Fantastic Day

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