happy sabbath!
i was able to ride with karen to church today. she is the woman that also took me to relief society this past wednesday! i feel very grateful for her willingness to take me to church as well as her kindness in translating for me! (: the branch that i attended is located in chur, approximately a half hour away from haag. since they are so small they actually meet in a rented out office building and all of the members come from various places in switzerland (some traveling great distances). it was very different to walk into an office for church but it was also very special. i instantly felt gratitude in my heart for the many sacrifices these members make, especially the time they take each sunday to come to church. immediately i felt guilty for the times that i haven't made an effort to be on time to church/attend church even when it is less than one mile away. it's amazing what going to church abroad can do for one's testimony, indeed it has helped strengthen mine today. (;
the branch is a german-speaking branch but luckily sebastijan (pictured above) came today and translated for me! (as well as karen during rs!) he has been a tremendous blessing and a great example to me. sebastijan rode the train for 2hrs this morning just so he could come with me to church, how sweet is that?! seeing him has been the biggest highlight so far!!!
i have felt strongly today that the lord is aware of our circumstances and wants to help. often times that help comes through others and i have deeply felt that this past week or so. although the language barrier has been my biggest challenge, i still felt the power of the spirit while attending church today. being abroad in a foreign country can get very lonely, but today i felt strengthened as i gathered with members of this church who share my same beliefs. it is a humbling experience and one that i hope has changed me for the better.
"lead, kindly light, amid th'encircling gloom; lead though me on! the night is dark, and i am far from home; lead thou me on! keep thou my feet; i do not ask to see
the distant scene--one step enough for me."
hymn book pg.97
i was able to ride with karen to church today. she is the woman that also took me to relief society this past wednesday! i feel very grateful for her willingness to take me to church as well as her kindness in translating for me! (: the branch that i attended is located in chur, approximately a half hour away from haag. since they are so small they actually meet in a rented out office building and all of the members come from various places in switzerland (some traveling great distances). it was very different to walk into an office for church but it was also very special. i instantly felt gratitude in my heart for the many sacrifices these members make, especially the time they take each sunday to come to church. immediately i felt guilty for the times that i haven't made an effort to be on time to church/attend church even when it is less than one mile away. it's amazing what going to church abroad can do for one's testimony, indeed it has helped strengthen mine today. (;
the branch is a german-speaking branch but luckily sebastijan (pictured above) came today and translated for me! (as well as karen during rs!) he has been a tremendous blessing and a great example to me. sebastijan rode the train for 2hrs this morning just so he could come with me to church, how sweet is that?! seeing him has been the biggest highlight so far!!!
i have felt strongly today that the lord is aware of our circumstances and wants to help. often times that help comes through others and i have deeply felt that this past week or so. although the language barrier has been my biggest challenge, i still felt the power of the spirit while attending church today. being abroad in a foreign country can get very lonely, but today i felt strengthened as i gathered with members of this church who share my same beliefs. it is a humbling experience and one that i hope has changed me for the better.
"lead, kindly light, amid th'encircling gloom; lead though me on! the night is dark, and i am far from home; lead thou me on! keep thou my feet; i do not ask to see
the distant scene--one step enough for me."
hymn book pg.97