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.

October 13, 2025

Tuesday we watched the funeral for Pres. Russell M. Nelson. The Tabernacle Choir sang.  There were tributes from a daughter and a son, Elder Holland, and Pres. Eyring.  We chuckled about Pres. Oaks differentiation between a surgeon and an attorney leading the Church.  All were appropriate for this extraordinary man.  He had a tremendous influence on us personally.

We have heard that our replacements will arrive in France on April 25.  We have also heard that Christy has been accepted to the Max Planck Institute in Germany from March 15 to June 15.  We are hoping to visit them in Berlin for a few days and then join a Collette Tour (bus and train) with stops in Eastern Europe, ending in Krakow.

We are planning to be in Raymond on July 1 with our kids and grands who can join us.  Most of our grandchildren  have no recall of being in Alberta because they were so little.  We will spend a few days in Waterton and some of us may make it to Banff where I worked in High School.  Booking ahead is very tricky but essentiel for twenty people.

Several other good things happened this week. Alban blessed the Sacrament for the first time.  I bore my testimony in French without a translator for the first time.  Sr. Schow returned to Lyon after necessary eye surgery in Utah.  The Nevilles visited for a day and copied some branch history materials, which led to a walk and a round of golf.  We celebrated Tom’s 76th birthday, eating raclette at Landre’s, with Alban, and Sr. Lewis and Sr. Rasmussen.  I walked 18.5 miles this week although I did something to my calf that I had to ice.

View of the golf course from the walking path

Views in the countryside

Relief Society yesterday

October 5 , 2025

I was so proud to be a member of the same church as the Bishop of the Grand Blanc Ward as I listened to and later read his statement about the tragedy in his congregation.  He  exemplified the true spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ by emphasizing the quick response of the police, and the kindness and generosity of so many in their community.  He also expressed gratitude for all the good there is in the world.  I was also impressed with the GoFundMe for the family of the perpetrator of the crime and how many dollars had been raised —a modern day application of turning the other cheek. 

On Tuesday we were invited to visit the vineyard managed by the newest member of our little branch.  Alban takes care of several hectares of Grand Cru vines, some very expensive grapes (50 euros/bunch).  He taught us about quality, trimming, shaping the foot, fertilizing, etc.  They have one plant every meter, and November will be trimming time to cut back to 5-7 shoots per foot (root).  One bottle of Chardonnay wine made from his grapes (labeled Corton-Charlemagne) costs 50 euros or more.  The fields were probably planted originally by, or before, the Romans and were owned at one time by Charlemagne.  They were extensively developed and cultivated by Cistercian monks in the middle ages.  The vines have been in the same families for generations (hundreds of years) and will never be sold.  He says all of them are millionaires but you would never know it.  Their villages and homes are modest but very neat and clean.

A farmer outstanding in his field!

Le vignes de Burgogne

It has been impressive to hear the tributes to Pres. Nelson —brilliance  evidenced  in music, medicine, family,  leadership, faith in Jesus Christ and  personal ministry.  Tom and I were blessed to have a FHE with him and Wendy in Rochester shortly after they were married.  They had two grandchildren training at Mayo and Tom was their Stake President.  Wendy was a good friend from my high school.  Another time they sent us a private note after visiting the church in Mongolia where Tal was serving his mission.  He was playing the music in the meeting they attended.

General Conference starts in France at 6 pm.  We watched the first session last night and the other Saturday sessions this morning.  So many excellent talks. We were so moved by the conviction of Elder Brown of Jamaica, the story of Elder Cziesla’s grand mother, Elder Gong’s one liner- No one sits alone emotionally or spiritually- Elder Jaggis’ understanding of altars.  We are anticipating what will be said this evening.  Have a great Sabbath.

September 28, 2025

The week has ended with the news of the passing of Pres. Nelson.  He was so many things to so many people!  He brought many needed changes - 2 hour meetings, priesthood quorum changes, age-related and other changes to youth programs, Come Follow Me emphasis on learning in the home, temple ceremony streamlining, and on and on.  The announcing and building of 200 new temples will bring needed blessings to millions around the world.  His teachings, personal kindness, and invitation to walk with and become like the Savior, make it difficult to imagine a more comprehensive mouthpiece for God.  His age was part of his wisdom in all of this.  We will mourn his absence and then welcome new leadership and more change.

We had a small miracle this week.  We are responsible to help 5 missionary teams maintain their apartments.  One had a microwave oven surfing on it’s last micro-wave, so I ordered a new one online.  It seemed like a good deal - Samsung, 800 watts, etc. for a good price.  It was to be delivered on Sept 15 - and it had arrived in Chalon.  Then came the messages that their delivery system was overloaded, didn’t know when, etc. etc.  It came through Carrefour (generally reliable) to be delivered by the postal system (often reliable). I wondered if I had been caught up in a scam.  Finally I wrote and said if it hadn’t arrived by Friday the 26th we could cancel the credit card payment.  Friday we were doing some needed grocery shopping when I received a call without any warning - the delivery man was at our door.  I asked if he could wait 10 minutes while I rushed home.  No, but I could meet him at another store.  I rushed there as fast as the traffic would allow and was able to show the special code to receive the oven  and now the sisters have a new microwave oven for their apartment.

Yesterday was the baptism in Dijon of Alban, our newest member.  He is a middle aged man originally from Kosovo who arrived in France about 15 years ago.  He found the Church through social medial and has been attending for about 3 months, and was all smiles for the day.  He was baptized by Bro. Landré who turned 86 today.

Today was the primary program in the branch.  We had 3 girls (ages 8, 5, and 2) and their fathers and leaders participate with lots of music, solos and duets.  One father played the guitar and sang with his daughter.  It was a beautiful program!  

September 21, 2025

We had needed miracles happen as we prepared food for zone conference last Wednesday and Thursday.  We were working in a kitchen that had a small oven, a fridge with no freezer, and very little cupboard space.  Our menu was Mexican. I  wanted to serve avocado with the fajitas but figured they would cost 50 euros so had given up on the idea.  Then I saw a promotion from Aldi which advertised avocados for 0.65 beginning Tuesday morning, the day we were headed for Lyon, the day before the conference.  The first thing that came to mind was that the Lord was truly aware of my desires.  Would they be green and hard?  I was there shortly after the store opened and found 18 avocados perfectly ripe.  Those I could afford and we could all have a taste.  What a great blessing!  Miracle number one.

Tom had made his 10 lbs of black beans from scratch and they were heating in two large crockpots.  The cooked rice, 3 pans (12" by 18”) were being rotated in the oven to keep warm.  The 33 pounds of chicken were in four other crockpots - two heating slowly and two not at all.  We transferred half the chicken to a large pot we found, miracle number two, turned on a burner and stirred it every 10 minutes so it wouldn’t scorch. The onions and peppers were in the last functional crock pot. We organized two serving stations plus a microwave in the hallway.  Each missionary could pick up two warm  tortillas on a plate and head for the chicken, the veggies, the rice, the black beans, the salsa, guacamole, avocados, olives, fresh tomatoes and sour cream.  Their dessert, water and fork and spoon were already set at the table.  The 92 missionaries loved it! They rarely have homemade food.  Thanks to Laters, Dinkelmans, Sr. Letendre, and Elder Herzog for your excellent help!

Pres. Alliaud of the Europe Central Area was visiting for a mission tour.  The Area comprises 37 countries.  When he first arrived in 2020 he thought he might want to learn French, but one of the apostles told him that in the Area there are 34 languages spoken, and that he would probably be better served if he worked on his English.  The President emphasized that we are living in Jacob 5 (the parable of the olive tree, especially the latter part). He quoted Elder Bednar that the world is in co-motion, the purpose being to bring many people to where they can hear the gospel message and come to know Christ.  The gathering (of Israel) is the most important thing happening today.  In our Area in 2020 when he arrived in Frankfurt, there were about 1000 baptisms annually.  This year the total will be around 5 or 6000.  A similar growth is occurring in our mission: 4 years ago we were reporting 1-2 baptisms weekly and now it is usually 6-8.  He and Sr. Alliaud spent several hours answering questions and training the missionaries.

The next day, we did a baked potato bar at the church for  Mission Leadership Council.  Only 34 missionaries. Got up at 6 am to bake the potatoes in the mission home ovens and then hauled them to the church where we prepared the rest of the food.  We  assembled and cooked the chili, but it tasted bitter and needed a little sugar.  Of course there was none to be found.  However we  did discover a half bottle of apple juice  and decided to add 1/2 cup of it for sweetener.  It worked. Tasted delicious!  Thanks to whoever left their juice.  It must have been inspiration because you saved the chili.  Small miracle number three. Each missionary picked their size of potato and loaded it with their choice of butter, salt, pepper, chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream, lardons (chopped bacon), chives, cooked broccoli, cauliflower, and cheese sauce.  We  served a large fruit tray and carrot sticks on the side plus a frozen dessert.  Everyone was happy and satisfied and there was not a bean left.  Tom started cleaning the kitchen with the help of Elder Olsen.   A dear boy.  It was a quiet ride during the 90 minutes home.  We were too tired to talk.

Breaking through the fog