Hello

Hello to all of you this new day.

Seems to me like I've been the silent partner lately, and it's true, mainly because of the timing involved in our coming and goings. We worked very hard to prepare for our 'Porte Ouverte', as a part of the national 'open house' day last Saturday. Jack took a picture of the chapel, showing the spire, with the gate open symbolically, for the fliers he and a member created. They ran off 1400 invitations: a few were taken by members to give out, the Elders took some to pass out while contacting, but most were taken by Jack and Jean-Jacque (JJ), and dropped into mailboxes in neighborhoods all around town. Jack and JJ (who is a little nuts anyway), walked their legs off for three days in a row, while I was in the church working on creating posters for the rooms. Each room was to be manned by a member who would explain an aspect of the gospel, such as: the family, temples, genealogy, the plan of salvation, and the restoration. Last week we helped a single dad by watching his 12-year-old daughter for a day, and she helped me by drawing her version of the 'plan de salut' on 3 large pieces of paper. I thought it was so good that we set up a special display just for her with her photo along with it. Anyway, things looked great, and we were all ready for a crowd with refreshments set out (I baked another sweet treat at 10 o'clock the night before just to be sure we had enough!), and our members all in place. We waited, and waited, and waited some more, and not one person came to visit us, to say hi, to say boo, nothing--nobody. At 2 p.m. the overhead clouds let loose a torrent of rain, and the very intense Richard Humblot was sure it was the wrath of God on the city of Angouleme; but President Metcalfe (that's Prey-zee-daun in French) set him straight, "No, Richard, it's just rain, like always." We were all disappointed, but not down and out. Everyone sat together in the chapel to discuss what we could have done better, and how to be more effective next year, and we stuffed ourselves with lemon bars, and left with smiles all around.

We went to see an inactive member who is confined to her bed mainly because of obesity. I frankly was not looking forward to this because of things I'd heard and because of preconceived ideas, but after meeting her, that all changed. Bernadette Petite (an unfortunate name!) has a life that consists of sitting propped up in a double-sized hospital bed, with no way to get out without help. In spite of the hand she's been dealt in life, she has an outgoing personality, a great smile, and seems to be a people magnet (what with folks popping in to see her left and right while we were there). She used to come to church about 10 years ago, but someone was so mean to her that she went inactive. We mentioned the names of some of the faithful, longtime members we know, and she remembered them fondly. She testified of her strong belief in and love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and feels that she is worthy to receive the sacrament. Gladys, her older sister (not a member), lives with Bernadette and her husband and helps him care for her (I think hubby gets money from the state for her home care and keeping). Gladys is overweight and wracked with arthritis pain and has diabetes like her sister, but is at her beck and call without a murmur. Their relationship to one another is special, and Gladys seems to always be by her side. I really like them both, and their interaction with one another as they talk about life, and interject thoughts, and finish each others sentences. While we were there, Gladys suddenly got up to get their blood sampling kit. She pricked her sister's finger and read the results and got a needle ready, and bared a large portion of Bernadette's stomach. Jack hid his head, which made them both laugh because it doesn't hurt at all, they claimed, as Gladys plunged it in deep! Apparently the nerves there were cut in some long ago surgery; but he was only trying to preserve her modesty and dignity, which they seem to think is unnecessary at this late date! So, the Petite's, as we call them, are now on our rounds, and I look forward to our visits with them.

Well, my last attempt at an e-mail flew into outer space because (Jack sez) I take too long writing them, so I'm trying to hurry, but it's hard for me! Just don't forget that we love you all and think of you often. Thanks for caring.

Love, Sister Mom - Joanne - G'ma