I have listened to some excellent research this week about the corruption of the High Priests and the financial gouging of the thousands of people in the temple courts by the lower Priests. The pilgrims came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover by paying their tithes and taxes, and offering their appropriate sacrifice in the temple. Why did Christ clear the Temple courtyard? Was it the commotion, the manipulation, and the mockery of his Father’s house? Was it that the animals, which symbolized the offering that He would make, had become a very successful commercial business? The meaning of the sacrifice had been replaced by greed. Did not the sacrifice which He would make mean so much more? Tom and I are listening to Handel’s Messiah as we prepare for Easter.
Last weekend, we confirmed with Pres. Schow that we would be happy to serve for another year. When we heard that there would be no replacement for us, and wondered how to help, we were told that we could return to America for a graduation and a family reunion, and then return to France until April of 2027. Tom will still carry the medical phone so he can be contacted by any who are sick and we will still wear our badges but have no other restrictions. Seniors can serve for up to 30 months without re-applying for another mission. On our return, Pres. Schow would like us to serve in the Avignon Branch.
Tuesday we got a call from Elder Delbar in charge of housing. He wondered if we would like to participate in finding our housing for Avignon, then we could live where we want. We thought that a great idea. He suggested that we book an Airbnb or VRBO for the first two months after we come back which would give us time to search. We spent several hours that same day looking at what was available. I was captivated with a two bedroom rental in a little village of 8000, in the countryside, about 20 minutes from the church. We thought about it overnight and texted Sr. Delbar the next day to see if it was within the budget. When she saw the price, she texted back "It’s a steal! Book it now." So we did. We are very happy to know where we are coming back to.
Our two young sister missionaries in Chalon, Srs. Bell and Cardon, are being transferred to St.Etienne and Valence on Wednesday. Each will be training one of the new arrivals from Brazil, the Provo MTC, or the Preston MTC. We get really attached after spending three or four months with them. We will miss them but we will be in the same mission until they go home. Elders are coming to Chalon! We will work with Elder Crowder and his new companion for one transfer before leaving in May. We love serving in the mission field.
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