Joyeuses Paques

Joyeuses Paques a tout!

So what are the traditions for Easter celebrated here?

We learned in our French class that this year is about the latest in the season that Easter can be.  It is a combination of the spring equinox and the full Moon following after it.  We had a magnificent full moon here last week.  On Easter Sunday the church bells ring and ring and as they ring, as tradition has it, they ring and throw out candy, which of course here is chocolate.  We hope to see everyone dressed in their Easter bonnets and finery, but  alas, our French YSA Pres. says, <REALLYZ?>  But, lasr night at the Centre in downtown Geneva the bells rang and rang, so I wonder what will happen today, Friday, the day that we ponder the crucification? To continue, today we saw  in our drive, three beautiful churches and only five ( one older man, two older women, and two middle aged women headed into church), maybe they have several <Wards>. and they meet the same time we do!  Maybe they wonder why we, who are missionaries, arent in church today! As we prepare 3 separate lessons today ( temple prep, primary and gospel doctrine) we are lucky  to review the blessings of Jesus> life on Earth, His miracles, faith, and the opportunity for making our homes more Christ-like ( like the Temples)  

Love, blessings to all family and friends and Bisous, MOM,< Jim. Soeur and Elder C.

Drive through Northern Switzerland

The houses look different, more Swiss! More slanted roofs... Right next to Zollenkofen there is the Foret where the <3 bears> and Hansel and Gretel

Bern Temple, Switzerland

The drive to the temple is spotted with bright yellow fields which produce veg oil. There are also fruit trees in blossom, WOW! what a feast for the eyes and the souls!

Hike to Fort L'Eluse

This adventure is only 1/2 hour away. We hiked the mountain trails, so rugged that at the top we needed an iron rod to hold on to. The Fort started with Caesar 75 BC and has been used by various warriors for conquering the land passed the Jura Mountain range. It sits above the Rhone river and was last used during WWII with the Germans. This Fort sits at the end of the Jura range by us and the Juras face the Mt Blanc range which we visited last weekend, So we have come full circle, so to speak. But this time we arrived home sauf and sain without any Italian trucks hitting us. Which is interesting still, because this week we had several new visitors to the Centre, last night one from Portugal, and Monday, an Italian Jew who teaches at law at a University near the Centre

Fwd: encore une photo !

We had a new experince serving at a YSA Wedding reception.  Here  in France the government does not recognized Temple wedding so the members are married in the court house first.  After wedding dinner and with 6 courses and dancing (which lasted into the early morning) they head to the temple the next day to be sealed for time and all eterenty.  Here we are with one other couple serving the wedding party of about 75!  It was fun to see the different ways parties are given.  But, in the end it isa all about families and the joy of being together.  We are happy to be together and serve here in France/Switzerland

nous trois !
bisous

Mom. Souer Pat

 

Returning from Mt. Blanc

We passed an avalanche, no problem, a big bridge, no problem, more beauty, but as we entered to pay the toll way, a big Hugh truck tried to pass us and hit us in the mission van! The next hour we learned, patience, long suffering and Italian!

MT BLANC..part one

We started our 1 1/2 hour drive to Chamonix to view Mt. Blanc, the highest Mt in Europe knowing that we would have a fun adventure with the Senior couples.

Un poisson d'Avril

Here in France April Fools is celebrated mostly by children.  Several personnes told me the same way it is celebrated, which is they put a fish (poisson) on someones back....< Hey, there is a fish on your back.   hee hee. > Well no one has put a fish on my back, but one of my favorite YSA put on FB,, <I'm engaged>  and sure enough I fell for it,  But, it reminded me that all three of my children mentioned their future marriage right around, if not on April Fools,, So I guess I am just an old romantic,  Here is wishing all of the jokes are as sweet as the idea of love and marriage.

Bisous (kiss)

MOM< Soeur and Pat

PS  Happy April!