It's all about the people

Pictures below.

Our French— This week, we finally felt like we could recommence with our language tutor after quite a long hiatus.  Not that our French didn’t need work well before now.  Thus far, we’ve been able to muddle our way through our Sunday meetings and other contacts throughout the week.  But we miss a lot of what is being said.  And we can’t always express ourselves the way we’d like.  But everything has its season:  we’ve had our season of getting the apt furnished, got it up and running, making the rounds and visiting everyone, making hospital visits, teaching Missionary lessons in between and getting some ecclesiastical and organizational needs underway.  All those things will continue; but we finally now feel ready to take on a 6-month long language tutoring session.

We’ve been studying our French daily on our own after leaving the MTC (Missionary Training Center).  Mostly, we have been reading the Book of Mormon in French out loud and together.  It’s a good place to start since we are familiar with the stories in English.  But it is actually quite a blessing in disguise as it slows us down…A LOT…. and we are able to savor the messages in there a bit more, see things we skimmed over too quickly before in English.   

The main problem and setback in terms of learning French, is that too many people speak English!!  While it’s certainly convenient and easier in the short-run, it’s made the process much slower in the long-run.  Several within the church, the community and our investigators of late speak English.  In terms of learning French, it has hurt us since as it’s not been a full and complete immersion.  Every day is like starting over again.  The younger generation here has required English in school and they do quite well for themselves practicing with American oldies music in stores and shops, American films, opportunities in the marketplace, online and beyond.  It feels a bit anti-climatic actually and a bit against the grain to hear English music in the shops.  After all, we are in FranceJ  

But we really place a lot of value on learning the French language, since that is their language and culture.  And we connect to people through language.  So many cultural nuances are tied to language and we don’t want to miss those opportunities and insights.  And it’s a very beautiful language rich, rich, rich in vocabulary.  It’s not an easy language to learn, mind you.  What you see, is NOT what you get in terms of pronunciation.  And the grammar seems to be fuller of exceptions than rules.  Ah, the grammar….definitely not my favorite pastime.  But alas, we try.  And we will keep on trying.

Our newest member, Chevez—One of his last games of the season was local and the gym is just down the street from us.  So, several of us went to the game to cheer him on.  There we were, 4 Missionaries, in our church clothes and 2 in casual clothes.  We likely made them look out of place but it's not about the clothes.  It's about the people.  Chevez plays point guard and is easy to spot on the court at 6'5".

Our next baptism, Jenny—This week we have worked with the Elders as they teach the last few lessons to Jenny.  She is an Army Reservist as well as her regular job so we've had to work around a few weekend jaunts and her work schedule.  She has been eagerly awaiting baptism for some time now and has wanted to move up her baptismal day…..several times now.  The best that could be accomplished was making it a week earlier.  

The minute she heard the first lesson, she was in.  She put aside smoking when she first caught wind that we do not smoke.  Just like that, she stopped.  Many try for years to quit.  What could possibly have so much power to persuade?  She'll tell you the Restored Gospel is true and that's what did it.

And on a side note—Jenny is deathly afraid of water.  It gives her nightmares to think about being in the water.  But she is putting aside her fear to follow in the Savior’s footsteps and be baptized this Saturday.  We remain in awe at her progress and her willingness to overcome her fears.  Someone described a hero as ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things. 

Saying good-bye….again—after 6 months, Elder Rees will say good-bye to Tarbes for a sunnier and the more eastern area of Antibes.  He is what links us to our start-up roots here in Tarbes and we are forever grateful for his help, his example and his go-get-‘em energy level.  We’ll never forget meeting he and his companion running down the dark street to meet us with a box of French pastries in hand.  He is a natural leader and in the thick of things. 

A string of good-byes—Elder Rees’ transfer call came Friday morning and he goes out early Monday morning.  Since Friday we’ve had several good-byes including a meal at our next door Indian restaurant, a trip to the mountains to say good-bye to friends there, a branch “mini-repas” and a final farewell at Anne’s Sunday night. 

Anne has been feeding the missionaries a few times a week and for over 20 years now.  She doesn’t come to church but she supports the missionaries and the youth.  She attended Chevez' baptism and is planning on coming Saturday to Jenny's.  Anne made Elder Rees’ favorite meal and 3 homemade desserts topped with several varieties of ice cream.  There were 14 of us, 10 of them youth and a few non-members.  That’s a lot of mouths to feed.  We learn from Anne's example of dedication and self-less service, not to mention her commitment of time and means.  She's all heart.

With all those young adults, there was a lot of energy, laughter and multiple conversations all at once.  The room was filled with electricity.  Then after dinner and dessert, Elder Rees clanked his spoon on his glass.  He and his companion shared a Church video at the table, their Missionary purpose and their testimonies with all present.  You could have heard a pin drop!!

Elder Rees has contributed a lot here in Tarbes and has worn multiple hats—from former Branch Counselor, Home-Teacher, Sunday School Teacher and Full-Time Missionary.  That’s a lot.  And for one so young, doubly so.   He’s well beyond his years.  He is going to be missed.

A lesson with Valerie—Valerie grew up in the Church but has forgotten much of what she learned as a child.  We spent several hours with her on Wednesday on a trip she planned for us to Bagneres-de-Bigorre.  We drove and she treated us to lunch and was our personal guide to its history and sights.  Bagneres-de-Bigorre is a world-famous natural health spa with mineral baths.  There is a huge medical spa for those with a Doctor's prescription and then another recreational spa for the public.  Of course during our missions we cannot swim so it will have to go on the bucket list for a return trip.

On the ride over and back, she asked us for a review on the Book of Mormon. So we talked about the history of the Book of Mormon and its spiritual components.  We asked if she wanted to meet with the Missionaries when we returned and she was eager to do so.  So we quickly recruited the Elders to join us for a lesson at our home.  She has followed a lot of eastern philosophies and meditative practices for the past few decades.  She has tremendous respect for the young Missionaries.  She stands in awe of what they know and how they present themselves at 18 thru their early 20s.  Her 2 sons are of those ages and she remarks of the difference.  When she returns from London, she'd like to meet with us again.  

Our testimonies (the spiritual compilation of all we know and hold to be true) are fragile.  They can break.  They can evaporate.  They can grow dim.  It takes constant vigilance to keep our testimonies strong and well-nourished.  Like the dry grass in our front yards after a sweltering summer day, a bit of fresh water can really bring those thirsty, brown and brittle-dry grass blades to life again.  May we all keep our testimonies burning bright, ourselves included.  We are all really only one choice away from a testimony gone dim or a testimony burning bright from within.

Lucy, our newest investigator—What a gentle soul.  The Elders have met with Lucy two times and invited us to join in this last appointment.  In that particular lesson this week, we reconfirmed what it is we do:  teach lessons about the Restored Gospel, invite others to Come unto Christ, read the Book of Mormon and be baptized by immersion by one who has Authority to do so.  We invited Lucy to come to Church Sunday.  She came. 

What is more, she stayed until the end.  In this case, until every last glass and plate was washed (because of the send-off “repas” for Elder Rees).  She commented how it just seemed like she fit right in.  We are very “convivial” she said; and now she wants to hear closely what lessons we have to share.  She wants to understand what makes us tick as a people, what are our beliefs and she wants to listen and study.  To match, she has started reading the Book of Mormon.

Knowing we don’t smoke, she commented on the way to church that she ran out of cigarettes yesterday.  It “stressed her out” she said but she decided not to buy any more for now and see how that goes.  That’s internal motivation.  We keep hearing the saying, “the Church changes lives”.   We've seen this pattern many times now but it still never ceases to amaze us.  Stay tuned.

A la prochain!

Logo for Bagneres-de-Bigorre showing 

 natural healing mineral waters to drink and bathe in

Underground springs from the Pyrenees Mountains

Entrance to a natural spa above

below--mineral composition of the water in that spring

 Copy of an old poster advertising to Londoners to come to the Baths

The rich class would come annually and stay for several weeks to several months

In Bagneres-de-Bigorre, there are 2 facets to the Baths--

one that is open only to those with a Doctor's prescription 

and the recreational Spa (ie, you pay)  Above: recreational spa

Former Bath House ruins. 

This is Europe; we are reminded again of former Roman Baths. 

Valerie (R) with her former colleague who used to be 

a school administer where Valerie teaches now.  

She now owns and operates a successful sweet shop in Bagneres-de-Bigorre.

All chocolates and sweets are made by hand by her.

 One of the mineral water springs has lots of sulfuric acid 

which leaves a strong aftertaste in your mouth.  

So profiteers of old made these colorful sugary candies to help off-set the taste.

The traditional candy is made by this shop owner 

 Heading into the Pyrenees Mountains to the spa.  

 Town plaza Bagneres-de-Bigorre

Partial view of back wing of recreational Bath that houses underground springs inside

Bangeres-de-Bigorre

Door of an older restaurant with original lock.

  Skeleton key is enormous.

 Chevez (point guard) making a shot

 Chevez, number 13.  And, Swish!

 Top:  Chevez and Elder Rees  

Below Elder Vera to right

 Fragrant climbing roses now in full bloom.  Around the corner from us.

 French humor.  Museum ticket.

Climbing roses and clematis

 Indian restaurant next to us.  Our farewell dinner for Elder Rees

 There's a lot more couscous in that pyramid-shaped plate than meets the eye.  

Elder Rees (R) taking a breather, trying to make more room for round 3.

 Elders in front of our apartment next to Indian Restaurant

 A rather common sight--returning from the Boulangerie (bakery)

 Driving by Halle Marcadieu, Thursday Market location, Tarbes

 Argelès-Gavost

 Playing Pétanque--Elder Vera tossing the ball, Elder Rees, Patrick, Jean-Claude  

 Jean-Claude and Elder Vera

The site of our Elders's Quorum Branch Activity

Getting ready to throw the ball

We visited the Chapelle d'Ortiac, which dates from the 1600's

 From the Chateau

 Sunset out our kitchen window, our balcony to right

 Stained-glass window in our Relief Society room

 Church Farewell.  Lucy.  Boys will be boys

Jenny, to be baptized Saturday

 Frere Louit, Marc, Maily, Camille

 Marita....fantastic cook; always in colorful Tahitian dress and floral hairpiece

 Maily, Camille

 Siobhan, Chevez, former Montreal missionary visiting Siobhan here in Tarbes

Maily and Tina

Far end of table; farewell number 3.