 18:20)

Our Missionary District and Zone

The following day, Monday, we were contacted by our missionary district comprised of three sets of young missionary companionships, both Sisters and Elders, who are working in adjoining areas.  The following day, Tuesday, was their preparation day, "P-day" for which they had plans to travel into our area where there is a nice outdoor sports court close to a lovely historical church.  What a great time to meet our fellow missionaries and chance to support them as well! 

On Friday, we traveled up to Salzburg to join together with all the missionaries serving in Austria and the greater Munich area of Germany. This also gave us a chance to meet up again with our mission leaders, Elder and Sister Bates, whom we had previously met last fall in Munich while inquiring about the possibility to come and be part of this wonderful team.

The following Monday, August 5th, we got to join together with the district again for the weekly training and coordination meeting.  We're most certainly inspired by these young people and their happy, positive approach to life and the wonderful work they are doing to bring a focus on Jesus Christ to many.  Following our meeting each week everyone pulls together to cook up a nice lunch.

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