Week 52

This week marks the one-year anniversary of when we arrived on our mission in 2011, during the last week of that shut down. Time has flown by and we are so grateful for the blessing that has been ours to have these marvelous experiences.

The new Brigham City Utah Temple

Sunday Sept 23, was the dedication of the new Brigham City Temple in Utah. Pres. Packer dedicated it and Elder Perry and Elder Nelson were there with their wives. What a super occasion that must have been. We look forward to visiting it when we get home. Trent Hadley, John's good friend, is the new recorder there. Kathy and Brent's branch attended via satellite. 

This morning while John worked on his computer I met with Sis. Husz’s daughter-in-law Miriam to teach her how to clone homeopathic remedies—I had brought some of my very best ones with me to give Sis. Husz rather than haul them home. We had a good time talking about natural medicine and things we had both learned over the years. Her husband, who suffers from seizures, was with her and had a seizure while they were here so I worked with her and his mom, trying out the technique Sis. Cyr taught us to stop a seizure—by bending back the thumbs. It stopped quite quickly, I thought, so perhaps it was helpful. I don’t know. But it is nice to have such modalities to try.

After lunch Pres. Husz drove John and me to John’s much-waited-for doctor’s appointment with Sis. Husz’s Chinese doctor. We arrived 20 minutes early for his 2:00 pm appointment only to find out that we were supposed to have been there at 11:00 am! We were so disappointed and embarrassed to have had him bring us all this way and then miss it. We must have gotten it mixed up with our dental appointment in Sopron. It WAS supposed to have been at 2:00.

Beethoven's birth place

Ludwig van Beethoven

Afterwards Pres. Husz drove us to see a number of Beethoven sites before his own doctor’s appointment at 4:00. Apparently the composer was asked to leave many of his rented rooms for late night disturbances as he pounded out his pieces, struggling against his deafness. While Pres. Husz was at his doctor's appointment, John and I walked in a lovely park next to the university where he had attended, after which he drove us all over Vienna to show us his city—it was a wonderful city tour.

We came home and had bread, cheese, and fruit for dinner while visiting with Sis. Husz for a bit before turning in early. Dear Pres. Husz worked it out with the doctor to see John at 8:30 am after our goof today.  I’m grateful that John will still see him and hope he can do something that will help him.

Tuesday morning we left early to see the doctor. Huszes dropped us off while they went shopping and then returned to pick us up before we went together to a lovely bakery for breakfast.

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Dr. Lenhardt wih John

Our experience with the Dr. Lenhardt—Sis. Husz’s Chinese trained doctor--was most interesting and we came away with a prescription of a 1,000 year-old herbal remedy blend we needed to have filled. Explaining exactly what he determined John needed is beyond me but it had to do with yin/yang, the winter season, the element of water, and a diagnosis made by pulse and tongue examination.

Our breakfast bakery

Bless them, the Huszes then drove us all the way into town to drop us off close by the apothecary who makes the TCM concoctions on Marienhilfe Str. We left the prescription with them after telling them we had to get it today since we leave for Germany in the morning. We were told it would be ready at 4:30.

Trying a tandem was fun--for me if not for John

 We bought some transportation passes then headed for Praterstern to try out riding a tandem bike. I wanted to see if John could handle riding behind me and if it was manageable to do it together and I quite enjoyed it but it made him really nervous after his having fallen off bikes a few times due to his mobility issues. Something seems to be amiss with his inner gyroscope and he feels like he is constantly going to fall. After a half hour riding through the wonderful park at Prater, we returned the tandem and tried a rickshaw for just a few minutes, but I didn’t care for it at all—too hard to pedal and not comfortable to sit on.

The rickshaws were cute but uncomfortable to drive and ride in

From the top of the ferris wheel

The folks at the bike rental were more than fair with us and charged us only 4 Euros for our test run and I know that a tandem is just not going to be a solution that works for us. I wish it would but so it is.

Prater Park's ferris wheel--one of them

After our bike ride we walked through the amusement park and I decided to take a ride on the ferris wheel while John waited below for me. It was lovely and smooth and had great views from above. From there we walked back to the U-bahn and headed into town where we walked a bit at St Stephan’s Platz, stopped for apple streudel at Demels while we waited until 4:30 so we could pick up John prescription. I really enjoy the occasional dessert here—they are only slightly sweet.

With the prescription in hand, we walked to the U-bahn after buying train tickets for the S-bahn home and were glad to climb aboard and rest—we had walked 6,9 miles today, counting the hike to Huszes' from the Deutsch Wagram station--we were both bushed.

We arrived home about 6:00 and greeted the Huszes, who told us that Chidesters were going to arrive at 7:00 pm and have dinner together with all of us. How fun. What wonderfully hospitable people the Huszes are.

Lynne and Jim Chidester, arrived after their Budapest river cruise

Wednesday morning we had a lovely breakfast together before loading up the car and heading off back to Freiberg, A miracle arrangement had been made for her to have her operation earlier than the week from Friday. It will be this Saturday at 10:00--while we are in the temple for one special session. We were so grateful for the miracle for which we had been praying to come about. We so appreciate the privilege we have had to spend this time in the Huszes' home.

The drive home was fun, though very long. John and I traded off sitting in the back and front seats to change positions to relieve the pressure on John’s legs, while Pres. Husz drove non-stop but for bathroom breaks and a stop just before Prague at McDonald’s for a quick lunch.  He has amazing stamina!

Along the way we talked a lot about writing biographies and how to approach a project. He has been so much a part of the history of the Church in Austria as he served as a stake president, regional representation, and an Area 70, he feels that he needs to write about it so that those things won’t be lost. I couldn’t agree more. The time flew by as we entertained him with stories of our lives and enjoyed hearing of his experiences as well.

Our tour of Prague when President Husz drove through rather than around!

He is always looking for special places to “tour” us and so drove through Prague, rather than around it on the Autobahn, to remind us of the old city we saw for the first time 19 years ago on our 25^th wedding anniversary trip.

We got home to Freiberg about 4:30 in the afternoon and were very happy to climb out of the car—home at last! It was fun to arrive to find letters for Oma and Opa from Kikki and Kai.

We unloaded our bags, walked to Netto for a few groceries, and then came home to fix dinner and settle back in.  

Thursday morning I awoke early to the sound of rain outside—a lot of it! And spent a few minutes getting the pictures in my last-week’s blog and publishing it since we had had no internet in Vienna. It is always good to get that done. Now the laundry and other household things are ahead for the day.

We heard from Robert Viveiros at our condo; he reported that there has been 5” of snow on the mountains. It sounds as if we will return to a winter wonderland instead of a late fall.

This is a special day for Ning Ning and Conrad Judd to be sealed at the Salt Lake Temple—another special event we will miss but we are thrilled to have had a part in. John arranged for Gary Garff to perform their sealing and Dave and Julie Monson will be with them.

Amanda deLange--Starfish rescuer  

In the email confirming that, Dave also told us that he and Julie had just attended a memorial service for another of our former Xi’an branch members, Amanda deLange, the founder of Starfish Foster home, who passed away in July from an aggressive cancer. She summoned up her life by saying “168 babies, nearly 250 surgeries, and 81 adoptions—that pretty much sums up my life!” There is so much humility in that one phrase—and even more impact, thanks to Amanda and her Starfish team of nannies and volunteers. Our lives have been forever altered to have known all those with whom we served in Xi’an.

Friday in the afternoon John went to the temple to work with the technicians who were installing a new audio and video system and I came too in order to help the new assistants put out the lace dollies after the cleaning crews had finished getting everything ready for the opening session Saturday morning. It was so lovely to be in the temple again, even if just to do these little housekeeping duties.

Normally the temple would not open until next Tuesday, but we had a special Saturday opening for one 11:00 endowment and baptistry session as part of the Dresden Stake’s thirty-year anniversary celebration.

Everything went quite well considering we were operating without our wonderful matron, who was in Vienna having surgery. The two new assistants had their solo flights and did fine. I tried to help out with the brand new hearing devices, being used for the first time. They performed very well but were a little tricky to get the hang of. So nice to have them though with so many Hungarians coming next week. It was so great to be in the temple again.

Kochs and Suckows--new counselors and assistants

We met up with the new counselors and their wives at the 30 year celebration at Tivoli for the stake musical of The Little Prince, dinner, and dancing--for which we did not stay. Delightful folks. We are glad we will be here for three weeks with them.

Immediately following the temple session President Husz left for Vienna, both to be with Sis Husz and for his oldest grandson's  ordination as a deacon. President's stamina to make that drive so frequently is remarkable! He will return on Monday so that he is there for the opening Tuesday morning.

Packing up to head home

Saturday afternoon John and I got a lot of packing and weighing of things we need to send home as well as deciding what to take. We did decide we are only going to take one suitcase to check rather than two—it will be so much simpler for me to haul just one!

John playing for our Primary program

Today, Sunday, was our Primary program, for which John played the piano and did a great job.  I taught Gospel Doctrine for the last time. We have three more Sundays before we leave and they are unique—general conference, then to Berlin to hear Pres. Monson, and back for more general conference replays. 


Our whole ward will go by bus or car or however they can get there. No one is going to miss being there! The hall where it will be held must be huge since it will accommodate Berlin, Leipzig, and Dresden Stakes and Neubrandenburg District. What a marvelous opportunity for the German Saints--and for us all. He will first go to Hamburg, then come to Berlin, Munich, and finally Frankfurt. We are excited to be part of it.

Pres. Monson is coming!

After figuring out more on our packing and sorting, we went for a good long walk through the woods just at sunset and the full moon began to rise. We came back and grabbed our camera and tried to capture a picture of the temple and the moon together.

Temple by moonlight

Week 51

Today is Monday, September 17, 2012--a day to celebrate the life of John’s Mom, Grace Scott Laing. We thought much of those at home, both family and friends, as they gathered to pay tribute to her. We began our day with prayers that all would be well with those traveling, praying, and speaking at this important event. We look forward to hearing the recording of the funeral knowing it will be a time to lift spirits and comfort hearts.

We began our day, many miles from those gathering in Springville. We are in Deutsch Wagram at the Huszes, where we awoke to a peaceful cool fall morning. We showered and dressed then joined our hosts for an early breakfast of wonderful Bröchen, cheese, meats, fresh fruit and tea before bustling our bags back in the car to take Sis. Husz to one of her many doctor’s appointments for the week.

Austrian farmhouse and shop with fresh berries and fruit Essig (vinegars) 

While she was there President took us to a charming Austrian farmhouse where the proprietors make berry vinegars, and jams, as well as wines, and sell fresh berries. My mom would have adored this place. Everything was charming and open for our view.

Stainless steel kitchen

The “kitchen” where they produce these wonderful items was polished stainless steel and we sampled the vinegars from tiny crystal goblets! The flavors were amazing and I wanted to bring some of each home with us to us for salads. Knowing everything would have to be shipped home, we limited ourselves to one bottle of Himbern Essig but it was difficult not to also buy the apricot version as well. Oh well raspberry is our absolute favorite so we came away very satisfied to have been there and seen the place.

Sampling fruit vinegars--in crystal goblets

We dashed home to unload Marikka’s case of raspberries, through together a sandwich to eat (“So we wouldn’t starve,” Pres. said), then bustled away to pick Sis. Husz back up and leave for Sopron, Hungary. We assured the Huszes we would be happy to take a train but they insisted on being perfect hosts and getting us all the way there, after driving the route we would take to walk to their home from the little Bahnhof nearby.

We arrived in Sopron just 15 minutes before our dental appointments so quickly left our luggage at the hotel and walked with Marikka through the block to a street directly behind our hotel, climbed the stairs to her dentist, Dr. Elod, where we told her goodbye and she left to find President Husz circling the block to take her back home.

John being well cared for Sopron style--the dental captitol of the world

Sopron, Hungary is called the dental capital of the world for good reason. There are some 300+ dental clinics in this little town of 60K people. We figured it would be a fun experience to do as the Austrians (and other Europeans) and have our teeth cleaned and any other work we might need for a price only half what it would cost in Germany or at home. We were grateful for the recommendation as to which dentist to go to. Confident is owned and operated by a husband and wife team. He teaches dentistry at the University of Vienna and both are first rate in their profession as is their assistant.

We “enjoyed” the experience both similar and quite different from a cleaning in SLC. For one thing after my initial example the assistant told me the price and asked if I wished to continue. When she finished with the cleaning she then asked if I wanted “Farber”—whitener. In my very poor Deutsch I asked what it would cost and was assured it was included. After John’s initial exam he was told his teeth were so good his procedure would be only half price—now that I have never had happen at our dentist at home.

Dental "art" in Confident

With shining smiles we bide the friendly folks at “Confident” goodbye and returned to our hotel to rest, read, and relax before taking our daily walk around this interesting old town. Right on the same street we discovered the Church!

Sopron's location for our Church, just down from our dentist

Our hotel is a 4-star hotel that is very old and very baroque. Our room has antique furniture with heavy wooden bedsteads and wardrobes, a tiny two-person table and a big tub in the bathroom, and included breakfasts. The hotel staff is friendly and helpful and we are glad to have these few days to unwind before finishing out our mission.

Pannonia Best Western Hotel--Sopron

We have been aware all day that as we walked around that Mom Laing’s funeral was just beginning and we thought of everyone gathered for the family prayer, funeral, burial, and luncheon and were grateful that all our kids could attend to represent us so well. We are anxious to receive the audio of both Pop and Mom’s events so we can hear the talks and remember together these special people.

The days of the week blur together as we walk, talk, read, laugh and try to strengthen John’s legs the best we know how. We did indulge in his getting a body massage on Monday evening, which seemed to really help, at least for that evening. The weather has been perfect, cool, breezy and sunny though Wednesday turned cooler with a sprinkle of rain.  We enjoyed walking around the inner city with its old churches and museums. We had to do some tricky navigating to find our way in since there was some construction going on around the fire watchtower. Once in, however, we loved seeing the charming old houses with their inner courtyards. The Goat Church was pretty impressive as well—though why it is called that name escapes me!

Beautiful walks in this old old town

Walking Sopron's interesting streets

Goat Church??

In the evening we decided to try out the Erhardt restaurant that was recommended at the top of the list of places to eat in Sopron so we set out in the drizzle with John using his sticks and me holding the umbrella over us both. We found it on Balfi Gasse with no problem and enjoyed the wonderful dinner—which we split, as usual. It is always so nice both in not over eating and in not over extending our budget, eating a very nice dinner for about 7.00 euros or $9.00.

Erhardt Restaurant. . .in the rain

Because I like to take new walking routes, John conceded in our approaching our hotel from a different direction which should have worked great, but we both thought the street leading to the hotel looked to be a dead end so we went beyond to the next one before turning down. By this time it was colder, windy, and raining hard. I could no longer really read the map so we trudged along, occasionally having to keep our umbrella from taking flight in Mary Poppins fashion. Bless him, John kept on trekking, though for the life of me I don’t know what other choice either of us had. We finally made it back to the hotel, but not until
realizing we had way over shot our destination. It was good to be back home where we could dry out and climb into bed with the heating pad on to watch the first half of Pride and Prejudice.

Thursday dawned sunny and bright with a breeze. In order to get a little walk in John agreed to walk up from the hotel to see if the street that had appeared to be a dead end really would have been a clean shot home to the hotel. It was!

John, still worn out from our long walk in the rain the night was uninterested in more hiking about so I went exploring on my own while he went to the sauna and then worked on his journal.  While out and about I found a tiny little thrift shop tucked back in and there bought a linen tunic blouse for 2,000 forints ($9) after bargaining in Chinese fashion to talk the clerk down from 2,500. Then I went looking for a bakery museum noted on my map. I found it but it didn’t open until 2:00. Along my way I also found another recommended restaurant that looked fun to try.

My Sopron thrift shop tucked back in a courtyard

When I returned to the hotel, John was game to go for lunch and then the museum. We enjoyed both. Our elderly guide at the living museum demonstrated all the bakery implements and generally was delightful.

Old Bakery oven

 On our way back we discovered another thrift shop on the main drag that I came back to check out further after getting John back for a rest. There I found a linen skirt for about 5 euros and a blouse from another shop—my souvenirs from Sopran.

Stunning flowers all over town

In the evening we packed up and turned in after a bowl of soup and two expensive cups of hot water. Generally we ordered hot water to fix our own tea and never had we been charged for it but for a little pub we stopped in for supper. Oh well, you can’t always win. I turned in and watched a good portion of the remaining half of Pride and Prejudice.

Friday we got up in good time and finished packing then I went out to buy bread to go with our cheese, milk, and meat for a lunch in Vienna. We went for our usual breakfast at the hotel and then headed out for the train station after I paid our bill.  I walked ahead with the suitcase in order to purchase our train tickets for the 9:13 am train, though I wondered if we’d make it or need to wait for the 10:13. But we did. Just barely.  We climbed aboard and pulled out of the station saying goodbye to Sopron, glad to have come for our little break.  We have found it a wonderful place to be for these few days.

Taking the train to Vienna from Sopron

On the 70-minute train to Vienna we enjoyed the last of Pride and Prejudice and finished it just as we pulled into Meidling, Wien.  We had considered going straight out to Husz’s in Deutsch Wagram but decided instead to stash our luggage at the West Bahnhof and then head into Vienna, free of lugging two computers and our big duffle bag.

After purchasing all-day passes to all public transportation in town, we headed for the Kunsthistorisches Museum to enjoy a little culture. I was so proud of John. He had been trudging along on his sticks well. Before getting to the museum, however, we stopped at a park bench and ate our Hungarian bread sandwiches, fruit, and milk to gain a little energy for the adventures ahead.

Vienna's wonderful museum--one among many

At the museum, we borrowed a wheelchair so I could save John’s walking quite so much and enjoyed seeing the Pieter Breugal room to see Hunters in the Snow and other works. I climbed up to see the Gustav Klimt murals, but left John below, since we didn’t want to abandon the wheelchair, nor having him climb up the stairs. I could see from above he also enjoyed a little nap while I was gone.

Hunters in the Snow--Beugal

I liked the Egyptian rooms with the interesting décor as well as the many ancient pieces on display and the Gustav Klimt murals.

Eygpt's treasures on display

Interesting Klimt paintings tucked around the columns

Finally we decided we’d had enough and returned the Rollstuhl and left for the ring-road Straßenbahn to get an overview of this wonderful old city.

Vienna's wonderful public transport was easy to use

Our next stop was a walk into the inner streets to see Demels where we watched pastries being made (though we didn’t indulge), and walked Kohlmarkt which boasted of Chanel and Gucci among other posh shops—me contentedly wearing my Chinese knock-off Gucci jacket and Channel watch.  Neither of us could care less for the expensive real ones.

Demel's--pastry in the making

Posh shops on Kohlmarkt 

Having for now seen enough of city bustle, we returned to the U-bahn and headed for Heiligengeiststadt where we then caught a 38A bus for Kahlenberg and the access to the Weinerwald—John’s desired destination. It was a fun trip and we walked up along the leaf-strewn paths glad to have had the chance to come.

John's walk in the Wienerwald--finally!

On the way back we stopped at Grinzing and had dinner outside at a charming restaurant called Rudolfs before heading back to the West Bahnhof to reclaim our gear and catch trains out to Deutsch Wagrum—and home for now.

We arrived at about 8:30 pm having walked—not counting the museum where John rode—seven miles! That was a lot for both of us. Thank goodness for our both having been walking daily!

It was nice to climb up to our room, unload our stuff and say hello to Sis. Husz and to her daughter, Sandra, who had arrived Tuesday from Canada.  We were so sorry to hear that Sis. Husz is going to need more surgery—this time to remove a broken Heparin Lock in her chest. It is worrisome for her both because it is no fun to have added health issues after being through so much but also because it will likely delay her return to the temple. I emailed Kathy immediately and asked that she put her name on the Salt Lake Temple prayer roll since our temple isn’t open.

Our room at the Husz's

Saturday I worked with Sis. Husz to make her yummy vegetable flavoring and enjoyed the process. I will get the recipe from her in Freiberg.

Yummy pot of raw veggies, waiting 

The finished product. It is yummy.

Creating veggie flavoring mix--the only one Sis. Husz can use.

It is worth knowing how to make it. Her son Andrew and his little daughter Amanda was here too. It was fun to work together on it in her kitchen.

After our project we were invited to celebrate President’s birthday at a lunch with nearly their entire family. It was fun to meet the other boys and their grandchildren. We were particularly taken with Jacob who reminded me of what John must have been like as a child. He talked non stop but was so cute (and his Deutsch, much to John’s chagrin, was perfect!). Home again, we enjoyed a good nap before heading off for the evening session of stake conference. We were pleased to see Brother Schauperl and his wife, and a couple of others who had visited our temple and the meeting, with its excellent translators (the best of them the Husz’s son, Michael, was very good) was totally focused on the temple.

Sunday we had a quick breakfast and then drove for an hour to attend stake conference at a sport’s arena in Oberlaa-Therme. After the Huszes visited with friends we returned for Sunday dinner, a nap, and finally getting my blog for the week completed. It has been a wonderful, and very full one!