Sunday November 8, 2026

Today I found my Christmas list on Spotify. I had been looking for sometime because I could not remember what I saved it under - Sue’s Christmas Favorites. I think I tried everything but that. Music is a huge part of our daily devotional celebrating the  birth of our Savior.  We are not much into Rudolf or Rocking Around the Christmas Tree but find the sounds of Voces 8, The King’s Singers, and Chanticlear inspiring. Some of our favorite composers you may not be familiar with: Benjamin Britten, John Tavener, Morten Lauridsen, Bob Chilcott. These we have discovered over the years thanks to children with exceptional experiences in choral and orchestral music.  All our family has participated multiple times in the Messiah— singing, playing instruments, or conducting and I am always brought to tears listening to the words of Worthy Is the Lamb at full volume. Our favorite rendition to listen to is Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony. I do prefer Messiah for Easter but listen in both seasons. It was  a surprise to see (under glass) part of the  original score in the London Library.

Our two new missionaries, Elder Spivey from the Bay Area and Sr. Lindemann from Colorado are both wonderful to have in Avignon. They have an amazing grasp on the language already. We had several amis at church today although it was cold and rainy. I have been leading the singing the last few weeks because we are trying to learn some of the new unfamiliar hymns .

It has been cold enough to wear tights, boots, and wool jackets. The temperatures are about the same as Chalon and it feels like winter. Fortunately we have two sources of heat in our rock house, radiators and a pellet burning stove. The stove has a big glass window at the front so we can see the flames and it feels like we have a fireplace.

We have several families in the branch we are assigned to visit. These do not answer texts or emails or phone calls so we are just going to show up at their houses. We will see how that goes. Most we have never met. 

To day we and the young missionaries were invited for Christmas dinner with the Farina family. They are originally from Spain and speak French with a Spanish accent according to Tom. Very nice people. I asked what I could bring. She responded ‘something you would normally eat on Christmas Day’. Prime rib and Yorkshire pudding may be out of reach but perhaps hot spiced cider, stuffed mushrooms and caramel popcorn might be a possibility. Christmas cookies?

Fat Rabbit will not be on any holiday menu

Sunday November 1, 2026

We listened this afternoon to the recorded funeral services for Martin Robinette, a remarkable personality, disciple, scientist, and friend.  It was a sweet remembrance of his dedication to God and to his family, as well as his madcap sense of humor.  He and his wife Helen, were part of the remarkable people that formed a community of saints as we raised our family in Rochester, Minnesota.  Several of that group have now crossed over, leaving friends and posterity to carry on the work.  

It has been a great week for studying the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament and the books of Nephi in the Book of Mormon. I learned that the phrase “Holiness to the Lord” over the entrance of every temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is derived from a plaque on the front of the turban worn by the ancient high priest of Israel.  It was to remind him that his thoughts should constantly be about the Lord, similar to the baptismal covenant we make and renew every week when we partake of the bread and the water to always remember Him.

I love how the Lord makes room for everyone in his gospel. 1 Nephi 22:28. Behold all nations, kindreds, tongues and peoples shall dwell safely in the Holy one of Israel if it so be that they repent. Also 2 Nephi 4:35 I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. This made me wonder what Nephi was asking for: to shake at the appearance of sin, the gates of Hell shut because of a broken heart and contrite spirit, encircled about in the robes of righteousness, make an escape from my enemies, and a straight path.  I immediately thought about my own prayers and what I am asking for. It reminded me of Elder Renlund’s talk about seeing the big picture  or complaining about cold oatmeal.

It has been an interesting week medically, as usual: rashes, ingrown toenails, fevers and sore throat, a cut on the top of an elder’s head from jumping up in a doorway, anemia, patellar instability syndrome, etc.  There are generally about 15-20 missionaries on my sick list in various stages of diagnosis, treatment, or recovery.  Most things are minor.

We spent Saturday afternoon exploring a bit. 

We visited the lovely town of Uzès where the Saturday market was in full swing. 

Making baguettes

Selling honeycomb

Lots of history there as well with the ducal palace and towers. 

Then we swung south into the Camargue, the Rhone delta country, to the city of Aigues-Mortes, where Louis IX and successors built the tower, city wall, and port  - his only one on the Mediterranean, and from which he left for the 7th and 8th crusades.  We could see the huge piles of salt still being “mined” in the flats.

Sea salt in the making (upper R)

Saturday October 24, 2026

Last Sunday we met a couple from Utah at church.  Since they didn’t have a car, we offered to take them to see Pont-du-Gard, the majestic Roman aqueduct.  It is only 20 minutes from our house.  After our last visit there we wanted to see if our registration for a (free) annual parking pass would work.  It did.  Also, our GPS took us to the other side of the river than we usually see, and we liked the park-like grounds much better there!

This was on Sunday evening going home, with a brilliant sky (pardon the fuzziness).  The jagged rocks on the left (les Issards) were the site of an American bomber crash after being hit by German ack ack during the Allied invasion of southern France on Aug 15, 1944. The crew names are on a plaque at our local cenotaph in Rochefort.

The last few days we have been in Lyon for exit and intake. We said farewell to Sr. Tew who was with us in Chalon.  We are eager to meet the new arrivals. They are exhausted from travel but excited to be here and appreciate a home cooked meal.  Wednesday we had just 13 coming in - so much easier than 26.  Seems like an outstanding group!  We always learn something from listening to Pres. and Sr. Schow.  While we were gone our landlord moved in a new fridge to replace the one that had formed a small glacier in the main compartment.

new fridge with skylight and loft visible

We were able to invite Srs. Bucy and Hanni and Elders Bell and Villaroel to our house in Rochefort-du-Gard for dinner at different times. We fed them pot roast pork with lots of veggies,  salad, and apple crisp for dessert. They were delighted with homemade food which they didn’t cook.  They were expecting to leave Avignon. Sr. Bucy was transferred to Annecy and Elder Villaroel to Lyon as Zone Leader.  We now welcome Sr. Lindemann and Elder Spivey.

We are into wool sweater weather with lows in the high forties and highs in the mid sixties. This morning we even learned how to turn on the wood-pellet-burning heater - pretty simple.  

The leaves are changing colors and our landlord shared 4 butternut squash from his garden. It is soup season. Some of our favorites are split pea, chicken tortilla, lentil, potato, and chili.  I will have to start keeping some in the fridge to take to Institute on Wednesday nights. (We always take food).

We have received a few questions about the demonstrations in the country.  So far we have avoided almost anything, except for the time in Nimes in old town 2 weeks ago when we were trying to find the Maison Carré in our car and turned down a narrow street to see about 15 police people at the far end.  As we came close to the corner where they were standing we looked left - where we had to turn - and saw a large number of students milling about.   We gestured to the police about what to do and they motioned that we should proceed along.  The police and the students were just watching each other and we passed without incident.  Missionaries are given instructions about areas to avoid, especially in the big cities. Day-to-day one would not be aware of anything going on, but the weekend rioters today will face a significant police presence. 

Walking from the parking lot to the house

October 12, 2026

How the weeks fly by!  We started this one listening to General Conference from Salt Lake City with messages from the prophet Dallin H Oaks and the twelve apostles. This is something Tom and I anticipate every six months.  We believe that their words are those Jesus Christ would speak if He were here on earth. One of the topics most necessary to our North American culture was the warning about gambling - trying to get something without hard work - and its dangers.  We also picked up Andre and Jeff, who had flown in from Phoenix for a few days in Provence.  The week ended feeding 40 hungry missionaries pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, fruit kabobs, carrot sticks, baby tomatoes, nut cups, brownies and cookies in Marseilles and picking up the Bridegans, friends from Florida, at the airport. 

We took the time to show our two sets of guests some of the treasures of Southern France.  La Maison Carrè (Nimes) is the best preserved Roman temple in the world and magnificent with  its columns and carvings. This was architect  Andre’s favorite viewing.  

Maison Carré, Nimes

Le Pont du Gare, a three story aquaduct over the Gare River is a monument  of unbelievable  proportion. On warm summer days, many swim, kayak, and canoe here to cool off and gaze at this gigantic structure. 

Joann, being a family counselor, loved St. Paul de Mausole, a peaceful place where the mentally ill, including Van Gogh, were treated from the late 1800s.  

Van Gogh's window is in the left middle of the 2nd floor

We all wished we could attend one of the concerts still held in the summers at the Theatre in Orange, the largest Roman stage outside of Italy.  2100 years ago, all the productions were free, but you were seated according to class.  

All our visitors were charmed by the missionary accommodation in our 200 year old rock house and by the hourly church bells of Castelas, an 1100 year old church in the old town. The vineyards and olive groves of Provence make almost every country road memorable.

October 4, 2026

 We spent Sunday evening at the mission home with the Schows. It had been three weeks since seeing them but we always look forward to time and conversation with them. Tom attended Paris Nord boussole and found their format different from Lyon. We plan on alternating that meeting every other Sunday between the two missions.

We were blessed to be in Switzerland this week. Monday we drove to Lauterbrunnen and spent the afternoon hiking to Murren after taking the tram halfway up the mountain. We are always rejuvenated by the breathtaking beauty of this place and almost surprised that it is still so spectacular although we have been there before. It makes me grateful for the personality of God, his creative ability in contrast with his unlimited wisdom and love, giving us opportunity to develop more of each of these through our own experiences. 

Our real purpose for travel was to be at the temple in Bern with our friend Alban as he received his endowment. We were at his baptism in Dijon and his ordination to both the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods in Chalon and Lyon. We thought there would be other branch members there but we found him in the food room of the patron housing  completely alone. We were so happy could be there for him.  We went for dinner together while he caught us up on the good news from Chalon.  The branch is now very full each Sunday, thanks to some Tahitian families who moved in, and they are looking for a more spacious meeting location. 

The temple experience has been changed and improved for those coming for the first time and Tom was able to enjoy that as the escort for Alban.  A good orientation was read from a card, so it was not dependent on the personality of the temple worker.  Alban really enjoyed the session and is eager to return to do the proxy work for his grandfather, and others in his family.  

In other mundane news we were able to get our car maintenance done.  We had heavy rains on Wednesday evening and night - we think about 3 inches fell.  The summer is definitely past but the days are still warm (80F today) but slowly cooling.  We expect visitors this weekend and next and Conference this weekend - a sure indicator of Autumn.  

Sunday September 27, 2026

We made some great memories this week visiting St. Remy, Glanum, Les Baux de Provence and the Palais des Papes with the Patches. They took the TGV to Paris Tuesday afternoon and flew to Florida Wednesday.

Nougat shop at Les Baux

Valley near Les Baux

Statue of Van Gogh at St. Paul de Maussole

A ceiling in the Palais des Papes

The next few days we got back to our normal schedule: laundry, exercising, medical meetings, lots of phone calls, Institute, studying and grocery shopping.

Yesterday we made 2 quarts of BBQ sauce and cooked and froze 38 cups of pulled pork for Marseilles Zone Conference. Pulling the fat off between the meat motivated me to ask Tom if human fat looked the same?  When he answered in the affirmative it made me want to lose weight.  I found a couple of new walking trails and logged 17 miles in my journal for the week, the most in 6 months.  Listening to podcasts makes walking alone much easier.  I have a couple of favorites found on All In: DeAnn Sadler—The Love Story Hidden in the Ten Virgins, Davis Smith—The Mission Ends The Next Ten Years.

An olive grove on Sue's walk

We were invited to lunch with a delightful couple in the branch who live quite far away.  We found somany connections with them - both are long time members who lost spouses to illness and remarried 7 years ago.  We found several Bordeaux connections and others, the most amusing being that the sister, at age 16, was in love with a missionary who became my companion later on.

September 20, 2026

It was great to be back in Lyon at the mission home with the Schows who were not only preparing for the intake of 23 new missionaries but two talks each for a Stake Conference Saturday and Sunday.  We  spent some time with the Laters (office) who return home the first week of November and gave big hugs to the Berubes (YSA Lyon) who return to Alberta at the same time. We had planned to travel to Scandinavia with the Laters next summer but have decided to visit them in Utah after Ethan’s graduation in April. We will miss both these couples when they leave.

We were impressed by the group of 13 elders and 9 sisters who arrived Wednesday afternoon from the Provo MTC plus one from Brazil. Tom said they were the first group he has interviewed with none on medication for emotional or mental issues. I was impressed with the help the sisters offered in food prep and service, and with Elder Clegg and Elder Kastendieck who helped me clean until the bitter end - washing the dishes and the floors. Sr. Landes at the mission home has decided that she wants to do the lunch bags for the trains so that responsibility has been removed except for putting the sandwiches in at the church.

Gene and Sara arrived on the TGV Friday. In the last three days, between telephone calls and eating, we visited Orange, with the petit Arc de Triumph, Roman built, as the gate to the city where a legion of soldiers retired. We toured the ‘Theatre’ (UNESCO World Heritage Site) believed to be the first of many outside Rome, where thousands of people were entertained by tragedy and comedy. 

The theater in Orange

In Arles, at the Antiquities Museum, we saw the 2000 year old Roman barge, discovered in the last 20 years and rescued, with  cargo intact, from 3 meters of silt in the Rhone.  Also a UWHS. We enjoyed the Museum of Ethnography,  which showed everything from lace caps and shoes to a typical dining room, to the bedroom of a new mother with three women guests ințroducing the baby to the world with gifts of salt for wisdom, an egg for fullness, and bread for goodness.

Yesterday we attended Sacrament in Nimes instead of taking Patches to Stake Conference in Marseille. We climbed Tower Magna, the only remaining of 60 which protected the Roman capital. It stands on a hill in a beautiful park over looking significant fresh water springs where yesterday they were demonstrating scuba diving lessons. Nearby was an Arabian horse ballet. The park also included a temple to Diana and beautiful trees and flowers. 

Tour Magna

Garden of the fountain

After a 30 minute drive we reached Pont du Gard (UWHS). It is magnificent in the middle of nowhere. The river is so clean that it encourages swimmers, paddle boarders and kayakers on a hot day. The aqueduct, a spectacle of engineering genius, transported spring water to where it was needed.  It is a calming and  peaceful place to meditate and observe.  We came home each day exhausted but grateful for the education history provides. Most of what we saw was built before or during the time of Christ.