Swiss Missionaries

GOODBY SWITZERLAND AND HOME AGAIN

2009-12-14T21:56:00.006+01:00

The official goodby in the Institute Center for Young Adults.

We had a chance to tell them how much we love them with a final word of encouragement.

Michelle, Sara, and Tamara sing a farewell

The treats they brought, just about gone!

And introducing our replacements, Elder Steve and Sister Sue Fox!

And we are on our way.

An amazing view of the west coast of Greenland, icebergs and all.

This was fascinating from east to west.

. . . AND . . .

. . . straight to Susan's for a Thanksgiving feast--one day late.

We love our family!!

Gorgeous and delicious!

home sweet home

two weeks later on the Sunday we spoke in church.

!Merry Christmas!

SURPRISE FAREWELL

2009-11-19T20:54:00.007+01:00

Well, see, this is what happened.

We were asked by Tamara to go with her and Yan to visit an older couple who were interested in learning about the Church. That was fine with us, but we asked if the elders were coming, because they are the ones who would be teaching them. Our friend said she wanted us to meet them first,

just to warm them up for the missionaries.

So after a few more questions, we agreed to go. We followed their car into the country, and they took us all over the valley. We drove for 45 minutes, and retraced our tracks a couple of times. I told Elder Grassli, "I'm not sure they know where this couple lives!" You can see how dense we are, because it didn't even occur to us that there was anything up other than visiting this couple!

All of a sudden they drove us into the forest and there were 25 or 30 of our young friends standing around a fire, and they did this funny little welcome chant, raising their arms above their heads and down, like they were bowing to us.

They had planned a surprise farewell for us!

They were grilling, and a delicious aroma filled the forest!!

Nearby was a forest hut, and you can see it is a nice one--

all wood paneled with a wood stove and tables.

And curtains, no less!

That's where we ate.

Matthew and Kuendri played fun party music and the kids sang traditional Swiss songs and we all had a great time.
We loved every minute of it!!!!

THANK YOU EVERYBODY!

We love you!!!

CHICK FLICK NIGHT AND HALLOWEEN

2009-11-19T18:46:00.004+01:00

We girls invited just ourselves, even though some of the guys like chick flicks.

We saw two.

And ate junk!

And the mini Halloween party produced this great Jack o' Lantern . . .

And Grassli homemade donuts

MULTI-DISTRICT MEETING

2009-10-22T21:43:00.004+02:00

We were privileged to be in a fabulously motivating and inspiring district meeting led by Elder Andrews and Elder Middleton. Gathering . . .

Preparing the agenda during the prelude.

Super achievers fulfilled all the requirements for the zone award last transfer.

Hanging out in the Institute Center for just a few minutes before the meeting.

And some new faces in the zone . . .

. . . and the mission!

Welcome to you all!

ANOTHER TRANSFER FINISHED!! OMEGA PHOTO

2009-10-17T14:27:00.003+02:00

So here we are! Two more missionaries transferred,

Elder Heath and Elder Schulte

(love 'em all!)

PARIS

2009-10-17T13:41:00.008+02:00

Elder Grassli and I were invited to Paris to give a couple of firesides and to meet with the new outreach missionaries there and share with them some of what is happening in the Institute Center for Young Adults in Bern. The photos of our meeting with the Stovers and Owens didn't turn out, and the photos of the afternoon fireside with the young adults are where I can't download them to the post (I will keep trying). But here are a few others.

Fireside for parents . . . our friend Christian Euvrard translating . . .

. . . and visiting after . . . Sister Euvrad in the white sweater

Students in the Paris institute center

A short ride on the Seine with Elder and Sister Owen . . .

Notre Dame

Guess what ?. . .

Dinner with the Petion family

GENERAL CONFERENCE

2009-10-12T10:32:00.004+02:00

Conference Sunday dawned clear and warm. So lovely! Here we are enjoying the sunshine and pot luck lunch together with a few missionaries and young single adults.

REMINDER

2009-10-12T10:13:00.002+02:00

Dear missionary families,

This is just a reminder that from time to time, we post new pictures on the post Missionary Gallery.

You can find it by clicking on the link at the right under To Missionary Families.

We hope you enjoy finding your missionaries. We are sorry not to have every missionary in the mission on our blog, but we can only take photos of the missionaries we know! If they are not in our zone, we usually don't see them except at mission events like a temple day or a multi-zone conference.

We do love the missionaries we know!

Elder and Sister Grassli

TEMPLE DAY

2009-10-12T09:47:00.008+02:00

We are fortunate as missionaries to be serving near a temple and to have the opportunity to attend together. Not every missionary attends at the same time--too much for the temple to handle--but President Matern assigns us in rotation according to when we arrived in the mission. Thus the missionaries do not usually attend with their companions, but those who are not going pair up and do other missionary activities for the day. We arrive in the morning and stay until about 4 in the afternoon with a break for lunch.

Here are the missionaries at the temple.

Arriving . . .
. . . and after in front of the temple . . .

Reunion! We miss her!

Happy birthday, Elder King!

ALPABFAHRT IN SCHUPFHEIM

2009-09-26T17:00:00.012+02:00

In September, Swiss farmers bring their milk cows down from the alps, where they have spent the summer grazing in heaven and producing heavenly milk. From the milk the farmers make heavenly cheese. The return from the alps (alpabfahrt) is an annual celebration in many locations in Switzerland. The farmers dress in traditional costume and they deck the cows in flowers to express appreciation for their generous gift of milk. The best producers have the most flowers and carry the biggest bells.

We went to Schupfheim to witness a celebration. These celebrations are after the tourist season, and the town is full of locals. It was very down home and wonderful.

On his birthday in March, we had promised Sergio a tour in the Emmenthal, because he had never been there. Here we are enjoying lunch yesterday at a lovely little "farmer" restaurant in Emmenthal.A milking stool on the left and cow bells. These were on display in the restaurant.

Today, before the parade, we saw these darling girls dressed in typical Bern traditional dress.

The parade has begun, and we see children dancing. You can see musicians seated in the street to the left making the dancing music.

Marlies arranged for us to have reserved seats on the balcony of their hotel!

Perfect!

A yodeling club, walking along casually with their hands in their pockets and yodeling

The best producers for this family

The alphorn players

The farmers and their families are obviously proud of their beautiful cows.

All the family helps!

These aren't miniature cows, but goats. They return with the cows, as do the chickens and rabbits we saw in cart baskets.

Isn't she beautiful?

A performance of yodelers and alphorns after the parade

We bought cheese from this family.

After the parade we are waiting here in this tent set up for eating. Our waiter will bring the brats and pomme frits (french fries). From left, Sergio, Claude and Brigitte Fluckiger (who organized the day for us) me, Greti, and Marlies.

It was a fabulous opportunity to see this traditional day! We loved it!
Readers of this blog will think we are on vacation instead of a mission!
Oh, the benefits of being senior missionaries!

ZONE CONFERENCE EMERGENCY

2009-09-18T19:49:00.012+02:00

The title says emergency, but it wasn't serious--unless you consider thirty hungry missionaries a serious emergency!

We had a wonderful zone conference today. It was uplifting and inspirational, and we felt very motivated when it was over.

There was a little glitch though. About a half-hour before the lunch break, our zone leader came over to talk to President and Sister Matern. I was right next to them, but didn't fully understand their German conversation. I could tell something was wrong. I leaned over and asked if I could help with anything. Sister Matern said the RS sisters who were to provide the lunch must have forgotten, because they weren't there and the zone leader couldn't raise them on the phone.

Well, we decided to run to the store and grab some stuff and do it ourselves. Sister Matern drove, Sister Robinson navigated, and we went to Migros for groceries. We came back and fixed a lunch of yummy chili, with bread and some apples. It wasn't a glamourous lunch, but it filled everybody up, and it was just one hour late on the schedule! The conference just kept going until we were ready, and the conference ended exactly on time at the end. We were pretty proud of ourselves for getting it done so quickly. Things just sort of fell into place.

Of course we know how that happens.

As usual, the situation consumed my brain for that hour, and I forgot to take pictures. But here are some pictures of missionaries before and after the conference.

Mail call . . .

Checking out the mission newsletter

Being silly. . .

Love that smile!

The "Golden"

Getting ready

President Matern calmly waiting for the conference to begin

All in place.

Relaxing a few minutes after lunch

I thought we'd clean up the kitchen after the meeting was over,

but when I looked in--this is what I saw!

Those darling missionaries had cleaned up while we cooks were finishing our lunch!

Elder Middleton and others packing up to leave

Gotta be done!

And what does a zone leader do? Well among other things . . .

Bye, Sisters!

Everybody loves Sister Matern!

Waiting for the bus

NEW MISSIONARY FACES--AND OLD

2009-09-10T14:25:00.004+02:00

Well, we lost the sisters!

That is, they have been transferred out of Bern, and we now have our zone leaders here.

Although we will miss the sisters, we are excited to see what the elders can do!

Meet our zone leaders,

Elder Middleton (our resident Brit) and Elder Andrews.

We love them already!

We also have a new district leader--and he's new to the district. Elder Roy conducted a wonderful district meeting this week, and he definitely is a keeper! He changed our meeting venue this week. Kind of nice for us, because we are at the center, where we usually have them, a lot!

Elder Grassli deep in conversation !

Our I.T. expert , Elder Reinhardt, is back! Whoopee! Here he is already conferring about phones. We will wear him out. We thought he was probably relieved when he left and "Oh No!" when he found out he was returning to the district . . . Scripture thought in district meeting. Don't they look fascinated?

THREE HIGH MOUNTAIN PASSES

2009-08-26T10:48:00.013+02:00

What a wonderful Monday!

We decided to take the day and travel three high mountain passes, and it turned out to be an incredible experience for us! We started with Grimselpass, where we picked blueberries on the way. Then Furkapass, where we went inside the Rhone glacier, and ending with Sustenpass, where we hiked and sat and contemplated the wonder of it all and heard an alphorn being played by a man in the parking lot.

When we pulled over to see the view, we noticed a man bending over the bushes and we wondered what he was doing. Then we saw three people get out of a car each carrying a small bucket, and going up onto the hillside. Lenski said, "Blueberries! They are picking wild blueberries. It's the right time of year, and those are blueberry bushes!" Instantly we were searching for something to gather blueberries in. We took a plastic bag and started picking. We picked for just about 20 minutes and gathered about a half a sandwich bag full, nibbling along the way. Oh, were they delicious!!!

A quick picnic.

Bright bluebells were everywhere and . . .

. . .these little white fluffy things in the moss were irresistable!

A zigzagging road at a distance . . . it is all so wild and raw up here . . .

. . . a little closer . . .

. . . and we are on that road . . .

The views those zigzagging roads gave us are worth every scary turn! We both said almost simultaneously, "If you see a painting of mountains that look like this, you think the artist was imagining or exaggerating them!"

In a parking lot we were serenaded by this man on his alphorn . . . sounded wonderful echoing off the mountains!

Lakes of glacier melt, milky opaque and slightly blue.

Waterfalls everywhere, amazing gushing waters where ever there are glaciers . . .

. . .ending in noisy rivers like this one

We saw glaciers on every high pass.

We got close up and personal with this one.

This is the Rhone glacier . . . crevasses are bright aquamarine in the bottom.

The glacier is huge. Black specks are adventurers --with guides, we hope!!

We walk inside the glacier . . .

. . . close enough to the surface that outside light gives a gorgeous glow to the ice . . .

. . . so beautifully blue! A close-up . . . it looks like we are under water!!

The happily tired but contented travelers!

Next morning, blueberries ready to be washed.

Honestly, never before have we had blueberry pancakes that tasted like this!!! Never!!!

SARIA'S FOREST PARTY

2009-08-23T20:00:00.003+02:00

The forest behind the temple gets a lot of good use!

Saria is leaving for the Brussels Belgium Mission and she and her parents threw a little party--well, it was a fantastic grill--for friends last family home evening.

Saria

Someone said this--grilling sausages in the forest--is a genuinely Swiss activity!
"You don't get more Swiss than this!" she said.

PRIMI IM WALD

2009-08-15T20:12:00.010+02:00

A digression from the usual:

We happened on the stake Primary presidency, who, with the help of their high council adviser, were conducting an activity day for 36 of the 8-12 year-old children in the Bern stake.

Of course we had to watch!!

They had met at the chapel in Zollikoffen earlier where they divided into two groups. One group went next door to the temple and met with the temple president, President Castellani, while the other had a temple-related presentation at the church. Then they reversed, so all the children had both experiences.

Then they changed clothes and prepared for a short trek into the forest. That's when we found them.

Gathered at the chapel.

Gathering sticks for the fire as they trekked through the forest.

Solemnly preparing his roasting stick . . .

Starting the fire--I couldn't believe it! The boys didn't show any interest and the girls did it!

A big thank you to the stake Primary presidency and high councilor for devoting their time to the children today!!!

PRAGUE

2009-08-14T11:57:00.003+02:00

In Prague, Czech Republic,

we gave a fireside at a conference for YSA in the eastern European countries.

The wonderful young people received us graciously,

and we were impressed with their commitment to their, for most of them,

newly-found faith.

The warm-up

A knight in shining armour joined us at the talent show after the fireside.

Waiting for the plane we saw a quick glimpse of Prague

The Moldau!

SUMMER GRILL

2009-08-14T11:01:00.006+02:00

Part of the summer program at insti was an outdoor grill (barbeque), and theYSA chose a location at the top of a hill that required a 40 minute walk--at least for us it was 40 minutes!

Starting the hike

On the way . . .

Thomas and Alain starting the fire . . .

Thomas, with moral support from friends, trying to get it going

waiting for the fire . . .

The sisters ate what they brought without the grill.

Some chose to wait up here!

Sorry guys, but it was getting late and we had to get the missionaries home! Couldn't stay for the grill!

Anybody got pictures we can use?

MORE FAMILY VISITS

2009-08-10T01:09:00.012+02:00

The past two weeks were happy with visits from two of our our daughters and their families!

Susan's came a few weeks ago.

Here are some peeks at what we did with these two.

Jane Anne and Marlies arrive excited to see us!
Breakfast on the balcony . . .

We see a lot . . .

Chinese fondue ? to celebrate Swiss independence day, 1 August. Wish we had remembered to take pictures of the fireworks!

At the hotel in Wildhaus

Werdenberg back yard gardens

Werdenberg Castle where

the Grassli name is recorded the earliest date that can be found:

1412

Werdenberg adjoins Grabs, where Elder Grassli was born

Rest and a little sun. Felt heavenly!

Also got a bug bite that pestered me for ten days!

My favorite hiking partner!

View from Chaeserugg . . . that's a lake down there . . .

"Get on the cog train before it leaves, Mom!"

Wengen from the gondola--breathtaking!

Woodheads are gone and . . .

. . . the Chuggs arrive! Is that a tear in Dave's eye?

Just kidding!

Love those hugs!

At Tante Greti's apartment

With Tante Greti at the Rhine--oops! where is she?

Audrey and Austin on the train

Andrew on the other side of the aisle

Sara and Dave and all of us at the Matterhorn on a perfect day!

They were just with us for a day and a half . . .:(

ZONE CONFERENCE SNAPSHOTS

2009-08-09T15:41:00.014+02:00

President and Sister Matern are good, good people. Good through and through. They love the missionaries. They are inspired leaders.

Pure gold!

First zone conference of his mission, and Elder Anderson is already pounding on the piano to help in the game! He is definitely not five anymore, Elizabeth and Bruce. Enjoy!

With Elder Heath and Elder Grassli . . .

Love it!

The cooks. Yummmm!

Our own Bern sisters, Sister Price and Sister Russon

Musical chairs--last two standing!

We really do more than play and eat, but taking photos at other times just doesn't seem appropriate . . .

It was a good day!

(Sorry about some of the dark photos. There are evil forces at work!)

OMEGA MEETING - DISTRICT LOVE

2009-07-22T21:30:00.002+02:00

Another transfer is ending! I can't believe it! We get so attached to these missionaries . . . . . . it's very hard to say goodby!

Sister Frederikksen, our Danish redhead, has been with us longer than any other missionary--nearly nine months, half her mission!

Half of ours, too, come to think of it! Can we really go on without her?

Some of the elders in a casual moment.

Love it

SUMMER INSTI 4

2009-07-22T21:12:00.005+02:00

President and Sister Hug gave a class last night on Eternal Marriage, ending with a demonstration of the dancing that helps keep their Eternal Flame alive.

The young single adults loved it!

After class they were joined by 26 YSA from Rome for dancing and fun. The center was rocking!

GOOD SUNDAY

2009-07-19T21:57:00.008+02:00

Today we happily attended the Pratteln Ward.

It is a lovely drive on a Sunday morning!

We visit a different ward each week, to become better acquainted with the young single adults in the stake.

The Pratteln Ward young single adults do not attend our institute because they have one available to them right in Pratteln, which is about an hour from Bern.

But we visit there occasionally anyway--it's such a great ward.

And they come to stake events in Bern and we know a lot of them, and other members in the ward.

We also like to see if there is anything we can do to help the missionaries.

Today was the last Sunday of the transfer,

and Elder Farnsworth is being transferred. He and Elder Talley helped translate in sacrament meeting for me, doing a commendable job of it!

I think they amazed themselves!

We drove back to Zollikoffen, where we spent the afternoon with President and Sister Castellani of the Bern Temple, sharing a delicious Italian meal and each of us telling about defining moments and people in our lives.

It was an inspirational time with these two absolutely wonderful people . . . you can just see the tenderness in their faces . . .

. . . Thank you President and Sister Castellani!!!

Returning home, we were delighted again to see how well our geraniums have done. This view is of the back of our apartment building from the parking lot.

The poor geraniums were sad when we bought them--hardly any buds at all.

But with Elder Grassli's tender loving care, the moist Swiss summer, and some good doses of fertilizer, these alpine geraniums have become happy and contented!

And so are we!!

TWO BAPTISMS ON ONE DAY

2009-07-15T20:07:00.003+02:00

Sunday was a life-changing day for two new members!

Happy baptism day for Boris, who was taught by our wonderful sisters in Bern. And Severin, in white left, taught by the capable Basel elders,

Elder Hodges and Elder Lind

This is what it's all about!

SUMMER INSTI 1

2009-07-11T18:45:00.010+02:00

Our first event of summer institute was a panel discussion on the topic,

"The Truth About the Mormons,"

to which the young single adults were to bring their less active and non-member friends.

We are ready to welcome everyone to the center!

We had a total of 44 in the center that night, 34 were young adults, 2 of whom were non-members. In addition there was a 12-year-old boy and an adult woman, non-members each brought by adult members. Plus six missionaries--us, the sisters assigned to our center, and two visitors from Frankfurt.

Katharina introduced the panel members, and explained that our purpose was to foster understanding

of our beliefs and lifestyle, so our friends would know the source of the peace and joy in our lives.

Each panel member gave a 5-10 minute presentation, just a brief overview of their topic, which was the perfect length for the setting. Then they accepted questions from the audience.

Vanessa, a returned missionary from Russia presented first,

"The Restoration."

Rebekka, recently returned from Germany, presented
"The Plan of Salvation."

Dominik, returned from the Paris mission, gave
"The Gospel of Jesus Christ."

And Denis, from a mission in Ukraine, presented
"The Commandments"

The panel entertained questions --excellent and thoughtful questions in a lively discussion--and they gave very good answers. The Spirit of the Lord was with them.
We were so proud of these panelists we could hardly stand it!
Many of those attending have requested
another event like this in the fall. There probably will be!

The panel discussion was followed by a salad and dessert buffet--delicious, if I do say so myself. Wish I had remembered my camera!

P.S. Thanks for these photos, Kaye!

SUMMER INSTI 2

2009-07-08T21:32:00.004+02:00

Last night was the second summer class at the institute. Summer classes are an experiment for the first time this year, and so far they seem to be a success! There has been a strong positive response, with great attendance.

Last week was a panel discussion about "The Truth About the Mormons," which met our expectations in attendance and response. I can't get the photos from where I have them to the blog right now (!!!), so I'll have to post them later when I figure it out.

Sister Gappmaier and Bishop Gappmaier gave a great class about the

differences between men and women-

-and more! Some of the YSAs enjoying the class

Sister Frederikksen and Nadine

Sister Foerster, a mini missionary from Germany; Sister Price; Sister Frederikksen They are a threesome for this transfer.

OMEGA DISTRICT MEETING IN THE FOREST

2009-06-27T18:23:00.005+02:00

Well, I wanted a different setting for district meeting and district photo, and I got it! I'm a little late in posting this, but after our district meeting in the Zollikofen chapel, we had a little grill in the forest behind the temple, as a goodby to Elder Norris and Elder Rowley. This was our district leader's last week. We only got Elder Norris for one transfer (six weeks) but he made a great impact!

Elder King, our soon to be new district leader, and zone leaders Elder Hafen and Elder Rowley helping set things up.

The sisters found marshmallows--that's not easy in Switzerland!
Chocolate is easy to find here. The Swiss consume more chocolate than people in any other country in the world. It's a fact--look it up!
We made s'mores! Yummm!

Always smiling!

So refined!

Patience . . .

Get right in there, Elder G!

And here is our official district portrait.

(It's not on the couch in the center, for once.)

Have you ever seen a campfire with people in skirts and ties? Elders Schultz and Heath had the right idea

Each one of these people is superior in his or her own way.

ANDERSEN FAMILY VISIT

2009-06-27T14:54:00.009+02:00

We were excited to have the first of our family visits since we have been in Switzerland! Here are just a few highlights.

Susan, Dan, Jackson, Max, and Alexandra arrived from Paris on the train.

The first day we went on a picnic in the countryside.

The children at breakfast in Wildhaus.

We visit the amazing Termina Gorge.

Switzerland's own Jurassic Park (Our label!)

At Chaserugg

Rainy day waterfalls

PANCAKES FOR THE DISTRICT!

2009-06-05T11:26:00.006+02:00

Elder King and Elder Linford have this amazing recipe for pancakes.

They treated us after district meeting!

SCENES OF PFINGSTLAGER

2009-06-04T21:50:00.016+02:00

The young single adults of the Bern stake planned a weekend camp in the mountains over a holiday weekend. It was a perfect spot--just gorgeous, but where in Switzerland is there not gorgeous?

The following are just of our visit on Sunday

Elder Louis Weidmann, Area Seventy, was the fireside speaker on Sunday.

Stake President Yves Weidmann and his wife attended Sunday.

Michelle Moessner was the chair of the event.

Gathering for Relief Society
No chapel was ever like this . . . and cowbells accompanied the lesson!

Making friends . . .

Great Cooks!

Dishes crew after Sunday dinner.

Trying to keep warm . . .

Gathering for priesthood meeting

ZONE PREP DAY

2009-06-02T13:47:00.010+02:00

The zone leaders planned a fun preparation day

and invited us!

We couldn't go with them on the river boat trip, but joined them at the park in Biel for games and grilling. As I stood watching, my heart just overflowed with great love and admiration for these spectacular people. Faithful hearts, willing hands, and filled with the joy and energy of the youth that we did have once upon a time. It was just yesterday . . . now we have the joy and energy of seniors--unbelieveable, but really okay.

Check out the day we had.

Visitors from the Geneva mission

AFTER CLASS

2009-05-30T20:19:00.005+02:00

Just a quick look at some of the

Young Single Adults

having fun after institute class!

The famous round-the-world ping pong

Sara and Michelle taking a breather . . .

Fabian and Ben each taking a shot . . .

. . .

. . . and Melissa trying to take the cinnamon rolls!

Sister Meng (center) . . .

. . . and Elder Meng visited from the Outreach office in Frankfurt.

A great boost for us!

Tanz Abend II

2009-05-23T20:16:00.005+02:00

How can you not love these people????

Buddies

Putting the chapel back together. It's okay, Elder Grassli! You don't have to move chairs. We've got it covered!

MISSIONARIES - ALPHA MEETING

2009-05-15T18:42:00.005+02:00

Welcome to the mission and the district, Elder Schulte!

(right)

New District Leader Elder Norris preparing for district meeting.

Shenanigans. You know what you did!

New photo, new people, same pose! It's starting to look all the same!
Come on Sister G, be creative . . .
But one cannot deny the great spirit of these missionaries.

BABIES AND OLD LADIES!!!

2009-05-15T18:05:00.004+02:00

Well, I am now in Jack's club!

Our great-grandson fell and cut his poor little face, right under the eyebrow. I fell the other night, tripping over the tram tracks, and got a poor old face full of strasse (street), mashed lip, AND a cut just under my eyebrow. Late at night. Blood everywhere. No steri strips. So Elder G went to the Bahnhof (train station) where things are open late and tried to find some. The Apotheke (pharmacy) was closed, but someone was there and took pity on the poor man pleading for help for his wounded wife.

Steri strips in place . . .

. . . wounds closed . . .

. . . Slept well!

I must watch my step!

A BEAUTIFUL DAY AT THE TEMPLE

2009-04-30T20:18:00.006+02:00

At home we go to the temple once a week, but here, we have attended about once a month. We have really missed the more frequent visits, so, since we can fit it in weekly, we decided to attend once a week.

Today was an especially good day for us, and the sun was shining beautifully as we came out.

We saw a darling young French couple who are dating and thinking about marriage. They were sitting quietly talking and they reminded us of ourselves on the day we got engaged at the Salt Lake Temple grounds.

We asked them to take this picture.

And then on the way home . . .

. . . we saw this beautiful old apple tree in full bloom

and covered with moss. Look carefully and you can see the moss.

Couldn't resist!

OMEGA DISTRICT MEETING

2009-04-30T20:00:00.003+02:00

The last district meeting of a transfer is affectionately called "Omega" by the missionaries.

Fitting.

At this one we were saying goodby to just one--our district leader, Elder Knight.

One part of the meeting was watching the panel at a Harvard "Faith Day" event in which Latter-Day Saint Rachel Esplin participated. She was very articulate and was well-prepared to tell how her faith affects her life. Very substantive. Terrific! An example of the great young people in the Church today. (I don't know how other computers would respond, but on ours, if I click on these two pictures they enlarge, so you can see your missionaries better!)

Elder Knight says goodby to us and the Institute Center for Young Adults, maybe for the last time. We sure hate to see him go! We grow to love these missionaries so much!

FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE

2009-04-25T18:21:00.007+02:00

Last week the YSAs held their first monthly Friday night dance in our center.

We consider it a success in terms of attendance (50+)

and general atmosphere (party!)

It was intentionally no frills, just get together and have fun without a lot of work.

Our center shares space with the Bern Ward. The chapel is tiled and the chairs are moveable, so they cleared the room for the dancing.

The music was great!

Twister got involvement to begin with . . .

. . . A little dance instruction . . .

. . . And the dancing begins in earnest!

Throw a little fussball into the mix . . .

. . . Check up on friends . . .

. . . Make some new ones . . .

. . . And keep the energy up with food! (Did I say no frills?)

They didn't seem to want to leave,

but these great young people cleaned everything up.

They also put the chapel and center back in order.

Elder Grassli and I got to bed by 2 a.m.

All in all, a great evening . . .

. . .We look forward to more!

Saying goodnight to Anna!

EASTER WEEKEND 2

2009-04-14T16:33:00.006+02:00

In Switzerland, Easter weekend starts with Good Friday, when everything is closed and people go to special church services. Saturday is open again, but pretty quiet. Most people are still off work.

Sunday, is of course, Easter services, and everything is closed.

Monday is referred to as Easter Monday. Everything is still closed.

We took advantage of this extra day to go to Basel yesterday and be with Greti.

It has been Elder Grassli's dream ever since leaving Switzerland 50 years ago to see the cherry blossoms again, and we went to a lovely place where they are abundant, and there are walks through the area to enjoy the bounteous white blossoms.

It was a gorgeous, warm, sunny day and one of the real highlights of our stay here so far.

Here are some scenes.

The meadow flowers look white but they are a lovely pale pinkish blue.

Resting at the top of the hill before taking the walk back down.

We tried to take our own picture!

The dandelions were thick all over the hilly meadows. Just thick! It was beautiful!

On these days of incredible beauty, I feel that I can hardly take it all in!

I love the beauty in an almost spiritual way.

Sometimes I feel that my mortal body limits my capacity to fully absorb and appreciate it all to the degree equal to the power or magnitude of the beauty.

Maybe our bodies have to be changed somewhat to be equal to the experience, as the prophets have to be changed in order to be able to speak to the Lord, or to angels. Joseph's description of his exhaustion after heavenly visitations may be an example of this.

Maybe one of the blessings of the next life is to be able to have bodies that can more fully experience true beauty.

In the meantime, I will enjoy to the degree I can!

EASTER WEEKEND 1

2009-04-13T20:41:00.015+02:00

We began the Easter weekend on Friday by reading in the four gospels the accounts of the last day of Jesus' life. I have also been reading Jesus the Christ, so that was an enhancement and helped me understand more about that time. In the evening we had dinner at the Laueners'. They are the parents of 8 boys, two of whom are still at home and some of our fineYSAs.

But Peter and Ann were home alone on Friday, and prepared a lovely dinner for us. We had a great visit . . .

. . .and a walk to view the wonderful countryside in which they live. A peaceful evening!

Saturday morning we took Sister Susan, left, and Sister Tina, the two Catholic nuns who live next door to us, into the countryside. They don't have a car and seldom get out of the city/apartment. This is Wollensee and it was wonderful on this sunny Saturday morning. They seemed thrilled to be out!

We certainly enjoyed it!

Later that day, Elder Grassli and I went again into the countryside on our own and walked in the forest. The floor of the forest is carpeted everywhere with miniature anemones. It's amazing! The photos don't do it justice.

Sunday we were in Solothurn for Church. When we returned, together we prepared our part of the Family Home Evening group Easter Feast.

The two of us make a pretty good team!

The tablecloths we made months ago from the fabric we had to cut off our apartment curtains to make them fit the windows. The extra place setting is for a less-active who didn't show.

The already-cooked-and-dyed Easter eggs are from the local market. They have been selling them since Christmas! They are really gorgeous saturated colors. I don't know what they do to preserve them.

The moss is fresh from our forest walk the day before! We had a few critters emerge during the dinner, and we had to, ahem, exterminate them!

(Ants, a spider, and a centipede! But no frogs or mice, thank heaven!)
But we had our traditional scripture readings with lamb, garden salad, water, eggs, bread, sweets, and even the napkin in red water/clorox. Anna did salad, the sisters brought the vegetables, and Matthew made his famous pear tart. We filled in with the lamb, potatoes and gravy, and homemade rolls.

With our little FHE family here, it almost felt like home!

Except we missed our Tressa, who had her Easter with our friend Brittany and a Swiss family. See you next week, Tressa!

NEW DISTRICT PHOTO

2009-04-13T20:13:00.003+02:00

Here is our latest district photo.

Can you see why we love them?

MOVIE NIGHT

2009-03-28T16:28:00.011+01:00

Last night the YSA had their first movie night in the Center for Young Adults.

They somehow have the ability to have such fun!

And we had fun watching them! The first thing they decided was to make the classroom into a theater, where the big screen and beamer were set up. It took about five minutes to dismantle and move the huge sofa to the classroom. It happened so fast, and we were getting such a kick out of it, that I almost forgot to take pictures!

Marc and Sven begin the dismantle.

Not a small task. The sections are connected by metal rods.

Some of our amazing women, Sara and Michelle!

I don't think Frank was trying to show off by carrying with one hand--

--were you, Frank?

Elder Grassli's birthday cake, white with lemon curd between layers and whipped cream on top.

They sang to him. He loved it!

Elder Grassli serving cake.

Settled in with popcorn and cake (Saria and Dominic had made some chocolate cake, too) to begin the movie.

Saria, David, and Marc dig into cake.

Sven, the multi-tasker setting up the movie, "Bedtime Stories," and grabbing for popcorn all at once, as Dominik opens the milk!

After the movie, the inevitable playing began at the ping pong table. No photos because I joined them.

Just what kids love --Grandma playing their game! (wink, wink!)

By the end of the evening,

it had been a long birthday for Elder Grassli, bless him!

(see previous post)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LENSKI

2009-03-28T15:01:00.006+01:00

My companion had his birthday yesterday, Friday,March 27.

I love this guy!

He is a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and missionary companion.

I am blessed that he was born into this world and that I was fortunate enough to find him. My life would have taken entirely different directions without him.

Happy Birthday, Honey! Leonard, the Birthday Boy
The day before, I made rhubarb custard pie, his favorite from his childhood when his mother made it.

On Friday, we invited his family to lunch at a wonderful restaurant, Hotel Bubendorf, the "hotel with a heart," (note heart-shaped plates and heart motifs on the plates) near Bubendorf, south of Basel.
Around the table we were . . .

. . . his sisters, Marlies . . .

. . . and Greti . . .

. . . and his brother-in-law Sergio, seen here with Greti.

The siblings

Okay, I know I'm a food fanatic, but here goes with the meal!

This was the appetizer, smoked salmon on bread stick with ham and soft cheese.

Yummy.

This is my fresh asparagus risotto which was divine!

Sergio and Greti had beef tartare. Not my choice, but they order it nearly every time we are together.

Lenski and Marlies had fish pieces pan fried in butter and almonds, served on a bed of shredded, sauteed leek, and accompanied by curry sauce. I tasted it, and MMMMMM!

All served to us by this adorable waiter balancing plates on his arm.

And the superb ending, apfelkuechli.

They look like doughnuts but they are apple slices, battered and cooked in hot oil, then dipped in a cinnamon sugar mix, and served hot. Absolutely perfect with the wonderful vanilla ice cream.

MISSIONARY GALLERY

2009-03-11T22:47:00.015+01:00

Dear missionary moms and dads,
Here are some of your excellent sons and daughters.

You can be proud of them!

We add to this post from time to time, so check back!

Enjoy!

German tip at district meeting

Arriving back in Bern after district meeting in Interlaken

The Yoga demo!

Elder Talley and Elder Farnsworth on their last Sunday together

Welcome to the district, Elder Dockstader! (Left)

At the temple

Sister Christopher and Sister Gardner visit the Institute Center for Young Adults and sample cinnamon rolls.

Elder Grassli and Elder Hafen visiting before a baptism.

Elder Rowley and Elder Hafen with their newly-baptised convert, Gladys.

And of course brownies help make it a celebration!

Brand new and the picture of serenity at zone conference!

With her companion

A "golden" (they aren't "greenies" here) has

graduated to senior in one transfer? Wow!

Well, sort of. Ask him, Mom.

New to the district and he's brought a great spirit with him!

You have one of my favorite smiles, Elder!

"Hey, what can I say?"

Studying during a brief break in appointments.

So diligent!

Gathering for a temple session . . .

. .

. .

They're all so fine!

Couldn't resist this one . . .
He just wasn't quite fast enough saying the German word!

It's okay, Mom. He didn't get hurt, just wet!

MUSIK ABEND

2009-02-28T17:43:00.005+01:00

Last night at the Center the YSAs held their first Friday night activity--a casual music evening of performing artists and other entertainment, followed by freshly cooked hot waffles.

For a beginning event, it was pretty darn good!

Pictured here are the performers, whose varied offerings were: an Israeli dance tune on the pan flute, Hawaiian love songs on the ukelele, clarinet jazz, Bach on the violin, and piano/vocals from musicals. And this is only a small sample of the talent available in this stake.

More musik abends will follow, I'm sure!

Gregor, Andy, Denis, Anna, Nadine, and Michelle. Not pictured is Sara.

And then all heck broke loose! A new facet was added to the ever popular (could I venture to say it is an obsession?) 'Round the World ping pong. They tried it on rolling desk chairs!

Honestly! What next!?

Is he going to eat the ball?

Earlier in the week we had a very successful highlight abend. The students were divided into groups and each group was given a scripture from the New Testament (this year's course of study) from which they were to create a Mormonad-type poster.

They were great!

I wanted to do an entire post about that evening, but somehow I lost the photos! I can see them when I scroll through them on the camera, but I can't see them when I try to get them for the blog. Hmmmm . . .

ZONE CONFERENCE SHENANIGANS!

2009-02-19T20:59:00.003+01:00

We had a wonderful zone conference today

at the Basel chapel,

under the direction of our zone leaders, Elder Rowley and Elder Hafen.

President Matern taught us

in his energetic and engaging way.

Other missionaries taught us and we shared testimonies.

It was such an uplifting time together.

A lesson in trust challenged the missionaries to take courage and fall into the arms of their missionary friends.

Among others, Sister Luebke . . .. . . Sister Lehmann . . .

. . . and Sister Frederiksen . . .

. . . took the challenge.

Such courage! And fun . . .

(Did I say "uplifting"?)

FLAT AUSTIN COMES TO VISIT!!!

2009-02-19T20:14:00.006+01:00

A flat image of our grandson, Austin, came to visit!

We were so happy to see him,

I just had to give him a great big hug!

He met our stake president, President Weidmann, at the Interlaken Ward. . .

. . . took a trip to Grindelwald . . .

. . . had a ride on the tram . . .

. . . attended zone conference . . .

(notice his name tag!)

And met our mission president, President Matern.
We think Austin likes being on a mission with us!

GRINDELWALD IN WINTER

2009-02-19T19:50:00.004+01:00

Wouldn't you love to ski here?

OUR MISSION LIFE - in a nutshell

2009-02-18T14:12:00.007+01:00

As we have reviewed our blog posts it occurs to us that we haven't described very well what it is we do here. We have been preparing to make a presentation to the missionaries at zone conference, and we can see there really is much we could describe for our history and journal. So here is a brief description:

Our mission is with the Institute Center For Young Adults in Bern, Switzerland, where our work is to bring people to Christ through reactivation and missionary work among young single adults, some of whom are pictured above.

Our goal has been to help the active young adults learn how to reach out to their friends and bring them into our Center where they can hear the gospel, have fun, and experience joy in a clean, wholesome, safe environment.

What we do: We --

try to make the center inviting. We have painted, gently remodeled, added music and a current photo gallery of the young adults who come to the center. We provide refreshments after classes and an inexpensive dinner for those who come directly from school or work.
love the young single adults. We greet each one who comes to the center and try to make them feel welcome. We describe ourselves as the center grandma and grandpa who listen to their joys and their woes! We heard this comment the other day, "Coming to institute is like coming home," so maybe it's working.
attend a different ward in the stake each Sunday to meet with and encourage young adults, and to explain to bishops how we can help them with their young adults.
speak in sacrament meetings, when invited, to promote institute, missionary work, and reactivation.
conduct Family Home Evening . . .

. . .for those who wish to come on Monday. This is last week's FHE where we said goodby to Sister Longhurst. (Hi, Sister Longhurst. Was it good to get home?) "Flat Austin" attended too, hanging behind us!

participate as "shadow leaders" in young adult councils, and Elder Grassli is a member of the stake high council.
help with activities held in the center, such as waffle night, music evening, highlight evenings (special speakers and activities), missionary district meetings, and missionary lessons taught by the missionaries.
send birthday and "missed you" cards, as well as "checking in" emails to young single adults.
stay close to the missionary sisters assigned to the center and plan with them ways to enhance the reactivation and missionary activity here.

In addition to what we do, the missionaries teach investigators, and English classes and Stop Smoking workshops in the center. They are . . . . . . wonderful missionaries who never stop!

When they are not in the center they are out finding and teaching people everywhere.

This is too much fun!

Anybody reading this who would like to try doing what we are doing, let us know.

We can help!

SERGIO'S BIRTHDAY

2009-02-07T22:40:00.006+01:00

To readers following our mission, I beg your indulgence once more to focus on family. Our dear brother-in-law Sergio celebrated his birthday by inviting us and a few friends to a lovely lunch in the nearby German countryside. He's such a cute and nice guy, and we were delighted to share the day. We have never been here for his birthday before, so this is probably a once in a lifetime event . His wife, Marlies . . .

. . . with her siblings Leonard and Greti . . .

. . . and the gathered friends . . .

. . . in the alcove of a delightful and charming restaurant . . .

. . . we so enjoyed the delicious lunch and warm companionship.

. . . and with my food obession, we have to share one of the works of art that were desserts!

A Good Day!

BR-R-R-R! SWISS JANUARY 2009

2009-01-21T14:20:00.006+01:00

According to the natives, this is the snowiest and coldest winter in about ten years.

This is not necessarily a negative for me, because snow is beautiful.

I say if it's going to be winter, it might as well snow, because it is prettier than bare ground. A bit harder to drive in than rain, but . . .

. . . take a look at these pictures.

Besides snow, it is very foggy most nights, so all the trees are adorned with lace and feathers! Everywhere--along the freeway, in town, in the forests, in the countryside. And it has been cold enough that they stay gorgeous like this in the daytime.

We think it is an accumulation of many foggy nights, layer upon layer.
Here are the missionaries about to depart district meeting at the warm Outreach Center, into . . .

. . .This!

As we began the new COLD year, I reflected on my blessings:

My Mortal Body, healthy and strong

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

My Family,all of them

Sacred covenants

Love, lots of it!

Prosperity, a little of it

With all this, I contemplated what is required of me:

To keep my covenants

To be not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ

To have total commitment to the Lord

To live a Christlike life and represent Him at all times

To treat all with love

To be generous

To rise above the common in thoughts, behavior, and speech

To show others the joy of living the Gospel.

To think about and to do

SNOWFLAKES--BY ME!!

2008-12-30T15:11:00.002+01:00

Well, now! What do you think of these?

All my life I have wanted to be able to cut snowflakes out of paper, but didn't learn how until now. After lovely fall leaves and Christmas decorations on the photo gallery in the center, we needed something new and wintery.

Snowflakes seemed to be the answer.

So when Elder Grassli was sick the last few days (bad cold. I got it too.) and we couldn't go anywhere, I went online and found instructions. It's really easy . . . just need to fold exactly and cut carefully. Anyway, I think they turned out very lovely, and I have to say I'm proud of myself. Some look just like six-pointed stars, so I experimented to get some that look a little more like snowflakes.

These are just a few.

I think this would be a good project for creative children home for Christmas vacation, when nothing else is going on. They can be a lot simpler than these.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

2008-12-28T19:39:00.006+01:00

Christmas in Switzerland . . . .

. . . Has a nice ring to it, as my brother said the other day.

He was right. It is beautiful in so many ways.

First, it snowed a couple of weeks before, so that set the spell. Interesting--it snowed on green fields. Yes. And when it melts, the fields are still green. When we are used to the desert, that seems impossible.

Second, the downtown decor inside and out is gorgeous.

Third, the people around us are so kind. We had five--yes, five--invitations to Christmas Day dinner, none of which we could accept because we would be in Basel with Leonard's family.

Fourth, I had a sort of little Christmas miracle, a tender mercy, if you will. Prior to the showing of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, the stake members gathered and sang Christmas carols for about a half-hour. Now I have to say something about the singing in church here. They sing! With hearty voices. It is wonderful to be in a congregation with enthusiastic singing. Somehow it brings a spirit of joy and unity. My singing, which earlier in my life was pretty good and enjoyable for me, has become laborious and frustrating because of my failing ability. The voice just doesn't come out. I remember how it sounded, and how it felt. And I can't do it anymore. BUT, during the congregational singing on that particular evening, my voice worked! I actually sang! It was thrilling and fun and joyful. I don't know why it worked, but it did. I like to think maybe it was Heavenly Father's arm around me. Anyway, it was a miracle to me.

Fifth, we enjoyed spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my husband's family. We haven't been able to do that for 45 years. We were with Gretel at Marlies and Sergio's home for the Eve, after visiting the grave of their mother and joinging other cemetery visitors with candlelight caroling, band music, and listening to a pastor read the Christmas Story from a German Bible. At their home, we ate and read the Christmas story again in Basel-Deutsch and in English. Christmas Day we visited an art museum, then joined the family again for dinner at Marlies and Sergio's.

Just focusing on being together was a gift to us.

Finally, but most important, Christmas anywhere is wonderful, just to consider the object of the celebration--the Lord Jesus Christ. How he came to earth part mortal and part divine is hard to comprehend. Impossible to comprehend, actually. But he did come. And the prophesies were fulfilled. And from that coming we have the everlasting gospel, lost for a time, now restored again in its fulness. We know who we are, why we are here, and what will happen to us after this life--the answers to all the questions the people of the world are searching for. Interestingly, many reject what would bring them hope, peace, and fulfillment in this life, and everlasting joy in the next. But all Christians, whatever the basis of their beliefs, celebrate at this time with loving gestures to each other, and happy times together.

I think He probably likes that.

Merry Christmas 2008 everybody.

TWO CHRISTMAS PARTIES

2008-12-18T19:40:00.012+01:00

Gathering to celebrate joyfully together, around the world people are the same. We feel right at home here in Switzerland among faithful Saints. You will see yourself and your own parties in these events.

As we celebrate wherever in the world we are, may the joy of this sacred season fill our hearts and our homes with love and peace, regardless of what is going on in the world around us.

I think that would make Him whose birthday we remember happy, don't you?

INSTITUTE -- YOUNG SINGLE ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY

These great kids just make their own fun! It was a very casual party, beginning with an opening hymn, prayer, and spiritual thought.

Then the 37 YSAs (including 4 non-members and two less-actives) in attendance baked cookies, and played pingpong, fussball, and pool. Quiet and not-so-quiet conversations, piano playing, pan-flute practicing, goofing around, and laughing dominated the institute.

Then they gathered in the classroom for a white-elephant gift exchange. The concept of white elephant gifts, suggested by the sister missionaries, was new to them,

and they got a kick out of it.

Guess who was first to start cleaning in the kitchen?

Talking it all over with party planner, Vice President Sara.

BERN WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY

The beautiful setting

The Relief Society President (second from right) and helpers prepare food.

Elder Grassli eyeing the giant Berner sopf

Gathering in the chapel for the program

There were stories, recitations, piano and violin numbers, and the choir performed three pieces from an oratorio by a Czech composer. Very ambitious and, honestly, one of the best ward choir performances we have heard!

Leisurely enjoying the meal

BASEL CHRISTMAS MARKET

2008-12-18T12:53:00.004+01:00

We took a morning and went to Basel to see the Christmas market there with Marlies and Gretel.

Here outside Gretel's apartment is a blooming bush! In the middle of December! The market is arranged like a small European village decorated for Christmas.

It is quite cute . . .. . . with lots of pretty stuff to buy (we didn't). . .

. . . including delicious food! . . .
. . .and Christmas decor. Not the best picture of me, huh? But you can see the gorgeous lighted paper stars behind us.

A pretty, festive time!

CHRISTMAS GIFT--ZONE CONFERENCE

2008-12-17T15:54:00.009+01:00

Our last zone conference was a lot of fun. After a wonderful training by President and Sister Matern, we had a party! A wonderful time for the missionaries to relax and enjoy being together.

This post is a Christmas gift to missionary families and friends who will get a glimpse of their missionaries here. Anyone else reading this, just bear with me!

Preparations . . .

"Can I make a basket and catch it before it bounces on the table?"Testing the chips that would accompany the sloppy joe lunch we would have. (They were really sloppy!)
Stirring the dressing into the salad . . .

Opening the white elephant gifts . . . .

And . . . THE TALENT SHOW--the highlight of the day!

For his talent, Elder Grassli presented each of the missionaries with a copy of his sketch of the Swiss Temple. I recited by heart Luke 2:9-14. Elder Linford recited about 30 multiples of pi, which was amazing! When it was his turn, our district leader, Elder Jensen, told us that he was working hard on developing charity so he could get his talents back (See Ether 12:35).

Just a sampling of some of the others . . .

Amazing President Matern with card tricks . . .

THE MAGNIFICENT MATERNS!

2008-12-17T14:37:00.008+01:00

Our mission president and his wife are such nice people. They seem to know just how to reach the missionaries, and the missionaries love them.

These three videos show the Materns' talent offering at the zone conference talent show.

You'll laugh! It was the crowning point of the show!

Just click on the arrow at the bottom left of the video you want to view. Our suggestion: Start with the top video and view the others in descending order.

TEMPLE GROUNDS AT NIGHT

2008-12-15T17:39:00.003+01:00

The Christmas season is here, and to the temple grounds here in Switzerland has been added a lovely Nativity.

In the frosty cold evening, it takes on the appearance of an ice sculpture.

It reminds all temple goers and neighbors who walk through the grounds of the of the joyful event two millenia ago that ushered in the humble life that would culminate in searing atonement and glorious resurrection. Adjusting cameras to capture the scene . . .
. . .and the temple stands sentinal.

RANDOM SAMPLER

2008-11-29T21:34:00.004+01:00

Liam practicing his Beethoven . . .

. . .and Sara serenading me with my VERY favorite Chopin nocturne.

The Reinach Branch Primary preparing for their sacrament meeting presentation. We weren't there the next week to see the performance. I'm sad.

Paper mosaics made in sharing time by the Burgdorf Ward Primary.

Fabulous.

Mike preparing Family Home Evening supper.

We asked him if he was cooking Chinese. He thought for a moment, and said "Well, not really, but I'm Chinese and I'm cooking, so . . .!"

It was a potato and hot green pepper soup and it was delicious.

Some old and some new faces in the district. . .

. . . . .

Waiting for stake conference to begin. . .

. . . . .!

EXPRESSING GRATITUDE

2008-11-29T19:40:00.006+01:00

Once again we gather with those we love to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the blessings and bounties of the past year.

In the first Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

from President George Washington

he stated "It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore his protection and favor. . .and to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue. . ."

We missionaries do acknowledge our dependence on God in every missionary lesson and activity. We gathered on Friday, due to Thursday meetings scheduled by Swiss, who for some reason do not feel it necessary to celebrate an American holiday. Can you imagine?!

Here you see us in preparation and partaking.

Peeling potatoes . . .

. . .chopping cranberries (We discovered you can make yummy cranbery sauce from dried, chopped cranberries by simply simmering them in water for an hour. No sugar needed.) . . .

. . .taking a Thanksgiving history quiz . . .

(they all did quite well, even Sister Frederiksen from Denmark!). . .

. . . setting it up (Thanks for the napkins, Jo Ann!). . .

. . . joking around before prayer . . .

. . . and then partaking.

Yummm!

Elder Jensen, our fine (really!) district leader, brought the festivities to a serious appreciation of our blessings by having us each tell what we are thankful for in our companions, our mission, and for our blessings in general.

It anchored the evening and helped us reflect on the best of being missionaries.

HIGHLIGHT ABEND --- ISRAEL

2008-11-17T22:49:00.003+01:00

Once a semester the Institute has a "highlight abend (evening)."

This was a great one with Brother Lazzara's presentation on Cumran, the place the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and Brother Weidmann's discussion with pictures of the land of Israel.

The evening was outstanding, with 36 Young Single Adults attending--the most we have seen in the center at one time. We are so disappointed not to have taken photos of them in class. Me and my concentration on food! But the tasting table of Middle Eastern types of foods was good, too. We had oranges with pomegranate seeds, honey almond cookies, crackers with goat cheese, olives, fresh dates (yummy), figs, sugared roasted almonds, and lemon bread. All served on fig leaves of course! ;)

Brother Weidmann and students

Some of the students discussing the presentations . . .. . . and having fun after!

We have a great center, with three game tables, a very comfortable lounge area, classrooms, and joint access to a large kitchen. We try to make it warm and welcoming, but the real work is done by the young single adults, when they bring their friends and enjoy being together. One of the two non-members in institute class is receiving missionary discussions.

The classes this year are studying the New Testament and the book Jesus The Christ by James E. Talmage. The sister missionaries attend the classes to become friends with the YSAs and are are teaching English conversation classes that are being attended by non-member students from the university. While the students are there to speak English, they also know our purpose is to teach the gospel, and the sisters, responding to their questions, are able to teach principles of the gospel and show church films.

We have visited every ward in the stake several times, to encourage member participation in reactivation and missionary work among young single adults. It is rewarding to become aquainted with these wonderful members and enthusiasm is building, especially with the encouragement of the stake presidency and bishoprics.

This is such a great way to serve a mission!

FAREWELL, FRIENDS!

2008-11-17T22:01:00.002+01:00

We said goodby to three of our missionaries last week! We become so attached to them, it's hard to let them go! Here is our official district portrait before saying goodby. . . . .and here we are at our farewell lunch of sloppy joes, salads, chips, and banana splits. We will miss Sister Walker, Elder Trogden, and Elder Zickler! Your new areas will love you all!

THE AUTUMN IN OUR SWISS LIFE

2008-10-30T21:24:00.006+01:00

We continue to be stunned by the beauty of the Lord's creations. He planned for us to have a joyous life experience along with all the challenges, and the waning summer, beautiful to behold, is one of those joyous experiences.

Today's post is a simple photo gallery of autumn scenes.

Our mailman

Winter wheat, newly born.

The mall parking lot for dogs!

Tucking the garden in for the winter night.

Goodby Autumn!

CALLED TO SERVE -- ZONE CONFERENCE

2008-10-11T20:01:00.006+02:00

We gathered this week for a tri-zone conference. Some called it a mission conference. Anyway, it was wonderful, and we were motivated and invigorated by the teaching of President Matern and Area Authority Elder Kearon and his wife.

Missionaries arriving at the chapel in Zurich. As for us, we took a dry run with our GPS last week so we would know exactly where we were going in that busy city.

Gathering in the chapel.

Just happy to be here!

Look, Marci! We found him!

Our grandson is serving in Ukraine, and Elder Nilsson is one of his very best friends. I'm sorry, president, but I just had to give him a quick hug!

In the meeting, he and his companion, Elder Flitton, told a great member missionary story. They received a late night phone call from Canada, telling them a non-member cousin was in the hospital. Would they go visit her and give her a blessing? They did, and told her who sent them. Her daughter and children came in and because they respected their cousin, are allowing the missionaries to teach them. The missionaries had prayed not only to find people to teach, but that people would find them. It happened.

Elder Stenquist and Elder King related another member-missionary story. They met a man on the street who came up to them and called them "brothers". They had a brief word, then he was gone without their getting his name or number. A week or two went by and they really wanted to find him, and prayed that they would. Then they found him in the bahnhof (train station), and now are teaching him. He had been in touch with a member woman on the internet who told him to look up the elders. That is another great example of member missionary work and how Elder Ballard has encouraged us to use the internet.

Sister Matern prepared lunch for us . . .

. . . and President Matern helped us eat it!

Elder and Sister Kearon were such excellent teachers!

They had us in the palms of their hands every minute they were instructing us. Their messages of obedience and faith left us ready to conquer the world! Or at least spread the message in Switzerland!

Elder and Sister Larson arrived in Switzerland just a week ago, but they are already out teaching!

I can't help it! They are just so darn cute!

More great missionary faces.

The Lord's noble servants.

And we leave you with this.

Perfect.

WELCOME, ELDER HOWELL! PLUS CONFERENCE COMMENTS

2008-10-07T21:57:00.005+02:00

Elder Howell, the newest missionary in our district is waiting his turn at the pool table before district meeting.

He's going to make a great addition to the district!

Right after district meeting, the elders moved the furniture, and the sisters and we changed into our painting clothes and finished the job not quite completed last month.

I can't let this opportunity pass to mention general conference last weekend. I have always said each time, "It can't get better than this," and then I feel the same way next conference.

We saw the conference in the chapel in Zollikofen, right next to the temple. On Saturday evening we saw the Saturday morning session live. Then on Sunday morning, the brethren saw priesthood meeting recorded. In the afternoon Sunday we saw Saturday afternoon recorded, and on Sunday evening we saw The Spoken Word and Sunday morning session live. We will see Sunday afternoon next week in our sacrament meetings. I am astounded at the technology that brings us all together almost simultaneously around the world. And we hear the messages in our own language. What a blessing to live when we do!

Now, I have to say that there was a glitch in the Sunday morning broadcast. The transmission faded in and out. While President Eyering was speaking the screen would go black for a few minutes and then come back on, but more time was black than on. Finally it stayed black, so we started to sing hymns. By the time Elder Bednar spoke we were singing along and he would come on the screen for a second or two, and the singing would fade hopefully, then it would go black again and we would continue singing without having missed a beat. That continued through out his talk. It was really funny and fun. Except it was also frustrating because everybody wanted to hear Elder Bednar, of course.So we didn't really hear his message or anything that followed. Lenski and I are going to watch that session on the internet tomorrow while our laundry is washing.

I haven't heard them all yet, but one of my favorite talks this time was Elder Neil A. Andersen. His theme was, "You don't know everything, but you know enough." Very comforting, especially to missionaries, new moms, and gospel doctrine teachers. He made several other quotable statements that would make be good sound bites. One that stood out for me is,

"Faith is not only a feeling. It is also a decision."

I had not heard it stated quite in that way before, but it rang so true to me. I love conference and afterward always feel motivated, uplifted, and that I have learned something.