L: Elder Larson, Elder Ehlend & Naeide; M: Ehlend, Naeide, Evans; R: WML Daehler, Me, Naeide, Diana, Norma Bachmann.


DECEMBER 14, 2008 SUNDAY

Sunday morning and off we went to correlation and then to church. In correlation we presented a list of less-active members we’d like to go caroling to and give them a gift. The ward mission leader wants us to get the ward missionaries involved, but when I asked them to come singing with us on Wednesday afternoon and/or Saturday, they all had other things to do. Maybe we can get one of them to come with us, we’ll have to see. Otherwise it will be we six missionaries. Naeide for sure is coming with us which is a good thing.

Last night when we got back to the ward house to clean the pots we used for hot chocolate at Bahnhof Luzern, we saw some left-over food from the wedding in the fridge. We thought it was food Sister Ryser said the missionaries could have so they split up the cake and brownies and we took some pudding. Come to find out in church they were going to use it for the refreshments after Naeide’s baptism today. There would be an hour in between the time Sacrament meeting would be over and the baptism, so as soon as we could, we hot-footed it home. Diana made brownies and I made pudding. We made it back just in time for the baptismal service to begin, but missed getting our photos taken with Naeide and the Elders. To our relief the Relief Society sister had already made other refreshments and the ones in the fridge were just going to be additional. As it turned out they needed our brownies and pudding because it was all eaten up in the end.

Today was the big day for Naeide, her baptism day. She has been through a lot; the adversary has tested her to the limits, but she has worked through every one with faith and determination. Her son, Marcello, even borrowed a suit from one of the Elders so he could come to the baptism too. It was important for Naeide to have her son there and actually supporting her for her baptism.
Naeide’s baptismal service was really nice. The talks were great and Naeide sang two songs also. A lot of ward members were there to support her and they have really accepted her into their midst. There were a lot of friends and investigators there also. Elder Ehlend baptized her, Elder Evans and I were the witnesses and Diana said the closing prayer in German. Diana sweats a lot, but she always does a good job no matter what it is. The members here have refreshments after every meeting (except the normal block) and activity. Today was no exception. The just like to socialize, not just for a few minutes, but longer.

Tonight is also the First Presidency Christmas Fireside at 7:00 p.m. so we’ll go back for that. I’m sure it’s going to be a very special fireside as they always are, but I’m not going to write anything else today unless something extra ordinary happens.