P-Day

Bonjour! Help! Would you believe that we are being held hostage at McDonald's by the biggest, worse rainstorm that I've experienced since being here? It's been thunder, lightening, wind, hail, and hard driving rain for the last 2 hours, and hasn't let up yet. We're thinking of our cute baby tomatoes on the plants we were given to raise, and the sweet rows of beans Jack planted in the ground that are all of 3 inches high. He checks them out every time we come and each time we go! Maybe this is an isolated event, (ha, I was always good at wishful thinking!). I hope you are all doing well in your daily lives, I miss you.

No time at all last week for emailing, we were occupied with a member up to her neck with troubles. But, I thought I'd tell you about some of the interesting things we have done lately on our P-days. On our way to Oradour (more on that later), we followed the map and almost missed finding a site of uncovered second century Roman ruins. We bought tickets for the guided (hand held device with English narration) tour, and had the whole place to ourselves. It was called "Thermes Gallo-Romains," or in other words, a Roman bathhouse. It's spread out over quite a distance, with more to be uncovered as the money comes in for further excavation. A Roman bathhouse was a gathering place for socializing and relaxing, exercising and bathing, and swimming in heated waters as well as a cold tub. Slaves worked to keep it running smoothly, and the planning and design was ingenious. Much of the original walls and tile are still standing, and in good shape too.

This very day, June 10th, is the 65th anniversary of the town of Oradour sur Glane being wiped off the map completely by the Germans in 1944. We arrived there in a rainstorm, and sat it out to a light drizzle, then went to the memorial building that leads to the remains of the town itself. When the word got out what had happened there, they just buried the dead, and left the remains of the town just the way they found it. It is all very somber and sad, a vivid reminder of how terrible war can be. This had been a busy little town with many shops and homes and even a trolley down the main street. The Germans came seeking revenge against resistance fighters, and rounded up the population: men, women, children, babies, and by the end of that day the people were all dead, and the whole town set ablaze. Nothing was left but rubble and ruin and death; over 600 people murdered. It rained on us the whole time as we walked those streets, and it just seemed appropriate all in all.

We had Stake conference in Bordeaux last Sat. and Sunday, so we decided to leave real early and go see the ocean there. The sun came up in the reddest ball of fire and it was neat to be able to see it. The Elders had told us of some big sand dunes, so we decided to look for them. Well, they were hard to miss, as they stretch out along the coast for about 5 k. and it's a mystery as to why they are there. At the park we stopped at they were about the height of a 6-story building and had a plastic staircase going up the side. Hmmmmm. The bottom stairs were covered with sand, so Jack just plowed through and made it to the clean steps. I took off my sandals and grabbed the rope rail and hauled myself up through the difficult section. It was 8:30, and cool and cloudy, and the sand felt wonderful between my toes. Halfway up, the stairway had come apart for some reason, so that it took careful navigating. Finally, I made it to the top and could see the blue Atlantic ocean stretching out to America. We were all alone on top of the world it seemed. A sign directed people to descend down the dune itself, BUT, we were in the strange dune-climbing attire of suit, white shirt and tie, shiny black shoes, and skirt on me! (Good thing we were early, we probably would have drawn a crowd wanting pictures of the strange birds!) We made our way back down the way we came up, and all was well.

We are busy in all aspects of life and a mission is full of opportunities to grow spiritually as well as opening up horizons never before expected. We have been out 6 months now; I can hardly believe it. Well, let us know what the heck you are doing; I want to know all!

Love, Sister Mom (Joanne) Grandma :)