Heder Mission Moments: Mission Presidents Seminar in Vienna, Austria

It's been a couple of weeks since I reported in, and now I'm struggling to remember it all. The days are full!

LeeAnn talked about our conference in Vienna--and it was everything she described. Some of the other mission presidents were telling us that their cities look very similar, but LeeAnn and I had never seen anything that clean, orderly, architectural and all-around grand.

Our return to Greece brought cooler weather--something we had only heard about from others but never imagined would come. Suddenly we walked off the plane and it was delightful...No humidity; just blue skies and sunshine and about 80 degrees. Amazing! I don't know if this is going to hold out, but I'm kind of excited by the prospects. I've grown accustomed to the humidity, and it's rather fun to watch LeeAnn try to control her hair, but there is nothing like fall weather, especially in Greece.

The conference was a tremendous lift. There is something very healthy about mingling with other people just as dazed and confused and overwhelmed as we are.

Of all the many thoughts and impressions that came home with me, one that comes to mind right now is the challenge from President Kearon (the Europe Area President) to preach repentance boldly, cheerfully and without apology. He reminded us that it is a gift; a message of hope that we should celebrate and hold out to our friends as the greatest invitation we could extend. Too often we try to skirt around it or play it down--when it is still the central commandment the resurrected Savior gave his disciples, and is still central to our message today.

That struck home to me because just a couple of weeks ago, as I interviewed a sweet lady from North Africa prior to her baptism, she cried as she talked about the fact that she knew the gospel message was true when she was taught about the gift and responsibility of repentance. As she put it, "the true gospel must do more than just make people feel good and send them home again; it has to call us to change and promise us the power to be something better than we are now."

All my love to you all.

Bill

We had the delightful experience of going to Vienna for a Mission Presidents Conference with the other 30 mission presidents that serve in the Europe Area. I felt like I was stepping back in time, such beautiful architectural masterpieces, palaces, churches and music halls. They have 3 Opera houses, and at least one opera is performed each night, over 200 different operas a year. We took a tour with all the mission presidents one afternoon and then Bill and I got up real early one morning and rented bikes and rode all over old Vienna. I hope someday I can go back, truly enchanting. I had a moment as I saw where Mozart lived and composed; awesome. We loved the conference, it answered so many questions, we made some great new friends and realized how crazy our next 3 years in going to be, but we are motivated and ready.

The girls are making more friends and getting into the groove of school. They really do love their teachers and classes. Teaching positions at International schools in Europe are very competitive so you get the very best. That is good because they are still getting used to the social scene but finding many similarities with Embassy students that move a lot. Alinda is joining the debate team, which I told her has a lot in common with Drill team, ha!

To share something that made me smile: Sunday during Gospel Doctrine, 2 very Greek members a man and woman starting speaking the fastest Greek I had ever heard. They were not seeing things eye to eye and it was a battle until a tiny little old Grandma stood up and said something with boldness and I think she won because the other two calmed down and the teacher looked relieved and went on. The same little old lady came up to me after church and took my face in her hands and kissed me hard (not a normal air kiss, that most do) right on both cheeks and told me, "happy life" I think she had things figured out because she was wearing hot pink tennis shoes with her dress. I am learning to love and appreciate these amazing, yet complicated Greeks. Now I know why the Apostle Paul came and taught. . . but left. I wonder how much has changed, pride, traditions of their Fathers is a chord that runs deep. But many of them have not met the Heder Family yet.

Love and Hugs, LeeAnn

P.S. So what does it mean when you are waiting in traffic and see a bush moving on the side of the freeway exit ramp... as we looked closer we saw the gypsy guy that usually washes car windows for a bit of change rinsing out his laundry and hanging it in the bush that seems to be his home. As the light changed and we started moving away he pulled out his cell phone and answered it... Tough times might mean home is a bush next to the freeway but you still gotta have your cell phone.

Also big election this weekend, the girls don't have school Friday or Monday so that people can travel to their place of birth to vote, like I said, traditions!

The Pics: Marie with tiny Tim or pet turtle that wanders our yard, basketball fun on P-day with the missionaries, some of my favorites of Vienna