The Big Seven O

Heather: My milestone seventieth birthday was awesome! We celebrated the demise of my sixtieth decade the 12th with a patio party at the wonderful guest house where we are staying. During our tour of the castle district in the afternoon I saw some lovely original water colors of poppies that I coveted very vocally. Norm was quick to take the hints and "surprised' me with this lovely painting. I am laughing because I think it is the first time my hints have actually worked!! These poppies will always remind my of our wonderful time in Pécs!

Krista and Jason stopped at a pastry shop that has catered to the Hapsburg royal family since 1786 and bought the most decadent cakes to share for the party. The dark chocolate one at my elbow was to die for!

The day started out cloudy and cool, but by the late afternoon the sun shone so we ate Krista's and Jason's treats on the patio as the sun set -- perfect!

      

The 13th we celebrated by taking in the spectacular mountain scenery and exploring Erlebnisburg Castle. I surely felt like I was Queen for a day! In the evening we went to dinner at Sternbrau  a 800 year old inn where Mozart spent many hours composing! Val gave me a lovely silk scarf and she .Lori, Derek and Tawnya really surprised me with gorgeous Swarovski crystal earrings and pendant from Vienna! I am so spoiled!

EISriesonwelt Birthday Alpine Adventure

Norm: Not far from Salzburg is the largest ice cave in the world. We drive up the mountain. We climb the mountain. We take a gondola, then climb some more...

 

At last, there it is. Inside the cave we climb some more. 700 steps up then 700 steps back down.

These shots were clandestine, so do not do the cave justice. But it was absolutely spectacular. Visitors are given carbide davy lamps for climbing the stairs and our guide used magnesium flares for the spectacular effect.

After the caves we just had to hit one more castle with a rose garden. Here is the most beautiful rose of all.

Reunion in Vienna

Norm: What a treat and blessing it was to meet up with Krista. She is our Grandniece who lives in Vienna. She and her husband Jason will be our companions and Austrian guides for the next few days. Here we gaze at the magnificent light show as the sun projects a collage of color through the stain glass windows. (see the header photo)

Street hawkers sell Mozart concert tickets.

Tawnya Rollingson performs with a free concert at the Vienna Opera House

Visited the Emperor's summer home from the Hapsburg Family Dynasty. Was prepare to make an offer on the place, but was dissapointed to learn it was not for sale. 

Castle at Visegrád

Heather: Derek and Tawnya loved castle crawling at Visegrád and I loved taking pictures!

The day was cool but Lori came prepared for the weather. There are lots of photo opportunities at this castle with interesting passage ways and doors.

Val looking elegant perched on an old window casement among the rugged rocks and old stone work. We had a great time exploring!

Touring Budapest

Norm: On the Hop-on/Hop-off bus.

How many more castles can we absorb?

After a day of sightseeing in Budapest, it's off to the Turkish Baths.
Next stop Vesegrad Castle , then on to Vienna.

Transfers at Keliti Station

Norm: On transfer day, those who are being transfered or going home converge at Keleti Station in Budapest to exchange companions. Family gets a chance to meet some of the young missionaries that we have worked with and have heard so much about. Elder Mullen from Utah.

And here are the new replacements for Pécs. Elder Swieger  (California) replaces Elder Clark who leaves for home. Elder Dence a native Hungarian replaces Elder Nielson who heads for Szombatay.

And we can't forget Elder Mueller (Switzerland) and Elder Nikolof (Bulgaria)

And Elder Galland that appeared as a Greeny in Pécs a long time ago, no longer has that distinction now serves gallantly inTatabanya.

Our transfer group say farewell as we depart.

Our Kids arrive to take us Home

Norm: Our kids arrive in Budapest. Our partial family is once again reunited. Our daughter Val Lyons arrives from Utah.

Next our daughter Heather Petty arrives from Maryland.

Then our son Derek and his wife Tawnya arrive from Colorado.
A new adventure begins.

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

Time to Say Goodbye

Norm: We knew it would come....you know THE TWO HEART THING. A huge rainstorm hit just as the Saturday Party was about to begin. But they came anyway.

After the games, they showed a video production of our entire mission complete with audio background. Our dear friend Gabi was the producer. What a wonderful thing to see although I for one could not see it all that well through the tears. Then we broke the mission rules as we gave everyone a hug as "God be with you till we meet again" played in the background.

The video will be a wonderful intro for firesides when we get back home. We are so anxious to share our wonderfull friends in Hungary with our friends and family back home. The Branch was all too generous with their gifts and compliments. Don't you dare forget us. You will be in our hearts and prayers forever.

Maja and all the Young Women of the Branch are very special to us and yes we are expecting some baptisms in the near future. I conducted my last Sacrament Meeting this Fast and Testimony day and We were somewhat embarrased to hear our names spoke all too often.

Later  Sundays we attend the weekly Family Relations class taught by President Szabakai. This is a very unique class as all couples attending have non member spouses.
MAY GOD BE WITH THEM 

Water Wars - The Final Frontier

Norm: A huge thunderstorm moved in just hours before our final YSA Activity. By 6:00pm the hail and the lightning had moved on. Till everyone arrived we had them play a little volleyball, badminton and frisbies.

Let the water wars begin. You could almost feel the humidity in the air left from the storm. It was a good night to get wet.

It's customary for The Greenie to start the event with a demonstration for the water baloon relay.

Little Hunor and Kira could not resist the chance at getting wet with the Young Adults. With their presence, an interesting event took place. A group of a half dozen local children of similar age eagerly watched on. With an invitation, they were more than happy to join in the games and crazy antics and the youth were more than happy to play along. Soon a group of curious parents collected on the sidelines. Gabriella and Elder Weston visited with them and rested their concerns, handing out pass-a-long cards in the process. One had been an investigator years ago. All were impressed at the family like atmosphere that they witnessed. We were happy with the event...about a dozen were there to participate and have fun. Only two were members. 

The Farewell Tears Begin

Heather: Our time here is almost done! Last week we had our last FHE with the Kaposvár Branch and the night before we took Elders Moffett, Braman, Reece, and Rummler for supper at our favorite étterem on  the square. These Elders have worked diligently in this beautiful city and have had several convert baptisms this year. They have worked hard to strengthen the small Branch there with Family Home Evening programs each week. They teach English, and Sunday School classes, and help keep the children entertained during Sacrament Meeting. We loved working with them in our small way. We pray for their success during the rest of their time here and when they return home.

Sunday we spoke for the last time in Komló. I had a hard time speaking and shed more tears when we said good bye. These members are doing their best to keep connected to the Church in this small city. We are so happy to see András faithfully coming and hope that he will become an Elder soon.

Tuesday evening was our last family Family Home Evening program in Pécs. Beatrix, Marci, Veronika, and Hunor were there. I did not know that this was our last visit with Beatrix until the very end when we were saying goodnight. That caught me by surprise and opened the flood gates! We both had a good cry as we said our good byes! This family has a very special place in our hearts as we have watched Marci and Veronika grow in understanding and seen their testimonies of the Gospel grow. We are so proud of them.

Last night was our last visit to Tex Mex Étterem with Elders Payne, Weston, Nielson, and Clark. We had a great meal and talked about our experiences here together. They have and are working very hard here and have several very good people that they are teaching right now. We hope that they will accept baptism before too long! The Branch is blessed by having these missionaries to work with. Elder Clark is going home as well and family is coming to get him next week. They are in for a treat! Tonight will be our last YSA program so there will more tears from me!! Goodbyes are always hard for me but more so here in this place with these dear friends!