A Tale of Two Countries

Sunday, December 13, 2015

This week our post is called a "Tale of Two Countries".  As it turned out twice this week we had separate days in two different countries.  Lynn ended up in Belgium and Ed went to Lille.  

Lynn had arranged with a new member from Nigeria to go visiting teaching to our one and only member who lives in Belgium.  She lives just over the Belgian border.  Because of the terrorist attacks that happened last month in Paris the borders are now guarded.  This was a bit of a concern for this particular trip because Lynn's visiting teaching partner is from Nigeria and is only here on a visa. We did not know if she was able to cross into any other countries.  We asked her to bring her papers to Institute on Tuesday and we checked them out.  We thought that everything would be fine.  So off they went on Wednesday.  As it turns out the police at the border didn't even stop them and they had a wonderful visit.  Other than the fact that Beauty got really car sick.  She wasn't used to driving in a car and the little winding roads were hard on her.  She reported to us the next day that she went home and slept for four hours.  Nevertheless she said she enjoyed it immensely and is looking forward to doing it again.  While they were gone Ed, being the wonderful husband he is, went Christmas shopping.  He got some great stuff but don't tell Lynn.

On Saturday Ed headed out for Lille without Lynn.  He, along with four others from our Branch, left at 9:30 a.m. and got back at 10:15 p.m.  They drove four hours each way for their meetings. 

The Priesthood meeting was great.  There were talks about Priesthood, obeying the commandments, Home Teaching, reading scriptures and missionary work.  Ed translated for one of our anglophone members.  It was a great day.  Judging from what Ed found in the dresser, Lynn must have gone Christmas shopping for him, too.

This week was busy, as usual.  We continue to be busy teaching and helping.  We have our next baptism scheduled for January 2.  This time we are not having it in the lake but will travel to Reims, a distance of 100 km. to have our baptism in the Reims chapel.  It will definitely be warmer but we are hoping it will still be well attended and supported despite the distance.  We know it will be a special day for all involved.

During our exercises we took an early morning photo of our marina here in Charleville.   As we walked home through the square we noticed a nice bunch of Christmas Trees for sale with a slick wrapping machine.

Getting ready for the Marché de Noël

Fun pic to add from the Alsace Region.  Seriously this is how it is decorated.   They go All Out!

This week was a birthday week.  We had four birthdays at home in Canada - two grandchildren, a son in law and Lynn's brother.  We were able to talk on the phone and send e-mail cards. 

Happy Birthday Ron

Happy 6th Birthday Polly

Our District Meeting this week was taught by Elder Adams.  He did a great job teaching us about how our posture and body language influences our message.  How confident we are is reflected by how we hold ourselves.  He invited us all to practice a power pose for a minute as we begin each day to help us realise our potential.

Practising our Power Poses as taught by Elder Adams

This week was a two talk week for Ed.  He talked in church today and is going to talk at the Zone Christmas conference in Paris on Tuesday.  This took up a bit of his time this week getting ready for that.  We also had our classes to prepare this week.  We love having the opportunity to teach about the Gospel.  It is a two way street - we learn and so do they.

This seemed to fit perfectly with my thoughts this week.  gogogoff is a great blog too by the way.

That's all we have for this week.

Au revoir de la France,
Lyndi-Lou and Eddie, too.