The Swiss Temple; Elder & Sister Larson with Charlotte Stoecklin; Irene Moeller-Russo and Bishop Alvin Schwendener with Charlotte.

JULY 31, 2010 SATURDAY

The alarm came sooner than we wanted, but up we jumped to get ready for this long awaited day. Actually, I was the first to get up at 4:30 and after I was done with the bathroom, Diana was up at 5:00. No time for breakfast, but we put some apples, nectarines and pears in my backpack for later. We caught the bus at 5:47 for Schaffhausen, the train at 6:07 for Zurich, switched to another train that took us to Bern and switched to another train that took us to Zollikofen. From there we walked to the temple and arrived at 8:20 which gave us time to greet everyone, members and missionaries alike, then change and get ready for the session. Elder Vincent and his companion were there as promised as well as another companionship. Charlotte was already there and had completed the other ordinances that needed to be done before the session began. I wondered as I sat in the endowment room how Charlotte would react to her first time going through to receive her endowment. A wonderful feeling of peace came over me that bore witness to me that this is the Lord’s House and His work, and that I didn’t need to worry about Charlotte. After the session was over she shed tears of joy that she couldn’t hold back. It was a day that she will always remember and neither will we. The temple president, knowing it was Charlotte’s first time in the temple, invited her to sit in on a sealing session so she could experience that ordinance, too. Charlotte’s husband died seven years or so ago and she looks forward to the time when she can be sealed to him.

Before we left the temple grounds everyone took a lot of photos and then we divided up into cars and went back to Charlotte’s. Diana and I rode with Rolf and Christa Aeberli in their BMW and on the way back they took us to the Lenzburg Castle. We’ve ridden past it many times going to and coming back from the temple, but have never had the opportunity to stop and explore. We parked in an underground parking lot at the base of the hill and then walked around the “old town” before we climbed the hill to the castle. We love walking the old narrow streets and in this town, there were many evidences of the old walls that used to protect the town in Mediaeval times. Portions of the walls were incorporated into newer buildings.

The hike up to the castle was accomplished via a portion of cobblestone road, then paved road with an occasional shortcut using steep granite stairs. We took photos of the castle from different angles and elevations as well as overviews of the town of Lenzburg. Right before we entered the castle we walked over a drawbridge, the first one we remember seeing. The one we walked over was for horses and wagons, but next to it was one for only people walking single file. We went inside to where we could look into the courtyard, but because we didn’t have enough time (we would have needed several hours) and the cost was too much for the few minutes we did have, we looked and then returned to the car and went on our way.

By the time we got to Charlotte’s at 3:00, most of the people who were at the temple (except for the missionaries who had to stay in their proselyting areas around Bern) were there. We joined in the celebration and had a good time renewing friendships. Mary came and brought a lot of food for tomorrow’s get-together and, while she was there, we gave her some more of her baptism photos she requested. We talked with Pres. Bolt and Bishop Schwendener who said they had meetings scheduled with Neide to interview her for her temple recommend. Hopefully, Neide will be able to go to the temple next Saturday. Pres. Bolt said he’d already made arrangement with Brother Locher to organize a session for her next Saturday. If all goes well, Pres. Bolt will give us a call and let us know for sure.

We arrived home about 6:30 fairly exhausted from today’s emotional highs and the side trip to the castle. But no rest for me. Paul called and said he’d be at Church tomorrow ready to give his part of the lesson. We talked for about a half hour on the phone. After that I spent another hour and a half working on my part of the lesson and his part as well, just in case he needs some help. Teaching lessons in Church is not my favorite thing to do, but when the Lord calls, we answer. Right? Hopefully, the members will learn something and won’t have to suffer too much.

We forgot to put in our blog yesterday that Leroy Lloyd passed away the other day. We don’t have any details, but it’s sad to lose one of our great scouters and a good friend, too. He’s done so much good in his life and influenced thousands of young men.

The tender mercy of the Lord today is that Charlotte was finally able to receive her endowment. She realized the things you work the hardest for, are all the more precious and sweet.