Another Busy Week

We have just come back from doing a service project for a member of the church north of Angouleme. We took the Elders to some chateau sites on the way. No matter where you go in the province in the Charante there are plenty of good chateaus to see and today was no exception. We had a good picnic of sandwiches, potato salad, fruit salad, and some rhubarb treats that Joanne whipped up last night. One thing about living in France is that you only get fresh fruits and vegs in the season which they grow. The local goods are the best and even though things do come from Spain and North Africa, the best tasting comes locally.

We stopped in at the Morrison family to do our service. They are an English family that have moved from England because their area got too crowded. They sold their home and two acres of ground in England and with that they bought a ranch in France. The house and the out buildings are fixer uppers, but all this gives them the opportunity to raise horses. Carol is legally blind, but has sight in one eye that allows her to make halters with a very soft rope and she sells them world wide. Ray is a big burly fellow who almost lifted me off the ground the first time we met. He is a carpenter by trade and they are in the process of building a barn. Once that is done, they will be able to move the workshops and he can start making furniture and working in the local area for others.

Today we helped spread a gravel mixture over a 1000 square foot court yard. They were grateful for the help of one old guy and two young Elders. We got done in 2 hours. Ray said that it would have taken him until 7 PM to do it all by himself and we were done by 3PM. Good for me to get my heart rate up to a respectable level for once. I get tired sitting in the car going to Bordeaux and around the countryside. I think that meeting with good members of Church all over the area pays more great dividends than having a sore behind once in a while and is well worth the small discomfort.

We are meeting with Eric and his mother twice a month and the last time we were there it was Eric who was teaching his mother and bearing testimony. She is asking good questions. We are also teaching a couple in their 40's. They came to church last Sunday and we have a follow up meeting Thursday. Keep them in your prayers. There names are Carol and Dominique Auje. Ohjay in Joanne's phonic french.

It is such a pleasure to go to Sister Adele, a 77-year-old shut-in. She smiles when we come and she even likes it when I sing with Joanne. She is starting to hum the songs and we will have her singing soon. Adele is very humble and is reticent too, but last week she was willing to say the closing prayer. Last time we taught the Plan of Salvation with the use of a visual. When we were through, I asked her where she wanted to go after this life and she put her finger smack in the middle of the top circle and said, "I want to go there, the Celestial Kingdom." It is a great blessing to see the progress she has made over the last four months. From a shy woman who thought her name was off the Church register, to someone who gives good kisses on both cheeks of Joanne and gives me a beaming smile as we leave when I say, Soyez sage or be good. This
is what this work is all about.

We are in good health and although the rain keeps us from doing a little port-a-port, door to door, tracting with the Elders, there is plenty to do. Being the 2nd counselor keeps us hopping since we are the only ones to represent the branch presidency during the week. We love you all and appreciate your support and prayers. The work is moving slowly, but is moving forward and that is what counts.