same old,,,same old/not

Highly recommend two year missions, as we feel that it is easier this second year. We had a great week with a pantomime of scripture stories for FHE, missionary split night with YSA, Halloween American style (great for non members) and preparation for Fete de la Mongolian. We enjoyed the Autumn colors and another baptisme. We still find new places to walk and explore, This week we had to find tissue (fabric) for the Mongolian dance. The sisters are insistent that the costumes be authentic and thus another adventure trying to find the supplies. Jim loves trying to sew and make the pattern himself and I love the music, the sisters and the Dance!. But, I fell this week and twisted the same ankle that I twisted at the Draper Temple just before we entered the MTC, so I am doubling struggling with pain (I already have alot of pain in my knees... thinking it is just another way Mr, Arth ritis is getting into my body..ugh) Jim is very disciplined in his eating and has been successful in not having too many physical problems. He, also thinks that the yoga classes that I teach twice a week are helping.. So, I hate to sound the same old same old story, but we love teaching the Institute New Testament, There is alot of prep but what a better way to prepare than to read the New Testament and learn more about the Saviours love for us.

Love and miss and pray for you all. Mom, Pat, Soeur

Apple pickin, testimony building experiences

It officially feels like fall. The leaves have changed and the cows have come home and we had a chance to pick up (gleen the fields) apples that the farmer left behind. Now we are on our 5 batch of applesause to freeze. Then we had zone conference with Elder Causse, a General Authority, the European representative of the 70. He spoke about being prepared and the importance of planning. He also talked about raising to bar to have a Brazilian success in contacts! It was exciting to have so many Missionaries together ,as this time the ones from Lyon and Grenoble also came. If you havent heard about the new movie about the making of the Bible, we highly recommend it., even for the little ones. The fact that we even have a Bible today after all the events that could have stopped it. I know that the Lord guided many of those translators. learning Greek and Hebrew and then into English with the King James Version. It is available on BYU tv and there are two more parts coming out in the next couple of weeks. Then week ended with our best temple trip yet, over 30, and a tour of Bern, capital of Switzerland, with the YSA. We are just so blessed to have a great opportunity to serve with so many wonderful people. We had alot of support to had a great turn out, There are many strong families that are always willing and ready to assist and great weather too.! we hope all is well with you all as the autmme season is upon us.

CES training and our first Swiss Baptism

Well, we are doing alot of work, but sometimes is just turns into fun. like teaching yoga at Primary activity day..visiting first time new parents,and our first Swiss YSA baptism!. This week we needed to go very early to get everything done. Jim attended High Council while I drove to Institute, downtown and back,,at night , alone! Included in the photos is the Duane which we pass through several times a day, it is the border between France and Swiss and right next to it are the cows and the airport. all in one shot. .During our serving we saw a few new sights in down town Geneva . This second year makes a big difference in our confidence in traveling and helping new missionaries. We are grateful to serve 2 years as we already see differences in the leadership at the Instittut and the turn over of YSA, missionaries coming and going from this stake and from our mission. The greatest thing this week was yesterday, a stake RS meeting where we ended our humanitarian knitting and crocheting project ( I taught many others knitting and made over 20 items) then we drove to Yverdon( a great medieval Swiss town on a lac), for a CES training for the Eastern half of our mission. We heard Pres. Bednars talk for the CES leaders/teachers > We both felt very moved after the talk. I have never been so instructed in all my years of teaching, If you have a chance to view/,,,,,please take the time,, and we ended the day with our first Swiss baptism. The few words from Elder Bednar to end.....Observe, Listen, disern, and Jump out of the boat (refering to the New Testament)

Getting older,wiser and finding a deal

Getting older, not so wiser and finding a deal ;If those things dont interest you then STOP here. This week we got alot wiser in the New Testament and spent many hours preparing for our Institute class. The big challenge is.. there is no new teacher/manual., so if any of you have any great ideas, please send them our way. Jesus the Christ by Talmage is the best,,so far. Getting older is, of course, part of the deal, for all. of us This week we began our search for a Swiss costume, so we went to our favorite store SECOND MAIN. (enough french and you can probably figure out what it means) On the second floor below they have rows and rows of costumes and we found a good fit except for the price $80 a week - for rental $350 to buy. So, we will make. But up stairs,I found the perfect Missionary Ann Taylor suit, size 4. Well, even without Swiss chocolate on my best days, this size is a challenge. Usually jackets work at that size but not bottoms. So. after, wandering around the store I came back to the suit and said, What the heck. it is too great to pass up.. So into the stall. as I am struggling to zip it up. Jim sized me up from behind (not a good view) and says ,Let;s buy it.. Anyone that knows Jim know that he likes the curve-fitting, not so missionary-type look. SO we bought it.. I figured it would be a good guide to aim for. But, when I tried it on at home I found out that the jacket is 4 and skirt is 6. so it is not that far off. Fact is, this was a blessing and a deal. Now, I wont need the bathroom scale.! This week was a reconnect to the new school year, We also had a baptism of Gionanni and got to attend a power point for the UN about Religion and Democracy I have included photos from other field trips.......... We studied and worked and got older and wiser and found some good deals'

Holly Cow, its Autume and Conference weekend

Each autume with the chalets flowered with brilliant colored geraniums there is a Swiss celebration when the cows leave the high mountains with bells clanking. They are herded through the middle of the villes to return to the lower pastures for winter. This fete includes flower and ribbon decorations including their bells of different sizes depending on their hierarchy There are horn blowers. yodelers , dancers and lots of good old country foods and tourist stuff. We visit a ville very close called St. Cerque up in the Juras. This same weekend is the beginning of Insittute with our new presidency which we are excited to work with, And of. course, General Conference. What a beautiful way to begin the month of October. We hold a tail gate party in between sessions to encourage socialization and participation And what a great Prophet we have today. We are blessed to be able to hear him through the miracles of computers. We are happy to hear again about the French temple and the many other new ones in Africa, Wyoming and University Temple in Provo!. This is our official year anniversary on our mission and I still say,