Happy Resurrection Day; Notre Dame; Grenoble Art Museum

Our Church Week—We had our District Council missionary meeting on Friday. The Elders came over to our apartment and we listened and participated in that together. In this meeting we discuss ways that we can better serve the people in the towns where we live. It really is remarkable how much technology helps us as our District Leader lives 3 hours away from us. Skyping saves us all travel time.

Notre Dame—What a shocking and emotional week for France and the world to witness the burning of a National Cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its contributions from the 1200s to France and the world of architecture, history, culture and religion are magnificent.

Any fire is a loss. A National Site has been severely damaged. For the many in the nation and for many individuals, it is place of worship and they feel that specific loss. Despite the secularization of France in 1905, there is a feeling of loss across the board for the religious art, architecture and Notre Dame’s place in history that was compromised. Most details you are able to get on the news—like the artwork being sent to the Louvre; the organ being intact. But the sentiment is hard to capture as it goes far deeper in Europe due to the generations of history and culture that ties current history to past history. Notre Dame is a World UNESCO Site and that loss is felt as well.

As Americans, our history has such a THIN veneer in comparison, and in situations as these, it is truly hard to relate from afar how deep the emotional ties and sense of loss that has been running here this week. Notre Dame is a large landmark in Paris and that leaves a gaping hole on the landscape so it will remain a scathing reminder for quite some time. The first few days were hard to swallow: it’s a nation in mourning for the loss of a National Treasure that ties them to so much of French history, culture and a large part of their fabric of society. World leaders sent their heartfelt sentiments.

France of course is resilient and they are working through the sadness and looking to rebuild both their faith and their hope in a nation that is torn on so many fronts these past months. As the Cathedral burned Monday night French time, President Macron immediately reassured the people saying France will rebuild—they will seek out the best of the best world-wide artisans and craftsman to rebuild. The two wealthiest families in France are donating 200 million Euros each ($225+ million US) followed by other organizations donating in the 10s of millions. These donations were made within hours of the outbreak of the fire. These donations and the statement it made was just as emotional as the fire itself.

President Macron plans to re-build Notre Dame by 2024 for the Paris Summer Olympics. It took decades of building in the Middle Ages and with modern advances they are hopeful they can do it in less time. There are several naysayers; the news always seems to find them. But by Wednesday, it is remarkable how much has poured in by the way of donations: over $1 billion, less than 48 hours after the fire. Surviving items were quickly removed to the Louvre.

A temporary roof was well underway by day 3. We leave for Paris (below) ourselves on Sunday after Church and rain is predicted there Tuesday and Wednesday, so the temporary roof is none too soon. It is remarkable to see efforts mobilize so quickly.

Chevez—Chevez hurt his knee at Saturday night’s basketball game. He also just started a new job days before his knee injury so the timing wasn’t good. They aren’t able to see the full damage until the swelling and water build-up go down so he is in limbo as to the diagnosis and prognosis. He’s in physical therapy every day and under a Dr’s care until they can make a better assessment. Understandably he was quite discouraged at first but in 2 days he had a great outlook. He knows it’s a temporary setback. We suggested he might use the time to finish watching General Conference and he said that seemed like a really good idea.

Louise—We visited Louise with the Elders and joined them in their lesson. She is 80 years old. After some time away from Church, she is taking another look at the doctrine we have taught her in this past year. She has struggled to understand the Book of Mormon so we bought her a children’s reader version. She was so thrilled. Pictures and short, concise descriptions. A great starter kit… We had a wonderful discussion on the need for Prophets to lead and guide us as is the pattern in the Old Testament. She now desires baptism. Her turning point was a prayer she has discussed with us these many months. One of her sons was out of work and was becoming discouraged trying to feed his family. Once a Mom, always a Mom. We would visit Louise separately from the young missionaries and try to offer some hope and encouragement as she was feeling helpless on how to help. We could only offer encouragement, a few ideas and the power of prayer. So she has been praying, begging and pleading that her son could find work, and in Tarbes. The difficult part of that formula is ‘Tarbes’. Work is not plentiful here and that is challenging for many.

She said her prayer had been answered and she knew from whence it came. Her son secured a job this week, one day after his birthday. She couldn’t stop talking about how much weight has been lifted from their family’s shoulders. She accredits it to the power of prayer. With that, she had MANY questions about the Gospel and for 2 hours we answered her questions with scriptures and talks from this previous General Conference. She wants to review the lessons then be baptized. We went over the baptismal questions with her and she says it sounds good.

Relief Society Decorating Committee—Anne, Gisele and Valerie all came over to the apartment to participate in making the decorations for the coming months of May and June. They asked Meg to continue with the themes she has for these 2 months; then they will take the reins and make this their own in the months to come. They will be in charge of the theme of the “repas” and coordinating the food bit and talks with the Relief Society Activities Counselor and the Branch Presidency to have the 4^th Sunday talk coordinate with their decorating theme. To have this many organizations and activities running at once is new. These are all good signs of growth that is happening in Tarbes.

Gisele is the Relief Society sister in charge of Missionary Work and has been making special invitations for the missionaries to hand out. Just watching them each bring their talents and excitement to the table….well, it’s contagious and they have caught the vision of bringing ambiance, color and creativity to the meals so they are festive and a platform/place where their friends, family and neighbors can join in.

May we will celebrate Mothers in pink and white. Meg had the materials bought and rough sketch of the plan. June is Father’s Day and “Vivre La France” since it will be our last “repas” here. We’ll have a bakery, patisserie and creperie with regional foods from France and crepes and French patisseries for dessert. They are excited!!

July (Pioneer Day month) we have the clothing already made from last year that Meg and Anne sewed together. And Conestoga wagon is constructed and in the shed already made. All that will be need is ambiance with some colorful napkins and FOOD! No problem filling that order….as France’s specialty is gastronomy.

August will be simple….an outdoor picnic as most travel for family vacations.

Then starting in September, it will be all on them and self-sustaining. This is wonderful to watch the seeds grow. What is extra-rewarding is that none of this was planned but evolved out of the Thanksgiving meal in November. That was the turning point. Who would have known it could and would blossom into a monthly event that is festive, exciting and self-sustaining.

Other—We are packing, again. This time we go to Paris! We will attend the Paris Temple, a stone’s throw from Versailles. We will meet our youth there and be with them in the Temple on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. We’ll eat lunch with them then will do some more work in the Temple in the early afternoon. We’ll spend the balance of the time with the Sumner couple when they finish their duties in the Temple.

We are VERY excited to put pictures and videos of the temple into real life. We waited for so long with baited breath as the Paris temple almost didn’t happen. But thanks to modern miracles, the way was paved. Later, there was a hic-cup on the completion of the Temple so we just missed the dedication when we were here doing our Study-Abroad Program. So all is now finally coming to fruition for us to go to the Paris Temple and we are thrilled.

Town of the week—Pictures of Christ in the Grenoble Art Museum; some remaining snow in the Pyrenees; Spring flowers in Pau and Tarbes

Happy Easter!

A la prochaine.