Week 12

Monday (10/27/14)
Tonight some of Tamara's old work employees/friends came over for dinner. We had "Raclette." OHMAHGOSH. SOOOOO GOOOOOOD. All you need to really know is that if given the choice between fondue and raclette, CHOOSE RACLETTE. Basically, it's like a mini-grill in the middle of the table (that grey rectangle thing in the middle of the picture below). So you have an assortment of meats, vegetables, and cheeses and you can grill your meat and veggies on the skillets on top and then beneath there's mini-frying pans you put the cheese in so it melts and when it's done you can put the cheese on potatoes or veggies or whatever (or you can put it in with the cheese before you melt it). It is ridiculously delicious. And it's also tons of fun! Just Google it. Try it at home! Have a party!  

For dessert we had some fancy flavor infused pears and vanilla ice cream (a.k.a. eis or glacé). There were three different kinds: vanilla, caramel, and red wine. I didn't have one of the red wine ones, but of the two I did try, vanilla was the best. 

Tuesday (10/28/14)
My dad has had some complications from his surgery; please keep him in your prayers.

Thursday (10/30/14)
Tonight was my last German class (for now). Bittersweet. We played some "Memory" at the end and I won. BOO YAH! :)

Friday (10/31/14)
Tamara let me have the day off, so I slept in (wooo hoooo!) and then I blogged for the majority of it. You're welcome. haha. Later in the evening after dinner, some of the neighbors came over and we had a little Halloween party. Music, snacks, fire... they made this special hot wine drink which was cool for them; I obviously didn't have any of that. They DO celebrate Halloween here, but it's not quite as big a deal as it is in the States. One of the neighbors was telling me that 10 years ago no one even thought about it, but gradually it's become more and more popular. Who doesn't like an excuse to get together with friends and family? 

"When witches go riding, and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween."
- Author Unknown 

I decided to dress up as a doll! :)
It's always my "go to" for a cute and easy last-minute costume. 

Saturday (11/1/14)
We are leaving for Tenerife next week! Holy cow! So I'm trying really hard to make sure I'm as caught up on my blog as possible, and seeing what I need to pack etc... I also took some time to go out and explore Frauenfeld a little more in depth, since my bus pass expires after today! I decided I'd start by finding the church that's out there so when we are back in Switzerland, I will know where it is if I want to check it out sometime. On the way, two missionaries hopped on at one of the stops. It was SO weird to see missionaries that I didn't recognize haha, but also whenever I see a pair of Elders I can't help but beam a huge smile. It's such a simple little thing, but what a great reminder that we're never alone. Even in those places where it seems we are very much on our own. Anyhow, finding the church was RIDICULOUSLY easy. I was severely misinformed about how much harder it is to get to that building. I got on the bus, got off at the stop, and it was right across the street. No transfers or anything. So to go to the ward in Frauenfeld or Kreuzlingen is about the same amount of time and both trips are SUPER easy. What a huge blessing!

There it is, behind the flags and trees...

So, that ended up being a lot easier than I had planned on. I waited for the bus to go to the city center in Frauenfeld (where the bahnhof station is) and then I wandered around for a few hours as an unapologetic picture-taking tourist. 

BEST part of my day. I love accordion music.

I love to see the moon during the day; there's something so
special to see both the sun and the moon dancing in the sky.

I found the Secret Garden! ;) haha

During my trek, I saw a church steeple. I thought I'd go take a quick look, and I happened upon the most gorgeous cemetery I have ever seen in my life. The whole church was surrounded by gravesites and the individual graves were all so beautifully kept.

Sunset 

Sunday (11/2/14)
Elder Roberts translated for me today, as best he could. And there's a new Elder (Elder Strauss' replacement), Elder Hassley - prounounced Hass-lie, not Hasslee. He's SUPER nice. Everyone is really excited to have him around. AND I found out that he's 25 which is awesome and makes me feel less old haha. So selfish. Anyway. I asked Elder Roberts if they had time to give me a Priesthood blessing sometime during church, which they were happy to do for me. I ended up asking Elder Sanft to give the actual blessing (he was already standing up; I would have been completely comfortable with any one of them doing it.) It was SO great. I feel the most clear correspondence with Heavenly Father through Priesthood blessings. It should be that way with personal prayer, but I'm still working on that. Even so, sometimes my brain gets so muddled with thoughts, concerns, questions, etc... that sometimes it takes some help from an outside third party to clear things up. 

I'm finding myself less willing, more and more, to just ride on other people's testimonies and take other people's words for things, religious or otherwise. There are things, even after being a member my whole life, that I have questions about. And I expect answers. I'm tired of people using broad answers to try and suffice things. If you don't know, say you don't know. But we are told that if we seek we shall find, if we knock, the door will be opened. So why are we all so satisfied with answers from peers that leave us hanging in doubt? Don't you think God will hear and answer you, if you come to Him sincerely?

If you are struggling, spend time with the missionaries. Have them over for dinner. Go with them to teach an investigator. Sit by them in church. If you can obtain a missionary mindset, you will find answers to your own questions. For isn't it so, that the "one sheep" you bring to the fold which will give you great blessings, is yourself? We cannot forget that we too must become "truly" converted.

I'm going to miss this ward, these people, these FRIENDS, so much. And not just the people, but the land. The country. I've fallen in love with this place. I'm already counting down the days of our return... but I'm also looking forward to see what Spain has in store for me. 

xoxo,

     Rebecca

Week 10

Monday (10/13/14)
Two months gone. so. fast.

Friday (10/17/14)
On Thursday Tamara's best friend Laura and her son came over in the afternoon and Laura mentioned possibly going ice skating all together on Friday (today). So we did! I've been ice skating many times, but on my bucket list I have that I want to try figure skating. Well today, I unexpectedly got the opportunity to cross that sucker off! There's an old coach that hangs around the rink and goes up and teaches anyone and everyone, regardless of whether they wanted any help or not. I LOVED IT! It was so cool to actually learn some proper technique and exercises to do, especially from a professional. You could tell he was just absolutely in love with his art. When we were leaving I thanked him and asked him his name. "Samuel." He wouldn't give me his last name, he said it wasn't important. 

Bodensee Arena

HAHAHA! Perfect timing!

Me, Laura, Svenja

Just another day in paradise.

Later for dinner, Peter's brother and his daughter came over for Swiss fondue! They made one pot with a little wine, and one without. It honestly threw me completely off when they asked if I would prefer it without, because I know if you cook a steak with wine or something, the alcohol cooks off. But in a pot of melted cheese? I had no clue. And I wasn't sure how the rule applied in this case so, I just went without to be safe... I kind of felt like an idiot though. Regardless, not gonna lie it was not very delicious. For movie snacks later, I made guacamole (avocado, tomato, garlic, onion, lemon juice, fresh lime, salt and pepper - combine all to taste). YUM. 

Swiss Fondue 

Saturday (10/18/14)
I went to a wedding reception today at the church. Mostly because Corinne said her friend had given her an old phone for me to use and she could bring it for me if I was going. But also, I had nothing else planned so, why not? My mom is gonna kill me... I went in jeans. IN MY DEFENSE, I got dressed up for that seminary fireside thing forever ago and I was the ONLY one in nice Sunday dress. I didn't want that to happen again and it was just a little reception so I didn't think it was a big deal. Wasn't a reception people. It was a WEDDING AND a reception. *facepalm* just let me die. I was mortified. I sat in the back row of the chapel and tried to make myself invisible. Thankfully I wasn't the only chick in pants, including Tania (the RS President). And what lesson have we learned? I'd rather be nicely overdressed than feel tackily underdressed. Sorry Mom. 

Elder Roberts and Elder Sanft showed up in the middle of the ceremony (where there's food, there's missionaries haha). As per usual I hung around them during the reception and later Daisy joined us. During the course of our conversations Daisy all of a sudden and completely nonchalantly says "¿Rebecca, quieres venir a Peru conmigo a visitar mi familia?" ...uh, say what!? She asked me again. Do you want to come with me to Peru to visit my family? ...wait, for serious? When? (Next year.) Um, YES! The answer is definitely YES. I was so caught off guard! She was so casual about it, like "Rebecca, do you want a cookie?" "Rebecca, wanna come to Peru with me?" SO EXCITED! Hopefully it will all work out between her plans, Peter and Tamara's arrangements, and my plans (cause I have SO many plans... haha)

Sunday (10/19/14)
Today in church Oliver - Sandra's husband - was one of the speakers and he also provided a musical number on an Alphorn (with organ accompaniment). Um, HOW COOL IS THAT!? Gonna go ahead and check that off mah list. 

xoxo,

     Rebecca