We have had a busy few days. Zone Conference was changed from Dec. 8 to Dec. 3 (less than 5 days after exit and intake ended) because of complications with Sr. Schow’s eye appointments   We found this out on Nov. 28 but did not have time to think about it except to plan to do soups for the main course.  I was speaking in church on the 30th and needed to finish and practice my talk in French.  We spent all of Monday and Tuesday preparing, and Wednesday preparing and setting up. The church was so cold that everyone enjoyed the potato corn, lasagne, ginger carrot, and chicken tortilla soups with thick crusty bread.  We had fresh pineapple, kiwi, persimmon,  banana and pomegranate salad,  and for dessert 5 inch chocolate chip cookies (only 464 calories each).  We had great help setting and cleaning up and left Lyon about 3:30, making it home before dark. You all know what exhaustion feels like.

Our elite soup servers: Elders Spackman, Later, Delbar, and Berube

Sr. Peterson on the L, Sr. Lewis on the right with her new companion 

Planks during the break

I took the time on Friday to teach our soeurs how to make pomanders so their apartment would small nice. Neither had even heard of one. 

Srs. Bell and Rasmussen

Last night was the branch Christmas party. Our few primary kids had a great time acting out the nativity.  Then we learned about the symbols of Christmas, played charades with one word clues, sang, and ate finger food.  Janine, one of the Tahitian members made a scrumptious Bûche de Noël. 

A funny story with a picture included. Bro. Landré (our 86 year old war hero and spy extraordinaire) was on the planning committee for the celebration. He wanted to be Père Noël and hand out toys to the children.   Pres. Catogni vetoed the idea, saying they wanted the  focus to be on Jesus. This did not make Bro. Landré happy.  So guess who showed up at the party?  Two wise men!  One had a beard and hair similar to a different Christmas character but wore a crown and a robe. The two of them gave presents to the children just like the wisemen brought gifts to Jesus.

The 2 Magi, aka Père Noël and his elf

Today we delivered gift baskets to some members, for the bishop. It is always a revelation to see how middle aged single men live. At first Tom thought he might be remodeling until he realized that there was nowhere to sit down, even on the floor.  It was covered with papers and junk, with a horizontal palm tree in the middle.  I had to remind myself that we came here to visit him not to judge his house keeping skills.

Sister Navarro was lying in bed in a dark room. She has had severe back pain the last few days and could not move.  We showed her pictures of zone conference and played a bit of everyone singing “Angels We Have Heard on High”.  Then we talked about the ward party and the wisemen which made her smile.  Tom blessed and passed the Sacrament in her bedroom. It is always a sacred experience with the three of us.

Nov 30, 2025

Last week was one of transfers: 17 departing super missionaries, and 14 arriving new missionaries from 3 MTCs full of enthusiasm and speaking Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mongolian, English and French.  Soeur Bell was assigned to our branch and Sr. Tew was sent to Nice as a Sister Trainer Leader.  We have previously talked about our involvement in the meals for the three days.  The program is getting more routine and somewhat easier.  The other office couples are very helpful.  Friday we were invited to help do some wall & ceiling washing and vacuuming of several rooms in a member’s home where they are doing some remodeling.  The drywall was taped and sanded and there was dust everywhere - much diminished when we finished.

We have had a lot of rain in the past 10 days.  The Saône is perhaps higher than we have seen in the past and there is a lot of flooding from the many small streams on the outskirts of town.  Many running trails are impassable.  The flooding is expected and usually it is low-lying fields that fill up. No roads or homes are flooded - that would take a major event.

The Christmas decorations are up in the town.  Many small Christmas trees are on street corners and near shops in the old town, decorated usually with red bows; lighting displays cross the streets overhead and on lamp posts; larger (30 feet !) Christmas trees with many decorations and lights are found in several places in the town.  We did have a snow shower one day last week.

Today in meetings one of the speakers told of an experience when he was a bishop.  He regularly visited a member whose husband wasn’t interested in the church and would always go into a different room when they came to visit.  One day, he asked his wife and son to visit with the wife while he went in the other room with the husband to get to know him better.  After some conversation, he invited the man to be more a part of the church.  The man said that could never happen, because he had committed a sin which was unpardonable.  After some active listening, the bishop heard his story.  During WW II, the man served in a resistance unit.  During one difficult engagement with the Germans, his best friend was severely wounded.  To avoid his painful cries giving away their position, the commander ordered the man to silence his friend, and the only way to do that was to strangle him.  It is so difficult to imagine the burden of guilt that this man had carried for so many years.  The bishop lovingly taught that Christ’s love is all powerful and could forgive even that.  At the end the man was invited to attend church the next Sunday, which he did.  After several months, the man decided to be baptized and became an active member for the last 10 years of his life.

The Christmas story is about a little baby, but the heart of that story is Christ’s earthly mission to bring us salvation from sin and death, and offer new beginnings.

November 16, 2025

Last Sunday we combined lunch with the sœurs and Tom’s Elders Quorum assignment of missionary coordinator.  We talked about all their amis and the progress they were or were not making.  Several were at church and one leaned over and expressed to Sr. Tew how good she smelled. She decided his desire to meet with the missionaries may not be appropriate. 

At the direction of our branch president, Tom was able to orient Alban, the newest convert in our branch, to the Melchizedek  Priesthood to prepare him for his interview with the Stake  President.  It was wonderful to sustain him at Stake Conference this morning and for Tom to stand in the circle with others to ordain him an Elder.  FYI, last Sunday we had 51 in attendance at Sacrament Meeting- the most ever.

Monday night at FHE we discussed Superaging and how being on a senior mission encourages the sociality which keeps both brains and bodies healthy.  Interesting studies by Northwestern University in Chicago and Harvard agreed that social relationships was the one thing that all their subjects had in common.

Nov.11 we attended the service at the Cenotaph honoring the war dead.  Our city Mayor repeated a similar message from last year.  We need a strong defence in order to have peace.  People in Europe are very much aware of what is happening with Putin and Zelensky.  Again our dear 86 year old branch member and veteran extraordinaire was in full uniform with all his medals and in charge of all the flag bearers.

We sneaked away to Lauterbrunnen for a picnic before attending a temple session in Zollikofen where our friend David received his own endowment.  David was baptized 54 weeks ago, on the first weekend we attended the Chalon Branch.  It was a wonderful opportunity to share both experiences with him.  Lauterbrunnen is only an hour north of Bern and is one of our favorite glacial valleys in Switzerland but it was cold.  Don’t miss these spectacular rock cliffs, waterfalls, and high meadows if you ever have the opportunity.  We also drove up to Grindelwald at the base of the Eiger, the Monch and the Jungfrau - unbelievable scenery but a very famous commercial town. 

Entering Switzerland from the Jura Mountains

Lauterbrunnen with Staubach Falls

The south end of the valley with snow up high

The dawning of a new temple day

Looking into a bright sun after the temple session

Today our little choir of 14 from the Chalon Branch sang in Stake Conference.  We have been practicing for months so all the words and nuances were memorized.  Sr. Rasmussen accompanied on the harp and Catherine Catogni conducted.  I think angels were with us as we sang the new hymn 1006, Were You There.  All in the meeting felt the Spirit.  One of the speakers, who had lived in our branch several years ago, commented on how wonderful it was to see the branch so lively after rumors in years past of its closure.  Such a great day.  We drove home and celebrated with beef stew, beets, and corn, and the sœurs. 

Nov 9, 2025

Every one responded well to our taco salad at Zone Conference.  Many told us it tasted just like home. The only leftovers were some olives, chips and salsa and 2 cups of meat out of 19 lbs.  We fed 55.

Pres. Schow likened friends (investigators) to the seeds in the parable of the sower.  The seed may be good and the soil good but the timing or the circumstances may have an effect.  He encouraged the missionaries to keep those on their lists who have not been interested.  3 Nephi 18:32 ….we know not that they will return and repent and come unto me with full purpose of heart.

Sr. Schow spoke of confluences, the Rhône and Saône Rivers in Lyon joining together to make one great river.  She likened this to sacred confluences - aligning hearts and keys to access the blessings of unity.  Each of us is a necessary tributary. When we bring our spiritual gifts and our searching for Jesus Christ together, we share convincing power through the Holy Ghost.

Interesting new statistics.  I don’t know if these are from France or from the Europe Central Area. Over the last 18 months, we have seen 100% increase in friends attending Sacrament Meeting, 18% increase in rétention of new converts, and 400% increase in convert baptisms.  Today was the first time we have had attendance over 50 in our little branch without the help of stake or other members visiting.  We also were delighted to read of the dedication by Elder Rasband of the new MTC in Kinshasa.  We were able to visit there in 2023 when it was a temporary MTC in an apartment complex without a lot of resources because it was relatively new.  The Lord is hastening his work.  Do we recognize what is happening before our eyes? All we do is pointed towards Jesus Christ.

We are very excited with the call of Bishop Caussé to the apostleship.  If, as Elder Bednar surmised, the Church in Africa continues to grow at the same rate it has in the last ten years, then by 2040 the most spoken language in the Church will be French.

I have read of a 25 year study by North Western University in Chicago of 300 super agers.  All were over 80 and still had healthy minds and healthy bodies.  Although we all know that diet, exercise, lifestyle, smoking, alcohol have an effect on our quality of life, this study found only one commonality among them and it was social, not biological.  It was relationships. The better the quality of your relationships, the more likely you were to age well. Social interactions such as joining a club, developing a new hobby, any learning of new things, any mental stimuli, most likely will give you more healthy, active, sharp years.  Another study (Harvard) suggests  a 5-3-1 approach: interactions with 5 different people each week, nurturing 3 close relationships, and 1 hour of social interaction a day.  I guess there are some unique blessings for extroverts (or senior missionaries).

Practising the alphorn for a priesthood gathering near the temple in Bern

Decorations for a Halloween party in a museum

November supermoon on the Saône.  

Nov 2, 2025

It has been an unusual week.  Monday we went to the Mission Home to stay with Brigham and his cousin Tessa while Pres. and Sr. Schow went to their semi-annual Mission Leaders’ Seminar.  We did more grocery shopping and prep for the Zone Conference meal tomorrow and had a mostly quiet time. 

Tuesday we heard that son Hugh had gone to the hospital to be checked for a painful lump under his tongue, and after a scan, was admitted to be treated for Ludwig's Angina.  It is an infection under the tongue which in former days had 50% mortality because of airway occlusion, but has better results now because of improved diagnosis and treatment.  He went home after 48 hours.

Thursday we left as planned with the “kids” to attend the temple in Bern.  We stayed in patron housing, they stayed in a hotel about 12 minutes away.  Several other branch members were there as well, and we enjoyed the peace and calm of the temple.

Friday we took some time after the first session to go into Bern and see some sites.  The beautiful Clock Tower was first.  Then we climbed the cathedral tower (344 steps!) for the panoramic views of the mountains and town.  Brigham wanted to see the bears in the Bear Park, but they weren’t eager to see him.  We went to the Einstein Museum and learned about the brilliant but quirky man who published several groundbreaking papers while working as a patent clerk in Bern.  

The Clock Tower

The neogothic cathedral

The Aare River and Bernese Alps

Hanging out with the NIL of Einstein

Then we were hungry so we found a casual restaurant open near the temple. After our delicious meal it was time to take the kids to their hotel and then return for the last endowment session of the day.  It was already dark.  The car’s GPS suggested it was faster to cut across on smaller roads rather than taking the autoroute in a big loop.  I thought we had lots of time so I said, “Let’s see.”  However, as we got closer to the hotel and then farther away, it seemed like the GPS was absolutely wrong.  It said our destination was about 2 miles away from the hotel and on the wrong side of the autoroute.  I turned onto the smaller road, thinking we could turn around somewhere, then saw a bridge that crossed to the good side of the autoroute.  After making the crossing the road became more of a gravel trail and then turned in the wrong direction.  So, “Let’s turn around”.

The shoulders were wide and grassy with a small slope away from the gravel, but as we turned left to make a loop and come back toward the gravel, the front tires sunk a bit and I stopped.  Then it wouldn’t go forward or back.  Stuck!  The front tires weren’t in deep but in the damp soft grass and mud underneath, the tires just spun.  We got out and tried to push to get back to the road, several times.  No luck.  I thought about trying to go forward in the turn but was worried about getting in deeper.

At that point it looked bad.  I thought we might have to forget the last temple session and maybe even miss a decent night’s sleep.  Where would we find a tow truck after dark?  How far was it to walk to the hotel?  In desperation I proposed that we pray together.  Just as I said that aloud, we saw a small white light far across the dark field, bobbing up and down and gradually coming closer from the opposite direction.  As it came up the road we realized it was a runner, a young man, with a headlamp.  He stopped and we tried to communicate.  He didn’t speak French or English, was not from around there.  We did manage to communicate our predicament and he took a look at the wheels.  He said he was from Austria and was a mountain driver.  His advice was to try to push forward.  He would drive while we pushed.  With nothing to lose, we did, and the car moved forward and then sped up and was back on the gravel in no time.  He turned it around and got out, and then despite our effusive thanks he jogged off, saying only that he was an Austrian mountain driver.

We all got in and made our way back to the highway, and using the phone GPS we found a way to the hotel and then back to the temple in time for our session.

How is it that he was running in the dark in that remote location?  When did he come from?  Where was he going?  To have an angel appear in that location, at that time, was truly a miracle for us.  We were remote and in big trouble, and he saved us.

There is a lot of symbolism in that experience.  In this life we are unable to overcome sin and death on our own.  We can find ourselves in the dark, having made mistakes, far from where we need to be.  But God has sent his Son to save us - the true light that shines in the dark.  And He has saved us, and will save us when we turn to Him.

October 26, 2025

We found out this week that Zone Conference has been changed and is two weeks earlier than planned.  Tom has cooked and frozen his 6.6 pounds of black beans and I have cooked and seasoned and frozen 10 of my 20 lbs of hamburger.  We finally found cheddar cheese in a bigger quantity than 8 oz although we will need to shred it, and corn chips (tostitos) that taste just like those at home.  Avocados went on half price this week so we even could afford some of those.  We are keeping them cool so they will not ripen too fast. Sister Later found litres of salsa so we will have plenty of that and sliced black olives.  This just leaves fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and sour cream.  Can you guess our menu is taco salad for 55?

The borrowed harp came for Sr. Rasmussen this week.  She is accompanying our branch choir in Stake Conference on it and played prelude and postlude today.  She is a harp major at BYU and it was so peaceful to listen to her.

On our trip to Creusot this afternoon, the countryside was so beautiful after a week of rain.  The grape harvest is finished and the vines have changed from green to gold.  This is why our area of Burgundy is called the Gold Coast.  

There is a weekend  celebration beginning with the conclusion of the last grapes being pressed called Paulée where samplings of different wines are in multiple outdoor areas of Chalon and partakers wander from place to place finding their favorites.  This was last weekend. The huge cathedral, St. Vincent, closed for renovations and cleaning since we arrived, was also open.  The main section of the church welcomed visitors and we were delighted to see inside.  Thus the pictures below. 

October 20, 2025

I am so impressed with our Mission President and Sister Schow.  We spent three days this week with them, those exiting the mission, and the seventeen new missionaries arriving from the Provo and Preston MTCs and Australia. Let me share what we do on these days. 

For those who have completed their missions, their last afternoon is spent at the mission home participating in board games, pickle ball, boules, croquet, basketball, playing piano or just  swinging on the porch swing and visiting or watching.  A traditional regional meal, raclette, is served.  This is a kind of cheese, individually melted at the table, and served over charcuterie and hot vegetables.  It is a fun social occasion.  A devotional follows with singing, advice from any seniors attending, the final words from the mission leaders and a goodbye prayer of gratitude for the Savior, his Church, and the opportunity to serve his children in France, offered by a missionary.  The evening ends early.  The trip to the airport begins between 3-4 am.

Wednesday is always busy because the numbers of incoming Elders and Sœurs is usually large. There are snack bags to prepare, at least two trips to the airport, luggage to haul, metro rides into the city, an introduction to inviting, documents to receive and record, and personal  interviews.  Food prep and service moves to Sans Souci Chapel.  When all have arrived and the interviews completed, we serve lasagne, a salad bar of fruits and vegetables, French bread and dessert and the office staff shares info about train tickets, driving in France, money and banking, housing, and necessary papers.   At last, the zone leaders get them to their sleeping assignments.  Everyone is exhausted.

Thursday is an exhilarating day. This is the day each new Elder or Sœur will meet their first companion and accept their first assignment.  In the morning Sr. Schow takes them on an inspiring historical tour in the old town while the President has a training meeting with those who will introduce the newbies to the mission field.  We all meet at noon.  During this meeting, a name is picked at random.  That new missionary comes to the front, stands with Pres. and Sr. Schow by a large mission map and reads in French from an office-prepared document the name of the city of service and who they will serve with.  Now the action! The trainer runs to the front and hugs the new companion and points out where they will be going.  A picture is taken with the four of them.  The trainer and trainee return to seats together to begin their companionship.  This is an  exciting time even for those of us who are watching, who know where we are serving and who our companion is.  Pres. Schow teaches us to expect miracles by inviting all we see to attend Sacrament Meeting with us, to learn and teach with power from the Book of Mormon, and to follow the prophet.

If you are new, you receive a hard copy of the Book of Mormon and a colored pen.  In study,  each is to underline every reference to Christ, his characteristics, and his teachings.  You also receive a journal to record your feelings and the ideas or personal revelation which comes.  This is the place to record their miracles.  We then hand out the lunches and it is time to catch the trains.  May you make good choices and know that God is going with you.

Tom and I are blessed to be part of this process which happens every six weeks.  He has an interview with each of the incoming to insure the medical information received is correct and to give the missionaries a chance for some one on one time with their health advisor.  I help plan, purchase, prepare, serve, and clean up the food.  We love that we can serve and have the close association this gives us with the missionaries and Pres. and Sr. Schow.

Pres. Schow teaching

Running up the aisle to greet the new companion

Hugs

New companions

Elder Kastendieck (L) is from Edmonton.  Sue taught his aunt in seminary in the 70's.