more Mission Home photoa

Farewell Geneva Mission Home

I just could not let this moment pass without expressing my feelings with photos and a few words.  Farewell Geneva Mission Home, after 51 years!  To quote from Fiddler on the Roof " as the Good book says"  in Ecclesiastes 3 : 1 to everything there is  a season,,,,a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance".This is a time of Change for many of us. 

We will miss our sweet home and our Mission President and Soeur Murdock

A bien tot

Serve for two years

As we finish off this grand mission, we often comment, how great it is to here this long.  Each year has been different.  The first few months, as least until January, we didnt have the Internet in our home,..we moved to a different ville,.. finally could get to the Institute with out getting lost,// could at least shop and find some of the things we wanted... and we could communicate our needs in french.  Each year had different climate situations,  We had more snow and cold at the beginning of our mission, the first year. Lucky for us we got to see many fun Christmas celebrations and traditions the first year, because the second year I was on Crutches for 2 plus months.  Jim got called to the High Council the second year which increased his responsibilities  and I got to prepare and give talks in French. I taught alot of yoga the  first year until I hurt my knee,  For me learning obedience, following the rules for the missionaries, helped for personal growth. The rules for the Couple missionaries are not that difficult. Another thing I learned was getting along with my companion!! 24/7 with anyone can be a challenge!. . When we discovered that we could study with the BYU scripture sessions, we grew in our knowledge and companion study went great, We hope to be able to have finished the whole 4 standard works, Now we are working on the Old Testament.

 So this week we had our last activity at the Mission home and it was delightful. We had a temple trip with YSA  and took a walk in the forest next to the Bern temple, another baptism and visiting with the sisters for a baby shower

doin the work!

This week has , again, been one of changes. Most of the week Jim has been laying concret and I have been visiting the sisters. For Jim, it was his favorite thing,  getting into the dirty part of service.  For me, it also felt a little less like work and more like my passed life. We miss preparing for our Institute class as it is finished Just one more extemporaneousness talk in french, for me, at the Institute graduation. The Cairns, our replacement have been find less actives and we have been holding down the Institute. We have also been preparing for our departure.  Our apartment will probably be closed., too bad, because it has a great view and it is a good location. Since our Mission President is also preparing to depart... things seem final.  When We drive by someplace we love, I take photos. When we see old friends , I take photos.  We enjoy our baptisms each week, with our dear friends the Herrs, oldest son William being baptized and their baby son Samuel, being given a name and a blessing. So, we continue to do the work, as we prepare also, we return to the states, This is the last transfer for us, But, hey, we still have the same companion,,,each other!, Lucky us!

you've got a friend

People from all over the world come to Geneva, searching for jobs in a place that has the reputation for being neutral, looking for love and hopefully looking for something that is missing in their life,,, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why we are here,  We are especially looking to help YSA, but we will talk to any and everyone. Each day when we leave our Apt. we have the opportunity to help and share.  To be a good missionary, it is helpful to talk, but it is also important to listen,,,( I am still working on that ).What I have learned in talking and serving, is that eventhough we may come from different countries, financial backgrounds, and cultures, we all have similar basic needs. We need to feel loved, know that there is something more to this life.  Once the basic needs of food, water ,shelter are met  we need a raison d'etra. a reason for being.This is where the Plan of Salvation fits in so perfectly. But.even without words, we have learned to express our love (as we did in a Rendez-vous with a Mongolian couple) I  showed them photos of our family and drew pictures on the board. with their names in a circle of love with GOD at the top.  Shine (her Americanized name)  is pregnant with her first child and felt the responsibility of keeping love within the family. Tomorrow we are happy to be able to attend the baptism of Ony (her boyfriend,,, now husband).  

 We need a purpose. For many people, basic needs take over most of their day.  

 I have learned that, we are more alike than not.. 

Our dear, lovely President and his wife, Murdocks will be leaving in 3 weeks and yesterday we had our last zone conference with them,  It was  the best yet.  I need a rewind button so I can relive all the other zone conferences and appreciate them more

Jim has been helping our friend Frere Pelucchi pour and mold cement for his driveway all week,   So he has been one happy man,, service and labor.. Me, I have had the car and been able to visit friends to serve in my socially engaging way, So, I too, have been happy to cry and laugh with the girls

We have met some wonderful people and are happy to know that eventhough we may never be able to come back to this beautiful area, we may be able to reunite with them in the hereafter.

So many birthday wishes this month,, I hope we both miss any of you, I want you to know that we are praying and thinking of you often.. Austin. Missy. Karina, Craig, Logan. Emma. Seth, Bella. erik. Heber. Janice...Joyeux Anniversaire pour Toutes 

 Love, Mom, Pat, Soeur

Churches around us

Every week in May has a holiday, which makes for an interesting adjustment to scheduling appointments.  First there is  May Day , then Ascension, 40 days after Christ dies, then there is Pentecost, which is when Christ received the Holy Ghost.Christian Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit’s visit to the apostles who received the “gift of tongues” on the 50th day after Easter.  It also marks the birth of the Christian Church. Although it is not certain when Pentecost was first observed by Christians, early as the first century. Pentecost occurs roughly seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox. Like Pentecost, Whit Monday is movable because it is determined by the Easter date.

There are a number of customs associated with Whit Monday. Cheese rolling and throwing competitions are held in some parts of England. In other parts of the country, Whit walks, which are parades led by local brass bands, clergy, dignitaries and local organizations, are held. The walks are often concluded by various activities that include competitions, dancing and food

But no church going!!!And then  this Sunday is French Mothers Day

So included in this email is alot of Churches.  Voltaire 's personal church, the town of Ferney Voltaires church, John Calvins' church in Geneva, and two other very decorative churchs in down town Geneva