LettresdeLyon: Carnaval

Had a first happen this week. I was buying some olive oil at the grocery store. The man in front of me was well-groomed, mid twenties, and black . He was buying one little tub of something but for some reason his card wouldn’t work. The checkout lady asked him to step aside and moved me forward. As she rang in my purchases, I asked her to put his purchase on my bill. She was very surprised and so was he. I think it cost 1.25 euros but brightened my day. I said “Bonne journée” and walked out. I hope to do this again sometime.

I spent hours working on a talk for Sacrament Mtg. this week. No topic assigned so I picked three of my own experiences illustrating the influence of God in my life. One focussed on my Mom thinking she would die during the birth of my sister Jane. The second was learning to forgive someone who had really injured me emotionally. Hugh Nibley always believed that we came to earth to learn two things: how to repent and how to forgive. I love the Bible dictionary definition of repentance which is to change, to turn to God and submit to his will. My own definition of forgiveness is allowing all others to do the same. I specifically picked this experience because of a feud in our little branch where two members can only look back instead of forward. Unfortunately neither of them was at church today. From his D&C commentary,Terry Smith shared a fascinating insight about Joseph Smith and each of us.

"Joseph’s role as a prophet did not give him a direct insight into the souls and motives of those around him. They would betray him but God did not give him a preview of their hearts. Joseph was God’s child and chosen instrument of the restoration and God would support and protect him in his work. However the neighbor who was determined to prove Joseph a fraud, was also God’s child. God would give Joseph enough discernment to protect himself and others, but would not give him the information to condemn and judge his fellowmen while they were still on the earth working out their own probation. They might yet turn to God and change. God is working on the salvation of each of his children, not just the heroes of our story."

My third story was from a medical experience in Guatemala where a father carried his four-year-old safely home, tied to a little wooden chair on his back. I likened it to Christ carrying us. Tom translated my talk into French and I practiced reading it. The preparation was worth the talk.

In other news, it is the start of Carnaval here. There was a parade today with some bands and lots of people in costume. We include a photo of our baker’s shop window with some costumes and masks, and some floats that went past our apartment today. We went for a lovely walk around the golf course, which is also a public rose garden when spring comes.