We had an experience of a lifetime attending a mission presidents' seminar in Switzerland. Our first stop was a session in the Swiss temple with all 16 couples from the Europe Central missions with our area president, Elder Robert Oaks and his wife. This is a picture of our group entering the temple.
After the temple, we drove to Grindelwald and stayed at a beautiful hotel situated at the base of the alps. This is the view we had from our balcony at the hotel. Pretty amazing stuff. Our conference meetings all had the same view. I can't describe the feeling Marv and I had as we were taught by an apostle and other general authorities, basking in the beauty of the Alps!
As we had dinner one night, these two guys were our entertainment. That long horn instrument has a beautiful sound.
After several days of intense training, we were able to take a P-day. Most of us took a train up to Jungfraujoch, a half-way point up the mountain. Only a few of us decided to go the rest of the way up the moutain to the top. This is a picture of the Adventurous 10, as we called ourselves. From left to right are: Area President Elder Oaks and his wife, Elder Uchtdorf and his wife, the mission president from Poland and his wife, me and Marv, and the couple behind us is the attorney for the church in central Europe and his wife. We are standing in an ice cave at the top of the mountain. After we took this picture, we went out and walked on the glacier. Oh my goodness! It was bitter cold and the wind was blowing snow and ice into our faces, but the view was spectacular. We were on the highest rail station in Europe. The next picture is just to give you an idea of where we were.
It's something, yes?! We were out there! I still can't believe it when I look at these pictures. We have a funny story about Elder Oaks. He was going out onto the glacier where the wind was gusting to over 40 miles per hour. His wife and Sister Uchtdorf offered him an umbrella to use as a walking stick, but this retired 4 star general yells back, "Are you kidding?! I'd look like Mary Poppins flying off the Alps!" We got a kick out of that visual.
The mountain view was spectacular on the way back down. I took this shot leaning out the train window, facing backwards. It was a good thing there were no trams passing by--I would've lost an arm, if not my head.
As beautiful as was the scenery, it cannot compare to the spiritual feast we had daily while in the seminar. We were taught by Elders Uchtdorf, Rasband--one of the presidents of the 70, and our area presidency in every session. We sat for hours and yet it felt like 15 minutes. We didn't want them to stop. I have never heard the gospel taught so clearly and effectively using only the scriptures as a source. It was an amazing experience! Did I already say that? I call it the Sermon in the Alps.
Our last evening there, Marv and I had dinner at a little Italian restaurant across the street from the hotel. We were surprised to find Elder Oaks and his wife there, so we sat by them and talked for the rest of the evening. They told us their fascinating stories from their experiences in South Africa and all over the world. They are truly great people.
All to soon the seminar was over. We had several hours before our plane left, so we took a train into downtown Zurich and walked around. Talk about upscale shopping! I found a purse there for a mere $20,000. I said to Marv, "I know you can't appreciate it, but look at this cute purse!" He said, "You're right, I can't appreciate it." I told him that even though he is an excellent missionary companion, sometimes I need a girlfriend or my daughters on these trips. They would understand.
Well, that's our report from Switzerland. We are home now with a new found energy and drive to dive back into the work. Look out Czechs and Slovaks--here we come!
