Memory Moments

Bonjour, and I hope you all are doing well!

We had a wonderful turn in the weather, and have red roses blooming on a large bush just outside our window; I really love seeing the beautiful things of this world. It was actually so "hot" one day last week that we cooled off by walking around the man-made lake just across the road from us. It is a nice place, big enough for 2 man sailboats and wind surfing.

There is a huge complex attached with swimming pools and ice rinks, and exercise rooms even, but it's expensive, so kinda exclusive I think. But, walking is free! We found two leg exercise machines in the grassy area near the basketball courts, and so we tried them out. One was cycling and the other you sat and pushed your weight back and forth. For the small amount of time we spent on them, we both noticed a big improvement in our mutual problems, tired knees and legs, so we go there when we can.

After visiting Eric last Friday (we took pictures of him and Yann) we drove into Cognac to see if we could find the Chateau Chesnel. We located it, and took a quick picture through the open gate, and then thought that if we asked, we might be able to see more. It is not officially open for tours yet, but a woman came out of the chateau, (which is huge and shaped like [ that, only the wings are longer and the door is in the middle of the long end) and walked down the long walkway through an iron gate, and greeted us. Jack introduced us, and asked if she minded us taking a couple of outside shots, and she smiled and offered to show us all around the grounds.

It was so interesting: a deep, wide, dry moat all around, for protection, the walls are 4 feet thick in the chateau, so it looks roomier from the outside than it really is. She asked questions about our tags, wondering if Jack's first name was Elder, and figuring that mine wasn't Soeur, and it was so nice to talk intelligently to someone really listening to you, instead of thinking of ways to escape a discussion on faith. She asked searching questions and Jack bore strong testimony of the church and what our mission is all about here in France.

Her family grows grapes for fine wine, and she showed us the distillery room, equipment and oak barrels. We pass by the vineyards every time we drive to Bordeaux, and the best grapes grow all through this whole area. As we left, Jack ran back to give her a pamphlet on the family, and she gave us a postcard with a rendering of the chateau on it.

One Monday night when only we and the elders and Jean-Jac (church caretaker) showed up for FHE, we decided to take a field trip to view a special mass to be held in honor of the Virgin Mary at her very own church in Angouleme, the chapel Notre Dame D'Obezine. It is close by our church, just up in the ville, and if we hurried we might get a seat. So, we all squeezed into the Renault, and took off, expecting maybe a crowd. We parked a block away and walked in, 10 minutes early, to find the huge chapel full of mostly empty folding chairs, except for the hundred or so people right up front.

We sat in a row about halfway back in the chapel, with at least one half of the chairs ahead of us empty still. With four of us wearing our plaques, and JJ in the middle (scruffy and toothless), we kinda made an impression on one and all. The Priest made a 'big' point of coming to us and shaking our hands and asking who we were and welcoming us very graciously. I was impressed by his sincere niceness. He wore a simple flowing robe and greeted people left and right. The mass began with a canter type manchant-singing in a loud voice, and we could follow along the words in the program.

A man played the organ along side of the room, and the people stood up, and then sat, and then stood up again for quite awhile. The Priest then spoke, and I was very surprised to hear him say the name of our church. Jack said he announced we were visitors, and although we worship differently, we were very welcome here. People's heads turned to see the strange ones, and then the program continued. I liked when the congregation then turned to the strangers beside them and shook their hands in friendship. Several came to us, especially after the Priest made his way down the aisle to shake OUR hands once again! I was a big recipient, being seated on the aisle, and it was fun. Then, two people began passing the tray for donations, and it was hard not to get into my purse, but Jack gave me a quelling look, and I came to my senses. The program ended at 8, and people made their way out and had to pass us as we just sat and smiled. The Priest (seemed fascinated with us) was at our side once again, and it would have been so interesting to talk to him for real. Sheesh, I could go on and on all day!

That's it for now..we are well, and have two interesting appointments tonight.

Prayers welcome!

Love, Sister Mom