July 4th, 1964

 Date: 7-4-64

Well, many things have transpired during the last month. I've had some strange experiences during this time. This may be because I've been under a lot of strain inasmuch as I have had to learn a lot during this time ,and I wasn't capable to do it of myself.

One of these experiences occurred before I was to give a fifth lesson. I had worked quite hard to memorize this lesson, but I hadn't had it all learned. Anyway, I went to the meeting with my best investigator (Scarpellini) I was nervous! Surprisingly enough everything went great. I was able to think in Italian quite well. After this meeting Signor Scarpellini arranged a cottage meeting with several friends. Through this we were able to teach about eight others. However, they asked some pretty deep questions. This spurred a study in some supplementary material. I started to read something about the creation that Joseph Sith had said many years ago in the King Follet Discourse. Smith really had some deep wisdom. This then spurred a study in the writing of many of the early apostles and prophets. My comp had a book called "Prophecy" by Crowther. It contained a good collection of theses early writings. My comprehension of the prophecies of the near future have become a little clearer in focus.

Another experience was before a meeting I was feeling sick. I asked my companion to pray for me. We were in the habit of praying every time we leave the house to do the work in addition to praying in the morning and night before getting out of bed and going to bed respectively. 

Another of these strange incidents is the ability that our land lady has. As a joke she said that she could read cards. Jokingly we said, " well can you read them for us" she did. She prophesied about trips money, relationship between family relatives ,girlfriends, employer  (mission president) and difficulty. It was unbelievable to see the way in which the prophecies came true. She said we would be taking a trip which we did two weeks later to the Black Forest. She said the President woudl come to the town shortly. The next day he dropped in unexpectedly for a conference on new teaching methods. Later she predicted of another trip and of letters that would come. Also that I wouldn't' have to worry about my girl Penny as much as she had become occupied with another. 

So in the intervening time we took two other tips on to Rheinfeld which is on the border up the river from Basel. I took a lot of pictures. There was a nice gold wall and tower around the town. The Brawlers in Switzerland "Schlossfeld Beer" We took a nice ship ride up the river to go there. It lasted about two hours and we went through two locks. About eight other elders went and two investigators so it was enjoyable. 

A week later we took another this time o the Black forest, Tritsee area and topped it off by going to Friedberg. This was a district outing. I also got pictures of these places. It was a nice Saturday afternoon. 

As far as work is concerned, it has been going well. We have had a Sunday School for three consecutive Sundays. The English class is also going well. I'm having between 8-10 in it. However, one evening we had a woman there that could talk at the rate of a machine gun. It made the teaching environment difficult until I told her to be quiet.

The other night instead of having the English class we all went to a restaurant where and Italian woman from Milan was speaking on family relations. We went there. The lady presented the subject as if it were from an anthropology text. (almost meaningless) However, after there was a question and answer period which at fist started off quiet well, but after a little got out of hand. It became a grip session. Those controlling it didn't have the pieces necessary. in amidst the confusion some good questions were asked and some good answers given- but not enough. The Italians that attended my class wanted that i should say a few or ask some questions.