Diana's rock is the middle row on the end next to the necklaces. Sis. Graessli in Red, the older couple unknown.


APRIL 25, 2009 SATURDAY

This morning we were preparing to go to the Oerlikon Bahnhof for the missionary display/finding activity when Elder Pine called and asked if he could use the computer quick before we all had to go to the display. He and Elder Harris arrived shortly after to print off some more photos for Solange’s baptism remembrance book they want to give her tonight as a present. They finally have it all done. We all left for our activity and got there a bit after 10:00. The display was already set up by Elders Norris, Carrier, Evans and Jensen; all the BM’s and brochures were neatly displayed and it was a gorgeous day for contacting passers-by. Today was certainly different from the others in the middle of winter where we were always nearly frozen to death. The first thing we did was to go over to Herr Fischer’s stand and get reacquainted with him. We brought him some homemade carmel to try and, if he wants to, we are willing to teach him how to make it so he can sell that too at his stand. We asked him if he was still meeting with the missionaries. He told us they hadn’t been by for the last few weeks and didn’t know why. He said he would have to call them again and see if they would come visit him again. We asked him if he had visited the Church yet to see what a service was like. He said no, but that he’d like to. We talked to Elder Roy and his companion at the temple the other day and they told us they’d quit teaching Herr Fischer because he wouldn’t commit to come to Church. We’ll call Elder Roy again and ask him to give him another chance and go see him again. He seems to enjoy it when we stop by and each time we get to know him a little better. He’s 48 years old and never been married. He said he’d like to get married someday, but it hasn’t happened yet. As we left we mentioned we’d have to come up and visit him one of these days to which he replied we’d be welcome.

We parted company and spent the rest of the four hours trying to talk to people walking by the display, give them a copy of the BM or at least a pass-a-long card or brochure. People seem to shy away from taking a free copy of the BM, but are more prone to take something smaller like a brochure or card. Sometimes we were able to get a person to stop long enough to talk to them and, when we did, were able to talk to them about the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, prophets, priesthood and the Book of Mormon etc. It was a fairly successful activity in that many items were given out and some appointments were made for follow up visits. Diana didn’t let an opportunity go to waste, talking to everyone who walked past her, offering them a BM. Sometimes we worked together and sometimes we worked apart. If she got someone to stop, I or another missionary would be close enough to help her out, if she needed it. By the time four hours were past we were ready to leave. We both got sunburned a little, but all in all, it was a good experience. This time there were quite a few ward members that came and participated including Bro. & Sis. Neidhart and Jona, Norma Bachmann and her son Alisandro, Elder & Sis. Walder, Charlotte Stoecklin, Sis. Ryser, and a few from other wards. It was nice to have them involved. Before we left Sister Neidhard told Diana that when she first came today she sat on the fountain wall and felt weak and not able to have courage to talk to people. But when she saw Diana talking to everyone passing by, it gave her the strength and courage to do the same thing.

On the way home we stopped at our little Asianway store to buy a few funky things and then went home. As we were waiting for the bus a woman and her daughter approached us and begged us for a job as a cleaning woman. We told her we only had a little room and we could do it ourselves. We could tell she was a professional beggar, but we gave her a little money anyway. However, when the bus came, they got on with us and continued to ply her trade. When we got off at Schwamendingen, she was still after us. So we relented again and gave her a little more. We finally had to get a little harsh with her as we got on the tram. Fortunately she didn’t get on with us. It’s a sad thing to beg, but sadder still to teach her daughter to do it too. We also gave her a BM and hopes she reads it.

We made it home and rested for a few minutes and then we were off again to go visit Amanda Ryser, our birthday girl for today. She just turn 12, but she looks like she’s nine or ten. She’s excited to get into the Young Womens Program. We sang happy birthday to her, visited for awhile and then returned home. On the way we tried calling Pres. Bolt, but he probably isn’t home from his few day trip yet. When we got home, we finished planning our Relief Society presentation tomorrow and then Diana called Brother Rothmund to coordinate our plans with his. Hopefully it will all work out.