SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 FRIDAY

We woke up this morning to the same overcast skies, but as the day progressed it cleared up so we could see the sun. We’re back to shirt sleeve temperatures again. We did our usual morning things and then read in the scriptures preparing a lesson for Valerie Otte tomorrow. Diana called Sister Hutcheson in Ebnat Kappel to see how they were doing since we last saw them a few months ago. They had a long talk discussing various things each were doing as far as missionary work goes, exchanging information to get new ideas in how best to spend our time. They also discussed maybe getting together on a P-day so we could do something together. About noon I went in to Schwamendingen to visit the ATM again. Our annual transportation passes are due to be renewed before October 2nd and, just like our friends in Argentina, we can only take so much out at a time. We need $4200.00 to renew the passes. While I was in Schwamendingen, I walked down to the little textile store to see when they would be open. From 12:00 to 2:00 most of the stores are closed for their noon nap (siesta in Mexico). We needed to buy some tablecloths for the birthday party being held tomorrow night in honor of Daniela & Peter Martin, Rosa and George Wimalasuriya. On Fridays the store is open from 2:00 until 6:30.

We received a letter from Zurich City yesterday ordering us to provide an official statement from the Church stating why we are here, how long we are going to stay and how we will support ourselves. When we went to the government office a couple of weeks ago, the clerk told us just to write that information on the back of the renewal form and it would be okay. Evidently it wasn’t. They gave us two weeks to respond or we get sent back home. We emailed Sister Sunke in the mission home about the problem, but she won’t be in the office until Monday. Looking through our files, we found the document they need because we saved it from when we registered upon arrival last year. This is just a renewal of our visas so we thought they would still have everything on file. We’re sure they do, but they like to put us through our paces. We’ll take it down to their office Monday morning, but they may reject it because it has last years date on it. We’ll see.

We met Sister Ryser at 1:30 in the Church parking lot because she was coming with us to visit Elisabeth Kalt, a member who lives in a rest home. She is only 50 years old, but she is unable to care for herself. The Swiss do a good job caring for the elderly and handicapped. We got on the tram, then switched to a bus and then switch to another bus before we got to where we thought we should be. It turned out I made an error in plotting our trip on Google Maps. I plugged in Limmatstrasse 371 instead of Limmattalstrasse 371. The only thing we could do was to go into a store and ask directions. The clerk referred us to a location where they sold tram tickets and from this guy we got good directions. A fifteen minute ride on tram #13 solved the problem.

We arrived at the rest home and found Elisabeth sitting at the same table where she was the last time we visited. She was glad to see us although she can’t say too much. It was good that Sister Ryser came so she could get to know Elisabeth. Sister Ryser is the Relief Society President and had never met Elisabeth before. We brought a little package of marzipan shaped like vegetables and fruit. When we put the package on the table for her, she smiled and quickly picked it up and stashed it in the pocket of her wheel chair. We also gave her the bible we promised her and a Liahona as well. It appears Elisabeth can understand and think okay, but she is unable to say a lot. She says her life is boring because there is nothing to do. To keep busy she works crossword puzzles and reads. Her birthday is October 4 and we asked her if we could come celebrate it with her. Her face lit up when we offered to do that and, when we asked her what she wanted for a present, she said she wanted a cake. When asked what kind, she said “Schwarzwald Torte” which is a specialty chocolate cake. When we left, we each shook her hand and as we did that, she kissed each of our hands. What a sweet lady.

We made it back without any problems, but when Sister Ryser got off at Schoerlistrasse, we rode on into Schwamendingen to visit the store to buy the tablecloths. While we were there, we bought a pair of shoes for Diana and some more candle sets for birthday presents. Then we went back home. Supper was roesti with ham and minestroni soup. This was a poor substitute for the dinner we thought we were going to get at Charlotte’s tonight. She invited us several days ago, but she had to go to Klosters and, not being able to be in two places at once, changed it to tomorrow at 12:30. We also got a call from Elder Carrier giving us our assignment for next week’s district meeting. We need to give a spiritual thought using an object lesson in the teach to find format found in the Preach My Gospel book.

We called the WML, Brother Daehler to see if he had made arrangements to have someone pick up Werner Buehlmann for Church Sunday. He hadn’t done it as yet, but would arrange it Sunday morning in our correlation meeting. Worst case scenario, he would go himself if I would go with him. Now, we need to make sure Werner remembers and still wants to come.