Just when we thought Thanksgiving was lost forever (for this year), our American friends blessed us with two separate occasions to be thankful this weekend. Friday we were invited to celebrate with Spencer and Rachel (from Los Angeles, California). We got to contribute our own very first Thanksgiving dish for a potluck. Katherine was pretty proud of the salad, but then Eric took over and made it better, of course.
It was a really fun night. We were blessed with good food, great company and a little taste of the Stienblick family traditions. One tradition was these apple turkeys that were a wonderful addition to the guest list, and the other was for everyone to say 3 things they are grateful for (which I think is a popular one).
I have lots to be thankful for, as we all do, but that night I could only pick three. So I am grateful for Canada; which was kind of funny because it took being in Austria and celebrating American Thanksgiving for me to finally list that as one of my three things this year. I have always loved Canada and I wear my red and white on July 1st and take a few moments on November 11th to think of those who have made it what it is, but it was never at the very top of my list. This year it is, and I am really starting to get excited about going home in just over a month.
The second thing I am grateful for this year is Austria/Europe. It was kind of fun that while I was working on getting these pictures up I was listening to my holiday playlist, and Josh Groban's Thankful came on. I listened to the lyrics and one line describes perfectly how I feel about Europe right now. He sings "and even though this world needs so much more, there's so much to be thankful for". Personally, there are a few things I would like to change about Europe, to make it my own comfort zone, but there is also so much about it that I love. I love being in Europe and all the things I get to see and do and learn here. It makes me a little sad to be going home in just over a month. (I just can't decide how to feel).
Which brings me to number 3. I am grateful for learning. I love to learn. Many of you know how much I miss being in school, but this semester has been an experience I could never replace with things I'd have learned in a classroom. There is just so much I did not know before I came here, and there is just so much I wish I could learn before I go home. I love learning about language. I love learning about art and culture and history. I love learning about business from Eric when he comes home from his interesting classes at school. I love learning about new people I meet; their stories and their personalities. I love to learn and am grateful for the opportunities I have to learn, and the people I know who teach me so much.
E:
It was tricky, but I managed to find 3 things that I was grateful for too. First I am grateful for time. I think that it's wonderful that so many things that we have to go through are temporary. Sometimes when things are hard I find strength in remembering that time will pass often the hardships slip into the past. Second, I have gratitude for the 'eye(s) in the storm'. When I find life difficult, it's nice to get those short breaks once in a while. Third, I am grateful for Katherine. Often Katherine is the source of those breaks while I struggle with life. She is a good companion. She is patient and forgiving of me , and she is kind a sensitive. I guess I have things to be grateful for and I am.
It was tricky, but I managed to find 3 things that I was grateful for too. First I am grateful for time. I think that it's wonderful that so many things that we have to go through are temporary. Sometimes when things are hard I find strength in remembering that time will pass often the hardships slip into the past. Second, I have gratitude for the 'eye(s) in the storm'. When I find life difficult, it's nice to get those short breaks once in a while. Third, I am grateful for Katherine. Often Katherine is the source of those breaks while I struggle with life. She is a good companion. She is patient and forgiving of me , and she is kind a sensitive. I guess I have things to be grateful for and I am.
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Another thing we are both very blessed and grateful to have in our lives is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has taught us so much, helped us so often, and led us to some really wonderful relationships and friendships. Saturday night we got to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Vienna 4th ward. This ward is interesting because it is an English ward, in a German speaking country, so we meet with people from all different countries, cultures and walks of life. For this thanksgiving party we got to enjoy foods and dishes from all of these cultures and countries. We ate some really great things. This evening we got to hear from several members of the ward, through music. It was a blessing to hear great songs and to be reminded of great principles we are so blessed to know.
First the young women sang A Child's Prayer, but I was a part of that, so there's no picture.
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| The primary children taught us a wonderful lesson with the song Follow the Prophet. |
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| Parviz bore a beautiful testimony of how God helps him through his struggles. |
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| All together we sang a very favourite hymn: I Know That My Redeemer Lives. |
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| Royce graced us with a wonderful version of Ave Maria on his violin. |
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| The missionaries of the ward sang Joseph Smith First Prayer and taught us about the restoration. |
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| Some brethren from the ward sang for us Book of Mormon Stories, a well loved primary song. |
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| The young men (and Eric) sang Did You Think to Pray for us, accompanied by Royce on his violin. |
We really have met some really great people here in Vienna.
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| Steenbliks | Us | Parviz holding baby Ezra Morgan | Morgan |
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| A piece of pumpkin pie. The perfect way to end our Thanksgiving celebrations. |
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