This is one end of our between conference visitors: Elder Nilsson, Fabian, Joerg, Suwang, Charlotte, Irene, and the ones you can't see are Elders Richeson, Vincent, Carrier, Harris and Dockstader. Middle photo is of Elisabeth Kalt, Charlotte, Diana, Robert, Elders Dockstader, Richeson, Nilsson and Harris. Charlotte holding blanket, Elisabeth and Diana.

Elisabeth's birthday party.


OCTOBER 4, 2009 SUNDAY

This morning was Elisabeth Kalt’s birthday and last time we visited her, we promised to come celebrate with her. We invited the missionaries, Charlotte, Suki and Neide and arranged to have them meet us at the Church at 9:30. The missionaries showed up with the van, but the others didn’t come. We knew at least Charlotte wanted to go so Elder Nilsson called her. She had forgotten, but she came over quick and then we left. We called the care center a few days go to have them get Elisabeth ready and bring her down to the visiting area at 10:00. We wanted everything ready so we could have her party and then get back to the stake center for the 11:00 Priesthood session of conference. When we arrived at Phlegeheim Bombach, Elisabeth was nowhere to be found. It took fifteen minutes find someone and have her brought down. Once she was there, we had a good time with Elisabeth and gave her some presents: a comforter and matching cloth bag to put it in, a pencil for her crossword puzzles, a stuffed airplane, a chocolate bar, some candles that looked like balls, and Charlotte gave her some more chocolate. We also brought her the Schwarzwaeldertorte (black forest cake) that she asked us to bring last time we visited her. She liked all of the presents, but she reacted mostly to the little stuffed airplane and the chocolate. She also liked the cake. Just as we were leaving, an older couple came to visit her. We found out they were legally appointed by the city to help her do everything she can’t do for herself.

We were only a couple of minutes late to conference, but before I went in, I walked Diana home and then went back. Priesthood session was way good especially Pres. Monson’s talk on anger. After that session I went home and found Diana had been busy getting everything ready for when people came over later today. She cut up the brownies and banana bread, got the ham out, cut up the cheese, cut the bread and set the table. She does such a wonderful job in preparing things and making it look good. We didn’t expect many to come until between 4:00 and 6:00, and the only one who came over was Fabian, who needed a couple of sandwiches to keep him going through the next session. While that was going on, I slipped into our bedroom and made a few phone calls to our less-actives to remind them of conference. Only one was home, Charles Aboussou, and he said he would come to the 6:00 session. We whipped up the chocolate pudding Fabian brought with him, put it in the fridge, and then we all went back to conference for the 2:00 session. We met a sister from Missouri who was born in Appenzell, Switzerland, who was back here visiting relatives. In 1980 she went to Canada to save her sister from the Mormons and ended up being converted herself. After conference we invited her to come home with us, but she wanted to stay and watch the in between video on the Church. We told her we’d bring her something back when we came for the next session.

We hurried home to get everything out of the fridge and set up for when people arrived. We rolled the little wieners in blankets and got them in the oven. Soon we had a houseful of people, half missionaries and half members. Everyone had a great time visiting and eating, but soon we had to return for the last session of the day. We wanted to be in time to greet Charles and anyone else who may come who we’d invited. We try to think positive, but we’ve been disappointed so many times, however this time, Charles actually came. We’ve been working with him a long time to get him to come and it was rewarding to see him. We know that he was spiritually fed.

Diana brought quite a few of our goodies with us to pass out to those who were waiting for conference to start. She had fun doing that and the people were really appreciative, especially those who didn’t go home in between and didn’t bring anything to eat with them. A lot of people travel great distances to come to the stake center and can’t return home between sessions. We made sure the sister from Missouri got everything she wanted. Elder Zenger was really vocal in his appreciation to Diana for thinking of them. While Diana sat in the English side with Irene, I sat with Charles in the German side. Charles was disappointed there wasn’t a French translation although it was set up for German, English, Spanish and Portuguese. On the English side Susanna Soefoesoe, a non-member, came and we talked to her for awhile after the conference was over. The sister from Missouri came over and bore testimony to Susan which was really nice of her. After they left we walked toward home with Suwang and parted company with her when she went to catch the tram. We went home.

The tender mercy of the Lord today was that Charles recognized the Spirit and followed the prompting to come to conference. We’ve been praying for him a long time and we hope he continues to come to Church.