Animals Daniella crocheted; San Franscisco tram in downtown Zurich; crowded Hauptbahnhofstrasse (main train station street) in downtown Zurich as we came back from Davos.

DECEMBER 9, 2009 WEDNESDAY

We started out this morning with a load of wash at 7:00 and that was the beginning of a very busy day. We tried to invite the Neidharts over for lunch to celebrate Martin’s birthday last week, but never could reach them. Sunday we made an appointment with them to come for lunch today at noon. We wanted to try the cinnamon rolls again instead of making him a cake and so in between batches of wash, we made cinnamon rolls. For the main meal we made Liz’s Australian omelet with a green salad on the side. We used every minute right up until 12:00 to get everything washed, cleaned, cooked, baked and made and then we waited for them to arrive. We didn’t get too excited when they didn’t show up on time because we’ve noticed they’re always late to Church and other things. However, at 12:20 we called them to see if they were on their way. We should have been a little more patient because they said they were only a couple of minutes away. Martin and Ewa Neidhart are such special people. They’ve been a little lost since Jona left on his mission about six months ago because they relied on him so much. They have some health issues that make it a little hard for them. We enjoyed their company and Ewa enjoyed telling us of her family history, their conversion and the love they have for missionary work and the Book of Mormon. We really appreciate their enthusiasm.

When they left at 4:00 we got ready and went to pay a visit to Priscilla. Priscilla has really had some trials and tough times since her baptism a few months go. She traveled recently to the Philippines and stayed their a few weeks until her mother was on the rode to recovery. When she returned, she got really sick for a couple of weeks, but still had to work; if she didn’t work, she earns no money and she used all she had to go to see her mother and for doctor bills for her and her sister. She is just under a lot of pressure to earn enough to take care of herself and her mother and sister. So much so that she doesn’t take time to eat regularly and, therefore, struggles with health and lack of energy. Diana lovingly scolded her and told her she needs to take better care of herself. The miracle to this story is that everyone had given up hope for her mother to recover as she was on the point of death, including being unresponsive and blue, when she arrived. But as soon as Priscilla touched her and she new that Priscilla was there, she began an immediate recovery. Priscilla told us today that her mother is now walking by herself and even yelling at her grandchildren if they don’t behave. We talked to her about faith and trials and, if we are true to our covenants, the blessings come. We told her we missed her and reminded her it is important to come to Church where she can get support from the members and receive spiritual nourishment as well.

We had an appointment with our home teachers at 7:00, but we had a little time to go to Migros on our way home and replenish our eggs and other things we used today. It would be nice to have a bigger fridge to keep things so we wouldn’t have to go to the store so often. Andreas Sannemann came at the appointed time, but he was alone; his companion, Kim Humpheys, was detained at work and didn’t make it. We had a nice visit with Andreas getting to know him better and some of his family background. His great grandfather was the first of his ancestors to be converted in 1892 and the family has been stalwarts in the Church here in Switzerland ever since. We met his mother in Ebnat Kappell last Sunday.

A tender mercy today was that when our bus arrived at Oerlikon, it didn’t stop in its normal spot, but continued on for another 75 yards and then stopped. This made it so that Diana didn’t have to walk as far to our connecting bus. Another is that we were finally able to visit with Priscilla, give her some encouragement and have a prayer with her.