Still Discovering

Everyone was still amazed at all which had happened over the last twelve days. Georg's discovery of Maria crying at the train station in Vienna to discovering her friends were waiting for her in Chur. Then traveling together all the way to Amsterdam; and now they were living in America in this beautiful mansion.

Today was Saturday; Sabbath for the Jewish young people. They were awake early to pray together before walking into town to the synagogue. Martha and Mary had baked pastries yesterday and had a large bowl of canned peaches on the counter. They had also cracked eggs into a bowl waiting to be scrambled.

Maria found Georg in the kitchen when she and the girls came downstairs. "Georg, did the navy teach you how to cook?"

"No Maria. But I can follow instructions. Did the girls come down with you?"

"Yes, they're in the living room. Marta's reading one of her library books to Gretl. Your other children are awake. They should be down shortly. What can I do to help?"

"You're probably experienced in cooking scrambled eggs; I'll fill the platters with pastries and place them on the table along with this bowl of peaches."

Maria laughed. "So I have an opportunity to prove my cooking skills? You're in luck Georg. My aunt did teach me how to cook. Scrambled eggs are easy."

It was now Georg turn to chuckle and smile. They both went about their tasks.

Maria first placed a large frying pan on one of the burners of the stove to heat. Now she turned her attention to the eggs. Using a fork, Maria beat the eggs until the yolks and the whites were all mixed together.

Now she tested the temperature of the skillet by dropping drops of water to see if they would sizzle; a way to know if it was hot enough. She then added some butter. After it was melted she poured in the eggs. As they got hot she would stir the eggs to get all of them cooked.

By the time they had finished cooking the children had taken their seats around the dining room table. The scrambled eggs were consumed first; nobody likes to eat cold eggs. Then they filled up on the peaches and pastries.

And Friedrich asked a question. "Are our Jewish friends eating later?"

"Yes, they eat after their service. It was prepared on Friday. Afterwards they have a social hour. It seems there are always new people who recently arrived from Germany. That man Adolph Hitler is threatening them."

"Papa is he why we left Austria."

"Yes, he's spoke of making Austria part of Germany. That's why I decided to leave."

"Is there going to be another war?"

"I'm afraid so. On Monday, a navy officer will come here to take me to America's Capital to their Navy's headquarters. I want to help anyway I can. Now who's going to help Maria and me wash all these dishes?"

Liesl laughed. "Louisa and I will help you."

"Thank you, many hands will make it easy."

With the dishes washed, dried and put away, Maria suggested they look for a room to use as a schoolroom. They decided to begin their search in the back of the second floor. No one's bedrooms were back there.

They had been told these rooms were added by the previous owner; he had housed Olympic athletes training for equestrian events several years ago. To their surprise they discovered a large room which was a real classroom including real school desks with ink wells.

"Papa this is perfect."

"Yes Marta it is. Maria others who lived here must have had young children. Look at all the books; girls you have your own library."

"And I'll need to stop by the Gilead Stationary Store to buy chalk; using chalk boards makes teaching so much easier."

"Maria, there's also a gramophone with records."

"Another useful item," said as she picked up one of the records. "Here's one of my favorites."

"What is it, Maria?"

"For the Beauty of the Earth, Georg. It was a favorite of the choir director at my Lutheran Church. Are you planning on taking the children to church tomorrow?"

"We should go to thank God for our safe travel, this wonderful town and of course our lovely home. I remember seeing the Lutheran church from the bus. Maybe after lunch we should walk into town to read the service times on its sign."

"Good idea, Georg."

They left this classroom and headed out to the playground for the remainder of the morning. Georg and Maria fixed sandwiches for lunch; an apple was their dessert.

They easily found the Lutheran church; its Sunday service times were nine and eleven. Georg had decided on the eleven o'clock service. The nine o'clock service would rush them.

On Sunday morning, Martha and Mary had breakfast prepared before nine o'clock. The family would eat first and then dress for church. Georg knew the walk only took about twenty minutes. They left at ten fifteen. Their Jewish friends would wash the dishes today.

It was a glorious morning; Maria sang For the Beauty of the Earth, the entire way. And the opening hymn of the service was another favorite, Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken. Even Georg and the older children sang it. The concluding hymn was Lead on, O King Eternal. It was a hymn which spoke about God Almighty always being present in times of war. And it would be deeds of love and mercy which would prevail until the heavenly kingdom comes to the world.

A family as large as Georg's would always be noticed. It was no different for the pastor of this church. He was also accustomed to seeing new people in his church on Sundays.

As the congregation exited, the family was last. The pastor spoke to Georg as he extended his hand.

As Georg took it to give a firm handshake, he heard. "I'm Pastor Paul Buehler, Pastor Paul to my parishioners."

"Georg von Trapp, Pastor."

"Are these all your children?"

"Yes, I'm a widower. I was also a captain in the Austrio-Hungarian Navy. I heard what Adolph Hitler had planned. I decided to leave my country.

"The young woman with me I met at the train station in Vienna. She had been detained by a German who was looking for Jewish women and the train left before she could board. Her group of Jewish friends she was traveling with was waiting at the train station in Switzerland.

"We discovered we were booked for the same trip. Your government has provided us with a home, the Madison Mansion. We live as if we are a family. Allow me to introduce the young lady."

Georg motioned to Maria. She came forth. "Please meet Maria Rainer, Pastor Paul."

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Rainer."

"Maria is fine, sir. I really enjoyed your service. The music was as inspiring as your sermon."

"Thank you. Are you a choir director?"

"No, a school teacher; I found all kinds of ways to use music to teach other subjects. My fifth grade class in Vienna enjoyed this way of learning. Georg has asked me to teach his youngest daughters. I will be teaching them the same way.

"Georg enrolled his other children in your town's schools. Just meeting the two principals has them excited. Now we're headed home. Our Jewish friends are preparing lunch."

"I look forward to hearing your voices next Sunday."

"We'll be here." Georg answered.

Kurt and Louisa led them home. Neither had spoken but both were hungry.