E. Jensen, Charlotte, E. Pine & E. Harris in Rorschach on Bodensee. Robert and Diana on Bodensee.


Our ward singing I am a Child of God in German at Allessandro's baptism. George in on the pians and Eduard Fuehrer's back is in the photo.

JUNE 8, 2009 MONDAY

Today we actually got to have a P-day. Two districts, ours and the Dornbirn (Austria) District (Elder Nate Evans is the district leader) decided to meet in Rorschach on Boden Lake on the border between Germany, Austria and Switzerland for a picnic and to play games. Before we left we texted Gabriela Rodriguez to invite her family to E. Pine’s birthday party on Wednesday rather than go to her home. We felt it would be good to have them get acquainted with some other missionaries besides us and also the members we invited to the BBQ specifically to help them integrate into the ward. We invited Anita Weiss to come because she speaks Spanish and will be able to talk with Julio. We really didn’t expect them to come because they seem a little shy, but they did and were happy about that. It helps to have friends in the ward and will help them feel comfortable in coming to Church.

We met Charlotte at 9:15, traveled to the Bahnhof where we met up with the rest of the missionaries. We traveled by train to St. Gallen where we had to transfer to another train which took us to Rorschach. Bodensee was right across the road and there was a nice picnic area with lots of grass, two picnic tables with benches and a fireplace and hanging grill. Someone built a fire and got the grill going while others played frisbee, badminton, football and other games. It was a great afternoon with 18 missionaries and Charlotte spending time together. Everyone brought grill stuff, cheese, bread, and everything else so there was more than plenty of food. There were several men fishing in the lake and they caught some fish which were only about six inches long, but they kept them. About 3:00 we had to leave for the hour and a half ride back home to be in time for family home evening. We also had to ice Suki’s birthday cake to take to FHE because, once again, she promised to be there so this time we could celebrate her birthday with her. She’s promised to come several tinmes before, but hasn’t shown up. She needs the support of the group now more than ever, so we hoped she would come tonight.

We finished the cake just in time to go to FHE. Kathi Bolt’s mom passed away so the Bolt’s were unable to be there. We had a good FHE with Irene giving the lesson on what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The discussion lasted almost an hour, but it boils down to learning and having knowledge of the gospel, accepting it and Christ, living it and serving others. Suki came late (hooray) because she works until 8:00 and it was good to see her. She said this is the first time in her adult life anyone has baked her a birthday cake. Everyone tried to talk her out of quitting her job before she has another one to go to, but to no avail.

At the end of the FHE Elder Pine asked me to help give him a blessing. He hurt his ankle and part of the reason for the blessing was that, but the other part was to help him with another problem. He went through hard times a week or two ago trying to decide whether to extend or not and whether to go to Utah to go to college. He’d made those decisions, applied at all the Utah universities and thought his extension for his mission was approved. He learned today that it hadn’t been approved because his grandfather in England, who he is very close to, has lung cancer and is expected to not live for very much longer. As it turns out the parents have to agree on the extension as well as the Stake President. His mom signed the approval for extension, but his father wouldn’t because he wants him to come home. Pres. Bolt didn’t approve it either because his father wouldn’t. Pres. Matern knew the circumstances of his grandfather, but honored the parent’s request not to tell Elder Pine until further tests had been completed. Elder Pine felt bad, first because his grandfather is terminally ill and, second, that Pres. Matern knew about his grandfather two weeks ago and hadn’t told him. After we left the FHE we went to the Church and Elder Jensen and I gave him a blessing of healing, comfort and counsel. The Spirit was there and Elder Pine felt better after the blessing.

When Monica and Jade were on skype yesterday Diana brought up the subject of a pen pal for Jade. At FHE Diana mentioned this and Elder Pine suggested his 12 year old sister is looking for a pen pal. We’ll have to ask Jade the next time we talk with her if she would like to start writing to her.