Switzerland's Christmas Devotional

16 December 2013

So this week had been a "little crazy" for Elder Robertson and he was finding it difficult to keep on top of everything.  It really wouldn't do if everything was easy would it?! haha

FINALLY he has received his jumpers.  3rd time lucky!! =) He said "I currently sit in front of the computer in my nice cozy sweater that I did receive.  It came at the Swiss Christmas Devotional with the Christmas packages, and there were obviously loads of them, and I opened it on the train on the way back to Aarau!"

He really enjoyed the Christmas Devotional and enjoyed being English with the other English missionaries.

Patriotic English Missionaries currently serving in Switzerland!  =)

I am informed that they enjoyed singing the national anthem together and he used the words 'game, set and match!' Maybe a little competitiveness going on ... called 'National Pride'

He was in Luzern and trying to fix up appointments between Luzern and Aarau.  I am so grateful for those families in Aarau who have invited him for Christmas.  He says he has appointments for the whole week there and one in Luzern too.

 "This morning, we got an invitation to go and see a theatre play with a member family on the 23rd, a two hour piece from 8pm to 10pm. We thought it would be best to check before if we could do that as the main celebrations wouldn't be competely startiing. We got permission, so we'll be having fun then!¨

It seems a little bit weird with the Christmas season starting. The dritt is working well. Its a little bit tough to see all of the investigators as they have their set times, and it could be that we are not there at that time, but in the other area. Its frustrating for us all. But we get along well, and despite the challenges, we are happy.

Elder Pugh, pre mission friend from England, and Elder Müller.

MTC companions

Front table, centre, back of head shot!  This is the 'dritt' on the front table.
Elder Paulsen, Elder Robertson and Elder Becker

Sister Miles called them 'sore losers!' hahaha

Christmas gifts ... front right

Christmas Package has landed ....

9 December

Emailing from cold Luzern today. His Christmas package has arrived, our friends, the Psotas delivered it for us.   He promises me that he  hasn't opened anything other than his suit.  =)  In his box I had tipped a 'tin' of Hereos chocolates and he'd gathered them altogether and delivered them to the sister missionaries in his area.  How thoughtful is that?  I was so impressed with him being kind to the sisters and realising that the sisters need for chocolate is in fact greater than his own!

He'd had a good week despite finding it hard balancing the work between the two areas.

We had a lovely surprise when we met a friend of his from the mission at church.  Elder Robertson has been teaching him.  He was visiting Frankfurt with friends and attended the International ward.  We were all very happy to see him and very surprised too! haha

Genuinely a lovely young man and a pleasure to meet!! 

Photo from Brother Psota

2nd of December

Look what I woke up to on the morning of the 2 December!! =)
Elder Robertson in Aarau Chapel, Switzerland

Receiving photos from friends and members of the local wards are always so well received.  

So far Elder R is enjoying working in the 'dritt' and they are getting along great.  He is concerned about balancing the work in the two areas making sure that the investigators in both areas don't get neglected and being most effective with that. Of course as a mother I am always asking him if he's healthy.  The report today is he is 'tip top' as the Swiss say, although I think the English say it too! 

The cold is getting a little nippier in Switzerland but is glad he'd bought the coat he did.  Seems to be keeping him warm whilst still waiting for the delivery of his much needed jumpers!

He's remaining positive and working hard.

He signed off with "miracles are happening all around us. We need to stay worthy and faithful to have them and keep our eyes open to see them. There's definitely a lot happening here!! Prayer and fasting is definitely bringing blessings!"

'See the opportunity in adversity!'

25 November

Elder R was supposed to be training this transfer.  Unfortunately things changed and he is currently serving in a 'dritt', which means he's serving in a three.  His companions will be Elder Becker and Elder Paulson for probably this transfer period of 6 weeks.  He will be serving both his area of Luzern and the area of the other companionship, Aarau.  These areas are about an hour apart on public transport. Busy, busy, busy! He says "fortunately both areas have sisters too so the wards aren't completely without support!"  "This week was a little busier and yet quiter due to a couple of exchanges which were cool as I got to work outside of my area twice this week with some good friends I've made here." I'm trying to live by the motto "See the opportunity in adversity". It was something Ammon did as he was a missionary to the Lamanites."

This weekend we had met one of his missionary friends who had recently returned home from his mission.  It was so wonderful to see him.  He told us how much he and Elder Robertson got on.  He helped Elder R with the language when he first arrived and also told me nice things about him so he is one of my favourite people! haha

'Elder' Tom Sievers, he's a friend of Elder R's from the mission.

After sending this photo to Elder Robertson, he replied "That's funny that you met Tom Sievers! He was one of my best friends as I got into the mission field and having him around just made everything fun and worthwhile. Living in the same apartment as him for three months was hilarious and I was just as sad to see him move on as Elder Nakken.  (Elder Nakken was his trainer!) 

Zone Conference:Fantastic!

18 November

One blessing of being so far behind on Elder Robertson's blog is that I get to have a valid reason to reread all of his emails.  Do I really need a valid reason? haha  So I am catching up as much as I can as I wait for his email to come through for today.

His email dated the 18 November is full of enthusiasm and he says that Zone Conference was fantastic.

He says: 'Last week we had both Zone Training Meeting and Zone Conference and in both meetings there was a very strong spirit that was unmistakably felt by everyone there. We're aiming to get 290 baptisms in total by the end of the year. It's been our goal all year and though we're about 170-ish short, we're all determined that its possible.'

He is surrounded by such valiant missionaries who are really dedicated to the work.  He often tells me of how obedient and hard working the missionaries he serves with and around are.  What a blessing for all of us missionary families and the local areas in which they serve.

He tells me he was working on cleaning his apartment.  I don't have photographic evidence so hopefully it wasn't too bad!! =)

He is eager to push the work forward in Luzern and knows there is a lot to achieve.

I received a few photos ... These were taken at 7:00 am after 'Morgen Sport'.

This monument is near their apartment.

After what seems months of begging for a pic .....

Beautifully lit Luzern ...

that's all folks .... 

Investigator news

11 Nov 2013

I'm playing catch up.  I can't believe how busy November was for me!!

So here's a few snippets of what Elder Robertson had to say when I asked him if there was anything he would specifically like in his Christmas package.

'I was thinking of about 10 chocolate oranges. I'll eat the most of them I guess... but there's also a few British missionaries that could do with a little bit of home so I was going to play "Santa" to a certain extent.'

Let's hope he shares more than he consumes!!  I had a talk to give in Stake Conference, I sent him a copy and here's my feedback!

'Your talk was pretty good, I don't see why you were worried, though I am a little disappointed that you didn't mention me, or the hopes of sending three other children on missions and admonished all young men, and women if they have the opportunity and desire, to prepare to go on a mission now. That's my only critique.'

I told him I had to cut the bit out where I mentioned him because I burst into tears every time I read it.  It was important to remain composed! haha

Still this week has been a good one. With Stake conference our time has been short to make out the desired appointments this weekend, though our investigator was also at the conference, with his girlfriend who recently moved within ward boundaries. Hopefully that may help. He is still making more progress and I found a section in the PMG manual about how the Book of Mormon can solve concerns. I may try that approach when the time is right. He has his answer somewhat, he needs to recognise it and not expect something dramatic. 

Otherwise, we have met this man who called up and asked the bishop to be a member. He's cool, an older gentleman, has already had missionary contact a few years back and has the desire to get back into joining in with meetings and says he wants to be baptised. On Tuesday I have an exchange with my "district brother" (we moved at the same time from Basel district to Aarau district) and have a meeting with this man. My only fear is not understanding his thick swiss accent. Its been a while since I haven't understood someone because of that, and neither I nor Elder Vitel (t proounced like a tz) are fluent in "Schwiizer Tütsch" - or Swiss German. (at least I think thats how they'd colloquialise it, but don't quote me on that).

We also met with our other investigator. He still has a long way to go, but he shows the desire to come to church. It will take a long time due to language (both normal and gospel) and also religion based understanding, just because he has never been too involved with learning too much religion, be it his own or others.

Still that's life; hopefully some more investigators will be found in the coming weeks, such as this Columbian guy who works here, very christian (and somewhat turned away from Catholicism :D) Due to the work he does, he has less, or no work in winter. Not a problem if it brings him to the gospel :D We are all prepared in many ways.

4 NOV BYU Package

So looking back at the packages Elder Robertson has received so far from home, I can see that I like colour coordinated packages ....

To celebrate his acceptance into BYU, I sent him a ..... that's right!  .... a blue and white package!

Here's some of the bits for the BYU package!! 

This time he was surprised to receive an 'iron' through the post! haha I use any box I can find! He didn't come forward with lots of gratitude and thanks, so I wasn't sure if he had received it yet.  I asked "Has the 'package fairy' paid a visit?"  He answered ... 'might have, but who would send an iron?' =)

"Thanks mum, that was a pretty cool surprise actually. though I feel as though I'm collecting toothbrushes."

Should I take that as a hint he doesn't need toothbrushes sending in every package?  I think it was a nice surprise seeing as though he's only just had his orange package ... now what colour for Christmas?  ummm .....

Here's a few words from him.

This week has bee a good one. Not too productive on the immediate missionary work front but good all round. We have had three!!!! member appointments this week and the work is moving on. Interviews were good. Besides that, things have been happening. An investigator from another ward had moved into our area and was out of contact. We finally got back in contact with her after she sent us an SMS stating that she had been using the wrong number. We also had an investigator call the bishop (from years ago) and say that he wants to become a member and so we will meet with him on Wednesday!

My jumpers are not yet here. I have until Wednesday at the latest, and then customs may be meddling with time things due to the swiss/eu differences.

My stuff through church has been received by the warehouse: I've had contact from Mike De Molder who is sending it back my way and is sorting it out.

Pres Miles was over the moon (about my BYU acceptance) and so was Sister Miles when I showed them the email that you'd send to me.

I will have to use the time I have today to reply to letters from Katie and others. I got one from Carys too. I did get the primary package. It was very thoughtful of them.

Brother 'K' has not had his answer yet, but we did have a good class with him yesterday as we got some of the other convert members to come and bear their testimonies and just share their conversions. 

And there's no photos. I don't take photos much here.

But yeah, all fun and hard work going on here!! I get so tired because of all the travelling we have to do in this area.