Hello from Angouleme,
We are busier than ever with all the goings on at the branch. We will have our 1st coun. soon as our branch member was waiting on the Stake Presidency and visa versa. Now I have put the two parties together it should happen during our next visit.
Our Sister Bouchard received her mission call to the Genealogy Mission in Salt Lake and she is as giddy as any young person could ever be. I had the privilege to sign her acceptance letter as is required. To send the first missionary from this branch in decades is a thrill. She will be leaving on Jan. 5, 2009 and we will be moving into her house and paying her rent instead of enriching someone else. She has a big house and we will have plenty of room although we have nothing to complain about where we are now. We will probably rattle around in the new place. She is happy to have someone she can trust to take care of her place.
We are headed to Bordeaux this weekend for Stake Conference and Sunday I will drive a 9 passenger mini bus for the members. The Sat conference will be held in the stake center and on Sunday we will be in a large conference hall. It will be good to take a different route to Bordeaux tomorrow to see some new things since we don't have to be there until the early afternoon.
We have noticed that in France there is a Scarlet Letter. It is displayed on many cars here in our area and I was afraid that the old custom that was around in the colonial days was coming to France. I asked one of the members what it means to go around driving with a large red "A" pasted on the back of a car. He said that it was placed there to warn all the other drivers that these people were potentially dangerous. It signifies that they are amateurs and they have just passed their drivers test. The red "A" will stay on the back of their car for two years instead of the previous one year. We were also told that the police take strict notice of the speed and driving habits of the cars with the red". It is not bad enough for everyone to be on the lookout for you but to have the local police and the national gendarmes looking for you makes it twice as nervous for the new driver.
If the amateur driver gets a ticket during those two years they must pay the $1,500 to take the driver school all over again and go through the process once more. I think that all the young people in our country should thank their lucky stars they don't have that cost and that type of scrutiny.
Joanne is getting things ready for a family here as well as the missionaries to join with us for a thanks giving feast. The family is providing their home and the regular cheese, bread, drinks and veggies but we are bringing turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, apple pie and rice crispy squares. I'm not much help except for peeling what's needed.
Our investigator, Sandra is coming along. There is so much to do to help them put their family life in order, but the family is so willing that it will all take time. They are filling out all the necessary papers to find housing, work, and to get themselves onto the rolls of the French government. They are very anxious to get away from Joao's drinking brother. The brother, parents and our little family all live in the same house. After they get into their own place we will get them married and then finish the teaching of the basics and Sandra will be baptized. It is so great to see her want to follow the principles of Jesus even with all the problems she is facing. All their problems makes our look so small.
We love you and you are always in our prayers. Keep growing in love and especially in the light of Christ.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Hello from France
Hello to all,
Every time Windows decides to change the format of something, it causes havoc with my brain because I am thrown out of the usual and into an area where there is not enough familiarity to wrap my brain around things. I have just spent the better part of two hours figuring this whole thing out so I could send a message. Up to that point, we didn't have time to spend and so no messages went out to everyone.
We have been very busy meeting with the Saints and taking care of the needs of those who are far from the chapel and have no means of keeping in regular contact. It is great to serve those who need the help because of age or sickness. It gives real meaning to the Savior's words,"When you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."
I am very pleased to have a counselor now because he is very competent and has a desire to do the work and he is French. It is tough to know all the words and the slight differences in meanings, but to have someone by your side who does makes all the difference in the world. Patrick Humblot is the exact meaning of inspiration.
We are getting ready for our genealogy activity at the branch today and it will be great to introduce the members to the wealth of help that comes with the new program of the church in genealogy. I have worked with New Family Search, and the added new information that is already in the data base is amazing. As you merge duplicates, it adds the new information of others to your line and expands your genealogy family tree most of the time. Since this situation has happened, I have been in contact with others who now see the connections to us and our family.
The members here are excited to have the library back on line. After six months of working, it is exciting for me also. We are now opening up the genealogy library on Thursday afternoon and evening. Joanne and I will take the afternoon session and Patrick will handle the evening session. He has the genealogy bug the way I do. We will use this Internet connection and advertise the genealogy sessions to the people in the city to see what contacts we can make. The Elders have made contact with a single woman from Ethiopia and she is planning to be baptized within a week or two. It is hard to get the final interview process done since we are the furthest city from anywhere. Almost makes you feel you are in Cokeville. Our stake president is 5 hours away and so is the mission home. We are felling like we are out in the frontier.
Joanne and I are still meeting with the Corga family and they are fighting so many problems. No job, having to go back to Portugal to have money sent here, dealing with situations that are foreign to them and not having their own home, makes life pretty tough. We can empathize with them 100%. They are working hard on their stop smoking program, but with others smoking where they live makes it extra hard on them. They are a neat young family that wants the best for their children and they want to be part of the Gospel plan as they see it an advantage to their lives and the lives of their two children.
We are getting ready for stake conference at the end of the month and we will rent a mini-bus to get everyone there for the Sunday session. It will be great for everyone to be there together and to come back having attended as a whole branch, instead of just those who could drive their own cars. We will come back more unified for the experience. The conference will be held in an assembly hall in Bordeaux so there will be enough seats for everyone. The stake center in Bordeaux is not large enough to accommodate this large and spread out stake.
We hope and pray for all of you back home. We are planning many activities for the Christmas holidays here. It seems strange to realize that this will be our second Christmas away from all of you.
Take care and know that we love you all very much.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Our Progress
Hello to all,
We have finally made some progress on the Internet connection at the chapel and we now have the link to the church genealogy site. We are back on line and we now can hold our long over due Saturday session and prepare the member and friends on the genealogy program of the church. Our branch 2nd counselor, who is as big a genealogy bug as I am, will be the facilitator. He almost danced a gig today when I told him that everything is connected and ready to go.
We had two church officials come today and while one was doing a full inventory, the other was helping get us connected. He was able to use his laptop and information from the French church headquarters in Thoriy to find that one of the connector boxes had gone dead. He carries spare parts in the van and in no time had the Internet up and running. All the frustration over the last 6 months went down the drain and happiness was the end result.
Our Portuguese family is making some strides. Juan is still looking for work, but with the help of one of our members, he is now signed up and is waiting for the call to go to work. But their friend in Portugal, who was taking care of transferring their mail to France, up and died suddenly last week and their bank account couldn't be accessed from France. Sandra prayed all Monday after not making connections with anyone in Portugal. This morning she got a call from a friend and that friend was able to forward her mail and access the bank. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
We had a great Sunday School lesson with them last Sunday about the Plan of Salvation. This sister drinks in the Gospel as if she was the most thirsty person on earth. Her eyes never leave you as you unfold the scriptures and truths of the plan of Heavenly Father. Today as we took a coffee substitute to her home, she said that because of the loss of her father recently and her husbands brothers all the information made sense; especially the part that all mankind will get to hear the Father's Plan here or in the life to come and will make a choice on whether to accept or reject the commandments of Christ so that when the judgement comes we will all be on equal footing.
They still need to find a place of their own so they can be a family, instead of sharing a house with so many others and having all the distractions that are going on, but as we take the challenges one at a time. With the prayers of all and the help of our Heavenly Father, all will get done.
We had a hard time saying good bye to Elder Giles. He said one day that he cried twice on his mission. Once before he boarded the plane after saying good bye to his mother and once in his first city in France when he had no idea what anyone was saying because they were all speaking so fast. Well, he cried once more as we hugged and I said my farewell to him. He sobbed and said he didn't want to leave. I told him he had to take the next step in his life and that this experience would be a great help to him. I told him that I loved him and that he needed to go home to progress further. I wept also because he was raised without a father and he and I bonded well together. I said to him just before I released him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
We have sent two good missionaries home from here and it is rough to spend 6 months with them and then to let them go home. It is different when they continue on their missions because we see them again at Zone Conferences and other situations, but when we send them home it gets tough.
Our new Elder is Elder Green. We have known him before and once he said that he missed peanut butter. The next time we got together we bought him some good American peanut butter and he was in heaven. We will buy him another jar tomorrow and give it to him as a welcoming gift.
Love you all from Angouleme,
Elder Dad & Sister Mom
We have finally made some progress on the Internet connection at the chapel and we now have the link to the church genealogy site. We are back on line and we now can hold our long over due Saturday session and prepare the member and friends on the genealogy program of the church. Our branch 2nd counselor, who is as big a genealogy bug as I am, will be the facilitator. He almost danced a gig today when I told him that everything is connected and ready to go.
We had two church officials come today and while one was doing a full inventory, the other was helping get us connected. He was able to use his laptop and information from the French church headquarters in Thoriy to find that one of the connector boxes had gone dead. He carries spare parts in the van and in no time had the Internet up and running. All the frustration over the last 6 months went down the drain and happiness was the end result.
Our Portuguese family is making some strides. Juan is still looking for work, but with the help of one of our members, he is now signed up and is waiting for the call to go to work. But their friend in Portugal, who was taking care of transferring their mail to France, up and died suddenly last week and their bank account couldn't be accessed from France. Sandra prayed all Monday after not making connections with anyone in Portugal. This morning she got a call from a friend and that friend was able to forward her mail and access the bank. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
We had a great Sunday School lesson with them last Sunday about the Plan of Salvation. This sister drinks in the Gospel as if she was the most thirsty person on earth. Her eyes never leave you as you unfold the scriptures and truths of the plan of Heavenly Father. Today as we took a coffee substitute to her home, she said that because of the loss of her father recently and her husbands brothers all the information made sense; especially the part that all mankind will get to hear the Father's Plan here or in the life to come and will make a choice on whether to accept or reject the commandments of Christ so that when the judgement comes we will all be on equal footing.
They still need to find a place of their own so they can be a family, instead of sharing a house with so many others and having all the distractions that are going on, but as we take the challenges one at a time. With the prayers of all and the help of our Heavenly Father, all will get done.
We had a hard time saying good bye to Elder Giles. He said one day that he cried twice on his mission. Once before he boarded the plane after saying good bye to his mother and once in his first city in France when he had no idea what anyone was saying because they were all speaking so fast. Well, he cried once more as we hugged and I said my farewell to him. He sobbed and said he didn't want to leave. I told him he had to take the next step in his life and that this experience would be a great help to him. I told him that I loved him and that he needed to go home to progress further. I wept also because he was raised without a father and he and I bonded well together. I said to him just before I released him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
We have sent two good missionaries home from here and it is rough to spend 6 months with them and then to let them go home. It is different when they continue on their missions because we see them again at Zone Conferences and other situations, but when we send them home it gets tough.
Our new Elder is Elder Green. We have known him before and once he said that he missed peanut butter. The next time we got together we bought him some good American peanut butter and he was in heaven. We will buy him another jar tomorrow and give it to him as a welcoming gift.
Love you all from Angouleme,
Elder Dad & Sister Mom
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Time Flies
We are well into another week and time stands still for no man. We have had a good week. Our amis at church jumped to 7 this week and with people coming to visit, we nearly doubled the branch numbers. It was great to have two investigator classes. The Elders are teaching two amis in English and Brother Mazaleyrat and I worked with new amis from Portugal. We sure could have used Phil and Jaime on that day. They speak pretty good French and with the first vision in Portuguese, we did alright.
The Elders were in town, a walking mall, and were contacting the people who were strolling through the area. They contacted a family of 4 and the husband said that he was a member of the church and was baptized in his home land of Portugal 20 years ago. He is inactive and his
wife is not a member.
Joanne and I went to visit them after two visits by the Elders. Sandra, the non member said that when Joanne and I showed up at their door, she knew that she should let us in. She had not let the Elders in the two times before. We were able to teach her the restoration of the church and they said they would come to church. They have a 4-year-old boy who is having trouble in school because he doesn't speak French and a 16-month-old daughter. Juan, the father, is looking for work and right now they are living with the father, mother, and brother. Things are a little cramped with all of them. They came to church on the 3rd Sunday of the month, which is our branch meal together. It was a good thing that Joanne over cooks for the meal because that made enough food for everyone. The meal also helped them be at ease with the members and Alain Kause got with Juan to help him with some job agencies in town.
The next time we went to the house Juan's sister was there. We taught them a little about the plan of salvation and again invited them to church. Juan, Sandra, and their kids came and so did the sister and her young 3-year-old boy. We went back on Tuesday and Sandra said she felt comfortable at church and could feel a special spirit there. We were able to teach them about the Holy Ghost at that time since she had recognized the feeling. I made some of my banana bread and we took it with us. They enjoyed it and we continued with the plan of salvation because Juan told us about the death of two of his brothers.
Sandra is a choice person. If we can get them settled into a job and into a place of their own , we will be able to make better progress with them. Sandra speaks very good English, French, and, of course, Portuguese. She has a sweet spirit and both Juan and Sandra treat their children in a loving way. Too many French people just shout at their children.
The Elders are teaching a brother from Nigeria and a sister from Ethiopia. Our sister from Ethiopia is progressing in her understanding of the Gospel. Both Bright (Nigeria) and Unsete (Ethiopian) speak better English than French, so they are taught in Sunday school in English. If this keeps up we will have an real international setting.
It looks like we might move to a house if all goes well. Our 81-year-old Relief Society President has put her papers in for the genealogy mission in SLC. If she is called, we will move into her home and pay her the rent we now pay for our small place here. The house has much more room and many of the comforts of home.
I had the opportunity to interview our only teenage girl last week for a trip to Spain and a week stay with the rest of the Stake's young people at the temple complex in Madrid. She will have the chance to meet many others of her age, do baptismal work, study the scriptures with the youth and the leaders and see the sights of Madrid. I am anxious to hear her remarks on her return.
We are slowly getting things in order in the branch. The lost and found work goes on and we are paring down the numbers as we find the members in other areas of France and the world. We have had members move not only out of the province, but out of the country. In one way or another, we are finding out where they are and sending their membership records where they belong. I feel like a sleuth when I use all the avenues at my disposal, but the greatest way is through prayer. One way or another, we are led to find out where these members are.
Well keep smiling and doing your best.
Love Elder Dad
The Elders were in town, a walking mall, and were contacting the people who were strolling through the area. They contacted a family of 4 and the husband said that he was a member of the church and was baptized in his home land of Portugal 20 years ago. He is inactive and his
wife is not a member.
Joanne and I went to visit them after two visits by the Elders. Sandra, the non member said that when Joanne and I showed up at their door, she knew that she should let us in. She had not let the Elders in the two times before. We were able to teach her the restoration of the church and they said they would come to church. They have a 4-year-old boy who is having trouble in school because he doesn't speak French and a 16-month-old daughter. Juan, the father, is looking for work and right now they are living with the father, mother, and brother. Things are a little cramped with all of them. They came to church on the 3rd Sunday of the month, which is our branch meal together. It was a good thing that Joanne over cooks for the meal because that made enough food for everyone. The meal also helped them be at ease with the members and Alain Kause got with Juan to help him with some job agencies in town.
The next time we went to the house Juan's sister was there. We taught them a little about the plan of salvation and again invited them to church. Juan, Sandra, and their kids came and so did the sister and her young 3-year-old boy. We went back on Tuesday and Sandra said she felt comfortable at church and could feel a special spirit there. We were able to teach them about the Holy Ghost at that time since she had recognized the feeling. I made some of my banana bread and we took it with us. They enjoyed it and we continued with the plan of salvation because Juan told us about the death of two of his brothers.
Sandra is a choice person. If we can get them settled into a job and into a place of their own , we will be able to make better progress with them. Sandra speaks very good English, French, and, of course, Portuguese. She has a sweet spirit and both Juan and Sandra treat their children in a loving way. Too many French people just shout at their children.
The Elders are teaching a brother from Nigeria and a sister from Ethiopia. Our sister from Ethiopia is progressing in her understanding of the Gospel. Both Bright (Nigeria) and Unsete (Ethiopian) speak better English than French, so they are taught in Sunday school in English. If this keeps up we will have an real international setting.
It looks like we might move to a house if all goes well. Our 81-year-old Relief Society President has put her papers in for the genealogy mission in SLC. If she is called, we will move into her home and pay her the rent we now pay for our small place here. The house has much more room and many of the comforts of home.
I had the opportunity to interview our only teenage girl last week for a trip to Spain and a week stay with the rest of the Stake's young people at the temple complex in Madrid. She will have the chance to meet many others of her age, do baptismal work, study the scriptures with the youth and the leaders and see the sights of Madrid. I am anxious to hear her remarks on her return.
We are slowly getting things in order in the branch. The lost and found work goes on and we are paring down the numbers as we find the members in other areas of France and the world. We have had members move not only out of the province, but out of the country. In one way or another, we are finding out where they are and sending their membership records where they belong. I feel like a sleuth when I use all the avenues at my disposal, but the greatest way is through prayer. One way or another, we are led to find out where these members are.
Well keep smiling and doing your best.
Love Elder Dad
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Plunging for Converts
Bonjour mes freres et soeurs (my brothers and sisters)--I can picture you all in my mind today, and I hope everything is "ca va" (going well) in each of your lives.
We are having some good things going for us to push out the bad. The family Soumahoro, from Africa, are the hard luck folks here. They've been members for a few years and were once active, but now are not. We visit them occasionally to keep in touch, and try to connect with Abdel, their 16 year old son. He plays soccer all his waking hours, and has some natural talent for the game (we watched him one Sat.), and his family seems to think he will become a famous professional someday and they will all be millionaires. The mother, Assa, is a business woman, and has her fingers in a lot of pies, trying to keep things afloat. The dad was a strong, vibrant man, until hit by a terrible illness that has left him crippled and so weak he can hardly walk. The last time we stopped by to see them, I could hardly watch as he made his torturous way down a flight of stairs just to shake our hands, smiling all the way.
Abdel, the nicest, and most polite boy I've met here, wasn't home. His other sibling, his 9 yr.old sister, has an affliction that just makes you want to cry. She has a facial tumor that covers much of her head and neck, and seems bigger to me this time. She's been seen by doctors in Paris, but I think they are stumped by its massiveness, and have given up on her. Assa sat us down and served us orange juice and Pringles, and introduced us to her older, married daughter, who has moved here from Paris to start a Coiffure shop for African women with her mother. She was very nice, and Jack asked her if she'd like to hear about the church, and she said yes, but after they got the business up and running in Oct. Then, when Jack informed them that there was a new branch president, and it was him, they applauded! Their faces just beamed, and they congratulated him, and as we departed Assa called out, "Bless you President, and we will be coming to church this Sunday!" (I thought for sure we could take that declaration to the bank, but they didn't come.)
Anyway, my undaunted husband went by the shop to see if he could help, they were in the painting stage then, but they had all the help they needed. Then last Sat., opening day, we dropped by again, and it was fun to see the women in full, bright native dress walking between the '2' shops they have there! The other is just across the street, kitty corner, and sells food mostly; this was the first we'd heard of it. Jack just ran in to ask how everything was, and there was a big problem with the plumbing--the toilet there has not been working, so now they needed a plumber. They hated the expense of that, but now that the shop was up and going, this must be fixed. Jack told them he knew a plumber in our branch, and promised to see about it. "Thank you, President!"
On our way home, he said, "I think I need to try plunging it; maybe that's all it needs." So, we stopped at Brico Depot and bought a wimpy looking plunger for the job (cross your fingers), and today was the day. We dressed in our grubbies (apparently I may have to hold his legs, or something!), and armed with a bucket and the plunger we headed out. Assa's daughter took us back to the toilet, a dingy old thing with the tank so high up on the side wall that Jack had to climb a ladder to get to it. What he found there was amazing--someone had put a plastic device with blue dye into the tank, and it had slipped out of place and gotten tightly trapped in the working parts, and gummed things up. He removed it, and turned the water back on, and VOILA!, flush, flush, & more flush, they have a working toilet again.
She was so happy, and wondered if he could look at the toilet in the other store, because it wasn't working either. So, escorted by a family member, we entered the little market, and were taken back to the problem area. The toilet here was in a sort of cupboard, with a cylinder style tank, on the wall also. The dapper man who brought us there was bemoaning the time he had spent pumping away with the little plunger he had. Then, Jack stepped up to bat, (so to speak), and began plunging away for all he was worth. He turned on the water, and to our friend's amazement, the water went down the hole like it should! The man beamed from ear to ear, and shook both our hands, and it was great to see the respectful look in his eyes and gratitude he had for that simple act of service. Can toilet plunging lead to bigger and better things?
I think I've written a book! Sorry I got carried away, but time to go :) !
Love, Sister Mom Joanne, Mam
We are having some good things going for us to push out the bad. The family Soumahoro, from Africa, are the hard luck folks here. They've been members for a few years and were once active, but now are not. We visit them occasionally to keep in touch, and try to connect with Abdel, their 16 year old son. He plays soccer all his waking hours, and has some natural talent for the game (we watched him one Sat.), and his family seems to think he will become a famous professional someday and they will all be millionaires. The mother, Assa, is a business woman, and has her fingers in a lot of pies, trying to keep things afloat. The dad was a strong, vibrant man, until hit by a terrible illness that has left him crippled and so weak he can hardly walk. The last time we stopped by to see them, I could hardly watch as he made his torturous way down a flight of stairs just to shake our hands, smiling all the way.
Abdel, the nicest, and most polite boy I've met here, wasn't home. His other sibling, his 9 yr.old sister, has an affliction that just makes you want to cry. She has a facial tumor that covers much of her head and neck, and seems bigger to me this time. She's been seen by doctors in Paris, but I think they are stumped by its massiveness, and have given up on her. Assa sat us down and served us orange juice and Pringles, and introduced us to her older, married daughter, who has moved here from Paris to start a Coiffure shop for African women with her mother. She was very nice, and Jack asked her if she'd like to hear about the church, and she said yes, but after they got the business up and running in Oct. Then, when Jack informed them that there was a new branch president, and it was him, they applauded! Their faces just beamed, and they congratulated him, and as we departed Assa called out, "Bless you President, and we will be coming to church this Sunday!" (I thought for sure we could take that declaration to the bank, but they didn't come.)
Anyway, my undaunted husband went by the shop to see if he could help, they were in the painting stage then, but they had all the help they needed. Then last Sat., opening day, we dropped by again, and it was fun to see the women in full, bright native dress walking between the '2' shops they have there! The other is just across the street, kitty corner, and sells food mostly; this was the first we'd heard of it. Jack just ran in to ask how everything was, and there was a big problem with the plumbing--the toilet there has not been working, so now they needed a plumber. They hated the expense of that, but now that the shop was up and going, this must be fixed. Jack told them he knew a plumber in our branch, and promised to see about it. "Thank you, President!"
On our way home, he said, "I think I need to try plunging it; maybe that's all it needs." So, we stopped at Brico Depot and bought a wimpy looking plunger for the job (cross your fingers), and today was the day. We dressed in our grubbies (apparently I may have to hold his legs, or something!), and armed with a bucket and the plunger we headed out. Assa's daughter took us back to the toilet, a dingy old thing with the tank so high up on the side wall that Jack had to climb a ladder to get to it. What he found there was amazing--someone had put a plastic device with blue dye into the tank, and it had slipped out of place and gotten tightly trapped in the working parts, and gummed things up. He removed it, and turned the water back on, and VOILA!, flush, flush, & more flush, they have a working toilet again.
She was so happy, and wondered if he could look at the toilet in the other store, because it wasn't working either. So, escorted by a family member, we entered the little market, and were taken back to the problem area. The toilet here was in a sort of cupboard, with a cylinder style tank, on the wall also. The dapper man who brought us there was bemoaning the time he had spent pumping away with the little plunger he had. Then, Jack stepped up to bat, (so to speak), and began plunging away for all he was worth. He turned on the water, and to our friend's amazement, the water went down the hole like it should! The man beamed from ear to ear, and shook both our hands, and it was great to see the respectful look in his eyes and gratitude he had for that simple act of service. Can toilet plunging lead to bigger and better things?
I think I've written a book! Sorry I got carried away, but time to go :) !
Love, Sister Mom Joanne, Mam
Better Late Than Never
Hello to all,
I apologize for not getting on the stick and writing especially after complaining that I don't hear from all of you enough. We have been very busy with all the things there are to do here in the branch and with the missionary work on top of that it all compounds into full days and weeks. I have been busy trying to learn all the terms and forms that have to be filled out and getting the branch membership list put in order. The branch membership has changed over the years due to the shift in factories that have left the region. It seems that no one until now has tried to track down the total membership. Joanne and I have have used almost every method known to us to get the lost sheep found.
We have tracked many down through the white pages on the Internet. If we get more than one phone number for the same name, I then call each number and say that I am from the U.S. and am looking for so-and-so. Many times I get a polite no when I add the necessary details to the search, but after many calls, I am successful. The members have gone throughout the country and I am able to track them because France is broken down into numbered departments. If I don't find them locally, I can then branch out into the surrounding area. I have found some as far away as 500 miles. Some of the members have moved out of the country. With those, I have sent referrals to the countries through the missions located there. Sometimes when I call related last names and let them know I am interested in contact so-and-so, I get an enthusiastic response about the person being a mother-in-law or some other relative and I then get their address and telephone number. Of the total 154 members on the original list we have paired it down to 80 that are still in the branch boundaries. This has made a major difference on our percentages for visiting and home teaching and attendance at meetings.
I am happy to say that I don't feel like a direct descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, anymore. I now have one of my counselors and hope to have the other soon. Patrick Humblot is the new counselor and he is a great person. His son who lives in Bordeaux has told me that he has been invigorated and is very willing and eager to serve. Patrick has been in the branch a long time and his insight and knowledge about the members will be a great help. He and his family were devastated when his youngest son was killed while serving the NATO forces in Bosnia. The event caused his wife to have a nervous breakdown and a family breakup ensued after years of struggle. It has taken its toll on the family. There is a son who is active in the church in Bordeaux and a daughter in Brieve. Both of these cities are in our stake but they are 2 hours away.
Patrick has a great sense of humor and we get along like brothers. He has the same passion I do for genealogy and we have spent time getting to know the new church genealogy program. He is 57 years old and works for a group that does dental crowns, false teeth and the like. He has done this all his life and with his fine hands he is well suited for the work.
His youngest child, a daughter lives in Angouleme and is slowly coming back into activity. I hope that knowing that her father is a leadership role will give her a greater reason to come back into the fold. Florianne, the daughter, is the youngest of the family and was shocked when her brother was killed. She was just in her early teens when this took place and it has taken her time to get her back on her feet.
Last week, Patrick had a granddaughter baptized and Florianne attended the baptism and stayed with her sister in Brieve to attend Sunday services. The missionary work is progressing with a number of people fully working with the Elders in the missionary discussions. We have two investigators, but we are at the beginning of the teaching process. We are working very diligently with less active members who are working their way back.
In our travels this month we have asked when the grape harvest will be and found that last week it was in full swing. We thought there would be a large number of people in the vineyards, but much to our surprise the greatest percentage of the work is now done by machine. We got to see a couple of these machines up close and personal. They have two sides that surround the gape vines and then, with a relatively hard rubber flap on both sides, the machine hits both sides of the row of grape vines and shakes the grapes off. The clumps of grapes drops to the floor of the machine on each side and is carried by conveyor belt to the top of the machine to a container on each side. When the containers are full, the grapes are unloaded into trailer and the harvester continues on.
The grapes are then hauled to the farmer's distillery where the wine or Cognac process takes place. As we passed the villages we could smell the fermentation process taking place. This country could be self sufficient in food because of the good soil and climate. If they took the vineyards and put them into crops that could be eaten, the country would be able to feed more than the people of France. You would be shocked at the amount of ground is taken up with the vineyards all over the country.
Well, take care all and keep your chin up.
Elder Dad
I apologize for not getting on the stick and writing especially after complaining that I don't hear from all of you enough. We have been very busy with all the things there are to do here in the branch and with the missionary work on top of that it all compounds into full days and weeks. I have been busy trying to learn all the terms and forms that have to be filled out and getting the branch membership list put in order. The branch membership has changed over the years due to the shift in factories that have left the region. It seems that no one until now has tried to track down the total membership. Joanne and I have have used almost every method known to us to get the lost sheep found.
We have tracked many down through the white pages on the Internet. If we get more than one phone number for the same name, I then call each number and say that I am from the U.S. and am looking for so-and-so. Many times I get a polite no when I add the necessary details to the search, but after many calls, I am successful. The members have gone throughout the country and I am able to track them because France is broken down into numbered departments. If I don't find them locally, I can then branch out into the surrounding area. I have found some as far away as 500 miles. Some of the members have moved out of the country. With those, I have sent referrals to the countries through the missions located there. Sometimes when I call related last names and let them know I am interested in contact so-and-so, I get an enthusiastic response about the person being a mother-in-law or some other relative and I then get their address and telephone number. Of the total 154 members on the original list we have paired it down to 80 that are still in the branch boundaries. This has made a major difference on our percentages for visiting and home teaching and attendance at meetings.
I am happy to say that I don't feel like a direct descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, anymore. I now have one of my counselors and hope to have the other soon. Patrick Humblot is the new counselor and he is a great person. His son who lives in Bordeaux has told me that he has been invigorated and is very willing and eager to serve. Patrick has been in the branch a long time and his insight and knowledge about the members will be a great help. He and his family were devastated when his youngest son was killed while serving the NATO forces in Bosnia. The event caused his wife to have a nervous breakdown and a family breakup ensued after years of struggle. It has taken its toll on the family. There is a son who is active in the church in Bordeaux and a daughter in Brieve. Both of these cities are in our stake but they are 2 hours away.
Patrick has a great sense of humor and we get along like brothers. He has the same passion I do for genealogy and we have spent time getting to know the new church genealogy program. He is 57 years old and works for a group that does dental crowns, false teeth and the like. He has done this all his life and with his fine hands he is well suited for the work.
His youngest child, a daughter lives in Angouleme and is slowly coming back into activity. I hope that knowing that her father is a leadership role will give her a greater reason to come back into the fold. Florianne, the daughter, is the youngest of the family and was shocked when her brother was killed. She was just in her early teens when this took place and it has taken her time to get her back on her feet.
Last week, Patrick had a granddaughter baptized and Florianne attended the baptism and stayed with her sister in Brieve to attend Sunday services. The missionary work is progressing with a number of people fully working with the Elders in the missionary discussions. We have two investigators, but we are at the beginning of the teaching process. We are working very diligently with less active members who are working their way back.
In our travels this month we have asked when the grape harvest will be and found that last week it was in full swing. We thought there would be a large number of people in the vineyards, but much to our surprise the greatest percentage of the work is now done by machine. We got to see a couple of these machines up close and personal. They have two sides that surround the gape vines and then, with a relatively hard rubber flap on both sides, the machine hits both sides of the row of grape vines and shakes the grapes off. The clumps of grapes drops to the floor of the machine on each side and is carried by conveyor belt to the top of the machine to a container on each side. When the containers are full, the grapes are unloaded into trailer and the harvester continues on.
The grapes are then hauled to the farmer's distillery where the wine or Cognac process takes place. As we passed the villages we could smell the fermentation process taking place. This country could be self sufficient in food because of the good soil and climate. If they took the vineyards and put them into crops that could be eaten, the country would be able to feed more than the people of France. You would be shocked at the amount of ground is taken up with the vineyards all over the country.
Well, take care all and keep your chin up.
Elder Dad
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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
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
I'll Have Bacon With That!
Hi and bonjour to all of you this morning. We were up at six to pray for the success of the Toulouse Mission, and to read another two chapters of the Book of Mormon (in French), on this P-day. Then, to tell the truth, being still tired, we went back to bed since all of that was accomplished before 7 a.m., and it was still black outside. We don't tell the Elders about all the extra perks available to senior couples, as they seem to think we have it much easier than they do as it is. And it is true actually, because we have a lot of freedom to make decisions and go with the flow, where they have rules and regulations to follow to keep the spirit and do the work. Anyway, we are up and at it after our nap, with Jack fixing French toast, and me mulling over Isaiah's words in 2Nephi. If you think Isaiah is difficult to figure out in English, you would not believe how hard the French translators worked to get his meaning across, while dealing with his wild word imagery. We keep the English scriptures handy to be able to understand what he is saying, and are so glad to have them.
We went to visit a woman who has had contact with the church over the years, but is not a member. She has come into our path because her sister wants the lessons, and is living with her right now. Christelle has 3 little children, two divorces, and is a hard worker, trying to keep things together; but she hurt her back, and is really in bad shape. She asked a member for a blessing, but he had no oil, so he came to Jack and asked him to do it for her. The room was full of smoke as we entered (with the Elders also), and as we sat, the first thing Jack asked her was if she had faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior. She looked at him straight, and admitted that she didn't really because she had a hard time believing in Mary's virgin birth. So he taught her about Heavenly Father and His son for several minutes, and I got the feeling that she was sincerely trying to listen and learn. We made a date to return a few days later, and when we did we found her totally down. She'd tried getting something done, and had only made things worse. She was slumped on the couch, unwilling or unable to move or even look up, as Jack gingerly sat down beside her. She answered some questions dully, with others in the room doing most of the talking, and so we left her with a prayer, wondering what we could do to help?
Just as we were pulling out of this vast "projects" apartment complex, and I was rolling up my window, I saw from the corner of my eye, "the egg," as it flashed by and hit the right side mirror, and splattered across the windshield and fender. The little brown missile was well placed, and just missed the open window, which would have been lots of fun for all! We were a bit stunned, and Jack automatically pressed on the brakes, but there was no sign of the pitcher. Jack optimistically thought maybe we just got in the way of some kids playing around, but I'm having a hard time with that idea. Anyway, after we dropped off the Elders, he said let's take them DINNER tonight, so we rushed home to do it. He peeled a big pot full of potatoes to boil, and I cooked hamburger and gravy and those fast Toffee bars, and with everything mashed and baked (in proper order), along with a green salad, we were back by 6 p.m. The surprise on their faces when we returned bearing food was priceless; plus we got a surprise too, of going into a smoke filled room of visitors for Christelle, and being stared at as if we had flown in from Mars. It's the Mormons! And they're bringing food! We had a spy there, and he later reported that they ALL ate and wanted to know how I made the gravy! No Campbell soup here in France to help you out; I'll tell if they take the lessons.
Well, I guess that's it for me now, I hope you all are well and happy.
Much love, Sister Mom Joanne G' ma
We went to visit a woman who has had contact with the church over the years, but is not a member. She has come into our path because her sister wants the lessons, and is living with her right now. Christelle has 3 little children, two divorces, and is a hard worker, trying to keep things together; but she hurt her back, and is really in bad shape. She asked a member for a blessing, but he had no oil, so he came to Jack and asked him to do it for her. The room was full of smoke as we entered (with the Elders also), and as we sat, the first thing Jack asked her was if she had faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior. She looked at him straight, and admitted that she didn't really because she had a hard time believing in Mary's virgin birth. So he taught her about Heavenly Father and His son for several minutes, and I got the feeling that she was sincerely trying to listen and learn. We made a date to return a few days later, and when we did we found her totally down. She'd tried getting something done, and had only made things worse. She was slumped on the couch, unwilling or unable to move or even look up, as Jack gingerly sat down beside her. She answered some questions dully, with others in the room doing most of the talking, and so we left her with a prayer, wondering what we could do to help?
Just as we were pulling out of this vast "projects" apartment complex, and I was rolling up my window, I saw from the corner of my eye, "the egg," as it flashed by and hit the right side mirror, and splattered across the windshield and fender. The little brown missile was well placed, and just missed the open window, which would have been lots of fun for all! We were a bit stunned, and Jack automatically pressed on the brakes, but there was no sign of the pitcher. Jack optimistically thought maybe we just got in the way of some kids playing around, but I'm having a hard time with that idea. Anyway, after we dropped off the Elders, he said let's take them DINNER tonight, so we rushed home to do it. He peeled a big pot full of potatoes to boil, and I cooked hamburger and gravy and those fast Toffee bars, and with everything mashed and baked (in proper order), along with a green salad, we were back by 6 p.m. The surprise on their faces when we returned bearing food was priceless; plus we got a surprise too, of going into a smoke filled room of visitors for Christelle, and being stared at as if we had flown in from Mars. It's the Mormons! And they're bringing food! We had a spy there, and he later reported that they ALL ate and wanted to know how I made the gravy! No Campbell soup here in France to help you out; I'll tell if they take the lessons.
Well, I guess that's it for me now, I hope you all are well and happy.
Much love, Sister Mom Joanne G' ma
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Drivers
As you might or might not know, as of last last Sunday I was released as 2nd counselor of the Angouleme Branch and sustained a few minutes later as the Branch President. I did not think the call was going to take place until the end of the month, so I didn't have time to get ready for it--which was probably a good thing. Stress is not a good thing. The prior Branch President had to come from 2 1/2 hours away each Saturday to handle the affairs of the branch. He and his wife were called for 6 months and they served 15. The 1st counselor is from Bordeaux and he and his wife have been coming to Angouleme for 33 months every Sunday. Brodeaux is an hour and a half south from Angouleme. I have had the privilege to work with these two men from the time we arrived and there are no finer members of the church than these two. Their unselfish service and the love that developed between us as we served together will last into the eternities.
I have called two counselors from the branch and we will find out how their interviews go when the Stake President comes at the end of the month. These two men have become close friends of mine. When I was asked to serve, their names were cemented into my mind by the Holy Ghost. I think that the 1st counselor in the stake presidency was surprised that I was already giving him names, but I had plenty of time to petition our Father in Heaven about the subject.
This will be a challenge, but we are looking forward to serve these great members and build the branch. I am sure the work will move along and we will progress with the help of God. This has been a great growing period in our lives and I would not trade it for all the world.
We would like to solicit for your prayers this Saturday when we have our open house. It is actually a national day and our activities chairman came up with the idea. We are looking forward to having some good success. Our activities chairman has made some classy invitations and we and the members will be putting them in the mail boxes in their local neighborhoods and we are saturating the neighborhood around the chapel. The missionaries are also handing them out as they make contacts throughout the city. We have 5 rooms set up for displays and we will have members and missionaries present to give 3 to 5 minute presentations on the: family, temples, the Plan of salvation, genealogy, and the restoration of the church. We will have church music playing in the chapel and refreshments in the relief society room.
We are grateful for your support and prayers.
Love Elder Dad
I have called two counselors from the branch and we will find out how their interviews go when the Stake President comes at the end of the month. These two men have become close friends of mine. When I was asked to serve, their names were cemented into my mind by the Holy Ghost. I think that the 1st counselor in the stake presidency was surprised that I was already giving him names, but I had plenty of time to petition our Father in Heaven about the subject.
This will be a challenge, but we are looking forward to serve these great members and build the branch. I am sure the work will move along and we will progress with the help of God. This has been a great growing period in our lives and I would not trade it for all the world.
We would like to solicit for your prayers this Saturday when we have our open house. It is actually a national day and our activities chairman came up with the idea. We are looking forward to having some good success. Our activities chairman has made some classy invitations and we and the members will be putting them in the mail boxes in their local neighborhoods and we are saturating the neighborhood around the chapel. The missionaries are also handing them out as they make contacts throughout the city. We have 5 rooms set up for displays and we will have members and missionaries present to give 3 to 5 minute presentations on the: family, temples, the Plan of salvation, genealogy, and the restoration of the church. We will have church music playing in the chapel and refreshments in the relief society room.
We are grateful for your support and prayers.
Love Elder Dad
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