May 27, 2010 Demonstration in front of the Center

As we were finishing our district meeting at the Center on Thursday morning, May 27th, we heard lots of noise coming from the street below. We looked out the windows and saw a massive demonstration. The people stretched as far as the eye could see in both directions. The purpose of the demonstration was to oppose the French president's plan to raise the age of retirement in the country.

May 28, 2010 The visit of Sandy Brown and the burrito dinner at the Center

On Friday night, the young adults had a burrito dinner. It was a great opportunity for us to introduce Sandy Brown, who served with us as a missionary in Cameroon. Sandy came to visit us from his home in Scotland. He spent two nights with us before he left for Geneva to visit Davd Causse, another of our former missionaries. Sandy is the young man with the red hair and beard in the first two pictures.

We never know how many young adults will attend the activity so I try to prepare more than enough food. We finish off the leftovers on Monday night at Family Home Evening.

May 29, 2010 Visit of the senior couples to Lyon

On Saturday, May 29, the six senior couples from Geneva traveled to Lyon to visit us. We met at our apartment when they arrived and President Murdock dedicated our little home. Then we walked to Parc de la Tête D'Or to show them the animals at the zoo and the beautiful rose garden.

Our next stop was at a French cafe for lunch. We had the entire upstairs of the restaurant to ourselves. The food was delicious and so typically French. When we had finished with the wonderful desserts, we walked down to the Outreach Center so they could check it out.

We left the Center, got into the two vans and headed up the hill to visit Fourviere, the gorgeous cathedral that overlooks the city. It took forever to get there because of the traffic through Old Lyon and by Place Bellecour, but we finlly made it to the top. The view was fantastic. Lyon is a huge city and it extends as far as the eye can see. After dropping us off at our apartment, the group left to return to Geneva. It had been an enjoyable day of renewing friendships and showing them our city.

Baptism of Marie Madeline on May 15, 2010

Marie Madeline was baptized on Saturday afternoon at the Ecully Stake Center. She is a sweet woman who lives in the Gerland area. Sister Metro, with Marie in the first photo and Sister Andelin in the second photo, have taught her the lessons. Elder Laws, in the last photo, was the one who baptized her. There was a small reception afterwards. The elders really came through with some wonderful refreshments. Elder Christensen made delicious fudge, Elder Anderson made a Norwegian cake, and Elder Laws and Elder Leichty brought no-bake chocolate cookies. I brought some chocolate chip cookies. The last photo is of Marie Madeline and Sister Patience Omorodion, who is an angel in her own right. She has been a friend to Marie and spoke at the baptismal service.

Young Adult Luncheon at the Ecully Stake Center- May 9, 2010

The young adults attended the Ecully Ward this morning and then had a luncheon after the meeting block. We served them salad, fruit, carrot sticks and chips while we baked pizzas in the oven in the small kitchen. Coraline and Virginie, the two beautiful young women in the third photo, worked hard to get all of the pizzas prepared and into the oven while the hungry group was waiting. After the meal, David and Jeremy surprised us by slipping into the kitchen to wash all the pans, etc. What great young men!! At three o'clock, the group watched the rebroadcast of the CES Fireside with Elder Burton as the speaker. There were between 25 and 30 young adults in attendance.

Parc Tête D'Or in May

We walk in the park every day that we can. It has been a wonderful experience to watch it go from fall to winter to spring. Now the trees are all in leaf and the dogwood is in full bloom.

Break the Fast Meal for May-May 2, 2010

For the "Break the Fast" meal for May, we had spaghetti and green salad. This month we celebrated Angelina Bayart's birthday. We received some new tables for the Center and they came in handy as places for the young adults to put their plates of food.