Jonas, Paris and Performances

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Talk about an exciting and extremely busy week.  We became the proud grandparents of a new beautiful baby boy on Monday.  Jonas Johnson Michel was born to Lise-Anne and Jordan on June 6th at 9:15 p.m., weighing in at a whomping 10lbs 5oz.  He is beautiful and we couldn't be happier.  Mom and baby are doing well.  Congratulations Michel family.  That makes 5 beautiful children for them.  Polly, who is the only girl is thrilled and claims that she always wanted it to be a boy.

Here's a question for you.  How many of you blog readers can say that you went to Paris for a performance and you were the performer?  I'm sure if Céline Dion or Paul McCartney were reading this they could say yes.  But in fact Ed did this very thing this week.  As a matter of fact he performed twice this week, once in Paris and once in Charleville-Mézières.  

Now that we have your attention let's unravel this stretching of the truth.  In fact we had to go to Paris, well actually to the Mission Home which is in Le Vesinet near Versailles, where we were taking part in a Senior Missionary Couple's Conference.  All of the senior couples from our mission attended.  We had to give a session on how to support young missionaries when interacting with them during apartment checks or during district meetings.  We also had sessions on the Paris Temple, finances, food, safety, smoke detectors and a testimony session.  It was fantastic.  

Entertainment was provided by Jean DuBois (Ed) and Alphonse (his bonhomme jiggeur).  He sang French Canadian songs, played instruments told stories and a few lies and generally had a good time.  He appeared to be well received.  He had a blast.

The Paris Temple construction is coming along.  We were able to go and see it firsthand at the site.  It was a wonderful experience.  The feelings of the Spirit were palpable on the Temple site.  What a blessing this will be to those living in France.  

We went to an amazing French restaurant called Le Chenoy.  The food was amazing and all the Senior Couples were there with the Mission President and his wife.  Ed ordered a Caesar salad, a turkey cake and lemon pie.  Lynn ordered Caesar salad, fish and a chocolate mousse.  It was all to die for.

In conjunction with the conference we visited Monet's Garden.  This is where Claude Monet lived and painted.  There were two sections - a water garden and a flower garden.  Both were amazingly beautiful.  We also visited his house which included some of his paintings. 

Our Beautiful Wild Rose

We also visited the town where Van Gogh lived and painted and saw some of the places where he would have painted, particularly the church.

Elder Wilson and Elder Slaughter

Sœur Slaughter behind the Church

Auvers, France, just below the church

Had to include this picture for our grandson Adam.  Sign pointing to Adam's Island

We had the pleasure of travelling to the conference with the Slaughter's who are serving in Liège.  We really enjoy their company.  We had a great time travelling and had breakfast and dinner with them.  On the way home we stopped and visited the cathedral in Reims.  It was absolutely beautiful.

This picture of the Reims Cathedral is for our son-in-law Jordan.  There were foosball tables set up in preparation for a tournament.

As we told you earlier Ed performed twice this week.  The second performance took place in our own chapel.  We held a wind up party for our Young Adults.  We were celebrating the conclusion of our Institute classes.  We made up a special version of "Minute to Win It" and then Jean DuBois and Alphonse performed for them, too.  Some of the Young Adults prepared a meal.  Ed and Lynn even gave a jive demonstration.  We had a great time.  Everyone loved it all. 

Today was a great day at church.  We had a visit from our High Counsellor.  We also had a baptism.  This was done in the lake and we followed this up with a great meal.  Ed was able to do his 5th baptism since coming on his mission.  In fact, this was the fifth baptism of his entire life.  We followed up the baptism with a great meal.  Everyone had a good day.  The spirit was very strong during the baptism and during all of our meetings.

Isabelle got a new camera and we are very grateful.  She took all the pictures of the Baptism.  Thanks to her for so many photos she gives us to post.  Gross bisous.

Lac de la Warrene

The chic change room.

Elder Wilson going in the water to retrieve a toy.

Laurent entertained us after we had a meal together after church today.  It was wonderful.

Of course we filled up the rest of the week with classes, lessons, service, interviews, meetings and our dance class. Life is never dull in the mission field. 

Elder Gagnon having a rest as Elder Wilson finishes a phone call just before our Réunion de DMB (Branch Mission meeting, which means us and the young missionaries.  We have it once a week at our house.)

All is going well.  We love your support.

Au revoir de la France,
Lyndi-lou and Eddie, too