Weeks 39&40 in France

The most important event of this past week for us occurred in Utah, not in France.  We had hoped that Janet's mom (Janet Heiniger) would be there to greet us upon returning home from our mission to the Paris Temple. We knew that at 97 years old, the odds were against us, and now she is gone from this Earth. We thank Gloria and Aline for all their tender care and for making it possible for us to give her our love one last time. We were about to go to bed when Janet decided to check messenger again, even though she had checked it just a few minutes earlier. We got Gloria's message about mom's condition and called her right back after getting dressed. We talked with Gloria and Aline for a few minutes while mom slept. But when she stirred, they took the phone over to her so we could express our love. Although she was only semi-conscious, she responded by saying "I love you, too." When Angelica called us at 3 a.m. our time later that night, we knew immediately why she was calling.

As we served in the temple all day the next day, our thoughts were constantly about her. We are so grateful that our whole family is sealed together. We have no doubt that she was received in the spirit world by the loving arms of her husband, sisters, brothers, mother and father, and many others who knew and loved her in mortality. Because she was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, we know she will one day be able to greet the Savior with a joyous heart.

We will miss her warmth and love for now, but know for a certainty that she lives and that we will again be able to feel her loving arms around us some day.

A few weeks ago while playing basketball with the other missionaries (both old and young) I tripped and managed to hit my chin on the asphalt. I chipped one tooth and broke two others, and so am now looking forward to getting 2 more crowns.  I suppose that means I'll be a king!

Janet finally found a bundt cake pan and put it to good use.  Here's her very first banana bread, which tasted just as good as it looks.

On July 8 we were invited to the country home of Cyrille and Isabel Destribois to wish goodbye to two senior couple temple missionaries, Alain and Nellie Deladerriere and Brig and Karen LeSueur.  We will really miss them.  They took us under their wings when we were new, and their love and kindness will never be forgotten.  Elder LeSueur was the assistant temple recorder whom I am replacing.

Comparing Dr. Pepper with similar French soft drinks

feeding the chickens

chicken coop

Alain Deladerriere snoozing

Nellie Deladerriere makes the most wonder French bread


Last Saturday I served at the temple because they were so short-handed even though I wasn't supposed to go in. .  Janet went shopping and for a long walk and took lots of pictures:

This last picture shows just how dry the grass is in our back yard.

We had Elders Duffin and Prendergast over for dinner last Wednesday.  We love to feel their spirit and enthusiasm and to discuss the gospel message they prepared for us.

We pray you will feel the Lord's comfort and love at the loss of Janet's namesake mother, Janet Elizabeth Matson Heiniger.