Hi and Bonjour on a beautiful brand new day-
I was kinda bummed out when my e-mail got blasted into outer space again last night, but my sweet hubby has set me down at McDonald's so I can try this stuff out again. Thank you for your letters to us, they uplift us so just to know you are there and thinking about us from time to time. It is so interesting how suddenly an empty day can fill right up to the brim for us.
Two weeks ago, we decided to follow-up on a name on our member list who we had been told was probably dead. Louise Guyot was at a Retraite for the Elderly, and no one had seen her for years. We drove 25 miles and asked for her, and to our great surprise, the 98 year old was not only still alive, but all dressed to the nines and ready for visitors. She was a tiny, little woman, with a nice smile and in a halting conversation, told us that she was doing all right because at least she still had her health! We were allowed to see her with no problem, because we were not in Angouleme where we are forbidden entrance to these places.
We were planning a return visit, but then, last Wednesday we received word that she had passed away. In her last wishes, she had requested that her grave be dedicated by a priesthood holder from the LDS church, and that sent a nephew of hers scrambling to find someone who could do it. Our Branch president got a hold of Jack and gave him the assignment. The funeral was Friday morning in Aigre, so we picked up the Elders and made a bee-line there, not knowing really what to expect. We drove up to the Catholic church, but there were only 2 cars parked, and no people. So we asked the first warm body we saw on the street to point us to the cemetery, and it was half a mile past the church. The cemeteries here are walled, have no grass, are filled with tombs, statues, photos, glassware flowers and plastic floral displays as well as real ones. As we drove up there were people standing around outside the gate; and we got out, looking as strange as if we were aliens, and shook hands amidst many a curious stare. The mortician and his helpers arrived in a van, and carried the casket in, and placed it over the open grave site. The mortician seemed ready to defer to Jack (maybe because they wore matching dark suits), but we stood back and let the family go in first.
The 12 or so mourners then stood waiting for us to arrive, and the quiet there was amazing, as the sun shone on us brightly. Their eyes were on Jack, and he stepped forward and began to talk. He told them that we are all children of our Heavenly Father and that He loves us. He told of how Louise Guyot had passed her test on this earth, doing the things she needed to do, and that although her body was being laid to rest today, her spirit had returned to that God that gave her life. He then told why the grave was being dedicated, and then said that prayer. Afterward, we all filed by and threw red rose petals into the site, and it was over. The neat thing was that one woman was touched by what was said so much, that she sought us out and invited us to have dinner with her at her home. It was a neat experience, with great food, and the chance to meet and talk with interested people. She had been given Louise's genealogy, and so she had many questions about it, and we have been invited to return.
Afterward the Elders took us with them to visit a Muslim family they do service for. What a great family they are. Religion is not spoken of, only in general terms, such as morality, etc. Then the Elders asked us to do some proselyting with them, and so we did some door to door for awhile, until it was time for our weekly scheduled Missionary meeting at the chapel at 6:30. So ended that very fantastic day. I love the work and I love being a Missionary . . . it isn't easy, it is just good.
Love you much, Sister Mom
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Life in France
Hello to all back in the states. We have had a good week. Our major great moment was yesterday when we went to see a member south of Angouleme. She lives 76 ks from the branch and works most Sundays. We made an appointment with her and when I said that we would bring her the sacrament, her voice got excited and was anxious for us to come. Her name is Chantal Patricola and she lives in a very small hamlet way off the beaten path. She is 54 years old and has had some very rough times. We sat down in her dining room and she ran out to get her scriptures. When she came back, she asked me to give a scripture that I enjoy. I read in 1st Samuel about when young Samuel was called by the Lord and then related that to our own life and how we should be ready to receive the Lord's call, "Here am I Lord."
She then read Psalms 31 and said that it would give me a very good idea about her life and her state of mind. The passage is very specific about the burdens we are called to bear. We had a prayer that she asked Joanne to give and she did it in French and then I prepared the sacrament for her. She did not want me to kneel without a clean cloth on the floor, but I gently told her that it was not necessary to be about the Lord's business. I told her that I would give her time after the bread and water to reflect about the Savior. The Spirit of the Holy Ghost was very strong and the tears came to my eyes and I don't think the prayers of the sacrament never meant so much to me or the meaning of the sacrament never came so strong to me as on this occasion.
We spent about another hour getting to know her and then we told her that we brought our work clothes to help her. She asked if we could come back to help with her roof that leaks. We said that if she would name the day we would come and we would bring two strong Elders with us. We told her that we would come once a month to give her the sacrament. Her countenance was so bright that we were well blessed for the trip. We gave her our number and told her that if she needed help to call no matter the time of day or what ever the day would be. What a great boost to the spirit.
We spent the rest of the day winding our way back to Angouleme seeing the sights in the city of Perigueux and all along the way home.
Your Mom's lemon bars have won the hearts of all who bite into them. We are winning friends and influencing members with them.
The French cheese is to die for. I am sorry but you at home who eat mild, medium, and sharp cheddar and a little swiss have no idea what cheese is all about. There are cheeses here from every country, region of France. There are goat, sheep, cow, and every mixture you can count on. They are soft, creamy, and hard. White, yellow, and every shade in-between. Sharp, to mild and there are at least 4 of them served with every meal. The bread we have adds to the flavor of the cheese and we are in cheese heaven.
Well until next week and a new saga on life in France.
Love Dad, Grandpa, and Frere.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
What a Week!
Hi Everyone,
The computer decided to eat my message last week, so I'm hoping for better luck this time. We were worried because our legal status would end the last of February, and our carte de jour (green card equivalent) was in the works, but takes awhile to receive. The Elders haven't got theirs yet either, and they've been here three months longer than we have. But, there is an extension you can apply for, the Recepisse, and we got ours surprisingly fast; so we are here legally until May 6, and we can apply for more as needed. That was a big load off our minds.
We had Branch conference two Sundays ago, and not only did we raise our hands to sustain our new Prophet and his counselors, but our members were surprised to be able to sustain Jack as the 2nd counselor to Branch President Ashpole. He just received a list of what he is in charge of: the music, getting talks for Sac. meeting, home teaching, Sunday school, help with finance, family home evening, and to have a talk in his pocket in case of mix-ups (like just this last week when he became the speaker when someone else couldn't). Oh, and do missionary work on the side. I think he can handle it, don't you? :)
I love our little apartment, with its french lace curtains and fancy different colored wallpaper, and cute light switches that buzz or ping when they are pushed. I love the window shutters that you close up at night, (we even have a shutter on our heavy duty glass door), and the whole outside world goes away. I love our tiny shower that Jack barely :) fits into, and leans out the door to lather himself . . . we need a picture of that, don't we? I love the water heater over the kitchen sink that fires up on demand and works hard to give out the hot water we need. I love the 15 inch wide, top loading washing machine, that opens up to . . . a metal ball! with a plastic button on top that seems to say, PUSH ME. When you push, flip-flap go the two doors that open up to reveal the place for the clothes. The washer tosses the clothes clean, methodically, and takes, I'm not kidding you, two and 1/2 hours to do it! But, clothes, especially our garments, come out rung out so well that we don't hardly miss the dryer that we don't have. We have a little plastic contraption with wires on three levels to hang our clothes on . . . no big deal.
Our missionary work so far has consisted of finding the lost and working with the inactives. It has really been interesting, so many stories out there. We just thrill at the successes that come our way: the frail Eric, who, with his mother, eats the gospel message whole whenever we come; Adele, who thought the church had crossed her off their records; Sister Chagot, in bad health and needing a blessing, Marie-Threse, with her word of wisdom problem who is trying to begin again; the Bennett's, who were active for years and now don't know if they're coming or going; and the Renaudet's, Patricia & Jean-Luc, who love the missionaries, (or Americans?) and want us there every Sunday night. We have a lot of juggling to do at times, but I love it because they are trying and we are there trying to help them find their way home.
Well, time to sign off until next time....stay in touch, I love you all very much.
Sister Joanne, Mom, Metcalfe
The computer decided to eat my message last week, so I'm hoping for better luck this time. We were worried because our legal status would end the last of February, and our carte de jour (green card equivalent) was in the works, but takes awhile to receive. The Elders haven't got theirs yet either, and they've been here three months longer than we have. But, there is an extension you can apply for, the Recepisse, and we got ours surprisingly fast; so we are here legally until May 6, and we can apply for more as needed. That was a big load off our minds.
We had Branch conference two Sundays ago, and not only did we raise our hands to sustain our new Prophet and his counselors, but our members were surprised to be able to sustain Jack as the 2nd counselor to Branch President Ashpole. He just received a list of what he is in charge of: the music, getting talks for Sac. meeting, home teaching, Sunday school, help with finance, family home evening, and to have a talk in his pocket in case of mix-ups (like just this last week when he became the speaker when someone else couldn't). Oh, and do missionary work on the side. I think he can handle it, don't you? :)
I love our little apartment, with its french lace curtains and fancy different colored wallpaper, and cute light switches that buzz or ping when they are pushed. I love the window shutters that you close up at night, (we even have a shutter on our heavy duty glass door), and the whole outside world goes away. I love our tiny shower that Jack barely :) fits into, and leans out the door to lather himself . . . we need a picture of that, don't we? I love the water heater over the kitchen sink that fires up on demand and works hard to give out the hot water we need. I love the 15 inch wide, top loading washing machine, that opens up to . . . a metal ball! with a plastic button on top that seems to say, PUSH ME. When you push, flip-flap go the two doors that open up to reveal the place for the clothes. The washer tosses the clothes clean, methodically, and takes, I'm not kidding you, two and 1/2 hours to do it! But, clothes, especially our garments, come out rung out so well that we don't hardly miss the dryer that we don't have. We have a little plastic contraption with wires on three levels to hang our clothes on . . . no big deal.
Our missionary work so far has consisted of finding the lost and working with the inactives. It has really been interesting, so many stories out there. We just thrill at the successes that come our way: the frail Eric, who, with his mother, eats the gospel message whole whenever we come; Adele, who thought the church had crossed her off their records; Sister Chagot, in bad health and needing a blessing, Marie-Threse, with her word of wisdom problem who is trying to begin again; the Bennett's, who were active for years and now don't know if they're coming or going; and the Renaudet's, Patricia & Jean-Luc, who love the missionaries, (or Americans?) and want us there every Sunday night. We have a lot of juggling to do at times, but I love it because they are trying and we are there trying to help them find their way home.
Well, time to sign off until next time....stay in touch, I love you all very much.
Sister Joanne, Mom, Metcalfe
Maison de Retrait
Hello from Angouleme;
You must be wondering what the subject for this week is, but it is about rest homes. We have 8 members in rest homes and since it is our responsibility to visit each member, we head for the rest homes. Outside Angouleme, we have been very successful in visiting our members and spending some time with them, but in Angouleme, we have run into a major situation. We went to a member in a rest home just on the outskirts of Angouleme. The first time we met with a little sister that was so glad to see us that she hung onto Joanne's hands the whole time. We promised to come back the next week and did. She was not in her room the first time we came by, but when we came back later we found another sister in the same rest home. She said she didn't want to see us, so we left her within 20 seconds and went to look for Sister Louise. We found her upstairs in a public area. She was so happy to see us. We sat down with her in the public area and just started to talk to her and show her a picture of our family when the head nurse came up and asked us some questions. We told her that we were here to see our members and bring them some happiness with our visits if they wished to see us. She was rude and said that they controlled who visits and who doesn't and that if they let us in, every other sect would be here. I told her that the government of France had classified us as a bona fide church, but she almost ushered us out with force.
We came back and met with the director and he said that since we were a sect we had no rights. We told him we know that the Catholic priest comes for Mass in the rest home and that he is provided with a major room. If he comes, we, as bona fide ministers of Jesus, should have the same right. No, was the answer.
We let the mission president know and the next thing we knew we were in a conversation with the Church European office in Frankfort, Germany. The church lawyer took our statement over the phone and through email. She said that she would pursue the matter.
We then went to another rest home and when we asked to see the member we were ushered right to her. We spent some time with her and her fellow patients. I told them about Wyoming and what it is like there. Two men asked me questions and I spent some time with them. On the way out, I asked if there was some service we could do. The nurses and other staff said yes, yes. We went to the main desk and we were given a name of an organization that helps in the rest home. We called the number and were told to come to the hospital on a certain day and hour. We did so and as soon as they saw our name tags they went nuts. No religious symbols allowed. We said fine, we will not be a part of your organization, but we asked the director if there was something we could do.
Another day and another appointment with two directors. Can we help? No. Can we see our members? No. We were forbidden to see anyone in any of the rest homes run by this medical group. Louise Meslier came up and our visits with her. I said, why do the Catholic priests get to come and give Mass and we can't come and offer the sacrament to our members? No answer, but forbidden. Are there places were our members can go? Chapels on and off the grounds run by the Catholic Church. If another church can have a chapel on the grounds why can't we go? Forbidden. We have the oldest and largest women's organization in the world, can the president of the Angouleme Branch come and see the members of the organization? Forbidden.
Next morning a call came from the lawyer. I told her of the last meetings. She told us to go back and get the names and phone numbers of each of the three directors and email her the situations as they took place.
Went back and got a shocked look from everyone everywhere we went. With reluctance we got the info and told them our lawyers would be in touch with them.
The lawyer stated that they thought we would go away, but we are like bulldogs with their pant legs in our teeth. The lawyer says they are breaking the French law and we are in a fight for member's rights.
There rest of the work has its ups and downs, but we are making baby step progress.
Elder Dad
You must be wondering what the subject for this week is, but it is about rest homes. We have 8 members in rest homes and since it is our responsibility to visit each member, we head for the rest homes. Outside Angouleme, we have been very successful in visiting our members and spending some time with them, but in Angouleme, we have run into a major situation. We went to a member in a rest home just on the outskirts of Angouleme. The first time we met with a little sister that was so glad to see us that she hung onto Joanne's hands the whole time. We promised to come back the next week and did. She was not in her room the first time we came by, but when we came back later we found another sister in the same rest home. She said she didn't want to see us, so we left her within 20 seconds and went to look for Sister Louise. We found her upstairs in a public area. She was so happy to see us. We sat down with her in the public area and just started to talk to her and show her a picture of our family when the head nurse came up and asked us some questions. We told her that we were here to see our members and bring them some happiness with our visits if they wished to see us. She was rude and said that they controlled who visits and who doesn't and that if they let us in, every other sect would be here. I told her that the government of France had classified us as a bona fide church, but she almost ushered us out with force.
We came back and met with the director and he said that since we were a sect we had no rights. We told him we know that the Catholic priest comes for Mass in the rest home and that he is provided with a major room. If he comes, we, as bona fide ministers of Jesus, should have the same right. No, was the answer.
We let the mission president know and the next thing we knew we were in a conversation with the Church European office in Frankfort, Germany. The church lawyer took our statement over the phone and through email. She said that she would pursue the matter.
We then went to another rest home and when we asked to see the member we were ushered right to her. We spent some time with her and her fellow patients. I told them about Wyoming and what it is like there. Two men asked me questions and I spent some time with them. On the way out, I asked if there was some service we could do. The nurses and other staff said yes, yes. We went to the main desk and we were given a name of an organization that helps in the rest home. We called the number and were told to come to the hospital on a certain day and hour. We did so and as soon as they saw our name tags they went nuts. No religious symbols allowed. We said fine, we will not be a part of your organization, but we asked the director if there was something we could do.
Another day and another appointment with two directors. Can we help? No. Can we see our members? No. We were forbidden to see anyone in any of the rest homes run by this medical group. Louise Meslier came up and our visits with her. I said, why do the Catholic priests get to come and give Mass and we can't come and offer the sacrament to our members? No answer, but forbidden. Are there places were our members can go? Chapels on and off the grounds run by the Catholic Church. If another church can have a chapel on the grounds why can't we go? Forbidden. We have the oldest and largest women's organization in the world, can the president of the Angouleme Branch come and see the members of the organization? Forbidden.
Next morning a call came from the lawyer. I told her of the last meetings. She told us to go back and get the names and phone numbers of each of the three directors and email her the situations as they took place.
Went back and got a shocked look from everyone everywhere we went. With reluctance we got the info and told them our lawyers would be in touch with them.
The lawyer stated that they thought we would go away, but we are like bulldogs with their pant legs in our teeth. The lawyer says they are breaking the French law and we are in a fight for member's rights.
There rest of the work has its ups and downs, but we are making baby step progress.
Elder Dad
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy
We have been so busy that we are sorry we missed a week. We have had some good experiences and we feel that in the long run the Lord's work will go forth in Angouleme. The first thing to say is that many of the lost sheep respond to couple missionaries. I think that for one thing it is harder to say no to an older couple. Once we get in we can show them that there are older couples willing to spend time with them.
The other thing is we can do things the young missionaries can't. We were able to invite a couple over for supper last week and the young Elders said that it was great for them to see how older members are actually normal. We have a return engagement with this couple tomorrow.
The other thing is that with our life experiences we can think of ways to approach situations that the Elders haven't come up with. The other day, Joanne saw that it was the birthday of an inactive member who refused to see us the first time. We took him a piece of Joanne's baking and when we rang his door bell I said that we had come to wish him a happy birthday and that we had a gift for him. In we went and after talking with him we set up a rendezvous for this Friday. We are going with an Italian spaghetti dinner.
That is one of the last things is that with Joanne's cooking we get to loosen the atmosphere and let the the inactive get to know us before we teach them. Joanne's cooking is becoming a topic of conversation around the branch. We have a meal at the chapel once a month and with an extra good cook in the branch it helps to get people out for the meetings.
We are teaching about 9 people who are inactive and one mother of a member. We are finding members that are in sad situation, especially poor health, that we can help. Eric Fourcier is one of those souls. Due to a critical illness that the doctors have not been able to diagnose, he has lost his drivers license and is somewhat home bound because he lives 29 miles out with no bus or train to get him to church. We now go to his house and give him the sacrament once a month and have a Sunday School lesson with him and his mother who is a non-member. He has a brother who is not a member and he doesn't join in yet.
We have been out as far as 60 miles from the branch to see members scattered all over the place. We will make once a month visits to those who want us to come back. About half the members on our list have moved, so we are starting a greater search effort to find them. We are going through the regional phone book, discussing the names with members, going to anyone who might have info. Little by little we will find each person we are able.
We teach the English class and hold family home evening with the single members and anyone else that will come at the chapel. We don't get much chance to seek out new contacts, but we do what we can when we can. Last week, we had a district meeting here in Angouleme and during the afternoon we had four teams of missionaries hit the city. Joanne and I went out with Sister Bouchard, 81 year young Relief Society president, and found two people to talk to and give a Book of Mormon to. We have been back to one man and when he told us he hadn't started to read, we gave him a short list of scriptures to go to.
I am getting to know the town and that makes my driving experience a much more enjoyable task. Driving is a frightful job. The French go faster than the speed limit on narrow streets. Buses and trucks take more than their share of the road. Pedestrian and motor cycles come out of nowhere and your Mom's eyes are well needed as she points to situations that I don't see.
We love the work and are learning much, especially to count on the Holy Ghost for direction. Bishop, tell those old fogeys to get out here where they are needed. They are not asked to do the work of the young Elders or Sisters and their pace with the Lord is all that is asked. The spiritual benefits are enormous and the love between husband and wife will grow as long as we are obedient.
Jack, Dad, Grandpa, Papa, in-law, and brother
The other thing is we can do things the young missionaries can't. We were able to invite a couple over for supper last week and the young Elders said that it was great for them to see how older members are actually normal. We have a return engagement with this couple tomorrow.
The other thing is that with our life experiences we can think of ways to approach situations that the Elders haven't come up with. The other day, Joanne saw that it was the birthday of an inactive member who refused to see us the first time. We took him a piece of Joanne's baking and when we rang his door bell I said that we had come to wish him a happy birthday and that we had a gift for him. In we went and after talking with him we set up a rendezvous for this Friday. We are going with an Italian spaghetti dinner.
That is one of the last things is that with Joanne's cooking we get to loosen the atmosphere and let the the inactive get to know us before we teach them. Joanne's cooking is becoming a topic of conversation around the branch. We have a meal at the chapel once a month and with an extra good cook in the branch it helps to get people out for the meetings.
We are teaching about 9 people who are inactive and one mother of a member. We are finding members that are in sad situation, especially poor health, that we can help. Eric Fourcier is one of those souls. Due to a critical illness that the doctors have not been able to diagnose, he has lost his drivers license and is somewhat home bound because he lives 29 miles out with no bus or train to get him to church. We now go to his house and give him the sacrament once a month and have a Sunday School lesson with him and his mother who is a non-member. He has a brother who is not a member and he doesn't join in yet.
We have been out as far as 60 miles from the branch to see members scattered all over the place. We will make once a month visits to those who want us to come back. About half the members on our list have moved, so we are starting a greater search effort to find them. We are going through the regional phone book, discussing the names with members, going to anyone who might have info. Little by little we will find each person we are able.
We teach the English class and hold family home evening with the single members and anyone else that will come at the chapel. We don't get much chance to seek out new contacts, but we do what we can when we can. Last week, we had a district meeting here in Angouleme and during the afternoon we had four teams of missionaries hit the city. Joanne and I went out with Sister Bouchard, 81 year young Relief Society president, and found two people to talk to and give a Book of Mormon to. We have been back to one man and when he told us he hadn't started to read, we gave him a short list of scriptures to go to.
I am getting to know the town and that makes my driving experience a much more enjoyable task. Driving is a frightful job. The French go faster than the speed limit on narrow streets. Buses and trucks take more than their share of the road. Pedestrian and motor cycles come out of nowhere and your Mom's eyes are well needed as she points to situations that I don't see.
We love the work and are learning much, especially to count on the Holy Ghost for direction. Bishop, tell those old fogeys to get out here where they are needed. They are not asked to do the work of the young Elders or Sisters and their pace with the Lord is all that is asked. The spiritual benefits are enormous and the love between husband and wife will grow as long as we are obedient.
Jack, Dad, Grandpa, Papa, in-law, and brother
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