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'.