Jan 26, 2025

It has been a lazy week, Tom nursing laryngitis, and I dabbing a leaky ear. We pretty much avoided people except at the grocery store and boulangerie. The weather was cold (20's) but has warmed up into the 50's with some rain toward the end of the week.  Tom started and finished a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle and I did mostly cooking (ate lots of homemade soup), studying, and reading. Today we were at church leading the singing and playing the keyboard.

Two things of interest happened recently. We heard that a couple who we knew well in Rochester in the late seventies had both died. Wayne was an engineer with IBM and Jeri was a forensic anthropologist. They were very humorous and especially fun to be around. They composed spoofs on country music and sang together while playing the guitar. They were 4 years younger than we are.  When I received their obituary, I had to laugh out loud.  It was so like them.  Included was one of their songs:

   You’re the apple of my eye

   You’re the aching in my head

   You said you’d be my friend

    But you stole my heart instead.

   You‘re a thief, you’re a liar

    And slinky as a wire

    And I’m stuck up to my knees

    In the mud hole of your love.

Every obituary is different.  Yesterday  was our mission president’s funeral from SLC. When the zoom opened, seated on the stand were Elder Holland, Elder Rasband, Bishop Caussé, Elder Teixera, the Utah North Area President plus Souliers’ Stake President and Bishop.  In the choir seats were about 30 returned missionaries from the France, Lyon Mission. Although they had been released they were all wearing their nametags and sang the French rendition of Dvorak’s Going Home.  It was an inspiring meeting with several family speakers including all his children (the youngest daughter came temporarily from serving a mission in Tahiti) sharing specific memories of their father.  His wife Jennie was the last speaker before the two Apostles.  I will share some of my favorite sentiments:

It is amazing what two people without guile can accomplish.

His faith in Jesus Christ was not dependent upon outcomes.                                    Jesus Christ is our source of joy.

He intentionally saw the good in everyone, making memories and connections.

He taught me to love my wife.

One daughter was traveling with her dad on a church assignment.  He wore a missionary tag as a member of a local mission presidency.  When they got out of the car, a couple of men saw the tag, started making fun of him, pointing, and  throwing insults.  When they got to their room he said to his ten year old ‘I hope they are okay’.  She was surprised at his response to someone trying to hurt them.  We always have a choice how we will react. 

Another daughter shared how her dad responded to holding his first grand child. ‘Eternal posterity is to know God’.

Elder Rasband referred to lines of genetic power and promise.

We only knew President Soulier for two months.  His enthusiasm for teaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ was contagious and all his 200 missionaries, us included, knew he and Sr. Soulier loved them.  Elder Rasband said that he is undoubtedly still teaching the doctrine of Christ in his new setting.

This week we heard from son Ben, who served his mission about 25 years ago in Belgium and northern France.  He said he knew our new Branch President and wife - he was present at their home in Nancy with the other missionaries when it was dedicated.  Another of those remarkable coincidences that happen fairly often in the Church!  

Statue of the man (Nièpce) who invented photography

 

Tour boats lined up for winter cleaning and refurbishment

Crew on the river

The ubiquitous London plane tree (platanus x hispanica)

Branch Changes

I forgot to mention last week that we had several improvements in the apartments that we watch over.  The sisters’ electrician came and fixed their three non-functioning outlets.  Our plumber came and replaced the very leaky shower control knobs.  The elders in Dijon replaced their defective kitchen chairs, and the gas man came to inspect our gas heater which heats the apartment (through radiators) and the hot water for the kitchen and bathroom.  It is an annual requirement to have it inspected.  Improving our environment is good for the spirit!

We didn’t travel much this week.  The weather has been relatively cold, with temps from about 25F into the low 30s.  There have been numerous minor ailments among the missionaries, mostly related to the winter: chest colds, head colds, and also a couple of ingrown toenails -  fortunately nothing too serious.  

Today was our branch conference, and it was a joyful meeting.  Our faithful branch president from Lyon, Pres. Pascaud, was released, along with his two counselors.  The new branch president is Pres. Catogni, who we talked about in our last post.  Bro. Maraiti was sustained as 1st counselor and Bro. Kugler was kept as 2nd counselor.  Bro. Faria, who had been the 1st counselor, was sustained as the new Elders President.

Pres. Cantogni told of his visit to the temple 3 weeks ago, where he had a strong impression that he would be called (this is his 3rd time to serve as branch president) and how he saw in his mind each member of the branch and how they could be called to serve.  He will be an inspirational and energetic leader.  We have been in a limbo of disorganization for almost 2 months since the Elders Quorum president released himself to “take a break”.  This will be a wonderful change to engage each person and their talents.  Of course the choir sang as part of the service and it went well (although we’re not ready for any competitions, if you understand).  Everyone loves to sing.  I hit a resonant note a few weeks ago when I said at the end of a choir rehearsal that we aren’t the branch’s choir, rather it is the choir’s branch.

Bro. Maraiti, (new 2nd C) who is a faithful Tahitian member with his wife and two children, shaved his beard and his head and was almost unrecognizable were it not for his massive size.  He looked like a new man.  I could say the same about our middle-aged friend, Erich, who has been coming to church now for about 3 weeks.  He was quite pessimistic about life when we first met him but the gospel message and associating with the members (and a haircut last week) have really brightened his look!  Sometimes these externalities get in the way of others (and maybe ourselves) feeling the presence of our/the spirit.  Certainly the gospel has a way of making us optimists and altruists despite the challenges we face.

Pres. Jubault spoke at the end of the meeting and invited us to do what we can to prepare for a temple in Lyon.  For us it will take 3 1/4 hours to drive to Berne to visit the temple, and just under 3 1/2 hours to get to Versailles, so going to the temple is a planned activity.  But having a temple that is much closer is a stretch goal; one worthy of our time and energy, because of the blessings that come when we focus our lives on Jesus Christ.  We will miss this charismatic stake president - he will be released in March because he has been unemployed for a year and found a job elsewhere.  Sometimes the Lord has to use uncomfortable measures to move us where he wants us to serve.

And finally some amazing news this week from Côte d’Ivoire.  I received a text mid-week from a man who, when we met 5 years ago, was the leader of a small group of members in Zakaria, just 10 miles north of Daloa where we lived, and part of the Daloa Stake.  We worked with the Zone Leaders (it was their area) and helped teach some leadership principles and also had the privilege of helping the group leader, his wife, and the counselor prepare to go to the temple in Ghana.  It was a beautiful thing to see them after their return - the light really emanated from their faces and they were so happy!  They met in an open air pavilion with rented chairs each week, and attendance was spotty.  If it was over 20 it was because of the village children who liked to come.  A couple of weeks after their temple experience, the group became a branch in the stake.  The message this week was that now he was Bishop Digbeu, bishop of the newly created ward.  To have that much growth is very meaningful - they have worked diligently to spread the gospel message and live it, and it is blessing many more people.  Such is the great work in which we are all engaged.  We have a lot of work to do in Chalon to see a ward created here, but the branch is on a good path.  

Zakaria members watching Christmas Video, 2019

Sr. Spackman with Sr. Digbeu, 2019

Bro. Simonet (L) and Pres. Jubault

L to R: Sr. Catogni, Sr. Ilskov, Sr. Logan, Bro. Maraiti, Sr. Landré, Sr. Tuhoe, Pres. Catogni, and Pres. Faria

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Fête des Rois

We were having such a relaxing time yesterday afternoon that we didn’t get the blog out. The Catognis invited the missionaries and David, a recent convert, for cheese fondu and King’s cake.  It is a beautiful drive through vineyards and hills about 60 kms away.  We had a fun lunch.  Sister Tuhoe had to climb under the table and decide who the pieces of cake were handed to (David got the bean).  We played Draw, Mime and One Word by the fire  and visited until well after dark.

We are reading Terry Smith’s commentary on the D&C.  Two verses that struck me were 1:26, 28 seeking wisdom and being humble.  I am also listening to many different lecturers on Scripture Central and especially like Anthony Sweat: “In searching for a relationship with Jesus Christ, we find the truth.  He said ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’.”  Tyler Griffin posed the following question in Follow Him: “How do I turn every scripture into me connecting with Christ?”

Friday we left early to be in our seats by 9:30 for Zone Conference in Lyon with our new interim mission leaders, the Poznanskis.  The President testified that the Lord had helped them find solutions to his work, his church calling, and their house within 6 days so that they could join us to preach the gospel - which was “ before the world was,  that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison” (D&C 128:22) - in the France Lyon Mission. He also said that to endure or to persevere is to remember Jesus Christ and his atonement.  He defined diligence as continuing to work even through difficulty, as an expression of love for the Lord.  This is not about us but about Jesus Christ.  His ideas were similar to Pres. Soulier but presented in a completely different way.  Sr. Poznanski shared a timing miracle from when she was a young single missionary.  She had left the field briefly to support her family in the death of a younger brother.  They were strengthened by their gospel knowledge and felt peace from the Holy Ghost.  Then sooner than planned, she felt an urgency to return to her mission.  She found a young woman struggling with very difficult circumstances.  She taught her about the plan of salvation and the peace that can come.  This woman attended church for 30 years, and even held callings before she was ready to be baptized.  There is a process in miracles.

There was a forecast for freezing rain, slush, and snow for the afternoon so we left early.  We hit all of those on the autoroute but were grateful to make it home safely.  The river and surrounding streams in our area are all very high due to the winter rains in the past week and some of the running trails are flooded.  

In other news, we received notice that Bryce and Annie Kunz (a niece) have been called to serve as mission leaders in July in Mongolia. They are young and will have the energy needed to be effective.  It will be an amazing experience for a young family!

Sr. Poznanski

Bro. C. with his giant fondu sticker

David the king

Flooded trail

2025 !

Last Sunday (Dec 29) we travelled to the mission home in Lyon to visit Sr. Soulier.  We learned many years ago that when someone is grieving, don’t wait until you know what to say; go and express love and that will suffice.  The two office couples, two Assistants, and Pres. and Sr. McConkie from the Area were there reminiscing by a crackling fire.  I gave her a hand massage.  It was a lovely afternoon.  Bishop Causé and his wife stopped in for a few minutes and during that time, Elder McConkie was voice to a blessing for Sr. Soulier.  It was a remarkable experience which we were grateful to be part of.

We were happy to face time with Kent and Donna on his 71st birthday. On New Years Eve, with permission tickets from Ben, we stayed home and went to bed early, although I eventually heard fireworks in the distance.  New Year’s Day was a study day and I learned much about reformation religion (18th and early 19th centuries in U.S).  I did not understand any of their five precepts: total depravity of man, unconditional election - God chose who would be saved and who would not, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.  No wonder Joseph Smith was thought to be a heretic with his ideas of a Heavenly Father who loved his children (his greatest creations), and had a plan for their eternal progression based on their agency and the atonement of Jesus Christ.  Restoration ideas.  Tom and I peeled and cooked honey garlic shrimp and decided we would do that again.

Thursday we were back in Lyon with our three surrounding zones.  Elder McConkie conducted the meeting and opened by explaining what would happen in that meeting and in the mission going forward.  Elder Poznanski, former Paris Mission President and Area 70, will come with his wife tomorrow (Jan 6) to direct the mission temporarily.  New mission leaders will be called to relieve them in a few weeks. 

Sr. McConkie led a discussion around two questions: 1) What was your response immediately after the Zoom call telling you that Pres Soulier was dead?  Some of the answers were: prayer, fasting, gathering, reading scriptures, notes to Sr. Soulier.  She concluded: you are training yourselves to respond in the best ways to those difficult experiences that will happen in your individual lives.  Always turn to Jesus Christ and to each other.  2) What characteristics about Pres. Soulier do you remember?  Joy in focusing his life on Jesus Christ; he was a friend, a brother an advocate, a team player, and a missionary with us.  He always had a smile and was very positive.  She concluded: you have the opportunity to turn this tragedy into good, to bring people to Christ.  You can have that same joy of living the gospel and turning to Jesus Christ for the rest of your life.   

Elder McConkie led us through a discussion of John 11: the story of raising Lazarus.  He noted the individual attention that Christ gave to Martha and Mary, appropriate to their personalities. He pointed out how people responded differently to Christ.  Some believed and some ran to the Pharisees.  Christ gave people the opportunity to act. He certainly could have rolled away the stone.  We need to act, turn to him (repentance) to remove obstacles so we can enjoy miracles in our lives and “call Lazarus forth”.  Faith is a power.  We can act in faith to choose Christ.

Sr. Soulier spoke about Pres. Soulier’s love of all things French - how he would be so happy that his death certificate was in French!  She expressed much love  for the missionaries and gratitude for all the love she had received.  

At the end of the meeting, a group photo was taken, and then each missionary was invited to visit with Sr. Soulier.  We were delighted to see Elder Mou who had come from his service mission in Grenoble and that he was so happy.  We visited with many others as well.  It was a sweet time!

During the meeting we received word that the local officials had decided that the death was due to natural causes, and therefore no autopsy would be performed.  That will allow the body to be transported back to Utah about 2 weeks sooner than expected.  

We ended the week yesterday finding some Trader Joe’s peanut butter that Tom liked enough to go back to the store and buy five more jars.  (That’s the African shopper reflex: if you like it, buy enough for a long time because the store will run out!). Saturday evening I was cleaning a shelf on a 6 level cupboard when the whole thing tipped over on me and spilled the contents onto the floor.  What a surprise!   I thought it was hooked to the wall.  Canned goods, flour, sugar, vinegar, oils, sauces, nuts, chocolate, plastic bags, cereal, avocado, pears, etc.  Only the rice wine vinegar broke but when mixed with flour it was quite a mess!  We were grateful that none of the cans hit my head.  So begins 2025.

An annual tradition kept!

Christmas Week 2024

Our first Christmas in France has been one to remember.  We invited Sr. Tuhoe and her new companion from Denmark, Sr. Ilskov, for dinner on the 24th. I tried to keep with tradition serving multiple courses: zucchini boats; persimmon, kiwi, pomegranate salad; lemon Greek chicken thighs with olives and fresh tomato; rice pilaf and roasted carrots; bread, Abondance cheese and perfect Prince William pears; and fresh pineapple upside down cake for dessert. The soeurs brought chocolates and nuts and little woven paper baskets and intricate origami-like woven stars.  The Danes decorated their trees with paper before they could afford purchased ornaments. Despite the goodness of the meal, it was not the highlight of the evening.  We went caroling to a couple in their eighties.  They were so surprised and pleased to see us and sang with us - he each word, mostly with his eyes closed almost like a prayer - a few sacred moments shared together.  As we left, she wept.  The next morning, she sent us her journal entry, saying we were the first who had ever come to carol since she had joined the church many years ago, and was so touched that we would come on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas morning Tom and I washed all the floors before he ran 5 miles and I walked 3.  We were invited out for lunch at Ducoeur’s.  It was a production with more choices and courses than I have ever been offered.  I will not share all the details but tried Coquilles St. Jacques, guinea fowl, and Bûche de Noël for the first time.  All were delicious.  I had never thought about eating guinea fowl.  They were my second favorite bird in Africa.  Who wouldn’t like a black and white polka dot bird with red and turquoise on its’ head?  The sisters called and asked if we could join them for a discussion on Thursday.   A man had phoned and asked if he could be taught. Absolutely!  

Eric was impressive. He had a testimony of Jesus Christ and was looking for a church which practices charity.  At work one day near the church, he noticed the name on the door and decided to check it out.  (The church entry is a door with a restaurant on one side and business on the other.)   On his computer, he found the church website, and read about Joseph Smith and Moroni and the Book of Mormon.  That is when he phoned the sisters.  He came to church on Sunday and it was the perfect first meeting for someone investigating - a talk on being children of God, the testimony of a Spanish convert being translated into French by a branch member, and a talk on following the Spirit.   The Lord is definitely preparing people to hear the gospel.

Friday we helped a new middle aged sister, Bette, move into the branch from Switzerland.  Between the two of us, we must have gone up that long flight of stairs 30 times.  She also  made it to church on Sunday and will be a great asset to the branch.

Saturday afternoon we had a text from the assistants that there would be a mission-wide Zoom meeting that afternoon.  As it began, Sr. Soulier announced with a tremulous voice that President Soulier had passed away in his sleep that morning!  Then Elder McConkie, a counselor in our Area Presidency, spoke with the missionaries about dealing with this loss: that we needed to take care of each other, and that we should study Mormon 7:5 - that in Christ the sting of death is swallowed up.  We were as shocked as the missionaries.  I had spoken with him the day before and didn’t think he was in danger.  We will find out more about what happened after an autopsy is done.  Meanwhile we are left to mourn the passing of a loving and charismatic mission leader who has made a profound difference in the lives of his missionaries.  Elder McConkie and the assistants will hold 3 multi-zone conferences over the next three days.  The work will continue of inviting others to come to Christ through faith in Him, repentance, covenants, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  That is what President Soulier would have wanted. 

Christmas is coming...actually, it's here!

Whew, what a week!

It started last Sunday morning about 4:30 AM with a call to give a blessing to an 85 year old member friend who was having hematuria and thought he might die.  We dressed and drove quickly.  He was concerned - because he looked up hematuria on the internet - that he had cancer and didn’t want to die with chemotherapy and radiation and surgery, etc. etc.   He just wanted to slowly bleed to death in peace!  A blessing was given, and a medical consultation was made.  He takes an anticoagulant.  As we talked I told him that hematuria has many causes, some quite benign, and that he should stop his anticoagulant as a first step and then consult his doctor on Monday.  They didn’t realize that I was an MD and thought it was quite a miracle that I was assigned to the branch!  He hasn’t seen a urologist yet but is doing much better.

Monday we said goodby at the train station to our favorite missionary so far - Sr. Mollinet - who is going home to Utah after her 18 months.  She has been a bright and bubbly sprite for the last 6 weeks and a good trainer for her new missionary companion.  Missions are a microcosm of life: a continual series of greetings and farewells, arrivals and departures. 

Wednesday we drove to the Mission Home in Lyon and helped prepare the meal for the nine incoming missionaries.  They are a diverse group, from the USA, Tahiti, Germany, Italy, and Spain.  Everything was in  place when they arrived, with a fire lit, table set, carols playing, and apple crisp in the oven..  Sr. Soulier wondered if she had wandered into a Hallmark Special.  Thursday morning we made the lunches and took them to the church building where Pres. Soulier had been orienting the new trainers.  Then the new missionaries arrived from their walking tour of the old city and the assignment meeting was held.  All went well.  

The trainers (front row)

The trainers (in front)

Friday morning was the second music lesson for our adult learner.  She was able to play one note versions of a couple of hymns using her numbered fingers and following the numbers on the page with the correct rhythm.  She was really quite excited that she could do that and it was fun to see.  

On our way to church today we walked through the crowded Sunday morning market, the last one before Christmas.  

Get your sausages here!

Boxes of oysters

Today was our Christmas Sacrament Meeting.  The program itself was underwhelming, but after it ended we held a short choir practice.  The choir included 90% of those in attendance and we sang “Belle Etoile” for next week’s service.  There was so much enthusiasm that I shed a few tears.  It’s a little schmaltzy with its calypso rhythm but the words are beautiful and the spirit was strong.  I said after that we don’t have a branch choir; rather the choir has a branch.  Sue handed out delicious small macaroons (the kind with the fillings) and everyone appreciated the taste.  

We and the Soeur Missionnaires were invited to dinner in the afternoon and loved the decorated home, the delicious food, and the chance to sing carols together.  Our two families have a lot in common in musical taste and food interests.  It felt like a wonderful Christmas celebration, though a bit off on the date.  But if you can have Christmas in July why not on Dec. 22?