Weeks 27 & 28 in France

Just after sending our last blog on April 15th, while reading scriptures on Janet's iPad, we got a pop-up notice of a fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.  We turned on the TV and watched in horror as the fire raged out of control and destroyed the roof of the cathedral.  We, with all of France, and with people around the world, mourned the loss of such a significant part of French culture and the Catholic Church.  Contributions have poured in and the French government has vowed to restore it in 5 years even better than it was.  We hope it will be so.  We were grateful to have been able to visit it in March when Claudia and Ed came to visit us.

Last Sunday was Easter, and we had a sweet, spiritual sacrament meeting.  Talks all centered on Christ's atonement and resurrection, as did the three choir numbers that Wayne accompanied: "I Stand All Amazed", "There Is a Green Hill Far Away", and "Jesus, Once of Humble Birth".  Our choir director found some wonderful arrangements of these three hymns that challenged Wayne's piano skills, but it's nice to have a good reason to practice!  One of the senior couples we serve with at the temple left a chocolate Easter rabbit in Janet's locker.  We are just barely finishing our Christmas chocolate!

Last Monday we were offered a ride to Costco with the new Temple Visitor Center directors, the Bourroux's.  That explains why Costco is in the background of Janet's picture of a beautiful blossoming tree.  The beautiful pink flower was a volunteer growing right beside the Parly 2 shopping mall we live by.

  
















This past Tuesday we had the joy of being together with another senior missionary couple we met just over a year ago as we were still planning on serving in southern France.  They accompanied a group of youth from the Toulouse Stake coming to the temple to do baptisms for their ancestors.  He is serving as the Branch President in Tarbes, France, near the Pyrenees mountains.  The other picture shows us eating the wonderful mini-cantalope we can buy here.  They are so sweet and tasty.

  The following day, Wednesday, April 16, we had invited the sister missionaries over for a steak dinner.  Janet decided to invite the Poussard's and another senior couple, the Woolstenhulme's from Montauban, France.  We had a delightful dinner and spiritual discussion around our little dinner table.

We were at the Parly 2 mall this past week and wandered into a knick-knack shop that sells all kinds of cute things for decorating or for gifts.  We had to get this cable hanging display celebrating "The Little Prince" along with some little magnetic hearts.  At the mall they had set up a wonderful display of animated jungle animals for kids to enjoy.

Most of our time, in spite of what you might think based on our blog pictures, is spent serving in the temple.  We thoroughly enjoy sharing our love of Jesus Christ with all who come.  It is such a blessing to be able to administer the ordinances of the temple which, in turn, so richly bless the lives of those who receive them. Many speak to us of the spirit of peace they feel as they come to the temple. The temple is truly the House of the Lord.