Author: Tim Frodsham

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Mission

Feeding the Missionaries

In our call as Welfare, Self-Reliance missionaries, our responsibilities include all of French speaking Europe as well as the Netherlands. Because of this, we don’t work as closely with the local members and missionaries are those called as Member-Leader Services (MLS) missionaries. We put in extra effort into our relationships with the local missionaries and members of the church to build a comradery and feel of their testimony and enthusiasm.

Feeding 14 Elders on a Monday morning

Catherine and I talked about this for some time and decided that one thing we would do is periodically offer a waffle breakfast for the missionaries on their preparation day. Catherine contacted the Zone leaders to pick a time and to notify all of the Elders in the zone and within easy traveling distance of our apartment. What to serve was a no-brainer. We love waffles, and I have been tweaking a recipe for years. It has whole wheat flour, rolled oats, butter milk, chia, and if I can find it, ground flax seed and a dash of Zantham gum for a little bit of crunch. It’s a staple for us, we will make up a batch for breakfast and then freeze the rest for meals to come. If we’re having waffles, we have to have homemade buttermilk syrup. Nothing healthy to see there . . .

I was skeptical that even a handful of Elders would show up, they are busy and their schedules are tight. P-Day time is precious. All 14 available Elders showed up and filled our tiny apartment. We mixed up four double batches of waffles and used every drop. Mingling with these Elders always restores my faith in the future of the church. They exude a spirit of faith, testimony and enthusiasm. After breakfast, we gathered in our living room for a group picture. In a spontaneous yet powerful gesture, the Elders linked arms and began to sing a hymn. Afterwards, one of the Elders asked to say a prayer before they departed. The faith and spirit in that room could have moved mountains.

The next Monday, we extended the same invitation to the Sisters serving in Lyon. Though the zone takes in a large area of Southern France, there are many missionaries serving here who have access to the Lyon metro system and our apartment is two short blocks from a stop on one of the major city lines. I had more faith this time, and indeed, all of the available sisters showed up for breakfast.

Catherine was in here element. She has been around youth most of her life, and taught seminary for many years. To be with groups of stalwart young men and women who have dedicated themselves to His service is for her, pure joy.

This was too good not to be a reoccurring event, the question is how often? Once a transfer, about once every 6 weeks is our current thought. We are working on other activities to draw closer to the members and missionaries here, but that is for another blog.

This week, we have talked at length about our mission service here. Yes, there were a thousand reasons to stay at home. We will miss the wedding of my first grandson, too many baptisms, high school graduations and the list continues. If one waits for the perfect time to serve a mission, if we have done family right, that time will never come. Of one thing we are sure, in choosing to serve the Lord, all of the other reasons fade in the perspective of His service. Miracles happen while we are away.

Categories
Mission

Paris

Thus far, I think Zone Conference is my favorite part of serving a senior mission. In order to serve a mission in France, the young elders and sisters have to have completed seminary, which they need in order to get a minister’s license here in France. In part, because of that requirement, the missionaries here are incredibly faithful and motivated. Zone conferences are run mostly by the young missionaries, with the assistants to the president, the zone leaders and sister missionary leaders making the presentations. The theme was chapter 10 of Preach My Gospel. “How can I improve my teaching skills” but they spent a lot of time on finding as well.

Sister Missionaries of the Lyon Zone
Elders of the Lyon Zone
Sister Liz Hardy (Office Sister) with Catherine

President Léporé spoke at the end of the conference for nearly an hour. He encouraged us to “bind our selves to Christ”, and to seek those “look moments”, referring to the admonition of the angel that led Nephi through is vision, encouraging him to “Look”.

Our contribution to the conference, green salad and a large container of ranch dressing. It was the dressing that was a hit, Ranch is simply not available in France. (Some of the missionaries have eaten at our home and they know Elder Frodsham makes a mean green salad with so many goodies in it. When we brought the beautiful salad, the missionaries said “that’s an Elder Frodsham salad!!”)

Frodshams and Snyders
Delys and Catherine

Saturday morning we were up before dawn and driving to Paris. We wanted to make the 11:15 session at the temple and meet another couple serving as Welfare Self-Reliance missionaries in the Paris mission. Using headphones, I have listened to the ordinance session many times in French, but this was the first time I have attended a session entirely in French. I have been studying French for several years now, and it surprised me how much I understood as we progressed through the ceremony. (Cathy again…I had headphones to hear it in English but they didn’t work so I listened in French and knew what was going on. At the veil I had Bro and Sis. Allen from the US who was called to be a new sealer there.)The Paris temple is within walking distance of The Palace of Versailles. It does not have a huge front entrance and we didn’t get a picture of the front. We will have to do that another time. It is beautiful, and is the only temple in France. Many of the workers drive from all over France to get to the temple to work their shifts. We are very blessed to have temples close to us in California.)

From the temple we drove to the town of Évry to assist with a Welfare Self-Reliance devotional Saturday evening. It was a small ward, but there were nearly 80 people in attendance and many of them signed up for one of the self-reliance courses. Momo Djamai, our manager here in France gave the presentation. He had the baptism of a young lad in his branch a few hours before, was in a hurry to get to the Évry ward building and forgot his bag with computer and sign up materials. He borrowed a laptop from the Bishop of the local ward and gave a stellar presentation on the fly. He later admitted that the presentation he gave that night was far better than the one he had prepared.

WSR devotional in Évry

At the end of the devotional, Catherine and I stayed during the potluck meal just to chat with the members. One young woman took a liking to Catherine and came to our table several times to converse. Catherine asked her genuine questions about her life and goals, to which she answered honestly. I think she enjoyed that someone cared. We realized we were very late getting out and excused ourselves quickly to leave. The ward had music playing in the background, the the number playing at that time was perfect for a Hustle so we danced for a few minutes in the middle of the floor. I do not like to be the center of attention in normal circumstances, but I felt that we should show the members there that senior missionaries have a life as well and we can enjoy it.

We drove to Amboise to spend the night with our manager here in France, Momo Djamai and his wive Pascale. It was a 2 and a half hour drive and we did not want to arrive after 22:00. We were late, but not by much.

The Frodshams and the Snyders with Momo and Pascale Djamai

Pascale was an incredible hostess. She was born on the Island of Jersey in the English Channel, and was educated in Scotland. She welcomed us into her home with grace, charm and humor. The next morning, we traveled to Tours to attend Sacrament Meeting where the four of us spoke, all in French. Again, Catherine mingled with the sisters there with such ease, making fast friends.

Catherine with a young woman scheduled to be baptized on the 3rd of March

We spent several hours back at the Djamai’s home, eating dinner and conversing around the dinner table. I love the French custom of lingering over a meal to talk. Laughter binds us together and we made many bonds that day.

We lingered a bit too long at the Djamai’s home and knew we would not arrive back in Lyon until after nightfall. In addition, there was rain and high winds most of the way home. During the calm stretches, I went with the flow of traffic, and the tattle-tale electronics let the mission president know that I exceeded the speed limit of 130 kph (80 mph). I must tell you in all honesty I did not exceed 160 kph (100 mph) at any time . .(One would expect this of me…not of Tim ;-))

We do have a life in Lyon. Catherine celebrated her birthday the day after Valentine’s day and decided to made a cake to celebrate. Yes, I should have made the cake, but I was busily putting together a major presentation our manager requested at the last minute, and wanted us to present that evening to church leaders in Central Europe.

The best German Chocolate cake I have ever eaten

We enjoyed several slices and then shared with missionaries and investigators alike as they wended their way through our home.

We are also working on a humanitarian project, putting together the supplies for homeless kits the missionaries will use in their work. They will assemble the kits during zone conferences, add a card and personal note, and then distribute these kits as they travel through their areas.

Catherine enjoying a Kabob
A shot just for Tim

No, Nutella is not part of our humanitarian project, but I am addicted to the stuff, and during our visit to a local “PromoCash”, a store somewhere between “cash and carry” and “Costco”, searching for homeless supplies, I couldn’t help taking a picture of the two things I love most. The other picture? Out on a walk, we discovered a tiny restaurant serving Kabobs. It’s sort of like a falafel, but with a French twist.

There are a lot of things going on at home and we are missing out on so many events in the lives of our children and grandchildren. There are always reasons to delay a senior mission, but my advise is to go. Go now. We miss our families terribly, but we can see the blessings our mission is having in their lives as well as our own. We love our Savior and have placed ourselves in His care as we serve as His hands.

Categories
Mission

31 January, Olympic Hopefuls

For this week’s blog, we bring you excerpts of an exclusive interview by Sheri Damp, close associate of the famous CEO of Dessert Books, a publishing organization specializing in uplifting snacks for Latter-Day Saint readers for whom issues of the day weigh heavily on their souls, as well as their hips and thighs. In light of the release of a recent photo by renowned photographer, emergency medicine specialist and budding comedian, Ari Shaeffer, Ms. Damp flew to France to interview the famous Frodsham couple, Olympic Hopefuls for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. 

Image leaked to the press by photographer and comedian Ari Shaeffer

Catherine and Tim Frodsham are serving undercover as Missionaries for The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Lyon France, teaching principles of Self-Reliance to leaders and members of the Church in France and surrounding countries. These former Olympic champions are planning an ambitions repertoire of events at the Paris games. Even before competition begins, the Frodshams will spearhead the ‘Opening Exercises’ ceremony to usher in the games. 

According to Ms. Damp, the Olympic Duo are heavy favorites for the gold as they head to the coast for their first competition ‘Preach Volleyball’. In a stunning display of stamina, they will simultaneously compete in the ‘Title of Liberty Flag Football’ scrimmages. Their chances here are perilous, but with the support of their 2000 stripling warrior fans, they are hopeful for the gold in this match as well. 

Elder Frodsham in rigorous training for the academic marathon events

In day two of the games, the Frodshams will compete in the ‘Iron Rod’ competition. Their participation in this event sent shockwaves through the Olympic community, given Elder Frodsham’s dismal performance in last years ‘Idita-rod’ dog sled race where he choked on the final night of the run, staring at the stars and babbling ‘Pleiades, Pleiades’. According to Ms. Damp, ‘holding fast to the rod’ will be a winning strategy for this intrepid couple as they not only compete for the gold in this cornerstone event but vie to break the record in the ‘race to the tree’, set by Father Lehi, a record which has stood unchallenged for 2600 years. The Frodshams are undeterred in their quest for gold as they will also participate in ‘Promised Land Sailing’, ‘Trampoline out Sin’, ‘Wrestling with the Spirit’ and the ‘Roller Derby Meet and Greet’ events the same day. 

Soeur Frodsham in training for the Curling Competition

Day three of the Olympics will be no ‘day of rest’ for the Frodshams as they move to the ‘Tract and Field (white and ready to harvest)‘ events to be held in the country’s largest stadium, Stade de France. They will start the day with three events, the ‘Scripture Marathon’ and the lesser-known Trial-athalon and Pentateuch-athalon events, new to the Olympics this year. 

Due to intense criticism for specializing only in LDS centered events, the Frodshams will participate in several mainstream tournaments as well. Catherine Frodsham is a heavy favorite for the Curling event, spending hours each day in an intense training regimen. Competition is tight for ‘Synchronized Snoring’, but Team Captain Catherine, with years of training and outstanding performance in this event, should lead her team to the gold in this culminating rivalry. 

Soeur Frodsham demonstrating her winning Curling ensemble

It was a great disappointment to learn the Frodshams were disqualified from the ‘Uneven Bars’ due to their height difference, a ruling bewildering to event organizers and experts alike.

Thanks for Alamy for providing a wide angle lens capable of capturing the moment

News of this disqualification was devastating to Sister Frodsham, and she is determined to dominate the newest Olympic competition, ‘Amazon Shopping’ where she has vowed to ‘Fill the Immensity of Space’. 

Elder Frodsham in a ‘Shopping Assist’ while recalling his ‘Pleiades’ moment

We thank Ms. Damp for her hours of interviews and observation of this enigmatic couple, bringing to light their fortitude, rising victorious in all trials and competitions they encounter while they serve the Lord in Lyon, France. 

Categories
Mission

19 January 23, Gratitude

We are learning not only the Welfare Self-Reliance programs that the church offers to the world, but also how the French people understand and accept these programs.  The pace of the French in society and in the church is different.  Not better or worse, just different.  We love how our ward ends Sacrament meeting.  After the closing prayer, everyone remains in their seats for several minutes.  No one talks, we just sit in reverent silence.  Once the bishop gets up, everyone gets up and begins to socialize.  It may take 10 to 20 minutes before people move from the chapel to their respective meetings.  After church, the saints linger and talk. One Sabbath, an hour after church, people were still chatting. 

Dinner with our boss (second from left) and the WSR leaders in Clermont-Ferrand

In a recent Area devotional, the Area manager spoke about the expanding work in Central Europe. One of their desires is to cultivate native workers in the Area office and native missionaries; both senior couples and young missionaries in the field. It reminded me of a discourse given by President Kimball on how missionary work would spread throughout the world.  Countries that depend on American missionaries would become self-sufficient and in turn, export missionaries to others.   That is the goal of the European people.  Local missionaries to fulfill their needs and an excess to export to other countries. Right now, many French missionaries are sent to the US.  Some stay or return to the US because of the opportunities here. The saints and the leadership of the church here in Europe want to open opportunities for their missionaries as incentive to stay. 

Catherine and I discussed this after the devotional and concluded that saints from the US look at the French culture through the lens of our own culture and experience.  We remembered a conversation with a Senior couple in the Area office while we were there for training.  They were rather upset at an affiliate organization that had received humanitarian funds from the church. Rather than using them as agreed, they gave them to another organization in country and then publicly took credit for the donation.  The funds were not necessarily misused, but credit was not given as we would expect in our US culture. 

Outside the Cathedral in Clermont-Ferrand

A big question we ask ourselves is if the work we are doing here is sustainable.  Are we just blowing hard on the coals? As soon as we leave, will the fire die back down?  We have seen couples so excited about pushing the work forward that they push local WSR specialists out of the way in order to do it ‘the right way’. The work glows brightly for a while, but when they leave, the local saints called to this work are not prepared to take over. Our goal is to build a strong, sustainable source of heat and light by training, and more important, sustaining the local leadership in the responsibilities to which they were called. President Kimball delivered a landmark discourse in 1974 on how the world will be converted. In that discourse, he quoted a discourse by Brigham Young in the April, 1852 General Conference: 

The Cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand

“This kingdom will continue to increase and to grow, to spread and to prosper more and more. Every time its enemies undertake to overthrow it, it will become more extensive and powerful; instead of decreasing it will continue to increase; it will spread the more, become more wonderful and conspicuous to the nations, until it fills the whole earth.” We are moved to be a part of that work. 

Catherine in the Cathedral, surrounded by stars made by the local children

We recently met with a couple in Clermont Ferrand, called as Welfare Self-Reliance specialists for their stake.  I watched with awe as Catherine embraced these fine people, both figuratively and literally. She adores and is adored by all she meets.  Catherine speaks little French, and the sister spoke little English, but they instantly became lifelong friends and communicated in ways far beyond mere spoken language.  Catherine worries about how little of the French language she commands, but she communicates far beyond anything I can do. This couple is excited about the work and have a testimony of the Church’s Self-Reliance programs. Catherine and I pray continually for the inspiration and revelation necessary to sustain them. 

It is a joy for us to work as WSR (Welfare, Self-Reliance) missionaries.  the MLS (Member Leader Support) missionaries in our mission have somewhat well-defined responsibilities, particularly those that work in the office.  Our job is nebulous.  We are left to figure out what we should do and how to do it.  We would enjoy the more defined MLS responsibilities if that were our call, but we are embracing the lack of definition in our current callings.  We find opportunities to learn and to serve wherever we can. 

With the Sister Missionaries and acouple being taught in our apartment

We are learning how the church works with the French government.  It is not better or worse, just different. An integral part of the French Revolutions was throwing off the suppressive yoke of the Catholic church.  I don’t know enough about French history to make any kind of judgement here, but that is certainly the perception of the French people.  Because of this, as a culture, they are very suspicious of religious organizations.  The church understands not to fight it, but to work with it.  For example, EnglishConnect classes can be taught in some church buildings but not in others.  It seems arbitrary, but it depends on ownership of the buildings.  The church cannot directly own buildings in France, not even the temple.  They are owned by subsidiary or affiliate organizations.  The way the church owns each building dictates if EnglishConnect classes are seen as competition with local public universities. Some buildings in our Stake can host EnglishConnect classes, some cannot. We work with that. Where we cannot hold physical classes, we do so online. 

On the Streets of Clermont-Ferrand

While serving here in France, we are re-learning how to pray. I was reminded recently of a discourse on Prayers of Gratitude. Sometimes our prayers turn into a list of “monotonous pleadings”. Rather than a long list of requests for our work and our families, even though these requests may have the best of intentions, we have been offering prayers of gratitude for all the blessings poured out on us. We thank the Lord for his help as he blesses us the way he blessed the People of Alma. He did not remove their burdens, but he made them light. In the coming weeks and months, I will try to describe the answers to our prayers, most particularly our prayers of gratitude for the support He gives our families while we are in His service. 

Categories
Mission

13 January, 2023

We are settling into our mission, learning the ropes and learning to love the people around us. There are several shops that we frequent, some of them recognize us from missionaries past, some are new friends. Even with my French language background, it is Catherine that communicates the best. They feel her friendship, her love and her enthusiasm and brighten each time she enters the shop. Our favorite is a small bakery just around the corner. When we shop, we hold off our bread purchases until we pass the shop the way home. At times, Catherine goes in for a baguette while I pop up to the apartment to unload groceries. She usually follows me in with an armful of bread, quiche and a sandwich or two.

There is a Saturday market at the corner that sells all manner of fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. I used to love the Saturday’s Market in Portland, but in recent years, it has become so commercialized with tourist trinkets and the like. I have yet to find a trinket at this market.

There is always a down side no matter where one ends up, and Catherine found an Ikea. I think the picture says it all.

Catherine has discovered the joy of French cooking and French meals. She found a Raclette on sale at the local Carrefour and we have fed investigators and missionaries alike. We cannot eat in true French style, taking three hours for a meal, but we have learned to slow down and enjoy the conversation around the table as watch those hungry missionaries devour Catherine’s cooking. Don’t worry, I am in the kitchen as well. I haven’t started up bread making, the bread here is too good and so inexpensive, but I do enjoy bouncing about our tiny kitchen with Catherine.

Next week, we are off to our first in person meeting with self-reliant specialists in Clermont-Ferrand. We are meeting with our ‘boss’ first, Momo Djemai, to go over training materials we are developing, then with the Membre’s to help plan some new self-reliance classes. As I study these programs and put together presentations to help leaders and specialists understand the courses the Church has developed, I can feel the power of the spirit that went into crafting these programs. The Lord is hastening his work in the last days, preparing his saints and seeking out the watchful.

In our last zone conference, the missionaries based their theme around the people of Alma; that the Lord did not lift their burdens when they covenanted to follow Him, but He lifted their hearts and their capacity to bear up under their ever increasing burdens with faith and joy. The missionaries have been teaching a young couple in our apartment, and after the last lesson, they had to scoot to their next appointment. This couple is going through some hardships at this time that seem to have no end. I turned to Mosiah to recount to them the faith of the People of Alma and we could see the Spirit bare powerful testimony to them that in spite of, and perhaps even because of their troubles, the Lord is mindful of every detail of their lives.

The story of the People of Alma is one of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon. As I was reading it some years ago, I realized that in these passages, the Lord had set up, by modern standards, an excellent qualitative case study about how the Lord deals with his people based on their righteousness. I even wrote an article about it, which I posted on my website.

Categories
Mission

2 January, The New Year

We attended our first Zone Conference during the week between Christmas and New Years. The Mission President gave an opening testimony and then had the Assistants to the President and the Zone Leaders present most of the material for the day. I was impressed at how well these young leaders taught and testified with faith and power. The Elders taught about testifying and extending invitations to those investigating the church. It is important to understand that as they embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His restored Church, trials and hardship will not be taken away. In fact, the adversary will exert even more effort to dissuade and disrupt our lives.

Break time at Zone Conference

They gave as an example the People of Alma and what they had to endure. The Lord did not lift their burdens, but he strengthened them so that they could not feel them (Mosiah 24:13,14). When we strive to follow Him, the adversary has no power over us (Helaman 5:12). Several years ago, I wrote an article about the People of Alma and Limhi and how the Lord interacts and helps His people based on their faith and obedience. The presentations of these stalwart missionaries reminded me again that the future of the Church is in good hands. 

Sister missionaries at the Zone Conference

President Lepore concluded the conference with a testimony about the work in Europe. He cited President Nelson in a recent address to the Europe Area. “The Church has an unparalleled future in Europe!” The wars raging around Europe are bad, but the Lord is using these events for His own purpose. People are being displaced to areas where they can hear the gospel. There are twenty missionaries called to the people of Turkey. All of them reside in Germany and extend the invitations of gospel learning online. When someone from Turkey is converted, missionaries along with appropriate leadership as prescribed by law, fly to Turkey to perform the baptisms and then return to Germany.   

Lyon from the river near our apartment

Pres. Nelson also said of the missionaries called to serve here, and I paraphrase: “You were born to do this.  Europe has an unparalleled future because of you. You have access to the power-God’s power- that will literally change the future of Europe.  As you keep your covenants with increasing precision, you are the hope of Europe, and you are the hope of Israel. You are the ‘children of the promised day’ “. Great things are happening in Europe.  Among other indicators, baptisms are up 60 % in the mission as compared to last year. Our contribution to the conference was bowls of fruit and a large batch of cinnamon rolls. 

At the Tete d’Or park

We spent New Years with several families. The faithful members here are generous to a fault and treated us to magnificent multi-course meals in their tiny apartments. At our New Year’s Eve dinner invitation, the wife got a call to go into work later that evening. She is a PA for a local hospital and was needed to assist in a multiple transplant surgery. Her married and engaged children were there, all intelligent and conversant in both French and English. 

Prettiest thing in the park

On New Years Day, we took a long walk around the city. From our apartment, it is a comfortable walk to the river, to the Tete D’Or park, the mall and several shopping areas. We are still exploring the richness of the city around us.

The new year, we will start traveling in our assigned area to train stake leadership and self-reliance specialists in the church programs. Catherine has been bringing me up to speed on these wonderful programs and the power they can bring to wards and stakes in binding their people together and extending a hand of gospel fellowship to others.

Categories
Mission

25 December 2023, Christmas Day 

I love Christmas or Christmas eve on a Sunday. What better way to honor the Sabbath. For Sacrament meeting, both wards that meet in our tiny building held Sacrament meeting together. Catherine is a gift giver, so before and after the meeting, we handed out gifts of chocolate and Christmas ornaments to members of the ward who are fast becoming stalwart friends. 

Caroling at Place Bellecour

A highlight of our Christmas weekend was caroling with the mission. The mission president and all the missionaries in the Lyon area gathered at the Place Bellecour in to sing Christmas carols. The office elders brought a portable light the world banner and we set up in several places to sing carols. We had crowds gather and missionaries mingling with them to pass out light the world invitation cards.

Catherine with Cecelia

After Caroling, we made our way to our newly called Bishop’s home to have dinner with his family as well as a trio of sisters called to the mission office as media specialists. She used a Raclette to melt slices of cheese to ooze over baked potatoes and baguettes. Catherine is making a list of French cooking implements to take home with us at the end of our mission. Also on her list is a massive Crepe maker she saw at a Christmas market. I tried to warn Catherine about the Fois Gras (fatty Duck Liver), but I was not fast enough. She left most of that hors d’oeuvre on her plate. 

Late Christmas Eve, I started a group video chat with my children. We miss them terribly and to chat with them all as they were preparing their respective Christmas celebrations was a healing and binding experience. By the time we had chatted with all our children and made it to bed, it was 2:00 AM Christmas morning. 

This was our first Christmas together as a couple. Last Christmas, we were dating and spent Christmas with our respective families. We opened gifts around our small tree, talked about the traditions held dearly by each of our families, and how we could incorporate them into our celebrations together. One tradition I will give up is the 16-foot-tall Christmas trees that my ambitious sons picked out to dominate our living room. For years, we patronized a Christmas tree farm in rural North Plains and paid $5.00 for a tree, any size. My sons picked out these massive monoliths while I caught up with the farm owner. 

Catherine’s family does an elaborate nativity recreation, dressing the grandchildren in costume to tell the Christmas story. I am sure we will be doing that where ever we spend Christmas with family.

Another tradition is to build Ginger Bread houses, and then take them out on the New Year to plunk at them with BB guns. Wow, I love this family.

Christmas eve, we were invited to share a meal with the Conessa family, an older couple with a rich history of Christmas tradition.   We sat at the table for dinner and conversed. From time to time, Elizabeth would bring out another course. We started with a ham and cheese hors d’oeuvre; tiny tarts served hot. Next, she brought out halved tomatoes with deviled eggs and humus on top. Roasted duck followed, then a cheese course, a traditional French Yule log and finally the champagne (non-alcoholic, of course) The meal itself lasted over three hours. They regaled us with tales from their youth, Anthony told us of his grandfather who had shot a fellow suitor in the rear. No problem, he simply called the doctor to come and remove the buck shot. According to his incredible wife, Anthony was quite the looker in his youth, and was always surrounded by a bevy of beautiful girls. He told them he was looking for a girl who did not smoke, drink and was virtuous. The girls all assured him that no such female existed. He found his bride at a service project. After the project, sweaty and dirty, he paraded her around his old haunts to assure the girls that such a lady indeed existed. 

Yes, I know the day has passed, but Merry Christmas to all of you and your families. Build those memories, those traditions, and most important of all, share that spirit.  Jesus Christ is the power that will save this world and all of us in it. Testify of Him.

Cathy and Tim Frodsham 

Categories
Mission

23 December, Tender Mercies

Tim Frodsham. 23 December, 2023

We decided to explore Lyon last Friday and do it in French style: take the Metro. We popped out of the metro at several plazas downtown, enjoying the sights and planning future excursions. Our last stop before heading home was to the train station, just to find out where to go if we needed to take a train to Paris or Brussels. Heading back to the metro stop, we were both a little tired. My mistake was to reach for my wallet and open it up in front of the metro station to pull out our tickets. While on the train, A young, petite French girl saddled up to us and asked Catherine about her perfume. She scurried out at the next stop, and unbeknownst to us, my wallet with her. Not more than 15 minutes later Catherine got a notification of potential fraudulent charges on our credit cards. I discovered my wallet was missing and we immediately got on the phone to cancel cards. Unfortunately, also missing were my driver’s license, copies of my passport, visa, and other documentation. Credit cards can be quickly canceled and replaced, but I was worried about identity theft. 

It was about midnight on Saturday when I was startled with a thought! I woke up and realized that there was an air tag in my wallet. YES!!! I have no idea why I didn’t remember that before. Just two days earlier I had gone through all of the air tags, making sure that they were working and connected to both mine and Catherine’s phones. Checking the app, I found the air tag dutifully reporting its position, not far from the metro station of our petite voleur. Tender Mercy, number one. That morning, while preparing for the day, our Internet went down and right now we do most of our work remotely, through Zoom or Teams conversations. I was working on the Internet issue while preparing a burnt bagel as a sacrificial offering for my wife when the power went out. Not to worry I thought, according to the previous couple, in the hallway just outside of our apartment is a small electrical room with a breaker that needs to be reset. Problem: no doorknob. While solving the second issue, I neglected to realize that Catherine was still in the shower and our tiny bathroom had no windows. She had to finish completely in the dark. 

At this point, I committed the cardinal sin and used my wife’s scissors to open the electrical room door. The width of the blade was perfect for reaching in to turn the latch. I understand that desecrating a wife’s precious sewing scissors is automatic grounds for expulsion from the Celestial Kingdom. I thought, no worries, the nick in the blade is teeny tiny and she will probably never notice. I reset the breaker to no avail, the power was still out. I figured there must be some type of breaker box just for our apartment, but there was nothing in the electrical room. While I was searching, someone approached the door to my neighbors, and I asked him if he knew the number of the concierge. He replied that he was just visiting and had no idea. He knocked on the door, the tenant answered, and rather than asking her about the concierge, he greeted her quickly and closed the door. Unbeknownst to me, Tender Mercy number two. 

While I was puzzling over this issue, another gentleman came up the stairs. Our little apartment building is a quiet one and this was more people I had seen on the stairwell the entire time that we have lived here. He was helping a friend move in and had no idea about the concierge but informed me that there was always an electrical box somewhere inside the apartment, powered by the breaker on the outside. Tender mercy number three. He graciously came in and together we searched the apartment, but came up empty, we could not find the box. After contemplating the situation for several minutes, I decided to carefully search the entire apartment. That box must be somewhere. I went from room to room, moving furniture, checking walls and opening cupboards. I finally ended up in our tiny toilet room. The throne in our apartment is located in a room smaller than most stalls in a public restroom. I turned around, looked up and saw the light. Well, at least the light switch, high on the wall. One has only to sit on the throne and contemplate the heavens. The breaker was indeed tripped and we soon had power. Had our neighbor’s friend not assured me that there was a breaker box somewhere in the apartment, I would not have done such a thorough search, Tender Mercy number four. 

Cold, burnt bagels consumed, we headed for the metro station. While tracking my wallet, it appeared to move across town. Catherine pleaded with me that I was on a wild goose chase. My wallet was buried in some trash can or in some thug’s apartment and we would never find it. We went home, but I could not get it out of my mind, I kept having the thought that I should follow the air tag. Tender Mercy number four. Over Catherines objections, I again headed for the metro and popped out of at the station of our petite voleur. I walked around the Plaza until my phone told me that I was on top of my wallet. I activated the tone on the air tag, but it was not in range. I may not have been on top of my wallet, but I was on top of a metro entrance. I descended the stairs, activated the air tag, and could hear its characteristic chirp. Tender mercy number five. 

I spent about 15 minutes moving a few feet and activating the air tag, moving a few feet and activating it again. Finally, I poked my ear between 2 kiosks, there it was, loud and clear. Unfortunately, I could not reach it. The space was too narrow. I had probably already incurred the curiosity of Metro Security, watching me on their hidden cameras and I decided that a trip to the local police station to explain why I was rocking one of their ticket kiosks back and forth was not the best way to spend a Saturday. I needed a stick or something slender enough to reach in between.  At that exact moment. An older, refined, well dressed black woman came down the stairs, walking with a cane. I stopped her politely, briefly explained my predicament and while I trying to figure out the French word for cane, she quickly handed it to me. It was a matter of seconds for me to reach between the two kiosks and extract the wallet. Thanking her profusely, we went on our way. Cash and credit cards were of course gone, but inside my wallet were my driver’s license and copies of my passport, visa and other papers I kept with me.  

There were several tender mercies in that brief exchange. Number six, the metro station was quiet at that time of day, and I was able to hear the air tag. Number seven, the fact that this gentille woman appeared in the first place, she was only one of a handful of people I had seen at the stop in 15 minutes. Number eight, she was walking with a cane; number nine, when approaching her and asking her to borrow it, she didn’t bend it over my head and scream for the gendarmes. Wallet in hand, I made my way back home. (When Tim got home I felt terrible that I had not gone with him when he felt so strongly. I learned a huge lesson to listen to my husband. A humbling experience for me.) 

It’s the Saturday before the Christmas weekend, our Internet was down, and I had little hope of getting anything done until after the new year. Internet service was provided by the area headquarters in Frankfurt, and I had no idea in whose name it was, or even what address was used. While sorting through all of this our Internet was restored, just in time for the senior couple in the mission office to call and check up on our predicaments. Tender Mercies ten and eleven. We were delighted to inform them that everything was resolved, all was well. I counted eleven Tender Mercies in that short span of time, but I am sure the Lord’s angels were watching out for His fool, and the Tender Mercies extended that day bordered on the infinite. For example, why had she discarded my wallet between the kiosks where no would have found it for weeks or months, when there was a convenient trash can right there, recently emptied? 

The Lord never promised that when we are on His errand, we would be spared the trials and calamities of life. It was a prelude to Christmas Eve I will never forget. He did promise His help, his angels, his Tender Mercies. Of that I testify.

Categories
Mission

16 December 23

We have been in France for nearly a month now. We are mostly over COVID although Catherine has some residual dizziness and balance problems. We walk a lot here. The mission office is just over a mile away, shopping is close with many bakeries, butcheries and markets surrounding our small apartment. When we go out, Catherine holds tight to my arm to keep her balance. The clinging to my arm is not a problem at all. We pray that her dizziness will abate.

After our home bound COVID experience, we traveled to Frankfurt, Germany to train on the tools and processes used in self-reliance and humanitarian projects. There were two other new humanitarian couples there, assigned to Spain and Poland. Several couples newly assigned to the area office also attended, both to train and to be trained.

Lobby of the Central Europe Area office

The staff in the area office are knowledgeable, gracious and faithful saints. While there, we spent an evening at the Frankfurt Christmas Market. I haven’t seen crowds like these since I was in China visiting my brother. Ether, the man on the right in the picture above and yes, that is his name, came from Italy to help with the training and chauffeured us around in a van owned by the area. 

Frankfurt Christmas market

The integrated programs of welfare and self-reliance are taking off in Europe, with programs open not only to the Saints but the community as well. Humanitarian efforts in Eastern Europe are expanding as the Church learns how to manage projects in these foreign cultures. 

Murals in the Central Europe Area office

The church is moving forward at a dizzying pace, reaching out with all it’s resources to lift as many people as possible.

We returned from Frankfurt just in time to attend a gathering of senior couples from the France Lyon mission. Once a year, they come from all over the mission to share a day of testimony and an evening at the Lyon festival of lights.

Smorgasbord set out for the couple missionaries

The spread awaiting us as we arrived the the mission home, assembled by the mission president’s very talented daughter.

In 1643, the city of Lyon was struck by plague and municipal Councillors promised the city would pay tribute to Mary each year if the town was spared. It is a celebration with homes throughout Lyon placing candles in the windows and an entire city celebrating light.

Cathedrale St John

The crowds were even larger than the Frankfurt Christmas market but were orderly and respectful. 

Cathedrale St John

In several of the plazas, light shows were projected on the buildings, surrounding us with image and sound. 

Lyon Fetes des Lumieres

The pictures from my phone camera do not begin to do this justice. 

Catherine in front of Catedrale Notre Dame

It is not without it’s temptations here. A French patisserie on every corner, not to mention the chocolate shops, we passed at least six on our walk last night. Chocolate Christmas trees, chocolate nativity scenes, exquisite Yule logs on almost every corner. 

Chhoooollllooooccatttttee

It has been quite a welcome to France. We are now settling into our apartment, gathering materials both printed and online concerning the responsibilities. The more we study, the more it is apparent to us that the Church is not standing still. The prophets and apostles are leading the Church forward as fast as the saints and the world can keep up. The programs and materials are inspired. They understand and work according the principle taught by Boyd K Packer:

‘The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. . . . That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.’ (“Little Children,” Ensign, November 1986)

We love our mission. We miss our families, we miss them terribly. Birthdays and baptisms and other events will pass us by, but we are on the Lord’s errand and our families will be blessed. We pray for them each day, both collectively and individually.

Tim and Catherine Frodsham

Categories
Mission

26 Nov 23. In France

while in the MTC, our travel plans changed from flying out Saturday the 18th, to Monday, 20 November. We wondered at the change at the time, but in retrospect, were glad for the extra days in the MTC. We finished classes on Thursday morning and had Thursday afternoon, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the MTC with no classes. Both Catherine and I camedown with something and we’re glad that we had Friday Saturday and Sunday in the MTC to rest and recuperate. During the flight to France, I felt a little weak but otherwise OK, Catherine was really struggling. After our visit with the mission president on Wednesday, Catherine turned for the worse and our mission medical sister recommended we both test for Covid. Yes, we were positive. We are spending the week in our apartment, so much for hitting the ground running.

I went to three pharmacies before I could find one that would fill Catherine’s paper prescriptions from a mission doctor in Spain. We are spending the time resting, especially Catherine who spent the first few days here sleeping. The medication is helping and we are hoping to be fit and ready to go to our training in Frankfurt on December 4.