Because of Him

Did you get a chance to check out the video the church had posted on mormon.org concerning Easter? I thought that it was a good one and we shared it a couple of times as a spiritual thought and then everyone saw it at church. I would recommend checking it out for family home evening if you haven't yet.

We had used it for Family Home Evening already.  Watch it, it is full of love and hope! 

Having to rely on the lovely Wes for photos!!
Elder Martin, Elder Robertson & Wes

This week I still haven't any photos from Elder Robertson, but his friend's parents live in the area so whilst visiting, he took this.  They'd been playing football with a couple of youth in the area.


Everything is going great here in Basel. The focus of missionary work seems to be very member orientated in this neck of the woods, so we are getting a good number of eating appointments. I did gain a couple of kilos these last few weeks but the waist bands are holding out fortunately. Clothing is all still holding out and I'm good for shoes, though I can see me throwing one of the pairs away after summer as I don't expect them to last that long, I have been wearing them more and so they appear a little more tattered than the others. 

(ME:I'm thinking don't throw them, I want to bronze them!!   ) 

Yeah, we had a few potentials at the football activity, we met them last week, they turned up and asked me if they could play and so we invited them to and told them that they could come back evey week if they wanted to, so they came back again this week. Hopefully we'll be able to get to teach them soon. The football activity is quite an old thing, we did it whilst I was in Reinach and normally its not too successful as we can't get many of the youth or YSAs out to it, partly because there's not too many of them, but it has its uses obviously.

Easter package ... ready to hand over to Stephan in Basel

Easter was great. I did get the cards thanks for them!! The members were thin on the ground on Sunday though. We got a lot of chocolate so we're all up to our necks in it and sweets, which isn't too good for some of us. Elder Pugh is now back in Reinach. His companion returned on Friday. So with everything that been going on this week its been a bit crazy. We all took turns with Elder Pugh in Reinach fulfilling our exchanges to help the work go along and then organising the switches in between appointments.

Heber is being a good missionary!

Hump Day

This week will mark the year mark of Elder Robertson's missionary service.  Generally the males serve for a total of 2 years whilst the females serve for a period of 18 months.  It is known as 'Hump Day'.  I was wanting to do something to mark the day so I enlisted the help of some friends and family and asked them to take a photo of themselves holding a particular letter, eventually spelling 'HAPPY HUMP DAY ELDER ROBERTSON'  I was so grateful to those that joined in and really put a lot of thought into what they were doing.

Our immediate family spelled out the 'HAPPY' part.  We tried to do our letters that showed our own interests.

Heber 'H' with his guitars
Dad with 'a' shaped cookie, he loves cooking/baking and cookies!
Me the mama with 'P' made out of lights
Thomas also with a 'P' and jumping as he never sits still
Matty with a 'Y' out of lego ... he and Elder Robertson have a joint love the lego!

But on it's own it would not have been as effective as the whole thing, so thank you to everyone who took the time in their busy schedules to add to the 'Happy Hump Day' banner.  Here's the finished thing ....

Happy Hump Day Elder Robertson

This week it seems like Elder Robertson has been looked after well in Basel and has had a dinner appointment every day.  I am so thankful for the members there for taking care of him and Elder Martin.  He's happy he's putting on a bit of weight! =)

My first week in Basel has been a good one, we've been busy though not much has happened. All of our "investigators" disappeared just before I arrived so we have to formulate a plan to find some more. We're working with some cool people, mostly members, and hoping to receive more referrals from them. As a missionary that's one of our biggest goals; to get referrals from members and work with them to bring their friends to the truth. Me and Elder Martin get along very well. Elder Pugh is now working temporarily with the other companionship in Basel, so there's five of us in the apartment. It's quite a laugh in the apartment.

After a trip to Switzerland last weekend, we had some Swiss Francs left over and so I sent them onto Elder Robertson, he was very grateful ... Switzerland is very expensive!! 

Origami Shirt made out of Swiss Francs (CHF)

Overall he's had a great week, enjoying the new ward and area, his new companion and the other missionaries in the apartment.

'C' was confirmed on Sunday and so we are extremely happy for him to have had these experiences and of those experiences yet to come.  

'C' is baptized

Elder Robertson in Luzern

This week has seen Elder Robertson transfer from Luzern to Basel.  I know he has loved Luzern as he has served and loved the people there.  This ends his time with Elder Meyer (who he trained and loved) and sees him starting his time in Basel serving with Elder Martin.

He was able to travel back to Luzern on Sunday to see a 'C' be baptised.  They have become really good friends as they have shared many spiritual experiences together in the last 7 months.  I am reminded of one of my all time favourite scriptures "Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." D&C 50:22  It is such a joy to see the people we love enter the waters of baptism.

We were able to drop some packages for him with a friend he made last year whilst serving in a neighbouring area.

Us with Stephan

It was really good of him to help us with getting packages to Elder Robertson.  He understood that weren't to see each other and made sure we were able to keep the rules.  After a short chat and lots of thank you's, he told us we had to leave because Elder Robertson was meeting him at the train station to collect them within minutes.  So we left, me with tears in my eyes at the realisation of just how close he was and we continued on our way to Bern.

Elder Robertson said in his email how he was weird to think we had just been there ...

It was nice to look at the things he would be looking at for the upcoming weeks/months.

He had received the conference ties I'd sent to him and Elder Martin to his apartment ...

Conference Ties

'It was funny to turn up to Basel with all of my stuff and then find the ties there. They were great. Both Elder Martin and I are grateful for those.'

Loving Luzern and catching up ....

So sorry, the blog has been neglected the last few weeks.   I'm just going to throw the highlights into one post to catch up.

Hold on .... it's coming!

17 Feb 14

He was very happy to be staying in Luzern.  He loves the area and the people.  The weather is nice enough he can leave the apartment in just a jumper.

He'd had a full week, " ...  we had zone conference all day on Tuesday, a temple trip on Thursday and a Finding Day on Saturday, in which helped us find 15 new contacts for our area that we can hopefully start teaching this week.  One of them actually came to church yesterday, got a book of mormon and we will begin to help him to know more about the church and our message during our appointments on Tues. and Thurs. this week. We also have many member appointments and have a lot to do otherwise this week. Tuesday especially seems jam packed which I love!!

He and Elder Meyer are really getting on well.  I love to hear how unified they are.  'We had a very spiritual appointment with him [C] on Saturday after the finding day. Elder Meyer turned to me after the lesson and thanked me for my testimony and mentioned how he really felt the spirit, which for me was humourous as I had felt the same about his testimony. Our method of teaching is improving greatly and there is increasing unity between us. I'm very pleased about all this, especially as there's been a little bit of a theme going on about pefection being our goal, but not an immediate expectation, and instead to concentrate on the continuous refinement process of improvement. 

24 Feb 14

He starts off with telling us about his good week: 'My week has been a good one; Elder Meyer and myself are doing the best we can to improvise and get as much done as possible. It's been tough. It feels a little counter-effective having certain things happen that take us away from the missionary work in our area; long travel times, and a choir practise before the Saturday session of Stake Conference .... it makes it seem a lot more difficult to hasten the work with such a restrain on the short time period we have already. Nevertheless we had a good number of appointments and a lot of member contact which I'm chuffed about. The area is definitely improving ...'.

Unfortunately we haven't met 'C' recently. He was ill this week and with the Saturday session of Stake Conference, an appointment wasn't possible. We do however have two arranged for this week and this week seems to be like a  good jump back into the usual flow of things, even as if we are just continuing onwards from where we left off a week previously without the oddities of life getting involved with this important work. Hopefully we'll be having many appointments and great spiritual nourishment for not only ourselves but those we teach too. 

I'm quite pleased for Heber and his ordination to the office of Elder. He does seem to be making fantastic progress and development spiritually.  

Letters came from Thomas and Matty this week.  Although he'd still like to hear more from Heber. '...he (Heber) did write to me this week and Matty sent me a considerably longer and somewhat more detailed e-mail than usual. They are all growing into fine young men indeed!!    

That's great that both Ammon and Ashley are both heading in that direction and are making great progress!!  

I've learnt how important my personal studies are so I can find the answers, know what I believe, and teach the truth with the convincing evidence from above to let these people feel the spirit and the honesty and undeniable truth contained within The Church. This truly is His Church and this is His gospel. Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer, the very Son and only Begotten of God that came to earth to relieve us from the burdens we are to carry in this world. To know that alone is so great a blessing, to truly begin to understand His Atonement.

No complaints! ...

I haven't counted weeks and months since Elder Robertson left.  I am quite happy that when people ask me how long he's been serving, I have to count the months on my fingers.  This week it seems I have had that question quite a few times so the amount of time has stuck in my head! In just 3 days Elder Robertson will have been serving for 10 months.  I seriously can't believe how fast it has gone. I miss him everyday but would not take this experience away from him.  He is learning so much and I love reading about his experiences and growth from week to week.  He is amazing!!

Now I'm even intrigued to how many weeks that actually is ... I'm going to count ... If i got it right, 43 weeks and 2 days.  Oh my!! I think I'm better just with months!!

This week I was prepared and sent Elder Robertson's email on Sunday evening ready for him to open on Monday.  So glad I did, as our internet provider was upgrading our connection and we were down for two days.  It was hard not connecting. Finally I read his email later that evening and here's a few snippets of that ...

First things first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM (in advance) I will be sending a card, though as I have not yet done it, it may come  a little later... but it will get there.

Things are going well over here. One investigator is a very deep thinking and a calm collected character, so I can relate to him, somewhat...

Christopher realises that its not going to happen on the 16th. the baptismal interview had have to have been yesterday for it to work out and with him not feeling prepared for the questions ( and him being sick ) it just didn't seem right. We challenged (our investigator) to pray about his initial date that he thought about and gave him the week to think about it so that when he comes to a decision of these things, he can be certain that its the right answer. We're trying to address everything, step by step, that may come into question after his baptism and being a fully fledged member, so we addressed the priesthood, what it is and the organisation of it. That went well. 

G is somewhat determined to stay catholic, (although) we have been teaching him more. I sometimes wonder how that, although the Catholic direction is probably the best preparation you (mum) could have to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, its also the largest trap to those seeking truth but caught up in the traditions of the world.

District P-day was cool... I'll be sending my SD card this week with all the photos on it. It worked out pretty well as you'll be able to see from the photos. I did also get the conference magazines, and its great to be able to read these talks and study from them. My learning and understanding is always enriched through studying the talks of the phophets and apostles.

We go to the temple once every transfer still. We're almost the same time away, but just in a different direction being in Luzern. We're actually going there on Thursday to do a session. We have zone conference tomorrow as well so I think I'll get my package then. I do however need a few things ....  I would also like to know if it would be possible to send my little green iPod nano to me so I can put church music on it that we could listen to? There may be a few other things I would either need or like but I'll send a list with the letter...

I need to cut my hair today... its a little longer than I had anticipated, but not too long. We'll also be buying new chairs for our apartment. We got permission to as the ones we have are falling apart and leave little yellow bits of foam everywhere!!! So we'll take a trip to ikea today... :D

Besides that, all is going great, the work is moving forward and its fun too so, no complaints...

I love you and miss you,

Only two more sleeps until Monday .... 

Valentines Package sent and short email!

Last week I sent off the Valentine package for Elder Robertson.  I have sent it to the mission office and then he will probably receive it at zone conference next week.

Here's some of what went in ... 

'We flippin' love you', including love hearts and chocolate ...

I included a talk entitled 'The Measure of Our Hearts' given by Marvin J Ashton.  You can read the talk by clicking on here.

It was fun putting it together.  I see so many ideas on Pinterest and then can't limit myself to just one! 

Elder Robertson's email came in early for him this week.  He gave us names of three investigators to include in our prayers.  One of his investigators is doing really well and another 'has visited Church, we get to teach him and help him to understand the whole authority principle. He's definitely a long term project, but he's the most God- orientated man I've met in Luzern, really humble and believe it or not, more sociable than our Heber!!'

Today we're off to see a mountain, but its foggy. I didn't want to cancel it after all the planning and the numerous phone calls I've made to arrange it. Plus I'm hoping that we see a miracle and that the weather clears up a little when we get there... its been known to do that so I'm exercising my faith that it can happen again.

Our week is looking good with a balance of member and investigator appointments. We also have a zone get together this week as our training meeting is on Tuesday. So I guess I may be getting my package then... If not then the comfort is that we have zone conference the week after so I could recieve it then as well.

So although a short email in comparison to other weeks, I was so happy they were getting out together as a district.  I'm exercising my faith that I will get photos soon!! 

Baptismal date set!

27 January

This week really has flown by!! Firstly, i do still need that Liahona/Ensign from the last General Conference. I could print off all the talks but I would be taking a lot of paper, ink and time from the computers... It would be great if you could send me that!!

That's good to hear that the boys are developing well. My week has been a good one, a busy one and also a successful one. It's been tiring, exhausting and a lot of hard work too. We are making great progress with with our investigator! He set his own baptismal date this Sunday, and he picked the 16th of February. I hope it works out as i feel like he is ready for it. If he doesn't feel ready though when the time comes around, we'll just press on and set another goal. We are having members join in with some of our classes for him and building up his realtionships with the brothers here in Luzern. I think its making a great difference for him, and his spiritual growth is coming along really well. We have been really inspired this week on what we can do to help him; our plans have been somewhat changed for us as we've listened to the promptings of the spirit and its really helped us to discern his needs recently. I never worry about him or other investigators on Sunday as the members do a great job on welcoming these visitors and making friendships.

The most spiritual moment of the week may have been district meeting. I have recieved some pretty good comments when I have had assignments to fulfill, or a little talk to give, but this time it was very spiritual and I was very impressed with the development of many of the missionaries that had been given assignments. Most of them I've known since the start of their missions when they arrived in the district. It was very interesting to see how much they've come along. There was a great spirit during that meeting. Besides that I have many good bonding moments with Elder Meyer that are very spiritual. He's also making great progress and taking everything on board quickly.

District Meeting and Interviews

The most disappointing part of my week must have been a lesson we had with a new convert.  We then discussed it with a member of the bishopric on Sunday who seemed to be sympathetic to the cause. It was good to see that it wasn't only us that had seen potential problems arising in the future and we have had a resolve to see how we can combine our efforts to help this man the most.

Training is fun and difficult at the same time. You realise that you have to try harder to be the best that you can be so he can also be the same way, which sometimes means going 110% of the way. It does feel like a push, but as I said, he's taking it well and it feels as though things are running smoothly again here in Luzern, the weeks are beginning to look busier again and miracles are also happening.

I don't think that I need anything right now, though I have come across some music called "sacred piano" by paul cardall, so i thought that maybe that would be something I'd like to try to learn.

Anyway I hope you all have a fantastic week, give my love to the boys.