February 15, 2026

It has been a week full of answered prayers and great blessings. Hugh received and accepted a job offer beginning next Monday. We could hear the excitement in his voice when he told us “this is the one I have been waiting for”.  Eden, our first grand daughter has been accepted into the honors program at the University of Utah.  Asher has been accepted to BYU.  We are so proud of both of them.  And Tal's band was the top streamer on Facebook this week!

Tuesday we went to the mission home over night, starting a journey to Toulouse to visit David and Camilla Spackman, Tom’s cousin. We had not seen them since the seniors retreat almost a year ago, despite our best intentions.  They will return to Canada in March after 18 months of working with the YSA, and seeing many baptisms in that age group.  We left the mission home early Wednesday in the rain and drove to Avignon where we found the the location of the chapel and then ate a picnic lunch next to the Pope’s Palace.  It was 65 degrees in welcoming sunshine and broke up the long drive.  That evening  we joined the yoga class that Camilla leads. There were probably 15 participants there. Sue went through the forms, Tom caught up on the missionary sick roll.  There were severe warnings of strong wind with rain that night but we didn’t hear a thing.  

The Place du Palais in Avignon

Yoga class

The next morning we saw several tiles smashed on the ground that had blown off the adjacent apartment building. On our walk, there were garbage containers blown over and lots of debris on the streets.  The sun decided to come out just for our tour of the center of town, including the basilicas of St. Sernin (UNESCO historic site) and Notre Dame de la Daurade.  We enjoyed a delightful lunch at Brochette.  Neither Tom nor I had ever attended an English Connect class but we  learned about that back at the church with Camilla teaching again.  We met one of the students, un ami, who had grown up in the same neighborhood of Daloa, Cote d’Ivoire, where we lived for 15 months in 2019-’20.  He moved to France many years ago and was very surprised to meet someone who knew his hometown so well.  We really enjoyed our 36 hours with David and Camilla.  Nothing beats family connections!

In front of the Donjon du Capitole

Saint-Sernin, one of the largest Romanesque churches in Europe

Interior of Saint-Sernin

Our drive home was more direct.  We saw lots of flooded fields as we came north.  The Saône is also very high and lots of the small feeder streams are well over their banks, with low lying ground covered with water.    The coming week is forecast to bring more rain!

We heard Bro. Maraiti tell his childhood story in church today.  He lived on the island of Bora Bora, Tahiti and said it wasn't like you see on post cards.  His mother died when he ws 10, and his father was rarely present, leaving him and his 5 year old brother to fend for themselves.  If his grandfather had not taught him to fish they would not have survived.  Eventually he found the church.  We never know what people have been through unless we are good listeners and they are wiling to talk about their past.  

February 8, 2026

This was from a recent visit to Sr. Navarro.  We were delighted that she is smiling and ot of bed!

We had a surprise this week.  Tom got a phone call, when he was out running, from the grandparents of one of the missionaries we have served with in Chalon.  They were visiting in France, from the U.S., and wondered if they could come and take us out to dinner that evening.  He responded that we had commitments until 5 but any time after that would be fine.  What a wonderful evening we had although we ended up eating soup, salad and apple crisp at our house, sharing stories of success and struggle as older adults.  They had come to thank us in person for helping their missionary survive the first six months in France.  They were grateful we showed personal interest, were encouraging, provided many meals, rides, advice, and listening ears.  As senior missionaries it was our great opportunity and blessing to love.  And we made some new friends.

We have been anticipating our branch conference for the past week and we were not disappointed.  Our branch president spoke first about accounting, and how important it is when discrepancies arise during an audit to not try to "fix' the books, but honestly identify the cause of the problem so correction can be made.  Likewise, we need internal audits of our lives to recognize when we are not in alignment with God, so that repentance can bring about necessary change. 

The stake president is a young man and spoke about his family working in the production of Baccarat crystal.  His father was a glassblower in his younger years.  It has a special purity and brilliance because it is made with lead, up to 30%, and is heated to 1500 C to purify the melted sand.  Each finished glass resembles the others, but each is unique and makes its own tone when the rim is moistened and rubbed with a finger.  He compared the lead to Christ's presence in our lives.  He purifies us through trials to help us become the disciples who can reflect His light to the world and help others see more clearly.  Second hour was a discussion about how to bring the spirit of the temple into our lives and homes.  Our quorum president suggested, quoting his mother, "We need more Nephi and less Wifi".

Among the stake visitors was the second counselor, Pres. Kabuya, who immigrated from Kinshasa about 25 years ago.  We asked if he knew Elder Thierry Mutombo, the Central Africa Area president with whom we worked closely when serving as the Medical Advisor there.  He said they grew up together in Kinshasa and that they still stay in touch.  I told him the story of a meeting in Nairobi when Elder Christofferson came to visit.  Elder Christofferson said he had just one concern about Elder Mutombo - that he needed to smile more.  Everyone laughed out loud because Elder Mutombo is known for his ever-present broad smile.  Pres. Kabuya also got the joke.  We had a photo taken to send to Pres. Mutombo.

Everyone enjoyed the meal after conference

A view from a run this week along the old levee of the Canal du Centre

February 1, 2026

It has been a relatively quiet week - and we are happy to see the end of January.  The weather has not been bad compared to the storms that we see crossing North America, but we don’t like the cold with rain.  The forecasts seem to be about 10F degrees warmer in the week ahead and that is very welcome.

Monday evening I went with a newer member to give a blessing to one of the older members of the branch who lives close.  It was a moment of teaching and learning and expressions of love and support for this ailing brother who is so faithful.  On Friday afternoon I accompanied another brother to visit, with her aunt, a young adult who is in a psychiatric hospital for treatment of her hallucinations.  She was happy to receive us and a blessing.  She was obviously sedated and somewhat subdued.  The good news was that she will start some day visits at home in the coming week.

A couple of weeks ago we received a letter from Pres. Schow about the near future for couples currently serving here.  Because of the 55 new missions opening in July and the current senior positions requested being filled at 55-60%, it is likely that most of the couples currently serving with release dates in the spring and summer will not be replaced.  He invited us to contact any French-speaking couples who might consider serving here and let him know of their potential availability and interest.  

We were aware late last year that our replacement had been called and had two conversations with them.  Then about a month ago their information was removed from our incoming missionary information.  We learned that they had been called to serve as mission leaders in Halifax Nova Scotia.  Great news for them; not so good for us, perhaps.  After some prayer and thought and information gathering, we have decided to extend our mission.  The Missionary Department allows seniors to go home and then return, at their own expense, for any reason the seniors think is important.  We have a granddaughter graduating from high school in May and a planned family reunion the end of June.  Our plan is to fly home mid-May and return mid-July.  I will continue to respond to missionary health needs.  The time differences should be manageable.  We’ll possibly be assigned to a different church unit when we return, and we’ll stay to mid-April of ’27, the maximum time (30 months) approved for senior missions.  We hope others (you, dear reader) already or nearly retired will feel inclined and be able to join us.  Send us a note if you have questions!

We visited the Autun Cathedral yesterday and during our walk around inside we were approached by a young handsome man who wondered what our name tags meant.  He was an ardent recent convert to Catholicism and seemed to want to talk more than listen.  We found some agreement and a lot of things we differed on and parted amicably.  It was a good lesson about being prepared to testify rather than discuss.

Srs. Cardon and Bell

Autun Cathedral, started in 900 AD

Old Roman gate to the city

A tower on the old city wall

Lunch at Catogni's

January 25, 2026

We were blessed to zoom the ground breaking of the Jacksonville Florida Temple yesterday. Our friends, Gene and Sara Patch, were the organizers.  Impressive that two youth speakers were included with an adult woman and a man giving the history of the church in the area. Jacksonville Stake was organized in 1947, the 1st stake in the South, and 4th stake east of the Mississippi after New York City, Washington DC, and Chicago.  When the Jacksonville East and West Stakes were divided in 2009, Elder Teixeira of the Seventy sat with the three new stake presidencies and challenged them to do all they could to prepare for a temple within five years.  It has taken 17 years, but the Lord's timetable is not ours.  

Elder Eric Bednar conducted (seemed nervous to me because he spoke so quickly) and Elder De Feo of the Area Presidency gave the sacred dedicatory prayer.  His humility before God and his sensitivity to his assignment were very touching.  I hope the prayer will be in print some day where we can read it.

We took Srs. Cardon and Bell to Cluny on p-day.  Through the influence of its order, Cluny Abbey is considered the greatest monastery of its time.  Founded in the 10th century, the order of Cluny restored the rule of Saint Benedict, benefited from the protection of the papacy and extended its influence across Europe to the point that it was the mother house of nearly a thousand other monasteries at the end of the 13th century.  The huge church was completed in 1130 and was the largest in Christianity until St. Peters in Rome was built 500 years later.  At it's height Cluny exerted central control over those other monasteries and became very rich.  Starting in the mid 1400's, the Abbot was appointed by the King rather than being elected by the monks, which coincided with the beginning of the decline of its influence and power.  Most of it was destroyed during the French Revolution but part has been restored and the bell tower is original as is the wall surrounding the once huge structure.

The church went from where we are to 650 feet away, by the huge bell tower

Standing beneath the bell tower, of which there were three

Soeurs Bell and Cardon with the huge walls of the Abbey in the background

When we visited Sr. Navarro this week, she was out of bed and sitting in her chair for the first time in weeks.  Happy day!  We helped Sr. Bergeron organize her storeroom by building three sets of shelves and stacking all her daughter’s stuff on them. She can now get in to it.  

We met a new branch member from Spain who has recently moved to Beaune.  Her husband has an 18 month work assignment there. They have a daughter serving an Italian mission.  Had a surprise visit with the Berubes from Alberta.  They are the senior couple in Lyon over young singles and are doing a marvelous job.  They were supposed to drop off new smoke detectors, then head to Dijon for a day with a companion from her mission to Paris years ago.  At last minute, that day was postponed but they came with their delivery anyway.  We invited them up to our apartment, fed them fresh fruit, hot baguettes from our wonderful boulangerie next door, and truffle cheese.  We enjoyed a delightful couple of hours getting to know each other.  They are very interesting people and much more fun than we are.  Also a lot younger. 

I found out that our next zone conference is 36 hours after we get home from Nice.  I was anxious about how I could have that prepared. The idea of hot pulled pork with homemade bbq sauce came to mind.  Most could be done in advance and the rest could be assembled at the mission home the day before.  I now have pulled pork for 32 in my freezer( about half of what is needed) and the recipe for the bbq sauce from Sr. Hemming, who we lived by in Nairobi.  The Berubes offered to make all the coleslaw and Sr. Lande and Tom will help with potato salad.  All will go well.

January 18, 2026

Sue: January is the month that the French celebrate the Epiphany. The celebration honors the coming of the wise men although we know it probably took 18-24 months for them to find the ‘young child’ in his house.  They had come to worship Him and bring him gifts for they had seen his star and had most likely travelled from Persia and Greece.  From them we can learn the importance of prophecy and carefully watching for signs of the Savior but the  French are now a little more secular.  They celebrate the wisemen with a Kings' Cake, a puff pastry filled with almond paste.  We have seen hundreds of these in grocery stores, bakeries, and specialty shops ranging in price from 6 to 35 euros. Inside each cake is one fève - a prize made of plastic or porcelain.  If it is in your piece, you wear a crown, and depending on the circumstances, buy everyone another round of drinks, host the celebration next year, or have good luck.  At one time the fève was to remind us of searching for the Savior but I have seen everything from dinosaur disks to the winged victory.  I have collected second hand a donkey, a sheep, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in a manger all in porcelain. These are one of the few purchases I am bringing from France.  I am hoping to start a new tradition at home.

Creche fèves (about an inch in length)

It has been a good week peeling 80 apples for apple crisp, baking 75 potatoes for a potato bar and making chili for 55 hungry missionaries in the Lyon zone.  I had great help and everything was devoured except some butter and some humus which we donated to the Young Singles leaders.  I always just stare at the wall the day after as I recover but am grateful to contribute to the health and happiness of those dedicating their energy, time, talents, and all to serving the Lord.

I was invited to assist the young sisters on Friday evening.  They are working with a family of 5 from Nigeria who are English-speaking. I was able to answer some of the mother’s questions, share some of the history of Joseph Smith and the coming forth of the  Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and testify of it leading us to Christ and clarifying his gospel.  It was a marvelous experience for me as I felt the Spirit guiding me.  I rarely share my feelings in French for lack of vocabulary.

Tom: One of my least favorite responsibilities here is the oversight of a few missionary apartments. When something isn't right we become first contact.  This week the soeurs in Chalon had a mishap requiring the need for a new mattress, and they also decided they would like a vacuum cleaner - a standard apartment item but previously not wanted.  Fortunately we've been here long enough to know how to do this.  Ikea in Dijon carries a standard single bed mattress, so I made a quick trip to pick one up.  Also, Amazon has a Basics vacuum cleaner that does the job for a small apartment and it was delivered Friday.  It really wasn't that difficult!

                            Scenes from a recent walk:

Tour boats (7!) lined up for their winter refurbishment

Swans browsing

An empty German-flagged boat headed downriver

Happy New Year 2026

We had a wonderful time with Ben and Christy in the Dordogne region in the waning days of December, staying in a rural farm loft with beautiful views over the valley down to the river.  The weather was very nice for the first few days, even permitting lunch on the balcony outside one day.  

We visited several chateaux: Beynac, so full of history, Castelnaud with its medieval weapons museum and trebuchets, and Chateau des Milandes, the home of Josephine Baker, heroic/tragic black American entertainer who was beloved in France. Her life reminded us of the need for stability in life.  We also found some lovely patisseries and went for walks in the hilly woods.  It was a good break from the routine.  

The gardens at Chateau Milandes

A view of Beynac from Domme

On our way home we stopped at Vichy for a drink from the municipal fountain - bubbly water!

Ben taught Sunday School - Intro to the OT

We returned to a transfer week, sending off Sr. Rasmussen to Clermont - Ferrand and receiving Sr. Cardon.  In testimony meeting Sunday we heard from Sr. Schuling, our mariner who lives on her boat in the marina.  She told of how she had met a couple while boating on the Saône in the fall.  They invited her to dine on their boat and she went.  Before the meal, feeling prompted, she asked if she could offer a prayer before they ate.  The wife accepted with enthusiasm and it led to discussions about religion and life.  Sr. Schuling has stayed in touch with the couple, who live in Clermont-Ferrand not far from the LDS chapel, and a week prior had mentioned sending two books about the Church, but had no way to send them.  When she heard Sr. Rasmussen would be transferred there this week she was overjoyed at this answer to her prayer, and gave the books to be delivered by hand.  That has happened already, with photos of the sister missionaries enjoying a meal with the couple.  We don’t know the outcome of this yet, but God certainly moves in mysterious ways.

Kitchen helpers after the arrival dinner

We had snow in Lyon during the arrival day, enough to make it slippery driving the next morning until the temperature warmed above freezing.  We also learned some things.  The couple that were to replace us in April had their assignment changed.  They will now serve as mission leaders in Halifax, NS starting in July.  We also heard that with so many new missions opening, it is unlikely that our mission will be able to replace many seniors currently serving - too many needs elsewhere.  Isn’t that a wonderful problem to have?  We are excited at the new missions opening in the Africa Central Area, and even more so with the new Paris South Mission, which will likely take the Bordeaux and Toulouse Stakes out of the Lyon Mission.  Big changes.

This week is the start of another round of zone conferences, beginning in Lyon.  The last series produced a lot of viral illnesses - colds, etc. - among the missionaries.  This time we will require the missionaries to use hand sanitizer before they eat the lunch meal.  Hand washing is one of the best things we can do to prevent the spread of these winter illnesses.

The branch had 10 friends in church this morning.  Not many seats left, and several members absent.  It's an exciting time to be here.  

December 28, 2025

It’s a most wonderful time of the year!  I listened to a stimulating podcast by Sharon Eubanks: ‘What has changed my life?’ These five ideas are her continuing catalysts:  

The ability to believe that God is real

The ability to start over again (fix my mistakes)

The ability to find comfort in my covenants

The ability to find new solutions

Practice the connecting love of Jesus Christ, helping each other.

These have nothing to do with money, mentorship or even experience.  In different words these are called the Doctrine of Christ. Faith, Repentance, Ordinances, and  Covenants,  Gift of the Holy Ghost, Enduring and helping others endure to the end. These have made the difference.  Such possibilities for a new year!

We picked up Ben and Christy on Dec. 16 and spent the next three days captivated by the  sights of the Strasbourg area Christmas markets.  Strasbourg was the first city that Ben served in as a missionary in the early ‘90s.  We got to sample some traditional Alsatian dishes, wonder at the 50 foot live singing Christmas tree which switched colors, and a multitude of extravagant but tasteful storefront decorations.  Wow!  We were charmed by the little town of Riquewihr as well.

The great tree in Strasbourg

Shop decrorations! Can you see the bubbles falling?

The cathedral

Riquewihr

In Chalon, we prepared for Christmas Eve with 5 invited guests from our branch - all single between 45-70, three of them joining the Church in the last year and two joining in the ‘90s. Each of us would share our conversion story in between singing carols.  I planned the soirée to be focussed on Christ so Christy and I decided to do a Palestinian meal with salads, pomegranates, humus, nuts, dates, fresh pita bread, and a scrumptious orange fennel baked chicken.  Our guests brought a variety of desserts.  We had enough to send them home with food bags.  A great feeling prevailed all evening!

Christmas day we were served a traditional French dinner on a beautifully set table, with individual gifts.  Great drinks and conversation, 3 bûches de Noël, and carol singing in front of the fire concluded our afternoon with our Branch President’s family and the young missionaries.  We felt appropriately Christmased.  

The setting for Christmas Day dinner

The cheese board

Thursday we Spackmans left for the Dordogne Valley, one of our favorite spots in France.  We are visiting castles and museums and learning lots of French history before we return home for New Years Eve.  What a lovely way to end 2025!