Swiss Temple Trip

March 16, 2009
We went with the Vicenza II Branch to the Swiss Temple this past weekend, a trip of about 400 miles one way. We had to get permission from the Mission President to leave the mission, to take the little Ford Fiesta, and were directed to take the other couple missionaries with us. So the four of us and Ford's four cylinders did our best to keep up on the mountain roads. It was essential that we keep up with the caravan as our Tom-Tom only has Italy available :-) We drove from 7 am until we arrived about 2:45, ran to the temple to let them know we had arrived to fill the 3:00 appointment to do baptisms. Of course, only the missionary couples were ready to get in to the temple, who else travels across Europe in Sunday dress?

Two of our new members are working towards getting sealed later this year, and I had helped them get grandfather and father names ready to do baptism and confirmation names ready for their husbands to do the work for. One couple came with us in the caravan, and it was a joy to watch their first temple experience, and with their husbands "meet the in laws" in the temple (as they put it). The second couple decided to take the train, and nobody had heard from them all day, so our session ended. The rest of the trip would be full of doing other ordinances for an Italian sister that brought names. So we went across the street to check into the hostel, owned by the church. Turns out the branch shares rooms, consisting of 3 bunks per room. We were to share with three other couples ??? OH KAY !? No soap or towels were provided, and sure enough we have found a smaller bathroom than our apartment... and we'll share it! So we are off to look for a store and find essentials we didn't know to bring, and as we walk down the street, here comes the missing couple!! They are beat, down and out, and as low as possible. When they see us they literally start crying. Apparently the train that was a direct, one train trip involved changing trains three times with long waits in between. In church on Sunday they said we looked like angels to them. (told you they were at the end of their rope). So they get assigned to our room, with the other senior missionaries (they said it was to keep track of them). This is a couple of new member newly weds....Nothing like sleeping with strangers. Oh! Check out is 7 am, sure!! So Don and I get over to the temple as soon as it opens, get through the language barrier to see if they can join the 8 am group of youth and do their (1) baptism for her grandfather. Yesterday in church he said it was all amazing, and because it was such a struggle, they indured... and it was an amazing blessing. AHH! That was so great to hear. Music to missionary ears. I'll attach Swiss Temple pictures, soon.
Love you alll, thanks for the prayers and love!
XOXO