Freiberg Temple, the Second Time

Dear Family, Friday November 28th 2008
I got up early, finished last minute packing, and went to go meet the bus in front of the Institut. We got on the bus at 7 in the morning, and arrived in Freiberg at 5 o'clock. We were told it would be a six hour bus ride. Those last few hours were some of the most painful I have ever experienced.

I was so tired from the late night before that I tried to sleep several times, but every time there would be a conversation that I could hear too clearly in the area and I would become wide awake listening to them. But then whenever I tried to do homework I was too tired for my eyes to stay open for it. Story of my traveling life. Basically, let it be known that no one used the time on the bus efficiently.

The shortest way to Freiberg from Austria is through the Czech Republic, so we drove through Prague and a few other cities. There was a fair amount of snow driving up, but when we were about an hour away from the German border there was about a foot of snow the rest of the way, and it's all Winter-Wonderland-like in Freiberg. So far none of the snow in Vienna has stuck, and it's even a particularly cold winter. I just wish I would have brought warmer clothes for when we're walking around Dresden. Last year in December Dresden wasn't that cold, so I didn't think it would be a problem...

We finally arrived, and then ran off to the grocery store to buy stuff for breakfast tomorrow, as my group is cooking. We changed into our church clothes and entered the temple. Oh, yeah, we're staying at the hostel on the Temple grounds, so it's ridiculously close and convenient. I am loving it.

The Freiberg Ward youth were there as well, so we did a session with them. I read the German Book of Mormon the entire time, and it was so much easier to understand and follow! It was great, I got several chapters read. Several girls in the group left their Temple Recommends in Vienna, even though we have been told every day for a week not to forget them, so they had some stressful times. In the end they all got a hold of their bishops and were able to get temporary recommends.

I did a lot of Spanish names during the confirmations, but during the baptisms they were German/Austrian. I even baptized an “Anna Maria-Theresia.” It was great!

Afterwards we walked back to the hostel and they had dinner and hot chocolate waiting for us, it was great! I hung out with my roommates, and then we we're going to bed pretty early to get up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast for everyone.
Life's great!
Love,
Anna