30 Days

The building where we attend church every Sunday since we got here. For only 4 more Sundays.

Thoughts from Sunday

K:

This morning was kind of a mess for me. I didn't sleep well, I woke up still upset about something from last night, and we woke up kind of late to get to church on time. Eric had to speak and I wasn't even sure if I was going to make it at all, so I sent him ahead. I stayed back and got ready at my own pace, and thought a lot while I did. 

Something you may or may not know about me is that I'm kind of an in the moment, instant gratification type, but sometimes it comes back to haunt me after things settles a little. I almost always have buyer's remorse with big purchases, and often feel the same way in real life situations too. This morning I thought a lot about that. I almost decided that I wasn't going to go to church today, and then I started to think about the consequences of that. I knew that if I missed Eric's talk specifically (even though I was still just a little bit upset with him), that I would regret it later. This thought haunted me and drove me out the door. 

The whole way to church, and while I was there I thought about the ideas of agency and responsibility for our choices. In lots of situations since I moved away from home, since I've been married and especially since I've been in Europe I've had some regrets about the way I've done things or handled situations. Lately though I have thought about this principle before I make the choices, and it has helped so much. I use the phrase "I chose this" a lot. I think to myself, "later will I be happy when I say this is what I chose?". Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes it's no. Today it was no, so I altered my decision accordingly. I went to church, and I'm obviously glad I did. It's not that it was a magical experience that changed my life, but this afternoon I was content with the fact that I could say "I chose this", and not regret it. 

What I do is make the results of my choices my own responsibility before they even happen and then it helps me to make the choices that I won't regret later.

General Conference Sunday

Today there were not dope gatherings. At least not on the route we took to get to the chapel. We, therefore, were able to witness the sessions of General Conference shown today.

It was a little bit strange to watch Conference this way. Eric left earlier this morning to catch a recorded version of the Priesthood Session at 11am. Then I caught up with him for a picnic lunch with Steenbliks, which was fun. We sat in the park and watched children play on this incredible playground, and chatted about the differences of attitude between here and America. Let me tell you, this park would never fly in the USA. Someone would sue because of an injury in like a day. It had massive swings, and round-about things, and a zip line running right down the middle of it. All unsupervised. 

 Anyway, then we caught a recorded version of the Saturday afternoon session at 2:00. Then another picnic for a couple hours. Then the live version of Sunday morning at 6:00 our time. It was just not how I was used to watching it, and I think it threw me off a little bit. In a couple of weeks we will have sacrament meeting first and then use the second two block hours to watch the second Sunday session. I actually think that's a great idea. I will enjoy that. Now I just have to find a way to catch up on Saturday morning that we missed with yesterday's fiasco. Some how I'll watch it. Between our internet that we can't afford to watch videos on, and the school's internet that blocks all videos, I don't think I've ever had to work this hard for a General Conference session. I will sure appreciate what they have to say when I do get to hear it. 

Sunday September 25th

E:
Were we ever late for church. We felt horrible for not being on time, but we really just didn’t give ourselves enough time. it’s an hour trip, not a half hour. Oops. Katherine and I tried hard not to let our discouragement ruin church.  It’s hard—being here long enough to have known better, yet making the honest mistake of miss-judging the time to get to church.

Spencer and Rachel Steenblik just moved to Vienna like Katherine and I; they are recently married and Spencer is doing some school here. I for see the 4 of us doing plenty together; the two of them seem to be one of those couples ready to go do fun things.

This afternoon I was a wreck. I took one of those naps that seem to suck every ounce of energy out of you except for that which is needed to stay alive. That’s all I want to say on that. Hopefully tomorrow I will wake up with the power to do more than survive.

Sunday: Stake Conference and the Morgans

E: 
So I joined choir. With only one practice on Thursday, I joined the famous Vienna 4th ward choir in their grand performance today at stake conference. Joseph Smith’s First Prayer in English and then another song in German. I didn’t know exactly what I was singing, but I did get most of the pronunciation. At least I think.
For choir, I went on the adventurous trek to where stake conference was held early. I ran out the door with no spare time and at the same time I forgot my directions. It was almost an hour trip, with one essential transition for one train to another. Now first you need to understand that the subways here are huge. Sometimes multiple levels and many platforms; all of which are perfectly organized with clear German signs. For me it’s a maze.
I remembered my stop and then found a member that was boarding a train, however it was all at the last second that I figured everything out and didn’t get any time to purchase the extra ticket that I need. Guess what? You know that guy on polar express that comes around to punch the tickets... yep there was one of those fellows. I admit I was a bit frightened that he may throw me off the moving train or give me a huge fine or break my arm since I had no ready cash. The Lord must think that I’m a decent singer or something, because not only did I make it the stake conference without directions, the ticket master looked at my student pass and said ok.
Stake conference was good. These Austrian members sure are faithful.
The train ride home was less eventful. I even had the extra ticket that I needed and they didn’t check.
We joined (of course by invitation) a cute little white American family-- Natalie and Keith Morgan with their one year old son Ezra, for dinner tonight. They are super cool. We’re basically good friends. In the words of Master Jordan Pierson, you could say that this was our first date. And if the delicious curry and fantastic ginger cake could be any indication of the relationship's potential, we’re headed into a strong bond for life.