Scottish Highland breed. Tree of Life in Lehi's dream. Some headstones.

MAY 21, 2009 THURSDAY

I woke up this morning and went out for my morning walk, this time through Schwamendingen. I tried a new way and discovered a huge cemetery. When we ride the tram, we go past it, but it is hidden behind some buildings so we never knew it was there. It was interesting in that it is divided up into many smaller squares separated by bushes, shrubs and trees so each seems like its own little cemetery. I found one headstone that was carved in the shape of a tree that reminded me of the Tree of Life in Lehi’s dream. I walked to the to top and hoped I’d find a way out so I wouldn’t have to walk all the way back down to the entrance. Fortunately I found a gate and walked on out and continued towards the woods where there is a path that follows the edge between the woods and the fields. There is a wonderful view of the city and in the cool air it was an invigorating walk. I worked my way back down to the tram line, took a photo of a cow in a butcher shop window and went on back to Schwamendingen where I withdrew some money from the ATM. All the stores were closed today because of a holiday so I couldn’t buy anything. I went on back home. The holiday today is called “Himmelfahrtstag” or in English, “Ascension Day” where they celebrate the ascension of Christ into heaven.

At 3:00 Elders Pine and Jensen came over so Elder Pine could complete his application to BYU. It took him an hour to get it done, just in time for us to leave and meet Jona at the Church. We talked to the bishop for awhile and then we and Jona left for our appointment with the Okoro family. They have three sweet kids, Angel (7), Esther (2) and Emeka (4 months). Esther was all over the place during our meeting and it was a little difficult with the disruptions, but even so, it was a good meeting. Rather than retype everything, I cut and pasted our entry from our log we keep on our missionary activities.

Today we and Jona Neidhart met with Emeka and Angela Okoro Campbell for over an hour this afternoon and had a good meeting with them. We gave parts of the first lesson and bore witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he said he would read it. We also gave him a copy of the Joseph Smith Priesthood Manual. We talked of prophets and gave them a copy of the “Proclamation to the World” on families. He was born in Nigeria and came to Switzerland to play professional soccer, but a broken leg ended his career. He says he would like to get baptized. Angela was taught and baptized in 2001. She has had a hard life, her mother having given her away when young, and then passed along to other families three other times. She wants to write the story of her life and has actually written half of a book, but her computer broke. She is stuck until she finds another one although she has little money to buy one. She is also musically gifted and wrote the song and music she sang in Sacrament meeting last week. She asked our opinion if she should create a CD of her original music and her singing them. Of course we encouraged her to do so. She says she has many talents and prayed to God to ask which she should work on and she felt this was her answer. She also plays the guitar to accompany herself. Right now Emeka and Angela are separated, but it seems they are hoping to get back together. We have another appointment with them on Sunday, May 24, during which we’ll teach the “Plan of Salvation.” It was Angela’s birthday yesterday, but we waited until today to take her a gift/card. Angela needs a copy of the Joseph Smith manual also. Emeka gave the closing prayer.

After we left we rode home on the bus with Jona and discussed our impressions of the meeting. We all felt good about what had been accomplished and are hopeful the gospel will make a change in Emeka’s life. Jona walked us home and we wanted to give him the French coins we bought a few weeks ago. Diana couldn’t find them right off and he couldn’t wait. We sent some of the peach pie we baked yesterday with him for him and his parents. Jona will make a great missionary.

We did our usual reports and updated the member log. When we met Jona earlier at the Church, we also met Bishop Schwendener who happened to be at the Church. We mentioned we had updated the member log and would bring him a copy Sunday. He said that would be fine and he wants a copy because they are going to do a home teaching blitz soon. That means all the priesthood holders will meet at the Church on a day, receive names of members to visit and then actually go out and make the visits.

Roxsan skyped us again to get a few more details worked out on a project she’s working on. We’re glad she’s home taking care of problems we should be dealing with instead of her. And that kind of completes our day and it’s only 9:44 pm.