Time Flies

It is amazing to me how time flies. We have a good routine and many things that come up to fill in the time that remains. I enjoy visiting members who have a difficult time getting out. It gives them contact with the church and gives them a chance to sing the songs of the saints and have the sacrament and study with us. It is very gratifying to go to the rest home and see Sister Louise hang on to Joanne. She hugs Joanne with all her might and then gives her the biggest kiss on the cheek. She enjoys the visits so much she won't let go of Joanne's hand the whole hour or so we spend with her. I also have learned to appreciate how much the French Saints revere the title of Bishop or Branch President. They have a great deal of respect for the priesthood authority. I feel very uneasy when I am called "President," as I would just like to be brother instead, but I know that the members here have so much faith in their leadership that it humbles me each time they refer to me as their branch president.

I am still without counselors, but I hope that will be taken care of this Sunday when the Stake President comes with the Mission president and his wife. Then it will be easier to function with good brethren with me. Although we are small in numbers, the members have the strongest faith in the Lord Jesus Christ I have ever seen.

We are teaching a number of people and hope that they will continue to progress. Joanne and I have been out tracting and even though we have not met anyone willing to hear the message, we have left everyone with a pleasant felling and have not tried to put anyone on the defensive. We have a couple of neighborhoods we would like to do, so our efforts will continue as we have the time. We are teaching a daughter of some members in the North. Sophora has a 4-year-old son and has been to church once. We will have the 2nd lesson this week. We are also teaching a young woman who is a friend of one of the members.

One thing that is different in France is the drivers and the way they get about. Those who are on foot cause all kinds of problems due to their indecision. I have learned to stop whenever I see one, but that is not always evident as they come out from no where. Bikes are the next interesting situation. Most of the bike riders are dressed as if they are entering the Tour de France. The roads are small enough that one rider on the side of the road can hold up traffic pretty good. The motor bikes range from the ones without much power to loud dirt bikes. The low powered contraptions have to be started by pedaling and then the rider puts the small engine on the front wheel and it starts up and hits a top speed of 35mph. When going up a hill, the driver has to pedal to get it to the top or it would stall. The dirt bikes are allowed on the road here and their noise level can scare you out of your wits as they go by. All bikes don't follow the same rules as the rest of us, as they zoom in and out of traffic to get out in front. The large motor cycles never go the speed limit and will pass you with just the slightest amount of room. Cars come in all sizes, from the two seaters to just about the largest we have at home. All drivers want their side of the road and some of yours. No one here can say that Americans are obsessed with cars as even in the projects here in France there are some of the fanciest cars in the parking lots. Truck are something else. The 18 wheelers back home could never negotiate the sharp corners and tight spaces. The Europeans have built trucks that will handle the toughest driving situations. They have a better turning ratio and the cabs are much smaller to start the tight turns.

It is all an experience I will never forget and if you come to Europe one must be a master of the parallel parking. If not you might as well stay home. Getting use to the fact that the guy on the left has the right away has been a challenge and it is good that my copilot, Joanne is always on the look out.

Well, keep on smiling and remember that a good sense of humor and a good laugh will keep you in good health.

Elder Dad