WIE GEHTS*

Hi Everyone!

We are always thinking about you all and hoping that you are well and happy.  Dad really loved all the cards he got and all the Skype conversations.  He had a great birthday!  He even got acknowledged by the YSA.

We had quite the adventure traveling to Ravensburg this past weekend.  The train ride was a direct route from Linz and took 5 1/2 hours to Lindau. We had made reservations, but got seats that had us moving backwards.  I tried to keep my eyes closed so as not to get motion sickness.

On the way home it got lots trickier.  The train in Lindau left 3 minutes later than scheduled and so when we got to Bregenz to get onto the direct train back to Linz with out reserved seats,  we were arguing with a railway attendant that we needed to get on that train.  He said it was too late and the doors were locked.  It was just sitting there and then it was gone.  So, our option was to get on a train to Innsbruck and hope it was on time so that we could change trains to Linz there.

We were counting the minutes as we stopped at every small stop along the way.  We had 3 minutes to change trains and still had to find out which platform to race to.  We did make it, just.
With  no reservations we were able to get seats facing forward.

The Buchanans in Ravensburg picked us up and took us to their apartment.  They have a larger apartment than we do and a more modern kitchen with a large dining area and table that can easily seat 8.  But they have three levels of stairs to go up and no elevator.  We took them to our favorite restaurant in Ravensburg and paid as a thank you for letting us stay with them.  We loved getting  to know them.  Elder Buchanan is the branch president and is doing a superb job.  He has taken it upon himself to find every person on the rolls for the past 25 years.  He has found them all except for 3.  His wife loves to cook for the missionaries and investigators.  She was going to make Thanksgiving dinner for the entire branch with a whole turkey that she was able to get at the commissary in Stuttgart.  We became fast friends.

Elder and Sister Buchanan of Ravensburg

Shopping in Ravensburg

Saturday morning we were able to go to the Ravensburg weekly farmers market.  Dad was thrilled. So Sister Buchanan and I went shopping on our own while Dad had a great time exploring. It was so fun to shop with a lady.  We were able to find Dad a winter coat in Ravensburg (just in time for the snow in Linz)!  We then were dropped off to Lissi's  house for lunch.  After lunch we spent the next 6 hours going over every bit of paperwork she had saved from handling Oma's finances.  We did get some geneology info in the long process.  Then we stepped over to Walters house to visit for the next hour.  We didn't get back to the apartment till almost 10:00 PM

Sunday we had been asked to give talks in Sacrament Meeting.  Dad diligently worked on his whenever he could snatch time.  He had his all printed out nicely.  I had a general idea and got up in the middle of the night to finalize my talk.  We were both nervous.  When it came time to give our talks, I realized that I had left half my talk behind at the apartment.  A young sister talked before us and she was so excited to tell all about going to Utah and attending conference that there was very little time left for us.  I motioned to Elder Buchanan to let Dad go first, but he shook his head.  So,  I had to punt.  I had been praying all weekend for the Spirit to guide me.This was truly a challenge for me.  It was wonderful to feel the Spirit helping me remember what to say.  Dad was not able to give his talk, but gave his testimony instead.  As usual, he started with lots of tears.  The missionaries in Linz take bets how long it will take until Dad starts to cry when talking about Gospel subjects.  All went well.

We then had a lovely lunch with the Buchanans, the two elders, and two young men---one from Nigeria, and the other from China. Sister Buchanan makes a special meal whenever an elder is transferred.  The elder gets to choose what he wants for dinner.  She made two great big dishes of shepard pie and it was all eaten.  Those young men can eat!  Each had three giant helpings.

Then we had to rush to the train station.  Sister Buchanan heard that Dad was looking for a coin purse that zipped and so she made one for him.  She is making Christmas gifts for each member of the branch!   As we said our farewells,  Buchanans invited us back soon.  It was a whirlwind weekend, but very packed full of great experiences.

We  love you all tons and bunches!!!!   Love, MOM and DAD

*It means, 'how are you?', or, literally: 'how goes it with you?'. A typical response to this would be 'es gehts mir gut', which means, 'i'm good', or 'it goes well with me'. You could also replace 'gut' with 'schlect' or 'nicht so gut' for 'bad' or 'not so good'. 

WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY?

So many people in the Linz Ward ask us "what do you do all day?"

That is so hard to define because it changes constantly. Even when we think we have nothing specific, soon enough we get a call enlisting us to do some service or help teach a lesson.

Here is sample of a week:

Two hours personal and companion study of the gospel daily,
P-day shopping, cleaning, and laundry,
Weekly district meeting for 2-3 hours,
Monthly zone meetings in Salzburg,
FHE with our YSA group and dinner prepared.
Institute in which we teach 2 times each month (In German and English),
Weekly ward missionary correlation meeting,
Dinner appointments with members and contacts,

Weekly visits to a home bound sister and bring in meals,
Be available at a moments notice to go teaching with the elders or sisters,
Visit the missionaries apartments and inspect for cleanliness and needed repairs,
This week we must find the sisters in Wels a new apartment and get it furnished,
Make contacts on the buses and or trains through inspiration,

Take time weekly to plan,
Contact  less active YSA,
Pray a lot!

Well, does that give you an idea?    We love this work!!!

Bis Spater,  Angie

MUSING

Hi Kathy,

Our days are getting more and more filled with activities. 

 We seem to be working closer with the missionaries.  They ask us to join them when teaching investigators.  We love it! 

 Right now there is a lull with the YSA group.  We only have one person left that comes to FHE and usually she says she has to study.  So, until some new young adults come into the program, we have fewer responsibilities. 

But we do teach Institute twice a month---one lesson in English and one in German.  It challenges us, especially in German.

Our testimonies are growing exponentially to all the tasks before us.  I started a personal record of the requests I make of the Lord and then how He answers them.  I am amazed to discover that He has heard all my requests. 

I started a personal record of the requests I make of the Lord and then how he answers them.

I love the ability we have during this intense service time to feel the Spirit on a much deeper and greater scale. Our mission president, during our last interview,  advised us to consider ourselves as missionaries first.  We are here to spread the gospel.  Our calling with the YSA is a stake calling.  He suggested we prepare just as the sons of Mosiah did with much study, prayer, and fasting.  We are learning how to study harder, listen to the Spirit more closely, and how to love others more deeply.

The very cute sisters asked us to join them Saturday teaching a lady and her two children. It was obvious that the lady understood very little.  She is from Iran and can't quite catch on to the concept of a Savior.  To her Jesus Christ was a prophet.  Her situation is such that she cannot take care of her kids (no work) and so they stay at a group home (separately). 

There is a 13 year old girl very shy and withdrawn and a 6 year old boy, sweet and open.  I was immediately drawn to the girl because I was just as shy at her age.  Her mother told us that she is abused in this group home and that she changed from a happy girl to a very quiet, depressed and sad little girl.  The sisters were trying to teach about the nature of God and Jesus Christ.  I felt impressed to pop in and say quite strongly that God is our Father and loves us as His children.  When I said that, Maria, looked up and actually looked at me.  After the lesson, I felt prompted to give her a Book of Mormon since we had been reading out of it. 

And we invited them to church.  The sisters asked the mother to offer a prayer.   She spoke in Arabic a very long prayer which included singing.  It was actually quite beautiful to hear.  We asked them to come to  church, but she declined.

The next day, they were at church.  We were so happy to see them.  Maria clung to me and I went with her to the youth Sunday school class.  The teacher was positive and friendly and I could see that she understood very little of the topics, but I hope she felt the Spirit.  She had her Book of Mormon in her hand and held it like it was super special to her.  I asked one of the girls to sit with her during Young Women and I went to Relief Society. 

 After church, I exchanged email addresses with Maria.  She said she wanted to come again.  Interestingly,  the sisters had said that they were thinking of dropping the mother as an investigator, but somehow they kept on.  Sister Peterson said that now she understood why they kept hanging onto this lady who was not progressing.  Maria needs the gospel, at the very least our love and attention. It is wonderful to know that Heavenly Father is aware of each of His children no matter how obscure or far flung they may feel.

It is wonderful to know that Heavenly Father is aware of each of His children
 no matter how obscure or far flung they may feel.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  I know that our Father in Heaven loves each of his children. Jesus Christ came to know each of us as he payed the price for our sins.  What comfort this  thought brings!

Have a wonderful day, Kathy.     Love,  Angie (Sister Didenhover or just Sister D.)

AMAZING FAITH

Hello,

This past week we had a Young Single Adult Tagung (conference).  About 50 were expected for the weekend in Linz, but only 13 came.  Despite few in numbers, a good time was had by all.  

We started Friday evening with games, take out Chinese dinner, and a fireside given by the bishop of Linz. They were up till midnight at the YSA center playing games. The YSA center is on the stage with closed doors.  They have made it homey with sofas, comfy chairs, and bookshelves.  The is a computer and flat screen tv for them to enjoy any church videos.

Saturday all helped to make breakfast, and then it was off to do service projects.  Half the group painted rooms at a needy home and the other half went to Enns to do yard work for a family in the ward that are expecting a baby any minute.  We spent about six hours there and great fun was had by all.  Elder Didenhover was in his element. He loves outdoor physical work.  We were able to winterize, cut down trees and cut into firewood.  Palates of bricks were unloaded for a future project.  After all was done and the other group had joined us, we all went to McDonalds.

Eventually, we wound up back at church for more games and fun.  They played WII, singing hit songs from the 80's and dancing.  Then they went to a sport hall to play volleyball.  The church building doesn't have a large gym.

Sunday we met for services and then had homemade pizza afterwards.  It was important for those who had traveled from Salzburg, Vienna, and Munchen to have a meal before their long train rides.  We closed with prayer and warm hugs in parting.

The mission couple before us did a super job getting kids married off in the temple and sending them on missions.  So, right now our numbers are few.  But the few we do have are amazing people.   Let me tell you about one young lady, Iris, who is leaving next week for her mission to Salt Lake Utah County Mission. 

 A year ago she was at her university when she collapsed.  An ambulance rushed her to the hospital.  She had been shaking uncontrollably and couldn't move her legs. Over a period of weeks, a battery of tests were done to find out what was the cause.  They told her she might have brain cancer, then they thought it might be epilepsy and so on. No diagnosis was ever found.  But she had very little energy and could not walk more than 50 steps without collapsing.  She desperately wanted to go on a mission.  She felt depressed and confused that this would happen to her.  Her doctors refused to sign her mission papers.  Over time she prayed and waited.  After many months of uncertainty, she decided to take her concerns to The Lord again.  This time she prayed until she felt that the Lord really did want her on a mission.  She got up from her prayer, and put on her running shoes. 

She felt she had to show her faith.  As she left her house, her family asked her what in the world did she think she was doing.  She said: "I'm going running".  That day she was able to run for 20 minutes.  Each day thereafter she increased her time.  Her doctors were shocked at her recovery and did sign her mission papers.  What an inspiration she is!

Have a great day, Friends.  Elder and Sister D. ( our official title)

SOBERING MOMENT

This last P-day we took the opportunity to visit the Mauthausen concentration camp.

Entrance gate.
All photos shown are by Jack Hazut, and can be viewed in their entirety here.

We had two of the lady missionaries from Wels with us. The first thing you notice is a huge hill and on top of that hill is a large stone facility. Immediately, you get the feeling you are walking through a cemetery.

It took us about 2 hours to go through the full tour with audio information.We learned that 40 countries were represented by the prisoners that were there.

There were any number of reasons for becoming a prisoner...nationality, prisoner of war, political prisoners, criminals and just for being out of work. 

This complex had over a period of 4 years 200,000 inmates.  There were hundreds of satellite camps all around Austria at the same time. The choice of of location was governed primarily by the presence of granite quarries. 

The quarry.

The inmates were first put to work on the construction of the camp. The political function of the camp was primarily constant persecution and detention of supposed political or ideological opponents of Hitler.

Mauthausen was one of two camps with the harshest conditions of confinement within the concentration camp system in the German Reich. The number of inmates soared from 14,000 in 1943 to 84,000 in 1945.

Thousands of prisoners were beaten to death, shot, murdered by lethal injection, or frozen to death.  About 10,000 were murdered in the gas chambers. It all consisted of a diabolical plan to dehuminize, degrade, and keep inmates complying.

This photo of the 'stairs of death" where prisoners were required to carry blocks of granite came from here

No one had a name, only a number 

The criminal element was allowed to be overseers and got special privileges for their extra cruelty. . They even used boys from ages 12 to 17 as slave labor, with as many as 7000 youths there. There were very few prisoners left alive by the time the US Army came to liberate them May 5, 1945. The SS tried to destroy all records and as many inmates as possible three months before then end of the war.

The contrasting surroundings of the lovely hills and farms are in stark contrast to what went on there.
This photo is from here

I had to ask myself, how could this happen in a civilized world of educated people?  The answer I can come up with is apathy and ignorance.  People become lulled and immune to tyranny as long as things go well for themselves.  The question in my mind:  'Can it happen again?"  As long as good men do nothing and allow evil to prosper, sadly, I think, yes.

After this overwhelming history lesson, we went back to our apartment to partake of more peaceful and  calming spiritual lessons.

We can be so grateful to live in a free nation, to have freedom of religion and thought. We are so truly blessed.

As they say here: Bis Spater.  (until later),   Elder and Sister Didenhover