See you later, Elder Walker!

Our Family

Today my brother has been set apart and has flown into Utah.

Many new traditions are made when a child goes into the next phase in their life. What's weird is that it's usually me who's experiencing these new things. This time it's my brother. He's left to serve the people in the South Carolina Columbia mission for the next two years. I won't see him in two full years. That's a very long time. Short. Yet, long. And it's just begun.

Yesterday was a fabulous day. Ben mostly finished up packing while I worked on creating his blog and checking it by him before he left. It was a great day. It just so happened to be Family Home Evening night. We naturally asked Ben what he'd like to do for his last day. Would he like to go out to eat? That seems to be the traditional thing. However, he decided that he'd rather spend time at home than out to eat. What we did instead? We played Super Mario Brothers Wii. It was a blast. Half of us were really good. The other half was extremely bad. My parents and I were in the half that was bad. We all had several hours of an ab workout with all the laughing we accomplished. We were so terrible that it was funny. Luckily the goal wasn't that we would actually win anything, because we each kept dying even if we had started out with 9 lives. I'm so grateful for the family that lent it to us for the night. It created memories that will last forever.

Everyone minus our photographer Stake President

This morning, my brother and sister woke up earlier than early to make a big breakfast for Ben. It's a tradition in our house. I'm not really sure how it started, but if it's a special day for a sibling or a parent, one or two of us will wake up earlier than we normally do to make pancakes, waffles, dutch baby pancakes or Norsekepannekakers. Not only that, but we'll go overboard with freshly squeezed orange juice, strawberries, whipped topping, bacon, etc. I love this tradition. Even if we wake up earlier than early. Which generally means earlier than either 5:50 when my siblings leave for seminary or 6:15 when the rest of us wake for scripture reading. It's such a pleasant smell to wake to.

The youngest and oldest brothers.

When breakfast was done, we hurried over to the church building where my brother and sister were for seminary. Our aunt and uncle, the Bishop, his son who is great friend of my brother's, and another recently ordained Elder fit into the stake president's office with my immediate family. The stake president informed us that the setting apart only takes a moment, so if before we got started he asked if we had any advice to share with my brother. The Bishop and my parents both shared their advice, which I mention on my brother's blog. But my youngest brother who has a really close relationship with Ben and who will probably have an extremely difficult time without him, shared his advice, "If you'll be as good of a missionary as a brother, you'll be a great missionary. And baptize like 50 thousand people." We all sort've stared at him. It was rather profound. I think it'll really get Ben thinking while on his mission. Short and simple, but strong with lots of meaning.

Then he was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The sisters with their brother

He was able to have his stake president, bishop, father, uncle, and two friends in the circle. Of course, afterwards we took a lot of photos.

After my two siblings went off to high school, the rest of my family plus Elder Fischer, went off the the airport. They were immediately heading out to Utah and will be spending time with my uncle's family. Tomorrow they will be reporting to the MTC.

Even though tomorrow is officially the day they are reporting in, today is the last day we'd get to see either of them. They'll be great missionaries. They're great people. Wish them the best of luck and keep them in your prayers!

Best of Brotherhood.

Elder Walker with the parents.

"There is no other labor in all the world that brings to a human heart, judging from my own personal experience, more joy, peace and serenity than proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Heber J. Grant - Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant

Last Day with my Brother, Elder Walker

Today's the last day I'm spending with my brother for two years!! It's sad. Though exciting. He'll be serving for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Columbia South Carolina Mission.

He's pretty much assigned me (read: I commandeered) to be the official record and memory keeper for him. To help fully accomplish such a task I've set up a blog for him entitled Elder Walker. I'm feeling especially clever over the fact that I can also use this blog for my other brother when he leaves on his mission. Their missions will probably be overlapping for a few months. It'll end up being a combined blog for the both of them. Eventually. We have a year and a half before I'll worry myself too much about that.

But it's exciting.

I can't believe he'll be leaving soon. The day he reports into the MTC is also the day he turns 19 years old. Apparently they really wanted him as soon as possible. What's even more exciting is that at the moment he and his cousins Elder Bean and Elder Laughlin will all be in the Provo MTC at the same time. He'll also be arriving and reporting to the MTC with another friend, Elder Fischer. I'm hoping they each really enjoy it.

Meanwhile, I'm getting all my cards ready to mail him. Along with all the other missionaries I've been neglecting since I've been in Switzerland. If anyone wishes to write a missionary, I just so happen to have quite the collection of addresses for you to choose from. They'd probably all love to hear from you. We'll probably also be helping the post office stay in business. My family, however, says I do that all by myself.  Seriously though, if you want some sort of FHE activity or mutual activity or something, contact me for addresses! I have numerous amounts of them.

Mourning Death

We all have been touched by death and it's effects. Many of us have known someone who had died: a family member, a relative, a close friend, a teacher, a student, a peer, a coworker. Some are expected. Some are unexpected. Either way, we mourn their loss in our lives.

Often, we mourn all the might-have-beens, might-have-becomes and might-have-dones. Either our own in relationship to them or their own. We mourn. We weep.

Death is a very sad event. No matter what the circumstances.

Today we received a call informing us that one of my cousins passed away.

She left behind a husband, three boys, her siblings and their spouses, her nieces and nephews, her parents, her aunts and uncles, her cousins, her friends. She's left behind a lot. She's left behind a lot of memories and holes in everyone she's come into contact with. Without her in the world there's a space of emptiness.

She always added more good in the world. In her own way and style. Without her there is so much time ahead where she could have done so much more. But she's left.

And we mourn.

It can be hard to comfort those that mourn. We try to say the right thing. But often there is no right thing to say. You can't really say that she's gone on to a better place or that she was needed more on the other side. She was a mother and a wife. That's her divine role. Honestly, I doubt there was anything more important than that.

But we can do what we can. We can do our little actions. We can simple mourn with them. We can share our memories of her. We can help recognize her influence in our lives. We can become better people. We can help those immediately affected. We can make sure to be involved in her kids lives. We can make sure to help the family get back on their unsteady feet. We can realize that it's not something that totally disappears.

We can help them find comfort in the fact the our Savior knows how they are feeling. We can help them know that their Savior loves them and watches over them. We can let them know we also love them. We can remind them that someday, they will be reunited. It might be a long time. But if we live the best we can, then we'd have forever with them. That's the miracle of God's Plan of Happiness. We will live forever with our loved ones if we do the best we can and turn to the Savior when we make mistakes.

UPDATE: Turns out that a friend of my sister and all of the Young Women in my ward also died. Along with her friend. Her younger sister is in critical condition. This is the news article.

UPDATE: The obituary for my cousin.

Book of Mormon

As I was unpacking, organizing and cleaning my room I found one - two - Three! copies of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This doesn't count my own personal copy. These copies were given to me by the missionaries. I've asked them for one throughout the years so I'd always have one on hand with me through high school, work, or anything really. I was ready. I was even blessed enough to have given several to people throughout my life. But I found three still in my room.

I haven't really used them much in the past two years because I've been away at BYU-Idaho for 7 months straight and pretty much everyone is a member there. Sharing the gospel and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is a bit different there. As a result, I've always left my copies to hand out at home in California where there's a lot more opportunity to hand one out spontaneously.

But this month is unofficially Book of Mormon month. The October 2011 issue of the Ensign is a special issue focused on the Book of Mormon. Then a blog I follow, "We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ", has decided to also focus on the Book of Mormon this month. Then during General Conference, the Book of Mormon was also mentioned, as it normally is. However there were three talks where the Book of Mormon was truly the theme: Richard G. Scott's "The Power of Scripture", Henry B. Eyring's "A Witness", and Tad R. Callister's "The Book of Mormon – a Book from God".

When I found these three copies of the Book of Mormon without a home where they can change it from the inside out, I was rather depressed about that fact and decided that I'm going to give these copies out before the end of the year. I'll be keeping my ears, eyes and heart open so I can find homes for them. I'm going to have to get back into the habit of carrying a copy with me everywhere I go. Luckily purses exist!

You just have to love The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It's a book that changes your life every time you read it. You know you are on the right page when you are experiencing a moment of confusion and loss, then you recall a verse from the scriptures that gives you comfort and guidance. It's a book that changes you from the inside out. When you're changed from the inside out, you just shine. It makes you truly joyful, even when you experience the sadness of mortality. It helps you discover the purpose of life. The purpose of a great many things actually. Every word just rings with sincerity and truthfulness. You can't doubt it when you read and study the words and lessons it has on every page.

And yet, I have three copies in my room. Not doing anyone any good. Quite the waste of a marvelous, true book that changes people.

I've met people who think that people can't change who and what they are. They think that people can't change their characteristic of laziness, or fear, or pride, or whatever else. Many think they can't change themselves. But you can. You can, and this wonderful book teaches you how. Just reading it, wanting to know, it begins a change. A marvelous change. From good to better, from better to best, from best to even better than best. It only helps you up. It's impossible to read it with true intent and not become even a little bit better. This book is truly a marvelous thing. Sometimes I just don't think that any of us really take full advantage of it.

So I have a goal. These books sitting on my desk are going to find a home in the next two months. It can only do good out there. Meanwhile I'll continue reading my own. It can only do good to my heart and life. From the inside out.

early to bed and EARLY TO RISE

Benjamin Franklins once said, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

The First Sunrise since being home in California

I honestly wonder what his opinion on the effects of Jet Lag would be. I woke up at 1 in the morning. California time. I refused to wake up though when the sun was literally on the other side of the planet. 1 AM Cali time is 10 AM Swiss time. Which was normally the time I woke up while I was in Switzerland. But because I really am a California girl, I really love my sunshine. Waking up hours and hours before it even shines is not exciting. So I went back to bed. And kept waking up. And kept going back to bed. I gave up at about 4 this morning. I figured my sister was waking up in an hour anyways to go to seminary. Once she woke I could easily get up and finish my unpacking and such. Not that I even started unpacking last night. So I suppose it's more that I'm beginning to unpack.
Maybe I can use this horrible jet lag to my advantage. Because when you wake up at 4 in the morning and have no residue of tiredness, it sort've drives you crazy. So I'll attempt to wake up at 5 in the morning regularly and then go to sleep earlier. Ha! I have good intentions but in the long run I have absolutely no faith that I'll be able to keep it. But I'm going to try!

Ok, so you know that intense debate about bringing my backpack and laptop or packing it away? Well, there was something I learned that made the decision for me. If you have a laptop it is to be a carry on. Elsewise, the bag peoples get upset at you. Luckily enough I did not learn this through experience. But rather through other people who know these things because they read the rules or learned it through their unfortunate experience.

Yesterday was also the longest day of my life. Literally. I woke up at 7 AM Swiss time to get ready for the day and finish up packing. Then we left around 9.
The Zurich airport is awesome. You know how in America you go through security check at the very beginning? At this airport you check in your bag. You get your boarding pass. Then you walk around and you can shop or eat or whatever you'd like. Then only those with boarding passes move on. Once they check your boarding pass (and that's it) you go to the right wing of the airport. Because I was using Swiss Airlines I went to "E". Which meant that I had to take a little underground tram to get there. Once you arrive at your section, that's where they do the big security check. The line was really short because it wasn't every single person in the airport that'll be flying but rather every person that will be flying from "E". Then I arrived at my gate #23 and that's where they check your passport and boarding pass. Then off you go.

I really liked it. A lot.

However the flight was forever. It was about 11 hours long. And every hour and a half or so they brought out really delicious smelling food. Not only was it delicious smelling but also delicious tasting. So just as I was about to fall asleep, I'd smell it. And I wouldn't be able to fall asleep if my life depended on it. So I had maybe 3 hours of sleep total. When I landed at 4:20 PM Cali time, it was more like 1:20 AM. After getting through customs and picking up luggage, I was a tad exhausted. Luckily for me my parents and sister picked me up. So I hugged them. Thanked them. And got in the back seat and started chattering away. However by that point we were going from San Francisco to the California valley at 5 PM. That's rush hour. The trip that was supposed to take one and a half hours took three. And halfway through it we needed to pick up the other car that my mom and sister drove to meet up with my dad at work. And I was asked to drive home because of other's health reasons. Now, realize this. It's around 3 in the morning for me and I'm driving. My parents were a tad worried about this. But I had found reserves of energy and was chattering up a storm. I told my mother that if she would let me chatter and actually converse with me on the way home that I could accomplish such a feat. And I did. Arrived safely home.

When I came in the door I saw luggage in the living room either being packed or being unpacked. It was in one of those stages. And I was confused. I had my bag in my hand. I wasn't unpacking yet. Then the rest of my mind caught up with my thoughts and went, "Oh! Right! My brother is packing for his mission as he's leaving next week." Him packing really made it more real for me.

After that moment of being slow of thought I brought myself upstairs to see what my sister did with our room as she rearranged things. It was nice. But I was a bit tired to really appreciate it. Then I was informed that we were leaving to practice a song as a family that we are singing on Sunday for my brother's last Sunday with us for 2 years. Actually, it'll be the last time my family is all together for awhile. Because while one brother is gone on his mission, another brother leaves on his. And for me, a lot can happen in 4 years. It's kind've a big deal. But anyways, I didn't know the song and was sleeping where I stood.

As soon as we arrived home, we had prayers and I went and crashed. Because by that point it was almost 6 AM for me. Almost a full 24 hours. With 3 one hour naps total.

And now here I am. I'm home.

My Last Full Swiss Day

I'm in the midst of packing at the moment and I'm debating whether to pack my backpack into my suitcase or take it with me. Mostly because of the accessibility of my laptop.
My choices:
1. Bring my backpack so I can have my laptop with me while I wait in the airport and hope they have free wifi. Plus, I can use it to work more on a photo album of sorts about my Swiss trip. But possibly not have enough room to put the pack under the seat in front of me on the plane and not have any interest in doing it because I'd rather read. Plus, I'd have to bring my cord and adapter because my computer likes to die an early death. Then I have to hope to have a plug near where I'd like to sit.
2. Not bring my backpack. Then I don't have to add any extra worries and I can just write in my journal and read books. Except then I worry that my suitcase will weigh too much. And I may possibly become bored.
It's an intense debate within my head. So I'm taking a break.

Today really was my last full day in Switzerland. It's kind've depressing. I'll definitely have to come back someday. Especially since I have family here.

On the way back from Zurich, we stopped by ruins of a castle. It's called Burgruine. "Burg" means a castle fort. "Ruine" means... well, ruin. German is a very direct language. But here are some photos:

Gorgeous right?
Interesting fact. Do you remember the other castle I visited? Château de Chillon? Well, the castle I took pictures of today is actually only 30 years younger than the one I visited just a bit ago. Yet it is in much further disrepair. I found that fascinating.

Well, this has been a wonderful time in Switzerland. It truly has been. I'm going to miss it. Surprisingly, it's actually felt pretty normal being here. I think what's going to be odd is actually coming back home to California. You expect a foreign country to be different. But you don't really expect your own home and culture to be. Though, I'm thinking I'll shocked by the fact that I can suddenly eavesdrop on random conversations of people nearby because I can actually understand what they are saying. Then again. I am going to California where Spanish is prominent. So maybe not.

Random FYI: I still don't know what I'm going to do about my backpack...

First Snow

Dear Rexburgian friends,
Apparently Switzerland is on the same weather pattern as you.

It rained yesterday and it was beautiful.

I saw all over Facebook and Twitter that is began snowing in Rexburg, ID the other day. I feel for you. You'll probably have to live with it for the next 8 months or so. In fact, I'll be showing up after there are several feet of snow on the ground and it doesn't really snow anymore, but just stays there.

I've been staying in Sattel, Switzerland for 28 days. The weather has been fantastically amazing. Rolling green hills. Green, green, everywhere. Reminds me of California. But not as hot. Nor as flat. But it's been a perfect Rexburg summer hot everywhere I've gone in Switzerland. Which I've become adjusted to verses the 90s or 100s I've grown up with in Cali where a Rexburg summer would be classified as a California late fall. So coming to Switzerland's lovely weather was a nice break from the 90 degree weather in California. Another blessing of coming to Switzerland.

Turns out that fall happens really fast here. So fast I almost didn't notice it. I'm thinking fall lasts a full week here. Trees and vines that were a vibrant green are now full of autumn colors. Even the hills are not looking as green as they once were.

Yesterday, my luck of good weather ran out. It began to rain. and rain.

Snow! Snow! Snow!

This morning? It snowed.

Not very long. And it didn't stick as the ground is much to warm. But it snowed. And I'm expecting it to snow a little bit more before I leave next Thursday.

I count that as lucky.
I was lucky enough to see the first snow in Switzerland. Did you know I've never, ever experienced a first snow of the season before? Ever?
I'm 100% from the California Valley where it never snows.
I'm always in California during the fall and beginning of winter. I've never experienced this before.
It's beautiful.

It's like my first time seeing snow melt when I was up in Rexburg for my first semester. I thought everything would be green underneath the snow. But the grass was dead and moldy and not at all what I would have thought spring should be. It was fun to watch the seasons change. Totally miraculous.
Now I've seen the first snow.

It's awesome.

Now, it's probably awesome because in a week I'll be back in my California Valley where the temperature is in the high 70s and low 80s. It'll still be summer. I won't have to deal with snow for the next few months until January comes around and I go up to Rexburg again. But still. It's all rather exciting.

"Rain is Falling All Around"

Moiselle Renstrom

♪Snow is falling all around,

On the housetops, on the ground.

Snow is falling on my nose,

On my head and hands and toes. ♬

Mt. Rigi

"The Blue Rigi, Lake of Lucerne, Sunrise" by JMW Turner

True or False?

I hiked a mountain.

I woke up at 6:30 to hike a mountain today.

I was half conscience before the sun arose so I could go see the sun rise while on top of the mountain this morning.

I'm crazy.

All, but the last (of course), is false.

But. It is almost true.

I was aware of the alarm at 6:30 before the sun ever arose. Though, I didn't know what it was. And it was gone so quickly that my brain wasn't even functioning enough to recognize it.

I actually arose out of bed at around 6:50 or so and found myself at my Aunt's place. See, yesterday, I was blessed enough to spend time with my Aunt and her family. I saw their cute little town and the nearby nunnery and was able to help my cousin set up a blog. (If you'd like to see it, here it is!) I love looking at the Swiss buildings, especially the old homes and churches. Such an amount of history in those places.

Back to my "hike" up the mountain. I didn't actually hike up at all. My cousin and I took a tram. I love trams that go up mountains. I'd go hiking all the time if I could take a tram all the way to the top.

However, my cousin and I discovered that the tram didn't go up that early. Which was disappointment. But it was an absolutely gorgeous sight even if we got there a couple of hours later than the sun did. It was still morning. The clouds were below us. The valleys and lakes were below us. We were taller than many of the surrounding mountains. It was just beautiful.

I'm so glad my aunt gave me the suggestion and that I was able to go. It was stunning.

As I'm sure you've noticed, it's really high. Gorgeous though. Rather scary to go to the edge as it's a sheer drop downwards. It was amazing. Mt. Rigi is also known as "Queen of the Mountains" though I'm not sure why. There has been a painting of the mountain by JMW Turner and Mark Twain is known to have climbed it.

If anyone is curious to it's location, it's on the map below. However, you can't really tell it's a mountain from space. Still. It's beautiful from up there. It really and truly is. I love the beauty of Switzerland. I'll have to come back someday for sure. It's a good thing I have this last week in Switzerland to experience everything else I can experience!!

View Larger Map

Swiss Bowling

Went bowling today! Amazingly my score was 70 something and then 100ish. Pretty good for me. I'm thinking it's because of the fancy little bumper things. You don't even notice they're there so you aren't totally embarrassed by using them. Every roll.
It was interesting though. Because as my cousin and I walked in I realized a few things.

First. This is the sign. It's geared towards teens. You know, the allowed to drink 16 year old teens. Those ones. Nice place though. Very... classy? I'm not sure of the word to use here. But it was a nice place. If I were not a member and a European, I'd hang out there for sure. Though, I did just hang out there today...

Secondly. The bumper no-gutter things? Well, they are very nice discrete little things. No embarrassment at all for blatantly using them. Every single time.

Third. They bowling pins are on strings. Like puppets. I laugh every time I hit them and they flew everywhere while still being connected to strings. Then to reset them the machine pulls up on the little strings and it looks like there's some guy back their doing a little puppet show with the bowling pins. It's great! I loved it.

I really fail at bowling. But when you fail so often it makes you really happy when the ball just doesn't fall into the gutter. Even if it is because of the bumper, no-gutter things. Because it can jump those. I've seen it happen.

But I can now cross "Go bowling in Switzerland" off my bucket list. If it was on there in the first place. Though, if I had known I could go bowling here it would've been on it.

Invade Switzerland: A Plan Lacking Intelligence

There is a subject taught in schools called "History." I've generally enjoyed those subjects. When presented in the right way, it's an oral story that captures the interest of all who listen. When it's not, it's the class most dreaded with passion. They say we must learn from the past. However, most of the history taught in class wasn't something that could be immediately applicable in our daily lives. The phrase "learn from the past" seems to me to be speaking to those in a position to change things. Meaning those with influence, which the majority of high school students really don't hold. So we listen to the stories, and we hear stories. It's not until we gain more wisdom and experiences that we truly understand the significance of said stories. That's when the advice "learn from the past" comes into play. Hopefully, by that point we realize we can do things to prevent or change an outcome.

In the process of taking the subject History, we covered both World Wars as well as the Cold War. During these lessons, we briefly cover that Switzerland was neutral and we move on. I always wondered how Switzerland remained neutral. Now I know.

Article 18 of the Federal Constitution (of Switzerland) states:

Every Swiss male is liable for military service. The soldiers shall receive their first equipment, clothing, and weapon free of charge. The weapon shall remain in the possession of the soldier under the conditions to be drawn up by Federal Legislation.

Switzerland declared itself neutral at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. It's been 200 years since Switzerland's last war. Which was during the French Revolutionary Wars, when France pretty much overtook Switzerland.

How do they stay neutral? They make any plan entitled "Invade Switzerland" a very, very stupid choice.
The Swiss militia is only a defensive army. If attacked or invaded, a fully equipped army could be in the field in 48 hours. All the soliders keep their uniform, guns and ammunition at home. They are not  very many career military people. The military consists of the Swiss men. Men who go to work, who are studying in their professions, or attending the university. They are in average between the age of 20 and 35. For those men who aren't suited for it, they provide other ways of service. As a Swiss male, you are required to have completed 10 three-week training periods in service to the army. Those in the military also have their actual jobs and careers to attend to outside of the military. Thus, they generally complete those hours by the time they are 35 years old and they are released, returning their military equipment. However, for the rest of their lives they are required to pass a shooting precision test each year. So the official number of who is in the Swiss army is actually much much less then the actual number that could be called upon with a moment's notice.
Women can join voluntarily. Once they are signed up they have the same duties and responsibilities as the men, but aren't armed. They can choose their military occupation and have ten choices. They can't resign until they are pregnant.
Also, each town has a bunker. Underground. They are extremely hard to spot. They are seriously very well hidden. So if Switzerland were ever attacked, the military would meet there and those without bunkers in their homes would go there. But all modern buildings (homes, apartments, etc) are required to have a bunker for all the residents. Each family is also required to keep a stock of basic foodstuffs incase of emergency. It's basically food storage. Every family is to have one. In the entire country. Swiss men in and out of the military are required to attend civil protection courses for their towns or cities.
All this alone would discorage any sane person. But there's more.
All of the Swiss infrastructure (roads, bridges, power lines, tunnels, the things that keep the mountains from falling onto the road) are rigged. With explosives. There are a lot of bridges, tunnels, etc in Switzerland because of the Alps. The Swiss would rather blow up their own country rather than let someone else rule it. So if you plan to attack the Swiss, expect to not be taking the short, easy ways. Expect to have to travel through the Alps. In the parts where no one lives because no one can.
This is why Switzerland has been able to be neutral since 1815 through both World Wars surrounded by conquered countries. They realized the consequences of stepping a foot into Swiss land. Because if the Swiss had allowed that it would have be considered aiding. And they were neutral.

Castles and Romans

Today, I went to a castle. A legitimate castle originally built in the 12th Century. The oldest document mentioning the castle is in 1150 and the castle had been built for awhile even then. The castle's name?

Château de Chillon

To get to this particular castle we had to pass through, what my cousin calls, Castle Country. Castles were everywhere. Castles and palaces. They dotted the land like the temples do in Utah. It was rather shocking to see. I had thought seeing one actual castle in my life would be a big deal. But I've seen at least 15 castles and palaces there and back (a three hour drive). Along with many old Catholic churches and chapels and an old (very old) Roman watchtower.

One of the Catholic Churches on the way to Château de Chillon

The castle is also located in the French part of Switzerland. Who knew that the French I learned in high school would actually come in handy? Both with neighbors and my trip to Switzerland? But here is where it is located:

View Larger Map

Just so you know, I could literally see the Alps that were located in France.

See? Those are the Alps, across the lake. It's also France.

Château de Chillon was absolutely amazing. Truly just... spectacular. The pictures really don't capture the intensity of it. It's huge. The castle had these signs explaining the the castle. The common theme actually was witches. As in making deals with the Devil, spell books, flying on brooms, tortures, burning at the stake. It was an an interesting theme for the castle.

This is an actual spell book. On the right, in English, it reads, "Book of Magic with many magical spells and signs. This page tells the user how to call upon the Devil to get gold from a sunken ship. This kind of spell book was still very popular in the 19th century."

An old record of a death sentence for a condemned witch.

Where they burned the witches.

The room where witches were hanged, tortured, etc.

Actual armor. The people back then must've been short, and strong, to be able to wear it.

After exploring the castle (and a lot of it wasn't open to the public). We went to this little manmade cove in the lake right near the castle. I could just see the people who lived at the castle going to the little beach often. It was a nice place. You might think that there would naturally be a beach if the castle is located on the water. But in truth, most the the lakes in Switzerland have old stone steps or a sheer drop into the water. Beaches of little stones or sand or dirt are actually rather rare. So such a beach near the castle is significant (to me). It was loads of fun.

On the way back home, we decided to stop at a town called Aventicum, also formally (once) known as the capital of Roman Switzerland. Meaning that the town was surrounded by what was left of a Roman wall, it even has a legitimate amphitheatre. You know, the kind with gladiators and animal combat and staged hunts. Since it was once the capital city, it's a rather large amphitheatre. The town was also kind of creepy because even though there were cars everywhere, there were almost no people anywhere. Really. There were no sounds besides ourselves. It was really weird.
Here's the former Roman Switzerland capital. You can see the amphitheatre:

View Larger Map

 The amphitheatre, which is has only been half uncovered.

This is the uncovered portion.

Another castle. This one located in the former capital of Roman Switzerland.

It was a truly fabulous trip, even in the ride to Château de Chillon was long. As well as the ride back. It was entirely worth it. I'm so lucky to be able to be here!

The Last of General Conference

The last of the 181st Semi-Annual General Conference.

Russell M. Nelson informed us that the greatest compliment one could give us is that of "Covenant Keeper".
Dallin H. Oaks told us to ask ourselves "What think ye of Christ?" (Matthew 22:42). He wishes us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly believers and followers of Christ.
Matthew O. Richardson's mission was the best two years for his life. Real life requires real learning which depends on real teaching. As teachers, we are to teach by the Holy Ghost, not in front of or behind. We are to teach "after the manner of the workings of the spirit" (Moroni 6:9).

1. The Holy Ghost teaches individuals in a very personal way. We must remember that we teach people, not lessons.
2. The Holy Ghost teaches by inviting, prompting, encouraging and inspiring us to act. Ask, as a teacher, how do I help those around me learn for themselves?

Kazuhiko Yamashita is from Japan and in speaking of the missionaries called there, informed us that there are many who had a parent who also served a mission there. I have a missionary friend who's serving in Japan where that is true. Yamashita wanted to inform missionaries throughout the world that their attitude and actions and the love they have for the people truly affects those they come in contact with. And to those preparing for missions, there are three things they must bring with them:

1. A desire to preach the gospel
2. A testimony
3. Love for others

Randall K. Bennet spoke on the gift of choice, agency. We have two choices in life: eternal life or worldliness. Your eternal destiny will not be the result of chance, but of choice. "You can't make eternal decisions without eternal consequences," Thomas S. Monson.

J. Devn Cornish tells us that Heavenly Father loves us so much that the things that are important to use (that are good) are important to Him. Thus, Pray and then go to work. God wishes to grant you much, and some of those things come only when you ask for them. Build your communication with God.

Quentin L. Cook gave us important principles that help us know there is a bright future for each of us, even if bad things have occurred in our lives.

1. There is a Father in Heaven who knows us personally and understands our suffering personally.
2. His son is our Savior and Redeemer whose Atonement not only provides for our salvation and exaltation but compensates for all the unfairness of life.
3. The Plan of Happiness not only includes pre-mortal and mortal life, but an eternal life.

Then President Thomas S. Monson gave his closing remarks and closed this General Conference. He let us know that Heavenly Father is mindful of the challenges we face today. That we should have increased kindness toward each other and nourish our testimonies.

I'm so grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me so much that He gave His son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Redeemer, who suffered the Atonement for us so we could return to Him again. I'm so grateful for living prophets who guide us. For personal revelation that occurs individually. I'm so grateful for the opportunity of General Conference. I can't wait until the November Ensign comes out so I can have a copy.

I ♥ the Prophet

Do you realize how blessed we are? It's truly an awesome thing to have a living prophet. Whenever I think of President Thomas S. Monson and I hear him speak, you are just overcome with love for this great man. The whole of General Conference is filled with great men and women who share their testimonies with the world.

Henry B. Eyring spoke of the sacred charge each member of the church has as soon as we are baptized. We are to:

1. Be Charitable. "That ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). Also, Alma 13:29.
2. Be Witnesses of God. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ can give us guidance and help us gain encouragement.
3. Endure. "Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life" (3 Nephi 15:9).

Robert D. Hales told us we do have tribulations and we may often wonder why we must suffer through them. Many may think, "God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). But, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him" is the advice given (Psalms 37:7). Job of the Old Testament, known for the great misfortunes he faced, said, "For I know that my redeemer liveth" and he was able to stay faithful to the Lord (Job 19:25). As we wait upon the Lord, we become more like God wants us to be:

And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. (Alma 7:23).

Thus, we should say, "thy will be done" (Matthew 26:42).

Tad R. Callister gave his testimony on The Book of Mormon and informed us it had no middle ground. Either every word, every sentence, every page is the word of God or it is of the devil. There is no middle ground. One test to determine if it is of God or of the devil is to read different verses and determine if they bring you closer to God. If they do, then it is of God, for Satan would never guide you towards God.

Personally, I love Elaine S. Dalton's words to the fathers of daughters. It might be one of my favorites (though they are all on my list of favorites). She expressed how father's feel when they become father's to their first daughter. Generally, the most common feeling is that of inadequacy. The question "How can a father raise a daughter?" may be most prevalent in their minds. It reminds me of my own father, who, when I was born thought (and still thinks, lucky me) that I was the most beautiful baby he had ever seen. I was his first child and a daughter, which may have played a role in such a thought. But still... In anycase, the answer to the question, "How can a father raise a daughter?" is to love her mother. Father's teach their daughters through example. They teach qualities of love, devotion, tenderness, etc through how they treat their wives. Fathers are told to be involved in their daughters' lives. Fathers are their daughters heros. (It's true, Daddy!) Their testimonies have a powerful influence. Be virtuous and holy in your life as a Priesthood holder. "Be loyal to the royal within."

M. Russell Ballard had been pondering on the importance of a name. The name of our church, named by the Lord Himself, is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Doctrine and Covenants 115:4). The name in and of itself is a short summary of the church and it's members.
The – shows distinction
Church of Jesus Christ – shows that it is Christ's church
of Latter-day – shows that it is the same church formed by Christ when he was alive, but now restored
Saints – shows that the members follow Him (and all that represents)
Nicknames do not have the same significance, but they are significant. The original church of Christ gained the nickname "Christian" which we use with pride today. In modern times, it's "Mormon". There are acceptable times to use the term Mormon when in reference to the members individually or collectively and not to the institution. When asked about what church I attend, I should use "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" in the explanation.

Then we were blessed to hear the words of the living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. He spoke on how much the world has changed in his 85 years of life. Especially our moral compass. The laws of God remain constant and our code of conduct is not negotiable. Peace and joy comes via the Spirit as we keep the commandments. We should do better in our daily communication with our Father in Heaven. Don't let a day go by without saying a prayer. There is great importance of being worthy of inspiration, trusting it and following it. "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63).

I love the words of a prophet.

Conference: Something I Love

There are annual times of the year that I absolutely love. New Year's, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas. I love my own and my family's birthdays. I love Memorial day. I love the summer!
But twice a year, I am blessed with the opportunity to listen to all the testimonies from modern prophets who share messages the Lord would like us to hear. And that's near the top of my list of my favorite time of year. It's General Conference. and this morning I was able to hear the Saturday afternoon session.

David A. Bednar bore testimony on the Spirit of Elijah which just so happens to be a manifestation of the Spirit. It's a force behind the worldwide interest in family history. The promise of Elijah where Elijah shall return and turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers spoken of in Malachi 4:6 has been fulfilled.

Neil L. Andersen spoke that the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. That we must find our faith in God that He will help us and there is no shame in skimping and saving. We are to not be judgmental in the sacred and personal responsibly to have children. It is a matter between a husband, wife and God.

Ian S. Ardern advised us to become a great manager of Time. Time is a commodity we cannot buy. However, we are each allotted the same Time. It is how we use that time that it becomes a significant. We must have wise priorities. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). Being busy does not mean you are productive. Be sure you are as quick to kneel as to text. Greatest happiness comes as we tune in to the Lord. As the 13th Article of Faith reads:

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

This is how we should prioritize. But the things of God first, and the rest will follow.

Carl B. Cook told of an experience he had after a week of being a General Authority. He was in the elevator, discouraged, with his head hanging when President Thomas S. Monson stepped onto the elevator and shared words of wisdom, "Now, remember it's better to look up" as he pointed to the heavens. If our spirits are down, direct your gaze to the prophet and he will redirect your focus to God. Through our Savior and His Atonement, our burdens can be lifted from our souls.

LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. informed us on the meaning of the words "Savior" and "Redeem". That Jesus Christ truly is our Savior and our Redeemer. That we can acquire redemption. That we should help others find it as well. We should try to rescue the less active and invite them to return. He then shared the verses of a Hymn:


Savior, Redeemer of My Soul
Orson F. Whitney

Savior, Redeemer of my soul,
Whose mighty hand hath made me whole,
Whose wondrous pow'r hath raised me up
And filled with sweet my bitter cup!
What tongue my gratitude can tell,
O gracious God of Israel.

Never can I repay thee, Lord,
But I can love thee. Thy pure word,
Hath it not been my one delight,
My joy by day, my dream by night?
Then let my lips proclaim it still,
And all my life reflect thy will.

O'errule mine acts to serve thine ends.
Change frowning foes to smiling friends.
Chasten my soul till I shall be
In perfect harmony with thee.
Make me more worthy of thy love,
And fit me for the life above.

Then D. Todd Christofferson gave five points about the divine gift of repentance:

1. The invitation to repent is an expression of love.
2. Repentance means striving to change.
3. Repentance means not only abandoning sins but turning to obedience.
4. Repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere even through pain.
5. Whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness.

Finally, L. Tom Perry gave the session's closing remarks. He spoke to members telling us to correct the misinformation about the church throughout the world. We are to do it with the same spirit and conduct ourselves the same way as we do at temple open houses. There are a few ways to do so:

1. Be bold in our declaration of Jesus Christ.
2. Be righteous examples to others. "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).
3. Speak up about the church. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18).

He asked us all to share religious beliefs via the internet. There is a site called Mormon.org which can express who and what Mormons are to those who are interested. Members can upload profile pages. There are a lot of them there already. Thus, that's what I've been working on currently. Thought it would be a good idea. Elder Perry has asked us to make sure we stay holy in conversation.

I can't wait until the next session in about 4 hours! It'll be great, I'm sure. They always are.