2005-2007
Shown below are several pictures taken between 2005 and 2007. The majority of these pictures are from Lukas who had them saved on his computer. It's a good thing that "a picture is worth a thousand words", because that's all we have.
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Juli
2005: Hiking in St. Johann, Kitzbühler Horn
from
left: Bettina, Victoria, Leonore, Lukas, Lukas, Arthur
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Christmas
Party - December 2005
Left-to-right
back: Natalie, Christoph, David, Jared, Vassili, (Friend), Kordula, Lukas,
Left-to-right front: (Friend). Victoria, Leonore
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October
2006
Friday
Night Activity: from left: Clemens, Victoria, Susanne, Vasilli, Lukas, Leonore
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The picture below was found in the chapel and was scanned by Elder Mower (Fall 2013). Fortunately it was dated in 2006, so it belongs in this section. This is a great picture and includes Lukas and Leonore in the "Institut" class before they were married! Sister Kaufmann (center far right) is in the picture, too. What a nice picture.
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| Young Adult Institute Class with Sister Kaufmann- 2006 |
HISTORY OF ELDER & SISTER MESERVY
SERVING IN THE INNSBRUCK BRANCH
October 2008-April 2010
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| Elder and Sister Meservy |
We
were very excited when we received our mission call. Our home is in Centerville, Utah, which is
about 10 miles north of Salt Lake City.
We often hear young missionaries say that their mission was the best two
years of their life. We can certainly
agree. We love Austria and being a part
of the Innsbruck Branch.
We
arrived in Munich in October 2008, happy and excited to start our new life as
missionaries. President Condie told us
that he was sending us to Austria to work in Innsbruck. He said we were to work with the young adults
and any other assignment given to us by the Branch President.
On
October 28th, we took the train to Innsbruck.
We had a humorous experience that resulted from this train ride. When the train stopped in Innsbruck, we were
trying to get all of our luggage off the train.
The young missionaries were there to meet us and one of them, Elder
Hobbs, jumped on the train with Elder Meservy to retrieve the last two
suitcases. Suddenly the doors closed and
the train left the station.
Sister
Meservy was left at the train station in Innsbruck while Elder Meservy and
Elder Hobbs had no choice but to stay on the train until the next stop – which
was just over the border into Italy.
Luckily they were able to catch the next train back while Sister Meservy
waited with the Branch President and his wife for his return.
That evening we arrived at our beautiful
apartment in Axams, about a 15 minute drive from Innsbruck.
We
met the young adults for the first time on Monday, November 3, 2008. They had a wonderful group of young adults
who met every Monday for Family Home Evening and every Tuesday for
Institute. They had a very capable young
man and young woman who organized and took charge of the meetings and
activities. They filled their callings
very well and were very dependable.
There
were about nine active young adults who enjoyed being together. We always prepared a nice snack for them to
eat after the meeting, and when asked we would also provided the lesson or a game.
During
this time we met a young man from China who also met with the young adults as an
investigator. He had been taking English
lessons from the prior senior couple and wanted to continue. So we started an intermediate English class
for him to attend. We taught one-on-one
because he was the only one interested at that time.
These
lessons went very well. Most often at
the end of the lesson he would ask gospel oriented questions. We were blessed to be able to help him
understand some gospel principles with which he was struggling.
We
were also able to joint-teach with the young missionaries who worked very
diligently with him. All this effort and spiritual preparation resulted in a special
experience for us as this young man, Kevin (Liang Long) Wu, was baptized on December
13, 2008.
Also,
in December 2008, Sister Meservy was asked to help teach the investigator class
that met every Sunday morning. At first
she was teaching every other week, but soon started teaching every week. This class is taught in English, as all of
the investigators have been English speaking (or preferred to speak English.)
Elder
Meservy served in Austria as a young missionary 50 years ago. As a result he had a lasting friendship with
some of the members, one of which was Konrad Nagele. Brother Nagele worked for the Building Division
of the Church in Continental Europe for several years as an architect and
supervisor. Then from 1976 until 1992, he was the Building Division Manager for
Continental Europe. Under his direct supervision
in these positions, 259 meeting houses were built as well as the Frankfurt
temple. In addition, numerous buildings
and mission homes were remodeled and prepared for use.
His
history had never been written, and we wanted to help him write it. He had many stories to tell as he also worked
behind the Iron Curtain, learned to speak Russian, bought property for future
church sites, and much more. He wanted his
history written in English and a copy preserved in the Church History Library in Salt
Lake City.
We
worked tirelessly on this project, while keeping up with our other
assignments. Surprisingly, it went quite
smoothly and much quicker than anticipated.
We feel the Lord truly blessed us by letting us have a part in completing
this project. The book was finished and
sent to the printer on March 25, 2009.
Copies of the printed book were sent to the Church Historical Department
in Salt Lake City.
During
the time Brother Nagele was employed by the Church, he worked very closely for
many years with Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Elder Robert D. Hales and President
Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Brother Nagele
received thank you letters from both President Uchtdorf and Elder Hales for
contributing this history. Elder
Wirthlin died shortly before the book was printed.
In
January 2009, we were assigned several less-active members to visit. We were told that one sister spoke English but
usually didn’t answer her phone nor allow visitors from the church. We were very grateful when she agreed to let
us visit. This was the beginning of a
great friendship. Though she is still
less-active, we were able to discuss a visiting teaching message each
month when we visited.
We
also began another English class which was held on Sunday to meet the needs of
an investigator. The class was held
after the Sunday meetings, and again this was a very enjoyable experience. Soon we were giving English classes twice a
week. We then started teaching advanced
lessons.
We
were grateful for our Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching assignments which have helped
us get to know more of the members. Our
assignments were changed several times, at one time we had 10 families that we were assigned to visit monthly, mostly the elderly and less-active. One sister was in poor health and very lonely,
so we have decided to visit her weekly to cheer her up. Two families live more
than an hour’s drive away.
We
have greatly enjoyed meeting with the young missionaries and being able to joint-teach
with them. The strength, commitment, and
testimony of these young Elders is amazing. We love teaching with them. There have been five baptisms in the last
year.
On
September 10, 2009, we received Outreach training in Salzburg, along with
Elder and Sister Mangum. Soon after that,
we received an E-mail informing us that we had become an “official” center for
young adults.
New
young leaders were called because the others had moved away. On November 12, 2009, these new leaders were
also trained by the Stake. They are very
enthusiastic about their calling and dedicated to moving things forward and
befriending and activating as many young people as possible.
The
youth enjoy being at the church and participating in games – volleyball in the
summer, ping pong and hockey in the winter.
The youth really like it when Elder Meservy also participates in these
activities with them. When they start a
game, we hear – “Elder Meservy, we need you!”
Sister Meservy is a good cheer leader, cheering for both sides.
When
Institute started up again in the fall of 2009, we changed the night to
Thursday to best meet the schedules of those attending. We had a very good attendance which usually
included several investigators.
Also
after we officially became a center, Sister Meservy started preparing a full
meal that was served to the youth after Institute.
This has worked very nicely, and it has been a great gathering spot for
the youth -- a time to relax, visit and socialize. We feel the dinner provides a “linger-longer”
atmosphere where investigators can get to know the members.
Again
we are amazed with the strength and leadership of the youth in this
branch. The Branch President, one of his
counselors, the Young Men’s President, Primary President, Relief Society
presidency, and Branch Mission Leader are all in the young adult age group. All of the youth are compassionate, caring
and supportive of one another.
On
December 22, 2009, one of our young adults, Kordula, was married to
Francesco in the Swiss Temple.
He is a very fine young man from Italy. That is where they will make their new
home. They are both returned
missionaries.
The
older members in the Branch are also strong and committed. We have watched as newly baptized members are
taken into the fold, given responsibilities and nourished by all.
It has been a blessing and a privilege to serve here.
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2008
The picture below is from the Meservy's and was taken approximately one month after they arrived on their mission.
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| Snow Hike 29 Nov 2008 from left: Clemens, John, David, Diana |
2009
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| Enjoying the CES Broadcast on 8 March 2009 |
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| YA Activities during 2009 |
Diana Receives Her Mission Call
Diana received her mission call to serve in the Hamburg Germany Mission (later changed to Frankfurt German Mission). She served between 27 November 2009 and 16 June 2011. We congratulate her for this choice to serve the Lord.
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| Sister Diana S. |
D&C 4
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
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