Different buildings in Schauffhausen.

FEBRUARY 14, 2010 SUNDAY OUR 43RD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

It’s nice not having to get up at 6:00 on Sunday morning to get to a missionary correlation meeting before the meetings begin. We caught the bus at 8:51 and our Sacrament meeting began at 9:15. After the Sacrament Sister Flammia gave a talk using a children’s book about three princes having to overcome obstacles while trying to get to the king who was playing a special flute. At one point there were thousands of flutes playing in every direction to confuse them and two actually never made to the castle. The third and less likely prince to make it to the king was able to listen for and follow the sound of the special flute. She likened this to listening for the whisperings of the Spirit to overcome the distractions and obstacles in this life in keeping the commandments and returning to our Father in Heaven. After she spoke our high councilor, Brother Hoffmann, gave a talk using the example of Alma giving council to his three sons. Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton. Alma listened to and was guided by the Spirit and, as a result, was able to give specific council to each of them.

There were nine sisters in Relief Society today and Diana said she sat by two who were real dogs. She means real dogs. One sat on the chair next to her and the other sat at her feet during the meeting, licking her legs. A member brought them with her this morning. Their lesson was the same one we had in priesthood meeting, lesson #3, Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior. Silvia Gardedieu lead the discussion in Relief Society and Brother Hoffmann lead the discussion in the priesthood meeting. After these meetings were over we attended the once monthly ward council meeting. The members of the council discussed all the important things on the agenda for the coming month and spend a considerable time on the Branch Easter Camp in April. They asked us for suggestions on games the kids could play and we agreed to bring some suggestions to the next council. Sister Gardedieu, representing the Relief Society, proposed they establish a once a month “evening with the sisters.” For the one in March they want Diana and I to conduct a workshop on “inviting the Spirit.” Suggestions anyone? The council lasted until close to 2:00 after which we made our way back home. We waited a couple of hours and then broke our fast for Sylvain.

We were expecting Kofi, Martin Hedninger, Paul Hunziker and Jasmine Hunziker (no relation) and her three children to come to Church today. We were also hoping the lady Diana gave a pass along card and Book of Mormon to would come. None came. Kofi called later this afternoon and said he couldn’t leave his son who had just been in the hospital and also said he wouldn’t be coming tonight for his English reading lesson. We invited him to the special priesthood session of stake conference on Saturday as well as the session on Sunday. He said he could come to one, but not both, and would call later to let us know which one. We need to know so Pres. Flammia can arrange enough cars to get everyone to Schwamendingen. He didn’t call back. Paul Huniker has been sick and said that’s why he couldn’t make it today, but will come to both sessions of conference this weekend. Martin Hedninger didn’t answer his phone. We called Jasmine and she said she would come to Church next Sunday, but we told her it was conference weekend. She said she’d come the next Sunday. We called Charlotte to tell her thanks for the antique spoon and she said she’d call us back on skype. When she did, we talked to both her and Agness who was visiting Charlotte. Just as we hung up with them, Roxsan called. We got to talk with all her kids. It’s great to be able to see them once in awhile and especially for them to see us so they don’t forget who we are. Finally, we called Elder Nilsson to confirm if he was coming tomorrow to get his hair cut before he goes home. We already found out they were going to the Frey chocolate factory and Agness was a little bummed they hadn’t asked her to go with them. We let Elder Nilsson know so, if they wanted, they could invite her to go with them.

Diana’s tender mercy is that I made her a valentine’s dinner, a left over sandwich from yesterday. Yesterday I made her two ham and cheese sandwiches on brown bread with mustard for the trip to Kloten to help Suki, but she only ate one. Today she ate the second one which she thoroughly enjoyed.