Danielle Martin and Lydia Azzola (we visited Lydia several weeks ago and forgot to take a photo); middle photo is E. Nilsson, S. Larson, Madeline Schwitter, E. Irick; E. Irick, E. Dockstader, Neide, E. Larson, E. Richeson, Madeline Schwitter, E. Nilsson (the short one).

NOVEMBER 22, 2009 SUNDAY

This morning we had our correlation meeting with Bodo Rueckauer, our new ward mission leader, and we actually started at 8:00. It was odd because the AP’s and ZL’s were late for some reason so we started without them. They were late because of tram connections were off a little. That meant we were the only ones there and were able to go over our agenda first instead of last. We brought him up to date on Tony Dkere and some of our other members we’re working with.

Following correlation meeting Diana went to Relief Society and found the RS room empty except for Sister Theresa Sigrist who was sitting on the back row in the corner without the lights on. Diana turned the lights on and sat by her and waited for the other sisters to arrive. Sister Sigrist has been coming pretty regular for quite awhile now and we are happy to see that. When we visited her a year ago she said she was glad that we came when her husband wasn’t home or there would have been problems. She told us then that she couldn’t come all the time, but would when she could and she has kept that promise.

I went to the foyer looking for Tony who said he would be to Church today. I kept an eye out for him through the opening exercises and then went back out to the foyer instead of to the High Priest Group meeting. I waited in vain until twenty minutes after, but he hadn’t arrived by then. I wanted to call him, but I had left our cell phone at home. I saw other members bringing food items for an after sacrament meeting social for Phillip Ryser who is leaving for his mission Friday. I decided to run home quick, get the cell phone and bring a loaf of zucchini bread back for the social. I saw our camera sitting there so I grabbed it, too, and then hurried back. It was too late to go to class, so I stayed in the foyer still hoping Tony would show up. I found out later that Tony had come just a couple of minutes after I had abandoned my post and went to the Elders Quorum class. Class ended and everyone filed out and headed for the chapel for Sunday School. I met Tony in the foyer and Brother Locher saw us and came over and told Tony he had been assigned home teachers, Rolf Aeberli & Guido Weibel, which was good news. We took our seats in the chapel and before long Diana came, then Suki, Charlotte, Nikolas on our bench, and Neide and Madeline in front of us. We noticed Cornelia was here today, too, sitting in her usual spot on the back row, and Hildegunde was also present. Before Sunday school started we saw Brother Aeberli so I went and got him, brought him over and introduced him to Tony. That should give Tony some support in his efforts to become an active member again.

Sacrament meeting was kind of a farewell for Phillip; first his dad bore his testimony and then Phillip spoke for about ten minutes. He’s going to be a great missionary. Most Europeans go on missions later than in the USA because of military and school obligations. Phillip is already twenty-two years old. The whole family, mom, dad, six children and one son-in-law, sang the interlude song and then Bishop Schwendener spoke for the last half hour. His topic title was “Irgendwann” or, in English, “Sometime.” It was a great talk for members, but especially for the investigators and less-active members who were present, especially Tony. He talked about all the things we intend to do sometime, but never get around to it. Sometime I’ll repent; sometime I’ll get active; sometime I’ll join the Church; sometime I’ll start saying my prayers; sometime I’ll read the scriptures, sometime I’ll go to the temple; etc. etc. He used the story of Abraham getting up “early in the morning” to go chop the wood for the sacrificial fire. The wood we have to chop early in the morning is saying our prayers and reading the scriptures to invite the guidance of the Holy Ghost for the rest of the day. Then came the story of Joseph fleeing the king’s wife leaving his clothes in her hand. We need to flee away from temptation. Sometimes we have to sacrifice something to flee out of temptation just as Joseph sacrificed his clothes to get away. He finished with, “Don’t wait; do it now!” It is dangerous not to do it now because we may get lost in the “mist of darkness” as described in Lehi’s dream and just wander off as we’ve seen so many do. Pres. Eyring gave two promises, if we do it now. First, our circumstances may not change a whole lot, but you’ll receive strength to carry the load and endure. Second, you’ll experience greater love from Him and you’ll develop greater love for others. Bishop Schwendener’s final plea was to trade your “sometimes” for “today.”

After the meeting Tony said goodbye and left, but he said he would be back with some friends for the music activity at 3:30 this afternoon. We did our usual visiting and then I noticed Madeline leaning against the back of a bench just standing there. I went over to her and talked to her for a bit and made the remark that the bishop said a lot of things to think about. She replied she was going to get baptized on December 19th. The remark was unexpected, but we know she has been working towards baptism and the talk by Bishop Schwendener must of made an impression on her and the truth of what he said was confirmed by the Holy Ghost. We later told Elders Nilsson & Irick, who are the ones teaching her, and they told us they better make sure they teach her everything she needs to know so that can happen.

We stayed for about an hour visiting with people in the cultural hall and eating our share of the goodies that were available. Everyone has a good time and it sure helps to fellowship people and get better acquainted with members. We took a lot of photos to remind us of the people we’ve come to know and love.

At 3:30 we were back at the Church for the music activity. There are not many people who take advantage of this wonderful and spiritual activity. Those present this time were George, the main attraction, Neide, Madeline, Urs Wichtermann, Marlis & Edi Fuhrer, Elders Richeson & Dockstader (they were there because we told them Tony was coming and was bringing some friends with him, but he didn’t come), Charlotte, Rolf & Christa Aeberli and Hildegunde. George played all of our requests and then Neide sang a few songs. After that, hymn books were passed out and we sang Christmas hymns and other hymns as well. We hated to do it, but we finally went home a little after 6:00.

And that essentially ends our day except for the usual writing our journal, reading the blogs of our friends, the Doyles and Kroffs, and going through our emails.

The tender mercy for today is the desire Madeline has to be baptized and that Tony was there to hear Bishop Schwendener’s talk. Bishop Schwendener gave an inspired talk on this specific day to those who needed to hear it. The Lord works in subtle ways to accomplish His work and such was the case in the timing of Brother Locher in informing Tony who his home teachers were so that we could introduce them to each other in Sunday school. George also seemed excited to get the music to “How Great Shall Be Your Joy.” We may be able to sing it before we’re transferred out of this ward.