On Monday, May 13th, we were invited to visit a French couple who serve at the temple and who live in Chartres, France. After having our train cancelled, we waited an hour for the next train and had a pleasant ride from Versailles to Chartres. Brahim Zoubiri met us at the train station and took us to his lovely home in the countryside just outside of Chartres. He and his wife served us a wonderful, typical 5 course French meal and showed us around his art studio. He is a painter, and has exhibited his work in many European countries. They then took us into Chartres and showed us around the amazing, world-famous Chartres Cathedral. Needless to say, we took way more pictures than we should post, but here are a few of our favorites:
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| Dinner with the Zoubirir's |
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| One of his paintings of the moon with clouds |
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| The Zoubiri's post a new scripture on their mantel each week. |
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| Annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel |
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| Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth |
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| Mary holding the crucified Christ's body |
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Dozens of scenes from the bible like these were used to teach the scriptures to the mostly illiterate populace
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Chartres Cathedral is famous for its amazing deep blue stained glass windows. The most famous is the window know as the "Blue Mary" (far left).
The cathedral has beautiful formal gardens behind it. There is also a very large wall painting on a nearby building, but no one we asked knew who it was a painting of.
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| Hashtag Chartres!! |
We are continually amazed at the profusion of flowers everywhere we go. They not only look beautiful, they smell wonderful, too.
Last Tuesday, May 21st, we were asked to substitute at the Visitor's Center. While we were there, a family walked in, and we started to visit. The father, Mr. Coucourde, told us his daughter, Jahiel, was a professional cellist. I told them I played the piano, and wouldn't it be fun if we could do something together while they were here for 4 days. Well, one thing led to another, and we were invited to play several numbers at the Friday evening presentation. Jahiel sent me some music by email, and she and her parents came over to our apartment Wednesday and Thursday afternoon to practice. Wayne was worried that he wouldn't have any time to practice, especially the difficult piece, "Meditation" by Thiel. The practices were a little rough, but Wayne learned to follow her movements to stay together. The evening of the performance was packed, and Wayne was still a bit nervous. As we played together, the Holy Spirit filled the room, and the music added to the wonderful presentation by Elder Frogley, one of the visitor center missionaries. Wayne felt truly blessed to be able to accompany Jahiel and felt the Lord helped him learn the music so quickly. It was an experience he will treasure always and never forget. It was another "tender mercy" from the Lord.
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| Wayne and Jahiel rehearsing at our apartment |
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| Wayne and Jahiel with her parents, the Coucourde's |
We feel so blessed to be able to serve the Lord on our mission. He strengthens and blesses us with love and peace each and every day as we serve in the temple.
P.S. Happy French Mother's Day to mothers everywhere. Thank God for mothers.
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| Mother's Day rose from church |
On Monday, May 13th, we were invited to visit a French couple who serve at the temple and who live in Chartres, France. After having our train cancelled, we waited an hour for the next train and had a pleasant ride from Versailles to Chartres. Brahim Zoubiri met us at the train station and took us to his lovely home in the countryside just outside of Chartres. He and his wife served us a wonderful, typical 5 course French meal and showed us around his art studio. He is a painter, and has exhibited his work in many European countries. They then took us into Chartres and showed us around the amazing, world-famous Chartres Cathedral. Needless to say, we took way more pictures than we should post, but here are a few of our favorites:
Last Tuesday, May 21st, we were asked to substitute at the Visitor's Center. While we were there, a family walked in, and we started to visit. The father, Mr. Coucourde, told us his daughter, Jahiel, was a professional cellist. I told them I played the piano, and wouldn't it be fun if we could do something together while they were here for 4 days. Well, one thing led to another, and we were invited to play several numbers at the Friday evening presentation. Jahiel sent me some music by email, and she and her parents came over to our apartment Wednesday and Thursday afternoon to practice. Wayne was worried that he wouldn't have any time to practice, especially the difficult piece, "Meditation" by Thiel. The practices were a little rough, but Wayne learned to follow her movements to stay together. The evening of the performance was packed, and Wayne was still a bit nervous. As we played together, the Holy Spirit filled the room, and the music added to the wonderful presentation by Elder Frogley, one of the visitor center missionaries. Wayne felt truly blessed to be able to accompany Jahiel and felt the Lord helped him learn the music so quickly. It was an experience he will treasure always and never forget. It was another "tender mercy" from the Lord.
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