Some of those present for Paul's baptism; Hannah Stamm; Karl Hoenle confirmed him.

MAY 9, 2010 SUNDAY MOTHER’S DAY

It seems like we are in a pattern of get to bed late and arise early. This morning it was to get to the Church early enough to write our weekly report and unlock the door for br. Hartig. We had our morning prayer and I left to walk to Church at 6:55. I like the early morning walk in the cool fresh air and it gives me time to just enjoy life and get prepared for the day. I had with me a letter Elder Bentley left here accidently last Tuesday that he wanted me to mail for him. As I got to town I needed to buy a stamp from the vending machine at the post office, but it had a sign on it that it was defective at the moment. I had to postpone that chore for another time. I continued on my way and arrived at the Church at 7:30 and got right busy and completed our report. At 8:50 I went back down to the bahnhof to meet Diana coming on the bus, but got there a few minutes early. I remembered I was supposed to bring the recipe for banana bread for Sister Wigger and was trying to write it down from memory. I got so engrossed in doing this I failed to see her bus arrive. I looked up as the buses started their motors to leave and realized I hadn’t seen Diana get of the bus. I couldn’t see how she could have missed me leaning against the wall. I thought if I hurried, I’d catch up to her really quick, but I got all the way to the Church without seeing her. I went in and saw her there and found out see got a ride with Dorothea and didn’t come on the bus at all. On her way in the car she tried to call me to let me know, but didn’t know my cell phone number. I was just glad she arrived safely.

Just before the meeting began President Flammia asked me if I would bless the sacrament today. Of course I would and did when the time came. After the opening song and prayer came the time to confirm Paul Hunziker. It seemed kind of odd that President Flammia motioned for four of us to stand in the circle, but didn’t himself. He also pointed at Karl Hoenle that he should be mouth for the ordinance. Karl seemed surprised and had to look a couple of times before he realized he should move to the appropriate spot behind Paul. The others who were in the circle were the High Councilor, Bro. Hoffmann, Bro. Klaumuenzner, and me. Karl started out unsure of himself and had to be coached by Bro. Klaumuenzner, but after he got started, he completed the mandatory part and then gave Paul a wonderful blessing. Afterwards we decided we should have been more proactive and made sure who was going to do the confirmation and that he knew how to do it. Then came the sacrament followed by talks from Silvia Gardedieu and Bro. DeMarzi. The talks were wonderful and that was really special as we had an investigator, Hannah Stamm, Paul’s friend. We’re sure she enjoyed the service and was touched by the Spirit.

During the break we had Pres. Flammia sign the Baptism Recommend Form and Karl wrote in his name and information. We got everything done and gave the form to Bro, Klaumuenzner to take to the mission home to get properly recorded on the Church records. In Priesthood meeting he again said that he had waited his whole life for the right persons to come along to help him make the decision to get baptized. Only the Lord knows why things happen in a certain way, but Diana and I are both thankful that we were here when he made the decision.

We didn’t have a lot of time to visit after the meetings were over because Rebecca, Monica and Chris were coming back today. We went to the bahnhof to see if by chance they had arrived on an earlier train than we expected them. They hadn’t so we went home. Diana stayed to prepare some lunch while I went back to the bahnhof to wait for them. When they arrived, we all went back to our place for lunch and to decide what to do for the rest of the day. Diana had a delicious mushroom/potato soup hot and ready for us when we got there. We talked of what we could do this afternoon and still keep the Spirit of the Sabbath. We decided to take a two hour train ride to St. Gallen, walk around a little and then come back home. This way we could see some of the country and visit at the same time. It was a fun trip, but a little long for our travel weary kids.

The weather this morning was just beautiful with the sun shining from clear blue skies. As the day progressed the clouds moved in and by the time we got to St. Gallen, it was raining. When we got back home, we checked the weather forecast and it appears that we’re going to have rain for the next week and a half or so. That means it won’t pay to go up on Mt. Pilatus or any of the other mountain peaks while they are covered with clouds. Tomorrow Rebecca goes home and none too soon because she has a cold and is not feeling all that well because she is pregnant. She can’t take any medications that would help her. Chris and Monica won’t leave for Scotland until Tuesday afternoon. We’ll probably go to Interlaken tomorrow to see what we can see.