Missionary work at the Place de Republic in Lyon, France

Tuesday, June 30th, after district meeting, we met another district of elders and sisters at the Place de Republic to do contacting, singing and street chalk drawings. I was in the group singing hymns and Elder Badger was street contacting. The first picture shows how large the place is. The second picture shows us getting organized. The third picture is of our group of singers. Finally, the fourth picture is one of the chalk drawings. We had to bring a broom with us on the Metro so we could sweep up the drawings when we left.

Graduation party for the Lyon Stake seminary and Institute

On Saturday evening, June 27th, the Lyon Stake had a party to celebrate seminary and institute graduation. The people came from Grenoble and other cities up to two hours away. There was lots of food and fun music for dancing. The top picture is Beatrice with her daughter Rebecca. They are from New Caledonia. President Bennesar, the stake president, and his wife are dancing in the second picture. There was even a chance for all the children to participate in musical chairs. It was a fun evening for everyone.

View from the Massena apartment bedroom window

This is what we see when we look out the window of the Massena apartment in Lyon. We have been camping out in the empty missionary apartment so we don't have to stay in a hotel. This is a large school. The clock rings on the hour and half hour so you always know what time it is.

Farewell Barbecue for President and Sister Peterson

On June 25th, we had a farewell barbecue for President and Sister Peterson on the patio of the mission home. The first picture is of Elder Hansen who helped cook the marinated chicken. After a wonderful dinner, the Petersons cut the fruit tart and shared it with everyone.

The pancake supper at Family Home Evening in Lyon

This was truly a miracle. We sent out the word that we were having a pancake supper for Family Home Evening on June 22nd. We expected around seven or eight young adults. We averaged only five during the month of May. Well, they just kept pouring in the door. We ended up with 14 young adults including one investigator from China. Elder Howell gave a wonderful lesson on the Book of Mormon. Elder Chapman helped with the cooking. Sister Allred washed dishes and Sister Hammond made everyone feel welcome. We fed 20 people in all. We were certainly glad that we had enough ingredients to feed the hungry group. There was a lot of mixing and mingling. We were thrilled to meet so many new young adults. We even had two young women from BYU who have internships in Lyon for the summer.

My birthday trip to the medieval city of Perouges

On June 23, 2009, we stopped at Perouges on our way home to Ferney (Geneva) from Lyon. This is a city that was built back in the 14th and 15th centuries. The cobblestone streets are marvelous but difficult to walk on. It was a sunny, windy day with few tourists so we almost had the entire city to ourselves. We were amazed at how the walls were built with the different layers of rocks and then plastered over. Perouges sits up high on a hill and has quite a history dating back to Gallo-Roman times. I had wanted to stop to see the city, so this was my birthday gift. It was great!

Our balcony garden on June 17th.

We planted our balcony garden in April and today was the first day that we were able to harvest cherry tomatoes. We transplanted the tomato plants into larger pots a few weeks ago and gave them some fertilizer. They loved it and have flourished. We also put the geraniums in long planters so they could hang over the railings. Our lettuce, radishes and parsley are doing well also.

Family Home Evening in the rain at the park

On Monday, June 15th, the young adults from Lyon decided to go to Parc Tete D'Or to play football (soccer) for Family Home Evening. In the first picture, you can see what a beautiful place they chose. The problem was that the weather was threatening. After we arrived and they had started playing, it began to pour. Then came the thunder and lightning. By the time we made it back to the bus stop, we were drenched. Elder LeVigne and Elder Gardner brought an "ami," Yvon Collado. The rest of the group included Comfort, Landry, Benoit and the Badgers.

Sister Wiseman's birthday party

Monday, June 15th, was missionary preparation day and a birthday party for Sister Wiseman. The group brought cakes, cookies, soda pop and balloons.

Zone Conferences in Lyon

On June 14th, after stake conference, both of the zones in the Lyon Stake area held their zone conferences at the institute. These are some outstanding young men and women.

Visiting less active families with the sister missionaries

On June 9, 2009, we went with Sister Hammond and Sister Allred to five rendez-vous. The lady to the left of Elder Badger is Kate. She is a new member who needs support. The lady next to me is Hope and the little boy is Kate's son. I am certain that he has ADD. The surprising thing about this particular visit was that when we were talking about Nigeria, where these two sisters were born, we mentioned that we tried to get to their country with a group from Cameroon going to the temple. Hope asked if we were the ones she had seen on the internet going through the mud. When we told her it was us, she hugged and hugged me. It is amazing that those pictures have gone around the world.

Visiting Ellen Visson in Montreux

On Friday, June 5, we drove to Montreux to visit Ellen Visson. She is the widow of Phillipe Visson, a famous Swiss artist. Ellen and Phillipe were baptized but were only active for a few years. President and Sister Peterson have been friends of the Vissons for the last three years. Since they are leaving the end of June, they have asked us to be Ellen's friends. Her gorgeous apartment overlooks Lake Geneva. We sat on her balcony and visited during the afternoon.

Visiting Giovanna Bruno at the Clinic La Ligniere in Gland

When we left Montreux, we drove to Gland to visit Giovanna Bruno, who was at the La Ligniere clinic after her back surgery. She receives physical therapy twice a day. The clinic was absolutely beautiful with flower gardens everywhere. We sat out on the patio and could see Lake Geneva. Giovanna will be able to return home in two or three weeks.