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
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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
Sunday, September 7, 2008
News from Angouleme
Good morning everyone,
We just got home from church and I have some news to give to you. Elder Dad was released from being 2nd counselor in the Branch here, and was then sustained as the new Branch President. It has been a wonderful experience to be associated with the former Pres. and his wife, and the former 1st counselor and his wife, both of whom came every Sunday from their home wards, quite a distance away. In the mission field the bonds of friendship and love can grow very strong and lasting, and we will miss these good people very much. As for President Metcalfe, he is feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment, but truly loves the people here, and wants to do the job well. In his testimony, he said that the young Elders can be sent from city to town, all around the whole Toulouse mission: Nice, Bordeaux, Marseille, Corsica, etc.; but we will be staying in Angouleme, the best city of all. We are happy here, there is hope here, and a reason we were sent here! So, I thought you would like to know the latest, up-to-date news; all is well with us, hope you are doing well too.
Lots of Love to you all, President and Soeur Metcalfe :)
We just got home from church and I have some news to give to you. Elder Dad was released from being 2nd counselor in the Branch here, and was then sustained as the new Branch President. It has been a wonderful experience to be associated with the former Pres. and his wife, and the former 1st counselor and his wife, both of whom came every Sunday from their home wards, quite a distance away. In the mission field the bonds of friendship and love can grow very strong and lasting, and we will miss these good people very much. As for President Metcalfe, he is feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment, but truly loves the people here, and wants to do the job well. In his testimony, he said that the young Elders can be sent from city to town, all around the whole Toulouse mission: Nice, Bordeaux, Marseille, Corsica, etc.; but we will be staying in Angouleme, the best city of all. We are happy here, there is hope here, and a reason we were sent here! So, I thought you would like to know the latest, up-to-date news; all is well with us, hope you are doing well too.
Lots of Love to you all, President and Soeur Metcalfe :)
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
This Week
We have been very busy these last couple of weeks as we are getting ready for the Aungouleme chapel open house. The 13th of Sept is a national day in France for open house of business, homes and churches. Our activities chairman came up with the idea. Joanne is using her skills in the area of drawing to get all the proper pictures with good drawings and headings. We are having the 4 rooms set aside for different themes: Families are Forever and the video on temples; Plan of Salvation; Genealogy; and The Restoration of the Gospel. The missionaries will take the Plan of Salvation and the Restoration. The 1st counselor and his wife, a great couple, will take the Family room and Patrick Humblot will handle Genealogy. We will have a three to five minute presentation in each room with the chapel being used for questions and soft music. We will have a room for refreshments and hopefully we can get some interest going. We are distributing 900 fliers in the general neighborhood of the church and the missionaries are going to hand out additional fliers as they make contacts the week before the open house.
We have a referral from one of the members who we are teaching. Angelique has come to church twice and was taught the restoration lesson after church. Anyone who can sit through 3 hours of church and still want to be taught more has got to have the spirit. We are still waiting for Gilda, the almost blind lady, to come back from vacation at the end of the week.
The rest of the work is concentrated on our rest homes sisters, inactive members, and the few contacts we make as we go about town. Carole Bruce, our student from Togo went off to Canada to school and we are trying to get a hold of the Quebec Mission to get a hold of her. Carole gave us the names of her parents in Togo and the name and address of her brother in Tour, France. I am waiting for the mission office to get a hold of me so I can send the referrals.
Two things have struck me since we came to France and that is the civility of the insects and the different methods of transportation. The insects here have been trained over the centuries to stay out of the homes of potential victims, humans. We can leave the doors and windows open here and even though there are no screens on anything here, the bugs stay mainly outside. They might venture in, but for the most part they go right back outside. They are not like our insects back home. We even have mosquitoes that have not attacked Joanne, whereas in Wyoming she would have been picked up and carried off the minute she set foot outside. The insects here are not attracted by the lights inside the house at night. They have been well trained to stay in bed after the sun goes down.
As for the methods of transportation, they vary from feet to the fancy cars. After the normal feet, the next method is skate boards. Quite a few young people use skate boards to get around. Angouleme is a little tough since it is up hill until you get to the center of the city. Down hill will be much appreciated. Bikes are very popular. Most bikers wear head gear and, when it is for recreation, most of the men are decked out in the best Tour de France outfits. Mountain bikes are popular here. Then comes the moped: this is a heavy bike (like the old balloon tire bikes) with a little motor that fits over the front wheel. Once you pedal and get some speed, your maximum speed will be about 15 mph, but on any uphill climb you would have to help the motor and pedal. Motorbikes come next with a speed of about 35mph. From here on in the two wheeled types get very noisy because there are no laws against certain decibel levels. Scooters for one and two person come next. Less noisy and better to get around on because they have a rack on the back for caring your goods. Motorcycles are very prevalent and can get up to very fast speeds and are extremely loud with the lack of exhaust pipe system to cut down the noise. The two wheeled types of transportation don't follow the rules of the road. They go in and out of traffic at will and try every which way to pass you. They will go so far as to drive up on cement dividers to shoot past the slower traffic. On the freeways, they have no regard for the speed limit. If you see them coming in your rear view mirror and move over to give them even a little space to zoom by you, after they pass the driver of the motorcycle will lower his right leg a little off the pedal as a way to say, thanks. If you don't see them in time in your mirrors, they will make you jump out of your skin because they make so much noise they will startle you.
The cars come
in all shapes and sizes. There are the two-seaters, like the Smart Cars that are now selling in the U.S. Smart Cars are not the only two-seaters around. Many other companies make them, but you won't see them in your local showrooms because they don't meet U.S. emission standards. You hear a lot of criticism by Europe of the U.S. not accepting the world wide treaty on industrial emission standards, but if the European car makers had to meet just our national standards for cars, we would be the only ones selling car along with the Japanese and Koreans. Don't let anyone tell you that it is only people in the U.S. who love their cars. The popular expensive cars are seen all over Angouleme, even in the apartment buildings we call the projects.
There are many more car makers in Europe than back home and I sometimes wonder how they all make it. Many can't sell in the U.S. because they don't meet our pollution standards. There are no emission control standards like many states have at home. Once a year tests here in France would put half the cars off the roads.
Well with all the cars on the roads here, it is a wonder that they get around with the huge gas tax that puts the cost of a gallon of gas at about $7.50. The schools for learning how to drive are about $1,500 a session and if you fail the drivers test you must start all over again at the same price.
Well keep the faith and soyez sage, be wise.
Love Elder Dad
We have a referral from one of the members who we are teaching. Angelique has come to church twice and was taught the restoration lesson after church. Anyone who can sit through 3 hours of church and still want to be taught more has got to have the spirit. We are still waiting for Gilda, the almost blind lady, to come back from vacation at the end of the week.
The rest of the work is concentrated on our rest homes sisters, inactive members, and the few contacts we make as we go about town. Carole Bruce, our student from Togo went off to Canada to school and we are trying to get a hold of the Quebec Mission to get a hold of her. Carole gave us the names of her parents in Togo and the name and address of her brother in Tour, France. I am waiting for the mission office to get a hold of me so I can send the referrals.
Two things have struck me since we came to France and that is the civility of the insects and the different methods of transportation. The insects here have been trained over the centuries to stay out of the homes of potential victims, humans. We can leave the doors and windows open here and even though there are no screens on anything here, the bugs stay mainly outside. They might venture in, but for the most part they go right back outside. They are not like our insects back home. We even have mosquitoes that have not attacked Joanne, whereas in Wyoming she would have been picked up and carried off the minute she set foot outside. The insects here are not attracted by the lights inside the house at night. They have been well trained to stay in bed after the sun goes down.
As for the methods of transportation, they vary from feet to the fancy cars. After the normal feet, the next method is skate boards. Quite a few young people use skate boards to get around. Angouleme is a little tough since it is up hill until you get to the center of the city. Down hill will be much appreciated. Bikes are very popular. Most bikers wear head gear and, when it is for recreation, most of the men are decked out in the best Tour de France outfits. Mountain bikes are popular here. Then comes the moped: this is a heavy bike (like the old balloon tire bikes) with a little motor that fits over the front wheel. Once you pedal and get some speed, your maximum speed will be about 15 mph, but on any uphill climb you would have to help the motor and pedal. Motorbikes come next with a speed of about 35mph. From here on in the two wheeled types get very noisy because there are no laws against certain decibel levels. Scooters for one and two person come next. Less noisy and better to get around on because they have a rack on the back for caring your goods. Motorcycles are very prevalent and can get up to very fast speeds and are extremely loud with the lack of exhaust pipe system to cut down the noise. The two wheeled types of transportation don't follow the rules of the road. They go in and out of traffic at will and try every which way to pass you. They will go so far as to drive up on cement dividers to shoot past the slower traffic. On the freeways, they have no regard for the speed limit. If you see them coming in your rear view mirror and move over to give them even a little space to zoom by you, after they pass the driver of the motorcycle will lower his right leg a little off the pedal as a way to say, thanks. If you don't see them in time in your mirrors, they will make you jump out of your skin because they make so much noise they will startle you.
The cars come
in all shapes and sizes. There are the two-seaters, like the Smart Cars that are now selling in the U.S. Smart Cars are not the only two-seaters around. Many other companies make them, but you won't see them in your local showrooms because they don't meet U.S. emission standards. You hear a lot of criticism by Europe of the U.S. not accepting the world wide treaty on industrial emission standards, but if the European car makers had to meet just our national standards for cars, we would be the only ones selling car along with the Japanese and Koreans. Don't let anyone tell you that it is only people in the U.S. who love their cars. The popular expensive cars are seen all over Angouleme, even in the apartment buildings we call the projects.There are many more car makers in Europe than back home and I sometimes wonder how they all make it. Many can't sell in the U.S. because they don't meet our pollution standards. There are no emission control standards like many states have at home. Once a year tests here in France would put half the cars off the roads.
Well with all the cars on the roads here, it is a wonder that they get around with the huge gas tax that puts the cost of a gallon of gas at about $7.50. The schools for learning how to drive are about $1,500 a session and if you fail the drivers test you must start all over again at the same price.
Well keep the faith and soyez sage, be wise.
Love Elder Dad
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Heat Is On
The summer has arrived and the heat has come on and we are grateful that we were able to get the air conditioner in the car fixed or we would have melted by now. There is always humidity in the air and with the heat getting into the 90’s it makes it somewhat harder to handle. The nights are still cool enough to sleep and so we feel good about that.
The price of gas has fluctuated up and down as it does in the States but it has come down about 45 cents a gallon, but it is still $7.50 a gallon. Gas is our biggest expense here since we travel around the area seeing members and going to
Many of the French people just roll down the windows and take the blast of hot air rather than pay the extra price for having the air conditioner on. The taxes here are so high that it is the main complaint and the main cause for the high prices. They say that the economy is better here than in the
The government is a socialist society here so the people get everything covered by the government. One might say that this would solve all the social ills, but from what I see it has compounded the problems. The medical situations here have in some case come to a crisis state in the dental area, but are still good in most other areas. Dentists here are in short supply. Rather than try to save or restore the teeth as we do at home, they pull the teeth and that is that. This happens especially for those who can’t go off the government market to non-government dentists. The cost of a private dentist is very high and only the rich can afford them. You see a lot of smiles with missing teeth here.
We are in good health and the work keeps us busy and on our toes. We are dealing with a lot of poor health among the members here. We try to keep in touch with everyone and with the distance, it takes time. We have some sisters in pretty bad health. One just came out of the hospital and another just went in. Both have some life threatening problems. When we have situations like this, we take the sacrament to their homes and teach them a short spiritual thought.
I just wish that I was stronger in my faith to talk to everyone we meet. Today I failed to take an opportunity and then, when looking for which hospital our sick sister was in, we talked to a man who parked next to us and in the end made a rendezvous with him for Saturday. Since we are in the car, our opportunities are few and far between and I shouldn’t squander them. It still is a leap of faith to talk to everyone we meet. It would be easy if all the people who would join the church had a red dot on their collar, but since they don’t we need to talk to everyone with whom we come in contact.
We have had two fantastic Sunday meetings with visitors coming from different parts of the world. It is great for the branch members to see members coming to church while they are on vacation and for them to help fill the chapel with their presence and to help bring the Spirit as we worship together.
We love you all and ask you all to do the best you can so that life has that special meaning to it.
Love Elder Dad
Bonjour Everyone
Bonjour everyone, and hope all is well with all of you.
First and foremost, we’d like to send our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Andrea and Don on their upcoming marriage this week. We would be there to help you celebrate if it were at all possible, but just want you to know that our thoughts will be there for sure! Help us be a part of things by taking lots of pictures so we can see them soon. Our only advice for the two of you is to treat each other as you would want to be treated, and that takes care of most of anyone’s problems. We love you both, and hope your life together is a happy one.
After floating high on the heady cloud of the wedding, your real life begins as you land on earth again, and it’s wash day. Actually here it hasn’t been too bad at all; I don’t wash Jack’s suits, and we just have a load of whites and a load of darks to do about once a week. Drying things is more of a challenge, but we do have two of those collapsible drying racks, plus our imaginations. The chicken wire fence out back is perfect for the sheets, and when Jack pinned his blue jeans up on the roof storm drain, they were dry in record time. It’s funny though to come back home after appointments, and walk into the muggy, heavy air that hangs in the apt. from having our drying racks filled with wet things.
As you can probably tell, summer is the slow time here; it feels like the whole country has taken a siesta! We met a bright young college student from
That’s it from this part of the world for now.
Love, Mom (Joanne) Mam
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Life in France
Life in France has slowed down to a crawl. The summer months of July and August are when the locals disappear and leave things to the tourists. People are flocking to the Charente (our area which is named after the river here) mainly because it is a beautiful grape growing area, and there are many castles and chateau’s to see. We are also on the way to many famous sites, such as Lourdes, and others, plus the Airbus factory in Toulouse which I hear is a great tour. I always thought that shutters would be thrown open wide in the hot months, but nope, more often than not they are closed up tight to keep things cool and dark inside the house. Also, everything but the very largest stores close down from noon until two o’clock for lunch, so you have to plan ahead or you are out of luck with anything urgent.
Our recepisse’s (temporary permission to reside in France) will be out of date again in about a week and a half. So, we went to see why we haven’t received our permanent Carte de SeJour (well, permanent for a year, that is). The nice lady in the records office in St. Yrieix couldn’t understand why the delay either, so she called the head office in Angouleme. “Why, we sent that months ago!” Hmmmm. So our lady stayed ladylike and said that they had been having trouble with the mail in St. Yrieix, and would she please expedite that for us? Elle adit, oui (She said, yes). Hopefully we will get somewhere this time. We will have to go on a 2 hour drive for a Doctor’s examination as part of the process; that will be interesting.
It is hard on missionary work with people disappearing left and right. The Elder’s are getting rattayed (my spelling for appointments not kept) three out of four times, and people just leave and forget to call, so they get to the house, and there’s no one home. A perfect example of this is with our golden contact, Mme. Caillon. She was eating the Book of Mormon in great handfuls, and felt that it was true. She asked many questions and was satisfied with the answers, and wanted to hear more. She said, "The next time you come, I want you to tell me what I have to do to be baptized." What better words could a missionary want to hear? Then she had eye trouble, so we missed our meeting; then we came and saw a note pinned to her door (never a good sign said one of the Elders), and it was true. She had gone on vacation, and would see us again Sept. 8. That’s a long time (for us) to worry and fret about whether she will keep the spirit that she had been feeling so strongly. Then, there is Jean de Dieu (yes, his name is John of God), and he has been a joy to teach. He is a young African man, with a kind and gentle way about him, but his job keeps him on the road, either near or far, which makes him hard to catch. We go with the Elders because he asked that we come too. I feel bad that he comes home tired, but he welcomes us in, and treats us like royalty. He really liked the "First Vision" DVD, and is reading in the Book of Mormon, and knows that he is missing something in his life. We had a great discussion with him, and he gave a meaningful and tender prayer, and wanted us to come back soon. We set another appointment for three nights later, and when we knocked at the door, the Elder’s cell phone rang and it was him; he had been delayed and couldn’t get back in time. That was three weeks ago now, and no word since; it’s like he has vanished into thin air. We’ll keep trying, but life and people have us shaking our heads in wonderment sometimes.
The one French custom that I thought was kinda cute at first, the air kissing of your cheeks, (smack, first the one, then, smack, the other) is beginning to wear on me now. I enjoy a nice handshake, and a hug from a good friend, or someone you haven’t seen for awhile is great (and always from family!). But, now I get kisses from all the sisters every Sunday, and at every greeting at someone’s home, or at Family Home Evening, from people I’ve known for months, or perfect strangers, even from ladies I’m not so sure like me very much, every time we see them!! It’s nuts, and I wish they’d quit it! Our retiring mission president’s wife took me aside, and whispered that it was the ONE thing she would not miss when they returned to their home in Virginia, USA. One lady at church grabs my arms and kisses me with such gusto and loud smacks, that it leaves me with a ringing in my ears. With Sister Maitre, two won’t do, it’s got to be four (that means you are in, and are considered family!); and it was funny, we clashed glasses so badly at first, that she now always whips hers off with a big grin on her face. Men do get in on the act too, somewhat, and I got a big surprise when the second time I met Ives, a friend of Veronique’s, (the newly divorced member we are trying to help), he kissed my cheeks (I didn’t see it coming, at all) four times with day old stubble that had me wincing in pain. I had given him my carrot cake recipe, and so I now have a new friend for life! Sometimes I take the low road, and duck and run for cover; but I hate being a chicken, so I mostly just grin and bear it, after all, it’s part of the experience of being in France.
Our recepisse’s (temporary permission to reside in France) will be out of date again in about a week and a half. So, we went to see why we haven’t received our permanent Carte de SeJour (well, permanent for a year, that is). The nice lady in the records office in St. Yrieix couldn’t understand why the delay either, so she called the head office in Angouleme. “Why, we sent that months ago!” Hmmmm. So our lady stayed ladylike and said that they had been having trouble with the mail in St. Yrieix, and would she please expedite that for us? Elle adit, oui (She said, yes). Hopefully we will get somewhere this time. We will have to go on a 2 hour drive for a Doctor’s examination as part of the process; that will be interesting.
It is hard on missionary work with people disappearing left and right. The Elder’s are getting rattayed (my spelling for appointments not kept) three out of four times, and people just leave and forget to call, so they get to the house, and there’s no one home. A perfect example of this is with our golden contact, Mme. Caillon. She was eating the Book of Mormon in great handfuls, and felt that it was true. She asked many questions and was satisfied with the answers, and wanted to hear more. She said, "The next time you come, I want you to tell me what I have to do to be baptized." What better words could a missionary want to hear? Then she had eye trouble, so we missed our meeting; then we came and saw a note pinned to her door (never a good sign said one of the Elders), and it was true. She had gone on vacation, and would see us again Sept. 8. That’s a long time (for us) to worry and fret about whether she will keep the spirit that she had been feeling so strongly. Then, there is Jean de Dieu (yes, his name is John of God), and he has been a joy to teach. He is a young African man, with a kind and gentle way about him, but his job keeps him on the road, either near or far, which makes him hard to catch. We go with the Elders because he asked that we come too. I feel bad that he comes home tired, but he welcomes us in, and treats us like royalty. He really liked the "First Vision" DVD, and is reading in the Book of Mormon, and knows that he is missing something in his life. We had a great discussion with him, and he gave a meaningful and tender prayer, and wanted us to come back soon. We set another appointment for three nights later, and when we knocked at the door, the Elder’s cell phone rang and it was him; he had been delayed and couldn’t get back in time. That was three weeks ago now, and no word since; it’s like he has vanished into thin air. We’ll keep trying, but life and people have us shaking our heads in wonderment sometimes.
The one French custom that I thought was kinda cute at first, the air kissing of your cheeks, (smack, first the one, then, smack, the other) is beginning to wear on me now. I enjoy a nice handshake, and a hug from a good friend, or someone you haven’t seen for awhile is great (and always from family!). But, now I get kisses from all the sisters every Sunday, and at every greeting at someone’s home, or at Family Home Evening, from people I’ve known for months, or perfect strangers, even from ladies I’m not so sure like me very much, every time we see them!! It’s nuts, and I wish they’d quit it! Our retiring mission president’s wife took me aside, and whispered that it was the ONE thing she would not miss when they returned to their home in Virginia, USA. One lady at church grabs my arms and kisses me with such gusto and loud smacks, that it leaves me with a ringing in my ears. With Sister Maitre, two won’t do, it’s got to be four (that means you are in, and are considered family!); and it was funny, we clashed glasses so badly at first, that she now always whips hers off with a big grin on her face. Men do get in on the act too, somewhat, and I got a big surprise when the second time I met Ives, a friend of Veronique’s, (the newly divorced member we are trying to help), he kissed my cheeks (I didn’t see it coming, at all) four times with day old stubble that had me wincing in pain. I had given him my carrot cake recipe, and so I now have a new friend for life! Sometimes I take the low road, and duck and run for cover; but I hate being a chicken, so I mostly just grin and bear it, after all, it’s part of the experience of being in France.
Love you lots, Sister Mom, Joanne, Grandma
Members
We have some of the greatest members of the church in our fair burg. They have to work twice as hard to keep the faith than we who live close to the center of church headquarters, because they don’t have a large number of the faithful to depend on and this country and its government does everything it can to discourage faith.
The first member I will talk about is Sister Jacqueline Bouchard, our 81-year-old Relief Society President. Don’t let her age fool you because she has more energy than the Energizer Bunny. She still helps the infirmed with their house work and can keep up with the best of us. She has been out porting, door to door, with us and will speak to anyone at the drop of the hat.
In our Sunday meetings, you will get tired just watching her. She directs the Relief Society and plays the piano there, then she will give the Sunday School lesson, and to finish things off she will play the piano in sacrament meetings. She can give a great talk, which we do often because of our small numbers, and has a strong testimony. Her greatest desire is to serve a mission and we just finished her papers and made calls to SLC to the genealogy library president to have her come to his mission. This sister is as excited about serving and getting her call as any young elder or sister.
We have Family Home Evening with her and the other single members of the branch and she will take any assignment we issue. She can get into a lesson on the Gospel and play a mean game of UNO for the activity. She lost her husband some years ago, but that doesn’t stop her from making many trips to the Madrid temple (10 hours away) by herself in her little car. She is the greatest. She has the distinction of being one of the first women mayors of a town in the Charante.
The next is a high priest, Patrick Humblot. He lost a son 11 years ago when the son was serving in the military in Bosnia. This son was planning on a mission after his military service, but it wasn’t to be on earth. The death of the son caused the mother to go into depression and lose all control of her life. Patrick kept his faith with both the loss of his son and then the problems with his wife. His wife left him, but he stayed true to his testimony.
Patrick is the activity chairman and he does his job with a great deal of enthusiasm. He has the one thing that brings us very close and that is a great sense of humor. He is always on the phone with encouragement with a humorous slant. He gives great talks because he can put the Gospel subjects in a way that everyone can follow him and his humorous antidotes keep everyone on their toes. He loves history and is like me in the enthusiastic way he tackles his genealogy. He has an interesting job: he makes false teeth, crowns and bridges for the local dentists.
Alain Kaus is a single member who is 45-years-old. His family is from Austria and is of Jewish decent. The family came to France to escape Hitler and hide here in the Charante during the war. He served in the Foreign Legion for 5 years and was sent to Africa to fight for the French in wars in the former colonies.
He joined the church here in Angouleme after his military service and loves the Gospel. He works as a mason, bu
t here in France this is one of those occupations that are at the mercy of the work available and all the work is only by the job. He and others have to meet at a central place so they can be picked for the jobs open at that time. He and the branch have been praying that he can find someone who will keep him hired and with his faith and the members fasting a praying, he has found someone to keep him on full time. He is a wiry thin man who you would not think to be a brick and block layer, but he works long hard hours. However I am the only one he has challenged that beat him in arm wrestling.
I have the distinction of being one of the few that can follow what he says because of my early training with the French language. Being taught by young neighborhood boys, I picked up much of the slang and Alain speaks in the French slang. He can speak properly and does so for talks and in his priesthood lessons each week, but he slips easily into the slang of the country whenever he can. Our English branch president brings me into his office whenever he interviews Alain because he can’t understand enough of the lingo to get all Alain is saying. Since I have the responsibility to get all active members to the temple, he and I have had some great discussions about the temple and he is planning to attend this fall for the first time. He had a great deal of stress over the fact that he had to kill other men in the opposing side of conflicts, but with much help from the branch presidency, love, the scriptures, and some recent talks by the brethren on the subject, he has overcome his feelings of guilt and is ready for his interview.
Alain is another member with a good sense of humor and I enjoy his love for life. He is always asking me if we have any single girls in our family and I always refer him to Joanne and since he doesn’t speak English the inquiry ends there.
The other member who I would like to talk about is a little mite of a sister, Marie-Christine Clenet. She is barely all of 4’10” and can’t weigh more than 90 pounds. She is in her 50’s and is single because she took care of her parents who were both sick for years. She is a librarian and can give the best talks without referring to her notes and can give a dynamic lesson that will keep you listening because of her knowledge of the Gospel and her quick wit. She can keep everyone on task with her kind ways of reminding us that we need to be on task.
She cooks for the branch meals even though she can’t often come and everyone can feel her sharing nature. She is always smiling even though all is not going right with health or family.
These and many others of the branch are the salt of the earth and will be very much my friends now and after this life. If I have learned one thing being here, that is that we are all God’s children and Upton Sinclair was right when he said there are only two types of people in this world, “Those I love and those I don’t know.”
The first member I will talk about is Sister Jacqueline Bouchard, our 81-year-old Relief Society President. Don’t let her age fool you because she has more energy than the Energizer Bunny. She still helps the infirmed with their house work and can keep up with the best of us. She has been out porting, door to door, with us and will speak to anyone at the drop of the hat.
In our Sunday meetings, you will get tired just watching her. She directs the Relief Society and plays the piano there, then she will give the Sunday School lesson, and to finish things off she will play the piano in sacrament meetings. She can give a great talk, which we do often because of our small numbers, and has a strong testimony. Her greatest desire is to serve a mission and we just finished her papers and made calls to SLC to the genealogy library president to have her come to his mission. This sister is as excited about serving and getting her call as any young elder or sister.
We have Family Home Evening with her and the other single members of the branch and she will take any assignment we issue. She can get into a lesson on the Gospel and play a mean game of UNO for the activity. She lost her husband some years ago, but that doesn’t stop her from making many trips to the Madrid temple (10 hours away) by herself in her little car. She is the greatest. She has the distinction of being one of the first women mayors of a town in the Charante.
The next is a high priest, Patrick Humblot. He lost a son 11 years ago when the son was serving in the military in Bosnia. This son was planning on a mission after his military service, but it wasn’t to be on earth. The death of the son caused the mother to go into depression and lose all control of her life. Patrick kept his faith with both the loss of his son and then the problems with his wife. His wife left him, but he stayed true to his testimony.
Patrick is the activity chairman and he does his job with a great deal of enthusiasm. He has the one thing that brings us very close and that is a great sense of humor. He is always on the phone with encouragement with a humorous slant. He gives great talks because he can put the Gospel subjects in a way that everyone can follow him and his humorous antidotes keep everyone on their toes. He loves history and is like me in the enthusiastic way he tackles his genealogy. He has an interesting job: he makes false teeth, crowns and bridges for the local dentists.
Alain Kaus is a single member who is 45-years-old. His family is from Austria and is of Jewish decent. The family came to France to escape Hitler and hide here in the Charante during the war. He served in the Foreign Legion for 5 years and was sent to Africa to fight for the French in wars in the former colonies.
He joined the church here in Angouleme after his military service and loves the Gospel. He works as a mason, bu
t here in France this is one of those occupations that are at the mercy of the work available and all the work is only by the job. He and others have to meet at a central place so they can be picked for the jobs open at that time. He and the branch have been praying that he can find someone who will keep him hired and with his faith and the members fasting a praying, he has found someone to keep him on full time. He is a wiry thin man who you would not think to be a brick and block layer, but he works long hard hours. However I am the only one he has challenged that beat him in arm wrestling.I have the distinction of being one of the few that can follow what he says because of my early training with the French language. Being taught by young neighborhood boys, I picked up much of the slang and Alain speaks in the French slang. He can speak properly and does so for talks and in his priesthood lessons each week, but he slips easily into the slang of the country whenever he can. Our English branch president brings me into his office whenever he interviews Alain because he can’t understand enough of the lingo to get all Alain is saying. Since I have the responsibility to get all active members to the temple, he and I have had some great discussions about the temple and he is planning to attend this fall for the first time. He had a great deal of stress over the fact that he had to kill other men in the opposing side of conflicts, but with much help from the branch presidency, love, the scriptures, and some recent talks by the brethren on the subject, he has overcome his feelings of guilt and is ready for his interview.
Alain is another member with a good sense of humor and I enjoy his love for life. He is always asking me if we have any single girls in our family and I always refer him to Joanne and since he doesn’t speak English the inquiry ends there.
The other member who I would like to talk about is a little mite of a sister, Marie-Christine Clenet. She is barely all of 4’10” and can’t weigh more than 90 pounds. She is in her 50’s and is single because she took care of her parents who were both sick for years. She is a librarian and can give the best talks without referring to her notes and can give a dynamic lesson that will keep you listening because of her knowledge of the Gospel and her quick wit. She can keep everyone on task with her kind ways of reminding us that we need to be on task.
She cooks for the branch meals even though she can’t often come and everyone can feel her sharing nature. She is always smiling even though all is not going right with health or family.
These and many others of the branch are the salt of the earth and will be very much my friends now and after this life. If I have learned one thing being here, that is that we are all God’s children and Upton Sinclair was right when he said there are only two types of people in this world, “Those I love and those I don’t know.”
Love, Elder Dad, Jack, Grandpa & Papa
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